Best Stylish Luggage for European Travel in 2025

Key Features for European Travel Luggage

The finest luggage for traveling through Europe for me might not be the greatest luggage for you because we all have different tastes. Consider the following things to make sure you get the ideal baggage for your trip to Europe.

Size

Are you looking for check-in baggage or a carry-on bag? And if you want a carry-on bag, will that be your only item? It would be best if you asked yourself these questions first.

Whatever your response, I firmly believe your luggage should only be as large as you want it to be. Do always prefer the smaller size. Don’t buy a giant bag, “just in case,” as carrying it around will make you regret it.

You must first confirm with your airline their baggage policies if you intend to buy carry-on luggage for your trip to Europe. While there are certain parallels in general, there are still some subtle variances, and you don’t want to be charged for excess luggage because of a few centimeters or kilograms too many.

You should probably choose one of the largest permitted carry-on bags if it’s your only piece of baggage. However, if you only need a carry-on bag to go with your checked luggage, I recommend a small bag or suitcase that’s just large enough to fit your essentials.

Backpack vs Suitcase vs Carry-On Bag

Which type of luggage is more suitable for a European trip: a backpack or a suitcase? There are benefits and drawbacks to using either.

Since you can roll a suitcase, it’s often simpler to transport, though not always. Traveling to Europe, you’ll probably need to carry your bag up flights of stairs, through cobbled streets and crowded areas now and then. A backpack is far more practical in these situations.

When you are only allowed to bring carry-on luggage, a suitcase is not ideal because they weigh more than a backpack. You shouldn’t waste valuable weight on your bag if you only travel with cabin luggage. In this instance, a knapsack is the better choice.

It’s much easier to find clothes and personal stuff in a suitcase, though. Unlike backpacks, which need you to unlock numerous straps and compartments to access items, bags typically require a simple zipper only.

Therefore, consider the aspects mentioned above to determine whether a suitcase or backpack is ideal for your trip to Europe

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Weight

It’s crucial to get the lightest luggage that satisfies your needs because airlines are rigorous about the weight of both checked and carry-on luggage. Some bags and luggage may be excessively hefty, taking up valuable space in your checked baggage. Others, however, are so light they provide little security for your possessions.

It would help if you considered a few factors when determining the weight of your bag. You must accept that your hard-side case will be slightly heavier than a soft-side case or backpack. And needless to say, a giant suitcase will weigh a little more than a smaller one.

When taking into account the weight of your luggage, quality also matters. Huge, inexpensive luggage probably won’t offer your possessions much protection. While high-quality, roomy, lightweight luggage or a backpack would typically cost more.

Compartments

A few tiny pockets are often inside the main compartment of a suitcase, and occasionally there is also a pocket on the exterior. I’d also suggest getting an expanded model if you buy a case. An expandable bag is excellent since it allows you to stow all your travel items. You may easily add more room by unzipping the inflatable compartment rather than purchasing a separate bag.

There are many different pockets and compartments available on backpacks. Suitable if you frequently travel with your laptop, you can get some with built-in laptop sleeves. Others have phone compartments on the straps, water bottle pockets on the side, and more.

A few compartments help keep your belongings organized, but I don’t think you need to purchase a bag with too many since you’ll forget where you put your stuff.

Wheels

Wheels are worth looking at if you want a high-quality suitcase for your European trip.

After all, you’ll want your luggage to be simple to move around when navigating a crowded airport. Baggage that doesn’t go where you want it to can be a pain and stress you out before you’re even onboard the plane.

These days, suitcases might have two or four wheels. A two-wheel bag requires you to tilt it in order to wheel it, and it’s challenging to maneuver through tight places and around bends. When left alone, two-wheeled bags frequently tip over and pulling more than one is virtually impossible.

Four-wheel bags are now the norm and are much simpler to maneuver through packed airports. These bags can move swiftly in any direction and easily navigate corners. Moving the bag across the airport requires a slight push on the handle and doesn’t need you holding any of the weight. They’re also much easier to steer on a cramped airplane aisle than bags with two wheels.

On the other hand, pulling a bag behind you on two wheels is typically easier than on four. You’ll probably want to pull your case out of the airport rather than push it. Cobbled streets and other uneven surfaces are usually considerably more manageable for a two-wheel bag to handle than for different cases.

Soft or Hard

If you choose to buy a suitcase, you should think about whether a hard or soft cased one is preferable.

Hard-shell backpacks are less prevalent and much more challenging to fit into overhead compartments. While a hard-shell case will frequently give your stuff superior protection, it will probably weigh more than a soft-shell cover.

If you want a hard-shell case, get a light one, so you don’t use up too many of your valuable kilograms on your case rather than your belongings.

Straps

Make sure your backpack is comfy to carry if you decide to buy one. Look for bags with sturdy straps that evenly distribute the weight across your back, with most of the load resting on your hips thanks to the hip belt. The best backpacks have straps for the sternum, hips, and shoulders that are cushioned, ventilated, and adjustable.

Handles

Your luggage must have an easy-to-use handle, whether you choose a suitcase or a backpack.

Some suitcase handles can be challenging when loading your bag rapidly into a bus or moving through a crowded airport since they don’t retract quickly enough. The best telescoping handles may extend to a height that gives you a comfortable arm’s length while also compressing to a height in the middle.

Whether you’re carrying a backpack or a suitcase, make sure it has top and side handles to make it easy to stow in the overhead bins.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our best luggage for European travel post.

If you ever need any help with anything to do with travel, bags or fashion, feel free to contact the Von Baer team, at info@vonbaer.com.

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Author: Igor Monte

Igor Monte is the co-founder of Von Baer. He's an expert in all things premium leather, from being an end-user right up to the design and manufacturing process. His inside knowledge will help you choose the best leather product for you.

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