peak travel backpack 45l

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Peak Design BTR-45-BK-1 travel backpack Nylon Black Unisex 45 L

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Laptop sleeve can hold your laptop and tablet
• Retractable shoulder pads, hip pads are useful in many situations, such as when placed on a net shelf, pass-through suitcase
• The side pocket can also store water bottles and tripods

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We are Peak Design

Our carry solutions help creatives, commuters, and adventurers keep their gear accessible, organized, and protected.

Everyday Line V2

Everyday style, extraordinary design. We made these bags for creators, commuters, and explorers alike.

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Keep your photo and video gear organized, protected, and instantly accessible during your workflow.

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Connect your phone to a massive ecosystem of mounts and accessories.

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Product Description

REIMAGINED ORGANIZATION

Rigid sidewalls and full-back panel load for organized packing.

SEPARATE YOUR GEAR

Zippered dividing panel separates bag into two compartments or merge into one.

IMPRESSIVE CAPACITY

Meets international max carry-on standards on most major carriers in default 35L configuration (please check the dimensions with your specific carrier). Dual expansion zips give 10L extra volume for 45L max storage.

Videos for this product

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Best Features of the Peak Design Travel Line 45L Backpack

Maggie - Home Cook & World Traveller

Choosing the right Peak Design Travel Bag

Peak Design

Had for years, love this backpack

Tee & Chris

Five years and around the world this bag has come...

Features overview of the Travel Line Backpack

Looking for specific info, customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the quality, versatility, pockets and fit of the backpack. For example, they mention it's well-made, solid and perfect for a weekend getaway. They appreciate the layout of the compartments and easy access to gear. That said, opinions are mixed on comfort and weight.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the quality of the backpack. For example, they mention it's well-made, solid, and strong. Some say the build is soft-sided, yet the material feels sturdy and water-repellent. Overall, most are satisfied with the product's quality.

"...The only negative I have for this pack is that because it is so well built and well-structured it's going to be an effort to minimize how much I put..." Read more

"...The build is great , I got black and love how sleek it is. A phenomenal travel companion" Read more

"...The build is soft-sided, yet the material feels sturdy , water-repellent, and the bag holds it's shape well, which I feel is necessary in a good..." Read more

"very lightweight and durable " Read more

Customers find the backpack versatile. They say it's an amazing traveling gear bag, phenomenal travel companion, and great back pack. They also say the zipped enclosures behind the pouches are great for travel and hiking. Customers also mention that the bag is pricey, but has a great design and works well for traveling.

"...It worked great on my first trip going to DC for a long weekend...." Read more

"...The build is great, I got black and love how sleek it is. A phenomenal travel companion " Read more

"...There is plenty of access points to the two main large compartments, which expandable to 45L from 35L. I am used to backpacks being shorter than this..." Read more

"...The zipped enclosures behind the pouches are great for travel . I'd like to use the whole space and not have wasted space...." Read more

Customers like the pockets in the backpack. They say the layout of the compartments makes for easy access to gear. They also appreciate the side pouches for dual dedicated storage. Overall, customers are impressed with its adaptability and organization.

"...Big pockets to throw your stuff into. Very simple organization pocket for common things or plenty of room to throw your own favorite organizer..." Read more

"...to fit additional purchases made on the trip but still have easy access to my belongings ...." Read more

"...- storage: * the side pouches are nice if you're looking for dual dedicated water pouches. This doesn't really work for me...." Read more

"...perfectly positioned to get it out easy for security, perfect pocket placements easy to access ...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the fit of the backpack. For example, they mention it's narrow enough to fit under most seats on airplanes, and can comfortably accommodate shoes. Some say it'll fit under a Delta MD88. Overall, most are happy with the quality and functionality of the product.

"...Could be overkill, because everything fits great . But I like not having to worry about things spilling out in the shuffle of the security line...." Read more

"...This bag combined with the tech pouch, wash pouch, and the 3l sling fit perfectly with room for my over headphones and a 16inch Macbook pro...." Read more

"...For example, this can comfortably accommodate shoes without eating up the centrally-located majority of space of shorter bags I've had...." Read more

"...is not idea. * straps: It's great that they fold away and can be tucked in but the adjustment is weak and the straps are flimsy compared to..." Read more

Customers find the backpack super easy to access on the front, back, and both sides. They say the compartments make for easy access to your gear. Customers say the organization and quick access make travel better than they've ever experienced.

"... No need to unpack everything or worry about checking through drawers on checkout day...." Read more

"...All the organization and quick access made travel better than I have ever experienced...." Read more

"...And the layout of the compartments makes for easy access to your gear once you've reached your destination without needing to completely unpack the..." Read more

"Great travel Bag very strong and easy to access .A.Anthony" Read more

Customers are mixed about the comfort of the backpack. Some mention that it's versatile and comfortable on the back, while others say that the shoulder straps are very uncomfortable.

"...it up and down from the overhead was super easy since the straps all tuck away and it has handles on 5 sides of the pack...." Read more

"...I’m 6’2 and built like a wrestler, and the straps just dig into me . This isn’t a comfortable bag in the least, which outweighs the cool factor." Read more

"...To name a few - the backpack straps can be tucked away under magnetic flaps, leaving a single handle if you chose to use this as a duffle...." Read more

"...I think I would recommend this but I do have one quibble with the shoulder straps ...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the weight of the backpack. Some mention it's very lightweight and durable, while others say it'll get heavy if stuffed full. The bag is about 4 lbs empty and can eat up a bunch of weight when limited to 17-20 lbs.

"...It's about 4 lbs empty which eats up a bunch of weight when limited to 17-20 lbs for a carry-on with many flights...." Read more

" very lightweight and durable" Read more

"...Keep in mind that it can get heavy if stuffed full ...." Read more

"...trip and it fit mostly everything I needed but it was just so heavy to carry for long periods of time...." Read more

Customers find the value of the backpack to be poor. They mention that it's pricey and not worth the price.

" pricey , but great design and works well for traveling." Read more

"... It may be pricey but with the compression sacks I can fit enough for a week long trip (granted, it’s light streamlined packing)...." Read more

"Overall a five star bag but obviously on the pricey side and because of that, this bag is not for everyone. That being said, no regrets" Read more

"Great quality but not worth the price ..." Read more

Reviews with images

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Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L Review

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is nothing short of genius. Its innovative features and design make it a stand-out in our mind, even though some of the materials left a bit to be desired.

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Our verdict.

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• Very smart design.
• Innovative—and fast—harness hiding system.
• Feature-fit for almost any carry.
• Zipper choice is puzzling.
• Sternum strap comes off a little easily for our liking.
• Side handles provide a funky, imbalanced carry.

Technical Details

Carry-on compliance.

View 19/145 Airlines

Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline's interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn't mean that the airline will interpret it that way.

Like the Look

Polled on Instagram

Weight (lb)

4.55 lb (2.1 kg)

22 in x 13 in x 9.5 in (55.9 x 33 x 24.1 cm)

Depth increases to 11" (28 cm) when expanded

Notable Materials

Aluminum, Hypalon®, Polyurethane, DWR Coating, YKK Zippers, Nylon, Zoom Zippers

Manufacturing Country

Laptop Compartment Size

Warranty Information

Peak Design Lifetime Product Warranty

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Full Review

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Oh boy. This is a big one, folks.

We have been waiting a long time for this review… The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is finally here. If you’ve been following us or you’re into backpacks, photography, or travel—you’ve probably heard of Peak Design. These guys have been absolutely killing it, making some of the most unique and innovative designs the backpack and photography world have ever seen.

Their Everyday Backpack has been a huge hit amongst photographers and it has some of the coolest features we’ve ever seen on a backpack. The only problem is that it is very much built for photography—and although we like photography (and have a handful of professional photographers on our team), we’re always more interested in travel bags. We’ve been hearing whispers about the Peak Design Travel Backpack for some time now, and needless to say, we were pretty excited to get our hands on one.

We’ve been testing this thing out for three weeks and it’s seen use across multiple US states and a few flights. Much like their other gear, our first impression is that this bag has a lot of smart, innovative thinking, and it most definitely lives up to the hype.

Is it without problems? Of course not. Check out the full review below for all the details. Or, if you’re looking for something a little smaller, check out our review of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L .

Materials & Aesthetic

At the time of this review, the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L comes in two different colors—black on black, and sage—and we opted for the black on black (obviously). We should also mention that although pictures of the sage color look very similar to the ash color on the Everyday Backpack, it is slightly greener than you might think.

That being said, Peak Design tends to release their bags in a lot of different colors, so we’re curious to see if they try anything later in 2018 or early 2019. Depending on when you’re reading this review, there might be a few new color options.

Each color uses the same material, which is a 400D nylon canvas for the majority of the bag, and a 900D nylon canvas at the bottom to protect against additional abrasions. The stuff on the bottom definitely has a slightly rubbery feel to it. You might be curious as to why they’ve got canvas on this pack when most other, similar packs are rocking ballistic nylon… This was clearly an intentional choice made by Peak Design. It’s quite weather-resistant, and it feels nice to the touch.

As far as the overall aesthetics of the bag, this thing is really sleek and minimal even though it has a ton of crazy features going on in it. We’ve also noticed that it does a great job of keeping its form even while empty, due to the high density foam padding around most of the pack. This may be a pro or con, depending on your use case and style taste.

As we normally do, we polled our Instagram audience to determine how many of you folks like the look of this bag. Results were fairly conclusive, with 69% saying they liked the look of the pack and 31% saying they did not like the look. So, take from that what you will.

Wrapping up the materials, there is a DWR coated polyurethane liner —which will add some more weatherproofing— aluminum hardware , and a bunch of YKK and Zoom zippers . To be honest, we’re bit confused with the choice of Zoom zippers, but we’ll cover that later in the review.

External Features

Even though it might not look like it, there are a ton of external features on this pack. We’ll start with the harness system, which is one of our favorite—and most innovative—pieces on this pack.

The shoulder straps contain Peak Design’s signature rotating straps, which they’ve done with other packs, including their Everyday Backpack. These are really great for swinging the pack around your body and using it in “side access mode” while you’re wearing it. They’re basically just a normal pair of shoulder straps, but they’re connected by a single metal rivet at the top, which allows the top of the strap to move around to any angle you’d like.

The straps themselves offer some high-density foam, which is definitely very comfortable—more comfortable, in fact, than the Everyday Backpack. We liked seeing that they’ve improved that a bit. These straps also feature aluminum glide hardware on the adjuster straps, as well as a plastic keeper to handle any excess material. (Got to have that #danglefreeexperience!)

We should note that this plastic keeper can be a little bit hard to get back on if it falls off… You’ll probably have to take the bag off and fiddle with it a little bit. If you want see one of our favorite strap hiding systems, go check out the Evergoods MPL30 . That thing offers really incredible ways to hide and manage excess straps.

There is also a detachable sternum strap, which can be stored permanently in the vertical position along the strap, or temporarily as a little loop that hangs off. (This is all when you’re not using it, of course.) One minor detail is that it’s a little bit easier to detach than we’d like—one side grips a little bit harder than the other and it comes off pretty easily, which always makes us a little nervous. Peak Design does offer replacements on their site if you were to lose it, but we’d recommend just keeping an eye on it and making sure it doesn’t fall off.

There is a hideable hip belt at the bottom, which has that signature rotating system we’ve come to thoroughly enjoy. On the wearer’s left-hand side, there is a 3D, stretchy, mesh-like pocket that works well for flatter items. There’s a bit of give in this thing, so even stiffer items should work (which has traditionally been a problem we’ve seen on many of these pockets). On the wearer’s right-hand side are some additional attachment points for things like the field pouch and other accessories that Peak Design sells.

Okay, so we have to say… this hip belt is next to perfect. There’s the right amount of padding, it’s the right size, and it’s easily stowable when you don’t want to use it. Our one nitpick is the aluminum hardware, which takes a bit getting used to. It’s a bit different from the plastic buckles we all know and love, but once you do get used to it, it’s really a pleasure to use and helps to provide a nice carry. Plus, it’s never going to break—because, you know, metal and stuff.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L Hideable Harness System

And now onto the main event. Everything on this harness system is hideable—fast. If there was a competition for “how fast can you hide your backpack straps,” you would want this bag. For sure.

First, you rotate the hip belt upwards and slide it in. Then, you rotate the shoulder straps and hide them away just like you did with the hip belt. …And that’s it. No detaching straps, no zippers, no nonsense. This is, without a doubt, the best strap hideaway system we have found to date. For real.

Once you hide everything away, there’s a handle in the middle that can be used to carry the bag in duffel mode. It also works as a pass through system for roller luggage. Also, while you’re using the shoulder straps you can fold in the material used to hide the straps, which gives the center of the back panel some extra padding and a little more airflow. Awesome, innovative thinking here—we love it.

One small note here, when you’re putting the hip belt away you’ll want to make sure it’s as flat as possible, or else you’ll feel it in your back as you’re carrying the bag around.

And lastly, there’s a luggage tag indicated by a small icon on the back panel. You can put your contact information in there, so someone can get in touch with you if you were to ever lose this pack (yikes—don’t want to think about that). We do have a few things to mention about this little area of the pack…

• While our version is pretty loosey-goosey, the final production run will have velcro here. So no need to worry about your tag slipping out.

Moving on to the side of the bag, there’s a water bottle pocket that is big enough to fit a huge Nalgene bottle as well as a slightly-less-huge S’well bottle. Outside of a gallon jug, we’re pretty confident this thing will handle any water bottle you might want to throw at it (or in it, heh).

There is also a very stealthy zippered pocket within the water bottle sleeve, which is great for hiding items of any type. You might assume this pocket is unusable while you’ve got a water bottle in the main sleeve, but there’s a good amount of gussetting that provides quite a bit of expandability. You can easily fit some larger items (like a plus-sized iPhone) in here, or some quick-grab items—although we’d recommend avoiding large stuff if you’ve also a water bottle in the sleeve. This pocket is really secure, seeing as the zipper is virtually hidden, plus we’ve really never seen a pocket like this—which means that any potential thief probably hasn’t either.

This is just one of those areas where you can tell that Peak Design has put a lot of thought and effort into making every square inch of this bag useful, which is incredibly important for one bag travel. Kudos!

There are a total of four grab handles on this pack, which we love. The top handle is nicely padded and allows you to hang the bag flush against a wall, which is always nice. The two on the side are good for quick grabs, although because they’re not centered, using these for any length of time can be a bit funky. They are, however, perfect for grabbing the bag out of overhead bins. And lastly, there’s one on the bottom that really makes the bag grabbable from all sides—which we love.

On the front side there’s a sneaky, hidden pocket that closes magnetically at the bottom and has the ability to hold some lash straps. The magnetic pocket is great for holding a rain fly—if you get caught in a torrential downpour, it’s nice to have that as an option for some additional weatherproofing. It could also handle some flatter items.

(Sidenote: Our bag didn’t come with lash straps! We think they either forgot about them or maybe they fell out at some point during our three weeks of testing. Hopefully that’s not the case, but either way—we don’t have them at the moment.)

The lash straps use a very similar system to what we’ve seen on the Everyday Backpack, and much like that bag, there are a ton of different configurations you could dream up—there are attachment points all over the outside of this bag, even on the interior of the water bottle pocket! We expect they’ll work pretty well.

Lastly, there are two compression features on this pack. There are two compression zippers on the exterior that add a few more liters of space to the bag. And there’s also a very handy button system that allows you to compress the bag towards the top. This is a pretty nifty system that we haven’t seen anywhere else, but we should note that the placement of these buttons is not final—Peak Design is still working on it, and they’ve said that the placement on launch might be a bit different. That said, the bag still feels pretty big even with the compression, so we recommend bringing along a packable daypack if that’ll bother you.

Inside the Pack

Moving on the inside of the pack, there is a quick-grab pocket at the top of the bag with some stretchy mesh on the inside. This is a nice pocket for all of your airport essentials, and they’ve done a nice job making this pocket really blend into the rest of the bag. Very slick.

Moving onto the interior of the front panel, there’s some really smart organization going on here. The top area has an interesting, rubbery-feeling mesh, which gets the job done and allows you to see whatever items you have in there. We like that the zipper on this pocket is a bit curved, so it allows you to have good access. Opening it up, there are a couple small sleeves for pens or pencils, and a few larger ones that we’ve been using for chargers and outlet converters. If you don’t want to use these pockets, that’s fine—they lay flat, so it won’t make a difference in the overall space of the bag.

We should note that the pen pockets are a little loose—your pen might go rogue if you’re really throwing this bag around. Towards the bottom, there’s a similar pocket with no organization that is great for flatter items here.

On the other side of this compartment there’s a pretty similar scenario. You’ve got a half-mesh pocket up top, and a liner pocket at the bottom. But what we really love about this compartment is that the pockets are accessible from each side of the bag. You have access from the main liter compartment and from the front side as well. Plus, the separator unzips and you can stuff it into itself in the bottom of the main compartment—which allows you to essentially “remove” the separator and use the bag as a giant duffel. Brilliant. This is one of the innovations that make this bag really unique.

So you can access that main compartment through that front panel (and the separator, if you’re using that) or you can also access it from the back of the bag, where the main compartment opens up. This is one area of the pack where Peak Design chose to use the Zoom zippers we mentioned in the beginning…

We actually utilize Zoom Zippers for all of our bags and packs! — Peak Design (@peakdesignltd) August 21, 2018

We’re really curious as to why Peak Design didn’t include YKK zippers across the entirety of this pack. There are some on the internal pockets, however, most of the zippers on the main compartment are Zoom. YKK zippers are on just about every heavy-hitting travel pack that’s in the premium category, so it’s pretty odd that they’ve decided to venture away from them. Everyone uses YKK, and we’ve never had a problem with them.

We have, unfortunately, had some problems with Zoom zippers though. One of our contacts has been using the Peak Design Everyday Messenger and they’ve gone through two bags because the main zipper has broken on each of them. Another contact had the zipper break on her Everyday Backpack. In all three of these cases, Peak Design has handled the return and exchange of the broken zippers gracefully. They’ve replaced it with little to no questions asked and provided great customer service.

However, that customer service and warranty isn’t going to do you much good if your zipper breaks in a remote village in Thailand. We’d rather have the zippers just not break in the first place—and we really hope the zipper doesn’t break on the main compartment of the Travel Backpack, as it would render the bag pretty much useless. It is a beefy #10 zipper, but it’s not YKK—and that gives us some cause for concern. Mostly all of the heavy hitting travel backpack brands opt for YKK.

