The Best Gifts for Travelers

The holiday season will be here soon, and with it starts the special challenge of finding gifts for the frequent travelers on your list. Of course, every traveler has their own needs and preferences, so we’ve put together a guide for all types of wanderers. Here, you’ll find ideas for digital nomads, techies, business travelers, stylish jetsetters, comfort seekers, and more – all recommended by the experts at Travel + Leisure. As a frequent flier who falls into several of these groups, I’ve also included a selection of favorites I never leave home without, alongside deeply researched and T+L editor-recommended picks that will bring joy to their journey.

In this guide, you’ll find a thoughtful selection of gifts across all categories, from portable tech accessories to versatile luggage to in-flight upgrades. We’ve included must-pack items like travel adapters and collapsible water bottles, as well as personalized gifts like photo albums that document memories for a lifetime. Each product was chosen with a traveler’s needs in mind so you can feel good about giving something truly useful or meaningful. Whether they value comfort, staying connected, or unique experiences, this guide will make gift-giving a breeze.

For the Tech Lovers

Tech-savvy travelers can be especially tricky to shop for. While some enjoy collecting the latest in cutting-edge tech, others are all about the practical gadgets that will make their trips a bit simpler. Fortunately, we’ve pooled our own expertise to find gifts that cover both sides. If you’re really looking to impress a techie, Meta launched the Skyler smart glasses in collaboration with Ray-ban that are sure to impress. With AI built into the smart glasses, they’ll be able to ask for travel suggestions, translate a street sign, or even learn the history of a monument in real time.

That said, you don’t always have to spend hundreds to give them something fun or useful. A set of Apple AirTags is an easy crowd-pleaser that can keep everything from their keys to their wallet from being misplaced — especially if they’re particularly forgetful. And if they already have everything they need on the device front, this Bellroy Tech Kit can keep everything safe and tangle-free as they move between destinations. We also think anyone would appreciate the Twelve South Bluetooth Headphones Adapter that connects their Bluetooth headphones to the in-flight TV.

For the Overpackers

We all know someone who can’t leave home without their 12-step skincare routine or multiple bags of luggage for a weekend getaway. If they love to travel but have a tendency to overpack, we have useful gift ideas to ease their next trip, too – all based on our own experiences with carrying more than just the bare minimum. You can never go wrong with gifting packing cubes, and after putting several to the test in our own travels, we named this set of Veken packing cubes as our best overall choice for their value and durability.

For someone who’s always flirting with the 50-pound limit, a luggage scale is a must-have for avoiding extra fees. This under-$10 Travel Inspira scale is a great gift idea for any traveler, especially one who’s planning an extended trip. To save weight in a suitcase, skip the full-size beauty products and use this set of Ries toiletry bottles instead. Best of all, they are silicone-free and dishwasher-safe so you can clean and resuse them after every trip.

Another travel hack for our overpackers is to stash a spare tote in a suitcase for shopping done along the way. I’ve been traveling with Tumi’s Just In Case Tote (which folds up into a small square pouch) for more than five years now and it’s saved me on multiple occasions when I’ve run out of room mid-trip. We’re also fans of Packd Bags for shipping home dirty clothes and freeing up your luggage space.

For the Minimalists

On the opposite side are the travelers who’ve made an art out of carrying just the essentials. For these travelers, we have a list of gift ideas that prioritize reliability, simplicity, and function. In terms of luggage, this Samsonite Freeform Carry-on (the best one T+L editors have tried) is a great no-frills option. For a personal item, we recommend this Bellroy Lite Daypack for its spacious interior.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to leave out all sense of style or features. We think the minimalist traveler will also appreciate a trendy belt bag that keeps their hands free during excursions, such as the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag (it's been a constant companion for many of our own trips). And just in time for the gift season, Amazon released its newest Kindle Colorsoft with a color display that’s like having thousands of books in one small device. You also can’t go wrong with gifting this one-and-done travel-size skincare set from The Outset, which includes all a minimalist really needs like a facial cleanser, a serum, and a moisturizer.

For the Adventurers

Whether they’re a seasoned adventure traveler or just getting into the outdoors, their packing list is likely to look much different than when heading to a beach resort. Features like water resistance and fierce ruggedness are key for trips that include camping, trekking, and exposure to the elements. If you don’t count yourself as an adventurer, we have several ideas to help you nail the perfect gift and make their next excursion a bit more comfortable.

For one, a multi-tool is a must for someone spending extended time outdoors. After putting several to the test ourselves, the Leatherman Wave+ came out on top as our favorite. And of course, not just any clothing and gear will do. A sturdy backpack is essential for adventurers of all levels, as well as durable camping gear such as a Yeti tumbler. If you want to give them something they can use both at home and on the road, this warm yet lightweight Patagonia puffer jacket will come in handy time and time again. It’s the kind of gift they’ll be so thankful to always have on hand.

For the Business Travelers

With so many days spent in hotel rooms and airport lounges, the business travelers on your list will be thrilled to receive a gift that balances style with function, as well as anything that makes life on the road feel more like home. We’ve sorted through all our top picks, based on experts and our own experiences, to bring you the best business travel gifts that’ll optimize their packing space.

