Let's talk about packing for Paris, please
 

I'll be in France in late May, and after a few days in the Alps I will take the TGV to Paris for 6 days. How big of a bag should I realistically be taking with me? I usually travel to NYC with a huge suitcase (at least 26"), and pack another bag in the bottom of it to bring home all the clothes and stuff I buy there. I don't think this is going to work for me in France. The hotel rooms are small, the rental car for the start of the trip I'm sure will be small, and I will have to drag my luggage to a new location after the first few days. How big a bag did you take? Do you use a regular suitcase, or the kind that can also be used as a backpack? Or something else? Did you buy much on your trip, and if so how did you get it home? Do they check and stow bags on the TGV, or do I have to be able to take it on the train with me?

I will have a few months to figure out how to pare my wardrobe, toiletries, and miscellaneous carry-on stuff down to a minimum, but I guess I am wondering just how pared down I should go?

The size of bag corresponds to the amount of "effectively usable" belonging you need to carry. One carry-on size (22") wheeled luggage is within reach for most folks if they can resist urge to bring things that cannot be used over and over.

Now you mentioned "Alps." Are you hiking? Then you are destined to carry at least a pair of hiking boots, an outdoor jacket, and perhaps walking sticks so it is difficult to fit into a carry-on size luggage. Also May is usually not a good time to hike high altitude trails. I presume you have already looked into just where in Alps you care to visit in May.

After taking one train, you quickly realize just how much pain it is to drag around a 26" luggage along with other belonging you would be carrying. Of course, if your look can attract guys, there will be no shortage of helping hands... LOL...

I agree with greg, a carry-on 22" would be my choice.

Depends on the airline -- some 22 in. bags are actually closer to 23 inches and too big for <i>some</i> sizer boxes. So I'd go w/ a 21" rollaboard.

If you want to do carry-on only then use a 21inch suitcase. If you don't care about carry-on, then a 22", or a 24" max.

I use a 22" bag with a collapsible duffel inside, which I check, and almost always do the Paris part of our trip last (as that is where I tend to shop) The 22' bag fits easily in the car trunk or train and I check the duffel coming home.
I carry a small bag on the plane and my husband carries a small backpack on.

We each take a 21inch roll aboard and check them in for 2 weeks to France and we each carry on a small bag so that when plane lands our hands are pretty much free so we just go. nce you carry on a lot of luggage onto a train you will never do it a second time. we learned the hard way.

greg -- no, we will not be hiking. Just taking photos and enjoying scenery from the ground.

Looks like I will need to think hard about what I really need to take with me as I rarely travel with a bag that small. All my products for contacts, hair, makeup, etc take up a lot of room, I tend to bring several shoe options, and I'm not a fan of wearing shirts more than once. High maintenance, I guess. :)

All my products for contacts, hair, makeup, etc take up a lot of room,>>

no reason not to bring them, but could you decant them into smaller containers?

When i can't do that, I save the ends of my favourite products and take them with me, and throw away at the end of the trip. They may not take up less room but they are lighter and they make more room when I chuck them.

and honestly, do you really need a choice of lipstick, eye-shadow, etc etc.?? you have time to think about what you really need and just bring that. ditto shoes - in May, perhaps one pair of shoes that are comfy for walking, a pair of sandals and a smart pair will probably suffice.

go on- you know you can!

I pack a 22" for a month trip usually with at least 2 weeks in Paris pack tohe same size for theDH and he taks a blazer and dress shoes and pants. I do do laundry as there is a laundromat right next to our apt! you are not going to get full size bottles thru security and I wouldn't put them in with my clothes. Shampp and conditioner can be bought in Paris, they have woderful products there

Of course, the lighter, the better is good advice. Having said that, I did travel with both a 21" roller board and a 24" rolling bag on all three of my trips to France last year. Two trips to Paris were made easier by taking a car to and from my apartment, but on a self-guided trip to Provence via the Nice airport, I had to schlepp both bags on long walks, airport bus rides, and then load them into my rented Peugeot. I made the most of the packing space by using small travel containers and Space Bags, which work wonders for all of those cute outfits we just have to take with us! Sensible shoes are key: sandals and a pair or two of flats. Note: The roller board has the 360 wheels, so rolling both was no problem. Have a wonderful trip! Je suis tres jaloux!

