luggage and transfers

This may be the most important thing to read before your trip -
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light

Train platform locations are rarely static. They change and you may not know what platform until you arrive to make your transfer. But, with 10 minutes, that much luggage, elderly parents, unless the train is right at the next platform (and even then) you will be unlikely to make it. You will need to manage your own luggage (no porters or the like and I assume you’ll need to manage your parents bags) and that will be a challenge given what you’ve got. I’m assuming your parents won’t be able to get their bags on an off the train, which often involves steps. On the train luggage storage is at the end of the car or overhead but the large bags won’t fit overhead so your bags will be scattered. Yes, 30 minutes is usually OK in Paris but the train stations are huge, there is a lot of walking involved, so I would say 45 minutes to 1 hour. But that transfer is pretty much a no-go. So, first off, you need to change that connection. Also, consider reviewing your packing and see if you can downsize this enormous amount of luggage. There’s are many threads here about packing light. I could easily pack everything we need (two of us) for a month in one of those 28” monsters with room to spare. But I’d never carry a bag that large as 1) we don’t check bags and 2) getting that size bag on and off trains is very difficult.

The Seat61.com website has photos of trains from all the European countries. I suggest looking in the Germany section for photos of entry ways to the various types of carriages and asking yourself how on earth you're going to get four 28" bags up and down the steps.

drthetford, getting on and off a train is like getting on and off a city bus, of which you may have had experiences. You have to deal with the other people in your way getting on and off, climb up and down the steps, find storage space, and then find seats. It helps to know the stops before you stop, and to get yourself ready to get off when your stop is coming up by gathering your stuff and positioning yourself close to the doors. A crowded train makes for a rush to get on and off, and since its moving, you can get caught off balance. If you block other people from getting on and off with your large luggage, you can get an earful, and not much sympathy. To get to the next platform, you may have to go down and up busy stairways, while checking monitors to make sure you know the right platform (Gleis in German).

If you go the the Deutsche Bahn website (bahn.com), with some patience, you can find a map of the Stuttgart Hbf (and any other station) and see a map of the tracks.

Go to the German Rail (Bahn) query page and put in Paris to Kaufering and the time and date and you will see the connections for your trip. Click on "details" and it will show you all of the trains on your connection and the change Bahnhofs. For Stuttgart, it shows the ICE from Paris arriving on track 6 and the ICE to Augsburg leaving on track 15. This page will show you a layout of the Stuttgart station.

The good news is 1) that ICEs should have platform level loading (no stair to get on or off the trains, and 2) Stuttgart is a "stub" station, where the trains come in and go out from the same end and there is a platform level connection platform at the end of the train platforms, so there are no stairs there, either. The bad news is you have to go to the fourth platform beyond the one where you come in. Does anyone know the exact distance between platforms. I'm guessing it is less than 50 feet, but you might have a couple hundred feet between platform 6 and platform 15.

It will be a big help in changing trains if you are by the door with your luggage when the train stops in the station. Also, being in a car near the front of the train will help, if you can manage that.

As big a challenge might be the station in Augsburg, where that platforms (4 to 8) are connected by an underground tunnel which you get to by going down stairs and then up other stairs to your next platform. Also note that the center tunnel is currently closed, so you will have to walk to a far end of the platform to find the stairs to one of the remaining two tunnels.

Buchloe will also have stairs to the tunnel although not as far in the tunnel.

I don't mean to just pile on about too much luggage, and people are so far being quite gentle in their responses. However, I concur that there is just no way to manage four 28" suitcases smoothly and without anxiety. The thing is, even if the suitcases were smaller, unless each person can manage their own 2 pieces, you are facing an uphill battle. I've done this with 4 people with only carry-on size (22") plus a personal item each, and it's a circus. Each person managed their own, but it was still a constant exercise in counting and re-counting, getting to the train door early before each stop and then to the next train platform on time. I am very sure we couldn't have done it with bigger suitcases and if any one of us required help from another.