If they’re always on their phone, they’ll be sure to appreciate a portable charger when there’s nowhere to plug in their cord. Even if they have one already, this Anker 3-in-1 Portable iPhone Charger is the kind of gift that everyone could use a few of so a full battery is always within reach. Other failsafe gift ideas include this pair of Bose noise-canceling headphones to upgrade their flight or Zoom calls and Cuyana's leather tote bag that can go from terminal to client dinners. And if you want to surprise them with something they likely won’t have, we suggest checking out the iLive TechPage+ Smart Notebook that uses smart paper to turn their handwritten notes into digital files.

For the Stylish Jetsetters

While hopping between destinations can be exhausting for some, other travelers have a knack for looking fabulous at all times. Shopping for these stylish jetsetters can be a challenge when they already have such great taste, but there are plenty of gift ideas we think they’d be happy to include as part of their go-to travel accessories. Here you’ll find both essentials and comfort items that prioritize aesthetics in addition to function.

For those who love handbags, the T+L editors are fans of the MZ Wallace Metro Tote for its seemingly bottomless capacity. It’s an ideal companion for trips of all kinds and the quilted material feels light as air. Meanwhile, this Zestt Organics Dreamsoft Travel Scarf is a classic gift idea they can use to layer with that also doubles as a blanket on freezing flights. However, if you’re not sure of their fashion sense, this Leatherology Zip Sunglass Case that can house their current favorite shades is a good way to go. Other options for storage include Stoney Clover’s customizable travel pouches and a personalized jewelry case like this Mark & Graham mini travel-size one, which will keep their baubles safely stored.

For the Comfort Seekers

For comfort seekers who prioritize relaxation on every trip, the right travel accessories can make all the difference. Whether they want to make the journey more comfortable or the hotel room feel like home, these gift ideas can create a more soothing travel experience and help them unwind on arrival.

To level up the cozy factor of their next trip, look to classic comforts like this pack of two CozyChic Socks from Barefoot and a plush Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow. If they’re never caught without mascara, they’ll especially appreciate Slip’s contoured eye mask that pairs well with a luxury bathrobe. This Hydra-Gel Eye Patch Kit from Peter Thomas Roth is a fun gift idea that can help with hiding jet lag, even more so during or after a red-eye flight. If you’re shopping for someone serious about staying calm on the go, you’ll get extra points with Neom’s Wellbeing Pod Mini Essential Oil Diffuser that mists relaxing oils in any room. With these thoughtful gifts, travelers will be able to stay relaxed and rejuvenated no matter the stressors encountered along the way.

For the Digital Nomads

With the rise of remote work, an increasing number of people are embracing the digital nomad life. These globe-trotting professionals are all about versatility and flexibility, which will be key to choosing a gift they actually find useful. Whether it’s a piece of tech gear like the JBL Tour Pro 3 earbuds or the simplest travel essentials like this handy collapsible water bottle, you’ll want to consider items that are lightweight and easy to move around with. And if they can increase productivity, the digital nomad on your list will be all the more grateful. Fortunately, we’ve put together a few T+L-backed favorites to get the ideas flowing.

These gifts fall squarely into two camps: tech equipment and portable basics. If they spend a lot of time on their laptop in cafes, a portable monitor can be a game changer. To make the choice easy, we recommend the SideTrak Solo Pro with a touchscreen. The extremely portable Opal Tadpole webcam is another accessory that can upgrade a remote work setup by seriously improving video quality. If they’re less into the tech scene, other essentials that’ll come in handy include a fold-up tote like Baggu's Standard tote, which can serve as extra storage on the fly or as a grocery bag in their latest city.

For the Whole Family

For families who love to travel, we have thoughtful gift ideas everyone can enjoy. We’ve carefully curated items that work for all ages and bring the family together to create new memories. When traveling in groups, instant cameras and disposable cameras are a fun way to capture moments with a physical keepsake, and you can’t go wrong with the popular Fujifilm Instax Mini 12. Another group necessity is a travel-friendly tripod that lets the entire family squeeze in the same shot. Compact versions such as our pick, the Geometrical Pocket Pro, also double as a convenient phone stand when dining out with kids.

Aside from snapping photos together, activities are a great way to get the family involved. The Nintendo Switch Lite is easy to bring along on trips and can be a welcome reprieve for both kids and adults. Though it’s a bit of a splurge item, we also love the idea of a portable projector that’s easy to take on the road. This Anker Nebula Capsule Mini Projector makes it possible to have movie nights under the stars in the backyard or in a location far away. And how else will you remember these moments if not for a photo album? When you’re stuck for ideas, a personalized photo book like this Artifact Uprising Hardcover Book is a classic option that serves as a beautiful reminder of a special family trip.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Ashley Phillips is a T+L contributor with a decade of experience writing about lifestyle and gifts. She is a frequent traveler who splits her time between New York City and London and has visited more than 20 countries. For this story, she consulted T+L editors on the best gifts for travelers, in addition to heavily researching and leaning on her own experiences with airplane and train travel. She recommended a handful of gifts she personally owns, as well as a few on her own traveler’s wishlist.

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Edited by

Anna Popp