Luggage for Europe (backpack vs. rolling suitcase)

Kasa · July 2012

We're trying to decide which to take -- backpacks or rolling suitcases. Do you have a preference?
[Poll]

lavet22 · July 2012

I voted backpack/daypack. We went to London and Paris for a week with me, DH, and my 5yr old. We packed 1 carry on. I also brought a smaller bag inside the carry on in case we bought things to take home and I had a bag for day trips. The lighter, the better. It's much easier to travel light than lugging around suitcases.

Kasa · July 2012

Yes, we plan to travel light either way. It's just a matter of what we pack it in.

Temp536318000001135 · July 2012

We have done it both ways - rolling suitcase a few times and backpack once. I preferred the backpack because it was easier to tote when we were moving from city to city. Also it forced me to pack lighter

sillygoosegirl · July 2012

What kind of traveling will you do once you get there? It's hard to beat a roller bag at the airport, and once you are in your hotel room it doesn't matter, but I greatly prefer a backpack on buses, trains, and cobblestone streets. We don't normally stay longer than 3 days in one place, so we are strictly backpack folks.

Kasa · July 2012

sillygoosegirl:
What kind of traveling will you do once you get there?

We'll be traveling via train twice (not counting airport transfers). Flying into London, train to Cochem (Germany), train to Paris, fly home.

ktmae55 · July 2012

I said other, because mine's a leather duffle with a shoulder strap. It's roomy enough that I can stuff it for a two week trip and still get away with carrying it on, but if space is tight I can squish it down (I've even put it under the seat in front of me in a pinch) to fit the space. I don't have to deal with wheels on cobblestones or getting on/off trains, but it forces me to pack a bit lighter since I know I have to carry it all on my shoulder. And, since it's really nice leather that has since gotten older and scuffed, I feel like it looks nice enough for fancier places but doesn't stand out as super expensive in places where I don't want to be a target.

erollis · July 2012

I voted other.

I have never been to Europe. If you can't decide and don't want to spend a lot of $$ on new luggage I recommend getting Upptacka from Ikea. (Link) H and I both have one. He prefers using it as a backpack and I prefer it as rolling luggage. We have taken these on several trips (car and flying) and they hold up well. I have also stowed my camera and an extra lens and flash in the small backpack when I am out exploring. The little backpack is comfortable enough to wear all day for me and I hate backpacks.

traveling turtle · July 2012

We do both and I don't really have a preference. Ok, we do have a rolling suitcase that turns into a backpack and I like that one.

I will say that the Cochem train station doesn't have an elevator. Depending on where you are staying in Cochem, a backpack may be better. We stayed along the Mosel, so we didn't have to worry about all the cobblestone and hills.

ETA: I still don't think rolling luggage will be an issue, though. It's more the size of the suitcase than the type. It's very so slightly more inconvenient to get your rolling suitcase on and off trains, but it's not that big of a deal.

JuliaBug · July 2012

When we went to Europe, we took one large rolling suitcase. We flew to Rome, took a train to Paris and flew home. For out and about during the day, I had a backpack style camera bag for carrying my camera, water bottles, maps, snacks, ect.

I loved Europe. Have fun!

Kasa · July 2012

Thanks, everyone!

ljbirch · July 2012

We just got back from Europe (Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome) for 2 weeks. We took 2 small suitcases as carry-ons an we checked one large suitcase between the 2 of us. I also packed a backpack so I could fill it up with things I bought and take it on the plane home with me. Everything worked out perfectly and we probably even had room to spare. Have fun!!! It was an amazing trip we took filled with a lifetime of memories!

frasey · July 2012

it also depends on where youre staying - not as many hotels have elevators as here!

Luggage for Europe (backpack vs. rolling suitcase)

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