The Best Gift Ideas for Travelers

By Travel + Leisure Staff and Rebecca Carhart
Updated December 15, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Credit: Courtesy of Retailers as Credited
Share has become a go-to word for travelers. We’ve always shared our vacation photos, videos, and stories, but we’re also increasingly sharing our homes, our cars, and our dinner tables, thanks to companies like Airbnb. Human connection is often one of the most rewarding experiences of being in a new place. It's an indescribable feeling to find just as much warmth with a stranger as you have with your loved ones at home.

Our favorite gifts will help capture those memories, inspire future adventures, and make life on the road easier and more enjoyable. Some gifts will encourage travelers to get creative in commemorating their trips. Xenvo's phone camera lenses, for instance, combine the artsy fun of a traditional camera with the gratification of an immediate share to your friends on Instagram.

Related: 10 Personalized Luggage Tags That Make Great Gifts for Travelers

Some of the items that mean the most are the ones that help the wider world share in our good fortune. Give a lightweight camping hammock and you’ll also be funding outreach programs for underprivileged kids, or support restoration projects at U.S. National Parks with a cozy blanket.

Whether it’s a gift for a holiday or a special occasion, these ideas will make meaningful presents for your fellow world wanderers. And don't miss out on the rest of Travel + Leisure's 2020 Gift Guides, where we've curated this year's best gift ideas for anyone you're shopping for: coffee lovers, aviation geeks, long-distance friends, and many, many more.
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1. Tumi Voyager Just In Case Travel Backpack

Credit: Courtesy of Nordstrom

This sleek backpack by Tumi boasts a roomy interior, two-way zip opening, and a handy back sleeve that allows you to attach the bag to your suitcase’s handle. The best part? It folds up completely flat so you can easily pack it in your carry on and then use it to bring back souvenirs.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $100

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2. eBags Ultralight Packing Cubes- Five-Piece Set

Credit: Courtesy of eBags

This five-piece set of packing cubes will help travelers stay organized. Each cube in the set is super lightweight and is spring-loaded so it will keep its shape inside your bag. What’s more? They feature a see-through mesh top so you can see what’s inside each cube without opening them.

To buy: ebags.com, $46 (originally $65)

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3. YETI 26 Ounce Insulated Rambler

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Ensure the travel lover in your life stays hydrated on the road with this insulated YETI rambler. It features a double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours. The 26-ounce bottle also comes in 10 different colors, so it will be easy to find an option that suits their style.

To buy: amazon.com, $59

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4. White + Warren Cashmere Travel Wrap

Credit: Courtesy of Shopbop

One of our favorite travel accessories to pack is a versatile wrap that can be worn in multiple ways. This luxe option from White + Warren is made from 100 percent cashmere, is incredibly soft,  and can be worn as a scarf, wrap, or even a blanket on the chilly plane.

To buy: shopbop.com, $315

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5. Anker PowerCore Ultra Compact Portable Charger

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

There’s nothing worse than having your phone die while you’re exploring a new location. This compact portable charger will help prevent that from happening. Not only is it small enough to fit inside your pocket but when fully charged, the high-speed charger can provide upto three full phone charges.

To buy: amazon.com, $17 (originally $20)

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6. Zoppen RFID Blocking Travel Wallet

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

This adorable travel wallet from Zoppen features multiple slots and compartments to hold everything from credit cards and  passports to boarding passes and more. Along with RFID-blocking capabilities to keep your personal information safe, the stylish travel accessory also comes in 34 different colors.

To buy: amazon.com, $13

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7. Pendleton Glacier National Park Blanket

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Explorers of America’s National Parks will love this cozy Pendleton blanket that's inspired by Glacier National Park. Plus, all purchases directly support projects within the Parks.

To buy: amazon.com, $259

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8. Scratch Map

Credit: Courtesy of Uncommon Goods

Have a gift exchange coming up? Luckies of London's Scratch Map is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. And we'll happily get behind any gift that encourages its recipient to see more of the world. It's also available in a rose gold style (bloomingdales.com, $25)

To buy: uncommongoods.com, from $26

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9. Try The World Subscription Box

Credit: Courtesy of Try The World

The most satisfying way to get to know a place is through its food — and it doesn’t require leaving home, thanks to a new generation of artisanal subscription services. One of our favorites is Try The World, which curates a selection of snacks, ingredients, and beverages from a different country every month.

