The 9 Best Train Cases of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

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These stylish vessels have a vintage-inspired aesthetic and loads of functionality.

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Travel + Leisure

I never understood how people travel with a tiny bag of toiletries. As a beauty editor and habitual overpacker, I need a more spacious and sturdy vessel to house my products — even if I’m packing a pared-down version of my beauty routine. If you travel with anything above the bare minimum toiletries, a train case can keep you organized while protecting your products from spills or damage. It saves luggage space by neatly compartmentalizing your items, and train cases often have a convenient top handle for carrying.

We tested 17 train cases, looking for high-quality items that are portable, spacious, and easy to use. We loaded each case full of products, carried it around, and assessed how simple it was to pack in a suitcase or personal item. All this brought us to the nine train cases that are truly worth buying, with the Etoile Collective Duo Vanity Case deemed our favorite. In my travels, I’ve especially appreciated its spaciousness, thoughtful organizational features, and removable compartments.

The sturdy, durable leather adds style and function to this thoughtfully arranged and spacious case.

Due to the size, it may be best packed in a checked bag rather than a carry-on.

Even for a beauty lover and overpacker like myself, this spacious case has ample room for all the skincare and makeup staples. The thoughtful compartments make it easy to maximize the space. We appreciate the two zippered compartments that keep products separate. Our tester used the shallow top compartment for lip balms and flat-lay eyeshadow palettes, while the deeper bottom compartment housed larger items like moisturizers and a bar of soap with room to spare. If you travel with makeup brushes or pencils, the elastic loops at the top of the deep compartment will come in handy.

The organizational M.V.P., however, is the bottom section’s removable leather insert. It has seven compartments for holding products of various shapes and sizes in place. Or, you can pull it out altogether if you prefer a single spacious chamber. Another notable feature: it includes a 6 x 5-inch standing foldable mirror, so you can do your makeup routine without hogging the hotel bathroom.

Though extremely functional, this rigid case loses nothing in terms of style. The sleek, vegan leather comes in 11 colors with either silver- or gold-tone zippers that “glide like butter,” according to our tester. The top handle is sturdy and secured with beautiful metal discs. But don’t stress over the occasional spill — this gorgeous accessory is easily and effectively wiped down with a moist towelette.

The Details: 9.4 x 7.1 x 6.7 inches | 2.1 pounds | Vegan leather

Lightweight and compact, this dual-compartment see-through case makes it easy to keep track of all the contents.

The flexible exterior offers less protection than a hard shell.

A see-through or clear toiletry bag allows for full visibility of contents, making it convenient for packing, security checks, and organization. This version still includes a pop of color (choose from five) in the lid and base, giving you the best of both worlds. The lightweight and flexible design is great for packing inside a carry-on or weekender bag. Despite its smaller size, it still accommodates 4.6 liters worth of travel-sized products. Our tester was able to stow an entire makeup routine and more with larger items like foundation, an eyelash curler, and a mini eyeshadow palette, along with smaller makeup like blush, lip gloss, and mascara.

A few simple but impactful design features help keep you tidy. The dual compartments separate smaller items like tweezers or lip balm from bulkier creams or soaps. The two-way zipper adds convenience while interior elastic loops keep thin objects (like a perfume vial) safely upright. The waterproof material is also super simple to clean.

The Details: 7.75 x 7 x 5.25 inches | 4.6 liters | 0.95 pounds | Polyurethane and PVC

Maximalists will appreciate the 12.9-liter packing capacity and hardshell protection.

The bulky case will count as a personal item for air travel.

Makeup artists, people traveling for special events, or any maximalist packer will enjoy the ample storage this elegant case affords. Zippered compartments keep little bits and bobs neatly arranged. The beauty, however, lies in the two separate, large chambers which yield nearly 13 liters of packing capacity. Our tester fit an entire skincare, makeup, and hair care routine (plus some jewelry) — and the hard polycarbonate shell exterior kept everything safe even when dropped down a flight of stairs!

Still, you’ll want to be mindful when boarding a flight with this case. Though it can fit in a suitcase, it weighs 3 pounds unpacked and will take up a good amount of real estate. It has a detachable shoulder strap, a top handle, and an elastic trolley sleeve for carrying on its own, but it’ll have to count as a personal item due to the size.

The Details: 13 x 9.75 x 6.75 inches | 12.9 liters | 3 pounds | Polycarbonate shell

Small but mighty, this sleek container holds a good amount and has handy space-saving elements.

