Got a nomad in your life that thinks they’re going to be the next Rick Steves? Here’s the best gifts for travelers this holiday season, or any time of year.
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Do you have a friend or loved one who brings up their travel plans at any opportunity? Are you constantly seeing their instagram full of travel photos from a seemingly endless variety of destinations?
Are you wondering how the hell they afford these trips when they still owe you for lunch from last week?
Dear reader, this list is for you. I’ve gathered 11 of the best gifts for travelers in a range of prices ready for you to make their (holi)-day. These have all been vetted by myself (or my wife in a few cases) as life-improving objects that make our travels easier, more comfortable or more fun. The best part is, even if they already have something on the list, travel tends to be hard on our gear. So they’ll think about how great you are when it comes time to replace olf with new.
Read on, and let’s talk about the best gifts for travelers 2024.
1: Silk Eye Mask
A high quality silk eye mask is an easy start to the best gifts for travelers. Silk is critical here, it breathes well, prevents friction and is very beneficial for your skin. And in the dry airplane cabin, your skin needs all the help it can get. My wife and I swear by the Slip brand eye mask, but no matter what you pick for your loved one make sure it’s silk.
I can’t get more than a few cat naps when I fly, but I wouldn’t even get that without a comfortable eye mask. I didn’t care to wear one initially, but on my first overnight flight I severely underestimated how many random lights there are in an airplane cabin!
Between the lights in the galley for the crew, the guy across the aisle constantly fiddling with his overhead reading lamp or the hundreds of people watching a late night movie, the night time on a plane is anything but the right time for a snooze. The eye mask my wife had me try on the return flight meant I was able to get just a bit more rest, even though we were flying through the day light.
2: AM/FM Radio
Look, I know what you’re thinking: an AM/FM radio in the age of Spotify? But hear me out—there’s something magical about tuning into local stations wherever you are. Whether it’s French talk shows in Paris, reggae in the Caribbean, or a station that plays house music and jazz back to back in Tokyo, this little gadget gives you a connection to the place you’re in. Plus, when the Wi-Fi is spotty, this retro gem delivers tunes, news, and charm.
This little gem from C.Crane has lasted me upwards of a decade, and it a no-brainer recommendation for the best gifts for travelers list. It’s been dropped, baked in the sun, frozen in a Minnesota winter and it still works like the day I got as a gift myself.
3: Fold-Away Blanket
The fold-away blanket is compact, useful and perfect for this list of the best gifts for travelers. I recommend picnicking to save some cash while traveling, and a simple blanket like this one from Matador is an instant-add to my bag for every journey.
Instead of dirtying their pants on the ground, your loved one will be the envy of other picnickers anywhere they visit with this travel blanket. It folds up to the size of a deck of cards and is made from a super tough camping material that will last for years.
4: Sound Machine
I never understood the value of a sound machine until I ended up in a hotel with paper-thin walls next that was on a major road in Amsterdam. With a good portable white-noise machine, your loved one can drown out the world and drift off to a soothing waterfall, ocean waves, or just plain white noise.
After a cousin visited with his new baby, we immediately asked him where he got the white noise machine that made her sleep through the night. Sure enough, this white noise machine is now helping my wife and I sleep like, well, babies that have access to a white noise machine. These are especially great for frequent fliers who need consistency when sleeping in strange new places (and no, earplugs don’t count).
5: Packing Cubes
You might think these are just hyped-up zippered bags. Wrong. Packing cubes are the unsung heroes of travel organization. They help you cram more into your suitcase, keep everything tidy, and save you the humiliation of TSA finding your socks mixed with your toothpaste.
Trust me, when you can whip out your “shirts cube” instead of rummaging through your bag like a raccoon, you’ll feel like you have your whole day in Salzburg together—even if you don’t.
Packing cubes are affordable, and a set like this is easily one of the best gifts for travelers any time of year.
6: Noise Canceling Headphones
Admittedly these are a major “splurge” addition to the best gifts for traverles list, but if you’re feeling generous noise canceling headphones will leave you a legend forever. These are the gold standard for any traveler who values their sanity. Whether it’s tuning out the crying baby in 15B, the over-chatty couple behind you, or the hum of an airplane engine that feels like it’s right next to your eardrum, noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver.
