Securing a great gift for the person who seemingly has it all is tough, but what about a gift for the person who’s seen it all? Gifting a globetrotter who hops from country to country takes extra thought, but don’t fear: there are plenty of useful products that will surprise and delight even the most seasoned jet-setter. The best gifts for travelers combine style and substance, bringing ease to the chaos of travel while still feeling special enough to ensure that the receiver will be filled with warmth and gratitude every time they use it.
The best gifts for travelers combine style and substance, bringing ease to the chaos of travel while … [+] still feeling special.
From flight delays to long lines at customs, a thoughtful travel gift is more than just a solid suitcase—although one of those is never a bad idea. Any product that can make the most arduous journey more comfortable is sure to be appreciated by the adventurer in your life. So if there’s a frequent traveler you’ve been looking to spoil with that perfect gift, don’t be intimidated—we’ve got you covered. Read on for the best gifts for travelers, spanning across tech, luggage, accessories and more.
Best Accessory Gifts For Travelers
Frequent flyers swear by this Trtl travel pillow, including Forbes Vetted managing editor Emmy Favilla, who tells us she “lives and dies” by it. It’s lightweight and non-bulky, meaning you can easily slip it into a carry-on backpack, and it completely supports your head so that you don’t have to worry about neck strains, even in the middle seat. We named it one of our favorite neck pillows for travel, specifically calling out its padded neck brace, which feels like a comfortable fleece scarf.
A reliable luggage tag is one of the most useful gifts you can give a frequent traveler on your list—it allows them to ensure their luggage is always identifiable as theirs while still displaying a bit of fun and personality. Classic and durable, this luggage tag from Mark and Graham is the perfect combination of craftsmanship and functionality. Made from pebbled leather in the United States, it’s a high-quality gift that is sure to last. We named it one of the best luggage tags out there, noting the ability to personalize it with up to 14 letters or numbers makes it a fantastic gift.
Staying hydrated on any trip is key, and this water filter bottle from LifeStraw ensures that travelers can safely drink water anywhere in the world. Trusted by hikers and outdoor adventurers, the brand’s Go Series bottle filters out contaminants using a micro-filter that weeds out bacteria, parasites, micro-plastics and dirt while also improving overall taste. It’s a thoughtful gift for backpackers or travelers who may find themselves in parts of the world with compromised water filtration systems.
The gift of sleep on a transatlantic flight (especially in economy) is the greatest gift of all, and having the right kind of eye mask will help get the job done. This sleep mask has circular eye cushions that will block out the cabin lights, so travelers can snooze in peace (until they start serving breakfast).
This Smythson beauty roll is the perfect combination of a luxurious, well-crafted gift that is also sure to be useful on any kind of trip. “My first boss gave me this jewelry roll with my initials engraved on it, and it has gone everywhere with me,” says Forbes Vetted senior beauty editor Jane Sung. “With three zippered pockets and little ring and earring holders, it’s so practical for storing delicate jewelry or other tiny travel essentials. I especially like that it’s soft leather and rolls up instead of a being a hard case that ends up feeling less packable.”
For long-haul flyers, a good pair of compression socks improves blood flow and increases circulation in the legs so that travelers can avoid swelling. This 3-pack from Comrad is a celebrity favorite that can be easily packed for any trip. Most of all, it adds a dash of style to a not-so-sexy item.
Best Luggage Gifts For Travelers
For the traveler who hops from flight to flight, there’s no better calling card than a Rimowa suitcase. The brand is known globally for craftsmanship and innovation, and their classic design is instantly recognizable in any airport. The brand’s Essential line is a great entry point for securing a lightweight carry-on of top quality. If you’re really looking to impress the traveler in your life, it’s absolutely worth the investment.
If you’re looking to impress a business traveler, we’re a fan of Carl Friedrik’s Carry-On Pro, which brings an elevated level of elegance to everyday luggage. Alongside a front laptop compartment, it features a beautiful top leather strap that wraps around to cover the side handle as well as whisper-quiet Japanese wheels. It’s perfect for someone who consistently hops from the airport runway to the boardroom.
Named our top pick for best weekender bags, this sophisticated bag is the perfect gift for loved ones who take frequent short trips. It can easily fit up to three days’ worth of clothing and features a trusted zip top and full bottom compartment that separates your shoes and toiletries. It also features a Velcro-lined laptop sleeve inside.
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For travelers who carry a laptop with them at all times, this 15-inch laptop Calpak backpack is a great combination of comfort and style. “I always bring this backpack with me whether I’m going on a weekend trip or using it as a personal item on a plane,” says Forbes Vetted senior deals editor Kara Cuzzone. “It fits a ton of stuff, yet never feels bulky thanks to multiple organizational pockets. The scratch-resistant material is also easy to wipe clean, so it always looks great in addition to being super functional.”
