Tired of checking your bags when you travel? Here’s the best carry-on luggage for family travel.
Lost luggage, long waits at baggage claim and new airline fees make checking bags more of a hassle than ever. The good news? Carry-on options have come a long way and make it easier to travel light—even with kids.
Whether you’re heading out on a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, carry-on luggage can help you skip the baggage line, keep your essentials with you, and get going faster.
So if you’re wanting to avoid the hassle of checking bags the next time you travel, this post is for you. We’ve rounded up the best carry-on luggage for family travel, from our own personal favourites as well as ones that are highly recommended by other families.
Our top picks for the best carry-on luggage:
Away Bigger Carry-on
Osprey Fairview 40
eBags Mother Lode 21″ Carry-On Rolling Duffel
Why Use Carry-On Luggage?
When you’re travelling with kids, checking bags might seem like the easiest option—but carry-on luggage has some real advantages for families:
- Saves money: Many airlines now charge for checked bags. With a family of four or five, those fees add up fast.
- Avoids lost luggage: Even with tracking devices like AirTags, there’s always a risk your bag won’t show up when you do.
- Skips the baggage carousel: After a long flight, the last thing you want is to wait around with tired kids while bags slowly roll out.
- Keeps essentials with you: You’ll have quick access to snacks, clothes, medications and anything your kids might need mid-flight or right after landing.
- Less stress at the airport: No waiting in line to drop bags or worrying that you’ll be able to collect them on a tight connection.
Travelling light can take a bit more planning, but it’s often easier than dealing with lost bags or waiting around with restless kids
What to Look for in a Good Carry-On Bag
When choosing the best carry-on luggage for your family, here are a few key things to consider:
- Material
Do you prefer a hard-sided or soft-sided bag? Soft-sided luggage tends to hold up better over time, especially with the rough handling that often comes with travel. If you’re going with a hard shell, look for polycarbonate—it’s sturdier than cheaper plastic alternatives. - Warranty
A solid warranty can be worth the higher price tag. Some brands offer lifetime warranties, while others offer a limited warranty of 10 years or more. - Wheels
Four-wheel spinners are easier to manoeuvre through airports, but two-wheeled bags are often more durable and comfortable to pull, especially over uneven ground. If you choose a spinner, make sure it has 360-degree swivel wheels. - Style
Would a backpack work better for your trip, or do you prefer a wheeled suitcase? Consider the destination—backpacks are easier on cobblestone streets or stairs, while wheels are more convenient in airports or hotels. - Size
Double check airline guidelines. Most carry-ons need to be 22” x 14” x 9” or smaller. Make sure your bag fits within your airline’s rules so you don’t get stuck checking it at the gate.
What Size Bag is Allowed for Carry-On?
Airline size limits vary, but most carry-ons should be no larger than 22” x 14” x 9”. Some airlines allow slightly more generous dimensions, especially on domestic flights.
Here’s a quick reference for a few popular airlines:
| Airline | Max Carry-On Size |
|---|---|
| Air Canada | 21.5″ x 15.5″ x 9″ |
| British Airways | 22″ x 18″ x 10″ |
| Frontier / Southwest / Spirit | 24″ x 16″ x 10″ |
| KLM | 21.5″ x 10″ x 13.5″ |
These limits can change, so it’s always best to check your airline’s website before your trip.
Now that you know what to look for in a good carry-on bag, and what size bag you need, here are our top picks for the best carry-on luggage for families who want to travel light.
Best Carry-on Luggage for Family Travel
We’ve organized these recommendations by style—suitcases, backpacks and unique carry-ons—to help you quickly find what fits your travel style and needs. These include our personal favourites as well as trusted suggestions from other travelling families.
Best Carry-On Suitcases for Family Travel
If you prefer traditional luggage, these carry-on suitcases are practical, durable and easy to handle—perfect for family travel.
Away Bigger Carry-On
The Away Bigger Carry-On is one of the most popular carry-on bags on the market, and it lives up to the hype.
It’s a hard-sided spinner with a lightweight, durable polycarbonate shell that holds up well to travel. Despite the hard shell, it’s easy to carry and manoeuvre, and it fits in the overhead bin of most major airlines.
One of the biggest perks? It holds up to 47.9 L, which is more than many other carry-on options. That’s especially helpful when your kids aren’t carrying their own bags yet.
