Travel Products - Going to Europe - Help

I'm from Canada and will be going to be in Europe on exchange for ~9 months (October - June).

I need to buy:

- 2 large (28-30") luggages
- 1 carry-on (19-21") luggage

- 1 travel backpack (pretty big; so that I can travel for up to 1 week without luggage; just a backpack)


Anyone have any insight about luggage/travel backpacks?

Hard shell vs. soft shell? Brands?

*I don't want to spent a ton on luggage but I also don't want one that will completely fall apart.

Thanks in advance!

Could we have a bit more detail?

Are you staying in one place, with a couple of occasional week-long trips?

Are you staying with friends/in a student residence?

What will you be carrying (clothes only? Books? Electronics?).

I think all these questions will help pin down what to recommend.

Off the top of my head I would say get some inexpensive hard-sided suitcases, get rid of the carry-on and buy the backpack/rucksack from a discount camping shop once you're in Europe.

I'm guessing you're quite young (pre-college or fresh out of college)? and if that's the case I would say it's not worth spending too much when your lifestyle will probably change hugely over the next year. A couple of Samsonite hard-sides would do you just fine, and if they last then keep hold of them so you can use them on the big family vacations later in life.

Europe travel is really not conducive to bags with wheels. There are lots of hotels, railway stations, and metro stations (Paris :eek:) with plenty of stairs and no elevators or escalators. Cobblestone streets are also common and don't always include sidewalks. It's sounds like you have someplace to stash the larger suitcases, so a backpack with clothes for a week is a great plan. The eBags Motherlode (http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101?productid=1370035) is inexpensive and well organized.

Have you thought about a large duffle as one of your checked bags? I'd suggest something with a little more form as the second bag so that you can safely pack all of your souvenirs for the trip home.

Okay - some details!

I'll be staying at the university in their accommodations, so I will definitely have somewhere to put my luggage! I will be carrying mostly clothes but will be bringing my SLR camera and my laptop.

I'm in college now, just turned 20.

I don't know about your particular university but in general university dorm rooms have one thing in common: they lack storage space.

Hence it will be good to think of luggage in a way that you have one big bag (hard case possibly or at least framed with wheels) into which you can put all the other bags for stowage at the destination.

The other bags can be soft, foldable duffles. These are easy to stow in the main bag and they have a very good volume to weight ratio. That means considering your luggage allowance that you actually use the allowance for packed goods and not for the case in which they are packed. @:-)

I recommend:

1 28" suitcase with 2 wheels (anything will do)
1 35" duffle NO WHEELS (get decent quality for that one)
1 MLC size (45 linear inches) convertible backpack/ shoulder bag
1 small backpack for school/ personal item


The two big cases will serve as "haulers". The duffle gets the less fragile items and the suitcase the more fragile ones and heavier ones because it has wheels and a frame and is smaller.

The LL Bean, Osprey Porter, ebags and other convertible backpacks under $100 will all do the trick for your carry-on luggage. This piece will get your most important clothing and school items. The ones you can't afford to lose in checked luggage. This bag will come in very handy when you make excursionns to other cities in Europe. It is all you will need for a trip within Europe if you only take leisure clothing.

You probably already have a smaller backpack that you use for school. That will hold the camera, laptop, gadgets and your important documents.

Have fun in Europe and do post a picture of the purple Mustang, please. ;)

Till

I don't know about your particular university but in general university dorm rooms have one thing in common: they lack storage space.

Hence it will be good to think of luggage in a way that you have one big bag (hard case possibly or at least framed with wheels) into which you can put all the other bags for stowage at the destination.

The other bags can be soft, foldable duffles. These are easy to stow in the main bag and they have a very good volume to weight ratio. That means considering your luggage allowance that you actually use the allowance for packed goods and not for the case in which they are packed. @:-)

I recommend:

1 28" suitcase with 2 wheels (anything will do)
1 35" duffle NO WHEELS (get decent quality for that one)
1 MLC size (45 linear inches) convertible backpack/ shoulder bag
1 small backpack for school/ personal item


The two big cases will serve as "haulers". The duffle gets the less fragile items and the suitcase the more fragile ones and heavier ones because it has wheels and a frame and is smaller.

The LL Bean, Osprey Porter, ebags and other convertible backpacks under $100 will all do the trick for your carry-on luggage. This piece will get your most important clothing and school items. The ones you can't afford to lose in checked luggage. This bag will come in very handy when you make excursionns to other cities in Europe. It is all you will need for a trip within Europe if you only take leisure clothing.

You probably already have a smaller backpack that you use for school. That will hold the camera, laptop, gadgets and your important documents.

Have fun in Europe and do post a picture of the purple Mustang, please. ;)

Till

+1 on duffel bags - as Till points out pack a lot, high content-to-container weight ratio, easy to store. In addition to the brands he mentions, look at REI (they carry some of the brand mentioned too but they have a house brand). I have an REI duffel that has gone on countless trips, carries a ton and looks like new. Besides that, the only "luggage" you need are pieces for traveling around Europe.

I'd echo Til's recommendation. I might even think about two duffel bags and skip the wheeled luggage. Sure, you'll need the luggage carts at the airport and the actual transit there and back will be a bit more of a hassle. But: storage space for the large suitcase will be a pain, the bag's weight will limit some contents, you have very few fragile items and those can easily go in your carry-on for the trip there and back. The wheeled bag would be handy, however, if you plan on making long-ish visits back.

I'd also suggest packing relatively light. Afterall, it's not like you won't be able to get stuff there and you may find that way that you can get what you need rather than preparing for all sorts of contingencies.

