Should you bring a suitcase to Italy?

In Italy, you will likely find yourself storing your suitcases amongst other tourists' bags either on trains, hotels or as part of a tour group. Having robust luggage during these times is wise as a measure to protect the items within. But, make sure it is not too heavy so you are able to carry your bags when required.



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How much luggage you take to Italy is a personal choice but we recommend that you avoid taking large suitcases. This is for two reasons. Firstly, they are cumbersome if you need to walk any distance over cobblestones or bridges – very common in Italy and especially Venice.

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The best all-around luggage choice is—brace yourself—a carry-on-sized backpack with a zip-off daypack (or a seperate small backpack). Hard-backed suitcases are cumbersome and heavy, huge frame packs are for hikers, and both need to be checked on airlines—a wholly unnecessary hassle.

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Traveling by train in Italy means always traveling with carry-on luggage. You'll carry on board everything you have with you. It's your responsibility to bring your bags on board and stow them properly, which is a great incentive to packing light. There's no fee to bring luggage on the train.

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In general, spaces are a lot smaller, the infrastructure isn't very suitcase friendly and if you're backpacking, you'll probably be flying with a lot of low-cost airlines or taking the train or a bus. All this is what makes travel backpacks the ideal packing method for a European vacation.

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Longer Trips Suitcase sets are the best luggage for European travel if you plan an extended stay. While it's relatively easy to live out of a carry-on for a two or three-day trip, if you're staying for 1.5 weeks or more, you'll need the extra space of one or more suitcases.

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Some guides advise bringing one with you from home. But plastic water bottles work just as well, and they're sold in every cafe in Italy. Buy one when you're here and just keep refilling it at the fountains you'll see everywhere.

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It's always wise to carry a small amount of cash for smaller cafes and restaurants, some public transport options, and taxis who may not accept credit card payments. We once visited the same restaurant 5 years in a row, only to discover each time that their card machine was out of order!

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6 Things Not To Bring To Italy
  • A new haircut. Rushing around before your trip shouldn't include a haircut. ...
  • Running shoes/ sneakers. Really my friend, unless your actually using them to exercise: leave them at home. ...
  • More baggage than you can carry. ...
  • Too many gadgets. ...
  • Travellers cheques. ...
  • Dirty Bra Straps.


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Since every region of Italy accepts the euro (including the Vatican City and the Republic of San Marino), you shouldn't have too much trouble managing your money.

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Here's what to wear on a flight to Italy: Layers are key: As with any flights, layers are particularly important on long flights. It's impossible to tell if the AC will be stalled while you sit on the runway, so start with a simple cotton shirt, and be sure to bring a more stylish cardigan or sweater to layer on top.

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Don't bring any more cash with you than you'd normally carry with you in your own country on a daily basis. Bear in mind the increased pickpocketing risk for a tourist in Rome. When you get to the airport, get one or two hundred euros out of one of the ATMs in the baggage hall just in case (they don't charge fees).

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Instead of buying bottled mineral water, you can just fill it for free on the street. Interestingly, Italy is full of ancient water fountains. They can be incredibly beautiful, so bring your water bottle and camera! Some public areas have paid refill stations, that serve filtered tap water for 5 to 10 eurocents.

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Yes, you have to carry your passport in Italy. Italian law requires that anyone in a public area must carry an identity document issued by their national government. According to the law of DLGS, 25 July 1998, N. 286, you are always required to carry with you the original passport in Italy.

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Not so, as you should never ask for free tap water in restaurants. As Fodors explains, usually, you'll be offered a bottle of still (naturaleor liscia) or sparkling (frizzante or gassata). You might occasionally be offered filtered — but you'll still be expected to pay for it.

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Italians tend to dress simply and stylishly and in fitted rather than baggy clothing. Choose neutral colors like black, dark blue, beige, and white and pack button-down shirts and blouses; chinos; knee-length or below skirts; and a blazer or leather jacket if you're traveling in the shoulder seasons.

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Each bag should weigh less than 23KG/50LBS. This is an international regulation set for the health and safety of airport workers who have to lift hundreds of bags daily. If your bag weighs more than this, you may be asked to repack, or have it labeled as heavy luggage.

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28 - 32 Suitcase These are very large suitcases meant for trips exceeding a week. They have a tremendous capacity for anything you would like to travel with. Due to their large size, when fully packed they can be difficult to maneuver and may exceed the 50 lbs. weight restrictions that most U.S. airlines enforce.

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