The best crossbody bags for travel keep your phone, cards and small essentials within easy reach, sit close to your body in a crowd and look polished enough for dinner. After years of carrying these bags through Manhattan and on trips across Europe, my top pick is this Nylon Foldover Crossbody. It’s lightweight, well organized, and the bag I reach for most.
But there’s no single right bag for every trip. A work trip, a week of sightseeing in a new city and a weekend getaway each call for something different. So I’ve narrowed my own collection to ten tested picks, from a 0.7 lb day-to-night bag to an anti-theft hobo built for crowded cities.
As a born-and-raised New Yorker who has flown more than a million miles, I’ve learned that the bag on your shoulder matters as much as the shoes on your feet. Every bag below is one I own and carry.
Quick Picks
Short on time? Here are my best crossbody bags for travel at a glance.
- Best overall: Quince Revive Nylon Foldover Crossbody
- Best for evenings out: Quince Italian Leather Foldover Crossbody
- Best day to night: Lo & Sons Nouvelle Crossbody
- Best for security: Baggallini Securtex Jet Set Anti-Theft Hobo
- Best budget anti-theft: Travelon Anti-Theft Signature 3 Compartment Crossbody
- Best for work trips: Longchamp Le Pliage Energy L Handbag
- Best workhorse: Calpak Haven 16″ Laptop Tote
- Best for weekend getaways: MZ Wallace Small Metro Camera Bag
- Best upgrade from nylon: Monos Metro Crossbody
- Most elevated: Aspinal of London Small Stella Satchel
How Do the Best Crossbody Bags for Travel Compare?
The best crossbody bags for travel range from 0.7 lb to 2.7 lb and from compact camera bags to laptop totes. Lightweight nylon bags win for everyday sightseeing, leather bags win for evenings out, and larger totes win for work trips. Use the table below to match a bag to your trip.
| Bag | Best For | Price | Key Pros | Cons | My Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quince Revive Nylon Foldover | Everyday travel | $ | Lightweight, lots of compartments, easy access | Back pocket closes with a magnet, not a zipper | My most-used travel bag |
| Quince Italian Leather Foldover | Dinners and shows | $$ | Pebbled leather looks high end, polished | Holds less than others | My evening bag at home and abroad |
| Lo & Sons Nouvelle | Day to night | $$ | 0.7 lb, converts to a clutch | Small | Most versatile |
| Baggallini Jet Set Anti-Theft Hobo | Crowded cities | $$ | RFID protection, tracker pocket, locking zippers | Hobo shape is less sleek | Best for peace of mind |
| Travelon Anti-Theft Signature 3 Compartment | International and big-city travel | $ | Locking zippers, RFID protection, slash-resistant strap, 0.7 lb | Less polished than others | Best budget security |
| Longchamp Le Pliage Energy L | Work trips, coffee-shop work | $$$ | Room for a layer and personal items | Price point | One of my most-worn bags |
| Calpak Haven 16″ Laptop Tote | Work plus sightseeing | $$ | Removable laptop sleeve, organizers, trolley sleeve | Large for some | The workhorse |
| MZ Wallace Small Metro Camera Bag | Weekend getaways | $$ | Lies flat, easy front zip pocket | Casual for evenings | Best compact pick |
| Monos Metro Crossbody | Day to night | $$ | Timeless, a step up from nylon | A bit small | Best upgrade |
| Aspinal of London Small Stella Satchel | Polished outfits | $$$$ | Pebbled full-grain leather, most elevated | Essentials only | Most elevated |
Every bag in this comparison of the best crossbody bags for travel is one I’ve carried myself, so the cons are real, not guesses.
The 10 Best Crossbody Bags for Travel, Tested in NYC and Beyond
Here’s why each of these made my list of the best crossbody bags for travel, along with the one honest downside of each.
1. Quince Revive Nylon Foldover Crossbody: Best Overall
This is probably my most-used bag for travel, and it’s my daily bag all over NYC unless my day calls for something bigger. It’s a lightweight crossbody bag at just over 1 lb, made from water-resistant recycled nylon. It has two zip compartments plus slip pockets.
What sold me is easy access. My phone, hotel room key and lip balm each have a place, so I’m never digging at a crosswalk or a museum entrance. The foldover flap adds a layer of security over the main compartment. If you buy only one of the best crossbody bags for travel on this list, make it this one.
The downside: I’d prefer a zippered pocket on the back. Instead it closes with a magnet. It still keeps valuables safe, just not as safe as a zipper.
Best for: everyday sightseeing and city travel. Shop the Quince Revive Nylon Foldover Crossbody
2. Quince Italian Leather Foldover Crossbody: Best for Evenings Out
Same concept as the nylon version, but with a leather finish. The pebbled leather makes this bag look and feel far more high end than its price point. It looks sleek and polished, and it simply looks fabulous on.
