When it comes to women travelers, a purse is not just a fashion symbol but also a useful bag for carrying basic travel essentials. It has to be very special, comfortable, and productive on your trips as this is one bag that you will be using daily, unlike your suitcase and other bags you carrying.
Your trip will be more enjoyable if you have the bag that is right as per all your needs. Realizing it later with issues such as the purse is too big, too small or uncomfortable could be a nightmare on your trip.
Buying branded bags at your tourist destination might be extremely expensive and it could also take you out of your budget. To save yourself from such frustration and waste of money, make sure that you buy the best purse based on its features and how good it caters to your needs.
Moreover, such investments are not just for one time as you will be using it on many other trips and tours to come.
Top 5 Travel Purses to Purchase
To help you out and pick the best, sturdy and travel-friendly purse we have sorted some of the most suitable picks. Most of them carry all the value that you want in your carry bag on the trip.
Here is a quick preview of our top 5:
#1, Travelon One Size Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Purse
#2, Baggallini Melbourne Crossbody Bag
#3, Tumi Canton Crossbody Purse for Travelers
#4, OGIO Brooklyn Tablet Purse
#5, Leather Crossbody Over the Shoulder Sling Purse for Women
Travelon One Size Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Purse


This is the top product in our list for its great return on investment. This messenger style bag is a great carry-on option for travelers with a range of impeccable features. You may use it on your domestic every day outdoors and also for your trips in different other cities or countries. The bag provides an ample amount of dedicated space to keep all your belongings in a very organized way.
The bag has specific slots for placing your passports and cards. The straps of the purse are very comfortable and splash-proof as well. They would restrict any possible chances of theft or someone just trying to cut off the strap from your shoulder.
All the compartments of this purse can be locked which is good to protect your valuables from pickpockets in all those crowded tourist areas and markets. The slots inside for cards come with RFID anti-theft block feature.
On the other side, it is experienced by the user of this bag that sometimes the things inside are difficult to access. It is because of its different layers and multiple pockets that make the entire retrieval process quite time-consuming.
Pros
- The bag comes with an amazing removable LED light.
- The purse comes with an anti-theft RFID feature for the card slots of the bag.
- The shoulder strap is cut-proof and cable reinforced for added security.
- There are zipped compartments inside for easy storage.
Cons
- The feature enriched bag with sophisticated design makes retrieval of belongings sometimes time-consuming.
Baggallini Melbourne Crossbody Bag


It is a highly precious search for potential customers out of the many available products. This travel purse is loved for its great aesthetics, amazing design, and appealing black, charcoal, adobe, and Portobello color options. There are three front pockets on this purse to store all the essentials that you want to access frequently.
Two of these three pockets have a zipper closure and the third one comes with flap closure. This purse is highly flexible and designed typically by keeping the needs of travelers in mind. It is immensely easy to carry and could be employed as a sling piece by pulling it over any of your shoulders.
The dimensions of this bag are 3 x 10 ½ x 9 inches which makes it quite a spacious and productive option for those on the move. The manufacturer has ensured premium construction that lasts long and also adds great security to all your valuable essentials.
There is a top-quality polyester lining for the nylon compartments that adds great value to the product overall. It is water-resistant and extremely lightweight as well.
Pros
- Excellent design with a range of classy colors to choose from.
- The user can maximize the quick-access front pockets.
- The item is nylon material which is water-resistant as well.
- Super useful pocket technology to keep everything in the best possible manner.
Cons
- This bag might not be as comfortable as the purse that it replaces in the Baggallini line of products.
Tumi Canton Crossbody Purse for Travelers


