Luggage rules on Italian trains: Trenitalia, Italo and regional trains compared

None of the Italian operators we checked sets a weight limit or a fixed number of bags. What differs is size: 75 x 53 x 30 cm in Italo's Smart class, 80 x 110 x 40 cm on Trenord's trains in Lombardy, and no figure in centimetres at all on Trenitalia, where the test is whether the bag fits the luggage spaces. Break the rules and the on-board penalty is between 8 and 16.70 euros, and the bag leaves the train at the next stop. Everything below was checked 16 October 2026 against the operators' own conditions of carriage in Italian.

Trenitalia: Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Intercity and Intercity Notte

All Trenitalia long-distance trains follow Part II of the general conditions of carriage, updated 24 September 2026. Luggage and easily carried items, such as foldable pushchairs and prams, skis and musical instruments, travel free if they go in the spaces set aside for them. Bigger bags "may be tolerated" if they do not obstruct passengers or staff. There is no number of bags and no size.

In March 2024 the consumer magazine Altroconsumo reported a planned cap of two free bags on the Frecce, already suspended at the time. The September 2026 conditions contain no such cap.

• Bikes: one per passenger travels free on every train if it is taken apart and bagged, or folded, and no larger than 80 x 110 x 45 cm. An assembled bike is allowed only on Intercity trains shown as equipped when you book, with a bike ticket costing 3.50 euros in the national price list dated 1 October 2026.
• Pets: a small dog, cat or other small pet travels free in a carrier of at most 70 x 30 x 50 cm, one per passenger. One dog of any size, on a lead and muzzled, may travel on the Frecce, Intercity and in Intercity Notte seats, for half the second class Base fare. Not in Premium, the Silent Area or the Meeting Area. In an Intercity Notte couchette or sleeper you must buy the whole compartment.
• Too much luggage: if bags seriously disturb others or exceed the permitted size, the penalty is 10 euros and you must unload them at the next stop.

Trenitalia regional trains

Regional trains have their own section on luggage and animals, valid from 26 November 2025. Hand luggage is free if it sits in the spaces provided and does not block people, staff or the carriage. Again there is no size, number or weight.

• Bikes: under the regional bike rules, valid from 19 April 2024, a bagged or folded bike up to 80 x 120 x 45 cm is free on every regional train. An assembled bike up to 2 metres long, goes only on trains marked with the bike symbol in the timetable, with a second class ticket for the same route or a 3.50 euro supplement valid all day. Within Lombardy's fare area it is free.
• Pets: a carrier of up to 70 x 30 x 50 cm is free. Unless regional rules say otherwise, other dogs need a lead, a muzzle and a ticket at half the second class fare, free within Lombardy. Some regional trains, marked in the timetable, take no dogs outside carriers.
• Too much luggage: bags causing serious disturbance or damage cost 8 euros, and you get off at the first stop.

Italo

Italo's contract of carriage, in force from 1 October 2026, limits bags in Smart class to 75 x 53 x 30 cm. Its luggage page says larger bags fit in Prima Business and Club Executive. In every class the contract bars particularly bulky luggage, bulky objects and ordinary (non folding) bikes. Bags must not stand by the doors or the wheelchair spaces.

The English luggage page promises "as many items as you need". The Italian page and the contract say nothing of the kind, and we follow the Italian.

• Where it goes: small bags under the seat, medium bags only in the overhead racks, large bags in the racks in the compartments or vestibules. Italo's luggage leaflet gives overhead racks 35 cm high and 42 cm deep (the luggage page also says 53 cm).
• Bikes, pushchairs, scooters: pushchairs, prams and folding bikes count as luggage and go with the frame folded. Scooters, electric or not, go folded in the vestibule racks only.
• Pets: an animal of up to 5 kg travels free in a carrier, one carrier and one animal per passenger. Bigger dogs need the paid "Cane" option, a lead and a muzzle. It is sold in Smart and Prima Business, per the pets page. Breaking the carrier, lead or muzzle rules costs 90 euros on board.
• Too much luggage: a non-conforming bag or bike must come off at the next stop, with a 10 euro penalty on board. Unpaid, it becomes 200 euros, or 50 euros if paid within 30 days.

Trenord in Lombardy

Trenord's conditions of carriage, valid from 1 September 2026, allow bags up to 80 x 110 x 40 cm free, placed in the spaces provided.

• Bikes: bagged or folded bikes, scooters and similar devices up to 80 x 120 x 45 cm are free on all trains. Assembled bikes, at most 2 metres long and one per passenger, go only on trains listed in the timetable, free within Lombardy's fare area.
• Pets: a carrier of up to 70 x 30 x 50 cm is free. A dog of any size needs a muzzle, a lead and its registration certificate, and is not allowed on weekdays from 7.00 to 9.30 and from 17.30 to 19.30, except on Malpensa airport trains for passengers with a boarding pass.
• Too much luggage: the penalty is 16.70 euros if paid on the spot or within 60 days, then 50 euros plus notification costs.

What this means for a big suitcase

Over 75 x 53 x 30 cm, a case is ruled out by size only in Italo's Smart class. Trenord allows up to 80 x 110 x 40 cm. Trenitalia applies only the space test: a large case is fine as long as it obstructs nobody.

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