If you are on the hunt for the best travel purse for Europe, then you have come to the right place. This guide will take you through everything you need to think about when purchasing the perfect bag for your Europe trip.
When it comes to travel purses for Europe, you want them to be both stylish but also practical to fit in everything you need for a day of sightseeing. When it comes to travel in Europe, you might also like to consider a bag with some built-in security features too.
This guide on the best handbag for travelling in Europe takes you through everything you need to know to purchase the perfect bag. I’ll look at the features you need to consider and then take a closer look at some great crossbody bags for Europe travel currently on the market.
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Our Pick for the Best Travel Purse for Europe: Travelon Anti-Theft Bucket Bag
Don’t have time to read my entire European purses guide? I just love the Travelon Anti-Theft Bucket Bag. This is a great size bag; perfect for absolutely everything you need for a day of sightseeing in Europe; you can even fit a bulky DSLR in here. I also love that all Travelon bags have some built-in safety features too, such as lockable pockets and slash-resistant straps.
Comparison Chart for the Best Travel Purses for Europe
Check out the table below for a quick and easy comparison of the all travel purses for Europe reviewed in this guide. For further information, keep reading the reviews below.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SIZE (in) | SIZE (in) | SIZE (in) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Travelon Anti-Theft Bucket
|
14 x 10 x 4 | 0.77 | 4.5 | Check Price | |
2. Travelon Anti-Theft Classic
|
11 x 10 x 4.5 | 1 | 4.5 | Check Price | |
3. Pacsafe Metrosafe LS200
|
11.42 x 9.25 x 2.76 | 1.23 | 4.4 | Check Price | |
4. Pacsafe CitySafe CS 100
|
9.1 x 12.6 x 3.1 | 0.88 | 4.3 | Check Price | |
5. Baggallini Pocket
|
8.5 x 8.5 x 2 | 0.56 | 4.6 | Check Price | |
6. eBags Piazza
|
9.25 x 9 x 2.5 | 0.87 | 4.4 | Check Price | |
7. eBags Villa
|
10 x 9.5 x 1.5 | 0.75 | 4.3 | Check Price | |
8. NeatPack Anti-Theft
|
12 x 4 x 11.5 | 0.81 | 4.3 | Check Price | |
9. Satchelli Anti-Theft
|
12 x 10 x 3.5 | 1 | 4.4 | Check Price | |
10. Volganik Rock
|
13.4 x 11 x 5 | 0.83 | 4.4 | Check Price |
Things to Consider when Purchasing the Best Handbag for Traveling in Europe
What makes the best purse for travel to Europe depends on a few things. To ensure you get the best purse for traveling Europe, I recommend you consider the factors below.
1. Size
The best purse to take to Europe is one big enough to carry everything you need for a day of sightseeing. What do you plan on bringing in your bag each day? Will you take a guidebook, a camera, your mobile, wallet, umbrella, water bottle, for example.
Think about what it is that you are likely to carry with you every single day and ensure the bag you purchase has plenty of room for it all. If you’re the sort of person that leaves the hotel with your phone and coin wallet; then you’re not going to need the same size bag as someone who takes all the things I listed above.
2. Compartments
Once you know what you are likely to take with you each day, you can decide how many compartments you’ll need to help keep your items organised. Don’t go overboard though, a few compartments are helpful to stay organised, but if you have too many, you won’t remember where you have put everything.
Look for bags with side pockets designed for an umbrella or water bottle, so water doesn’t get on to your other belongings. I also like a small interior pocket to keep my hotel keys in a safe place while I’m out all day sightseeing.
3. Security Features
These days there are some great in-built security features in travel bags. Some of the security features that come in travel bags include:
- Slash Proof Construction: Some bags are made with fabric, which includes steel mesh to avoid thieves who use knives to slash open bags to steal your items. Straps can also include steel cables to prevent straps being cut.
- Secret Pockets: You can get travel bags which have hidden pockets or small internal compartments for additional protection for your most valuable items.
- RFID Protection: Many travel handbags have built-in technology that blocks an RFID reader to access your personal information. RFID protection is usually in the form of a special pocket within your bag where you can store your cards to prevent electronic theft.
- Lock: Some travel handbags come with locking zippers as well as the ability to lock the bag to a fixed item such as a table leg.
- YKK Zippers: Ensure your bag has high-quality zippers that can’t be easily pried apart. You also don’t want poor quality zippers that break mid-trip, and you can no longer close your bag.
- Waterproof / Water-Resistant: A waterproof bag or even a water-resistant pack will help protect your items from rainy weather or accidental spillages.
