30 Amazing Gift Ideas for Travelers
We’ve all got one on our lists—that chronic wanderluster who seems to be constantly heading off on their next adventure, luggage and passport in tow. Travelers can be tricky people to buy gifts for! They tend to be on the move more often than not, and those airline bag restrictions mean they need to be picky about what goes into their suitcase.
Choosing the perfect present for the globetrotter in your life is a challenge, to say the least.
Luckily for you, we’ve put together the ultimate travel gift list—30 clever gift ideas to suit every budget and type of traveler, from the minimalist nomad to the first class travelista. Trust us, these are the next best thing to an actual plane ticket.
Disclosure: A few of the links below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. You know I'll only recommend these products and subscriptions because I use them myself and love them. But, please only purchase the product if you feel it will make for a great gift for yourself or someone else. There are many options out there, these are just the ones I use personally.
Stocking stuffers (under $10)
Sephora's Beauty on the Fly Bag
$4.95
Cute, handy, and the exact right size for all of your carry-on essentials. This sturdy plastic bag is transparent, reusable, easy to clean, and features a zippered top for quick access to your products. At only $4.95, it’s a no-brainer!
The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
$9.72
“A unique mix of travel, psychology, science and humor,” Eric Weiner’s memoir takes readers along on his round-the-world quest to find the happiest places on earth (and to figure out just what makes the people there so damn happy). A fun, entertaining read that’s sure to appeal to fans of introspective travel books and philosophical musing.
Poo-Pourri Toilet Spray (2oz)
$9.95
Real-talk time—everybody poops. But no one wants to be the smelly culprit slinking out of the bathroom in a cloud of shame. Poo-Pourri is a handy little scented spray designed to deal with any bathroom unpleasantness ahead of the fact. Just a few spritzes in the toilet before you go and you’re golden! A serious live-saver on the plane.
Birchbox Subscription
$10/month
Birchbox is monthly beauty subscription box and the perfect gift for the girl who spends all her time watching YouTube makeup tutorials. Each box contains 5 beauty samples tailored specifically to the recipient and can be anything from skincare to makeup to perfume. Not only is it fun to try new products each month, but the sample sizes they send are totally made for travel!
Thoughtful and thrifty (under $25)
Lush Shampoo Bar
$11.95
Wondering if your liquids will make it past security in your carry-on is a stress every traveler is familiar with. Thankfully, Lush’s shampoo bars are here to help! These solid pucks of hair-cleansing magic are lightweight, carry-on-safe, and made with natural ingredients (most are vegan!). Best of all, they suds up like a dream and smell absolutely divine.
Travel + Leisure Magazine Subscription
$12 for 1 year
Travel + Leisure is a one-stop resource for all things travel, from destination guides and hotel reviews to tips and exclusive deals. Their print magazine is packed with gorgeous photos and enough travel inspo to last a lifetime—gift your favourite traveler with a 1-year subscription for just $12.
Nomader Water Bottle
$21.95
If there’s one thing every traveler needs, it’s a good water bottle. Clunky plastic and metal bottles can be annoying to carry, which is why Nomader’s space-saving foldable design is so awesome. The bottle’s flexible, shatterproof silicone is seriously durable—you can fill it with hot or cold drinks, freeze it, and even run it through the dishwasher. BPA-free, leak-proof, and backed by a lifetime warranty, this is basically the king of all water bottles.
FitKicks
$22.99
Nothing is worse than being stuck on a plane for 15 hours in uncomfortable shoes. Remedy that with FitKicks, an innovative footwear brand that blends comfort, functionality, and style. FitKicks’ soft, stretchy material and easy on-off design make them the perfect addition to your airport outfit.
Carry On Cocktail Kit
$24
Your ticket may not say “first class” but that doesn’t mean you can’t act like it does. These carry on cocktail kits are both adorable (tiny bottles! Mini mixing spoons!) and classy as hell. The kits come in a variety of classic flavors and each contains everything you need (minus the alcohol) to mix up two cocktails at 30,000 feet. Bottoms up!
