Are you getting ready for an unforgettable adventure in Europe? Looking stylish while also ensuring the safety of your belongings is essential as you explore the magnificent continent. Your travel purse is more than just a bag; it's an extension of your personality and style, as well as a safe space to keep everything you need for your journey. Whether you're strolling through the cobbled streets of Rome, immersing yourself in the artsy vibes of Berlin, or soaking up the chic elegance of Paris, you'll want a bag that can comfortably accommodate all your essentials.
With the right travel purse, you can explore Europe with confidence and peace of mind. In this article, we'll explore the key factors to consider when choosing a travel purse and present you with the best options for every style and preference. Whether you're a fan of crossbody bags, sling bags, designer purses, or travel phone purses, you'll find something that suits your individual needs and matches your unique style. Plus, these purses are so fashionable that you'll want to keep wearing them even after your adventures abroad.
Best Travel Purse For Europe
To choose the perfect travel purse for your European trip, you need to take various factors into consideration. These include the trends of the city you'll be visiting, your itinerary, and how much you usually carry with you. The ideal travel purse is the one that suits your individual needs and makes you feel confident and secure during your journey.
Here's a shortlist of the top travel purses for Europe:
- Best Crossbody Travel Purse: Quince Italian Leather Crossbody Bag
- Best Sling Bag for European Travel: Athleta Excursion Mini Belt Bag
- Best Designer Travel Purse: Strathberry East/West Mini
- Best Black Travel Purse: Lo & Sons' Pearl Small Crossbody
- Best Travel Phone Purse: Dagne Dover Mara Phone Sling
- Best Anti-Theft Travel Bag: Sherpani Prima
Tips For Choosing The Best Travel Purse
When selecting a travel purse for international travel, there are a few key features to look out for. These features ensure that your purse is not only stylish but also secure, durable, and functional.
Here are the main features of an exceptional travel purse for Europe:
- Security: Look for safety features such as slash-resistant material, a crossbody strap, locking zippers, credit card slots, locking compartments, and RFID blocking.
- Quality: Opt for high-quality zippers and durable materials that guarantee long-lasting use, seamless action, and enhanced safety.
- Function: Choose a versatile travel bag that can transition effortlessly from sightseeing during the day to an elegant dinner out.
- Style: Effortlessly blend in with the European fashion scene by selecting a travel bag that is on-trend and subtle enough to avoid looking like a tourist. Darker colors and durable materials that hide wear and tear are recommended.
Remember, no bag is 100% safe, but choosing one designed with security features in mind can significantly reduce the risk.
The Best Crossbody Travel Purse
Crossbody bags are extremely popular for travel in Europe. Wearing a crossbody bag allows you to keep your hands free and provides a secure strap to keep your essentials safe, especially in busy areas. Here are our top picks for the most popular purse style for European travel:
Caption: Mark & Graham | The Essential Crossbody
Designed with classic elegance in mind, the Essential Crossbody by Mark & Graham is crafted from luxuriously soft leather and equipped with a comfortable and adjustable shoulder strap. This compact travel companion is perfect for your European adventure. Its easy-cleaning leather ensures it can withstand wear and tear while looking brand new. Personalize your accessory with the monogramming option.
The Details: H: 6” x W: 8” x D: 2.5” | Leather
Shop: $119 at Mark & Graham
Caption: Quince | Italian Leather Crossbody Bag
Quince's Italian Leather Crossbody Bag is a luxurious option made from soft Italian leather in versatile colors. It features an adjustable and removable strap to fit any body frame, making it suitable for day and night wear. The inner zipper pocket and heavy canvas lining provide extra security for your valuables. This is the purse you'll want to bring back to its home country.
The Details: H: 6″ x W: 8.5″ x D: 3″ | Leather
Shop: $99 at Quince
Caption: Fossil | Kinley Small Crossbody
The Fossil Kinley Small Crossbody is a perfect blend of vintage Americana and Italian riviera. It can hold up to an iPhone 14 Pro Max and keeps it secure with both a zipper closure and front snap closure. With an internal zipper pocket and an eye-catching exterior snap pocket, this purse has room for everything you need while sightseeing.
