Opinions for long trip: Really small carry-on versus roomier carryon needing possible gate check

No offense, but you're flying Business Class and going to the Opera and the Casino in Monte Carlo. You can afford to pay to check the bag. Or better yet, don't fly. You can take a ferry and train from Belfast to Glasgow, a train from Inverness to London and Eurostar from London to Paris.
P.S. Your Quince bag is too big for carry-on, even domestically, so what is the point of it?

I agree. Why sweat the carry on measurements when you can pack a 24 or 25" suitcase and just pay for the checked luggage. Especially considering the wet weather gear and dress clothes you want to bring. Don't assume any leeway on either measurements or weight allowance on any of those intraEuropean flights.

Oh and we are also taking trains through some of France and Italy, so
if you see a potential problem with size for that, please let me know.

It really isn't the dimensions but rather whether you can porter and manage all your own luggage from your hotel to train station, up the train stairs, and hoist them on to the luggage racks. Quantity and weight of luggage are much bigger influence on whether that is a "problem" for train travel.

There are countless threads on the topic of personal items, have a look through some of these: https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&filter=Travel+Forum&query=day+bag+recommendation&utf8=%E2%9C%93

IMHO by the time you search and find the unicorn suitcase that will fit all the different airline requirements, you will have expended a great amount of time energy that is way more valuable than the cost of a checked bag. Just ensure you don't pack any valuables, medications, or essentials in it. And if in the very small chance a bag goes missing, if you split your things between two checked bags (or between your carry ons), you'd each have something to wear until it catches up with you.

Thanks for the response. Yes, I agree that a larger suitcase would be easier, but everyone says to keep it to carryons for Europe, so we are trying to see if that will work for us with some creative wardrobe planning. This is definitely a once in a lifetime kind of vacation, so we are trying to make the most of it and use up all the points we've collected over the past 30 years!

Paying for a bag wouldn't be the end of the world, but I am trying to assess the best option for a smooth simple transit. The ferry/bus option from Ireland to Scotland takes a lot more time, as does the train from Inverness to London, and my husband does not like the idea of going through the Chunnel, so we decided on the short flights instead.

Just trying to get of sense of what real world experience is like for these flights. :)

I'd seriously consider checking your bag at least on EasyJet. I've seen the gate agent walk up and down the line checking bags. Not only that, but on both our flights last Fall the overhead bins were jammed full by the time we boarded, and wewouldn't have been able to use overhead space anyway.

I have both 21 and 22 inch carry ons. When I hit the gate, I move fast and do not give the gate agent much time to look at my bag. In fact, I am usually dragging my wifes bag at the same time as she is a handicapped traveler.

Out of dozens of flights and flying around Europe for 54 years, only Norwegian Air Shuttle once charged me for carry on bag--1 time. And I have flown them many times.

I was once questioned by EasyJet agent at CDG when there were a hundred of people behind me in line. I stopped and argued with him--holding up the line. He was quick to give in.

Do not worry about the size of the roll on bag if it is 22 or 21 inches. Just try to keep it 22 lbs. or less and you will be okay.

For the intra-Europe flights, there is no sin in checking a bag. The flights usually are point-to-point, no issues with lost luggage, and honestly, for most European carriers, even just with a carry-on sized bag, you can't stay under the size and weight requirements.

First, regardless what your bag is advertised as for sizes, once you cram it with all the stuff, it will be bigger. Second, most airlines in Europe allow 10 kilo, or about 22 pounds. Having traveled to Europe many times, and trying to pack light, I run the ragged edge of that limit, and after a week or two, typically exceed it. The simple answer is to price your flights with a checked bag, it will not be much, and the total cost will still be cheap.

First off, don't worry about what "everyone" says you should and shouldn't do. Do what works for you.

That said, I, personally, can travel for weeks in a 21" carry-on spinner and a smallish tote bag/personal item. I have no problem stopping in a laundromat every 10 days or so. Less than 90 minutes and I'm done. Sometimes I chat with locals, sometimes I stop for a coffee at a nearby cafe.

I bring a very lightweight, waterproof, packable black raincoat that looks nice enough to wear to Michelin starred restaurants and still keep me dry in a downpour. I don't bring rain pants. I don't wear them at home and I know myself well enough that I wouldn't be out hiking in a gale storm, anyway.

IF you want to carry on, have your husband wear a dark sport coat on the plane that can also work for "fancy" occasions. Unless you're attending an opening night gala at the Opera, you'll be surprised how dressed down many of your fellow opera goers have become.

