Luggage size help

[TheProvincialLady]

DH, DS1 (17) and DS2 (15) and I are going for a villa holiday in the Aegean in 2 weeks. We can each take 20kg luggage on the flight (in the hold) and when we get there we have a decent sized hire car waiting.

We generally drive to France or have borrowed suitcases from my parents to add to our pathetic collection. That’s not an option this year as they are joining us. So I order 4 of these cases and have just picked them up. And OMG they seem huge! Will we really need 4 of these now that the children are full sized? Or should I return them and get something smaller for this holiday and for the future. Help please!

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-anyday-girona-75cm-4-wheel-large-suitcase/black/p4831435?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

Sorry should have said we are going for just over 2 weeks. We do have a washing machine in the villa.

That does look excessive! The suitcase I usually use for holidays is (I would guess) a size down from that and is usually 15-18kg when I check in. That's plenty for a fortnight with use of a washing machine.

Have a lovely holiday!

The suitcase itself weighs 4.6 kg so if you fill it you are likely to be over the 20kg weight allowance. Are you allowed to combine weight allowances so three heavier suitcases using four luggage allowances? If not, I would buy something lighter…

That's the size that I use for 1-4 weeks, DH has the same.
The difference in weight between that & the next size down is very small, better to have the capacity

Do you need a suitcase each?

I've just been to measure our biggest (remaining) case, and it's 68cm - which is a size down from yours. I have to be careful not to overfill it.
We had a bigger one (possibly one size larger than yours, but I'm not sure), and I got 40kg in it. Luckily I tried to move it, and stood on the scales before we went to the airport. It was filled with a slightly weird combination of stuff, as we lived abroad at that point, so had quite a few shoes, books, dishwasher tablets (don't ask!), marmite and other such none typical holiday packing items.

We will only take 2, maybe 3, cases between the 4 of us this summer.

So, in summary, yes, you've got far to much suitcase space. I'd send at least 2 back, and get smaller. That gives you flexibility in what you take other trips as well.

Never buy large cases. Like someone said they are almost 5kg empty. And most airlines have 20kg limit now so it’s easy to overfill

Return all and get mediums. They are much better size as usually rammed you can’t get much over 20kg.

Plus 4 of those large will never fit in a hire car unless you have a van. Our two mediums and small cabin size pram basically filled vw Tiguan boot recently

Far too big imo. I’d go for a “medium” suitcase. Or just 2 of those between the 4 of you.

And yes, I doubt you need once each. We took two mediam recently (2.5 weeks) and that was x2 adults, and toddler who had toys/ pillow/ extra clothing Incase accidents. We were returning to England for family annual visit and the cases were only half full each, around 10kg out. Then full of things we can’t buy where we live and gifts on the way back and still less than 20kg each

I am clearly an over packer as I use every kg of my luggage allowance (toiletries, books, shoes)!

I agree. People forget that when it comes to the weight allowed, the suitcase is included, so on 20kg allowance those cases only take 15kg - which is actually not all that much for 2 weeks.

Thank you all so much. You’ve confirmed my suspicion that I have chosen badly. I will swap them for 4 x medium cases and if we don’t use them all I will send the 4th one back.

I obviously missed this lesson in adulting (as with so many).

We're 40l hand-luggage backpackers! Usually works out at about 8kg each, + a smaller day pack. No need for 20kg per person, especially if it will be warm and you have a washing machine.

So for us a large medium is the biggest manageable suitcase. Hardcase ones are good but heavy in themselves. The ‘lightweight’ ones are the worst as they don’t have any frame support so are difficult to use and flimsy. Medium Samsonite are nice but have funny zipper system.

We go on trains in uk for our hols and we gave up with medium suitcases and moved to 55cm cabin bags. 3 of these plus rucksack each are enough space for 3 people for 2 weeks

Yes also remember, 20kg alone is really heavy to carry. If your using large cases at 25-30kg they become impossible for many to carry up and down stairs in rentals, lift into cars safely etc, not ideal if you take public transport either on future trips

Hard suitcases aren’t the best choice weight wise!
medium will be ok.

Definitely medium.
I can't manage the large ones at all and they aren't necessary.
Medium hard cases for each person.

Two of then will be fine for 4 people, you’ll struggle putting all 4 in the car..

I think most airlines have a weight limit, maybe 20-23kg per case?

We like the IT worlds lightest cases as the case itself isn't too heavy and they are easier to pack in the car as they have a soft exterior

@DuesToTheDirt - many you can pay to upgrade to 32kg. But it’s too heavy for most people to comfortably move at that weight so I don’t many choose than option regularly. ( and it’s costs a lot)

Exciting update: We bought 3 of the medium sized version of the hard cases above and 1 soft version (as the hard cases were temporarily out of stock). There was almost no difference in weight between them and both worked really well. None of the suitcases were anywhere near 20kg although 3 were very full. They travelled well and I would buy them again. Thanks again to everyone who helped.