Update: we spoke with Peak Design about their Zoom Zipper decision and here’s what they had to say:

“Regarding our use of Zoom zips on the main access points, we’ve chosen Zoom because of a number of factors: strength, feel, testing performance, performance over time, and value. We’ve used Zoom zips across all of our bags, all of which are guaranteed for life, and we’ve seen a sub-0.3% failure rate on them. Another big part of our decision to use Zoom is that we’ve been able to develop a close direct relationship with them, something we’re not able to do with a supplier of YKK’s size. Zoom has been super responsive to our requests for tweaks and customizations. We pride ourselves in honing every last detail of our products to perform their specific functions optimally, and working with Zoom has allowed us to do that.”

Okay, that was a ton on zippers. We got carried away. Let’s get back to that main compartment.

Basically, this main compartment is a giant bucket that works well with Peak Design’s dedicated travel accessories and packing cubes . You don’t need to use their system, but it does help as they size them specifically for this pack.

On the sides there are some elastic loops that are actually used to fully integrate their camera cube system. That offers a little bit more padding and locks all of your lenses and camera gear right in place—if that’s your thing.

The laptop compartment is in the traditional “laptop compartment area,” and you can access it by unzipping the main compartment by just a few inches. There’s ample space for pretty much any laptop you could have, and it all closes up nicely with some Velcro. There is also a separate tablet partition on the inside, which we’ve been using for our Kindle.

One small issue with the tablet partition is that the Velcro target is a little bit small, so it’s kind of hard to accurately velcro it down unless you’re looking at it. In contrast, the laptop partition has some more Velcro and is super easy to close without even looking at it.

That main compartment is also accessible from the zippers on the side—so if you have things strategically positioned in here, you can swing the bag around your body, unzip it from the side, and grab what you need. This is especially handy for the camera cube insert, allowing you to quickly swap out a lens or do other #photographythings.

One last feature to note is that all the zippers on this bag are lockable with O-rings and they also come with some additional security features:

• The big, main compartment zippers secure to each other via a loop-and-button system.

None of these are completely foolproof, but they’re a deterrent. If a thief is quickly rifling through everything, they’ll likely just pass by your bag if they’re unable to access it quickly.

Durability & Testing

At the time of this review, we have been testing this bag for three weeks in Detroit, Minneapolis and Northern Minnesota, as well as two flights. Overall, it has been a joy to use—and after inspection, not much has gone wrong with the pack besides a slight scratch in the black aluminum hardware on the sternum strap. No visible marks on the exterior after three weeks and no problems with the zippers yet.

And… that’s about it! We really don’t have much in the way of gripes about this bag—outside of those Zoom zippers—and we’re loving all the thought and effort Peak Design has put into this thing.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

Great! Really digging all these cool features, still getting used to some things like the hip belt clip.

Still going strong—using this thing is a pleasure, and no durability complaints outside of a few scratches on the aluminum hardware.

Still digging the intuitiveness of this bag. Easy to use, great integration with Peak Design Packing Accessories, and a solid experience overall.

Condition: Good

This pack has now seen a trip to Paris and Alabama from Detroit. Still holding up well besides a couple of slight marks on the exterior fabric!

• No new scratches or broken parts to report!
• We had no issue fitting it under an international airplane seat
• Back panel is still breathable and doesn’t cause back sweat in hot temps
• Handled being on a boat just fine—no issues with water splashes
• Less inclined to use this bag as a daypack over time, since clamshell main compartment access is pretty slow and clunky in tight spaces

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Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L Review

Read this Peak Design Travel Backpack Review for travelers and photographers needing an all in one system to carry gear and clothing efficiently.

Bag Reviews | Peak Design Bag Reviews | Photography Gear Reviews | By Mark Condon | Last Updated: January 24, 2024

I wrote this Peak Design Travel Backpack review a year ago, but have decided to update it for 2024 with some insights from my recent trips.

Peak Design is well known in the photography industry for creating bags that innovate in excel – we’ve reviewed almost all of them here on Shotkit.

Their foray into the travel industry was an eagerly anticipated one, and I was keen to get my hands on their new 45L camera backpack .

Functional, durable, comfortable... and uber cool! A truly unique camera backpack for travel.

My initial review was written after a couple of weeks of testing. It was, admittedly, rather harsh 😐

The Peak Design Travel Backpack deserves at least a year of consistent usage in order to form a balanced opinion – as you’ll see, there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye…

Table of Contents

Peak Design Travel Backpack | Intro

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Writing camera bag reviews is usually a rather simple affair. After all, a bag designed to carry a camera is usually much like any other bag, albeit one with some form of adjustable padding to safely transport photography gear.

Then there are bags like the Peak Design Travel Backpack that require a big step backwards, and a complete rethink of how to broach the topic.

To say that there’s a lot going on with the Peak Design Travel Backpack and the system of Packing Cubes is an understatement.

Luggage redefined: a carry-on Travel Backpack and system of Packing Tools designed around the idea that no two trips are the same.

There are literally so many features, so many nooks and crannies, and so many more large and small design details than you could shake a stick at – this review was a real challenge to put together!

Writing about every single one of the feaures of the bag would result in an enormous post, so I’ve decided to approach this review a little differently, and highlight what I like and dislike about the product.

Summary of Features

Watch the video above to see all the features of the Peak Design Travel Backpack, including practical usage cases.

Despite all the video reviews flying around online, Peak Design is obviously the best at showing exactly what this backpack is capable of in real-world situations.

As you’ve probably gathered, this is no ordinary camera backpack. It’s a complicated product with numerous features that require time to digest, and as such, is best explained in a video by its makers.

After you’ve watched the video, keep reading on to hear more about my favourite features, and those that left me feeling a little confused.

What I Like

Size comparison – I’m 6ft 4″ (194cm)

While some brands choose to release a range of bags with different design elements to suit a range of people, Peak Design seems to prefer to try and offer one bag for everyone.

With the other bags in the line up, size is the only differentiator – you can have the Peak Design Sling , for example, in 5L or 10L variants.

With the Peak Design Travel Backpack , there’s only one size (45L), but a plethora of built-in storage/carry options designed to appeal to every sort of traveler/photographer.

45L is actually the expanded size of the backpack, with its regular size hovering around 35L, which is in my opinion the perfect size for a travel backpack. It’s also the maximum carry-on size of most airlines.

You can also ‘collapse’ the top third of the backpack, making it 35L and its appearance slightly less bulky. I think the aim here was to transform the bag into a more streamlined day pack, but in reality it doesn’t make that much difference.

The main thing I like about the design of the Peak Design Travel Backpack is how it looks. For all its bells and whistles, it still succeeds in looking understated and cool.

I usually opt for all-black bags, but the ‘Sage’ colourway looks great too!

I’m not a huge fan of the appearance of their previous creation, the Peak Design Everyday backpack , even though it’s a hugely popular product.

I much prefer the look of the Peak Design Travel Backpack in both black or ash, which manages to straddle both ‘tech’ with ‘stealth’, whilst still concealing an absolute tardis of internal carry/storage options.

The ‘Ash’ colourway deserves a special mention for being unlike any other bag I’ve owned – it really is a unique colour – kind of a mixture between grey and green, which is attractive and cool. I particularly like the brown leather branding accent on the front.

Recently, Peak Design have been releasing all-black versions of its Everyday line of bags, and I’m glad they went with two one-colour options with the Travel Backpack.

I’m also glad they resisted the temptation to bring other colours in to the various design elements, which may have resulted in a very ‘busy’ appearance.

Camera cube featuring padded dividers can be accessed via the front flap or side flaps.

Looks are nothing unless they’re built on a solid foundation, and the Peak Design Travel Backpack doesn’t disappoint in this regard.

In fact, every Peak Design product I’ve handled has always featured premium build quality.

The more you use the Peak Design Travel Backpack, the more you’ll appreciate just how well it’s been put together.

The nylon shell looks and feels amazing in its matt finish, and coupled with its concealed padding, it’s built to protect your precious camera gear even if you’re forced to check-in the bag when traveling.

Available separately, the camera cubes add an additional layer of protection, whilst offering innovative side access points which mirror those found on the actual backpack, for ease of access without removing the bag from your shoulder.

As mentioned previously, the bag’s padding feels so robust so I’ve actually decided not to use the camera cube, with all my main gear items stowed away in the main flap’s zippered pockets.

Another example of the incredible build quality of the Peak Design Travel Backpack are the waterproof zippers, that slide solidly, but effortlessly around the inside and outside of the bag.

If you’ve ever wrestled with a zipper when it meets a curve, the operation of this bag will be a breath of fresh air. I also love how the zippers completely concealed when fastened, with the zipper pulls remaining large enough to grab even with gloved hands, but still not overwhelming in the bag’s overall appearance.

The zippers also offer multiple ways to secure the bag from pickpockets.

Modular Tech pouch (reviewed here) and Wash pouch (sold separately) feature numerous organisation options.

Once you’ve got over the sheer multitude of storage options available to you, and realise that you don’t need to use every single pocket and pouch, you’ll have a lot of fun loading and unloading the Peak Design Travel Backpack.

It feels a little strange initially to neglect certain storage options on the bag, but I believe this is essential to use it efficiently.

Leaving pockets completely empty and unused on the Peak Design Travel Backpack is OK! It may seem strange, but really, let go…!

Peak Design has given you the luxury of choice when it comes to loading your perfect travel backpack. This is a great thing, as long as you’re not wasting time looking for items every time you need to use them.

The storage options I liked in particular on this bag were as follows:

• Side pockets – these expand to include water bottles or lightweight tripods , and include handy magnetic closures when storing smaller items. They’re also the perfect size to house the awesome Peak Design Travel Tripod .
• Internal Main Flap Zippered pockets – I use these to carry small travel cameras and lenses.
• Shoulder Straps stowaway – ingenious design which allows you to create a ‘clean’ duffel bag , with the shoulder straps concealed behind the magnetic rear panel.
• Belt Strap stowaway – as above, but for a belt strap for when you need the extra support.
• Belt Strap zipper pocket – useful for small items, meaning you don’t need to remove your backpack for access.

Shotkit being a site for photographers, I should also mention that that the camera cubes transform the Peak Design Travel Backpack into a fully-fledged camera backpack .

The cubes are available in 3 sizes, and mount securely to the inside of the Travel Backpack via removable clips. The side access points can be tucked away, allowing you to access camera gear from the outside of the backpack via a single zip .

You can fit a ton of gear into the Peak Backpack!

Inside the camera cubes reside a selection of Peak Design’s origami-style dividers and other padded ones, allowing endless organization and customization.

The cubes are sturdily built and offer a lot of protection, almost as if they’re intended to be used on their own. I actually found that the padding of the Travel Backpack was substantial enough to not actually require a camera cube to protect my gear.

I imagine if you’re planning to check-in the backpack, using the camera cube would offer the most peace of mind for protection, but if the backpack is to be largely remaining on your back, it may not actually be necessary (from a protection point at least).

Either way, the camera cubes do provide additional organisation options for your gear, which can be very useful.

As for the tech pouch and wash pouch, they’re both impeccably built and designed, with a multitude of sleeves, pockets, nooks and crannies to organise all your bits and bobs and keep them protected.

I also like the compressible packing cubes and shoe pouch, which weigh next to nothing and help keep the miscellaneous clothing items organised in the backpack.

Camera Cube can be accessed via side opening of Travel Backpack.When you’ve got over the (somewhat confusing) novelty of being able to access the contents of your bag via the front, the back, the sides and the top, you should decide on one or two access options that work best for you.

This goes back to the notion of decision-fatigue, whereby you’ll be forced to think every time you come to open the Peak Design Travel Backpack, since there are so many damn ways to get inside it!

Remember I mentioned muscle-memory? Well, I want to be at a point with this bag where my hands move without thought to exactly where my gear is located.

I’ve chosen to ignore the side entry points completely, choosing to favour front flap or rear panel access. If I need gear, I access via the front. If I need clothes etc., I access via the back.

Once you’ve decided on your access points, you can now enjoy one of the best-thought-out travel bags you’ll ever come across.

No matter which zipper you pull to get into the Peak Design Travel Backpack, you’ll be able to access the interior in a split-second, without tugging stubborn zippers back and forth, or scratching your arm trying to reach through small openings.

Pulling open the front flap or rear panel is a glorious experience, instantly revealing the entire contents of the interior main compartment (or zippered interior pockets, depending on how you have the backpack set up).

Padded rear panel conceals shoulder and hip straps.

With all these innovative design features, let’s not forget what a travel backpack needs to do well – be comfortable while you carry it.

Despite being heavier than other travel backpacks I’ve come across, all that is forgotten when you actually have the Peak Design Travel Backpack on your back – this thing feels great to carry.

The rear panel and shoulder straps are padded just enough for prolonged use, and the axial rivets that secure the straps to the top of the bag allow the straps to rotate freely as you move.

This small design addition results in a backpack that conforms to any shape and size of back, and makes the Peak Design Travel Backpack comfortable and enjoyable to carry.

The stowable waist straps are a great addition too, allowing you to tighten the backpack more securely to your body, to aid with weight distribution and reduce movement when walking or running. There’s also a basic sternum strap, to further reduce bag movement.

I also love the grab handles, which as you’d expect from such a multi-faceted product as this, are located on the top, sides, rear and bottom of the backpack! The back handle also doubles as a pass-through for rolling camera bags, which is a nice touch if you’re traveling with check-in luggage too.

Another ingenious design feature is the rear panel, which folds under itself for increased ventilation and comfort, by reducing the surface area on your back.

What I Dislike

Over-design….

Zippered dividing panel separates bag into 2 compartments, or stows away to create 1 large volume

Watching the video above, you’ll probably be excited about a camera backpack with so many features – several of which you’ve probably never seen on a bag before.

After all, I can’t name any travel backpack or camera bag which offers access from all 4 sides… well actually, 5 sides if you include the regular top access too.

I don’t think I’ve ever come across a bag with so many pockets, zips, straps and attachment points either.

In their own words, the Peak Design Travel Backpack is the result of “2-years of coffee fueled nights and a desire to make the best damn travel system on the market.”

Now imagine an experienced design team consisting of photographers and other creative professionals, with a proven track record of creating a line of truly innovative carrying products, having a 2 year long discussion about what to include in a travel/camera backpack… it’s inevitable they’d create a monster!

The Peak Design Travel Backpack is the first bag I’ve ever used that requires muscle memory!

Is this a bad thing? Well, yes and no. Yes perhaps, if it’s a backpack you’ll be rotating alongside several other bags, without devoting the necessary time to really get used to its multiple storage options – I wasn’t kidding about the muscle memory thing!

Side access point – 1 of 5 ways to get inside the Travel Backpack

…and no if the Peak Design Travel Backpack will be, as Peak Design intended, the only travel/camera backpack you’ll ever need.

By my counting, there are eleven pockets you could legitimately use to carry your passport. ELEVEN!

With this bag, you need to spend time deciding and memorising which pockets you’ll be using for each individual gear item… and never change them!

There’s the OCD part of me that loves being able to organise gear in a compartmentalized way, with a pocket for absolutely everything.

Then there’s the lazy part of me that’s most comfortable with simplicity. Up until now my travel backpack of choice had 3 pockets – one main one for clothes, one laptop sleeve, and one for small items such as passports.

In this I’d throw a camera bag insert, or just the camera gear wrapped up in my clothes. I’d always know where everything was without having to think .

With the myriad of carrying/storage options offered to you by the Peak Design Travel Backpack, you’ll either be excited or overwhelmed.

2024 UPDATE: After using this bag solidly for over a year, I’ve grown accustomed to the location of all the pockets, and have chosen to ignore those that aren’t practical for me. It’s nice to know that there are other storage options, if and when my gear changes.

Front organization panel with dedicated laptop/tablet sleeve opens to reveal main compartment, medium camera cube, wash pouch and tech pouch.

This was almost a deal-breaker for me. One of my bug-bears with camera bags has always been bags that are heavy even when they’re empty.

Camera gear is already heavy – why would we want to add to this burden by using a bag that’s heavy?!

Unfortunately, it’s usually the case that the best looking camera bags are heavier than their rivals. Bags like the Holdfast Roamographer (reviewed here ) or the Wotancraft Commander (reviewed here ) which wouldn’t look out of place on a catwalk are heavy, and that’s why I don’t use them.

As for a dedicated travel bag, well weight becomes even more important, especially if you travel a lot on stingy local airlines with measly carry on baggage limits (7kg in Australia).

Empty, it weighs in at 2190 g (4.8 lbs). Coupled with the Medium Camera Cube which I imagine most photographers will go for, the combined weight is already 2930 g (6.5 lbs).

My goal is to always travel with just one single carry-on item, not only for fear of mislaid checked luggage, but also to do away with the time required waiting for luggage to arrive on the conveyor belt at the destination.

Ironically, the weight of the Peak Design Travel Backpack actually makes it a huge challenge for me to travel without checking in an additional bag.

Depending on your country and airlines, this may or may not be an issue for you, but I’d much prefer to be under the most stringent airline baggage allowances worldwide, for absolute peace of mind.

Pro travel tip for photographers: Over the carry on weight limit? Simply attach your flashes and lenses to your camera bodies and carry them via a strap on your shoulders when checking in. It’s a bit cheeky, but these items won’t count towards your carry on luggage weight.

[Related: travel tips for photographers .]

Fortunately, I use a mirrorless camera system and a couple of small, lightweight flashes and lenses (see my Sony accessories guide ), so shave off a lot of weight in that regard.

However, traveling with the Peak Design Travel Backpack has required a complete rethink of my packing options.

2024 UPDATE: I’ve been traveling carry-on-only with this bag for a year now. Yes, it’s been a challenge on regional planes with stingy baggage allowances, but it has been possible with a little ‘rejigging’ of my gear.

To say that the weight of the Peak Design Travel Backpack is a disappointment to me is an understatement, but I’m willing to make the sacrifice and use this bag over my previous light-weight travel bag for two reasons.

First, protection . Made from recycled plastics, the 400d nylon canvas shell and 900d bottom is weatherproof and extremely durable. The exterior is padded to the extent that I don’t feel I actually need to use the bulky camera cube at all, which shaves off some extra weight to my set up.

The second reason is that I’ve grown to like the wealth of features, which no doubt add to the weight.

