Choosing the best luggage for international travel is not an easy task. There are so many options available in the market that it becomes difficult to select between them.
The right baggage for worldwide trips is one that is durable, light, and can fit all the essential items. It should be able to withstand the weight of your belongings and not get damaged quickly.
For people who are traveling internationally for the first time, buying the right size luggage can be a daunting task. There are different types of luggage that you should consider before purchasing one to ensure that it is the perfect size for your journey.
It is often quite difficult to know what size luggage you should be buying based on the destination and length of your trip, whether you are traveling to another country or just going across yours, packing can be a difficult challenge.
This article will provide you with some insight into elemental luggage information which can help you prepare for your desired trip and destination.
Things To Consider Before Buying Best Luggage For International Travel
To be able to buy the best luggage for international travel, there are a few things to consider.
Size and weight
First of all, you should always keep in mind the size and weight of your luggage. You want to make sure that it is not too heavy and not too big either.
Some airlines have weight limits, and others require you to pay extra to check your bag. Be sure to check with your carrier before leaving home.
You do not want to stress out at the airport and have to take out, repack or leave behind the things you need in case you have not met the minimum requirements that are asked of you. Do not be that kind of person.
Skyscanner has a nice function that allows you to examine the checked luggage limitations for different airlines so you can figure out what size suitcase you should purchase.
Material
Secondly, there are two main types of suitcases – hard-sided and soft-sided. Hard-sided suitcases are made from polycarbonate, polypropylene, aluminum, or ABS, while soft-sided suitcases are made from polyester, nylon, and other materials.
When you are planning international travel your need to think about characteristics of your luggage.
With hard-sided luggage, you do not need to think about whether your packed stuff will be transported in one piece and without a scratch because this kind of material tends to be very sturdy, scratch-resistant, and water-repellent.
When it comes to soft-sided baggage, suitcases are generally lighter, but despite the use of powerful synthetic fabric, they are not as durable as luggage made of hard materials. Usually, bags made out of this kind of material tend to be cheaper.
Compartments
Thirdly, figure out if you desire a wide open area that can accommodate a lot of stuff or smaller compartments that will help you stay organized. Sometimes it is easier to have a lot of separated sections but frankly, it does not need to be part of a bag when you can pack and organize everything into packing cubes.
Some bags include outer pockets, however, this may reduce the amount inside the packing room.
Handles
Additionally, you should also think about the handle of your luggage when organizing for international travel. Most suitcases typically include extendable (telescopic) handles that fold perfectly into the case’s frame when not being used.
It needs to be comfortable enough so that you can carry it with ease while walking through airport terminals or city streets without your palms becoming sore. That kind of potential you can get with high-quality models and brands.
Locking system
You will also need to consider what kind of zip and lock system your luggage has as well as what material it is made out of.
A good thing to know if you are traveling to the USA is their Transportation Security Administration (TSA) travel locks. Every TSA lock includes a keyhole at the bottom that allows the TSA officer to unlock your lock with their unique TSA key without damaging your baggage.
Wheels
Lastly, you might want to think about whether or not your luggage has wheels because this will make it easier for you when moving around airports or cities.
The best thing to do would be to figure out what you will be traveling with, how much time you are going to have to take your luggage from location A to location B, and which is the safest way for you.
Most commonly, suitcases come with two or four wheels or no wheels at all. Baggage without wheels is most often chosen by people who travel with backpacks or people who do not like to be separated from their bag and want to know where it is at all times. Also, we would not recommend this type of luggage for international travel.
The main difference between two or four wheels is that luggage with two wheels needs to be dragged behind us, which can often be physically challenging at airports and in cities when we have to cover long distances because most of the load falls on the hand pulling the suitcase.
When it comes to four wheels, it is the simplest baggage to handle as we can push, pull or move easily in any direction without feeling the pressure of fully loaded belongings, while you can always tilt it back and use it as a two-wheeler.
Top 9 Best Luggage For International Travel
Best Hard-side Carry-on Overall Travel Luggage
Away The Large Flex
The Large Flex is a good solution if you are a regular international traveler looking for a reasonably priced suitcase that will secure your possessions while also enduring over many journeys with its durable polycarbonate hard-side.
With this carry-on expansion possibility (4.44cm/1.75″) you can pack more into every trip, whether you are bringing back gifts or just looking to squeeze in a few extra outfits.
