Send them off on their next adventure with these high-flying favorites, including compression socks, an anti-theft bag and more travel must-haves. (Getty)(Amanda Garrity/Yahoo; Getty)More
The final destination is always worth the journey — even if there are a few mishaps along the way. And while the jet-setter in your life has probably accumulated all the best luggage, gadgets and other travel essentials by now, these upgrades will ensure smooth sailing, er, flying time and time again So, if you want to earn first-class praise, then surprise your frequent flier with any of these best travel gifts, all recommended by people who travel like it's their job (and in some cases, it actually is).
Ask any traveler (I did!) and they'll tell you that the right gear makes all the difference. Comfort and functionality are key, whether it's a memory foam neck pillow for long-haul flights, a set of compression packing cubes to maximize suitcase space or a travel crossbody with anti-theft features. I've also included a few nice-to-haves for the more experienced travelers — a foldable wireless charger and Priority Pass, to name a couple.
Grouped by price for easier shopping, these expert-approved gift ideas are something your travel lover will reach for every time they hit the skies (or the road, for that matter).
In this guide, gift ideas are broken up into the following categories: Best travel gifts under $25 | Best travel gifts under $50 | Best travel gifts under $100 | Best travel gifts over $100
Update, June 27, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability.
If you love filtered water without the waste of a plastic bottle, the LifeStraw is for you. It lets you make just about any type of water drinkable by removing 99.999% of bacteria, parasites and microplastics, and can filter up to 1,000 gallons of water in its lifetime.
Said this globetrotter: "I've used these both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Works as advertised. Extremely reliable and genuinely safe-to-use filtration system.”
"I have quite a few long flights ahead of me, and this pocket-size Bluetooth transmitter will make it easy to watch movies on the seatback TV with my noise-canceling earbuds. That way I’ll be able to drown out loud talkers, crying babies and other inevitable plane noises and enjoy my in-flight entertainment in peace. I especially have my eye on the Pro since it lets two people — me and my travel buddy — pair headphones simultaneously."
—Amanda Garrity, Gifting Editor
Keep your belongings close to your chest when you're out and about. It's not your basic fanny pack; nope, this hands-free favorite, which one reviewer dubbed "the perfect travel bag" has three pockets to stash cards and cash, a key clip and an elastic loop for lip balm. It even got a flight attendant's stamp of approval: "It’s great for going out and exploring or getting coffee in the gate area," they wrote.
The right travel bag makes all the difference. Michelle of Travel HerStory swears by this Travelon bestseller because of its anti-theft features, which include lock-down straps, locking zippers, RFID blocking, an interior key clip and slash-resistant material. As a result, she tells Yahoo that travelers "no longer need to worry about cut-and-run or identity theft."
If you're guilty of being a little (or very) forgetful, an AirTag may just be that piece of tech you didn't know you needed. It doesn't feel or look too "techy." In fact, it's completely uncomplicated. Just attach it to whatever you tend to misplace often or need to keep track of, like your wallet, keys or luggage. You'll always know where it is using the "Find My" app on your phone. It's among our picks for the best Bluetooth trackers on the market.
"I use these for everything as a chronic misplacer," a savvy shopper said. "My most recent purchase was for my cat's collar because she hides all over the house. It provides great peace of mind!"
Thousands of Amazon shoppers rave about how comfortable these platform kicks are — so much so that I was convinced to pick up a pair for my trip to Italy last year. I clocked in at least 20,000 steps a day and my feet didn't hurt once (and that's coming from someone who deals with the double whammy of flat arches and bunions).
Small but mighty, this pocket-sized doodad drowns out unwanted noises with soothing sounds of white noise, rain, waves and more. "The little player takes no space on my side table and goes three full nights before recharging. It weighs almost nothing and will easily pack into even the smallest bag," one happy Amazon shopper wrote about this "dynamo."
"I traveled a lot before having kids, though it wasn't until I had kids that I realized how amazing it is to travel with a wet bag," Lanie van der Horst of Make More Adventures tells Yahoo. Sure, these lightweight, waterproof pouches are great for storing wet bathing suits and clothes, but van der Horst often uses them to "keep dirty items away from the rest of your belongings." The best part? "They can easily be put in the wash after use."
Flying takes a toll on your skin — and the delicate skin around your eyes is often the first to show it. Fake a great night's sleep with these under-eye patches, which are said to target all the culprits like puffiness, dark circles and dryness. "These have been great to throw in my suitcase and use when I’m on the road. I feel like after flying and constantly changing climates, they help add moisture back into my skin," one five-star flier wrote. (And psst, these gold beauties earned a coveted spot on our list of the best eye masks!)
Ear pain is inevitable during takeoff or landing ... or is it? Travel blogger Michelle Atenberg says these silicone earplugs have convinced her otherwise. "They have a ball inside that very slowly and carefully adjusts to pressure changes. Trust me, your eardrums will thank you," she tells Yahoo. Use a single pair for a round trip (or two flights) before disposing.
