Tourist Stuck at Top of Stairs With Suitcase—Plan To Get Down Goes Viral

A video of a mom finding an unconventional solution to a common travel problem has taken the internet by storm.

The clip, shared by user @lenamoriarty, shows a woman wearing a backpack and standing at the top of a steep outdoor staircase in Croatia, next to a wheeled suitcase. As the video begins, the suitcase slips briefly from her grip. Then, without hesitation, she gently nudges it with her foot—sending it tumbling down the stairs in a surprisingly smooth descent.

Text overlaid on the video reads: “The fact that this video of my mom has accumulated 5 million views and ended up on the Croatian news.” The caption posted with the video adds: “The fact that THIS is what made me go viral like.” The clip has amassed more than 20.2 million views since it was first posted on July 25.

There has been a broader surge in travel activity. The International Air Transportation Association (IATA) says that air travel demand in May 2025 increased by 5 percent compared to the same month last year. International flights hit a record load factor—the percentage of seats filled with paying passengers. Asia-Pacific travel led the growth with a 9.4 percent rise, though North America reported a slight decline of 0.5 percent, largely driven by a drop in U.S. domestic travel.

TikTok users flooded the comments section with both laughter and concern over the mom’s resourceful, if risky, suitcase tactic in the viral clip.

Some saw her move as ingenious, such as MikTok, who said: “Work smarter, not harder.”

Others were simply amused. Shane Stefanac posted: “As a Croatian, this is the most exciting thing to happen to us in over 30 years.”

Another viewer, Mz_Evans_, empathized with the mom’s struggle, writing: “i think i’ve walked up these exact steps and I understand her actions.”

Others chimed in with shared frustration over travel logistics. “You can tell she has been personally victimized by those stairs for a week and dreamed of doing this when walking up them with the same luggage when she arrived,” added a commenter named Hannah.

Some thought the viral moment could have commercial value. “If the luggage company doesn’t immediately use this as their next marketing campaign they are seriously missing out,” wrote Jennifer Knowles. Jodikesh agreed: “This should be commercial for the luggage maker—endurance.”

Still, not everyone was amused. Some raised safety concerns about the bag potentially hitting someone. “That could’ve potentially injured someone, no?” wrote serpentinepaths. Another viewer added: “Good thing nobody walked out in front of it all of a sudden.”

TikTok user sugar mommy said: “i would just be scared the wheels would break and i’d have to carry that the rest do the way home.”

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.