Packing tips requested

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Were you able to reserve the luggage rack space? I haven't used trains in Europe. My experience is recently with Japan where the rack space was reserved only, at least on the bullet.

It’s first come first serve on Italian regional trains.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Were you able to reserve the luggage rack space? I haven't used trains in Europe. My experience is recently with Japan where the rack space was reserved only, at least on the bullet.

It’s first come first serve on Italian regional trains.

Yes, and often you're putting the luggage between seats. We never had trouble finding a spot for our luggage though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't believe you'll want to rewear anything without cleaning in hot weather so I disagree about the fabric recommendations. Luckily had been advised to forget the cotton and pack lightweight performance fabrics. I did sink wash of clothes every night and by morning they were dried including socks.

Pack in as small bags as possible. Europe is smaller cars especially the hybrids so trunk space is limited compared to the USA. Hotel rooms also can be limited in drawer and closet space, or even floor space to lay out luggage. I'll never take anything larger than a medium bag now for checked luggage. For summer travel, ideally I would aim for carry on for two weeks, especially if I'm moving around a lot and don't require any special occasion clothing.

Yes, the plus of performance fabrics is that they fold down much smaller. And the country you're going to makes a lot of difference. If you're going to England you can just pick up a couple of dresses there as clothing is inexpensive. But Switzerland isn't a country where you could do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For crazy hot places: bring your oldest underwear and just toss them. The kind with holes or ruined elastic that you would have tossed before. I love doing that so sweaty, stinky underwear isn't going back into my luggage.

This is a great idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP- did you say where you are going?

Italy- HOT.

Just being upfront we are not the wash ourselves in the sink kind of people so I was really looking for folding/packing tips which I received. Probably will send the performance wear/T-shirts out for washing halfway through. To answer someone else’s question yes we will be checking, but also taking many trains so not trying to bring a ton of large suitcases.

PP is correct that there is limited baggage space for large luggage on trains. Many times the space for large bags is at the end of the car near the exit. And you may be seated in the middle of the car without being able to keep an eye on your bags. During the rush of people on & off at stops, it may be easy for someone to grab a bag from the storage area and hop off.

To try and prevent this, we stack our bags on top of or next to each other in the luggage storage/cage area and use a bungee or a cord (brightly colored) to tie them to the bars. If there aren't bars, then we bungee/tie them both together. It's not secure like locking them would be but it is enough to prevent someone from snatching them quickly and the bright color serves as a warning that our bags won't be an easy hit.

Great tip, thank you. Luckily, we have reserved seats for all of our trains and we are in the very back of each car by luggage rack. Will bring bungees!

Keep in mind though there’s no guarantee the space will be available when you get on. Unless you get on at the very beginning there will already be people on the train already. I highly recommend packing as light as possible. You will be so grateful not to lug a massive suitcase around.

[Anonymous]

Bring laundry sheets and a small clothesline and do laundry in the sink then air dry.

[Anonymous]

We spent two weeks in Ireland and Scotland and only had one carry on size suitcase each plus personal item. This was new to us as we normally overpack and check bags. I bought packing cubes but did not use them.

My tips are pack lightweight, non wrinkly clothes and layer if necessary for climate. Plan to re-wear most things other than underwear.
Wear your heaviest shoes on travel day, even if they require tying/untying at security check.

We used a laundry service at the halfway point.

We have Away suitcases that expand, but to fit airline guidelines did not expand them although I saw other passengers who did. The Away suitcase holds an astonishing amount of stuff and cinches down tight with straps. I highly recommend!

[Anonymous]

I made the mistake of taking large luggage and came home with golfers elbow from dragging the piece over carpeting and lifting up stairs. The PP who pointed out you may not be first in car is 100% on target. We ended up having to use the overhead. It was amazingly heavy and sometimes even that no space, so the piece ended up at my feet with legs draped on top. Your seat reservations mean nothing but just that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For crazy hot places: bring your oldest underwear and just toss them. The kind with holes or ruined elastic that you would have tossed before. I love doing that so sweaty, stinky underwear isn't going back into my luggage.

This is a great idea.

Darn...I am purging my house and just threw out the old underwear!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We spent two weeks in Ireland and Scotland and only had one carry on size suitcase each plus personal item. This was new to us as we normally overpack and check bags. I bought packing cubes but did not use them.

My tips are pack lightweight, non wrinkly clothes and layer if necessary for climate. Plan to re-wear most things other than underwear.
Wear your heaviest shoes on travel day, even if they require tying/untying at security check.

We used a laundry service at the halfway point.

We have Away suitcases that expand, but to fit airline guidelines did not expand them although I saw other passengers who did. The Away suitcase holds an astonishing amount of stuff and cinches down tight with straps. I highly recommend!

Another tip. Choose two colors like white and navy, and pack only items those colors so you can mix and match. I agree wear your walking shoes on the plane, and only pack a dressier pair and some throwaway hotel slippers.

[Anonymous]

I pack Birkenstock's rubber pool shoes for slippers in case I'll need them for pool, etc.

[Anonymous]

The question was about packing only - I do the same as others - fold lengthwise and roll.
But re fabrics and washing,
I wear merino wool and quick dry clothing - wash the latter in the sink or in the shower, roll them in a towel and hang to dry.
For a 2 week trip I’d plan to do laundry mid way. I have used laundromats eg in Morocco. Have never done hotel laundry.
If I’m travelling by myself, I would probably just bring 3 changes of clothing for a 2 week trip.
If travelling with friends, maybe 5 changes of clothing for a 2 week trip.

I also have a scrubba bag that does a better job with washing than in the sink or shower, but I don’t think it’s necessary unless you’re rolling in the mud etc.