TGV INOUI Luggage Policy: Size Limits, Allowances & Rules

Passengers traveling on TGV INOUI high-speed train services operated by SNCF Voyageurs can bring up to two large bags and one piece of hand luggage free of charge. Large bags must not exceed 70 × 90 × 50 cm, and hand luggage must fit within 30 × 40 × 15 cm. Every piece must be labeled with the traveler's contact details and carried independently onto the train.

At a glance

Baggage Allowance Snapshot

Each passenger may bring two large suitcases and one piece of hand luggage at no extra cost. All luggage must be carried and stowed onboard by the passenger without staff assistance.

Hand luggage 1 piece included Max 30 × 40 × 15 cm

Large luggage Up to 2 pieces included Max 70 × 90 × 50 cm each

Special equipment option 1 special item allowed Replaces 1 large suitcase (max 90 × 130 cm)

Weight limit No fixed kilogram limit Must be carried independently in one trip

Luggage tags Mandatory on all items Full name, phone, and destination required

Folded bicycle Free in a cover Max 90 × 130 cm (counts as special item)

Assembled bicycle Reservation required Subject to train layout and booking fee (~€10)

Checked baggage service None available All items travel in passenger coaches

What can change: Special equipment replacement rules, bicycle rack availability by train model, and specific cross-border rules on international partner routes.

Measurement guide

Baggage Size Visual

Use the train operator's stated order of dimensions: height, length, and depth. Measurements must include handles, wheels, and exterior pockets.

30 cm 40 cm 15 cm

70 cm 90 cm 50 cm

Visual guide - not to scale. Use the published numerical limit as the controlling rule.

Source check

Official Source Verification

Baggage rules can vary by train operator, train model, and international route. BaggageBase separates published rules from practical guidance.

Official source SNCF Voyageurs Conditions of Carriage (TGV INOUI)

Source type Train operator baggage regulations

Policy scope TGV INOUI domestic and high-speed network routes

Last checked Official verification required

Confidence High

Important caveat OUIGO trains operate under completely different baggage limits and fees. Do not apply TGV INOUI rules to OUIGO bookings.

Standard Baggage Allowance & Dimension Limits

TGV INOUI uses a walk-on, self-stowage system. There are no check-in desks, weighing scales, or separate cargo holds. Every passenger is directly responsible for carrying their bags past the platform access gates, up the train steps, and into the onboard luggage racks.

The standard allowance per ticketed passenger includes:

• Two large bags: Each measuring up to 70 × 90 × 50 cm.
• One hand luggage item: Measuring up to 30 × 40 × 15 cm.

If you travel with bulky recreational items, your allowance shifts to:

• One special item: Measuring up to 90 × 130 cm.
• One large bag: Measuring up to 70 × 90 × 50 cm.
• One hand luggage item: Measuring up to 30 × 40 × 15 cm.

Standard, First Class, and Business Première tickets share the exact same baggage allowance. Premium tickets do not include extra luggage pieces.

Weight Rules and Personal Autonomy

SNCF does not enforce a numerical kilogram weight cap on TGV INOUI bags. Instead, safety rules state that you must be able to carry and handle all of your luggage completely on your own in a single trip.

Train conductors and platform staff are not required to lift heavy suitcases. If you bring bags that you cannot lift safely onto the train or place into the shelves, you risk delaying train departures and may face fines or refusal of carriage.

Mandatory Luggage Labeling

French railway regulations require every piece of luggage brought onto a TGV INOUI train to be visibly labeled. This applies to suitcases, backpacks, instrument cases, folded bikes, and stroller bags.

Your luggage tags must show:

• Your first and last name.
• Your current mobile phone number.
• Your travel destination or delivery address.

Unlabeled bags left in luggage racks or vestibules are treated as unattended objects under national security protocols (Plan Vigipirate). Train staff may call security teams or bomb disposal units to inspect or destroy unidentifiable bags. This can result in severe route delays, train evacuations, and heavy financial penalties for the bag's owner. Free paper luggage tags are available at station concourses, ticket kiosks, and customer service desks across France.

Bicycles, Sports Gear & Musical Instruments

Specialty travel gear is permitted on TGV INOUI as long as it meets safety guidelines and does not block corridors.

Bicycle Regulations

TGV INOUI offers two ways to transport bicycles:

1. Folded or Disassembled Bikes:

• The bike must be folded or taken apart (front wheel removed).
• It must be enclosed inside a non-transparent protective travel cover measuring no more than 90 × 130 cm.
• It travels free of charge and takes the place of one large suitcase under your allowance.

1. Fully Assembled Bikes:

• Permitted only on select trains equipped with dedicated bicycle spaces.
• You must book a bike space reservation when purchasing your train ticket. This usually incurs a flat booking fee of around €10.
• You must hang or stand the bike in the designated carriage hook zone.
• Cargo bikes, tandems, and recumbents are strictly forbidden on board.

Skis and Snowboards

You can bring one pair of skis or one snowboard per person. Skis and snowboards must be enclosed in a protective travel sleeve. They count as your single allowed special equipment item and replace one large suitcase.

Musical Instruments

Instruments in protective hard or soft cases (such as guitars or violins) can be brought onboard as your special item, provided the case does not exceed 90 × 130 cm. Very large instruments, such as cellos, cannot fit in regular overhead or vestibule racks. Travelers carrying instruments that exceed 130 cm must contact SNCF customer service in advance to purchase an additional passenger seat for the instrument.

Onboard Storage Locations & Safety Rules

TGV INOUI trains travel at high speeds, making secure stowage vital for passenger safety. Corridors, doors, and walkways must stay unobstructed at all times.

