Trains and personnal bag size !
 

After reading through many postings and responses, there is mention of "not bringing a big suitcase". Based on your experiences, what would you recommend as an ultimate size for a large bag on wheels. My wife and I plan to take 2 bags each ( suitcase and backpack ). Your thoughts are much appreciated.
PS...I am new here on Fodor's and have spent the last couple of hours going through many postings that will definitely help us plan our trip. Just need to fine tune a few things LOL.
Have a sun filled day.

Do you want carry on or are you ok with checking your bags. If checking your bags is ok, I just got a 24inch bag that I like a lot. It has enough room to bring back all kinds of stuff. But it is easy to handle and maneuver through Madrid's metro stations.

Whatever size you take you need to be able to tote/carry/lift them by yourselves.

I normally use a 21 inch rolling suitcase and a medium sized handbag. Others will recommend larger bags. But I would not go above 24 inches simply because getting larger/heavier bags on/off trains can be a hassle.

You ask a very good question. My rolling suitcase was stuffed so fat that it was a challenge taking the trains in Italy. You won't find many people offering to help you lift your bag, either. I guess they figure you made a stupid mistake and you deal with it! There are lots of stairs at train stations, and it's a major pain.

One one long train ride, we were sitting in a compartment-type arrangement, so there was just one narrow aisle outside the door for passengers to arrive and depart. My bag had to sit in that aisle, because the luggage area was a few cars away and was full anyway. So every stop, I had to get up and move the bag into the compartment to let people get by. My bag was too large to life into the overhead. My seatmates were not pleased, let me tell you! Nor was my travel companion. . .
:)>-

If one knows how to wash clothes, and is willing to wash clothes, and don't shop a lot, there's really no need to bring more than a 21" and a backpack/day-bag for trips of any lengths.

But if you're strong and can easily handle a filled 24" (like lifting it up onto the train, and onto the overhead racks on trains), then you can do it if you want.

You didn't memtion your age or athletic ability. Big suitcase cause lots of problems. First, if each of you is carrying a big suitcase and backpack -- you have way too much STUFF. One large suitcase for both you might be OK. Second, unless the train is starting at your location, you don't a lot of time to load and there are a lot of other folks standing around probably with a equal pile of luggage wanting to get on. The entry is narrow (one at a time), three or four steep steps, and a narrow passage way when you get on. Getting four pieces of luggage on, stored, etc., can be a major workout. Third, if the luggage is large it has to go in the end storage if there is room, may have to be lift as high as your chest and the same time others are pushing past you and trying to load their luggage. I could go on but I hope you get the picture. As an absolute maximum --- if you are committed to two pieces each ---- is one rollling carryon size (43-45" total) and your backpack. With nearly 300 days of European travel in the past 12 years or so and with trips ranging upwards to four weeks, we NEVER take more than one carryon size bag each -- the exception is when we do cruises. We do take a third carryon size bag with wheels to hold the few extra clothes we need for the cruise. Really rethin you packing list. Good Luck

I find that the number of bags you have makes it more difficult on trains and metros. It's a real pain if you have two bags each to get them on and off trains, up and down stairs and escalators.

Using a backpack as one of your bags helps with that situation but keep in mind that once you're on the train you have to find someplace to store each bag or sit with it on your lap.

I like to keep my bags with me (in the overhead or under my seat rather than have to leave it at the front of the carriage in the storage bin area. Keep that in mind when choosing bag size as the larger bags will have to be stored in a common storage area and not at your seat.

To respond to fmpden:
Forgot to mention, I'm 52, my wife is 49. Both in good excellent health.

My large rolling bag is 27" x 14".
It's definitely big enough for everything I need for a 4 week stay anywhere. Carry on is a small hiking backpack that easily fits under an airplane seat. My wife has a larger "suitcase" with wheels. She may have to re-think packing lighter LOL.

I truly appreciate all your responses.

&quot;<i>She may have to re-think packing lighter LOL</i>&quot;

Don't dump this all on your wife. Yes, she'll need a smaller bag - but yours is way too big as well. And if you are schlepping that 27 incher, how are going to be able to help your wife if she runs into touble??