Yes, I believe it’s somewhat excessive to have so many carry/storage options, but it’s also great to have a place for each gear item, once you’ve spent the time memorising the location of everything.

Thanks to the exterior padding and multiple zipped pockets on the interior, I’m currently experimenting with my camera body plus two lenses in one pocket, and my 2 flashes and trigger in another – a second zippered flap ensures that my gear is suspended above the main carry compartment.

For those with bulkier DSLR set ups, my pocketed-approach to gear storage to free up the main compartment won’t be possible, in which case you’ll need to resort to the camera cubes, or my recommendation for lighter weight – Domke protective velcro wraps.

It’s also worth noting that if you want a camera backpack with a similar level of robustness and features, it’ll also be as heavy as this one – case in point, the McKinnon x Nomatic Camera Pack , which weighs in at a portly 3kg (6.6lbs) unpacked!

Value for Money + Cost

Despite so many innovative features, the Peak Design Travel Backpack manages to remain understated in its appearance.

So for such a well-thought-out, well-designed backpack , what’s the damage?!

It’s obvious that for this level of quality, you’re going to be looking at pricing that’s above average for a travel backpack, but Peak Design has still managed to keep it competitive when compared to other models by competing brands.

45L Travel Backpack MSRP: $299.95

The various modular packing cubes are sold separately here, giving you the option to pick and create your own individual bag set up to suit your needs.

Compressible Packing Cubes MSRP: Sm – $29.95, Md – $39.95

Wash Pouch MSRP: $59.95

Tech Pouch MSRP: $59.95

Camera Cubes MSRP: Sm – $49.95, Md – $69.95, Lg – $89.95

Shoe Pouch MSRP: $24.95

Rain Fly MSRP: $29.95

All in all, I think the Travel Backpack and accessories are all excellent value for money , and a great investment for those who need a highly functional, good looking travel backpack that is built to last a lifetime

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Peak Design backpack waterproof?

The Peak Design Travel Backpack is built for the elements. It has outer shell made from waterproof nylon canvas and double padding. The zippers are also waterproof.

How big is a 45l backpack?

A 45l bag is the most efficient use of most airlines’ carry-on luggage allowance. A bag measuring 22″ x 14″ x 9″ is 2,772 cubic inches in volume, which equates to 45.2l.

How do I clean my Peak Design bag?

Most dirt can be easily removed using a damp washcloth. The Peak Design Travel Backpack is treated with anti-absorbtion agents, meaning that most stains don’t penetrate very deep. If the stain/order is still present after the first rinse, repeat the hand wash, and gently scrub it with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse and repeat as necessary. Then let the bag fully dry in a well-ventilated area.

Peak Design Travel Backpack | Conclusion

So as you can see, there’s a lot to like about the Peak Design Travel Backpack…

It’s hard to please everyone with the release of a product, but Peak Design has certainly tried to do exactly that with the Travel Backpack.

I love the modular approach, which attempts to simplify travel via the use of dedicated pouches for tech, toiletries and clothing.

Initially I was overwhelmed by the multiple carry and storage options of this backpack, and part of me wishes that they’d neglected some of them, which may have resulted in a lighter product.

However, I’m willing to sacrifice my lighter travel bags for the minor additional weight of the Peak Design Travel Backpack, and what I’m left with is a truly innovative product which is a genuine joy to use.

Congratulations Peak Design for continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in bag design, and in doing so, making one-bag-travel more convenient, secure and fun.

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Mark Condon is a British wedding photographer and editor of Shotkit. When he’s not taking photos or reviewing the latest camera gear and software, Mark can be found cycling around the northern rivers.

26 Comments

Great review. I just purchased this bag to be used as luggage but I’m also considering using it as an everyday carry for my camera gear (with a camera cube) as well. I do family photography so I need something to take out with me on client shoots, but am also looking for a bag I can take to, say the zoo or out for an afternoon hike, with my wife and 4 kids. Having 4 kids you can imagine there’s always a lot of extra stuff. Would you recommend this bag as an everyday carry given my use description? I realize I’m asking a lot of one bag.

Hey Chris! As long as you can handle the weight, I don’t see why not! Personally, I wouldn’t use it as an EDC (despite having 3 kids), as would prefer something lighter, even if it is only by a few grams. My personal preference is a smaller camera and no lenses for personal stuff (Fuji X100V, for example). All the best!

Hi Mark! Huge thanks for your review, it was pretty useful. You know, I’ve just bought this backpack (in a really good price by the way), and I’d like to know how well this backpack fits in the overhead compartment and down the seat. I’m currently using the AER travel pack 2 and looks like a hand luggage, fits in everywhere so I’d like to know what ‘bout this one. I’ll appreciate your answer.

I’ve used it several times in the overhead compartment on small budget airlines, Diego, so you won’t have any problems. As for under the seat, it should be fine too.

Hi Mark! I’m thinking about buying this backpack for my travels, however, for my current gear setup, a small cube would be too small and the medium would be too big. Can you detail how you managed too ditch the camera cubes? A few photos would be of great help. Can’t figure out where you fit your camera and lenses, as I’m a Sony shooter myself and only carry 2 zooms with me.

Great review by the way.

Hey Alex, I use the 5L or 3L Peak Design sling instead of the cubes – you should be able to find a review on this site of them ;-)

This backpack seems quite incredible and suits most my needs which made me consider changing a backpack. There’s one problem though that I didn’t see anyone discussing in any review I looked up of this bag – What about suspension systems? It seems to have none. How comfortable is it when you carry it for a long period of time? (Like a few hours?) Especially when you carry so much in it and the bag itself is heavy.

That’s something that really bothered me and I saw nowhere that discusses it, and if I’m going to change my regular backpack for this quite pricey one I want to make sure it’s actually comfortable on your back…Any thoughts? References? Suggestions?

There’s no suspension system, but to be honest, I don’t miss one Gal. This isn’t a hiking backpack though, so if you intend to walk long distances with it fully loaded, you’re probably better off with a suspended hiking backpack, or something designed for that kind of thing.

How has the bag been holding up over the years time that’s passed? Also, can you fit the Sling 5L inside much like their camera cubes? I’d like to be able to use the 5L as an EDC while traveling Europe. Thanks!

It holds up very well – no signs of abrasions, and easy to wipe down when it gets dirty – I find the black version shows dust a lot more than the other colours. I have the 5L sling too and it fits well in either size of the EDB – a perfect EDC as you mention! If you found this info useful, use this link to get it – cheers, and happy holidays in Europe ;-)

Sorry, I was speaking of the Peak Travel Backpack (45L). Were you speaking of the Everyday Backpack?

Ah right, sorry Dean – yep, it can definitely fit in the Travel Backpack! I’ve used it like that before, foregoing the usual camera cube that you can buy separately for the Travel Backpack. Works a charm ;-)

I wish bag reviewers would review a travel bag for what it is for, travel. I want to know how many clothes can fit in here along with some camera gear.

Just click on any of the links or head to the Peak Design site for that info, Jeff.

I like you this bag ok

I’m not going to be seduced by this gorgeous product which I don’t need. The negatives: half the carry-on allowance is the bag. Can you travel with 7# total? No way. And I travel light 6.8 kg with a 1 3/4# bag!. Carry comfort: I’m old and carry comfort is #1 consideration. Peak D EDC sucked IMHO. And I have no reason to think otherwise here. My Osprey Escapist 18 makes the weight DISAPPEAR. Last-once you’ve used a bag for a long time, the features don’t matter-you can make anything work. I use Sil-nylon pouches, know where everything is, can pack unpack in seconds, doesn’t add weight. The number one factor in increasing travel pleasure is getting rid of weight. I bought a PD Field Pouch which I had to re-design and now never use: too heavy/man purse. After all their hype, when I shoot, I have the camera around my neck, spare batteries in my pocket and don’t need ANY BAG. This one loaded is half the price of a Leica M2. (Hey Mark. Would you actually PAY YOUR OWN HARD EARNED CASH ON THIS BAG?)

I agree that it’s not a bag for everyone, Laurence, but for those who don’t care about carry-on allowances, it may be more suited. To answer your question, I’m going to be traveling overseas and interstate (on planes) several times in the coming months for photography work – I’ll let you know after that!

1. How is it that they need a kickstarter when they already have a successful company? 2. I love the design of my peak design backpack. But as a woman, it’s hard to open the side compartments in the sling mode, partially because of my anatomy. Something called breasts get in the way. It opens with the flap in your way. Too difficult to get your camera out that way. 3. But I tried A LOT of packs and I am blown away by the features and craftsmanship. I’m heading off to Europe soon, so I will be able to give a “out in the field” review. (My sis works in design for one of the big three automotive companies and I wow’d her with the manufacturing of the pack.)

I love your website and your reviews. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the kind words Dailyn. To comment on your points: 1. I guess it’s to validate their idea before mass production. 2. haha I guess you should be thankful for those!! 3. Let us know how it fares, and have fun in Europe!

I backed it- I’m going to use it as a bag for all my Fuji gear on a wedding day- use the bag as a base at weddings and go to it when I need to change anything.

Sounds like a good way to use it Murray – I do something similar with my bigger bag.

Wow, a fantastically detailed review of this quite innovative travel backpack! As a Fujifilm X-System landscape and product photographer who rarely travels with more than one body and 3 or 4 lenses (plus of course, a good solid tripod), this bag would be a “bit” large! And, like you, I don’t enjoy bags that are heavy even when empty. (That’s why I avoid all-leather options. Ballistic Nylon or the like is the way to go, IMHO.) So, I find that an 18L size is about right for my kit, such as the MindShift TrailScape 18L Backpack. That said, I do admire some of the innovations of Peak Design, such as the QR camera clips and modules. Again, an excellent review!

Thanks Steve! I think I may have been a little too harsh with my comments on the bag’s weight. Yes, it is heavier than others in its class… but only by a matter of grams, and those other backpacks don’t often nearly the amount of features as this one. Swings and roundabouts!

Nice review! I that you really took real world usage into consideration, a lot.

Glad you liked it Rez. It’s a great bag that deserves an in-depth analysis.

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A rugged, expandable, and brilliantly accessible carry-on travel backpack driven by a simple truth: No Two Trips Are The Same™. Features top, side, front and rear access via weatherproof #8 and #10 UltraZips, which can withstand decades of use thanks to their proprietary abrasion-resistant thread. Meets international carry-on size requirements, but expands to be a 45L gear-hauler and collapses to be a 35L day bag, making it unmatched for 1-bag travel.

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Peak Design Travel Backpack Review: My #1 Travel Bag (Seriously)

Written by Dan

Updated on February 11th, 2024

The Peak Design Travel Backpacks in 30L and 45L have been my favorite trusted travel bags for photography, and I really mean that. Find out why these backpacks have all the best features for your next trip.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

• Overview of the Peak Design Travel Backpack and its features
• What is the Peak Design Travel Backpack?
• Benefits of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
• Who the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is for
• Drawbacks of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
• Who the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45 is not for

Supplemental accessories

• How does the 30L compare to the 45L?
• Final verdict
• Where to buy

The Peak Design Travel Backpack has been my go-to bag since the brand’s Kickstarter campaign in 2018. Being a full-time traveler at the time, I was always looking for the best travel bag to take with me for an extended amount of time.

It’s important to find a durable and reliable bag that is highly functional, and the Peak Design Travel Backpack is it!

Get free shipping on US orders $99+, with 30-day returns!

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Let’s explore some of the features of this handy backpack, and you can learn about all of the pros and cons to determine if this travel bag is right for you.

Let’s jump right in!

Overview of the Peak Design Travel Backpack and its features

The Peak Design Travel Backpack is, in all honestly, my #1 favorite backpack to bring on a trip as my main piece of luggage. I’m a huge fan of the Peak Design brand , and I swear by their quality. All the prices of Peak Design products reflect the incredible durability of everything they make.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack, in 30L and 45L, is designed to be everything: a daypack (kind of), a suitcase, a bag for a ton of camera gear, a carry-on. It is incredible what I have done with this backpack over the years.

I’ll take this backpack for a one-night stay somewhere during a holiday weekend, and I took it to Vietnam , Taiwan , the Dominican Republic , Mexico … the list goes on.

In this section, I’ll walk through all of the features of the Peak Design Travel Backpack and I’ll provide more information about real-life use and practicality with each of them. We’re about to dive straight into the deep end with this overview.

The features are basically the same in both the 30L and 45L models, and I have both!

Carry-on approved

I’ve taken the Peak Design Travel Backpack on a lot of flights (I can’t even count how many) and I’ve had no problems with it in any airline or airplane overhead compartment.

Some budget airlines might have more restrictions. I’ve flown on United Express and I have only ever taken a backpack, because the airline claimed to have more of a strict policy.

This backpack (in both 30L and 45L) won’t fit under your seat, so you’ll need to put it in the overhead bin. It does well in the overhead compartment because it’s fairly squishy (if it still has room inside) and can rotate on its side if the airline crew needs to make more room up there.

Personally, I always get worried about finding a space in the overhead compartment for my bags. Even with tight squeezes, I’ve always been able to find a place for it.

And lastly, I’ve also been able to stash this bag up above in some overhead compartments on some of the bigger buses in South America and Southeast Asia, not to mention nearby NJTransit trains near NYC .

Zippers and pulls

The zippers are absolutely fantastic. I’ve completely stuffed this bag to the brim and have never had any issues with the zippers breaking. Even the sealed material surrounding the zippers shows almost no sign of wear, since 2019, which is impressive.

All of the zippers on this bag are the highest quality and are built to last.

The zipper pulls claim to be theft-deterrent. In my experience, if someone wants to get into your bag, they will. This might help stop someone getting into your bag while you’re walking, though.

I’ve tried to combat this by putting locks on some of the external pockets. I had been worried about someone trying to get into my bag when storing it in a hostel/hotel storage closet, or when it’s out of my sight in the storage under a bus.

If you go the route of putting a lock on the bag, make sure you don’t lose the key like I did. Oops. Good thing I can still get into the backpack! One of these days, I’ll try and pick the lock or cut it off. This is a good reminder for myself to get more combination locks.

Luggage tag holder

It’s nice that the bag has an integrated and protected luggage tag holder. Nevertheless, I’ve always put my own tag on the main strap so it’s more visible.

My only gripe with this feature is that it’s kind of hidden, on purpose, and that’s a flaw in my mind. If you look on the bag, there’s a little icon with an ID, but it’s hard to miss.

Someone might easily overlook this and not know that you filled out the card.

I generally prefer my own luggage tag because I have several (OK, maybe a lot) different bags and being able to swap the luggage tag is a nice feature.

Luggage trolley pass-through

If you’re traveling with a rolling suitcase, having a luggage pass-through is a nice feature so that you can take the travel bag off of your back.

With the 45L version, and if you have the bag stuffed, I think that the Peak Design Travel Backpack might be a little too heavy to keep on top of a rolling suitcase.

There have been times when Becca and I traveled, and she was using the Away rolling suitcase and I had my Peak Design Travel Bag. My bag was heavier than her suitcase. In that case, it didn’t make sense to keep my heavier bag on top of hers.

I think the 30L version of the Peak Design Travel Backpack is a little more suited to be pass-through luggage. Or, if you have a modest amount of things inside of your bag, the 45L also could work as a pass-through.

Padded backpack straps

The backpack straps are amazing. They’re super comfy and seemingly haven’t lost any of their padding over the years. If they have, it went unnoticed! I’ve had times when I was walking through an airport for 30 or so minutes or walking from a train station to my hotel and the bag never was uncomfortable.

Generally, weight is well-supported throughout the bag and the straps help keep the backpack supported on your shoulders. The hip belt and sternum strap will help support the bag for you.

Hip belt and sternum strap

I never got onboard with the hip belt with my Peak Design Travel Backpack . Luckily, it’s not in the way, and it conveniently stashes away behind magnet flaps on the bottom of the bag.

I’ve used hip belts with bigger bags and they’re helpful. For hip belts to feel comfortable on me, they need to be pretty big. Imagine a wrestler’s or weightlifter’s belt. That’s what I envision being an effective hip belt for a heavy bag.

Because we’re traveling and not in the WWE, a huge belt isn’t always practical. I choose to always keep the hip belt stashed and opt for the sternum strap to help with the weight.

I like that you can easily adjust the sternum strap and position it higher or lower across your chest, to find a comfortable position.

Grab handles

Probably one of my favorite features of this bag, and what makes it unique from other bags, are the grab handles all over the backpack.

Imagine putting your bag in a trunk. Then, when you’re repositioning other things, your bag gets turned around. When it comes time to pull your bag out of the trunk, you can conveniently pull from the bottom, left, right or top to get it out.

With other bags, you might need to tug from the straps or pick up the bag with two hands.

There have been a lot of applications in which I’ve used the grab handles and I’ve really enjoyed this particular feature.

Technically, the Peak Design Travel Backpack (45L) is 35L, but expands to meet the 45L name. Put another way, you have 35L of capacity and can unzip the expansion straps to get yourself some more liters to work with.

Peak Design claims you can use this as a daypack because you can button up the top, which makes the bag closer to the 35L benchmark. I feel like the width of the bag is a little too much for a daypack. I informally think a daypack should be between 15-25L.

On paper, sure, an extra 10L is great. It’s a little harder to utilize the space, and I’ll explain.

When you pack the bag, assume that you have everything in pouches and packing cubes . You’ll pack the bag and close it. In my experience, you run out of room when you want to throw in an extra pair of shoes or something that’s a little taller.

When you unzip the expansion, you get 10L but only ~4 inches of vertical space. Extra shoes don’t really fit and the footprint of the camera might be a little too tall.

With that out of the way, I’ve found that I can fit a lot more in this bag than in other bags of a similar size. The Peak Design Travel Bag does a really good job of compression because the material is durable. I’ve absolutely stuffed this bag, like, “sitting on the bag and putting my knee on certain segments until I can get it shut” level of stuffed.

I’ve even unzipped the expansion compartment, packed my bag, then zipped up the expansion compartment again. I effectively used the bag as a giant packing cube.

I also like using the tech pouch because you can almost always find a place to put it when packing the main cavity with packing cubes . You can see more about the PD Tech Pouch at my Peak Design Tech Pouch review .

Pockets and internal storage

There’s not much in terms of internal storage. I like to say that this bag is BYOS: Bring your own storage. That’s why I like the tech pouch from Peak Design , or generally any other tech pouch option I recommend here .

