Can a Ford Galaxy or other 7-passenger rental car hold us and our luggage?

I really think you would be happier renting two cars. Ten bags is a LOT of luggage (and what are you doing about a car seat?). On our first trip, we had seven - parents and three kids, and my daughter and I. They had a minivan, but had to put some of their luggage in our car. Even so, their kids were cramped and crabby because the whole back was full of their stuff. On a subsequent trip with my son, we each had a carryon and a checked bag. We had a tiny car because it was just the two of us. The problem was, both of our checked bags would not fit in the trunk. We could have put one or both of our carryons in there with one checked bag, but we needed those throughout the day because they contained things like cameras. So we spent the whole trip with one big bag in the trunk and three bags in the back seat. Bottom line, don't underestimate how much room you might need. You don't want to be driving with bags around peoples' feet or on laps.

What privilege to have 3 weeks in Ireland. Hope the itinerary includes Northern Ireland as well. Please note that the majority of the island's roads are two and one lanes. Especially those away from urban centers. Being comfortable in your rental is definitely important but is there ANY way you can condense your luggage? I drove from Belfast to Dingle in a medium sized 4 door auto a year ago. It was the only automatic they had and in all honesty wish I'd got a smaller manual auto. I didn't have any passengers but it was wearing constantly checking side view mirrors on the back roads I traveled. That said if its not possible then the Galaxy might fight everyone and everything. Might. I'd go for two rentals to be certain everyone was comfortable and not cramped. BTW, I was in Eire for the entire month of November and only had a carry on. It's how I've rolled for 40 years of global travel. Lots of clothing you think you must have won't even be worn. See if you can further consolidate. Enjoy Ireland. It's gorgeous!

I'd go with one of the popular 12-passenger vans. Plenty of room for 4 adults and a small child and 10 pieces of luggage, ladies' purses, snacks, etc. We've done this with a crowd of relatives visiting family in Dublin and Galway. http://12-passenger.carrentals.cc/ireland/dublin

It may be hard to believe, but the Irish have to wash their clothes, or have the wash done for them, just like everyone else.

Take a look at the packing part of Travel Tips here on this RS website. Read through the Travel Forum posts on packing for personal experiences with packing light.

Give strong consideration to the concepts there so that you will be less burdened with luggage and even might be able to rent only one car.

My husband and I pack for a week and a day and wash clothes, or have them washed for us, weekly on our 4+ week trips. We each take only carry ons and a personal item. Layering and coordinating our clothes are the keys.

I use a Lipault 22" spinner and a tote. He's settled on a RS convertible backpack and his CPAP in its case which has room for more stuff than he at first imagined.

We wear the bulkiest and heaviest stuff on the plane. That includes our serious walking shoes. By the way, the 4 adults will each need a pair of those. We usually take a somewhat nicer pair to change into for dinner, although we often don't change for dinner.

But all those kinds of tips and many more will be found in the places already mentioned.

Don't you have more bags than you have hands to carry it? 5 checked bags + 5 carryons + car seat + 2 year old to hold onto = 12 hands. 4 adults = 8 hands. Don't you need at least 4 more hands?

Hi

I've owned several Ford Galaxys (previous models, not the current one), and have been on holiday around the UK, Ireland and W Europe with four adults and two children under 12 in it on many occasions. The Galaxy is, I think, absolutely suitable for your size party provided that you pack a bit lighter than you indicate. You don't need two vehicles unless cost and space is no object.

With your numbers of people (4 adults/1 young child) you can all sit in the first two rows (it's a three row vehicle), and use the entire back row plus boot space (which has folding seats that disappear into the floor) for your luggage. If you are using traditional rectangular shaped large cases you may be able to get four in, plus maybe 4 carryons, plus your stroller (assuming its like a Maclaren and folds up small). However I really think you need to bring less than you state anyway, and consider using a couple of large 'squashy' bags with wheels, rather than hard cases.

The Galaxy (see link for a visual etc so you can judge size) is typical of what any European would consider a 'large family vehicle / MPV' - anything bigger will a) be more like what we'd call a 'minibus'; b) be more expensive and less well equipped (possibly) and c) be much more difficult to manoeuvre along narrow Irish roads - a Ford Galaxy / VW Sharan is more appropriate and as big as is safe.

Have a great holiday.

Thank you everyone for your replies. This travel forum has never failed me when it comes to getting the info I really need to have a good trip!
First, you are all correct about the luggage. It is too much and I'm certainly hoping we won't really have all 10 of those bags. I and my husband are fairly efficient with our packing (we only own one suitcase a bit larger than we can carry on the plane, and we haven't used it in years), but I never know about my son and daughter-in-law. So I have to have a fudge-factor, just in case.

I am leaning toward the Ford Galaxy. My thought is that even if we are "stuffed in" it will be only for the trips between accommodations (all 3 nights stay to a week).
However, I'm keeping an open mind and if we do have a problem, we will just have to go with 2 cars. Which I think will be an awkward way to travel for a group that wants to be together, but being flexible is part of travel so we will just do what we must and press on!
Again, thank you all.

Oh my gosh don't do it. We had 6 travelers and all our luggage in a Minivan for a week, and it was absolutely miserable. Luggage was crammed into every nook and cranny - grandpa even had to sit on a piece of luggage. Every destination was overshadowed by the fact that we had to UNLOAD all of that luggage and then RELOAD it when we departed. On a different trip our traveling companions' family rented a minivan and ended up with a big Mercedes mini bus with lots of seats and a huge trunk area. It actually did have plenty of room. You need to get something like that.

Whatever size vehicle you get I would make sure you all fit in one. Send the link for this to the son and let him know how important it is. I have done the 2 vehicle thing and it can be so stressful trying to keep up with one another, find parking in the same spot, let the other car know you need to make a bathroom break.. plus the fact that you are split up for a lot of the time. It's all about priorities, but mine would be keeping everyone together and packing a little lighter.

Yes, I did send the link to this forum to my son. I have resigned myself to just being flexible about the vehicle/s, but I am still hoping we will be able to get us in one vehicle. I don't like the idea of trying to coordinate on the road either. But when I think of something really big, I start to worry about the Irish roads! I've been told you can't totally avoid driving on single-lane roads, especially if you want to see some megalithic stone forts, etc. There probably isn't an ideal solution, just a compromise we can deal with. (Or, "with which we can deal" for the English teachers out there :>) So I'll think about that today.
Thank you all for taking the time to share. Terrific forum!

When the roads are really narrow you have to do single file in a few places no matter what kind of vehicle you have. So, if you have to pull over with 2 small vehicles or 1 larger one it really doesn't matter. I drove a 9 passenger van all over Provence a couple of times and it can be a bit unnerving at times...it all worked out fine. Some of those roads in Provence were narrow and curvy as well. The only thing about Ireland is that I insist on an automatic. I drive a manual in Europe and here at home, but I don't want to add that to the mix in Ireland...opposite side of the road, opposite side of the car and shifting! So, I take away that one stress.

Where are you located in Michigan? I have met up a few times with people from the site to share tips and travel stories and can let you know if you are interested. Right now I have a luncheon scheduled with Zoe from Ohio at Zingermanns in Ann Arbor on Fri. the 24th. I don't know if she has been to Ireland but is an expert on Italy. I have only been to Ireland once.