Can you bring luggage on deutsche bahn

Official rule: No fixed piece or weight allowance is listed for standard tickets; transport of personal items is included in the fare. Practical limit: keep individual items below ~20–25 kg if possible so they can be lifted onto racks by one person. Store large cases on the end-of-carriage racks or overhead shelves; smaller items belong under the seat or on lap.

Storage and placement: Use designated luggage areas at carriage ends for suitcases and bulky bags. Overhead shelves take compact suitcases and backpacks; do not block doorways, wheelchair spaces, or emergency equipment. Secure bags with a cable lock or strap if leaving them briefly in a vestibule. Tag each item with name and phone number for quick recovery.

Special items and fees: Bicycles, surfboards, skis and other oversized gear often require a separate ticket or reservation on long-distance services; folding bicycles packed to fit in a bag are usually exempt from extra fees. Motorized equipment with high-capacity lithium batteries may face restrictions – place batteries in hand-carried items when possible and consult the operator’s hazardous-goods guidance before travel.

Safety and etiquette: Keep valuables on the person or in a locked small bag. Do not place heavy cases on seats during peak periods; free seats are not storage. When boarding, load large items first at carriage ends and step aside to let others pass. If assistance is required, request staff help at the platform or from on-board personnel.

Quick checklist: 1) Limit to two large suitcases plus a small personal bag; 2) Keep individual weight liftable by one traveler (~20–25 kg); 3) Store in end racks or overhead shelves; 4) Buy a special ticket/reservation for bikes and bulky sports equipment when required; 5) Secure and tag items, keep valuables on person.

Baggage rules for Germany’s national rail

Recommendation: Transport personal baggage without paying an extra fare – there is no formal size or weight limit, but items must be stowed so they do not block aisles or doors. Use overhead racks for small trunks and backpacks; aim for items roughly 50×40×25 cm on racks to avoid migration during travel. Large hard-shell suitcases fit in floor-level compartments or door-area bays on long‑distance services (typical maximum height handled comfortably ≈85 cm).

Regional services (RE, RB, S‑Bahn): on-board capacity is constrained. Use soft, compressible bags or compact rolling cases; if door-area space is marked for bicycles or prams, do not place bulky baggage there unless signage permits. During high-occupancy periods board earlier and place large items in the carriage ends to keep central aisles clear.

Bicycles and oversized gear: local and regional routes commonly accept full-size bikes with a bicycle ticket. Long‑distance trains frequently require a paid reservation and in some cases a supplement; reservation fees typically fall in the €5–€10 range depending on service. Folding bikes that fit on racks or under seats usually travel without an extra charge.

Handling, security and alternatives: keep passports, electronics and medication with the passenger at all times. Mark bags with clear identification and use straps or TSA‑style locks for checked items. If pieces are too large or heavy to stow safely on board, use the operator’s parcel/baggage forwarding service or ship items in advance. Pack a compact daypack when visiting attractions such as best aquarium in utah to keep tickets, camera and essentials at hand.

Allowed baggage size and weight limits on regional and long-distance trains

Recommendation: No formal maximum size or weight is set by the operator; still, keep each bag roughly within 85 × 55 × 40 cm and 20–25 kg so it can be lifted to racks and stowed without blocking doors or aisles.

Regional trains

Official policy: no fixed dimensions or weight limits. Practical guidance: use overhead racks, luggage zones near doors or spaces between seats. Items that obstruct corridors or emergency exits may be refused. Folding bicycles, strollers and standard music cases usually fit; full-size bicycles depend on regional rules and may require a separate ticket or time-limited carriage slot–consult the local transport authority before departure.

Long-distance trains

Official policy: no strict limits, but stronger enforcement of seating and storage rules. If a bag occupies a passenger seat, a second seat purchase or reservation may be requested. Dedicated luggage areas exist in many long-distance units (overhead shelves, end-of-carriage bays, specific compartments on ICE/IC). Oversized articles (large instruments, surfboards, trade show crates) often require prior arrangement or a special freight service.

How to stow large bags, suitcases and oversized items on board

Place heavy suitcases on floor-level racks at coach ends and secure them with a luggage strap or bungee; reserve overhead shelves for soft holdalls and items under 8–10 kg.

Placement and orientation

Floor racks: align suitcase wheels against the wall or a bulkhead to prevent rolling; place long suitcases parallel to the wall to maximise space. Typical floor-rack depth fits pieces up to ~85 cm long – measure the case before travel. Overhead shelves: keep items low-profile (max 35–40 cm depth) and centre them to avoid overhang into the aisle.

Securing oversized pieces and special equipment

Fastening: use a low-stretch strap, cable lock or bungee to anchor large items to railings or fixed hooks in vestibules. If no anchor exists, wedge the case between fixed seats or against a bulkhead and place a visible tag with contact details. Protruding items: never leave anything projecting into the aisle or blocking doorways; staff may require relocation or removal.

Bicycles, surfboards, large musical instruments: fold or partially disassemble where possible, cover sharp parts, and place in designated bike/oversized zones or the carriage end. Obtain reservations or special tickets when required by the operator for dedicated storage spaces.

For smoother handling, choose suitcases with robust inline skate wheels and a strong telescopic handle – see best luggage with inline skate wheels for suitable models. Keep valuables and travel documents with the person at all times; photographic evidence of how items were stowed helps with any claim if the case shifts or is damaged.

