I’m taking a Viking River cruise in 2 months and they have booked me on Lufthansa which has strict carry-on requirements, requiring me to look for a smaller carry-on bag ( must be with in 55x40x23 cm and packed bag must weigh 17 lbs or less). I have spent part of almost every day for the last 2 weeks exploring options online and I’ve been to TJ Maxx. I have seen a few possible options, but nothing is screaming “buy me” at this point. The CC community often has great advice beyond the obvious, so I decided to post and see what the collective wisdom of the seasoned travelers among us might recommend. TIA.
I have the travelpro maxlite, international size. It worked well for me so far. I didn’t want to spend more than 150 so I waited for one of their sales. I remember at the time I was looking to buy most of the recommended bags were way more expensive. I like my standard size travelpro which I have abused to no end. The international size I only use occasionally.
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Lots of options out there just on a google search but a bag minus wheels will give you more bang for the buck. If you have wheels then make sure they are included in the height. 17 pounds is nothing. Probably any case that fits under a seat will qualify.
Weigh your bag. It’s super easy to over pack.
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My wife swears by a Beis bag that attaches to her Rimowa rollie bag for the 4-6 trips to Europe a year she joins me on. Never had a problem with the various national airlines allowing it this combo overhead. They were a splurge but in theory should last a lifetime of travel.
Think this is the combo…
https://www.rimowa.com/us/en/luggage/colour/silver/cabin/97353004.html
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My H just splurged and bought a Brigs and Riley European carry on. He loves it because the expandable handle is on the exterior of the bag so it doesn’t impact the interior capacity. Looks like they are currently on sale.
I have a TravelPro which I really like. Bought on sale at Nordstrom Rack.
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I have a Swiss gear under seat carry on. But it looks like it’s no longer available anywhere except eBay. It’s a roller carry on that easily fits under the seat…and it holds way more than it looks like it should hold.
My regular carryon is a TravelPro, which I really like also…but it’s not small enough for what the OP needs.
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Will you also have a bigger bag? I pack lighter than some folks, but I’d have a hard time doing a full vacation in a tiny carry-on. (Typically I have a backpack and a large-ish carry-on that must be checked on the way home due to tighter standards at European airports.)
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My last flight I used a weekender bag as my carryon. Similar to this
It worked very well, fit everything I needed, and with the crossbody strap was fine to lug around.
My daughter has used on international flights (including Lufthansa) an expandable backpack. Similar to this one
https://www.amazon.com/Backpack-Expandable-Weekender-Resistant-Lightweight/dp/B07P1SFHK3/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3TMQMTSA2HRMC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KVb1b-bG-QlwSFHpdiZOOqDVD7GldhQmrAVABc7ISTgxobjvmc-ARAA3S-UoDOtCvA_CCsgYM8YhmD6rJqoHiTiJKiMsllr125E1MhaVgoLq4Qi2Ej_8ty7E1IEKwujpwm0ZEHLPIYNimbR3grsGXEctW-zLYFRpi3ZHbYv7C2R9tb5U_P87LQaFuAXqN_jawZuoaTZDS8v6zCujGmmvb0aPzTlcmLY2VewWOMknhS4.pxJmhc0GqrYq0Hjm7qsgzq7NhDLAjH7--CQKr2_R2UA&dib_tag=se&keywords=expandable%2Bbackpack%2Bfor%2Btravel&qid=1746148600&sprefix=expandable%2Bbackpack%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-3&th=1
Both of our exact bags are no longer available anywhere.
Yes, I will have a checked bag in addition to carry-on. I am not trusting enough to check everything through on the way over. I need to have a change of clothing, pjs & toiletries just in case that checked bag takes a different route than I do. I think the weekend bags would be great for a car trip, but I’m looking for a bag with wheels for this trip.
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Vera Bradley has both a backpack bag and a weekender bag that meet European dimensions.