Please do reconsider the luggage sizes or numbers. Can two of you share one 28" suitcase? Can you each downsize to something you can personally lift? With luggage wheels, you won't have to carry it long distances, just up and down train steps. My 84-y-o parents can still each manage their own carry-on suitcases plus backpacks or over-handle tote bags, but have adjusted the packs/totes and suitcases over the years to make sure they are as small, light and as reliable as possible. They (and I) are down to 20" suitcases. My mother, who shrinks constantly from osteoporosis, has switched to a very small tote that she can put on top of the small wheeled bag. My dad has a small day pack. But they're still traveling!

I wouldn't attempt a 10 minute connection with 8 pieces of luggage, especially if 2 of the group are anxious and elderly. Heck, I got anxious about making an 11 minute connection in Germany last week with just my purse--had to go down a long ramp, walk a bit more then up another. Going was fine, but for the return the first train was late and cut my connection to 4 minutes and I barely made it--so that's another thing to consider--what if the train is delayed? Or, in my case, I had terrible back pain and couldn't run quite the way I would normally do. People do tend to pile up near the exits and you'll have that to deal with as well.

You will have to cover not more than 80 m between tracks 6 and 15 plus approx. 50-80 m walking on each platform, shorter if you have booked your first class tickets in cars 28 or 29, which usually will sit right at the beginning of platform 15. Moreover, there are luggage trolleys on the platforms (coins needed), or you can call the mobility service for assistance (0180 6 512 512 - as soon as the train crosses the border, I would ask the conductor to do that for me). Also, for quicker orientation, ask him / her to check on which segment of platform 15 the car with your seats will be actually sitting (you can do that yourself on the day of travel if you download the DB app and click on the details of your train). You certainly can make it.

I don't know how elderly your parents are, but at 72 I guess I'm probably approaching that age. Also I didn't notice how long you will be gone, but that doesn't really matter.

Coordinate your wardrobe, pack for a week and do laundry along the way. None of you should need a 28" suitcase. Each of you should be able to manage with a 22" carry-on and a personal item bag. It's not such a big deal until you have to schlep that luggage everywhere yourself, including through the airport, on the way to your lodgings, in train stations and especially on and off trains. Even getting a taxi will be a difficult proposition with 4 of you and 8 bags.

Please, all of you need to watch this Sarah Murdoch packing video. If you could somehow watch it together, it would be good. You also need to binge read the Packing Forum. This packing light thing is discussed all the time there, especially packing lists of what to take.

This sounds like a first European trip for all of you, so if you all haven't already, please thoroughly read the following sections of this Rick Steves web site: Money, Theft and Scams and any others you see that you need to learn about in that Travel Tips section.

I so wanted to do my next trip using only a smallish backpack and a cross-body tote, but my orthopedist nixed the extra weight on my knees, so I'm using the same luggage as I used for my month in Italy last year. This is it: main bag and tote which slides over the handle of the main bag.

You have been given good advice, so there is not much to add - except

Yes, 30 minutes is usually OK in Paris but the train stations are huge, there is a lot of walking involved, so I would say 45 minutes to 1 hour.

45 minutes to 1 hour at a train station? I have been to Gare de l'Est and I do not see why you would want to be there so early? If you want to take the Eurostar with its security theatre (and apparently also if you want to take Ouigo trains), okay; and the French are a bit strange in expecting people to board the train 2 minutes before departure. I still think that arriving 8 to 10 minutes before departure is okay for young and healthy people, and one should probably double that number for elderly passengers; but 45 minutes is excessive in my opinion.

One more thing:

The good news is 1) that ICEs should have platform level loading (no stair to get on or off the trains)

Not true for any long-distance trains in Germany, unfortunately.

Not true for any long-distance trains in Germany, unfortunately.

Are you sure? Which trains do I use then every week?

