I think I can safely say that I have tried all manner of hand luggage options over my many years of travelling – from small rucksacks, totes bags and handbags right through to perfectly measured out small wheelie suitcases.
Of course, each trip will have its own requirements.
For our short city breaks to Paris or Geneva I just packed everything I needed into a cabin-sized suitcase and thus avoided the hefty EasyJet or RyanAir luggage fees.
For our longer-term travels around SouthEast Asia I used a combination of a small handbag for my essentials and a rucksack for my camera, laptop and scarf (always travel with a scarf!)
Next year we have a few European city breaks planned so I am back to creating a wishlist and hunting down the perfect hand luggage. There’s a useful article on the Expedia blog about what to look for when choosing hand luggage. With that in mind I’ve picked out five best hand luggage options that I am currently coveting for my future travels.
For starters I love anything floral, so this Ted Baker travel bag is pretty high up on my priority list. It has the short handles of a tote bag but also includes an extendable handle for when it gets too heavy. It’s 23 litres so you can fit in quite a lot of your belongings. There’s a matching luggage tag and front pocket for your documents.
Ted Baker Travel Bag – £169
In a world of grey and black it does help to pick a brighter hand luggage option. It’s easy to spot if you get distracted in the Starbucks queue at the airport (although we don’t recommend leaving your luggage anywhere unattended!). This coral small suitcase comes in a variety of colours, I’ve shared the coral version. It is currently on sale at Debenhams at 65% off, hoorah!
Tripp Wheelie Suitcase – £35
Samsonite is a such a well-known brand in the luggage world, and rightly so. They produce high-quality, efficient and durable suitcases and bags for travellers. This cabin luggage suitcase has a handy 4-wheel system for ease of use in between destinations. It is made with high quality material to protect your belongings and it is super light. They have created a front pocket system for documents and laptops. Plus this comes with Samsonite’s 10 year guarantee.
Samsonite Light Biz – £369
Raj has something similar to this and it has been so useful on our travels. It’s a tote bag that can be used in conjunction with a cabin wheelie suitcase, you just pop it over the handle and wheel away. I like the minimalist design of this Briggs & Riley tote bag. This is a great lightweight option for cabin luggage but there a large space in the bag along with a few compartments and a padded area for a tablet. The lightweight nylon material used should repel most dirt and scuffs. Plus, this comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Briggs & Riley Tote Bag – £159
Finally, from a brand I’ve only just come across, this 4-wheeled cabin suitcase from Antler comes in a variety of bright colours. I love this teal version! It is made with lightweight materials to cabin luggage specifications, it has internal pockets and comes with a 10 year guarantee.
Juno B1 Cabin Suitcase – £119
What are your top tips on finding the best hand luggage? We’d love to hear what works for you.
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This post was written in collaboration with Expedia, as always words and thoughts are our own.