ira

Dear RB,

> I have no choice but to bring so much because I will be staying in France for four months.<

You need bring no mre for 4 months than you would for 1 month.

You can use the hotel sink to wash your undies, landromats and dry cleaners for other items.

I'd be more concerned about hurting my back with all that luggage than I would be about pickpockets and other thieves.

hopscotch

I haven't read all the replies so some of them may be the same as my own.

Do not put ANY valables in your backpack at any time anywhere. Carry money, credit cards, passport, visa, and electronic goods in your pockets. All items in backpacks, day bags, and purses are subject to immediate acquisition by friendly people you meet in train stations.

You don't need bulky coats. Dress in layers. Bring clothes that miz and match. Be creative. Do a google search for 'clothing in europe' to find plenty of websites with plenty of advice.

Before you set out with two big bulky suitcases, do a trial run around your block to see if you can manage you load even without the jackals nipping at your heels. You might consider sending over some of your stuff by air freight.

chicagolori

I see from your other post that you are going as an exchange student for four months. Have you thought about shipping some stuff over before you get there or having your family send you stuff once you arrive? Then you could do the same on the way home.

There are companies who will ship your luggage over or just use the usual carriers.

Good luck

chicagolori

Here are some places that ship luggage. You could compare prices to regular shipping carriers. If you ship one bag, then you can manage your backpack and suitcase more easily.

Luggageforward.com
luggagefree.com
luggageconcierge.com

starrsville

A couple of good points have been made here. How much will you be paying in excess baggage charges?

Consider that in deciding what to leave home or what to have shipped to you. I shipped stuff home from a domestic trip because a) I didn't want to pay the overages at the airport and b) it saved me from schlepping the stuff through the airport.

kybourbon

Contact your exchange program and see if they offer a pick-up service in Paris. My daughter spent last semester in Spain and also had 2 large suitcases, a backpack, and a computer case. Her bags were loaded with books she would need for her classes and the study abroad program advised not to ship items as she would have to pay to ship + pay a large fee to retrieve the packages. She lived with a family and wasn't allowed to receive mail at their residence.

Do take what you think you will need as it's expensive to shop on a student budget. My daughter took a leather jacket and really regretted not packing her warm wool coat.

SuzieC

Remember, at Gare du Nord, you'll put your bags on a trolley to weild your way through...if you don't get an e-ticket for the train (that lets you get right on, no hassles with the ticket-window); at least you'll be pushing and rolling, really pretty easy.
I'd not pack a sleeping bag and US linens (wouldn't they be what is in the second big heavy suitcase?)
Can you ship yourself some of your things to the School?
Ahhh to be young again! I envy you a bit...school in France?! Best of times roundbunny

roundbunny

Cicerone has suggested that I should buy my train ticket in advance by going on this site: http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/...geUK&WB=HP

However, it seems that the printing option is only for PREMS tickets only...? (there are no prems offers from paris to compiegne, from what I can see.) Is it possible for me to print my train ticket out for just a NORMAL train ticket purchase, and if so, can someone send me that link?
Or am I totally confused and misinterpreting that site.....

Thanks so much!!

(Also....sorry, another question. I am assuming it would be wise for me to get the 12-25 card as soon as I arrive right?)

Christina

no, you are correct, you can't print regular train tickets, only PREMs. PREMs aren't available on many routes (probably most of them). I don't know what the 12-25 card is so can't advise on that.

I just agree with other advice, of course. I would never in a million years put money, wallet, etc. in a backpack that I'd be putting on my back so anyone could get it. Also, I think you are worrying too much about Gare du Nord, since you mention the petite thing. There may be pickpockets there or guys who try to scam victims who comply (ie, giving total strangers their ATM or credit cards so they can "help" them at the machines, or buying things off strangers in a train station because they are trying to get bargains and they get ripped off, etc.). But it isn't that it is likely somebody is going to physically jump you or attack you or whatever. It doesn't have much to do with size, your odds of getting pickpocketed or involved in a scam there.

suze

I would carry my documents in a small close to the body kind of zippered leather purse (I have a Fossil brand that is great).

I would look into shipping the winter clothing ahead. It would be worth the cost of postage not to try to carry this much yourself.

