The 60 Best Gifts for Travelers
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The best travel gifts are practical yet ever so slightly luxurious. The aim is to buy the globe-trotter in your life something they’ve long coveted yet delayed purchasing for themselves because they’ve been busy saving up for their next trip. For example, a sensory-deprivationairplane pillowfor long-haul fliers, the world’s smallestBananagramsset, or a powerful yet packable charging brick they’ll wonder how they ever lived without. For all the suggestions below, I’ve personally tested these products myself and cross-checked them with fellow Strategist staffers, flight attendants, travel agents, and other credit-card-point-accruing experts. Some more ideas include a Patagonia backpack that’s perfectly sized to slide under a plane seat, an electric toothbrush that can go a month without needing to be recharged, and melatonin powder that actually tastes good and will help them snooze through an economy-class red-eye.
It’sgifting seasonhere at the Strategist, so please do check out the rest of our guides, including thebest gifts under $50, thebest gifts for husbands, and thebest tech gifts that’ll make their lives easier. If you’re looking for more gift ideas for frequent travelers specifically, it’s also worth checking out my “Strategist Travel 100” grid of the most useful products for all sorts of trips.
For the traveler who already tried the Trtl
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Coop Sleep Goods AirJustable Travel Neck Pillow
If ourbest overall travel pillowdidn’t work for them, I also like this squishier option from Coop. A hidden hand-pump button adjusts it to your desired thickness.
For the traveler who avoids paying for hotel laundry service
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Strategist junior writer Bella Druckmanlikes to throwone of these perfumed pouches into her suitcase to keep everything smelling fresh.
For the traveler who fears getting sick while taking PTO
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A nourishing sanitizer gel that won’t trigger Purell pandemic flashbacks.
For the traveler with a flexible definition of “work from home”
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This portable internet puck will let them join Zoom meetings from 140 countries.
For the traveler whoneverworks from home
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If they’re frequently flying between cities for meetings, here’s a sleek laptop backpack that can slip over the handle of their carry-on luggage. It’s a favorite of model and frequent travelerTaylor Hill.
For the traveler who always suggests a day hike
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Mystery Ranch makesthe best packable backpack, with comfortable padded straps and a water-bottle holder. The whole thing folds into a lightweight rectangular pouch.
For the traveler who always suggests a three-day hike
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Stategist associate editor Jeremy Rellosa hasbackpacked everywhere from Patagonia to Nepaland swears by his LifeStraw to keep him hydrated. You can fill it up from any stream or pond, and the filter inside cleans out pollutants.
For the traveler who prefers indoor activities
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For the traveler who has blackout curtains at home
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Feel free to write in the card that Sabrina Carpenterwears the same sleep maskwhen she’s resting between tour stops.
For the traveler with a checkered TSA history
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If they’ve had their liquids and gels confiscated a few too many times, it’s time to start usingrefillable travel containers.
For the traveler who can’t be bothered to refill things
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Jessica WrightofBon Travelerpurchases this Kyoto travel kit on a yearly basis. “I can take it off the shelf and have everything I need,” she explains. “It all fits in this small, flat case. When I’m really traveling light, I just bring the set and don’t fuss.”
For the traveler with lost-luggage paranoia
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Knog’s luggage locator works like an AirTag but will attach more easily to the handle of their bag.
For the traveler with shampoo-leak paranoia
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A water-resistant toiletries bag that packs flat and comes in many appealing colors.
For the traveler who just booked their honeymoon
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Free all those once-in-a-lifetime trip photos from their phone.
For the traveler who just booked a big family trip
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A monogrammable bag that’ll last for generations and is ideal fortraveling with kids.
Read more:What Luggage Should I Buy for My Kids?
For the traveler who has yet to find their perfect personal-item bag
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WriterErika Veurinksays they need look no further than this one, which is “comically large” yet somehow still slides underneath the seat on every flight. There’s also a discreet luggage sleeve on the back so they can more easily balance the bag on top of theircarry-on.
For the traveler who just uses their purse
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Now they can strap it to their suitcase for easy airport maneuvering.
For the traveler who prefers an underseat backpack
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A zip-around backpack that opens up like a suitcase and is ideal for traveling personal-item-only.
For the traveler with a tightly curated airport playlist
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Bose makes noise-canceling headphones so good they’ll have to take them off to hear any cabin announcements.
For the traveler who doesn’t mind watchingDune: Part Twoon a tiny screen
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This life-changing adapter will wirelessly connect any Bluetooth headphones to the plane’s entertainment system. Save them from watching a Christopher Nolan movie while wearing tinny airline earbuds they probably had to pay extra for.
For the traveler who doesn’t want to pack yet another device
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JBL’s earbuds connect directly to in-flight entertainment systems without having to use an AirFly.
For the traveler who wants to pack every conceivable device
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Strategist senior writer Michael Zhao saysthis tiny brick— barely bigger than an AirPods Pro case — can charge laptops as well as phones, tablets, and cameras. And it comes with adapters for different outlets around the world.
For the traveler who just watches shows on their phone
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Abendy foam phone standthat weighs practically nothing and can be contorted into any shape.
For the traveler who just watches the flight map in silence
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Loop’s Quiet series earplugs will let them raw dog in peace. You can personalize the case with a message or your gift recipient’s name.
For the traveler with an ambitious beach reading list
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They may be delusional, but you can still try to save them some luggage weight.
For the traveler who would rather read magazines or comics
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Our tech writer Jordan McMahonrecommends a Kobofor people who prefer to see colors on their e-reader screen but still desire better battery life than an iPad has.
For the traveler who is more into crosswords
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Remembering to download them before a flight is a pain, so here’s a paperback-size, Will Shortz–approved compendium.
