Carry on Suitcase or Backpack for Europe

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

We're travelling to Europe in September and we're not quite sure what's the best thing to take. We are definitely each taking one main suitcase with us that will be checked through the airline but would it be better to take a wheeled carry on or a backpack in the cabin of the plane with us? I was planning to use a daypack as my "purse" while there anyway so carrying a backpack isn't a problem, I'm just not sure if it would be better to have a wheeled, hardsided carry on as opposed to a backpack for the actual flight. Any suggestions? This is our first trip overseas.

 

[hilarys]

When we went to Europe and when we go on longer flights/trips I use a hardsided rolling cabin bag that is 13 inches by 15 inches. I like this for these bigger trips where I will want more stuff with me on the plane (change of clothes, books, magazines, laptop, snacks, fragile souvenirs for the trip home). I used to have one that was only a little smaller but it was over the shoulder and that killed my back because it would get heavy on the long trips. For short trips I use a backpack. Just beware of the European airline size AND weight restrictions on carry-ons. I once got into a huge fight with Lufthansa personnel in Frankfurt(and it is not my personality to do that) over the weight of my perfectly sized carry-on. It was carrying all of our adoption paperwork so it was heavy, I did not win the fight and had to check it.

 

[sayhello]

I always carry a hard-sided, internationally-sized rolling carryon. I've heard and seen too many instances of suitcases not making it to their destination for a day or two or three to risk not having a change of clothes or two, and extra underwear, etc, actually with me. Plus, you're allowed a carry on plus a personal item, so you could use the daypack as your personal item (assuming it would fit under the seat in front of you). Since ABD will be handling your luggage once you start the trip, you can actually have them deal with the carryon if you want.

A great suggestion I've heard is also to spread your things out between the 2 checked bags you have. Each one half yours, half your traveling companion's stuff. That way, if one suitcase doesn't make it, you both still have some of your stuff.

Sayhello

 

[Rapunzellover]

What's internationally sized? I have a 20 inch roller for carry on and a 24 inch checked bag, both hard sided. Is 20 inches too big for a smaller internal Europe flight? I ask cause there's one in my Spain trip and I'm going a short Spain to Scotland flight as well.

 

[carpenta]

The Europeans are very strict about carry on sized luggage. I have seen some passengers redirected to check the size of bags.

 

[hilarys]

Here is a good summary. Notice how low the weight limit is for Lufthansa

http://www.luggagepros.com/travel/carry-on.shtml

 

[disneyphx]

I would maybe have the backpack, plus another bag. Like others have said, a change of clothes is a good idea. I always make sure I have a bag I can keep under the seat in front of me for easy access to things you know you will need during the flight. A drawstring backpack that you pull out of a hardside bag works well, and takes up no space in your luggage later.
During the trip, you can always have the second bag go under the bus.
I prefer to use a soft-sided carry on - I have a Sportsac everyday tote, but my favorite is a Brighton Jetsetter duffel.

 

[Alacrity]

I have taken to using a backpack as a carry on. It's never questioned as being carry-on size, there no wheels or handle to take up space and it fits overhead or under the seat easily. The one I use is an Osprey Nebula pack. I us a packing cube for clothes and, if I pack right, I can probably go with 3 days worth without too much trouble. My wife uses a roll-aboard case and she is often asked to gate check it, especially on crowded flights.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

I have taken to using a backpack as a carry on. It's never questioned as being carry-on size, there no wheels or handle to take up space and it fits overhead or under the seat easily. The one I use is an Osprey Nebula pack. I us a packing cube for clothes and, if I pack right, I can probably go with 3 days worth without too much trouble. My wife uses a roll-aboard case and she is often asked to gate check it, especially on crowded flights.

Thanks, it's not a huge backpack and it's actually sized for a carry on. It's not a question of dealing with extra bags or anything while in Europe cause I know Disney will deal with the suitcases and such, it's more just a logistical thing for us I guess you could say. It's me and my mom, so 2 women, and we really don't bring a LOT of stuff. When we went to California in December we went with 2 checked bags and 2 carry ons and our checked bags were 1/2 full when we left Toronto. I'm concerned that taking the carry ons plus the checked bags plus the personal items may just be too much stuff for what we actually are carrying when a checked bag and a carry on sized backpack would be sufficient. Also, I won't have a seat in front of me to put anything under as we are sitting in the bulkhead row, so everything has to go above my seat anyway.

 

[carpenta]

On Rick Steves' web site he offers a great day bag that you can use as a back pack or shoulder bag. It folds up very small but holds a lot of daily "stuff". Also has two mesh pockets to hold water bottles on each side. We find refillable water bottles better to carry in Europe for bottled water is not as available in some places. In Rome you can refill your bottles in any of the public water fountains throughout the city. We use the bag on every trip.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

On Rick Steves' web site he offers a great day bag that you can use as a back pack or shoulder bag. It folds up very small but holds a lot of daily "stuff". Also has two mesh pockets to hold water bottles on each side. We find refillable water bottles better to carry in Europe for bottled water is not as available in some places. In Rome you can refill your bottles in any of the public water fountains throughout the city. We use the bag on every trip.

I've already got 2 day bags, 1 is a smaller one that I use for Disney trips and 1 I've had to go out and buy for my trip to SE Asia in February (it's a requirement for the trip - listed on our packing list in place of carry on bag) so don't really want ANOTHER backpack when I already have 2. Both bags have 2 water bottle holders on them. I'm considering taking the bigger of the two bags because it's going to be late September when we're in Europe and it will easily hold extra layers for when it's warmer out and we need to take things off as well as any purchases that may be made not to mention my camera and various other things. Also, I don't do refillable water bottles. Bottled water only. I have stomach issues already and my stomach won't take anything but bottled water when travelling, even when travelling to the US or within Canada.

