Top 10 Travel Pants for Women

Why we love them

If a friend asked me for one pair of travel pants and I could only say one name, it would be this pair. I'm a chronic airport pocket-checker (phone, passport, boarding pass, repeat), so the zip pockets sold me right away. They keep everything secure, and the drop-in back pockets handle the boarding pass and lip balm. The stretchy PrimaStretch fabric moves with you, and the high-rise shape looks polished enough for a nice dinner. Shoppers rave about how comfortable they are, which really is the number one priority on a long travel day. Athleta also offers petite and tall lengths, which is a big deal for travel pants, since a dragging hem in a busy airport can turn into a tripping hazard, fast.

Savings tip: Athleta saves its deepest markdowns for a few big events, like its Semi-Annual Sale and Black Friday. Between events, try an Athleta promo code for the best price.

Why we love them

I'll say it upfront: these have no pockets. If that's a dealbreaker, skip ahead. But if your dream flight outfit is basically loungewear that got a promotion, these are it. The modal fabric is buttery soft and drapey, and the wide leg gives you room to curl up, shift around, and stretch out. The secret to making these look extra polished? Make it a set with a matching top, or pair with a cozy-but-elevated topper like a knit blazer. Since there are no pockets, I'd also suggest a crossbody bag or a jacket that can hold your essentials.They come in petite, regular, and tall lengths, so you can skip the hemming. Comfort this good is worth planning your bag around.

Saving tip: Skip full price and head to SPANX's sale section, where markdowns have gone up to 60% off. Buying at full price instead? A SPANX promo code can still take a bite out of a first order.

Why we love them

When I'm packing for somewhere warm, my one rule is that everything should be airy and breathable, and these pants fit the bill. The lightweight fabric wicks moisture and naturally releases wrinkles, so they can go straight from a packed cube to a sticky city street without a steamer. The wide leg keeps things breezy, and the four-way stretch makes stairs, scooters, and long lunches easy. I'm especially excited about the long length option (33 inches), which is great news for taller travelers. Reviewers say these run large, so size down if you're between sizes. Again, these don’t have any pockets, so make sure you plan to carry a bag with your travel essentials, or go for Vuori’s trouser version that does.

Why we love them

Barrel-leg pants are everywhere right now, and I love that Halara makes it easy (and budget-friendly) to try the shape. (New to the silhouette? Our barrel jeans style guide breaks it all down.) The legs curve out and taper back in at a 7/8 length, so they look intentional with sneakers, sandals, or flats. The four-way stretch and wrinkle recovery help them bounce back after a squished suitcase, and the side pockets are a welcome surprise at this price. The fit is relaxed and casual, so I'd save them for sightseeing days rather than a dressy dinner.

Saving tip: Download the Halara app and new users get a set of coupons, like $5 off $39 or $10 off $69, or check out our other Halara coupon codes before you buy.

Why we love them

The thing I dread most on work trips is arriving with wrinkled pants and no iron. These are the antidote. They're made from OrigamiTech, a stretchy, lightweight, wrinkle-resistant fabric that's also machine washable, which is a huge win for business travel. They have pockets, a tapered jogger-style shape that looks sharp with a blazer or fine-knit top, and a comfortable, forgiving fit. They're the priciest pair on this list, so I see them as an investment for anyone who travels for work often. One tip: reviewers say they run large, so consider sizing down.

Savings tip: If you haven’t already, sign up for emails to get 15% off your first order, or browse the latest M.M.LaFleur discount codes to see what fits you.

Why we love them

Quince keeps surprising me with how much polish you get for the price, and these ponte trousers are a good example. The smooth, structured knit looks like real trousers, but the four-way stretch keeps you comfortable through a full day of sightseeing. There are also functional side pockets (the back ones are fake, so don't count on them). Here's my honest take: ponte is heavier and slower to dry than lighter fabrics, so I'd save these for a fall or winter trip rather than a tropical getaway. On a cool-weather trip, they're stylish travel pants that never look like you packed for comfort.

Why we love them

I know what you’re thinking, “athleisure trousers”? It sounds like an oxymoron, but these have all the styling you love in a trouser in swishy, performance fabric. The belt loops and front pleats give them a tailored, boardroom-ready look, but the stretchy back waistband and fabric adds all-day give. To me, that's the sweet spot for landing and going straight to a meeting or dinner. The wide leg has a fluid drape that looks so pulled together with a tucked-in tee or topped with a blazer that no one will guess how comfortable you are. ALO recommends sizing down, so check the size chart before you buy.

Why we love them

I love a budget find that looks far pricier than it is, and these trousers deliver. They have the all the makings of a great trouser for travel: a zip fly, belt loops, and diagonal hip pockets, plus four-way stretch that keeps you comfortable in a seat or on your feet. They come in regular, tall, and petite lengths and a wide size range, which makes them one of the most inclusive picks here. Because they're so affordable, I'd buy two pairs and rotate them across a trip. Wear them with a tee and sneakers on the plane, then swap in a blouse and loafers for dinner.

Savings tip: While these are already a steal, keep an eye out for Old Navy's rotating sales and deals or look for an Old Navy coupon to get the best price.

Why we love them

We've all had the waistband that feels fine at the gate and then impossibly tight after takeoff. The interior drawcord on these is the fix, letting you loosen things up mid-flight without anyone noticing. The Luxtreme fabric wicks sweat and feels cool against your skin, and the four-way stretch means no squirming by hour six. I also like the card-sleeve pocket, which is just right for a boarding pass or ID. The back pockets are stitched shut, so think of them as decoration. The relaxed straight-leg shape looks clean and modern, which makes these an easy pick for a red-eye that lands just in time for brunch.

Why we love them

European cities mean cobblestones, crowded trains, and last-minute wine bars, and I can picture these handling all three. The mid-rise wide leg looks tailored, and I'd wear it with comfortable loafers for a polished, city-ready outfit. The side-seam pockets are big enough for your phone and metro pass, and the lightweight JetStretch fabric is made for travel. One reviewer said they took two pairs to Europe in a June heat wave and never had to worry about wrinkles, which is exactly what I'd want to hear. The 31-inch inseam is on the long side, so shorter travelers may want to hem them.