Train Stations

One of the nice things about train travel is that a number of travel necessities can be taken care of upon arrival at the train station. Some recommendations:

- Virtually every train station in Europe offers some form of luggage storage, either in lockers or at a left-luggage office. These are especially useful for those who bring too much and want to drop off their main pack to live out of a daypack for a while. Old-style lockers have a key, while new lockers print out a combination for you. Be warned that some of the new-style lockers will simply open after the lime you have paid for has run out. Make very sure whether or not you have to pay in advance for all the time you use. I prefer the left-luggage office myself, although it may not be open 24 hours. One idea if you happen to remember: when you check a bag, leave a photo ID that you won’t need in the bag. That way, if you lose your claim check, you can easily prove that the stuff is yours.

- Luggage storage facilities in France may be scarce, depending on the current situation with regards to Algerian terrorism. Yet another reason to travel light.