DESIGN
Best Bags for City Travel
These styles will give you the confidence of a local.
- When choosing a bag for fast-paced days in the city, consider features like durability, interior pockets and easy carryability.
- Shoulder bags, carryalls, crossbodies and mini bags are all popular picks for city travel.
- Read on for styles that are as reliable as they are refined.
The best city bags hit that sweet spot, carefully blending form and function for a fashionable style companion that’s also too practical to put down. Whether hitting all the tourist hotspots or people watching on a park bench, your city-worthy plus-one needs to strike that perfect balance.
Before choosing a style for city travel, consider durability, pockets and compartments and comfortability. Then, read on for a few of our Coach favorites.
What should I look for in a city travel bag?
Durability
City travel can be unpredictable, which means you should have a bag that can handle the pressure. A sturdy, durable material can make all the difference—consider bags crafted of high-quality leather or coated canvas for navigating your way through the crowds.
Interior Pockets
Quick, convenient access to your ID, credit cards and phone is essential while embracing your inner tourist. Consider travel bags with interior and exterior pockets that make city life that much easier.
Snap or Zip Closures
While zippers might offer more protection for all your belongings, snap closures usually provide easier access on days that are go-go-go. Consider your typical travel habits and what you prefer.
Comfortability
Comfort is of utmost importance when exploring a new city from top to bottom. From crossbody bags that rest diagonally across the torso to shoulder bags with wide, easy-to-wear straps, there are plenty of styles out there that won’t weigh you down when you’re ready to dash from one side of the city to the other.
City travel can be unpredictable, which means you should have a bag that can handle the pressure. A sturdy, durable material can make all the difference—consider bags crafted of high-quality leather or coated canvas for navigating your way through the crowds.
Interior Pockets
Quick, convenient access to your ID, credit cards and phone is essential while embracing your inner tourist. Consider travel bags with interior and exterior pockets that make city life that much easier.
Snap or Zip Closures
While zippers might offer more protection for all your belongings, snap closures usually provide easier access on days that are go-go-go. Consider your typical travel habits and what you prefer.
Comfortability
Comfort is of utmost importance when exploring a new city from top to bottom. From crossbody bags that rest diagonally across the torso to shoulder bags with wide, easy-to-wear straps, there are plenty of styles out there that won’t weigh you down when you’re ready to dash from one side of the city to the other.
What are the best bags for city travel?
Shoulder Bags
Fashionable and functional, shoulder bags are a timeless style for all occasions, including days spent in the city. Swing your shoulder bag to your front while on the go for easy access to your phone, wallet and digital camera or take it off to hold in your lap while riding public transit. Iconic styles like the Tabby or Chelsea will give you the confidence of a local, even in a new city.
Style Picks: Tabby Shoulder Bag 20 with Quilting, Tabby Shoulder Bag 26, Tabby Shoulder Bag 36, Chelsea Shoulder Bag 30
Carryalls
Need a little extra room? An expandable carryall (like the Brooklyn) will take care of all your city must-haves. Stash your sightseeing essentials like your digital camera, reusable water bottle and portable charger inside its roomy, slouchy silhouette before throwing the comfortable wide strap over your shoulder. The Brooklyn is a modern take on our first tote—timeless, versatile and made to move with you (even on busy city days).
Style Picks: Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28, Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 34, Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39
Crossbody Bags
Crossbody styles are known for their hands-free convenience—and when you’re on your feet all day exploring a new city, that quality certainly comes in handy. Snap photos with your phone in one hand while carrying your coffee in the other. And if you’re worried about carrying a heavy bag all day, crossbodies will evenly distribute the weight of your load across your torso, making them a comfortable, practical pick for city travel.
Style Picks: Teri Mini Crossbody Bag, Teri Shoulder Bag, Teri Hobo Bag
Mini Bags
Tend to travel on the lighter side? Mini bags are both playful and practical (basically everything you want in a bag). Style these little bags right over your shoulder while strolling through the park or loop the strap around your wrist for hands-free museum exploration. They’re designed with movement in mind.
Style Picks: Nolita 19, Plaza Bag
Fashionable and functional, shoulder bags are a timeless style for all occasions, including days spent in the city. Swing your shoulder bag to your front while on the go for easy access to your phone, wallet and digital camera or take it off to hold in your lap while riding public transit. Iconic styles like the Tabby or Chelsea will give you the confidence of a local, even in a new city.
Style Picks: Tabby Shoulder Bag 20 with Quilting, Tabby Shoulder Bag 26, Tabby Shoulder Bag 36, Chelsea Shoulder Bag 30
Carryalls
Need a little extra room? An expandable carryall (like the Brooklyn) will take care of all your city must-haves. Stash your sightseeing essentials like your digital camera, reusable water bottle and portable charger inside its roomy, slouchy silhouette before throwing the comfortable wide strap over your shoulder. The Brooklyn is a modern take on our first tote—timeless, versatile and made to move with you (even on busy city days).
Style Picks: Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28, Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 34, Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39
Crossbody Bags
Crossbody styles are known for their hands-free convenience—and when you’re on your feet all day exploring a new city, that quality certainly comes in handy. Snap photos with your phone in one hand while carrying your coffee in the other. And if you’re worried about carrying a heavy bag all day, crossbodies will evenly distribute the weight of your load across your torso, making them a comfortable, practical pick for city travel.
Style Picks: Teri Mini Crossbody Bag, Teri Shoulder Bag, Teri Hobo Bag
Mini Bags
Tend to travel on the lighter side? Mini bags are both playful and practical (basically everything you want in a bag). Style these little bags right over your shoulder while strolling through the park or loop the strap around your wrist for hands-free museum exploration. They’re designed with movement in mind.
Style Picks: Nolita 19, Plaza Bag
Discover even more styles you’ll love.
FAQs: You asked. We’ve answered.
Should a travel bag be classic or trendy?
Should a travel bag be classic or trendy?
If you're planning to invest in a luxury travel bag, you'll want to choose a timeless silhouette that transcends trends. Considering that a high-quality, durable leather bag will last for years (and years), it not only makes more sense from a cost-per-wear perspective—a classic travel bag will also pair well with your evolving personal style and moods, no matter how often they change. Plus, there's something about a luxurious travel bag that makes you look polished and pulled together no matter what country or destination you're in; a classic silhouette is a style language understood by everyone.
How important is organization when choosing a travel bag?
How important is organization when choosing a travel bag?
Design elements like spacious interiors with keychain clips will keep your belongings easily accessible, while pockets with snap or zip closures will keep smaller essentials secure. For an additional layer of organization, look for zip pouches or cosmetic cases that can be carried within a larger bag.
What size bag is best for travel?
What size bag is best for travel?
The best bag size for when you're traveling really comes down to what your itinerary looks like. Compact crossbodies are the perfect counterpart to days spent exploring when you’ll want to keep your hands free, while larger carryalls are ideal for carrying everything you want easy access to—like tech or extra layers—while on long haul flights. It’s about traveling smarter, while matching your bag's style to the occasion.