There’s not much height for taller products, which will have to be laid sideways.

Weekend stays or carry-on-only trips require consolidated toiletries and a more compact case to store them in. If you’re planning to travel light, this vegan leather case weighs less than a pound and won’t steal much space in your luggage. Still, it can accommodate a good amount of travel-sized toiletries. Our tester was able to squeeze in a toothbrush, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, a contact case and solution, lotion, sunscreen, tweezers, a pill case, glasses (sans case), mascara, deodorant, concealer, face wash, and a lip balm. The structured bag with nifty elastic loops and a zippered pocket helped cut down rummaging.

While this bag is beautiful, our long-term tests determined it didn’t withstand scratches as well as advertised and it got a bit scuffed up after a few trips. This impacts the value for the price, but if you don’t mind splurging on something aesthetically pleasing, this compact clamshell works great.

The Details: 9.4 x 5.2 x 6.4 inches | 3.81 liters | 0.88 pounds | Ultra-microfibre vegan leather

This monogrammed case makes a perfect gift and helps prevent loss or mix-ups.

The lighter colorway is prone to smudges and the zipper snags on occasion.

Customized travel gear is as practical as it is beautiful. They can prevent your items from being lost or mistaken for another — which is important because you’ll want to keep a personalized piece forever. For a bit extra, you can add up to 10 characters of text (choose from 29 fonts and 26 colors) to add an extra special touch to the front of this already-stunning vintage-inspired case from one of our favorite bag brands, Mark & Graham. The durable and lightweight polycarbonate exterior is detailed with contrast leather, while the interior boasts a cheerful striped pattern.

In terms of function, our tests found plenty to love, too. Organizational compartments include four open-top pockets, six elastic loops, two side open pockets, and two front open pockets. It fits over 30 small cosmetics and accessories without over-stuffing. The sturdy material withstands damage well, and minor scuffs are easily wiped away.

The Details: 8.5 x 8 x 1.5 inches | Polycarbonate exterior, genuine leather detailing, and striped polyester lining

Aesthetically pleasing and functional, this mid-size leather case is great for gifting.

It doesn’t have many organizational compartments.

It’s hard to find a more beautiful train case than Leatherology’s full-grain leather version with elegant gold hardware. “I would use it as a purse,” Travel + Leisure associate editor Anna Popp noted of the “stunning” case. “It looks that nice and well-made.” The medium-size travel bag is compact enough to fit in a carry-on or personal item, but it’s still spacious enough to fit an extended beauty routine — we even fit a full-size hairbrush and mini hair straightener inside.

The leather is soft and buttery, but since this case is soft-sided, it won’t be the most protective on our list. Still, we packed it into a checked bag filled with bulky ski gear, and it didn’t show any scuff marks after the flight. Aside from some slip and zippered pockets, it doesn’t have any additional organizational features, so it’s best for people who prefer a single, spacious compartment over dividers.

The Details: 8.5 x 6 x 5.5 inches | Leather with nylon lining

A three-mode LED mirror accompanies the customizable interior.

The velvet interior is difficult to clean in case of spills.

It’s never a bad idea to bring a personal mirror — especially when bathroom space is limited in a shared hotel room or vacation rental. Vanity Planet’s spacious train case goes a step further, offering a rechargeable LED makeup mirror that stands upright in the case. The dimmable mirror offers three light modes: white light for outdoor makeup, warm light for evening makeup, and indoor-friendly blue light.

Other standout features include removable dividers that can be rearranged to fit your products and prevent them from jostling around. There’s also a dedicated makeup brush envelope that can be attached to the case’s roof (though we found some of the pockets to be quite tight and better suited for thin brushes). If you’re running out of suitcase storage, you can carry this large, heavy case separately via the sturdy handle or elastic trolley band.

The Details: 11.9 x 9.6 x 6 inches | 4.14 pounds | Vegan leather

This spacious cosmetics case from recycled materials has two distinct compartments.

The zippers are slightly difficult to use.

Eco-conscious travelers will enjoy this zippered case that’s crafted from recycled post-consumer materials. It has a luxe look (though we might have preferred a neutral-hued interior to match the elegant outside) and an intuitive design. Our tests found the two compartments useful for separating toiletries from makeup, and the small, removable pouch proved handy for separating makeup brushes. There’s even a water-resistant zippered pocket for isolating spill-prone products. Although we found the zipper tricky at times, the top handle was plenty sturdy, even when we packed the case full of heavy products.

