Cabin bags for smarter city breaks.

Why the right cabin bag matters

A good cabin bag makes short trips much easier. It should be light, practical, easy to carry and suitable for the airlines you use most often. For European city breaks, the best option is usually something compact, durable and simple to organise.

Quick summary

In a hurry? These are our top cabin bag picks for different types of traveller.

• Best overall: Samsonite S’Cure Spinner 55cm
• Best value: Tripp Holiday 8 Cabin Suitcase
• Premium choice: Delsey Paris Moncey Cabin
• Best under-seat: Cabin Max Manhattan
• Best backpack: tomtoc 40L Travel Backpack

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Cabin bag comparison

A quick overview of the main options before you choose.

Product	Best for	Type	Price level
Samsonite S’Cure Spinner 55cm	Best overall	Hard-shell suitcase	Premium
Tripp Holiday 8 Cabin Suitcase	Best value	Hard-shell suitcase	Mid-range
Delsey Paris Moncey Cabin	Premium choice	Hard-shell suitcase	Premium
Cabin Max Manhattan	Under-seat travel	Under-seat bag	Budget/mid-range
tomtoc 40L Travel Backpack	Travel backpack	Backpack	Premium

Our verdict

If you want the best all-round cabin suitcase, the Samsonite S’Cure Spinner 55cm is the safest choice. If value matters most, the Tripp Holiday 8 Cabin Suitcase is a strong pick. For a more premium hard-shell option, the Delsey Paris Moncey Cabin is worth considering.

View top suitcase picks

What to look for

A few simple things to check before choosing a cabin bag for your next trip.

Airline size limits

Check the cabin bag size allowed by the airlines you use most often, especially budget carriers.

Weight and capacity

A lighter bag gives you more usable packing weight and is easier to carry through airports and stations.

Wheels or backpack

Wheeled bags are easier in airports, while backpacks are better for stairs, cobbles and public transport.

Choose the right cabin bag

Different types of cabin bags suit different styles of travel. Choose the option that best matches your trip.

Best for most travellers

Compact cabin suitcases

Perfect for weekends, city breaks and hand-luggage-only travel.

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Best for budget airlines

Under-seat cabin bags

Designed to fit beneath the seat on airlines with personal item allowances.

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Best hands-free option

Cabin travel backpacks

Ideal for train travel, walking holidays and exploring old towns.

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Best compact cabin suitcases

Compact wheeled cabin suitcases are ideal for most city breaks. They maximise packing space while remaining easy to move through airports and stations.

Best overall

Samsonite S’Cure Spinner 55cm

★★★★★ 5.0/5

Best for: Frequent travellers and European city breaks

Why we recommend it

Our top overall recommendation thanks to its exceptional durability, lightweight polypropylene shell and smooth spinner wheels. It costs more than budget alternatives, but its build quality and long-term reliability make it an excellent investment for regular travellers.

Pros

• Durable hard-shell construction
• Smooth 360° spinner wheels
• Lightweight polypropylene shell
• Trusted Samsonite build quality

Cons

• More expensive than budget alternatives

Price guide: £££

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Best value

Tripp Holiday 8 Cabin Suitcase

★★★★★ 4.8/5

Best for: Excellent value for most travellers

Why we recommend it

A fantastic balance of price, quality and practicality. The Tripp Holiday 8 offers a lightweight hard-shell design, generous packing space and excellent durability, making it one of the best value cabin suitcases for regular city breaks.

Pros

• Excellent value for money
• Lightweight hard shell
• Available in a wide range of colours
• Well-established UK luggage brand

Cons

• Not quite as refined as premium luggage

Price guide: ££

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Premium choice

Delsey Paris Moncey Cabin

★★★★★ 4.7/5

Best for: Frequent travellers looking for premium build quality

Why we recommend it

A premium hard-shell cabin suitcase built for frequent travel. Its durable construction, integrated TSA lock and smooth spinner wheels make it an excellent choice for travellers who want long-lasting quality and added security.

Pros

• Premium hard-shell construction
• Integrated TSA combination lock
• Smooth 360° spinner wheels
• Excellent durability

Cons

• More expensive than most alternatives

Price guide: ££££

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Best under-seat cabin bags

Under-seat bags are perfect for travellers using budget airlines where only a personal item is included with the ticket.