Pottery Barn Wireless Beanie Bluetooth Hat
$24.50
Earbuds are a must on the plane, but they can be a bit uncomfortable to sleep in when your head is mushed into a crappy travel pillow against the window. This wireless Bluetooth beanie is a smart solution, keeping your head warm and your music on without any tangled wires or sore ears. Perfect for when you’re out and about on those chilly winter days, too!
Baller on a budget (under $50)
Anker PowerCore 1000
$25.99
When you’re in a strange country, your phone is your map, camera, guidebook, dictionary, and emergency lifeline all in one. Having a portable charger on hand (especially one that’s lightweight!) is crucial. The Anker PowerCore 1000 is one of the best in the business—durable, fast-charging, compact, and compatible with both Apple and Android phones.
CALPAK Power Luggage Tags
$32
For those who spend their days waiting at the gate for the next flight, these luggage tags are changing the game. Not only do they look great and help you make a statement with your carry-on, you can use them to charge all your devices. Take charge with every flight, and at your destination, remove the tag and take it with you on your daily adventures!
Try The World Subscription Box
From $39/month
This is one for the armchair explorers. Try The World’s monthly subscription box delivers a curated collection of international goodies to your doorstep each month, so you can travel the world from your own kitchen. Each box focuses on a different country and includes ingredients, drinks, and snacks to help you create an authentic culinary experience at home.
SLIP Silk Sleepmask
$45
Frequent fliers who have trouble getting some shuteye on the plane will love this luxurious silk eye mask from SLIP. The mask’s high-grade mulberry silk ensures it won’t tug or pull at the delicate skin around your eyes and its thickness effectively blocks out light so you can easily drift off to sleep. Unlike cotton, silk doesn’t suck the moisture out of your skin, which helps guard against that dreaded airplane dryness.
CALPAK Packing Cubes (5-piece set)
$48
Packing cubes are the epitome of the perfect travel gift—they take up no space in a suitcase (in fact, they actually save you space), help you stay organized on the road, and make digging through your bag to find things less of a chore. You can even take them out of your suitcase and use them in the drawers at your hotel, if you want! It’s like unpacking without the hassle of actually unpacking. These CALPAK 5-piece sets come in a bunch of sweet prints, so you can feel stylish and organized. Win-win!
Elevenplus Bottle Humidifier Mini
$49
Air-conditioned hotel rooms can be dry as the desert, causing all sorts of annoyances from sore throats and static to dull skin and hair. This chic little humidifier is tiny but powerful, and a godsend while you’re abroad. It’s powered by USB, meaning you can plug it into your laptop or a compatible adapter and soak up that sweet, sweet moisture to your heart’s content. You can even use it on the flight for a quick hit of humidity on the go!
Würkin Stiffs Silicone Dopp Bag
$49.50
A modern twist on the traditional leather dopp kit, this silicone version is made to handle anything you throw at it. It’s leak-resistant inside and out, so if anything explodes during a flight, you won’t find it all over your clothes when you open your suitcase. The soft silicone material makes it a breeze to clean, and gives the kit a nice weight and texture.
More nice than naughty (under $100)
Fossil RFID Passport Case
From $55.00
Fossil is known for its quality accessories and these leather passport cases are no exception. Their design is simple and classic, and they’re lined with a special material to help protect the RFID chips in your cards from malicious scanning. With a variety of sleek, stylish looks to choose from and the option to personalize when you buy, these would make a great gift for any jet-setter.
TOMS Vegan Black Washed Canvas Women's Deconstructed Cupsole Alpargatas
$59
Sightseeing is a blast but all that walking can leave your feet feeling achy by the end of the day—a good pair of shoes can help with that. The best travel shoes are comfy, breathable, easy to slip on and off, and neutral enough to go with almost any outfit. These canvas alpargatas from TOMS fit the bill nicely.
LifeProof FRĒ Case
$79.99
We try to look after our phones but when you’re hopping from country to country, anything can happen. Help your clumsy traveler protect their precious baby from impact, water, dirt, and snow with this seriously tough smartphone case from LifeProof. (All that’s left to do is pray they don’t lose it.)