Do the carry-on pieces have shoulder straps so the owners will have a hand free to assist with the bigger bags? (Remembering that elderly people like me need to hold onto something when getting on/off a train.) Our strategy is that my husband gets on with the main bags (22" wheelies) and I carry on the two personal bags, one cross-body and one in hand. If your parents aren't able to carry on even that much, your train journey may be even more difficult. (Will the fourth traveller be able to handle two big bags as well?)
If the first train from Gare de l'Est starts from that station you will probably be able to board before the scheduled departure time but if it's an intermediate stop you will have to jump on board in the very few minutes the train is in the station. And passengers with bags are getting off and on at the same time.

Once on board, finding places for 8 big suitcases may require putting them in multiple locations -- and then getting them out to the door area before the train stops at the connection station.
Be brutal -- YOU cannot handle 8 bags alone. Listen to everyone who is telling you (and your family) to pack light and/or consolidate! This is NOT a fashion competition; items can (and should) be worn more than once on the trip. Nothing is more depressing than to pull out unworn clothing and unused items at the end of a trip and realize that you were lifting an extra 10 pounds of unnecessary stuff every time you hauled your suitcase. (Voice of experience here!!)

I was 73½ last October when my partner and I made a 20 day trip around Germany. I have always traveled with a convertible backpack. The last trip she also used a backpack, but this trip, because she had spent two months in the hospital and rehab during the summer she decided to take a regulation rolling carryon. Because of her condition, I handled both bags. Mine weighed about 12 lbs; her's was heavier, but less that the 8 kg Lufthansa limit.

So, a typical train change went like this. As we arrived in the station, I would put on my backpack, then pick up her roller, handle retracted, and carry it by the side handle to the door, usually up or down a few stairs as we traveled mostly in 2 deck REs. When the door opened, I would lift her bag over the gap, then deploy the handle and roll it to the stairs, where I would retract the handle (I quickly learned it was easier to handle her bag on the stairs with the handle retracted). Using the side handle, I carried the roller down the stairs. If the distance to the next stair was short, I would just carry the roller. If it was farther, I would deploy the handle, roll it to the next stairs, then retract the handle. Then I carried the bag up the stairs, deployed the handle and rolled it to the train door, where I retracted the handle and carried the bag by the side handle into the train and up or down the stairs to our seats. All this time, my convertible bag was on my back, requiring no attention. When I got to my seat, I took off my convertible bag.

Two points:
1) A roller is a lot more effort to handle when changing trains than is a backpack.
2) You can handle a roller and a backpack at the same time. It would probably be easier if the backpack is regulation carryon size and the roller is no bigger than regulation size, maybe a little lighter, since you have to carry it a lot more than you think.

If the roller is 28" and packed heavy, I think you will have a problem. You are not going to have time to carry some of the bags to the next train and go back for the rest. Before you go, everyone should practice handling both their own bags together, both on the flat and on stairs.

Chris-s: arriving at an unfamiliar train station, first time traveling abroad, first time ever on a train, eight bags, two elderly people with possible mobility issues and anxiety about travel....well. Allowing for the logistics, the inevitable bathroom break, 45 minutes to 1 hour from taxi drop off to boarding the train in these circumstances is conservative.

I very much appreciate all of your suggestions. Never did I think that one large and one carry on suitcase was that much to bring for 12 days. When I go to my sisters for 5 days I pack my middle size 25” suitcase. I will look at the packing videos as recommended. Thanks.

Let me ask though, if I hadn’t said “elderly” would that have made a difference. That word might imply less mobile. Despite being 82 and 84, they are amazingly healthy. Dad still drives his corvette. They exercise daily in great physical shape and don’t take even one medication between them. It’s more because of my dads anxiety that I am trying so hard to prepare ahead to make sure it all goes smoothly. My dad easily lifts the large suitcase into the trunk of the car. All suitcases are the brand new , extra lightweight type and have the four wheels that are fully rotating. Does any of that matter in terms of suggestions that it is too much luggage for the train

Never did I think that one large and one carry on suitcase was that much to bring for 12 days

Don't try to pack as much as you can get away with, pack as little as you need. When I went to Germany for 20 days last year, my 2½# (empty) carryon bag weighed 12#-13# packed. Admittedly, I'm a seasoned traveler and have honed my light packing over 11 trips, but even at first, I still packed less than 17#.

