A Vacation Must-Have: The 10 Best Travel Tote Bags for Women

Image of a woman carrying a bag at the airport with text reading "Women's Travel Tote Bags"

Travel like a pro with one of the best travel tote bags for women on your side!
When it comes to travel, I think it’s safe to say that a lot of us share the same fear: packing.

For me, when I know I’m about to embark on a trip I get ALL the packing anxiety. I’m sort of a procrastinator, so a big part of me wants to wait until the last second while the panicky part of me wants to start packing as soon as possible to ensure I don’t miss anything.

Aside from creating detailed packing lists and getting organized as far in advance as possible, I’ve found that one of the best solutions to my issue was finding the right packing gear.

What do I look for in travel totes?
I find that whether I’m getting on a busy flight, boarding a cruise ship, or just heading out on a weekend trip, what usually concerns me the most is what I’d like to call my “right-hand-bag”. This is the bag that stays with me throughout all of my travels.

It would be the “personal item” on the flight that gets stored under the seat in front of me, the bag I end up holding on my lap when getting into an Uber on my group vacation, and the bag that I end up stuffing all my super important papers into along the way–plane tickets, passport, ID, Airbnb directions, and whatever else I need to keep close by at all times!

Oftentimes, this bag is also important once I arrive at my destination. I’ll end up using it to carry my belongings around whatever city I’m visiting when heading to Starbucks in the early AM, or sometimes it will even have to double as a beach bag.

For this reason, finding the BEST “right-hand-bag” was super important to me. It needs to have the perfect mix of organization, versatility, sturdiness, and style.

Lucky for you, my fellow traveler, I’ve tested out many different bags, done all the research, and decided on some of the best tote bags to use for travel purposes.

Packing-panic, be gone! You’re sure to find a luxury bag that will suit your needs, as well as fits with your personal style. Now you can pack everything you need to remember in your new handy travel tote, head on your way stress-free, and even catch your flight on time!


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Piel Leather Laptop Travel Tote

Piel Leather Laptop Travel Tote in “Saddle”

The Piel Leather Laptop Travel Tote is one of my favorite bags for travel for obvious reasons. It is just so gorgeous, and so well made!

Made the Piel Leather Store, this bag has one large main comporting with an interior zip-pocket, a phone pocket, and a flat open pocket. There is also a rear padded compartment with a laptop pocket.

Why I love this…

The Piel Leather Laptop Travel Tote is one of my favorite tote bags for travel on this list because of how fashionable it is and how much you can fit inside of it. By purchasing this bag, you’ll also be supporting real leather artists in Colombia.

The tote is handcrafted in Colombia and made from full grain cowhide genuine leather.

I love knowing that once I get to my destination, I’ll be happy to carry this around as my daily bag. It can go with and even enhance almost any outfit!

NEWHEY Laptop Tote Bag

NEWHEY Laptop Tote Bag in “Black”

As one of the highest-rated tote bags on Amazon, the NEWHEY Laptop Tote Bag checks off everything on my list making it ready for travel!

The bag measures in at 15.6 inches in length, and it has a really useful four-compartment design with a laptop pocket.

It is super stylish, and even comes in nine different colors if you want to be a little more bold than the average black color.

Why I love this…

I really love that the leather-style finish is waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain when you arrive at your destination. I also love that it has a shoulder strap along with a handle. Versatility is so important, especially for a bag that you are lugging through a busy airport!

Bostanten Leather Briefcase

Bostanten Leather Briefcase for Women in “Brown”

Calling ALL boss babes! The Bostanten Leather Briefcase for women is here to take your travel game up several levels. This bag is available in two different colors: brown and black.

The bags from Bostanten are made from vintage oil wax leather imported from Italy. The genuine cow leather is lined with durable and soft fabric lining and decorated with silver hardware. The bag measures 16.14″ x 5.1″ x 12.2″, with a strap long enough to reach your shoulder.