4. Comfort
Once you put all your various things in your bag, you may be surprised just how much it weighs. So be sure your crossbody bag has a padded and adjustable shoulder strap to avoid neck and shoulder strain at the end of a long day of sightseeing or travel.
The Best Purse for Travel to Europe Reviews
1. Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bucket Bag
Travelon makes some great travel purses when it comes to sightseeing in Europe, so it’s no surprise that I feature two in these reviews. First up is the Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bucket Bag.
This Travelon bag is a lightweight shoulder bag with plenty of built-in security features. It has a slash-resistant body and slash-resistant shoulder strap so wannabe thieves can’t do a slash and run. It also has RFID blocking pockets, lockable zippers and the ability to lock the strap around a chair, post or table to avoid anyone running off with it.
For storage, the bag has a large main compartment offering plenty of room for all your personal items. It also has an interior zippered pocket; two expandable side mesh pockets perfect for your umbrella or water bottle as well as a zippered external pocket.
Despite its large size, this is one of the lightest bags in this review. Coming in a range of funky colours, this is the perfect day bag for your upcoming Europe trip.
Click here to check the price and to read more reviews
2. Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger Bag
If you love the sound of the Travelon bag above but aren’t keen on the shape, another option to consider is the Travelon Anti-Theft Classic MessengerBag. This messenger bag from Travelon is similar in almost all ways to the bucket bag above but has a slightly boxier shape.
Like the bucket bag, the classic messenger bag is lightweight (although a little heavier) and has all the great Travelon built-in security features. The classic messenger bag has a slash-resistant body and slash-resistant shoulder strap so wannabe thieves can’t do a slash and run. It also has RFID blocking pockets, lockable zippers and the ability to lock the strap around a chair, post or table to avoid anyone running off with it.
It also has excellent organisational features such as the four interior pockets, a pen loop and two mesh expansion pockets for an umbrella or water bottle.
This Travelon crossbody bag is made from polyester and available in so many different colours and is a perfect choice for sightseeing in Europe.
Click here to check the price and to read more reviews
3. Pacsafe Citysafe CS100
When it comes to anti-theft travel bags, no one does it better than Pacsafe, which is why I’ve included two of their bags in these reviews. First up is theCitysafe CS100, which is relatively similar to the bucket bag by Travelon, however a bit smaller, lighter and jammed packed full of security features.
Let’s start by looking at the security features of this bag. The fabric of this bag contains stainless steel wire mesh to prevent thieves from slashing it, while the straps contain reinforced wire that can’t be cut. Other security features include built-in RFID safe Blocking Material, lockable zippers, and the ability to secure the bag to a stationary item such as a table leg or chair.
You’re probably not going to get a big bulky camera in here; but there is plenty of room for your mobile, maps, wallet and whatever other small items you like to take with you during the day. It even has a padded sleeve for an iPad.
For anyone concerned about security during their Europe getaway, the Citysafe from Pacsafe is the perfect solution.
Click here to check the price and to read more reviews
4. Pacsafe Metrosafe LS200 Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag
Travelling with your partner and want to share carrying the day bag? Then the Metrosafe LS200 is an excellent choice as this unisex bag is perfect for both men and women. The Metrosafe is slightly smaller than the Citysafe reviewed above and is a boxier shape making it suitable as either a man’s or woman’s crossbody bag.
The Metrosafe contains all the standard Pacsafe security features. The bag is made from fabric which contains stainless steel wire mesh to prevent thieves from slashing it; while the straps contain reinforced wire that can’t be cut. It also includes built-in RFID safe Blocking Material, lockable zippers, and the ability to secure the bag to a stationary item such as a table leg or chair.
In the main compartment, there is plenty of room for your wallet, map, mobile and camera. The bag includes two lockable zippered compartments, two zippered interior pockets, two side pockets for a water bottle or umbrella and there is even a padded tablet sleeve inside.
If you prefer a boxier style crossbody bag, or simply want to share bag duties with your partner while out and about in Europe, the Pacsafe Metrosafe is a great choice.
Click here to check the price and to read more reviews
5. Baggallini Pocket Lightweight Crossbody Bag
Baggallini is another excellent quality brand when it comes to perfect handbags for Europe. This pocket crossbody bag from Baggallini is well worth considering for those that don’t take too much with them during their day trips.
This bag is super lightweight (the lightest in these reviews), yet still has plenty of compartments to store and organise your personal items. It has a range of interior pockets including a purse with RFID blocking technology built into the lining. It also has three external zippered pockets too.