Dedicated Storage Zones

• Under Your Seat: Designed for small backpacks, briefcases, and tote bags that fit within the 30 × 40 × 15 cm hand luggage limit.
• Overhead Luggage Racks: Shelves positioned above the seats run along the car ceiling. These are suitable for soft duffel bags, jackets, and medium travel bags.
• Vestibule Tiered Racks: Located by the entrance doors of every carriage. These multi-level metal shelves hold large suitcases up to 70 × 90 × 50 cm. Always put the heaviest suitcases on the bottom level to prevent shifting during travel.
• Central Coach Bays: Available on double-decker TGV Duplex trains between back-to-back seating rows.

Prohibited Actions

• Never leave bags in the train aisles, vestibules, or gangways connecting carriages.
• Do not stack luggage on empty passenger seats without paying for an extra seat ticket.
• Never place luggage against automated exit doors or emergency access compartments.

Fines & Enforcement for Excess Luggage

SNCF train managers (Chefs de Bord) inspect luggage compliance and safety clearances during the trip. Bringing unauthorized luggage or failing to follow storage rules can lead to on-the-spot fines:

• Excess Baggage Fee: Traveling with more than your authorized number of bags, or bringing bags larger than 70 × 90 × 50 cm without permission, can result in an onboard penalty of €50 per bag.
• Corridor Obstruction Fine: Refusing to clear a bag from an aisle, door area, or exit path can trigger safety fines of up to €150.
• Removal of Goods: Conductors have the authority to remove dangerous, untagged, or severely oversized items from the train at the next station stop.

Station Logistics, Lost Luggage & Accessibility

Navigating the Station

Major French stations use automatic ticket gates at the platform entrances. Have your printed ticket or digital QR code on your phone ready to scan. Platform boarding gates close between 2 and 5 minutes before departure. Arriving after gates close means you will be refused boarding.

Look at the platform display screens (Composition du train) before boarding. Find the letter marker (Repère) that matches your coach number (Voiture) to board directly in front of your assigned carriage.

Station Luggage Lockers

Major hubs, including Paris Gare de Lyon, Paris Montparnasse, and Lyon Part-Dieu, offer automatic storage lockers (Consignes). Lockers require security screening and charge daily rental rates depending on locker size. Smaller provincial stations do not have storage lockers.

Lost Property Procedure

If you leave luggage onboard a TGV INOUI:

1. Submit a missing item report immediately through the official SNCF lost property website (Déclaration de perte).
2. Found items are registered in a nationwide database and sent to the lost-and-found office at the train's final destination.
3. To reclaim your property, you must present a valid identity card and pay an administrative return fee, usually ranging from €5 to €10.

Before you travel

TGV INOUI Station & Boarding Checklist

Follow these practical steps to avoid delays, fines, and boarding issues on your high-speed train journey.

• Measure all bags before leaving home. Confirm that large bags are under 70 × 90 × 50 cm and small bags fit 30 × 40 × 15 cm.
• Label every bag clearly. Write your full name, phone number, and destination address on tags attached to all luggage pieces.
• Test your lifting capacity. Make sure you can lift and carry all your items up train steps and onto high shelves without assistance.
• Reserve bicycle spaces during booking. Assembled bikes require a booked spot and cannot be added after the train sells out.
• Keep essential items in your hand luggage. Keep your phone, wallet, tickets, medications, and chargers with you at your seat.
• Arrive at the platform 20 minutes early. Give yourself enough time to clear platform access gates before they lock 2 minutes before departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bags can I take on TGV INOUI?

Each passenger can bring up to two large bags (up to 70 × 90 × 50 cm) and one piece of hand luggage (up to 30 × 40 × 15 cm). If you bring a special item like a folded bicycle or musical instrument, your allowance is one special item, one large bag, and one hand luggage piece.

Is luggage labeling strictly required on TGV INOUI?

Yes, luggage labeling is mandatory on all French trains under railway safety laws. Every bag must have a label showing your full name, phone number, and destination station or address. Unlabeled bags risk being treated as suspicious packages and destroyed by security staff.

Is there a weight limit for luggage on TGV INOUI?

There is no fixed kilogram limit on TGV INOUI trains. However, you must be physically able to carry, lift, and stow all your bags independently without delaying boarding or asking train staff for assistance.

How do TGV INOUI luggage rules differ from OUIGO?

TGV INOUI tickets include two large suitcases and one hand bag at no extra charge. OUIGO is a low-cost service that includes only one small personal item and one cabin bag; extra or larger bags on OUIGO require purchasing paid add-ons.

Can I bring a baby stroller on TGV INOUI?

Yes, baby strollers travel free of charge when you travel with an infant. Strollers must be folded before you step onto the train and stowed safely in the carriage luggage racks so they do not block passages.

Where do I store large suitcases on the train?

Large suitcases must be stored in the tiered metal luggage racks located inside the entrance vestibules of each carriage or in the central coach racks between seats. They must never be left in aisles or in front of exit doors.

Can I bring an assembled bicycle on TGV INOUI?

Yes, but only on trains equipped with a dedicated bicycle area. You must book a bike space reservation when buying your ticket, which costs around €10. Folded bikes inside a cover measuring up to 90 × 130 cm travel free as a special item without a reservation.

What is the fine for bringing too much luggage on TGV INOUI?

Bringing extra bags or items that exceed size limits can result in an onboard excess fine of €50 per bag. Leaving luggage in hallways or blocking emergency exits can lead to fines of up to €150.

Baggage rules can vary by route, operating rail company, train equipment, and booking conditions. Always confirm the specific baggage regulations for your journey directly with the operating rail carrier before traveling.