And I will add, the Quince Expandable Carry-on would be a hard no for me. It weighs 6.6 pounds empty. Find something lighter if your going to carry on. My bag is under 5 pounds. Take a look at Travel Pro Maxlite at 5.4 pounds. It gets rave reviews from many of the posters here.

Jeanm has it right - No matter your luggage - just planning on doing laundry for non-dress clothes while having coffee and cake nearby is the answer to "overpacking." A "little black dress" and sparkly ballet flats don't take up much room... A nice gentleman's blazer and comfortable dark washable wool slacks are multi-purpose for dressing up a lot or a little. Check your bags on long flights, and maybe some short ones. Keep the total weight down for handling on trains. Have fun.

We recently did three weeks in Italy. Carry on only. Could have had a little black dress and flats. Husband wore nice dress slacks on the flight and could have worn a blazer.

We did each take rain coats. Other than that we sink washed every few days and ended buying a small umbrella in Orvieto - a good souvenir.

Although we didn’t travel on Easy Jet this trip, we have in the past. I’m sure you are looking at all of the options.

It’s okay to check a bag.

Air France from London Heathrow to Paris - Economy ticket with 1 carryon and 1 personal item

Had you considered the Eurostar?

I’m one of the extremely light packers on this forum - 13 pounds total backpack & purse for a month. And, I am giving you full permission to skip the carry on method for this trip. You like to dress up, you have some special places you want to look very nice, and you haven’t done carry on previously. Plus, if you have paid for hotels with points, I am going to jump to a conclusion that they’re probably not located in the very center of the historical area, so if it is a rainy day, you will want more dry options.

I like to attend classical concerts, ballets & operas in Europe. In order to still pack very light, I have a nice pair of black flats which I also wear to dinners. I wear either my nicer black pants with a 32 Degree black long sleeve micro-thin scoop neck top with a beautiful large formal scarf, or I wear a lightweight dress that’s washable and can have a formal look to it with some statement jewelry. If you’re wanting more than those options, then be kind to yourself and take an extra suitcase that you check. No one else cares what you brought or how much…..ah, one caveat, please if you bring a large suitcase: on trains - place your large bag quickly on the rack as you enter your train car. Don’t start taking it down the aisle, pause, look around and cause a backup of people behind you trying to get on the train and get into their own seats. Thanks! : )

Have a great time!

To answer the question if you can squeak by if your bag does not fit the specified shape, generally the answer is no. Some gate agents weigh the bags (and yes, we have had to layer sweaters over sweaters under jackets and fill the pockets to get the right weight with very picky airlines-Ryan Air). Often they ask you to put it in the template for size. But the bigger problem is that some of these planes have very small overhead compartments and the bag will not fit if it is one of the smaller planes.

We travel for months on end and take medium sized backpacks, we do check them usually just for our own comfort although we usually just do trains/buses within Europe. For us, checking is less hassle.

There is nothing wrong with checking a bag.

It seems like the things you like to do involves more clothes than the average light packer. That's fine. Do what will make your trip more enjoyable.

Lay out everything you want to take, go through it again to see what you could really leave home, and then do a practice pack. If it all fits in a carry on size bag and personal item, go for it. If not, a larger bag would work.

I promise you no one here, or Rick Steves himself, will jump out and scold you. (LOL)

First, you are not taking the type of trip that is conducive to carry-on only. Just keep you checked bag as small as possible and for your carry-on make it something that will hang over the handle of the check bag so you can move around easier.

Second, 21.5 x 14 x 10 will fit all the airlines you are flying and all but a very few airlines in Europe (just for future trips).

Sounds like an amazing trip. Have a blast

It really isn't the dimensions but rather whether you can porter and manage all your own luggage from your hotel to train station, up the train stairs, and hoist them on to the luggage racks. Quantity and weight of luggage are much bigger influence on whether that is a "problem" for train travel.

I agree with this caveat - accept the fact you may get charged for your bags on the European airlines, but your real issue is handing your bags on trains. We always check our main bag(s) when we fly, two 26 inchers, and pay whatever fees necessary to do so.

But for trains, there is a much greater physical burden on the traveller as noted above, the "portering and managing" your bags. Just getting on the train with bags like ours is physically challenging, and there is limited capacity at the ends of the cars for these bags, too (expect all trains to be full / standing room only, and luggage storage to be limited). Above seat bag racks on trains are small, too small for a large wheeled bag like ours that would be very difficult to lift into such a rack even if there was enough space.