The Details: H: 7.25″ x W: 9″ x D: 3.25″ | Nylon/Leather/Cotton/Polyester Lining
Shop: $130 at Fossil | $73 at Amazon
Best Sling Bag for European Travel
A sling bag is an excellent choice for European travel, especially if you only need to carry a phone, wallet, and keys. Fanny packs can also be converted into sling bags, offering compact convenience. A sling bag is perfect for accessing documents easily on airplane and train travel days. It is packable, versatile, and affordable, making it an excellent addition to your essential travel gear.
Caption: Athleta | Excursion Mini Belt Bag
Keep your items close with Athleta's lightweight Excursion Mini Belt Bag. It is designed with well-organized interior pockets to keep your important documents easily accessible. The best feature of this bag is its versatility—you can secure it close as a belt bag or convert it into a crossbody bag.
The Details: H: 5″ x W: 8″ x D: 2″ | Recycled Nylon/Recycled Polyester
Shop: $49 at Athleta
Caption: Lululemon | Everywhere Belt Bag
Lululemon's Everywhere Belt Bag is a little powerhouse designed for people on the move. It features water-repellant fabric, an adjustable strap, interior pockets, and an exterior zippered pocket for superb organization.
The Details: H: 5″ x W: 7.5″ x D: 2″ | Nylon/Recycled Polyester
Shop: $38 at Lululemon | $38 at Amazon
Best Designer Purse For Travel in Europe
When it comes to picking a designer purse for European travel, focus on size, security, comfort, and local trends in your chosen city. Choose a fashionable and durable bag that matches your personal style and can elevate any outfit. Here's a top pick for a designer purse that encompasses all these qualities:
Caption: Strathberry | East/West Mini
Effortlessly chic, the Strathberry East/West Mini showcases a structured silhouette that is the little black dress of purses. It features a lightweight, adjustable gold chain strap and Strathberry's signature bar closure, adding an elegant touch to any look, no matter the occasion.
The Details: H: 4.7” x W: 7.1” x D: 3.5” | 100% Calf Leather
Shop: $645 at Strathberry
Best Travel Phone Purse
A travel phone purse is the perfect companion for your holiday as it stays close to your body, providing high security for your phone and other essential cards. If you prefer traveling light and only need to carry your phone and credit card, a travel phone purse is ideal.
Caption: Dagne Dover | Mara Phone Sling
Go hands-free with the Dagne Dover Mara Phone Sling. This vegan travel essential fits all iPhone sizes and securely holds your keys with an external D-ring. It features an elastic lip balm loop, interior 3-card slot holder, interior pocket, and quick access exterior slip pocket to keep everything in place.
The Details: H: 7.5” x W: 4.5” x D: 1.4” | Premium Neoprene and Performance Air Mesh
Shop: $75 at Dagne Dover
Caption: Kate Spade | Knott North South Phone Crossbody
The Kate Spade North South Phone Crossbody offers versatility and convenience, ensuring your phone and essentials are always close at hand. With a magnetic snap closure and a crossbody strap, it combines functionality with style. The leather and Jacquard lining exude sophistication, while credit card slots and an exterior slip pocket offer convenient organization.
The Details: H: 7.” x W: 4” | Pebbled Leather
Shop: $168 at Kate Spade | $164 at Amazon
For a more affordable option that offers the same head-turning style, choose the MZ Wallace Micro Crosby.
Best Travel Backpack
The best travel backpack for European adventures is comfortable, spacious, and perfect for day trips. It should have enough room for your essentials, including your phone, credit cards, and a water bottle. Some backpacks even have space for an extra sweater. Here's our top pick:
Caption: Dagne Dover | Dakota Neoprene Backpack
Keep your essentials secure with the Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack. It is designed for travel and work on the go, featuring a tablet sleeve, two interior mesh pockets, and three interior panel pockets. This backpack ensures easy access to everything you need, whether it's your headphones on the plane or your camera for an epic photo. The neoprene material feels great, and the trendy color selection adds a touch of style to your day pack.