Hint: Pack clothes for a few days and wash a little every night.

Dad still drives his corvette.

God bless him. I'm 74 and drive an equally difficult-to-get-into MR2 - hope to for a few more years. When I was 24, I lived in an apartment complex with a 68 yo who drove an MGB (which he got into with difficulty). I swore I wanted to be driving a sports car when I was his age, and here I am.

You say you haven't done trains, ever, so imagine getting onto a plane with a large suitcase, while other people are moving around in the narrow spaces, too. Trains are not dissimilar. It can be very chaotic. Even if you are younger and in decent shape.

Oh, and because there are entrances at each end of each car, there will be 2-way traffic in the aisles.

"Let me ask though, if I hadn’t said “elderly” would that have made a difference. That word might imply less mobile."

It wouldn't matter if they were your age or younger. 28" luggage and a carry on 21" piece is overkill and hard to fit in a vehicle, move off and on trains in limited time. My mother could never get the hang of packing light with her what if sceneros. Thank god she usually only traveled by car or with relatives picking her and her giant suitcase up.

Go ahead, load one of those 28" suitcases up and push it around awhile on uneven pavements. I once watched a 20 year old have a meltdown in the middle of a street in Italy while maneuvering her heavy, large suitcase around while her friend with a 21" suitcase stood helplessly nearby.

Do watch some packing videos, look at lists for a one week trip (with laundry inbetween), think of fun mix and match clothing, shoes that are well tested and can be worn for multiple days. You'll travel so much more effortlessly with less.

I think you'd still get the same input even if you were all athletes. Its just difficult to move that fast and far and maneuver large bags easily. Its not impossible, but enough to make it stressful, especially with a 10 minute clock ticking. Imagine if you were trying to get on an airplane with all those bags (along with everyone else who also have bags), no orderly boarding process, and the pilot is not waiting for you to get settled.

As I mentioned on your other thread, even if you manage the train transfers, you will never get that much luggage into a rental car. I was imagining you meant a 28" suitcase and a day pack - you mean a 28" suitcase and a 21" suitcase? Each? You'll need two cars. You'll all be standing around the trunk of the car (once you take two taxis to the car rental place) staring helplessly at the impossibility of Tetris-ing that much luggage into one European-size trunk.

Have fun with the packing videos, I think you'll see what we're all on about. This is not some cult doctrine we all share (well..maybe....) We have lived it. You will be miserable.

Not true for any long-distance trains in Germany, unfortunately.

Are you sure? Which trains do I use then every week?

To be sure we are talking about the same thing: I assumed you were talking about access without any stairs, on exactly the same level as the platform. Like in this picture:
https://i1.wp.com/www.nahverkehr-ffm.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DB_Einstiegslotsen_S-Bahn_DB154688_Andreas-Varnhorn.png?ssl=1
This is common on S-Bahn (commuter) trains and an increasing number of regional trains (RB, RE).

It does not exist on long-distance train, where it will look something like this:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICE_4#/media/File:Door_open_-_DB_BR_412_-_ICE_4_to_Frankfurt_Main_S%C3%BCd.jpg

It does not exist on long-distance train, where it will look something like this:

Sorry, it's not that simple.

First of all, it's is not a question of the train but the respective platform height. Platforms for long-distance trains have (or should have) a height of 76 cm, platforms for commuter trains one of 55cm (because double deckers necessarely have a lower entrance level) *). A platform height of 76 cm guarantees that the entrance into an ICE or IC is on platform level. Of course, a problem inevitably arises at platforms where both long-distance and double deckers stop. If it has 76 cm, one has to go down a step into a double decker, if that has 55 cm, one has go up a step into a ICE (as in the picture linked by you).