There are some pockets that you can use. There is a mesh zipper pocket that links to the front cavity, which I like. I stash boarding pass stubs in there, and months later when I use the bag, I’ll find them. It’s kind of like a cool time capsule each time.

Water bottle pockets

The water bottle side pockets are great and fit almost every type of water bottle because of its expandability. There’s even a little secret pocket that you have access to right around that area. It might be a good place for some hydration tablets if you’re traveling to a place where to want to stay really hydrated!

Expandability

Like I mentioned above in the capacity section, you can expand the bag to allow for more storage. I had mentioned that it can be a little awkward to put a pair of shoes in the expandable storage zone. What I have found to be an effective use of the space is packing other smaller daypacks, a travel blanket or a heavier jacket.

Imagine that you’re traveling in the winter to a warm destination, like when I went to the Dominican Republic (hot) from NYC in February (cold): the expandable compartment is useful to be able to put your jacket away when you’re in your final destination. And when you’re going back home, you have your big jacket waiting for you in a bonus compartment.

Laptop and tablet storage

I use this feature a lot, as I often travel with my laptop everywhere I go. It’s typical of me to travel with two bags. I have a daypack and a bigger travel bag. The daypack is the bag in which I’ll put my camera, computer and anything else I need for the day, when I’m in my final destination.

Depending on how I pack, during travel day, I’ll travel with my laptop in the daypack or the Peak Design Travel Bag . If I know I want to use my computer during the flight, I’ll keep my laptop out of the Peak Design bag because I don’t like going into the overhead compartment mid-flight.

When you’re going through security, the laptop compartment is really easy to open and it doesn’t disrupt your other items. You can open the bag only enough to pull your laptop out, too, without having to open the full bag. This is useful for hectic security lines when you need to get the bins and take all of your electronics out quickly.

Because the back of this bag opens clamshell style, without thinking, it’s possible that the weight of your laptop can cause the top lid to fall back. That hasn’t happened to me because I’m really careful. After a long flight, or if you forgot that your laptop is back there, I can see how it’s a possibility.

Also, when the bag is fully stuffed, I feel like the laptop has a lot of pressure against the rest of the bag. Sometimes you want to really get it shut and that could introduce all of that pressure.

That’s not really a fault of the Peak Design bag, as it happens with other bags and other positions for the laptop compartment. Some other bags have a small integrated vertical pocket. And when the rest of the bag is full, it usually expands into this compartment.

Weatherproof

The material this backpack is made of is weatherproof and the zippers have some coating features to help stop rain and moisture. I’ve never thrown my bag in a pool, but I’ve absolutely gotten stuck in some downpours while wearing my Peak Design Travel Backpack .

Everything stayed completely dry and the water beaded off fairly quickly. My most important items were protected. Some of the outside parts of the bag, like the grab handles, backpack straps or the adjustment straps might have gotten a little damp, but my tech was all securely dry.

For most people, you probably won’t be hanging out in the rain with your luggage. You might be going from a car to the airport terminal, or from your driveway into your house.

The little bit of rain will absolutely not be a problem for that case, with the Peak Design Travel Backpack.

For more adventurous travelers, you also shouldn’t really have to worry. You can have this bag on your back during a rainstorm on a motorcycle and your items will mostly likely stay nice and dry.

See for yourself

Head to Peak Design's website to see what else this bag has to offer!

What is the Peak Design Travel Backpack?

This backpack optimizes travel by providing you with an easy way to transport your belongings from point A to point B.

The bag has wide-open access to the main compartment, which allows you to have full visibility into what you’ve packed.

What originally sold me on the bag, and why I bought it in 2018, was the camera cube accessories. I have the small camera cube and the medium camera cube.

The bag has three slots, when you use Peak Design accessories. The small packing cube and small camera cube is one slot. The medium packing cube and medium camera cube is two slots.

When bringing my travel photography setup, I would pack the medium packing cube and small camera cube. I can always find a place for the tech pouch, which is useful for smaller electronics and charging cables.

You don’t need to feel limited to photography, or even Peak Design accessories.

Instead of the camera cube, you can easily pack a pair of shoes. And instead of the medium packing cube, you can use any packing cube, or none at all, though I highly recommend a packing cube if you haven’t used one before.

Benefits of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

What are the major benefits that make the travel bag standout among the competition? Well, let’s see!

The durability and the material are the biggest selling points in my experience. It’s the competitive advantage of Peak Design products, and these two stand out among all of the other travel bags that I’ve owned or tested.

The capacity is also pretty perfect for a carry-on. You never have to worry about it not fitting in the overhead compartment, and you should have enough space for any length of trip. I’ve traveled for several months during a long trip using this backpack, and never felt like I needed more room.

Wearing this bag is a dream, considering all the stuff you’ll have packed inside. When you put it on, you’ll see what I mean. It feels like it fits with your body and it doesn’t feel overly stiff. It wears in nicely and becomes even more comfortable, the longer you wear it.

General features

Based on my breakdown of the features above, you can see that there are a lot of key points that make this travel backpack something unique. Every time I use this bag, the grab handles and zippers always amaze me.

Who the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is for

This bag is for a serious traveler who enjoys quality products and gear. This is not a cheap bag, by any standards. You’re paying for quality and for a bag that you’ll have for many years (maybe for the rest of your life, and I am serious).

As a user of this bag, you’re not too picky about bringing everything. You can travel with one or two pairs of shoes, and you don’t need three outfits per day (unless you get really sweaty, and that’s what a laundromat is for). You’re not a minimalist, but also not a maximalist.

Drawbacks of the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

There really aren’t too many negative features that I can think of when it comes to the Peak Design Travel Backpack . I have particular opinions about some of the features, but they don’t take away from the overall essence of what this backpack can do for you.

For example, updating the luggage tag is superficial against its ability to carry your stuff to and from many places around the country and around the world.

Who the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45 is not for

If you don’t care too much about carry-on travel, I can see how you might not want this bag. Additionally, if you don’t want to carry a heavy bag, you might want to look into a rolling suitcase instead. (And for that, I’ll recommend the one from Quince .)

You might have a 20 to 30-pound backpack on your back with this backpack, and if that doesn’t sound comfortable, you can look into other options.

Because of the relatively higher price tag, if you’re on a budget or if you aren’t ready to invest in a long-term solution for a backpack, I can see looking for more affordable travel backpack options.

In my experience, the items below have paired really nicely with the Peak Design Travel Backpack . They have helped me pack more efficiently and are highly compatible with the backpack.

• Packing cubes
• Camera cubes
• Field pouch

How does the 30L compare to the 45L?

The 30L travel backpack shares a lot of the same features as the 45L. To state the obvious, the 30L is 15L smaller. With that said, it might be a better solution for you if you want a more manageable bag or have a second luggage item, like a checked bag. It would also be a more appropriate daypack.

The 45L claims that it can be a daypack. I still think the 30L is a little too big to be a daypack as Peak Design claims.

Here are the features of the 45L backpack, when compared to the 30L model:

• The 45L has more zippered access to your items on the sides of the bag.
• The 45L has an internal divider to split the top section from the bottom section. The 30L only has 1 compartment.
• The 45L has a padded and integrated hip belt to help carry and manage weight (the 30L has an optional hip belt accessory that does not come included).
• For use as a day bag, there are compression straps to slim down the entire backpack on the 45L. I seem to have lost mine? You’ll notice on the inside of the bag, there are loops that you can use to connect the compression straps.
• The 45L has two hidden external zipper pockets that you can use for storing essentials like a passport. I’ve found these very useful. I mentioned that this also may be a good place to stash away hydration packets because it’s near the water bottle holder.
• The 45L has room for three PD cube units, with even more space for tech pouches, packing cubes and clothes or shoes.

Final verdict

I’ll stand by every aspect of this bag that confirms that it’s worth the money and worth all the value I’ve mentioned above. I’ll keep using this bag until it breaks (and it probably won’t), and I’m incredibly happy with all the quality benefits it has brought me over the years as my #1 bag for travel.

Even when I’m not using the backpack for any photography gear, like just visiting family for a few days, I use this travel backpack in 45L, and we’ll pack the 30L one for some other things when we take a little road trip.

If you’re invested in having a travel backpack for life, this could be a great purchase decision for your travels (and your sanity, if you were dealing with any poorly-made bags over the years).

Where to buy

It’s best to buy this backpack directly from Peak Design’s website , and that’s because you’ll get free shipping over $99 in the US, a lifetime warranty and guarantee (this is huge) and 30-day returns if you’re not happy. You might not get these benefits if you buy elsewhere.

Plus, as a bonus, there are options on the Peak Design product page to buy these travel backpacks pre-owned, and you could be saving about $50. As another tip, you can complete your Peak Design kit by getting a bag and two or more accessories (like a packing cube or two) and save 10%. These benefits probably aren’t available elsewhere online.

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Review: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L and 'Packing Tools' are pricey but versatile

Introduction.

The Internet has been abuzz with excitement over Peak Design's new travel-oriented bag line which revolves around a 45L carry-on-sized backpack and set of organizational 'Packing Tools'. The system is for those who love Peak Design gear and want to travel with their camera gear and personal items packed into just one bag.

The system is for traveling with camera gear and personal items packed into just one bag

The Kickstarter for said line of bags launched in July and crossed the finish line with over 10 times its initial goal raised. In more direct numbers, that's 5.2 million dollars raised, with an initial goal of $500,000. Wow.

For the sake of this review I'll be looking at the Travel Backpack 45L, on page one. On page two I'll look at the rest of the system, including the Tech Pouch, Wash Pouch, Shoe Pouch, Rain Fly, Packing Cube (small), and Camera Cube (medium). Combined these items add up to $545.

It's important to note this bag and its accessories should be viewed almost as a gear carrying ecosystem, not unlike owning a Macbook, iPhone, AirPods, etc. These products are designed to be used together, but I believe its important to remind both myself and anyone else interested in these bags you certainly can choose to use other brands alongside the different pieces of the Peak Design (PD) ecosystem. I'll go in depth with the main bag, then share my notes on the each of the smaller items, and lastly return to how all of these things fit together.

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L $299.95| PeakDesign.com

The most important part of the Travel Line is the backpack itself. It's big, sleek, and surprisingly boxy, though I'll get to why that's not such a bad thing later. As mentioned, this bag is oriented towards travelers, photographers, videographers and anyone in between. It blends some design principles of a traditional 'backpacking' bag with the sensibilities of a camera luggage bag, sans-wheels.

Specifications

• Carrying Capacity: 30L - 45L
• Height: 56 cm (22")
• Width: 33 cm (13")
• Depth: 23 - 29 cm (9" -11")
• Weight: 2.05kg (4.52lb)
• Back panel and dual side loading/access
• 2 Expandable side pockets with drainage holes
• Front access organization panel with 5 zippered compartments
• Passport/travel document pocket in back panel
• Laptop/Tablet sleeve in back panel interior, fits 15" laptop
• Storable hip and shoulder straps
• 12 gear attachment loops across bag
• 400D weatherproof, 100% recycled nylon canvas outer shell
• 900D weatherproof bottom liner
• Durable water repellent, polyurethane coated interior
• Weatherproof zippers for back, front and side panels
• Padded ultralight foam around entire bag

Compared to other bags

There aren't a lot of direct competitors to the Travel Backpack, but two that comes to mind are Osprey's Porter 46 Travel Pack and Mind Shift's Firstlight 40L . These two bags represent the different focuses that Peak Design is trying to blend: a long distance travel backpack (Osprey) and a camera gear bag (Mind Shift). The Porter is nearly identical in size, fits many of the same things and weighs only 1.5kg, or .5kg less than the Peak Design - it also costs $140, less than half of Peak Design's $300 price tag. That being said, the Porter doesn't have quite the gear readiness of Peak Design's bag and is also missing the 900D bottom liner, though it does boast 420D weatherproof nylon, as opposed to PD's 400D.

Meanwhile, the Firstlight has 5L less carrying capacity and an interior depth of 18.5cm compared to PD's 23cm at the low end. The Firstlight also costs $330, $30 more than Peak Design but the key difference here is that the Firstlight comes readily equipped with padded dividers in the main compartment of the bag - not the case with the PD option. With the Firstlight you lose some of the flexibility and travel-focus of Peak Design's bag, but you actually end up spending less in the long run if what you're looking for is a gear-focused bag.

Design and construction

This bag really surprised me out of the gate. Design-wise, it boasts a simple facade that has all kinds of pockets, straps, and secret stash areas. The boxiness of the bag seems like a departure from Peak Design's more angular, triangle-based design you see in the Messenger and Everyday Backpack. This bag doesn't ask for attention in its appearance.

In the Black version (tested here), everything blends together seamlessly. None of the straps, loops, or zippers call attention to themselves and everything has a James Bond-esque coolness to it. The Sage color also looks classy.

Nothing feels flimsy and all the zippers are smooth. Every strap feels like it belongs and helps the user carry the bag in whatever method is most convenient in the moment. I particularly appreciate the addition of the duffel-style strap in the center of the back panel. I'm a huge fan of Peak Design's padded handles on both the tops and sides of their bags so to see another one in another place I didn't realize I wanted it until I had it is a joy.

I think the area that Peak Design seems to excel the most is producing bags that feel sturdy and warrant the trust we give them with our gear. Another stellar addition here is the 900D weatherproof bottom liner, something you rarely even see in more outdoor-oriented bags.

The only design flaw that really stands out to me is the hip straps' locking mechanism feels particularly unfamiliar. I like that Peak Design chooses to use hard metal joiners, like for the sternum strap, but for me I would've been perfectly happy with a hard plastic buckle.

I actually found this bag to be much more comfortable on my shoulders than my backpacking bag from REI. The hip straps aren't quite as load-bearing, though I still find they take some of the weight off my shoulders and I think part of this is to do with the fact that a) I'm skinny, and b) the metal hook used to secure the hip straps doesn't have quite the same tension as a buckle.

That said, the magnetic latches that allow you to store the hip straps in the back panel are super helpful for keeping things streamlined without a bunch of straps flapping in the wind when you're moving around. And yes, this bag weighs more than others, I didn't find it to be excessively heavy but ultimately that's going to depend on how you pack it.

I first used this bag (along with the medium sized camera cube) like a gear suitcase traveling from Seattle to Portland to shoot a wedding and found it more than adequate for moving my equipment in a safe, comfortable manner.

I later used it without the camera cube as my main pack to travel around Europe for a few weeks and it was also pretty great. I opted to keep all my clothes and miscellaneous belongings in the main backpack and then carried Peak Design's 10L Sling separately to keep my camera, extra lenses, journal, Kindle, etc. protected. Although it's not really possible with the 10L Sling, Peak Design's 5L sling can fit inside the Travel Backpack no problem, though you won't have the same side panel access you could have with the camera cubes.

There are a lot of features packed into this bag and they take time to learn

The compression down to 30L is nice for those who want to use it, but I found the bag still felt too large for use as a 'day pack', even compressed down. The compression is achieved by folding two buttons on the top of the bag back onto their button counterparts, making the bag more angled down its face. There are a lot of features packed into this bag and honestly one of the biggest hindrances of enjoying them is they take time to learn. I'd highly recommend anyone interested in using using this pack for extended travel consider taking it out on a short weekend excursion first to learn some of the ins and outs. I didn't initially realize that the front zipper panel with 4 zipper pockets could actually be rolled up and stowed for a more simple 1 compartment approach (see below). The thing I like most about this bag is it stands upright on its own, unlike some of Peak Design's other packs.

Conclusion: Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Overall, I really enjoy using this bag and think I'll be relying on it more to come in the future. The build quality is stellar, it's stylish but subdued and it offers a lot of possibilities in terms of approaching how you carry all your stuff with you.

On it's own this backpack offers a really awesome option for traveling light. It can fit enough to live out of, but doesn't make you feel like a turtle. The sturdy design of the bag gives buyers a chance to manipulate the space within it as effectively as possible, unlike other backpacking bags that require you to stuff things in from the top down.

What we like:

• Stylish design
• Lots of space and versatility
• Comfortable fit
• Packed with tons of features
• Durable and naturally protective

What we don't:

• Too large for daypack use
• Features can be overwhelming at first

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L rating:

Head to page 2 for a breakdown of the rest of Peak Design's Packing Tools and our overall conclusion. Editor's Note: a previous version of this article stated that a 32oz Nalgene bottle would not fit in the side pockets of this backpack. This was found to be an error with the preproduction model used for reviewing and was removed from the review.

• 1 Review: Peak Design Travel Backpack
• 2 Review: Peak Design Packing Tools

Subscribed to the Kickstarter for the full kit. Most of the packing system is worth the investment IME. This is after several months of use, including 2 overseas trips. I found internal design of this Peak Design travel pack works well for packing and access etc. The BIG negative is its harness is a joke on a loaded pack rated at 45litres. This applies specially to what PD has passed off a hip belt. This criticism s hard learnt having carried the pack with between 15-20kg of gear around London for repeated day trips. In comparison, I find the respective harness to be far far better designed for load bearing on the medium spec Mindshift and Thinktank, also Vanguard Sky packs. IMHO, this bag is limited to short trips and airport carry on. It fails as a travel backpack, primarily because the designers failed to upgrade the harness to handle carrying a decent load for longer than 1 hour at best.

For long hikes that looks very uncomfortable. I wonder how it compares to a 45L ruck designed for walking with heavy payload.

If I tried to carry a gear-stuffed 45L backpack, I'd probably break my body. So instead I bought the large packing cube a la carte and put it in my Zuca rolling suitcase for hauling heavy lenses+tripod...it works great! And actually, the packing cubes are a great price, other similarly sized camera inserts sold in the past were more expensive, and often lower quality.

Oversized...

Good idea... But if you want the perfect, legal, 45L carry-on size bag that will last you forever get a Nargear CarryOn. They're made for firefighters and for $130 you'll have a heavy vinyl bag with hidden backpack straps and YKK zippers throughout (the heavy ones). Buy some cases to fit into it and you'll have money left over compared to this.

If you are at all concerned about weight you should look into the Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack - I bought one for an international trip early last year, where I had a weight limit on how much my carryon could weigh. Not only is this just about the lightest weight backpack I could find (when empty) but it's well padded and has good access to the inside. Only downside is it doesn't have as many internal zippered pockets as other bags, and the waist strap is just a strap with no padding (though I planned to try and add padding to make it hold a little better. It also perfectly fits under the airline seat on domestic and international flights, if you don't have it bulging out too much when packed.

