good cosmetic bag for travel

These Travel Makeup Bags Will Keep Your Beauty Essentials Secure and Organized

By Shauna Beni and Meaghan Kenny

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When it comes to packing beauty essentials, everyone has different preferences. Some focus on skincare, bringing along a haul of sunscreens , lotions, and serums. Others pack just about every compact, mascara , and cream they own (plus enough lipstick shades to match every outfit). Regardless of your must-haves, the right makeup bag is key to keeping cosmetics organized and safely stored away during your travels—and ensuring you don’t end up ruining all your things from spills and leaks in your suitcase .

Thankfully, there is an endless array of cosmetic bags to choose from. We've rounded up a list of the best travel makeup bags, which range in size from mini bags meant for an overnight stay to extra-large ones that will hold everything you need for an extended vacation. Wherever you're headed, they'll keep your most prized (and pricey) beauty essentials secure and safely tucked away. Keep scrolling to see a dozen-plus of our top travel makeup bags, and if you're looking for a new method for makeup removal, take a look at this editor-tested Grove Makeup Remover Towel .

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

If you’d like your makeup bag to function as a place to store all your beauty products even when you're not on vacation, or like to travel with a lot of makeup, we recommend a large catch-all like this Calpak toiletry bag . It comes in neutral hues like pink sand, black, and moss, and has multiple interior compartments—plus an exterior back pocket—to organize your different cosmetics. There's also a side handle, making it easier to tote back and forth when you need to.

For travelers who have no desire to pack light, Calpak's oversized cosmetics case (closed, it's as big as a sheet of printer paper) will keep all your favorite products neat and visible. The clear makeup bag unzips fully so each side can lay flat, and has an extra mesh interior pocket to hold smaller items. Plus, a top handle makes for easy carrying or looping over a bathroom hook.

On the outside, this Béis bag looks like any other makeup bag; inside, it's obvious it was designed by someone who's traveled with a drugstore full of makeup once or twice. Inside, there's a larger-than-average compact mirror that slips out, a double-sided detachable brush holder to keep eye and lip brushes separate, and smaller compartments to store odds and ends, plus a spacious main compartment. Even better, the water-resistant lining makes it easy to wipe clean.

If you're a fan of traveling with a color-coordinated or monogrammed luggage set , this cosmetic case is the one for you. The vintage-inspired bag is designed with a durable but lightweight shell exterior and is the perfect mini-match to the other Terminal 1 suitcases in the collection . It’s also small enough to pack inside of a suitcase but spacious enough to fit all your essentials. The internal pockets are a plus for keeping things like brushes, blush compacts, and lipsticks organized, while the top leather handle makes it easy to carry around in a hotel or Airbnb. Thanks to the zip-around outside closure, you won’t have to worry about any leaks or spills.

Without an organized cosmetic case, doing your makeup often involves rummaging around in a bag trying to find everything. This Lay-n-Go bag, though, is a dream come true. Instead of having to dump out all your products, the bag opens up by way of drawstrings, and can be laid out as a circle on any surface, allowing every product to be on display. When finished, pull the drawstring back together and watch it transform into the size of a clutch. It also comes with a zip pocket for storage and elastic brush loops, so nothing goes rolling off the bathroom counter.

Available in a larger size as well, this small, sleek toiletry organizer with a carrying handle is ideal for quick one- to two-day getaways when you're packing the basics. The inside is completely lined with mesh and allows makeup products like foundation, setting spray, and serums to stand straight up in their own dividers, making them easier to find. There are also small loops on the side for mascara , lip gloss, or makeup brushes. 

Ideal for overnight or weekend stays, this Lululemon pouch is a bit smaller, providing you with just enough room to pack the essentials without being too heavy in your weekender bag . Made of water-repellent, recycled nylon, this pouch has a mesh interior pocket for items you want to keep separate, like your beauty sponge. Available in colors like raspberry, teal, pink, and black, all with the signature Lululemon logo, this is one makeup pouch you’ll have for years to come.

An affordable option that's great for long family vacations , this Bagsmart hanging toiletry bag will fit all of your makeup products and toiletries in one. Hang it on the back of the bathroom door when you arrive and you’ll stay organized the rest of the trip. There are four separate clear sections that make finding what you need easy and prevent liquid products like shampoo and conditioner from spilling onto your makeup. Plus, the case itself has a top handle to make carrying it on-the-go even easier.

Transparent bags are practical and efficient, allowing you to see what's inside while packing, and Paravel’s See-All vanity case offers all the style and space you need. This clear case makes finding the exact product you need easy, even smaller ones like eye creams or lip balm that typically fall to the bottom of the bag. Plus, the water-resistant (and eco-friendly) silicone coating means you don't have to worry about product spills.

If you’re already a fan of Away’s thoughtfully-designed luggage , the brand's makeup case definitely won’t disappoint. Not only does this one look chic sitting on your bathroom counter, it actually stores all of the makeup must-haves you'd need for an entire week's vacation. The main compartment is made of water-resistant nylon with transparent pockets that make finding what you need simple. My favorite part about this cosmetic bag is the detachable brush roll that snaps to the top lid to keep makeup brushes organized and give me easy access when I need them. The bag itself has a grab handle for easy carrying and a size that won't take up too much room in your suitcase .

This lightweight cosmetic bag from MZ Wallace is the perfect size for any getaway . It’s large enough to store all of the makeup products you’d need for a week and features an interior pocket and lining to protect it against any leaks. When you’re not using it to pack your favorite makeup products, use it as an emergency kit to store beauty essentials at the office or in your gym bag.

This roomy bag is machine washable, so there's no need to worry about the inevitable bronzer or powder that will appear inside—throw your makeup brushes right in. It’s easy to pile in extra products in there, too, making it an ideal bag for long weekend trips . It features two mesh side pockets inside for tweezers, a lipliner sharpener, or other small items you want to keep handy.

Sephora's cosmetic organizer really does let you pack it all. This spacious and sturdy organizer comes with two removable storage cubes ideal for products like eyeshadow, powder, and blushes. It also comes with a removable flat pouch for eyeliner or waterproof mascaras and small loops to keep your brushes in place. If you can never find what you’re looking for in your makeup bag, this one’s for you.

This leather travel case set from Cuyana comes with two chic cases, one large bag that fits foundation, eyeshadow palettes, and skincare essentials as well as a smaller bag ideal for makeup brushes or tools like an eyelash curler. Both bags feature a microsuede interior that you can easily wipe clean after any accidental makeup spills.

We love a hanging cosmetic bag, especially one that folds up as neatly as this Tumi travel case. With four separate compartments—three transparent, one detachable nylon pouch—it'll keep items separated and is roomy enough to act as both a Dopp kit and makeup bag. The case itself is made of easy-to-wipe-down nylon, and the handle is wrapped in leather trim.

This petite cosmetic bag is great for day trips when you only need to bring a few essentials with you, like sunscreen , setting powder, and concealer for touch-ups. It fits easily into a tote bag or backpack without taking up too much room. Plus, its a temperature-stable bag with insulation, so your products will be protected even if you spend the day walking around in the heat—meaning you don't have to worry about melted lipstick.

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The 14 Best Makeup Bags to Keep Your Beauty Essentials Organized, Tested & Reviewed

You didn’t spend your paycheck on makeup just to have it squashed in your suitcase.

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• Our top picks

Our Testing Process

What to keep in mind, your questions, answered, why shop with us.

InStyle/Leticia Almeida

Imagine: You’ve spent months, maybe even years, trying out way too many makeup products to count, and you’ve finally curated your perfect collection of formulas, shades, and tools. You’ve lined them all up across your vanity so beautifully that even a Sephora associate would envy the display. Then suddenly, you’re a week away from your vacation and reality hits: How can I get my makeup stash there safely? There is a simple solution: Makeup bags.

• lululemon Feeling Ready Mini Pouch Fleece is 24% off at lululemon.com
• Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer is 25% off at dagnedover.com
• Sephora Collection Hanging Makeup Organizer Bag is 50% off at sephora.com
• Relavel Travel Large Makeup Train Case is 20% off at amazon.com
• Relavel Travel Small Makeup Train Case is 15% off at amazon.com
• Boacay Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag is 15% off at amazon.com

Shop more makeup bags

By giving all your holy grail go-tos their own proper storage space within a designated makeup bag, you’ll be able to find what you need exactly when you need it. For those who lack organizational acumen, we did our best Marie Kondo to see which of the buzziest bags out there were actually useful by filling them with bottles of lotions, creams, sprays, brushes, and powders. Then, we pretended each one was a dodgeball and threw them all around our NYC-based lab. The makeup bags who emerged victorious, with the fewest number of spills, breaks, or explosions, were then judged for material quality and compressive ability. Plus, the amount of space it took up in a carry-on bag, design, usefulness of the compartments, and overall capacity. This list is composed of our highest-ranking makeup bags that we’d be happy to take with us for a long weekend or monthslong adventure (we wish!).

Best Overall

Béis the cosmetic case.

What We Love: It comes with a mirror.

What We Don’t Love: You can’t compartmentalize as much.

Out of all the makeup cases we tested, we found the Béis Cosmetic Case to be the most universally useful. It comes with a removable mirror that’s quite generous in size, unlike some of those itty bitty mirrors you often see that are big enough to reflect one eyelash. That’s definitely not the case here—this one stands upright to give us a view of our entire face so we could do our makeup on the go.

In terms of space, there’s a center section for brushes, which is removable, and we were able to get five brushes in comfortably without flattening the bristles. Then in the main compartment, we were able to fit all of our go-to makeup products with ease, never forcing us to leave anything behind for the sake of space. There’s even a shallow zippered section attached to the top lid where we slid in our powder compacts and palettes. Even the hardware holding everything together felt luxe and sturdy, not to mention easy to wipe clean, so we had peace of mind knowing our precious (not to mention expensive) makeup collection was well protected.

We also loved how the case opened up completely, putting everything on full display and easy to access. That being said, there weren’t many compartments or straps to organize our products—everything needed to be thrown in together. When we tossed the bag around, the items remained protected and safe without spilling or coming loose, and still, we wish we could compartmentalize a little better. 

Materials: Faux leather exterior, nylon lining interior | Compartments : None | Colors: 10 | Size: 9.5 inches x 4 inches x 7 inches

InStyle / Jhett Thompson

Best Budget

Narwey travel makeup bag.

What We Love: The quality feels much more high-end than what it’s priced at. 

What We Don’t Love: We wish it was slightly more cushioned.

We love a good budget option when the product feels much more high-end than what it’s priced at. That’s how we felt about this Narwey makeup case, available on Amazon. The lightweight option doesn’t lack in space, compartments, or even aesthetic appeal, making it a phenomenal option for everyday use.

Much like the previous Beis option, this bag opens up fully, giving us complete access to all our goods. On the lid-side of the bag, we could squeeze 20 brushes in the eight brush pockets (ranging in size) — there’s even a flap to cover and protect the brush heads. The bag comes with a fully removable pouch, where we kept our face palettes , a color correcting palette, three eyeliners, four lipsticks, a mascara, and a lash curler . Then in the main compartment, we stored our foundations, moisturizers, makeup removers, favorite dry shampoo , and more. Needless to say, nothing needs to be left behind with this bag, and yet it didn’t feel completely bulky—we were able to store this in our backpack and carry-on cases sans-problem. 

If we could tweak just one element, it would be to make the bag more cushioned. Although none of the makeup pieces weathered any damage during our rigorous throw test, we would feel more at ease knowing there was an additional layer of protection.

Materials: Water-resistant fabric | Compartments : 3 | Colors: 15 | Size: 9” x 6.7” x 3.5”

InStyle / Leticia Almeida

Best Hanging

Béis hanging cosmetic case.

What We Love: There’s a removable pouch, making it easy to take essential items along during day excursions. 

What We Don’t Love: It’s very bulky and large, making it harder to pack.

This is for the beauty guru who needs to bring their entire beauty routine with them on the go, even if it means sacrificing a sweater or two in their luggage space. The Beis Hanging Cosmetic Case was truly made for the expert—even professional makeup artists will find great usage out of all the space, compartments, and hanging ability.

We first noticed how the outside has a stiffer material, making it absorb any drops and protecting the contents inside. Meanwhile, the interior is quite slick, so we would have no quarrels giving it a good clean should any powder or creams ever get spilled. The bag flaps open into three sections and has a little hook to hang for when we don’t have any counter space to lay it out flat. Thanks to all the zippers and netted pouches, nothing would fall out while being perfectly visible in its vertical position. We fit absolutely everything we could think of here — moisturizers, creams, foundations, makeup palettes, four eyeliners, five lipsticks and glosses, and still had room to spare. The pouch in the middle is also removable, which we found to be very useful when we wanted to head out for the day and bring a few essentials along.

The biggest con was just how bulky it was. This definitely takes up a good chunk of space, and because of its semi-hard case, we couldn’t quite fold it or squish it down to save space.

Materials: Nylon, vegan leather | Compartments : 5 | Colors: 2 | Size: 9.75” x 7.25” x 6.5”

Best for Bottles

Dagne dover mila toiletry organizer.

Dagne Dover

What We Love: It comes with removable dividers to keep bottles cushioned and separated.

What We Don’t Love: We wish the handle could be opened and closed so that we may loop it on a towel rack and save counter space.

Do you have any delicate perfume bottles, creams, or foundations you want to keep properly cushioned and separated? Then it truly does not get better than (or cuter than) this toiletry organizer from Dagne Dover. The circular and upright bag has a cushioned mesh fabric all throughout the interior, with six adjustable compartments for you to place your individual items in securely. 

We found that the bag was much more spacious than it first appeared. More than just the six main compartments, we were able to place pencils and brushes (which fit perfectly upright) in the side slits as well. Then on the opening flap, we placed sunscreens , hair ties, lipsticks, and other miscellaneous items in the zippered mesh bag. Of course, removing the dividers altogether created even more space, but we liked how our glass bottles were protected inside the dividers — not even throwing the bag across the room could affect the interior. 

Because of the flexible cushiony material, it was easy to squish the bag down and save space in our luggage as well. This could easily fit in a backpack, carry-on, and check-in suitcase all the same. We wish the handle could clasp open and close so that we could hook it on a drying rack at the hotel to save counter space. 

Materials: Recycled polyester | Compartments : 11 | Colors: 4 | Size: 5.5” x 5.5” x 5.5”

Best for Travel

Away the cosmetics bag.

What We Love: There is a discreet hidden black pocket for anything you want to keep private. 

What We Don’t Love: The makeup brush compartment clips off, but we’re not sure why as it does not conceal an extra compartment or save space this way.

A good makeup case for travel should be able to endure the rough handling of TSA, flight turbulence, and rolling over cobblestone streets. For this reason, the hard yet cushioned shell of the Away Cosmetics Bag is ideal. The neoprene exterior felt luscious and high-end, which is very on par with all of Away's products. 

We loved the no-fuss simplicity of this option — there is a clear zippered main compartment, and underneath it hides a little black pouch, fit for eyeshadow palettes and medications. The clear compartment is spacious enough to hold just about anything, from creams to lash curlers to hydrating lipsticks . And because it’s made of plastic, it’s easy to wipe off any potential spills.

On the lid side of the bag is a detachable brush holder with five pockets, although we found we could squeeze at least two brushes in each pocket. We will say, however, that we’re uncertain why they made the brush holder detachable, as it doesn’t conceal anything underneath or even save a bunch of space. The holder alone is of no use without the case either. 

Materials: Nylon, neoprene | Compartments : 3 | Colors: 2 | Size: 8.3” x 6.3” x 3.9”

Relavel Travel Makeup Case

What We Love: The internal dividers can be adjusted to your liking.

What We Don’t Love: It's too big to fit into a backpack, and will take a lot of space in a suitcase.

If you’re a professional makeup artist and have to travel to see your clients, then this is the makeup case to opt for. More than just large, this case has been expertly designed with makeup artists in mind, giving us adjustable compartments made of mesh, smooth, and easy-to-clean material. 

We’re somewhat of organizational freaks (Marie Kondo is our saving grace), and we can’t begin to describe how satisfying it is to have our un-shamefully large collection of foundations, eyeshadow palettes, lip kits and more, properly stashed in their own compartments. The brush compartment on the internal divider had scrunch pockets, and the flap that goes over the brushes sufficiently covered all of them for protection. Whatever item of makeup we had, there was a slot for it here, requiring us to leave nothing behind. Thankfully, the bag itself is very lightweight, as the weight of all our products is already heavy enough. 

The bag came with an adjustable strap, which we could wear as a crossbody or even turn into a backpack, which makes this one of the most portable cases on the list. That being said, it’s a little too large to comfortably fit into a backpack. It can easily fit into a carry-on or checked luggage but be prepared for it to take up a good chunk of space.

Materials: Nylon | Compartments : 9 | Colors: 20 | Size: 10.3” x 9” x 3.6”

Best for Brushes

Relavel small makeup case.

What We Love: We could fit at least 15 brushes in the bag.

What We Don’t Love: There is no pouch over the brushes to protect them.

She may have small in the title, but this bag actually fits a ton of product — at least enough for your everyday makeup needs. The most notable feature of this bag however is how many slots there are for brushes. From big to small, there are two walls dedicated to just brushes, easily carrying at least 15 makeup brushes in various sizes . 

The interior divider features a row of brush holders on one side, and mesh pockets on the other. Once we flipped that over, we were met with a large (but not very deep) space for all of our creams and cases. It could fit plenty of mascaras and lip glosses for everyday wear, but if you wanted to go full glam you may feel it’s not spacious enough. For the average consumer, however, we believe the soft bag is perfectly sufficient for a casual week away. 

If there’s one thing we could alter, it would be to add a little flap over the brushes in order to protect them. 

Materials: Nylon | Compartments : 5 | Colors: 21 | Size: 8.9” x 5.1” x 5.1”

Lululemon Go Getter Pouch

What We Love: It fits a lot more than it looks. 

What We Don’t Love: There aren’t any compartments to organize specific items into.

Not only is this makeup pouch small, but soft-shelled as well, making it easy to compress for travel. It’s made of the same materials as Lululemon’s infamous belt bag , which is water-repellent and durable. 

The pouch consists of one main compartment, with a mesh interior pocket and an exterior zipped pocket. It didn’t seem like much at first, but once we started placing our foundations, creams, powders, and beyond in it, we realized just how much it could hold, which is a lot (two liters of stuff, to be exact). Thanks to the nylon material, it's easy to clean should anything ever spill — and spill it might, as there isn’t really a hardcover protecting any of the contents. We advise against throwing this against any hard surfaces as the thin pouch didn’t do a great job at protecting our contents (RIP our favorite lipstick cap). This factor simultaneously does make it easier to pack, and should we not want to fill it up all the way, we could press out any air and make it more compact. There aren’t a plethora of compartments, and we did get a little lost trying to find specific items in what feels like a Mary Poppins bag, but we’re happy with how discreetly it can fit a bunch of items in a small size.

Materials: Recycled polyester, nylon | Compartments : 3 | Colors: 3 | Size: 8.7” x 3.3” x 6.3”

MZ Wallace Mica Cosmetic Case

What We Love: The cushiony exterior kept everything safe and protected.

What We Don’t Love: We wish there were one or two more compartments.

We selected this option as our best pouch pick not because of how much this bag can hold (although that is a big point), but because of its cushiony exterior. Instead of a hard shell, this quilted bag felt like a protective pillow around our valuables, while being flexible enough to press down in our suitcases.

The top zips open almost fully, making it easy to access all of our makeup. There are only two compartments — the main interior and a not so little side zip. We were flabbergasted at just how much could fit into this little black hole: three micellar waters , two travel-size shampoo bottles, a large liquid concealer, a bronzer, five lipsticks, and about seven brushes nestled next to each other, and the bag still didn’t feel like it was filled up. The bag was almost like a flexible fleece jacket to our goodies, easily accommodating our large collection of beauty products without taking too much luggage space. 

We only wish there were one or two more compartments in the pouch. Because the bag wasn't clear, we had to go on a hunt to find the creams and foundations that were sitting at the bottom. 

Materials: Leather, REC oxford | Compartments : 2 | Colors: 1 | Size: 9.49” x 4.02” x 5.98”

Best with Compartments

Sephora collection pack it all organizer.

What We Love: It’s big enough to carry both your toiletries and makeup.

What We Don’t Love: It’s too big to fit in a backpack comfortably.

With this option, you get two bags inside of one, a removable pouch, zippered compartments, and various brush holders. Needless to say, us neat-obsessives had a field day organizing all of our makeup products. And thanks to its large size, we couldn’t imagine a scenario where we wouldn’t be able to fit absolutely all of our makeup.

The top lid zips open completely, making it easy to access the various compartments. There were eight brush straps (five smaller and three larger) and a plastic flap to cover the brush heads. For celebrity makeup artist Katie Nova, having such a cover is vital, explaining that ”this separate case prevents bacterial growth, which can lead to skin irritation and inflammation.” 

Then we were met with two cubes where we separated our toiletries from our makeup products. Around the cubes we still had ample amount of space to store makeup wipes, supplements, eyeshadow palletes and more. When we threw it around, we were surprised to find everything pretty much unshaken on the inside, minus one cap that fell off. The top and the bottom of the bag is pretty solid, but the sides were softer, giving us the best of both worlds in protection and flexibility.

Be mindful that the bag is capital-L-Large. She may not fit well into a backpack, but she’ll do great at bringing absolutely all of your beauty needs on your two week trip to Italy, so long as she’s kept in a suitcase.

