Skip to Content

11 Best Travel Purses if You're Lookin' for Something Chic and Practical

Playing tourist 🤝 looking cute.

By
a variety of hats
Images Courtesy of Brands

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.

A wise person once said that the right purse can make or break an outfit. But if you were to ask me on a deeper level...I'd say it can also make or break your vacation. Having the perfect travel purse is essential (something has to keep your shit safe, after all), and there are hundreds of options out there for all the different types of travelers.

Now, purses come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. But a purse that's good for traveling will have a few important features. For example, it should be spacious, practical, and easy to stash under your seat on a plane. It should have plenty of pockets and compartments for organization. And it should probably be cute enough to go with all your travel 'fits, too. Kind of a big ask, but they exist! I promise!

Our top picks for the best travel purses of 2024:

I dug through reviews and personally tested bags across the internet to find 11 of the very best travel purses for your next big trip—or, you know, just your next big purchase. You're welcome! Scroll down to see the crème de la crème.

Trust me when I say that this bag is inescapable. It's being carried on trains, planes, cars, buses, grocery stores, and every sidewalk you've ever strolled down, so I'd be remiss to not include it here. You can't walk ten feet out of your home without seeing someone with this bag, but that's because it's spacious, easy to carry, and affordable—you know, the trifecta. It comes in a lot of different colors, but I recommend adding yourself to the waitlist for the crochet version for a little bit of ~flair~.

Dimensions11 x 6.7 x 3.9 in
WeightN/A
Colors9

Whenever I see someone carrying this little bag, I'm overcome with emotion—it's Just. So. Cute. While it looks like a mini duffel—and in a way, it kind of is!—it operates more like a crossbody, and works extremely well as a purse for someone gallivanting around a new city.

There are three separate interior sleeves to hold your essentials—like your passport, wallet, or some snacks—and an exterior pocket that's perfect for keeping your phone safe. And although small, many reviewers note how roomy this thing is. That said, it's also available in small, medium, large, and extra large, if you wanna get a bigger one to match.

Dimensions9 x 4.75 x 6.25 in
Weight1 lb. 4 oz.
Colors5
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
best fashion-forward purse

Polène Tonca Bag

Tonca Bag

This one's for all of my fashion girlies! If you don't already own a Polène purse, here's your excuse to add one to cart. The luxe outer material—Italian full-grain textured leather, to be specific—on this pick makes it chic as hell, but the interior is also expansive enough to hold all of your travel essentials. It's also extra travel-friendly because it can be carried in two different ways: just adjust the strap length and you've got either a shoulder bag or a crossbody. I mean, who says a practical purse can't be stylish, too?!

Dimensions17 x 24 x 7 cm
Weight12.9 oz.
Colors9

Baggu's quest for world domination appears to be successful so far. The brand is everywhere, and for good reason. One reviewer used this shoulder bag as their everyday purse for a three-week trip to Europe and said it was amazing. And you know what? I totally agree.

The secret sauce to this bag is that it folds easily, making it perfectly packable. If you'd rather use another purse or tote as your personal item for the plane, no worries—just fold this one up and stow it away in your checked bag or carry-on. And if it gets dirty? All good, the nylon material is super easy to clean.

Dimensions10.5 Ă— 14 Ă— 4 in
Weight8 oz.
Colors9
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

If you love having organizational options, this crossbody sling from Béis will be right up your alley. There's a microfiber-lined protective pocket for delicate items such as your phone or sunglasses, a built-in card holder for your ID and CCs, and even a water bottle pouch so you can stay hydrated. One reviewer said they were able to fit six passports, hand sanitizer, a cell phone, and a few other small items inside before things started getting tight. Magic!

Dimensions6.7 x 8.2 x 2.7 in
Weight0.6 lbs
Colors6

Like its name states, this bag truly lets your hands stay idle. With two zippered side storage compartments and numerous interior pockets, all of your bits and bobs will have a place—mark my words. It comes in 14 colors (yes, you read that right!!!) and has an adjustable strap, meaning that this crossbody bag can be worn on your shoulder, dressed up or down, and brought just about anywhere.

I own this bag in green and am obsessed, but I do have one warning: because it's 100% leather, the dye can transfer a bit, so just be extra careful what you wear it with.