To the OP: nice trip, but because you are traveling by train, you should cut down on how much you are packing, and pack in the smallest bags possible. Like others have mentioned, I use self service laundromats when we travel, and generally pack for 7 days worth of clothing changes - daily for shirts, socks and underwear, I stretch my trousers to a couple of days usage. I wear solid black sneakers, and have worn them to weddings, the theater, and fine restaurants without any embarrassment (I am a guy). Your husband should skip packing a suit, wear a blazer on the plane.

My husband and I travel with 19-in 2-wheeled carry-ons. Even with these small bags we have had to gate check because we usually have to fly on regional planes (no direct flights). We have decided to switch to 20-in duffles in order to have carry-on convenience; I have yet to see one gate-checked.
There is some false advertising in play. We are told that each person can take one carry-on in the cabin, yet often we must gate check. Premium seat purchasers are permitted 2 carry-on bags, but we travel economy.

Check out Travelon and Sherpani's anti-theft bags, too. Baggalini has some bags with extra security features at a higher price.

... but everyone says to keep it to carryons for Europe.

No, everyone doesn't. Some people like carry-ons, but others are happy to check their bags and not have to deal with them until they land. That would be me, and quite a few other experienced travelers on this forum.

I still subscribe to the "pack light" theory but carry-on vs. checking a bag is a personal choice. So whether you pack "light" or pack a bit more as needed for your trip, it is okay to check a bag. :-) Always remember that this is your trip.

For a week or less, you can get by with carry ons. I've done longer, but most folks wouldn't like it. I'm also okay with buying clothes as I need them and mailing stuff home while on a long trip.

One thing I will recommend is using NIKWAX on your clothes instead of carrying extra gear to put on top of what you're wearing. And waterproof footwear.

I forgot to mention, of the carriers your flying within Europe, I've taken 2 BA flights in the past few years. From Edinburgh to London the gate agents were using the bag sizer and checking a lot of carry-ons. From Paris to London, no one cared. People were dragging on oversized/overstuffed bags

And regarding the Eurostar between London and Paris, you don't even realize your in the "chunnel". Much better experience than flying and dealing with airports, quiet, comfortable and you start/end in the city.

And here's the secret ; some people check carry-on sized bags.

Checking a bag doesn’t mean you have to check a huge bag.

I like the advice that Jean gave above.

You pack for your trip. Be smart about it and its what it is. Dont worry. Your husband will want his suit and dinner jacket. Good for him. So nice to see civilized men. Love it. But that means check a bag. Not the end of the world. Dont let luggage dictate your holiday.

Give a lot of thought to what you are packing. Take just enough clothes for for seven days and do laundry as needed, either in the sink, at a laundromat or have the hotel do the laundry for you. If you are worried about having to check a bag, make sure you have 2 days of clothes packed in your carry-on so if your bag is delayed or lost. That way it is not the end of the world while you are waiting for your bag.

Failing to meet the "civilized men" standard, I remain a happy traveler.

From personal experience, I can tell you that Air France will make you check a carryon that doesnt fit completely in their sizer and we were also in Business Class when this happened.

All trips are not the same. So all packing is not the same. However, what Kim (and Mardee) said works for me:

And here's the secret; some people check carry-on sized bags.

I take what is a U.S.-legal carry on because I hate lugging around more weight than I have to - especially on and off trains, but I almost always check. This is especially true on the discount intra-European airlines. I just pay more and check because often their limits are smaller/lighter than U.S. carriers. Because that is what works for me.

I think you have to assume that airlines will enforce their own weight and size limits. Even if they haven’t for 50 people who post here. They may for you and it may be inconvenient. So if you have packed what you need for your trip (and all trips are different), then decide based on what your airline says officially. But it’s fine to check a bag. Or not. As you shop, compare weight of the suitcase itself, though.

Pay for checking a bag if you need to. Your biggest worry should be, "can I handle my luggage going up and down flights of stairs in train and public transportation systems?" I pack a regular carry on size bag, that I usually check in the air, and another smaller sized carryon suitcase. I can balance the load out so that each arm is carrying a reasonable weight and I can move readily on stairs.

I beg of you, practice at home with whatever you decide to do to make sure that each of you can carry your own luggage up and down stairs. Please don't have one of those "Sherpa Husbands" that block everyone else trying to carry their own and their wive's luggage. They are a source of frustration to many of the other travelers. Hard and fast rule. Manage your own luggage or pack less. (exceptions made for health reasons :)

And here's the secret ; some people check carry-on sized bags.
Checking a bag doesn’t mean you have to check a huge bag.

This is a great tip, and sort of what I was trying to say in my earlier post about large bags and the difficulties they present on trains, and also if you insist on using public transport for getting to/from the airport (we always take cabs, so not an issue for us with our 26 inch rolling bags). For example, depending on the station, the London Tube and Paris Metro have lots of stairs you have to navigate, and you will see people struggling with their bags.