Materials: Nylon | Compartments : 3 | Colors: 1| Size: 10.25" x 8" x 5"

Best Train Set

Leatherology train case.

Leatherology

What We Love: There are organizational compartments on the interior side that don’t take up any space.

What We Don’t Love: It’s very tall, so it may sit awkwardly in a suitcase.

A classic train case is a stylish way to hold all your beauty products on the go. We tested several, but found this full grain leather option the most practical. While at a first glance it looks like any other spacious rectangular box, a closer look revealed that each of the walls had a different organizational perk. Two sides had a pocket sleeve with an elastic strap, one side had a slip pocket, and the last had a zippered pocket. There was even a mesh zippered pocket on the lid, where we kept eyeshadow palettes and mascaras. We loved how these compartments didn’t take up any additional space (like a divider would), while still giving us the opportunity to organize a little. 

The box is quite deep, so even our travel-size shampoos could stand upright. Unless we packed everything snugly side by side, these items would fall to their sides and look a little messy after travel. Not in a way that they would break, but simply look more disheveled than when we first packed it. Should anything spill, however, the water-resistant lining made it very easy to clean. And because the exterior is made of leather, it’s extremely sturdy and high-quality as well.

Materials: Leather, nylon | Compartments : 3 | Colors: 14 | Size: 7.5” x 5” x 5.2”

Best Organizer

Boacay hanging travel toiletry bag.

What We Love: The pockets are all clear, giving us good visibility into the interior.

What We Don’t Love: The cover is not that protective or sturdy.

It’s not enough for a bag to have great organizational capabilities, it needs to provide great visibility into our collection of products as well, and this bag does just that. It comes with a little rotating hook, which we used to hang the bag onto a towel rack.

Once fully folded open, it reveals four bagged compartments, all made of clear plastic (which by the way is easy to clean). The two center pockets are larger than the outer ones, so we stored our hair spray, body lotions , and all other cream products in there. In the smaller pouches we hid our brushes, eye creams , and any other miscellaneous items in. We had absolutely no problem storing all of our beauty products, leaving nothing behind. Although it looked stuffed to the brim, once closed it did not bulk up any more than it did while empty. It still folded easily and zippered closed without putting up a fight. Nova stresses how convenient it is to keep all her skincare and beauty products separate, but in the same container, “eliminating the need for a separate bag and simplifying my travel routine further.”

When we dropped the bag, none of the products broke due to the lightly cushioned exterior. That being said, we’d be apprehensive to do any aggressive tosses of the bag, as it’s not made of any durable or made of a hearty material. Still, with a water-repellent finish and light padding, it’s perfectly usable for everyday use.

Materials: Brushed, water-repellant | Compartments : 5 | Colors: 8 | Size: 11.4” x 3.8” x 7.5”

Best for Purses

Cuyana leather travel case set.

What We Love: It comes with two bags in one set.

What We Don’t Love: The leather exterior and interior are difficult to clean.

If you want to have your beauty items close to you while on the go, then a pouch small enough to fit in your purse is the way to go. This Cuyana set, which yes, comes with two different sized pouches, was quick to steal our hearts with its beautiful pebbled leather design. The bag opened up so wide, it was easy to pack all our essentials in and get quick access to them. The larger pouch has one slit pocket on the side, although we have to admit, it’s more for the aesthetics than any functional purpose. At most, it could fit a single palette (which to be fair, if you pick the best eyeshadow palette , that may be plenty.

The second pouch is merely a smaller version of the large one, without the slit interior pocket. At first, we wondered why we would need two of the same bag, but then came to realize how useful it is to keep one in our check-in luggage and the other in our backpacks and close to us on the plane. Together, we could easily bring our entire makeup routine with us wherever we go.

Because it’s made of full leather on the exterior and interior, it was difficult to clean the bag. One of our eyeshadow palettes popped open and stained the bag slightly. Luckily, Cuyana gives detailed instructions on how to care for the pouch .

Materials: Leather | Compartments : 2 | Colors: 16 | Size: Large pouch: 7” x 12” x 3.5”, small pouch: 5” x 8” x 2.5”

Best Customizable

Cuyana travel beauty case.

What We Love: You can add a personalized monogram.

What We Don’t Love: It’s only available in two colors.

Now onto something for the makeup gurus who don’t play about their beauty collection. The price of this travel case is on the higher side, but after thoroughly testing it we think it’s worth every penny. 

Let’s start with the luxurious material, stitch, and zips. This bag is about as sturdy as it gets without having a full-on hardshell makeup case. The leather is strong and sturdy, proving to us it would protect without taking on much damage itself. The zippers glide smoothly all the way around and open in a clam-shell style, which makes it easy to access all of our products in an organized manner. 

The lid portion features four loops for brushes and an elastic pocket to collect the ends. The leather divider in the middle helps to protect the brush heads from the items on the other side, where we placed our foundations, bronzers, blushes, and more. There was even a clippable pouch that we could remove and use on its own on a flight. Because of its sleek and long shape, we placed our waterproof mascaras , eyeliners, and brow products in there. We could even sneak in an eyeshadow brush as well.

Without going overboard, Cuyana managed to deliver a well-organized yet minimalistic makeup bag in superior design and quality. Knowing that it will last us well over a decade further makes this worth the investment. Slab on the fact that we could add a personalized monogram and it’s truly *chef’s kiss*. Now we only wonder why it’s only available in two colors.

Materials: Leather | Compartments : 4 | Colors: 2 | Size: 6.2” x 10.2” x 3.1”

First, we started by researching the most popular makeup cases, ranging from small hand held pouches to larger scale professional makeup cases. After honing our selection down to 26 pieces, we called each product into our testing site where our group of beauty editors and experts assessed each individual product. Each case had to hold at least four makeup brushes, two makeup palettes, a bottle of foundation, an eyelash curler, one mascara wand, a lipstick, four toiletry bottles, and a hairspray. All bags that could contain even more were given preferential treatment. 

We also took note of how many compartments were inside each of the bags, and whether or not they were useful and/or adjustable. We then threw the bag onto the ground to see whether any pieces came undone on the inside or broke on the journey. We then debated whether each bag was travel friendly, fitting into either a backpack, carry-on, and checked suitcase. From there, we selected the best 13 makeup cases that passed all our tests with flying colors.

Before committing to a makeup case, take a look at your beauty products and consider how much you actually use on a daily basis. Next, consider the location you’re hoping to transport them to, and ask yourself what you need there. The answer to these questions will determine how large your makeup case should be. We tested a range of makeup bags, and found some big enough to suit a professional makeup artist, in need of carrying a bunch of products in various shades (we’re looking at you Relavel Travel Makeup Train Case ), and simple pouches fit to hold a good chunk of essentials for a weekend getaway (hey MZ Wallace Mica Cosmetic Case ). 

You also want to consider how you will be transporting your makeup case. Some bags, including the Leatherology Small Train Case , are too large to fit in a backpack and take a ton of space in a carry-on, but will be great in a larger suitcase. Others were so small you could bring them onboard with you in a purse, like the Cuyana Travel Case Set , and they still fit an impressive amount of products in.

Makeup isn’t cheap, so you probably want the case to properly cushion and protect your collection. That being said, harder shells or even cushioned bags take up a lot of space in your luggage, so finding something that compromises between protective yet lightweight can be difficult. Factor in the ability to wash the bag, and it can become downright mathematical. The Beis The Cosmetic Case is made with a vegan leather exterior with a semi-hard lid and bottom. If needed, the sides were flexible enough to be pressed down, so that the bag could decompress inside a suitcase a little. It’s this type of bag that destination bridal makeup artist, Tia Codrington, finds the most useful. “The bag I use has some soft breathable areas and a hard shell in the back to protect the components inside.” 

The Cuyana Travel Case Set features quality leather all throughout the pouch, which certainly helps to protect the interior but is also more difficult to clean. If you are worried about spillage, something with a clear plastic case, like the BOACAY Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag would be much more efficient. Professional makeup artists J. Guerra remarks that “Bags made of nylon or other materials that are easy to wipe down in case of makeup spills while traveling are essential.” The Beis The Hanging Cosmetic Case , Away The Cosmetics Bag , and Relavel Small Makeup Bag are all made with Nylon in the interior.

Compartments

If you don’t care too much for compartments and just need a spacious pouch to throw all your things in, look no further than the Cuyana Travel Case Set or Lululemon Go Getter Pouch . For everyone else who gets a kick out of neatly separating your liquids from your powders, consider all the organizational capabilities of your future makeup case. Guerra says that a “space for brushes, separate compartments for liquids (to comply with airport regulations), and dividers to stay organized prevent delicate powders or eyeshadow palettes from breaking apart.” So not only do compartments make packing neater, but safer for your goods as well. 

The bags that offer phenomenal compartmentalization are the Cuyana Travel Beauty Case , Beis The Hanging Cosmetic Case , and Sephora Collection Pack It All Organizer . “Some bags even have removable pouches or adjustable dividers for added safeguarding and flexibility, those are my favorite,” continues Guerra, and we have to agree. The Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer and Relavel Travel Makeup Train Case offered us just that, and we really appreciated how we could change the bag’s construction to match our situational needs.

What is the best way to pack makeup for travel?

There’s a lot to consider when traveling with makeup. On top of the above mentioned size, material, and compartments, you have to make sure you’re following TSA guidelines — like not including liquids that are more than 3.4 ounces and storing everything inside a clear container, if it’s coming with you in your carry-on luggage. Guerra, who frequently travels to meet his beauty clients, offers a few tips for traveling with makeup: “When flying, I’ll often wrap my powder palettes and compacts in bubble wrap or a small towel to prevent them from breaking en route.” If you’re absolutely worried about anything spilling, Guerra suggests “storing creams and liquids into Ziploc bags before placing them in your makeup case.” 

Codrington brings up the importance of having clear makeup cases again. Not only “has it helped me with organization, but it’s useful during security checks in the airport because security officers have a clear view of what’s inside the bag without having to go through all your stuff.” And we can all agree, there is nothing more horrifying than watching all the contents of your bag being spewed out by TSA. 

What is the best professional makeup case?

Professional makeup artists are going to need a lot more space to accommodate their wide range of products and shades. They also require easy access to their products, so bags must open wide or offer a clear case. “I typically go for bags that have a wide opening and transparent compartments. This allows me to easily see and quickly access items for red carpet touchups or makeup adjustments on-set,” says Guerra. We found that the Beis The Hanging Cosmetic Case , Relavel Travel Makeup Train Case , and Sephora Collection Pack It All Organizer , with their large size, ample amounts of compartments, and decent cushioning to be the best makeup cases for professional makeup artists. 

Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer at InStyle with three years of experience covering fashion and beauty stories. In order to write this story, she dove deep into the insights of the testers who each individually handled the makeup cases. She then consulted celebrity makeup artists J. Guerra and Katie Nova , as well as destination bridal makeup artist Tia Codrington , for further insight into what to look for when shopping for makeup cases. 

Related Articles

15 Travel Makeup Bags To Keep Your Full Routine Organized

These are just plain—and plane—chic.

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Travel is stressful, full stop. Add losing your eyelash curler or brand new lippies in your checked bag, and it's a disastrous tale. Take the unnecessary drama out of the situation and opt for an organized travel makeup bag that easily fits in your carry-on luggage— or will at the very least leave your checked back organized amidst the chaos.

Best for a long vacation

Calpak clear cosmetics case.

Best for airport

Truffle co clarity jetset case.

Turns into a purse!

F&w style violet vanity case.

Best for pool day

Beis the terry cosmetic clutch in citron.

Dior Travel Vanity Case

Best for Small Bathrooms

Mossio hanging toiletry bag.

Kusshi Vacationer Makeup Bag

Proceeds go to charity

Pattern beauty jumbo zip pouch.

Best for full sized products

Glossier beauty bag.

Best for Traveling Couples

Sarep and rose wash bag.

Happy travels.

This two-sided makeup bag is exactly what you need for a long trip. The handled bag unzips into two separate clear compartments, so staying organized is a breeze. It’s large enough to fit full-sized products if you don’t have travel-sized versions of your favorites. Bonus: the individual sides minimizes damage from any accidental product explosions.

This see-through makeup bag makes security at the airport a breeze. The clear design allows for quick and easy access to your favorite products, ditching the endless dig-for-lipstick scene on the runway.

F&W Style Violet Vanity Case

For the fastest "get ready with me" routine, opt for this see-through makeup case. Perfect for travel, its structured shape and gold feet can stand upright on any surface. Bonus: If you’re heading to a sports game or festival, add the chain and it can do double-duty as a handbag.

This bright terry cloth makeup bag can double as a clutch (just remove the strap) so you can take it from the beach to a night out. It’s also waterproof and Shay Mitchell approved!

Covered in the iconic designer print, this hard-shell vanity case has enough space to accommodate all your top shelf favorites. The interior pocket makes for convenient brush storage and the Italian crafted top handle makes it easy to take on the go!

All the functions of your dad’s old school dopp kit but much cuter. The bag hangs from a hook (perfect for a shower rod or back of door) so you don’t have to dump out all of your makeup products into the hotel sink. There are also storage compartments, breathable mesh, and a ton of fun color options.

With 23 different prints to choose from, this vacationer makeup bag can match your suitcase. The nylon versions are machine-washable bag (and there are vegan leather versions, too)—all of them open wide enough for you to easily see each and every one of your products without having to dig!

Pattern Beauty (and Tracee Ellis-Ross fans!) will love this oversized pouch with the brand's logo. Every sale supports organizations & programs that empower women & people of color.

Calling all Glossier stans—let the world know with this gorgeous pink and red cosmetic bag. The interior pouch and three side pockets allow you to store different products separately so you can stay organized. Bonus: coated cotton material makes it easy to wipe away any stains, even ones from the messiest of foundation spills.

Handmade out of nubuck leather, this kit has a 4 interior pockets making it effortless to separate your various products and tools. And the neutral design vibes make it a great gift for you beau, too.

Away The Cosmetics Bag

Shaped just like a packing cube, this simple, yet stylish cosmetic bag has transparent pockets and neoprene compartments for all of your products! Our favorite feature is the detachable brush holder, which makes it easy to organize all of your beloved beauty tools.

OTM Cannes Bag

The first-to-market makeup bag with heat-protecting technology is here! Need a touch-up by the pool? Leave it directly in the sun and your makeup will never melt. This bag also has spacious storage compartments and a standout gold chain, making it both dashing and durable for even the hottest of summer days.

Saie Lilac Oversized Makeup Bag

This pastel bag is the perfect home for all your basics. The wraparound zipper, this roomy bag opens wide enough for you to see the full array.

Relavel Makeup Train Case

With removable dividers, this durable case can fit palettes, lipsticks, brushes, etc. in a comfortable and customizable way.

ami cole The Pouch

Looking for a mini pouch to throw in any summer tote? Here it is! This clear cosmetic bag comes with a large zipper tag to help you grab your necessities in a flash for any on-the-go touch ups.

How do I pick the best makeup bag for travel?

Finding a makeup bag that fulfills your long list of needs can be done. When on the hunt, prioritize space. If it can’t fit all of our products then what’s the point? It’s best to look for a bag that caters to your specific makeup and preferences. Bigger full-sized items can be easily thrown in a spacious bag, whereas smaller items such as lipsticks, liners, individual shadows, etc. beg for a bag with pockets and dividers as opposed to a catch-all. At the end of the day, a makeup bag should keep you organized, happy, and sane!

What’s the best makeup bag material?

Anything water resistant! Most makeup bags are lined with water-resistant or waterproof materials such as clear plastic, nylon, or polyester.

How should I clean my makeup bag?

Beauty lovers know the danger of a loose cap. Though spills may be unavoidable, cleaning them up is something we all must learn to master. Turns out the secret is not so secret: antibacterial household spray! Any Clorox, Microband, or Cleansmart spray, etc. will do the trick. Tip: Make sure to bring makeup pads on every expedition, in case a spill decides to attempt destruction. Shop our favorite antibacterial reusable cotton rounds here .

How should I organize my makeup bag for travel?

When organizing your makeup for a trip, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

• Try to leave full-sized products at home. If it's a short enough trip, go for the minis.
• If you can, pick the combined products (for example: A bronzer + blush compact rather than bringing both bronzer and blush).
• Check the amount of product you have left before packing. Arriving at your destination with only a drop left isn’t doing anyone any good!
• If you don’t have mini versions of your fav moisturizers, primers, setting spray, shampoo, or conditioner, don’t fret. You can find travel-sized bottles here , which can save you from a last minute trip to the drug store! Plus, they’re TSA approved.
• When packing, it’s helpful to do your full routine start-to-finish and place each beauty item in your makeup bag, and nothing else. This way, you can avoid the unnecessary-yet-tempting products!

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The Best Makeup Bags, According to Women Who Travel 24/7

By Bella Cacciatore

The best makeup bags really can elevate your entire vacation experience. Yes, traveling is arguably one of the most exciting and enriching things in life—but ask pretty much anyone, and they’ll agree that packing is the exact opposite. 

No matter whether you pack light or heavy, plan in advance or wing it at the last minute, there are about a million other more enjoyable things to spend your time on. At least with clothing you can just toss things in a suitcase, but with beauty products there’s so much more to think about: TSA limitations, changing climates, skin care needs for in-flight and when you’re on the ground. But there is one thing that can make it all easier: a great makeup bag. The perfect one should check all the boxes: big enough to easily fit all your essentials yet small enough to stash in your luggage; durable; and cute. It sounds like a lot, but trust us, they are out there.

Just ask the 16 women below—from a celebrity esthetician to a reality TV star—each of whom has racked up hundreds of thousands frequent flier miles. Read on for the best makeup bags of all time, according to them, and get ready to kiss your plastic bags goodbye.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

A self-described “notorious overpacker,” beauty editor Maya Allen need a cosmetics bag that will fit all her favorite products. “On average, my suitcase is carrying three different cosmetics bags for my hair, makeup, and skin-care must-haves,” she says. “I’ve always loved Dagne Dover toiletry bags because they’re water-resistant, which is foolproof for any product spill, and the material is super stretchy so I can fit a lot into one of them.”

Anya Hindmarch In-Flight Case

Huda Beauty founder Huda Kattan is no stranger to the inside of an airplane—she travels about two times a month between work and family trips. Kattan prefers clear pouches such as the Huda Beauty makeup bags and PVC cases, since they’re simple and reliable, and she always carries the Anya Hindmarch In-Flight case with her on the plane for her travel essentials. “It’s transparent, so it’s easy to clean when you’re traveling with so many different formulas and serums,” says Kattan. “You never know what can happen in transit, so it’s best if everything is easy to find and easy to clean.”

Beauty content creator Kristina Rodulfo is currently on a two-month trip through Europe. For her on-the-go lifestyle, she loves Kusshi’s Vacationer Makeup Bag. “I brought three of these bags on my trip—they’re my favorite beauty bags, by far,” she says. “They come in a range of sizes, but my favorite is the biggest one, which can fit full-size products like shampoo, hairspray or dry shampoo bottles, body lotions, you name it. What I love most is how many products it fits. There are tons of pockets, zips, and even attachments to stash and organize the pouches too. It opens up wide so you don’t have to dig, has a flat bottom, and is machine-washable!”

REI Eagle Creek Pack-It Quick Trip Kit

As the owner of Living Big Travel , a boutique women’s travel company, Mary Cecchini is on the road 20 weeks a year, for up to 14 days at a time. Because she travels so much for research, she has packing her makeup down to a science. Cecchini says it’s all about function when it comes to her bag, so she loves this no-frills option from Eagle Creek. “Since I’m generally getting ready on the run, and constantly packing and unpacking, I need something that won’t slow me down,” she says. “That means a makeup bag that is flexible—no rigid corners and sides; it needs to adapt to the space I have left in my bag. And I like a makeup bag that has just one large cavity so I don’t have to remember what I put in each tiny pocket. Who has time for that?!”

By Sophia Bush

By Nuala Phillips

Celebrity esthetician Shani Darden loves the Cosmetic Case by Beis for both everyday and travel. “The zippered case opens all the way up, making it super easy to see exactly what you have,” she says. “It’s also big enough to store makeup and skin care, which is really helpful when I’m heading to my studio or I have a shoot.”

Expert Travel Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag

Since she’s one of the minds behind a product called the Jet Lag Mask , it’s no surprise that influencer and Summer Fridays cofounder Marianna Hewitt spends about half the month on the go. Luckily she has packing her beauty essentials down to a science. “I have the best toiletries bag from Amazon,” she says. “It has so many compartments, and I always keep it packed, so when I am going on my frequent trips, it’s always ready to go and I never have to worry about forgetting something.”

Buy Again Clear Makeup Bag

Paola Mathé , photographer and founder of Fanm Djanm head wraps , prefers a pared-back approach for her bimonthly work trips. “I just use clear pouches, and I make sure to bring my favorite foundation, concealer, powder and Fenty Match Stix Trio for versatility,” she says. “I also always have one nude and one red lipstick.”

Louis Vuitton

As the host of E!’s Nightly Pop , Morgan Stewart opts for a makeup bag that is both chic and ergonomic. “I love this makeup bag so much that I actually have it in two sizes,” she says. “The reason it’s such a hit for me is because you can sneakily fit so much in it. It’s also timeless and incredibly durable and very easy to clean!”

