How Should a family of 5 pack for 13 days.
 

I just purchased a large suitcase to carry about 6 days of clothes to last 13 days. I read someplace that lugging a large suitcase is not the best way to travel in Europe. So i question how should I pack clothes for 2 adults and 3 teenage boys. Don't want each of us to have bags. Thought I could condense luggage with a large bag and medium bag. We will be at 2 hotels during the trip -- 6 days in Paris and 6 days in London. We will travel by train from Paris to London. Also, metro traveling from airport to hotel. So is the size luggage really a big issue? thanks

I don't understand you're not wanting each person to have their own suitcase. I can't imagine packing for 5 people in one large suitcase.

Whan I traveled with three teens They were each given a suitcase 22" and told to lay out what they wanted to bring, then I checked to make sure they had made appropriate choices for the destination and weather. That gave each teen a feeling of being more independent.

It was a lot easier for each child to be responsible for their own belongings.

We each have a carry-on. Parents and children 17, 15 and 11. It has worked for years, even with the youngest. I am with Celticharper - I can't imagine a large suitcase.

There are many liabilities with one large bag.

You have all the eggs in one basket if the only luggage is lost or delayed.
Won't you likely to hit the per bag maximum weight limit with one large bag?
Managing a large bag at train stations, metro(?) or taxi is a hassle.

It is a bad idea when it seems like just an option and separate smaller bags seem to make sense

With 5 traveling together, a taxi or something charged per car might be an option. The cost benefit trade-offs between a single traveler and 5 traveling together are different.

Very bad idea for so many reasons. Each person should have, and be responsible for, his own, small bag. Nobody needs much for 13 days. A 22" rollaboard should be adequate, plus a small carryon each for daily stuff.

I'm all for kids learning responsibility, especially when parents are paying for an expensive European vacation, so one more vote for everyone being responsible for their own stuff. A 22" bag for each should provide more than enough room for a 13-day trip. The teens may want to add a small daypack to carry the non-essentials (iPod, etc.) they think they can't live without.

"<i>Don't want each of us to have bags</i>" Why not?

One very large bag is simply a bad idea. a VERY bad idea IMO.

each of you should have an 18, 19 or 21 inch rollaboard or similar sized duffel.

I use a 21 inch rollaboard. I like the large ziploc like packing bags... using them you can really get a lot of clothes in a small bag.

I prefer the purpose made ones you get at a luggage store as they have a special valve that releases the air as you roll the bag tight.

Use the bag to pack complete sets of outfits ie trousers, shirt, underwear and socks. I learned the hard way if you pack each bag with like items you need to open them all when you need to change clothes.

I agree that the kids should each have a bag...
what a hassle to have multiple people's clothes in one giant bag! There are always laundromats if you need to get clothes clean as you go. But whatever you do, pack as light as you can.

Rob

Meant to add -- a bag large enough for five will almost certainly be overweight. And overweight is VERY expensive . . . .

Also, with each person responsible for own bag, an important travel lesson is learned: do not carry more than you can deal with yourself.

Each person should carry/be responsible for their own things. Each person dealing with a modestly sized bag is much easier than trekking around with gigantic body bags that will be difficult to get up steep, narrow stairs on a train, won;t fit on an overhead rack and will probably cost you extra for heavy luggage when you fly.

Plus - who is going to have the back ache (literally) of hauling these giant bags around?

And if the teen boys decide to take 3 pairs of giant white size 13 sneakers why should you have to deal with them?

Great comments. You are correct. Ineed to cut the cord more. thanks

Although I was an experienced single traveler, for my first family trip to Europe, I bought a large suitcase. My children were 4 and 9, so I thought that I would cover for them. At the airport, my suitcase was overweight, so I was taking out shoes to lighten it. Suitcase didn't fit in trunk of smaller European car. Suitcase was too heavy for anybody. Suitcase too big for train hallway. What a disaster!

Even if we check the luggage, each family member now takes a carry on roller. Each person is responsible for their own luggage for the entire trip.

We use ziplock bags or larger packing bags too. You can wear short or pants over and over. We personally hated taking time to do laundry and washing in the sink is ok but we found taking a shirt, underwear and socks for each day was the way to go for us. Everyone with a list of what to pack should pack themselves (you can go over it for the kids who will not pay attention to the list) and everyone takes their own suitcase.

I am always jealous of the people who can be gone for 2 weeks carrying just small bags! Getting on and off transportation and going through airports will be a nightmare with fewer heavy suitcases.

Have fun!

Carry-on restrictions being stricter in Europe, I think large and medium sized luggage could actually be a smarter option for London and Paris. Although, you should be prepared to do some big time hauling if you are planning to use public transport. As far as packing tips are concerned, pack as light as possible if you don’t want to pay extra weight charges. All of you should wear your heaviest clothes on board and use the hotel laundry to wash and reuse clothes. Bags from Briggs & Riley have some nice features like expandability and Outsider handle for additional packing capacity.

Everyone should have their own rolling carry on, or in your teens cases a backpack if they prefer. You will save time at baggage claim and also not have to worry that your bags showing up. I would drop laundry off at a local place once mid trip if you need it. Have fun, sounds like a great trip!