Little-known luggage rule could land you a £126 fine on Europe's busiest tube
If you're heading to Paris this summer, there's a little-known luggage rule you'll need to be aware of, or risk ending up €150 (£126.82) out of pocket.
According to the RATP (Regie Autonome des Transports Parisiens, the state-owned transport network), suitcases, backpacks and even packages over 75cm aren't allowed on the city's Metro network.
It's pretty strict — given that airlines, including British Airways, allow checked baggage up to 90cm in length — and breaking the rules carries a hefty fine of €150.
There are rules in place for other larger items too, including prams, which are 'preferably folded' while on board, and parcels and packages aren't allowed to exceed 2m in length.
The fine — which is higher than that for fare dodging (which carries on an the spot fee of €35, which is around £29.61) — has actually been in place for years, but has made headlines recently on social media.
Last month, a Parisian journalist took to X after she was handed a €150 fine, not for a large suitcase, but for taking an exotic plant on board.
Sign up to The Getaway newsletter
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
'I had the (un)pleasure of receiving a €150 fine for having…carried a plant (admittedly quite tall) on the Tube,' Salome Ferraris penned on X.
After her Navigo pass and ID were seized by Metro staff and several minutes passed without an explanation, Salome was told that her new houseplant was considered an offence because it was too 'bulky.'
'She had the nerve to tell us that we should just take another type of transport next time,' Salome added after she was fined.
'This is super eco-friendly to have to rent a car to transport a simple plant. €70 of plant and €150 of fine. Numbers are not good.'
Once she'd stumped up the cash, Salome learned that she could actually contest the fine – and once she did, she was refunded the money.
Is the Paris Metro's luggage policy actually enforced?
Following the plant debacle, RATP told French publication Le Figaro that it doesn't impose 'any specific dimensions concerning suitcases' – despite the fact that the 75cm rule still appears on the website.
And Parisian travellers say there's outrage over nothing, as the rule is rarely enforced.
'Big up to the tourists, they're gonna love it,' one local says (Picture: Getty Images)
One local, who has lived in the city for five years, tells Metro that they've 'never heard' of the luggage policy.
'I'm English, so I've often got a big case with me as I head to and from the Eurostar to go back to the UK. I've never been fined for travelling with a large suitcase,' she says. 'Neither have any of my friends here.
'However, some of the tubes are so busy sometimes, that you wouldn't actually be able to squeeze a big case on even if you wanted to.'
Paris' Metro is actually the busiest in Europe, according to a 2024 study (after Moscow, which was not included in the analysis), which found that the system carries close to 4.1 million passengers every day.
The travellers says she has experienced hefty fines for a different reason.
'They have zero mercy if you buy the wrong ticket, or if you don't write your name on your ticket if you have an annual pass,' she shares.
Others agreed that they've never had trouble lugging around big bags on the Metro.
Just last week @timbomcchoi admitted to carrying 'a full-length IKEA mirror on the Métro.'
Meanwhile, @Rc72 joked: 'You can tell how seriously the RATP takes its own rules when you see that the stations have gates specifically designed for large suitcases.'
Regardless, other travellers say it's not okay to have the policy in place, whether enforced or not.
Over on the r/France Subreddit, @Elena_4815 labelled it 'completely stupid.'
@Electronic-Ear-5509 suggested that the network 'wants to charge us for every single thing we do,' joking that 'breathing's gonna cost extra too?'