As the esthetician behind the complexions of Naomi Watts, Eva Mendes, and Julianne Moore (just to name a few), Joanna Vargas travels from her home in NYC to L.A. once a month. As her skin-care line has expanded internationally, she travels around the world as well. She depends on her Cuyana travel pouches for all her beauty needs. She loves anything personalized, so the monogram is a plus: “It’s leather and very elegant looking, so it’s fun to see in the bathroom of my hotel.”

Tumi Madina Cosmetics Bag

In addition to exploring more than 70 countries for fun, CEO, angel investor, and author Kim Perell spends about 80% of her time traveling for work. She’s a proud light packer, and relies on her Tumi Madina bag to keep all her makeup nice and organized. 

Topfinder Zip Mesh Makeup Bag

Aishwarya S. Iyer , cofounder of Brightland Olive Oil , is probably the only person who loves a 5 a.m. flight, which she takes about once a month between Los Angeles and New York. Her favorite makeup bag is the pouches that come with every Kinfield order, but this one from Amazon checks all the same boxes: “It’s the perfect size, lightweight, and easy to toss in any suitcase.”

Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco travels every one to two months to learn about the latest and greatest beauty launches. To help her stay organized, she puts her essentials in the Convertible Travel Bag from IHKWIP. “I’m a very meticulous packer,” she says. “For a while I would stuff my makeup and toiletries in separate bags, but there are so many compartments in this spacious bag to help keep things separated and make my packing process easier. Bonus points for the clear lining and jewelry storage pockets on both sides.”

Baggu Dopp Kit

Writer Fariha Roisin travels at least once a month, and while she was on her book tour for How to Cure a Ghost , she was gone for two and a half weeks at a time. To bring her makeup along, Roisin loves the Baggu cases for their delightful prints. 

Bling Empire star Christine Chiu ’s pick is equal parts fabulous and convenient. “I call it a Caboodle, but make it fashion,” she says. “I take my Louis Vuitton Vanity PM with me literally everywhere because it’s chic as a stand-alone accessories piece but also packs well into larger totes and in luggage for travel. It may appear small but can surprisingly fit enough cosmetics for a pro makeup artist.”

Isa & Belle Amazing Makeup Bag & Cosmetic Travel Organizer

“Once I had kids, I made it a rule that I’m never gone for more than five nights in a row, even if that means flying home for two days and back out—it’s important to me that I touch down,” says Annie Ford Danielson , Benefit Cosmetics chief beauty ambassador, who travels about every two weeks for work. Since she’s in and out so much, she keeps all her makeup packed in her Isa & Belle case, even when she’s at home. “I’m pretty high maintenance when it comes to my makeup, so I don’t bother unpacking and repacking it all the time,” she says. “It keeps my things super clean and organized.”

Clare V. Toiletry Case

“I usually travel at least once or twice a month,” says Allison McNamara , who’s on the road for her brand, Mara Beauty. “For work I try to keep it as concise as possible so I’m not away from the office too long, but when we travel for pleasure, we aim for 7 to 10 days so we can really get into vacay mode.” For both work and play, she swears by this chic case from Clare V. and says, “It holds the perfect amount of makeup and fragrance for me.”

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14 Best Makeup Bags to Keep Your Beauty Stash Organized

A place for all your go-to makeup, from blushes to brushes.

Byrdie / Alexander Huang

Every makeup wearer should have a designated cosmetic bag. Not only are they cute, but they're designed to keep beauty products organized and hygienic . There are plenty of options to choose from, ranging from everyday kits to on-the-go pouches .

Although there’s no one-size-fits-all option, there are certain features of a makeup bag that make it a worthy investment. "Ideally, the bag will be resilient, waterproof, and easy to wipe down ," says New York makeup artist Jamie Dorman . "This makes it easy to keep makeup sanitary and clean up any products that have made it out of their containers.

We conducted hours of research on the best makeup bags , evaluating them on quality, design, capacity, and extra features . Our team then combined these results with our research of fan favorites plus makeup artist-recommended picks to create this list of top-rated choices. From hard-shell cases and catch-alls to hanging satchels and TSA-approved transparent pouches, you've got lots to choose from.

Where We Stand

How we researched.

• What To Look For

Why Trust Byrdie

Best overall, beis the cosmetics case.

Compact yet spacious

Magnetized brush holder

Water-resistant

Limited colors

We absolutely adore this simple yet chic number from Béis. Measuring 9.5 x 7 x 4 inches, The Cosmetics Case is conveniently compact but more spacious than it looks . Inside, there's a magnetized removable brush holder with a pouch-style enclosure and a sizable zipper pocket on the back. Then there are three suitcase-style pockets in the main compartment and a slip pocket on the lid with a removable mirror for on-the-go application . 

This spill-proof makeup carrier has a faux leather exterior that resists crushing, and the lining is easy-to-clean , water-resistant polyester. We only wish it came in a wider variety of colors. 

Who It’s For

This spacious bag has pockets and compartments to stash all your makeup securely. It’s our top pick for virtually everyone. 

Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 4 inches | Material: Polyurethane | Closure: Zipper | Colors: Black, Beige

Best Splurge

Royce new york double zip leather toiletry bag.

Saksfifth Avenue

Waterproof lining

Too small for some

If you're willing to shell out a little more for the perfect carrier, you won't regret investing in Royce's Double Zip Toiletry Bag. It's made of buttery-soft yet durable, genuine leather with a waterproof, stain-resistant lining . It'll fit effortlessly in any suitcase or overnight bag, but it still offers plenty of room for your must-haves . Our only complaint is that it might be a little on the small side, depending on the size of your makeup collection. 

Chic and durable, this leather toiletry bag is worth the money if your beauty budget can afford it. 

Dimensions: 7.75 x 4.5 x 5 inches | Material: Leather | Closure: Zipper | Colors: Black, Blush Pink, Navy Blue

Dagne Dover Hunter Toiletry Bag

Dagne Dover

High-quality design

Great color selection

Doesn't resist crushing

For more modest makeup collections (or when you’re just looking to take some of the key players on a trip), we recommend the small size of Dagne Dover's Hunter Bag. This thoughtfully designed pouch measures just 7.5 x 4.5 x 4 inches . It's made of water-resistant neoprene and has a removable zipper pocket, a dust bag, and three elastic loops for securing your brushes or lip products. The color options are something to admire too. 

Commerce Associate Editorial Director Jill Di Donato loves this makeup bag. She gushes often about its neoprene material—which makes it easy to clean (and keep clean) —and its zip compartments that are ingeniously designed for travel . This one doesn’t resist crushing , though, so don’t pack it in your checked luggage. 

If a petite pouch is perfect for your needs, we highly recommend this one. 

Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.5 x 4 inches | Material: Neoprene | Closure: Zipper, snap

Best Budget

Narwey makeup bag.

Most affordable on our list

Not the most durable

This water-resistant cosmetics bag has room for all the essentials and won't break the bank. Available in two sizes and several colors , it's got a main compartment, two side pockets, and three narrower sleeves for makeup brushes , eyeliner, mascara, lipstick—you name it. It’s not the most durable, but that’s to be expected given the affordable price point. 

If you’re looking for a makeup bag that will do the job for less money, this budget option fits the bill. 

Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 4 inches for large | Material: Polyurethane | Closure: Zipper | Colors: Black, Grey, Purple, Red +more

Best Waterproof

Meiyuuo waterproof makeup bag.

Made from waterproof materials

Holds its shape

No compartments

Need something that'll stand up to all spills, splashes, and maybe even a little rainfall ? This waterproof makeup bag is our colorful, cute pick. Made of smooth vegan leather with a wipeable nylon lining , it's lightweight yet durable and holds its shape well . It comes in several chic colors , too, ranging from millennial pink to mint green to marigold. The only downside is that there are no compartments to keep items organized inside. 

If you know your makeup bag will get messy, this waterproof option is for you. However, if like having compartments, it might let you down.

Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 4.5 inches | Material: Faux leather | Closure: Zipper

Best Hanging

Bosidu hanging travel toiletry bag.

Has lots of transparent compartments

Resists crushing

Zipper can be finicky

It’s always nice to have a makeup bag that you can unfold without taking up precious counter space. This handy cosmetics bag can be hung from the back of a door, on a towel hook , or really anywhere with a knob. Made of sturdy canvas with a thermoplastic interior and vegan leather accents , it's also crush-resistant and waterproof . Inside, there are multiple compartments and zippered pockets , all transparent so you can easily see all your products . The zipper can be a little finicky , so patience is key with this one. 

This hanging toiletry organizer is a must-have for frequent travelers–or anyone who prefers to keep their makeup collection hung up and out of the way.

Dimensions: 11.5 x 10 x 4.5 inches | Material: Canvas, faux leather, thermoplastic | Closure: Zipper

Best Standing

Glossier the beauty bag.

Glossier 

Multiple pockets

Removable inner pouch

Stands upright

Only one color

Glossier's take on the makeup bag is this cleverly designed catch-all. At 9.5 x 7 x 3 inches, it's tall enough to fit your brushes, pencils, and full-size skincare products yet wide enough to stand upright without support. However, it’s still somehow conveniently compact . 

There are various pockets and compartments to help you stay organized on the go, and thanks to the coated cotton exterior , you won't have to worry about spills, splashes, or stains. It only comes in Glossier’s signature color, so you need to be a pink fan for this one. 

If a standing bag with space for all your skincare and makeup essentials suits your needs best (and you like pink) then look no further. 

Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 3 inches | Material: Coated cotton | Closure: Zipper

MAC Cosmetics Carry All

MAC Cosmetics

Great size for home or travel

Strap for easy transport

Made from durable nylon

Reviewers say it looks cheap

If your makeup stash desperately needs a new home, the MAC Carry All Case is a sound investment. It’s roomy, with plenty of space for the average cosmetics collection, and comes complete with brush compartments, a mirror, and a strap for easy transportation. Reviewers complained that the bag looked cheap but it’s durable and easy to clean , so if you’re just looking for something simple that’ll hold everything, you can’t go wrong with this one. 

This spacious carry-all bag has space for your entire makeup collection–perfect if you’re looking for an everyday organizer.

Dimensions: 11.5 x 5 x 6 inches | Material: Nylon | Closure: Zipper

Best for Makeup Artists

Make up for ever professional bag.

Multiple compartments

Transparent mesh pouches

This generously sized carrier was designed with makeup artists in mind . Measuring roughly 16 x 11 x 6 inches, it's got multiple compartments, pockets, and zip-up mesh pouches so you can keep your collection organized and in full view while working on clients (or yourself). You can tote it around by the handles or use the cross-body strap when you need your hands free. Though it only comes in one color, black is an undeniably professional choice.

Oversized and equipped with a myriad of compartments, this bag is best for professional makeup artists––or those with an oversized collection of makeup. 

Dimensions: 16 x 11 x 6 inches | Material: Polyester | Closure: Zipper

Paravel See-All Vanity Case

Stylish design

Easy to clean

Lined in case of spills

Can be personalized with a monogram

No compartments for organization

This Paravel option is perfect for those with a penchant for luxury brands or showing off their beauty wares (we’re sure you know a few). Made from a sturdy, wipeable eco-canvas and wrap-around clear window , this clear train case is as practical as it is aesthetic . You can see exactly what you’ve packed , so there’s no digging around aimlessly searching for a hair tie or lip balm . This also makes it perfect for traveling by plane (hi, TSA agents). Plus, you can customize it with a monogram so it’s easy for people to know who it belongs to, making it a great option for a beauty gift .

This transparent case makes packing and finding all your essentials easy. We love it as a stylish and convenient travel option.

Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 3.75 inches | Material: PVC and leather | Closure: Zipper

Best for Travel

Stephanie johnson belize blue stellar martha large cosmetics case.

Carry-all handles

Comes with four clear zip pouches

Suitcase style design

Only two color options

This suitcase-style cosmetics case comes with four removable clear pouches and a clear zipper compartment to make traveling with cosmetics easy and organized. It might look like a suitcase, but it’s compact enough to easily fit in your carry-on. Zip everything away when you're on the go with a top zip-around closure that will keep your stash in place . We just wish it came in more than two colorways. 

Although most of the makeup bags on our list work for travel, this one is the ultimate on-to-go option thanks to its abundance of compartments and pouches. 

Dimensions: 6.5 x 8.75 x 4 inches | Material: PVC and leather | Closure: Zipper

Best Tiered

Caboodles on-the-go girl makeup organizer.

Tiered level organization

Hard plastic is durable and easy to clean

Trays make for easy access

Bulky when traveling

A Caboodle is a nostalgic way to organize your stash , and hey, we could always use a dose of nostalgia. we're fans of this model, which offers spacious storage with an auto-open tray and secure latch for no-spill travel (although, the bulky size of this one means it won’t fit in your luggage easily). The bottom of the cosmetic case has storage space to hold larger items like brushes, while the top of the organizer contains a tray divided into three compartments for makeup items. The best part: it’s available in 30 different color combinations to suit your (or a young makeup artist you love) style.

We like this tiered option for at-home use (especially if you’ve got a soft spot for the 90s). The handy trays separate and store items effortlessly. 

Dimensions: 6.5 x 8.75 x 4 inches | Material: Plastic | Closure: Flip lid

Calpak Mini Cosmetics Case

Similar to a packing cube

TSA-friendly

Transparent so you can find items more easily

Large size is very big

If you enjoy packing your clothes in packing cubes , you'll especially love these clear makeup bags from the luggage brand Calpak. The bags come in three sizes —small, medium, and large—and a variety of colorways . Each bag features a clear PVC exterior , making it TSA-friendly and easier to find items while you're getting ready. We also love that the bags have top handles for easy handling .

Simple and effective, these clear makeup cubes make it easy to organize and transport your essentials.

Size: Small, Medium, Large | Material: Faux Leather, transparent PVC | Closure: Zipper

Best Lightweight

Vera bradley featherweight hanging organizer.

Vera Bradley

Lightweight design

Water-wicking fabric 

Easy hanging design

Lots of compartments 

Design isn’t crush-proof

There's nothing quite like the organization of a hanging cosmetic case like this one, but it’s especially nice if it’s on the lighter side. Not only does it hang nicely on a towel rack or shower curtain (leaving you tons of counter space to work with), but it has separate compartments for everything you could ever need. Staying true to its name, the bag is incredibly lightweight and features a nylon fabric that wicks away water . The only downside is that this one isn't crush-proof , so be careful how you transport it. 

Makeup can be heavy enough as it is. This lightweight case will ensure you’re not carrying any extra weight. 

Size: Medium | Material: Recycled nylon | Closure: Zipper

Overall, our favorite makeup bag is the Béis The Cosmetics Case , which is water-resistant and compact yet spacious, and comes with a magnetized removable brush holder . We also loved our budget pick, Narwey’s Zipper Makeup Bag , which is water-resistan t as well and has plenty of storage space, with a main compartment, two side pockets, and three narrower sleeves .

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best makeup bags on the market, evaluating their key features—like quality, design, capacity, and extra features —in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list and consulted with a professional makeup artist before naming these our favorites. 

What to Look for in a Makeup Bag

• Size : When it comes to the best makeup bag for your needs, size definitely comes into play . Are you after something that will fit your entire makeup routine or just weekend essentials ? Are you a maximalist who needs to travel with her entire makeup collection, in which case, the Make Up For Ever Professional Bag might be ideal, or are you a mascara, clear balm, and concealer kind of person who would love the compact Royce New York Double Zip Leather Toiletry Bag ? You can always keep more than one makeup bag on hand—one for night-out essentials and another for getaways or work trips.
• Material : According to Dorman, your best bet when it comes to makeup bags is to go for something durable and waterproof to protect you from spills and accidental leaks. She likes nylon, PVC, thick canvas materials, and leather . The Calpak Clear Cosmetic Case , for example, features clear PVC, which allows for easy navigation (we've all lost something at the bottom of our makeup bags!) and is TSA-compliant . You can also choose something more eco-friendly if that appeals to you more, such as bags made from recycled plastics or sustainably sourced leather or hemp.
• Compartments : Another personal preference worth thinking about is the number of compartments , whether that’s zero or multiple. Compartments are great for high-risk products (think foundation, liquid blush, and the like) or smaller items like lip balm and bobby pins that are otherwise easily lost. Makeup bags with longer slots for brushes and a protective brush cover are also helpful if you take your brushes with you. We love the Glossier Beauty Bag for this reason.

If you are traveling and want to take your makeup stash , you should make sure your makeup bag is padded and sturdy. There should be a zipper closure and slots to safely and securely hold your brushes and liquid products. Using magnetic palettes can help you save space, but be sure to store them as securely as you can, so powders don't crack or crumble.

When packing your makeup bag with pressed powders, try adding a cotton ball or small makeup puff inside the case to prevent movement and secure the product.

Packing your makeup bag for trips takes some planning to prevent spilling or cracking. Try wrapping products in plastic wrap and cushioning with cotton balls or powder puffs. For liquids, open the cap and place some plastic wrap over the opening. Screw the cap back on, and add more plastic wrap around the top. You can also place things in spillproof reusable bags or smaller travel-size sealed containers.

Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer specializing in beauty, travel, and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed a makeup artist, who offered product recommendations and pointers on what to look for in a cosmetics carrier, and then she considered dozens of models and reviewed third-party sources as well as our own testing insights to find today's best options. Since 2020, Theresa has been writing for Byrdie, where she covers makeup, skincare, and wellness gadgets.

Put it this way: Team Byrdie owns and subsequently transports A LOT of beauty products, especially makeup. Half the issue is culling down to essentials only, but the other half is finding the ideal makeup bag—a pursuit we’ve spent years perfecting. 

Additional guidance was provided by Jamie Dorman , an NYC-based celebrity makeup artist.

Byrdie contributor Esme Benjamin checked and updated this article in December 2023 to ensure every detail was correct and each product deserves its place on Byrdie’s list.

According to our  Diversity Pledge , 15% of products in our newly published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any makeup bags from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at  [email protected]  and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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16 Makeup Bags That Will Help You Get Your Life Together

For more of the Cut’s favorite fashion, beauty, and home finds,  sign up for the weekly  Cut Shop Newsletter .

It’s a KonMari world and we’re just living in it. But if parting with your makeup sends you into a spiral of panic (let’s be honest, all 50 of those lipsticks spark joy), consider simply giving your beloved beauty products their own “ proper place ” — one that isn’t “somewhere in that one Ziploc under my bed.”

Even if Marie Kondo has shifted away from constant tidiness , a makeup bag is something worth investing in, especially if you’re someone who travels often.

[data-uri="www.thecut.com/_components/clay-subheader/instances/clv14o3a500123b7zcunv6emq@published"]{font-family:'Chap',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:2.5px;text-transform:uppercase;line-height:18px} So, what constitutes the perfect makeup bag?

Our all-time favorites are made from durable, high-quality materials that can withstand everything from travel wear and tear to accidental foundation spills. They feature clever design elements that make life so much easier, including smooth zippers, handles, mesh pockets, and storage compartments.

Below, the Cut Shop’s list of the best makeup bags will have one you’ll love.

➼ Our top picks ➼ More tried-and-true-options ➼ Our experts

. Our top picks:

The best overall makeup bag.

Dimensions: 8.88 inches long x 4.44 inches wide x 6.66 inches high | Material: Vegan leather | Colors: One

Shopping editor, Hanna Flanagan’s toxic trait? “There is no real difference between my beauty routine when I’m home and my beauty routine when I’m on the go.” No product gets left behind … ever, which means she needs a makeup bag that’s roomy enough to fit way too many products but flexible enough to squeeze into a suitcase. Enter the Structured Beauty Clutch by Rose Inc. The unassuming design is shockingly spacious, and the high-quality material can withstand so much wear and tear. “I’ll never stop using it!” she swears.

The Best Double-Layer Makeup Bag

Dimensions: 10.2 inches long x 6.2 inches wide x 4.9 inches high | Materials: Nylon and mesh | Colors: One

Another toiletry bag that can actually fit all of Flanagan’s products? This option from Rare Beauty. It features an innovative and practical double-layer design. The top compartment has a smooth zipper, so it’s ideal for last-minute packing and grab-and-go items, while the structured bottom compartment is perfect for storing breakable and/or valuable products. It keeps her compact mirrors and glass foundation bottles safe and sound.

The Best Clear Makeup Bag

Dimensions: 9.75 inches high x 5 inches deep x 7.5 wide | Materials: PU, PVC, and polyester | Colors: 11

Sometimes you need to see everything to use everything. If that’s the case, Calpak’s cosmetic case is the answer. Its best-selling case comes in three different sizes for the perfect travel companion and features a full zip-around opening and an ultra-spacious zippered pocket on the inside. Flanagan owns the large version in the limited-edition hot pink colorway. The clear compartments combined with the flat shape of the bag means that my makeup essentials are easy to find and neatly spread out, so she never has to waste time digging for products.

The Best Makeup Bag With a Detachable Brush Holder

Dimensions: 8.3 inches high x 6.3 wide x 3.9 inches deep | Materials: Nylon and neoprene | Colors: Five

Created to be the travel bag, the customizable design from Away is the Cut senior shopping editor Bianca Nieves’s favorite. The exterior is made from a water-resistant nylon and the bag features a spill proof interior, multiple pouches and storage, and a removable brush holder.

The Most Reliable Makeup Bag

Dimensions: 6 inches high x 9 inches wide x 4 inches deep | Materials: Cotton | Colors: 19

Fashion news writer Danya Issawi has had her Vera Bradley cosmetic case since high school. “I don’t feel bad roughing it up and wiping extra lipstick on it or spilling in it,” she says. “The fact that it’s held up for 13 years? I’m getting emotionally attached.” While the patterns might have changed over time, the interior pocket and durability make this bag worth a trip or two, even if one of them is down memory lane.

