Train travellers in France to face fine soon if luggage above these dimensions

French national rail operator SNCF will bring in new limits on the suitcase sizes and the number of bags allowed per traveller, with passengers facing a fine if breaking them. 

The new limits will come into force from September 15 on high-speed TGV and Intercités services. 

Restrictions on bag sizes and limits are already in place on low-cost OuiGo branded trains. 

The SNCF hopes it will prevent people from bringing excess baggage onto trains, which leaves those who join the route at a later destination (or just before the train departs) unable to safely stow their luggage on board.

Fines of €50 can be levied by ticket inspectors on those who fall foul of the new rules.

What are the new limits? 

Passengers on TGV and Intercités trains will now be limited to three pieces of luggage overall per person – two ‘cabin bags’ (usually suitcases) stored in the luggage racks in the carriage and one piece of hand luggage, such as a laptop bag, rucksack, shopping bag etc. 

Larger pieces of luggage must fit a dimension size of 70x90x50 cm with hand luggage having a maximum size of 40x30x15 cm. 

Hand luggage must be able to be stored under seats.

All luggage should also have the person’s name written or displayed on it. 

Certain items do not count towards this limit – for example, pushchairs/prams (although they must be folded up) and musical equipment (which must be labelled and stored safely). 

Passengers can also bring a single pair of skis per person on board. 

Read more: Eurostar to relaunch London to Alps winter ski trains

Bikes, if folded up and placed in a bag (less than 90x130 cm in size) count as one piece of hand luggage. Alternatively, cyclists can buy a ticket to keep their bike in a rack, unfolded, for €10. 

Read more: Is there a service to help disabled people use French public transport?