22" or 24" for Europe trains?
 

Hi,

At first was thinking of only taking two 21"-22" suitcases for 6 weeks in Europe for me and my wife (already have 22" for wife), but while shopping for luggage bought American Tourister Applite 71cm (~29") http://www.americantourister.com.au/...ml?default=121. (29" is from ground to top of the handle, I think luggage itself is 24").

Now I've been looking at it at home and it got me thinking that it's too big as we will be using few trains in Spain etc. One reason of buying 24" was that we can bring more stuff back on the way home.

Maybe better would be buying 22" and if we need more space on the way home just buy expandable duffle bag? What do you think?

Or perhaps 24" is manageable? I'm strong enough to carry/lift whatever, so this is not the problem :)

I can only speak for myself and I'm not strong enough to lift a large bag overhead.

I like something less that 21 inches, and we always pack a cloth duffel that folds up on itself. Lots of room for bringing things home.

A 29 inch bag is enormous. A bag cannon be both a 24 inch-er and 29 inches. The length is from the wheels to the top edge (where the telescoping handle is). So which is it, 24 or 29?

A 22 inch-er is the largest that 'legacy' airlines generally allow as carry on and a 24 inch bag is the smallest that must be checked. Either is fine for train travel. A 29 inch bag will be VERY difficult on trains.

janisj, it measures 71cm (~29") from ground to top of the handle, it's not really an enormous bag. :)

I think "real" 29" bag would measure close to 90-100cm from the ground as usually manufacturers exclude wheels and handle from their measurements.

Anyway, looks like 22" is the way to go then.

>>janisj, it measures 71cm (~29") from ground to top of the handle, . . .<<

Do you mean with the handle extended?????

That is not (ever) considered in the dimensions of a suitcase.

You'd be amazed at the size of some of the bags people try to bring onto trains. My experience in France and Spain is that you are on your own when getting on and off the train, unless you get a helping hand from a fellow traveler. Storage is limited, so I highly advise taking the 22" and buying a 1st class ticket, where you'll find a little more room.

janisj, sorry, not with handle extended, but top of soft handle :)
I think bag itself is around 61cm (~24") because wheels and handle together is around 10cm (~4").

So bag is not small, but not really huge as I've seen bags almost twice it's size :)

Thanks everyone, I'm convinced and will return this bag and get 22" instead. Any recommendations? :)

If ANY dimension is 29 inches - it is enormous.

I can't see how one can confuse a 29 inch bag (huge) w/ a 24 inch bag (just a little larger than a roll-aboard carry on) . . . the larger bag will be larger on <i>every</i> side so it holds nearly 3X as much as a 24 inch bag.

Sorry for the confusion :)

71cm is 27.9 inches, bag itself is 24" so it leaves 3.9" for wheels plus handle.

I've just watched this video, crazy amount of clothes into 22" bag, I will pack half of clothes shown in the video! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDn9l20NlWw

I am Italian and measurements in inches confuse me. But I have measured my bags; I use the one 75 cms high, ground to top, as an airline checked baggage, on very long trips, being very careful not to overcharge it. It is somewhat too large for Italian trains as it does not fit in the overhead rack or between opposing seats, so it has to be left in the common rack at the head of the car. For most general travel, the one 69 cms high is better; on its side, if fits the space between opposing seats so it is way better for trains. It is still quite heavy to lift if my wife stuffs it. For weekend travel a still smaller bag is advised.
Just remember that the distances between taxi arrival and check-in desks - orl between luggage retrieval and taxi stands is not very long in most airports. But in most train stations you are alone with your bag, there will be stairs, there will be distance to cover, there will moments where the bag will have to be lifted. Train travel needs smaller and lighter bags.

Hi esj,

I'm a 60-year-old, slight, short woman, and I travel frequently on trains with a 24-inch suitcase. I never have any problems.

I've never travelled the trains in Spain, but in Germany, France, and Switzerland, there is usually a luggage rack at one end of the car or space between the seat-backs.

Just one note -- do stick with the 4-wheeled bags so that you can roll them sideways down the train aisles. Rolling bags frontways down the aisles will have you clipping some knees and toes.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Always liked a carry on size, whether it's for a 2 week or 4 week trip. Once, only once, when we were travelling with our toddler, were we crazy and went larger (a 29" and a 25"). We somehow assumed we would need "more"... which we didn't. It was a hassle on and off the trains. Into and out of elevators. Up and down stairs. OMG. And I didn't even wear half of the the clothes I brought anyway. We promptly donated those larger suitcases and have gone back to 22" suitcases. The only problem is that as international carry on size has gotten smaller, what they are selling as a 22" keeps getting smaller and smaller, so it's hard to find a 22" that is really a 22" and has enough internal capacity to really hold everything I want. I'm doing the drill now, replacing one of our 22" suitcases, and comparing to see which 22" has the maximum internal space. I don't intend to actually use it as a carry on, so I'm not limited to carry on sizes. Samsonite Cape May from Macys has been the winner for internal space. I suppose if I really had a *lot* of stuff and absolutely had to travel with it all, I'd splurge and get one of the lightest weight 24" rollers I could find.

I like < 22' for train and plane travel. I've solo traveled a lot on trains and can always manage it. As mentioned above it's nice to keep one's cases overhead vs left by the entrance of the train car.

I bring a soft "parachute fabric" type bag or a baggallini to bring stuff home; I pack the soft items in the soft bag and send that through, keeping purchases in the carry on bag and checking it.

These days I am using a BRIC bag 21" flexible sides but very well made.

BTW I generally use the "roll up" method and/or light packing cubes and always have plenty of room.