. More tried-and-true options:

The best vegan leather makeup bag.

Dimensions: 9.5 inches wide x 7 inches high x 4 inches deep | Materials: PU, PVC, and polyester | Colors: 9

Shay Mitchell’s brand, Béis, has become a favorite when it comes to travel, and its cosmetic case is no different. “I love the cosmetics case,” says content creator Ariel Oz. “It’s very spacious and fits all my larger items. The removable brush holder is a game changer to stay organized and keep them clean. The best part is that it is spillproof, so it’s super easy to clean for any foundation spills. We’ve all been there!”

The Best Standing Makeup Bag

Dimensions: 8.5 inches high x 12 inches wide x 3.5 inches deep | Materials: Polyurethane | Colors: 6

Don’t let this simple faux -leather case fool you. Inside is a spacious interior pocket for smaller products and a flat bottom that keeps the bag standing up on its own. Plus, it’s social-media coordinator Candace Molatore’s favorite. “It’s large enough to fit skin care and makeup on either side, and the middle pouch is perfect for anything that might want to be kept separate from accidentally leaky powders or face oils.”

The Best Grab-and-Go Makeup Bag

Dimensions: 9.5 inches high x 7 inches wide x 3 inches deep | Materials: Cotton, polyester, and rayon | Colors: One

Let’s be honest. Anything from Glossier is worthy of a spot on social media. “The removable felt pouch inside is genius, and it helps me organize my makeup by category of eyes, lips, compacts, etc.” says New York City–based content creator Vivian Li. “I’m super minimalist when it comes to everyday makeup, so this bag fits everything, and if I’m running late I tend to just grab it and do my makeup on the subway. Gross, I know! But essential for a girl on the go.”

The Best Hanging Makeup Bag

Dimensions: 12.6 inches high x 9.1 inches wide x 4.3 inches deep | Materials: Polyester | Colors: 12

“As a long-term digital nomad, I love this Bagsmart water-resistant travel case, which is easy on the eye and has various pockets,” says travel writer Rosie Bell. Not only is the bag available in multiple colors, but it has three separate pouches to fit makeup and toiletries, and it can be hung up in bathrooms.

The Best Neoprene Makeup Bag

Dimensions: 9 inches long x 4.75 inches wide x 5.5 inches high | Material: Neoprene | Colors: 9

If you’re looking for a makeup bag that you’d be comfortable pulling out in public, this pouch is for you. It features a removable air mesh zip-top pouch, inside slip pockets, and three loops for smaller items. It’s the perfect middle-of-the-road size for holding the essentials with some room to spare. As someone who is constantly spilling products, I love the fact that the neoprene material is water resistant and so easy to clean. Plus, it comes with two removable air mesh pouches that help me keep my makeup brushes and beauty tools nice and organized.

The Best Hardcover Makeup Bag

Dimensions: 9.4 inches wide x 7.1 inches deep x 6.7 inches high | Materials: Vegan leather and gold hardware | Colors: Eight

To avoid any unnecessary breakage, a hardcover makeup case is a great option. This duo vanity case from Etoile is made from a luxurious faux leather while the inside reveals two separate compartments containing a foldout mirror, a number of pouches, and a detachable divider insert.

The Best Large Makeup Bag

Dimensions: 20 inches wide (when expanded) | Material: Polyester | Colors: 15

If you’re still struggling to get it together, fake it ’til you make it with this fun contraption. Simply throw all your crap onto the flat circle, tuck a few of the cylindrical things into the straps, then pull the drawstring to create a bag. Once you get to wherever you’re going, reflatten the bag to quickly see what you packed without having to dump it all onto a bed.

The Best Machine-Washable Makeup Bag

Dimensions: 6 inches high x 11.5 inches wide x 5 inches deep | Colors: Nine | Materials: Luxury Micro satin exterior and Nylon interior

This makeup bag is perfect for weekend trips and is machine-washable for the ultimate no-worry use. It has a roomy interior and side pockets, but opens wide so you can access all those products you overstuffed.

The Best Makeup Bag for Maximalists

Dimensions: 10.2 inches high x 9.8 wide x 3.8 inches deep | Materials: Cotton and nylon | Colors: Two

This customizable carryall comes with plenty of pouches and an impressive seven sections. The sections are made up of removable dividers so you can customize and create the divisions best suited to your makeup collection or current mood.

The One for Professionals

Dimensions: 400mm x 280mm | Materials: Mesh and nylon | Colors: Black

If you have been slowly honing your craft as a makeup artist and have more products than you can fit in your vanity, then consider a professional makeup bag, like this one from Make Up For Ever. It might not be the best option when traveling with just a carry-on, but the attached strap is ideal to take to and from your makeup gigs.

. Our Experts:

• Ariel Oz , a beauty and travel content creator and founder of Oz Lane Agency
• Candace Molatore , a social-media coordinator
• Danya Issawi , the Cut’s fashion news writer
• Hanna Flanagan , the Cut’s shopping writer/editor
• Rosie Bell , a writer, lifestyle entrepreneur, and educator
• Vivian Li , a content creator who focuses on fashion and beauty
• obsessive tester

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• People Tested

The 10 Best Travel Makeup Bags of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Our top pick is the Relavel Travel Makeup Case

L.A. Hubilla is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE who specializes in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content. She also regularly tests products for multiple digital outlets, including InStyle and Byrdie. When she's not window shopping online or creating pro and con lists, you'll find her drinking tea and talking about her feelings.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks
• Others We Tried
• Things to Consider

How We Tested

Why trust people.

• What Is People Tested?

People / Brian Kopinski

We’ve all been there — getting ready for a night out on vacation only to find your favorite bronzer shattered to pieces. Soon you’re off frantically searching for the nearest Sephora. Let’s rewrite this narrative, shall we? Transporting your beloved cosmetics for glam on the go shouldn’t be intimidating. Thankfully, there are a variety of travel makeup bags designed specifically to keep your products intact and organized on your journey. 

Beyond choosing a high-quality case, celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli also suggests swapping out some of your usual products with multi-use alternatives that are ideal for travel. “Think of things like tinted moisturizers with sunscreen, lip, eye, and cheek products, and perhaps a palette that offers multiple colors that you can use across your trip,” says Scibelli. Another hot travel tip from Scibelli is to minimize the number of powder items and opt for cream alternatives whenever possible. “Items like powder bronzers and blushes can easily crack during travel, so if you can switch to cream bronzers and cream blush — that can be super helpful." A bronzer stick , for example, would be a good option.

We tested 26 of the most popular travel makeup bags based on durability, design, portability, capacity, and price to see which held up the best. After the eyeshadow dust settled and liquid foundation explosions were cleaned up, we found our best overall picks.

Read on for the best travel makeup bags PEOPLE Tested and expert advice on how to pack your makeup for your next weekend away.

Best Overall

Relavel travel makeup case.

• Ease of Use 5 /5
• Quality 5 /5
• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5

The internal dividers of this case not only allowed us to customize storage, but it kept all of the makeup in place and intact during shake tests.

External padding cushioned the fall for this case during drop tests and not a single makeup item broke.

The zipper top opens fully to allow you to see all your products at once.

The case is waterproof and easy to clean with a cloth to remove dirt, grime, and spills.

The bulkier shape of this case would be harder to pack in a backpack or smaller carry-on bag.

We found when worn as a backpack, the straps on this case don’t feel super stable.

This Train Case from Relavel blew us away during testing. We loved how easy it was to store, organize, and access the makeup and brushes. The zipper top opens fully so you can see everything at a glance. (No more rummaging for lost eyeliner caps in the crevices of your travel makeup bag.) We really appreciated the individual brush holders and easy-to-clean plastic protective cover, too.

This travel makeup bag is an organizational dream. The individual dividers can be moved around and customized to best fit and secure all your products, like all of them . During testing, this case fits an impressive seven palettes, a whole makeup brush collection , two foundation bottles, five toiletry bottles, over 15 lipsticks, an eyelash curler, hair spray, and a travel-sized moisturizer bottle. It is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, as well. The exterior and interior fabrics on this case feel high quality and durable, and the waterproof surfaces are easy to clean, which is a must for any makeup bag. 

Your makeup will be fully protected in this train case. The internal organization will keep your products securely in place, while the exterior padding will provide a safety cushion so no worries about your favorite eye serum getting smashed in transit. In both our drop and shake tests, none of the makeup products broke or spilled — a big win. The only possible drawback for us is that the bulkier, square shape would fit best in your checked luggage instead of a backpack. It comes with attachable straps, making this a wearable makeup case for added portability; however, when worn as a backpack, the straps didn’t feel super stable for longer periods of time. But for an affordable price, this is a great sturdy, high-capacity, customizable makeup bag — ideal for those traveling with a lot of products, such as both sunscreens for face and body.

Size: 10.3 x 9 x 3.6 inches | Weight: 1.52 pounds | Material: Nylon, TPU | Closure: Zipper

People / Jhett Thompson

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Béis the cosmetic case.

The faux leather exterior not only felt luxurious but still looked brand-new after multiple drop tests.

The main storage compartment held an incredible amount of products, and not a single one broke or spilled during testing.

The included mirror comes with a stand and also survived multiple drop tests.

The wide-open main compartment didn’t offer much organization or separation of the products.

This case took up a lot of space when we tried packing it in a backpack.

Shay Mitchell's brand, Béis, is known for its beloved Weekender Bags — and its cosmetic case was also a front-runner in our tests, scoring high marks across the board. This case was super easy to open, close, and pack. We love the wide-open central compartment that makes tossing in all your hair and makeup essentials an absolute breeze. With full double-U zip closures, we found everything easily accessible. This case even includes a mirror, which is a game changer. The sleek folding mirror comes complete with a stand for touch-ups on the go.

We really liked the removable compartment for storing brushes and the additional zip pocket for added storage. The bottom of the case has two smaller sleeve pockets but doesn’t offer any other organization. While it doesn’t have many compartments, this case can really pack in the products. During testing, we were able to fit an incredible amount of items: five makeup brushes, four eyeshadow palettes , one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, one lipstick, nine small toiletry bottles, one hairspray, two powder compacts — and we could’ve fit more!

The luxurious feel of the faux leather elevates this travel makeup bag. We also love that it is available in nine different colors to match your style and mood. Overall, it felt sturdy and durable and was easy to clean during testing. During our drop and shake tests, nothing broke or spilled, which really impressed us, considering the main cavity didn’t have any additional compartments to keep products in place. This Béis makeup case offers ample storage, so its bigger size fits best in suitcases or luggage. It can fit in a backpack but will take up a lot of space. While more expensive than some of the cases we tested, it’s worth it for the chic aesthetic and high performance.

Size: 9.5 x 4 x 7 inches | Weight: 1.38 pounds | Material: PU leather, PVC, lining: poly with water-resistant finish | Closure: Double u-zip

Best Budget

Narwey travel makeup bag.

• Design 2 /5

Its capacity impressed us while still being easy to pack in a backpack or smaller carry-on.

The full zipper closure opened up easily and allowed us to see all the contents easily.

It is available in 14 different colors.

This bag doesn’t come with any external or internal padding, though it still kept our makeup secure.

There were no separate compartments to keep products organized.

For a super inexpensive price, this Narwey Travel Makeup Bag will get your makeup to and from your destination safely and with ease. Need we say more? Probably not, but humor us: This bag had a full zipper closure that was easy to open and provided full access to everything. The exterior fabric is water-resistant and easy to clean — and is available in 14 different colors.

The main compartment of this travel makeup bag was 3.5 inches deep, which is generous compared to some other bags we tested. Separate brush pouches with a PVC protective cover and an additional smaller zipper pouch offer some organization. There isn’t any designated organization to the main compartment, but we still found it held quite a bit. We were able to fit two full sets of face and eye brushes (19 brushes in total), two face palettes, a color-correcting palette, three eyeliners, four lipsticks, a mascara, and a lash curler . The capacity for the case was phenomenal, while still being compact enough to put into a day pack.

This bag didn’t have much padding, however, it did keep our makeup intact during our shake and drop tests, which is impressive for the price. If you’re on a tighter budget, this bag is sure to give you the most for your money. 

Size: 9 x 6.7 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 7.8 ounces | Material: Not listed | Closure: Full double zip

Best Organization Features

Dagne dover mila toiletry organizer.

Dagne Dover

• Capacity 4 /5

The compartment dividers kept our products organized and secure throughout testing without breaks or spills.

You can remove the compartment dividers for added space if needed.

The upright design makes it easy to pack and can fit into smaller luggage and backpacks.

Its narrower upright design couldn’t accommodate as many products as other bags we tested.

Dagne Dover bags are loved for being high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and eco-conscious. Their Mila Toiletry Organizer continues in that legacy and delivered an impressive organization throughout our testing process. Available in six colors, we loved the upright design that proved much more spacious than it appeared. The full zipper top opening made packing, viewing, and accessing the products super easy. 

There’s something super satisfying about everything having its place: That’s what we love most about this bag. The separate compartments made organizing simple and kept the products securely in place for our shake and drop tests. No broken or spilled products here. Even better, the compartment dividers are removable for easy cleaning and maximum storage. The padded exterior not only gives a hint of that trendy athleisure aesthetic but also offers added protection in transit.

During testing, we fit four makeup brushes, two makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, three lipsticks, four small toiletry bottles, and one hairspray in this bag. This was impressive, considering the size. We did note that the bag's narrower design didn’t hold quite as much as other larger bags we tested. (The brand does offer a larger size ). An organized travel makeup bag made from recycled plastic bottles that will fit in any size carry-on luggage or suitcase? Count us in.

Size: 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 6 ounces | Material: Repreve recycled polyester exterior and interior | Closure: Zip

Best Hanging

Béis hanging cosmetic case.

• Portability 4.5 /5

This makeup case was able to fit more products than our standard packing list during testing.

The sturdy structure and shape kept all the makeup secure during the shake and drop tests — no breaks or spills.

It includes a removable clear zipper tote for smaller toiletries for carry-on luggage.

The bulky shape takes up a lot of room in a backpack or suitcase, and it’s not as malleable as others we tested.

The clear zipper pouch found in the main compartment doesn’t stay in place when the bag is hung vertically.

It's not fun to do your hair and makeup in a tiny bathroom with no counter space for your stuff. The Béis Hanging Cosmetic case is our top pick to solve this common travel challenge. We loved how easy this case was to open and pack. It unfolds and lays fully flat, which made packing a cinch during testing. It’s great to be able to see everything all at once for minimal scrounging when getting ready. The hook allows you to hang it vertically for easy storage and access when traveling.

This travel makeup bag is for those unwilling to pare down their routine. No judgments here. You’ll have room for it all — yes, including your favorite hair products . We were so impressed with how much we could fit in this bag. We packed four makeup brushes, six makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, five lipsticks, seven toiletry bottles, one hairspray, and four eyeliners. (Overpackers rejoice!)

The construction of this case felt sturdy and durable during testing. The nylon fabric feels super easy to keep clean. During our shake and drop tests, all of the products remained intact and secure. This hanging case is on the bulkier side and would take up a lot of room in a carry-on backpack or tote. It’s probably best for larger suitcases. We appreciate the middle compartment came with a clear zipper tote you can remove and use as a TSA-friendly toiletry case for a smaller carry-on or underseat luggage . The only drawback is the clear zipper pouch can fall out when the back is stored vertically, so it’s best to store it elsewhere when hanging.

Size: 9.75 x 7.25 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 1.14 pounds | Material: Nylon twill, vegan buffalo leather, polyester lining, pouch-clear TPU | Closure: Double u-zip

Best Hanging, Less Expensive

Boacay hanging travel toiletry bag.

• Ease of Use 4.5 /5
• Quality 4 /5
• Capacity 3.5 /5
• Portability 4 /5

The plastic compartment pockets made all the products visible.

It was easy to clean.

When hanging vertically, all the compartments stay securely closed.

This bag kept all the products intact during shake and drop tests.

The quality of the exterior fabric didn’t feel as luxurious as some of the other bags we tested.

The bulkier silhouette fits best in a larger, checked suitcase than a small carry-on or backpack.

This hanging toiletry bag from Boacay offers the convenience of vertical storage for an affordable price. The fold-out design made packing and viewing the products very easy. This bag includes four separate zipper compartments (which is more than many other cases we tested) that stay securely closed when hanging, and it is available in several different colors. We liked how the clear plastic compartments let us see all the products easily and would be easy to keep clean in case of any spills.

We packed a lot into this hanging case. We were able to fit four makeup brushes, three makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, two lipsticks, four toiletry bottles, and two hairspray cans. We honestly could’ve fit more which bodes well for those who travel on longer trips and need larger-sized products, like your must-have sunscreen . We tested the medium size, however, this product also comes in a larger size for an additional cost for those who need even more space. The structure of this bag provided protection throughout our multiple shake and drop tests. No products broke or spilled. Some of the products moved around a bit, but the fold-up design helped keep most things in place. We also appreciate the elastic loops in the middle two compartments that can help secure some items.

This hanging case is best for larger suitcases or checked bags but can still fit neatly into a backpack (though it’ll take up quite a bit of space). While this isn’t the highest quality material we tested in a travel makeup bag, at this price, you can’t go wrong.

Size: 11.42 x 3.78 x 7.48 inches | Weight: 12.3 ounces | Material: Exterior fabric not listed, PVC inner pockets | Closure: Full zip

Best Compact

Lululemon go getter pouch.

• Design 4 /5

This bag fits easily in a backpack and smaller carry-on.

The pliable exterior made it easier to pack this bag full of products and squeeze it into a fuller backpack or suitcase.

The bag is water-repellent and easy to wipe clean.

We found ourselves rummaging a bit to find certain items at the bottom of the bag.

The exterior is rather thin and less protective than the other bags we tested, and some product caps fell off during testing (though nothing broke or spilled).

If you’re looking for a sleek and portable travel makeup case that you can throw in any bag, the Lululemon Go Getter Pouch is the one for you. Don’t let the compact silhouette fool you, we were able to fit quite a bit into this case. In the small front compartment, we fit four small/medium-sized brushes with room for more. We packed two palettes in the mesh pouch and five brushes, one more palette, two lipsticks, one foundation bottle, and three micellar travel bottles in the main pouch.

The outer water-repellent material made from recycled polyester looks stylish and, better yet, is also easy to clean. It feels thinner than other bags we tested — no extra padding here. After shaking and throwing the bag a few times during testing, a few caps came off some products, but thankfully no spills or breaks. The tops of some lipsticks were a tad smushed. The design of this pouch is simple and straightforward without much internal organization. While the bag was able to fit many products, the lack of organized compartments made it difficult at times to find a specific product needed. 

The compact size of this big is a major highlight as it easily fits in a backpack, weekender bag , carry-on luggage, and a checked bag. We especially like the flexible fabric exterior, which makes squeezing it into an already full bag much easier. The price point is affordable for a well-known brand and makes it a great choice for those prioritizing portability in a travel makeup bag. 

Size: 8.7 x 3.3 x 6.3 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Recycled polyester | Closure: Zip

Best Leather

Leatherology train case.

Leatherology

The square shape and deep main compartment fit so much makeup during testing.

We found the internal organization impressive in this case (so many pockets!).

The water-resistant lining is easy to clean.

It is available in 12 colors and can also be personalized.

When empty, we found this case didn’t feel as sturdy when packed full of products.

This bag is more expensive than the others we tested.

Looking for luxury and durability? Leatherology’s chic, classic, square-shaped train case will transport your makeup safely and in style. This bag’s full-grain leather exterior feels and looks like a dream. We appreciate the water-resistant lining that will be easy to keep clean. The full-zip-around closure allowed for easy packing, access, and viewing of all the products. We loved how many pockets there are in this travel makeup bag. It made organizing while packing super simple. The main compartment was deep enough to pack some bottles standing up. We packed four makeup brushes, three makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, three lipsticks, seven small toiletry bottles, and one hairspray. 

Despite initially feeling less sturdy when empty, this bag felt very secure once packed with products. The thin padding between the exterior and interior layers also adds additional protection. It fared well in all our shake and drop tests. No makeup or toiletries were broken or spilled, and the leather still looked great. The price is higher than some of the other bags we tested, but the genuine leather exterior, easy-to-clean interior, and loads of pockets make it well worth the cost. In addition, this travel makeup bag comes in many beautiful colors, and it can also be personalized. 

Size: 7.5 x 5 x 5.2 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Full grain leather exterior, water-resistant synthetic interior | Closure: Zip-around

• People/Jhett Thompson

Best Makeup Case Set

Cuyana leather travel case set.

The wide opening of the larger case made for easy packing and increased accessibility.

The genuine leather proved easy to clean during testing.

This is available in 14 colors and can also be personalized.

The softer leather exterior didn’t add as much padding as the other bags we tested.

Some eyeshadow did spill during our shake and drop tests.

We love a two-for-one: This Travel Case Set from Cuyana is ideal for those wanting additional storage and the option of different sizes. The materials on these sleek, elegant leather cases felt durable and high quality throughout our tests. We found the larger bag had a wider opening for convenient packing and easy access. We learned the width of the opening can be a bit deceiving. We had to remove some products we initially packed in order to fully close the bag. In the larger bag alone we were still able to pack four makeup brushes, two makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, one lipstick, four toiletry bottles, and one hairspray and definitely had room for several more products. The second smaller case would be great for brushes, jewelry, or essential toiletries for your carry-on. 

