This Convertible Travel Tote Bag Is Perfect for Work Trips

As a food and travel journalist, I’m constantly on the move. Most days start the same way: laptop in my tote, water bottle in hand, and out the door—whether that means working from an airport gate, answering emails on a flight, or heading straight from meetings to dinners and events. When your office changes daily, having a laptop bag that keeps everything organized isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

That’s why I love my Caraa Studio Work Tote. It fits my 13-inch MacBook along with the everyday essentials—chargers, wallet, makeup, and the small extras that make transitioning from workday to dinner seamless—without ever feeling overstuffed. The spacious pockets keep everything structured and easy to find, even when my schedule isn’t, which is exactly what I need from a work tote that moves as much as I do.

There are so many features I adore in this Caraa bag, from its hidden shoe compartment for when I want to stash my favorite ballerina flats for the commute home to its ample pockets that ensure everything has a place. Best of all, it’s convertible. While I generally use it as a tote over my shoulder, it can also easily be converted into a backpack. This can be very helpful if you need to keep your hands and arms free, perhaps on a travel or commuting day. 

Versatility and organization are key features in any work bag, but I also want one that looks professional and luxurious so I feel stylish and polished, no matter where my job takes me. With its gorgeous leather design, this bag pulls together every outfit, and it’s incredibly easy to keep clean—all it takes is a quick wipe down. Best of all, it comes in a palette of beautiful neutral colors that go with everything, including a rich brown clay, creamy beige, and classic black. 

If the Caraa Studio Work Tote has taught me anything, it’s that the right bag can genuinely make travel days feel more manageable. But a great tote isn’t one-size-fits-all—budgets, aesthetics, and daily routines all look different. So after finding my personal favorite, I rounded up 13 similar convertible work totes that deliver the same mix of organization, polish, and practicality, from Amazon, Quince, and more.

For days when you need hands-free convenience without sacrificing style, this Lovevook backpack is a solid choice. The water-resistant exterior keeps your laptop and essentials protected, while the roomy interior and multiple compartments make organization effortless — from chargers to notebooks to small personal items. At under $30, it’s an affordable, practical pick that doesn’t feel like a budget convertible bag. 

When you’re commuting for work, a bag that is water-repellent is such a gift—you never know what the weather might do! The North Face’s tote checks all the boxes, as it’s weatherproof and convenient; it offers tons of storage, a U-shaped zipper that is so easy to grab, and is convertible from tote to backpack. Shoppers love its space and storage combined with its durability. One shopper who gave it a five-star review said it “feels like it will last” and is “overall worth the money.” 

This eco-friendly convertible work tote and backpack is simply beautiful, but it’s also packed with the features I look for, such as a padded laptop sleeve and lined pockets to keep all my essentials secure. It couldn’t be easier to convert, either—the tuckable straps can be used in backpack mode or tucked away when using as a shoulder bag. Lightweight with a large capacity and a lifetime warranty, this is a tote that can handle everything your schedule throws at it.

This workhorse of a bag can hold a laptop or tablet up to 17 inches long, has tons of pockets, and a roomy interior that can fit all of a schedule’s demands. But what I love so much is how versatile it is, whether as a backpack or as a stylish tote. It’s an amazing “everything” bag, according to a 5-star Amazon review. “This is by far one of the sturdiest and most versatile bags out there,” they said, noting it’s great for work, travel, and even as an overnight bag. 

If you’re looking for a work tote that gets the job done without the investment price tag, this faux-leather tote is surprisingly polished for under $40. The structured shape makes it feel more elevated than your average budget bag, while the roomy interior easily fits a 15.6-inch laptop along with chargers, notebooks, and the inevitable extras that accumulate over a long workday. I especially like that it’s lightweight and water-resistant—ideal for unexpected weather. While it doesn’t convert to a backpack, you can wear it over your shoulder or just as a handbag.

This mighty work bag does three jobs in one: It not only converts from a tote to a backpack, but also a really cute crossbody. Within this compact but roomy bag, you’ll find a padded laptop sleeve and pockets to hold everything from pens and keys to a water bottle. I’d love something like this for use in-flight, because it even has a strap that helps it to attach to luggage. Amazon shoppers love that it is “comfortable yet stylish” and also spacious, too. 

This gorgeous leather convertible backpack can easily transition to a shoulder bag and has a roomy enough interior to hold a tablet, passport, and other essentials secured within a zipped pocket. My favorite aspect is the handwoven texture that really sets it apart from so many other work bags I have my eye on—it adds just enough visual interest to feel elevated without being overly flashy. The structured shape helps it look polished in professional settings, while the soft Italian leather keeps it comfortable to carry throughout a long day of commuting or travel.

Sometimes when commuting or attempting to navigate a travel day, it’s just easier to have your hands free. Other days, it’s all about the polished look of a tote. The Antler Icon 2-in-1 Tote Backpack does both. It’s water-resistant (making it great in all sorts of outdoors conditions), has enough storage for a laptop and all my other commuting or travel essentials, and has lots of pockets for everything I need to stash in my bag for an average day at the (remote) office. 

Stylish can also be sustainable, and this versatile and lightweight bag proves it. It’s made from recycled water bottles, making it not only eco-friendly but water-resistant for the occasional splash of rain. What I love most are the adjustable straps, which make carrying it all day long easy and comfortable. It also has an additional strap that you can use to attach stuff like yoga gear or exercise equipment, ideal if your day out and about at meetings also involves ducking into a class.

I’ve always been a big fan of Delsey Paris luggage for its quality, and its travel tote rises to the same standard. I love the padding in the straps, so that it’s comfortable to hold and doesn’t dig into my shoulders all day as I roam between meetings or flights. But I also love how I can effortlessly slide the bag over luggage handles using its sleeve. The interior is super roomy, with plenty of space for my laptop and all my other essentials, and there’s even a removable pouch that has endless travel possibilities.

For busy parents who are juggling daycare drop-offs, commutes, and last-minute grocery runs, this convertible bag does it all. It has a dedicated sleeve for a small laptop or tablet, plus insulated pockets to keep bottles or snacks at the right temperature. Wear it as a backpack when you need both hands free, or switch to a crossbody for quick errands. It’s functional enough to handle work and kid duty in one sleek carryall—and cute enough that you’ll want to use it even when you’re off the clock.

This gorgeous backpack looks like it costs way more than it does. Made of supple Italian leather, this bag does it all: It’s a crossbody, shoulder bag, or backpack depending on how you wear it. Regardless of how it is worn, it packs a lot of punch with tons of storage and organization options, lots of versatility, and a zip-pocket for those confidential and personal items that need to be extra secure. 

This anti-theft bag converts from tote to crossbody to backpack and is packed with smart security features, including RFID-blocking pockets, locking zippers, and a chair-lock loop. It’s water-resistant, fits a larger laptop, and has tons of organized compartments. As one five-star reviewer raves, “It’s the perfect travel bag… durable, sleek, and incredibly spacious—I love the bottle holders, especially the one inside!”

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