Checked baggage rules You can take two items weighing up to 50 lb. each and smaller than 75 linear inches (length + width + height). You can also check two additional bags for $20 each. One great advantage of checking your bags is that you don't need to keep watch over them while you're on the train.

Unlike airlines, most rail networks in 2026 have generous baggage policies, but "limits" do exist. On Amtrak, you are allowed two personal items and two carry-on bags for free, with a weight limit of 50 lbs per bag. Eurostar allows two bags (up to 85cm long) plus one hand luggage item, with no specific weight limit as long as you can lift them yourself. In Japan, JR East and other Shinkansen operators allow two pieces of luggage up to 30kg each, but in 2026, a "Reserved Oversize Baggage" rule is strictly enforced: if your bag's total dimensions (H+W+D) exceed 160cm, you must reserve a specific seat with an oversized luggage area, or face a 1,000-yen fine. Most European regional trains have no formal "limit" beyond what fits in the overhead racks or end-of-car storage. However, if your luggage blocks aisles or doors, staff may ask you to remove it. Always check if your specific high-speed route requires a "luggage reservation" during peak holiday periods to avoid boarding delays.