Carli
Carli
With the holidays rapidly approaching it can be hard to find useful gifts that won’t end up in the donation bin. As a seasoned traveler, I have a list of gifts for travelers that the traveler in your life will actually use.
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10 Useful Gifts for Travelers
Neck pillow
One of the biggest challenges with traveling is getting enough sleep, especially when you have to travel long distances and having a good neck pillow is critical. They are a must have for long haul flights, but can be used for travel by train or bus as well.
A few key features you should look for are size, flexibility and overall comfort. Also, being machine washable is a major bonus as well.
The trtl pillow is another popular option. It felt too large for my smaller frame (I’m 5’ 2”) so I prefer the one above.
AirPods
Apple launched their newest version of their AirPods with a huge new feature that is a gamechanger for travelers: live translation. With translation mode, you’ll be able to get in the moment translation to better understand locals while traveling in foreign countries.
If you don’t want the AirPod Pro 3, you can also get the translation with the new AirPod 4 with noise cancellation.
Compression socks
I’m sure my dad will find it ironic after all the eyerolls I’ve given when he’s asked for socks for Christmas. But compression socks are not only important to help with circulation on long travel days, but they finally have socks that are 1) comfortable and 2) cute. No more looking like a grandpa or feeling like you’ve sausaged your legs into too tight socks.
Toiletry bag
This toiletry bag really takes the stress out of packing your toiletry items. They have two sizes, medium and large. For a frequent flier, get the large! It can hold everything you need from liquids and medicine to makeup all in one bag. I love mine so much I got the same thing for my mom so she would stop using gallon size ziplock bags (I wish that were a joke).
Waterproof sneakers
Living in the Pacific Northwest, rain and waterproof attire is part of the lifestyle. But having waterproof shoes is essential no matter the destination, because walking around in wet shoes for hours is truly miserable.
I’m a huge fan of Vessi shoes and have purchased two different styles of their sneakers. These shoes are legitimately waterproof, and comfortable enough to walk around for 20,000 steps a day. My favorite style is the Weekend.
Not sure which size or style your favorite traveler would wear? Grab a gift card instead and let them find their perfect fit.
Kindle
I used to be a physical book only person. And while I still enjoy reading an actual book, I am a true e-book convert. I purchased this as a present for myself in 2023 leading up to a 3 week trip across SE Asia and have not looked back.
A Kindle is a great present for someone who likes to travel and loves to read.
Do they already have a Kindle? Give them a subscription to Kindle Unlimited so they have access to millions of books on the go.
Airtags
Airtags are great gifts for people that travel a lot, and not just those that check a bag. Of course, these are particularly useful for having peace of mind that your suitcase makes it from A to B. And for the carryon only crowd, you never know when you’ll have to gate check a suitcase. You can also keep them in your handheld bag just in case they go wandering.
For the best price, grab a 4 pack and share them with the family.
Don’t have an IOS device? Try a SmartTag instead.
Mini fan
Not to be too hyperbolic, but traveling with a mini fan changed my life. These are fantastic low cost gifts for travelers, that also will not take up much space in their bags. Having a mini fan has saved me from having a major meltdown on a recent flight in the middle east that had no air conditioning during the boarding process.
If you’re looking for cheap travel gifts that are actually useful, get this mini fan. This portable fan is small enough to fit in any personal item or bag, plus it has a flashlight for added safety and can function as a portable charger as well.
Packing vacuum bags
These are not the vacuum seal bags of the past where you have to manually sit on the bag to push out all the air. Now, they come with a small, USB charged pump that does the work for you. This is packing made easy, especially for long trips, or cold weather trips where you have to pack so many bulky layers. These small bags will save you time and space re-packing your luggage when traveling.
Think they’ll prefer packing cubes? Try this top rated 8 piece packing cube set.
Travel Journal
Rounding out my list of gifts for travelers is a travel journal. A journal is an amazing way to reflect on their journeys beyond just posting on social media, and plan for their next adventure. There are different styles and brands available to find the perfect travel journal for the traveler in your life.
Additional travel tips and resources