Getting quality sleep on a plane is a paradox of sorts — that is, unless you have the right gear. Unzip this plush pouch to warm up with a fleece blanket or use the pouch itself as a pillow when you want to catch a few zzz's. One five-star flier raved that it was "perfect for our 15-hour flight," plus it was "easy to put back in the pouch" and "easy to fasten to my carry-on."
Sometimes, you have to get some sleep wherever you can — on a plane, at the gate, in the car on the way to the airport and so forth. A quality eye mask makes it possible to do so. "This mask with built-in wireless speakers has been a game-changer," Lindsay Myers, Access Hollywood host and the blogger behind Get Lost With Lindsay tells Yahoo. "It is really comfortable, the battery lasts 15 hours and it reduces all noise around you."
Our Senior Deals Writer Britt Ross traveled for a year straight and used this portable charger more times than she can count. "In addition to its small profile that barely takes up room in my bag, I appreciate how quickly it juices up my phone. Plus, I only need to charge the power bank once and it'll last a whole day," she raved. Just keep in mind that this exact model is only compatible with the latest Apple releases and devices with a USB-C port.
We all know that sitting for long periods of time is bad for our health, but what can you really do when you're stuck in an airplane seat for hours on end? While you can (and should) take frequent walks down the aisle, wearing high-quality compression socks also helps increase circulation and lower blood clot risks. "I've tried a few budget brands as well as some high-end ones and found that these mid-priced ones from Bombas were the most comfortable," former Yahoo writer Moriba Cummings wrote, adding that he doesn't "feel like my calves are being strangled when I'm wearing them."
While this isn't necessarily the flashiest gift on this list, it's arguably the most thoughtful one. She can clip this personal safety alarm onto her keys; then, if she needs to get the attention of those around her, she can pull the top pin to activate a loud alarm and flashing light. She'll get a sense of security, and you'll also get some peace of mind.
Struggling to secure a bag without a trolley sleeve to your luggage? This adjustable luggage belt (which fits bags up to 45 inches) is a cinch to use. "When traveling, my backpack frequently fell off the roller bag. This keeps my bag from falling even when rushing to catch a connecting flight," one reviewer wrote about this Shark Tank favorite.
No one should wake up with neck pain — especially before a big adventure. This memory foam travel pillow provides just the right amount of support, almost like it's hugging your neck. "It's also super lightweight and folds into a neat bun so you can easily put it away inside your carry-on or shoulder bag instead of dangling around," Gabriella Di Falco, co-founder of ELECT Travel and Lifestyle, tells Yahoo, adding that she loves that she can throw the cover into the washing machine between travels.
We don't think twice about splashing out on the best skincare and makeup products, but the same thinking doesn't necessarily apply to the bag we store it all in. Switch out whatever they've been using for this nylon, water-resistant toiletry bag, which has three separate compartments and a wipeable interior. It was recommended by several experts for our list of the best toiletry bags, including Bryan Murphy, owner of Hawaii's Best Travel, who gushed that it's "cleanly designed and really tough."
Regular packing cubes are great and all, but these ones can be compressed up to 60% to save you precious suitcase space. Senior Style Writer Rebecca Carhart put this four-pack to the test and found that the two smaller cubes fit a week's worth of undergarments, pajamas and t-shirts, while the two larger ones were big enough to fit sweaters, dresses and pants. But that's not all: They topped her list of the best compression packing cubes!
Another travel bag has entered the picture, but this one is more of a personal item than an all-day carry. "It’s spacious enough for airplane travel, fitting my water bottle, laptop, an extra set of clothing and my computer," Kristin Espinar of Must See Spain tells Yahoo. It comes with all the bells and whistles — a removable vegan leather strap, trolley pass-through and metal feet to protect the bottom. But perhaps the best part is its sleek design that makes Espinar "feel put together when I’m traveling."
Suggesting that you shell out $100+ for a wireless charger is pretty bold on my part, but hear me out on this one. I've taken this palm-sized, two-in-one charger with me on weekend trips and international travels (it even comes with a travel adapter!), and I can't stop singing its praises. You can power up a MagSafe-compatible iPhone and Apple Watch simultaneously with just one cord.
This isn't your average duffel bag. Nope, this carry-on pulls double duty since it has a built-in garment bag to keep a suit or dress shirts wrinkle-free. "It offers enough room as a duffel (even with the suit in the garment section) to fit a week's worth of clothes," Managing Editor Scott Simone raved in our roundup of the best luggage.
Delays and layovers put a real damper on traveling. Help them make the most of their time spent in airports with Priority Pass, which unlocks access to more than 1,600 airport lounges worldwide. Opt for the Standard Plus membership to get 10 free visits and reduced fees after that.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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