Luggage recommendation for multiple city traveling and no rental car

My advice... the less the better. My husband and I each use a 22 inch roller bag and a small backpack regardless of the length of the trip (the most recent being 2 months). There are lots of stairs to be climbed and few elevators so you need to be able to carry your bags easily.

All I can tell you is that you will be the one carrying the luggage up the couple steps onto the train car and down the same steps off the train car. You will also be the one lifting the suitcase up to the overhead compartment/rack above your seat. You will also be the one carrying the luggage from the train up and down the stairs/escalators at train stations all the way to the taxi stand (or to the hotel, if walking distance from the station).

So, based on these facts I recommend you pack light in one carry on size bag, preferably with sturdy wheels that can roll also on cobblestone streets. Also have a backpack for day trips and small items.

There are many types and brands that can serve your purpose. Some are even available in this site.
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/travel-bags

Being British, not American, we tend to do things differently! I wouldn’t dream of going on a 2 week trip with only hand luggage as I don’t want to be constantly thinking about when or where to do the washing. I always take a large soft Samsonite check in bag with 2 wheels, so it can be dragged most of the time. It usually weighs between 15 and 20 kilos. Most trains have luggage compartments at the end of each carriage and I have certainly never had to lift this bag above my train seat - it wouldn’t fit these small racks. My husband’s camera kit takes up most of his roll on hand luggage.

I would work out what you want to take and see how much stuff you have and pick a bag accordingly. Something with 2 wheels is best I find, as carrying a heavy bag soon becomes a chore. Cases with 4 wheels are less manoeuvrable.

Wheels are your friend, and carry on size is all you need.... as already suggested a day pack /back pack size as the other bag is plenty.

Watching people at train stations with bags that would house a couple homeless people struggling with the train stairs made me glad all I had was a 21" bag and small back pack. Had no problems doing 4 weeks in Italy with the 'condensed' baggage

We just returned from 3 weeks carrying one 21 inch TravelPro ultra lightweight bag, an Amazon Basics 21 inch backpack suitcase and my wife's 18" under seat bag.
But after a recent leg injury, I also carried an aluminum travel wheelchair for my wife.
We are quite a sight to see in action, and have navigated trains, buses and airports fine with all our stuff without assistance.
If we can travel lightly for 3 weeks, anyone can (too.). Now, we have to get through LaGuardia Airport this a.m. and we will be home free.

Something under 24" is easier to maneuver down the aisle of a train, should you have to do so. Beyond that, it's a matter of "the lighter, the better". Weight of the bag itself is a major consideration for me when I shop for luggage. I loved my 4.5-lb. 23.5" bag (brand name: IT), but unfortunately, it was a spinner, and the wheels didn't stand up to long-term use in Europe even though I carefully carried the bag up and down stairs and lifted it when I encountered a curb. The first wheel failed catastrophically on Day 91 (the first day of a trip!); the second wheel, on Day 120. At that point it was no longer possible to switch the wheels around and still have a usable bag.

Unluckily, I was in a fairly small city when the second wheel failed, and there were not a lot of options available there. The replacement bag is a similar size but 2 lb. heavier, and believe me, I can tell the difference.

I’m definitely in the “Less is More” way of thinking. I will leave for Sicily (for 2 weeks) in 5 days and all I carry is a 45 L backpack that is 21x14x9 inches and I have found that I have everything I need. I have worked at pairing down my clothing and accessories to just only what I need and it has become much more “fun” to travel this way. My wife has a two wheeled version of my backpack and is able to do pretty well, although she takes a small shoulder bag along too. One thing that helps me is I use a Scottevest jacket (tropaformer) that has multiple pockets and the sleeves pop off to form a vest, I also use it for my rain jacket and have found that on days that I am traveling (train, plane, etc) I put the things I need for the trip in the jacket so they are easily accessible and I rarely have to get into my bag. I look back and 10 years ago, when I first started traveling overseas, I used to take 2 full sized suitcases plus a carry-on for a 7-10 day trip, now it seems so strange to travel that way!

The people I work with think I’m an eccentric 67 year old nut to head off to Europe with just a backpack, but most of them never leave the USA because they think it is dangerous to go to other countries, but the truth is I feel safer in Europe than I do here in Kansas!!

Thank you, Jennifer! Although we usually DO pack carry-on size main bags (with wheels) plus one personal item each, we routinely check bags on the transAtlantic flight and mine always seems to be heavier that I planned (this trip was 32 pounds in a 24" roller bag for 5 weeks.)

@mblacknc, the getting-on and getting-off parts of the train ride(s) are where size/weight make the difference. Plus whatever distance you have to carry/roll your bags to/from your lodgings, and stairs everyplace. Test out what you already have before you run out and buy new stuff.

Two cautions:
1. Make sure that each of you can handle your own luggage yourself
2. Watch your step getting on and off trains. Each platform is different and rarely is the distance between the train and the platform very uniform.

You might want to read through some of the postings under the category “Tips & Travel Reports” that contains “Packing”.

We have been to Europe 10 times for 2-3 weeks. Each time we try to pack a little lighter, taking a roller carry-on and small daypack-type backpack. Take whatever you’re comfortable rolling around your neighborhood and up/down a couple flights of stairs. The train platforms can be up and down stairs to go between platforms.

Enjoy your trip to Italy!