Hi,

I will be travelling through East and Central Europe from April to June and I was wondering what kind of suitcase/backpack I should bring. I just bought a large piece of luggage and a friend informs me not to bring anything too big because you can't take it on the train, or it's a hassle. She says to bring a medium piece of luggage and a back pack. The problem is, I have back problems and don't want anything too heavy on my back.

What are your recommendations?

Thanks!

T

What about a wheeled carryon suitcase & one of the backpacks with wheels? It should qualify as a backpack for airline purposes but if it gets too much for your back you can wheel it too.You might even be able to strap it on top of your larger wheeled bag & just pull the one.

I know several kids at the high school have had to use wheeled backpacks when they ran out of lockers & there were multiple heavy books to bring to class.

A properly balanced and packed backpack might actually put less strain on your back than lopsidedly toting a big heavy suitcase. Try reading some of the threads on packing light -- you don't need a big suitcase or even its equivalent, especially considering your health issues and train-oriented itinerary.

Don't think of this as a two month trip. You can't possible carry two months worth of clothes even in a (too) large suitcase. Pack as though you were going away for 5 to 7 days and plan on doing laundry every so often. This way it is very easy to get everything you need in one 21 inch wheeled suitcase. If you want, you could also take a small day pack to cary things like picnic lunches, camera, etc. while you are touring.

You don't need large luggage simple because you are taking a long trip. You'll get around much easier with one wheel-aboard.

Have a great trip!

Janis's advice is spot-on. Pack as though you were going away for a week to 10 days. Yes, it is a hassle schlepping luggage around. It will become an "issue" after a week or so if you pack too much.
Pack what you think you will need, then go for a two-mile walk with your luggage. Pick it up and carry it up two or three flights of stairs a few times. That's what your trip will be like. If you can't do that easily, you've got too much. I've traveled, fairly stylishly, to Europe for 4-6 weeks with one 22" rolling bag. You can too. They do have laundry and drycleaning facilities there.

I recommend that your first principle should be the luggage needs to he as lightweight as possible when empty. I recommend a "rolled 21-inch carry-on" (a "rollaboard&quot as your larger item, and it should not exceed eight pounds when empty. Your actuall carry-on should not exceed eight OUNCES empty - - that is, a small-medium nylon duffel. You can still take a lot of stuff with these two bags. And if the duffel is a little bit less than full, it will hang (kinda) dumbbell-style across the handle of the rollaboard. This allows you to pull behind you both bags with one hand, or carry both off the ground (bad rain, steps) and feel fairly balanced.

The two mile test seems a little bit strenuous, unless you actually plan to rtavel through Europe from town to town. But carry up and down a flight of stairs above your head is a very appropriate test for any individual piece you're taking (fully loaded). I think that if you cannot do it easily - - no touching the walls or handrail, then its too heavy. As a corollary you should be able to carry ALL of the pieces you are taking fully loaded up and down a flight of stairs as well; though over your head is rather much to ask.

Doing laundry is of course, key to any trip of about 12 days or more. Do you really want to be carrying around more than 12 days of dirty laundry at any one time?

Best wishes,

Rex

When you do the carry your suitcase up the 2 or 3 flights of stairs a few times test, remember to leave a few days between each of the times.

large suitcases and train travel do not mix. if you take a large one you will regret it.

I'm confused! Don't you have to check in your luggage when you travel by train? We are going on our first European trip in May and I'm getting tons of good info, but this questions has confused me. We are going from Venice to Florence to Rome by train... so are you guys talking about the carry on luggage? Are there any rolling carts at the train stations for the rest of the luggage?

The trains in Italy are not set up for easy luggage handling. There are very often stairs to get to your train and the escalator or elevators are not always working. You have to get your luggage over the gap between train and platform, and then on the luggage rack
while many people are waiting behind you
waiting to get on the train.

You do not check your luggage for train travel - you carry it on and usually put it in overhead bins or in storage areas between the train cars. No, there are no rolling luggage carts but there are plenty of stairs. You must be prepared to be self-sufficient, carry your own luggage on and off the train and store it yourself. Now you can see why people recommend bringing as litle as possible.

It's all carry on luggage on the trains. We had a 26 inch and a 27 inch suitcase and a couple of smaller bags. We didn't have any problems with the trains--it's not like we rode trains every day. But if you are old or not in very good condition, then lugging big suitcases or a lot of them around with you could be a chore. There are porters who could help for a price at the larger train stations. And baggage carts.

From the German rail web site:
http://www.bahn.de/pv/view/int_guest..._comfort.shtml

Porters
Porters are available to carry your luggage and help you board the train at various main stations. You will recognize them by their blue aprons and red caps. They may also approach you to offer help. The attendants on the train may also take bookings for this service during your journey.

Prices for Porterage
For the first two items of luggage EUR 2.50
For each additional item of luggage EUR 1.20

Luggage Cart
An easy way to get sour suitcases to and from the train is to use a luggage cart, which you can borrow for a deposit of EUR 0.50 or EUR 1 at any station.

There are many train stations where there are no porters. we have personally had to carry large luggage down stairs etc. we travel a lot with our 7&9 year olds and have switched to 4 carry on pieces of rolling luggage. we now avoid checked baggage entirely and no back problems or broken wrist trying to get luggage on a train.

While there are luggage carts and trolleys at some stations - these only get you TO the train. You still must lift your bags up on to the train, struggle down the aisle w/ it and perhaps have to lift it into the overhead racks. I am short and cannot even reach the racks let alone raise my 19 or 21 inch case that high.

Pack light!

For Daniel I recommend a rolling 22" suitcase along with a small daypack. As mentioned pack for 1 week and do laundry or have it done along the way.

For Mio, no you don't check you luggage on the train, you must deal with it yourself. My recommendation is only 1 piece each plus a day bag, consider it ALL carry-on... there should be no "rest of the luggage"!