This is my bag for dinners and shows, whether I’m in NYC or traveling in Europe. It’s one of the most stylish crossbody bags I own for an evening out, and among the best crossbody bags for travel, it’s the one I pack for nights out.
The downside: it doesn’t fit as much as other bags on this list. Pack small items only: a small wallet, phone, lipstick and keys.
Best for: dinners, theater and evenings out. Shop the Italian Leather Foldover Crossbody
3. Lo & Sons Nouvelle Crossbody: Best Day to Night
This one is so versatile. I travel with it because it goes from a day of sightseeing to an evening out. I just remove the strap and it converts to a clutch. At 0.7 lb, it’s tied for the lightest bag here. Bags with removable straps earn their place among the best crossbody bags for travel because one bag replaces two in your suitcase.
It has a top zipper, an easy-access front pocket and interior pockets that keep small essentials sorted. The adjustable strap sits comfortably whether it’s worn crossbody or as a shoulder bag.
The downside: it’s a smaller bag, so it won’t hold a water bottle or an extra layer.
Best for: one bag that does day and night. Shop the Nouvelle
4. Baggallini Securtex Jet Set Anti-Theft Hobo: Best for Security
This is the bag to buy if you want absolute security and protection. It has RFID protection built in and a small pocket for a tracker like an AirTag. Its security features also include locking zippers and a cut-resistant strap. If security is your priority, this is the most protective of the best crossbody bags for travel I own.
It’s my pick for Europe, NYC, Chicago, Tokyo, Beijing or any place you’ll be around a lot of people. Your credit card and passport stay protected, and it still looks sleek and stylish. It also works well as a personal item on long travel days.
The downside: the hobo style. I prefer a sleeker crossbody design, but this bag is still polished.
Best for: crowded cities and first visits to a new city. Shop the Baggallini Jet Set Anti-Theft Hobo
5. Longchamp Le Pliage Energy L Handbag: Best for Work Trips
This is the bag for the woman on the go who needs to pack a bit more for a day of exploring, errands or work. It’s one of my most-used and most-worn bags, and it can still be worn as a crossbody with its adjustable strap.
I use it for work trips and for days when I’ll do some light work in a coffee shop. There’s enough room for an extra lightweight layer and all my personal items. It works far beyond travel, too. Of the best crossbody bags for travel that still wear crossbody, it’s one of the roomiest.
The downside: the price point, which may not fit every budget.
Best for: work trips and full days out. Shop the Longchamp Le Pliage Energy L
6. Calpak Haven 16″ Laptop Tote: Best Workhorse
This is the workhorse. It has a removable laptop sleeve and organizers, so I can set it up the way each trip needs. A trolley sleeve slides over my carry-on handle at the airport.
I carry it when my day goes from the office to sightseeing, and I need more personal items with me away from the hotel. I also use it for work back home. It’s a sleek, well-designed tote bag with much organization, almost a messenger bag in function.
It’s the only true tote bag on my list of the best crossbody bags for travel. Sometimes I prefer a larger bag, depending on the day’s activity. I travel for work often, and this tote has enough room for my laptop and personal items, plus an extra layer if I need to add one.
The downside: it’s a bigger bag, which won’t appeal to everyone.
Best for: mixing work and sightseeing. Shop the Calpak Haven 16″ Laptop Tote
7. MZ Wallace Small Metro Camera Bag: Best for Weekend Getaways
This camera-style bag is a favorite. It fits a decent amount, lays fairly flat against you and has an accessible zippered pocket on the front. I love that exterior pocket for my phone.
I typically take it on quick weekend getaways when I’m not out exploring a city all day. It’s more compact than the others, so it’s ideal when you don’t need to carry much. For short trips, it’s one of the best crossbody bags for travel when you want to pack light.
The downside: it’s a casual bag. It won’t go easily from day to night unless your dinner plans are casual.
Best for: weekend trips and lighter days. Shop the MZ Wallace Small Metro Camera Bag
8. Monos Metro Crossbody: Best Upgrade From Nylon
This bag is timeless and classic, and a real upgrade from the nylon bags. It goes from day to night easily, which makes it one of the best crossbody bags for travel when you want one polished bag for the whole trip.
The downside: it’s a tad smaller, so it may not work for everyone.
Best for: a classic bag for day and night. Shop the Monos Metro Crossbody
9. Aspinal of London Small Stella Satchel: Most Elevated
This is the bag for the woman who wants her bag as polished as her outfit. It’s pebbled full-grain leather, more of a crossbody handbag, and it’s the most elevated bag on the list. If you want the most polished of the best crossbody bags for travel, this is it.