Best overall

Cabin Max Manhattan

★★★★★ 4.8/5

Best for: Ryanair, easyJet and hand-luggage-only travel

Why we recommend it

Designed specifically to maximise the free personal item allowance on many European airlines. It offers excellent organisation, a comfortable carry system and impressive capacity, making it one of the best all-round under-seat cabin bags.

Pros

• Airline-friendly dimensions
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Excellent internal organisation
• Ideal for hand-luggage-only travel

Cons

• Not suitable for longer trips

Price guide: ££

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Best value

Xkdoai 40×30×20 Cabin Bag

★★★★★ 4.9/5

Best for: Ryanair, easyJet and weekend city breaks

Why we recommend it

Personally tested on Ryanair flights, this bag offers excellent value for money, fits the free personal item allowance and has more usable space than you might expect.

Pros

• Fits Ryanair 40×30×20 allowance
• Excellent value for money
• Surprisingly spacious
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Useful internal compartments

Cons

• Not as durable as premium brands
• No wheels
• Less structured when lightly packed

Price guide: £

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Best holdall

ECOHUB Underseat Cabin Bag

★★★★★ 4.6/5

Best for: Travellers who prefer flexible packing

Why we recommend it

A spacious soft-sided holdall that makes excellent use of under-seat luggage allowances. Its flexible design makes packing easier than many structured bags, while still offering good organisation for short trips.

Pros

• Flexible and spacious design
• Easy to pack
• Well-organised compartments
• Suitable for most airline under-seat allowances

Cons

• No wheels
• Less structured than hard-sided bags

Price guide: ££

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Best cabin travel backpacks

Travel backpacks are perfect for travellers exploring multiple destinations, using trains or walking through older towns with uneven streets.

Best overall

tomtoc 40L Travel Backpack

★★★★★ 4.9/5

Best for: Carry-on travel and multi-destination trips

Why we recommend it

A premium travel backpack with suitcase-style opening, excellent organisation and comfortable carrying system. Ideal for travellers who prefer a backpack over wheeled luggage.

Pros

• Suitcase-style opening
• Excellent organisation
• Comfortable shoulder straps
• Fits most airline cabin allowances
• High-quality construction

Cons

• More expensive than basic travel backpacks

Price guide: £££

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Best for laptops

MATEIN Travel Backpack

★★★★★ 4.7/5

Best for: Business travellers and digital nomads

Why we recommend it

A practical travel backpack with a dedicated laptop compartment, excellent organisation and comfortable carrying system. It is a great choice for travellers who want to keep laptops, tablets and accessories protected while on the move.

Pros

• Dedicated laptop compartment
• Excellent internal organisation
• Comfortable padded shoulder straps
• USB charging port

Cons

• Heavier than minimalist travel backpacks

Price guide: ££

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Premium choice

YETI Crossroads Backpack 27L

★★★★★ 4.8/5

Best for: Frequent travellers looking for premium quality

Why we recommend it

Built with exceptional durability and thoughtful organisation, the YETI Crossroads is designed for travellers who want a backpack that can handle years of regular use.

Pros

• Premium build quality
• Durable water-resistant materials
• Excellent organisation
• Comfortable to carry
• Suitable for travel and everyday use

Cons

• Expensive compared with most travel backpacks

Price guide: ££££

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Cabin bag FAQs

Answers to some of the most common questions about choosing cabin luggage.

What size cabin bag can I take on a plane?

Cabin bag allowances vary between airlines. Always check the dimensions and weight limits for your airline before travelling, particularly with budget carriers.

What size cabin bag does Ryanair allow?

Ryanair's free personal item allowance is currently 40 × 30 × 20 cm. If you purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags, you can also take a larger cabin bag, subject to Ryanair's current size limits.

What size cabin bag does easyJet allow?

easyJet allows one free small cabin bag that fits under the seat. Larger cabin bags may be included with certain fares or purchased as an extra.

Should I choose a suitcase or a backpack?

Suitcases are ideal for airport travel and city breaks, while backpacks are often better if you expect to walk longer distances, use public transport or visit places with cobbled streets.

What is an under-seat cabin bag?

An under-seat cabin bag is a smaller piece of luggage designed to fit beneath the seat in front of you. Many low-cost airlines include one personal item free of charge.

Are hard-shell cabin suitcases better?

Hard-shell suitcases offer better protection for fragile items, while soft-sided bags are often lighter and more flexible when packing.

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