This post contains Amazon affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
Stumped on which bag to use as your travel purse on your dream trip? Yep, I’ve been there.
Some trips I’ve been torn between bringing a small and minimal bag, or a larger and chic, but slightly impractical purse.
Travel bags have to do quadruple duty. And the last thing you want is your
all-important travel purse failing you on your dream trip. I’ll walk you through the best travel handbags for Europe, so you know exactly which perfect travel bag companion to get.
I’ve travelled with backpacks for backpacking trips to Italy and I’ve used crossbody bags for 3 week trips to Spain. I’ll go over their best (and worst) features and which option might be best for your kind of trip. I’ve also researched alternatives available on Amazon that I would buy if I had to replace any of my current travel bags.
Scams and pickpockets are abundant. I once had a close-call with pickpockets in London.
For extra peace of mind, I’ll go over whether anti-theft bags are worth it. Or if you’re better sticking with common sense and assertiveness to stop thieves in their tracks.
By the end of this post, you’ll know which travel purse is the best for you. And you’ll get to shop for your ideal option right inside this post.
What makes a bag the best travel handbag for Europe?
A good travel purse must accomplish multiple tasks in one. The last thing you want is for your travel bag to fall apart during your bucket-list trip. Here’s my ultimate criteria for selecting the perfect travel purse companion.
My travel bag must have:
- comfortable adjustable straps that don’t dig into my shoulders
- a large, zippered main compartment to hold wallets, phones, and a notebook
- sturdy inside zippered pockets for hiding sensitive items (like passport on travel days)
- durable outside front and back zippered pockets for high-traffic items (like hair ties, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, lip balm)
- and it must be light, small, and easy to maneuver. I don’t want to have to check it in at museums
- and it must be stylish without being too eye-catching. But it does have to go from a day of exploring to fine-dining at night.
Your travel bag should be heavy duty without being heavy and cumbersome. And did I mention it should be chic? A bag’s function is important, but so is style. And I don’t see why travellers should sacrifice one for the other.
Planning a last minute trip? Quick guide for ideal travel purses for European cities
My favourite travel bags plus their Amazon alternatives are listed here if you’re in a pinch. Keep reading if you want to learn why you should pick one over the other.
My favourite crossbody travel bags
- Annick Levesque Gisele – gorgeous, sturdy, practical with an integrated light and several pockets.
Amazon alternatives for crossbody travel bags
- Befen Genuine Leather Crossbody Purses – convenient, small, with built-in wallet. Super practical.
- MASINTOR Crossbody Bags for Women – medium-sized, lots of pockets, perfect for daily items plus a notebook.
- Over Earth Genuine Leather Crossbody Bags for Women – a multitude of pockets, outer pocket flaps, real leather and available in a few neutral colours.
My favourite convertible crossbody/backpack bag
- Annick Levesque convertible backpack – stunning bag that can go from backpack to crossbody. Comes with detachable pouch to use as a clutch. Integrated lighting system so you’re not digging in the dark for your keys.
Amazon alternatives for convertible crossbody/backpack bags
- Sishka Women’s Vegan PU Leather Backpack – cute bag with separate compartment to hold wet umbrellas
- Banuce Fashion Italian Leather Convertible Backpack – large classic backpack made from real Italian leather. Holds a TON.
- UTO Sling Bag Women Crossbody Purse – tiny and MIGHTY. All the right pockets in the front, back, and inside. It has built-in card and cash holder. Goes backpack to crossbody easily.
My favourite backpack for travelling
- Swissgear carry-on backpack – Large backpack with laptop pouch. It’s a good size for backpacking and carry-on for flights. Lots of designated pockets for small and large items.
Amazon alternatives for travel backpacks
- TENSTAR Mini Backpack for Women – adorable and practical. It’s got expandable side pockets for water bottle and umbrella. Multiple pockets all around to sort your items.
- YANAIER Women Leather Backpack Daypack – get the leather look without the leather price. Lots of zippered pockets in the right places for all your travel items. Chic and practical.
Top choices on Amazon for anti-theft travel bags
- Travelon anti-theft crossbody bag – Almost 10,000 rave reviews from travellers praising this bag for it’s anti-theft features, style, and function. Perfect if you want extra peace of mind when travelling.