The Details: H: 13” x W: 9.5” x D: 5” | Premium Neoprene and Performance Air Mesh
Shop: $155 at Dagne Dover
Best Black Travel Purse
The best black travel purse is one that is versatile enough to accompany you throughout your entire trip. It's perfect for long day trips, evening dinners, and everything in between. The timeless black color makes it a fashionable choice that matches any outfit.
Caption: Lo & Sons | Pearl
Meet the Lo & Sons Pearl, a stylish crossbody purse that is deceptively functional. It features interior pockets tailored to hold travel items such as a passport. This small wonder can accommodate a mini tablet, phone, wallet, and other essentials. Choose from Saffiano, Nappa, or Cactus (plant-based) leather and several interior color choices of their signature jacquard fabric.
The Details: H: 7.75” x W: 9.5” x D: 3” | Saffiano Leather
Shop: $223 at Lo & Sons
Caption: Tumi | Voyageur Mari Crossbody
The Tumi Voyageur Mari Crossbody is the perfect travel companion for European getaways. Made with premium leather, it combines utility and style flawlessly. The double-zip entry, collapsible leather top handle, and adjustable crossbody strap ensure convenience and versatility. With ample storage in the main compartment, including interior pockets, slip pockets, and gusseted pockets, it holds more than meets the eye. Personalize the included monogrammable patch to elevate your European style.
The Details: H: 7.75” x W: 9.5” x D: 3” | Saffiano Leather
Shop: $395 at Tumi | Link to Amazon
Best Anti-Theft Travel Bag
Anti-theft bags use RFID blocking technology to keep your personal data safe, preventing unauthorized access to your credit cards and passport. While these bags provide excellent security, it's important to remember that they can also make you stand out as a tourist. If you're interested in anti-theft-specific bags, here are our top picks:
Caption: Baggallini | Go Bagg
Equipped with versatile compartments, a detachable wristlet with RFID blocking protection, and accessible front pockets, the Baggallini Go Bagg effortlessly houses all your travel essentials. Although petite, the detachable wristlet provides on-the-go organization. Crafted from water-resistant material, this lightweight companion weighs just 12 ounces. The RFID anti-theft technology helps to keep your personal information secure while you enjoy your European travels carefree.
The Details: H: 10.75” x W: 10” x D: 1” | Nylon
Shop: $85 at Baggallini | $49 at Amazon
Caption: Sherpani | Prima
The Sherpani Prima crossbody is the perfect travel bag for fashion-forward minimalists. With multiple compartments, including an RFID blocking pocket, it offers ample space for all your essentials. With anti-slash fabric at the base and a slash-proof strap, it provides extra security. Alternatively, the Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Convertible is an affordable option that doesn't compromise on style and security.
The Details: H: 9.5” x W: 7.5” x D: 1.5” | 100% Recycled Mélange & Ballistic Nylon
Shop: $59 at Sherpani | $44 at Amazon
Know Before You Go
Does a Purse Count As a Carry-On?
No, a purse typically counts as a personal item, not a carry-on, when traveling. Most airlines allow you to bring a single carry-on bag in addition to a personal item. Keep in mind that different airlines may have varying rules regarding sizing.
Do I Need an Anti-Theft Travel Purse in Europe?
Yes, an anti-theft travel purse can help protect your belongings from pickpockets. However, always stay alert, avoid flashy items, and keep important documents safe. Remember, an anti-theft purse is not foolproof, so it's essential to be aware of your surroundings at all times.
How Do I Clean a Travel Purse?
To clean your travel purse, start by emptying it and assessing the care instructions. Spot clean with soap and water, then wipe down the entire purse and let it dry naturally. Avoid using harsh chemicals, and remember to clean your purse regularly to maintain its condition.
With the perfect travel purse by your side, you're ready to embark on your European adventure with confidence and style. Choose the one that matches your needs, and don't forget to pack your sense of adventure!