At first, the soft leather exterior of these cases didn’t feel as sturdy as the other ones we tested, but they still kept the products secure in our tests. A little bit of eyeshadow was the only makeup to spill during multiple drops and shake tests but was easily cleaned up. Getting two genuine leather travel makeup cases for this price is a great deal. We also like the option to choose which size feels most appropriate for different types of travel. And who can say no to 14 color options and a color-coordinated personalized set? Not us.

Size: Large: 7 x 12 x 3.5 inches, small: 5 x 8 x 2.5 inches | Weight: 1 pound | Material: 100% sustainable, Argentinian leather | Closure: Zip

Best Investment

Cuyana travel beauty case.

• Quality 4.5 /5

The removable leather pouch added extra storage and protection for smaller, more fragile items.

The exterior Italian leather of this case felt very sturdy and protected our makeup during testing.

The case opens up fully to allow for easy packing and easy access to items.

The pockets and elastic loops for makeup brushes kept products organized.

We noticed a few minor scuffs on the exterior of the bag after our drop tests.

The Cuyana Travel Beauty Case is the epitome of fashion and function together in one beautiful bag. Yes, this price tag is steep, but the quality of materials and thoughtful design won us over. The Italian leather exterior elevates the classic design of this travel makeup bag. The rectangular case opens up fully (like a clamshell), and we found it was super easy to pack. 

The internal organization is both super functional and beautiful, thanks to the matching leather interior. We appreciated the designated elastic loops for makeup brushes along with the leather flap to secure the brushes in place. The bonus removable leather zipper pouch adds another level of organization. An additional pocket at the bottom of the main compartment secures even more products. We were able to fit eight makeup brushes, two makeup palettes, one bottle of foundation, one eyelash curler, one mascara, four lipsticks, four toiletry bottles, and one hairspray. 

This bag isn’t just pretty, it’s sturdy too. The leather exterior and interior protected our makeup well during our shake and drop tests. Only a few items shook loose, but nothing broke or spilled. We noticed a few minor scuffs after dropping and throwing the bag a few times, but they were easily wiped away with our fingers. While the high price is certainly an investment, this travel case will be a beautiful piece to add to your travel collection for years to come. 

Size: 6.2 x 10.2 x 3.1 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Material: Italian pebbled leather | Closure: Metal zip, internal metal button clasps

Other Travel Makeup Bags We Tried

• Away The Cosmetics Bag : We love the sleek and low-profile design of this cosmetics bag, and the soft-molded cube shape fits nicely into a backpack and varied sizes of suitcases during testing. While we were able to pack a substantial amount of makeup in this case, the caps came off several products during our shake and drop tests, leading us to fear some inevitable spills during travel. We also found the price tag a bit steep compared to similar bags we tested.
• Calpak Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag : We loved the durability of this bag’s material, not to mention its cute aesthetic. The compact size is super portable, and its ability to hang vertically makes it an all-around space-saver. While this hanging toiletry bag held ample products, several makeup items fell out during our shake and drop tests, which forebodes potential broken and spilled makeup. It was more expensive than similar and more secure bags we tested.
• Mark & Graham Concourse Cosmetics Case : Again, we love a two-for-one, and this cosmetics case set from Mark & Graham offers a classic and chic aesthetic. We love the option to remove the smaller zipper pouch and use it on its own. While the larger case is so easy to open and pack, we wish there were a few more organizational features to separate and secure our items. Unfortunately, after a few shake and drop tests, several caps came off some bottles, and one compact even broke.
• Vera Bradley Recycled Makeup Organizer Set : Ah, the iconic Vera Bradley prints. This set brings up some nostalgia for us, and we love how durable and easy to clean the material is (and that it’s made from recycled plastic). This set is a great value. It was able to hold and protect ample amounts of makeup products during our tests. No makeup broke or spilled; however, there isn’t much internal organization for either bag, and it left us struggling to find certain products buried at the bottom.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Travel Makeup Bag

Functionality .

When shopping for a travel makeup bag, functionality is your friend. You want a bag that can easily store, organize, and protect your products while traveling. Consider how much makeup and toiletries you usually travel with and what type of products. If you’ve got lots of brushes and smaller size items, you’ll want a bag with plenty of internal organizational options like the Relavel Travel Makeup Train Case , which has customizable dividers. Choose a bag that’ll easily fit everything, but be wary of a bag that’s too big because extra space will let your products get jostled around in transit.

Look for any special features in a travel makeup bag that are a good fit for your usual travel experience. Perhaps a hanging bag, such as the Béis The Hanging Cosmetic Case , will work best for small hotel bathrooms or tiny guest areas. Or maybe a removable pouch, like the Lululemon Go Getter Pouch , is something you’d prefer to keep essentials within reach in your carry-on. Consider other design elements like material and hardware finishes that can elevate your travel makeup bag from another utilitarian piece of luggage to a chic design piece.

We tested travel makeup bags that ranged in price from around $12 to almost $300. You can find a quality makeup case at any price, including the budget-friendly Narwey Travel Makeup Bag , depending on the materials and features that are most important to you.

In our PEOPLE Tested Lab, 26 buzz-worthy makeup cases were tried, inspected, and evaluated for ease of use, quality, capacity, design, and portability. Each bag was packed with the same standard packing list, and additional products were added if possible.

Our standard packing list included the following: 4 makeup brushes, 2 makeup palettes, 1 bottle of foundation, 1 eyelash curler, 1 mascara, 1 lipstick, 2 toiletry bottles (pre-filled with micellar water and sunscreen), 2 toiletry bottles (pre-filled with lotion), and 1 hairspray bottle.

After each bag was fully packed, our testers vigorously shook and dropped each case multiple times. The condition of the makeup afterward was observed and documented.

To test portability, each makeup case was then packed into three different-sized bags: a backpack, a carry-on suitcase, and checked luggage.

Combining considerations for the quality of materials and special organizational features, each case was given an overall score on a scale from one to five. The makeup cases with the highest averages were selected for this article as our top picks.

“For starters, I like to minimize the general bulk of my products so that I'm not overpacking,” shares Scibelli. “And, of course, keeping the sizes to 3.4 ounces and under, if I'm not checking a bag.” He also recommends using a padded cosmetics case that offers an additional layer of protection.

Pro travel tip: “Use your other items in your suitcase as armor for your makeup bag, and position it in the center or with softer items around it for protection," he says.

“A typical toiletry bag is pretty simple, consisting of a one-pocket zip pouch,” explains Scibelli. “Travel makeup cases have become so much more intricate now with multiple pockets and travel features like having detachable pockets, being water resistant, and added padding for safety.” Makeup cases will often have specific features to hold makeup brushes and easy-to-clean fabric in case of spills.

Never say never, but mindfully packing your makeup in a travel makeup bag can avoid breakage in your suitcase. Scibelli recommends packing your makeup palettes tightly around other objects to avoid too much moving around. “If you're not going with a padded case, you can even wrap your favorite makeup palettes in a washcloth or sweatshirt. If you have a few makeup palettes that can risk cracking, you can also try stacking them together with a rubber band to avoid them from moving too much.”

L.A Hubilla is a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE and Brides.com. She specializes in lifestyle, fashion, and beauty content. Hubilla also frequently tests products for various digital outlets including Byrdie, InStyle, and Travel + Leisure, among others. For this article, she surveyed the data compiled by the PEOPLE Tested team and compared them with professional insights from celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli. Using Scibelli’s advice paired with tester observations, she selected the top-performing makeup cases for this roundup. 

Neil Scibelli is a celebrity makeup artist.

What Is People Tested? 

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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The 12 Best Makeup Bags for All Your Beauty Goodies

Marie Kondo would be proud.

Arguably, one of the most neglected beauty purchases is the makeup bag or cosmetic case that your favorite  liquid eyeliners,   lipsticks ,  eyeshadows , and  foundation brushes  go into. Makeup bags, organizers, and cases are a vital part of keeping your beauty products organized and ready to grab for last-minute trips or on-the-go makeup sessions. Whether you’re a full-on Marie Kondo type of organizer or carry lipsticks loose in your purse (guilty), consider investing in a durable and stylish makeup bag that will get you excited to dive in to create a new look. The right makeup bag not only saves time when you just need your trusty  eyebrow pencil,  but also helps take stock of all your products so you can rediscover old favorites.

Who among us doesn’t wish we could just bring a portable vanity when we travel? Presenting this so-simple-yet-so-genius drawstring pouch, which opens up to lay completely flat, and even has makeup brush slots for extra organization.

This bag solves two of the biggest gripes when it comes to makeup bags: 1) If you're sick of digging for that one thing you need, it zips open on three sides to give you full access to your products. Oh, and did something spill? Throw the whole bag in the laundry—it’s machine washable.

This pouch is named for a cloud because it basically is one: The puffy exterior keeps all your goods safe and sound on planes, trains, and automobiles. Even better: It’s packed with pockets.

Meet the Goldilocks of makeup bags: not too big, and not too small. It features two compartments on either side, chic gold hardware, and a top handle for easy transport.

If you never go anywhere without your Away suitcase, you’ll be thrilled to know the travel brand also has a thoughtfully designed toiletry case. It features two interior zip pockets, plus one on the outside for all those things you like to have at the ready.

Put simply, Sonia Kashuk knows how to make a good makeup bag (or four). If you need different sized makeup bags for different occasions, this is the set for you—because you know you'll use every single one.

This is for the lipstick lovers who still wore their favorite lipstick even though they had a mask on. First, thank you for wearing a mask; and secondly, I see you. I have more lipsticks than I know what to do with, and this organizer helps me keep track of them. Plus, once you have everything organized you realize all the colors you forgot about.

This bag has so much potential, it’s insane. While it’s made for skincare, that just means more space for your makeup. The holographic material is a big seller, thanks to its fun and easy-to-clean material—so when accidental foundation spills (RIP) occur, you can simply wipe them away.

Having to go through TSA is hard enough with the whole being barefoot thing, so make sure you have your essentials organized before you dare to put it on the conveyor belt. This kit from Sonia Kashuk is perfect for the few makeup items you absolutely need on the plane. Pack some lip balm and a sheet mask—you’ll thank me later.

With restrictions lifting and vacations occurring left and right, a mid-sized weekender bag is perfect for carrying not only your makeup but also your favorite cleanser and moisturizer. Also, this bag comes with clear inserts for even more organizing. Consider putting your more liquid products in them in case of spillage.

Whether you’re a professional makeup artist or you just have more lipsticks and blushes than space, this bag will help keep all your products organized and ready for wherever you need to go. The multiple compartments with mesh paneling make for easy access when creating looks and the sturdy straps mean easier travel.

Listen, is this necessary? No, but it's really cool, and if you like to be extra cautious with the brushes you put on your face, but don’t have time to wash them after every use, then it’s worth it. Also, I’m just going to leave this review here, because it makes an excellent point: “I was looking for a big box for my intimate toys. And this also has UV sanitizer, so it's a win-win!”

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Alexis Gaskin is a Freelance Beauty Writer for Marie Claire who can often be found painting her nails to match every outfit. She covers beauty, skincare, and fat fashion and will get distracted by any and all Halsey-related content or anything glittery.

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20 Best Makeup Bags That’ll Keep You Organized on Your Travels

No more spending minutes trying to find the good mascara.

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Hardeep Melamed, the CEO of jewelry and cosmetic bag company PurseN —her products appeared on Oprah’s 2021 Favorite Things list —said she founded her company when she was a busy mom. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of parenting, de-prioritizing the organization of little things, like her makeup brushes, made life more difficult. So she understands the value of having that one special bag that can do it all. Our Top Picks :

Best Overall

Little makeup case - copper quilted.

Best Transparent Makeup Bag

Clear cosmetics case.

Best Customizable Bag

Clear pouch, set of 2.

The Beauty Bag

Best Luxury Makeup Bag

Longchamp le pliage cosmetic case.

Double Layer Travel Makeup Bag

Best Trio Set

3 pcs makeup bag portable travel cosmetic bag.

Best Budget

Cosmetic bag for travel.

Best on Amazon

Relavel travel makeup train case.

Most Compact Makeup Bag

Monstina makeup bag with mirror.

“The reason why our makeup bags have so many pockets is because it helps you decide where you want your eyeshadows, where you want your lip liners, so you can have your organization done,” Melamed tells us. “The idea of having multiple pockets, and bags that are even wipeable and waterproof, while being a place where (you can store) everything, makes life so much easier.”

From large makeup case organizers with tons of compartments to smaller bags for on-the-go travel to transparent pouches that let you see exactly what you have—plus machine-washable options for easy cleaning—there are tons of practical (and chic!) makeup bags that are great for storing your prized beauty stash. These picks from Amazon, Glossier, and beyond will keep your products organized at home, in your work bag , and when you travel.

At the ideal size for all your favorite makeup brushes and essentials, this PurseN case comes with a middle divider for organization, a wipeable interior, and four interior pockets. But the best detail is the LED light placed on the side, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for at any given time.

This large makeup bag is around the size of a laptop, allowing you to keep all your beauty essentials in one tidy package. The two-sided case gives you organizational options, while the transparent material lets you see exactly where things are, saving you the stress of rummaging around.

These transparent bags are simple, with vegan leather trim, yet come with an adorable personalized detail that gives you the option of adding a monogram to both the small and larger pouch.

The best thing about Glossier’s Beauty Bag is its sizing. It’s big enough (even standing up) to hold full-size essentials, like cleansers and moisturizers. It’s also made of coated cotton for water resistance and contains plenty of pockets and an interior pouch for ultimate organization.

From the Le Pliage Collection, Longchamp's cosmetic case is an ideal option for luxurious style. Made with durable canvas and Russian-leather detailing, this bag's structured boxy silhouette makes it ideal for beauty product storage.

Soft and lightweight, this makeup carrier has two layers that are mindfully sectioned out to hold products of all sizes. An adjustable shoulder strap gives you a hands-free carrying option.

You get three in one with this modestly priced bag set, with each piece containing accessible storage compartments for all your belongings.

Not only does this come in an assortment of eye-catching hues, but it’s waterproof and washable. Simple and effective.

One of the highest-rated makeup bags on Amazon, with nearly 1,000 reviews, customers rave about this sturdy, protective design, multiple pockets, and adjustable dividers that provide ultimate organization.

With two separate compartments, this mini pouch creates the maximum amount of storage by taking up the smallest amount of space, thanks to its multiple pockets designed to keep your brushes secure.

Maxtour Flamingo Makeup Brush Organizer

Who could resist a bag that’s decked out with adorable flamingos? The waterproof pouch also has a spacious interior with two pockets to ensure you can carry all your essentials.

Sephora Collection Pack It All Organizer

This bestselling Sephora makeup organizer is an easy way to keep your cosmetics in their place while on the go, thanks two removable zippered cubes, a flat cosmetic pouch, and a brush holder.

Packism Clear Cosmetic Bag

Though it may be missing some bells and whistles, this bare bones transparent case is just what you need at the airport to keep up with TSA regulations. Plus, isn’t it easier when you can actually see your stuff?

WuHua Gold Pattern Makeup Bag with Zipper

Not too big and not too small, this faux-leather pouch effortlessly stores the essentials for your morning routine. And its delicate diamond cutout design makes it stand out from the rest.

Kusshi Everyday Makeup Bag

This makeup bag holds between five and 10 products (depending on size) and features a large mesh pocket and two double mesh pockets for additional storage. Unlike other makeup bags, this one is machine-washable, so you can get out unwanted stains in a jiffy. Plus, it's available in a plethora of colors, from solid black to zebra print.

LeSportsac Rectangular Cosmetic

When you think of a makeup bag, this is probably what comes to mind. With a zipper closure, this bag has enough room to hold makeup brushes, lipsticks, mascara, and products of a similar size. There are interior front and back pockets for optimal organization and a large main compartment. It's not only functional but also eye-catching, with an elegant floral design on the exterior.

Classic Large Pouch

Make a statement with your makeup bag, like this one in a vibrant aqua color. It's small enough to keep in a luggage while you travel but big enough to hold those everyday makeup essentials. You'll find gold hardware accents that give it an elevated appearance.

Away The Cosmetics Bag

While Away might be best known for luggage, it also has great-quality makeup bags. On one side you'll find a detachable brush pouch, and the other has a clear zip pocket for essentials like sunscreen, foundation, mascara, etc. Plus, it's chic enough to leave out on the bathroom counter, with its nylon and neoprene construction.

madewell The Leather Makeup Pouch

Made from semi-vegetable tanned leather, this makeup bag is a great option for those looking for a fashion-forward way to keep track of their cosmetics. It's zipper closure makes it easy to open and close, while the large middle compartment has room for lipsticks, brushes, blushes, and more.

Beis The Hanging Cosmetic Case

A hanging makeup case is great for those bathrooms with not a lot of counter space. You can hang the case on a rack or a doorknob to have access to your beauty products. With three pouches, there is space to hold brushes, lipsticks, and eyeshadows all in different compartments for easy organization. And the double zip keeps items contained inside while at a standstill or in motion.

McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.

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8 travel cosmetic bags that hold everything you need

Don't leave behind any of your makeup or skincare essentials.

Updated July 17, 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

We’ve rounded up seven top-rated cosmetic bags that are spacious and travel-friendly so you can keep up with your skincare routine on your next trip.

Related content

1. BAGSMART Toiletry Bag Travel Bag

For a clear hanging toiletry bag.

Grab this hanging cosmetic case from Bagsmart for easy access to your toiletries.

2. Away Cosmetics Bag

For a sturdy, compact bag.

Pack your makeup in style with this Away toiletry bag.

3. Lermende TSA Approved Toiletry Bag Clear Toiletry Bag

For clear tsa-approved pouches.

Go with Lermende's transparent, TSA-approved bags to easily view your products.

4. Beis Cosmetic Case

For a fan-favorite cosmetic case.

Opt for a Beis Travel cosmetic bag for a chic-looking pouch with plenty of storage.

5. Vera Bradley Brush-Up Cosmetic Case

For a fashion-forward and eco-friendly option.

Travel cosmetic bags that hold everything you need: Vera Bradley Brush Up Cosmetic Case

6. Relavel Travel Makeup Train Case

For a customizable makeup case.

Stash away beauty products in this multi-compartment Relavel case.

7. Mossio Hanging Toiletry Bag

For a smartly designed toiletry bag.

Round up your toiletries in this hangable bag from Mossio.

8. SUBANG Portable Cosmetic Bags

This handy set of makeup bags.

Grab this 3-pack of cosmetic bags from Subang for extra storage.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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15 Best Makeup Bags to Cure Your Clutter

By Sarah Han and Annie Blackman

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

We love shopping for beauty products, but organizing all of our products ? A little less so. That's where the best makeup bags come in. Deep down, you know that your precious makeup, hair-care, and skin-care stockpiles deserve to be stored with dignity in something pretty, practical, and portable. Whether you need a makeup bag to take you through TSA or simply something to help keep your vanity in order, these 15 best makeup bags will check all your boxes. Keep scrolling to find your perfect makeup pouch.

Our Top Picks:

• Best Overall: Béis The Cosmetic Case , $68
• Best for Overpackers: Étoile Collective Duo Vanity Case , $100
• Best for the Organized Traveler: Everlane The Renew Transit Catch-All Case , $35
• Best for Last-Minute Packers: Vlando Travel Cosmetic Case , $24
• Most Durable: Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable Travel Bag , $95
• Most Stylish: Cuyana Travel Beauty Roll , $248
• Best Water-Resistant: Dagne Dover Hunter Toiletry Bag , $45
• Best Splurge: Tumi Madeline Nylon Cosmetics Bag , $250
• For the Hotel Frequenters: Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag , $75

Best Overall: Béis The Cosmetic Case

Béis The Cosmetic Case

Bloomingdale's

Why It's Worth It:  Doing makeup while in a moving vehicle should be considered an Olympic sport. However, a good makeup bag on your lap, while you multitask (in the passenger seat, of course), can make a world of difference. The Béis The Cosmetic Case is one of our go-to's for its spacious, organized design and plentiful interior pockets. This pick also comes with a makeup mirror for easy touch-ups wherever you are. It's also spill-proof, and we  love  having one less thing to worry about.

Dimensions:  10 inches x 7 inches x 3.8 inches |  Material:  Faux leather (exterior), polyester, and PVC (interior) |  Color Options:  8

Best for Overpackers: Étoile Collective Duo Vanity Case

Étoile Collective Duo Vanity Case

Why It's Worth It:  So you've got a lot of stuff. Well, the Étoile's Collective Duo Vanity Case isn't sweating it. This double-decker cosmetics case has a deep main compartment equipped with a detachable flexible divider insert and pouches for upright storage of full-size bottles and tools. Its slimmer compartment is perfect for stashing eye shadow palettes and comes with a handy fold-out travel mirror.

Dimensions:  9.4 inches x 6.7 inches x 7.1 inches |  Material:  Faux leather (exterior), nylon (interior) |  Color Options:  11

Best for the Organized Traveler: Everlane The Renew Transit Catch-All Case

Everlane The Renew Transit Catch-All Case

Why It's Worth It: Everlane's The Renew Transit Catch-All Case is your carry-on's new BFF. Available in four neutral hues, it features five pockets on the outside and one on the inside for organized travel. The top of this chic cosmetic bag can be folded down and snapped shut over the outside pocket or untucked and left unrolled for easy access. Plus, it's made of recycled polyester, which is always straightforward to clean.