I've been using it as a daily carry for a week now, and whilst is indeed heavier than the Peak Design Everyday Backpack, the convenience of the extra space and the ability to configure the contents to your specific needs justify the extra heft of the bag. Both the shoulder and the padded hip straps work a long way to make it very comfortable to wear, while the EBP kind of dug a hole in your chest since the straps are way stiffer.

In my case, I need to carry a lot of stuff to/from work, since I only commute 4 times per week, and until now I was carrying the EBP plus a small duffel bag. Now I can fit everything in the travel backpack, and my hands are free, and I don't need to balance the duffel between my hands to rest for the weight.

I'm very happy so far.

What is that dude in the pic wearing for god sake... swimming shorts and sleeveless top ? That automatically puts me off buying this bag, like ever.

I actually just bought one of these - was shopping around for a "one bag" for travelling that could hold a laptop, photo equipment etc. and this ticks pretty much all the boxes. Unfortunately the weight is a big con, especially when you're trying to stay within carry-on limits. The bag is really well thought out, but to me it feels over-engineered. Do I really need five different ways to access my gear?? Less would have been more, at least in my opinion. In case you're interested I ended up going with the Minaal 2.0 - not perfect by any means but more aligned with my requirements (and doesn't scream "I'm a camera backpack" as much either).

good luck fooling folks with that.

And suddenly a Lowepro Protactic bag looks like a steal... sorry but the pricetag is just hillarious from my point of view.

The first thing I look at now is the size, and will it fit as hand baggage on an international flight where the allows hand baggage size is almost universally 55 x 40 x 23 cm..

Height: 56 cm (22") Width: 33 cm (13") Depth: 23 - 29 cm (9" -11")

This means it breaks the limit in height and is on the limit with depth.

Of course, it's probably ok, but i've seen things rejected and have to go in the hold at a massive cost..(at the gate..). Never mind the fact that you don't really want your expensive toys being used as a rugby ball and thrown in the hold randomly at that point do you..

There’s nothing quite so shocking as being forced to check your supposedly carry-on compliant bag and madly swapping out stuff you DO NOT want going through the baggage handlers’ gauntlet.

For a while I had a bag that was a few inches too tall, like this bag, and had developed all sorts of tricks to get it onto planes. It was always nerve racking.

Finally, I gave up and got a fully compliant pack, unlike this pack.

So, I’ve been using an Osprey Farpoint 40 for the past few years, along with Internal organizers.

I’ve only been forced to check it once and that was for a short hop flight in the Açores. I stuck the pack in the cargo hold myself and retrieved it myself on the tarmac.

The real trick is to carry as little as possible. Minimize clothing. Minimize equipment. I’m a M4/3 shooter, so my camera kit is compact and light and I’m able to carry it as my “personal bag”.

The airtravel police are tyrannical. The cabin weight limit has became the top factor as to who I fly with, which impacts on other factors ie BA allows 23kg but it's become a 3rd world airline. The other options for camera bags for sizable system that I have tried (with success) are the Vanguard Alta Sky 53 (also see the 51D) but these lack any more room for extra gear. A reliable solution is to wear a waistcoat with ample pockets - Country Innovation in UK. These can pack away at least a camera body plus several smaller lenses. And other essentials also fit....

People complain about the price. For $500 you get a huge backpack and a plethora of cubes and pouches, letting you configure it to your taste, ranging from a daily carry to a full backpacker configuration. And now, for comparison, check onabags website. The cheapest backpack will take $439 from you, and you can barely fit one DSLR and a couple lenses. Tops. And forget about anything else, other than a 13" laptop and a magazine. Is it more stylish? yeah sure it is, but come on! So, who is charging crazy amounts of money?

This is ridiculous thinking. I have a black, $29 computer backpack from Targus, which I bought at Office Depot. It has served me well for more than six years. I've taken it on planes, and I ride my bicycle with it almost every day. It's been to North Carolina with me twice. I've taken it to Boston, Maryland, and Washington D.C. too. I often pack multiple cameras and lenses in it, along with my carbon fiber tripod, and I normally carry my MacBook Air with a portable hard drive and the power adapter too. I often add a bag of baby carrots and celery sticks, along with an apple and banana. I normally take two bottles of water with me too. Oh, and I keep multiple batteries, a big bicycle tool kit, my head light and a headband light, my USB rechargeable tail light, a folding knife, a bunch of wires (i.e. USB 3, USB2 micro, and USB 2 mini), a memory card reader (to read CF cards from my Nikon D810), an extra pair of socks, a T-shirt, some paperwork . . .

. . . some extra change, my Pelican waterproof container, where I keep my business cards and memory cards, etc.

One day I walked 15 miles with it (about half that was along the beach). I figured I needed to get some experience hiking. I'm not a hiker, so I figured I'd give it a try. My average speed turned out to be about 2 miles per hour, and the backpack got really heavy. I had never walked more than about 5 miles before, so it was hard. I rode my bike with that Targus backpack and a camera with two lenses all the way to Asheville, NC from south Florida five years ago. Often I was riding five hours a day.

People who think you need to spend $500 or even $300 on a backpack are delusional.

Sure, I keep my lenses in separate padded bags, but I keep stuff packed around my cameras, so they don't get hurt. No, it isn't padded, but that keeps it light. I don't think things would change much, if my bag was padded. I wouldn't dream of throwing or dropping my bag on the pavement. Would you?

If it works for you, then more power to you. I wouldn't trust my gear to a $29 backpack, though. And I bet that if your backpack had a waist strap it would have made your walk and bike ride considerably more comfortable than what it was. Besides, spending thousands of dollars in photography gear and a Mac, and trusting everything to a $29 bag doesn't make too much sense to me.

You also mention that your bag is not padded, but you added padded cases for all your lenses, and I bet you had everything else inside some sort of container, being pouches or cases, or would have been a nightmare to find anything in a huge bag with no divisions, so that counts as padding. I truly prefer to have customizable divisions where I can tug my stuff organized so it stays snuggly in place and not migrating to other areas of the bag.

BTW, I accidentally dropped my fully loaded bag. Damage? a lens cap detached from a lens. Nothing else. Can you say the same with your setup? No, you can't. You already said so.

Oh, another thing. A friend of mine was forced to check his backpack, (not PD travel backpack, but a smaller one) flying from Amsterdam to Paris once. If that happens to me I only need to lock the side access zippers inside, put in the dual lock on the main zippers, and off it goes to the plane belly. Would you trust to check your bag with all your gear?

At the end of the day is your experience, and mine is different, but calling me delusional or ridiculous because I think differently than you is rude and uncalled for.

@Martin Your friend's experience is one reason why I travel by train within Europe. When you take into account the time it takes to fly (travel to and from the airport, airport security and all the rest. . .) taking the fast Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris gets you there in the same amount of time. Factor-in the lack of baggage issues and the relaxing nature of riding on a train (with the bonus scenery passing by) and it's a No Brainer for me. And then there are the interesting locals I regularly meet on trains. . . The invites to dinner at their homes, getting inside info on unique places that don't appear in the guide books, etc.

I agree. Although for the less seasoned, having all routes and connections laid out in a single package makes a bit more sense. At least for my first trip, I'm having all destinations managed by a single airline. In the event of a change or cancellation, they'll fix it. I'm checking a large suitcase and will use the Travel Backpack as my carryon. But in the event that I need to check it, I feel way more confident that I have a way to lock it down completely.

The one-airline idea is the way to go; it definitely limits the headaches should there be a problem. Learn your passenger rights in Europe; we lost hundreds of dollars not knowing what we could get when our plane had mechanical problems and we were delayed a day. We got the usual voucher, hotel room, etc. but under Euro rules we were due Much More. U.S. rules are much less passenger-friendly.

If you haven't read it I highly recommend Rick Steves' "Europe Through The Back Door." It's a classic, been around over 30 years and I credit much of our 100% successful Euro trips to that book. It's not a guide book; it's a "how to travel in Europe book." Just chock full of practical ways to save money, time and be secure. Easy to read, it's well thought-out. I cannot say enough good things about it. I've seen many stressed-out Americans in Europe and they would have had a much better experience if they had only read one cheap book!

Excellent advice. Will check that one out. I'm 50 or so days before my trip, so plenty of time for a new useful read.

I agree with Timo on how people have nothing better to do than flaming some manufacturer or product with no practical knowledge of anything about it. Simply by the looks in photos. People also don't understand when comparing this bag with other camera bags that this is not a specific photography bag. It can carry photography gear in a great way but is more than that. You can carry all your heavy gear to a shoot, or take it empty to the grocery store, or pack it with a small camera cube for minimalistic gear, and put the rest of your stuff around it, in cleverly designed cubes for a multi-day trip. The Wash and Tech pouches are miraculous. I've never seen anything close to it. A tad big largish for my liking, but they hold a lot of stuff. And FYI, I don't have any relation with PD whatsoever, other than being a long time happy customer owning several bags, clip, and straps. And recently the full travel line.

Nice try, Peak Design

Oh, you think I work for PD? I wish 😂

The Travel Pack is not specifically a travel bag, either, when you compare it to other bags from proven travel bag manufacturers. It's an urban traveller's bag, best at the short walk from the plane to the Uber picking you up to take you to your hotel. Not for extended walking (say, a couple of miles) in search of your lodgings somewhere in India, for example. I'll grant that the packing cubes have some utility, but they fit in other manufacturers' bags, too.

Packing cubes seem like a great idea, but to me those kinds of things tend to take up a lot of space. I have a backpack with dividers I can re-position, which I like quite a bit as I can have very minimal dividers and the base backpack itself is super light... also usable as you say for various kinds of carrying tasks, I use mine on planes but also when bringing camera gear on long outdoor hikes.

The packing cubes are great, they take less space than other cubes due to the compression system, which really works. Although I won't use them inside the bag for longer trips. I will put them on my checked bag and keep the travel backpack for just the small camera cube (I use a very compact mirrorless system, so fits perfectly on the small cube), and the tech pouch. If I'm traveling for a shorter time and will take only the travel backpack, I'll take out the camera cube, and move my gear to the 5L sling, and put the packing cubes in the bag.

I only have their clip, their bags are well made, nice for sure but all their future products will be still based on crowdfunding?

This company has been in business for some time now. Why are they "Kickstarting" instead of using their own profits to create new products? The public seems a little dense to be giving them money to develop new stuff when they are already making a lot of money from over priced products.

Kickstarting for PD is a marketing tool. Helps precisely finding out which products will have financial success - before even spending any money on production.

They've also explained on their own website that doing things this way allows them to avoid taking in investors with their own interests or agenda... I don't see what the issue is, people that wanna have some say in development or just want a discount can essentially preorder thru Kickstarter, people that don't care for that don't have to, and PD gets to do things however they want.

until you try the Mindshift gears...

I use this as a my EDC pack. Funny to read people mocking thinks they no nothing about. Keep up the good conversation! :D

re: "In Use

I actually found this bag to be much more comfortable on my shoulders than my backpacking bag from REI. The hip straps aren't quite as load-bearing, though I still find they take some of the weight off my shoulders "

This bag apparently has no internal support system to distribute its weight onto ones hips.

While 'backpacking bag' in Europe or the Lonely Planet means a bag with shoulder straps for carrying gear from plane, train or bus to your hostel, at REI, the iconic American backpacker's shop, it definitely means a bag with a support system suitable for long treks thru the wilderness.

Did the reviewer load his REI backpacker's bag and this Peak Design rucksack with equal weight and hike with each for miles? If he did and this frameless bag is more comfortable he should spend more time talking about the Peak Design's miraculous frameless suspension.

I have the bag it has metal support rods one each side where the hip belts are. This is a very comfortable bag.

Thanks, for the clarification-- that makes the price of the bag more understandable for me. I did just go back to the Peak Design web site and I'm surprised their support system is not mentioned in their blurb.

Peak Design folks, this is a big deal to many buyers. I owned the Osprey Porter that this reviewer compares your bag to. The Porter definitely does not have a support system, and that is why I bought a new travel bag before my last trip..

The key to packing is in deciding what to leave behind, not how to bring everything. Learn that, and you won't have to spend another dime on the latest bag - you can probably use what's gathering dust in your closet.

for flexible transport you want a (back)pack that is as light as possible. this is not the bag you are looking for. and with 2kg empty i can pick my fstopgear Tilopa that can load more stuff than i want to carry. with a truly professional packing and carrying system.

bonus tip for packing small items: Molle bags. they are not the lightest, but always have the option to be mounted to the outside of a bag, be bundled together etc etc. lots of options. and there are more types you can count.

Agreed - I normally travel with a 40 litre backpack that weighs 1kg, half the weight of the bag in this review.

When your carry-on limit is 7kg, you can't afford for 2kg to be taken up by just the bag.

Can it store laptop in a sleeve, or in similar slightly protected environment?

I'm not sure about the leading phrase, 'the internet has been abuzz with excitement'. The point is being stretched a little here!

#gamechanger

Think Tank Shape Shifter has this beat.

This is neither Arthur nor Martha - it can't actually carry much personal gear or much camera gear and if you are flying, the weight limit on most international flights is 7kg.

I can see myself using the Travel Tech Pouch and am ready to purchase it when there is a good discount.

$300? Where is this made in? USA or Japan?

Peak design was telling us how strong their strap anchors are for years, until they said they ain't and need to be replaced. I have a small waist bag from Peak Design but that's as much as I can trust peak design.

Didn’t they give everyone free anchors without needing to prove any form of purchase? I have their leash strap and their everyday 30L bag, and they have both worked perfectly. Your lack of experience besides reading opinion confirming articles on the company is worth nothing.

Yes, my lack lf experience with worn out anchors is indeed worth noting. And the reason is after reading the statement I changed my straps to Artisan & Artist. I don't mind anyone else testing anchors on their gear.

I've had all three anchors and never had an issue with them, and I actually like Artisan & Artist too FWIW, had an ACAM E-25 before I switched mostly to Peak's straps. Not all Anchor Links had issues either, it was actually the most recent version which had moved to a thinner thread so people could thread it more easily thru eyelets (and which only had one wear warning color layer instead of 2)...

Out of an abundance of caution they still offered to replace most versions tho, they actually sent me like 30 because I'd bought/gifted a number of PD products. Heck, I was using my A&A strap with Peak's anchors before the new Leash came out, I was never crazy about the big metal handle on the Slide or Slide Lite.

FWIW they've actually been improving and iterating on the anchors from the start and even tho they Identify 3 major revs there's really been like 5, with different materials on the thread/loop (vectran, dyneema, etc).

I remember a time, maybe 20 years ago when humans didn't look like turtles. Where large bags didn't block aisle ways and seats on public transit...

The straps look like junk, and the shape isn't ergonomic at all. Probably ok for wandering the shopping mall... Yet another grossly overpriced backpack made for people who don't go outdoors.

22" tall? That's an inch too long on some international flights - would you really want to risk having to check the bag full of gear because it is an inch? They should have kept it to 21 inches.

It’s too bigfor carryon luggage here in oz, even if it wasn’t then after the 1.5 kg you can only carry 5.5kg of gear"...............

too big technically for virgin, but fine for the others. I have used this bag as carry-on with both qantas and jetstar domestic and it is within their size limits and although they did check weight once they were fine with dimensions. (check the websites for the airlines for current specs, not third parties)

The weight limit is the challenge. All but your camera gear is going to need to be checked in anyway. I used the packing cubes, tech and wash pouches on a recent trip as well as the backpack, but all but the camera cube in were in a separate check in. Even with the small cube, you can easily go over the weight limit.

Jetstar a have stated to weigh big time during December Although since about september 2018 have the 10 kg hand luggage option which is ok as I can do without checkin luggage.

It's nice, it's just not $300 nice. There you go.

the "1.5 Kg only" is obviously made by someone who is not too concerned by present current airline travel restrictions ...Also the "James Bond reference is rather silly.. how often do you see James Bond wearing a backpack ? Seriously your bag reviews used to me much better written than this :0 Harold

Even worse. 1.5 kg is the weight of Osprey bag. Peakdesign is 2 kg.

And that is 2kg *without* all the packing tools...

So let me get this straight: the pack is already 2kg empty? On an aeroplane, this would leave 5.4kg for gear - including your shoes, should you decide to actually use the shoe department? So maybe 4kg for your gear?? Take off the weight of your carbon tripod and head and you would be looking at 3kg. The take off the batteries and the charger, plus cables, maybe a little and you are close enough to point and shoot territory regarding the weight. All all this for a 30-45 litre backpack? Really??

I live in Auckland and guess I had taken the half kilo as a little curtesy allowance into my equation. Truth is I thought it was 7.5??

Ah well then the backpack is for you?? I fly all sorts of airlines, but have been NZ Gold flier for many years, not anymore so 7kg it is ... doesn't really make my above argument any less valid or does it now?? Certainly not exclusively written for Koru, right??

Depends on the airline/region if those 2kgs matter or not. EasyJet in Europe has no weight limit and most European airlines are a bit over 10kgs. TBH not sure about the rest of the world, but I only had my luggage bag weighted once in London Heathrow with Air Austria, where I was 6kgs over but was allowed to proceed as I only had photography gear and it was a backpack.

I've never seen hand luggage weighed in all my years of travelling (form Britain). Just for info BA have a 23kg limit on hand luggage. I doubt if it's realistically possible to hit that limit. The best I've managed is 16kg of densely packed lenses and other gear.

23kg? no problem! Try getting camping gear + collecting equipment into the hold then the valuables into the cabin.... gps, camera gear + tripod etc. Adds up. Main reason I stick with BA even though it's degenerated into a 3rd World airline

Atlas Athlete seem to be made for similar use, but with a different design and priorities. https://atlaspacks.com/collections/atlas-packs/products/atlas-athlete-camera-pack#

I own and really like PD's strap, strap-lite and cuff (clutch does not work well with the intended cameras). Never found much utility with the their clip gear and was disappointed with their sling (Think Tank Turnstyles for me!). Likewise, not impressed by the design or price of their backpacks. Oh well (it's quite subjective)...at least thanks for the cool straps PD!

So why is it too expensive?

Peak Designs products are just too expensive. It is not a luxury brand.

I have two large Lowepro backpacks one for my 4x5 the other for my Hasselblad 503 kit. I need to find a good high quality smaller pack for my tiny Olympus system. The Lowepro photo sport 200 aw2 looks great at $100.

