Best Travel Bags for London
Best Travel Bags for London
Smart travel with a London mindset.
For many travellers, London is both a destination and a hub – you fly in, settle into the city, and then explore the rest of the UK or Europe.
This guide focuses on your overall bag setup: what to use as a carry-on, personal item and day bag when your trip revolves around London.
If you’re mainly concerned about theft, pickpockets and security tech, you’ll want to pair this with our dedicated guide:
Best Anti-Theft Bag for London →
Your Ideal London Travel Bag Setup
Most London trips work best with a simple three-part system:
- Carry-On: A structured bag that fits overhead or under the seat and keeps essentials accessible during the flight.
- Personal Item / Day Bag: The bag you’ll actually carry around London – on the Tube, in museums, at restaurants.
- Compact Evening Bag: Something lighter for nights out, shows and dinners.
All of these can be covered with a thoughtful mix of Rachel Bloom pieces – especially if you prefer to travel light and avoid checked luggage.
Best Bags for Each Part of the Journey
1. Carry-On & Travel Workhorse – The Smart Backpack
Ideal as your main travel companion from the moment you leave home. Fits your in-flight essentials, a change of clothes, tech, documents and a small handbag if you’re layering bags. Once you arrive in London, it doubles as your day bag for longer outings or day trips to places like Windsor, Brighton or Oxford.
2. Personal Item & Everyday City Bag – The Smart Crossbody
Works beautifully as your under-seat personal item on the plane when paired with a suitcase or backpack, then becomes your everyday London bag. Ideal for central London exploring – think Covent Garden, South Bank, Notting Hill and Shoreditch.
3. Work-Trip or Longer Stay Companion – The Smart Tote
Best suited for travellers combining business and leisure (“bleisure”) or staying a little longer. Carries a laptop, paperwork, extra layers and everything you need to move between meetings, cafés and dinner reservations.
4. Light Days & Neighbourhood Wandering – The Smart Mini Backpack
Perfect for relaxed days when you don’t want to carry too much – brunch, markets, parks and wandering through different boroughs. It’s also a brilliant “secondary bag” if you’re travelling as a couple or group.
5. Early Flights, Errands & Evenings – The Smart Belt Bag
Ideal for hands-free travel days, quick Tube rides or evenings out. Wear it crossbody under a coat at the airport or around the waist for easy access to passports, cards and your phone.
How This Differs from a Pure Anti-Theft Guide
Here, we’re focused on comfort, packing strategy and how bags work together across your whole trip. For a deep dive into pickpocketing hotspots, fingerprint locks, GPS tracking and security-first recommendations, read: Best Anti-Theft Bag for London.
FAQs About Travel Bags in London
What type of bag is best for getting around London?
A lightweight, structured bag you can wear comfortably for hours and keep close to your body. Crossbodies and backpacks are the most popular choices for London travel.
Are these bags carry-on friendly?
Yes. The Smart Backpack and The Smart Tote work well as carry-on pieces, while The Smart Crossbody and Smart Belt Bag are excellent personal items.
Can I use the same bag in London and other European cities?
Absolutely. All of these styles are designed for city travel generally – Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam – not just London. If security is a specific concern for you, combine this setup with our anti-theft guidance: Best Anti-Theft Bag for London.
Travel Smarter in London (and Beyond)
When your bags are working for you, London feels easier to navigate – from the airport and hotel check-in to busy streets, neighbourhood cafés and final goodbyes at the gate. Rachel Bloom travel bags are engineered for women who want to explore confidently and look great doing it.
Related topics: best travel bags for London, London carry-on and personal item setup, city break packing, UK and Europe travel bags.