What is the best size suitcase for international travel

What is the best size suitcase for 1 week trip? A guide to help you choose the best luggage for travelling (in Europe and the United States).

Packing for a few days or a weekend getaway is easy, but when you plan a week vacation, things get tough. It’s even tougher if you travel in the winter or visiting a few cities.

To be honest, I used to overpack. I dragged large checked baggage on every trip even if it was 4 days. And I never wore even half of the clothes I took. You can imagine how uncomfortable is to travel with such a huge suitcase.

However, all this changed when I started to travel more and to use low-cost airlines. At first, I was sure that there was no way to pack all my stuff in a carry-on bag. Tempting thoughts for checked luggage was crossing my mind more than once. However, the luggage fee was always higher than the price of my ticket itself!

So, I decided to start using only carry-on luggage. Initially, it wasn’t easy to decide what clothes to take and how to fold them. Yet, after a few trips, I became very good at it. There is even a spare room in my suitcase if the trip is less than a week. Also, I use travel toiletry bottles, which save a lot of space.

What size suitcase do I need? For a summer holiday choose a 21-22″ (50-55cm) bag and for winter – a 24-25″ (61-63cm) suitcase.

No matter how big suitcase you get, you will always stuff it. If you have more room, you will get a lot of stuff that you won’t need at all. The bad thing is that you have to drag it with you from the airport to your hotel and back. It gets even worse when your one week trip covers a few cities.

If you pack smart you can take different clothes for each day plus a pair of ballet flats or sneakers.

My favourite suitcase – Coolife 20″ Spinner

As I travel mostly in Europe, I need something that is compatible with most European airlines. Their restrictions are more strict than the airlines in the United States. Thus I have to choose something that fits the carry-on allowance of Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, Air France, Austrian and British Airways.

The Coolife suitcase is the perfect carry-on bag for me. I can easily pack all the clothes I need for a short vacation.

• 21 x 15 x 8.5 inches | 53 x 38 x 22 cm
• three different sizes available – 20″, 24″ and 28″
• 360 ° double wheels
• extremely scratch-resistant
• TSA approved combination lock

Best small checked luggage for one week trip

Samsonite Winfield 24″ Luggage – Most popular

This Samsonite is one of the most popular suitcases on Amazon. It combines a light 100% polycarbonate construction with a fully-lined interior. The luggage is extremely lightweight and has a three-digit TSA lock for security. The full-zip interior divider and oversized zippers ensure effortless packing.

• 24 x 17 x 11 inches | 61 x 43.2 x 28 cm
• 9.2 lbs | 4.2 kg
• 100% polycarbonate
• lightweight and durable spinner
• side-mounted TSA lock
• 10 oversized zippers and full-zip interior divider

CHESTER 26″ Spinner – Classic design

The new CHESTER spinner is the perfect lightweight luggage. The suitcase is spacious (you can pack 7-to-9 outfits), but at the same time super lightweight. Its durable, water-resistant and the stylish polycarbonate hard shell efficiently protects your belongings. Plus, it comes with a 10-year warranty!

• 26 x 18 x 11 inches | 66 x 45.7 x 27.9 cm
• TSA and IATA approved exterior dimensions
• 9.5 lbs | 4.3 kg
• 100% Makrolon polycarbonate hardshell
• aluminium telescoping ergonomic handle with two lock positions
• free 30-day return policy and a 10-year warranty
• a capacity of 67 litres with 2 spacious compartments, 3 interior organizers and a removable nylon laundry bag

Samsonite Omni 24″ Spinner – Most lightweight

This Samsonite Omni is made of micro-diamond scratch-resistant polycarbonate. This helps the suitcase to remain beautiful even after countless trips. The mesh net and cross straps are great for securing the contents of your luggage.

• 26.5 x 17.75 x 11.75 inches | 67.30 x 45.1 x 29.8 cm
• 8.2 lbs | 3.7 kg
• extremely scratch-resistant hard shell
• several colours to choose from
• four multi-directional spinner wheels
• side-mounted TSA approved lock
• expands 2″ for more packing capacity

Coolife Luggage Expandable 24″ Spinner – Best rated

This suitcase is the best-rated travel suitcase for a 1-week trip. It is made of a lightweight PC+ABS material that is scratch-resistant. This keeps your luggage as bright as new. Also, the suitcase has a full-zip interior divider, cross straps and multi-use organizational pockets. It’s perfect for business and leisure travellers.

• 24 x 17 x 10 inches | 61 x 43.2 x 25.4 cm
• 10.2 lbs | 4.6 kg
• 360 ° double wheels
• extremely scratch-resistant
• telescoping handle for comfortable manoeuvring
• TSA approved combination lock
• ABS+PC hard plastic shell

Best carry on luggage for one week trip

Rockland Melbourne 20″ Spinner – Most popular

This is the most popular carry-on bag on Amazon. The luggage is made of extremely durable and lightweight polycarbonate material. One side of the suitcase has a zip-up enclosure so your belongings won’t get shuffled around. The perfect companion for short trips! 

• 22 x 13.5 x 9 inches | 55.9 x 34.3 x 22.9 cm
• 6 lbs | 2.7 kg
• spinner wheels
• multiple colours available 
• hard-sided, scratch-resistant

CHESTER 22″ Spinner – Best rated

The Chester suitcase is the perfect carry-on bag. It fits perfectly the domestic and international airline requirements. Thanks to the functional interior you can pack up 3-to-5 outfits. This makes it the ideal suitcase for short trips. Multiple pockets keep the clothes in place and prevent shifting. And the mesh zipper closure helps you to pack in the most efficient way. There is even a removable laundry bag. It’s a great way to keep your dirty clothes separately.

• 21.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches | 54.6 x 33 x 21.6 cm
• 7 lbs | 3.2 kg
• TSA approved lock and dimensions
• waterproof 100% polycarbonate hardshell
• durable, flexible and easily cleaned
• high-quality zippers
• a capacity of 38 litres with 2 spacious compartments
• 4 silent and multi-directional wheels
• free 30-day return policy and a 10-year warranty

Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 20″ Spinner

This Kenneth Cole suitcase features a durable ABS exterior perfect for travelling. It is light and practical. The large u-shaped zipper pocket helps you to pack your stuff easier. Plus, it comes in a few amazing colours. If you prefer something more traditional get the black or the grey option. It’s the perfect luggage for low-cost airlines.

• 21.75 x 14.5 x 8.5 inches | 55 x 36.8 x 21.6 cm
• 6.25 lbs | 2.8 kg
• multi-directional 4-wheel spinners
• durable hard-shell exterior

What is the best size suitcase for one week trip for you?

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About the author

	Milena Yordanova
I’m a full-time travel blogger based in Sofia, Bulgaria. I love to travel and to discover new places, cultures and food. I’m an expert in travel planning and I am here to help you plan your dream vacation.

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