luggage suggestions
 

I would appreciate any suggestions for the best type of luggage for rail travel on a three week European vacation. I'm considering a bag that converts from a backpack or a rolling suitcase. Has anyone had any experiences or recommendations?
Thank you

19" or 21" rolling bag. Lots of experience.

I took at 23 inch rolling suitcase for our three month trip, plus a day pack.

Hi tpalmer48,

I travel exclusively by train, and, yup, rolling bags are the way to go.

If you wear a backpack, you run the risk of hitting folks in the face as you walk down the aisle or turn around in the aisle (seen it a few times). Folks won't really want to chat with you after that!

I'd also like to suggest that you get the 4-wheel kind of suitcase. I had a 2-wheeler for many years, and I found that they are so wide that I often had to ask folks to move their knees or shoulders out of the aisle so I would have enough room. But a 4-wheel case can roll sideways, so it's much slimmer -- much easier to get down the narrow train aisle.

Have fun as you plan!

s

You do not want to be hauling a large backpack around - way too much trouble and not very safe for your belongings. Much better to get a small wheelie.

Ditto: Good wheeled bags have made backpacks obsolete except for those doing genuine trekking. I prefer sturdier two-wheel models for bouncing over cobblestones. Also ditto on the nuisance of daypacks in crowded spaces. A decent messenger-style bag, worn with the strap across your chest, is both more secure and easier to manage.

I prefer the bag with large two wheels rather than the smaller four wheels. Four wheels are great on smooth surfaces. Hit anything with a rough surface, cobblestone streets, rough sidewalks and the four small wheels get stuck. Even if you are dragging it on two wheels.

We use Rick Steves rollabaord 2 wheeled suitcases and daypack, plus the moneybelt. We pack the same clothes regardless of how long we are traveling, just wash them as we go. For our last trip, I bought a Pacsafe Citysafe 200 Gii crossbody handbag and it was great for carrying guidebooks, camera, maps, etc. It looks sort of like a messenger bag and my husband carried it much of the time. Given the stringent weight limits of some airlines, watch the weight of the bag itself and the to get something light.

I just ordered our second Rick Steves 2 wheeled rollaboard. It's light, it's small enough to easily fit on trains and to take on board international flights from the US.

I also carry a cross body bag as my second item.

23 inches is way too huge for me. I go for bags that are between 19 and 21 inches, preferably under 21.

I also prefer two wheels and feel that they take up less space and often weigh less. We use a lot of public transportation and every ounce counts.

I would use a rolling suitcase no larger than 22". I like the lightweight brand "IT".

We got these wheeled backpacks with attached daypack. Order one for hubby, then I liked it so much, I got one in a different color. Lots of reviews and "answered questions" hooked us:

http://www.amazon.com/High-Sierra-Ul.../dp/B003ZVW7A2

Have a look at something like Timberland twin mountain 22" wheeled flat zip top-loading duffle style. I have an almost identical one and love it because it is narrow, only 13" so it fits down the isle of a train easily and is easy to fit on the racks, yet holds a lot. I got it on sale at either TJMax or Marshalls for under a $100.00.