All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Totes are one of the most essential travel items you can own — the best tote bags are endlessly versatile and tend to have room for everything you could need while in transit. For some travellers, a sturdy leather tote is a no-brainer essential for taking on a long flight: It's bigger than most bags, so you can more easily fit a laptop, water bottle, and all other plane accessories inside. For others, an easy-to-fold cotton option might be the item you break out mid-trip for a visit to the beach or marketplace. Parents will also attest a travel tote is a must when flying with a baby – the multitude of pockets ensures a toy or snack can be grabbed quickly to avoid any mid-flight meltdowns.
Whatever your style, a tote bag you love is a must-have piece of carry-on luggage, and we're here to help you find the right one. Below, we've pulled together the best tote bags to travel with — from value buys to investment bags you'll get compliments on for years to come.
Antler's tote is light on features – there's no internal pockets here, and it doesn't zip up at the top – but what it lacks in pockets, it makes up for in size. This is one of the roomiest totes in our round up, and the canvas material means it folds up small, ready to pack in your suitcase to house all your travel essentials. Beach towels? Chuck ‘em in. Spare outfit? Absolutely. It’ll even fit an 18" laptop, should you need. The modest price tag is a sweetener, too.
Dickies' unisex quilted tote is a favourite of our editors, being the go-to for our social media manager, Lucy Bruton, who rates its sturdiness (thanks to the tough nylon material) and handy inner pocket. It has a relaxed, oversized fit that's roomy enough for all the day's gear, and an outer bottle pocket claws back extra space and keeps your water close to hand.
There's lots to like about this Beis tote: it's made from recycled plastic, comes in four shades that match the brand's luggage range, and it can be worn two different ways thanks to the removable crossbody strap. Inside, there's plenty of dedicated space for all your essentials: a laptop sleeve, mobile phone pocket, key leash and a water bottle holder. All that, and it looks effortlessly chic, too, in keeping with Beis's signature minimal styling we know and love. This is one of the roomiest totes the brand offers, so it's a good choice for travellers – comfortably fitting a spare change of clothes or your in-flight essentials.
For everything you want in a tote, this smart Bellroy style hits all the marks. The streamlined bag is light to carry, while there's plenty of packing space and pockets to keep everything neat and organised. The main compartment can be fully zipped up and contains a laptop sleeve, two pockets for bottles and umbrellas, as well as smaller mesh pockets for valuables. The external pocket features a place for a phone, two pens, a passport and other travel essentials. The water-resistant, woven material folds up easily too, making this space saver a travel essential.
It’s easy to see why this travel tote bag is a best seller and often sold out. Firstly the size – the large tote has room for 22 litres, plenty of space for packing a whole weekend’s worth of items. When testing it, I managed to comfortably fit four different packing cubes of clothes inside, as well as a wash bag. Then there are the organisation options – a dedicated laptop sleeve, a drink bottle holder, a pocket for a phone and wallet, as well as a zip-up pocket ideal for storing a passport. There are two external pockets, one that’s hidden and secured with a magnet, as well as a sleeve to slip over a luggage handle, so it can easily sit safely on top of a suitcase. The bag is made from a light machine-washable cotton canvas and comes in natural, navy and black, as well as a small size option.
Editor's review: “I've travelled with this tote a couple of times, using it as my underseat bag on easyJet flights. As a mum of a two-year-old it's perfect for storing all of the things you need easy access to – there's plenty of room and dedicated pockets for toys, snacks, a tablet, and a water bottle. It's also large enough that it can fit a travel potty. When I'm travelling by myself, I can fit multiple outfits and a pair of shoes in very easily by using packing cubes. I have the natural colour and really love how stylish it looks too, and am surprised the light colour has remained stain-free despite throwing it about during my travels,” Lauren Burvill, commerce editor.
The Book Tote is a Dior classic, and the only bag fashion editors travel with. First imagined by Marc Bohan in the 1960s, it was part of the late creative director’s mid-century defining aesthetic that also saw the creation of the now synonymous Oblique monogram. Our Fashion Editor Charlotte Davey recently travelled with the cult bag to see if it lived up to the hype and found that it was incredibly versatile, sturdy and an ideal size for travel.