I adapted a long-discontinued Marmot Talus daypack for my travel camera gear. Build quality is excellent. Various Talus models regularly come up for sale on eBay; a saved search gets you an email alert whenever a new Talus becomes available. Cost is under $100. It's carry-on size with an excellent suspension system, smaller than the pictured Peak. The older models have two interior pockets that are easily accessible from the rear of the bag; each can hold an 70-200 2.8+ lens. The interior sleeve can hold a 15" MBP but I prefer a 13" for its weight. The later Talus models are sleeker but they don't have as many exterior lashing options (tripod/monopod) or the two water bottle holders of the original daypack. The nicely padded sunglass compartment on the top exterior can hold a small digicam for quick access. What you can do with the large interior space is only limited by your imagination. A benefit of the Talus is that it looks like a daypack vs. an expensive camera backpack.

I've used the first generation Photo Sport and fairly happy except for too weak strap. They don't break, just get very uncomfortable with some weight in the pack. I looked to upgrade when the new AW2 came out, and the straps look better, but the packs are smaller than the first generation.

The 200 is IMO too small if you got something like the E-M1 or a E-M5 with battery grip and a telezoom. It would probably work fine with a Pen F and kit zoom and a couple of small primes. Even the 300 might be too small if you have more than one of the larger lenses. You can of course use some of the non-photo space for camera gear, but those areas are not padded.

I'm sure it's an engineering masterpiece and worth every penny. But it's only sold in boring, easy to lose in the dark black or "Don't Look At Me I'm Timid" green. The Osprey comes in Diablo Red... Case closed.

What colour is your camera?

I've never lost my black bags, black tripods, black cameras, black jackets, black shoes, black hats, black gloves.....hmm maybe color has nothing to do with keeping possession of ones' belongings.

It's really more of a mood thing. Where I live in the northern United States it's gray, dark, and ugly about half the year and vivid colors help stave off the winter blues. To me when I see a bunch of black equipment bags at a location my first thought is alway "why is the coroner here? Who died?" My cameras? I wish they were red too but, sadly, black. I was very tempted when Nikon and Olympus were releasing their colored cameras and now I'm sorry I resisted.

a backpack? dude

h n y......... 2019 all

People urinate and crap on airplane toilet floors then walk through the plane. No bag I ever own will 'go under the seat in front of me'.

What does not kill you strenghtens your immunine system :-D

Same people don't wash their hands at the toilet. Do you wear gloves in the plane?

I generally avoid touching anything on the plane. I don't like watching movies when I fly anyway, which is convenient. I also have a strategy where I'll allocate one hand to touching public stuff and another to touching my stuff (until I get the chance to wash them). Also, I carry a packet of tissues and use one for opening handles to exit toilets etc.

You did ask. 😃

Oh great, let's talk about proper airplane etiquette...not.

Ok so what if you decide not to not use gloves, tissue, etc. What are the chances of getting any kind of health issues?

Have you considered indoor photography ?

How about the shop where you bought the tissues from? You know someone had to touch that packet before you, right?

Ah, the cookie-cutter SE Asian vest bro. Yeah, I wouldn't want to travel on those planes. And you must spend a lot of time being a hygiene nut living in those countries.

Honestly, I have few issues living in SE Asia. Once you work your hygiene systems out, it becomes subconscious!

Whatever works for you I guess. I am reminded of when I lived in an Outback Australian town and we only had one doctor who was Jewish. On certain days due to his religeon he could not touch or do certain things. Belive me when I say that on those days you did not want to be admitted to hospital with anything life threatening.

Wrong profession for him! I'm a sales copywriter so interact with clients almost exclusively online. Perfect!

I guess I've been traveling for too long but whenever I see a travel pack without a legitimate hip belt (the PD Travel Pack's is really just something to stabilize the pack's position, not to bear any weight) and back structuring I keep on walking - because your shoulders are going to hurt pretty quickly without them...unless you're the age of the average PD designer and spend a lot of time in the rock gym. The Osprey Porter 46 is not much better - it's just a duffel with modestly better straps and waist strap. But it's cheap and nearly indestructible. For something that you might want to actually carry for any length of time you buy an Osprey Farpoint or pretty much anything in the MindShiftGear series. These are seriously well-designed and well-carrying packs intended for the long-term traveler. The MindShiftGear bags are of course more camera oriented. The PD Trave Bag has the advantage that it's sized at the upper limit of carry-on and shaped properly to maximize load carrying.

Amen. The larger Mindshift packs are so well-cushioned around the hips that I've actually used them on overnight backpacking trips multiple times. I just trade my friends their bigger heavier lenses for my sleeping bag / cookwear etc, until our backpack weight evens out, and off we go. My record is a 2-night hike into the Grand Canyon with the Mindshift Rotation 180 pro. Pack was 40-45 lbs. Super comfortable, it felt like it weighed 20 lbs less...

I know that some backpacks are made more for airline and other types of travel than actually having the backpack weighing down on your shoulders/waist for 10+ hours a day, but I just can't get past the irony of that fact.

Durex make a full jumpsuit for travelling safely on public transport. I recall reading about this somewhere many years ago. think it was in Punch or Private Eye

Way too big. Way to costly. Won't fit under seat for airplane travel. Questionable if it will be acceptable for overhead compartment. Not suitable for day use. Loaded up, I doubt it would be comfortable on a large frame man's back, let alone a smaller person's torso.

In its compressed (30L) configuration it will fit under a seat. In its regular (35L) configuration it will fit in an overhead compartment. In its expanded state, it's 2" too deep to fit. Overseas, it's 1" too long. However, it's a soft box and can be mushed down to fit in many locations - but only 35L for max carry on is pretty space inefficient, actually - the Osprey Farpoint 40 and the Tortuga packs do much better - with real hipbelts and perimeter framed back systems.

I passed on the 45L during the kickstarter campaign (opting to just buy the small camera cube). Besides the price, my main objection is for my use, the bag is just too big for airline travel, where I want the backpack to be able to fit under the seat. Previous experiences with a Manfrotto backpack has shown, that the max size I can use is 16"/40cm (tall) x 13"/33cm (wide) x 8"/20cm (deep). In particular, if the bag is taller than 16" (like my Manfroto bag is), I can't angle the bag under the seat in front of me, due the restricted space between seats.

Due to airline fees for checked bags, I can't assume I will be able to use the overhead bins and I use a roller bag that can be gate checked. If I'm traveling on a smaller regional plane, there is almost no overhead space. Even on larger jets, I have found that the 22" length quoted by the airlines is often over optimistic for many overhead bins, and I specifically downgraded my roller bag down to 20".

Good backpack for a mule with lots of money.

I just took my Travel Backpack to a trip to Spain. I have a medium camera cube with: -Olympus E-M1 Mark II -Olympus 7-14mm f/2.8 -Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 -Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 + M-TC 1.4 -Olympus 8mm f1.8 -Panasonic Leica 15mm f1.7 -Voigtlander 25mm f0.95 -Olympus 45mm f1.8 -Olympus 75mm f1.8

In addition, I had an Everyday Sling 5L with some bits and bobs and a tech pouch with cables, HDDs, and laptop/tablet chargers. In the main compartment, in its own folio, I also had a Surface Pro 2 as my XPS 15 was in the main compartment.

Overall, lots of heavy kit. Still, I think the backpack performed remarkable. For nights out, I am switching to the a primes-only setup with the Sling, while leaving the "heavy" zooms at my parents-in-law house. This is only the first trip of many with this backpack, but considering how flexible and how much it holds, I think that it is money well spent!

Hey I know it s off topic but why take so many lenses and ONLY one body. Cameras can start malfunctioning for any reason. I think you should get a smaller body and leave some lenses at my home. Just my two cents :)

@Harold66: I used to carry a second body (E-M1), but sold it as I found little use of it. WRT why so many lenses: It is like taking two systems, just with the same body/mount. The zooms are excellent for phototrips, while the primes are small enough for all of them to be stored in the 5L with the E-M1 MkII attached. It is more about versatile. Now, I am waiting for the next-gen PEN-f before making any "small body" purchase.

Definitely more hits than misses with this product and lots of typical PD design features. Drawbacks? Generally a bit heavy and doesn’t hold a lot once you add camera cubes etc.. And also the side pockets are small and are only really suitable for a small travel tripod.

Waouh that seems a lot of important misses to me...what are the hits again ?

First bag which comes to my mind is the Wandrd Hexad Access Duffel, which is from the same manufacturer as your best 2018 bag the Prvke... I must read the whole article first, but it seems the PD is a very close inspiration from the Wandrd...

I'm enjoying mine. It (with the large camera cube) was great for a single place to have all my photography gear (except for my big tripod) on the trip to the in-laws for Christmas and family photos. I much prefer the shoulder straps on this compared to to my Peak Everyday backpack.

The camera cubes are doing just fine for me but I'll be curious to put my rented 500 f/4 in the big one this spring when I go out for wildlife.

I like the pouches but I wish they'd shrink smaller when not in use.

Yes, it's a lot of money, but if it lasts me for a decade, I'll consider that a good use of money. I use my Everday backpack every day and it's great shape.

Yes, the big telephotos are the crunch for this hipster system. When it came to a demo with big lenses, PD showed beyond doubt they were out of their comfort zone in the kickstarter video. Poor R&D and they have much to learn. not everyone uses MILC systems. The bird tour / ecotour fraternity are a big and swelling cohort and they usually carry a big lenses. I'm getting a F-Stop ICU bag modified to fit the Travelline Bpack

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for Any Adventure

Whether used solo or packed alongside other bags, the best travel backpacks we’ve tested hold plenty of stuff and make it all easy to access.

By Will Sabel Courtney and Ben Bowers

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.  Learn more

An excellent carry-on-sized travel and adventure backpack can be a packing game changer. Whether used solo for shorter trips or carried along with other luggage for extended journeys, the best options offer plenty of storage space for clothes and a slew of easy access and protective pockets for water bottles, laptops, and other personal items.

Having spent many days on airplanes crisscrossing continents and oceans for work and play alike, here are the best carry-on travel and adventure bags we’ve tested and recommend hovering in the 35–55 liter size range.

Carry-On Travel & Adventure Backpacks We Recommend

Best Overall

Best Rollaboard Replacement

Best Bargain

Best Multi-Use

Smartest Feature Set

Most Distinctive Option

• Made in America

Most Versatile

Best for Awkward-Sized Gear

How We Test Travel & Adventure Backpacks

Our tester journeyed far and wide on numerous trips by plane, train and automobile with these backpacks, loading them up with apparel, gadgets and gear to see how they handle the stress. They were loaded and unloaded into luggage racks, trunks and back seats alike, carried on long walks to and from terminals and destinations, and left to bash about in the closet between trips.

For many of the tests, he loaded it up with a typical array of clothing and equipment one would need for a business or personal trip of several days time: an extra pair of jeans or slacks, 2–3 T-shirts, 1–2 overshirts or button-downs, a pair of sneakers, gym shorts and shirts, a DSLR camera , iPhone charger and Apple Watch charger and of course, several changes of undergarments.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here .

Best Overall Travel Backpack

Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack

• Can expand from a 35L day bag into 45L multi-day gear hauler
• Offers many ways to load & access contents
• Backpack straps can hide conveniently out of site via magnets
• Weather proof shell
• Main pouch less accessible than some other bags on the list
• Cinch straps only work okay
• $299 at Peak Design
• $299 at Huckberry
• $299 at REI
• $299 at Backcountry
• $299 at Amazon

Peak Design’s travel backpack has been a top pick of ours for a while now , and suffice it to say, it’s still impressive. You can tell it’s a premium product from the first moment you lay hands and eyes on it; it looks and feels nice, from the action of the zippers to the smooth, almost waxy waterproof exterior to the soft, gentle gray fabric of the interior. But look closer, and you’ll find more features you might have missed the first time; hidden magnets seamlessly tuck away the backpack straps when not in use. (Just be sure you check the straps’ length every time you pull them back out, as they can slide out longer a little more easily than some bags.)

Of course, none of that would matter if it weren’t capable of carrying a bunch of gear. Luckily, this bag excels at that. Two main pockets easily enable the carriage of several days’ worth of apparel, while smaller slots for everything from toiletries to cables to headphones to laptops are found inside. There are grab handles for one-handed toting, multiple zippers for easy entry from several angles, and slots for water bottles on the sides, of course. We also love that unlike most other options on this list, this bag can contract down to a smaller-sized bag 35 L capacity for shorter trips or bulk up to a 45 L if you need to bring more along (or wound up acquiring a few items while out on the road.) All in all, it’s probably as close to the perfect travel backpack as you might find on sale today.

Best Rollaboard Replacement Travel Backpack

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

• Designed to maximize allowable carry-on space
• Opens and packs like a carry-on suitcase
• Featured padded hip belt with side pocket for better weight distribution
• Accessing items in main compartment can be awkward on the go
• Lacks luggage pass-through sleeve
• Slightly heavier than other options
• $350 at Tortuga

Tortuga’s Travel Backpack Pro is regarded as one of the best travel backpacks for good reason. Its rectangular shape lets the bag maximize its available storage capacity while ensuring its dimensions fall within standard airline carry-on guidelines. The primary storage compartment also opens as a suitcase to reveal a large mesh zipper compartment side and a spacious main compartment. Depending on your use case, this design detail can be a pro or con. On the one hand, it’s great to lay the bag flat on a bed and unzip the clam shell zipper to reveal and grab whatever’s inside quickly. However, quickly grabbing something buried deep inside the main compartment can be difficult if you don’t have enough space to lay the bag fully flat. The bag’s space-maximizing design also means its physically and aesthetically a bit more boxy than other options we recommend. Tortuga sells a smaller 30L capacity version of the same bag if 40L feels too big for your needs.

Best Bargain Travel Backpack

Aer Travel Pack 3

• Features handles on all sides
• Tons of pockets, including a hidden one for Airtags / Tracker
• Includes luggage handle pass-through strap
• $249 at Aer

Aer’s Travel Pack 3 is a little more affordable than the Peak Design entry, but don’t hold that against it; this bag is a lot like the above model. There are an abundance of pockets; you won’t have any trouble finding a place for everything and putting everything in its place. And while it doesn’t look or feel quite as premium when standing next to the Peak Design bag, it still has the quality and appearance of a high-end product.

On the downside, the orientation of the main pouch can make opening it and filling the bag a bit trickier than some other entries on the list, and the magnetic clips for the chest strap and cinch straps feel like an unnecessary complication. It’s also a little smaller than other recommendations on this list. Still, overall, it’s a great choice for a few days on the road.

Best Multi-Use Travel Backpack

Yeti Crossroads Backpack 35L

• Made from thick, abrasion resistant nylon
• Stable luggage pass through sleeve
• Removable external straps for lashing on other gear
• Sold in multiple smaller sizes
• Laptop sleeve is a little smaller compared to other bags
• Less water resistance than other options
• Lack of DWR coating also means its more prone to staining
• $250 at Yeti

Yeti’s approach to backpacks is the same as its coolers . The brand’s Crossroads Backpack is a durably constructed and capable bag with a slightly less techy aesthetic than other recommendations on this list. It also includes a unique feature mix that makes it great for airports, city travel, and outdoor adventures.

For work-related trips or voyages within city limits, it’s got padded organization pockets for various items, including a laptop, and opens clamshell-style for easier packing. In cases of outdoor adventuring, it also features a pair of removal external straps for toting along other items like a rain shell, ground cover, or a lightweight camp chair. There’s also a pocket big enough to fit a 26 oz water bottle, although it’s located inside the bag, which might be a controversial decision for some. We lack the fact that Yeti sells smaller 22 L and 27 L versions of the bag for those interesting in something that’s closer in size to a more traditional backpack.

The Travel Backpack with the Smartest Feature Set

Matador GlobeRider 45L Travel Backpack

• Features a highly adjustable outdoor backpack style harness for optimizing carrying comfort and weight distribution
• Stowable main backpack straps can tuck away for checking
• Dedicated internal compartment that's great for keeping dirty / worn shoes from the rest of the bag's contents
• Looks more technical / camping oriented than other options
• Bigger compared to other tweener-sized options
• $350 at Matador
• $350 at Huckberry
• $350 at REI
• $350 at Backcountry

Smart design details distinguish all of Matador’s products, and their premium  GlobeRider 45 travel and adventure backpack  puts this part of the brand’s DNA on full display. While the sheer variety of features makes this bag stand out, its outdoor-grade harness, complete with adjustable load lifters, a contoured aluminum framestay, and a backpacking carry harness, make it one of the best travel backpack options for anyone who expects to walk long distances carrying it. The harness is also stowable behind the padded back panel, which can help prevent the bag from being caught up in machinery if you decide to check it. 

We also love the larger, built-in internal organization pocket that’s sizeable enough to keep a pair of dirty hiking boots separated from other packed items and the internal shockcord securement system on the other side for keeping contents in place when the bag is open. There’s even a “smugglers pocket” tucked away behind the back panel for keeping critical items like a Passport out of harm’s way.

Most Distinctive Travel Backpack

Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack

• Available in more colorful outdoorsy-styled versions, including a randomized Del Dia option
• Includes removable raincover
• Includes strap for carrying crossbody
• Designed to work perfectly with Cotopaxi packing cubes and accessories
• Includes a lifetime warranty + repairs
• Less open space for cramming gear inside
• $220 at Cotopaxi
• $220 at Amazon
• $220 at REI

We gravitate to more unremarkable colors in bags. Still, if you prefer your equipment to stand out or like owning something unique,  Cotopaxi’s Allpa 42 L is an excellent option . It’s available in various standard colors, most of which mix and match various bright shades to give off a classic outdoorsy vibe. But there’s also the option of buying a one-of-a-kind  “Del Dia” version  made from leftover parts and pieces from other companies’ production runs. While you can pick the primary color you are interested in, the different colored elements of the bag are determined on the production line based on available materials. The result is an aesthetically unique bag that’s also more sustainably produced. 

But don’t assume the appeal of this bag is all aesthetic. It also offers plenty of practical travel-centric details, including various internal zippered organization pockets, a removal rainfly for foul weather protection, and a removable waist belt. Its primary harness straps can also be tucked away for easier checking. 

If you want to enter the Cotopaxi travel ecosystem fully, the bag is also specifically designed to fit the company’s packing cubes and fanny pack.