Metro has contacted RATP for comment.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
Arrow MORE: Student, 15, stabs teaching assistant to death during bag search at French school
Arrow MORE: 'Enchanting' European city is a hidden gem with £1 pints and new £18 Wizz Air flights
Arrow MORE: Eurostar will run direct trains from London to Germany and Switzerland: 'A new golden age'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
43 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Two UK train stations to SHUT this month for £11billion railway upgrade – and one won't reopen until 2027
Customers have been warned to plan their journeys ahead of travelling SIDETRACKED Two UK train stations to SHUT this month for £11billion railway upgrade – and one won't reopen until 2027 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO UK railway stations are set to shut this month as part of an £11billion railway upgrade - and one of them won't reopen until 2027. It comes amid major investment in stations and trains across the country with services impacted in several parts of the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Two UK railway stations are set to shut this month as part of an £11billion railway upgrade Credit: Network Rail Customers warned to plan ahead The multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a programme of railway improvements being carried out by Network Rail. The aim is to improve customer journeys across the North and facilitate better transport links between towns and cities like Manchester and Leeds. Now, as major work begins to take place in the railways across Huddersfield and Deighton, customers have been urged to plan ahead. Gareth Hope, TRU sponsor, said: 'This period marks one of the most significant phases of work on the Transpennine Route Upgrade to date, delivering vital improvements that will bring faster, more reliable journeys to customers for generations. 'Whilst we know our work will cause disruption, we'd like to thank customers and local residents for their patience as we deliver generational change to their stations and their rail journeys.' Exact closure dates Huddersfield train station will be closed from Saturday, August 30 until Sunday, September 28. During this time, the Huddersfield viaduct will be updated and the John William Street will be replaced. Platforms, and track renewals will also be carried out as planned as well as signal updates. Train services from Huddersfield towards Manchester, Leeds, York, Bradford and Sheffield will be affected during this time. But where possible, diversions will be in place to allow customers to travel on trains Picturesque English town is getting new £27m train line for first time in 60 years – & will cut journey times by an hour However, customers are urged to check before travelling via or their train operator's website When the station reopens in September it will only be on a temporary position until the station is complete in 2027. And it will only run with three platforms in use instead of six during that time. Deighton station will also close on August 30th, but it won't reopen until 2027. Three scenic train journeys you can take in the UK Cornish Coast - One trip that rail enthusiasts seem to love is along a stretch of the Cornish coast and takes just 10 minutes to complete. The route from St Erth to St Ives only stops at Carbis Bay en route to its final destination, but the views out the window for the whole journey are pretty spectacular. Another highlight of the journey is that St Ives station is situated right next to Porthminster beach, meaning the sand and sea can be accessed almost immediately. Meanwhile, the station is less than a ten minute walk into town, where the harbour, shops, galleries and pubs can be explored. Durham to Edinburgh - Another train route that people in the UK love is the East Coast train line between Durham and Edinburgh, with coastal views and city landscapes among the sights that can be seen out the window. Newcastle, Berwick, Lindisfarne and Durham Cathedral are all among the highlights on that route. Scotland's West Highland Line - While Scotland is home to plenty of famous landmarks and top attractions, it also has one of the most breathtaking train routes in the world. Scotland's West Highland Line has previously been dubbed the best rail journey in the world by Wanderlust - and it's easy to see why. The journey from Glasgow to Fort William is one of my favourite train routes - and I've interrailed through mainland Europe. With mountain landscapes, serene lochs, wistful moors, and wildlife all visible through the train window, it's certainly a route all holidaymakers should consider doing at least once. Once open, the new Deighton station will boast two new tracks to allow faster services to overtake slower ones. It will also extend platforms to facilitate longer trains with more seats for passengers and there will also be a new footbridge with lifts for step-free access to both platforms. During both railway closures, hourly rail replacement buses will operate to enable passengers to complete their journeys. During this time, there will also be a number of road closures around both stations. However, customers are urged to check before travelling via or their train operator's website. The closures come as another railway line is set to shut next month. Thousands of passengers travelling to Gatwick Airport will be affected sparking travel chaos for holidaymakers.
North Wales Live
3 hours ago
- North Wales Live
I keep booking this budget seaside hotel right on a huge sandy beach that still has dates free this summer
