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Short-haul flights are great, but packing them can be tricky. What are the essentials you need? How much can you fit? But it all comes down to which bag you want to put it all in.
You want a bag that says I’ve got you covered. However, with airlines placing more restrictions on size and weight, it now seems more like a stressful experience than an exciting one. You need one that fits perfectly in the overhead bin, or if you’re going to try your luck, even under the seat in front of you. But it should be accessible to grab your essentials when you need them, like your passport or your in-flight refreshments bag.
So whether you’re heading to the city for a weekend, a last-minute getaway or even a business trip, these are the best travel bags with compartments, comfortable straps and designs that will help you book your next trip before you’ve even been on your first trip. Think of hand luggage suitcases, weekend bags and backpacks. These are the options that are perfect for short-haul flights and make packing much less of a hassle.
Shop the best travel bags below:
IT Luggage Slipstream Hard Shell Case
If you like to keep your travel simple and stress-free, a compact hard-shell suitcase is hard to beat. This keeps everything neatly stowed, glides through the airport with ease and takes the panic out of packing the luggage compartment. It’s lightweight, affordable, and available in medium and large cases if you want a matching set.
Buy now for £35
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The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 32L
Reliable and deceptively roomy, this duffel is ideal if you want something that will last for years to come. The 32L size is perfect for hand luggage, with practical compartments and comfortable carrying options. It’s especially good for breaks where you’re constantly on the go.
Buy now for £92 (was £115)
Antler Icon weekend bag in black
We all need an overnight bag that we can reach when we need it. This smart, structured and spacious option from Antler is one of the best around. It’s designed to slide neatly into overhead cupboards, whilst still holding everything you need for a quick break. Multiple internal pockets for laptops, tablets and other devices make it ideal for keeping everything organized.
Buy now for £160
Samsonite Ecodiver Travel bag with wheels 55cm
A travel bag is fine, but once filled to the brim it can become heavy, making this wheeled option a worthwhile investment. Not only is it equipped with a TSA lock, but it is also spacious enough to store all your essentials, it is made from recycled materials and is water resistant, making it perfect for a short city trip. If you fly with airlines that have smaller requirements, fortunately you can get it in 45 cm.
Buy now for £185
Tripp Affinity gray melange backpack
Backpacks are always a good idea, and if you have one of these, you don’t have to worry about whether everything will fit. Tripp has ticked all the boxes with their Affinity Backpack. Lightweight, multiple pockets and compartments for toiletries and technology, perfectly sized for underseat storage, and it’s now half price too, making it a bargain to buy for your next trip.
Buy now for £35 (was £70)
Away The Softside compact hand luggage in Coast Blue
Away has taken the usual carry-on bag and redesigned it to meet airline requirements, so you don’t have to panic at the last minute about whether or not it will be allowed. It features clever internal compression that keeps the case balanced when full, an expandable zipper if you need a little more space, and also has a hidden, padded front pocket for items like tablets and passports. It also has a handy handle on the bottom so you can easily pull it out of the overhead bin.
Buy now for £165
Stackers weekend bag
Stackers are known for their innovative designs and this weekend bag is no different. This isn’t just a bag to store your clothes; It unzips completely so it lies flat for maximum packing potential, and doubles as a garment bag with hanger loop. It also features interior zippered pockets and an extension for extra clothing if needed. It fits neatly into top cabinets and looks effortlessly stylish.
Buy now for £125
Eastpak TRANVERZ S hand luggage
This soft carry-on suitcase offers flexible packing space and dual compartments for organization. It’s lightweight, durable and ideal if you like a bag that adapts to what you’re packing, especially useful for return flights when you’ve been shopping.
Buy now for £98 (was £140)
Osprey The Voyage Nylon Weekender in chocolate
This is a good choice if comfort is high on your priority list. Made specifically with travel in mind, this bag features padded straps for extra comfort, internal organizational compartments and is made from lightweight nylon so you don’t have to worry about breaking your back. It also looks super stylish when you’re strolling through the airport.
Buy now for £95 (was £165)
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