This is a branded purse that comes at a good high price and it shows a perfect collage of practicality and luxury for the travelers. It is made from a nylon material which makes it quite durable and easy to clean as well. Cleanliness of such everyday bags is a major concern for regular travelers and this purse has certainly made life easier there.
As far as the compartments or pockets of this bag are concerned then there is a zipped front pocket and then a back pocket as well for easy access of frequently required items.
The back pocket is different from others with its magnetic snap, which makes quick access easy and keep belongings secure as well. If you further explore it inside then you will find a section for almost everything which includes your pens, combs, small gadgets, and makeup items as well.
The strap of this purse is detachable and adjustable as well so that you could use it just as you would like. The interior of this purse is fully lined and comes with a zipper section for placing critical items like cards, money, or your keys. If you want then you could also look for the Tumi brand suitcases with matching color to your purse.
Pros
- The item is highly durable and long-lasting.
- Cleaning for this nylon exterior bag is quite easy.
- The straps used with this purse are detachable and adjustable as well.
- The bag itself is extremely light in weight.
Cons
- The bag is a bit on the pricier side.
OGIO Brooklyn Tablet Purse


This stylish bag is as good on tours just as it could be for your routine daily outdoors. The combination of its classy design with striking color choices makes this a favorite purse for travelers. This travel accessory comes with a zippered closure underneath a 2-button flap for added security of your essentials.
It is a little larger than a standard size purse with dimensions of 11 ½ x 12 x 3 inches but that is what you want when you don’t want to leave behind any of your essentials in your hotel room. Your gadgets inside will be very securely placed as the interior is sufficiently padded for the protection of fragile items.
The smart pocket technology will look after the security of your valuables in the best possible manner and will allow you to roam freely at your favorite travel destination. You may use this bag for carrying a tablet, iPad, and even an e-reader as well.
Pros
- The inside of this purse is excellently padded to protect your fragile items including gadgets.
- It comes with an ideal pocket technology which is highly secure for keeping all your belongings intact.
- It has an elegant design with a beautiful range of colors grey, black, terra, peacoat, wine, and windowpane, etc.
- The bag is spacious enough to carry a tablet or an e-reader inside.
Cons
- The strap could not be adjusted to cater for the different needs of the user.
Leather Crossbody Over the Shoulder Sling Purse for Women