We're now in the full swing of the long summer holidays, and the kids are already bored with the local park and the iPad. You want to squeeze a cheeky summer trip in, but everywhere is booked or expensive. Luckily, I've found a budget hotel right on a sandy beach. It costs £32 per person, for a family of four, for a wallet-friendly stay on the gorgeous Welsh coastline. Picture a vast sandy beach extending as far as the eye can see, with crashing waves and a stylish promenade with an ice cream shop in the middle of the seafront. You're not in a pricey European resort; this is Pendine, a charming seaside village in Wales with a seven-mile beach and seaside hotel, Caban. Caban Pendine is an excellent choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly seaside getaway. Its spacious rooms start from £32 per person in the peak season (based on a family of four sharing a £130 room), and prices drop the rest of the year, too. It's modern, comfortable, and ideally situated for exploring the glorious Carmarthenshire coast without spending a fortune. There are 14 rooms at Caban, including spacious family bedrooms (some with bunkbeds), mobility accessible bedrooms, and dog-friendly bedrooms. You can book the room that best suits your needs, though I definitely recommend a sea view room if you can get one. I love this hotel for its location alone. It's ideally situated right next to Pendine Sands, making it perfect for long sunset strolls or even a bracing dip in the sea if you're an outdoor swimmer like me. Plus, with the ocean practically lapping at your doorstep, you'll drift off to sleep to the soothing sound of the waves. You can see our list of the best Welsh beaches here. I have stayed here several times, as it's my go-to when we have a warm spell of weather and the beach is calling. On my most recent spontaneous stay, the weather had tipped over 23 degrees, so I went into immediate 'mini break' mode. I bundled a bag and my obling husband into the car, and off we set. We had booked a sea view room that was fuss-free, bright and airy with splashes of coastal chic in the decor colour palette. There was a cosy double bed, an ensuite bathroom, a TV, and those all-important tea and coffee facilities. I don't know about you, but I generally need a coffee within minutes of waking up, or I'm completely irrational. Another bonus is that after a day of exploring Pendine, it was nice to grab a drink at the hotel bar and sink into deep slumber, knowing this seaside stay wouldn't tip me into my overdraft. To be fair, this isn't a luxury stay; it's frankly an elevated Premier Inn in a prime location that's comfortable, clean, and won't break the bank. If you want a five-star stay with a concierge and a swim-up bar, this is not the hotel you're looking for (said in Obi-Wan Kenobi voice). One of the main highlights is the fully licensed restaurant and bar overlooking the Carmarthen Bay seafront. The relaxed restaurant serves authentic Welsh cuisine using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The reasonable prices are a bonus, and you also don't need to book. The menu has a decent selection of mains, including the Chef's homemade chicken curry, smoked salmon salad, vegetable lasagne, and homemade smoky beef chilli. Prices range from £12.50 to £13, which is a total bargain. Their full-cooked breakfast costs less than £7 for adults and £4 for the kids. If you love sweet treats, the pancakes drizzled with maple syrup are a steal at just £4.00. To be honest, I was tempted to order two plates at that price. After filling up on a budget breakfast, we explored Pendine Beach and the surrounding area. While visiting Pendine Sands, it's worthwhile delving into its racing heritage. Pendine Sands has been associated with land speed records for over a century. Its unique landscape, a natural runway of compacted sand, provided an ideal testing ground for early 20th-century speed trailblazers. By the 1920s, Pendine had become the preferred location for land speed record attempts, where racing limits were stretched to thrilling new levels. In 1924, Sir Malcolm Campbell, a racing icon, brought his Sunbeam 350HP car, Blue Bird, to Pendine. Using the beach as his racetrack, Campbell made history by setting a new world land speed record at 146.16 mph. His insatiable need for speed brought him back the following year, where he shattered his record with an impressive 150.76 mph. These achievements solidified Pendine's status as the ultimate platform for automotive triumph. Not to be outshone, Welsh engineer and driver J. G. Parry-Thomas stepped up to the plate. In 1926, he steered his bespoke car, 'Babs', to a new record of 169.30 mph, demonstrating cutting-edge engineering and fearless driving. Sadly, Parry-Thomas's quest for speed came to a tragic end in 1927 when he was fatally wounded trying to regain the title. His car, buried in the sands after the accident, was later unearthed and restored. Pendine Sands' legacy fell silent for much of the 20th century until contemporary speed enthusiasts brought it back into the limelight. In 2015, actor Idris Elba paid tribute to the sands' rich history by setting a new 'Flying Mile' record, hitting 180.361 mph in a Bentley Continental GT Speed. His accomplishment was a touching homage to the audacious pioneers who had paved the way nearly a hundred years earlier. Today, Pendine Sands is hailed as a historic centre for motorsport and engineering excellence, and its racing heritage is now preserved in the splendid Museum of Land Speed. We visited the Museum of Land Speed to learn more about Pendine's history. I know shockingly little about motorsports and wanted to get up to speed. Is Jenson Button still a thing? I have no idea. The modern museum celebrates the area's illustrious history of land speed record attempts on the renowned sands of Pendine Beach, situated exactly where these historic events took place. Overlooking the beach, the museum is brimming with artefacts, memorabilia, and tales of the incredible speed achievements made along this iconic stretch of coast. A standout feature of the museum is its collection of vehicles that have shattered land speed records on Pendine Beach throughout the years. We wandered around engineering wonders such as Sir Malcolm Campbell's iconic "Blue Bird" and John Godfrey Parry-Thomas's "Babs," gaining insight into the technological