Best Luggage For International Travel 2024

Dimensions: 21.7 x 13.7 x 9 inches | Weight: 7.9 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate | Capacity: 39.8 liters | Colors: 10 total, including Olive Green and Coast Blue | Warranty: 100-day return policy and limited lifetime warranty

Pros:

• Well-sized for international cabins
• Expandable by 2.5 inches
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Away luggage is ubiquitous at airports around the world; you may need to secure a colorful luggage tag to stand out on the carousel 

Away’s Carry-On Flex is lightweight, stylish and made from a durable polycarbonate that keeps items safe. For souvenir enthusiasts, it also moonlights as a checked bag: While other bags on our list offer expansion as well, Away’s Carry-On Flex is by far the most generous, with 2.5 inches of give. When it’s not expanded, it clocks in at a height of 21.7 inches, which will keep you in the clear for most, if not all, international cabins. Away’s suitcases are praised for their smooth-rolling wheels that make them easy to maneuver, and compared to other hardside suitcases on the market, they’re reasonably priced.

What our testers say: Forbes Vetted deputy editor Kari Molvar traveled with the Away Carry-On Flex on a recent trip to Stockholm and declared it a new favorite. “I love how organized it is; I could leave it open clamshell-style and organize all of my items,” she says. “The expandability allows it to be spacious enough for five to six days of travel, and it has an excellent compression system. It was also very durable: I threw it into the back of cabs, pulled it over curbs and threw it on the luggage rack of the hotel room with ease.”

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 inches | Weight: 10 pounds | Material: Ballistic nylon | Capacity: 48 liters | Colors: Four total, including Plum and Olive | Warranty: Lifetime warranty; covers cost of repairs

Pros:

• Durable exterior and smooth-rolling wheels
• Compression system for more packing room
• Generous lifetime warranty

Cons:

For travelers seeking an investment piece that is built to last, Briggs & Riley’s Baseline Essential 22-inch Carry-On Spinner is an ideal choice. While it’s significantly more expensive than other selections on this list, this luxury suitcase offers a number of unique features, including an ultra-durable ballistic nylon that is meant to withstand even the roughest of handling, and a handle that is mounted onto the outside of the bag, seamlessly providing extra space. It’s also built with a proprietary compression system that pops up instead of zipping open, and for special occasions, it features a tri-fold garment holder that can store suits and dresses.

What our testers say: “This suitcase was excellent for its generous storage and easy maneuverability,” says Forbes Vetted branded content editor Luke Fater, who tested the suitcase on a five-day trip. “The ballistic nylon material seems super-resistant to wear and tear, and the telescoping handle was very comfortable and easily clicked between five height settings. It rolls like butter, and I’m yet to see any scuffing or scratches.”

Dimensions: 20.9 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | Weight: 7.7 pounds | Material: ABS plastic | Capacity 40 liters | Colors: Four total, including Navy and Orange | Warranty: One-year warranty

Pros:

• Well-sized for international cabins
• Affordable
• Lightweight

Cons:

• ABS plastic is not as impact- or weather-resistant as other hardside materials

If you only travel one or two times a year and don’t want to spend over $100 on a suitcase, this spinner from Amazon Basics will do the trick. It’s made from a thick ABS plastic that will hold up well when used as a carry-on and can get the job done in terms of protecting your items. While it’s not the most lightweight option on our list, at under 8 pounds, it’s generally still very light and easy to maneuver. And with a compact height of 20.9 inches, it easily complies with most, if not all, international airline cabins.

What our testers say: “We took this suitcase on a recent international family vacation, and it’s held up beautifully,” says Forbes Vetted deputy editor Rose Gordon Sala. “I love that it’s light enough for my 6-year-old to handle, and the telescoping handle offers positions that work for both her height and mine.”

Dimensions: 26 x 18.75 x 11 inches | Weight: 8.3 pounds | Capacity: 80 liters | Colors: 11 total (four limited-edition colors), including Shadow Lavender and Moss | Warranty: 100-day returns and lifetime warranty; covers manufacturing defects

Pros:

• Durable hardshell to protect items
• Stylish with a wide color variety
• Multiple pockets and a hidden laundry bag

Cons:

• Aluminum corners are not scratch-resistant

If you’re seeking a hardside checked bag that’s durable but not too large, the July Checked fits the bill. Its stylish and minimalist exterior is made from aerospace-grade German polycarbonate, with reinforced aluminum corner bumpers made for turbulent voyages. Its 360-degree spinner wheels are exceptionally quiet, yet strong enough to roll over cobblestones with ease, and it features a Y-strap compression system plus other goodies, like a hidden laundry bag. It’s also a relatively lightweight checked bag, coming in at just over 8 pounds.

What our testers say: “I’ve been a longtime Away luggage user and found this suitcase to be very comparable,” says Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung, who traveled with the July Checked on a summer trip to Paris. “I liked the classic-meets-modern look of the reinforced corners, which gave it more durability, as corners often get banged up easily. It came back home from our two-week trip—which included planes, cars and trains—with just a few scratches. Maybe the dark Forest color hides more, but I was pleasantly surprised at how little it was scuffed.”

