> then subsequently having to run, with five separate items of luggage When my spouse and I did a 3-week vacation in Europe and then a 2-week vacation in Japan

> then subsequently having to run, with five separate items of luggage When my spouse and I did a 3-week vacation in Europe and then a 2-week vacation in Japan, my one steadfast condition was that we were allowed one 19-liter backpack and one 23-liter backpack, full stop. If it didn't pack into one of the backpacks' zippered pouches, we didn't take it with us. It takes some planning and hacking to do well, including optimizing clothing, toiletries, and electronics for traveling with that little space, but the handful of times we had to get from point A to point B quickly through a crowd, it was glorious. It's also nice knowing that all of my luggage trivially fits under the seat on the airplane. Takes away any stress relating to "OMG will there be enough overhead space?" panic that everyone goes through when jockying for a spot in line to board. I try to be the very last person on the plane, because I don't ever see the point of being in a hurry to squeeze myself into that tube before I absolutely have to. It turned out we didn't miss the luggage we couldn't fit in the backpacks at all. The last time the family went to Hawaii and then to San Diego, it was the same story. One 19L backpack for me and each of the kids and a 23L backpack for the spouse. Again, no problem at all and totally worth it. I couldn't help but think, "Heh, amateur!" when I read about the OP needing a grotesque 45L of luggage for a few days of travel mostly just sitting on a train. I guess I'm officially now one of those ultralight traveling snobs. If I'm not debating whether I really need 5 pairs of nylon underwear or if I could get by with 4 or maybe 3, I'm feeling like I'm not putting in enough mental effort in preparing for the trip.