19 best tote bags for travel: luxurious, sustainable, and versatile picks our editors love

This is our pick of the summer, simply because we can’t help but adore the range of bright, pastel shades this cute tote comes in! It really stands out from the crowd, especially when paired with one of the Australian brand’s suitcases in the same lively colour. As it’s nylon, this one is seriously sturdy making it the dream tote for taking with you on trips away and using as your everyday bag. It’s super spacious, comes with a removable shoulder strap, a trolley band and a number of zipped pockets to keep all your bits and pieces safe.

Condé Nast Traveller’s social media manager, Lucy Bruton, has adopted this versatile tote as her go-to bag, whether she’s traveling or headed out for a coffee with friends. The reason for her new-found bag loyalty is that she loves how robust it is – the sturdy nylon material means she can pack this to the brim if need be and not worry about it. There’s an inner pocket, perfect for popping keys and cards into for easy access, and an outer water bottle pocket. Naturally she rates the sophisticated look, too, with its relaxed, oversized fit and black and brown colourways perfect for day to night use.

Can’t choose between a tote or backpack? With this one from The North Face, you don’t have to! The versatile Borealis tote has straps ready to hold in your hands or fling on your back, perhaps depending on how much you pack into it, and there’s potential for that to be quite a lot. Thanks to the compression bungee cords around the outside, you can cinch it in tight to keep your belongings secure or open it right up into its fully expanded splendour! If you’re into hiking or you’re traveling in hot countries, you’ll enjoy the two water bottle pockets on either side (or use one as an umbrella or tripod holder), and the water repellent finish, making it suitable to carry in all weather.

There are many destinations where a shower-proof bag is likely to be a necessity, so we’re grateful that this waterproof tote from Rains is one that complements almost every outfit. It’s effortlessly cool, with its minimalistic design (available in an array of colours) and detachable shoulder strap, perfect for grabbing for pretty much every sort of outing. We’ve been taking it everywhere, from the office to the airport and even the supermarket. In terms of function, its attachment rings that stand out for us – handy for smaller items like your keys and a luggage tracker on the handles. It’s available in a larger size as well.

Do you desire a little more organisation in your tote bag? Then you’ll want to run, not walk, to get yourself a Bellroy Tokyo Wonder Tote. On the water-resistant exterior, you’ve got two large pockets on the front of the bag with dedicated space for a phone, two pens, a passport and other travel essentials, and a slip pocket with button fastening on the back, to keep valuables secure.

Once you get inside the main zippered compartment, things get really exciting! There’s an abundance of packing space this a selection of separate pockets to keep everything tidy and easy to find. You’ve also got a laptop sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and a smaller mesh pockets, too. Despite all these fancy features, this bag is made out of a woven material that folds up easily so you can pack it away when you want to, making this space saver a travel essential.

TALA is a brand already dearly loved by Conde Nast Traveller editors for their comfy activewear (perfect for long haul flights), so it’s a joy to complete our airport outfit with this organic cotton tote bag. It’s roomy enough to fit in all your essentials with ease, while also fitting the Ryanair personal item allowance restrictions (no mean feat!) and has a secret zipped pocket inside, too.

Editor review: This is a really great all-round tote. I needed a slightly bigger one than normal because I have the 14-inch MacBook Pro, plus I often have to cart around a whole host of treats, toys and other paraphernalia when taking my dog into the office. I love the two handle option, and I'm a big fan of the inner compartment, which makes for easy phone or key access. I'm not a huge fan of big logos on my bags but the stitching does make it look more like design than branding. I was originally hesitant about the material – I tend to overfill my bags and end up buying so many because the handles rip – but this one has held its own so far. Olivia Morelli, senior digital writer

Constructed with durable 475gsm cotton, this huge tote bag won’t be splitting any time soon. Antler's tote is light on features, as in it’s just your basic sort of cotton tote – no pockets or zips. But if you’re just looking for something massive you can use as a shopping bag, a beach bag or for an impromptu picnic, this will do the job nicely. If you’re thinking about your tech, you can fit an 18" laptop in here, whereas many other bags only go up to 16”. It’s one of the roomiest totes around but up folds up small so you can pop it in your suitcase until you need it, and it’s a bargain at only £35.

