Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We each have a small rolling suitcase and a small backpack/tote. Everyone carries their own.

This. My kids (now teens) are pros at this kind of travel and we've had them each manage their own backpack and rolling suitcase since about the age of five. As for contents I would aim to pack for a week's worth with the idea that you would be able to do laundry somewhere along the way. I tend to overpack on the undergarments because they don't take up a lot of space and uncertainty regarding when the laundry will get done.

This. And, bring knits that can be rolled.
Also, bring clothespins--you can hang damp clothes from a coathanger if you have clothespins. Although, I was never much for washing when travelling. (I used to take old underwear and ditch it along the way. You know, the kind that you keep for one more time......)
I had a friend who washed her underwear every night and hung them (hair dryer helps, too). She said they were always dry by morning.
If you have a real disaster with clothing--like spilling a soda all over or something like that, you may want to wash it.

Have fun! And, put in a lightweight fabric bag for things to bring home--or purchase one on your trip.

Anonymous wrote:We each have a small rolling suitcase and a small backpack/tote. Everyone carries their own.

This. My kids (now teens) are pros at this kind of travel and we've had them each manage their own backpack and rolling suitcase since about the age of five. As for contents I would aim to pack for a week's worth with the idea that you would be able to do laundry somewhere along the way. I tend to overpack on the undergarments because they don't take up a lot of space and uncertainty regarding when the laundry will get done.

This is what I packed for a two-week trip to London and Paris. (We stayed at Airbnbs with laundry machines, so we didn't have to worry about whether we could wash things out in the sink.)

jeans -- dark wash
dark navy light cotton knit joggers
black linen dress
blue/white striped dress
3 short-sleeved tees -- one white, one dark grey, one light blue
1 long-sleeved linen button-down -- cobalt blue
1 white tank
1 lacy white top (to dress up the joggers and jeans for dinners out)
1 grey hoodie
bathing suit
pj's, cotton robe, bras and panties
running shoes
comfortable, but pretty sandals with backstrap
flip-flops
umbrella

Agree with others that for this kind of trip, small bags so that each person carries their own is key. We did Japan with two teenagers for 2 weeks with each person having a carry on and a backpack or large purse. Just pack fewer things and smaller things. I find knit summer dresses take up almost no space in the suitcase but are a whole outfit for me to be very useful. It is fine to rewear things so if you can fit 7 or 8 outfits (which you can) you should be all good. It depends on how you will be getting around, but I think wheels work better than backpacks for moving through the airports and train stations so unless you are planning on having your stuff with you while you are sightseeing during the day I would not do backpacks only. (too heavy for kids to haul around without complaining). We would generally be taking either taxi or close subway to the airport or train station in the city and then dropping bags at hotel in next city before going out to sight see and it worked well. My husband likes to overpack and complains when I insist on carryon only but has to admit that I am right when we are getting onto a busy overseas train or zipping onto the subway with our bags. We travelled in Europe with my parents and their huge bags once and it was awful to get around from city to city.

OP here - thank you so much, all!!

One carry on-sized backpack each, letting them know that any souvenirs have to fit in there and that they need to be able to go four days without doing laundry. Recommend some thin shirts that hand wash/dry easily. Shorts/pants can be reworn without washing usually. A day pack that attaches or fits inside and that carries their camera/phone and reusable water bottle. Could pack one duffle bag if you think near the end you'll want to check one bag for the return for new purchases. Sunscreen sticks for carryon. Probably just need about a 45 liter capacity backpack. REI carries them.

Anonymous wrote:I would do one checked in bag for stuff that won't get past TSA, a carry on for each person or if OP has a son and daughter, dad/son can share one carryon and daughter/mom can share another and backpacks for each. I'd also just stock up on sweat pants/yoga pants.

Sweatpants will be beastly hot, plus they are bulky so they take up a lot of room in luggage and take forever to dry if you are doing the "wash out in the sink/hang to dry" thing. I would instead aim for moisture wicking fabrics.

Pants that are specifically made for travel can be a very worthy investment, especially if you travel a lot. I have two pairs (one in black, one in grey) from REI, but I know Costco was selling some nice ones for only about $20 several weeks ago. Athleta also recently came out with some nice looking ones.

