When you're travelling, the right bag can make all the difference. Whether you're heading off on a European city break, taking a family holiday, travelling by train or flying with hand luggage only, you want something that is comfortable, practical and versatile. Ideally, your travel bag shouldn't just get you from the airport to your hotel – it should also become your everyday sightseeing bag once you arrive. At Goodordering, we love bags that work hard, which is why many of our backpacks, bum bags and panniers are designed to be multifunctional and useful long after your holiday is over.
What makes a good travel bag?
The best travel bags are lightweight, comfortable and easy to organise, but there are a few other things worth considering before you pack.
Look for a bag that:
- Can be used in more than one way
- Is comfortable enough for walking and sightseeing
- Has useful pockets for passports, phones and travel essentials
- Can fit under an aeroplane seat where possible
- Is lightweight when empty
- Can be folded or compressed when you don't need it
- Is durable enough for everyday use
- Works just as well on holiday as it does at home
The biggest advantage of choosing a multifunctional bag is that you can pack fewer bags without sacrificing practicality.
Can your travel bag fit under the seat on a plane?
If you're travelling with a budget airline or trying to avoid paying for extra cabin baggage, an under-seat bag can be incredibly useful. Instead of taking a suitcase, cabin case and separate day bag, consider using a smaller backpack or personal-item-sized bag that can hold your essentials.
Always check the current baggage dimensions with your individual airline before travelling, as allowances vary between airlines and ticket types.
A compact backpack can be particularly useful because it leaves your hands free while you're navigating airports, carrying a coffee or looking for your train platform.
Once you've arrived, the same backpack can become your day bag for sightseeing, meaning you don't need to pack a separate bag for exploring.
The best travel bag is one you can use for more than one thing
This is one of our favourite travel rules at Goodordering: don't pack a bag that only has one job.
If you're trying to travel light, multifunctional bags make a lot of sense. A backpack that works as a pannier, for example, can be used for cycling around your destination. A small bum bag can be worn while travelling, then used for sightseeing, going out in the evening or keeping your essentials close while you're on public transport.
Taking one versatile bag instead of several specialist bags saves space in your luggage and gives you more options when you arrive.
Best travel bag for keeping your essentials close: Tartan Bum Bag
For passports, phone, wallet, keys and other small essentials, a bum bag is one of the easiest travel bags to use.
The Goodordering Tartan Bum Bag is particularly handy for travelling because it keeps your most important things close to you without needing to carry a larger bag everywhere. Wear it around your waist or across your body and you have easy access to the things you need throughout the day.
It's a great choice for airports, train journeys and sightseeing days when you don't want to carry a full-size backpack.
And because it's small, it takes up very little room in your main luggage.
Best for: passports, phone, wallet, travel documents, small cameras and sightseeing.
Best multifunctional travel bag: Eco Monochrome Rolltop Backpack Pannier
Goodordering Eco Monochrome Rolltop Backpack Pannier Black
If you're looking for one bag that can do several different jobs, the Eco Monochrome Rolltop Backpack Pannier is one of our favourite choices.
It's both a backpack and a bicycle pannier, so you can carry it on your back while travelling and then attach it to a bike when you reach your destination. The rolltop design is expandable, giving you more room when you need it and allowing you to roll it down when you don't.
It's also made from recycled water bottles and has multiple internal and external pockets, a laptop sleeve, side pockets and reflective details.
One particularly useful feature for travellers is that it can be flat packed when empty, making it easier to store or pack when you're not using it. The bag has a capacity of up to 28.8 litres when unrolled and 19.5 litres when rolled.
Goodordering describes it as suitable for cabin luggage dimensions for most airlines, but as always, check your airline's latest baggage allowance before flying.
Best for: city breaks, cycling holidays, business trips, digital nomads and anyone who wants one bag to do several jobs.
A travel backpack that works beyond the airport
A good travel backpack shouldn't become redundant as soon as you arrive at your destination.
Think about what you'll actually be doing on holiday. Will you be walking around a city all day? Taking public transport? Hiring bikes? Carrying a laptop? Buying food and souvenirs?
A versatile backpack can handle all of these situations.
The Tartan Eco Rolltop Backpack & Pannier, for example, combines a spacious rolltop backpack with the ability to attach it to a bicycle pannier rack. Its recycled nylon construction, multiple pockets and expandable design make it useful both as a travel bag and an everyday bag.
Shop the Tartan Eco Rolltop Backpack & Pannier
Why rolltop bags are great for travelling
Rolltop bags are particularly useful when you're travelling because they give you some flexibility over how much you carry.
You might leave the hotel in the morning with plenty of space in your backpack, then gradually fill it throughout the day with a jumper, water bottle, book or things you've bought while exploring.
Instead of needing a second shopping bag or larger daypack, you can simply adjust the rolltop.
They're also useful if you're travelling with limited luggage because they can often be compressed when they're not completely full.
Best small backpack for travelling
If you don't need a large backpack, a mini backpack can be a great alternative to a traditional daypack.
Explore Goodordering Backpacks
A smaller backpack is ideal for carrying the essentials without encouraging you to fill every available centimetre of space. It's also useful for children and teenagers travelling with the family, giving them their own compact bag for a book, water bottle, snacks and holiday essentials.
Don't forget the day trip
One of the biggest mistakes people make when packing for a holiday is thinking only about the journey there.
Your travel bag needs to work once you're actually on holiday.
A bag that is perfect for an airport but uncomfortable for walking around Rome, Copenhagen, Barcelona or London isn't necessarily the best choice.
Think about the activities you'll be doing:
Sightseeing:
A small backpack or crossbody/bum bag keeps your hands free.
Cycling:
A backpack that converts into a pannier gives you another way to carry your things.
Beach days:
A larger shopper or tote can carry towels, water and sunscreen.
Museums and galleries:
A compact backpack is easier to carry than a bulky suitcase.
Eating out:
A small bum bag can hold your phone, wallet and keys without needing a larger bag.
This is why multifunctional bags are such a good investment. Rather than packing five different bags, you can choose two that cover all the situations you're likely to encounter.
Travel light, but don't compromise on style
There's no reason practical travel bags have to look like traditional luggage.
At Goodordering, we like bags that are functional but still feel like something you'd want to use every day. From colourful tartan to minimalist monochrome designs, our bags are designed to work as part of your everyday wardrobe rather than looking like something that only comes out when you're on holiday.
Explore Goodordering's Tartan Bags
Explore Goodordering's Monochrome Bags
So, what is the best bag for travelling?
There isn't one perfect travel bag for everyone. The best choice depends on how you travel and what you'll be doing when you arrive.
For small essentials and sightseeing, a bum bag is hard to beat.
For long days exploring, a comfortable backpack gives you more capacity while keeping your hands free.
For cycling holidays or destinations where you'll be riding, a backpack-pannier is incredibly versatile.
And if you're trying to travel with less luggage, look for bags that can perform several jobs. A backpack that doubles as a pannier, or a compact bag that works for both travelling and sightseeing, can save valuable space in your luggage.
Ultimately, the best travel bag is one that doesn't just work for the journey – it's the bag you still want to use when you get home.