I have yet to take a 4 week trip (or a 4 month one for that matter) that needs 27, 29, 30 inch suitcases.

27&quot; is very big for a train. You will probably need to lift it overhead onto a rack (and position it so that it won;t fall off onto others). If the train is full your 2 suitcases wil take up part of the space of other travelers and your smaller packs will have to go either under your feet or on your lap.

Or - if you can fit your bags into the luggage area at the end of one or more cars you will either have to lock it to the rack or go and stand by it each time the train stops to make sure it doesn;t disappear.

Also - getting all that luggage onto the train - with others waiting to board - won;t be easy. We made the mistake of doing this once (big luggage belonged to my B and SIL). We had to make a chain to get luggage up and out of people's way (my beau stood on platform and lifted each bag up to 3 steps to my B who took it and pushed it back to me who pushed it back to my SIL. We just made it (dealing with 8 bags) since it was only a 5 minute stop - then had to trek down to our compartment. We were going First and luckily no one else took the other 2 seats - so we had room for all our bags - using overhead, underseat and extra seats. If all 6 sets had been take we would have been in trouble.

For train travel reco nothing more than a 22/23&quot; each plus a small shoulder bag.

(We do travel with more luggage routinely - but almost always do road trips - which solves the luggage issue.)

&lt;&lt;&lt;&quot;She may have to re-think packing lighter&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

It has to be way beyond may. Seriously, I am with janisi. You both need to rethink the packing issue. Reread MaureenB's posting. Classic example of overpacking and first hand problems. For us -- the length of the trip has NO bearing on the amount of clothes that we take -- three days, three weeks, three months -- it is EXACTLY the same. Assuming that this may be your first trip. Experience is always a good teacher. If reluctant to follow our collective advice, then be prepared for more problems. We are 65, 63 and have traveled to Europe every second to third year since our early 50s. Other than the first trip which had lots of problems because of too much luggage, we run on carryon size bags only.
We have very friends who are experienced travelers (3 trips) but laughed a little at our &quot;over&quot; emphasis on one bag. Their luggage load was similar to yours. On their fourth trip, in the Paris train station. they were mugged and lost everything. Later admitted that handling the excess luggage was the big distraction that got them mugged. There is absolutely no reason to have lots of luggage -- unless of course -- you are traveling with your servants. Unfortunately we cannot always take ours with us.

I'll just nod in agreement - you can't begin to imagine what a PITA it is getting luggage on and off trains, up and down stairs, etc. Pack light!

Hi S,

You need no more stuff in your suitcase for 4 weeks than you do for 2 weeks.

My wife and I have never taken more than 1 26&quot; and one 22&quot;.

If both you and your wife have such large suitcases, you will have a good deal of trouble getting on and off trains.

((I))

Don't think of a 4 week trip... think of a 1-2 week trip that you will wash clothes along the way. Stretch your wardrobe by wearing outer pieces more times between washings than you might at home.

I say a 24&quot; roller is the max. for train travel. Plus a large tote or handbag or small daypack.

That said, if you truly can't pare it down, use a larger suitcase. A well-packed 26&quot; on wheels will handle better than a 24&quot; with it's expandable feature being used and stuffed to the brim (over-stuffed suitcases tend to get off-balance, tip over off their wheels, and be hard to handle).

Now I'm curious... how big is your wife's suitcase anyways?
:-)

I am leaving for my trip from SFO to Heathrow in just a few minutes. I will be gone for 11 days and I will pack everything I need in a gym bag with a total weight of 14 pounds. As a senior solo traveler, I have learned a lot about packing light. You are in for a lot of grief and a lot of stress if you take too much to handle with ease.

Safe travels, Rogerdodger &amp; excellent advice!

Good point about the weight of a suitcase, really more important than size.

Swoop, take that 27&quot;-er pack it full and put it on the bathroom scale to get an idea of the weight you're talking about. Same for your nice wife.

My 24&quot; normally weighs in packed between 25-32 lbs. For me that's way plenty!

1)Take that 27&quot;, fill it,

2)Walk up &amp; down stairs with it.