I would bring
3 bottoms (pants, skirts--most adults in Europe don't wear shorts, so I'd definitely have some non-shorts options for any nice dinners out)
3 tops that can coordinate with all the bottoms so you can mix and match
rain jacket
light sweater or jacket
socks and underwear
bathing suit
flip flops
flats

If you plan to visit Cathedrals/religious buildings and your skirts are above the knee or you are wearing tank tops, they will require you cover up. Some will provide some type of paper shawl for you to wear, but some will simply turn you away (even if you have waited in a long line! I saw it in Florence last summer where two teen girls wearing short shirts and spaghetti strapped tank tops were turned away after waiting about an hour!)
I always just bring a scarf with me so I can drape it around my shoulders (if I wearing a tank top) or around my waist (if my skirt is slightly short).


running shoes/athletic shoes

We each have a small rolling suitcase and a small backpack/tote. Everyone carries their own.

I would do one checked in bag for stuff that won't get past TSA, a carry on for each person or if OP has a son and daughter, dad/son can share one carryon and daughter/mom can share another and backpacks for each. I'd also just stock up on sweat pants/yoga pants.

Agree with the poster about backpacks being the way to go. Big fan of this type of backpack/suitcase hybrid- it has enough shape to keep things in order and not shift around.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075WRLNBX

Combined with a small packable daypack like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Hikpro-20L-Lightweight-Packable-Resistant/dp/B00KX0B5ME

Is now my go-to for travel- doing away with the frame/wheels/handle of a suitcase allows you probably 25% more packing space in the backpack. Should be able to fit 6-7 days worth of stuff in there, doing 1-2 loads of laundry along the way. Amazon also makes a more basic carry-on backpack that is only $50, but some of the reviews seem to say it isn't quite as durable, especially on the seams.

I would recommend backpacks over rolling suitcases, especially since your kids are older.

I just got back from Budapest last night and saw lots of people struggling with (or at least, making an awful noise!) their rolling suitcases on all the cobblestones. Also, European hotel rooms are tiny and without much storage space--a bag that can be folded/squished down will save a lot of space.

I would recommend a dufflebag/backpack. Each member of my family (2 parents and 4 kids between the ages of 12-18) has one of these https://www.nargear.com/shop/firefighter/carry-on/
They meet carry one size requirements (though this company also makes larger sizes of the same bag) and are built to take a beating. The backpack straps make them very convenient for walking/transporting them on trains/buses/down crowded cobblestone streets. We've used them on many European trips over the last couple years and it's worked out great.

If you don't like the look of that particular bag, I know a few friends of mine have one by Patagonia that is similar. One difference between the two is that the Patagonia bag has detachable backpack straps, whereas the Nargear one that I have has a zippered cover to protect the straps. You can see how the cover works in this video right here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrwYQgOBWhw
I liked the fact that I wouldn't be detaching the straps, because I can imagine my kids might end up losing one!

Anonymous wrote:We are leaving for 14 days (family of 4) to Paris and London. We all have 20” carryons. This is what I’m bringing, kids will be the same.

Three dresses. Two areColumbia sun dresses, so very easy to wash. The third is a nicer dress, but still a sun dress. We plan at least one good meal.
One black skirt
On pr long black pants
4 shirts for layering
One cardigan
One nicer sweatshirt/jacket (think lululemon goodness zip up)
One raincoat
Black walking sandals
Walking shoes (my commuter shoes)
Bathing suit
8 pr undies, 3 bras

For the girls, just swap out the skirt for shorts and leggings for pants.

I will also bring my backpack for computer, water bottles and miscellaneous stuff

We are leaving for 14 days (family of 4) to Paris and London. We all have 20” carryons. This is what I’m bringing, kids will be the same.

Three dresses. Two areColumbia sun dresses, so very easy to wash. The third is a nicer dress, but still a sun dress. We plan at least one good meal.
One black skirt
On pr long black pants
4 shirts for layering
One cardigan
One nicer sweatshirt/jacket (think lululemon goodness zip up)
One raincoat
Black walking sandals
Walking shoes (my commuter shoes)
Bathing suit
8 pr undies, 3 bras

For the girls, just swap out the skirt for shorts and leggings for pants.

Meant we will be WITH our kids, not without.

This may seem like a silly question but this is my family’s first time traveling internationally; we will be with out 11 year old and 13 year old kids. We’re going to London, Paris and Brussels and will travel by train a considerable amount and want to pack as light as possible.

Just wondering how others have managed: how many days should we pack for? I assume our hotels will have laundry facilities or we can find a laundromat.
We are thinking of checking two larger bags and each carrying a backpack. Does that sound about right?

Thank you for any feedback.