Since I travel solo and by train, I carry a 20" roll aboard and a small bag that fits on top. This keeps me from packing too heavy, knowing I may be lifting my bag into the overhead compartment. Many times, a man will grab my bag and stow it for me, but I have had to do it myself several times. I must do laundry to travel this light, but it works for me.

I think a 21-22" is best, but I use a 24" rolling suitcase (not a backpack convertible). I think from what you have said about yourself, that is the smallest bag you're going to get yourself into honestly. Plus get a nice large totebag of some sort to use as your pocketbook/purse and 2nd piece.

Decant everything you use for cosmetics/toiletries into small plastic 1, 2, or 3 oz containers. You can take a lot of different things but only pack exactly the amount you'll need for the length of your trip. No full-sized anything.

<I'm not a fan of wearing shirts more than once>

You either need to get over that, or plan to have some laundry or dry cleaning done along the way.

Definitely bring 2-3 pair of shoes. You can still pack light. I figure shoes are the most important for comfort. You CAN wear the same clothes over and over but if something goes wrong with your shoes and you don't have a backup, could really be a problem.

On trains the luggage is yous to deal with - getting it onto the platform, up several step narros steps to the train and lifting in to the overhead rck (but 26" won;t fit there). Youwould need to leve a bag that big either at the end of the car or fit behind of under your seats or? I travel with that and a SMALL carry-on - not a wheelie but just a tote bag for the shoulder.

I travel with that size suitcse all the time (since I am often doing business plus vacation and need 2 separate wardrobes and don;t find it a problem. But use mostly cars, cabs and hotels with bellmen. I rarely shop for clothing much in europe - since things are so much more expensive than in the US - and anyting sizable I have shipped home.

I beg of you...a 22 inch suit case and maybe a small tote with that. I can pack for a week in winter with one and I am a girlie girl. You will be so sorry if your try to use trains etc...with a larger bag. Even storing a large bag in many hotel rooms can be tough.

I don't take really nice or non-practical shoes and I love shoes. No more than 3 pairs of shoes, but 2 is good. Thin layers is the way to go.

<i>PlumeriaTattoo on Jan 19, 12 at 9:48am
greg -- no, we will not be hiking. Just taking photos and enjoying scenery from the ground.
Looks like I will need to think hard about what I really need to take with me as I rarely travel with a bag that small. All my products for contacts, hair, makeup, etc take up a lot of room, I tend to bring several shoe options, and I'm not a fan of wearing shirts more than once. High maintenance, I guess.</i>

Just go naked with your tooth brush and buy all those other essentials when you get there. Rumor has it that Paris has good shopping. I visited some big stores on Blvd. Haussmann and Rue de Rivoli.

High maintenance and traveling by train don't mix well. Whether I'm going for a week or 2+ months, I take a 21" or 22" rollaboard. Trust me, you will be SO, SO sorry if you haul a huge bag and have to lift it onto and off trains and haul it around with you.

Do remember that no one in Europe is going to care about whether your "products" or shoes are perfect. You'll never see these people again. Cut down on the products, wear things more than once, and take two pairs of shoes.

Travel isn't about maintaining appearances (which isn't to say you can't look put together); it's about experiencing new stuff.

Even with my very small bag, I find myself wishing that I had only brought a toothbrush and panties.

spaarne: <i>Just go naked with your tooth brush and buy all those other essentials when you get there.</i>

Betcha you'll have a line of men all wanting to help you stow away your toothbrush in the overhead rack.

The best thing to do is to pack up everything you <i>think</i> you can't do without in Europe and, if you have stairs at home, haul the suitcase up and down the stairs.

Then take the suitcase outside and roll it around, running with it would be even more realistic, on the grass - presumably you don't have cobblestones in your backyard.

Get back into the house and haul the suitcase up and down the stair again.

In the end, you'll probably take spaarne's advice...

Having traveled many times with friends who love to pack for every possible scenario we came up with the motto, "you pack it you carry it" They have all done much better after hauling needless crap all over Europe. We have it down to a science now. Black, layers, wear your heaviest shoes, pack the lightest shoes. There are drugstores everywhere and love trying new products from Europe. They even sell sample sizes. We did all public transportation last trip and loved having one suitcase under 22inches. I do laundry, wash out in the sink, rent apartments when we can and buy only items that lay flat and don't take much room in the suitcase. It helps me from buying a lot of stuff I don't really need. I tried a suitcase with the four wheels loaded with the handle extended and it didn't roll so well so am keeping my two wheeler.