Dimensions: 9 inches x 6.5 inches x 4.75 inches | Material: Polyester | Color Options: 4

Best for Last-Minute Packers: Vlando Travel Cosmetic Case

Vlando Travel Makeup Cosmetic Case

Why It's Worth It:  We love the Vlando Travel Makeup Cosmetic Case because it was made with  makeup brushes  in mind. Inside the makeup organizer are four spacious, designated slots for brushes so bristles don't get ruffled in transit. Adjustable compartment dividers also allow you to sort everything just how you like it. Since this travel makeup bag features waterproof materials, you won't have to worry about any liquids leaking in  or  out.

Dimensions:  3.9 inches x 9.8 inches x 8.6 inches |  Material:  Synthetic leather (outer shell), polyurethane (inner lining) |  Color Options:  4

Most Durable: Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable Travel Bag

Briggs & Riley

Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable Travel Bag

Why It's Worth It:  Handsome and practical, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Expandable Travel Bag is here for all your storage needs. The convertible design has upright storage and a top compartment that unzips and can be hung from anywhere. You'll like the PVC-lined pockets, large side compartments, and the convenient top handle for easy carrying.

Dimensions:  11.5 inches x 9 inches x 1 1.5 inches |  Material:  Ballistic nylon |  Color Options:  3

Most Stylish: Cuyana Travel Beauty Roll

Cuyana Travel Beauty Roll

Why It's Worth It:  Cuyana's Travel Beauty Roll is a worthwhile splurge crafted from high-quality Italian leather. The  Allure  Best of Beauty Award-winning travel case has four sections: one zippered, one large slip pocket, one brush compartment, and one detachable pouch, so all your goodies stay in place. If anything spills or leaves marks, you can clean the leather lining using a damp cloth with a bit of soap or  micellar water  on a cotton pad.

Dimensions:  9.5 inches x 14.5 inches x 0.5 inches (flat) |  Material:  Pebbled leather |  Color Options:  4

Best Water-Resistant: Dagne Dover Hunter Toiletry Bag

Dagne Dover

Dagne Dover Hunter Toiletry Bag

Why It's Worth It:  Dagne Dover's multitasking Hunter Toiletry Bag is delightfully durable and constructed from easy-to-clean neoprene. It has room for essentials like a razor, a full-size  fragrance  bottle, or even your favorite  hot tool . The high-tech, water-resistant fabric is also hand-washable, making it a safe bet to add to your admittedly musty gym bag. The bag also features two removable mesh pockets with zip closures. P.S. It comes in  a larger size  if that better suits your needs.

Dimensions:  7.5 inches x 4 inches x 4.5 inches |  Material:  Neoprene, zinc alloy |  Color Options:  16

Best Splurge: Tumi Madeline Nylon Cosmetics Bag

Tumi Madeline Nylon Cosmetics Bag

Why It's Worth It:  You might already know that Tumi makes some of the most legit luggage you could possibly lug, but you'll be delighted to hear the brand also makes a cosmetics bag. The Tumi Madeline Nylon Cosmetics Bag unzips to reveal a detachable pouch, three transparent interior compartments, and a pouch for seamless storage. It has a built-in metal hanger, perfect for hotel trips. Oh, and you can monogram it, which we think is pretty fun.

Dimensions:  8 inches x 11.3 inches x 2.8 inches |  Material:  Nylon |  Color Options:  6

For the Hotel Frequenters: Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag

Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag

Why It's Worth It:  Away's The Hanging Toiletry Bag is great for people who want to keep all their beauty products neatly divided in one place. This convertible option unzips to hang on a doorknob or hanger, handy for hotel stays or as a storage solution in your bedroom. Three mesh pockets keep things in order, and the removable clear pouch protects liquid products from leaking.

Dimensions:  9.6 inches x 3.74 inches x 6.6 inches |  Material:  Nylon |  Color Options:  4

Most Innovative: Lay-n-Go Cosmo

Lay-n-Go Cosmo

Why It's Worth It: For the person who can't stand pawing through their makeup bag in search of an almost non-existent eyeliner pencil stub, the Lay-n-Go Cosmo will change everything. Undo the drawstring and lay all your products on the round 20-inch mat. Once you're ready to pack up, pull the drawstring and watch the whole thing tighten into a bag. A raised lip on the edge of the mat keeps products from rolling away, a zippered pocket for safe storage, and a built-in elastic strap that acts as a brush holder. Oh, and it's machine-washable in case of spills.

Dimensions: 20 inches | Material: Polyester | Color Options: 28

Best Petite Bag: Longchamp Le Pilage Cosmetics Case

Longchamp Le Pilage Cosmetics Case

Why It's Worth It:  The Le Pilage Cosmetics Case from Longchamp lives at the intersection of "to-die-for cute" and "I'm freaking out. This is so practical." This little version of the classic Longchamp tote is perfectly sized to fit all your bits and bobs, complete with a water-resistant lining and leather closure to keep everything safe and intact. It's not the most spacious option, so we love it for excursions that require mascara, lip gloss , and a couple of other goodies.

Dimensions:  6 .5 inches x 4 inches x 2 inches |  Material:  Nylon, leather |  Color Options:  3

Cutest Carry-All: Saie Lilac Oversized Makeup Bag

Saie Lilac Oversized Makeup Bag

Why It's Worth It: We're in love with the Saie Lilac Oversized Makeup Bag for more reasons than just its sweetly spring-ready color. The vegan leather makeup bag has one zipper that stretches from end to end, allowing you to access any nooks and crannies smaller products might be hiding in. It's roomy, it's cute, and it's in our carts.

Dimensions: 6 inches x 8 inches x 3 inches | Material: Faux leather | Color Options: 1

Best for Light Travelers: Lululemon Go Getter Pouch

Lululemon Go Getter Pouch

Why It's Worth It: Lululemon's Go Getter Pouch is among our favorites for its versatility, water-repellent fabric, and easy-to-clean exterior. Though the pouch looks small at first glance, we swear its spacious main compartment easily holds all your essentials. Use it as your everyday makeup bag, a toiletry organizer for travel-friendly skin care, or a petite clutch for days you want to travel light.

Dimensions: 8.7 inches x 3.3 inches x 6.3 inches | Material: Nylon (outer shell), polyester (mesh and lining) | Color Options: 1

Best Clear Makeup Bag: Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case

Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case

Anthropologie

Why It's Worth It: A PVC-lined makeup bag like the Calpak Large Clear Cosmetics Case is a total game-changer. The roomiest cosmetics case from the viral travel brand has transparent walls that allow you to find your tiniest tubes in seconds. This bag also features two large compartments, a small mesh pocket, and dual carrying handles. It's kind of like if Mary Poppins's magic bag was see-through.

Dimensions: 11.5 inches x 5.25 inches x 9 inches | Material: PVC and polyurethane (exterior), polyester (interior) | Color Options: 17

Best Vegan Leather: Rose Inc Structured Beauty Clutch

Rose Inc Structured Beauty Clutch

Why It's Worth It: Made of faux leather, the Rose Inc Structured Beauty Clutch is so chic that we would even consider using it as an evening purse. This muted beige bag only has one main zippered compartment, but it keeps its shape, whether open or closed, no matter how much you stuff it. At $20, it doesn't get much better.

Dimensions: 8.9 inches x 4.4 inches x 6.7 inches | Material: Faux leather (exterior), polyester (interior) | Color Options: 1

Need more shopping inspo? Here are a few makeup products we've been loving:

• The Best Makeup Brushes for Every Part of Your Routine
• The 9 Best Magnetic Lashes for When Eyelash Glue Is Just Too Much Effort
• 15 Best Eye Shadow Sticks That Even Beginners Can Master

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• Shoes & Accessories

The 20 Best Makeup Bags of 2024 to Keep All Your Products Organized

These beauty carry-alls are both fashionable and functional.

Rachel covers all aspects of the home space and tests products to find the best for consumers. When she's not writing, you can find her streaming, hiking, and decorating.

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Real Simple / David Hattan

While putting on makeup is always fun, keeping your cosmetic collection organized can be stressful—especially if you don't have one central space to store everything. For this reason, investing in a quality makeup bag is so important. These handy cases not only give you a place to store all your beauty essentials together, but they can also protect your favorite products and keep them safe from damage, leaks, or spillage.

We took into account size, material, and compartments to come up with the best makeup bags. Whether you’re looking for something small to transport touch up tools, or something with multiple compartments to keep your items still and safe while you’re traveling, we found the best makeup bags for every type of person and makeup collection.

Relavel Travel Cosmetic Case Organizer

The adjustable compartments add a significant degree of flexibility, accommodating makeup of various sizes.

It’s not very stylish.

This product is great for someone who has a large makeup collection that absolutely needs sorting and organizing while traveling. The bottom of the case comes with six adjustable clapboard compartments that you can fill with items like palettes, lipsticks, nail polish, foundations, and more. Meanwhile, the top of the case is lined with four brush holders, which is convenient for separating brush types as well as storing longer, delicate items such as eye pencils. 

“This one is my personal favorite,” says professional makeup artist and content creator Jonet Williamson . “The fact that you can customize the compartments makes it the most versatile makeup bag.” 

The Relavel Travel Makeup Case is waterproof and shockproof, the latter meaning that if you drop the case with your makeup inside, your makeup shouldn’t break. Because there is a plastic lining located in the bag, there may be a smell when you first open it, but it should go away quickly.

Material: Oxford fabric and nylon | Compartments: 11 | Dimensions: 10.3 x 9 x 3.6 inches

Calpak Clear Cosmetics Case

The clear design provides easy visibility and accessibility to contents, and its sizable dimensions make it suitable for those with larger makeup collections.

There are no internal organizational compartments, which could make sorting smaller items difficult.

This clear makeup bag from Calpak manages to be super stylish and practical all at once. “I love this bag because it's duo-sided and clear, making it super easy to separate and see your skincare and makeup products,” says Williamson. “You'll save time getting ready because you can see where everything is.”

Inside you'll find two large zipped compartments, one of which has an additional, smaller compartment attached to the flap. In this smaller compartment you can fit items such as mascaras, lipsticks, and small creams. Everything else you'll have to store together in the two bigger compartments. If a product inside breaks or there's a spill, you can rest easy knowing the entire cosmetics case is waterproof and very easy to clean.

Material: PU & PVC exterior; polyester interior | Compartments: 3 | Dimensions: 11.5 x 5.25 x 9 inches

Dagne Dover Hunter Toiletry Bag

Dagne Dover

It has strategically-designed compartments and an easy-to-clean neoprene material.

It might be too bulky for some.

Beautifully combining style with function, the Dagne Dover Hunter Toiletry Bag is the ideal travel companion for the makeup enthusiast on the go. Its plethora of compartments, including a removable air mesh brush holder and interior pockets, ensures your items remain orderly and easy to find. The bag's neoprene material is not only aesthetically pleasing but also resistant to water and wear, making it perfect for any kind of travel, from a tropical getaway to a road trip. 

Material : Neoprene | Compartments : 6 | Dimensions : 9 x 4.75 x 5.5 inches

Beis The Cosmetics Case

The multiple internal pockets and brush holders provide excellent organization.

Its relatively large size might not be ideal for those seeking a more compact makeup case for lighter travel.

This makeup bag offers unique features not commonly seen in other travel makeup bags. First and foremost, the Beis Cosmetic Case comes with a sizable, removable mirror that can stand up on its own. This addition makes it super easy to touch up or reapply your makeup while on the go. There is also a brush holder that features two compartments and a plastic flap that covers the brushes, and is easily removable from the case via magnets attached to the inside of the makeup bag. On the back of this brush holder you'll find a small zip compartment that is able to hold items such as eye pencils, liners, and lip glosses.

The bottom of the makeup bag is a roomy catch-all that can easily house blushes, palettes, powders, primers, and more. There are also two long compartments on either side that can house smaller, thinner items that may not fit on the back of the brush holder. The Beis Cosmetics Case comes in two colors, black and beige, and is made of faux leather and lined with a waterproof PVC.

Material: PU & PVC exterior; polyester interior | Compartments: 5 | Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 4 inches

Stoney Clover Lane Open Top Mirror Pouch

Stoney-clover

It comes with an internal mirror for on-the-go touch-ups.

The open-top design might risk items falling out if not secured properly.

If you want a makeup bag that'll add a pop of color to your purse or vanity, go with this vibrant option from Stoney Clover Lane. The Textured Open Top Mirror Pouch comes in 15 different colors that span the whole rainbow. These include pastel options like periwinkle and lilac, as well as bolder options such as bubblegum pink, peach, and avocado green. There are also neutral options available too, including noir, sapphire, blanc , and sand .

This makeup bag is made of vegan leather, features gold hardware, and comes with a convenient little mirror stitched into the top. There are no compartments inside the makeup bag, but since it's more than 10 inches wide, you'll have plenty of room to store everyday makeup items.

Material: Vegan leather | Compartments: 1 | Dimensions: 10.5 x 5.5 x 4 inches

KUSSHI Signature Makeup Bag

It’s machine-washable, so it’s very easy to keep clean over time.

It’s not as stylish as other options.

One downside to owning a makeup bag is that it can be hard to clean. The Kusshi Everyday Makeup Bag eliminates that inconvenience completely by being machine-washable. The convenience of this bag doesn't stop there though—unlike other makeup bags, this bag folds out pretty wide, so you can clearly see everything you've stored and get to it right away. Plus, it's able to stand up on its own thanks to the reinforced stitching located at the bottom of the bag.

Inside you’ll find three compartments, including one that zips shut. The two small tube compartments are great for storing beauty sponges, eyelash curlers, and lipsticks. The makeup bag comes in three sizes, with the smallest able to hold up to 5-10 products while the largest can hold more than 30.

Materials: Nylon | Compartments: 3 | Dimensions: 7.5 x 3.25 x 5 inches

MAANGE Cosmetic Bag

It’s very budget-friendly and comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

The materials aren’t super high quality.  

This popular Amazon makeup bag offers an incredible value for its super low price. The Maanage Travel Cosmetic Bag is made of a water-repellent faux leather and comes with three compartments for easier storage. The bigger of the three compartments is able to hold small palettes and eye shadows, while the two smaller compartments located on the other side of the interior can hold lipsticks. The bottom of the bag offers plenty of room to lay and stack your items, but remains small enough to fit in a medium-sized purse.

The Maange Small Makeup bag comes in nine colors and patterns, including blue, pink, green and a couple floral options. While this affordable bag has a lot of great features, it probably won’t work for someone who wants their brushes to be separate from all their other makeup items.

Material: PU leather | Compartments: 4 | Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.3 x 4.9 inches

Mark & Graham Clear Pouch

Mark & Graham

You can get it monogrammed for a more personal touch.

It’s not very large.

Monogramming is one of those luxuries that is so fun to invest in. This best-selling pouch allows you to add up to three letters of your choice for $12.50. You can also choose from multiple fonts and two-toned color options, ranging from lilac varsity letters with a blue border to blue cursive with an orange border. The personalization is made of a shadow-printed sticker decal, which will last longer than hand-painted monogramming.

The Mark & Graham Clear Pouch is made of a biodegradable plastic that is waterproof and has been finished with vegan leather trimming. The trimming comes in eight colors, including black, neon yellow, camel, sky blue, red, and poppy. Considering the lack of compartments, this product is best for someone who is traveling with a small makeup collection, or someone who wants to bring their makeup with them out for touch ups.

Material: TPU and vegan leather | Compartments: 1 | Dimensions: 8 x 3.25 x 5.5 inches or 10 x 3.5 x 7 inches

Sonia Kashuk Loaf Makeup Bag

It’s large and affordable.

There aren’t a lot of color options for each material.

For something roomy and affordable, check out this bag from Target. It’s available in six different versions, ranging from faux leather to puffy polyester, as well as four colors and two patterns. This is a very straightforward makeup bag that doesn’t have any bells and whistles—you get one large compartment, a sleek gold zipper, and that’s about it. But if you’re someone who just wants something basic, this is a fantastic option, as it’s roomy, durable, and perfect for travel.

Material : Polyester or polyurethane | Compartments : 1 | Dimensions : 8.25 x 4.25 x 6 inches

Away The Cosmetics Bag

It’s roomy and has five brush pockets.

The rectangular shape might not be as space-efficient for packing in a suitcase as more flexible designs.

Away’s Cosmetics Bag is just as thoughtfully designed as the brand’s suitcases. It features three compartments that are able to hold your makeup firmly in place while traveling, including a spill-proof catch-all area that takes up the majority of the space, a zip bag located under the catch-all area, and a place for brushes. The removable brush compartment is by far the most unique, as it’s held in place by buttons and can be rolled up, sealed shut, and stored elsewhere if you like. “The removable brush roll is a nice touch here, plus the whole bag is really compact and should fit easily into your carry-on luggage,” says Williamson.

This makeup bag is made of a plush, water-resistant nylon that will lay softly among all the other clothes and shoes you have in your suitcase. The Away Cosmetics Bag can be monogrammed for up to three letters for an extra $20, and comes in two colors: black and petal pink.

Material: Nylon, neoprene | Compartments: 3 | Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.3 x 3.9 inches

Cubetastic Makeup Bag

It has two openings to keep different types of products separated.

It’s pretty small, but it does hold a lot.

A common problem with small makeup bags is that they lack compartments due to their limited space. The Cubetastic Small Makeup bag certainly differs, offering beauty lovers three compartments to store their makeup, including an area for brushes, lipsticks and lip glosses, and a larger area to store bigger items such as blushes, foundations, eye shadows, and more.

Another way the bag stands out is that it offers two points of entry, including one located at the top and one located on the side of the bag. The side opening is useful if you find yourself needing to reapply makeup, as the acrylic wall holding the makeup in place helps you be able to see everything you have right in front of you. One downside to this bag is that the handle is on the side of the bag instead of the top. Unless your bag is packed to the brim, your makeup will shift around while you’re moving.  

Material: Oxford cloth and nylon | Compartments: 3 | Dimensions: 9.4 × 5.5 × 3.9 inches

Beauty Pie Small Clear Makeup Case

Its compact size and see-through design make finding makeup items a breeze.

It’s best for smaller collections.

With its minimalist design and vibrant pop of color, the Beauty Pie Small Clear Makeup Case makes a statement while keeping your makeup organized. Its compact size makes it a perfect fit for small purses or everyday bags, while its transparent material ensures you can locate your items quickly and conveniently. Though petite, this makeup case can comfortably house your daily makeup collection. 

The colorful trim adds a trendy touch, making the case as stylish as it is practical. While some may find its storage space limited for larger items, its compact size and functionality make it an ideal choice for those who prefer to travel light with their beauty essentials. But if you do need something larger, it’s also available in medium and large sizes.

Material : PU and TPU | Compartments : 1 | Dimensions : 8.2 x 3.7 x 3.1 inches

Mossio Toiletry Bag

It has a variety of compartments and is meant to be hung for greater product visibility.

It’s not the most durable option.

We all know that having your makeup right in front of you is the easiest way to see what you have and get to it fast. The Mossio Hanging Toiletry Bag facilitates just that, offering tons of space for both your makeup and your toiletries while traveling. There are three spacious compartments available, including two flat pockets (one plastic and one mesh) that are good for holding mascaras, eye pencils, lip glosses, foundations, concealers, and more. The biggest compartment, located at the bottom, is a real standout, able to hold large bottles such as face wash, shampoo, and perfumes, to name a few.

The entirety of the makeup bag is made with a water-resistant polyester, and it comes with an included hook so you can easily hang it up while traveling. The Mossio Hanging Toiletry Bag comes in 15 colors and patterns, including polka dot, pink stripe, floral, cactus, and more.

Material: Polyester | Compartments: 3 | Dimensions: 9.45 x 3.74 x 7.48 inches

Paravel See-All Vanity Case

The see-through top allows for easy identification of items.

It’s expensive and not very large.

The Paravel See-All Vanity Case stands out for its use of eco-friendly materials. The canvas used on this piece is made from two upcycled plastic bottles, and it comes with certifications from Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and the Global Recycled Standard. Plus, it’s just a really stylish piece.  

This Paravel bag offers the best of both worlds. Its see-through walls give you a great window into all of the products you packed, making them easy to spot. Meanwhile, the canvas and leather offer a sophisticated, classic design that makes the bag nice enough to carry around on its own. This makeup bag comes in two sizes and two colors (scout tan and domino black), and offers monogramming between $15 and $65.

Material: EcoCraft canvas, nylon, PU leather | Compartments: 1 | Dimensions: 8.5 x 3.75 x 5.5 inches

Leatherology Train Case

Leatherology

It comes in 14 luxurious colors.

It’s fairly large so might be hard to pack.

Exuding a timeless appeal, the Leatherology Train Case is an exquisite blend of form and function. Crafted from either full-grain leather or canvas, the bag brings a level of sophistication that will appeal to fashion-forward travelers. Its design isn't just about looks though—it's built to last. And since it’s available in a variety of vibrant and neutral shades, it caters to a wide range of personal styles. 

While its interior is roomy enough to store a good quantity of makeup items, a few more compartments or pockets for better organization would be a welcome addition. Despite this, its chic appeal and robust build make it a worthwhile splurge for those who value style and longevity in their makeup bags.