- Exterior measurements – 73.7cm x 52.1cm x 31.8cm
- Interior measurements – 68.6cm x 49.5cm
- Weight – 5.6 kg
- Capacity – 99.2 L
- Capacity when expanded – 107.8 L
*Measurements include wheels
Alternative:
- Samsonite Centric Hardside Spinner
Best Soft-side Carry-on Overall Luggage
Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On
The FAA standards for carry-on and checked luggage are met by this expandable carry-on spinner suitcase. It comes with an external USB port and a dedicated compartment for powerbank, but the powerbank is not included.
Quality stain-resistant materials, real leather, and chrome zippers combine with an optional expansion that gives up to 5cm/~2” extra packing capacity.
- Exterior measurements – 55.2 cm x 40 cm x 19.6 cm
- Interior measurements – 50.8 cm x 38.1 cm
- Weight – 3.35 kg
- Capacity – 39 L
Alternative:
- Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 2-wheel Carry-On
Best Lightweight Carry-On Travel Luggage
Samsonite C-Lite Carry-On Spinner
Interior elements of Samsonite C-Lite are both functional and completely lined with dividing panels and elastic cross-straps to keep clothing nicely folded while traveling. Carry handles on the top and sides to ease luggage motion.
This suitcase moves upright, removing any weight from your arm or shoulder. The ribbed-shell design minimizes the visibility of damages created by rough travels.
The body is manufactured from eco-friendly Recyclex® material technology, a fabric entirely composed of post-industrial/consumer recycled Pet bottles, while remaining firm, flexible, and durable.
As an extra, you will find a TSA lock with 3 digits integrated for further security and an embedded external USB charging port.
- Exterior measurements – 55.1 cm x 39.9 cm x 19.6 cm
- Interior measurements – 48.3 cm x 38.4 cm
- Weight – 2.05 kg
- Capacity – 39 L
Alternative:
- July Carry On
Best Luxury Hard-side Carry-on Travel Luggage
Rimowa Essential
The RIMOWA Essential is the ultimate example of suitcase innovation and the ideal travel gear for practical travelers. It is solid, sturdy, and lightweight.
The world’s first polycarbonate luggage was developed in Germany to deliver the highest level of technological functionality.
This carry-on baggage is intended to fit easily into most airplane overhead bins and is large enough to hold all of your needs.
With TSA-Approved Locks, Flex Divider, Multiwheel® System, Telescopic Handle, and RIMOWA’s lifetime guarantee you can start your journey without hesitation.
- Exterior measurements – 55 cm x 39 cm x 20 cm
- Interior measurements – 48.3 cm x 38.4 cm
- Weight – 3.1 kg
- Capacity – 34 L
Alternative:
- Horizn Studios H7
Best Luxury Soft-side Carry-on Travel Luggage
Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-on Expandable Spinner
Essential Carry-On Spinner is the classic suitcase of the Baseline set, and it is both timeless and practical. Its exceptional performance will accompany you during your path of consecutive voyages.
The exceptionally durable ballistic nylon fabric defies wear and provides remarkable resilience that will last for years. When we add self-repairing YKK® RC zippers with locking dual zipper pulls for smooth zipping, that means only a high-quality suitcase.
Luxurious garment panels wrap your apparel with hardly any wrinkling. Cinching the straps provides compression and reduces moving during transportation.
Inside, two lid zip pockets are carefully positioned to maximize space utilization, great for storing accessories. It makes your journey more convenient and organized.
- Exterior measurements – 55.9 cm x 35.6 cm x 22.9 cm
- Interior measurements – 50.8 cm x 35.5 cm
- Weight – 4.6 kg
- Capacity – 37 L
- Capacity when expanded – 48 L
Alternative:
- Victorinox Lexicon Dual-Caster
Best Expandable Carry-on Travel Luggage
TUMI – Alpha 3 Continental Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry-On
Classic business and travel products from Alpha Collection that combine creative design, amazing performance, and finest utility. The material used for this suitcase collection is TUMI’s distinctive, ultra-durable FXT® ballistic nylon ( but the company underlines that materials may vary for some items).
Continental Carry-On features a unique dual entrance to the major compartment, letting you reach quickly to your stuff via the front cover. With Zipper to zipper expansion (up to 5cm / 2”), you will not have to worry about unnecessary airport repacking or buying new luggage, everything will fit.
It is designed to fulfill the carry-on size standards for domestic travel within North America, and it contains a built-in USB connection, keeping you online while traveling (the power bank is not included). A separate clothing sleeve keeps your suit in shape.