The Details: 10 x 6.5 x 3 inches | Recycled pre-consumer polyester and recycled pre-consumer cotton

This budget-friendly, hardshell case is ideal for makeup maximalists.

It’s bulky and tough to pack in a suitcase.

Designed for beauty enthusiasts who travel with a larger-than-average makeup supply or anyone who wants to keep their cosmetics organized at home, this sturdy hardshell case offers ample compartments to keep everything in place. Unlatch the aluminum case lined with vegan leather to reveal six extendable cantilever trays above a spacious, open bottom. This structure is useful for seeing all your products while doing your makeup, alleviating the need for rummaging.

If you find the case too large to stow in your suitcase, a sturdy handle allows you to carry it on its own. There’s also a key lock to provide peace of mind that it won’t open unintentionally. Despite its larger build, it was lighter to carry than we expected.

The Details: 11.8 x 7.1 x 8.8 inches | 4.67 pounds | Aluminum and vegan leather

Delsey Chatelet Air 2.0 Beauty Case: Though spacious and well-designed, this case was a bit bulkier and tougher to travel with than our favorite large case.

MAC Cosmetics Carry All: This is an affordable option that has lots of spots to put bottles of all shapes and sizes, however, there isn’t much in the way of organization so it’s best for someone looking for a no-frills case.

Travel + Leisure / Sheena Chihak

Our T+L team tested 17 train cases to determine the best ones worth investing in. We began by assessing each case’s external frame, fabrics, internal compartments, organizational features, and overall durability. We noted any additional pieces in the set and examined the materials for quality and sturdiness. We also evaluated the weight of the case for use during travel and considered how easy the material would be to clean if any liquids or makeup were to spill inside.

We packed each case with toiletries, makeup, and other essentials to assess its capacity and organizational design features, like compartments and pockets. We tested the portability by using all available handles and carrying mechanisms, and we checked how easy it was to open, close, and access items in the case. Finally, we attempted to pack the case into different types of luggage (weekender, carry-on, or checked bag) and traveled with each case to evaluate its practicality and durability, including how well it protected contents and whether any wear and tear occurred during use.

Considering size, design, and weight, the options with the highest ratings were selected for this roundup, and we will continue to update this article as we test new train cases.

When packing toiletries, you’ll want space to accommodate all your necessities without stealing luggage real estate with an item that’s larger than you need. Consider exactly what you want to pack, and determine the best case size from there. Train cases are typically larger than cosmetic bags, but they still come in various sizes. The train case’s material will also impact its capacity: soft-sided cases like our Leatherology pick can be fully stuffed, while those made of harder materials like plastic won’t have as much give.

A well-organized case ensures that everything has its place. If orderliness is your priority, look for compartments and dividers to keep your cosmetics and toiletries neatly arranged. Removable trays and zippered pockets can help separate smaller items, preventing spills and making it easier to find what you need quickly.

However, if you’re looking to fit as much as possible into your train case, a single large compartment may better serve that purpose.

For travel, pack your necessary toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and deodorant in travel-sized bottles. Add skincare items like moisturizers, cleansers, serum, and sun protection. You can also include any makeup essentials, such as foundation, mascara, lip balm, and brushes, ensuring they're securely stored to avoid damage and spills. A few hair tools, like a mini brush or hair ties, may fit, too. You can even pack medications or jewelry if your case has small, secure pockets.

The best material for a train case is durable, lightweight, and water-resistant. If you prefer a soft case, try nylon or PVC. Plastic or aluminum are great alternatives for a hardshell case. Since toiletries and makeup can be prone to spills and leaks, prioritize a material that’s easy to wipe down. Leather is aesthetically pleasing but can be damaged more easily.

A train case is typically larger and more structured with a top handle for easy carrying. It’s designed to hold a variety of beauty and grooming products, often with multiple compartments for organization. A makeup bag, on the other hand, is usually smaller, softer and more portable. Train cases are ideal for travel or storage at home, while makeup bags are great for daily use or on-the-go touch-ups.

A seasoned beauty editor and avid traveler, Talia Ergas owns an expansive collection of toiletry organizers, cosmetics bags, and train cases. She has journeyed with our best overall pick, the Etoile Collective Duo Vanity Case, in tow as well as the sturdy Calpak Ambeur Vanity Case. To write this guide to the best train cases, she used her personal experience in addition to poring over copious, detailed notes supplied by T+L editors.

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