There may be affiliate links in this post. Read my disclosure policy to learn more.
Travel Gift List
Are you looking for a gift for an avid traveler in your life? Not sure what to buy?
This is not your average gift list. Every item on this list has been used for more than 5 years on more than 26 different trips. These are real deal value!
Here is a list of gifts that any traveler would love. Whether they need gifts for train travel, air travel, or car travel you can find something that will work here. They have been vetted by our family and they are all things we truly enjoy and know that others would enjoy as well! In other words, we use each and everyone one of these items and prefer them over anything else!
The Best of the Basics
Veegul backpack
If you have read this blog before you know that I am passionately in love with this backpack! It is so well constructed, can be toted or worn as a backpack, and is the perfect size for a personal item on most flights. This means you can carry this and have a carry-on suitcase as well. It has been on a dozen or more trips and is still in perfect condition. It even survived the great sweet potato casserole incident of 2019 and I found out it hand washes like a dream. Plus it comes in tons of different colors!
If that one is unavailable, this the next best thing!
- Work Travel Backpack Material:Stylish backpack made of eco-friendly waterproof canvas, soft and fashionable, classic and minimalist design really stands out...
- Multi-function Backpack:2 big front zipper pocket , 2 inner small pockets ,2 side pockets， Easy access doctor bag-style opening , Spacious Backpack with...
- CONVENIENT USB PORT DESIGN：Built-in detachable USB cable design, great convenience for charging your electronic devices via connecting your own power bank....
Great for anyone who flies a lot and likes great quality backpacks!
Cateep Travel Laptop Bag
- Roomy and Efficient-- It has extra zipper compresses pack, so that you can pack your extra item. It meets all of the requirements to travel on an aircraft, and...
- USB Charging Port -- Offering you a more convenient way to charge your electronic device during your trip(Power Bank not included
- Multiple Carrying Way --Use as a daily backpack, a flight approved carry on bag or attach this bag on the luggage for hands free: a strap at back allows...
This is my boys’ carry-on backpack that we can’t live without. It has lots of pockets to store their treasures. It expands to hold more when we need it to and carries i-Pads safely due to the padding. The best part is that it has a dedicated spot for power banks so that we can keep the kids charged up on the go.
Great for kids and teenagers who are rough on their stuff and need to stay charged on the go!
Brightly Colored Carry-on Suitcase
- The suitcase benefits hugely from its ABS+PC hard plastic shell. it goes through insanely strict quality control test standards, creating strong and sturdy...
- 2-year warranty. With the included TSA lock, you can make sure your valuables are secure and safe.
- Quiet airplane spinner wheels and an adjustable 3-level 100%pure aluminum telescoping handle allow you to quickly maneuver in tight spaces and it’s sturdier...
We love these brightly colored suitcases! They are sized right for most airline carry-on, the wheels work wonderfully, and the handle is adjustable, so it’s easy for kids and adults to wheel. We also love that we can always find them if we decide to check them! Hardcase suitcases also allow your belongings to stay safe during transit.
Great for people who travel light and often. These guys are long-lasting and roomy!
The Very Best Travel Pillows
The Trtl pillow
- Scientifically Proven Neck Pillows For Travel: Thanks to our unique, patented design, you can easily adjust your Trtl travel neck pillow to achieve top-level...
- Enjoy a Real Sleeping Experience on Long Flights: Add our neck pillow to your long flight essentials’ list to experience a deep sleep during lengthy flights....
- Lightweight and Compact Design: Weighing in at only 4.5oz, The Trtl Travel Pillow's lightweight design allows you to attach it to the outside of your backpack...
My sister gave me this pillow for my birthday a number of years ago, and it has quickly become a staple for my husband! You read that right! My husband claimed it as his after our first flight with it. (I was okay with that because I really am partial to the next pillow on the list.) He slips it into his carry-on for every flight and generally has it on before we even take off! This pillow wraps around your neck and has a flexible insert that helps cradle your chin so you can sleep upright.
Great for light packers and people who get middle-row seats!
The J pillow
- PROVIDES CHIN & NECK SUPPORT FOR ULTIMATE COMFORT - The J-Pillow It supports your neck and keeps head elevated in perfect position for restful sleep it is the...
- SOFT FABRIC FOR MAXIMUM COMFORT - J-pillow travel pillow is a patented design for maximal comfort for sleeping on the plane with our neck pillow meant for...
- EASY TO CARRY & STORE IN CARRY BAG - The J Pillow also comes with a travel bag to take it on the go without having to fit it in your carry on.