“OMG, you shouldn’t have!” gifts (under $200)
The Authority Pack Deluxe
$139
A quality, well-designed backpack is a travel must, especially if you carry your laptop with you. Timbuk2’s Uptown bag is the perfect carry-on for business babes and digital nomads, with lots of little pockets to hold your gadgets, a large main compartment for clothes and essentials, and a snug internal sleeve to keep your laptop safe. Plus, it opens up to lay flat, making airport security a breeze!
Kindle Paperwhite
$119.99
Books are lovely but they take up a whole lot of room in a suitcase, which is why e-readers are a traveler’s best friend. Kindle Paperwhite is a tried-and-true favorite with a high resolution display, built-in reading light, and a battery that can last a whole month on a single charge. Gift one to your traveling bookworm buddy and watch them get all starry-eyed at the thought of being able to carry 1,000 books around at the same time.
Lululemon All Day Tote Mini (Black)
$128
Lululemon is synonymous with trendy, minimalist athleisure wear and this tote stays true to form. Chic and versatile, you can carry this like a handbag or wear it cross-body with the long strap. It’s size is just right for an all-day bag—big enough to stuff in a light sweater and water bottle before heading out to explore, but not so big that it’s a pain to carry.
FUGOO Style-S Waterproof Speaker
$139.99
Bring the noise wherever you go with FUGOO’s rugged Bluetooth speaker. The STYLE-S delivers big, bold sound in a stylish, lightweight package. It’s durable canvas-style fabric is shockproof, mudproof, and waterproof, which makes it ideal for music-loving adventurers who like their parties outdoors. With several optional mounts to choose from, this speaker can go anywhere you can.
Parachute Merino Travel Kit
$169
Fashionable fliers and lovers of all things cozy will be ecstatic to receive this premium travel kit from Parachute. Consisting of an eye mask and a blanket bundled into a handy carrying case, this high-quality kit is made from extra fine merino wool for a luxurious, buttery feel and breathable warmth.
Tieks
From $175
These are not your grandma’s ballet flats. Tieks has reinvented the flat and made them stylish, durable, foldable, and—most importantly—comfortable. Each shoe is made from premium Italian leather and constructed with a unique cushioned split-sole that allows them to be folded in half and easily stuffed into a purse or suitcase. Perfect for women on the go!
For the “money is no object” crowd ($300+)
Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones II
$349.95
Crying babies? Snoring seatmate? These airplane annoyances are no match for Bose’s wireless noise-cancelling headphones. Engineered for style and comfort, these headphones are top-of-the-line, featuring a built-in Google Assistant who can play your music, receive texts, and answer your questions completely hands-free. Just put ‘em on and allow the outside world to melt away.
Henri Bendel West 57th Weekend Duffle
( This product is no longer available)
$498
This Henri Bendel duffle bag is the ideal carry-on for travelers who enjoy a little luxury. Made with 100% Saffiano leather and lined with satin, this bag is seriously pretty. Exterior and interior pockets provide space to store all your little necessities and the full zip closure with lock and key keeps everything secure. For that extra special touch, you can even have the bag monogrammed with your favourite traveler’s initials.
GoPro HERO6 Black
$499.99
GoPro has been the camera of choice for active and adventurous travelers for years, and the new HERO6 model is the best yet. With its brand-new GP1 chip, the HERO6 Black delivers top quality photos and video. It’s waterproof up to 33 feet and features hands-free voice control, superior stabilization, and slo-mo and night photo capabilities. With crazy good specs and portable appeal, the GoPro HERO6 Black is the perfect travel companion for anyone seeking a little adventure.
Courtnie is the founder & CEO of TravelBash. After years as an ambitious fundraiser, she took her passion for travel full-time. She has lived all over the U.S. and abroad and after planning her own destination wedding, she decided to help other couples plan their big day abroad too. She has written “Passport to Paradise: The Complete Destination Wedding Guide,” a top seller on Amazon. She has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Destination I Do and The Washington Post. As a certified travel advisor, expert event planner and natural connector, she uses her powers to create VIP travel experiences.
