Going on an overseas trip involves lots of admin: At a minimum, you have to double-check that your passport is not out of date, get your hands on some foreign cash, and budget extra time to get to the airport. With so many things on your to-do list, the last thing you want to worry about is how well your travel bag will be able to withstand all the beating and bashing along the way.
Not every piece of luggage will be up for the task. Your favorite weekender bag may be perfect for a short road trip, but it might not fare as well on a long-haul international journey with several forms of transportation. And while rolling luggage is the popular default for checked bags, not all of them are as indestructible as they need to be. You could be dealing with a missing wheel or a cracked corner by the end of your flight if you don’t invest wisely.
To help you narrow down the right travel essentials to bring on your next big trip, we’ve compiled a list of the best luggage for international travel. Read on for suitcases, travel backpacks, and duffel bags that will last you many trips to come — or make the ideal travel gift for a frequent flyer in your life.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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I have raved about the suitcase at length in my standalone Carl Friedrik carry-on review, but here’s the TL;DR: This is the chicest piece of luggage I own, and I was seriously impressed with how it weathered some major travel damage on my part. This newer model of its carry-on luggage comes with a front pocket for easy access to all your essentials — and you’ll look like a high-flyer while waltzing through the boarding gate.
Shop Carl Friedrik
Carl Friedrik The Carry-on X, $, available at Carl Friedrik
Any travel accessory that can be packed away when not in use is automatically a good investment. You can fit up to 32L of stuff into the main compartment of this backpack, and it can be compressed into a little zip pouch that weighs practically nothing. There is a back panel to slide the bag onto your suitcase handle, as well as side pockets for your water bottles. The best part? The whole thing is water-repellent.
Shop Lululemon
Lululemon Packable Backpack 32L, $, available at Lululemon
Anything can happen to your luggage while you’re abroad, so if you are looking to make a lifetime investment, Rimowa’s Essential luggage series should be your top pick. It’s one of the OG brands to master polycarbonate — a highly flexible and impact-resistant thermoplastic — to absolute perfection, and has the most comprehensive lifetime warranty we’ve seen from any suitcase brand (you can refer to our standalone Rimowa review to find out what exactly is covered by the policy). This brand new sea blue colorway will surely make all your 2024 vacation snaps pop off.
Shop Rimowa
Rimowa Essential Cabin (Sea Blue), $, available at Rimowa
This bestselling set from Calpak has all the best parts of vintage steamer trunks — strappy details, a croc leather effect — combined with the durability and convenience of modern-day suitcases in the form of a hardy polycarbonate exterior. This gorgeous espresso colorway is brand-new: Marked down 15% for a limited time, it is definitely poised to sell out soon.
Shop Calpak
Calpak Trnk Two-Piece Luggage Set, $, available at Calpak
This sleek carry-on suitcase has all the handy attributes needed for a smooth journey: a roomy front pocket for your laptop (and maybe an oversized sweater in case it gets cold on the flight), a removable power bank that can turbocharge your phone in under 30 minutes, a TSA-approved combination lock, smooth zippers that can be stretched out for extra space, plus two shoe bags and a laundry bag. A leather luggage tag completes the whole package.
Shop Arlo Skye
Arlo Skye The Zipper Carry-On Max, $, available at Arlo Skye
If you’re spending an extended amount of time overseas, you really can’t beat the durability and massive internal volume of this 29-inch softside suitcase. Unlike hard-shell suitcases, which typically split in half, you can utilize the full 8.5 inches of depth to fit bulkier items. With an internal storage volume of 145L while only weighing 9 lbs., it’s a suitcase that we’re willing to bet has enough room for someone who’s packing for an international move.
Shop Amazon
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Lightweight Expandable Suitcase, $, available at Amazon
This Samsonite luggage set is made to last. The textured hard shell does an excellent job concealing scuff marks and is able to withstand some hardcore bashing, immediately restoring it to its original shape. The limited-time 25% discount sweetens the deal.
Shop Samsonite
Samsonite Equilibrium 2 Piece Set, $, available at Samsonite
We love Béis luggage around here. This expandable suitcase from Béis gets a gold star from us, thanks to a slew of thoughtful design quirks, like the middle divider that comes with zippers and compartments galore, perfect for organizing receipts, important travel documents, and anything you don’t want to lose. There are two drawstring laundry bags — so your dirty socks can stay away from the rest of your worn clothes — and a helpful weight indicator, plus TSA-approved locks.
Shop Béis
Béis The Large Check-In Roller, $, available at Béis
We love the unique iridescent shell on this lightweight carry-on wheelie, which can be extended to make it up to 1.3 inches wider. If you’re also digging the subtle space cadet vibe, the suitcase is currently on sale.
Shop Bloomingdale’s
Heys Astro 21″ Spinner Suitcase, $, available at Bloomingdale’s
Among the 15K reviews this item has collected on Amazon, over 70% of people have given this suitcase a 5-star rating, citing its sturdiness, well-thought-out internal compartments, and slick retractable handles as the winning factors. Many have remarked on how surprisingly lightweight it is compared to other suitcases of a similar size, allowing them to squeeze in more belongings without going over the weight limit.
Shop Amazon
Kenneth Cole Out Of Bounds Hardshell 4-Wheel Spinner, $, available at Amazon
We love Mono’s suitcases for their one-of-a-kind hard-shell designs — seriously, we never knew we needed a terrazzo-print suitcase until now — and the state-of-the-art wheels that are absolutely silent when in use. And with 10% off, there’s even more to love.
Shop Monos
Monos Check-In Large, $, available at Monos
If you’re more of a softie when it comes to suitcases, this hunter green set from Traveler’s Choice will be right up your alley. It comes in a heavy-duty polyester fabric, with an expansion gusset to fit more stuff in when needed. Retailing at just over $150 for a carry-on and a check-in size case, this combo is a pretty sweet deal when it comes to affordable, no-frills luggage.
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Traveler’s Choice Softside Expandable Luggage Set, $, available at Amazon
This Lego lookalike of a suitcase is a fine example of cutting-edge product engineering. The hard shell is constructed from Makrolon polycarbonate, an extra robust and lightweight thermoplastic material from Germany. The slick handles are designed to frame the edges of the suitcase, which means interior square footage is maximized for more packing space and the weight distribution is more evened out. Throw in the quiet-as-a-mouse spinner wheels, and you’ve got yourself a star-performer suitcase perfect for frequent flyers.
Shop Level8
LEVEL8 Voyageur 28-Inch Check In, $, available at LEVEL8
If you’re not planning on checking in luggage for your overseas trip, you’ll want this carryall duffel. There is enough room to load up all your essentials for at least a 10-day trip (maybe even two weeks, if you’re a light packer). There is a slot attached to every inside panel to help everything stay in place, including a laptop compartment, plus a laundry bag and key attachment for better organization. This is also a good option if you want to bring a “personal item” on an airplane that is small enough to fit into the space in front of your seat.
Shop Dagne Dover
Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Large, $, available at Dagne Dover
Going on a big family trip abroad? You’ll need some durable hard-side luggage to get you through the madness. Even better if they come in a matching set. July’s suitcases are praised for their silent, ultra-smooth spinner wheels — you will have a much easier time wrangling multiple suitcases on cobblestone streets in Lisbon or up higgledy-piggledy roads in Athens.
Shop July
July Family Luggage Set, $, available at July
If you always over-pack and simply love returning home with a bucketload of souvenirs and shopping conquests, this 30-inch expandable suitcase is a lifesaver. The middle compartment can be further stretched for up to two inches.
Shop Amazon
DELSEY Paris Helium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage, $, available at Amazon
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