This is my personal favorite pillow! I don’t ever travel without it. I use it in the car and on flights, and I don’t know how I ever lived without it. The long arm goes in the crook of your neck and cradles your head while the other flaps rest against your shoulder and head. I lost mine while in a lounge in the Vancouver airport and was so sad, but I ordered a new one as soon as I got home.
Great for people who like to lean up against a window to sleep.
Gifts to Make the Journey Easier
Beats
These noise-cancelling headphones are dearly loved by my boys. They use them on long car trips to watch their own movies and listen to their own music. I love them because the noise-cancelling effect keeps arguments about whose music is too loud to a minimum. They are also super well made. They get tossed into carry-ons, backpacks, you name it. They are still going strong years later!
Great for kids who want to look cool and parents who want to keep arguments to a minimum!
Compression Socks
- GOOD QUALITY COMPRESSION SOCKS: We have carefully selected nylon materials with good elasticity and wrapping properties to make these cute women compression...
- PROVIED SUPPORT AND PROTECTION: We use the scientific progressive compression technology to produce these fun compression socks, for your leg to provide...
- CUTE FUN DESIGN: We have different styles of colorful and solid color compression socks for men and cute compression socks for women. These compression socks...
These are a must-have for long-haul flights! No one likes swollen ankles, and this helps protect you against travel blood clots. If you have to wear them they might as well be cute too! I put mine on just before leaving for the airport and have had so much less swelling than I did before I used them.
Great for pregnant women or anyone who gets swollen ankles when flying!
Slip on Booties
I hate wearing shoes on flights! I feel like I cannot get comfortable with my shoes on, and after I put on my compression socks, I don’t want to walk around in stocking feet on an airplane. These are the best thing to slip on when you need to visit the restroom or just stretch your legs. They fold up to the size of a pair of socks and are so comfortable.
They are useful beyond the airplane too! They are great if you want to use them to walk around your hotel, and they can double as water shoes because they are breathable mesh.
Great for anyone and everyone!
Passport Cover
I used to think, “Why would anyone need a cover for a passport??” But the reason this one is so awesome is because there is room to put your passport, ID, credit cards, and airline ticket in one slim place. I hate digging out my wallet at the airport and hanging on to my ticket with another hand. Now, I put everything I will need at the airport in one place and just hang on to that. It truly makes the airport so much easier!
Great for travelers who want to be more organized, or organized at all!
Luggage Tags
If your loved ones insist on hanging on to their black hard-to-identify suitcase, help them out with some brightly colored luggage tags. These come in 7 highly visible colors and are stylish to boot!
Great for anyone who wants to be reunited with their luggage at the end of a flight!
Hikepro Day Pack
A day pack is a necessity for exploring a new city, forest, jungle, or playground. This one is great because it takes up almost no room in your suitcase or carry-on. It is also waterproof, tear-resistant nylon, carries 2 water bottles and still has enough room for a couple of jackets and snacks.
Great for families traveling together and moms and dads who are tired of hearing, “Will you just hold my jacket for a minute?”
TORRAS Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan
- [3S Cool Down 18°F] The Ku Peltier Radiator is the secret to this neck AC device. With the 0.9 x 0.9 inch Ceramic semiconductor radiator built-in, the COOLIFY...
- [3D Airflow and Double Vent Design] The COOLIFY neck fan's 3D Airflow Design features 36 air vents that offer an immersive cooling experience. The upward vents...
- [Designed for Comfort] COOLIFY bladeless neck fans is the ultimate neck fan for maximum comfort and convenience. Its bladeless design and metal honeycomb mesh...
The TORRAS Coolify Portable Air Conditioner Neck Fan is a battery-operated personal fan that cools you by circulating air in front of your neck. This one uses the power of semiconductor cooling with blades and features three speeds to give you flexibility when needed!
Jewelry Organizer
I used to just throw my jewelry in a Ziploc bag and toss that in the bottom of my suitcase. Then I would spend way too long untangling necklaces from earrings, breaking more than a few pieces. I didn’t want another big bulky item, and then I found this organizer. It is the perfect size to carry enough jewelry for a week or two. It keeps things organized and folds up to the size of Ziploc bag.
Great for women who travel light!
Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes
- Stress Free Traveling: Enthralled by travel, yet frazzled by packing chaos? Introduce packing cubes to your travel gear. They help sort, organize, and locate...
- The Right Materials: Our packing cubes boast a 26% superior thickness. After comprehensive analysis of other luggage organizers, we found their 230D Polyester...
- Seamless and Reliable Zippers: Our packing cubes feature sturdy metal, two-way zippers that effortlessly glide, minimizing jamming and snags. Designed for...
Veken is a reputable brand that manufactures the best packing tubes for travel. Veken uses 290D nylon fabrics to manufacture packing cubes, making them 26% thicker and more resistant. These packing cubes are waterproof that prevent your clothes and other items from moisture, heat, and water.
