brookwood

Well Livette, if you are the head bag toter, pack her up like you always do.
Get it up to 70 pounds or so, and go have a ball in Europe. Think of all the muscles you will develop, all the discs in your back you will herniate, and all of the good times you will have swinging it up onto train cars.
(All together now, lift, strain, grunt, heave, sigh in relief.)

If I see you in Munich, London, or Zürich, I'll wave.

I bet you don't do it again. But if you are bound and determined to tote all that gear, there is a requirement to get it there and back.

Livette

Thanks for all the tips you guys. I am going to follow your suggestions because I want a stress free not painful experience lugging around my luggage.

A special thanks to all the detailed lists of do's and dont's.

Linda

candykay

When we went to Europe for six and a half weeks, we planned to use trains for every place but the British Isles. My husband made us pack with only one 21' carry-on and a backpack so that all three of us ladies could handle our own. We griped. We still gripe about it, but he was so right. Some of the trains left so quickly one person could not have gotten all the luggage on. And we managed quite well. I hope to do even better this fall when we go to Italy.

mjs

I just sent my wife for a visit home to Dallas and was struck by the decrease in her luggage over the years.
I believe it all started on her first trip to London years ago when I recommended that she pack light. She did not and my only rule was that she would have to carry, roll, or lift her own luggage. She has never used a 30" rolling suitcase again. I have her down to a 24" and carryon. I do think she could do better but as she manages ok I have no complaints. My children and I all use a 22" Swiss rollaway plus carryon and we do just fine even for travels up to three weeks in multiple climates.

GSteed

Very good advice! Again consider 20% of body weight, luggage weight limit. Best tip..preload luggage and practice carrying it! Next idea. Hire porters. A problem with two or more pieces of luggage is that you will be easier to rob. Your hands are full. Note Fodor poll. 1/3 of respondents said they had been robbed. Consider pre-shipping luggage. Consider buying gear in Europe.

candykay

20% of my body weight? Guess I won't be going on any diet before I leave LOL

fabrizio

I travelled to Europe last year. My husband and I had humongous luggage. (we'LL NEVER do THAT again ). Too big for the plane, we had to check them, but once we got to Europe, we travelled by train between cities. You can bring them on the train, however, you will have to stow them at the front of the train reserved for large luggage. If they are very heavy, you will not be able to lift them in the over head compartments.

We are going to Paris in July, and I am buying a 27" rolling duffle (on board stowing is restricted to 45 linear inches, width, x height x length) so I think we will be okay.
Do yourself a favor and pack lightly!!

Travelnut

45 " for a carry on is the 21" size bag, not a 27". And you have to measure including the handles and wheels.

travelbunny

Yikes, I have never travelled with anything greater than 24 in and often with just a 21 in and even more frequently with something smaller. Unless you are going to a wedding and you are the bride or bridesmaid, your packing is exessive. Please rethink and learn to wash in the sink.

Pegontheroad

I'm a confirmed 22" suitcase user. I go to Europe every year and never bring anything else. In 2006 I stayed in Europe for 9 weeks with just that. I bring a limited number of mix and match outfits, and I look just fine. No one knows that I wore these clothes yesterday.

It's just too hard to deal with anything bigger than a 22".

In train stations I've often had to haul my suitcase up many steps. Sometimes I'd see these motorized belts on which you put suitcases so that you don't have to haul them up the stairs, but the belts sometimes don't work.

janisj

fabrizio: I have a question - how on Earth did you find a a <b>4+ year old</b> thread to top??

And no - a 27 inch duffle is not a carry on size. You are generally limited to 21 (or 22) x 14 x 9 inches. None of the dimensions can exceed those numbers.

I agree - &gt;&gt;Do yourself a favor and pack lightly!! &lt;&lt; and 27 inches is not light.

JeanneB

Just the thought of hauling a 27&quot; around makes my back hurt! On our first trip my friend took a 28&quot; rolling bag. Oh dear. She was a mess, not only getting ON the train, but getting OFF as well.

I took a 24&quot; on that trip; it weighs 12 lbs empty. I replaced it immediately upon returning home. I now have a 6 lb bag...it says it's a 24&quot;, but it's about 3 in narrower and 2 inches shorter than the other.

I also don't like duffles. The contents shift too much and end up in a wad at the bottom end. And you have to unpack the whole thing to find something.

yk

<b>fabrizio</b>

Listen to Janis' advice. 27&quot; is still WAY TOO BIG. And you will NOT be able to take it as a carryon on your flight!

fabrizio

First, let me address the 4 year old thread. I went on line (Ask.com) regarding size restrictions on carry on luggage and the website popped up from a FODORITE!!... so I clicked on. I NEVER even looked at the year!! Blond moment.
Glad I did, though, I got my answer. The Ask.com website said if your bag measures 45 linear inches, then it can be considered carryone.
Travelnut, you seem very savvy regarding hotels, packing, restauranats. etc (I've seen you on several threads). Thanks soooo much for your expertise. So I will look for a bag not over 21-22 inches.

Can I take a carry on and a backpack??

Thanks.

bozama

I agree with what everyone says about packing light, and I too only every take a 22 each suitcase.

But to tell me,, not to take my curling iron is fighting words.... a hairdryer is at the hotel , but I always bring an iron. It weighs next to nothing and is long and narrow.. I would hate to be in Paris or Rome and looking like a shrub ,, which would be the result of me not &quot; doing&quot; my hair. Ladies with thick hair need not reply to this at all as they are so lucky , a good short cut and they look chic, for us fine haired ladies, a good short cut, but no blow dry or curling means we look like BOYS!

Rant over.

Pack light , but always allow room for hair appliances, skip packing clothes if nessesary..LOL

janisj

bozama: Sure, a curling iron doesn't take up much space. But if you buy one after you are in Europe, it will work better. Dual voltage hair dryers and curling/flat irons will only operate at their lowest settings/temps when used on the higher voltage . . . .

djkbooks

I disagree about the dual voltage curling irons...I take the one I use at home to Europe and it works just fine. It's exactly what I have in mind and I'm used to it. It works exactly the same in Europe as at home. I've never seen one in Europe I've found suitable for my needs.

JeanneB

I bought my dual-voltage here in the states. It worked fine, got plenty hot.

janisj

Most hair dryers and curling irons that are dual voltage have a &quot;governor&quot; in them that prevents them being used at the highest speeds/temps.

A single voltage one made for the European market will work better 80% - 90% of the time -- and has a much less chance of blowing the circuits in your B&amp;B/apartment.

&quot;my dual voltage one always works&quot; is true - but it is only anecdotal - they do not work all the time and generally they do not work as effectively.

Pegontheroad

If I'm lucky I sometimes find a hotel so cheap that it doesn't have a blow dryer.

I have a German blow dryer and German curling iron. My hair is very short, but is limp and lifeless. Unless I used my blow dryer and curling iron, I frighten small children.