Material : Full-grain leather or canvas | Compartments : 2 | Dimensions : 7.5 x 5.2 x 5 inches

Pottery Barn Emery Leather Cosmetic Case

pottery-barn

It boasts a chic, timeless design with its high-quality leather exterior.

It’s not water-resistant.

If you want your makeup bag to match your purse, go with this exquisite option from Pottery Barn. The Emery Leather Cosmetic Case is made of a pebbled leather, full-grain leather that was applied to the bag by hand. Full-grain leather is considered a durable, long-lasting leather that will age nicely over time, so this bag is sure to be one of the most durable you can find. The inside is lined with a sail cloth and has no compartments. While the interiors certainly boast a more elegant look, do know that sail cloth is not water-resistant. If something spills in your makeup bag, the interior will stain.

This makeup bag comes in four colors, including saffron, black, periwinkle, and mocha. If you’d like to personalize your makeup bag, you can add monogramming for an extra $15.

Materials : Leather and sail cloth | Compartments : 1 | Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.25 x 4 inches

Truffle Clarity Jumbo Jetset Case

It has a spacious design and is made with a transparent, TSA-approved material.

It’s the most expensive option on our list.

The Clarity Jumbo Jetset Case from Truffle is a standout among travel makeup bags for its elegant simplicity and spacious interior. Made with biodegradable TPU, this transparent bag can be purchased with either a leather or nylon trim. The clear material is TSA-approved, making security checks a breeze, while the generous size can comfortably house all your makeup essentials, from brushes to pallets. Though its higher price point might be off-putting for some, the quality, style, and convenience it offers justify the investment—and you can alternatively purchase in two smaller sizes.

Material : TPU and either leather or rPET nylon trim | Compartments : 2 | Dimensions : 9 x 6 x 3.75 inches

Bougie On The Run Checkered Pouch

Urban Outfitters

It has a knitted exterior that’s totally unique.

That knitted material is prone to snagging, so it’s not suitable for heavy duty travel.

If you want a bag that’s totally one of a kind, you can’t do better than this retro-inspired bag from Bougie. Instead of being made from plastic or polyester, it’s made with a knitted cotton—but don’t worry, it has a waterproof liner on the inside. The checked design (available in three colors) is another stylish touch, and you can easily use this pouch for more than just makeup. Just be careful not to snag that knitted exterior, which isn’t the best for heavy duty traveling. 

Material : Knitted cotton | Compartments : 1 | Dimensions : 7 x 3 x 4.3 inches

Rose Inc Structured Beauty Clutch

The structured design and removable mirror offer a modern twist to traditional makeup bags.

It’s only available in one color—taupe.

The Structured Beauty Clutch by Rose Inc. blends elegance and functionality, bringing a contemporary edge to your makeup storage. The vegan leather exterior exudes a sense of understated luxury, making it a fashionable accessory as much as a practical one. Its unique, structured design protects your makeup items, and the added removable mirror is a thoughtful touch for on-the-go touch-ups. 

Available only in a neutral taupe shade, it complements any style. While the inside offers ample space, the addition of dividers or pockets would help to better organize smaller items. Nonetheless, its stylish design and practical features make it a worthy addition to any beauty collection.

Material : Vegan leather | Compartments : 1 | Dimensions : 8.88 x 4.44 x 6.66 inches

Etoile Collective Duo Vanity Case

The generous storage space and separate compartments offer excellent organization for a variety of makeup items.

The bulky design may not be ideal for light travel or small storage spaces.

The Duo Vanity Case from Étoile Collective presents a thoughtful solution for makeup enthusiasts seeking a professional level of organization. Encased in a sturdy black exterior, this case boasts a myriad of compartments in varying sizes, accommodating everything from lipsticks to larger cosmetic bottles. The sturdy build offers peace of mind, ensuring your beauty products are protected. 

While its size might make it less suited for light travel or compact storage spaces, it's an ideal choice for those who need to keep a substantial makeup collection organized and readily accessible. 

Material : Vegan leather | Compartments : 5, plus 8 with divider insert | Dimensions : 9.4 x 7.1 x 6.7 inches

How to Shop for Makeup Bags Like a Pro

“You'll want something that's easy to clean by simply wiping down with makeup remover wipes and sanitizer,” says Williamson. This means that it's best to get a material that is water-resistant or waterproof. If something in your makeup bag accidentally breaks and spills, this material will stop it from staining the inside of your bag and seeping through into your purse or suitcase. Most makeup bags, or at least the lining, are made with water-resistant or waterproof materials, including plastic, polyester, or nylon. Be sure to check the label before you buy to ensure that you are getting a makeup bag that is at least slightly spill-proof.

The size you need is all dependent on how much makeup you usually travel with . “If you're someone who has a signature look that you stick to, you can most likely get away with a smaller, more compact bag,” says Williamson. “If you like to switch out your blush, pack multiple lip options, have a skin tint and full coverage foundation depending on your mood, then you'll want to get a larger one.” 

Keeping a large collection organized in a makeup bag can also help ensure that you're not using expired makeup. Smaller makeup bags are best for people who have a modest collection and don't need to dig around very long to find what they need. To figure out what size you need, try fitting all your makeup into a purse and see if it fits. If it doesn't, you'll need a bag that is bigger in size.

Compartments

To have compartments or to not have compartments….that is the question. It’s best to have a makeup bag with compartments while traveling, regardless of the size of your makeup collection . Not only will this make packing your makeup easier, but it will also lessen the likelihood of your products breaking and spilling. Bags without compartments are best for people who either have a really modest makeup collection, or want to bring some makeup with them to work or a long event for touch ups. Makeup bags with brush compartments are best for people with large makeup collections, as the brushes otherwise have no protection when being put into a bag full of other products.

This article was written by Rachel Center , a product reviews home writer for Real Simple . It was later updated by Elizabeth Loomis , a writer who specializes in lifestyle content and has written for The Spruce, Well + Good, InStyle, and The Zoe Report. Both writers spent hours researching all the components that make the best makeup organizers, ultimately choosing the products on this list based on style, material, and compartments available. Loomis also interviewed professional makeup artist and content creator Jonet Williamson for expert advice on the best makeup bags.

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Lazyher travel makeup bag, relavel travel makeup train case makeup cosmetic case organizer.

Whether you’re traveling or just need a makeup bag that suits your on-the-go needs, consider buying yourself this Relavel makeup case. This high-quality leather makeup bag is perfect for all occasions. It includes adjustable dividers that allow you to move it around and organize your items based on your preferences. You can DIY it and make it your own. It also has plenty of space to fit all you want. With its waterproof and wear-resistant features, cleaning it will be easy. It also comes with an attachable shoulder strap. If you’re looking for a versatile option, add this one to your cart. 

Étoile Duo Vanity Case

Consider one of TikTok’s favorite trendy makeup bags: the Étoile Duo Vanity Case that’s all over my FYP. This limited edition comes in gray, black, beige, lavender pink, and so many other colors. Hurry, though: There are only three left in stock in lavender pink! This makeup bag has you covered with a top and bottom compartment. This bag also includes a fold-out mirror, making it easier for you to apply your makeup or skincare routine when on the go. Its vegan leather material and makeup-stain-proof lining make it truly one of a kind.

Semezuxx Checkered Makeup Bag, Brown 2Pcs Cosmetic Travel Bags

Ulta beauty clear sage-trimmed weekender.

Can’t keep track of what’s in your makeup bag? Don’t fret: Consider this Ulta Beauty clear sage-trimmed alternative with see-through pockets and multiple compartments. Its spacious and sage-green tassel zipper pulls offer a clean look. You’ll get easy access to your items with just one glance.

For more product recommendations , check out other must-have makeup products to add to your makeup bag and discover the best Ulta Beauty deals now.

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Protect Your Trip »

The 10 best personal item bags, tested & reviewed.

Find your best carry-on companion with our top editor picks.

The Best Personal Item Bags

Catriona Kendall | U.S. News

When you're traveling on an airplane, there are certain items like your wallet, phone, passport, medications and earbuds that you always want to keep close. These are the items you'll want to pack in your personal item bag, along with other in-flight comfort items or perhaps a few souvenirs you're bringing home with you. When it comes to a personal item, there are many options that could be right for you, though keep in mind what airlines will allow can vary.

What size is a personal item bag?

This item can be a purse , bag or backpack that easily fits under the seat in front of you. For most domestic airlines, your personal item should be 18 x 14 x 8 inches or smaller. Most airlines allow passengers to bring one carry-on bag that goes into the overhead bin and one personal item bag that can be stowed under the seat. For both carry-on and personal item bags, it's important to check your airline's carry-on luggage size requirements and policies.

To help you decide what personal item bag meets your needs, our editors shared their go-to bags they personally use when traveling by air.

Best Foldable: Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote

• Jump to features and expert insights ↓

Best Hip Pack: Cotopaxi Kapai 1.5L Hip Pack

Best tote: everlane the recycled nylon tote, best backpack: away the everywhere zip backpack, best organization: nomad lane bento bag, best washable: steve madden quilted weekender bag, best laptop backpack: fila argus 5 laptop backpack, best for adventure travel: osprey nebula 32, best affordable: gorilla wear duncan backpack, best duffel: lipault city plume 24h bag 2.0.

(Note: Prices and availability were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to demand and other factors. Dimensions of personal item bags are height by width by depth.)

Nicola Wood | U.S. News

Price: $155 or less

Travelers will frequently spot this classic tote at airports and hotels around the world for good reason. It folds up easily for storage when not in use, and it has a roomy main compartment with a small interior pocket for a phone, boarding pass and a cardholder. Longchamp's Le Pliage Large tote is made of the brand's durable water-resistant nylon and finished with its signature embossed leather trim.

What our editors say:

I love traveling with my Longchamp Le Pliage tote. It's big enough to hold a laptop and all other essentials, and it has both a zipper and a snap-close leather flap, so you won't have to worry about anything falling out during travel. It is versatile enough to use throughout your vacation as a handbag, or you can fold it up and store it away once you reach your destination. The Le Pliage tote is made of nylon, so it is water-resistant and easy to wipe clean after traveling. There is a small interior pocket that can hold a boarding pass, phone or cardholder, or you can pop in a separate organizer from Amazon for multiple interior compartments. The Le Pliage tote comes in a variety of colors, so there's something for everyone. – Nicola Wood , Senior Editor

Leilani Osmundson | U.S. News

Price: $30 or less

If you're looking to travel light and maximize leg space, this Cotopaxi hip pack is ideal. Strap it around your waist or shoulder for hands-free travel, and reach your wallet or passport quickly. There's a spacious main compartment for your phone, wallet and boarding pass. Plus, a front zippered compartment can hold things like gum or earbuds. Constructed of 100% fabric scraps, each hip pack is sustainable and one-of-a-kind.

My top priority when traveling by plane is ample leg room, so Cotopaxi fanny packs are the perfect under-the-seat choice. I like the smaller Kapai 1.5 L Hip Pack for storing my essentials on shorter flights: phone, wallet, tissues, lip balm and earbuds. (There's also a 3L version .) For longer flights, the larger Allpa X 4L Hip Pack can fit a lot more, including a small book, Nintendo Switch and snack. – Leilani Osmundson , Senior Digital Producer

Price: $85 or less

This versatile tote is constructed with recycled nylon, which makes it easy to clean as well as sustainable. The padded bottom helps to protect your laptop and other contents. The main compartment has a zippered pocket and a 13-inch laptop sleeve. You can carry the bag with its tote straps or over the shoulder, and there's an exterior slip pocket for small items.

My favorite thing about this bag is that it's structured, but also easily pliable when it's time to stow it underneath my seat. The exterior pocket allows for easy access to small items like earbuds and hand sanitizer, and the larger main compartment is roomy enough for my laptop, 32-ounce water bottle, snacks, a small toiletry bag and a book. I also appreciate its sleek simplicity and sustainable materials. – Ann Henson , Assistant Managing Editor

Amanda Norcross | U.S. News

Price: $195 or less

This backpack from Away has a variety of interior and exterior pockets, including a padded laptop sleeve with a magnetic locking zipper, an interior mesh pocket for a small water bottle and two external hidden pockets. It has a versatile design that works for trips to the office, day tours and leisure trips. For carrying options, the backpack has comfortable padded shoulder straps and a trolley sleeve to secure it to your favorite carry-on bag.

For my personal item, I'm all about function over fashion and this bag manages to hit both marks. I especially love the interior key clip – I actually use it for my wallet so I easily find my ID and credit card and not risk losing them. – Amanda Norcross , Senior Content & SEO Strategist

Price: $298 or less

The Nomad Lane Bento Bag has a sleek and professional look that makes it work for both personal and business travel, especially with the 16-inch padded laptop sleeve that you can access from the top. It comes with a toiletries pouch and an electronics organizer that tuck inside two exterior pockets, so you can easily remove them at security. The bag has a variety of organizational pockets, including a trolley sleeve that converts into a pocket. It works well as a personal item bag, and can be used as a weekender bag if you're a light packer.

The Bento Bag is truly exceptional for organization. Not only can it fit a ton for its size, but I love how it also keeps my belongings separated and neat while still easy to access on the go. When I travel with it, the bag is comfortable to carry and fits under the seat in front of me with no issue. I also just appreciate how sophisticated it looks. – Catriona Kendall , Editor

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

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Erin Evans | U.S. News

Price: From $59.98

This timeless design has sturdy straps to comfortably carry the bag through airports and more. It's affordable, durable and machine washable. The interior compartment can accommodate everything from a toiletry bag to souvenirs, yet it still fits under the seat with a comfortable amount of room for your feet.

I've used this Steve Madden Quilted Weekender Bag as my personal item for years. I love the soft-sided design of this bag and it can fit an impressive amount. There's also an interior zippered pocket and two smaller open pockets for organization. Typically, I'll pack my laptop, various chargers, one to two books, an extra set of clothes and shoes, my wallet, my makeup bag, AirPods, snacks, a water bottle, and my phone. – Erin Evans , Managing Editor

Suzanne Mason | U.S. News

Price: $70 or less

Perfect as a work, gym or travel bag, this durable backpack has multiple pockets to keep everything organized wherever you roam. The budget-friendly backpack has a spacious main compartment with an internal mesh pocket and a separate 15-inch laptop compartment. Its padded straps provide comfort while carrying the bag for long periods of time, and the front zippered compartment is ideal for a boarding pass, pen or phone.

I love my Fila Argus 5 Laptop Backpack. I use it for both travel and for work. The backpack has a pocket in the back separating the main space in the back. I usually carry my iPad or laptop there and use the rest of the space to carry any items I couldn't fit in my luggage or trinkets that I'm bringing back for souvenirs. The front pocket I love because it's a zippered space where I can put my important traveling documents and other miscellaneous items needed for my travels. The backpack straps are wide and padded making it comfortable to wear on my back. The backpack is small enough to fit under a plane seat if you need to access the bag while in flight. – Suzanne Mason , Editor

Zach Watson | U.S. News

Price: $140 or less

This spacious backpack offers the design features of a more technical backpack − like a removable webbing belt along with top and bottom compression straps − but with an emphasis on everyday needs. There are numerous interior pockets to keep all of your travel essentials securely stowed, a TSA-approved laptop sleeve and a front zippered organization pocket. The exterior has two deep, adjustable side pockets that can fit two Nalgene-size water bottles. The Osprey Nebula 32 features two padded straps and a breathable back to help make carrying the bag more comfortable, even in humid climates.

My Osprey Nebula 32 is in the running for my oldest personal possession; I've used it for over a decade. That means this Nebula pack started as a college backpack, lugging my textbooks between classes in Chicago snowstorms before joining me in Washington, D.C., where it kept my belongings safe on my humid (and occasionally rainy) bike commutes. Now, I primarily use my backpack for hiking and flying, and it still holds up remarkably well despite my regular mistreatment. I don't intend to replace my go-to personal item anytime soon, so this Osprey backpack has absolutely justified its admittedly high upfront cost. – Zach Watson , Senior Editor

Alissa Grisler | U.S. News

Price: $59.99 or less

Durable and ideal for everyday use or adventures afar, this backpack has a simple design with plenty of packing space. The spacious interior can hold a lot, including your toiletry bag, reading material, change of clothes and more. The laptop sleeve and variety of compartments help to keep items organized and in place. The exterior offers adjustable padded shoulder straps and a waist strap for comfort, a headphone opening, two mesh pockets and a front zippered compartment.

When purchasing a bag, I am looking for something that is durable and multifunctional. With its many storage compartments and large carrying capacity (perfect for the chronic over-packer or anyone who just can't say no to a souvenir), this bag is perfect for both travel and everyday use. – Alissa Grisler , Editor

Rachael Hood | U.S. News

Price: $135 or less

Lightweight and constructed with water repellent nylon, this bag is durable, yet sophisticated. There are two large front pockets for smaller items like a 3-1-1 bag, headphones, wipes and small travel essentials, plus a side pocket for a water bottle or small items. Inside, the spacious interior compartment has a large zippered pocket, two slip pockets and a mesh pocket for keeping things organized, in addition to room for a toiletry bag, in-flight needs and souvenirs you find along the way. The bag features a separate zippered laptop compartment on the back, along with a trolley sleeve to attach it to your carry-on bag, like the coordinating Plume Cabin Size Spinner . What's more, it folds flat to save space when not in use.

I bought my original Lipault City Plume bag for my first trip to Europe over a decade ago. It's been a top pick for my travels for years, and it still looks and works great. The updated City Plume 24H Bag 2.0 is beautifully constructed, stays looking great even through the rigors of travel, fits perfectly under the seat and holds a lot. – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Rachael Hood strives to be a carry-on only traveler. Over the years she's tested a variety of bags from multiple brands at an array of prices. To curate this article, she asked her team of editors to share their favorite personal item bags that have worked for all types of travel scenarios.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Luggage Sets
• The Best Checked Luggage, Tested by Editors
• The Best Travel Accessories, Chosen by Our Editors
• What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

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12 Travel Garment Bags to Look Good Everywhere

Be wrinkle-free everywhere you go

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

But choosing the best travel garment bag for your needs can be a challenge. There are a lot of options on the market, so we asked an expert about how to find the right one. According to Tumi creative director Victor Sanz, “Your garment bag should be sturdy, functional, and sleek. If you’re frequently traveling by plane, a garment bag that folds to fit carry-on requirements is essential.” He adds, “You want to find the size that will fit all your clothes without having to overfold them and will allow you to reach your destination in style.”

Best Quilted Garment Bag

Mz wallace michael garment bag.

Best Luxury Garment Bag

Tumi alpha garment bag trifold carry-on.

Best Garment Duffel

Halfday the garment duffel.

Best Timeless Garment Bag

Longchamp boxford garment bag.

Best Packable Garment Bag

Calpak packable garment bag.

Best Affordable Garment Bag

Amazon basics premium garment bag.

Best Durable Garment Bag

Hartmann metropolitan two-garment sleeve.

Best Personalized Garment Bag

Mark & graham commuter 2-in-1 garment bag.

Best Expandable Garment Bag

Samsonite ascella 3.0 softside expandable luggage.

Best Water-Resistant Garment Bag

Stitch ultimate garment bag.

It’s also important to consider bonus features, like pockets and organizational compartments, and, as Sanz notes, “A crucial function is to ensure that you’re able to hang your garment bag when you arrive at your destination, so that you can prepare your outfits as easily as possible and to ensure that all your clothes are crisp.” Keeping all this in mind, we found the 12 best travel garment bags out there today. Once you start using one of these, you’re never going to go back.

MZ Wallace’s signature quilting isn’t limited to the brand’s totes, appearing here in garment bag form. The thin design is extremely lightweight, ideal for quick trips when you need to bring one to three outfits. There is even an exterior pocket for bonus storage.

Dimensions: 22" × 3" × 39"

Materials: Oxford, leather

What reviewers are saying: “I have been interested in a MZ Wallace garment bag for a while. It is perfect! Just right proportions and size. Thoughtful design and construction details.”

Tumi always delivers premium luggage that will last you over a decade, and this garment bag is no exception. Sanz says: “It’s foldable, with a sturdy handle for easy carrying, making it convenient and compact for every type of travel. I also love that it has several zipper pockets, so I can pack my toiletries and other travel essentials all in one bag. When I arrive at my destination, I hang it in the closet and I know that I will be ready to go.”

Dimensions: 15" x 22" x 6"

Materials: Ballistic nylon

What reviewers are saying: “This bag stores so much for a carry on. I was able to comfortably fit 2 suits and more for a destination wedding!”

This duffel has been receiving high praise ever since its release. A few of the reasons it’s so popular: The duffel is carry-on friendly, water-resistant, and has interior and exterior pockets. And those are only a few of its distinguishing features. Choose an original or compact size for the style that suits your needs.

Dimensions: 22" x 12" x 12"

Materials: Polyester

What reviewers are saying: “The Garment Duffel is a great purchase, especially for anyone in an industry that takes short frequent trips. I was actually able fit quite a bit more clothes than I had anticipated. Took the bag to work and my company bought 20 of them to give to customers. Great purchase.”

Longchamp’s iconic nylon and leather trim takes on a garment bag silhouette. The two-tone design exudes sophistication, with practical touches like a top carry handle, built-in hanger, and front zip pocket.

Dimensions: 23.25" x 41.25"

Materials: Nylon, leather

What reviewers are saying: “I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend who travels a lot and needed a nice garment bag particularly for his suits. This bag is perfect! It fits his suit as well as a few extra shirts. The fabric is an amazing, durable quality, and the leather details make this product look incredible.”

