Luggage size for a 2 week trip

The Samsonite 4-wheelers are really cool.

Here is an idea if you are really going to do a lot shopping. I've never tried it, but I think it would work.

Usually with luggage sets, each smaller size fits into the larger size like those stacking Russian dolls. So you could fit all your clothes and things into the smaller size, zip it into the next larger size up and then check the larger one with your smaller one inside. Then when you come home, you have a whole other suitcase to fill with your purchases. So then you just check two suitcases on your way home.

We ended up buying another suitcase in Dublin which is why we thought of this.

But if you will be doing a lot of train travel, it is better to take two medium sized ones than one big one. The big one is hard to get through turnstiles and up and down escalators.

I have this bag by Baggallini: http://www.baggallini.com/product.asp?category=1&product=155&mode=price. It folds up very small to fit in your luggage. Just open up after you've bought your many purchases! Is tough enough to be checked.

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With good planning you can fit all your clothes in a small rolling bag (I think mine's the 22-inch size) that I check on the plane, along with a small day-pack that I carry on.

I always bring a collapsable cloth bag too. Then at the end of the trip, I throw all my clothes in the cloth bag and pack my souvenirs (especially breakable stuff) in the rolling bag, and check both on the flight. Works great!

By contrast, my husband carts around an enormous rolling bag that could hold everything he owns. I can't convince him to stop even though it's a huge burden. . . I think it's a security thing.

My wife and I usually pack a large, soft, collapsible bag in our roll-ons. That way, if we buy stuff, the more delicate things go in the firmer roll-ons, and the clothes go in the extra bag. Which we check or carry depends on the circumstances.

I always take a 22" or 24" rolling suitcase, doesn't matter how long the trip.

I bring or buy a cheap duffle bag, woven plastic basket, or canvas tote to take as a carry-on on the flight home with any breakable or delicate souveniers I buy.

<<fit all your clothes and things into the smaller size, zip it into the next larger size up and then check the larger one with your smaller one inside.>>

I've done this and it works. If I buy pottery, wine or other breakables I pack them in the small case and carry it onboard.

I used to pack a nylon, weekend-size LeSportsac to use as a carry-on for the return flight, but I usually have long layovers and got tired of carrying it around airports. One year the flight from Paris arrived so late we couldn't check our luggage in for the connecting flight or wait for the bus to the other terminal and had to run from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 pulling my suitcase and carrying a bag with two bottles of wine and three tins of pate, among other things. I felt like throwing it away, but really enjoyed that champagne later with my family.

There are lots of good brands. I have Travelpro and Andiamo, which have both held up very well, but the Travelpro is about ten years old and is a bit heavy.
Look for lightweight, with good wheels and sturdy handles. Check some of the online luggage stores for user reviews. I use luggageonline.com but there are others. T.J. Maxx has good buys on decent luggage. You shouldn't have to pay the MSRP, there is always some good brand on sale.

My sister & H.travel a lot and just bought Victorinex (sp?)at a discount store to replace worn out Tumi and are happy with it.

Have a great time in Italy

If you are moving around a lot, especially if this involves taking trains, smaller is better (no larger than 24" each unless you are in training as weightlifters for the next Olympics).

Expandable suitcases are great. Limit yourself to the unexpanded size before you leave (and that means not "jammed to bursting"). Then you'll have a couple of inches of extra room for souvenirs. The other suggestion of packing a fold-up bag is a good idea, too.

I think two bags is better than using the expandable feature. I tried it for the first time (expanding) coming home last trip with my 24"-er and when expanded and packed full it was very off balance when I was wheeling it around. Kept flipping over.

If purchasing new I would go with the lightest weight you can find (empty).

That Swiss Army brand looks good but it quite heavy.

Just wondering what everyone considers an acceptable weight for a 22' rolling bag to be. I just bought a 22' rolling duffel bag from Tumi and it weights 7 pounds. I am concerned though that when I have it packed it will exceed the weight limit for a carry-on on British Airways. Does anyone have experience with BA and how strict they are about the weight of a carry-on?

We take 2, 22" bags & a backpack, regardless. That is for 2 adults, a young child & an infant/toddler (not sure when an infant becomes a toddler (?)).

In my experience with BA at Dulles Airport (DC) they were VERY strict about the weight limit. I don't think it's possible to pack a roll on bag and come in under the limit (something like 15 pounds?)

charlie- BA is very strict in my experience and the limit is 13 lbs.

so i doubt you can pack a 7 lb. suitcase with only 6 lbs. of clothes to be under their limit! BA is one airline I always must check my 22".

This link gives the requirements for BA carryon: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagcabin/public/en_gb.

Apparently, it depends on what class of traveller you are. For the majority of us it would look like 13lbs. is the max.

I know this annoys some travelers, but it does make it much more comfortable in the cabin (imo) than other airlines that are more generous in what you can take onboard.

I take the same small suitcase whether I fly those airlines having generous carry on limits, or BA/Virgin who don't.

If you have anything much in a 22 incher it will exceed 6 kilo. When flying BA/VS I check the 19 or 21 inch bag and take a large handbag (or a small handbag and a small tote) on the plane

If you are on BA just count on checking a bag.

I have an expandable 22" Victorinox Werks label suitcase (part of the same group as Swiss Army) and it's quite light. But I think some of the suitcases in the range (not Werks) are heavier.

BobM, I brought a 22" (and also sent a few supplies to the hotel before I left) for my 2-week trip. For souvenirs, I just bought 2 inexpensive bags (1 at Monoprix for $15 & 1 at a souvenir shop that was pink with the Eiffel Tower stitched on it which I gave to my daughter upon return home) while there to bring them back. Those 2 were my carryons, the laundry in the suitcase was checked luggage.

I strongly support the idea of packing a smaller bag with wheels inside a larger one. Check them both (as one piece) on the way over; check just the larger one on the way back. Make sure the smaller one also can be carried easily by hand as it's hard sometimes to manage two rolling bags.
If you're planning to travel a lot by train and want to go second class, the rolling duffle bags are really useful. They're narrow enough to roll down the train aisles without banging into the seats (or passengers). I saw a good selection of them at a TJ Maxx a few months ago.
Don't take just one small bag since you do plan to do some shopping.

Like Beatchick, I've also purchased fun souvenier type tote bags if my suitcase gets too full.

I like to do things the uncomplicated way. A roll-away that is no bigger than what is (in the US) carry-on legal, and a smallish backpack that I can carry turned around on my chest when in a crowd where I can't trust whoever is behind me (not all backpack designs let you do that, some are chin-high when turned around so try before you buy).

That's it for the trip, no matter how long - you can always do laundry in the evening and wear fresh clothes in the morning if you buy the kind that washes and dries easily. Take along nylon string to hang things, between door knob and shower faucet or wherever. Any more carrying and the trip becomes a chore.

Take with you from home a roll of the good thick packaging tape so you don't have to run all over looking for some or make do with skimpy stuff. Then take a moment to pack your purchases - ask for a box at a shop or post office, mail the things in the middle of the day when lines are short, and be footlose and fancy-free again.

If you find you can't do that for one reason or another, buy a cheap bag and be done with it - give it to Goodwill when you get home or use it as a gym bag until it falls apart. I still use a gym bag I bought fifteen years ago for 8 bucks to bring home my (too many but I got away with it) Swiss Schnaps bottles wrapped in bubblesheets the store provided.
Couldn't really mail them...

Cheers

WK