Other helpful features include:
- 360° spinner wheels
- An interior compression system
- A hidden laundry bag
- Sturdy zippers
It also comes with a lifetime warranty and a 100-day return window if it’s not the right fit.
Why it’s great: High quality and lifetime warranty
Tip: Want to maximize space in the Away Bigger Carry-On? Packing cubes make it easy to stay organized and fit more. Here’s why we love using packing cubes for family travel.
Samsonite Winfield 3
Samsonite is a well-known luggage brand offering reasonably priced luggage that lasts. You really can’t go wrong with any of their models, but the Winfield 3 is our pick.
It has a hard polycarbonate shell that’s lightweight (under 7 pounds), and it’s an expandable spinner, which adds a bit more flexibility when you need extra space.
Other features include:
- 360° spinner wheels
- Side-mounted TSA lock
- Multiple size options
- Variety of colours so each family member can choose their own
The 20-inch carry-on size meets most airline requirements. While it doesn’t offer a lifetime warranty, the 10-year limited warranty is still a decent backup, especially at this price point.
Why it’s great: Affordable and good quality
Also worth a look: the Samsonite Ziplite 5 is another hard-sided carry-on with a more premium finish. It’s in a similar price range as the Away, and includes a USB port for charging on the go.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 (19 inch)
Travelpro is a another trusted name in luggage, known for making durable, lightweight options that are perfect for frequent travellers.
The Maxlite 5 is a soft-sided carry-on that’s ideal for families. It weighs just under 6 pounds, has an expansion zipper so you can squeeze a bit more in if needed, and includes a built-in TSA lock.
What stands out for families:
- Four 360° spinner wheels for easy manoeuvring
- Adjustable handle with two height settings
- Water-resistant exterior
- Two zippered front pockets and a side accessory pocket
- Roomy interior with adjustable tie-down straps
Sized to fit in most international overhead bins, the Maxlite 5 is a great pick for travellers who prefer soft-sided luggage.
Why it’s great: Lightweight and water resistant.
Note: The Maxlite also comes in a 21-inch version. It’s slightly above international size limits at 23 inches, but still fits most domestic flights.
Best Carry-On Backpacks for Family Travel
Backpacks are a great alternative to traditional luggage, especially when you’re travelling with kids. They’re easier to carry on stairs or cobblestones and free up your hands for wrangling little ones or holding passports.
Osprey Fairview 40
Osprey is another well-know travel brand, known for making high-quality travel and hiking backpacks—and the Fairview 40 is one of the best options for carry-on travel.
This is our personal favourite carry-on bag. It’s lightweight (just over 3 pounds), fits within most major airline carry-on limits and is incredibly comfortable to wear—even fully packed.
Although it’s a backpack, it opens like a suitcase and has room for several packing cubes. It also features:
- A laptop and tablet sleeve
- Lockable sliders on the main compartment
- A stowable hip belt and mesh back panel for extra comfort
- Built-in rain cover
- Tuck-away backpack straps for switching to duffel-style carry
Why it’s great: Good quality and comfortable backpack with plenty of room
🎒 The Fairview is designed for women. The Osprey Farpoint 40 is the same pack but with a men’s fit.
Here’s a look at the Osprey Fairview 40 packed for a recent trip.
This was my go-to carry-on for a two-week trip with two kids. Fit everything I needed, and it was comfortable enough to wear through multiple airports.
- Packed and ready to go—fits under most airline limits
- Inside the Fairview 40: fits multiple packing cubes with room to spare
Tortuga Setout
Another popular carry-on backpack, the Tortuga Setout is a great option if you’re looking for a bag that’s built for packing efficiency.
It’s designed to open like a suitcase, so you can pack it just like traditional luggage—but still wear it comfortably on your back. The 45L version is still within most carry-on size limits, and offers space for everything you’d need on a week-long trip.
Key features include:
- Dedicated laptop sleeve
- Multiple compartments for better organization
- Padded, adjustable backpack straps
- Removable hip belt for extra support
At the time of writing, the 35L version is out of stock, but the 45L offers similar features at the same price point and is still within carry-on dimensions.
Why it’s great: Affordable backpack with a traditional carry-on design
Unique and Specialized Carry-On Options
These carry-ons are a bit different from the usual suitcase or backpack—some with built-in organization, others with kid-friendly features that make travel a little easier.
ebags Mother Lode 21″
eBags is another popular travel brand, and it’s owned by Samsonite, so you know their quality is good.