Inside, the main compartments include a padded 15.6″ laptop compartment, 2 slot pockets, 2 pen loops, and an inner zipper pocket. There are also dedicated pockets for a waller, pens, and a smart phone, as well as ten card slots in the front zipper pocket.

Why I love this…

I love this bag because it truly is so gorgeous! This is a bag I would be so proud to board the plane with. Talk about feeling first class! Besides it’s amazing design, it also holds SO much. You can fit all of your important valuables in this bag without having to worry.

Bonus! They also carry a matching leather wallet to hold all of your important documents as you travel!

Kenneth Cole REACTION Chelsea Laptop Bag

Kenneth Cole REACTION Chelsea Chevron Tote in “Black”

This Kenneth Cole REACTION Chelsea laptop bag is such a cute tote for travel!

The bag fits a 15″ laptop, and even has a padded pocket for the device. It has multiple compartments, which is great for keeping everything organized while on your trip. The main compartment has a padded tablet pocket, a padded laptop pocket, a mesh water bottle holder, open slip pickets, and a zipper pocket. There is also a zipper pocket on the front and trolley strap on the back so that you can easily mount your bag onto your luggage!

The Kenneth Cole REACTION Chelsea laptop bag comes in four different fashionable colors, and all colors are also available with a matching backpack option!

Why I love this…

My favorite thing about this travel tote is that every compartment has zippers. The importance of zippers is often overlooked, and most totes will close either with nothing or with a single snap-button.

I have found that, when traveling, a simple zipper can truly be the difference in having a great vacation and living in a nightmare. Because you’ll be walking around busy areas with your tote, and possibly laying it on its side to shove it under the airplane seat in front of you, it is super important that all of your things stay secured within your travel tote.

Baggallini Avenue Tote

Baggallini Avenue Tote in “Beach”

The Baggallini Avenue Tote is simple, stylish, and an extremely useful travel tote. It has both handles and a shoulder strap with a 10″ drop. The tote bag comes in 15 different colors and patterns.

My favorite is the “Beach” color (shown above). The neutral tan color will transition amazingly as the bag goes from “airplane carry-on” to “stocked-with-beach-essentials beach bag”!

The Baggallini Avenue Tote has a 10″ by 13″ laptop pocket to keep your laptop safe while you travel, as well as several other zippered pockets.

Why I love this…

The best part about this travel tote? It’s machine washable! Traveling in and out of airports, stuffing your bag under the airplane seat in front of you, setting your bag down on the dirty floor at different terminals, and loading it up into the trunk of taxis, can truly take a toll on your tote. Being able to throw your bag right into the washing machine making look brand new once again is a great addition.

Silvatrip Carry On Travel Tote Bag

Silvatrip Carry On Travel Tote Bag

The Silvatrip Carry On Travel Tote Bag is the perfect size to be used as a carry on, especially if you’re looking for that perfect weekender travel tote. It’s a little big larger than your average tote bag, but still small enough to fit under an airplane seat!

The Silvatrip Carry on Travel Tote comes with a shoe/laundry bag that neatly and easily stores any dirty items that you don’t want moving about your bag on their own. It also has a key leash to keep your keys in place within the bag, a space for tablets, and multiple internal and external zipper pockets.

Why I love this…

The best part is despite being large enough to fit all the clothing and essentials for a weekend trip, this travel tote still classifies as a personal item on most major airlines. That means no more stressing about whether or not the overhead compartments will already be full by the time you get your Starbucks and board your plane.

Herschel Travel Tote Bag

Herschel Travel Tote Bag in “Raven Crosshatch”

This Herschel Travel Tote is great for a trip where you might be spending some time traveling by foot, whether this simply means strolling around the city you’re visiting or hiking outdoors. The tote has a fleece-lined 15″ laptop sleeve, a zip-convertible luggage trolley sleeve, and a rear pocket.