3)Have coffee / tea / whisky while you recover

4)Remove stuff from luggage

5)Go to 2)

Suze, and everyone else who has responded, thank you.

We are planning to head straight to our lodging destinations with our bags and travel daily with only one or two small backpacks. I guess I need to know if our &quot;larger bags&quot; can be stored elsewhere in trains for &quot;the next step&quot;. Like cargo! If not, then I will certainly follow all your instructions and go with smaller bags.
We both travelled much, but never on a trip where we plan to fly to one country and fly out of another using trains and the odd rental car when needed.
I'm listening, and thank you for responding.
RM

Left luggage (stored) in train stations is hit and miss. Prior to 911 every train station had selflock lockers or attendant storage. Most lockable locker have been removed and the attendant storage varies greatly. You cannot count on it.

I guess that Mrs. Fly and I must be a lot stronger than a lot of people, or we are much more relaxed about minor inconveniences. Unless you're getting on and off trains several times a day, every day, it never seemed that big a deal to us to have suitcases up to 27 inches.

There might be a few seconds of hassel and fussing to get on and off, but, really, unless you are just a real nervous, sensitive person I can't see it as that big a deal.

Again the exception would be if you're having to repeatedly get on and off trains and up and down stairs on a daily basis--or if you've filled that larger suitcase to the bursting point so it weighs a ton. And, of course, if you have some sort of physical problem or limitation, then you do want to be especially careful of the size and weight of your luggage.

But we all have differing tolerances for inconveniences.

&quot;<i>I guess I need to know if our &quot;larger bags&quot; can be stored elsewhere in trains for &quot;the next step&quot;. Like cargo! </i>&quot;

Nope - if you want it to get to your next city - you have to carry it yourselves . . . . .

There is no such thing as &quot;cargo&quot; on planes. If it's your luggage you ned to deal with it. Depending on the train, country and class of travel there may be a space at the end of the car to stack it. but then you need to be sure no one else takes it off at each stop.

Of - you need to put it on an overhead rack. It's cumbersome and difficult to raise that much weight above you head - and a really large bag - 30&quot; for example - might not fit at all.

Either take MUCH less luggage or drive versus train.

Ok, I just learned something important...all luggage comes on board trains with the individual! That makes my packing decision much easier. Thank you.
RM

I think the answer to your question is simple: How much can you lift from the train platform to the floor the train car?

I can still manage about 40 pounds, but it helps to have an ally already in the car to take the luggage after you heft it up the steps of the railcar.

After that, it may depend on how secure you feel leaving a big suitcase at the end of the coach. Your other choice is to lift it up onto an overhead rack.

Lifting directly overhead anything more than 45 pounds will probably take some real muscle, more than I have.

In some cases, I can find a pair of seats where one faces rearward and the other frontward. There is usually room to slice a fairly large suitcase between them. Otherwise, I just park my big one at the end of the coach.

Hubby and I (both aged 40 and in good health) just returned last week from 5 weeks in Europe. We used the trains in Italy to travel around. We each had a large roller suitcase (sorry, can't tell you the size, but they were quite large and definitely had to be checked on). I thought we were travelling lightly, but sure did learn a lesson, could have gone much lighter. We did wash clothes overnight, such as underwear, socks, but it's difficult washing woollen jerseys and pants, so we could only wash those once in a while. I took with me for 5 weeks 4 pairs of trousers/jeans, and about 4-5 lightweight jerseys, could have gone with less, I found I tended to wear the same thing day in/day out anyway. Anyway, back to the suitcases - we had some laughs. Our bags were stuffed full - how could we go to Venice for instance and not shop? (you have the picture). I was determined to stuff as much into the bags as we could. It wasn't too bad. My hubby was there to lift the cases into the overheads on the trains (yes, they did fit and not once did they need to be stored in the compartments at the end of the carriage) and in addition, we each had a cabin size day/back pack - so our hands were basically free to sort the suitcases out. I did manage to lift mine case on and off the trains - but only just. When we arrived in Venice, we walked to the hotel - big mistake - it took us an hour. It seemed as though we walked over hundreds of bridges - poor hubby had to carry both suitcases over all the bridges (one in each hand). I just could not manage it (Im very petite). Needless to say, we arrived at hotel feeling dead (especially hubby). I have learned a very valuable lesson for next time - we will still carry a large suitcase each, but alot less outfits and with plenty of extra room to bring goodies home. Also, we took with us things such as travel towels, travel clothesline, travel kettle - we used none of these.

