Best Travel Purses for Women – Penny Pincher Fashion Blog

I will start by stating the obvious. Purses designed for travel (the anti-theft, do-it-all ones) aren’t the most attractive bags on the market. I am a fashion blogger with a love for travel and functional, cute outfits so when I travel I have very high standards for the purse I bring. I figured I’m not alone, so here we are with a roundup of my top picks for the best travel purses for women.

When my husband and I planned a two week trip to Europe, finding the perfect travel bag was daunting! I wanted a cute bag that Mary Poppins would envy, but much smaller than hers of course. I searched the internet for the perfect travel bag. More times than not, the most popular suggestions were the bulky unattractive ones that scream “I’m a tourist!”… not the vibe I wanted.

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Finding Your Perfect Travel Purse

Do not have to settle for the typical anti-theft travel purse. Your travel purse can be both functional and stylish. It can even be a purse you use year round!

Searching for the bag though isn’t easy, though. That is why I am sharing this roundup of the 9 best travel purses for women. From Stylish crossbody travel purses, to travel totes, to backpacks, there is a bag for everyone in this post (if not, let me know what I missed and I’ll find something for you!)

You bag should be cute and also fit your travel/everyday essentials.

Why should you take my advice? I have travelled the world, from walking miles around Disney World to hiking The Path Of the Gods in Italy, and I have learned what works and doesn’t work in travel purses.

PRO TIP: You really only need to take one purse with you on any given trip! As a passionate carry-on only traveler, I am also here to confirm that packing more than one purse is simply a waste of space. Check out some of the best travel purse options below!

Purses you will not find in this post

Let’s clear the air, this is not a review post of your typical voluminous travel purse that will peg you as a tourist at first glance. You know what I’m taking about, peep the image below.

While I have no doubt this bag will serve somebody well on their travels, it simply isn’t the vibe we are going for here.

What makes a purse good for travel

Trust me, some bags are made for travel and some simply are not. From my extensive travel experience, I wanted to share a few takeaways about what I have found to make a really great travel purse. Here is a short list of my top priority characteristics of when shopping for the best travel purse:

Zippers: To have peace of mind that my items are secure. Bonus points for multiple zipper compartments. Magnetic or snap closures are not practical for travel.
Durability: The bag must be able to withstand the wear and tear of any given day, from tsa conveyor belts, to an evening dinner, and everything in between.
Size: It must be able to hold my essentials and sunglasses (IYKYK!). Essentials include phone, card case, chapstick, lipgloss, mini comb, passport (if needed), keys, and maybe a makeup compact.
Compartments: Every nook and cranny of the purse should serve a purpose and securely hold items. If that phone pocket doesn’t actually fit my phone, it’s an automatic no.
Versatility: Must be wearable to various activities that can span a 24 hour period. I don’t want to be switching between multiple bags during a trip, I’ve learned this only leads to unnecessary frustration.
Function: My items must be easily accessible. If I risk something falling out of the bag as I grab for my chapstick or phone, that’s an automatic red flag for me.

My Top 9 Preferred Purses for Travel (Approved for Appearance & Function)

As promised, here are my top picks for travel bags that are stylish and will have you looking more like a local than an obvious tourist. I will also highlight a customer review of each product that confirms my opinion of the product.

1. Fashion Forward Travel Purse

If appearance is top priority, you have to consider this travel bag! It has several travel safe features and a stylish design that is sure to compliment a variety of outfits. Can you just imagine carrying this bag throughout Paris, Italy, Greece, or anywhere really? I would use this bag everyday without hesitation! The best part is that it is currently under $30 on Amazon!! I can’t even.

2. The Purse With the most Space

For those of you who cherish extra space and love organization while on the go, the Beis Carryall Crossbody is my favorite roomy travel bag. The travel features I love are the machine-washable cotton fabric, several organizational pockets, a key leash, interior water bottle pocket, and suitcase handle pass-through strap. This crossbody bag also features and adjustable strap so you can wear it as a shoulder bag as well. With a trendy crescent shape, this bag looks chic with nearly any outfit. This bag is great option if you are always juggling extra things like a water bottle, snacks, and miscellaneous things that accumulate on any given travel day.