Fanny packs have never been more stylish—and yes, they also happen to make a great gift. Dagne Dover, known for their supremely comfortable and functional bags, perfected the casual day bag with this smart fanny pack. “I always bring this with me when I travel,” says Forbes Vetted commerce editor Katherine Louie. “It fits everything I need for travel days.”
Best Toiletry Gifts For Travelers
Yes, hand sanitizer can be giftable. Case in point? This rinse-free, travel-size hand wash from beloved luxury fragrance Aesop. It’s hard to find a hand sanitizer that doesn’t smell like alcohol, so this one is sure to be appreciated on grimey travel days.
Being up in the air so often can dry out your skin, but this salve from Summer Fridays promises to keep your face soft and hydrated even on the longest of flights. It’s versatile, too. “I use it as a moisturizer, under-eye cream, hand cream and overnight mask,” says commerce editor Katherine Louie. “It cuts down on the amount of skincare I have to pack.”
Being on the road constantly doesn’t mean forgoing a nightly skincare routine. The skincare obsessive on your list is sure to appreciate this travel-sized kit from well-loved brand Sunday Riley, which features a Luna Sleeping Night Oil alongside the brand’s High-Dose Retinoid Serum. Both work to clear fine lines, blemishes and pores, no matter where in the world they might be.
Best Tech Gifts For Travelers
As anyone who has flown long-haul next to a crying baby can attest, a solid pair of noise-canceling headphones is a top-tier travel gift. We love the ultra clear sound quality of Bowers and Wilkins’ Px8 pair, which has over 30 hours of battery life, perfect for even the longest of flights. It doesn’t hurt that this is one of the best-looking pairs of headphones we’ve seen, with soft leather and woven fabric giving it an elegant and refined look that is makes it ready for it’s close-up (in business class).
Remember ear buds with wires? On many airplanes, they’re still thriving. Unfortunately, the in-flight headphones given to you upon seating tend to anything but comfortable—and depending on your airline, they’re not always free of charge. This handy bluetooth transmitter allows travelers to hear any audio on an in-flight entertainment system through their AirPods, removing the need for old-school ear buds. All you do is plug it into the seatback screen and connect to the Bluetooth.
Whether they’re skydiving, zip-lining, or scuba diving, an adventurous traveler will want to remember it all, and there’s no better way to do so than with a GoPro on hand. We love the waterproof Hero 12, which captures professional-looking 5.3K video and easy-to-use tools, making it perfect for filming even the wildest of stunts.
These days, it’s imperative to make sure your tech is always juiced up, and this handy 2-in-1 portable power bank from trusted brand OtterBox can charge two products at once while also working as an upright stand. Forbes Vetted deputy editor Dave Johnson says he “highly recommends” it. “It charges an iPhone and Apple watch via its built-in battery or the wall,” he says. “Plus, it folds up compactly for travel.”
Sometimes, even with all the in-flight movies available, you just want to watch your favorite television shows on your phone. That’s where this lightweight phone holder mount comes in. It features 360-degree rotation and is compatible with a number of phone sizes.
Named one of our best luggage trackers, the Apple AirTag can help track down any errant luggage (or wallet, or smartphone) on an upcoming trip. Lightweight and easy to use, it will track down valuables by phone once it’s placed in a bag or suitcase. In the current era of airline travel, it is sure to be a stress-reliever for the frequent flyer in your life.
Best Apparel Gifts For Travelers
Finding the right airplane wardrobe is a never ending quest, but female-founded apparel company Aday might have found a key piece of the perfect airplane outfit with their Turn It Up Pants. Soft, comfortable and elegant, the cult favorite pant is comfy enough to wear on a long-haul, but chic enough to go straight to wear to a nice restaurant upon landing. It’s a great gift for frequent travelers who don’t want to compromise style for comfort while traveling.
This zip-up sweater by one of our favorite travel apparel brands, Ministry of Supply, is soft, stretchy and breathable. It naturally mitigates heat and odor through its use of hygroscopic yarn, making it a perfect layer to keep your loved one feeling fresh on a long day of travel.
We also love Ministry of Supply’s elevated take on the classic button-down, the AeroZero dress shirt. Much like the Atlas zip-up, it makes an excellent travel gift particularly due to its material, which is incredibly stretchy and completely wrinkle-resistant. Business travelers will fall in love with it for its perfect mix of athleisure and professional wear. Women’s sizes are also available.
Soft, breathable, moisture-wicking and odor resistant, frequent travelers swear by a good pair of Allbirds for travel days. Along with being comfortable for walking in, the brand’s Wool Runners also offer extra warmth. Better yet, they are versatile enough to act as both a running sneaker and a professional-looking shoe to pair with slacks.