Dimensions: 27 x 18.5 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Material: Polyester | Capacity: 95 liters | Colors: 11 total, including Burgundy and Dusty Rose Pink | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Pros:

• Durable polyester exterior 
• Comfortable, ergonomic handle
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Only one interior compartment

If you get to the gate early enough, don’t be surprised to find your pilot toting a Travelpro suitcase onto the aircraft. This brand has long been a favorite of international flight crews thanks to its luggage’s durable materials, comfortable grip handle and smooth-rolling wheels. At under 7 pounds, it’s the most lightweight checked option on our list, meaning it won’t be difficult to haul off the carousel. But what makes it truly stand out is the weather-resistant and tear-resistant exterior, made with a polyester fabric that features DuraGuard coating, assuring you that you can reunite with your checked bag in another country and it will still be in one piece.

What our testers say: “I was shocked at how lightweight this suitcase is, especially considering its generous size,” says Forbes Vetted executive strategy editor Lindsay Boyers. “The fabric is thick and the zippers seem to be stitched well—it definitely feels like it will hold up to wear and tear. There were no visible marks or scuffs, even after I checked it multiple times, and the wheels rolled effortlessly.”

Dimensions: 31.3 x 19.6 x 12.6 inches | Weight: 11.84 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate | Capacity: 112 liters | Colors: 15 total, including Atlas Pink and Maple | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty

Pros:

• Built-in weight indicator that lets you know when luggage exceeds 50 pounds
• Extra spacious, with 2 inches of expandability
• Comfortable cushioned handle

Cons:

For a larger hardside checked option, the Béis The Large Check-In Roller scored high marks. This bag is particularly ideal for international airlines with strict weight limits: It has a unique built-in weight indicator that lets you know when your bag is creeping over 50 pounds. It also features an expander zipper that grants you 2 inches of extra space, meaning you’ll never run out of room. Even if you stuff it to the brim, you’ll still be able to pull your suitcase along with ease thanks to its smooth-rolling wheels and soft, cushioned handle. Its hardshell exterior can withstand plenty of rough handling, and it’s available in a wide range of fun, poppy colors (including glossy hues).

What our testers say: “This was a noticeably heavy suitcase, so I was happy to rest assured that if the suitcase was over 50 pounds, I could rely on the weight indicator,” says former Forbes Vetted contributor Noorie Deolall-Antoine, who tested the luggage on a nine-day trip through the Caribbean. “The zippers were hassle-free and easy to use. The inside pockets and organization of the suitcase were excellent and allowed me to compress my items without worrying that they would spill out when I reopened the suitcase.”

Dimensions: 29.8 x 20 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 10 pounds | Material: Recycled polyester | Capacity: Not listed | Colors: Three | Warranty: Limited 10-year warranty

Pros:

• Smooth-rolling wheels not affected by weight
• Sturdy handles
• Ample interior storage, including a built-in AirTag pocket

Cons:

A large softside suitcase for heavier packers, Samsonite’s Elevation Plus Softside Large Spinner ticks all of the boxes. For a suitcase of its size, it clocks in at 10 pounds, which is considerably lightweight. It offers smooth-rolling wheels that roll like butter no matter how much you stuff inside it, and it comes with sturdy, reinforced handles that mean it can be picked up and tossed around without fear of anything snapping apart. Our tester was impressed by its abundant interior storage, and its telescoping handle serves travelers both small and tall. Considerably more affordable than the hardside checked options on our list, it’s just as durable: Its polyester exterior is built to withstand any rips or tears.

What our testers say: Forbes Vetted director of commerce partnerships Madeline Kaufman traveled with this bag on a 10-day trip and called out its smooth-rolling wheels and thoughtful extras. “The wheels were super smooth—they weirdly rolled better with more weight than less,” she says. “Overall, this suitcase feels very sturdy and well-built. My favorite feature was its ample storage, including a very sizable bag that I utilized for dirty laundry throughout the trip.”

Dimensions: 31.3 x 17 x 13.7 inches | Weight: 12.3 pounds | Material: Polycarbonate |  Capacity: 107 liters | Colors: 14 total (two limited-edition colors), including Sea Green and Taffy Purple | Warranty: 100-day return policy and limited lifetime warranty

Pros:

• Smooth-rolling wheels not effected by weight
• Durable exterior
• Elongated shape allows for bulky items to transport with ease

Cons:

• May not be as comfortable to maneuver for shorter travelers

Long-haul trips call for some serious reinforcements, and that’s when a trunk comes in. This spacious offering from Away is ideal for road warriors and those with trips spanning multiple weeks or more. It’s built with an elongated shape that’s split into a 30/70 configuration, allowing for deep storage that can fit a large amount of clothing and shoes, not to mention oddly shaped items that non-trunks can’t handle. Its durable polycarbonate shell keeps everything safe until you reunite with your items at your next destination.

What our testers say: Home and kitchen editor Sholeen Damarwala used the Away The Trunk on multiple long-haul trips this year. “I didn’t notice any major pitfalls in its shape, and overall enjoyed pushing it around at the airport,” she says. “The wheels spin beautifully, and the zippers are sturdy. It’s also surprisingly lightweight; I was able to easily juggle the full-size suitcase and a toddler with ease on my own.”