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We’ve all had bags that were too small to fit our in-flight essentials. Don’t fret—the perfect accessory for you is out there! From large travel tote bags, to totes with multiple compartments, you can use one of these versatile, spacious bags on the plane or while sightseeing!
Best Travel Totes
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If you find a bag that works for you, it’s sometimes like finding the Holy Grail! You don’t want to be weighed down while sightseeing or running from meeting to meeting, yet you need to carry all of your stuff. The lightweight travel totes of today allow you to meet all your packing and carrying needs while remaining somewhat unencumbered.
When traveling on a budget airline, lighter fabrics are ideal. They keep the weight from your bag to a minimum, allowing you to maximize the allowance towards your actual belongings. The leather in modern bags is also smoother and less stiff than you may remember it to be. So how are you supposed to choose?
Our readers have weighed in with the best tote bags for travel they’ve found, which are not only practical, but stylish enough for the (airport) runway!
What Is the Best Carry-On Tote Bag?
Shop Baggallini Avenue Tote: Amazon | Zappos | Target
Baggalini Avenue Travel Tote Bag With Pockets
One of our favorite carry on totes for travel, this classic from Baggallini fits a 13″ laptop and has trolley sleeve to slide over your rolling suitcase. Made from a water-resistant canvas, this sleek bag is a must-have among readers who use theirs for business travel. It’s also excellent for a trip abroad as it comes with secure zippered compartments and RFID blocking technology.
One avid user says, “As a flight attendant, I need a tote that I can also use as a purse/ bag-on-the-go. This bag is hands down the best purchase I’ve gotten for my traveling life and career. It’s made with very nice quality material, the pockets are great and organize everything I have, and it’s the perfect size to strut around the airport.”
Read this post to find out our favorite cute backpacks for travel!
Shop Tumi Just In Case Tote: Amazon | Nordstrom | Tumi
Tumi Voyageur Just In Case Nylon Tote Bag
The Tumi Just In Case strikes the right balance between the best travel carry on tote and purse you’ve ever owned. Designed with travelers in mind, this lightweight design folds down small, but opens wide enough to hold a laptop, purse, a jacket and a bottle of water. One reader says it’s also “pretty light, also has a long strap for crossbody wear.”
Find out what our readers have to say about their Tumi Bags in our review!
Shop Longchamp Tote Bag: Nordstrom | Bloomingdale’s | Longchamp
Longchamp Le Pliage Large Shoulder Tote Bag
Classic in style, with a Longchamp is a brand known for quality and design. The Le Pliage tote is made from water-resistant nylon with an embossed leather trim. This best-seller is versatile enough for school, the office or traveling the world. It comes in a range of chic shades and folds flat for storage.
Read our Longchamp purse review and find out why female travelers love this brand!
Scarleton Stylish Reversible Tote Handbag
This adorable, fashionable tote from Scarleton is reversible (in two colors), allowing you to adopt different looks or moods depending on what you have planned on a travel day. It’s also roomy enough to fit your essentials.
Made of vegan leather, it comes with a cute coin bag, and has lovely gold hardware detailing that makes it chic, yet classic. Choose from nine different shades to fit your personal style!
Read this post to find out what we think the best business backpack is for your next adventure!
Reisenthel Travel Tote With Zipper
The Reisenthel’s unique lateral zipper increases the volume of this convertible tote. Combined with a spacious main compartment and zippered inner pocket for security, you have plenty of room to carry your stuff – with room to spare! It’s also made with quality, durable fabric and collapses down for easy storage when not in use. It comes in a range of stylish colors and patterns too!
One reader swears by the brand saying, “I have had MANY items by this brand—all are 10 years old or older—and they hold up great and are top quality.”
You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly!
BOSTANTEN Large Leather Travel Totes
While nylon is very practical for travel, leather offers a chic addition to any outfit. Business travelers might like this style by BOSTANTEN. It fits up to a 15” laptop and has a zippered enclosure. Plus, it’s available in various colors.
One reader says, “It’s great for all my stuff, but looks like a nice purse. I’ve only used it on one trip so far, but it feels like it will last for many years to come!”
Another reader agrees saying, “I just got home from my first trip with this bag—it’s amazing quality for the price! I’m willing to take out with me to a nice dinner as I would a purse. If you’re looking for the ideal ‘professional’ personal item, check this out!”
Tip: the above tote includes a crossbody strap for optimal versatility!
Fjallraven Womens Travel Tote
This Fjallraven is the closest you may get to bag perfection. Made from polyester and cotton, it has three compartments for essentials of all sizes. Stash your everyday gear in the main compartment, important items in the security pocket, and quick-access things up front. It only weighs 1.2lbs, which makes it great for travel. Plus it comes in 14 gorgeous colours, so you can choose a shade as bright as your personality!
One reader calls it her favorite carry-all. “I highly recommend the Fjällräven this bag, which can be carried over the shoulder or as a backpack.”
Our readers chose the best travel bags with trolley sleeve. Take a look at their top recommendations!
Bric Sportina Large Travel Tote Bag With Zipper
The Bric Sportina’s handcrafted satin nylon is waterproof, and you can adjust its shoulder straps for crossbody carrying. This lightweight tote bag for travel is easy-to-clean and won’t fade in the sun, which makes it perfect for carrying all vacation long or as an everyday work accessory. It also comes in three timeless colors, black, navy and olive green.