The travel tote comes in 7 different colors and patterns and measures 5″ x 11.5″ x 15″.

Why I love this…

I generally love all Herschel products. I love the simplicity of their design, and they are usually very durable which is great for those who travel often and need to be able to rely on their travel bag.

The best feature about this travel tote is that it has two contoured backpack straps on the back. This is what makes it so great for trips where you might be spending extra time on your feet. The straps are also storable, which means when you’re not using them, they will be out of sight!

Kenneth Cole REACTION Runway Call Wheeled Tote

Kenneth Cole REACTION Runway Call Wheeled Tote in “Black”

The Kenneth Cole REACTION Runway Wheeled Tote is simultaneously stylish and versatile. What more can I ask for?!

Available in 3 color ways (black, dark slate, and olive), the Kenneth Cole REACTION Runway Wheeled Tote has many compartments that make organization easy. The main compartment includes a padded laptop and tablet pocket, a full-length zipper accessory pocket, a business organizer, and a removable accessory pouch. The interior business organizer includes two slit pockets, three card slots, and two pen holders. The front exterior porch includes a hidden zipper pocket and organizer.

Why I love this…

This is a travel tote.. WITH WHEELS! Gone are the days of having to carry around a heavy tote bag with all of your travel needs. Now you can just wheel it right on through the airport! How cool is that?

I think that this tote bag is really well-suited for business trips where you will need lots of space for organization.

It is important to note, however, that while this travel tote is useful for carrying important documents and staying organized while you do it, it will be considered a “carry on” bag by airlines. This means you will likely have to store it in the overhead compartment on an airplane.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Travel Tote Bag

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Travel Tote Bag in “Dusty Pink”

The Travelpro Maxlite 5 Travel Tote Bag is easily one of the most popular items in the Travelpro luggage line. Travelpro is well-known for having great quality luggage items, and the Maxlite 5 is no different.

The travel tote is extremely lightweight and compact, measuring 11″ x 18″ x 8″. It’s important to note that this will qualify as a “carry on” bag for most airlines, meaning it will have to be stored in the overhead compartment.

The travel tote has a rear strap allowing for secure stacking on top of other luggage, a top handle for carry, and a removable shoulder strap.

Why I love this…

Aside from just the amazing quality of all Travelpro products, the company offers an amazing guarantee. Travelpro products come with a limited lifetime guarantee, which means that they will replace your tote should something go wrong. Your purchase also comes with a trusted companion process, which covers the cost of repair for damage from an airline or other transportation carrier for one year.

Monstina Laptop Tote Bag

Monstina Laptop Tote Bag in “Black 2”

The Monstina Laptop Tote Bag is the complete package. It offers style, versatility, organization, and function all in one. The 15.6″ bag is available in four different color ways: black with brown trim, black with black trim, floral with black trim, and leather black.

The travel tote has 15 pockets inside, with different specified compartments available: one 15.6″ laptop slot, a spot for a converter, a keychain, a mouse pocket, water bottle holder, power supply, fixed velcro, an umbrella holder, a wallet slot, credit card slots, a pen holder, a cosmetic pouch, a portable phone charger slot, and a phone slot.

Why I love this…

I love this bag for travel because the designers truly thought about EVERYTHING. And by everything, I mean they thought about what is most important to us–our phones! The fact that there is a designated slot for you to insert your own power bank to charge your phone is really great. This bag makes charging your phone on the go so much easier, which, of course, makes travel easier!


Now that you’ve found your dream travel tote bag, it’s time to book a trip!
Still trying to figure out your dream vacation? The My Luxury Loft destinations guide has all you’ll need in planning out that perfect trip.

Try traveling somewhere new. Check out my new list of the world’s most exotic vacation destinations.

I want to hear from you!
You know how it goes, the best products are always found through the recommendations of others! Let me know about your favorite tote bag for travel. And be sure to include what features you specifically look for in a travel tote!

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