As far as the transfer of the OP and his / her parents in Stuttgart is concerned, we don't need to speculate but can simply look up the directory of platform heights of German train stations. We see that platforms for tracks #6 and #15 both have a height of 76 cm (like any other tracks in the main hall), so the OP or rather his parents will have no problem with steps.

*) Leaving aside the fact that many rural stations still have a platform heigt of 38 cm or even lower, and leaving aside that he DB sillily seems to think of raising the 55 cm platforms to 76 cm too.

Not true for any long-distance trains in Germany, unfortunately.

Turns out I was wrong about this. There are a few long-distance trains for which the statement is true - there are the double-decker IC2 trains, which are used as long-distance trains (though they are not particularly suitable for that purpose), which provide level entrance on some platforms. Did not think about these until you mentioned double deckers...

First of all, it's is not a question of the train but the respective platform height. Platforms for long-distance trains have (or should have) a height of 76 cm, platforms for commuter trains one of 55cm (because double deckers necessarely have a lower entrance level) *). A platform height of 76 cm guarantees that the entrance into an ICE or IC is on platform level. Of course, a problem inevitably arises at platforms where both long-distance and double deckers stop. If it has 76 cm, one has to go down a step into a double decker, if that has 55 cm, one has go up a step into a ICE (as in the picture linked by you).

The picture I linked was taken at Berlin Ostbahnhof, where there are also 76 cm platforms (and 96 cm, but not for long-distance trains). So it shows the exact same situation the OP will encounter at Stuttgart Hbf. You are right, of course, that there are different platform heights; but even at 76 cm, there are steps. You can see in the image that one of the steps is fixed; it will always be there, even if the platform was on exactly the same level as the floor of the train car. The situation is very similar for other types of long-distance trains (ICE, IC and EC, with the double decker IC trains as an exception).

Of course, it is just about two steps - this may be one of the things one does not really notice if not consciously paying attention to them..

Does any of that matter in terms of suggestions that it is too much luggage for the train

No, it doesn't. Still, I think you should look for help for the transfer in Stuttgart. Apart from the Mobility Service of the DB mentioned above, you could write (asap) to the Bahnhofsmission whether they can help you or if they have some advice. I don't know how many people they are in Stuttgart, but they are certainly willing to help you if you write to them that you are not on a vacation trip but on a commemoration tour. Besides, there is also a corps of the Salvation Army residing in Stuttgart.

I agree you’d have gotten the same advice on 28 inch suitcases regardless of ages of travelers. Oddly I traveled recently from London to Canterbury and there was little space for luggage. Fortunately we all had 20 or 21 inchers and were able to scoot them under the seats mostly. I had counted on there being either luggage bays st the ends of cars or between seat backs. You’ll have better luck on the longer distance trains, I suspect.

For 12 days I would pack the same as for a week or a month. Given you are going in July I’d go with:

Bottoms-2long pants, 2 capris. Wear one of these on the plane. Even better if you have long pants that can be rolled to capri length, then you can subtract one pr capris. If you weren’t traveling in July I’d cut back to one or none on the capris but that time of year if it’s hot you’ll need one to wear while one is drying. You might be able to get away with 1 pr long pants if it looks like it will be really hot during your time frame.

Tops-4 short sleeve tops (I do bump to 5 if I’m gone a month) wear one on the plane. 1 long sleeve or sunshirt. 1 cardigan or light jacket, wear on plane. All tops go with all pants.

1 rain layer.

Underwear, pjs, socks.

2 pr shoes, wear 1

I don’t wear dresses or skirts but if you do, start subtracting pants/shirts.

When I go to my sisters for 5 days I pack my middle size 25” suitcase.