Rules for bikes, skis and special equipment – reservations and fees

Reserve a bicycle space on long-distance services; mandatory reservation fee: €9 per bicycle reservation. Applies to ICE, IC and EC services that list bike carriage – spaces are limited and must be shown on the ticket as a separate reservation.

Regional trains (RE/RB/S-Bahn): reservation usually not required. A regional bike ticket may be mandatory depending on the local transport authority; typical price range: €2–€6. Folding bicycles stored in a protective cover and fitting on racks are treated as standard items and normally travel without extra charge or reservation.

Skis and snowboards should be packed in a protective bag and stowed on overhead racks or in empty vestibules. No standard extra fee on most routes, but space is limited; equipment longer than 2.0 m or bulky boards may need prior approval or a dedicated transport space – declare such items when booking long-distance reservations.

Large sports equipment (surfboards, windsurf gear, long poles), diving cylinders and other unusual items often require advance notification. Some items are subject to special handling rules or safety checks; pressurised cylinders and loose batteries must be declared before travel and may be refused if safety standards are not met.

Musical instruments that do not fit in a standard overhead rack should have either a separate seat reservation on long-distance services or be transported as special cargo via station services. Expect an additional fare if an extra seat is taken.

Wheelchairs, mobility aids and medical devices travel free. Designated wheelchair spaces exist on long-distance trains; assistance and space reservations for passengers with reduced mobility can be arranged at no charge via the operator’s hotline or station service desk. Notify staff in advance for non-sealed batteries or non-standard power packs.

Reservations and payment: book bike, ski or special-item places through the official app, website or ticket office – look for the bicycle reservation / special-item option. Reservation confirmations appear as a separate line on the ticket and should be carried digitally or printed. Weekend, holiday and ski-season trains sell out rapidly; reserve early.

Non-compliance consequences: staff may refuse carriage or charge on-board surcharges if required reservations or approvals are missing, or if items create a safety or evacuation hazard.

Valuables and fragile items: packing and on-board security tips

Store high-value items in a small, lockable, padded bag kept under the seat or carried on the person at all times.

Packing fragile items

• Use a hard case or a padded insert for electronics, glassware and instruments; fill all voids with foam, bubble wrap or rolled clothing to prevent movement.
• Wrap single fragile objects with 2–3 layers of bubble wrap, place inside a sealed waterproof pouch, then into a secondary protective box if possible.
• For cameras and lenses: keep bodies and lenses in padded compartments, lens caps on, batteries and memory cards in a separate small pouch.
• Place spare lithium batteries in a carry compartment, protect terminals with tape or original packaging and keep them apart from metal objects.
• Attach an internal tag with contact details; use a discreet external identifier (small tag or coded label) rather than an obvious “high value” sticker.

On-board security and handling

• Keep passports, cash, bank cards, mobile phones and jewelry on the person (inner pockets or money belt). Avoid external pockets or easy-to-reach compartments.
• Never leave fragile items unattended in corridors, vestibules or unobserved racks; if a brief absence is unavoidable, secure the bag with a compact cable lock to a fixed structure.
• Store heavy fragile cases low (under-seat or low rack) to reduce fall risk; strap cases on overhead racks with an adjustable strap to stop sliding during braking.
• When seating near the rack, place fragile packages where they remain within sight; avoid placing breakables on luggage racks that face busy walkways.
• If an item is lost or taken, alert on-board staff immediately and request written confirmation; file a police (Polizei) report at the nearest station and keep the report number and contact details for insurers.
• Before departure, photograph items (serial numbers, model, receipts, exterior condition) and upload images to cloud storage or email them to a trusted account for fast claims processing.
• Check personal insurance policy limits for public-transport losses and required documentation (police report, photos, original purchase receipts) so claims can be submitted without delay.

Lost, left baggage and station storage: procedures and contacts

Report lost items immediately via the central lost‑property hotline or at the station lost & found desk; if the object was left on a train, provide date, train number, coach and seat to accelerate tracing.

Central lost‑property hotline: +49 30 65212878 (mainline operator’s fund service). Local station service desks and staffed left‑baggage counters (Gepäckaufbewahrung / Fundbüro) accept in‑person reports and hand in found items to the central service.

Online claim: submit a detailed report including travel date, origin/destination stations, carriage/seat details, exact description, photos, value estimate and contact data. A claim reference is issued by email – retain it for follow‑up and collection.

Collection requirements: present valid photo ID, proof of ownership (serial numbers, photos, ticket or booking reference) and the claim reference. Some stations require prepayment of postage or handling fees for dispatch; payment methods vary by station (card and cash commonly accepted).

Station lockers (Schließfächer): available at major terminals in small/medium/large sizes. Typical pricing range: €3–€8 per 24 hours depending on size; coin and card payment options depend on locker system. Short‑term lockers usually limit use to a few days; staffed storage counters offer longer retention at higher daily rates (approx. €5–€10/day).

Retention and disposition: items found on trains are routed to the central fund service and generally retained for up to six months; unclaimed goods may be transferred to municipal authorities or disposed of under local regulations after the retention period.

Valuables and identity documents: report immediately to the station police (Bundespolizei) and the lost‑property office. Retrieval of passports, ID cards and high‑value electronics often requires a police report or additional identity verification.

Return by post: request mail‑back during the claim process; shipping and handling fees apply and must be prepaid in most cases. International returns may require customs declarations for high‑value items.

Recovery tips: note carriage/seat and the exact time when the item went missing, photograph the item and its distinguishing marks, keep the travel ticket/PNR, file the online claim within 24 hours, and follow up with the hotline quoting the claim reference for status updates.