Beyond its charming appeal and sophisticated idea, Europe is not immune to crime. When you’re strolling around some of the most popular hotspots for tourists, you need to take precautions. Make sure that you equip yourself with the best bags for traveling in Europe too!
Apart from equipping yourself with the best bags for European travel, make sure you know places you shouldn’t miss. But there’s nothing wrong with exploring the lowkey sides of the country too. The experience can be very refreshing and so different from anything you’ve experienced before. For future references, check out these small towns in France worth visiting!
How to Choose the Best Bags for Traveling in Europe
With tons of models available, choosing your best day bag for travel in Europe can be difficult. To narrow down your choices, these are the three main features you should look for in a bag.
Size and Comfort
First and foremost, your bag should be comfortable enough for you to use it all day. And even better if it has enough room for you to store your necessities. Comfort can be a subject of individual matters, but the best bags for traveling in Europe should guarantee this quality. Bags with sufficient padding for your back and under the straps are usually the most comfortable. As for the size, it should be enough for you to store your passport, phone, wallet/credit cards, and a bottle of water. If your bag covers all these, you’re good to go.
Theft-proof Tech
Some of the best bags for European travel are now equipped with an advanced feature. The theft-proof tech is designed to protect your identity and privacy stolen. Usually, this comes in a form of a pocket with Radio Frequency Identification or RFID. It’s where you put your credit card since bringing your wallet with you is not practical. It’s more advisable to bring your cards, ID, and small cash for your best safety.
Weight
For some people, this is something that they first look for and notice from their bags. As you roam around the city, you really don’t need the extra weight from your bag. The best day bag for travel in Europe should be lightweight, adding extra comfort for you for the rest of the day. The best laptop backpacks for travel are for anyone who needs their laptop within reach anytime.
Should I bring a backpack or suitcase to Europe?
Unless you’re traveling for weeks, a backpack should be enough for you. A suitcase is harder to maneuver, especially if your accommodation is located in an old building where there’s no elevator. Duffel bags are also another great alternative, some are big enough and suitable for a week-long trip to Europe. They’re also fairly easy to carry if you’re only bringing some pieces of clothing and keeping things minimal.
Can you bring suitcase to hostel in Europe?
Yes, you can. There’s no specific prohibition on what kind of bags you can bring to a hostel. Some hostels also provide luggage storage services for their guests. Just make sure that never leave your most valuable items inside your luggage. Check out our list of the best luggage security locks if you need that extra peace of mind.
How can I avoid theft in Europe?
Here are some of the best ways to avoid theft in Europe:
- Bring as minimal items as possible. We think your most valuable items should be kept as minimal as possible. ID/passport, phone, hotel key, and a credit card are the items that you should always bring. It’s best to put them in the best fanny pack for concealed carry.
- If you’re wearing a sling or crossbody bag, make sure that it’s always in a place where you can see them. Put it over your chest or bring them forward.
- Be as lowkey as possible. Robbers and pickpocketers can easily spot how tourists look like and you surely don’t want to attract them. Stay close to your group or wear comfortable outfits if you’re traveling alone. Better safe than sorry!
Pacsafe Metrosafe LS200 7 Liter
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When you’re looking for the best bags for European travel, look no further than Pacsafe Metrosafe LS200 7L. The bag is made sturdy and has enough space to store your most valuable items as you travel. It’s also equipped with side pockets, making it easier for you if you can never leave the hotel without your water bottle.
People are satisfied with its safety system. The interior pockets are highly functional and make it easier for you to organize things. While it takes a lot of fiddling to unlock the pockets, that’s the whole point of having a secure bag. Some users also mentioned how Pacsafe Metrosafe LS200 7L is a touch heavier than other travel bags. But it’s not much of a big deal considering all the features it offers.
What We Love
A highly functional and decent traveling bag.
Pros:
- Well-built
- Sturdy
- Big space
- Equipped with side pockets
- Plenty of compartments
Cons:
- The front lap is only for decorative purpose
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ArcEnCiel Tactical Messenger Bag
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If you typically bring all the odds and ends as you travel, the ArcEnCiel Tactical Messenger Bag is the perfect choice for you. Suitable for travel and everyday carry, the bag holds plenty of rooms and is spacious. And that makes it the best day bag for travel in Europe. The bag seems to be well-designed and comes with plenty of pockets. It’s a relatively small bag but one user mentioned it fits his 13’ laptop.
The bag is also well-designed. You can put it over your shoulder or carry it with your hand. Whichever is more convenient as you travel. The bag is only available in black and comes at an affordable price.
What We Love
Its sleek design and highly functional purpose.
Pros:
- Designed with plenty of pockets
- Lightweight
- Comes with a very friendly price tag
Cons:
- Incorrect dimension information on the product
- Lack padding on the shoulder strap
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High Sierra Curve Lightweight Backpack
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Although the High Sierra Curve Lightweight Backpack is more popular with college students, it still makes a great travel backpack. But we don’t recommend this backpack for you to use on a daily trip. It’s more suitable as your main carrier as you move from one hotel or hostel to another. And we have a couple of reasons why.