Best Made in the USA Travel Backpack

GoRuck GR3 45L USA

• Ridiculously sturdy and tough
• Simple design
• Harder to access laptop and other pockets on the go
• Expensive compared to bags with bells & whistles
• $455 at goruck.com

GoRuck is known for building bags that are sturdy as hell, and meant to go through it, too. The canvas skin feels thick enough to resist tiger claws. That’s not to say it’s harsh on the wearer; 201D Cordura straps and back panels feel plenty soft even over the long haul. We tested the smaller GR1, but even that 26-liter bag punched above its weight, proving large enough to carry our usual kit without much trouble; the 45-liter GR3 will no doubt prove capable of taking whatever you throw at it, inside or out.

With only one main compartment and a couple rather small pockets, it’s a bit harder to stash smaller items in their own areas — you may have to rummage through your underwear to grab your laptop — but if your priority is making sure everything in your bag stays safe and sound no matter what, GoRuck has you covered. Be aware that this bag is often sold out.

Most Versatile Travel Backpack

Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Pack

• A built-in secondary pack is great for day trips
• Massive capacity
• More affordable than other options
• Re-assembly of constituent bags can be tricky when full
• Forces you to split your gear up between two bags when packing
• $220.00 at osprey.com
• $176 at Backcountry Gear $220 (20% off)
• $215 at Amazon
• $220 at L.L. Bean

Nerd alert: What does the Osprey Farpoint 55 have in common with the USS Enterprise-D from Star Trek: The Next Generation? (Which, coincidentally, first aired with a pilot called “Encounter at Farpoint.”) Well, both starship and backpack can separate into two separate vessels if the need arises. In the case of the Osprey, that means the smaller, secondary pocket detaches to become its own daypack, perfectly sized for short hikes and office visits. Combined, the complete bag is a mammoth beast, capable of taking on a stunning amount of gear; if you tend to pick up souvenirs on your trips, this bag is for you.

On the less-appealing side, it’s a bit difficult to get into the main bag when “assembled,” and that assembly process can be tricky when both bags are stuffed. Combined, the overall package is bulky; it’s not an issue when wearing it (or at least it wasn’t for our six-foot-four-inch tester), but it does generally necessitate splitting the bag into its constituent parts on the airplane, stowing the big part in the overhead and the small one under the seat ahead.

Best Travel Backpack for Awkward-Sized Gear

Patagonia Cragsmith Pack 45L

• Giant pocket and wide opening make for easy packing
• Light compared to other bags
• Not as optimal for business travel as some other bags
• No true dedicated sleeve for laptops or tablets
• $152.99 at Patagonia $219.00 (30% off)

Of course, any list of high-quality backpacks wouldn’t be complete without a Patagonia entry. The Cragsmith may be made for rock climbing, but it’s also a good fit for travel, with ample capacity in a giant central compartment as well as secondary slots for other gear. That said, the lack of a second main compartment may be a turn-off for some, and the relaxed sleeve on the inside of the main cargo bay is better suited for rope than a laptop. But if you want a sleek travel backpack from one of the best names in outdoor equipment, the Cragsmith should treat you right.

Key details to consider before deciding on the right travel or adventure backpack for your needs.

• Do you plan on using your travel or adventure backpack frequently in conjunction with a rollaboard? If yes, we recommend keying in on options that feature a luggage pass-through sleeve. This will allow you to take the bag off your back and more easily roll it with your suitcase during extended treks in the airport.
• Do you plan on using your travel backpack off the beaten path or expect to be exposed to the elements for longer stretches? If yes, look for options made with DWR coatings or sold with an included rainfly as well as sealed zippers for added water protection.
• Do you plan on walking/hiking long distances while wearing the travel backpack? If yes, we recommend focusing on backpacks that offer integrated waist straps or, even better, more adjustable/tunable harnesses. Both features will allow you to distribute the weight of the bag better and for more comfort. 
• Do you plan on ever checking your travel backpack on an airplane? While less critical than the other considerations, bags with stowable straps and harnesses are better suited for checking. It’s an unlikely risk, but extraneous straps can get caught in conveyor belt machinery while being scanned.
• Do you prefer packing with packing cubes and smaller bags? If so, then we recommend looking at backpacks with less built-in organization pockets to maximize what you can carry. If you’re in the opposite camp, then many of the options that include a variety of pockets and zippered compartments can help you quickly find whatever you’ve packed.

An easy rubric for gauging the right sized carry-on adventure backpack for your needs.

If you are hoping to use a single backpack for a trip lasting more than three days, we recommend focusing on bags with a capacity of 40 L unless you are an extremely light packer.

A handy list of approved carry-on sizes for major U.S. domestic airlines

Approved Carry-on sizing reference table last updated 4/9/2024

To learn more about how big (or heavy) your carry-on can be, refer to our broader guide to the best carry-on suitcases for every trip .

Related Topics

The Best Travel Backpacks for Men

Our editors independently select the products we recommend. We may earn a commission on items bought through our links.

The backpack is a fantastic bag for traveling, full stop. Whether walking down a cobblestone street (that would batter even the toughest suitcase wheels) or navigating a crowded plaza (where carrying a duffel would mean slow going), the back-mounted yet accessible style of a backpack is the best way to carry stuff on a trip.

Today’s travel backpacks for men are as stylish and functional as any other bag, which might partially explain why one analysis projects that the category’s global market size will nearly double between 2022 and 2030. The best travel backpacks have plenty of thoughtfully divided storage space, are durable enough to survive wear and tear, and have a stylish design. Generally, they’re priced anywhere from the low triple digits to around $400; the higher-priced ones tend to be worth it for more premium materials and more robust manufacturer guarantees. 

What the Experts Say

Sources within the travel and luggage industries say that depending on a backpack is actually a great way to travel. For this story, SPY interviewed travel writers Art Dobrucki of The Places Where We Go and Shelley Marmor of Travel Blogging 101 , as well as other travel experts, to help sort through the best travel backpacks available now.

“It’s impractical to wheel around suitcases when you want to experience flexible and in-the-moment travel,” says Dobrucki, a veteran of multiple backpacking trips. “Not only do we not have to worry about lugging around unnecessary luggage, but we can craft an itinerary that is on-the-go as much as possible.”

Of course, not every backpack is a great backpack for travel. As an inexperienced traveler, Marmor carried “a backpack the size of a small mountain” that inhibited her mobility on the tight, winding streets of Rome. Now, she carries a backpack “compact enough to sneak past those tricky airline restrictions, yet spacious enough for all your necessities.”

BEST OVERALL

Tortuga 40L Travel Backpack

Forty liters is a pretty standard size for a travel backpack, but where this backpack excels, in particular, is how it uses that volume. Travel writer Kevin Groh says that its front-loading design, which allows access to packed items without the need to search through from the top, is a valuable time-saver. 

It’s also a great backpack for someone used to a rolling suitcase, as unzipping the long middle zipper makes the bag fall open like such a suitcase. There’s also a mesh bag for dirty clothes — a standard feature in rolling suitcases that’s an added bonus here.

Further, the included detachable hip belt, sternum strap, and foam-padded shoulder straps make it comfortable to carry over long distances. Marmor said that the Outbreaker, a previous version of this backpack, struck “the perfect balance of comfort and function,” and we’re happy to report that Tortuga hasn’t lost this magic touch.

BEST FOR SAFETY

Pacsafe Venturasafe EXP45

Buy now on amazon.

Made For: Traveling safely. Getting robbed always sucks, but getting robbed while traveling really sucks. Enter the Pacsafe Venturasafe EXP45, a backpack with a bevy of features, including a self-locking zipper, built-in steel mesh to prevent slashing, an RFID-blocking pocket, and a clip that makes it easy to lock the bag to a secure object.

ROI: Every backpack can hold stuff, but not every backpack can make the wearer feel better. Travel writer Christen Thomas says that while he was exploring the narrow alleys of Barcelona, the peace of mind this backpack provided him was “invaluable.” It’s well worth the $260 price tag, in other words.

BEST COMPACT

Osprey Stratos 24 Men's Hiking Backpack

Made For: Light packers. Dobrucki says he’s fit enough clothes in his Stratos to last three weeks, which is honestly an impressive feat. Most will likely want something a bit bigger for a trip of that length, but this pack is ideal for shorter trips.

Coolest Feature: Osprey says its Airspeed Ventilation System includes a 3D-suspended mesh foam back panel instead of a thicker material that, while cushioned, can lead to a sweaty back. The tautness of the mesh also helps distribute the load more evenly. Dobrucki adds that the “adjustable suspension system allows for a customizable fit that makes carrying the backpacks easy.”

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Made For: Business-minded backpackers. “Its smart pocket layout and excellent accessories give it a sleek appearance while still being enormously practical,” Thomas says. Case in point: There’s a layer of ultra-light padded foam around the bag that gives it more structure, resulting in a polished look that also helps protect its contents. It’s one reason Thomas says that this backpack is “a favorite among many of my business traveler clients.” 

ROI: It’s compatible with an array of Peak Design accessories, including packing cubes, special bags for camera equipment, and a hip belt accessory (so it can easily transition from commuter backpack to travel backpack). Buying this bag means buying into an ecosystem that can make buying additional bags for additional purposes unnecessary.

Sandqvist Bernt

Why It Stands Out: There are lots of leather bags and lots of Cordura bags, but not many that combine the luxurious natural material and the tough-as-nails synthetic fiber. The end result is a backpack that’s rugged, stylish, and what Nate Axvig, owner of Scandinavian retailer Aktiv , calls “a sophistication that is as at home on the trail as it is in a corporate setting.” 

Coolest Feature: “The roll-top construction is secure while also easy to use,” says Axvig. “When the roll is opened, the entire backpack opens up and is easily accessible.” We’d add that unrolling (but still clasping) the top means that there’s room to fit souvenirs to bring home, while an emptier bag can be tightened to save space — something the side straps also help with.

BEST FOR BACKPACKING

Osprey Farpoint

Made For: Backpackers (as opposed to those who just carry backpacks). As a pastime, backpacking means living out of what’s in the backpack, typically over a long period of time. Hans Mast of Golden Rule Travel says that this one “boasts a sturdy and adjustable suspension system, ensuring a comfortable fit and weight distribution, even during long hikes or treks.” 

Coolest Feature: Osprey incorporates serious technical features — like fine torso adjustments and breathable harnesses — into this backpack, but Mast calls the detachable daypack a game-changer: “It facilitates seamless exploration during city visits,” he says. In other ways, leaving the main pack behind in a secure hotel room or hostel is literally a load off one’s shoulders, but having the daypack to bring along means one doesn’t have to explore without the essentials.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Backpacks

Who should use a travel backpack.

Anyone who can wear a backpack comfortably should consider a travel backpack (instead of a rolling suitcase or duffel bag) because it’s so nice to have one’s hands free while traveling, whether devouring a recently purchased book at the airport or using a phone to look up directions in a strange city.

Are there backpacks I definitely shouldn’t buy for travel?

Yes — among them are the undersized backpacks that have been en vogue in recent years. These might be well-suited for walking around town, but their minimal storage space makes them ill-suited for trips to anywhere besides a nudist colony.

Can’t I just use the backpack I had in high school?

First off, kudos for keeping the old Jansport around. It’s probably not big enough for a long trip, but if wearing it doesn’t unlock awkward memories of your teenage years, feel free to use it as a retro carry-on on your next trip.

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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.

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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!

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.

• 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 .

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Moscow

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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!

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

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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Moscow Itinerary: How To Spend 3 Days In Moscow

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: March 2, 2023

Categories Trans Mongolian Express

Moscow is the capital of Russia and there are few cities in the world that have played such a significant part in history.

Home to the Kremlin, the Red Square, the colorful St. Basil's Cathedral, and many more famous landmarks, Moscow is a city like no other.

This Moscow itinerary will help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in Moscow. From the best places to see in Moscow to how to get around, this post has got you covered.

Moscow itinerary

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

Moscow 3 day itinerary: map with highlights

Click here for the interactive map .

What to do in Moscow in 3 days

• Day 1: The Red Square, GUM Department Store, St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, and the State Historical Museum.
• Day 2: The Kremlin, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Gorky Park, and the Bolshoi Theatre.
• Day 3: Izmailovsky Market, Bunker 42, and Zaryadye Park.

Important things to know when planning a trip to Moscow

The best time to plan a trip to Moscow is April-May and September-October . During these months temperatures are (generally) quite comfortable, though even in April there can be a bit of snow! The summer months are hot, both in regard to temperature as well as activities in the city. While it's a nice time to visit, it's also the busiest time of the year to visit Moscow. Hotel prices reflect this as well and summer definitely isn't a great time for budget travelers to visit Moscow. Winter in Moscow is cold, and I mean seriously cold (-15°C isn't rare). However, if you can withstand the subzero temperatures and freezing winds, it can be a magical time to visit. A snow-covered St. Basil’s Cathedral is a sight you will never forget. Keep in mind that days are short in winter and be sure to bring plenty of warm winter clothes!

The official currency in Russia is the Russian Ruble (₽ or RUB). Here you can find the current exchange rates, at the time of writing €1 is approximately 70RUB and $1 is around 62RUB.

Yes, you probably do. Getting a visa for Russia requires a bit of time and effort. You need to fill out several forms and provide a detailed travel itinerary and information about your accommodation. Also, you will need a Visa Support Letter which can be provided by your travel agency or your hotel. Depending on your nationality, there may be additional requirements, please refer to the information provided on the website of your country's Embassy in Russia.

While most of the things to see in Moscow listed in this post are within walking distance of each other, sometimes you will have to travel a bit further afield. The best way to get around in Moscow is by metro. It's cheap and efficient and a sightseeing activity in itself, because Moscow has the most beautiful metro stations in the world ! Among the most exquisitely decorated stations are Komsomolskaya, Novoslobodskaya, Mayakovskaya, Taganskaya, and Prospect Mira Station, but there are many more worthwhile stations to be found in the Moscow underground. You can purchase a single ticket from one of the ticket machines or get a rechargeable Troika Card when you plan on taking the metro several times. Read more details on how to use the Moscow metro here . If you prefer to get around by taxi, that's possible too. We used the Gett app to order a taxi (similar to Uber) to avoid confusion about our intended destination and having to negotiate in Russian. A convenient extra for families is the Gett Kids option, these cars are outfitted with a car seat.

The best things to do in Moscow

While you could easily spend a week in Moscow (or more), most of us, unfortunately, don't have that much time available.

This 3-day Moscow itinerary will guide you to the most popular and important places to visit in Moscow, as well as to some of the more unusual things to do in Moscow.

Below you can find the list of the Moscow sightseeing highlights included in this post.

The Red Square

Gum department store, st. basil's cathedral, lenin's mausoleum, the state historical museum, the kremlin, cathedral of christ the saviour.

• The Bolshoi Theatre

Izmailovsky Market

Zaryadye park.

Plan your trip like a pro with these tools: ✈️ Find the best flight deals on Kiwi.com . ? Get the best car rental deal for your road trip on Rentalcars.com . ?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ? Book the best tours via Get Your Guide , Viator or Klook . ? Plan your journey with the  Lonely Planet . ?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

Moscow itinerary day 1

There is no better place to start your first day in Moscow, than at the world-famous Red Square.

This square is considered the central square of Moscow, not just because all the major streets start here, but also because no matter where you look when standing on this square, there are historic buildings all around.

Starting with the impressive GUM store and going clockwise, there is the colorful Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum, the State Historical Museum, and the Kazan Cathedral.

However, before entering any of these Moscow must-see attractions, allow yourself a moment to take in the view and let it sink in that you're standing on historical grounds (and a UNESCO site).

The Red Square was the official address of the Soviet government and played an important part in history. Many military parades have been held (and are still being held) here. It's the place where protests have taken place, as well as high-profile concerts from famous international artists.

All in all, it's one of the places in Moscow you can't miss during your Moscow city trip!

Yulia from That's What She Had: it might seem like visiting a department store is not something you’d do on the first visit to Russia’s capital.

But GUM is not like any other department store and is well worth your time, if only for its unique architecture.

First of all, it’s located right on Red Square which makes it an easy stop on your Moscow trip itinerary. Second, GUM is not a simple mall, but an institution built in the late XIX century.

The abbreviation stands for  Glavniy Universalniy Magazin or Main Universal Store. Its impressive facade extends for over 240 meters along the eastern side of Red Square.

Inside you’ll find a beautiful glass ceiling supported by a metal framework, not unlike the ones found in the old train stations of Great Britain. 

While shopping in GUM will cost you an arm and a leg, there’s one reason why tourists and locals come here anyways:  traditional Russian food  at Stolovaya #57. Stolovaya is Russian for canteen and this is where you can get your  pelmeni , borsch , and  pirozhki  fix!

Afterward, don’t forget to get the famous  plombir  ice cream in one of the kiosks on the ground floor.

Saint Basil's Cathedral with its colorful domes is easily recognizable and one of the most popular Moscow tourist attractions. The building, built on orders from Ivan the Terrible, was completed in 1561 to commemorate the victory over Kazan and Astrakhan.

Until the construction of Ivan the Great Bell Tower (which can be found within the walls of the Kremlin), it was the tallest building in Moscow.

The design of St. Basil's Cathedral is truly unique; it's shaped like the flame of a bonfire and not one building in a similar style can be found in the whole of Russia.

A legend tells the story of how Ivan the Terrible had the architects of the Cathedral blinded so they could never build anything comparable.

This is a myth, however, but the fact remains that Saint Basil's Cathedral is one of a kind and it's not surprising it has become the symbol of Russia.

Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan: Lenin Mausoleum is hard to miss. It's a stepped-pyramid construction that sits right at the base of the Kremlin walls on the western side of Red Square.

Entrance is free but note that opening hours are quite limited, with visiting hours lasting only from 10 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

If seeing Lenin's embalmed body is important to you, be sure to take this into account when planning your itinerary in Moscow.

One of my  top tips for travelers to Russia  is to arrive early, well before the mausoleum opens, as the queue is usually quite long. However, usually, the queue does move pretty quickly.

This is especially true now that they have lifted the ban on bags and cameras.

It used to be that all cameras, smartphones, and bags of any size had to be checked at a left-luggage office nearby. But now you can bring a small handbag or backpack as well as your camera and phone.

Photography inside the mausoleum is still strictly forbidden, but you are allowed to take photos of the graves of various other important Russian figures that line the path leading to the mausoleum.

Once you finally enter the mausoleum, the atmosphere is surprisingly peaceful and uncrowded. It doesn't feel nearly as rushed as when visiting Mao Ze Dong's tomb in Beijing or Ho Chi Minh's body in Hanoi , for example.

