Bag or Trolley? How to Choose the Right Bag for Your Train Ride

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Which is more practical – travel bag or trolley on the train?

Travel bag or trolley – which is more practical on the train? On our trip from Munich to Cesenatico in Italy we traveled by train. From Bologna Airport we took the shuttle bus to the city's main train station. From there we continued by train to Cesena. There we were picked up. Since we were only there for four days, we were spoiled for choice. Our large suitcase was too big for the few days. Should we take a trolley or a bag instead? As experienced road trippers and air travelers, this question was not that easy to answer. Otherwise we just pack the trunk of our car. Or we load our luggage straight into the rental car at the airport.

 

 

Should You Buy A Bag or A Trolley? Consider this:

- How big is the luggage compartment above the seats in the train?

- Do you need free space for purchases you make locally?

- How far are the distances you need to cover with your luggage?

- Are these distances easy to handle? Or do they lead over bumpy terrain, over many steps or are there elevators?

Since we should only get the answers to all these questions and the question of trolley or travel bag on site, our considerations were as follows.

Trolley or travel bag - a comparison

We compared the pros and cons of trolley and holdall. Only then did we decide which pieces of luggage we would take with us on our train journey.

These travel bags are suitable for train journeys

 

 

The advantages and disadvantages of a travel bag

- A travel bag gives way and can also be stuffed in luggage racks on the train, but with the side effect that the clothes that are transported in it no longer look freshly ironed.

- A travel bag has the advantage that you can put new purchases in the last corners and spaces and the material is usually yielding enough, to accommodate even the most formless souvenirs.

- Travel bags have to be carried usually. Therefore, one of the disadvantages of this type of luggage is, that its weight becomes a heavy burden over long distances and over many stairs.

Buy trolleys for train journeys here:

 

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The advantages and disadvantages of a trolley

– In contrast to a travel bag, a trolley offers relatively little space. However, you can stow the clothes in it neatly and they will arrive at your destination freshly ironed.

– The dimensions of a travel trolley are precisely measured so that they fit in the luggage racks on the plane and above the rows of seats on the train. This worked brilliantly on our trip to Italy.

– When packing, you have to plan in advance so that there is room for possible souvenirs and you should avoid anything unnecessary. This isn't always easy if you're used to having all sorts of equipment in the trunk of your car.

– One of the big advantages of a trolley is that you can roll it over rough terrain so that the weight of your luggage does not rest on your shoulders.

Conclusion: bags and trolleys have advantages and disadvantages when traveling by train

Whether you take a travel bag or a trolley with you when traveling by train depends on your own needs. For example, it's a nightmare when I have to carry a bag or suitcase over long distances when traveling. Therefore, a trolley is the only option for me. But if you prefer to take a piece of luggage with you that is flexible, a travel bag is more suitable.

That was ultimately the deciding factor in our decision: a travel trolley is the right piece of luggage for us - for both car, train and air travel. We went with two trolleys Cesenatico on the way and at the end of our trip even found enough space in it for two bottles of wine and a few pieces Fossa cheese and fruit jellies from the Emilia Romagna. So it’s the perfect luggage for us! With this we answer the question of whether a trolley or a travel bag on the train is clearly a trolley.

Questions and answers about travel bags or trolleys:

What advantages does a trolley have over a travel bag for train journeys?

A trolley offers the advantage that you can simply pull it behind you, which makes carrying heavy loads easier. In addition, many trolleys offer enough space for clothes and other items that you need during the train journey.

Why might a train travel bag be a good choice instead of a trolley?

A holdall can come in handy if you want to be more flexible. You can carry them more easily than a trolley over uneven paths or stow them on the luggage rack on the train. Travel bags are also often lighter and easier to fold up when not in use.

What are the disadvantages of a trolley for train journeys compared to travel bags?

A disadvantage of a trolley is that it can often be bulky and unwieldy, especially on crowded trains or narrow aisles. Also, it can be difficult to transport a trolley up stairs or on trains without escalators.

Are there any disadvantages to using a travel bag for train travel instead of a trolley?

Duffel bags can be inconvenient when you need to carry a lot of heavy items, as the weight is directly on your shoulders. In addition, they often offer less structure and organization than trolleys, which can make it difficult to find certain things.

Can you combine a trolley and a travel bag?

Absolutely! Many travelers prefer to use both a trolley and a holdall. This way you can have the best of both worlds. Use the trolley for heavy luggage and the travel bag for extra flexibility and light items you need during the train journey.

 

 

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Source travel bag or trolley: own research on site.

Text travel bag or trolley: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos of trolley or travel bag: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video trolley or travel bag: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline

Bag or Trolley? How to Choose the Right Bag for Your Train Ride

Monika Fuchs

Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the authors and publishers of the Food and Slow Travel blog  TravelWorldOnline. They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline has been online since 2001. Their topics are trips to Savor, wine tourism worldwide and slow travel. During her studies Monika Fuchs spent some time in North America, where she - partly together with Petar Fuchs - traveled to the USA and Canada and spent a research year in British Columbia. This intensified her thirst for knowledge, which she satisfied for 6 years as an adventure guide for Rotel Tours and then for 11 years as a tour guide for Studiosus Reisen around the world. She was constantly expanding her travel regions, but curiosity still gnawed at her: "What's beyond the horizon? What else is there to discover in this city? Which people are interesting here? What do they eat in this region?" As a freelance travel journalist (her articles have appeared in DIE ZEIT, 360° Canada, 360° USA, etc.), she is now looking for answers to these questions as a travel writer and travel blogger in many countries around the world. Petar Fuchs produces the videos on this blog as well as on YouTube. Monika Fuchs from TravelWorldOnline is among Germany's top 50 bloggers in 2021. Find more Information about Monika and Petar Fuchs here.

2 thoughts too "Bag or Trolley? How to Choose the Right Bag for Your Train Ride"

  1. I'm always on an ultra-light Samsonite trolley on short trips - clothes are simply rolled up as small as possible. My Nikon, my MacBook, books and indispensable bits and pieces I have in a large Longchamp bag over his shoulder. Any souvenirs come in an extra bag, which I attach to the handles of the troll - so I have a hand free.

    1. That is the advantage if you travel in pairs like we do. Petar has a trolley for laptops, camera equipment, travel documents and other technical equipment. I am traveling with the clothes trolley. And both of us - like you - we also use the trolleys as "luggage trolleys" when we can no longer store souvenirs in a suitcase. A very practical solution.

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