Anonymous
05/26/2025 08:43
Subject: Luggage for Swiss train travel
Anonymous wrote:Spent two weeks in the Berner Oberland last August, almost exclusively staying in mountain huts and trekking hut to hut. Then a few days in the cities and Munich. Altogether 2 1/2 weeks.
The entire time I had an Osprey Kestrel 38 backpack. Enough space for everything I needed. And I was able to get it as carry on (Icelandair)! Wore boots on the plane to maximize capacity, taking them off as soon as the plane took off. Also took a small pair of walking shoes for the cities.
Regarding clothing, the temperature was pleasant the entire time, lucky to only have rain one morning and only a few hours of that. Your real concern isn't cold but rain. Agree with the other recommendation to pack a lightweight down jacket like a Patagonia down, that's what I did. Had merino clothing, lightweight and perfect for either hotter midday temps and cooler evening temps. When it cools at night up in the mountains, the huts themselves are comfortable and I was never cold.
What hiking gear are you taking? I buy cheap hiking poles from Decathlon upon arrival and leave them behind at the last hotel when leaving the mountains. Know of too many people who lost or had stolen expensive hiking poles and the cheap poles are perfectly fine for two weeks of hiking. And you're not allowed to take poles as carry on.
Don't overpack if carrying everything on your back. The trains are fine, all are equipped to handle large luggage for hiking and skiing. Especially designed to do this! Another comment re shoes. If you're not doing high apline rocky trails you probably don't need serious hiking boots but strong walking shoes.
Yes, even on the Appalachian trail people wear train runners rather than large hiking boots these days.
Anonymous
05/26/2025 08:41
Subject: Luggage for Swiss train travel
Anonymous wrote:Instead of sweaters take one of those packable down jackets. They take up much less space and weight. Easier to take off/store in backpack when hiking, too.
Yes. Or a fleece and a packable rain coat. Either way you'll get a warm outer layer without the bulk of a sweater.
Anonymous
05/26/2025 08:37
Subject: Luggage for Swiss train travel
Spent two weeks in the Berner Oberland last August, almost exclusively staying in mountain huts and trekking hut to hut. Then a few days in the cities and Munich. Altogether 2 1/2 weeks.
The entire time I had an Osprey Kestrel 38 backpack. Enough space for everything I needed. And I was able to get it as carry on (Icelandair)! Wore boots on the plane to maximize capacity, taking them off as soon as the plane took off. Also took a small pair of walking shoes for the cities.
Regarding clothing, the temperature was pleasant the entire time, lucky to only have rain one morning and only a few hours of that. Your real concern isn't cold but rain. Agree with the other recommendation to pack a lightweight down jacket like a Patagonia down, that's what I did. Had merino clothing, lightweight and perfect for either hotter midday temps and cooler evening temps. When it cools at night up in the mountains, the huts themselves are comfortable and I was never cold.
What hiking gear are you taking? I buy cheap hiking poles from Decathlon upon arrival and leave them behind at the last hotel when leaving the mountains. Know of too many people who lost or had stolen expensive hiking poles and the cheap poles are perfectly fine for two weeks of hiking. And you're not allowed to take poles as carry on.
Don't overpack if carrying everything on your back. The trains are fine, all are equipped to handle large luggage for hiking and skiing. Especially designed to do this! Another comment re shoes. If you're not doing high apline rocky trails you probably don't need serious hiking boots but strong walking shoes.
The entire time I had an Osprey Kestrel 38 backpack. Enough space for everything I needed. And I was able to get it as carry on (Icelandair)! Wore boots on the plane to maximize capacity, taking them off as soon as the plane took off. Also took a small pair of walking shoes for the cities.
Regarding clothing, the temperature was pleasant the entire time, lucky to only have rain one morning and only a few hours of that. Your real concern isn't cold but rain. Agree with the other recommendation to pack a lightweight down jacket like a Patagonia down, that's what I did. Had merino clothing, lightweight and perfect for either hotter midday temps and cooler evening temps. When it cools at night up in the mountains, the huts themselves are comfortable and I was never cold.
What hiking gear are you taking? I buy cheap hiking poles from Decathlon upon arrival and leave them behind at the last hotel when leaving the mountains. Know of too many people who lost or had stolen expensive hiking poles and the cheap poles are perfectly fine for two weeks of hiking. And you're not allowed to take poles as carry on.
Don't overpack if carrying everything on your back. The trains are fine, all are equipped to handle large luggage for hiking and skiing. Especially designed to do this! Another comment re shoes. If you're not doing high apline rocky trails you probably don't need serious hiking boots but strong walking shoes.
Anonymous
05/26/2025 07:47
Subject: Luggage for Swiss train travel
Instead of sweaters take one of those packable down jackets. They take up much less space and weight. Easier to take off/store in backpack when hiking, too.
Anonymous
05/26/2025 05:21
Subject: Luggage for Swiss train travel
We each took one rolling luggage bag and toured the entire country. REI systems of clothing for all weather and skiing.
Anonymous
05/26/2025 03:07
Subject: Luggage for Swiss train travel
How can anyone hope to comment on this without much more information?
You could easily fill an entire bag just with hiking gear.
Why is it clear you need to pack light? Swiss trains are normal sized and accept full size luggage.
You could easily fill an entire bag just with hiking gear.
Why is it clear you need to pack light? Swiss trains are normal sized and accept full size luggage.
Anonymous
05/26/2025 01:59
Subject: Luggage for Swiss train travel
Will be spending a couple of weeks in Switzerland this summer, and traveling exclusively by train from Zurich to the Bernese Oberland and then to Zermatt. We’ll need to take clothing for hiking (including boots!) and it’s cooler in the Alps too. Advice on best luggage in this situation? Clearly we need to pack light but we still need hiking gear and sweaters etc. We will have laundry facilities for most of the trip. I was thinking about taking an Away large carry on and a Cotopaxi 35 ml backpack. Or should I go just with a 45 ml backpack and no suitcase at all?