I would buy bedsheets, towels, etc. after you arrive. I would not take a sleeping bag (or would ship it ahead of buy after arrival if really necessary; many people backpack Europe without one).

You DO have a choice

suze

I would also use a money belt, but for your major stuff that you don't need to access during this time.

The leather pouch/purse serves to hold one day's money, train ticket, passport, etc. Things you want to have at your fingertips without digging around in your backpack.

starrsville

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but have you figured out what it's going to cost you in excess baggage charges to take that much with you on the plane?

suze

Besides the worry of looking like a target/victim, I just don't see how one person traveling solo plans to be able to deal with that much heavy luggage herself.

roundbunny

Hi starrsville,
I am allowed to check in 2 bags (50 lb each). (taken from the air canada link here: http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...e/checked.html)

so I won't have to worry about excess luggage fees.

Of course, after reading everyone's advice I am seriously considering just bringing one bag.

Thanks again to everyone for the great advice!

starrsville

I'm glad you checked roundbunny. The reason that it is at the top of my head is that, for the first time ever, Delta was going to charge me an extra baggage fee. I had put my big suitcase and my smaller duffle on the scales, and I needed to lose 6 pounds in luggage weight or fork over some money. My sister was traveling with a smaller bag so we checked my duffle in with her suitcase. I mailed the extra stuff back home before my departure back home.

If you are able to go smaller, I would recommend your large bag with a duffle or smaller bag that will loop over the handle of your rolling bag. It will be a lot easier to wheel the combo around and you will still have a free arm for other stuff. You'd just look less overwhelmed and less of a target. I put my bulky items in the duffle (shoes, jackets, etc.). That combo of luggage will be a lot easier for you to handle on and off the trains. Usually, someone will be helpful but it's better to feel confident that you can manage it on your own.

It sounds like you are making progress with what will work best for you.

suze

100 lbs. would be a LOT for one person to manage!!! Think of picking up a 50 lb. suitcase off the moving carousel in the airport for starters. Yikes. My 24" usually weighs about 25 lbs. packed and is plenty heavy.

roundbunny- You might want to do some "test" packing to see what all you feel comfortable handling. Rather than trying to bring only one bag, I would take two, but make them smaller and lighter not "big/heavy" as you first mentioned. It works well if one bag can ride on top of another one that has wheels (so a suitcase with wheels and a duffle riding on top of it, for example). Those two plus a reasonable sized backpack wouldn't be too bad.

hopscotch

Another couple of thoughts:

European beds are not the same size as those in the USA. Unless the French side gives you the dimensions of the bed you will use don't buy a fitted sheet at home.

If you are hauling books you can ship them for a reasonable charge at the post office. Use the international 'printed matter' rate. If you have more than 11 pounds then use the 'M' bag at the post office. When you are planning your return home check out the same deal on books at the French post office. Printed matter goes by boat and is low priority so it will probably take a minimum of three weeks.

Whether you are petite or not, walking through Paris' Gare du Nord with even one big suitcase and a backpack will certify you as a person of interest to those seeking new clothes, cash, or a camera. The place is a beehive of people moving about or standing still. Keep your space around you at all times. Trust nobody, especially gallant fellows offering assistance. Before you go, watch "French Kiss" if you haven't already.

BTW, they do sell clothes in France. You don't need to empty your closet and bring everything. Same for shampoo, beauty stuff, shoe polish, etc..

LoveItaly

Hi roundbunny, one time I took two 50 lbs, 29 inch each suitcases to Italy. Don't ask why, it is a loooong story which I have posted about here on Fodors quite some time ago lol. I also had a good size carryon.

roundbunny, I am pretty strong but let me tell you,I would not do that again if you paid me and gave me free airfare. It was a nightmare!!

I ended up shipping the equivalent of one of the suitcases contents home by land via the Italan PO before I flew home. It cost around the equivalent of $80.00US dollars I believe. It was worth every penny!

suze

I know I already mentioned it earlier, but feel the idea may have gotten lost. As LoveItaly's excellent (lol!) example above, consider shipping a couple boxes both going and returning. Since you mention school I assume there is an address you can use.

starrsville

kybourbon shared that shipping wasn't an option for her DD while studying in Spain. It is definitely worth checking into. Ship winter clothes to arrive later - if needed at all.