This garment bag is actually designed to fit inside of your carry-on, rather than serving as a stand-alone piece. The water-resistant exterior protects against spills, and exterior zip pockets hold small accessories. It gets the job done, while taking up the least possible amount of space.

Dimensions: 40" x 19"

What reviewers are saying: “I use this bag when I need to workout at work. I go from a suit to athleticwear in minutes.”

Looking for an affordable option that is available ASAP? Amazon’s garment bag holds up to three suits or dresses and boasts multiple zipper compartments.

Dimensions: 40" x 4" x 20.5"

What reviewers are saying: “I bought this bag in 2019 and it has held up incredibly well since then, performs all functions advertised at a great price value. I have taken it on many flights, buses and train rides and have never had an issue with fitting it in the overhead bin on both longer-haul flights and short budget-airline carriers.”

Hartmann’s garment bag adds contemporary touches to an otherwise traditional design. The result? A chic, useful travel accessory that will stand the test of time. The padded shoulder strap and multiple interior pockets enhance the convenience of this style.

Materials: Nylon

What reviewers are saying: “Hartmann was an anniversary gift from my work place, and I am still proud to own it 35 years later.”

Mark & Graham Commuter 2-in-1 Garment Bag

Another convertible duffel, but this time with a personalized touch. That’s right—Mark & Graham lets you monogram your duffel. With a plethora of zippered and snap interior and exterior pockets, this bag gets creative with its storage solutions.

Dimensions: 22" x 10" x 10"

This spinner-style garment bag makes navigating a chaotic airport easy. The ergonomic design has expandable capabilities, as well as various compartments, a hanger bracket, and a pocket for liquids.

Dimensions: 20.5" x 24" x 9.5"

What reviewers are saying: “It’s easy to maneuver and overall great quality and very neat design (many compartments and zippered areas).”

For golfers and non-golfers alike, Stitch makes a duffel that is water- and stain-resistant, and includes a hanger hook, shoulder strap, elastic shoe pockets, and webbed handles. You can even get it customized with your initials.

Dimensions: 22.5" x 11.5" x 12"

What reviewers are saying: “Love it! Fits into the airplane overhead bin, no trouble bringing it along as a carry-on bag. Very sturdy, zippers are tough enough. Shoulder strap is removable. My suit arrived in top shape using this garment bag. Highly recommended.”

Ralph Lauren Leather-Trim Hybrid Garment Duffel

Ralph Lauren’s duffel design is the epitome of understated elegance. An accompanying shoulder strap makes it easy to carry around.

Dimensions: 15" x 21.5" x 9"

Materials: Polyester, leather

Gucci Savoy Garment Bag

Embrace the bold luxury aesthetic with a Gucci bag covered in the house’s monogram. Containing a big compartment with a hanger and two zip pockets, this garment bag will hold all your essentials.

Dimensions: 21.5" x 16.1" x 6.7"

Materials: Canvas, leather, cotton

.css-p3fpzg{font-family:NewParisTextBook,NewParisTextBook-roboto,NewParisTextBook-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:-0.015rem;margin-bottom:0.625rem;margin-top:0.625rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-p3fpzg{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-p3fpzg{font-size:2rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-p3fpzg{font-size:2.625rem;line-height:1.1;}}.css-p3fpzg b,.css-p3fpzg strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-p3fpzg em,.css-p3fpzg i{font-style:normal;font-family:NewParisTextItalic,NewParisTextItalic-roboto,NewParisTextItalic-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;} Why trust Harper’s Bazaar ?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.

Gaby Keiderling is a freelance writer, working on fashion, lifestyle, travel, and sports features.

The Edit: Fashion

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10 Best Vacuum Storage Bags of 2024

Our top picks will increase your closet and suitcase space in minutes.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our top picks:

Best Overall

Spacesaver vacuum storage bags.

GONGSHI Vacuum Storage Bags

Best for Travel

Ziploc space bag.

Top-Seller on Amazon

Cozy essential vacuum storage bags.

Best Variety Pack

Hibag vacuum storage bags.

Best for Bedding

Hefty shrink-pak vacuum storage bags.

Best for Stacking

Storage master jumbo vacuum storage bags.

Best Extra-Large

Vacwel vacuum storage bags.

Best Hanging

Taili hanging vacuum storage bags.

The best vacuum storage bags make the most of your space by removing the air inside and sealing it tight. Many use a vacuum or hand pump to suck out all the air, while some travel-friendly space bags can actually be hand-pressed shut. Because of this, they're great for packing out-of-season clothes, bedding and more into small spaces like under your bed or inside your suitcase .

After consulting our in-house experts and scouring online reviews, we've rounded up the best vacuum storage bags to shop on Amazon, starting at just $8 (with fast, free shipping to boot!).

The original Spacesaver vacuum storage bags are our top pick for heavy-duty storage needs where damage protection is imperative, like cross-country moves and travel. You can use either the included hand pump or your vacuum to reduce volume by up to 80%, according to the brand. Choose from small to jumbo sizes and variety packs for all your storage needs.

Reviewers appreciate its ease of use and sturdy plastic . "I'm moving all the way across the country and was stressed out wondering how much of my clothing I could actually take with me. These Space Saver bags are a life saver!" wrote one five-star reviewer . "They are so easy to pack, zip and vacuum out the air. One of my best purchases ever here on Amazon (and I've made thousands)."

Stow bulky bedding, sweaters, pillows and more with these space-saving storage bags. You can either use the included hand pump or a standard vacuum cleaner to compress each bag and reduce volume by up to 80%, according to the brand. For under $20, this pack comes with four bag sizes to store different items: the smallest size fits six to eight sweaters while the largest fits a queen-sized bedding set.

The triple-sealed valve is designed to keep bags airtight so your items stay condensed, and the double-layered material is designed to be puncture- and scratch-resistant, making it more durable against damage. "They're strong and sturdy," one Amazon reviewer said . "They have great sizes and storage space, and they hold the seal (some for a year now)."

Skip the checked luggage line at the airport with these travel-friendly storage bags. Forté named the Ziploc Space Bag a long-standing Lab favorite. There's no need for a pump or a vacuum to take the air out — simply fill each with up to five pounds of clothing or bedding, seal it with the Ziploc slider and fold to press out the air. It also costs under $10 for a pack of two.

Since they don't require any bulky equipment, these bags are a great option for users on the go. The brand claims the bags reduce the volume of clothing and bedding by up to 75%. They're also waterproof and airtight per the brand, meaning they should help protect your items from damage caused by travel and storage.

Boasting more than 38,000 five-star reviews and counting, Amazon's #1 best-selling space saver bags claim to shrink the size of your items by up to 80%. This variety pack includes 20 bags, making them great for anyone moving houses or with lots of vacuum storage needs. The pack includes standard vacuum-sealable bags as well as travel bags that can be rolled to press out air — no pump required.

Waterproof and reusable (purported by the brand), the bags' valves and seals are designed to prevent expansion and keep moisture and debris out. "The quality of these bags is outstanding," one online shopper wrote . "I feel confident storing my clothing, bedding and other textiles knowing they are safe and well-preserved."

Whether you need to increase your under-bed storage space or condense your clothes on the go, this pack offers the most variety with six different-sized bags for all your needs . The standard bags range from pouch-sized bags for lingerie and T-shirts to extra-large bags for bedding sets and pillows . Each waterproof bag has a handy line to show you where to stop filling them, making it more intuitive to pack than other options on our list.

While it can be sealed with the included hand pump or a vacuum, we love that the travel bags can be rolled to seal out excess air sans tool if needed. "These were a game changer during our move," an Amazon reviewer wrote . "The sizes vary drastically, accommodating many different types of items from quilts to pillows as well as clothes."

Hefty is known for its durable garbage bags and freezer bags, but the brand also has a line of high-rated vacuum storage bags. Including three large and three extra-large sizes, Hefty's Shrink-Pak bags claim to be waterproof and reusable season after season, so you don't have to worry about moisture, dust or bugs ruining your items. Plus, you can simply press the air out with your hands and seal.

We love how the extra large bags have a zipper on the long side rather than the shorter top, making it easier to pack bedding supplies like pillows and comforters. Shoppers agreed, with one writing : "We just went through a very long, drawn-out move and the shrink bags have been a true lifesaver! We were able to put lots of our clothes, towels and blankets in storage while we shopped for a new house. When we finally started unpacking, everything looked exactly the way it did when it was packed!"

Outfitted with a stylish plaid print, we wouldn't mind keeping these space bags out in plain sight. And it's not just for aesthetics. Their unique woven texture provides a bit of grip to their exterior, helping them to stay in place better while stacked. The bags come in four sizes and packs of six to 26, making them great for small organization projects and large undertakings.

Plus, they compress with a vacuum or its included pump. Reviewers appreciate the variety of sizes and ease of use, too. "I love these sealable storage bags!" one shopper wrote . "The quality is fantastic, very well-made and sturdy. I really like the assortment of colors and sizes, too, so much so that I ordered a second box!"

If you need to store cumbersome items like king-sized duvets, foam cushions or dog beds , Vacwel's XXL bags offer an impressive storage capacity of 47 by 35 inches . Featuring a nylon lining for extra durability, the brand claims these bags are waterproof and protect against dirt, bugs and dust. They even come with sticker labels to easily identify stored items.

"These bags are durable and got the job done," an Amazon shopper added . "I was able to vacuum seal large comforters and sheets! Very surprised at how many bedding items that I was able to put in the bags." Note that a pump is not included, so you'll need a vacuum handy to seal these bags.

Protect your out-of-season garments and make room for new pieces with these clever hanging storage bags on Amazon. You can stash up to five pieces of clothing inside each, including coats, jackets and suits . Just place one included hanger on each rotating ring, zip it up and vacuum all the air out. The vertical storage design keeps your clothes clean and organized until you're ready to wear them again.

"I get immense joy out of packing away my winter clothes in the Taili hanging bags," an Amazon reviewer said . "[It] shrink wraps everything into compact boards ... It was very easy and effective to use."

How we chose the best vacuum storage bags

With so many different options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which vacuum storage bags are worth buying. To help you find the right pick for your needs, we consulted our experts in the GH Institute Cleaning Lab and vetted customer reviews to bring you a range of vacuum storage bags that suit a variety of purposes.

How do you choose the best vacuum storage bags?

Choosing the best vacuum storage bags depends on your individual needs — do you just need to store a few seasonal sweaters, or pack up your whole house for a move? According to, the size and dimensions can help you figure out which options are right for you.

" They should be large enough to hold multiple items and be durable enough to use from year to year ," Forté says. For those who don't own a vacuum (or have one readily accessible), opt for a bag that can be rolled to compress or can be hand pumped.

What do you put in a space bag?

While you might want to use your vacuum storage bag to compress bulky items like winter coats and duvets, Forté warns against vacuum-sealing down-filled items . Instead, she recommends only compressing them halfway.

"Otherwise, you risk crushing and breaking the down feathers and they may then not be as lofty or insulate as well," Forté says. Additionally, be sure not to store wet items, or you risk creating mold and causing long-term damage.

How long can you store items in a vacuum storage bag?

Forté recommends using storage bags for short-term and seasonal storage . "Keep items in them too long, and you risk permanently setting creases or crushing and flattening items that are supposed to be lofty and puffy," Forte says. For best results, be sure to check the recommended storage time on your bag's instructions.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Associate Commerce Editor Lauren Gruber put together this list of the best vacuum storage bag picks, based on insights and recommendations from Carolyn Forté .

Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she oversees all of GH's cleaning and home care product testing.

Lauren is a Brooklyn-based journalist and Associate Editor at Hearst. You can find her previous work at Entertainment Tonight , Shop TODAY , USA Today , Self Magazine , L’Officiel USA , V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media . 

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Product Reviews

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The Baggallini Travel Purse Is On Sale At The Lowest Price It's Been All Year

Shopping Writer for HuffPost

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Baggallini has a classic reputation for crafting some thoughtfully designed bags that make keeping your valuables and essentials safe and accessible an absolute breeze. And right now, their Go Bagg is on sale for up to 59% off at Amazon , depending on the color you choose.

A few elements that make this lightweight purse so ideal for not just everyday use, but also for travel , is the removable wallet that can also double as a wristlet if you’re really trying to go light. The wallet, which is large enough for most phones and is outfitted with slots for credit cards and identification, is equipped to block RFID technology that could be used to steal credit card data.

The purse itself is made from a water-resistant material and is small enough to pack in a backpack or suitcase. Inside and out, you can find several thoughtfully placed organizational pockets so rummaging around for your keys is a thing of the past.

Although the Go Bagg is available in several colors and patterns, just know that the list price discount pricing varies by color. The black (in either gold or silver hardware) for instance is 45% off while the sterling shimmer colorway is on sale for 49% off.

Normally retailing for $85, this bag is currently discounted at a price that’s the lowest we’ve seen all year — which, for us, is enough of a reason to snatch this up while you still can. Read on to some promising reviews in case you need more convincing or browse your purse options from the link above.

Promising Amazon reviews:

“This bag is great for traveling: it’s narrow and the slim shape provides an easy fit for backpacks. Yet, it provides a number of compartments and works as a cross-body bag, too. Highly recommended.” — Susan Genden “The Baggallini Go Bag is perfect for travel and all-day outings when you need to carry the most important stuff that is normally in your purse. Although it is good-sized, it won’t hold everything, but that’s the point. The various compartments keep things organized and accessible. It is very lightweight, and the fabric appears to be stain- and spot-resistant. The adjustable shoulder strap is plenty long for a comfortable “drop.” The Amazon Warehouse price provided a nice discount, and the purse is the same as if I had paid full price. Very satisfied!” — M.J.P. “This is an awesome cross body purse. It has wallet that can attach to the inside of the purse while still being accessible. The wallet is lined with something that protects your credit cards from being skimmed inside your purse. Its the perfect size to fit my rx sunglasses and case, my cell phone, car/house keys, lip balm, ink pen, etc. This purse is made with high quality fabrics. I have this purse in bronze and black. The only purse I use now. You won’t regret getting this purse.” — Ms Flip “I already had this bag in black and liked it so much, I decided to order it in the Shimmer Sterling color for a recent cruise we took. Sterling Shimmer is a versatile color that goes with most everything. I packed both bags in my suitcase to use throughout the cruise for day excursions and evening events. I especially like that each comes with a RDIF wallet which is tethered to the inside of the bag. The wallet can be used as a wristlet, and I was able to carry my phone in it when I wasn’t using the bag. The phone pocket on the outside of the bag is extremely convenient and having my phone handy allowed me to take the photos I wanted to at a moment’s notice. The inside pockets are great for storing reading glasses and/or sunglasses. All in all, the bag was an essential for my trip.” — Pizza

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

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Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

• Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
• Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
• Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

• Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
• Cost: USD $15.00
• Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

• Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

• Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
• Cost: USD $8.00
• Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

• Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
• Cost: Free to enter
• Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

• Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
• Cost: USD $5.00
• Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

• Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
• Cost: Free! 
• Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

• Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
• Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

• Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
• Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

• Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
• Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
• Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

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Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

• Towels Included

Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

• Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
• This museum is fun for both adults and children!
• Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

• A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
• Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
• The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

• Television and radio tower in Moscow
• Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
• Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

• The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
• Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
• Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

• Closed on Mondays
• Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
• The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

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Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

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Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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10 Ridiculously Spacious Weekender Bags You’ll Want on Hand for Travel This Year — Up to 50% Off at Amazon

Prices start as low as $21 on these functional and stylish duffels.

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Travel + Leisure / Daisy Rodriguez

On certain short vacations, it doesn’t necessarily make sense to pack up your bulky rolling suitcase. Namely, weekend trips. When you’re planning on only being away from home for just a few days, a spacious weekender bag is really all you need to get the job done, and Amazon has proven once again to be the go-to destination for all of your travel needs.

Whether you’re gearing up for a bachelorette trip , a beachside getaway, or even a staycation in your own city, we’ve uncovered the 10 weekender bags currently on sale at Amazon that are about to make your packing experience so much easier. Best of all, prices start as low as just $21.

Vera Bradley Women’s Cotton Weekender Travel Bag

Vera Bradley has been making spacious and reliable duffel bags for years, and this cotton tote is perfect for anything from a short weekend getaway to even longer adventures thanks to the luggage sleeve at the back of the bag that makes it stackable atop your rolling suitcase. Top-carry handles alongside an adjustable shoulder strap make traveling with this bag easy and comfortable, while a multitude of exterior and interior mesh pockets make way for impressive organization. Plus, the entire bag is machine washable so you can rinse away the dirt and grime of the airport once you’ve arrived home. 

Etronik Travel Weekender Bag

If you’ve been eyeing the viral Béis weekender bag but can’t swing the price tag, this best-seller from Etronik is an excellent, wallet-friendly alternative that boasts impressive packing capacity alongside a number of compartments for maximum organization. The roomy primary pocket offers ample space for all of your favorite clothing that you might want to pack for your trip, while the base of the bag is fitted with a special shoe compartment to keep the remnants of filthy city streets away from your clean laundry. Air vents in the shoe compartment ensure that your bag will never get stuffy (even during longer trips), and right now the top-rated tote is on sale for just $36 at Amazon.

Hyc00 Travel Weekender Overnight Bag

Simple, spacious, and reliable, this best-selling tote bag from Hyc00 is a worthy bag selection for overnight and weekend travel, and can even be repurposed as a gym bag in the interim. The 35-liter capacity has room for several days’ worth of clothing, shoes, and toiletries, while a water-resistant exterior is great for traveling during the rainy spring months. The modest size of this bag is airplane compliant, securing its spot as a convenient carry-on, and a simple trolley sleeve also makes this bag a great stackable option alongside a larger rolling suitcase. It even contains a built-in laptop compartment and wet pocket to meet all of your travel needs.

Soaeon Canvas Travel Overnight Weekender Bag

This luxurious and astoundingly spacious weekender bag is a standout choice for travelers (and also currently available for just $38 at Amazon) because not only does it have the packing capacity for up to four days, but it also unzips like a traditional suitcase to allow for even more organized packing. The details of this bag set it apart from competitors as it features durable leather handles, a sturdy, waterproof exterior, and reinforced stitching that will keep it in prime shape for years to come. Just don’t forget to clip the additional 10 percent off coupon at checkout for even more impressive savings.

Foundry Fit & Fresh Art Deco Weekender Bag

Overpackers will be thrilled to get their hands on this exceptionally large weekender bag that’s best suited for long car rides, trips to the beach, or any other occasion when you plan on packing a large volume of items. This tote measures 22 inches by 18 inches by 12 inches, allowing ample space for more than everything you’ll need — just note that it’s not likely a great choice for taking on an airplane. A wide zipper at the top of the bag alongside several interior zippered pockets make it easy to keep your belongings organized and secure, and when this bag is not in use, the canvas material allows it to be easily folded up and kept out of the way. At just $21, you can upgrade your travel experience even on a budget.

Bagsmart Travel Quilted Weekender Bag

Bagsmart excels at crafting high-quality travel gear at affordable prices, and this quilted weekender bag is on sale for just $27 in time for your spring travels ahead. This tote is perfectly suited for air travel and will easily fit in the overhead compartment of most commercial airlines; plus, it comes with a comfy and adjustable shoulder-carry strap, a convenient trolley sleeve, and a portable shoe bag to keep your clothes clean and separated. With enough space to pack for up to a four-day trip, this versatile carry-on is a reliable choice for any trips you have on the agenda for the coming months.

Wogarl 4-piece Weekender Bag Set

Get the most bang for your buck with this four-piece luggage set from Wogarl that not only comes with a weekender bag, but also a shoe bag, a toiletry tote, an additional dopp kit, and even a matching purse. A luggage sleeve at the back of the bag makes it easily stackable for week-long adventures, while a water-resistant exterior promises to keep your belongings safe during any inclement weather you may encounter during your travel days. Plus, the base of the bag features another hidden compartment that’s an excellent place to store your dirty laundry, making for a streamlined unpacking experience once you arrive home. 

Ibfun Weekender Bag

Looking to add some personality to your luggage selection this season? Well, this Ibfun weekender duffel is poised to be a great travel companion thanks to its spacious primary compartment, reinforced and reliable design, and roomy shoe pocket that’s lined with waterproof material to take on rainy weather in style. Right now, this convenient carry-on is double discounted to just $35 at Amazon, and it even boasts enough space to pack for up to four days of traveling (or a weekend trip if you’re an overpacker). And with a bonus toiletry kit and purse included, you can’t go wrong in scoring this unbeatable deal.

Beulptn Small Weekender Bag with Shoe Compartment

Minimalist packers will find this compact weekender to be a worthy addition to their travels — especially considering it’s on sale for just $24 at Amazon. Small enough to fit underneath most airplane seats (and inside of overhead bins), this weekender is truly ideal for two-day trips. It’s lightweight, durable, and conveniently designed to keep your belongings well-organized and in place, and it even features a hidden shoe pocket on the side for a single pair of your favorite kicks. 

S-Zone Canvas Overnight Weekender Bag

If you’re shopping for a no-fuss bag that offers incredible packing capacity, a sturdy design, and even an expandable primary compartment, this duffel from S-Zone is sure to become your go-to choice — and it’s a whopping 50 percent off at Amazon. A canvas exterior accentuated with leather top-carry handles and other detailing creates a luxurious finish to this refined bag, while it’s the perfect size to function as a carry-on during your next flight. Rivets at the bottom of the bag add valuable reinforcements that help it stand on its own, and an adjustable and removable shoulder-carry strap is the cherry on top of this perfect weekender.

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