One of their most popular is the eBags Mother Lode 21″, which combines the flexibility of a duffel with the structure of a rolling suitcase. It’s a great hybrid for families who want the flexibility of a soft-sided bag but with a sturdy back for added durability.
It has a hardside back for durability, and the expandable main compartment gives you space when you need it. Plus, there’s a separate lower compartment—ideal for shoes or dirty laundry—and an easy-access front compartment for small items or travel documents.
Other family-friendly features:
- Multiple external zippered pockets
- Interior compression straps
- Telescoping handle with 3 height options (great for kids or taller adults)
- Fits within most airline size limits
Why it’s great: Affordable soft-sided bag with lots of compartments
Solgaard Carry-On Closet
This one’s definitely not your average suitcase. The Solgaard Carry-On Closet is exactly what it sounds like – a carry-on suitcase with a built-in six-shelf closet system that helps you stay organized on the go—no need to unpack everything when you arrive.
The shelves also act as compression cubes, helping you fit more into a smaller space. When you get to your accommodation, just open the bag and lift the handle to expand the shelves.
Other features include:
- Durable polycarbonate shell
- Four 360° spinner wheels
- TSA-approved lock
- USB charging port
While it’s one of the pricier options on the list, the design makes it easier to stay organized—especially helpful if you’re sharing a suitcase with a child.
Why it’s great: Unique carry-on with a built-in closet system
Emmzoe Hardshell 20″ Carry-On
If you’re travelling with young kids, the Emmzoe Hardshell Carry-On is a smart, kid-focused option.
What I liked the most is the detachable insulated food compartment—great for keeping snacks or milk cool, and easy to remove for inspection at airport security.
The hard shell is made of lightweight polycarbonate, and it has spinner wheels like more traditional luggage. But what really sets it apart is how it’s designed for families with young kids—plenty of space for clothes, diapers, toys and bottles, and anything else you need when travelling with young kids, all in one bag.
Why it’s great: Kid-friendly design with insulated storage and thoughtful compartments
It’s also really affordable and can be purchased at Walmart or Amazon. It’s currently out of stock at Walmart.com, but be sure to check frequently as it sells out quickly when in stock.
More Carry-On Options Worth Considering
These carry-ons don’t have standout features like a built-in closet or kid-focused design, but they’re well-reviewed, dependable, and worth looking into if you’re comparing brands.
Travelpro Platinum Elite
If you’re looking for a higher-end option, the Travelpro Platinum Elite is a great choice. It’s 21 inches, so it fits within most airline carry-on limits, and it’s built to last with a polycarbonate shell and a lifetime warranty.
It also includes:
- USB charging ports
- Large interior compartments with tie-down straps
- TSA-approved lock
- Smooth-gliding spinner wheels
IThe only downside is it is a bit pricier than the other options we have mentioned, but the build quality and added features make it worth considering if you want something that will hold up over years of travel.
Why it’s great: Lifetime warranty and USB charging ports
Delsey Paris
Delsey offers a range of carry-ons, from more budget-friendly models to higher-end options with added tech features.
The Delsey Helium is a well-priced hardside carry-on that still offers quality and durability. If you’re looking for something with more features, the Chatelet is a step up, with a built-in laptop sleeve and RFID-blocking technology to help keep your info safe.
You’ll also find:
- Sleek designs with smooth spinner wheels
- A variety of colour options
- TSA-approved locks
Why it’s great: Reliable luggage with multiple styles and price point
Best Carry-On Bags for Families
Whether you prefer a wheeled suitcase, a backpack or something with a bit more flexibility, there’s a carry-on bag that can make family travel easier.
We’ve shared our top recommendations—from bags we’ve used ourselves to those trusted by other travelling families—so you can find the right fit for your style and budget.
If you’ve already got a luggage brand you love, it’s worth checking to see if they offer a carry-on version that fits your needs. Just make sure to double-check the airline size requirements before you buy.
And if you’re new to travelling light, packing cubes can make a big difference. Here’s how we use them to stay organized.
Safe travels!
Looking for more family travel tips?
If you’re looking for ways to keep kids entertained while you travel, check out our favourite travel toys for 4- and 5-year-olds or 2- and 3-year-olds, and get packing tips with our family travel packing list.