advancements that drove these machines to break speed barriers. Interactive displays also offered a deep dive into the lives and legacies of these trailblazing speedsters, and I came away a little more educated and appreciative of this thrilling sport. Pendine also offers more than its sandy shores. It's also the starting point for the Wales Coast Path, an 870-mile trek skirting the nation's coastline. The path near Pendine features epic clifftop vistas and wildlife. Heading west, you'll reach the scenic cove of Amroth, while the eastward path offers expansive views of the Gower Peninsula and Carmarthen Bay. With its firm sand and dog-friendly policy during the off-season, the expansive Pendine Sands is a perfect spot for a lengthy beach stroll in Wales. The Wales Coast Path website suggests a route starting at the Augmented Reality panel in front of the 'Tea by the Sea' cafe. Take the steep steps up to Gillman Point following the Wales Coast Path. The breathtaking views over Morfa Bychan are worth every bit of the climb! You can choose to return the same way. Fancy going further? Continue to the small beach at Morfa Bychan and turn right onto a signposted track that leads uphill. At the fork in the track, turn right and head towards the B4314 road back to Pendine village. During our visit, we plodded along the seven miles of firm golden sands, tracing the shoreline with its lapping waves and then popping to Cambrian Ice Cream for a lush ice cream with a sea view. Perfection. In recent years, the Pendine resort has seen a multi-million-pound regeneration. Completed projects include a 500m traffic-free promenade providing easy access to the beach and a beach-facing commercial centre (Parry Thomas Centre) housing businesses ranging from kayak hire and coffee shops to an Asian fusion restaurant. I really love this part of Wales, and I think it's hugely underrated. Most people head for the popular tourist hotspots of Rhossili Bay or Tenby, but Pendine is absolutely worth a stop, especially if you're looking for a budget minibreak this summer. Travel tips for Pendine and Carmarthenshire Planning a trip to Pendine and Carmarthenshire? Here are some top tips to ensure your journey goes off without a hitch: Hotel: Book your stay at Caban Pendine here. You can also check out a range of Carmarthenshire hotels, B&Bs and camping on and Airbnb. Parking: A large car park conveniently located next to Pendine Sands provides easy access to the hotel, beach and the village. Parking tends to be more readily available during the off-peak season, but it can get busy during the height of summer. Beach access for dogs: Dogs are allowed on most parts of Pendine Sands during the autumn and winter. However, restrictions are in place between the slipways from May to the end of September, so check the signage if you're visiting in the summer. Wales Coast Path: The coastal trail around Pendine features breathtaking clifftop vistas and is well-marked. Wear robust footwear, particularly after rainfall, as some parts can become muddy. Nearby facilities: Public lavatories are near the beach, and the village boasts several cafes and small shops within a short stroll. These are ideal for warming up after a brisk day outdoors. Military firing range: Portions of Pendine Sands are occasionally utilised as a Ministry of Defence firing range, which may restrict access. Always check for any notices or limitations before setting off.
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
This Scottish city is more now expensive for a short holiday than Paris and Rome
At £316 per night, the average price for a hotel room in Edinburgh trumped every other destination on the list Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland's capital has been revealed as one Europe's most expensive places to visit for a weekend holiday break, with the cost of hotel rooms per night the highest out of all the destinations analysed. Edinburgh was ranked the fourth priciest destination to spend a short break in Europe, based on the expenses needed for two people including flights, hotel rooms, meals and local transport. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad During August, Edinburgh's population nearly doubles to around one million people |That means the Scottish capital outpriced popular tourist hotpots Florence, Venice, Rome and Copenhagen. It was the only city in the UK to make the list. The study by Chicks Gold analysed data from travel sites and as well as living costs database to calculate the minimum cost of a trip to every European city with an airport. Switzerland claimed the 1st and 5th spots with Zurich at £1,192 and Geneva at £988 for a weekend. Zurich in Switzerland was named the most expensive for a weekend trip for two | UEFA via Getty Images Meanwhile, a weekend trip for two in Edinburgh was calculated at £993. The average price for a hotel room per night in Edinburgh was estimated at £316, the highest out of all the European cities analysed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad At the other end of the list, Krakow, in Poland, was named the cheapest place to take a break, with a weekend trip costing an estimated £533. Other cities in Eastern Europe dominated the low-cost list, with Bucharest in Romania coming in second, followed by the Polish capital Warsaw. Most expensive European destinations 1. Zurich, Switzerland - £1,192 2. Reykjavik, Iceland - £1,163 3. Cologne, Germany - £1,087 4. Edinburgh, Scotland - £993 5. Geneva, Switzerland - £988 6. Florence, Italy - £987 7. Venice, Italy - £983 8. Rome, Italy - £968 9. Copenhagen, Denmark - £953 10. Milan, Italy - £919 Cheapest European destinations Krakow's landmarks include the Rynek Glowny Central Square, St Mary's Basilica and the Bazylika i Klasztor Franciszkanow | Anadolu via Getty Images 1. Krakow, Poland £533 2. Bucharest, Romania - £565 3. Warsaw, Poland - £566 4. Riga, Latvia - £584 5. Prague, Czech Republic - £618 6. Budapest, Hungary - £630 7. Istanbul, Turkey - £630