This is a perfect purse for all seasons and all types of female travel enthusiasts. It is primarily said because of its spectacular vintage looks that will catch the attention of everyone very quickly. You can trust this as an everyday bag and not only for travel needs as it suits both ways perfectly.
It is highly durable and the stuff promises to last for a very long time. The quality is uncompromising with the 100% genuine leather used in its manufacturing. The travelers on their rough tours outside would be very much at ease with this bag as the manufacturer has designed it to resist all sorts of wear and tear. On the side of the pocket, you will find quite a few of them in the front and then several small pockets inside the main compartment. It might look small but actually, it is spacious enough to carry all your everyday essentials while you are on the move.
Pros
- Multiple organized compartments are available for easy storage.
- The bag is made from 100% leather which does not only make it stylish looking but durable as well.
- The shoulder strap is adjustable.
- It travels friendly for its small size and lightweight as well.
Cons
- The strap of this purse is of low quality and tends to break easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I carry my travel purse apart from the other carry on in the flight cabin?
A: Yes, travel purse doesn’t count as the 2nd item to be carried in the flight cabin as long as it is smaller than your other carry-on bag.
Q: What are the key security features I could get in a travel purse?
A: You must look for a bag with an anti-theft RFID security feature. The other good features to have in a purse are the cross-body style and the one that comes with a flap. The latter non-technical feature is good against pickpockets in crowded tourist places.
Q: Can I get a convertible travel purse?
A: Yes, you can have a bag with an adjustable strap or a handle that could be converted into a shoulder style bag. If the strap is removable then it could be converted in a hand clutch purse.
What to Look for in a Travel Purse?
- Women should always carry pepper spray or mace in their purse.
- If you’re traveling alone, make sure to take care of yourself.
- RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It’s used to identify things such as credit cards, passports, and other items.
- Slash proof bags are made to protect against knife attacks.
- You should choose a purse that works well for traveling around Europe.
- Choose a comfortable bag if you plan on walking a lot.
- Crossbody purses are the most popular type of travel purse.
- Anti-theft bags are designed to protect your belongings while you’re traveling.
- Backpack purses are designed to carry laptops.
Should I carry my passport in my purse?
Passports should be kept in a safe place. You should always carry copies of your passport. Carry your passport and other important documents in your purse. Make sure you have an extra set of keys for your house and car. Keep your passport in a safe place. Don’t let others know where you keep your passport.
Things to consider when buying the best travel purse
Things that make a purse best for travel include the design and style and many other features we’ll be discussing here to let you decide better:
Travel purses are broadly categorized into the following four types;
- Shoulder Purse – This is the most common type of travel purse that you will ever come across. It can assist you well both on your relaxed and adventure trips as well. It is a typical ladies’ bag, which is easy to wear by just employing the strap over the shoulder. These bags can be very stylish but lesser preferred when security is of the essence. It is because such purses don’t have anti-theft options. The shoulder hanging style makes it also easy for the perpetrators to snatch it without making much effort.
- Tote Purse – If you are carrying a large amount of stuff in your bag then this could be a good option. It is an unfastened or an opened bag that comes with parallel handles coming from the sides. They mostly come with a single compartment only but might have a small zip pocket inside for carrying money, cards or securely placing your mobile phone.
- Cross Body Purse – This type is the asymmetrical one and could be put across your body. Just as the name suggests, only one shoulder will be carrying all the weight of the bag. This might not be the best design of the bag for the ladies but it is comfortable and above all much safer to wear. The protection is not right up to the mark as the straps could be cut as well by the perpetrators. But, it is just that the risk is minimized while wearing it in crossbody style.
- Messenger Purse – Last but not least is the messenger travel purse, which is good for those ladies who care about good space in their bag. It is quite similar to those cross body burse discussed above, but messenger purses are much larger and quite durable as well comparatively. They come with a flap cover usually which is good for adding more security against thieves and pickpockets while you enjoying on your travel.
Storage Space
Many female travelers care more about smaller but stylish bags. What if they get more space in a compact and stylish purse? Yes, you can find such purses so that you do not need to leave behind some of your essentials back in the hotel room.
Multiple Storage Compartments
It will be great to have a purse with multiple pockets for storing your belongings in a very organized manner. Having such a bag will make your life much easier as a traveler. You will be exactly knowing where your passport, credit cards, money, or the gadgets are. Each and everything will be stored in its designated space in the bag.
Security
For travelers, security is a top priority in a purse that carries all your valuables including gadgets, passports, credit cards, and money, etc. You cannot risk losing them all of a sudden which could bring your exciting tour to a sad end right away. RFID protection in purses is a great feature and if you are traveling to such vulnerable areas to theft then an RFID bag would be a worthy purchase for you.
Durability
Women get attracted to those stylish purses and if coming from a reputed brand then the purses could be expensive as well. You need to make sure that the purse you are considering is made from durable material which will last for a long time. Durability is the only way in which you could enjoy the beauty of the purse as well.
Water-Resistant
Travelers must care about the purse to be water-resistant as well even if you are not going to those tropical or other areas with lots of rain. It is because an expensive bag that is not water-resistant could get worn out even if it is exposed to a little amount of moisture even. It is not just to protect the bag itself, but also the stuff placed inside your bag. You must be carrying your passport, cards, and mobile gadgets that you want to protect from any moisture and this is where a water-resistant bag becomes very handy.
Versatility
It is great to have a purse that could be used in multiple ways. Imagine having a purse with an adjustable strap or a handle that could be altered to convert it into an asymmetrical body or a shoulder bag. If a removable strap feature is there then you may convert them easily into a hand purse as well.
Conclusion:
You need to ask yourself first that what exactly you need in your travel purse when you are making such a decision. You might be looking for a stylish travel purse, which may vary considerably in sizes. However, it mainly comes down to the safety of the purse and how much options in terms of compartments it has inside.
You also want your purse to be lightweight with an easy shoulder strap as you will be carrying it all day long probably when on your tour. Some modern travel safety features in bags such as anti-theft or RFID purses are highly in demand for their amazing safety and protection features.
There is an immense variety available in the shoulder, cross-body, and messenger purses but the best one is still that which meets or exceeds your needs. Style quotient will remain in your hand and you can avail the purse in your most desirable color combos and design.