Luggage Sizes in AVE Trains

Dear Travellers,

we are a family from Germany and want to go by train (AVE) from Madrid to Malaga but we are a little confused about the allowed luggage sizes. I read on the RENFE page that the maximum sizes of one piece of luggage is about 85 x 55 x 35 cm. Unfortunately our suitcases or bags are bigger than that (we are travelling with kids and have to deal with car seats, swimming stuff and so on).
Do you know if they take this maximum sizes really serios?
Is there a possibility maybe to pay for luggage with bigger sizes?
I saw that RENFE is offering a door to door service but this takes up to four days. That's too long as we are only staying for a week in Andalucia.
Thank you very much for your help!

Usually they´re quite relaxed about the bags you bring with you, but they can and will reject an oversized suitcase if the train is fully booked and there´s not much free space where to put the luggage.. If you´re going in the summer this is very likely. Maybe you can send the suitcase with some courier company, although it will be costly..

Thank you! We will travel in October but on a Monday morning. In Germany trains used to be fully booked on Monday morning - I guess it's the same in Spain, isn't it?

October there is a public holiday in Spain. So trains can get full even at teat time of year.
You will not sit with your luggage. The storage is located at the end of the carriage.
You do not say just how big each suit case of your party is.

If it is areal problem then maybe think about taking the bus service.

Have you already explored the Seat 61 website? Here's the link for the post on luggage on European trains:
http://www.seat61.com/luggage-on-european-trains.htm#.V5eTjWf6uGM

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.