Later in this post I share a few affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click on them and make a purchase, at no cost to you. I really appreciate your support!
The hunt for a great travel purse can be daunting.
You’re looking for a fashionable bag that can hold up on long travel days, carrying the accessories you need for navigating an unfamiliar destination, without weighing you down or leading to discomfort after a few hours.
BUT WITH SO MANY REQUIREMENTS, IT’S THAT FIRST ONE - BEING FASHIONABLE - THAT IS OFTEN ABANDONED FIRST.
The “travel purse” category is full of underwhelming bags made of nylon and polyester, saddled by too many pockets and unattractive zippers.
It can feel like your choices are between an ugly bag that will be lightweight and functional, or a beautiful, tasteful bag that might not be a good idea on vacation.
PERSONALLY, I DON’T THINK YOU NEED TO SACRIFICE STYLE FOR FUNCTION, WHILE TRAVELING OR OTHERWISE.
To prove it, I’ve collected the best purses for travel in Europe – bags that are functional, convenient, and most of all, beautiful.
What to Look for in a Travel Purse for Europe
The three most important things to consider when shopping for a travel purse are size, material, and closures.
Style, comfort, and versatility are all downstream of how big a bag is, what it’s made of, and how easy it is to close and open.
SIZE: When you’re traveling, smaller is always better.
Traveling in Europe often involves 20,000 step days, and a large purse will only bring on the back pain sooner.
Whittle down your accessories to the absolute bare minimum to avoid needing a larger bag.
The truth is, a lot of things can be left at the hotel – house keys, passport, toiletries, etc.
You’ll really only need your phone, wallet, a camera, and possibly a small umbrella.MATERIAL: I may slander nylon and polyester bags, but these materials are used so frequently because they are very lightweight.
A similarly lightweight material is canvas, and many of my favorite travel purses use it well.
I also love leather, but heavier iterations of that material can lead to heavier bags.CLOSURES: The best security feature for a travel purse is a secure closure, like a zipper.
Magnetic closures, buckles, and turn locks are also good, depending on how reliable they are.
I usually find that the more finicky a closure is, like a buckle, the less likely I am to actually close it regularly.
This is why a zipper enclosure is the gold standard.
It’s easy to get in and out of the bag, and you’re more likely to keep it closed when on trains or other crowded areas where pickpockets lurk.
My Favorite Travel Purses for Europe
For the regular traveler, I think that a crossbody is one of the best types of travel purses for Europe.
The construction of a crossbody bag distributes its weight more evenly across the body, and over the course of a long travel day it’s more comfortable than a shoulder bag.
THAT BEING SAID, IF YOU PLAN TO TAKE PHOTOS WITH A CAMERA SEPARATE FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE, THEN SPACE BECOMES AN ISSUE.
This is where sling-style crossbody bags really shine, but they look more athletic or urban.
When you need a bag with more space than the typical crossbody bag, I would suggest a canvas tote, like the Longchamp Le Pliage.
(I like the small leather model, which I can carry as a top handle or draped on my arm.)
In the warmer months, when a coat isn’t necessary, I also appreciate a small travel backpack.
Be aware, though, that backpacks of any size will always need to be checked into a locker if you’re visiting a museum.
Best Crossbody Bags for Europe
The small Marcie crossbody bag by Chloe.
The Islington crossbody bag by Mulberry.
Crossbody bags are my personal recommendation for stylish, practical travel purses for long travel days when you plan to do a lot of walking.
WHEN SHOPPING FOR A CROSSBODY BAG, BE MINDFUL OF SIZE AND STRAP LENGTH.
If the bag itself is too large, it will overwhelm your frame and throw off your proportions.
It will probably also be too heavy.
Be sure to buy a proper crossbody bag, and not just a shoulder or tote bag with a crossbody strap attached to it!
You’ll also need to be mindful of the strap length, and where the bag hits you when you’re wearing it.
PERSONALLY, I THINK A GOOD CROSSBODY BAG SHOULD SIT RIGHT AT YOUR HIP.
If it’s too short, it will sit uncomfortably under your arm, and if it’s too long, it will hit against your thigh as you’re walking.
Here are some of my favorite crossbody travel purses for Europe:
Demellier Vancouver Bag – Structured, sophisticated, and effortlessly chic, with a gold-tone lock that adds just the right amount of polish.
Chloe Marcie Small Crossbody Bag – A designer classic with a relaxed, bohemian feel.
Longchamp Le Foulonné Small Leather Crossbody Bag – Understated French elegance at its best, with soft grained leather and a timeless silhouette.
Loeffer Randall Mallory Woven Leather Crossbody – The woven leather gives this bag a gorgeous, textured look. (And just the tiniest air of Bottega Veneta.)
Mulberry Islington Leather Bucket Bag – A modern take on the bucket bag, shrunk down to crossbody proportions.
Bellroy Venture Sling 6L – Lightweight, water-resistant, and cleverly organized, this sling has enough room to render a backpack unnecessary.
Best Tote Bags for Europe
Loewe’s Puzzle Fold leather tote bag.
Toteme's Lounge medium tote.
Tote bags are roomier than crossbody bags, and ideal for shopping, travel days with not too much walking, and for serving as a personal item on international flights.
I OFTEN FIND MYSELF REACHING FOR A TOTE BAG WHEN I’M PHOTOGRAPHING A LOCATION AND NEED TO PACK A TRIPOD, CAMERA, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES.
The Longchamp Le Pliage is the best travel tote bag for a reason – not only is it made out of durable, lightweight canvas, but it’s also easy to fold down and pack in your luggage.
Because tote bags can get heavy, be sure to buy lightweight versions, and consider opting for a zip closure over an open bag.
HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE TOTE BAG TRAVEL PURSES FOR EUROPE:
Longchamp Le Pliage – Probably the best travel bag of all time, thanks to its spacious interior, lightweight canvas construction, and its ease of folding flat for packing.
Loewe Puzzle Fold Medium Tote Bag – Beautifully crafted leather with an architectural silhouette that folds flat for packing.
Lié Studio the Grace Tote Bag – Scandinavian minimalism in tote form, with clean lines and an easy, refined look that goes with just about everything.
Sezane Gabin Maxi Bag – This one leans a bit corporate, but its roomy size makes for a great personal item bag on a flight.
Toteme Lounge Medium Tote Bag – A sleek, understated design that ever-so-slightly evokes vintage doctor’s bags, this is a quiet luxury staple.
Cuyana System Tote 13-inch – Perfect for those who value organizational options in their handbags, this leather tote is beautifully structured and comes in multiple colors.
Best Shoulder Bags for Europe
Coach’s Brooklyn 39 shoulder bag.
Polène’s Tonca shoulder bag.
If you’re traveling for business or a special occasion, you’re more likely to be concerned with style over function.
I find that leather shoulder bags look more refined than their canvas counterparts when parties, dinners, or other elevated events are on the itinerary.
I’D STILL OPT FOR SMALLER MODELS HERE, BECAUSE LEATHER SHOULDER BAGS CAN GET HEAVY RATHER QUICKLY.
Luckily, these bags will be able to take you from day to night no matter the destination.
Here are some of my favorite shoulder bag travel purses for Europe:
Coach Tabby 20 Pebbled Leather Shoulder Bag – A compact, structured piece made of pebbled leather, which is more forgiving of daily wear.
Toteme T-Lock Leather Clutch – Sleek, sculptural leather with a distinctive T-shaped closure, wear this one with the removable shoulder strap.
Polène Tonca Leather Bag – The curved silhouette, asymmetrical flap, and sculptural leather detailing make this bag a standout.
Coach Brooklyn 28 Grain Leather Shoulder Bag – Slouchy soft grained leather and a wide shoulder strap give this bag a relaxed feel.
Ralph Lauren Polo ID Large Calfskin Shoulder Bag – This buttery calfskin leather bag is sophisticated and roomy enough for travel essentials.
Tory Burch Eleanor Small Convertible Leather Shoulder Bag – The convertible design lets you wear it as a shoulder bag or crossbody, making it especially versatile for day-to-night outfits.
FAQs About Purses for European Travel
Do you need an anti-theft purse in Europe?
No.
Anti-theft purses claim to have features like zipper locking, being slash proof, and having RFID-blocking pockets.
WHILE THOSE FEATURES MIGHT BE USEFUL IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, THEY ARE NOT NECESSARY IN EUROPE.
You can safely and reliably travel with a regular purse throughout Europe.
Of course, you’ll need to be mindful while in crowds, and ensure that your zippers are closed, but you don’t need a special type of purse.
Do you really need accessories with RFID-blocking technology?
No.
RFID-blocking wallets and bags largely play prey on consumers’ fears and misunderstandings about how contactless payments work.
Contactless cards must be within a few centimeters of a reader to transmit payment information, and modern payment systems use security measures to prevent fraud.
WHILE RFID SKIMMING MIGHT BE TECHNICALLY POSSIBLE, IT’S EXTREMELY UNCOMMON.
Are belt bags a good choice for traveling in Europe?
I THINK IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU WEAR A BELT BAG.
Back when these were called fanny packs, they would sit around your hips.
Again, for long travel days, I would avoid belt bags worn this way.
The modern, youthful way to wear belt bags, though, is as crossbody bags around the upper torso.
If you’re wearing a belt bag in this way, I think it would be similar to a crossbody bag, and therefore good for most travel days.
Are backpacks a good choice for traveling in Europe?
I enjoy wearing small backpacks in warm weather, whenever I don’t have to worry about a coat.
But when I say small, I mean small, like the Longchamp Le Pliage M Backpack or the Fjällräven Mini Kånken Backpack.
IT’S COMMON FOR PEOPLE TO OVERLOAD BACKPACKS, SO IF YOU CHOOSE A SMALLER MODEL, THIS IS LESS LIKELY TO HAPPEN.
The most important thing you need to be aware of, is that many European museums and attractions will likely ask you to stow any backpacks before you’re allowed to enter.
I point this out because the rules on this have nothing to do with the size of the backpack, only that it’s a backpack style bag.
What size purse is best for European travel?
Smaller bags are best for European travel; you don’t need to carry much, and smaller bags are less likely to cause back and shoulder pain during long days of walking and sightseeing.
Conclusion
I’ve linked my favorite travel purses from Europe, and if you buy from any of these links, you’ll be supporting Notes From Europe at no additional cost to you.
Thank you!
But if I’m being honest, you probably don’t need to buy a brand new purse for a trip to Europe.
I’D ALWAYS SUGGEST SHOPPING YOUR CLOSET FIRST, TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT MATCHES THE SPECIFICS LAID OUT IN THIS POST.
And if you don’t have something that’s quite right, consider buying it in Europe – a nice purse can be a great souvenir!
You can read my post on Luxury Shopping in Europe if that’s something you’re curious about, or you can browse my other shopping collections in the SHOP section of the site.
I’ve got shop collections for seasonal trips, as well as ski, beach, and hiking trips.
EACH SHOP COLLECTION HAS A RELEVANT POST ON WHAT TO PACK, AS WELL, SO BE SURE TO CHECK THOSE OUT, TOO.
Happy packing!
Angela
YOU’LL ALSO LOVE…