These are all such great tips! Well, except the part about traveling naked. :) While I do love attention, that may bring a bit more of it than I need.

Tell me, seasoned travelers -- what sort of things are essential for European travel that I wouldn't normally take on a domestic trip? Some sort of electrical converters to charge all the devices and run my hair dryer? What else?

As far as I know, all you need for France is an adapter:

http://www.amazon.com/US-to-European.../dp/B0012S304W

I can't remember using anything else. You can get the adapters here in the States or in Europe.

I usually take a lightweight 25 inch suitcase for my longer European trips. I do travel by train, doesn't bother me. You can't put suitcases on overhead racks, anyway (not on the trains I take, like TGV, they aren't big enough for even a 22 inch suitcase), so it doesn't matter, they go in the luggage storage place at the end of the car or in-between seats (some are like that). No, they don't check bags for you on trains. I am not a wimp, I lift weights and am in shape, so I have no trouble handling my suitcase by myself. If I couldn't handle it, I wouldn't take it. I also take a smaller carryon bag with the larger 25 inch. But my carryon bag is not another suitcase, it is a small soft-sided bag, maybe 14 inch by 6 inch or something.

I have never used a backpack for luggage on a trip.

I do not buy hardly anything when traveling, I hate shopping.

PS re your last question, you don't take a hair dryer with you. Hotels have hair dryers, unless you are staying in real cheap places, which doesn't seem to fit with your MO, so I doubt it. Every 3* hotel I've been in has had one in recent years, and I think all the 2* ones, also.

You shouldn't have a lot of devices to charge. I don't take any, but I know some people do, I'm just not sure what as their phones probalby don't work over there.

I charge my phone and camera battery. Most electronics these days do not require converters, just plug adapters which are pretty small.....and inexpensive. Buy them at any luggage store in the states.

I have traveled to Europe many times over the years and stay for about a month!Each year I pack less and less and my suitcase have become smallerand smaller.This year I am finally going the route of a carryon!

<what sort of things are essential for European travel... Some sort of electrical converters to charge all the devices and run my hair dryer?>

Nothing for me. But that's because I don't take a hair dryer, cell phone, digital camera, laptop, or any electronics really, so I don't need anything special in that category. If you do, yes you will need convertors/adaptors.

I used a luggage fowarding service to send Switzerland bag to Zurich (hiking boots, warmer clothes)... was picked up by them again when we left. I brought a giant rolling bag and a carry on for the rest of the two weeks (Lake Como, Venice, Paris. I want more stuff with me, I guess, but have never felt overloaded or swamped. We also use hotel laundry service at least twice.

<i>PlumeriaTattoo on Jan 20, 12 at 10:36am
These are all such great tips! Well, except the part about traveling naked. :) While I do love attention, that may bring a bit more of it than I need.
Tell me, seasoned travelers -- what sort of things are essential for European travel that I wouldn't normally take on a domestic trip? Some sort of electrical converters to charge all the devices and run my hair dryer? What else?</i>

Here is a list to get you started.
http://tinyurl.com/29elmem

You definitely don't want to take any of your hair appliances (dryer, flat iron). The currency converters don't really work well for those as they pull a lot of power, so even with the converter, they don't really work. I had a flat iron ruined by trying to use it with a currency converter and many of those are expensive (and don't work well).

I bought a flat iron in Paris that I take when I go there. Use the hotel hair dryer. An iphone is dual voltage (as are many electronics) and you only need a plug adapter for that. A plug adapter should only cost a few bucks.

My biggest concern is charging up all our devices - iPhone, Kindle, two cameras. I don't want to fry them, and also don't want to blow a fuse at the hotel (which is an older 2* place). Is there a power strip adapter/converter that can be used?

Also -- this was posted on TripAdvisor and seems very helpful, so I will add it to this wonderful thread full of tips.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/201...6-pack-ss.html

Sorry to hijack this thread, but same topic and slightly different angle...

We are lucky to have been able to book a last minute trip to Paris and will be there end of June. When thinking (and internet searching) on an appropriate pack list, almost every site focuses on clothing. Most say that you really need to try and "dress appropriately" and forego the sweatpants or sneakers.