Editor's review: "For the airport, it sits neatly atop a suitcase, its handles perfect for being looped around a carry-on handgrip, and it can be neatly packed with all your airport essentials. It was also really handy for travelling with a child. All those extra bits and pieces (bottles, snacks, toys, books, etc) can be thrown in before boarding without repacking nappy bags or ensuring you have everything ready for take off. There’s just one central compartment, so you can instantly see (and find) everything. It fits seamlessly underneath a seat – everything you need in flight is right there at the reach of a baby-laden arm," Charlotte Davey, fashion editor
Some of the best tote bags serve as a solid backup when you don't want to use your everyday purse or backpack. This minimalist leather and nylon tote from Longchamp comes in several neutral colours. Since it's water-resistant, it's a great bag to bring along if you suspect inclement weather. But the best part about this bag? You can fold it up into a tiny square and snap it closed, making it an easy choice to toss into your checked luggage.
Renowned French brand Delsey made this tote with travellers who love to shop in mind. It can easily be folded up in your suitcase or carry-on, so won’t have to limit the number of souvenirs you bring back. Made from recycled water bottles and vegan leather, this bag will come with you on holidays for years to come.
This capacious cotton canvas tote bag folds up with ease, which is essential when you're packing it up for a trip. The interior has three storage compartments, and a full zipper to secure all your odds and ends. It's plenty big enough for a laptop, so you can also use it as a work tote if you like. Shop the bag in black, beige, seafoam green, blue shadow, and more.
This is truly a case of “I didn’t find the bag, the bag found me.” It first showed up on my Pinterest feed ages ago, and I adored it every time it appeared. I finally caved, justifying my need to upgrade my work bag from a faded, coffee-stained canvas tote to something chicer. This tote is quite large, but it moulds perfectly into my side as I commute to and from the office. The fun checkered pattern matches everything I wear, and I receive compliments on the daily. I especially love the matching zip pouch that comes with every bag — it’s easily removable, and I’ve been using it as a place for all of my essentials that I can easily throw into other bags. The only problem with the tote is that it doesn’t have any closures, so you have to be mindful of spillage. Mercedes Bleth, global associate director, social
There are a lot of MZ Wallace fans in the Traveller office — we can't get enough of the brand's quilted bags. One of our favourites is the Metro tote, which is arguably the chicest bag you'll find in a lightweight nylon. It's nice and roomy, meaning you can fit all your essentials including a laptop inside, plus it has a smart zipper along the top so your belongings won't fall out in the overhead bin or backseat. For the most type-A among us, there are six interior pockets, plus a phone pocket and key ring strap to stay organised. Best of all, the bag — which is offered in over a dozen colours and prints, like magnet grey and peony pearl — can fold up into a little pouch when you don't need it.
Looking for an investment tote to splurge on? As far as designer tote bags go, we highly recommend this leather tote from Gucci. The subdued shades of the brand's signature hues create a statement piece that will last season after season. It’s got a roomy interior lined with suede-like microfiber, a duo of leather handles, and comes with a matching pouch for storing smaller items.
There is little hesitation when choosing this Christian Louboutin tote bag. Its 12" x 19" dimensions mean you don’t have to sacrifice any of your essentials. The bottom of the bag is made of rubber so you can have some peace of mind when you inevitably need to place it on the floor, in the back of the car, or underneath the seat in front of you on a plane. And with a small wristlet attached, you can keep necessities close if you choose to throw the tote in an overhead bin.
A more subdued version of the classic Louis Vuitton monogram, the OnThe Go tote adds a chic, sleek spin to any travel outfit. The Twin Toron top handles and two shoulder straps offer extra versatility and comfort.
Say hello to your new business trip tote. This elegant bag is made of leather with a fully lined interior. There are two open compartments and one zip compartment. And if you're looking for both function and form, know that the contrasting luggage tag is an eye-catching addition. Shop the tote in black, tan, grey heron, calendula, shell pink, and brilliant red. (And, if you prefer a more petite bag, the Perry tote comes in a smaller version, as well.)
With the option of being carried as a backpack or tote, the Borealis tote is a go-to for outdoor adventures. The interior houses a laptop sleeve while the exterior offers two deep water bottle pockets; store drinks, umbrellas, or even a small tripod in there. The durable, water-repellent finish seals the deal for this tote.