Foolish to use rolling suitcases with kids traveling in France and Italy?

No one cares about suitcases. No one is going to steal one. And you will obviously be tourists regardless of your luggage. (obviously someone COULD steal a suitcase, but it is really not a common thing -- just as big clunky cameras are not theft targets -- thieves want phones, credit cards (which will have 20 K on them before you have time to report the theft) other electronics and money.

The key thing is to be pickpocket proof. I use a money belt under my clothes in transit for our passports, id, money and then stow those things in the hotel safe or apartment taking only copies of our passports, one credit card and some walking around money when out and about -- an that is tucked into hidden pockets or a purse worn cross body. Especially be careful of computer bags, purses etc when also burdened with luggage. Make sure your valuables are no accessible and your purse is secure and then don't worry about it.

I read there are rules against wheel suitcases in Venice. So double check if you are going there. I have drug wheelie bags on the rough streets of the Albaicin in Granada and it wasn't my favorite thing but it wasn't really a problem either. If everyone can easily handle backpacks then that is a perfectly fine thing to do -- but either is fine.

The key consideration here should not be “image”, but can each person manage his/her own luggage when getting on and off the train. You know your kids best, which will make more sense for them to manage for themselves?

Does not matter what type of 'luggage/baggage' you use, the fact you are a tourist will be evident.

Might as well use what is most convenient, be it back pack or rolling bags

No matter what you choose, you'll obviously be a tourist from somewhere. Based on what I've seen in airports, and on what our son does with his family, it would probably be easier for the 10-year-old to keep up with a backpack. The rest of you could do either.

The most important thing is for everyone to pack light and to remember that your group will travel at the pace of the slowest one of you. The less encumbered you are with luggage of any kind, the easier it will be for all of you to stay together, especially when getting on and off trains.

I don't understand the cobblestone comment. Whether you have a 2-wheeled bag or a spinner, cobblestones aren't that big of a deal. With the latter, you just tilt it and roll it on 2 wheels when needed. If it's been a long time since you've been in Europe, it may surprise you to see that most adult Europeans use rolling bags.

For extensive discussions on backpacks vs. spinners vs. 2-wheeled bags, go to the Rick Steves Packing Forum: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing

Whatever you decide, you're going to have a great time. Our son took his 2 older daughters to Paris when they were 10 and 12. The younger one actually enjoyed the trip planning and the trip the most.

Edited to add: There are no issues with visitors having wheeled bags in Venice other than the fact that the bridges have steps, so you have to maneuver over them. You can Google about the topic, but here's a little exchange from the Italy Forum about it: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/no-roller-bags-in-venice

Each person should choose whichever is personally easiest. A 16-year old can handle a backpack, if that's his/her choice.
In my family, my 7 year-old granddaughter is pulling her own little suitcase. I noticed several children pulling children's suitcases when I took the train in France yesterday.
Tourist or local, nobody cares. Thieves target careless people, whether tourist or local, so just follow Janettravel's advice.

Hi Carol, my kids are 10 and 7. They've been traveling with their own carry-on suitcases and backpacks for a while. We just got back from Paris and they loved handling all their stuff! They feel grown up and cool. They even pack their own bags and keep an eye on them in airport or trains!

I find rolling suitcases easier with my kids. A 16 year old can manage a backpack if they prefer but the average 10 year old might not be comfortable. Depends on your kids though. An athletic 10 year old with light clothes would be fine, a not-especially strong 16 year old with 22lbs of stuff would have trouble. And you’d hear about it constantly!

My general plan with 2 kids in similar age range is that everyone has their own carry-on size rolling suitcase they can roll themselves and a small backpack or purse or messenger bag. Everyone manages their own luggage, except sometimes adults help the kids with carrying it upstairs or lifting overhead.

Dad perspective: As a family of 3 we enjoyed a 3 1/2 week vacation in France when my daughter was 8 years old, Greece at 10 years and Spain/Portugal at 12 years. In all those trips my wife and daughter used rolling suitcases and I had a big RS backpack. 80-90% of the time my daughter wheeled her bag around fine, but there were also times of exhaustion or rough cobblestone or steep narrow stairs when I carried her suitcase so it was good for me to have a backpack and free hands.

We have luggage with wheels in Europe too, so why would this make you look like an American tourist?!

Thieves aren’t after your luggage, but a suitcase is less likely to be stolen than a backpack pick pocketed.

I have never been pick pocketed in Europe and I don’t wear a money belt. Just be sensible. Take whatever luggage fits your stuff in and that you are comfortable with.

Carol use whatever you would use traveling at home. The only times you will be exposed is to and from hotels and in rail stations and airports. Those places are full of people traveling with luggage. The only advantage I see for backpacks (which I prefer) is that both hands are free while moving.

good point about backpacks -- they are pickpocket magnets -- so if you use them valuables should not be in them and particularly not in outer pockets. Frankly 'being aware' is fairly useless against pickpockets -- they are VERY skillful. You are not likely to notice your money and ID and passport are gone till you get to the hotel or go to use it later. Passports are not targets, but if they are in the wallet with the money they may go and that is not fun to waste a day or two on vacation dealing.

