Suitcase Vs Backpack

Last Updated: Sep. 02, 2010

Tags: luggage, what to pack, all countries

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1. SUITCASE 4 SURE!!....
   Although i brought a backpack I will never make that mistake again!! Your clothes get really creased and u actually av 2 hoke through the all the contents out in order to find something!!
   Backpacks are 2heavy although they are on the contiki bus alot of the time so thats grand, but wen going 2 and from the airport i had 2 grab a trolleyand push the backpack about but i’l know 4next time 2 bring a suitcase!!:)

   Explorer1195836 posted 12 days ago Flag as Inappropriate

2. My son just spent 4 weeks on a Contiki European tour and used a High Sierra EL103 wheeled duffle that was within the maximum size allowed on the tour bus.
   It was really lightweight and easy to wheel.

   Explorer1203722 posted 18 days ago Flag as Inappropriate

3. I just got back from the 46 day camping tour, and my advice is to bring an expandable suitcase. It’s just about as easy to get a suitcase inside a tent as it is to get a backpack inside. They’re also easier to pack onto the coach. Most of the coach packers said suitcases were easier to fit. The person I shared a tent with brought a backpack, and she hated it. She was constantly repacking because she had to dig through the entire backpack to find something. And trust me, it’s not fun to repack inside a hot tent or a bug-infested campsite. Anyway, a couple other people with backpacks were complaining to me by the end of the tour that they wished they’d brought a suitcase. They’re easier to pack, easier to get around the London Tube with, and less conspicuous. Of course, I wasn’t traveling for a month or two after the tour. In that case, look into a backpack. The hybrid might be another good option for 46 day camping, but I just took what I had.

   As for size dimensions, they aren’t strict at all about that. Mine was a bit too big, but they didn’t care. They did make me take something out so that it would be under the weight limit for the official weighing. That was only in London, though. They never weighed my baggage again after that.

   ExplorerJen10 posted 28 days ago Flag as Inappropriate

4. baby fergs….im with ya…my luggage does not fit those sizes and there are no suitcases in thoses sizes. i have a rolling duffel too and i think it better be fine considering its easily collapsable and not a “hard” suitcase

   Explorer1167911 posted on Jul. 12, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

5. to those doing the 46 day camper
   i did it with a suitcase it worked the only thing was that the sleeping bag took up a LOT
   of room in the bag but it was easier to sort thru gearwise plus the “going out clothes”
   stayed wrinkle free(for the most part) but really its up to you and personal prefences

   smogt1st posted on Jun. 28, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

6. i love backpack ^_ hehe thanks for your post

   Tutorial, Tips, Trick, Info. posted on Jun. 14, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

7. So my itinerary says that the size limit for luggage is 29” by 20” by 10” but I want to take a “hybrid”( ya know the duffel with wheels basically) and those don’t really come in those dimensions (the one I’m looking at is more like 29” by 13” by 14”). Can I do that? Are they really that strict???

   BabyFergs posted on May. 12, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

8. hey does anyone know the kg limit for a suitcase?

   Lese<3 posted on May. 11, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

9. i am doing the 46 day camping our leaving august 2010. after reading the comments, its seems the general consensus is that suitcases are the way to go. but what about for camping. i mean we will be in tents most of the time so now im just as confused as before. has anyone done the 46 days europe camping trip? and if so what do you personally suggest? i have no idea!!!

   Explorer1159306 posted on May. 03, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

10. I’ve traveled throughout Europe before with a pack but this time I’ll be traveling with a suitcase on the England/Scotland trip. A pack is great if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, climbing, and “do-it-yourself” traveling but there are some downsides…first, if you’re checking your pack on the plane you may need to buy a large bag that your pack fits inside. This is to prevent all the straps on your pack from getting caught during transport to the plane or in the baggage claim area. Kelty makes a great back for your pack that folds up inside itself and is about 5” x 5”. Second, it takes a while to adjust your pack so it’s comfortable and ensure that the weight distribution is safe for your back. It can also be cumbersome when getting on and off trains because of the size. Finally, it’s difficult to run through an airport with a giant pack on your back. Eagle creek makes a lot of great hybrid bags that are the best of both worlds…as I already own a pack and luggage I’m not going to be investing in a new bag.

