15 Best Travel Tote Bags for Your Next Getaway
Perfect for all your in-flight essentials and more.
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Now that the holiday rush is over and we’ve ushered in a new year, it’s time to set our sights on the next thing to look forward to, like a vacation, perhaps. Indeed, as we settle into some of the most admittedly bleak months of the year, we find travel to be especially inspiring. Whether you’re taking flight, making plans, or just daydreaming, there are so many ways to brighten up these winter days. Go ahead and pack your best travel tote bag, the sheer idea of a getaway is guaranteed to make you smile.
As frequent flyers, we’ve tested and gone through a fair share of travel backpacks, weekender bags, and designer luggage to find the ultimate travel companions worth lugging through any airport, train station, or bus terminal. There’s no question that designer totes are one of the most must-have bags out there, but those that offer ample space, organizational features, and special compartments for functionality can truly enhance your travels in ways you’d never imagine. “The perfect travel tote is functional, easy to carry, and versatile,” says Maud Barrionuevo, head of buying and marketplace for 24S.com. “You can wear it to catch a flight, as well as throughout your trip, and it is essentially the fashion piece to rely on in all circumstances for chic yet effortless style.”
Read on to see the most versatile, quality picks—with price and style in mind—that’ll carry you through your travel itineraries for years to come.
Capacity matters when it comes to the duration of a trip, so it’s a good thing this one comes in five different sizes to choose from From local wandering to international trips, you’ll be holding onto this baby for years.
Dimensions: Length: 16.5 inches; height: 11 inches; depth: 9 inches
Colors: Scout Tan, Domino Black
Material: Neoprene, mesh, recycled REPREVE®
Customer review: “We have transitioned all of our travel bags over to Dagne Dover....the number of compartments cannot be matched by any other competitor.”
Whether it’s the impressive quality of the regenerated plastic, the roomy interior, or the fact that it’s completely machine-washable, Cuyana’s weekender can do no wrong in my eyes.
Dimensions: Length: 22.5 inches; height: 14.5 inches; depth: 7 inches
Colors: Cappuccino, Black
Material: Recycled plastic
Customer review: “Can easily be carried on the street, but holds a surprising amount when packing. I rolled clothes, stuffed it, stillHeld laptop and iPad. Btw, it can def be stuffed under the seat if you have a separate carry on in the bins.”
Spice up your collection with a pop of color. One of BEIS’ best-selling products, this beauty features one of my favorite compartments a tote can offer: a separate space for your shoes.
Dimensions: Length: 19 inches; height: 15.7 inches; depth: 9.8 inches
Colors: 9 options
Material: Poly canvas, vegan leather, nylon
Customer review: “This design is fabulous. The size is perfect for a 3-4 day trip and it saves me from having to make a large suitcase. I love this bag.”
MZ Wallace is always a reliable choice and totally editor-approved. Get ready for your life to get a whole lot more organized; not only does this Metro Tote have countless pockets, but includes three zip-top pouches.
Dimensions: Length: 15 inches; height: 16 inches; depth: 10 inches
Colors: Black
Material: Nylon
Customer review: “It has all the great pockets and pouches you need to organize your carry-on necessities and it has the trolley sleeve....you can fit your daily purse inside the tote so you have something smaller upon arrival. The polished look is simple and classic, and I know I look like an effortless, style-mavin as I glide through travel days. Grab one, you won't be sorry!”
Perfect for the fashion lover on vacation, this canvas is a timeless investment, and you know it.
Dimensions: Length: 19 inches; height: 14.25 inches; depth: 6.25 inches
Colors: Ivory
Material: Cotton, jute, polyester, leather, brass
Two of our favorite brands had a baby!
Dimensions: Length: 15.35 inches; height: 18.11 inches; depth: 6.69 inches
Color: Forest Green/Stone White, Black/Sun
Material: Cotton
Get out of town in style with this leather-trimmed weekender. It’s sized to hold all of your essentials for a short trip, customizable with hand-painting or embroidery, and spill-proof, so you can worry a little less during transit.
Dimensions: Length: 15 inches; height: 15 inches; depth 8 inches
Colors: Scout Tan, Domino Black
Material: EcoCraft canvas, recycled vegan leather
Customer review: “This is the BEST weekender I have ever owned. It will hold clothes for more than a mere weekend (including an extra pair of shoes!) and still fit beneath the seat on an airline....The handle is sturdy and attached well....This is a beautiful bag and worth every penny.”