First, the bag has more than enough compartment for your belongings. The back compartment is large enough to hold your laptop, perfectly suitable for digital nomads out there. Second, it’s built sturdy with a cool design. Some users are also mothers with toddlers, they have testified how the bag is very much useful.
What We Love
It’s lightweight and holds plenty of items. Suitable for a week or two long travel.
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Sturdy but not too bulky
- Zippered outside pocket
Cons:
- No pocket for easy smartphone access
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Osprey Daylite Shoulder Sling Bag
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Having a lightweight bag that holds plenty of necessities without being bulky is a big win. Osprey Daylite Shoulder Sling Bag is one of your best choices. It’s enough to hold a bottle of water and plenty of more things. Some users even mentioned how an iPad Mini should fit into this bag just fine.
The interior pockets allow you to organize your items very well. Apart from your essential belongings, this bag still has enough room for sunglasses, maps, and even a small towel. The adjustable strap makes it suitable for anyone of all heights. For 40 USD, Osprey Dauliste Shoulder Sling Bag is a great choice of a compact traveling bag.
What We Love
The perfect traveling sling bag for the left-handed.
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Lightweight
- Well-designed interior pockets
- Enough capacity for a water bottle and more
Cons:
- No security system
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Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Backpack
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If safety is your number one concern while traveling to Europe, don’t look elsewhere. Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 Anti-Theft Backpack is the right choice for you. The bag’s safety system extends beyond additional features. The hidden slash-proof eXomesh, inter-locking zips, and stainless steel locking cable are more than enough to add confidence to your security. Making it one of the safest and best bags for traveling in Europe.
The bag size is very convenient for carry-on and hostel hopping, as well as train and bus trips. The design itself is interesting since you can turn it into a side suitcase. The padded handle and shoulder straps make both designs equally easy to maneuver.
What We Love
Extended safety features for safe and sound travel in Europe
Pros:
- Great material build
- Stylish and slim
- Padded handles and shoulder straps
- Equipped with slash-proof eXomesh
- Fitted with inter-locking zips
Cons:
- Durability issues
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Herschel Retreat Backpack 19.5L
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The brand Herschel has been growing in the past couple of years for plenty of reasons. They make a high-quality backpack that comes with fantastic designs and colors, all in all, great bang for the buck. So if you’re looking for the best bags for traveling in Europe, check out Herschel Retreat Backpack 19.5L.
We love how this backpack is very optimal for a hiking trip. The excellent paddings on the back and shoulder straps make it super comfortable. Even if you have to bring plenty of items in its spacious main compartment, don’t worry about tiring your back. The bag also comes with a padded laptop sleeve, which you don’t always find in other best bags for European travel.
It is slightly more expensive than most travel backpacks. But considering what the bag has to offer and how well-made it is, this is one great backpack for traveling.
What We Love
The backpack is exactly what it claims to be.
Pros:
- Excellent back and shoulder straps padding
- Built sturdily
- Very spacious
- Cool design
- Thick material
Cons:
- It’s a bit heavier compared to other best day bag for travel in Europe
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Bull Captain Everyday Messenger
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Leather bags usually come with their own weight. But some of the best ones, like Bull Captain Everyday Messenger, will leave you satisfied with its lightweight design. Wait until you figure out this bag offers so much more. That’s why we can’t skip on this bag as one of the best bags for traveling in Europe.
The bag’s leather quality is simply top of the class. For a bag that costs under 50 USD, this is something you don’t always find. The bag is also made sturdy and well-constructed. It offers plenty of rooms to fit your traveling essentials. Unfortunately, the bag doesn’t feature any additional security system. But this is not much of a deal-breaker considering you’ll easily notice if someone ever tries to unzip your bag. Overall, Bull Captain Everyday Messenger has everything it takes to be one of the best bags for European travel.
What We Love
The classic leather design with high-quality leather will never disappoint.
Pros:
- Great leather quality
- Sturdy and well-constructed
- Perfect size for travel
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Not the best shoulder strap
- No security system
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Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag
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Travelon is famous for making their anti-theft bag with lightweight features and an attractive choice of colors. The Classic Mini Shoulder Bag is included in the best bags for traveling in Europe for a particular reason. It has everything the bigger bags have to offer, without all the bulk. It’s compact, convenient, and most importantly, safe.
The strap is adjustable and suitable for people of all various ranges of heights. It also includes a large carabineer clip which you can wrap around chairs, benches, posts, and more. And then locked it for extra safety. The bag’s main compartment and its 4 sleeves of credit cards are equipped with RFID for extra protection. Note that RFID-blocking is only shielding your credit cards from card skimming. Which essentially makes your card more difficult to read.