The bag itself is made of water-resistant nylon fabric, so there is no need to worry about personal items being destroyed on rainy days. The strap is adjustable, so you can choose to make it short or as long as you like – wear it as a handbag or across the body.
This is a stylish travel bag from Baggallini, coming in a range of great colours and the perfect size for those that like to travel with minimal items while sightseeing.
Click here to check the price and to read more reviews
6. eBags Piazza Day bag 2.0 with RFID Security
eBags has some lovely crossbody bags just perfect for your Europe trip and so I have two in these reviews. First up let’s take a closer look at the Piazza day bag.
There is plenty of compartments in this bag to keep your items well organised. There are three flat zip back pockets and two side pockets, which can each fit a water bottle. There is also the perfect sized pocket in the back to fit a large smartphone. Inside the bag is an RFID protected pocket with card slots where you can store your credit cards and passport.
This lightweight bag is made with water-resistant fabric and premium self-repairing YKK RC coil zippers making it a great durable bag perfect for everyday use.
With a spot for everything, the Piazza day bag is well worth considering for your European adventures.
Click here to check the price and to read more reviews
7. eBags Villa Crossbody Bag with RFID Security
The Villa crossbody bag by eBags is another great option when it comes to a handbag for Europe travel. This is a slimline bag with plenty of room for all that you need for exploring the European cities.
The Villa crossbody bag contains a range of compartments to keep your items organised. Inside the main compartment are passport pocket and card slots which feature RFID reader blocking technology as well as a variety of other pockets. On the outside of the bag, there are two additional external zippered pockets. It also has an expansion zipper (like a suitcase), so you can keep the bag nice and compact or expand it when you need to carry a few more items.
Other great features of this bag include self-repairing coil zippers to ensure smooth opening and closing and an adjustable shoulder strap.
Made from soft, lightweight nylon, this bag comes in a range of great colours and has a lifetime warranty so you can be confident you’re purchasing an excellent quality product.
Click here to check the price and to read more reviews
8. NeatPack Crossbody Bag for Women with Anti-Theft RFID
This cross-body bag by NeatPackhas plenty of room for all those travel essentials, it’s lightweight and comes in some great colours making it well worth considering for your next trip to Europe.
There is a spot for everything in this roomy crossbody bag. The main compartment features a zippered RFID pocket for your credit cards and passport as well as two open pockets. On the outside, there are three front pockets (two zippered and one pocket), a Velcro pocket on the back (great size for a tablet) and a side pocket for your water bottle.
The NeatPack crossbody bag is made from durable, water-resistant nylon, which is easy to clean and features top-quality zippers that won’t pinch when opening and closing. The bag also features an adjustable and padded shoulder strap.
If you’re looking for the perfect bag for sightseeing in Europe, this bag from NeatPack won’t disappoint!
Click here to check the price and to read more reviews
9. Satchelli Crossbody Bag with RFID Blocking Anti-Theft Wristlet
If you’re after a stylish, yet practical travel purse for using every day during your European trip, this crossbody bag from Satchelli is well worth considering.
This lightweight day bag is the perfect size for storing and organising all your personal items. Inside the main compartment, it contains a removable RFID wristlet where you can keep your credit cards and passport, two zippered pockets and two pen holders. On the outside, the bag has three zippered pockets and two side pockets for water bottles.
One of the unique features of this bag is the back sleeve which enables you to attach the bag to a suitcase for easy transport in the airport. This is the only bag in these reviews to have this feature.
Made from a lightweight, durable fabric; this bag is water-resistant and can easily be cleaned with a damp cloth making it perfect for everyday use while you’re enjoying yourself travelling around Europe.
Click here to check the price and to read more reviews
10. Volganik Rock Crossbody Handbag
Lucky last but yet a fantastic choice, if you’re still looking for a travel bag for Europe, is this crossbody bag from Volganik Rock. This is a stylish, versatile bag which has plenty of space for everything you need for exploring the cities of Europe.
There are plenty of pockets in this bag so you can be well organised. The exterior of the purse features three zippered pockets on the front and one on the back. Inside there is a large main compartment (big enough for an A4 piece of paper) with three pen slots and 4 RFID blocking card slots.
This bag is made from stain and water-resistant nylon, which is durable and lightweight. This bag is so easy to clean, you can simply wipe it down, or you can even pop it in the wash at the end of your trip.
Coming in 8 gorgeous colours, this is a stylish handbag with room for everything you could possibly need, making it an excellent solution for your Europe trip.
Click here to check the price and to read more reviews
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