We are pretty laid-back, casual people. It's not that we couldn't afford nicer clothes, we just don't see them as important in the grand scheme of things. We plan to do tons of walking (and eating) and just want to be as comfortable at possible, and also want to minimize the packing. But some sites say it is downright disrespectful to enter some estalishments with the type of clothing I mentioned. These sites say we should expect to not be treated well/looked down upon.

How serious do I need to take this - or need not really worry? I certainly shouldn't liken it to visiting a religious site with inappropriate clothing, should I?

Thanks for any insight.

You'll collapse from heat exhaustion if you wear sweatpants in Paris in June. It's becoming warm by then.

You can look however you like, sloppy as all get out if that's your preference. Would you expect to gain entry to a nice restaurant in your home town dressed like that? I expect you will be allowed access to McDonald if that's your sort of place.

Singlet tops and short shorts may well be refused at lots of churches.

I don't wear athletic wear on the streets in Paris. I am past the age that short shorts are a consideration.

To stay cool, I usually wear a casual dress and always carry a sweater or wrap, in case it is cool inside. That also takes care of church appropriate wear. I don't wear flip flops...not attractive and not supportive for all the walking. I try to look presentable where ever we go. While I don't think you have to wear top of the line designer clothes, I do want to look nice and appropriate for all occasions.

As I understand it, Parisians wear work out clothes when they are engaged in sport but not around as street clothes. You can still look nice and pack light. Why risk being turned away somewhere because you are dressed poorly? However, if that happens, don't criticize the French for it when you return, it is your choice. I hope your trip is wonderful. I love Paris.

YOu can wear sneakers if you want (there are plenty of attractive ones that are not big ugly white things which many Americans seem to wear in public for some reason I don't get). Don't even think of wearing or taking sweat pants. Well, if you must have them for some reason (to me, those mean fleecy sweatshirt fabric, as noted, it's too hot for those anyway), use them to lounge around the hotel room, that's all. I do take some casual pants for that purpose, but lighter weight than sweatpants.

What about black yoga pants? I've been trying to decide if I should bring them. They don't wrinkle and can look great with flats or walking shoes. We are going to Dijon for two days, Provence for a week and Paris for 4 days in September.
I am taking one pair of jeans, a few skorts and tops for the Provence part of the trip. I have black jersey tops, dress and leggings for dinners.

You czn wear whatever you like, but if you're asking if you'll see Parisians in yoga pants outside of the studio.... its pretty rare.

Sweat pants are for exercising. Yoga pants are for yoga. You won't see Parisians or folks in Dijon or Provence wearing either unless they're exercising or doing yoga, but suit yourself. You also may swelter in jeans or leggings in Provence in September.

There's a huge gap between sloppy and elegant. What is so hard about throwing on a comfortable dress and a cardigan, or a skirt and cotton top with a light wrap? Or capris and a top? You can be casual and comfortable without looking like you're off to gym class.

Skorts? Really? I guess vintage works just about everywhere.

Actually, we would gain access to most restaurants in our town in just jeans and sneakers. It's pretty laid back here - when I think sloppy, I think more clothes with stains or holes or overly wrinkled. I don't care for most "fashion" and find a lot of it silly (e.g. leather pants), but that is just personal opinion.

The thing is that we know we will be doing lots and lots of walking and probably more casual cafe/bistro fare - and we want to be comfortable and not overheat/oversweat/overitch/overadjust. I don't think we are planning to do a really fancy dinner because that's just not our style. It is more just about sampling a little bit of everything in a lot of different places. And certainly we would want to be respectful in churches and such.

I may have exaggerated a bit when talking about sweatpants. I just meant more stretchy items that, yes, could be worn to run a quick errand and possibly what one would consider "gym" wear without being too short or too skimpy. Our sneakers wouldn't be the garish white ones, but more grey or brown. I know we will be obvious tourists and are not trying to pass off as Parisians, but I am just hoping the city welcomes and embraces that and we don't feel blatantly uncomfortable - seeing as the city has a huge tourism market. I am just trying to understand the whole "getting turned away" thing based on clothing a little better. I may be reading too much into the dress code suggestions I see, though.

Thanks.

Take all the dress code comments with a grain of salt..Be casually neat, comfortably attired(Shunnung short shorts and bra like tops) and respectful in churches etc. You will have a great time.It will probably be hot so long pantsmay not be your choice and taking a shawl,pashima, stole (whatever) will solve alot of your concerns as there may be some ac and you might be cold in restuarants.