Dimensions2.2 x 15.7 x 7.1 in
Weight8 oz.
Colors14
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Longchamp's Le Pliage tote is a classic, and anyone who owns one knows why. Chic, roomy, and easy to clean (water-resistant lining, FTW), this bag is a traveler's dream—especially since it can be folded up for easy storage. The timeless design makes it a good accessory for any situation—from a tour of the Vatican to a day at the beach. It's also available in 12 different colorways, so you're sure to find one to match your aesthetic.

Dimensions11 x 10 x 6 in
Weight9.6 oz.
Colors12

Honesty hour: This bag has been in my virtual cart for what feels like forever. I love the stylish woven design, how spacious it is, and the fact that it's made from high-quality materials. With a shoulder strap and an extra crossbody strap, this versatile bag can be worn multiple ways, plus Clare V sells a ton of different straps, so you can mix and match and dress it up or down depending on your personal travel style (this tortoiseshell one is *chef's kiss*).

Dimensions15 x 11 x 21 in
Weight18 oz.
Colors8
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Looking for a smaller sling option for your next adventure? Well, you're in luck—this Italian pebbled leather option from Quince may appear small, but the storage is something you've gotta see to blieve. The nylon strap is adjustable and comfortable, and there’s a back zippered pocket and interior card holder to keep you organized. It can be worn as a crossbody, slung across your shoulder, or wrapped around your waist, if that's more your style (we love a fanny pack moment!).

Dimensions5.75 x 11 x 1.5 in
Weight10.9 oz.
Colors5
best mini backpack

Calpak Kaya Mini Backpack

Kaya Mini Backpack
Now 35% Off

If your vacations typically involve more adventurous activities than aperitivo hours, a mini backpack may be your best option for a travel purse. And with adjustable straps, a luggage trolley sleeve, and multiple zip compartments, this one from Calpak is about to be your new best friend. Reviewers rave about the expensive-looking (and feeling!) features, like the faux-leather material and heavy-duty dual zippers, and often point out just how roomy it is inside.

Dimensions10.65 x 8.5 x 4.25 in
Weight1.9 lb.
Colors5
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Simple in design and high in quality, the Mini Double Loop bag from Cuyana can be worn as a shoulder bag or a crossbody (yes, versatility has definitely been a recurring theme in this article). Reviewers rave about the soft supple leather and the bag's compact size, which is perfect for roaming about town on your next adventure. The back slip pocket gives easy access to your phone, keys, credit card, or anything else needed in a pinch, and the interior pockets keeps your valuables (hotel keys, cash, etc.) well-protected. It's also just so chic???

Dimensions6.8. x 7.6 x 3.7 in
WeightN/A
Colors4

Tips on how to choose the best travel purse:

rectangle

Choosing a purse for traveling is pretty simple—as long as it's something you like and you want to carry (and there's room for it in your luggage or on your person), you really can't go wrong. That being said, there are some general rules I try to live by.

The first is to look for a purse that has a zippered closure, or at least a super secure one. You don't want to run the risk of getting pickpocketed or your passport falling out, so making sure your purse is secure is probably the number one requirement.

The second—which is important if you're only bringing one purse on your travels—is having different options for how you can carry it. Adjustable straps are ideal, because they make the bag more versatile for your various outfits.

Third, look for purses with multiple compartments, pockets, and/or sleeves. Staying organized while you're on the go is so important, especially when you're carrying important things like passports and tickets.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

What counts as a personal item on a plane?

rectangle

What counts as a personal item definitely runs the gamut. It can be a duffel, a tote, a backpack, or, yes, a purse! All that matters is that it can fit under the airplane seat in front of you and falls within the size restrictions of your airline. These sizes can vary by airline, though, so be sure to double-check their rules before you leave for a trip.

Why trust Cosmo?

rectangle

Our lifestyle team includes Lifestyle Director Rachel Torgerson, Lifestyle Editors Christen Johnson and Hannah Chubb, and Assistant Editor Annabel Iwegbue—collectively we have decades of experience researching and selecting the best buys for you.

We spend all day, every day scouring the internet, testing products, and reading reviews so we can bring you the type of high-quality content we'd want for ourselves. Our shopping roundups also adhere to the 15 Percent Pledge—this one included.

Watch Next 
a variety of hats
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below