3. Mini Backpack

If a backpack is more your style, I recommend the Mini Banbury Backpack by Vera Bradley in Nylon Twill. It is NOT a full size backpack, measuring at 7″ x 8.75″ x 4.5, which is just enough room for a wallet, phone sunglasses, chapstick, keys, and a few other personal items. It is available in cotton, nylon Twill, or leather. The exact bag I took to Europe was a Nylon Twill Vera backpack and can confirm the material was amazing for travel. It is smooth, lightweight, easy to clean, and sleek. Another thing I love about Vera Bradley bags is the quality. I have put my Vera backpack through the ringer and it still looks like new.

4. Neoprene Crossbody Travel Purse

This bag!! Dagne Dover is a high quality brand and their neoprene crossbody is one of the best crossbody travel purses for women I have seen. Can I just tell you how obsessed I am with a good exterior phone pocket, and the fact that this bag has one with a magnetic closure! Nothing is worse than wrangling your phone out of your bag while praying nothing falls out in the process before you miss the opportunity to snap a once in a lifetime photograph in the new city you are exploring. I digress. But seriously, the exterior phone pocket, chic design, and lightweight structured fabric are some of the characteristics I adore about this crossbody travel bag.

5. Small Sling Crossbody from Amazon

She is a workhorse, ladies! Not only will this bag pair beautifully with any outfit, it is slim, easy to wear, and holds a lot of stuff. Not to mention the RFID front pocket. With over 10,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 stars, this is a top contender for one of the best travel purses for women.

TIP: Stick with neutral colors for optimal outfit versatility. Black, brown coffee, and leather khaki are a few of my favorite color options for this bag.

As one reviewer confirmed, this bag can be worn across your front in high traffic areas or on your back.

6. Anti-Theft Classic Travel Bag for Women

This list wouldn’t be complete without a Tavelon anti-theft, RFID blocking, slash resistant, locking main compartment, convertible travel purse for women! You know, all the features we love about Travelon bags, but this one is cute and not bulky at all! She doesn’t scream tourist and gives you confidence that your belongings are secure while on the go.

7. Nylon Foldover Crossbody

I am already a fan of Quince for offering quality designer apparel at realistic price points, but now they are also a top contender for travel gear, too. This versatile bag is spacious and really nice to look at! Like I said in another bag review above, Nylon is my top pick in material for travel bags so this is a great option. It also features an adjustable, comfortable strap, multiple compartments, and an exterior slip pocket for your phone.

Reviewers agree, this is a great purse for travel!

8. Favorite Sling Bag for Travel

Another travel bag from Quince I adore! Call it what you want, belt bag, fanny pack, or sling bag. I personally will be carrying this on my next extended vacation. This sling bag is too good not to share. It is very similar to a MZ Wallace style that retails over $150. This Quince sling is currently $70! I have been through my share of belt bags and am super picky about them. It is hard to find one that is big enough, has compartments, fits the phone, looks cute, and is within budget.

This one has two exterior zip pockets and an interior zip pocket, thank you Quince! Plus it is made of an ultra-lightweight water-resistant polyester.

9. Laptop Tote Bag for Travel

If you are a working girl or one that loves to bring your laptop along on trips, this is an essential bag for you! I have been on many work trips with my laptop, including NYC, LA, and Chicago. Let me tell you, a well organized bag is a must and this one does not disappoint. This one does not scream tourist and it can double as a daytime or evening bag when you’re not carrying the laptop around. It features a two way double zipper closure which I find paramount when travelling with a tote bag!

Travel Purse FAQ

What style purse is the best to travel with?

For keeping my belongings safe and secure I always opt for a purse that can be worn across the front of my body, such as sling bag or crossbody. In a crossbody, I opt for an adjustable strap so that it can be raised up higher on my body in crowded places.

Is an anti-theft purse necessary for travel?

That depends on your own comfort level. Before travelling to Europe and underdeveloped parts of the Carribbean, I had heard of countless pick pocketing and purse snatching stories, however I never did invest in a true anti-theft travel purse. Instead, I opted for a bag that was relatively small, had secured straps, and could be worn on my front. I personally would avoid purses that have easily removeable straps for obvious reasons. Bags with RFID protection are also a good idea.

What is the difference between a purse and a crossbody?

A purse is a bag carried on a daily basis to hold belongings. A crossbody is a type of purse that is worn across the body and usually sits to the side or front of the person wearing it.

Is a crossbody or backpack better for travel?

This will depend on the type of activities you will be doing on your trip. If you have a very active trip planned with hiking and outdoor excursions on the agenda, I would personally prefer to wear a backpack to hold extra gear. If your trip is more of a leisure experience and sightseeing, then a crossbody should be sufficient. Again, this will vary based on your individual needs and preference.

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