How much luggage can you bring on board UK trains?

Rosaline Nancy Kargbo

Published: Sep 23, 2026

How much luggage can you bring on board UK trains?

Skip lengthy security checks and worrying about strict penalties for slightly overweight bags. Taking the train generally offers much more flexibility compared to flying - including the onboard baggage allowance. Still, passengers will have to consider the specific train luggage allowances set by each operator they’re travelling with while packing. Racks and available storage space vary across carriages and train models, so the size and number of bags allowed aren’t the same across the board.

We’ll cover everything there is to know in this practical guide about luggage on trains. View luggage policies from a handful of companies, storage areas for large suitcases and smaller bags, plus what you should do with your belongings when a train is particularly busy.

Is there a luggage allowance on UK trains?

General guidance typically states that you can travel with up to three pieces of luggage on board, but there is no universal UK-wide rule on permitted train luggage. Before you travel, you’ll need to check the conditions of each operator you’ll be using as part of your journey.

Let’s say you’re travelling from Welwyn Garden City to Edinburgh Waverley. The first leg of the journey involves a Great Northern service to either London Kings Cross or Stevenage, and passengers can bring one item of hand luggage and up to two larger bags weighing under 23 kilograms and measuring no more than 30 x 70 x 90 centimetres. However, the two options for the second train (London North Eastern Railway (LNER) and Lumo) have different luggage allowances. If you’re taking the LNER service, you can only board with one large suitcase up to 30 x 57 x 80 centimetres, a medium-sized cabin bag and a piece of hand luggage. Lumo has an even stricter limit, allowing either one item of hand luggage or one cabin bag plus one medium suitcase under 27 x 41 x 63 centimetres. Passengers may choose to travel with one operator over the other depending on how much luggage they want to bring.

A common policy among the majority of operators is that passengers should be able to manage all their own luggage. Every piece must be safely stowed in the available onboard storage spaces without obstructing other travellers and staff. Disabled passengers and those with reduced mobility can request help with transporting their luggage around the station and onto/off the train. Make sure to book any Passenger Assist services at least two hours before departure for a smooth journey.

Note that a few items are restricted across trains in the UK to ensure there’s enough space and safety on board. Large musical instruments, sports equipment such as canoes or cases larger than 1 metre aren’t usually allowed. Most operators also won’t permit motorised cycles, e-scooters or hoverboards due to fire risks.

How much luggage can you take on a train?

No matter which train you’re taking, you should have enough room for all the essentials for a short getaway or longer trip. Most standard operators’ train luggage space can generally store a larger suitcase, a medium-sized item like a cabin suitcase or holdall, plus a piece of hand luggage such as a backpack, handbag or satchel. Each company’s luggage policy doesn’t just consider the number of bags per passenger, but whether all items can be safely stowed without blocking access to seats, wheelchair spaces, aisles or emergency exits. Operators with limited space for train luggage allow less than three items on board. For instance, East Midlands Railway (EMR) allows two items maximum: one large case up to 30 x 70 x 90 centimetres and either one cabin-sized bag or a small piece of hand luggage.

There may be additional charges if you bring more bags than permitted by the operator (e.g., Lumo charges £40.00 per extra item). You can also be charged if your luggage occupies seats or wheelchair spaces needed for other passengers or your bag measures over 1 metre in any dimension.

Requirements for luggage on trains vary among passengers. For families with small children, pushchairs and prams are permitted on board so long as they’re folded and stored in the luggage areas. The practical limit for passengers with multiple bags and larger suitcases during rush hour may be less than what the operator typically allows, as the train may be full of commuters. If you can, opt for an Off-Peak service.

Where do you put luggage on a train?

Most modern train carriages are fitted with plenty of dedicated luggage storage areas for your belongings. In addition to the luggage racks for larger suitcases (typically at the ends of the carriage), many trains have additional racks overhead to stow cabin bags and medium-sized pieces. There’s generally a gap beneath the seats to fit smaller items like a backpack, handbag or even a small wheelie suitcase. Some carriages, such as Standard Class coaches on Great Western Railway (GWR) trains, often have a small amount of space between back-to-back seats for smaller bags and suitcases (just flip it on its side and tuck it in).

You should choose a suitable storage location based on the size of your luggage. Keep smaller items under the seats or on your lap to free up space in the overhead racks and large suitcase areas for passengers who need them. All other pieces should be securely stored in the train luggage racks and not blocking any aisles, seats, doorways or emergency equipment. Remember to pack relatively light if you’ll need to lift you bag above your head to get it on and off the overhead racks.

What happens if there isn’t enough train luggage space?

Booked a ticket for a busy service and can’t find any room for your large suitcase? If the dedicated train luggage space in your carriage is already occupied, you can see if there are any free racks in the neighbouring coaches.

Keep smaller bags with you or not too far away from your seat, where possible. Even if the luggage racks are full, passengers shouldn’t store their bags in any prohibited areas that would obstruct other passengers and staff. Ask the guard or other members of staff on board if any carriages have space for luggage and where you can safely put your bags.

We recommend looking up the operator’s coach layouts to get an idea of where the train luggage racks will be. Aim to board that end of the carriage first, using the departure boards and signs at the station platform to help you.

On certain routes, you’ve also got the option of booking a less busy local train with more intermediate stops to avoid the packed express services during peak hours. While a TransPennine Express or East Midlands Railway (EMR) train from Sheffield to Manchester Piccadilly is about 20 minutes faster, the local Northern service tends to be much quieter. The Northern train also starts in Sheffield, meaning you can arrive at the station slightly early and get first pick of the luggage areas and nearby seats.

Can you take large suitcases on UK trains?

If you’re travelling with full-size suitcases, multiple bags or bulky luggage, be sure to check the train luggage space offered by the operator(s) and limits per passenger. The maximum dimensions for large suitcases are usually 30 x 70 x 90 centimetres (as is the case for CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, Grand Central and other companies), but this can vary. Similarly, operators have different restrictions on the number of large items permitted. TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales (TfW) allow two large suitcases plus a small bag, whereas Hull Trains only allows one large suitcase, a small carry-on and a piece of hand luggage.

Storing larger pieces of luggage can sometimes be tricky, especially during busier periods. Consider boarding a train outside of rush hour (i.e., 09:30 to 16:00 and after 19:00 on weekdays) to increase your chances of finding space on the racks.

Bulky items are anything over 1 metre in any dimension that you may not be able to carry without assistance, and separate operator restrictions apply. Prohibited items include large furniture, canoes and large musical instruments. A few companies, including West Midlands Railway, Chiltern Railways and Northern, allow skis and snowboards on board at the train manager’s discretion. Double-check with the operator before you travel. Charges may apply for excessively large or bulky items that obstruct passengers and staff.