Need to purchase new luggage for your upcoming getaway yet don’t know which size to get? Don’t fret! We’re here to help! In this article, we will let you know the things you need to consider, and hopefully, you’ll be able to choose the best travel luggage.
The Basics: The Luggage Sizes
The conventional travel luggage sizes range from 18″ to 32″. Luggage that measures up to 22″ are normally viewed as carry-ons, the ones you can bring with you inside the cabin. On the other hand, the bigger ones are deemed as checked luggage.
Be that as it may, this isn’t generally the case – a few air carriers permit bigger bags to be stowed in the cabin, and accept a 23″ luggage as a carry-on. So when traveling, it’s always a good idea to check first the airline’s luggage restrictions and guidelines.
Focus on What you Really Need, not What you Want
We all have that travel companion who, in any case, brings two to three pieces of luggage and ends up just using half of the things he or she packed.
Try not to pack for the “what if” situations. The possibilities of needing a jacket and boots in a tropical country in the middle of summer are unreal. So once you have identified what you actually need, you will be able to pack for long trips in small luggage, assuming you know a few smart tips for packing. And when you have mastered the skill of packing, you’ll see that you won’t be needing 32” luggage for a two-week trip.
Will you be Traveling by Plane, Train, or Car?
If you are traveling by plane, are you going to purchase a ticket that includes checked luggage? Then, by all means, get a big piece of luggage and pack all the things you want and need. But if you opt to save money, then small carry-on luggage works for you, so you wouldn’t have to pay extra for a checked luggage.
If you are traveling by train or bus, it would be wise to bring a small carry-on luggage. Imagine yourself dragging a big piece of luggage to the train station, and not to mention, you might even be switching between trains. It’s even more inconvenient if you need to ride on a ferry boat one way or another. With lighter luggage, you won’t be sweating your way to your destination.
And if you are driving, consider the trunk space of your car. The trunk will reach its full capacity real quick especially if you are traveling with companions.
When Will you be Traveling?
Are you traveling in the mid-year or winter occasions? Since there’s a huge difference when it comes to picking clothes according to the season. Clothes for summer are light and thin and take little space in your luggage, you will hardly ever need something larger. Just small carry-on luggage will do. Winter clothes are heavy and bulky. Hence, it’s plausible to purchase bigger luggage if you’re going to bring winter garments. This is actually one of a handful of situations where we suggest getting bigger luggage no more than 28”.
Where Will You Be Staying?
Are you going to stay in a hotel? The reason why we need to ask this is – if you are staying in a hotel with laundry services, then you don’t have to pack too many clothes. If you’re going away for 5 days, instead of packing shirts per day, you can opt to bring 3 shirts and 2 pairs of jeans and you can just have them washed and wear them again. So having small carry-on luggage is the better option, otherwise, you would have to go for a bigger one and just pack a laundry bag with you to separate the dirty clothes from the clean ones.
What is Your Purpose for Buying Luggage?
If you’re just going on a short trip, small carry-on luggage will suffice. But if you’re planning on a longer trip, then getting bigger luggage would make sense. Consider buying luggage you will be frequently using. Don’t buy specific luggage just for the sake of having it in your collection. Chances are, you won’t be using it and you will definitely not get your money’s worth.
The Takeaway
Always opt for the size of the luggage that you feel most comfortable with. Buying bigger luggage for the sake of acquiring one is not practical. Buy luggage according to your needs – make a list to determine how much stuff you need to pack.
Traveling can be a tricky business, especially for longer stays outside the country. If it’s your first time packing luggage for such a trip, never forget to do your research. It can be the difference between effortless traveling and regretting why you even made the trip in the first place.
