luggage size
 

Will stations wagon in the United Kingdom
accomodate four people and four 26 inch
pieces of luggage?

Surely some will; others won't.

But I'll jump in here, and say that taking a 26 inch suitcase is a sure way to induce cursing at that suitcase.

A "rollaboard" (21 inch, typically), plus one moderate-size smaller piece (for example, a small-medium sized duffel, preferably one that weighs than one HALF pound - - yes, eight OUNCES - - is a far smarter way to travel.

Even with two pieces per person, of this size, you will find that your "trunk packing" options are far superior to what you will face with four 26-inchers.

Best wishes,

Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana

If memory serves, they are called "estate cars" in the U.K., and it will be a really tight squeeze. You can probably shove it in, but you won't be able to see out of the rear view mirror.

We had an Opel station wagon on our trip to Germany last year. It easily held our two 26+" suitcases, two carry-on bags and assorted rubble. Four 26 inchers wouldn't have been a problem. Our wagon was a Vectra or Astra--can't remember which. We've never had a problem taking 26" or larger suitcases, but we don't tend to carry them around with us while sightseeing and we don't move from place to place every day while on a trip.

Check some of the sites of the major car companies. They usually have descriptions of what the passenger/suitcase load is for the various cars. You'll mostly find station wagons in the UK to be midsized cars so it's probably reasonable to expect your four 26" cases to fit. However, as RTF noted most of us also cart around carry-on's and assorted rubble so you may run into a problem squeezing all the bits in. You can rent minivans which would easily accommodate your group but the rental cost will double. And big cars on tiny village lanes can be a daunting proposition!

I just booked a car through justairports.com. When I e-mailed for my quote, I provided as much information as possible, including number of adults, number of suitcases and size, and the necessary carry ons. The agency should be able to tell you if all those bags will fit.

Hi
I don't know what your plans are exactly, but I'll add a couple of caveats.
If you are renting a stationwagon
you should remember that any special car requests (vans, station wagons, automatic transmissions) are always subject to availability, even with a reservation. They might have the correct car for you, they might not.

If you are doing your own driving, be careful about leaving suitcases in parked unattended vehicles in any location.

If you can, take rex's advice about taking smaller bags rather than fewer larger ones. Larger ones don't fit all places and are horribly heavy to tote, even if it's just up a flight of stairs or through a station or up onto a luggage rack.

Well, I do go to the gym regularly, maybe that's why the bigger suitcases don't bother me.

Last year, we rented a Mondeo Station Wagon for 4 adults. We each had a 22" suitcase and one carryon. I KNOW we could not have gotten four 26" suitcases in that car.

Unless you are staying put and not moving about, do yourselves a favor and get smaller suitcases. It's no fun having to haul them in and out of the car all the time, much less up and down stairs, etc.