Packing Large Luggage- Bad Idea?
 

I am going on a 4 month trip, the first 3 months are business and the last month is pleasure. I will be taking a greyhound to Canada, then plane to London, then probably Eurail around for about a month. I'll probably stay in a few hostels as well as hotels. I will need my work equipment (laptop, etc) and I will need a couple cocktail dresses and shoes to match, as well as my work clothes and travel/weekend clothes.

So, my question is: is it a bad idea for me to pack my enormous Delsey Duffel? I know it will fit everything and I will only need a purse for carry-on, but... taking a bus, eurail, staying in hostels... is packing a large bag like that an invite for thieves and trouble/complicatons? If so, does anyone have a recommendation for luggage?

Thanks!

Old adage but even more true today; go downtown in nearest city with your Delsey fully packed, walk around, including stairs for an hour. See how it feels. Fewer elevators, porters, Europe. more stairs . You will have to load and unload your bag on train.Check weight allowances for bags on your airline-extra lbs. very expensive.

Generally as people travel more, they pack less. Generally, not always.

Where do you finish the business trip? Could you take two smaller bags and ship one home before you start on the leisure trip?

Hostels, trains, buses, metro/tube, and just about everything you'd encounter - just don't work w/ massive luggage.

You will have to lift you bag on/off trains, stow it at the end of the car (not at your seat), drag it for sometimes quite long distances inside train/metro stations, up and down stairs in the hostels. Most hostels don't have elevators and can be several floors.

(Eurail isn't trains BTW - it is a travel agency that sells rail passes)

IMO a piece of large luggage would be a HUGE headache for the train around Europe, stay in hostels/hotels part of your trip! You definitely don't need cocktail dresses & matching shoes for that part of your trip!! :-)

As suggested, I would ship your business stuff home and go to Europe with a rolling 24" suitcase max. (more like 21" if you want to try for carry-on only).

24" is way bigger than I would suggest, but I travel with a small convertible backpack.

Yes, I know 24" is "large" for some people, but that's what I use & it is easy enough to deal with thru airports (yes, checked) and on trains.

I agree, the smaller the better, but when someone's thinking of taking an "enormous" duffle, I figured 24" might be about as small as they'd be willing to go.

Wow, Thank you! That's great advice, I haven't even thought about shipping a suitcase back! I spent a year backpacking across Europe a couple years ago, and only needed a large backpack... but now I have so many more responsibilities and need so much more with me! Do you know roughly, about how much that would cost?

You could send it home through the mail of whatever country you're in and it will eventually, maybe get home and in good condition. Or you could call FED-EX or UPS and you'll know it'll get home in good condition.

I think it would be easier if you packed things into a box or two and sent it UPS or similar (rather than trying to ship an actual packed suitcase).

I think you could probably ship back the equivalent of the contents of a bag for $150, and it would probably be a good investment.

Personally, I can't even imagine traveling around with a 24-inch bag on trains, buses, to hostels, on cobblestones, etc. I can barely deal with a 25-pound 22-inch bag on a trip with multiple stops.

Definitely less is more in this case. (But the largest suitcase I even own is 22-inches, and I rarely use it.) I primarily carry my 20-inch Tumi convertible backpack, which is good enough for about a 2- or 3-week trip for me if I use a decent-sized carry-on bag in addition.)

Doug, My 24" only weight ~25 pounds packed. I'm not sure what's so hard to imagine about that? It's not that large of a bag, rolls nicely, and easily is lifted up stairs, onto trains, etc.

Good for you doing 3 weeks out of a 20-incher. I know a few others here do the same (like janisj). Personally I like to have a few more things with me, and am fine rolling my 24" along.

I would check with your hotel in London to see if they will store your big bag there while you are away (some hotels do have bag storage facilities). They would probably require you to stay one night there at the end of your trip to do this, but as long as you lock up your bag it should be fine in the baggage storage room. Then you can take a smaller bag with you for the month you're traveling and wouldn't have to pay a fortune to ship things across the ocean. I've stored my bag before at a few hostels and it was fine with them, you'd be the one taking a risk leaving your bag unattended.

Enjoy your trip!

I have ridden a lot of trains in Germany,France and Luxumbourg and they are not conducive to hauling large heavy bags around. Some of the smaller stations don't have elevators and you are relegated to trying to carry the bag upstairs and downstairs in order to get to the next train. When they say they leave at that time. Well, they do and that extra weight won't be easy to get back on the train with everyone in a hurry to get on the train and you holding up the show trying to get your heavy bag on board. If you land at Heathrow and want to take the Subway into London, having a heavy bag isn't a good idea at all. We have been there, done it and now travel with a lighter adgenda. I suggest you do that too.

Big bags definitely won't work on the trains. We tried and it was a problem. Going smaller this year. Shipping work stuff home is a great idea. Fly home from another city to make the best use of your "vacation" time rather than going back to London at the end.

Great advice! Thank you all so much!

