Coated polylactic acid (PLA) films consisting of crosslinked‐chitosan/beeswax layer were prepared to improve barrier properties and abrasion resistance of the base substrate. The effect of crosslinking the chitosan layer on durability and barrier properties of the coatings was investigated. Crosslinked samples exhibited lower degree of swelling compared to uncrosslinked samples and 50% reduction in water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) compared to neat PLA films. The beeswax coating decreased the WVTR of chitosan‐coated PLA films significantly (by 100%). However, it had a marginal effect on the oxygen transmission rate. Water vapor transmission was less affected by abrasion than oxygen transmission for both uncrosslinked and crosslinked samples. The WVTR of crosslinked samples were retained even after being subjected to abrasion, whereas WVTR of uncrosslinked samples dropped by 50%. Results obtained using the Taber test method also show that the weight loss of crosslinked coatings are about 75% less than that of uncrosslinked samples and can withstand a greater number of cycles before rupture. These translucent‐coated films retained good barrier and mechanical properties along with providing improved abrasion resistance after crosslinking. This approach provides exciting new possibilities for expanding the use of biodegradable polymers in packaging applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1874–1881, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers