[devilbunny]

> "hey, this is Europe, why not try the train?"

I have two people and four items of luggage plus a personal bag each. City trains are poor for this and subways are worse, but I am here for two weeks - I do need clean clothes.

[ghaff]

In general, a lot of luggage doesn't work well on public transit on any continent. I've generally moved towards packing lighter but it isn't always possible. For two weeks in cities I can mostly do carryon. If I'm hiking/camping, yes, I may need more.

[dontlaugh]

That sounds like a huge amount of luggage for just two weeks.

[rawgabbit]

My wife does not pack light either. She loves giant suitcases. It is always an argument that I rather bring four carry on size suitcases so I can manhandle them up the many stairs in Europe. Instead of two jumbo suitcases.

[ghaff]

That's still a fair bit of luggage, however subdivided. Can't always be avoided but still hard to navigate on trains, etc.

[rawgabbit]

It is her chance to dress up. She packs ten different outfits…

I can handle the FrecciaRossa and SNAV with all that the luggage. Can’t do it on local bus or train. I was pleasantly surprised by Rome’s buses. Now I tap my credit card. No more having to go to a local shop to buy a ticket or pay by cash.

[devilbunny]

You have never met my wife.

However, it’s not that much. Two weeks in one carryon is tight for me; she has trouble doing a weekend in one, and that doesn’t include hanging clothes.

[devilbunny]

Well, what do you carry for two weeks and two people across variant climates? I will be impressed if you can do it in one each.

[dontlaugh]

I’ve done it with one luggage and one small backpack each, with no discomfort. If it’s a single warm-ish climate it can even be done with one backpack.

The key is to plan on washing clothes.

[devilbunny]

Washing is not always nor easily available.

Pack two weeks in one carryon. No washing.

[dontlaugh]

I've done that too, but it is indeed harder in winter.

It does mean you have to plan for wearing everything you bring, no extra fancy clothes you may or may not wear. But it doesn't require other sacrifices.

[deepspace]

> two people and four items of luggage plus a personal bag each

Well, there's you problem. I have traveled the world, including many trips of 6 weeks or more, with only a single. carry-on. Laundromats exist everywhere.

Snark aside, a bit of planning and organization w.r.t. packing pays off handsomely in terms of flexibility when traveling.

Spontaneous weekend trip to a remote island when carrying only a backpack - sure. Add two heavy suitcases, and it becomes an impossibility.

[robocat]

Please don't tell other people how they should live.

Personally I love travelling light (<10kg carry-on pack for 2 months last year to South America) but it isn't for everyone.

> Laundromats exist everywhere.

Only if you value your time at nearly $0. They are incredibly annoying when travelling - too often a 10 or 15 minute walk each way to one. Great for backpacking, but a complete waste of time if you only have a limited amount of time for your holiday.

[mmh0000]

Having just got back from a 8 week European vacation, with a wife+kid+me.

There's also the small issue of it being was 95F degrees outside at 75% humidity (southern France). This means 1 outfit isn't lasting more than a day (sometimes only 1/2 a day) before becoming unbearably stinky. x3 this means laundry needs to be done every other day or packing a ton of stuff.