    Explorer1179470 posted on Apr. 27, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

11. Dear travelers,

    recently i went and bought my very first suitcase, whilst in the store I was given a litttle bit of debrief on the debate of suitcase verses backpack… Many suitcase we have in Aussie land are American owned and made which means if in the states and you have an american modle suit case and its damaged its a lot easier to get a new one. Where as backpacks are made from everywhere anywhere and are sometimes unreliable. I also told that having a backpack can casue back pains!:( and that often its ill avised for people that may be a bit weak in the back to not have one.

    Medium sized suitcase are very handly, I often see people with suitcases almost as big as they are and are often having trouble trying to get them around, a tip I found was clothes that can be rolled into a tight roll is good casue then you have more room! A tip on knowing which suitcase is yours which I learnt from my brother is to stich a puppet on the front makes it easier to spot (I have a mouse with a big red nose on mine) or have a suit case that is bright in colour and not just plain black.

    A small back bag of some sort with a zipper for day trip is great and can also be used for carry on luggage sort of like a school bag is always good.

    Hope this helps

    milo_da_vinci posted on Mar. 04, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

12. Thanks Karen your post was extremely helpful :)

    Shanny87 posted on Feb. 26, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

13. I am doing the 22 day camping tour in europe this summer and cant decide if i should take a backpack or suitcase!!!!! I need some advice on which would be better to bring thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

    Ambie posted on Feb. 07, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

14. Karen97, thanks for the info, you actually made it so I could decide! And know what to expect a bit more

    Explorer1155717 posted on Feb. 02, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

15. I did the European Highlights tour and agree completely with what Jordan Allen has said – SUITCASE + CARRY-ON BACKPACK, at least for any Euro summer concept or timeout tour.
    Can I just add something from my experience: I too struggled with the suitcase vs backpack dilemma for months before I went. In the end I actually settled on a backpack because I thought it would be easier to get around with… however I quickly realised that I had made the WRONG decision! As a female travelling solo I felt uneasy the second I got out of Heathrow – as if my backpack was screaming “hey everyone, I am a BACKPACKER, and I’m also a girl, on my own, so please could the nearest criminal follow me until I inevitably get lost and turn down an alleyway or wind up alone in a tube carriage, and attack and/or mug me”.... perhaps somewhat paranoid, but I just felt really uncomfortable, and I am usually a fairly confident person. After six days of lugging it around the UK pre-Contiki (complete with lovely sweat patches from where it sat on my back) I ended up ditching it (Contiki basement storage) and buying a suitcase instead. That set me back a fair bit, but it was worth it. So much easier to pack a suitcase (helpful as there are some very early mornings and some very hurried changes for dinner/nights out after a day’s sightseeing) and much easier to wheel it around. I can only remember two occasions when I had to carry it up stairs, and it was fine. After the tour finished I spent another week or so travelling in Europe by myself, and felt infinitely more confident. Nobody bats an eye at a young woman with a suitcase, you could just be a local coming home from a weekend away courtesy of easyjet.
    Also, ladies if you don’t feel comfortable going out with a (small) backpack as your day bag, there is nothing to stop you from packing another handbag inside it and leaving your backpack on the bus when it drops you off for sightseeing. So you can take your passport, money, camera, ipod, water bottle etc with you and leave your book, neck pillow etc in your pack on the bus. Just make sure your handbag has a zip and that your keep it either tucked right under your shoulder or across your body on a long strap, with your hands on it all times, and you’ll be fine.
    Hope this post is helpful to some of you :)

    Karen97 posted on Feb. 01, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

16. backpack backpack backpack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I have a travel pack, its the same as a backpack, but it zips all the way around, so kind opens like a suitcase…..as opposed to a hiking pack that only opens from the top

    Explorer1157937 posted on Nov. 22, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

17. Im doing the Canada and Rockies tour next August and am getting the High Sierra hybrid. That way i can ahve the best of both worlds, either carry it on my back or wheel it around. By the end of it im expecting ill be needing the wheels :D

    Ant n Tara posted on Nov. 11, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

18. im doing a concept tour for 37 days and im still trying to decide between suitcase or backpack! has anyone done this tour? if so what would you recommend. thanks! :)

    clairebear1988 posted on Nov. 08, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

19. Thanks for the tips

    Online shopping

    Explorer1154070 posted on Nov. 02, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

20. Hi all, I’m doing the London + Paris trip across New Year’s. I’m still torn between a suitcase and backpack. Has anyone done a similar tour? What is your recommendation?

    Thanks!

    Didi1314 posted on Oct. 21, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate