Luggage strategy for European trip

[Bamaman]

If my wife brags about how well her new knee is working, she's going to be out of the wheelchair. We just picked up May, 2019 tickets last night from BNA to Madrid and CDG to BNA for $700 round trip--far less than $1700 the legacy carriers want.

Since 7 year old Brynley is traveling with us, I can see myself rolling her carry on bag some. I think I'll stick with my 21" backpack carryon one more trip at least. And my wife can handle her own bag completely.

It's hard to believe the Parisians continue to demonstrate like they have. Demonstrations are hard work, and that's not like them. Who's ever seen the French even work more than 32 hours per week? We're hoping things will cool down.

 

[ItDontMeanAThing]

I stopped traveling with only a carry-on after I started traveling with 2 camera bodies and 4 lenses. Carry-on is still a travel backpack. My choice of checked bag depends on the climate. I usually travel for about 6 weeks in both spring and fall, so clothes for the cold and wet dictate which suitcase I bring. Most times it's a carry-on wheelie.

 

[brett]

The only right answer to this is to do what is best for you. So many different tastes, requirements, and physical abilities. Let alone itineraries and modes of transport, and levels of comfort.

 

[explanade]

I tend to go for 2 weeks or more (compared to a lot of 1-week international trips when working, to maximize vacation time).

Unless I want to hand wash clothes often in the hotel room, I pack enough to last about a week and plan to get laundry done (or worst case, spend a couple of hours at a laundromat).

Also take a lot of electronics gear, which has to go in the carry on and in the personal items allotment, which is a camera case.

So I've been going with one large checked bag, about 28 inches, an international carryon and the camera case.

I overpack, the rationale being that I don't want to spend time hunting down something. But I won't take a second checked bag because I'm usually transiting in rental cars, trains, ferries, etc.

And often have to drag along this luggage for some distances. For instance, for an upcoming trip to NZ, I'm going to take the inter island ferry and the town of Picton doesn't have regular taxi service but I'm a kilometer away from the ferry port and the motel I booked there for a couple of nights. So I will probably have to drag my luggage through and it's a 3-week trip so I can't downsize on the luggage either.

 

[isisdave]

You have to be careful about cabin luggage size on discount airlines. There's a list here. The weight limit is usually 8kg, although I haven't seen scales at most gates.

We planned for Norwegian and EasyJet, which we had flown before, and have 25cm thickness limits. Most cabin luggage is no thicker than that. Then we found ourselves booked on Flybe, and most luggage is thicker than their 20 cm limit. I decided to check our 25cm bag for something like £25 because the at-the-gate checking fee was much higher. Of course, they didn't check anyone.

Friends flew Vueling, also 20 cm, from CPH to Orly and they DID check. That one cost €100 at the gate, which was probably twice the airfare.

DW and I travel to Europe most summers for about 4 months. We each take a 24-inch rollaround, which we check on airlines; the 20-inch usually-carryon; and a backpack (not very full) each. We pet-sit, which means we have regular laundry facilities, although I can laundromat-wash clothes in four languages. The checkables have about 4 sets of underwear and socks, four shirts, a pair of shorts and swimsuit, plus our rainjackets, toiletries and of course craft materials. We take less every year, and these bags stay under 20 kg. Barely. As we approach 70 years, we still sling these up the steps of railway coaches in a reasonably quick and graceful manner, although I notice that we're getting offers of help more frequently.

The 20-inch contains electronics, vitamins (four months worth brought from home), first-aid medicine and bandages and travel hacks (trash bags, zip-ties, bungee cords, and a few other things from our experience-driven list of travel essentials), and maybe a few food favorites that are hard to find. It's about 12 kg.

 

[morriss003]

We take 2 month trips. We take 1 checked bag and two carry-ons. I've never found it that much of a hassle. The key is knowing when to cart your baggage along and when to leave it somewhere.

 

[gayl]

I think I broke my 20" carryon on my Indonesia cruise .... packed 3 pair of shoes & wine and now I'm having trouble with raising and lowering handle. There was plenty of room but heavier than normal. Looking into a replacement

Keep it bc I like the size even though I check it now. I'm not putting a 25 lb suitcase overhead

 

[Bamaman]

I just remember my poor father having to deal with my mother's 45 pound huge suitcase when they took guided tours with 22 of their best friends in an international travel club.

If my mother was able to change her ways of packing, they might have been able to travel into their mid to late 80's instead of stopping in their late 70's.

But Mom sure dressed stylish when traveling. And my wife with her 21" rolling bag also dresses very well, but in colors that compliment each other.

 

[gayl]

21" rolling bag also dresses very well, but in colors that compliment each other.

Exactly. I concentrate on 2 coordinating colors & separates. Can go 2 weeks without repeating a complete outfit.

 

[bigreader]

SNIP

It's hard to believe the Parisians continue to demonstrate like they have. Demonstrations are hard work, and that's not like them. Who's ever seen the French even work more than 32 hours per week? We're hoping things will cool down.

Off topic: According to the latest OECD data measuring GDP per hour worked, the French are more productive than US workers (as are virtually all of Europe's workers including, wait for it, Italy). For sure, GDP per hour is not the best measure of overall economic health, but the idea that the French or European worker is lazy unlike all of us hard working Americans just isn't accurate. https://data.oecd.org/lprdty/gdp-per-hour-worked.htm#indicator-chart

On topic: I travel to Europe for up to six weeks with a regular backpack and a carry on. I use packing folders and, if I am really pressed for space, I pack a "bundle." It cuts down a lot on wrinkles and optimizes every inch. Often I stay in one place for two to four weeks, and either rent apartments with a washer or use a laundromat (which is always a source of amusement!). As others have said, you have to figure out how you want to travel. If there is someone to handle your luggage or you are just going to one place, it probably doesn't matter so much. But if you are taking trains, buses and going up and down steps and cobblestone streets, my view is that lighter is better.


Enjoy the trip! BR

 

[Gearhead Jim]

I have travelled many, many times to a certain Caribbean country (that I will not name as I have no desire to stereotype). On every flight to or from that country, a large number of passengers - easily identifiable as its citizens by their language, accent and physical characteristics - have been wheeled up to the head of the queue by airline staff. Then once the flight landed they all miraculously became able-bodied and hustled off the aircraft as fast as possible, with no further assistance needed!

One of our flight attendants calls herself "Our Lady of the Jetway", she heals 'em all as they come aboard.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

For 30+ years of international vacationing, we have done what OP suggests- one (or two, depending on conditions) large suitcases that get checked, and one smallish carryon for each of us in case the big one goes astray. Works great.


"There are two kinds of airline baggage- carryon, and lost."

 

[Aramis]

DW and I switched to carry on only last year and have done several 2 week trips in perfect comfort and with even greater glee as we breezed out of airports. And if you can do 10 days you can do any amount. Just book a place with a washer at least 5 or 6 days.

There is no need for a multitude of outfits. There's no jib interview or dating going on and who sees you more than once in 4 days anyway?

 

[Chuckanut]

Off topic: According to the latest OECD data measuring GDP per hour worked, the French are more productive than US workers (as are virtually all of Europe's workers including, wait for it, Italy). For sure, GDP per hour is not the best measure of overall economic health, but the idea that the French or European worker is lazy unlike all of us hard working Americans just isn't accurate. https://data.oecd.org/lprdty/gdp-per-hour-worked.htm#indicator-chart

You mean the advertisement is not 100% truthful? I am shocked! Shocked!!

Other than one guy sleeping in the cab of some dirt moving machinery in what used to be East Germany, I don't recall seeing any lazy workers in Europe. The sleeping guy was explained to me as somebody trained during the Communist years. (They pretend to pay us, and we pretend to work.)

Back on topic: On my next trip I am going to try radical lightness - just about anything I can't wash and wear the next day is out. No extras for 'just in case' events. And probably only one, that's 1, camera (GASP!).

 

[Chuckanut]

We tend to travel with one large checked bag each, one or two carry on roller bags, and a backpack each.

When you say 'backpack' do you mean a full size backpack like the kind one takes that must hold food, rain gear, tent, sleeping pad, etc. etc etc for a week or more hike in the mountains with no access to civilization ? Or, a smaller pack often called a daypack used to travel 5-6 miles on a nice trail for a few hours?

 

[Chuckanut]

A while back I watched a young woman explain how she carried everything she needed for six weeks in Europe in one little carry on bag. But, IMHO, she cut a lot of corners a bit to closely for my liking. For example, she only used the camera in her phone. While phone cameras are good, they do not equal my little Canon, so right there I have to add a camera and a charger.

The biggest problem I have with her demonstrations is that as a man everything I carry is bigger than the similar female stuff she carries. Most women can get two pairs of shoes into the space one pair of my shoes take. Three pairs of jeans where I get maybe two pairs. The same with socks, shirts, etc. etc. etc. It's a lot harder to pack light when you're a man over about 5'11". Things are bigger and just take up more space.

 

[Lsbcal]

There is packing light and then there is packing small and then there is packing small and light.