- Baggallini anti-theft travel bag – Feel extra secure with this small, discreet, but mighty bag. Comes with extra wristlet with RFID protection built in. Available in several colour options.
The Perfect Travel Handbags for Trips to Europe
You shouldn’t have to choose between style and practicality when you travel. My list of the best travel handbags for Europe covers the best of all worlds. These are bags that look good, do the job well, and they give you peace of mind that your stuff is secure.
I’ve also listed alternatives you can easily buy off of Amazon if the bag I’m recommending isn’t available in your country. Those alternative options are travel bags that fulfill my criteria of non-negotiables that a travel bag must have. And these are bags I would buy if I were to replace any of my current bags.
Chic and secure crossbody bags by Annick Levesque
Annick Levesque Gisele crossbody bags are the only ones I think any traveller needs. They’re functional, super chic, lightweight, and easy to maneuver around in bustling cities. I used them when I was drenched in Paris to enduring the scorching heat in Pompeii.
Here’s what makes this bag a superstar.
- It has an integrated light. Ever rummaged frantically like a maniac for your hotel card in the dark? The bag lights up when you unzip, which means you’ll never go crazy again while looking for stuff in your travel purse.
- It has all the zippered compartments that count. It’s got a main zippered compartment for wallet, phone, notebook. There’s an inside zippered pocket for securely storing passports. It also has a large front zippered pocket for hair ties, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, and lip balm. And it’s got a magnetic closure backflap for souvenirs like postcards that you don’t want bent.
- It has the all-important adjustable strap. An adjustable strap lets me choose how short I want the bag to be. I like my bag close to my body when I’m in crowded tourist areas.
- The logo is unobtrusive. The logo comes in either silver or gold colours. I chose silver because it’s less eye-catching and goes beautifully with the leather green.
- It’s chic and functional. The bag is made of durable leather and it’s got a nice structure to it. And it holds all my travel essentials without bulking up
The only minor complaint I have with this bag is that the magnetic closure for the back flap is a bit weak. It opens up fairly easily, so don’t put anything important in there.
Practical and fashionable crossbody bags from Amazon
Annick Levesque bags are mainly available for sale in Canada. But here are the best alternatives I’d buy from Amazon that have similar features if I couldn’t get an Annick Levesque travel purse.
1. Befen Genuine Leather Crossbody Purses (with built in RFID blocking tech)
Small, mighty, and designed with the minimalist traveller in mine. This leather crossbody purses has major pros according to 79% of the 5 star reviews:
- It’s got a built-in wallet pouch with RFID blocking technology. You could store some cash and credit cards without having to bring another wallet. RFID tech means scammers can’t scan and steal your card info from a distance.
- It’s got compartments galore for such a tiny purse. It has a back zippered pocket, main zippered compartment, and a magnetic snap closure flap.
- It’s got a removable and adjustable strap. Taking off the strap means you can use it like a clutch.
But according to 4% of reviews on Amazon, some customers say the major disadvantage is that the zippers sometimes catch on the material inside the purse.
The small size and built-in wallet is definitely perfect if you want to travel light.
👉 Check the latest price on Amazon for the Befen Genuine Leather Crossbody Purses.
2. MASINTOR Crossbody Bags for Women
Do you like to journal while you travel? This bag fits all the essentials plus larger items like a notebook. Customers who gave a 5 star review for this bag love it because:
- It has front, back, and main zippered compartments. The bag is roomy without being too deep. It’s big enough to store a portable battery, notebook, wallet, phone, even a 10-inch iPad if you really want to.
- It’s got an adjustable strap. But 1 customer (out of 1,600) complained the strap wasn’t adjustable. They could’ve received a defective product, though. Make sure to return any defective products promptly for a refund if you find yourself in this situation.
- It’s made of vegan leather. And most customers who gave it 5 stars say it’s high-quality and durable. There is one customer who complained that it’s not genuine leather and has a slight odour. But the product description on Amazon does make it clear that this is vegan leather.
👉 See all colour options and latest prices on Amazon for MASINTOR Crossbody Bags for Women.