I often travel with this as my secondary bag for days and evenings when I need something with a bit more structure that looks more polished. It is on the smaller side, so some days I need something with more room. But often, for an evening out, I prefer a non-nylon bag, which is why I sometimes pack two bags.
The downside: it’s small, so it’s best for essentials only.
Best for: polished outfits and elegant evenings. Shop the Aspinal of London Small Stella Satchel
10. Travelon Anti-Theft Signature 3 Compartment Crossbody Bag: Best Budget Anti-Theft Bag
This is a smart travel bag, and it’s the one I lean toward for international trips and big-city travel. It packs serious security features into a 0.7 lb bag: locking zippers, slash-resistant panels and strap, RFID-blocking card slots and a strap clasp that locks to a chair.
It’s also well organized, with two locking front compartments, a passport pocket and a rear zip pocket that fits a mini iPad. For the price point, it’s one of the best crossbody bags for travel when security is your top priority.
The downside: it doesn’t look as polished as some of the other bags I carry. For me, the features outweigh the style.
Best for: international trips and crowded cities on a budget. Shop the Travelon Anti-Theft Signature 3 Compartment Crossbody
How to Choose the Right Crossbody Bag for Your Trip
Choosing among the best crossbody bags for travel comes down to three things: how long you’ll be out, how crowded your destination is and what you’re wearing. Answer those, and the right crossbody travel bag becomes obvious.
What makes a crossbody bag good for travel?
A good crossbody bag for travel is lightweight, closes securely and keeps your essentials within easy reach. Look for a zippered main compartment, at least one exterior pocket for your phone, an adjustable strap and water-resistant materials. It should also suit your personal style, so you’ll actually wear it every day.
Beyond that, think about the trip. The best crossbody bags for travel match how you’ll spend your days. Different travel styles need different bags: a city break, a business trip and a beach week aren’t the same.
What size crossbody bag is best for travel?
The right size crossbody bag for most trips holds your phone, a small wallet, keys, sunglasses and lip balm without bulging. For sightseeing, that’s roughly 9 to 11 inches wide. If you work on the road or carry a layer, choose a larger tote bag that still converts to crossbody.
The best way to choose is to plan around your longest day. When I’m deciding on the best type of bag, I ask one question: will I be back at the hotel before dinner? If not, I take a bag with enough room for the whole day.
Are anti-theft crossbody bags worth it?
Anti-theft crossbody bags are worth it for crowded cities, public transit and busy tourist sites. Several of the best crossbody bags for travel now build in these protections. Features like RFID protection, locking zippers, slash-resistant fabric and cut-resistant straps make you a harder target. You trade a little style for peace of mind, so they’re best for trips where pickpockets are common.
Brands like Baggallini and Travelon lead this category. Travelon crossbody bags are a popular budget option with similar security features, and I own one myself. For a more polished look, I reach for the Baggallini Jet Set Anti-Theft Hobo.
Can a crossbody bag count as your personal item?
Yes. Most airlines count a crossbody bag as your personal item, as long as it fits under the seat in front of you. Small and medium crossbody bags fit easily. Larger totes like the Calpak Haven 16″ Laptop Tote can serve as your personal item while still holding a laptop.
A crossbody also makes airport security easier. Your boarding pass, ID and phone stay on your body instead of in a bin. Every one of the best crossbody bags for travel on this list fits under an airline seat. Even the 16-inch Calpak Haven slides under when laid flat.
How I Tested
I chose the best crossbody bags for travel based on how I actually use them. I’ve carried each one on NYC streets, the subway, museum days, and trips across Europe. I judged them on comfort, organization, security, weight, how they look with real outfits, and how well they hold up. No bag here was included just to fill a slot. I want functional bags that also look like they belong in my suitcase for the trip I am taking.
FAQs | Best Crossbody Bags for Travel
Which Crossbody Bag is the Right Bag?
There’s no perfect crossbody bag for every trip. The best crossbody bags for travel fit the way you travel. For most trips, I’d start with the Quince Revive Nylon Foldover. Add the Baggallini Jet Set Anti-Theft Hobo for crowded cities, the Lo & Sons Nouvelle for day to night, or the Calpak Haven 16″ Laptop Tote for work. Whichever you choose, a good crossbody bag is the best thing you can add to your travel essentials before an upcoming trip, or after a recent trip taught you what you were missing. Before you buy a new bag, think about your longest travel day. These are all great crossbody bags, and I hope this guide to the best crossbody bags for travel helps you find yours.
Planning what else to pack? Grab my free Suitcase Edit, Best Walking Shoes for NYC, and NYC Packing List guides. Find more tested travel essentials I recommend.