If you often come home from an excursion with more than you brought, look no further. Small and light enough to pack in another piece of luggage, throw this functional, 13-ounce bag in your suitcase for those “need-more-space” emergencies.
Dimensions: Length: 22 inches; height: 12.5-18.5 inches; depth: 9.5 inches
Colors: Midnight Blossom, Black, French Navy, Sterling Shimmer
Material: Nylon
Customer review: “Just bought this bag for a trip to Toronto. Very roomy and the top zip and side bag made everything I needed on the plane very accessible. I would recommend this bag to anyone who asked about it.”
Madewell never ceases to amaze with its quality. The space and divided compartments within this vegetable-tanned leather tote are ideal for your next overnight adventure. Or, tuck the removable adjustable strap in, and it doubles as a gym bag.
Dimensions: Length: 13.375 inches; height: 18 inches; depth: 22.75 3/4 inches
Colors: English Saddle, True Black
Material: Leather
Customer review: “I’ve been living Monday through Friday switching off nights between my boyfriend's house and my house. I was getting sick of schlepping two or three totes of stuff between houses and leaving them in my car while working instead of schlepping them up to the office. This bag has made the entire process easier—it is absolutely gorgeous leather that I feel comfortable bringing into work, and it holds my suit, heels, toiletries, laptop, wallet, and phone with room to spare.”
From the picnic to the plane, this spacious tote bag is great for holding all your daily essentials. (You know how we love our leather tote bags.) Thanks to the removable insulated pouch, your laptop and lunch can peacefully co-exist while you’re bopping around town.
Dimensions: Length: 13 inches; height: 16 inches; depth: 10 inches
Colors: Black, Black Croc, Cream, Cream Croc
Material: Vegan leather
Customer review: “The Tote surpasses all other work bags I've owned with its exceptional functionality and capacity.”
Ideal for practically anything—from the beach to in-office days—this mesh bag just signals that you’re a cool girl.
Dimensions: Length: 13 inches; height: 10.5 inches; 6 inches
Colors: Blackout, Candy Pink
Material: Mesh, nylon, neoprene, leather
Customer review: “OBSESSED! It’s an awesome, eye-catching, easy to wear and ‘sparks joy’ kind of bag.”
This luxury hand-woven option will fit just about anything. It’s the chicest thing TSA will see, and you need it stat.
Dimensions: Lenght: 23 inches; height: 12 inches; depth: 8.5 inches
Colors: 7 options
Material: Terylene
Customer review: “Nice and sturdy, big tote, and bag itself is lightweight.”
Available in 20 colors, the lightweight Luka Duffel is the perfect size for all sorts of trips. It’s water-resistant, offers a separate shoe compartment, and boasts endless amounts of pockets for all your organizing needs. And if you can’t get enough, add the matching toiletry bag to your collection.
Dimensions: Length: 12 inches; height: 16 inches; depth: 7 inches
Colors: 20 options
Material: Polyester
Customer review: “My favorite part is fitting my 13.6-inch MacBook Air in the front pocket! I also fit sneakers in the shoe compartment with a full center with clothes and gifts from Christmas travel. The luggage strap is perfect for the airport. Love it!”
If you’re anything like me, you love having options. Give your arms a rest with this two-in-one convertible backpack.
Dimensions: Length: 40 cm; height: 36 cm; depth: 10 cm
Colors: Warm Gray, Tan, Navy, Black
Material: Italian leather
Customer review: “It is my favorite casual weekend bag that enables me to carry a laptop if needed to get some work done downtown. I live in a city and it’s great for city living and travel.”
There’s so much to love about Baggu, including this perfect travel bag that is light and affordable.
Dimensions: Length: 17 inches; height: 25 inches; depth: 9.75 inches
Colors: Nasturium, Extra Pink, Bay Laurel, Black
Material: Recycled nylon
Meet the Expert
- Maud Barrionuevo is head of buying and marketplace for 24S, an LVMH e-commerce platform that carries collaborations with labels like Coperni, Max Mara, and Dion Lee. As a buyer, Barrionuevo is an expert in consumer trends and customer satisfaction.
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