This is one of my favorite topics. I absolutely love scouring for the best travel gifts for friends, family, and my college kids. Finding those great products to make their lives easier, save space, help them sleep, keep them safe – it is just so satisflying! (That was a typo, but I decided to leave it – new word!)
In full disclosure, my husband works for an airline, and we travel a LOT. Before I met him, I traveled internationally 6-8 times a year for my job. I’m a million-miler, and I’ve raised my kids to travel since before they could walk. So while I’m a dorm shopping expert by day, I’m always planning our next trip in another browser window!
The list of ideas below was curated with all travelers in mind. Whether traveling domestically or internationally, or you’re shopping for seasoned adults or even college students heading to study abroad, we tried to cover all the bases.
As you go through this list, you’ll see many helpful items under $5 or $10. Those would make great stocking stuffers at the holidays, or put a few together for a travel gift basket.
Our travel gift guide is separated into the following sections:
Full-Sized Hanging Toiletry Organizer – This holds a ton and is best for longer trips and checked bags. Also comes with a separate, clear, thick, TSA-approved zippered plastic bag for shorter carry-on trips.
Travel Jewelry Organizer – 5 compartments, ring bars, and trifold design provide easy access and folds flat.
Compression Packing Cubes – I’ve become a huge fan of packing cubes. Whether I use them to keep outfits together (because I can’t remember my plan!) or just to get everything inside a cube to make closing the suitcase easier, they are super helpful for organization and space-saving.
Collapsible-Expandable Laundry Bag – Folds flat or expands as you add laundry, holding up to a week’s worth of clothes. It is machine washable itself.
Luggage Set – There are so many options out there, but I recommend sticking with quality brands like Samsonite. I can also personally recommend Travelpro Luggage, where the best price is usually at Macy’s.
Folding Luggage Rack – Get your suitcase up off the floor while you’re packing and then keep this little helper in your guest room year-round.
Trolley Sleeve Personal Bag – I love trolley sleeves that slide down over your suitcase’s handles. This one combines extra packing space with a laptop bag. You can also find some backpacks with trolley sleeves.
Brightly Colored Luggage Tags – Make your luggage stand out on the carousel or help the hotel bellman figure out which bags are yours.
Apple AirTags (if you are an iPhone user) in each bag and in your wallet/purse, and be able to locate your bags yourself. AirTags have saved the day for many whose airlines lose track of their bags.
Travel Venus Razor – I snagged one of these as a bonus in a razor blade refill years ago. The smaller size is nice, but I especially love the case that keeps the blades contained and protected.
Manicure Set – For men or women, it is nice to have small scissors, nail clippers, tweezers, and a file with you.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Essentials – 4 travel-sized essentials for eyes and face.
Travel Duffle Bag – I have this and love it. Also comes with the trolley sleeve!
6-in-1 International Plug Adapter – This is such a thoughtfully designed device and one of the best travel gifts for international travel. No losing connectors or adapters, it works in the US too, to give you extra charging and USB when you need it. This is a must-have gift for any traveler!
Zippered RFID Passport Organizer – If you’re traveling with your family, keep all passports in one organizer, along with any travel documentation or receipts you may need. I’ve been using this for our family’s trips for at least 15 years. I recommend a color other than the interior of your travel bag. Mine is black, and I often have to dig for it because it blends in too much!
Dual-Voltage Hair Styler – I’ve melted a curling iron overseas, so I’m here to tell you that it does not matter if you put a US-rated hair styler on a converter; it will still be too hot! Go with a dual-voltage hair styler, or, for more extended stays, you may want to buy an appliance once you get overseas.
Brita Filtered Water Bottle – Bring a bottle for your trip overseas if you’re not sure you want to drink the tap water. If you’ll be staying for a while, bring an extra filter or two – they last about 2 months.
Medicine/First Aid Kit – If you get a little sniffle or upset stomach when you’re overseas, it can be tough to find the right remedies at a local market. Your best bet will be to carry a few of your go-to OTC meds with you. Bring pain relievers, antacids, cold meds, antibiotic ointment, a few Band-Aids, whatever you think you may need.
Travel Pillow – If you don’t have a window seat and a pillow, you’ll want one for overnight travel or nap time.
Travel Blanket – Clips to your bag or has a trolley sleeve to connect to your carry-on luggage: machine washable and OEKO-TEX® certified.
Weighted Blackout Eye Mask – What a brilliant invention!
Bluetooth Headphone Adapter – Those airplane-provided headphones are ok, but they can get uncomfortable after a few hours. If you want to use your own headphones to watch airline-provided content on the in-seat video screen, you can use this adapter to connect your headphones to the in-seat video. This adapter lets you connect two sets of headphones so you can watch the same show with your travel companion.