I, too, like a little more "stuff" on a trip that long. I'd suggest 2 smaller bags that can hold EVERYTHING (and will be easier to lift and carry). I take a 22" rolling bag that I check. My carry-on bag is a 20" convertible, wheeled backpack with detachable daypack. Fully packed, this bag looks huge (and often is too thick to go thru x-ray machine without separating). I make sure EVERYTHING can fit in this bag (purse, jacket, etc.). Managing 2 wheeled bags is not a problem if you are not juggling anyting else. Also, impossible to lay something down and walk away from it if you are not carrying anything! Before I go thru security I separate the carry on into 2 bags and, if asked, declare the larger part as my carry on and the daypack as my "purse" or "briefcase." Separated it fits in the overhead of all but the tiniest puddlejumpers. I keep my "valuables" in the daypack, which always stays close to me. Shipping stuff back home is also a great idea -- I've done it several times. Also, look for the lightest bags you can find.

Funny, Ronda...I do the exact same thing! If I can carry on only, I just carry the two piece detachable, and if my trip requires more stuff, I'll check another bag. I have to say to Doug- there is a little difference between boy packing and girl packing;-) But, I think as women travelling, it is even more critical to be able to confidently manage on your own, and that often means paring down. One thing you might want to consider, AliciaChrisitne, is assembling a "travel wardrobe" just for your trips. Choose a few mix and match classic pieces that are light in weight, darker in color (to hide stains)and quick drying (bring fewer and wash them more often). Also pick one shoe and one sandal that will go with everything, and be multi purpose. A roll up rain coat also saves space and over a fleece can act as a winter jacket. We've done this for each of us in the family and leave most of it on a shelf and just use it for travel! It has allowed us to meet the baggage requirements of small planes as well as be very nimble on those travel days where you have nowhere to leave luggage, but have a few hours to enjoy touring.
Have a great trip...lucky you having a whole month to wander!

You know, Familygoboston, I've often heard that women "need" more stuff than men, and I'm just not buying it. I think women can easily do more with a smaller suitcase than a man can. Women's shoes are smaller than men's shoes, women's garments are generally easier to pack and fold, and a woman can actually get by with less than a man and look better if they plan better. Women's undergarments are even (generally) easier to wash out in the bathroom sink and dry than the typical man's. And believe me, I know plenty of men who carry just as many toiletries as a woman typically does.

It's paring down that's the key and understanding that on a 3-month trip you're just going to have to take less stuff. I can pack for 10-14 days in my 20-inch carry-on and a small day bag because everything has to do double-duty for me. It's that strategy that will get the OP through this trip, not taking more stuff. That way I usually have to do laundry only one time on a 2- to 3-week trip.

But you've given some good advice. The only part I'm not buying is the need for a 24-inch suitcase. I really like Rondatravels' idea of taking two relatively smaller bags (one of which I'd dump and ship straight home when the business part of the trip is over).

I agree. I don't "need" a 24-inch suitcase. And as a woman I don't "need" more stuff than a man. I WANT to have a few nice things along with me when I'm on my vacations. It's not like I get to Europe that often.

btw I've done the carry-on only thing, and I was ready to BURN those few pieces of clothes at the end of 3 weeks.

I'm traveling for pleasure and don't have anything to prove. It's not like I'm recommending dragging a gigantic suitcase on a train or anything. People often comment on how small my bag is, how light I'm packed. A 24" (besides the fact that you have to check it on a plane) works the same for me as a 22".

When I have spent two months in Italy on various trips I have packed for a week. That has always worked well for me. The only time I had two large suitcases was due to various friends in Italy telling me to pack for horse back riding (didn't happen as the dear horse died), pack for hiking in the Dolomiti (didn't happen as my friends house there got flooded out due to a broken pipe) and to pack for sailing in the Adriatic Sea (didn't happen due to horrible weather conditions). LOL, lesson learned.

Another time while in Italy the weather changed from hot to freezing cold. I bought cold weather clothes (still wear some of them) and via the Italian PO shipped by land my hot weather clothes home. I paid what would now be about 150 Euro to do so (interesting that you came up with the same figure, Doug) and received the box around two months later which worked out quite well.

With a limited wardrobe you will no doubt be sick of your clothes by the end of your trip, Alicia, but it sure beats hauling heavy and large luggage from place to place.

Hi LI - how are you doing?

Doug makes a really good point. It really makes no difference male or female. I teach packing classes and I always get the argument -- from men "It is easier for women because their clothes/shoes are smaller" and from women "It is easier for men because they don't need as much 'stuff' - especially shoes and toiletries"

By the end of the session - everyone agrees it really makes no difference at all. In the long run, the total volume is the same, it is just the individual bits that make up that volume that are different.

Janisj, there is a packing class? I have a realtive I'd like to refer! We are going to Africa together this spring and every time I see her she has another gadget she bought to take to Africa- we tease her mercilessly;-) But I guess you and Doug are right about the size vs extras(accesories and toiletries), I should have thought of that, my husband is 6 feet 6 inches; one shirt is like a pup tent! LOL I guess I feel like I have never missed anything when I have packed light, I've always found a way to "make do"!