What We Love
All the best features from Travelon anti-theft bags, minus the bulk and weight.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- The main compartment is equipped with RFID
- Adjustable strap
- Tethered LED light
Cons:
- Durability issues
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Herschel City Backpack Mid-Volume 14L
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One of the least favorite things of a day bag is how most of them tend to be bulky. If you’re looking for a bag with a slim and compact design for a day trip, Herschel City Backpack Mid-Volume 14L is the perfect choice for you. It’s the best day bag for travel in Europe!
For daily commuters, the magnetic closure can be an issue as you need to fiddle more to open it. But this is an absolute advantage if you’re traveling to places known for their pickpocketers. You’ll definitely notice if someone tries to open it since they’d have to tug it with noticeable force. With sufficient padding on the back and shoulder straps, it’s very comfortable to use even if you spend hours with it.
As for the storage, the bag fits a 15” Macbook Pro if you adjust the leather belt strap on the front. That being said, most traveling essentials will fit into this bag. Making it one of the best bags for traveling in Europe.
What We Love
One of the best minimalist backpacks you can find today!
Pros:
- Very well-padded on the back and the shoulder straps
- Strong magnetic closure
- Sturdy material
- Lightweight and slim design
Cons:
- No cons found so far
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JanSport Superbreak Classic Backpack
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So what is it that makes JanSport very popular for decades? The backpacks are generally cheaper than most stylish, compact backpacks. And although it’s popular among students, the Superbreak Classic makes one of the best bags for traveling in Europe. Particularly because pickpocketers will stay away from the super loud zippers. Although it’s far from slash-proof technology, the material is built thick and sturdy. You just have to make sure that your most valuable items are inside the main compartment and not in the front pocket.
Its water-resistant feature is also another plus point that you don’t always find in other best bags for European travel. There’s only one main compartment, big enough to fit a 17” laptop. The JanSport Superbreak is a cult classic for plenty of good reasons. And we can vouch for it.
What We Love
Everything you need in the best day bag for travel in Europe and more!
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Plenty of color choices
- Perfect for day trips
- Lifetime warranty
- Thick and sturdy material
- Water-resistant
Cons:
- Nothing significant
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Tortuga Setout – Packable Travel Daypack (CU)
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A packable travel daypack wins so many people’s hearts because of its obvious reason: it’s packable! It’s particularly convenient for anyone who loves a backpack without having to carry it all the time. That’s why we can’t skip on Tortuga Setout Packable Travel Daypack as one of the best bags for European travel.
One of the obvious features of the Setout Packable Daypack is its lightweight and compressible design. It weighs about 8.5 oz and to put it into perspective, the backpack is lighter than a can of soda. And it’s surprisingly durable and exceeding people’s expectations as it can take a beating. Its 19L capacity is great and very much suitable for your day trip.
Another thing that makes users very happy with this backpack is the high-quality zippers. They’re large, strong, and very easy to grasp. Some users mentioned that its lack of padding in the shoulder straps makes it a bit uncomfortable to wear for long hours. But that’s a reasonable trade-off once you get this packable daypack.
What We Love
Super convenient design, lightweight, but very reliable.
Pros:
- Super lightweight
- Equipped with padding for structure
- 2 water bottle pockets
- Good quality zipper
- Comfortable and durable
Cons:
- Not enough padding on the straps
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Fjallraven Kanken Mini Classic Backpack
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Imagine the famous Kanken Classic Backpack has a little sister. And that’s Fjallraven Kanken Mini. In the past couple of years, this colorful and compact bag has been the talk of the town beyond its visible appeal. We have to put it on our list of the best bags for traveling in Europe indeed.
First off, the bag is lightweight and small, enough for you to pack up your travel essentials and more. To put it into perspective, the bag fits a 9.7” iPad and holds a 17oz water bottle. A larger 25oz water bottle can also fit into the bag but note that it will be a snug fit. And since the bag is smaller, it’s the best day bag for travel in Europe.
The advantages go beyond its design and storage. The bag is also very well-made and you won’t have to think twice even if you have to spend about 70 USD for the Kanken Mini. The bag will last with you for a good couple of years and more.
What We Love
Everything you need in a traveling backpack with a very attractive design on top of its high functionality,
Pros:
- Very attractive choice of colors
- Suitable for daily use and day trip
- Compact design
- Made durable
- Lightweight
Cons:
- No cons found so far
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Travelon Anti Theft Classic Backpack
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The best day bag for travel in Europe should be safe and Travelon Anti Theft Classic Backpack passes with flying colors. It’s people’s favorite travel backpack for good reasons. Every feature of this backpack leaves you asking, what’s not to love? Apart from its high functionality, the bag is also cute to boot!
This backpack features slash-proof body panels and straps. All the compartments are also equipped with little locks for extra safety Travelon Anti Theft Classic Backpack falls on the medium size but you’ll be surprised by how many items the bag can actually hold. Being people’s and travel bloggers’ favorite, it’s definitely should be on the best bags for traveling in Europe list.
What We Love
Extensive safety features. Roomy enough for long trips yet still cut for a day trip.
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Padded straps for comfort
- Surprisingly roomy
Cons:
- Durability issues
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