Personally, I’m partial to the Sony WH-100MX5 headphones for their uncanny ability to make it feel like I’m in a peaceful library—even if I’m 30,000 feet in the air surrounded by chaos. Bonus? They double as a stylish “do not disturb” sign in crowded terminals and are comfortable for long haul flights.
7: Packable Duffle Bag
Packing light is a goal; picking up souvenirs is inevitable. Enter the packable duffle bag. It starts out the size of a fist but unfolds into a magical second suitcase when you’ve bought one too many bottles of local wine (or oversized snow globes). It’s also great for day trips or as an impromptu laundry bag. Because who doesn’t love options?
This option from Osprey is high quality and will last for many trips. It can easily be converted into your carry-on while you check your usual rolling luggage. Why do this? Because having all of your souvenirs in one spot makes it way easier to get those valuable VAT refunds at the airport on your journey home.
If you want a bag that doesn’t pack quite as flat, but can be used as a tougher checked bag in a pinch, I’ve used a Patagonia blackhole bag for over a decade now with no signs of slowing it down or wearing it out. It still can fit in a front pocket of most rolling bags, but it’s not quite as light. Still, it’s easy to recommend to anyone looking for the best gifts for travelers.
8: Wool Socks
Wool socks are a boring gift… until they save your freezing toes. Whether you’re trudging through snow-covered streets in Europe or suffering through an overzealous air conditioner on a flight, wool socks are your secret weapon. Look for ones that are cozy yet moisture-wicking, because no one likes sweaty feet (even in first class).
Stick with the classics here. Smartwool is tried and true and they’ve been making high quality wool socks for years. They’re one of the best gifts for travelers, but feel free to treat yourself too because everyone deserves warm feet.
9: Super Packable Travel Slippers
What do hotel carpets, airplane bathrooms, and airport floors all have in common? You don’t want your bare feet anywhere near them, and the black light test would send you running for the door. Travel slippers are a simple way to stay comfy (and hygienic) while on the go. They pack down small, slip on easily, and make you feel like a traveler who’s nailed the art of cozy efficiency.
I’m a big fan of these slippers from Ikea as opposed to buying the ones on Amazon that seem destined for a landfill after the second use. A simple to pack pair of slippers is a god-send on the road, and they’re definitely one of the best gifts for travelers.
10: Under Eye Mask and Eye Roller
Long flights, late nights, and early starts take a toll—and nothing screams “exhausted traveler” like puffy eyes. An under-eye mask and roller combo is your secret weapon for looking refreshed after red-eyes or redeyes (both the flight and the drink). Pop the masks on mid-flight, then roll on some cooling serum just before landing. The result? You look like you woke up at a spa, not in seat 42E.
These are likely available to you in the check out line if you’re doing some holiday shopping at Nordstrom Rack or Home Goods. If you’d like a trustworthy brand, my wife and I swear by the drmtgly brand but there are many solid, individually wrapped options perfect for travel out there.
As for the under-eye roller, I’m a bigger fan of these than my wife is because I’m just not patient enough for the masks most times. A quick roll on once we’ve arrived at the hotel and I look way more rested than I actually am.
Note: check with your dermatologist or primary care provider before using any facial mask to make sure it’s right for your skin type.
11: Kobayashi Throat Spray
Planes are germ factories, and dry cabin air does your throat no favors. Enter Kobayashi throat spray—a nifty little miracle for soothing scratchy throats and keeping sickness at bay. A quick spritz during a long-haul flight feels like wrapping your vocal cords in a soft, minty hug. Your travel buddy will thank you when you’re not coughing all over them.
This might be the most unusual gift on this list of best gifts for travelers but hear me out: IT WORKS. It’s got some menthol and a bit of iodine as the active ingredients and it’s saved several trips for me in the past. Plus you will absolutely win the “most unique gift” award at your holiday gathering this year.
These are the best gifts for travelers, happy gifting!
There are things I’ve used over and over on this list, and a few that I’ve set aside to give as gifts myself. Overall this list of best gifts for travelers should give you a great start on your holiday shopping. So when your niece or nephew blows in from the cold after just returning home on a red eye flight the night before, you’ll be their hero when you present them with an awesome gift for their next trip.
