Best luggage for every type of vacation in 2025 and beyond
Wrestling with the wrong luggage will put you in a bad mood before your vacation has even started. To avoid that, I've searched high and low for the best options for your next trip.
It's no secret that getting your bag into the overhead bin can be a challenge, so I've lifted every carry-on over my head to make sure it wasn't too heavy even when packed. I've considered which bags are better suited for certain climates or terrain. And I've assessed how easy or hard it will be to get everything you want to travel within each bag.
Through research, countless flights, train trips, and trundling through the city, I've found a bag for every scenario. There are options for long-haul adventures, as well as business trips, and even one that will keep your clothes dry in a monsoon (should you get caught in one). No matter how you travel — frequently or infrequently, chronic overpacker or you have your outfits planned to perfection — you can call off the search for the perfect items of luggage.
How I tested
These products have hit the road, planes, trains, subways, and buses. They've flown on domestic and international airlines and made it through a variety of terrains. In cases where I didn't have enough time to travel with the products, I packed the bags with clothes, shoes, and toiletries to see how easy or difficult it was to pack everything you might need into each bag. I also threw a 15-pound weighted blanket into the bags to see how they moved when they were really weighed down.
For bags with wheels, I took them for a spin around the block and my apartment to see how smoothly the wheels move on bumpy sidewalks, thick carpets, and other terrains. I also evaluated bags based on size and weight. In addition to my own hands-on testing, I read reviews to see what other travelers had to say about these bags.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
As a travel writer, Jamie Ballard puts more miles on her luggage than most people. She knows which features will make it easier for you to get through the airport or train station seamlessly, and which ones don't matter. Some of the pieces of luggage here are items she's had for years, while others she's put through their paces more recently.
The best luggage for 2025:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Trump's new travel ban: The notable countries omitted - amid anger over 'moral disgrace'
Why you can trust Sky News Donald Trump has banned people from 12 countries entering the US, in a move he said protects against "foreign terrorists" and other security threats. Some countries are subject to a full travel ban, while others are under a partial ban - with the order allowing countries to be removed or added from the list. The proclamation is due to come into effect just after midnight on 9 June local time. The ban echoes one in 2017 that Mr Trump implemented in his first term in the White House. This banned citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries - Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen - from travelling to the US. Here is everything you need to know. 1:51 Which countries are affected? The proclamation bans nationals from the following countries to travel to the US: • Afghanistan • Myanmar • Chad • Republic of the Congo • Equatorial Guinea • Eritrea • Haiti • Iran • Libya • Somalia • Sudan • Yemen. The following seven countries are affected by a partial ban: • Burundi • Cuba • Laos • Sierra Leone • Togo • Turkmenistan • Venezuela. Both bans will affect foreign nationals from the designated countries who are outside the US on 9 June or do not have a valid visa. Visas issued before 9 June when the law comes into force will remain valid, the proclamation states. Are there any exemptions? Mr Trump said on Thursday that policy was a "key part of preventing major foreign terror attacks on American soil". His new list notably leaves out Syria, after Mr Trump met its leader recently on a trip to the Middle East. Athletes competing in the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and other major sporting events will also be exempt. The ban also does not apply to the following individuals: • Diplomats travelling on valid non-immigration visas • Immediate family members who hold immigrant visas • People who have been adopted • Afghan nationals holding special immigrant visas - generally people who worked most closely with the US government during the two-decade war there • People who hold immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing "persecution in Iran" • Dual nationals who have citizenship in countries not included in the travel ban Why has the ban been introduced? The proclamation states that America must ensure people entering don't have "hostile attitudes toward its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles" - and don't support terror groups. In a video posted to social media, Mr Trump said an attack in Colorado, in which eight were injured, had shown "the extreme dangers" of "foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, as well as those who come as temporary visitors and overstay their visas". The suspect in the attack is from Egypt, a country that is not on Mr Trump's restricted list, but homeland security claimed he had overstayed a tourist visa. The list was put together after the president asked homeland security officials and the director of national intelligence to compile a report on countries whose citizens could pose a threat. The White House said some of the named countries had a "significant terrorist presence" and accused others of poor screening for dangerous individuals and not accepting deportees. What has the reaction been? International aid groups and refugee resettlement organisations have condemned the new travel ban. "This policy is not about national security - it is about sowing division and vilifying communities that are seeking safety and opportunity in the United States," said Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America. The inclusion of Afghanistan has also angered some supporters, who have worked to resettle its people. Over a 12-month period to September 2024 there has been an estimated 14,000 arrivals from Afghanistan. Mr Trump suspended refugee resettlement on his first day in office. Shawn VanDiver, president and board chairman of the organisation #AfghanEvac, labelled the proclamation a "moral disgrace". "To include Afghanistan - a nation whose people stood alongside American service members for 20 years - is a moral disgrace," he said. "It spits in the face of our allies, our veterans, and every value we claim to uphold." Meanwhile, the Iranian government offered no immediate reaction to being included on the list. What happened in 2017? Mr Trump's first travel restrictions in 2017 were criticised by opponents and human rights groups as a "Muslim ban". It led to some chaotic scenes, including tourists, students and business travellers prevented from boarding planes - or being held at US airports when they landed. Mr Trump denied it was Islamophobic, despite calling for a ban on Muslims entering America in his first presidential campaign. The ban faced legal challenges and was modified until the Supreme Court upheld a third version in June 2018, calling it "squarely within the scope of presidential authority".