From the posts above and your comment, it's clear you have to completely reframe your thinking about this. When carrying around a huge suitcase imposes no physical and convenience costs on you, then you can easily justify it as normal. Popping a large suitcase in the trunk of a car and having a very small distance to wheel it to another house is a very different proposition that lugging it on any train and/or several sets of stairs (plus there's the issue of trying to fit such luggage in a taxi, if you need to - cars are much smaller in Europe). And of course you can also bring multiple sets of clothes and shoes because, again, there's no cost to doing so in an environment centered on car travel.

Even as a 40-some year old in shape, I couldn't bear the thought of handling one such large piece of luggage on a train, never mind a carry-on on top of that or having to coordinate multiple peoples' luggage.

Since you've never been on a train before (and I'm guessing traveling internationally), please heed the concern of folks here who are trying to persuade you to pack lightly. First off, yes, people do wash their clothes on vacation so you don't need to bring 2 pairs of clothing for each day. Save your back and try to carry less, it could literally make the difference between a good and bad vacation if you're stressed and in physical pain and discomfort. Plus other people will be inconvenienced if there is any blocking because the luggage proves to be harder to handle than estimated. When my parents travel to Poland to visit relatives, they do bring a giant luggage only because it's filled with gifts and they don't need to rely on trains to lug stuff around (family picks them up in a car).

Good luck to you and it's great that you reached out here for advice. Everyone wants to help make your trip successful.

So, I spoke with my husband and my parents, watched the packing video that was recommended and re-assessed how much I need to bring regarding changes of clothes. I appreciate all of your suggestions. We don't think we can pack everything we need into just a 21" carry on. I am going to do a dry run and try, but it's hard to imagine. If we just can't, we will cut it down to just 4 pieces (2 per couple). Given the storage space on the train, would we be better off with one 28" and one 21" per couple or two medium sized pieces 25" per couple. Do you think that would be managable. 4 pieces for the 4 of us?

Try loading up all your bags, whatever you choose, with all those clothes and take your parents on a trip to a city for a day. Rolling, carrying, up and down steps, stopping for lunch, etc. Those bags stay with you. Maybe even a train. I see they are fit and we are as well. But handling large bags tests your back, shoulders, patience. If you can pack it in a 25” you can pack it in a 21” or 22” and it will be easier on all of you and you’ll have the clothes you need. When you see what many Europeans carry it makes the 21” look huge! Watch this one as well: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PDn9l20NlWw. Sometimes the obstacles are things like shoes. Yeah, well, you need two pair, plus one on your feet, that’s it. If you have clothes that need dry cleaning or won’t drip dry overnight, or are only for one wearing, those should be out as well. If you approach every day like a fashion show you are stuck with taking a lot of clothes nobody will notice. Europe is a very casual place when it comes to dressing. Best of luck!

Honestly, elderly has little to do with it. In my opinion, that's way too much luggage for anyone to handle and store on trains. My family of 3 had 2 rolling carryon size, one 28" and we all had backpacks(mine being carryon size). We packed heavier than usual in case it was cold in Scotland plus my husband has clothes for a meeting he's going to. (As a result we had beautiful weather there and in northern England-we never used our warm clothes!) And there was hardly enough room for our luggage in 1st class on a train in England and barely enough room in taxis. I love European trains, but packing light for them requires that I wash clothes in the sink! Honestly, I test my clothes at home to see how fast they will dry when I wash them in the sink. Any time we spend two nights in a hotel, I do some handwash. 3 pr pants(one of which I wear), 3 long sleeve shirts, one short sleeve shirt(for unexpectedly hot weather), and just the pair of shoes on my feet(they once stayed dry with steady rain in Wales). Use shampoo supplied by hotel or buy in Europe. I know this sounds extreme, but toting luggage around gets very old very quickly! Unlike your trips to your sister's, you will never see this people again! Even school-sized backpacks can be really helpful as a personal item, but you need to try them out on long walks first to see if your backs can handle it. I use a 15 lb. (when packed) backpack instead of a rolling bag when I travel on trains. This also leaves my hands free to grab the handrail when exiting the train.

