Backpack or Roll on: Can't decide which is a better option
 

We are going on our honeymoon the first two weeks of October 2006. Our itinerary is as follows: From Philly fly into Rome have driver pick us up and take us to Amalfi Coast 3 days, take train to Rome for 3 days, pick up rental car and head to Tuscany 4-5 days, return rental car on route to Venice....2 days. I backpacked in 1998 with a friend for 6 weeks but this is our honeymoon. We can't decide if it would make more sense to each bring a roll on and 1 carry on for toilettries ( 3 bags total) OR each have a backpack. I understand this is really up to us but wanted to know if anyone has done it both ways and may have some advice for us.

Thanks,
Robyn

Backpacks are great when there are stairs but if you are over 25, I think I would roll it--especially if you are dressed nicely. Save the backpacks for the college students with their strong backs.

I stayed at a hostel last year in Barcelona and one person made fun of me because I was rolling my suitcase. But it is so much easier and I don't think my back could have taken a backpack.

So, hotels--roll it.
Hostels--backpack it.

Even in hostels, I saw quite a few people with rolling bags. Personally, I'm kind of divided (I took a duffel bag, which was the worst of both worlds, no wheels, and crappy support, but it was what I had). Kind of depends on how you're planning on getting around, too. If mostly only short walks, rolling (just make sure you're able to lift it up several flights of steep steps and lift it over your head for trains). If you'll be hiking a ways from wherever you drop the car/get off the train, I'd lean towards a backpack, or at least a roller with heavy-duty wheels to survive uneven streets. It really is personal preference, none of us can really say a definite "best", because both methods have their strengths and weaknesses.

Robyn,

There are models that have both wheels and backpack straps (hidden in a panel that unzips if you need the straps). Eagle Creek and Victorinox are brands, but there are others as well. I've used my Eagle Creek 22" bag on many trips, and love the versatility. Mostly I roll it---through airports, train stations, short city walks to the hotel). But for long stretches of gravel, cobblestones, flights of stairs, etc., I can put it on my back as a backpack. For a carry-on, I have a matching small bag that sits on top of the roller bag (secured to the handle) for a neat, easy-to-manage package.

But backpacks with wheels weigh more. My son pulled a back muscle carrying a heavy pack in Spain.

You're going to have a car for much of your between-city travel, so don't really need backpacks.

We take one rollaboard with toiletries and must-haves, and each of us has a daybag, with a compartment that will carry a water bottle or an umbrella. In addition, we each have a 22-inch bag, which we check.

For our rollaboard, we replaced a sturdy, well-made black one with a $10 purple cheapie. The black one weighed a lot and looked like everybody else's. The purple one has lasted through several trips, surprisingly, and looks like new.

Hi H,

Have you considered flying into Naples and out of Rome?

A driver from Rome to the AC will run around $400.

((I))

Backpack vs. roll on...I have both and personally I'd rather roll it anywhere than have it hanging on my back no matter how light it is.

Hey Robyn... no thoughts on the backpack, but we are planning a similar honeymoon about a week after yours.

Flying into Rome, then to Amalfi Coast, then to Venice.

- Carol

I am so excited! Do you have your flights yet?

Thank you all for the feedback

Ira- I understand your thoughts on flying to Naples. We are flying Philly to Rome then Rome to Philly direct and got a pretty good deal plus non stop. We are paying about $300 for our driver to AC which we know is a lot but not sweating it!

Caroldes~
Yes we booked our flights a few months ago through US Air. Not our first choice but the rate was the best we found and it was DIRECT. Good luck.

Ira~ I made a mistake

We are flying Philly to Rome then Venice to Philly.

Ooppssss

For days where I have to use any public transportation with luggage, or for hotels with stairs, I prefer to have a backpack. For airports and hotels with elevators, I prefer to roll. What suitcase I take depends on my itinerary, how many times I change hotel, etc.

I've had a convertible pack and I really wouldn't recommend them. The wheels + straps add so much weight to the pack, plus, the back support just isn't as good as a proper backpack if you carry it. And convertible packs have so much less space than a regular suitcase or a regular backpack, that it just doesn't seem worth the price.

If it were me, I think I'd take a rolling bag. If you carry on and have a rental car/driver most of the time, then the majority of time spent with your luggage is in the airport, where I prefer wheels.