The illumination of the body is very well done and would make for superb photography if it wasn't forbidden. As an added bonus, just after you exit, you'll see the grave of Joseph Stalin outside.

Rai from A Rai Of Light: the imposing crimson building at the northern end of the Red Square is the State Historical Museum.

By decree of Alexander III, the museum was built with the support of Russian historians, philosophers, and artists. The red brick building, dating from 1875, was designed in the Russian revival style by Vladimir Shervud.

The National Museum of Russia houses a collection of over four million items, devoted to the history of the country's ancient and imperial period.

The exhibitions include many items previously owned by members of the Romanov dynasty, such as documents, artwork, personal items, furnishings, and decorations from the palace interiors.

Another exhibit features relics of the prehistoric tribes that once inhabited this region.

Notable items include ancient manuscripts, birch-bark scrolls, a longboat excavated from the banks of the Volga River, and the largest coin collection in Russia, sourced from the museums in St Petersburg .

The State Historical Museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. The entrance fee is 700₽ per adult.

Moscow itinerary day 2

When listing the best Moscow things to do, one cannot miss the Kremlin! The Kremlin houses the current seat of power in Russia and has done so for several decades.

Within its walls, the offices of the Russian Government can be found. During Soviet rule, the Kremlin was where all the important decisions were made but its history goes back for many centuries.

The first mention of the Kremlin in history books was in 1147, however, the current citadel dates from the 16th century.

The Kremlin is one of the major fortifications found in Europe, with walls that are up to 6.5 meters thick and 19 meters high in particular sections.

Inside the complex, there are many government buildings, however, these aren't accessible to the public.

Around Cathedral Square you'll find (as the name suggests) many churches and cathedrals, such as the Cathedral of the Archangel, Annunciation Cathedral, the Church of Laying Our Lady's Holy Robe, and Ivan the Great Bell-Tower.

While Cathedral Square is definitely worth visiting, the highlight of the Kremlin is a visit to the Armoury.

Inside you can find an impressive collection of Faberge eggs, beautiful dresses worn by Catherine the Great, intricately decorated thrones used by the Tsars, and much more. Unfortunately, photography is forbidden inside the Armoury.

Practical information about visiting the Kremlin

In order to visit both Cathedral Square and the Armoury, you will have to buy two separate tickets. A ticket to Cathedral Square costs 700₽ and a ticket to the Armoury is 1000₽. Prices mentioned are for adults, children below 16 years old are free.

Tickets can be bought at the ticket office onsite on the same day, however, there's no guarantee tickets will be available, especially during peak season.

Conveniently, tickets can be bought online as well, which is highly advisable if you want to make sure you'll be able to visit the Kremlin during your city trip to Moscow.

How much time to spend at the Kremlin

Be sure to allow plenty of time to explore the Kremlin, at least half a day but it's easy to spend more time as there is so much to see.

Please note there isn't any food sold inside the Kremlin, so bring a snack and enough water (especially in summer when it can get pretty hot).

Luggage storage

Backpacks aren't allowed inside the Kremlin, they can be stored (for free) in the cloakroom, but you can bring your camera and a small purse.

We could also take our Babyzen Yoyo stroller inside, which was very convenient as our 10-month-old son could take a nap while we explored the sights.

After the original Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was demolished by Stalin in 1931, a new version was completed in 2000.

The imposing building is the tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world (103 meters high), and is beautiful on the outside as well as on the inside.

Visiting the Cathedral is free of charge and it's open any day of the week from 10 am to 5 pm (except on Mondays when the opening hours are 1 to 5 pm).

When visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour it's important to dress appropriately. For men, this means no shorts or tank tops.

Women can't enter with mini skirts or shorts, strap tops, or anything too revealing. Also, women are advised to cover their heads with a scarf as a sign of respect.

Inside the Cathedral photography isn't allowed, but believe me when I say there is plenty to see. There are beautiful frescoes, colorful icons, impressive statues, and other vivid decorations.

For a beautiful view over Moscow, walk up the stairs to the 40-meter high observation deck (entrance fee 400₽).  

Visit Gorky Park

Helen from Holidays from Hels : Gorky Park, named after the Soviet writer Maxim Gorky, has recently undergone extensive regeneration to become Moscow's central leisure hub for young Muscovites.

Every day of the week you can find many Moscow residents strolling along the banks of the river in the summer, hiring bikes, picnicking on the grass, or dining at one of the many restaurants.

Open-air cinemas, petanque, and ping pong are all on offer. Not to be missed is the iconic white stone entranceway and museum, complete with columns carved with Soviet hammers and sickles.

In winter, look out for the ducks waddling across the frozen Moskva River, and watch boats attempting to navigate through the cracked ice. However, the real winter highlight is to try ice skating on one of the biggest rinks in Europe!

Ice skating in Gorky Park

The park’s maze of pedestrian pathways is transformed into one huge skating rink, which can play host to up to four thousand skaters. 

Not surprisingly, Russians are talented ice skaters and there is a good chance you will find yourself next to a pirouetting ballerina.

Handily, you will find you will already be wearing most of what you need – gloves, hat, scarf, and thick socks and you can hire skates on-site. Lockers are included in the price if you don’t fancy skating with your day pack.

Disco tunes fill the air, and the whole arena is backlit in spectacular neon lights. Rest your weary legs and warm up at one of the cafes dotted along the frozen pathways, with the added bonus of not having to take off your skates.

Opening times

The rink is open from 10 am until 11 pm on weekdays and until midnight at weekends but closes between 3 and 5 pm. Like most attractions in Moscow, the rink is closed on Mondays. 

The prices range from 350-650₽ and go up in the evening, which is the best time for the light show. Arriving at 5 pm, just as the rink opens for the evening session will give you time to find your ice legs before it fills up with more confident skaters.

Whilst waiting for the rink to open, try out the nearby tubing track where you can shoot down a snowy hill on an inflatable ring repeatedly for a very enjoyable half an hour!

How to get to Gorky Park by metro

The nearest metro is Park Kultury Station, on the other side of the river. As always, check out in advance what this looks like in the Russian Alphabet so you know when to get off!

Bolshoi Theatre

James Ian at Travel Collecting : one of the best places to go in Moscow is the famous Bolshoi Theater, located only a short walk from Red square. Bolshoy means big in Russian, and the theatre is not only big but also beautiful.

There are two ways to see the theater: on a guided tour or by watching a performance .

Take a guided tour

• English tours are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11:30 am. Tickets for these tours can be bought (on the same day) at the ticket office located in the Historic building of the theatre (door #12).
• A ticket costs 2000₽ per person, tours last one hour, and the number of people on a tour is limited to a maximum of 20. The tour takes you inside the theater and to the historic main stage.

Watch a performance

My favorite way to see the theater, though, is to enjoy a performance and experience the theater as a patron.

The entrance is a little underwhelming when you first arrive, the street lobby is small and quite plain and you will be immediately directed up to your floor.

There are helpful attendants on each floor to guide you to the correct door. Arrive a little early and head up to the Grand Salon on the top floor where you can enjoy a glass of champagne while people-watching (Russians dress up for the theater).

Then head to your seat and take in the stunning theater before enjoying the famous Bolshoi Ballet or another performance.

Be sure to book a show at the historic stage, there is a modern stage as well but that isn't nearly as much fun.

Moscow itinerary day 3

Karen from WanderlustingK : one of the most interesting Moscow places to visit is the Izmailovsky Market .

This flea market and tourist attraction a bit outside of the tourist center is a recreation of a Tzar’s Palace, known as a Kremlin, produced in a colorful 16th-century style.

The market is filled with tiny stalls that sell everything from snacks to kitsch to authentic items from Soviet times such as hats, pins, and other pieces of memorabilia.

You'll also find authentic antiques such as vases, paintings, and other religious items if you're looking to splurge within the interior parts of the market.

Negotiating in English is not always possible as many vendors only speak Russian, so be sure to practice your Russian numbers and see how well you can do with haggling.

It's important to carry cash when you visit given that many vendors do not accept cards. We ended up purchasing a series of hats at the market, along with a beautiful hot tea glass with a metal holder with a typical Russian scene.

Elsewhere in the market, you’ll also find a few tourist shops that sell typical Russian products. It takes a few hours to see the market in full, so arrive early as the best items go quickly! 

Lindsey from Have Clothes, Will Travel : Bunker-42 was once a top-secret, Soviet military complex. Stalin commissioned its construction after the United States succeeded in creating a nuclear bomb.

An impressive 65 meters (or about 213 feet) underground, was the desired depth to protect Russia’s top officials from a nuclear attack.

Bunker 42 became operational in 1954. Fortunately, it was never needed for its true purpose, and instead it was used as the command center of strategic bombers for nearly 30 years.

Nowadays it's a museum dedicated to the Cold War and visiting is a truly unique experience!

You will need to join a tour in order to see the museum. You can call ahead to book your tour (the number is: +7 499 703-44-55), there are several English tours throughout the day that are held at 13:30, 16:30, and 18:30 (the price is 2200₽).

On Mondays, there is an extra tour at 17:30, which lasts an additional 30 minutes and costs 2800₽ per person. There is also the option to book a private tour. However, I am unsure of the price for this.

You will have to wait until exactly 15 minutes before your tour begins before you'll be admitted inside. After paying for your tickets and a quick restroom stop you will descend 65 meters underground…

Another option for visiting Bunker-42, if you would rather not do the tour, is to visit the restaurant inside Bunker-42. Actually, I highly recommend visiting the restaurant before or after a tour as well!

While the food is not that great, it’s worth visiting for a drink. The restaurant is also located within the bunker and is decorated in the old Soviet style.

From time to time there will be live performances and visiting Bunker 42 is definitely an experience worth having while in Moscow! After all, how many people can say they've had a drink in a top-secret Soviet military bunker?

If you’re visiting Moscow during peak season (June-July-August), it would be worth making a reservation, to avoid having to wait. Otherwise, I would not say you need to worry about a reservation at the restaurant.

Bunker-42 is a short cab ride away from Red Square (10-15 minutes). But I recommend taking the metro to get there. The closest station is Taganskaya, which is a beautiful metro station very much worth visiting.

Park Zaryad'ye or Zaryadye Park is a lovely place for a stroll and a nice place to relax after a day of sightseeing in Moscow, especially when exploring Moscow with kids.

There are many things to see and do in this park, but I recommend starting your visit at The River Overlook , a 70-meter-long boardwalk with beautiful views over the river and the Kremlin.

Other interesting places to visit in Zaryadye Park are the Ice Cave, The Museum of Nature, and The Glass Crust. But most importantly, do as the Muscovites do and find yourself a nice place in the park to sit down and relax.

Enjoy the view, do some people-watching, and take a moment to think back about all the Moscow top sights you've seen in the past couple of days.

Where to stay in Moscow

There is a huge amount of hotels in Moscow, ranging from budget hostels to exquisite 5-star hotels. Below you can find three well-reviewed Moscow hotels (rating of 8.5+ on Agoda and  Booking ).

3-star hotel in Moscow: MIRROS Hotel Mokhovaya

This 3-star hotel is one of the best budget Moscow hotels and is all about location! From the hotel, it's just a 10-minute walk to the Kremlin and only 600 meters to the Christ the Savior Cathedral.

Set in a historic 19th-century mansion, the hotel features classic rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

The staff is friendly and there is a metro station nearby (Borovitskaya), making it easy to get to the Moscow attractions a bit further afield.

Click here to book

Modern hotel in Moscow: Barin Residence Myasnitskaya

The Barin Residence Myasnitskaya is a newly built hotel, located about 1.2km from the Red Square (about a 15-20 minute walk).

The rooms and bathrooms are very modern and clean, the beds are comfortable and room service is available. This hotel is an excellent choice for travelers looking for a nice hotel without a hefty price tag.

Luxury hotel in Moscow: Hotel National Moscow

Hotel National is potentially the best Moscow hotel. It's a gorgeous 5-star hotel located just a stone's throw away from the Bolshoi Theater, the Red Square, and the Kremlin.

The building was designed by architect Alexander Ivanov and completed in 1903 and has been welcoming international travelers ever since.

With its imperial architecture, luxury design, and charming classic rooms (some with a view of the Kremlin!), the Hotel National is a unique property.

Furthermore, you can enjoy an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center as well as the well-reviewed Beluga restaurant that serves both Russian and European dishes.

While this hotel doesn't come cheap, your stay at the Hotel National will make your trip to Moscow an unforgettable experience.

Moscow itinerary and travel guide: in conclusion

I hope this guide to Moscow will help you plan a trip to this interesting Russian city. Feel free to ask any questions you may have by leaving a comment or  sending me an email !

Below you can find my other posts about the Trans Mongolian Express , and the stops we made along the way:

• St. Petersburg itinerary
• Irkutsk and Lake Baikal itinerary
• Ulaanbaatar itinerary
• Trans-Mongolian Express travel guide

This post was updated in December 2020.

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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Travel Backpack 45L

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A rugged, expandable, and brilliantly accessible carry-on travel backpack driven by a simple truth: No Two Trips The Same™. Features top, side, front and rear access via weatherproof #8 and #10 UltraZips, which can withstand decades of use thanks to their proprietary abrasion-resistant thread. Meets international carry-on size requirements, but expands to be a 45L gear-hauler and collapses to be a 35L day bag, making it unmatched for 1-bag travel. Quick-access pockets for keys, glasses, passport, etc. Hugely expandable side pockets for water bottles, tripods, and more. Padded laptop + tablet sleeves. Main cavity is divisible into 2 compartments via a zippered mesh sleeve. Tuck-away shoulder straps and hip belt. 360-degree grab handles. Cleverly concealed external carry straps. All packed within a sleek, weatherproof 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas shell with 900D bottom liner. Fair Trade Certified and 100% carbon neutral. Works seamlessly with Peak Design  Packing Cubes ,  Camera Cubes , and  Pouches , sold separately. For similar features in a smaller bag, check out the 30L Travel Backpack.

Need help choosing the right bag? Try our  Bag Finder

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ONE BAG TO RULE THEM ALL

The 45L Travel Backpack debuted at the Outdoor Retailer show in 2018 and promptly won three best-in-show awards. Why? Perhaps because it was designed to do everything for everyone. 2-week journey? Check. Weekend jaunt? Check. Daypack? Check. Camera bag? Check. No two trips are the same, so get a bag with the versatility to do them all.

COMPARING TO THE 30L?

The 45L is better for:

• 1-bag-travel for trips 4 days and longer
• More access and organization options
• Trips where you need multiple jackets, pairs of shoes, or other bulky clothing
• Carrying camera gear: better compatibility with PD Camera Cubes , plus dual side access.

TRAVEL READY

• International carry-on approved
• Theft-deterrent zipper pulls
• Protected luggage tag holder
• Luggage pass-through for roller bag carry
• Padded shoulder & waist straps stow under magnetic flaps for worry-free bag-checking

ULTIMATE ACCESSIBILITY

• Huge rear access via burly #10 UltraZip
• Dual side access via burly #10 UltraZips
• Front zip panel for additional access, storage, & organization

HUGE CAPACITY

• Expansion zips for fitting more or compressing your load
• External carry straps stow beneath a magnetic flap

SPACE FOR EVERYTHING

• Hugely expandable side pockets for water bottles, tripods, more
• Soft-lined zippered top pocket for keys, glasses, passport, etc.
• Internal zippered mesh pockets
• Padded, dedicated laptop and tablet sleeves

ALL-DAY COMFORT

• Stowable hip belt
• Axial strap attachments provide all-day comfort for all body types
• Stowable sternum strap
• 360-degree grab handles

RUGGED PROTECTION

• Weatherproof 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas shell
• Rugged 900D waterproof bottom liner
• Ultralight padded foam provides security and structure around entire bag
• High-visibility grey interior

SUSTAINABLY BUILT

• Fair Trade Certified
• 100% carbon neutral
• Lifetime guarantee

PD TRAVEL ECOSYSTEM

Designed to fit Peak Design Packing & Camera Cubes (fits 3 units with space for additional smaller things)

DIFFERENCES VS. 30L

• More access points: rear, side, and front access zips
• Dividable main volume: internal divider sleeve zips up to creates 2 compartments when needed
• Integrated hip belt: stowable padded hip belt for heavier loads
• Compressible: compression snaps slim down the profile for use as a day bag
• Hidden pockets: 2 hidden external zip pockets for cash, passport, etc.
• Room for more: room for 3 units of PD cubes, plus bonus space for pouches, jackets, shoes, etc.
• More photo-capable: fits camera cubes in un-expanded state, and allows quick side access to cameras and lenses

What is in the box

• 1x 45L Backpack
• 2x Cord Hook external carry straps
• 1x stowable sternum strap

SKU/PART NUMBER

BTR-45-BK-1 (Black) BTR-45-SG-1 (Sage)

EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS

Standard: 56cm x 33cm x 24cm (22" x 13" x 9.5") Compressed: 56cm x 33cm x 24cm (22" x 13" x 9.5") (compression only happens at the top of the bag. 6" at top when compressed) Expanded: 56cm x 33cm x 29cm (22" x 13" x 11")

INTERNAL DIMENSIONS

Standard: 53.3cm x 33cm x 16.5cm (21" x 13" x 6.5") Compressed: 53.3cm x 33cm x 14cm (21" x 13" x 5.5") Expanded: 53.3cm x 33cm x 19cm (21" x 13" x 7.5")

Standard (max carry-on): 35L Compressed: 30L Expanded: 45L

PD PACKING/CAMERA UNIT CAPACITY

3 units + bonus space

LAPTOP/TABLET CARRY

Laptop: 40.6cm x 30cm x 2.5cm (16" x 11" x 1") Tablet: 24cm x 19cm x 1.5cm (9.5" x 7.5" x 0.6") Fits 2021 Macbook Pro 14" and 16" models

2.05 kg (4.5 lb)

• Weatherproof 100% recycled 400D nylon canvas external shell. DWR impregnated and double poly coated for water resistance. Sage fabric is Bluesign approved.
• 900D waterproof bottom liner
• High-visibility grey nylon interior
• Hardware is anodized aluminum and glass-reinforced nylon
• Super-durable UltraZips with abrasion-resistant UHMPE thread
• Leather accents (Sage only) are Gold Certified by the Leather Working Group
• Hypalon zip pulls and reinforced stress points

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