For the traveler whose skin-care routine never takes a vacation
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Writer Natalie So says thesepackable cleansing cloths, which expand when you put them in water, are compact and easy to throw into a toiletry kit. “There are other less expensive brands that make similar products,” she adds, “but these are particularly sturdy and large.”
For the traveler whose makeup routine never takes a vacation
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Strategist writer Kitty Guo says thisteeny towerof highlighter, concealer, eyeshadow, and cheek color saves her from having to pack a bunch of full-size products.
For the traveler who takes red-eye flights to save $30
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Moon Juice’s sleep-inducing single-serve melatonin and magnesium drink mixes taste much better than the tablets they buy in bulk from CVS.
For the traveler who keeps forgetting their toothbrush
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They can keep this colorful kit in their suitcase so it’s always ready to go. Highly recommended for design-minded people who are also fussy about their bristles.
For the traveler who keeps forgetting their electric toothbrush
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I’ve tried many different electric toothbrushes, and this USB-C one is the most convenient for travel. It can vibrate away for a full month without the need to recharge and has an unusually slim case.
For the traveler who brings home liquid souvenirs
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Whether they’re headed to Portugal or the Napa Valley, a VinGardeValise case is the best way to transport precious bottles. The foam inserts are removable so they can still pack some clothing into it.
For the traveler who vacations off-season
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Most “travel umbrellas” arenottravel size. But Davek’s mini can literally be stashed anywhere and comes with a lifetime free repair or replacement guarantee.
Read more:I Keep This Mini-Umbrella on My Person at All Times
For the traveler who vacations during peak season
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The fan that kept writer Annachiara Barretto-Grignoli cool on101-degree days in Milan.
For the traveler who’s getting into packing cubes
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Upgrade them to a compression set from Thule and their suitcase will be even more organized.
Read more:The Very Best Packing Cubes
For the traveler who’s getting over packing cubes
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If they’re sick of having to unpack then repack their cubes, Solgaard’s carry-on closet offers an ingenious solution.
For the traveler going on their first big overseas trip …
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A modular backpack designed for monthslong adventures, with a detachable top that can be used as a cross-body sling.
… and is about to get really sick of hostels
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If they’re staying in budget accommodations, they’ll need their own towel. This is one of the only microfiber ones I’ve tried that doesn’t feel sort ofcrispyagainst the skin.Plus, there are loads of cute colors and designs to choose from.
For the traveler who loves their Away suitcase
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Get them this matching miniature one in a limited-edition color.
For the traveler who loves their Rimowa suitcase
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Get them a new set of tires so they can show off even more.
For the traveler who likes to sample the local takeout options
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A pair of collapsible chopsticks from Snow Peak that’ll make even airport food taste better.
For the traveler who likes to shop at the local market
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Peak Design’s packable tote is more structured than most and, crucially, features a zipper.
For the traveler who still demands comfort in economy class
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Bombas makes our favoritecompression socks, and its gripper slippers are much cozier than those flimsy hotel ones.
For the traveler going straight to a meeting from the airport
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A miniature Kiehl’s treatment to wake up their complexion a bit.
Read more:The Best, Most Surprising Travel Minis
For the traveler who misses their local café when they’re away
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These single-serve packets don’t require a whisk.
For the traveler who misses their Moccamaster when they’re away
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This, the world’s smallest collapsible dripper, is a staple amongcoffee-loving bikepackers.
For the traveler who just needs their caffeine as quickly as possible
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They need only squeeze this (surprisingly artisanal-tasting) bean paste into hot water and stir.
For the traveler who’s taking their yearly shopping trip to Japan
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Samsonite’s miniature luggage scale is highly accurate and simple to use. And unlike the no-brand electronic ones that proliferate on Amazon, it doesn’t require batteries.
For the traveler who’s going sloth-spotting in South America
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Nocs makes lightweight and very backpack-friendly binoculars that are coated in silicone and don’t need to be kept in a bulky case.
For the traveler who’s going ocean swimming in Hawaii
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A floating phone case so they can take photos (and even respond to texts) while snorkeling.
For the traveler who just bought a Eurail pass
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Mark Smith, founder of legendary online rail-travel guideThe Man From Seat 61, has been using his convertible Eagle Creek duffel for the past 15 years. It can either be worn as a backpack (useful when encountering train-station stairs) or rolled along on its two sturdy recessed wheels.
For the traveler with six destination weddings lined up for next year
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Conair’s travel steamer has the useful feature of working with 120-volt U.S. outlets and the 220-volt outlets that are more common worldwide. Strategist writer Erin Schwartzsays it heats upin about 36 seconds and emits a fine, gauzy hiss of steam that unwrinkled a pair of wool pants easily.
For the traveler who was pickpocketed last time they went to Paris
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Topologie’s customizable bags look cool and keep essentials close. Just note that you have to purchase the strap separately.
For the traveler flying to Australia
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Pluto Pod 2.0
Anybody with a long-haul economy-class flight coming up would be grateful to try out the latest intravel-pillowtech, and that would be the futuristic Pluto Pod, which is basically a portable sensory-deprivation chamber.
For the traveler with a Contax
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Everyone’s taking a film camera abroad these days, but airport scanners can ruin those precious (and expensive) Portra prints. This lead-lined case will protect up to nine rolls of 35-mm. film from X-ray damage.
For the traveler with a smartphone addiction
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Camp Snap’s screen-free digital camera willhelp them unplugwhile still creating images they can look back on later.
For the traveler with a smartphone addiction they have no intention of giving up
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Fair enough — get them anultraslim chargerso they don’t have to go back to the hotel for more power.
For the traveler who takes the MTA to JFK
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There’s nothing wrong with taking the subway to the airport, but they still might appreciate this treat.
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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