Swoop,

Where are you going?

Every train is different. We took a train in Paris a few years ago and regretted buying these new suitcases. They were huge and the overhead rack was meant for laptop bags and nothing more.

We sat our luggage in seats and had people constantly telling us to move our bags as the train got very crowded. As their wasn't a section for real luggage and we opted not to take a taxi thinking their would be plenty of room on the train. Our French was quite limited, but I'm sure we got an earful as other passengers weren't too happy with us.

My experience is that even on the best trains for luggage, getting off is often difficult. Storage often means bags crammed into areas and retrieving even a small bag is often a pain.

London and German trains, I've found to be the most accomodating for luggage.

I'd carry the lightest bags you can. I'd also advise that you not sit too far from the door. The closer you are, the easier it is to get on and off.

Sometimes I think we may answer a post with too much information! Yes you take your own suitcase(s) on the train with you... all of them.

You may put larger ones at a rack at the end of each train car on a communal luggage rack, or in a small shelf above your seats, or sometimes tucked between seats. But definitely you are on your own to carry them with you.
:-)

Great thread. Swoop -- I took a very large suitcase to France and it was a big pain in the rear when we took the train. I would highly recommend that you follow the advice of those recommending that you pack light.

My question for those who have replied that they're using 21&quot; bags for multi-week trips... any chance you can post a packing list? Especially the women! I am a habitual overpacker and am determined to pare down for my next big trip.

Sarah - you can read my packing list at www.wilhelmswords.com/faq/ It does depend on handwashing my clothes, though you could use a laundromat in Europe.

Sarabellum, contact me directly and I will forward our lists.

It's not just getting on and off the train. You may need to change trains at a station that's not a terminus. That usually means lugging the bags down a set of stairs, along an underground passage and up another stairway to the proper track for your next journey.

Personally I don't share the enthusiasm for packing light. I prefer to lift a heavy suitcase a few times during train travel to washing clothes. Entering and leaving trains gets complicated for families with small children and a dozen pieces of lagguage but for two healthy grown ups, a suitcase each and a day-pack aren't exactly a nightmare, in my opinion, as long as you can lift the suitcases up a stair.

The very worst thing that can happen is that the train is full and you have to stand with your suitcases close to a door since navigating the train with heavy luggage is just a pain.

Mimar--again, for us, unless we for some reason had to &quot;lugging&quot; our suitcases several times a day, every day for train changes or whatever, it is no big deal.

Train travel does make traveling with large bags an issue. I have traveled with large bag (i e, bigger than 24&quot;) and have had some problems lifting, lugging, and toting onto trains. Not an impossible feat, but difficult. My wife and I now travel with a 24&quot; bag and one carryon bag. (Our 24&quot; bags expand a good inch to inch and a half, so as to accomodate items purchased.)
As you will note, some people even think this is too much, but I can handle it (as of now, maybe in a few years when the ole back gets a little worse, I'll re-think that.) I have never been able to get more than the barest of essentials into a 21&quot; or 22&quot; bag.

Dealing with luggage is entirely your own problem. Too large suitcases won't fit on the racks above your head or between the seats, and the storages at the end of the car fill up quickly because they hardly hold more than a dozen suitcases. Be prepared for fellow pasengers and conductors to become a bit grumpy if your luggage blocks the aisle or occupies seats on crowded trains. So do yourself a favour, pack light and travel with a medium size suitcase. (Sorry, I'm not used to inch measures so cannot give exact figures.) The main problem isn't the length of the suitcase but the thickness (if you get what I mean - length, width and ...?)when it comes to fitting it onto the racks or especially between the seats. Anything above 25-28 cm may cause trouble.

P.S. Welcome to Fodor's, Sweoop!