To buy: trytheworld.com, from $19

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10. ‘I Was Here’ Travel Journal

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

For the creative traveler, this unconventional journal has far more to it than blank pages waiting to be filled. It’s beautifully illustrated from cover to cover and offers fun challenges and prompts that encourage users to explore the world in a more whimsical way.

To buy: amazon.com, $16

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11. City Map Glass

Credit: Courtesy of Uncommon Goods

This intricate city map glass transcends typical cocktail glasses in style and creativity at a very reasonable price — and you've got to love a gift that looks more expensive than it actually is. They're made in the U.S. and hand-etched in New Hampshire and you can get a pair featuring their favorite city streets for just over $30.

To buy: uncommongoods.com, $16 each

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12. A Birchbox Subscription

Could there be a more convenient way to stock a Dopp kit? With Birchbox, recipients will receive monthly boxes of travel-sized skincare, grooming, or makeup products from trusted brands like Kiehl's and Benefit Cosmetics. P.S. We've got plenty more subscription gift ideas travelers will love.

To buy: (men) birchbox.com, from $30 for three months (women) birchbox.com, from $45 for three months

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13. Away Luggage

Credit: Courtesy of Away

If you haven't yet heard of Away, it's likely you've seen its hardside suitcases in your Instagram feed or rolling alongside celebrities like Karlie Kloss and Jessica Alba. The brand's stylishly spare luggage has quickly become a cult-favorite with travelers for its indestructible design, easy internal organization, and built-in USB charger, which is removable to comply with airline regulations.

To buy: awaytravel.com, from $225

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14. ‘The Bucket List’ Photo Book

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

In these pages, the curious traveler can venture from the mountains of Sri Lanka to the waters of New Zealand and everywhere in between — all from the comfort of a fireside recliner.

To buy: amazon.com, $29

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15. Mark and Graham Monogrammed Leather Accessories

Credit: Courtesy of Mark and Graham

Mark and Graham has the most fun with colors and designs when it comes to travel accessories (and gift wrapping is always free!). For a gift that feels even more personal, you can add a foil-debossed monogram to each for $9.50.

To buy: (passport cover) markandgraham.com, from $40; (square jewelry case) markandgraham.com, from $48; (luggage tag) markandgraham.com, from $35

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16. The Trtl Pillow

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Is there anything better than dozing off before takeoff and coming to the minute the wheels touch down? For the traveler who agrees, our editors wholeheartedly suggest this travel "pillow," which is actually more like a scarf with a hidden support structure that cradles the head, even in the middle seat.

To buy: amazon.com, $30

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17. Kammok Camping Hammock

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Give your favorite adventurer (or adventurous couple) the Roo Double hammock, and the company will donate to Explore Austin, which supports the development of youth from low-income communities through time spent in the Great Outdoors.

To buy: amazon.com, from $44

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18. Jet Set Candy Charms

Credit: Courtesy of Bloomingdale's

Travel-inspired jewelry is a fun way for loved ones to wear their wanderlust even when they’re not on the road. Jet Set Candy designs 14K gold and sterling silver charms with airport tags from Portland to Bangkok and everywhere in between that look lovely on delicate necklace chains or chunky charm bracelets.

To buy: jetsetcandy.com, from $68

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19. Cork Globe

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

Help your loved ones track previous and future adventures with this contemporary globe. Colored pins keep track of bucket-list destinations and favorite vacations, while the stainless-steel and cork design gives it a fresh, grown-up look

To buy: uncommongoods.com, from $80

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20. Xenvo iPhone Camera Lens Kit Pro

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

For a gift that'll excite the Instagram lover, look no further than the top-rated Xenvo lens kit, which turns any phone's built-in front or rear cameras into wide-angle and macro 15x lenses. It's compatible with all iPhone, Android, Samsung, and Google phone models. And with a weight of in at just under five ounces, there’s no reason to ever leave home without it.

