I rarely travel with my instruments other than in the car but I'm going to Glasgow next month for a forum event ( ) so what I'd like to know is...

Do I take my rucksack for my overnight clothes, or one of those teeny suitcases with wheels?

I'll also have my viola of course which does have rucksack straps although I've never used them.


I'll have a combination of walking, train, taxi, walking etc., mostly on my own.

I rarely travel with my instruments other than in the car but I'm going to Glasgow next month for a forum event ( ) so what I'd like to know is...

Do I take my rucksack for my overnight clothes, or one of those teeny suitcases with wheels?

I'll also have my viola of course which does have rucksack straps although I've never used them.


I'll have a combination of walking, train, taxi, walking etc., mostly on my own.

Yes, Lucky you!
I chickened out of go to Glasgow-----several days away for me at a busy time, and too nervous about the prospect of playing ! May be another year?

However, I agree with Jessy----instrument as backpack and a wheelie suitcase, which allows for a shoulder bag / messenger bag across body for travelling essentials, book, maybe music etc.

Have a great time in Glasgow, Lottie and all who are brave enough to go.

I was just thinking I could get my clarinet case into a wheelie case I couldn't possibly carry a viola, clarinet and overnight bag all together.

If I put my viola on my back I'd have to carry my rucksack in one hand.... My viola is a BIGGISH thing!

Maybe I should just post my nightie and toothbrush to the hotel

Look up Zuca bags (the zuca sport model)
so useful!!

Theyre mostly used by ice skaters (like myself) to carry your skates and all the other necessary junk to the rink, but when i need to go somewhere i clear out my skating stuff and fill that. There is so much room in it, and soo many pockets.

And... they are also a seat

Obviously you wouldnt buy it just for this trip but for future reference - you could easily fit a clarinet, your music, many nights worth of clothes, and much more in there

My two carry the instruments on their back and use a small wheeled case. All but the smallest of railway stations have to have good access for disabled people so have lifts and ramps and it's pretty easy to either lift a small case up a couple of steps or carefully wheel it.

Ohhhhhh Hubicka, what have you done....??? I obviously now need one immediately. Do you know of a UK based stockist that will post to France? Their site keeps giving me details of people who say they don't stock them when I phone.

Now about that musafia case...

The Zuca bag is cool looking but I can't believe it's carry-on compliant, is it? It'd not fit in Flybe's annoyingly small handluggage frames, that much I can be sure of -

It also looks rather heavy - at almost 5 kilos it is half of Ryanair's allowance without anything inside it.

They are SO cool!!!!




Thanks STRINGMUM, I think that's what I'll do. I'll try and get a wheelie case that will fit as cabin baggage too for other trips because I hate taking luggage for the hold.

Also Chime - that's a great idea. I'm not sure if the UK railways do it but for 'big' stuff it makes sense.


Does anyone recommend a wheelie case other than the Zuca, maybe a bit cheaper for now? Are the M&S ones any good?

I have no idea what the rail services in the UK are like, so apologies if this suggestion is useless!

But here in Switzerland, you can pay a small fee to have your luggage transported by the railway company. It's 8chfs (about 5 pounds) per bag up to 20kgs. You leave in the bag the day before, you need to show your train ticket and they give you a receipt. They will transport it to whatever station you are going to, you just go to that stations luggage office hand over the receipt and collect the luggage.
I use it when I go skiing to transport the skis and boots, they fit in one bag but are heavy and awkward to carry. It leaves me free to just have my luggage to transport on train the day I travel, as most resorts involve at least one train change. I can then go to the station the day after I arrive to collect the skis and head to the slopes!

If they do that kind of thing with UK rail, you could maybe send on your little wheelie bag leaving you free to concentrate on the instruments?

Luggage
Customers may take up to three items of personal luggage free of charge, this includes two large items (such as suitcases or rucksacks) and one item of smaller hand luggage (such as a briefcase). Full details of the free allowances are available at stations.

Excess luggage and certain more bulky items (such as skis) may be carried, subject to available space, at an extra charge

Accompanied animals and articles for which charges are payable
Each additional item of personal luggage above the free allowance.
Each seat occupied by luggage, container or other articles when the seat is needed for passenger use.
Each cat, dog or small animal exceeding the free allowance.
Each article exceeding one metre in any dimension that can be carried by one person.

Articles and Animals not carried
Articles exceeding one metre in any dimension that cannot be carried by the passenger concerned. This includes canoes, hang-gliders, sail/surf boards, large furniture and any large musical instrument that cannot be carried without assistance.
Motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters and motorised cycles.
Livestock (for example, pigs. sheep and goats).
Any animal or article which, in the opinion of the train company staff, is causing or is likely to cause inconvenience to passengers due to its size or behaviour. On train staff are authorised to have items such as these removed from the train.

I'll have a rucksack for clothes and will carry the clarinet separately though the case can be used as a backpack.
Will be travelling by train and on foot.