On a recent trip when we took the Eurostar from London to Paris, we struggled a bit getting our large 26 inch bags on and off the train. Since the OP mentioned trains in France and Italy, my point was to pack in the smallest bags possible, as we will do if we ever again take trains. And the tip shown above is a good one: even if you pack in what is a "carry on" sized bag, you can still check it, and you will be better off with the smaller bags if you take trains on your trip, or intend to carry them through subway systems.

A caveat: All under seat spaces are not created equal. I have twice discovered that my carry-on, advertised as fitting under the seat, did not. The problem occurred a couple of times with aisle seats. The bag, carrying my in flight amusements, snacks, etc., had to go into the overhead bin.

Some European budget airlines have very strict carry-on bag size/weight rules; and many often set the bag max. height to 35 cm instead of 36 cm (commonly found in U.S. luggage). I think this is done intentionally to force passengers to pony up bag check-in fee.

For all my European trips I only have a 40L soft-sided carry-on backpack (56cm x 35cm x 23cm, no wheels). Since it's soft-sided it always fit into the airlines baggage sizers; so the only thing I have to keep track of is the weight. I always pack a fordable duffle bag that serves multiple purposes:

• double as airlines personal item: If my main carry-on bag exceeds the limit; I can simply transfer some items to the duffle bag and it becomes a personal item. If weight is still an issue I can always check in the duffle bag.
• double as daypack: some RS tours that cover Venice will require tour members to pack enough items for the 2-night stay and leave the rest in deep storage.
• bring home goodies: I always bring home a lot of chocolates; so the duffle bag is essential for my trip :)

The key to travel with only carry-on baggage is to pack clothings with fabrics that dry quickly; and not over packing. I always wash small items (e.g. socks, underwear, t-shirts etc.) in the hotel room in the evening; and use spare hotel bath towel to squeeze dry them before hanging them on clothesline that I bring with me. Every 8-10 days or so I will have a big wash in a local laundromat.

If I do these diligently then I only have to pack the same amount of clothes regardless of the length of the trip: one, two, ... six weeks.

The beauty of carry-on-baggage-only travel is not about saving money; it's about not having to spend time reclaiming check-in bag, or worry about lost/delayed check-in bag during the trip.

I am similar to Jean in that we only travel with a light backpack ( although I'm impressed with 13 pounds, my last one was between 15 and 16). I really think you need to look at your reasons for wanting to do carry-on, and will you be happy with it? For me, I do it for the convenience ( walking out of the airport quickly) and also for the ease of travel, not lugging a heavy bag around, in to trains etc. It also helps me to prioritize what I really want with me.

I use a soft sided bag without wheels , so that saves space and weight. I bring a cross body purse where I can find everything easily and fit a small water bottle, but I don't use it for extra stuff. My husband usually brings a small extra back pack for snacks etc, and maybe for souvenirs on the way home.
Suggestions that worked for us on a longer trip. Plan for the best weather, not the worst. You can buy umbrellas, rain coats etc if you need it. Plan to buy toiletries along the way, don't bring 6 weeks worth. I pack thin clothing that can be layered, merino wool sweaters take up much less room.

There are some great videos on packing light by Sarah Murdoch on youtube, and also on this website by Lisa Friend if you search. I would suggest watching one of those and get a feel for if they have been able to pack what you would want.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences and suggestions! Yes, we have decided to just check a small bag and make it less stressful on ourselves, lol. I have read all the packing tips and am a big fan of doing laundry in the sink anyway, so I'm sure we will be able to keep the items to a reasonable amount with room for a few special things.

Thanks for the thoughts on train travel too. I have been reading the man in seat - 61 https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-france.htm - and agree that the biggest consideration will definitely be easy and quick manageability. Fortunately we are both in good shape, but awkward luggage can be a challenge for anyone, so smaller is good!

For clothing, we both have extremely lightweight windbreaker type rain jackets. They roll up into a small ball. I will probably just take lightweight tactical pants in case the weather is bad. I agree with the plan for the hubby to wear the nice jacket on the plane and we have found him a great pair of black shoes that are sensible for walking but nice enough for dinner too! For the ladies who offered ideas on what to wear, I have a lovely simple silk dress from Quince that rolls up beautifully for travel and will be perfect for dressier evenings. And....some very lightweight strappy heels that pack well with socks or other soft items stuffed into them. Oh, and I am aware of the potential cobblestone factor. Luckily I am proficient at walking on the balls of my feet for stability! lol