3. Over Earth Genuine Leather Crossbody Bags for Women
It doesn’t have an integrated light, but the Over Earth travel handbag has got the most value for money. This bag features:
- Large roomy interior with slots, zippered compartments front and back, and a front flap lock closure. The roominess means it fits a portable battery, wallet, phone, notebooks, chargers, and other travel items.
- It’s made of genuine leather. Customers who rated 5 stars for this purse say it’s high-quality, sturdy, and feels good to the touch. The colour choices are limited, but they’re available in darker, neutral colours which is perfect for travelling. You don’t want to be attracting unwanted attention.
- It’s compact. You can fit all the travel essentials you need in the compartments without bulking up the bag.
👉 See availability and colour options on Amazon for the Over Earth Genuine Leather Crossbody Bag.
If I were replacing one of my travel crossbody bags today, I’d go with the MASINTOR Crossbody Bags for Women. Based on the product description, it’s got all the compartments I’d look for in the perfect travel purse.
It’s also roomy enough to fit my journal and portable battery, but it’s also compact enough that it won’t weigh me down when I’m exploring a new city.
Why settle? Get the best of 3 worlds in a convertible crossbody backpack by Annick Levesque
I’m a big fan of getting the best features in one bag if I could. Annick Levesque came out with an ingenious convertible backpack that turns into a crossbody and also a clutch. It’s the best option out there when you need your travel purse to do triple duty.
The major pros for the Annick Levesque convertible backpack are:
- It converts from crossbody to backpack. The loop on the back of the bag holds the straps in place to turn the bag into a backpack. This is perfect for city walking when you’re tired of having all the weight of your bag on one shoulder. I’ve had shoulder fatigue with some crossbody bags when I’ve been walking for a long time.
- The front pouch turns into a clutch. The front pouch can be detached from the main bag and you can use it like a clutch or a crossbody bag on its own. The front pouch has metal loops where the adjustable straps can be attached.
This is great for when you’re heading out for dinner and don’t need to bring the entire bag out, but you still want a light purse to carry some essentials.
- Interior slots, zippered pockets, integrated lighting system. And since it’s Annick Levesque, it’s got all the convenient compartments I look for and also the ingenious light that comes on when you unzip the bag. You’ll never struggle to look for something inside your purse ever again.
One of the biggest disadvantages is that the strap doesn’t stay put when used as a backpack. It does make it a bit frustrating to wear the bag as a backpack.
But the convertible backpack was super useful when I hiked up Montmartre and I didn’t want the weight of the bag all on one shoulder. Other than that, the convertible backpack and crossbody concept is brilliant.
👉 See all colour options at Annick Levesque.
I’ve got some Amazon recommendations too if Annick Levesque won’t deliver to where you live.
Best options for convertible backpacks from Amazon
It is a genius idea to have a convertible backpack. Here are my 2 recommendations for what I’d buy from Amazon if I needed to find a replacement bag according to my criteria.
1. Sishka Women’s Vegan PU Leather Backpack (convertible crossbody)
A vintage-looking convertible travel purse with some nice features:
- It converts from backpack to crossbody to a handheld bag. You can simply remove the adjustable strap anytime.
- It has a large flap closure with a main zippered compartment. I would have peace of mind knowing the main compartment has a zipper. And there are plenty of interior slots to keep things organized.
- It has a large bottom zippered compartment. This could be useful for holding wet umbrellas separate from your other travel items.
Some disadvantages I noticed:
- It doesn’t have any other exterior zippered pockets. I’d have to reach into the main compartment every time for something. This could be cumbersome and awkward, especially if I’m in a rush to pay for something (like buying train tickets at the kiosk).
- The bottom zippered compartment seems like dead space. I’m not sure I’d use that spot to hold anything besides an umbrella. It just seems awkward and impractical to access.
Overall, I think it’s a good travel bag to consider, but only if you’re willing to compromise on convenience.
👉 Check out all your colour options for the Sishka Women’s convertible backpack on Amazon.
2. Banuce Fashion Italian Leather Convertible Backpack
The Banuce convertible backpack is another choice I’d consider. According to the few 5 star reviews it has, this bag has some major pros:
- Made of genuine Italian leather. The customers who rave about this bag say the leather is incredibly supple, durable, and of high-quality.