 

[tink1970]

I have a large purse which is 12 1/2 X 14 1/2 X 6. I can carry so much on it, including but not limited to: extra set of clothes, fuzzy socks, liquids bag with deodorant/toothpaste/contact soln/make up, another bag of powdered make up, toothbrush, hand towel, glasses case/contact case, passport, wallet, travel docs, pashima, umbrella, water bottle, phone, charger, kindle and magazine. I usually pack a small purse so I don't lug the large one everywhere, and it looks nicer than a backpack and is more "squishable." It also has a zipper for extra security and I love traveling with it, although it gets heavy. Since I bought it two years ago, no backpack for me ever again! Just a thought!

 

[Woodview]

Here is a TIP for you non Europeans

You have a case for Check in ........ Place on top inside an " Empty Backpack."

Your carry on will be of the wheeled Type ( max weight 10 kg ) & a computer case .


Then for " Walk Around time " you can use your backpack

 

[carpenta]

I have found that I only carry a change of clean socks and underwear as well as toiletries in my carry on bag. Travel with non expensive watches and no jewelry. My camera and I-pad as well. I figure I can wear the clothing for another day if my suitcase does not find me at the airport. Over the years I have packed less and less clothing and it has worked out well. More room for items to bring back. The days of the steamer trunk to Europe are over (unfortunately).

 

[abdgeek]

We're travelling to Europe in September and we're not quite sure what's the best thing to take. We are definitely each taking one main suitcase with us that will be checked through the airline but would it be better to take a wheeled carry on or a backpack in the cabin of the plane with us? I was planning to use a daypack as my "purse" while there anyway so carrying a backpack isn't a problem, I'm just not sure if it would be better to have a wheeled, hardsided carry on as opposed to a backpack for the actual flight. Any suggestions? This is our first trip overseas.

A lot depends on whether you are flying a US or non-US carrier to your destination. I always fly Delta to Europe and have a checked bag, and carry a 22" carry-on and a backpack in the cabin. The US carriers are a little less strict, but realize that they weigh everything in Europe, even your carry-on. I was recently on Delta/Virgin Australian flights to Sydney and my carry-on bag was fine for the US piece, but Virgin made me check it when I connected through Sydney because it didn't meet the weight requirement. I was fine coming back because I put most of the things in my 22" carry-on in my checked bag to ensure I made the weight limit.

As others have said, make sure you check with your carrier about what the size and weight restrictions are. The one thing I have learned about international travel, is if they say you can only have one carry-on, that's what they mean. International carriers also have size restrictions on your personal item and carry-on that US carriers normally don't really enforce. There are also some countries where they randomly choose people on each flight whose carry-on luggage they open and check as you are boarding the plane.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

When we went to Europe and when we go on longer flights/trips I use a hardsided rolling cabin bag that is 13 inches by 15 inches. I like this for these bigger trips where I will want more stuff with me on the plane (change of clothes, books, magazines, laptop, snacks, fragile souvenirs for the trip home). I used to have one that was only a little smaller but it was over the shoulder and that killed my back because it would get heavy on the long trips. For short trips I use a backpack. Just beware of the European airline size AND weight restrictions on carry-ons. I once got into a huge fight with Lufthansa personnel in Frankfurt(and it is not my personality to do that) over the weight of my perfectly sized carry-on. It was carrying all of our adoption paperwork so it was heavy, I did not win the fight and had to check it.

Lufthansa is notorious for enforcing their weight rules for carry on bags. I have also had a carry on bag taken away and checked by a Lufthansa gate agent.

 

[sayhello]

Has anyone flown Air France from CDG to another European country? I fly Ohio to JFK on Delta, then Air France to CDG then Air France to Budapest. I called Air France and they said everything would be per Delta's allowances since it was a single ticket, but I don't know that a gate agent at CDG would know or care about that.

Sayhello

 

[Alacrity]

Has anyone flown Air France from CDG to another European country? I fly Ohio to JFK on Delta, then Air France to CDG then Air France to Budapest. I called Air France and they said everything would be per Delta's allowances since it was a single ticket, but I don't know that a gate agent at CDG would know or care about that.
Sayhello

If it is a single itinerary/ticket, bags checked though to the final destination, it should be Delta. Delta and Air France are partner airlines (Sky Team) too so it should be smooth sailing! You should also earn your Delta miles on AF.

If you were to collect your bags in AF for a lay over, for example, and have to re-check, weirdness could ensue. It would probably fall under AF rules at that point.

 

[sayhello]

If it is a single itinerary/ticket, bags checked though to the final destination, it should be Delta. Delta and Air France are partner airlines (Sky Team) too so it should be smooth sailing! You should also earn your Delta miles on AF.

If you were to collect your bags in AF for a lay over, for example, and have to re-check, weirdness could ensue. It would probably fall under AF rules at that point.

Thanks! I'm a bit concerned about going through customs in Paris, then going on to Budapest, but I know when I did that at JFK, no-one weighed the bags or anything. But again, that was Delta.

Sayhello

 

[tink1970]

We were on an AF from Venice to CDG at Christmas. It was a single itinerary/ticket through Delta. No problems with luggage or carry ons, although I think we just had a small shopping bag, my DH's briefcase and my Mary Poppins purse. They didn't look twice though and I didn't realize we were on AF, per se, until the beverage service (imagine being sleep deprived and trying to come up with "merci" when I'd been saying "gratzie" all week...-it took a sec ).