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Luggage Recommendations for International Travel
Posted on 8/10/17 at 9:55 pm
Posted on 8/10/17 at 9:55 pm
I'll be relocating my family to Europe and our only luggage are some basic carry-ons. We have three young kids in addition to the wife and I, so we'll need at least one checked back per person. I know there are some expensive brands out there that I would hope have quality, but I can't decide if they are worth the price versus some cheap luggage to get us around.
Any recommendations?
Any recommendations?
4
Posted on 8/11/17 at 3:34 am to HurricaneDunc
My family, including 3 small children, was relocated a few years ago, and we still sometimes struggle with luggage.
You will take all kinds of different trips - all with different luggage needs, so I would recommend a mix. We have 3 different style and size carry-ons and 3 various check-ins that we have collected throughout the years. This mix has helped to pack-for-purpose... so a short weekend in Portugal was easy with just the 3 carry-ons. 10 days in Croatia required 2 check-ins and 2 carry-ons. we often combine kids in a bag, or me and my son in a bag, or whatever it all needs. But having various sizes gives us the flexibility.
I would recommend a 4-wheeled hard case carry-on. You will do a lot of travel, and they hold up better. Plus it is easier for the kids to pull around. Depending on the kids' ages, they will invariably get tired of carrying/dragging bags.
Regarding brands - I have never bought super fancy. I am still using a 15 year old Atlantic carry-on. I also have Travelpro, Samsonite, and some cheap local bag I bought at a drugstore in Germany. I've seen how baggage handlers treat the bags, so I would just feel nervous if I had a $500 bag.
You will take all kinds of different trips - all with different luggage needs, so I would recommend a mix. We have 3 different style and size carry-ons and 3 various check-ins that we have collected throughout the years. This mix has helped to pack-for-purpose... so a short weekend in Portugal was easy with just the 3 carry-ons. 10 days in Croatia required 2 check-ins and 2 carry-ons. we often combine kids in a bag, or me and my son in a bag, or whatever it all needs. But having various sizes gives us the flexibility.
I would recommend a 4-wheeled hard case carry-on. You will do a lot of travel, and they hold up better. Plus it is easier for the kids to pull around. Depending on the kids' ages, they will invariably get tired of carrying/dragging bags.
Regarding brands - I have never bought super fancy. I am still using a 15 year old Atlantic carry-on. I also have Travelpro, Samsonite, and some cheap local bag I bought at a drugstore in Germany. I've seen how baggage handlers treat the bags, so I would just feel nervous if I had a $500 bag.
Posted on 8/11/17 at 6:42 am to HurricaneDunc
I'd be loooking for an inexpensive, large, soft sided duffel for each family member. Use these for clothes/soft stuff that can withstand rough handling. Their light weight will let you maximize contents and not waste some of your weight allowance on the bags.
Posted on 8/11/17 at 8:31 am to HurricaneDunc
We recently got a couple of these for various international trips and really like them
Eagle Creek Flatbed bags
One of the best lifetime warranties in luggage, essentially you can trash it and they'll fix or replace it. About 150 bucks, just one cavernous interior space. Lightweight too.
Eagle Creek Flatbed bags
One of the best lifetime warranties in luggage, essentially you can trash it and they'll fix or replace it. About 150 bucks, just one cavernous interior space. Lightweight too.
Posted on 8/11/17 at 2:20 pm to HurricaneDunc
1.) Get some packing cubes (I cant recommend them enough)
2.) Under pack. Especially kids. Just do laundry
you aren't going to africa or antartica, you can buy basically everything in europe you can here.
The general consensus with luggage is usually not to overspend. You don't really get a whole lot above $200.
Honestly, needing that many I'd try to find a good deal on like a luggage pack or something.
How old are your kids? Kids under like 12 really don't need a checked bag. A carry on size is more than enough, plus then they can manage it themselves. Their clothes are much smaller. They don't need more than 2 or maybe 3 pairs of shoes. Etc. If you are going to central Europe, most of the year you can get away with jeans, a short sleeve shirt, and a light jacket almost all year.
2.) Under pack. Especially kids. Just do laundry
you aren't going to africa or antartica, you can buy basically everything in europe you can here.
The general consensus with luggage is usually not to overspend. You don't really get a whole lot above $200.
Honestly, needing that many I'd try to find a good deal on like a luggage pack or something.
How old are your kids? Kids under like 12 really don't need a checked bag. A carry on size is more than enough, plus then they can manage it themselves. Their clothes are much smaller. They don't need more than 2 or maybe 3 pairs of shoes. Etc. If you are going to central Europe, most of the year you can get away with jeans, a short sleeve shirt, and a light jacket almost all year.
This post was edited on 8/11/17 at 2:22 pm
Posted on 8/11/17 at 8:28 pm to baldona
Kids are all under 12. Since we're relocating it will be clothes in addition to any toys, household items, etc. that we need or want until our household goods arrive.
Posted on 8/12/17 at 12:55 am to HurricaneDunc
Damn. I thought you wanted recs for bags for traveling while you were living in europe! 
For the move is a whole different story... I like the big duffel bag suggestion. Will your employer ship any stuff via air freight? My firm shipped 75lbs per family member which was a big help.
For the move is a whole different story... I like the big duffel bag suggestion. Will your employer ship any stuff via air freight? My firm shipped 75lbs per family member which was a big help.
Posted on 8/12/17 at 9:46 am to Spirit of Dunson
We do have an air shipment option, but I'm not sure how long it takes to arrive. I think in lieu of air shipment, they pay for me to check extra bags.
Posted on 8/12/17 at 11:40 am to HurricaneDunc
quote:
We do have an air shipment option, but I'm not sure how long it takes to arrive. I think in lieu of air shipment, they pay for me to check extra bags.
Just my recommendation, but I wouldn't buy 5 nice huge check ons. When in europe it will be nice to use your new bags for traveling within europe and you won't be able to because they are so big. What kind of car will you have when over there if you even have one? The standard family car over there is a mid size station wagon size.
Personally I'd do as said above, I'd buy some nice carry ons for your kids and then buy some cheap duffel bags for your flight over. Duffel's break down into almost nothing but can carry a lot. Pack them wisely with your stuff other than clothes, then use your carry ons for actually traveling.
Posted on 8/12/17 at 6:46 pm to HurricaneDunc
Definitely use the air shipment option for heavier items that you don't want to wrestle through the airport. Pots, pans, heavy toys that the kids won't live without, winter coats and boots, sports equipment, rugs, towels, sheets....but if I were going through such a move, I'd have a huge garage sale & try to pare down the household to a bare minimum.
Another option is to buy some of the heavier things (bedding, linens, dishes) & have them shipped direct from US vendors (assuming you already have an address where you can receive packages (like work or building concierge).
I have friends in the diplomatic corps who have refined relocating households to an art. It helps if you live minimally to begin with & not to be attached to specific things. You can sell some of the stuff you currently have & buy new stuff once you arrive.
Except for electronics: they always seem to be priced much higher than comparable goods in the US. Definitely bring all that stuff.
Another option is to buy some of the heavier things (bedding, linens, dishes) & have them shipped direct from US vendors (assuming you already have an address where you can receive packages (like work or building concierge).
I have friends in the diplomatic corps who have refined relocating households to an art. It helps if you live minimally to begin with & not to be attached to specific things. You can sell some of the stuff you currently have & buy new stuff once you arrive.
Except for electronics: they always seem to be priced much higher than comparable goods in the US. Definitely bring all that stuff.
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