towens322

I am taking my 11 year old daughter to London and Paris for 11 days. How much do I pack? I am a little nervous since I am a woman and have the responsibility of a young girl to take care of alone. I am afraid that the bag might be too heavy. I am planning on taking a carry on with toiletries, meds and one outfit and then a regular suitcase with wheels (with a rolling duffel in the bottom of it) to pack the rest. My plans are to use the duffel for our dirty clothes for on the ride home. I am taking the gatwick express to victoria station , then a taxi to the hotel and I am taking the chunnel from london to paris, and then a taxi from there to hotel. Will that be too much luggage?

janisj

As much as it seems to make sense - don't try to put everything for both of you into one mammoth suitcase. It will be hell getting on/off the trains, etc.

Use an 16 or 18 inch rollaboard-type bag for your daughter and a 21 or at VERY most 24 incher for you. Plus a small-ish carry on if you decide to check your luggage.

Your daughter should easily be able to handle a small bag like that herself. And then you won't have any trouble w/ yours.

janisj

Oh - should have added: it might make a bit of difference if she is young/small for her age. Several luggage companies make dowsized luggage specifically for young kids to use. Small roll aboards in bright colors and sometimes w/ cartoon characters on them. But some "grown up" 11 yos might not want to be caught dead w/ those.

Lori

If you are flying British Airways they only allow carryon's of 13 lbs (total weight) in Coach.

You should each take a carryon and you should each have a regular suitcase. She is old enough to manage wheeling/pulling a piece of luggage. Don't take one suitcase only, airlines now charge extra for over the limit on weight. It's better to use two smaller suitcases and split your clothes between them so in case one piece of luggage goes missing you will still have clothes.

Pack everything and both of you try picking them up, etc. before you go. You will have to manage your own luggage on the Eurostar (the Channel Train). Taxi's in Paris charge 1 Euro extra for each piece of luggage so be aware of that.

annhig

Definitely agree about the bags - take one each, plus a carry on each - much easier to manage than one big one. If you attach luggage tags to the carry ons, you should be ok, and it will be fun for her to have her own bag. Try to share your things out through both cases, then if one gets lost, you'll still have some clothes that fit both of you. And don't worry about bring too much - we have lots of shops here and laundries!

noe847

I agree with packing two suitcases - each no more than 22" - and two carry on bags. Even if you end up handling both suitcases, you won't be lifting one huge one - two are easier, even if you have to roll both. I have rolled one in each hand, and, while not ideal, it can be managed.

jody

ANd don't forget you also can have a "personal "bag..I can get more things in my purse than most can get in the carryon!

towens322

Thank you!

nomadrh

We were given great advice for packing for Europe. Pack your bags and then walk around the block with them. If you can't you've overpacked!! You'll do lots of bag "schlepping" in Europe, so to be comfortable, do not overpack.

djkbooks

I agree with taking a small suitcase plus small carry-on (perhaps backpack style) each. I like to keep the toiletries seperate from the clothing. And, I've observed that kids seem to love having their own wheeling bag!

alanRow

Don't take one large suitcase, take 2 smaller ones as london has lots of stairs & pavements aren't the smoothest in the world

Leave all but your essential toiletries out of the carry on as they are invariably heavy

Why do you need a rolling duffel for dirty clothing - plastic bags do just as well unless you are intending to shop till you drop

Why are you taking the Gatwick Express, the Southern Trains - em - train gets you to Victoria for a lot less money & takes less than 10 minutes longer.

And if your hotel isn't near Victoria it may be better to get a different train from Gatwick

redtete

Did you go already?

I am also taking my daughter to Paris (and Dijon). She is alomost 7 years old. Any advice for another traveling mother?

Much appreciated! We leave tomorrow night and return on the 25th.