It got into our best waterproof tote round up, and it’s a top pick for best quilted tote too! The Dickies' unisex quilted tote can stand up against a light rain shower and gentle knocks and bumps thanks to its slimline padding. Being quilted makes it more comfortable to carry, keeping the body slightly protected from any jutting out laptop corners and the like! As mentioned in the best waterproof tote section, the nylon material is sturdy, so this should last you a while, and we love the effortlessly cool look of it.

Time for a luxury entry – the MZ Wallace Metro tote is a gorgeous, lightweight nylon design with a zipped up main compartment, and an impressive six internal pockets for all your bits and pieces. It’s available in a range of lush colours, from magnet grey to peony pearl. The Conde Nast Traveller team are generally big fans of the MZ Wallace brand, which is known for chic handbags and accessories, and even though a tote is usually fairly pared back, it’s a spacious and well thought out design. As well as the six pockets inside, there’s also a phone compartment and key ring strap, so you won’t have to rummage around on your doorstep.

Conde Nast Traveller editor, Lauren Burvill, has chosen this elegant tote to be her go-to bag, both for daily life and when travelling. She rates it for being sizeable enough to comfortably slot in her laptop and everything else she needs, while still maintaining its streamlined, handbag style.

Editor review:“The sturdy shape means it's really easy to see inside and grab things quickly, while the gold clasp can keep the bag secure and safe. Inside the bag itself is relatively simple in terms of storage – there's a single pouch on the side for a card holder or phone, while the bottom is big enough to store a wash bag or keep a water bottle upright. I really love the detachable pouch accessory, as it's so easy-to-spot and acts as very secure place to keep your passport and any other valuables. The bag also has an external luggage sleeve too so it can easily be zipped around an airport.” Lauren Burvill

Harber London are renowned for high quality, handmade goods, and this one, available in three colours, did not disappoint. This tote has a 16L capacity, so it’s a great size for bringing on a flight as a light cabin bag for all your travel essentials. The style is timeless, and decidedly unisex, crafted using butter-soft leather and suede for the interior leather, making this a really luxurious purchase. There’s a detachable strap, too, which allows you to make this your own – wearing slung over your shoulder or carried in hand. Thanks to its decent size and interior pocket, we’ve found it possible to easily carry a 16” laptop, travel cosmetics, a flask, phone and chargers with room to spare. It’s worth noting that this bag has an open design with no zip, so if a secure closure is a must for you this might not meet your needs.

If you’ve been searching for a chic bucket tote, look no further. This stunning bag is perfect for day-to-night wear, elevating your look whether you’re in the office or out on the town. In our minds, this makes the ideal business trip tote, with its two open compartments and one zip compartment you can slip your laptop into for safe keeping. This bag is well beyond your average tote and has clearly been crafted for form and function. We love the Italian pebbled leather choice of colours, the included bag charm and the optional contrasting luggage tag. If you prefer a more petite bag, the Perry tote comes in a smaller version, as well.

This ultra-minimal bag, crafted from ethically-sourced European leather, is versatile enough to suit most outfits and generously sized for all your daily essentials. We’ve comfortably fit a laptop, water bottle and gym kit inside for work days, plus a spare jacket and camera for days sightseeing on holiday. The front flap pocket is just the right shape and size for your passport and phone and the interior is made from bright organic cotton, which makes it easier to see what you need at a glance. There’s a keychain so you don’t lose your house keys, and a suitcase sleeve to attach it easily to your carry-on in the airport. I love this bag and have used it every day since it landed on my desk – recommended. Charley Ward

Sometimes you just need a bag that you fold up in your luggage and pull out when you need it, whether for city tours, beach trips or pool side. This tote, made by French brand Delsey, offers a zipped pocket, a trolley strap, and padding on the top of the handles for comfort when carrying. This is great to use as a carry-on bag, or as a compact extra to pop into your suitcase, so won’t have to limit the number of souvenirs you bring back. We love this the lining is made from recycled water bottles and vegan leather, too.