Hi janisj, not too great actually. We need to talk.

But back to packing, I think a lot of women pack too many shoes. I have never had more than three pairs. Two good walking shoes and one pair of dressy shoes for restaurants or any time the occassion calls for a dressier shoe. And of course I wear one pair of the walking shoes on the plane. I tuck into my suitcase a light weight pair of flipflops which double as slippers and can also be used if at a pool or the beach. I have one daytime purse and a small clutch bag for when I wear the dressy shoes. I am not as great at packing as our janisj is but I don't think she would flunk me, lol.
I always wear a coat or jacket on the plane so never pack that. I get cold on planes so that comes in handy. And I learned decades ago to always have a coat or jacket with me depending on the time of the year as I was caught more than once with suddenly chilly or even rainy weather. Well for Mexico or Hawaii I have always had a cardigan instead.

Thanks so much for all the packing advice! LoveItaly- I like the idea to pack for 1 week. Then I would have room for the extra suit and cocktail dress etc I will need.

Do you guys have a particular suitcase you like? I love having everything perfectly organized, so something with pockets and compartments would be good.

Also, any ideas about what I should do with my laptop after the business portion of the trip?

ALSO, can anyone recommend an international adapter set? The last one I bought was awful- it caught my curling iron on fire!

Thanks again!

YOur curling iron probably caught on fire because you were using an ADAPTOR and not a CONVERTER. Typically, simpler appliances like curling irons (esp. these) are not dual-voltage. Converters are expensive, heavy, and inconsistent. A curling iron in Italy would cost less than a converter and is probably the only appliance you might possibly need one for. Buy any adaptor set (or use the one you have) and leave the curling iron at home.

I do like Eagle Creek bags, and they are very compartmentalized and actually come with a companion series of packing cubes and folders. They might help you keep organized.

Shipping unnecessary clothing and purchases home is a good idea. I also find that shopping at thrift/charity shops for a few items that maybe I don't want to carry to and from home, even large items like jackets saves baggage space especially if you are not sure you well even need them. Then when you leave to go home you can donate them back. I also buy inexpensive socks and underwear that I don't mind leaving behind. All this leaves more room in my suitcase for treasure I find along the way.

The train stations in Europe have left-luggage rooms. I don't remember what the charge is, but they're quite safe.

You're going on a really LONG trip--and that complicates things. I have a mid-size black Hartmann duffle on wheels that is perfect for a long overseas trip...probably smaller than your Delsey duffle. It has a bottom section for heavier wares (shoes, toiletries, etc.) and a top section for clothing. I can balance a tote bag or backpack on top of this when rolling through airports or train stations. It's been a great bag and very durable.

I like the idea of leaving a bag in London--and if you stay in a better hotel coming and going, they should be accommodating (especially if you tip the bellman nicely). Then you can spend the $150 you'll save on shipping for drycleaning and laundry, which you'll need for the other three months!

Postscript to above:
Left Luggage rooms at train stations or airports usually have a time limit, i.e. one week for bags. You can go online and check out their policies before considering this option.

We traveled across the world, trans-Siberian train, etc., and carried a small back-pack for non-losables, and an LL Bean "2-3 day" roll-around soft side each...using easy-wash and dry travel clothes..hers black with a variety of scarves..and went formal and casual as well. Men: two black Chinese shirts instead of suits..many compliments and conversations. Use a parachute cloth collapsible bag to mail home extras.

I would suggest finding some room to bring a cable-style bicycle lock. That way you can secure your bag on the train and relax in the dining car without having to either lug it along with you or worry about somebody making off with it at a stop along the way.

Less is Best! Pack everything you want to take. Then go thru the bag and take out half. Afterall, you probably will not see the same people your entire trip. Be creative. Inexpensive tops can change the look. One cocktail dress or skirt, two tops, ONE pair of dress shoes (walking shoes are more important, and comfort is the most important. What you pack, you have to carry. I go lighter and lighter every time. Richard Chamberlin's mother once said "We would not care what other's thought of us so much, if we realized how seldom they do".

Re shipping stuff home: brace yourself for sticker shock. It was going to cost me US$120 to have a paper ticket fed-exed or ups'd to me in the states from Poland. You will be looking at several hundred dollars to ship a suitcase. Just for fun, go to the fed-ex site and price 40#. I think leaving it in your last destination before coming home is a grand idea, so thanks to the above poster.

Don't forget about the option of lightening up by giving away the items you no longer need. This could even include the larger, outer suitcase which could be purchased at a second-hand store, shed like a skin when you're ready to lighten up. You definitely do not want to be struggling a large suitcase on and off European trains.

Lucky you, it sounds like a great trip.

I have never shipped a whole suitcase(!) but I have sent home a small to medium sized box of what I didn't need for the rest of the trip (changing climates) just from the local post office (got the box there). It didn't cost all that much for the size box I sent and did lighten the load of the suitcase for the rest of the trip.