We are kind of in between on the small part and going to concentrate more now on the light part.

 

[geeky_grrl]

It's a lot harder to pack light when you're a man over about 5'11". Things are bigger and just take up more space.

On the flip side, women often have more stuff they feel they need to carry like makeup and hair styling products. I see men's shoes that can go from hiking to a nice dinner and that is difficult to do with women's dressy shoes.

The main problem my SO (6' 2") had with his clothes were they are especially heavy - he tends to wear Carhatt style pants and flannel shirts. They don't dry very fast when we need to wash. We've purchased some travel clothes - like Prana climbing pants and lightweight wool t-shirts and his clothes don't really take up more space than mine now. And he generally wears one pair of walking shoe and only packs one pair of sandals so shoes don't take much space.

There are definitely trade-offs to different packing and travel styles. I'm willing to deal with giving up some conveniences to be able to move around and stay places that would be harder to stay dragging around lots of luggage, but it's not the right choice for everyone.

 

[FireFool]

The only advice that can consistently be given is to travel with just a bit LESS than you think you ABSOLUTELY need - But saying that and doing that are always two different things. What you need and what kind of luggage to use will always depend on the specifics of your trip. We've done Europe beach vacations with just carry-on, and because of that airlines were much more willing to swap us onto earlier flights when moving through customs was faster than we allowed for. We also have done Europe "heavy" with two carry-ons and one checked bag for a cruise - retrospectively it would have been more manageable to have two check bags instead when navigating on our own for the days we added pre and post cruise - although my wife has a paranoia about winding up with no luggage that requires her to have a carry-on. Where we seem to over pack is electronics - both of us each having a tablet (used to be 2 laptops), kindle and our cells.

 

[Souschef]

I am amazed at how little people will carry on a long trip.I have a great deal of respect for them. OTOH, when we pack 2 - 5 liter boxes of wine with all of our other stuff...
We did a week in the Swiss Alps then took trains down to Monte Carlo to get on a 14 day river cruise. It involved 5 changes of trains. The trick was I allowed a a half hour between each train, and booked First Class so we would have places for all our luggage.
Believe it or not, we had 3 suitcases and 2 carry on bags. I put the two carry on bags back to back and strapped them together with a luggage strap. Four bags, four hands, perfect!

 

[Starsky]

Short-haul airlines that fly within Europe have different carry-on requirements (usually more restrictive than in the US) and are more strict about their weight/size requirements in my experience.

Whatever your luggage strategy, make sure and check the size and weight allowances on the airlines you plan to use, to the destinations you are traveling. Security may be an issue in some European airports, so carry-on all your valuables.

Also, European washing machines are very efficient, but slow. I usually buy a small container of powdered Woolite and just do laundry in the bathroom sink when I know it has time to dry. (It reminds me I wore damp socks a lot.)

 

[explanade]

Yeah they’re these combo units which can run hotter water than US washing mach8nes.

Alternative is find these places which will wash, dry and fold for you for a fee or a laundromat.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Short-haul airlines that fly within Europe have different carry-on requirements (usually more restrictive than in the US) and are more strict about their weight/size requirements in my experience.

Whatever your luggage strategy, make sure and check the size and weight allowances on the airlines you plan to use, to the destinations you are traveling. Security may be an issue in some European airports, so carry-on all your valuables.

Also, European washing machines are very efficient, but slow. I usually buy a small container of powdered Woolite and just do laundry in the bathroom sink when I know it has time to dry. (It reminds me I wore damp socks a lot.)

Different, dishonest, and exorbitant.

Two years ago we flew from Budapest to Germany on SleezyJet. We had lots of luggage (river cruise) and carefully considered the various options shown on their website while still aboard the boat. The extra cost to check our additional suitcase at the airport instead of declaring in advance, was minimal. But when we got there, the checkin/boarding procedure was pandemonium and the agent (may not have been an EasyJet employee) charged us at least twice the rate shown on the website and wasn't willing to explain or justify the difference. Pay up or miss the flight.

 

[Rianne]

This method only works if you're going someplace warm. I tried it and worked well, but I did several small bundles so I wouldn't have to unwrap everything to find one item.

 

[brett]

Our experience in Europe is that sometimes the budget airlines are not the bargain they appear once one adds in all the extra charges.

In some instances we have found the majors to be a better option. The challenge is that the majors often do not fly to where some of the budget airlines go.

We have spent the last few winters in Asia and we often go to Europe in the fall. We have switched to international size carry on. Slightly smaller though no one has ever measured. They do weigh from time to time. Most of the limits seem to be 7KG, with a few variations on either side.