ParisAmsterdam

28 and 32 inch bags... you have to be kidding!

They may have wheels but you will have to lug them on and off trains and won't be able to keep the bag with you at your seat... it will be at the end of the car in the baggage area.

Have you ever gone down 50 steps into the Paris metro or better yet, lugged that 32 inch bad boy UP 50 steps? Do yourself a favour and learn to travel light. Take a 21 inch carry on bag and a laptop/shoulder size bag as well.

Here's a site to get you started: http://www.onebag.com

justineparis

Summerdream, please listen to me.

A big bag may not fit in a locker at some hostels. Do not get a big bag.. do not do not do not.
Secondly, you WILL absolutely ( and this I promise you) at some point have to pick up that bag and carry it up stairs , downstairs, over ledges, etc, and if you can't handle it you will be very sorry, and very sore!

Choose the smallest lightest bag you can, wheels will not help you on stairs, so make sure when fully packed you can if you have to , carry that bag.

Do not make yourself a target of pickpockets by looking like a struggling ant trying to carry an elephant. They look for people who are overloaded and distracted, and that would likely look like a 5'6' 110 lb girl with a huge bag , a train to catch and a set of stairs to get over so she can get to the opposite train platform..

You will wash clothes. You will likely discard a few things( I always end up ditching a tshirt or two) and get a new thing or two( a cute sundress somewhere , a new top) to "refresh" your limited wardrobe choices ( it can be boring wearing the same things over and over, even if clean, but as I said, there is the ditch and replace stragety).

Most people find that wheeled backpacks annoying because the wheels do add extra weight, but the straps take up extra room inside the bag. I would just get a wheeled bag that I can carry when I have to.. (my bag is 22 inches)

PalenQ

A big bag may not fit in a locker at some hostels. Do not get a big bag.. do not do not do not.>

And will not fit in many train station coin luggage lockers as well!

summerxdream

Thanks, everyone for your input. I have decided on a 26'' wheeled duffel from Briggs & Riley (the smaller version of the one I posted above). I appreciate your dissuasion from a bigger bag!

michele_d

A 26" bag is still a big bag. We did 21" suitcases on our 6 week train trip last summer and by the end of the trip I was ready to chuck half the weight in the bag, and I packed light.

PalenQ

by the end of the trip I was ready to chuck half the weight in the bag, and I packed light.>

Again the old sage advice from something I read "Pack your bags then take half of the stuff out and leave it at home."

Layering can be a good device to prevent hauling some heavy coat around - and yes a few items that can be washed out easily - shampoo is an excellent detergent to use in hotel sinks (or bidets! IME.

adrienne

I once bought a 26" suitcase, used it for 1 trip by car and gave it away. One tends to pack a suitcase to capacity and it was too heavy to lift. I can't imagine taking that size bag to Europe and doing a trip by train. It won't fit on the overhead racks so you have to store it at the end of the car. It becomes more difficult if you get on a train that has compartments and you must put the suitcase on an overhead rack as there is no place else to store it.

hazel1

Agree with the others that a 26" bag is still too large and will prove to be too heavy. You really should be limiting yourself to something no larger than 22", or 24" at an absolute maximum. Take from all the experienced travelers who've chimed in on this - you WILL regret the larger, heavier suitcase if you choose to stick with that choice.

jane1144

We did a month in Italy and France last fall and went from 85F in Venice to just above freezing Normandy. We took the advice on this site and took Carry On luggage only. I have travelled the world and will never travel any other way. We packed so we could layer for temperature changes and we spent about an hour a week doing some laundry (and meeting some locals). (I still took some things I didn't use and so would go even lighter next time). Having minimal stuff is liberating, both physically and mentally.

spaarne

I am also a member of the Gave Away My 26" Bag club. I hope that our petite newbie goes to her local gym for weight training before she goes to Europe.