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The gorgeous and underrated European island with hardly any tourists
A new study has revealed the least crowded islands in Europe where tourists won't be fighting for space. And Malta is officially the most crowded of Europe's islands with 38,700 overnight stays per km2. Spain 's islands are next on the list with Lanzarote the most crowded (21,673 overnight stays per km2) and Ibiza and Formentera next (17,183 overnight stays per km2). Tenerife and Gran Canaria also rank among the most crowded island destinations in Europe. But where can tourists escape the crowds? According to the research, from the team at Svalbard is Europe's least crowded island, with just 2.4 tourists to every km2. The archipelago, located between northern Norway and the North Pole, is pretty remote so its lack of crowds isn't a complete surprise. But next on the list is the gorgeous Aland archipelago, an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. It has just 269 overnight stays to every km2. Aland is made up of around 6,500 islands off Finland's southwestern coast and just 60 of those are inhabited. Visit Finland recommends that tourists start their visit to Aland in Mariehamn, dubbed the 'world's smallest metropolis', by local residents. The tourist board explains: 'Mariehamn's wooden houses and green parks provide a great setting for a small-town holiday or a starting point for a tour of the Aland islands.' The archipelago's capital, Mariehamn has a Maritime Museum, an art gallery and independent cafes and restaurants. From Mariehamn, tourists can head out on a boat trip to go island hopping through the archipelago. Visit Finland reveals: 'When paddling in the waters between the islands, it's possible to spend an entire day without encountering anyone besides the occasional seal and - if you're lucky - a white-tailed eagle.' To reach the Aland archipelago from the UK, tourists can fly to Helsinki and then catch a ferry to Mariehamn. And while Aland might not be the warmest summer destination, temperatures can reach as high as 25C in July and August. If Finland doesn't appeal, the next quietest island in Europe is Gotland, a gorgeous spot off the coast of Sweden. Chios in Greece is next on the list, with just 353.81 tourists for every km2, far fewer than in popular Mykonos or Santorini. Evia is another quiet choice for those looking to escape the crowds in Greece this year, with 419 tourists for every km2. Meanwhile, Hydra, which is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, is another place that's j ust as beautiful as Santorini - but much less crowded.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Top European holiday destination to let British travellers skip lengthy passport queues this summer
HOLIDAYMAKERS heading to Portugal will face shorter airport queues THIS WEEK with Brits able to use e-gates. The sunshine destination will become the first country to allow UK passport holders to use the system since Sir Keir Starmer struck a deal with Brussels. 1 Travellers have had to queue to have their passports stamped when arriving for their break since the UK left the European Union - often leading to long queues. Around 2.5 million people head to Portugal each year with more with 300,000 heading to the Algarve. Around 50,000 Brits live in the country. It has now been confirmed that holidaymakers heading to Faro airport will be able to use the hi-tech system. Europe relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "The historic deal that we signed with the EU on May 19 is in our national interests - good for bills, borders and jobs. "It slashes red tape and bureaucracy, boosts British exporters and makes life easier for holidaymakers. "Indeed, I'm delighted to confirm this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week." Only last month, EU relations minister Thomas-Symonds strongly hinted that Brits will face less time waiting at border control. He said: 'I would love to see you being able to go through the border more quickly in that way. 'That's certainly something we've been pushing with the EU and I think that will be something that will be very helpful to British people.' The Prime Minister revealed details of Brits using e-gates during the first summit between Britain and the European Union. But the use of e-gates had to be given the green light by individual countries. The PM came under fire by explicitly saying that ''Brits travelling to Europe will now be able to use e-gates'.