I am posting this both on this forum and the Packing Forum as I have been getting info from both.

I want to thank everyone for all of the information. I am amazed as to the length you went to to share such detailed information, even sending me links to other info. I am very grateful for all of your help.

With that said, I called my mom tonight and shared with her that it is best for us to try to pack in just a 21" with an under the seat carry on. She was, as I originally was, shocked by the idea. We talked for a while, I told her we would go shopping on Tuesday and find some light weight, versatile pieces for her to take that she would be comfortable with and that could wash/dry easily and quickly in the hotel room sink. She was disappointed stating how she typically changes clothes twice a day and likes to "look nice" (which is very important to her). I assured her she looks better than any 82 year old I know and we will do a dry run of packing this week to see if we can make it with the small suitcase. At worst case scenerio, we will bring just one 25" if she just can't handle the idea cause I do want her to feel comfortable going and not anxious about it. But hopefully, with ya'lls help, I will be able to pack us all in just the 21" and a small under the seat carry on.

Thanks again for everyone's help and I will keep you posted on how it goes. If you have any other helpful hints, please feel free to continue to post for me. I can use all the support I can get. Thanks!

All suitcases are the brand new , extra lightweight type and have the four wheels that are fully rotating. Does any of that matter in terms of suggestions that it is too much luggage for the train

Absolutely not. In fact I think the 4 wheels spinner bags can have equally big problems. Spinners are fine on the smooth surface of airports and train station but not so good on cobble stones and broken concrete so something those bags need to be carried over the rough areas. Unfortunately it appears that you purchased the luggage prior to the research.

And tell your mom that you can look nice without changing clothes twice a day. My wife is a bit of a fashion freak and looks very good with a 21" bag. She only takes three different changes of clothes but for a travel class presentation on packing light we photography her with 19 different looks. It can be done but does require a little practice.

If you are going to take light-weight quick dry clothes, you may want a portable clothesline and inflatable hangers. No need for clothes pins. I bought mine on Amazon.

I think this decision will make your trip more pleasurable. I hope we have not badgered you too much.

DO think capsule wardrobe with limited colors for your shopping trip. Dark neutrals for bottoms, mix and match tops. Go for fabric blends for quicker drying. My current favorite scheme is black/gray/jeans with black/white/cobalt/aqua tops/cardies. Scarves to tie together. Don’t take anything that only makes one outfit no matter how good it makes you feel.

Take a look at www.theviviennefiles.com It’s a fun blog with tons of capsule wardrobe color suggestions.

We just returned from 12 days in Germany (and a couple other places) and we used trains almost exclusively. There were 4 of us, 2 adults (40 ish) and my 12 and 15 year old kids. We took 2 22" rollers, a 21 " convertible backpack (boyfriend wore), an Osprey 30L backpack (I wore) and my kids each had regular backpacks. I also carried a smallish tote bag. This was pretty manageable getting in and out of trains. I cannot imagine doing it with more luggage than that. I hope you and your parents can get used to traveling light(er), and see it as a fun challenge rather than a hardship. It will honestly make your travel so much more pleasant, especially those train transfers. You may be 'jogging' between platforms to catch trains, and many times we had to use stairs, which is hard with very large suitcases. We did laundry mid-trip in a laundromat and then I did a few more items again in our hotel room towards the end of the trip. No biggie.

I have also found that if you choose the bag you are going to take and then start packing, you realize you don't need as much as you think. I also pack way more for my domestic (driving) vacations, even if they are shorter because I take a large suitcase and keep adding stuff until it's bursting. But Europe is different. Light is key!

Have fun!

OP just wanted to compliment you on your flexible attitude-it will really be an asset to everyone on your trip. I know the problems of carrying lots of luggage on trains was a big shock to you, but when you do your traveling you will be so glad you utilized this forum and changed your packing plans.