Do you really need two large checked bags to go over there? Cheap duffel bags are readily available at EuroDiscounter type stores for as little as $15-20. The quality is not all that great, but you would just need it to carry home clothing.

I agree that a small daybag or pack is a great thing to bring. Europeans don't do drinking fountains and if you ask for water at a restaurant, you'll most likely get mineral water for a couple of dollars. The big glass of ice water that we get here is unheard of over there. In addition to a water bottle, it's nice to be able to carry an umbrella, map, and maybe a jacket.

For a weeks traveling, I like the ebags weekender backpack. You could also use it as a carryon. I also like the Motherload wheeled suitcases. We have packed a whole lot into it. http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-junior-25-wheeled-duffel/125548?productid=1325227

We have additionally had good luck with llbean suitcases. They are very sturdy but are much more expensive.

If you don't have transportation to the uni from the airport, make sure that you can actually lift, walk, and do stairs with all your items. All at once.

If you don't have transportation to the uni from the airport, make sure that you can actually lift, walk, and do stairs with all your items. All at once.

Contact the exchange student program coordinator in your uni. They'll be able to send someone to help you out. (Be sure to thank them by buying them some lunch or dinner....)

Or taxi it. You can't really lift and walk with 3 large luggage items....

Re:luggage
I like expandable middle, soft case luggages with 2 wheels (not spinners). Ability to put all the luggages into each other is a big + (takes up less space in storage). Remember to put all your heavy and expensive items in the carryon (and avoid getting it weighed during check in). I like hiking backpacks, very multi-purpose and can get ones with lots of space too.

Contact the exchange student program coordinator in your uni. They'll be able to send someone to help you out. (Be sure to thank them by buying them some lunch or dinner....)

Or taxi it. You can't really lift and walk with 3 large luggage items....

Re:luggage
I like expandable middle, soft case luggages with 2 wheels (not spinners). Ability to put all the luggages into each other is a big + (takes up less space in storage). Remember to put all your heavy and expensive items in the carryon (and avoid getting it weighed during check in). I like hiking backpacks, very multi-purpose and can get ones with lots of space too.

All nice suggestions except the one to contact the program coordinator to send someone out to pick her/him up. One can always try. Sure. But I doubt it will work. In continental Europe (can't speak for England) the students are supposed to be much more self-reliant. no babysitting. Certainly no 4-star hotel service with a driver waiting for you at the airport. If the student comes in on a day when many others are coming in, perhaps there will be a bus organized by the uni. In fact, this is the question I'd ask. The question if somebody can please pick me up might give the wrong impression. ;)

Till

All nice suggestions except the one to contact the program coordinator to send someone out to pick her/him up. One can always try. Sure. But I doubt it will work. In continental Europe (can't speak for England) the students are supposed to be much more self-reliant. no babysitting. Certainly no 4-star hotel service with a driver waiting for you at the airport. If the student comes in on a day when many others are coming in, perhaps there will be a bus organized by the uni. In fact, this is the question I'd ask. The question if somebody can please pick me up might give the wrong impression. ;)

Till

Clarification: On the continent, plenty of students want a native English speaker as a language partner. Should be able to get some help from (potential) language partner(s) through the ESN center run by the exchange program coordinator at the uni.

Clarification: On the continent, plenty of students want a native English speaker as a language partner. Should be able to get some help from (potential) language partner(s) through the ESN center run by the exchange program coordinator at the uni.

Aye! That's really tricky and out of the box. I like it. Still not sure they'd be willing to put in the extra work to set that up. But I guess you could "get" a language partner through that connection and then see if he/she would be willing to provide that kind of favor.

Till

Aye! That's really tricky and out of the box. I like it. Still not sure they'd be willing to put in the extra work to set that up. But I guess you could "get" a language partner through that connection and then see if he/she would be willing to provide that kind of favor.

Till

It's called the "tandem" program run by the ESN (international exchange erasmus student network) at most universities on the continent. The idea is the "local" student acts as a sort of guide for the exchange student and both get to practice each other's languages during the school term during some free time (lunch, dinner, weekends, whenever). Most participants are super-friendly and willing to go out of their way to help.

It's called the "tandem" program run by the ESN (international exchange erasmus student network) at most universities on the continent. The idea is the "local" student acts as a sort of guide for the exchange student and both get to practice each other's languages during the school term during some free time (lunch, dinner, weekends, whenever). Most participants are super-friendly and willing to go out of their way to help.

But I'm really not sure they are there to sherpa your luggage from the airport!

Of course, if they meet you at the airport to "show the way to the University" they will probably offer to help with your luggage, but I really don't think it's a good start to your stay to organise this with the express intent of getting this kind of help.

Much, much better to make sure you have transportation arranged which you could manage alone if necessary. And of course, don't forget that many universities (especially those with an official exchange program) will probably arrange their own transport for arriving students.

Since you are in Canada, I'll suggest that you find the nearest MEC store (the Canadian equivalent of REI) for your travel backpack and possible duffels. Or, go to their website (mec.ca) if you don't have a brick & mortar nearby.

The cheapest/lightest carrier for oversea long term stays is:

Hockey equipment bags. Cheap and light (How Canadian) Use new ones, never try to borrow someone's old hockey bag.:p

Ummm.. Purple Mustang, are you going to school in the forest city? If so take the advise of a world travelling alumni.

Hockey equipment bags. Cheap and light (How Canadian) Use new ones, never try to borrow someone's old hockey bag.:p


Just avoid the ones with the mesh tops. Handy for hockey. Less handy for luggage. Warning: I find that the one I have exceeds 62" size for checked luggage if it's full.