To buy: amazon.com, $40

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21. Allbirds Wool Loungers

Credit: Courtesy of Allbirds

Allbirds' sneakers are essentially slippers you can wear anywhere. They're made with superfine New Zealand merino wool, which manages to be temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, and so, so cozy all at once. Could there be a better in-flight shoe?

To buy: (women's) allbirds.com, $95; (men's) allbirds.com, $95

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22. Flight 001 4-in-1 Adapter

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

This compact, Lego-like converter enables travelers to plug in in 150 countries, and it comes with a color-coded map to make it easy to determine which prong situation accompanies their destination.

To buy: amazon.com, $25

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23. Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic Instant Film Camera

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

There will always be something that feels more authentic about holding a photograph in your hand over saving it into a digital roll. This stylish instant camera is a step above others on the market, offering shooting modes for different environments and a smart flash that calculates exposure based on the distance of the subject for a just-right brightness.

To buy: amazon.com, $120

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24. Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

The latest Fire tablet is the ultimate packable entertainment center for the road warrior. It's got up to 64 GB of storage (and an extra memory card slot for those super-long flights) for books, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and songs, plus up to 10 hours of battery life to play it all.

To buy: amazon.com, $120 (originally $190)

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25. 23andMe DNA Ancestry Test Kit

Credit: Courtesy of 23andMe

For an out-of-the-box gift idea, this at-home DNA testing kit turns a saliva sample into a detailed genetic history, enabling globetrotters to choose their next destination based on the places their families are truly from. The brand's popular Health + Ancestry kit ($99) is a much more in-depth option, which gives further insight into things like food intolerances, personality traits, and more.

To buy: amazon.com, $89 (originally $99)

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26. Slip Silk Eye Mask

Credit: Courtesy of Nordstrom

One of our favorite sleep masks, this pure silk mask has been recommended by dermatologists and beauty experts for its crease-resistant properties. Silk doesn’t tug on the delicate skin around the eyes like cotton or other fabrics would, giving it an anti-aging reputation. Slip also makes silk pillowcases, which offer similar benefits to skin and promote soft, frizz-free hair.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $50

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27. 'How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip'

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

A must-read for anyone who hopes to master packing, this gorgeously illustrated book by Hitha Palepu of the lifestyle blog Hitha on the Go offers advice on not just what to bring, but the best way to bring it, too. Plus, the cover is pretty much begging to be Instagrammed. Here are 40 more gift ideas for $10 or less.

To buy: amazon.com, $6

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28. Stow First Class Tech Case

Credit: Courtesy of Ahalife

This leather zipped case by English brand Stow is the sleekest way to keep track of tech essentials while in transit. It includes an international adapter set and a powerful black leather memory stick, and you can personalize it with up to four embossed letters. Did we mention it’s Meghan Markle-approved?

To buy: ahalife.com, $535

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29. Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II

Credit: Courtesy of Bose

The QC 35s are truly the best noise-canceling headphones our editors have tested to date. This model's wireless, but comes with a cord so you can keep listening even when the Bluetooth battery dies. The latest iteration also has a built-in Google Assistant that allows you to vocally queue up music, receive texts, manage your daily tasks, and get answers no matter where you are.

To buy: amazon.com, $199 (originally $299)

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30. SK-II Facial Treatment Mask

Credit: Courtesy of Nordstrom

The crème de la crème of face masks, this 100 percent cotton sheet mask is an in-flight staple among T+L editors and celebrities like Chrissy Teigen. Not only is it incredibly hydrating, it also seems to function pretty well as a deterrent for chatty seatmates.

To buy: sephora.com, $95 for 6-pack

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31. Physix Gear Compression Socks

Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

If your feet tend to swell or feel achy during long flights, it’s time to start packing a pair of compression socks in your bag. Frequent fliers love this pair by Physix Gear because they are made from a soft and breathable fabric and provide a professional-grade 20 to 30 mmHg compression level to prevent swelling and blood clots from occurring. 

To buy: amazon.com, from $15

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