There are many tote bags that are big enough to hold a 16” laptop, but this one is! This recycled canvas, water-resistant bag is lovely to look at, with its leather trim and gold fittings making a sleek, minimalist look. But it’s sturdy too, of solid construction that can hold out even when packing to the brim. If you’re ready to swap out your backpack, this could be a great alternative. Longchamp offers the bag several colours, ranging from ‘tomato’ red and ‘eucalyptus’ green, to neutral ‘paper’ and black. There’s a lot to love about this tote bag, but our favourite feature? The fact that you can fold it up into a tiny square and snap it closed, making it perfectly portable for every adventure.

If you’re looking for iconic, The Tote Bag is the pick for you. This one is huge, providing enough space to serve as a compact weekender or ultimate beach bag. It’s an essential travel item due to its versatility, goes-with-anything aesthetic, three internal storage compartments and zippered closure. Despite its generous size, you can easily fold up this cotton canvas tote if needed. Shop the bag in black, beige, seafoam green, blue shadow, and more.

Is it possible to buy an heirloom tote? Why yes, it is! Gucci is unrivalled for timeless decadence, with its legendary logo emblazoned over its canvas exterior and gold-toned hardware. The leather handles and trim add an extra level of luxury, but not at the expense of the planet, as this leather has been tanned using a chrome-free process for a reduced environmental footprint. Even though this is an investment piece, it still stands up in terms of function, with loads of space to fit in everything you need. If you love matching your luggage and accessories, make sure to pick up the pouch and purse to complete the set.

With its shocking red lining and studded accents, everyone will know from a distance that this is a Louboutin. If you’re ready to splash out, you can’t go wrong with this one. It’s 100% leather and fastens with a delicate silver-toned clasp, and despite being quite clearly fashion forward, it’s also exceptionally roomy, measuring an impressive 12" x 19". Not all good things come in small packages. We really appreciate the smart attention to detail with the rubber bottom of this bag, which allows you to set it down when you need to without having to worry about scuffing up the leather.

If you’ve stocked up on the Louis Vuitton luggage set for your travels, you must treat yourself to this dainty tote, too. Unlike the usual Louis Vuitton print, this one is a more subtle version of the classic monogram, embossed into the leather for a subdued yet striking effect. This one may not offer much in the way of space (it’s not really one for chucking all your stuff into for a big day out), but its compact style does make it ideal for carry-on essentials and daily use.

If you want to be mistaken for a fashion editor, reach for the Dior Book Tote – an eye-catching design first imagined by Marc Bohan in the 1960s, with an embroidered Dior motif and a striking floral design and Mary Stuart quote, chosen to pay homage to Scottish heritage. This is no doubt a cult bag, and our Fashion Editor Charlotte Davey, loves it. When taking it with her on recent travels, she 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

Not all totes are specifically designed for travel, but this one is. The selection of pockets makes staying organised a breeze, with compartments, pockets and attachments for your phone, water bottle, keys, laptop and more crafted into the design. You can wear this tote as a cross-body bag thanks to the removable strap, or pop it onto your trolley with the handy back sleeve. We’ve chosen this one as our best sustainable tote due to the fact that it’s made from recycled plastic, though you’d never know to look at it! The luxury finish looks effortlessly chic, too, in keeping with Beis's signature minimal styling we know and love and comes in five different colours.

It's no secret that almost everyone will make use of a classic black tote bag, and not just when it comes to travelling. This FP Movement duffle bag suits all manner of eventualities and I've genuinely used it almost every day since I got it. Mostly, it's home to my office-day essentials: a gym kit, my laptop, and whatever else one might need to tackle a day in London. But it's also seen the interior of many-an airport, and a Eurostar carriage. Sleek side slots make accessing essentials easy, while the interior zip slot makes an appropriately safe home for a passport. What I really love about it, though? It doesn't feel too corporate, and it maintains the typically aesthetic Free People vibe while remaining super practical. Sarah Leigh Bannerman