I have a trenchcoat from scottevest.com that I have used for years for spring and fall travel that has multiple hidden pockets; they also have lots of jackets and shirts and such with hidden pockets -- those also work well for travel. Magellan also has many such garments although I am lamenting that my favorite lightweight smart looking jacket has sort of had the course -- because it was so convenient with secure pockets for passports etc.

We are traveling with a 12 year old this spring but will only be going to Paris and then she and I will do a quick day trip to Nantes. She will have a carry on size rollerbag and then a backpack for the things she will want on the plane. (we always check the luggage). Our rule is that everyone manages their own stuff.

Rolling suitcases will work well for you. The only reminder I have it about weight. Getting them on and off the train may take Mom or Dad 😊 I have learned from this Forum to take as small as suitcase and pack as light as possible.

I think if you use "carry on" size rollers they can't be packed too heavy and they are easier to carry if mom and dad to help out. Also check to see if they are "stackable" so you can stack one on top our yours to wheel. I even made sure our backpacks can be stacked on our rollers. I'm not as good at downsizing my packing so I bring one "US" carry on size and a 30L backpack.

Whichever way you go, I think that the key is to make sure that the pack or case fits the user. As others have noted, everyone with luggage in a train station is assumed to be a tourist. If each person is able to handle comfortably and keep track of their own luggage, you will look and act like a confident and compact unit on the move rather than overwhelmed and distracted tourists.

On multiple European and domestic trips over the last 25 years, our family of three have used backpacks, 4-Wheel spinners and 2-wheel cases with mixed results. They all have pluses and minuses and we’ve made our fair share of mistakes. We are continually perfecting the pack.

For our family, the success of one or the other has had a lot to do with understanding body type and height. If you go with backpacks make sure that they fit your children‘s bodies properly - straps, pack length etc. If you have an REI or similar store nearby, I believe they will help fit you. If you go with a spinner or 2-wheel case, make sure that the handle length is adjustable to be comfortable for your child’s arm length (also applicable to petite adults). A small, underseat, roll-aboard bag that is wider than it is tall, with an adjustable handle might work for the youngest. These have a nice, low center of gravity.

My 2 cents: I find that 4 wheelers, while convenient on smooth surfaces, are very LOUD on cobblestones and tiles vs 2 wheelers. Maybe there are quiet 4 wheelers out there, haven't found them - neither have I looked hard.

Otherwise, having one backpack around is convenient for day trips and all, but otherwise, you'll be fine with wheeled luggage.

Either way is fine. Personally my family prefers luggage-style travel backpacks packed light, under 15lbs/7 kilos per bag. But we walk a lot and often prefer walking to transit. We'd rather walk 3 kilometers across Paris to our hotel than use the Metro etc.

It is true backpacks are pick pocket magnets, but we are eyes open types and well aware.

The 4 wheel roller bags are hell on cobbles and other rough surfaces - agree with poster above that if you have choice two inline skate wheels better. But really whatever carries your stuff works.

I have traveled backpack, two wheels and four wheels. I am currently using a 4 wheel spinner. It's not a problem on cobblestones or rough pavement. A muddy field, maybe, but that's all. Once you get to Italy you'll ask yourself...:what are all these people making such a big deal about the cobblestones. They made it sound as if I'm walking through a minefield.

Whatever you decide, make sure your kids are with the program. Especially the youngest. If he, or she, wants a backpack, load one up and let them walk around awhile and see how well they do. The same for the wheeled bag.

You see, it doesn't matter what anyone else suggests. What matters is what they are comfortable with.

This whole ridiculousness about not wanting to be seen as a tourist has nothing to do with luggage. You will see everyone has luggage--even locals who are traveling. What matters more is how you act.

And pickpockets are not running around thinking...."Where are the Americans?" They are looking for the easiest target. And that target might be Italian.

Your concern about cobblestones is real—particularly with those 4-wheel suitcases that are designed to roll smoothly on endless, flat aisles in airports, but no su much on cobblestones or rough pavement. I watched fairly fit, young couple really struggle on the main MSM road. I personally use a 2-wheel Travelpro bag similar to what many flight crew travel with. I can drag it behind me on any surface, including going over curbs.

The advice about making sure everyone in your party can get his or her bag on and off a train on their own is also important—unless one person can handle both theirs and another person's bag without make two trips. If you are not at a terminus, the train won't wait for you.

I read there are rules against wheel suitcases in Venice

an urban myth from 2 or 3 years ago nothing to do with tourist luggage, started when there was a (small) noise about the big wheeled carts used by porters or some such. I don't think it ever hit the light of day, and certainly never was intended against suitcases with wheels.