Sleep mask and earplug combo
These are great for airplane or airport layovers. My husband likes the mask so much that he has the same pair for home so he can sleep while I am writing blog posts late at night! This is a great combo because it comes in a protective sleeve that stows well in the front zipper pocket of my Veegul carry-on (see above).
Great for people who take red-eye flights or have spouses who are night owls!
Travelon Women’s Anti-Theft Bag
- 5-Point Anti-Theft security system
- Two multi-organizational compartments have a zippered pocket and slip pockets
- Front magnetic flap hides
Travelon is one of the most reputable brands in the market. The anti-theft bag by Travelon has various features, including safety elements, to protect your belongings and prevent thieves from stealing your essential items. This purse-type bag is small enough to keep your eye on it the entire time you are wearing it! You can wear it as a cross-body bag as well.
OREZI Cute Kid’s Toddler Backpack
- Size: 10(L)x4(w)x12(H) inches/25.4cm(L)x10.2cm(W)x30.5cm(H)
- Material: High quality backpack ,durable and lightweight twill cloth,machine washable
- Roomy Compartment:Cute backpack to store your kids snacks and toys/items,One main pockets can storage A4 books,2 handy and safe side pockets easily fits thermos...
OREZI backpack for 2 year old is made of 100% pure polyester material, making it the best backpack for toddlers. The product comes with a detachable chest strap and has multiple compartments and pockets to store and organize different things to meet your toddler’s needs. It is a lightweight, durable, stylish, and comfortable product for your toddler.
Osprey Daylight Sling
Travelers who want a good entry-level sling that is comfortable to use and hold water bottles, wallets, tickets, headphones and more. Very lightweight making it a great day-trip sling.
Great For: Travelers; Day to Day use, Day Trippers
Advantages: The exterior zip pocket provides quick access to your phone while you’re on the go and the Osprey even has a small strap pocket. This sling backpack transitions beautifully from day hikes into evening adventures by detaching the strap making it easy to bring along with you wherever life takes you!
- Breathable, anatomically shaped single shoulder strap with stretch mesh pocket
- Front zippered stretch mesh storage pocket
- Large zippered main compartment
Audible Subscription
Audible is a monthly subscription for audiobooks. I have been a member for the past 7 years and have “read” over 100 books in that time! We download new books that the whole family will enjoy before we go on long road trips, and it makes the time fly! Some of our family favorites are: The Harry Potter Series, Holes, A Wrinkle in Time, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. We also listened to Anne of Green Gables on our trip to Prince Edward Island.
Need ideas for books for Family Road Trips check out our article on Best Books for Family Road Trips.
Great for families who road trip together, long-distance airline travel, or anyone with a long commute.
CityPASS
Give them the gift of sightseeing! Whether you are traveling to a new city or rediscovering your own, CityPASS makes a great gift. The New York CityPASS includes: The Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, the MOMA, Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty and one other choice. All for a 42% discount!
CityPass is available in many major cities. We recently used it in Toronto and saved a lot in admission fees to the major sites.
Great for families who want to see all the highlights in a city and want to save some money doing it!
Travel Items for the Home
Scratch off map
My oldest has a scratch-off map on his wall, and we have all really enjoyed watching the map change as we travel more and more. Simply scratch off the gold overlay with a coin to reveal the country or state underneath.
Great for families who want to see the entire world and celebrate each new country or state.
50 States, 5000 Ideas
This fabulous book is one of my favorites for travel inspiration! Check out things to do in every state in the US. Some are things you may have heard of but many are things you would struggle to find elsewhere. My kids enjoy it as much as I do!
Great for families with wanderlust or road-trippers who want to stop in every state!
Travel Calendar
This calendar is gorgeous! You will be enchanted year-round by the vintage graphic illustrations of cities around the world. Most are worthy of framing once the month has passed, so you can also create a gallery wall of beautiful art when you are done with 2019!
Great for travel inspiration year-round!
Travel Jewelry
This bracelet is fun and in the style of other popular bangles. Wearing it will remind you of trips past and the trips you are planing right now. The workmanship on this bracelet is really good. The charms are very detailed and make a nice jangling sound when you move.
Great for the jewelry-loving travelers in your life!
I hope our list of the best gifts for travelers helps you pick out an amazing gift for a loved one this year!
Travels With The Crew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.
Like this post? Save it for later!
I endorse products I’ve personally used or come highly recommended by my trusted peers. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Last update on 2023-09-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Great suggestions. I will include the jewelry organizer in my letter to Santa this year..
It’s a great little product! I hope you like it as much as I do.