If you just need to carry a few items - you can do something even smaller like this one (I have been using for 10 years now)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CYISS64?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_10
Makes sense. When I check a bag, my backpack includes some toiletries and a packing cube with a change of clothes plus a shirt and underwear from my husband.
I put the packing cube in a small/travel pillow case. That way I can stack it on the table (with folded jacket and inflatableneck pillow) to lean forward and sleep. Sounds weird, I know… but works for me.
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Travel pro has held up better than any other. And the ergonomic handle allows you to push it with the palm of your hand while navigating tight airplane rows, bathrooms, gate areas, etc…
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Those dimensions do not look that different from typical US airlines’ carry on size limit.
However, if you want a wheeled bag, be careful in that some of them have wheels or handles that stick out enough to make fitting them into sizers or “properly” in overhead bins difficult.
I prefer non-wheeled soft sided backpacks, since they weigh less, have more room inside, and can squish to fit into overhead bins.
Weigh your packed bag before you go.
I have done many vacations with just a non-wheeled backpack carry-on, but they were generally warm weather vacations (no heavy winter clothes).
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@2VU0609 Viking stubbornly keeps moving our flights to Lufthansa despite my travel agent trying to switch to another carrier.
I hadn’t thought about their carry on size being different. I’ll have to measure my smaller carry on.
In the past, we’ve traveled internationally with checked bags and backpacks which have a change of clothes and essentials. Now I have a CPAP which is bulky so I’m wanting to bring a small carry on for that. My husband likes to check bags, me not so much but a harmonious flight is good also!
No advice but thanks for the reminder. Good luck on your trip, I’ve loved our river cruises
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Bento bag all the way. Sometimes they have them on sale.
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I will absolutely be weighing the bag before I leave. The Facebook group for Viking Danube trips is filled with a mix of people who were forced to gate check their carry-ons and those who sauntered right on with nary a glance. It seems to be half & half each way and I’m far too chicken to not be sure I comply before I lock the door and head to the airport. I bought an Away carry-on (small size) with my retirement gift from my community college and have loved it, but consensus on FB group is that it doesn’t always get through the bag check protocols. Away has just started making a compact carry-on that seems to comply except that their stated depth measurement is 1/2 cm too deep. It is a soft-side bag and I wonder if it can squish to pass muster. The TravelPro suggestions are solid and I’m going to consider that option.
So many people say the anticipation & prep are a big part of the fun and I would agree except for this challenge. Thanks for all of the feedback!
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Viking originally booked me on flights that I preferred and then arbitrarily moved me to Lufthansa. It has been a thorn in my side since they did it and if this hadn’t been my first travel experience with them, I would have opted to book my own flights. I am traveling with a work colleague & her mom and they are also flying out of Nashville and are on completely different flights. It’s somewhat a PIA as we are flying into Budapest a day early and staying at same hotel before boarding to get calibrated to time change. Would have been so nice to have been coordinated, but we didn’t opt for that option $$$ wise. Live & learn!
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I asked D1 to get me the best 4 wheelers weekender that I could fasten on top of a carry on. It had to be sturdy, easy to navigate and light. This is what she got for me after doing extensive research. The only negative about this bag are the zippers. They are not as smooth as they should be. When I travel for a week I would take an Away carry on and this bag as my “personal bag.” I put the Away bag on the overhead and this under seat. I am able to roll both of them by putting this on top the Away.
I use this bag whenever I go over to babysit my grandchildren. I roll it for many blocks through Brooklyn sidewalks. I’ve had it for 2 years and it is still perfect.
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What timing! I just got my seat confirmion on Luthansa this morning for my Viking river cruise in October! I haven’t read through the comments yet but it looks like you are referring to under seat storage not carry on overhead? I remember checking briefly once we saw our airline flights but didn’t look at the under seat. I will need to check all that now as well. Thanks for the reminder to do so! Edit: Yikes, that is the overhead size and weight. Ughhh. Yeah I don’t think my bags will work either, shopping I must go!