Portable Phone Holder – If you’ve downloaded shows to your own device, use this to hold your phone to watch shows and movies on an airplane. You can also use it as a desktop phone holder, a kitchen phone stand, or anywhere else you can clip this device to hold your phone.
e.l.f Jet Set Hydration Kit – If you pack your toiletries in your checked bag, keep this little carry-on-friendly bag in your travel bag and freshen up without digging through your suitcase.
Slides or Slippers – Staying in a space with others, bring slippers to walk around common areas and bathrooms.
Bathrobe – For the same reasons above, you may want to consider bringing a lightweight bathrobe.
Poo-Pourri On The Go – If you’re sharing a bathroom with others, why not leave this for everyone to use?
Chip Clips – Use a couple of the 6″ clips to keep curtains shut and keep the sun from streaming in the room. You can also use pants hangers if you’re in a hotel that provides these in the closet.
Stain Remover – Seems simple, but having a Tide To Go Pen with you can save your favorite clothes if you have to wait a while before they can be laundered. Do not expect to find Tide To Go Pen easily overseas!
Travel-Size Wrinkle Release Spray – Hate ironing or have delicate clothes? Spray a little wrinkle-release spray, then hang the garment in the bathroom while you shower for added steam.
Download a White Noise App – Block out loud hallway talkers, street noise, and obnoxious neighbors blaring the TV with an app on your phone. I use the one linked here; it is free. You can make it into a clock overnight, too, since clocks aren’t a standard hotel feature these days. I like the Airplane Cabin white noise. Also, set the fan on the thermostat to ON instead of AUTO. This will keep the white noise running all night while you’re trying to sleep. It can be helpful during the daytime too to block out neighbors and street traffic.
Portable Door & Window Alarms – If you have any concerns about the area where you are staying, you can utilize these portable door or window alarms, which are set up with simple double-sided tape and are easily removable at the end of your stay.
Portable Phone Charger – One of the smallest but still powerful (10,000mAh) to charge your phone several times. The digital readout that shows how much battery remains in the charger is so important! Be sure to compare the mAh (battery capacity) if looking at other models. This one really is amazing for the size and price.
She’s Birdie Personal Alarm – A personal alarm on your keychain or attached to your bag is an excellent idea, whether you’re in your hometown or halfway around the world.
Belt Bag – A Lululemon belt bag is so popular and also a good option when traveling to keep the bag securely to your body. The 1L is linked here, but I use the 2L belt bag, which works better for a wallet, glasses case, lip balm, and random other items.
Front Pocket Wallet – I wasn’t even familiar with these until I went to Barcelona last year. We met some Americans on the first day who walked up and warned my husband to keep his wallet in his front pocket or in my bag. This gentleman’s friend had just had his wallet lifted while sitting on a barstool in a not very busy outdoor area. The friend did not notice at all until it was time to pay the bill.
Champion Packable Rain Jacket – This unisex design folds into a pocket for easy carrying and packing.
Travel Windproof Umbrella – Stay away from the off-brands and stay with the known names so that you don’t end up holding a broken umbrella on a super rainy day, far from home!
Packable Puffer Jacket or Vest – This is one of the best and most affordable brands for puffer jackets (and base layer clothing, too). I own a couple of jackets and several vests and can attest that you can roll them into fractions of their original size to fit into any bag.
Packable Beach/Grocery Bag – If you need a washable, packable, foldable bag that works for the beach or a grocery run, this one won’t take up space in the suitcase when not in use.
Pocket-Sized Poo-Pourri – Drop it in your crossbody bag or backpack. Want a more masculine look/scent?
Gold Going Places Globe Necklace – A sweet gift for someone heading on a long-distance trip.
Rechargeable LED Pocket Mirror – Small and flat, fitting in almost any bag.
Vegan Leather Travel Journal – 5″x7″ journal with classic cover, 176 pages, back pocket to hold tickets and flat items, elastic enclosure. Bring your own pen!
Travel Photo Book – Take your best photos and create a keepsake book to document your trip. Add captions, journal entries, stickers, graphics. Send one to your travel companions, too!
Shadow Box – For those big trips and to preserve your souvenirs, a shadow box is a great way to display your memories and local finds.
In addition to some of the best travel gifts above, I also wanted to add just a few travel tips that came to mind as I was putting this list together:
I hope this travel gift guide has given you some ideas to help you surprise and delight someone with the perfect gift for travel!
If you have other tried-and-true suggestions, please let us know in the comments!
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