Travel Pack or Wheelie Travel Bag?

[K]

hi,

i will be travelling around austria and italy in a couple of months by eurorail (and staying in hostels etc).

I have heard conflicting stories of what type of luggage to bring when railing around europe. Some ppl have said it is easier to take luggage with handle and wheels coz its easy on the back and is easier to carry on trains and platforms etc.

Others say back packs are easier. My friends and I are hoping to stop at small cities during the day before heading off to our planned destination.

I am afraid that if I take a wheelie suitcase, i will need to wheel it around when walking around during the day, rather than having a pack on my back. Does every train station on Eurail lines have a luggage storage area where we can leave our suitcases for a couple of hrs?

I am also worried about the lack of space i will have if i buy a backpack (it has been recommended i get a max of 65L travelpack) since we are travelling in winter time in europe.

For those who have travelled, what are your thoughts? pros? cons?

[Kim]

My vote is definately for the backpack. A wheeled suitcase is fine for in the train stations etc. but once you leave the train station, the ground is uneven-often cobblestoned etc.

Plus, you have more flexibility with a backpack-say you have to run for a train.

Also, after pulling a suitcase for a while I don't think it's any better on your bag-it's a weird motion for your body.

If you do get a backpack, make sure to get one with a good waist belt. That takes the majority of the weight off your back.

Why don't you look at the Eagle Creek Continental Journey? Most travel/camping stores should have it.

Kim

[Patrick]

Personally I have a few of those bags and suitcases with wheels and even in the airports I find them very awkward to maneuver on smooth ground. As Kim mentioned you definitely won't want to drag it around outside train stations.

[LHR02]

Well I traveled in winter as well......and although I tried hard not too I still overpacked! My pack weighed in at about 35 lbs....waaayyyy too much I sure found out. And many times I hated the darn thing when I had a distance to cover, stairs to climb, or yet another steep hill to get up. But no matter how heavy it got, all I had to do was look around at the folks trying to manuever some big suitcase on wheels over cobblestones, curbs, and endless, endless stairs to feel better. ;D If I only had a nickle for everyone of them I saw sweating, pushing, pulling, falling over it......I could have stayed longer.

Go with the pack IMO.....it's the only way to go there. Just pack light!

ging

[nitsansh]

An important note:
In addition to your backpack or trolly, as we call those wheely suitcases here, you need a daypack. That's a small bag which you take when you explore a city by day and leave your big bag locked in a hostel or train station. It could be a small backpack or a side bag (one you put over one shoulder), just big enough for what you need for the day.
As to lockers in stations: I don't recall I ever needed one and didn't find it.
One more tip that I found useful: If you arrive to a town and look for a place to stay, check your backpack at the station and go for the search without it. The reason: With your backpack on, you would likely compromise too soon to get rid of that weight... once you found a place to stay, just register and go to explore the city... later, when you are ready to "call it a day", go back to the station, pick up the bag and return to your home for the night...

[Cat]

If you are going for the backpack, try to find one with a 'front-zipp'. I bought one, it's exactly like a back-pack but if you want, you can open it kinda like a suitecase.
I think it's great, especially if you're like me, and always need something from the bottom of your pack!

Cat