If like us, you have a particular affinity for handbags, your collection will cater to every outfit, event and colour combination. But when it comes to travel, only a few handbags styles fit the bill.
If you’re going on vacation, it’s likely suitcase space will limit you to just one or two travel-approved handbags, making it essential to choose wisely.
So, what should you look for in the perfect travel handbag? We recommend crossbody styles that free up your hands for navigation and taking holiday snaps. If you prefer a tote or shoulder bag, consider styles that have zippers or fold over the top to help keep things secure. It’s also ideal to keep the size small enough so it won’t weigh you down, but also big enough so it can fit everything you need for the day (or night).
It’s a lot to ask from one accessory, so we’ve done the groundwork for you and found the best travel-approved handbags that combine practical features with style and designer flair.
Best Stylish Handbags For Travel
![Versace Barocco Athena Tote Bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/versace-bag-1024x1024.jpg)
Versace Barocco Athena Tote Bag, $2,880 from Versace
![Gucci Horsebit 1955 shoulder bag in red leather](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/110380/gucci-horsebit-red-leather.jpg)
Gucci Horsebit 1955 Shoulder Bag, $5,200 from Gucci
![Kate Spade Sam Icon Nylon East West Medium Crossbody bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/KateSpadeSamIcon-1000x1333-1-768x1024.jpg)
Sam Icon Nylon East West Medium Crossbody, $529 at Kate Spade
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![Mimco Patch Mini Tote Bag in Black Gunmetal](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/22608_38124_81923-819x1024.jpeg)
Patch Mini Tote Bag, $249.95 at MIMCO
![Michael Kors Parker Extra-Large Leather Shoulder Bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/108042/bag-1.jpg)
Parker Extra-Large Leather Shoulder Bag, $429 – $1,089 at Michael Kors
![Coach Tabby Chain Clutch in Signature](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/C_CE774B4NQ4_1.jpeg)
Tabby Chain Clutch, $595 at COACH
![Longchamp BOX-TROT crossbody bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/108686/pac-portrait-2023-02-17t132959603.jpg)
Box-Trot M Crossbody Bag in Cognac-Canvas, $1,290 at Longchamp
![Poppy Lissiman Tamarama Bag in Blanc](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/102986/pac-portrait-19.jpg)
Tamarama Bag in Blanc, $235 at Poppy Lissiman
![Oroton Florence Small Shoulder Bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/dear-frances-review-6.jpg)
Florence Small Shoulder bag, $399 at Oroton
![The LOEWE Paula's Ibiza Pochette bag at Net-A-Porter, is a crossbody style ideal for travel](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/113354/handbag-for-travel.jpg)
LOEWE Paula’s Ibiza Pochette, $1,170 at Net-A-Porter
![TRAVEL-HANDBAG](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/102985/pac-portrait-18.jpg)
Paloma Shoulder Bag, $69.95 at Peta And Jain
![The Electra Purse in Pink from Respiro Studio is a glamorous bag you could also take travelling](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/ElectraPursePink.jpg)
Electra Purse in Pink, $449 at Respiro Studio
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![Cult Gaia's Sybil Crossbody bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/113356/handbag-for-travel-1.jpg)
Sybil Crossbody Bag, $358 at Cult Gaia
![Marc Jacobs The Snapshot bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/102981/pac-landscape-10.jpg)
Marc Jacobs The Snapshot, $630 at THE ICONIC
![Dior Medium Lady D-Lite Bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/ChristianDiorMediumLadyDLite-1000x1080-1-947x1024.jpg)
Mediuma Lady D-Lite Bag, $8,100 at DIOR
![Medium Saffiano Leather Prada Panier Bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/PradaMediumSaffianoPanier-1000x1250-1-819x1024.jpg)
PRADA Medium Saffiano Leather Prada Panier Bag, $5,900 at Farfetch
![Ferragamo Iconic Top Handle Handbag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/103985/untitled-design-27.jpg)
Ferragamo Iconic Top Handle Handbag in Red, $3,950 from Ferragamo
![Longchamp Box-Trot Crossbody Bag in Black Leather](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/103987/untitled-design-28.jpg)
Box-Trot Crossbody Bag in Black Leather, $1,290 from Longchamp
![Ferragamo Fiamma crossbody bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/FerragamoFiamma-1000w-766x1024.jpg)
Fiamma crossbody bag, $3,250 from Ferragamo
![The Wanderers Pré-Saint-Didier Crossbody Bag](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/media/106237/twtco_pillow-bag_tan_-78966-1.jpg)
Pré-Saint-Didier Crossbody Bag, $169 from The Wanderers
![Ferragamo Charming Tote](https://www.marieclaire.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/FerragamoCharmingTote-1000w-766x1024.jpg)
Charming Tote, $2,250 from Ferragamo