Among everything else that comes with high-quality products such as this one, Tumi has a unique Tumi Tracer® which can help you with your lost/stolen stuff. It is a distinctive 20-digit personalized product number engraved on a special metal plate permanently connected to Tumi items. When a suitcase is registered, its number, together with the owner’s contact information, is stored in our Tracer database.
- Exterior measurements – 55.9 cm x 40.6 cm x 22.9 cm
- Weight – 5 kg
- Capacity – up to 42 L
Alternative:
- Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner
Best Suitcase With Compartments Travel Luggage
The Pull-up Suitcase
Can you pack your whole wardrobe? Now it is possible.
The Pull Up Suitcase is luggage designed expressly to make traveling more enjoyable. A suitcase is ideal for any type of traveler, any purpose of travel, and any form of travel.
It is a useful method for organizing any trip stress and mess. The foldable suitcase allows you to load your clothing and personal goods separately in different compartments, which is the ideal method to ensure that your vacation is completely organized.
The company implies that they specially picked the best materials to bring the quality to another level. From hard polycarbonate to water-resist and resilient nylon and polished YKK metal zippers.
Included within the price comes 8 modern packing cubes so you do not need to worry about compartments, everything is settled.
- Exterior measurements – 75 cm x 57 cm x 36 cm
- Weight – 8,6 kg
- Capacity – 86 L
Alternative:
- Solgaardd Carry-on Closet
- Béis Rolling Spinner
Best Aluminum Carry-on Travel Luggage
Rimowa Original Cabin
The recognizable RIMOWA Original Cabin series is one of the most famous suitcase models of all time, an aluminum suitcase with its unique classic grooves. The everlasting classic is an unmatched display of quality and creativity, being both remarkably durable and shockingly lightweight.
A big plus from Rimowa are their wheels. It is hard to find a carry-on that moves so easily. Even if the case is completely loaded, you may just push it ahead with one finger rather than pulling it, all thanks to Multiwheel® System, high tech system, which ensures steady and smooth steering due to ball-bearing driven wheels
The Flex-Divider system with the height adjustable possibility resembles a disk that may be used to compress and separate your garments and other belongings.
As with any other Rimowa product, this series comes with a lifetime guarantee as well.
- Exterior measurements – 55.1 cm x 40.1 cm x 23.1 cm
- Interior measurements – 50.8 cm x 35.5 cm
- Weight – 4.3 kg
- Capacity – 41.8 L
Alternative:
- Monos Hybrid Carry-On
Best Budget Carry-on Travel Luggage
Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Spinner
The Winfield 2 hard-side suitcase is made entirely of polycarbonate for optimum durability and mobility. Ridiculously lightweight baggage with a telescopic handle and four multi-directional wheels, allows you to easily maneuver from airports to busy streets.
It is like other hard shell suitcases, intended to provide the user with a sense of security. The shell is incredibly impact resistant, extremely durable, and can withstand everyday travel blows.
Similar to any other new suitcase model, Winfield 2 has a mounted TSA security lock for you to feel safer.
Samsonite luggage is thoroughly evaluated to guarantee demanding requirements. So if you decide on this product, it comes with a 10-year limited warranty on material and manufacturing faults.
- Exterior measurements – 58.4 cm x 36.8 cm x 24.1 cm
- Interior measurements – 50.8 cm x 34.3 cm
- Weight – 3 kg
Alternative:
- AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner
Conclusion
In the end, the search for the best luggage for international travel comes down to what your requirements or expectations are.
Whether you are traveling locally or internationally, you need to be sure that your luggage is safe with you at all times, and you will achieve this with quality that is not lacking nowadays. Each company meets the requirements, and you should rely on them.
Everything is very open with a really clear description of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your site is very helpful. Many thanks for sharing!
Thank you on your honest comment. I am very glad to hear you are satisfied with my luggage choice. Hope you will also like other post in near future.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section.
All the best,
Sava
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. Theres no doubt that that you ought to publish more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people dont talk about these subjects. To the next! All the best!!
Thank you for taking the time and reading my post.
Hopefully, there will be another post in the future regarding luggage and moving belongings around the globe.
Sincerely,
Sava
Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesnt fail me just as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I truly believed youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something you could fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.
Thank you for reading my post.
I will take your comments into consideration.
Kind regards,
Sava
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