Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for travel, and over the next week, millions will be trekking to loved ones around the UK with gifts and luggage in hand.
However, one train company has asked its customers to carry airline-style bags rather than ‘super-sized’ suitcases when on its services this Christmas.
Great Western Railway urged passengers to bring ‘sensible-sized’ suitcases to avoid overcrowding and ensure aisles, exits and seats remain clear.
With hoards of people flocking to the railways over the festive period, the train operator has asked passengers to ‘show a bit of Christmas spirit and consideration for others’.
According to the National Rail Conditions of Travel, passengers are typically limited to three pieces of luggage, however GWR anticipates trains will be busier than usual for this time of year.
A spokesperson said: ‘We’re seeing more and more people struggling on station stairways and trying to board trains with unwieldy, super-sized luggage, which can block aisles, exits and seats.
‘Instead, we’re asking them to consider bringing a standard-sized suitcase which fits comfortably in the boot of a car and can be stored in luggage racks at the end of a carriage, or, even better, a couple of pieces of cabin-style luggage which can be stored in overhead racks or under seats.
‘There’s plenty of space on board our trains for sensible-sized luggage and this is about offering help and guidance to customers.’
Passengers have frequently taken to social media to voice their frustrations about bulky luggage taking up space on UK trains.
Many reported being unable to find a seat, forcing them to stand for long journeys, while disabled passengers have been unable to access designated wheelchair spaces.
One user, @nattatouillez, shared their experience on a GWR train last year on X, writing: ‘Paid £105 for the privilege of standing amongst suitcases for two hours. Such a top-notch experience.’
Another, @flickhwilliams, posted an image of someone occupying the wheelchair space aboard a train with two pieces of hand luggage and multiple suitcases during a 40-minute train journey.
They wrote: ‘My view all the way back from Leeds on the train. All this luggage piled up was in the wheelchair space. The woman refused to move it at first but a Scottish guy came to my aid and persuaded her. The back of her legs were pressing against my footplates.’
Meanwhile, on TikTok, UK rail passenger @nicksherrard shared a clip of three suitcases blocking the entrance to a carriage, captioning the video: ‘What do you call people who leave their bags on trains like this?’
Some commenters claimed the luggage could cause ‘fire risks’, but others pointed out the lack of storage for luggage on trains, including one who wrote: ‘Blame the train companies for the lack of luggage space.’
Another person agreed, replying: ‘Trains never have sufficient luggage racks for big bags.’
New research from GWR claims nearly six in ten travellers (58%) have experienced issues on a train due to their own or other passengers’ luggage.
The firm says customers cite a range of problems, including discomfort and irritation to being forced to stand, arguments and delays.
Great Western Rail customer advice for travelling
GWR says luggage advice can vary depending on the size and type of train you’re travelling on. Its website advises customers to ‘think carefully’ about what they need for their trip.
What you can bring
GWR says: ‘There is plenty of room for cabin-style hand luggage, laptop bags and handbags under seats and in the overhead racks.
‘We have limited space for larger, standard suitcase-size bags (up to 25 x 40 x 75cm) in the luggage rack at the end of each carriage.’
What you can’t bring
‘More than three pieces of luggage. Anything you can’t carry or easily move about – we do not recommend bringing extra-large bags as they can be difficult to manoeuvre inside the train and staff are unable to help with them.’
The research, which surveyed 2,000 people over 16, discovered many passengers are unaware of the rules of travelling with luggage.
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A quarter (23%) of respondents are unsure of luggage policy, one in 10 think you can bring as much as you like within reason, and a further 6% – nearly four million Brits – believe there are no limits at all.
According to GWR, over a third (35%) of those surveyed would support airline-style excess luggage charges being imposed on trains. And nearly two-thirds (64%) say they want rail firms to prioritise passenger seating over luggage storage space.
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It may be worth keeping that in mind when you’re packing for your Christmas train trip.
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