- There are large interior zip pockets and slots. It looks perfect for holding everything from a wallet to phone to journals and books.
- The straps convert to crossbody. The straps pull up to turn the backpack into a crossbody and vice versa.
A major disadvantage I see:
- It looks huge. The bag looks pretty heavy in the picture and the straps look fragile.
The Banuce convertible backpack has only a few 5 star reviews, but customers love the quality of it. It has all the compartments I’d look for, but it’s a bit big. However, it could still be a great travel bag if you’re looking to carry an iPad, books, and other larger tech with you for convenience.
👉 See what other travellers are saying on Amazon for the Banuce Italian leather backpack.
3. UTO Sling Bag Women Crossbody Purse
This is probably the smallest, but best option available on Amazon as a convertible crossbody backpack.
It has all the major pros I’d look for:
- It’s water-resistant. Don’t worry about your items getting wet.
- It’s got zippered compartments where it counts! It’s got a front zippered pocket for high-traffic items, a back zippered compartment for hiding valuables, a main zippered compartment for a phone, and even built-in cash and card holders to save bringing a wallet!
- The straps convert well and relieve pressure from shoulders. The strap unzips so you can wear the bag like a backpack or you can zip it up and attach one side to a D ring to turn it into a sling or crossbody bag!
- It’s only $20 CAD (as of Aug 2025). By far, this is the most affordable bag in this post for value and quality.
The only major disadvantage I see is that it’s a tiny bag. You must commit to minimalistic travelling if you go with this option. This means you only bring the bare essentials (like phone, cash, credit cards, passport).
👉 Read all the top reviews about UTO Sling Bag on Amazon.
Spacious backpacks for traveller on-the-go
I had a last minute girls trip to Savannah, Georgia and I impulsively bought a backpack to wear as my travel purse. I had wanted a larger bag to hold umbrellas and water bottles because I knew I’d do a lot of walking in the heat.
But the bag didn’t hold up to my expectations, since I bought it without thinking it through. Don’t make the same mistake I did!
So I rethought my criteria for the better, and here are the travel backpacks I’d buy instead if I had to get better replacements.
1. TENSTAR Mini Backpack for Women
Need a good, sturdy backpack that lets you explore the city but hold a ton? The TENSTAR Mini Backpack for Women looks like it would check all my boxes.
- It’s got expandable side pockets. It would hold an umbrella on one side and a water bottle on the other. I love this concept because it keeps things upright and I can reach for it without opening the main compartment.
- It has a main zippered compartment, iPad front zippered slot, several interior slots, and a multitude of interior zippered pockets and a back zippered pocket. Yes I love pockets. I love it when my things are organized especially when I’m travelling out and about. And this bag checks all the boxes.
- It’s the perfect size. The whole bag is about the height of a standard magazine. It’s a medium-sized, but mighty bag. I can see myself going with it from the art gallery to dinner at night.
Most customers who rated it 5 stars say they love how spacious, but compact it is. It’s available for less than $40 CAD on Amazon.
👉 Get your TENSTAR Mini Backpack for Women as soon as you know you want a backpack for your trip, so you’re not like me who impulsively bought a bag without thinking for her Savannah trip!
2. YANAIER Women Leather Backpack Daypack
If you want a backpack with a leather look, but without the leather price, then the YANAIER Women Leather Backpack Daypack could be a great option.
Some major pros for this daypack:
- It looks and feels like leather. 70% of happy customers say the bag is adorable and well-built.
- It has lots of compartments. There are 2 main front zippers, a back zipper pocket for hiding valuables, a main zippered compartment with a couple slots for phones and battery pack.
- It’s spacious. It can hold a 10-inch iPad and other large items like umbrellas and water bottles. A definite must if you’re walking a lot in hot places.
Some major disadvantages for this travel backpack:
- No stretchable side pockets. I prefer exterior side pockets for holding umbrellas and water bottles. I don’t have to worry about water leaking into my bag if they stand upright in their own exterior pocket.
- Not enough interior slots. A couple slots for a phone is great, but I need interior slots to organize small items so I don’t have to dig for them.