Durable and secure, with a handy external pocket, our readers have nothing but high praise for it. One reader says she loves hers and calls it “very cute. It holds a ton!” We also love the handle slide feature on the back side, which allows you to secure the tote on top of your rolling carry on!
Read this post to see the affordable bags similar to longchamp le pliage tote!
Michael Kors Travel Tote Bags with Zipper
Michael Kors Large Carry On Tote
What’s large enough for all your things, yet doesn’t weigh you down? It’s not a joke—it’s the cute Jet Set by travel tote designer Michael Kors. While it is a tote, it is small enough to use a purse, and with its classic silhouette, smooth saffiano leather, and buckled shoulder straps, readers can’t sing its praises high enough.
This versatile number has a buckled shoulder strap, so it can be worn crossbody and has a zippered top for added security whilst enjoying the hustle and bustle of a new city.
Not sure what the best travel day bag for your next trip is? Check out this post!
Sherpani Camden Travel Tote Backpack
This Sherpani tote can be used as a shoulder bag or backpack. It is made from durable recycled fabrics and is available in many colours. Readers love it for its trolley sleeve, and it’s versatility. One says she uses it almost daily and travels with it often for work.
Another agrees saying, “It works perfectly to hold my water bottle, umbrella, my Surface Pro, phones, sunglasses, wallet, book, scarf and snacks. I even have a second pair of shoes in there, too!”
Find out what our readers have to say about their Sherpani bags in this review!
Madewell Travel Tote Bags with Pockets
Madewell Black Travel Tote
This is one bag that goes with everything! Clean and modern in supple black or tan leather, this roomy accessory with comfortable over-the-shoulder straps by Madewell gets high marks from readers for whom style and quality are big concerns.
It’s not too overwhelming, yet there’s more than enough room for all your essentials. It has an inside pocket to help you stay organized, plus an outer slip-in pocket for quick access!
MZ Wallace Lightweight Tote Bags for Travel
MZ Wallace Totes Travel Bag
This pretty diamond-quilted nylon bag has supple, yet durable construction making every day use a breeze. Readers love its cool vibe, and say it’s lightweight, stores easily, and holds all your stuff in three roomy zip pouches.
For a day trip with the kids, a work event, or a stroll while window shopping, you’ll walk with confidence, elegance and keen organizational skills.
Find out the best fanny pack for travel!
Kate Spade New York All Day Large Tote
Kate Spade Black Travel Tote Bag
Pebbled leather and slim over-the-shoulder straps make this Kate Spade accessory a sophisticated designer favorite of TFG readers. This wear-with-anything, perfect travel tote carry on is ideal if you’re traveling with a laptop. One reader loves hers saying, “It makes a great work bag.”
Looking for cute laptop bags for travel? Check out this post!
Tory Burch Luxury Travel Tote
Tory Burch makes some of the best designer travel totes on the market and one reader who scored this beauty and was completely taken in by its logo motif, symbolizing the dual offerings of form and function.
She said, “I’m traveling to Europe in September. It will hold everything I need, and I am a very happy girl!”
Here are the best luggage for business travel that will keep you organized and streamlined!
Mali + Lili Ray Estie Recycled Vegan Leather Tote
Mali + Lili Recycled Vegan Leather Tote
Readers call this “unicorn of bags” and rate it as the best carry on tote for international travel. The Mali + Lili Estie Recycled Vegan Leather Tote combines your carry all needs into one sleek package. At $60, it’s cheap, but it’s vegan-friendly leather makes it well worth the money.
We love the sustainable tote style with its well-organized interior, a removable zip pouch, padded compartment that fits most 15″ laptops and structured silhouette with flat base and protective metal feet.
One reader said, “I was reluctant to get it at first, but I’m glad that I did. It’s the nicest one that I’ve ever seen. They market it as a workout bag, but it’s so multifunctional that it’ll make a great travel bag too.”
These are the top convertible purses according to our readers!
Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Tote
Lo & Sons Deluxe Personal Carry On Totes
One of the best totes for travel as voted by our readers is the Catalina Deluxe Tote by Lo & Sons. This tote is built for travel, having a bottom compartment for shoes, tons of organizational pockets and a trolley sleeve so you can slide this the over your suitcase handle. This can be used as a sightseeing bag, or even a beach tote by removing the bottom compartment to have more room to put essentials.
Note, that the deluxe size can’t be categorized as a personal item, but does fit in overhead compartments. They’re also offered in a Deluxe Small and a Deluxe Large which make awesome carry ons and weekender bags!
And this company believes in sustainability, as the bag’s material is recycled poly. Choose from several colors to suit your style!
Find out why our readers love their Lo & Sons bags in this review!
L.L. Bean Everyday Lightweight Tote
L.L. Bean Everyday Tote Bag
L.L. Bean’s Everyday tote is a must-have for souvenir shopping, hauling gear to the beach, carrying groceries to your Airbnb, or storing essentials for a long flight. This ultra-versatile bag has a top zipper to ensure none of your belongings fall out or no one reaches inside, and the fabric is highly resilient but also super lightweight. As a bonus, it has a cute look and comes in a lot of pretty colors!
One reader who uses this tote as her personal item offers another amazing perk: it folds up small and makes an awesome spare bag that’ll come in handy throughout your travels!
What do you think are the best carryon tote bag? Share and comment below!
For more Ideas on travel handbags, please read:
- How to Choose the Best Travel Purse
- Why Cross Body Purses are the Best Travel Shoulder Bags for Women
- Top Anti-Theft Bags
- Best Personal Item Bags
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The Sherpani tote packs are seriously amazing!!