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Do you have an old loyal suitcase at home that has been with you for many years? Then it's high time to replace it for your next trip! In recent years, development has progressed rapidly and today's suitcases are much more convenient in several ways. Below is a description of the advantages of the newer suitcase and what you need to know when choosing a suitcase.

Modern suitcases

Many modern suitcases are made of a very lightweight and strong material, which means that even very large suitcases have low weight without packing. Many of these also have a telescopic handle that makes it easy to roll the suitcase on the built-in wheels in a comfortable way. Many of today's suitcases are also equipped with four wheels, which significantly facilitate maneuverability as you no longer feel the weight of all your packing in the suitcase.

The biggest step in the development of suitcases is found in the next practical development: Instead of putting the wheels upright as before, they are now placed on the long side of the suitcase so that it sits steadily on the wheels when you pull it. In this way, you get a much longer distance between the wheels, which means that the suitcases do not wobble like the old suitcases did that had the wheels close together.

Things to consider when buying

Remember to always use a luggage strap around the suitcase! This holds the suitcase together in case of accidents during flight handling. Here is a general description and recommendation of sizes and materials when buying a new suitcase:

1-4 day trip
For a 1-4 day trip, you usually only need a suitcase of about 25-30 liters. Therefore, it can be good to choose a soft suitcase with approved cabin dimensions so that you do not have to check in your luggage. Soft suitcases often have more convenient pockets to store travel documents, etc. and usually weigh less than hard suitcases. However, if you have delicate packing, a hard suitcase is preferred.

5-10 day trip
For trips lasting 5-10 days, we recommend a suitcase size of approximately 45-90 liters. Choosing a soft or hard suitcase depends largely on how often you travel and how flexible you want your luggage to be. A hard suitcase made of materials such as polypropylene plastic usually lasts longer (although you may need to replace the wheels and locks occasionally) and protects the contents better than a soft suitcase. However, a soft suitcase is more flexible, allowing you to pack that little extra.

10 days or more
For trips lasting 10 days or more, we recommend a size of at least 75 liters or more. Otherwise, the same recommendations apply as we mentioned earlier.

Don't forget to consider the following before your trip.

•Make sure your passport is valid and in good condition. In some countries, it must also be valid for several months after the trip.

•Exchange money - but not all of your travel money. Bring most of it in traveler's checks or on a card.

•If you need a visa, it's important to apply well in advance. Check with the country's embassy for requirements.

•Check with a doctor if you need to be vaccinated.

•Make sure you have the right insurance. Many home insurances include travel insurance, but not for longer trips. Consider what you will be doing on your trip (climbing, diving?) and check that the insurance covers it.

What should I do if I get sick or have an accident?

•Save any receipts for medical care to be able to get reimbursed by the insurance company.

•Insurance company emergency centers can also assist with contacts and arrange medical transports.

•The embassy or consulate can assist with contact with relatives, hospitals, and authorities.

•Within the EU and some other countries, the European Health Insurance Card covers necessary medical care - but it does not cover special medical transports, such as ambulance flights. Read more on the Social Insurance Agency's website.

•If you become ill with diarrhea, make sure to drink clean water. A solution of sugar, salt, and water can help prevent dehydration.

What should I do if I'm robbed and left without my passport and money?

•Report the theft to the police - it's important to be able to receive compensation from the insurance company.

•Contact your insurance company.

•Relatives can transfer money to you through services like Western Union at the currency exchange office X-change.

•The embassy can help you obtain a temporary passport. In special cases, you may be eligible for a temporary loan for your return trip from the embassy.

What should I do if I am arrested by the police?

•Request to contact your embassy - according to the Vienna Convention, you have the right to do so.

•The embassy can assist with contacting family members and a lawyer.

•If you are a minor, your parents will be notified. Otherwise, you can choose whether or not to receive assistance with this.

Anything else I should keep in mind?

•Do your research - if for nothing else, to avoid missing out on anything exciting. General safety advice and other travel tips, as well as a list of countries that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against traveling to, can be found on the department's website. Get a guidebook and read other people's travel accounts and journals.

•Never carry luggage or packages across a border for someone else - if it's something illegal, you're the one who will get caught.

•Remember to check if the water is clean enough to drink.

Bring a small bag or money belt that can be worn close to your body.

•Stay in touch with family members - call or email home or write a travel journal online, for example on myTur.se.

•Pack your own travel pharmacy - tips can be found on the Vårdguiden website. If you take medication, calculate that it will last for the entire trip.

•Write down important phone numbers. On the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, you can download important numbers to your mobile phone.

•It's better to buy things like contraceptives at home than abroad.

•Make copies of your passport, visa, tickets, and credit cards - or scan them and email them to yourself.