- 1 customer who gave a low review said the zipper broke only after a month. This could be concerning because what’s a good travel backpack without good zippers?
Even though it’s missing expandable side pockets, the YANAIER Women Leather Backpack Daypack does have all the main zippered compartments where it counts. It also has style where it counts for less than $35 CAD.
👉 See availability and colour options on Amazon for the YANAIER Women Leather Backpack Daypack.
Do you need anti-theft travel bags?
Certain travel bags are designed for anti-theft and for peace of mind. But do you actually need one or is it too many features to deal with?
Cultivate common sense over safety features
Wearing an anti-theft travel bag can bring peace of mind. It can also make you complacent.
Even the best designed anti-theft bags have flaws. You can still lose all your belongings with an anti-theft travel purse.
Rely on your senses instead of on too many safety features. Stay alert in crowded places. Keep your bags in front of your body when you’re in tourist areas. Keep valuables (like passport or travel documents) locked away in the hotel safe. Only bring paper copies with you.
Hide valuables (like passports if you do need to bring it with you during the day) inside hidden bands that go under your shirt. Or wear a travel bra with hidden pockets to conceal valuables for emergencies (like extra credit cards or cash).
Being assertive, staying alert to your surroundings, and keeping an eye out for unwanted attention will help you more in the long term than an anti-travel bag.
But peace of mind is worth it: features to look for in a good anti-theft bag
I get it that peace of mind when travelling is priceless. So if you really want to invest in an anti-theft bag, make sure to buy one that lives up to its reputation.
Genuine anti-theft bags should have certain non-negotiable features, such as:
- RFID. This blocks devices from trying to scan and steal your credit card info from a distance
- Lockable zippers. These zippers close and hook onto a metal ring. It makes it harder for pickpockets to open your purse without you knowing.
- Cut-proof or slash-proof material. Straps and pockets should be made from material that can’t be easily cut with box cutters or scissors.
Which anti-theft bag should you get?
Travelong crossbody anti-theft bags and Baggallini anti-theft travel bags are top players in the industry.
The Travelon crossbody bag has almost 10,000 positive reviews on Amazon. According to a thorough review by CNN, Travelon bags cover all the main anti-theft features such as lockable zippers, slash-proof straps, and RFID tech.
But about 2% of disappointed Amazon customers say the bag is heavy when empty and some received a bag with faulty zippers.
The Bagallini anti-theft crossbody bag is another reputable brand in the anti-theft travel bag market. Reader’s Digest did an in-depth review testing out all the anti-theft features to see if it holds up to its claims.
Again, Baggallini travel bag has all the marks of the perfect anti-theft bag: lockable zippers, RFID, several slash-proof compartments and straps. But the testers found that the inner pockets weren’t fully slash-proof as the company claims.
I’d personally get the Travelon crossbody travel bag if I were set on getting an anti-theft bag. It’s big enough to hold an umbrella, a water bottle, notebooks, and a portable battery. There are almost 10,000 reviews for this bag. Over 70% of the customers who gave 5 star reviews loved how durable, practical, and stylish the Travelon bag is.
👉 See all colours and options for the Travelon crossbody travel bag.
What type of traveller are you? Get the bag according to your travel style.
Get the MASINTOR Crossbody Bags for Women if you want to easily carry small, but important items with you. It fits all the essentials (phone, keys, wallet) and a bit more (hand sanitizer, documents, notebook). This is perfect for the minimalist traveller.
Want a bit more peace of mind? Get the Travelon crossbody anti-theft bag. It’s discreet, holds a ton, has all the top-notch anti-theft features, and the neutral choices compliments any outfit combo. Safety and style: the best of both worlds.
Need a bit more room and tech space? Get the TENSTAR Mini Backpack. It’s chic, functional, has plenty of compartments (even one for holding an iPad), and it’ll take you from hiking to dining in the city. This backpack is roomy, convenient, and stylish at the same time.
Always have a travel bag ready to go. You never know when you might book a last minute trip to Venice because you snagged the perfect deal.
Got your perfect bag and now you’re figuring out what to actually put in it for smooth travels? Check out my post on must-haves to pack in your perfect travel purse for frictionless travel.
