Frequent Flyers Will Love These 40 Travel Gift Ideas
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Does travel evolve? If these gift ideas are any indication, the answer is a resounding yes.
Sure, engines become more fuel-efficient and in-flight experiences involve better tech, but travel gadgets have evolved too. Improved luggage, travel shoes, dopp kits, and packing cubes make the journey about as enjoyable as the destination. Itineraries change and random adventures ensue, but you can rely on good travel items like these to make that work trip or vacation all the better.
So, if you're looking for a great gift for the traveler in your life, look no further than this list. We've got travel gifts for every kind of nomad, from kiddos to Grandpa and everybody in between. And we're not just dealing in suitcases and travel wallets. No, the best travel gifts do way more than that. The best travel gifts heighten the experience and bring a bit of that familiar comfort from home along with you.
What do we mean? We're talking about gifts that will get some serious use and accrue a lot of frequent flier miles. For example, a sophisticated packing cube that separates clean clothes from dirty laundry (Eagle Creek's Clean/Dirty Cube) or a phone mount that attaches directly on to your tray table on the plane (Perilogics' Airplane Phone Holder Mount). And if the adventure needs an adventure, there are even rental companies like Polaris that can set one up with that vehicle (snowmobile, ATV, autocycle) they've always dreamed of driving.
Gift the traveler in your life something special. Read on for the best travel gifts in 2023.
Best Gifts for Men | Unique Gifts for Men | Best Gifts for Wives | Best Gifts for Dad | Best Tech Gifts | Best Fitness Gifts
Cali Backpack
Good travel backpacks are functional while great ones offer a bit of luxury. This one is of the latter category, touting a fashionable build with sleek pockets and gussets with hidden magnetic snaps.
Read more: Best Travel Bags
Pack-It Isolate Clean/Dirty Cube
The traveler will appreciate this pack-it cube, which separates the dirty laundry from the clean with a floating divider. It makes packing a breeze, keeps odors at bay, and is extremely lightweight, making it very, very portable.
Scrabble Deluxe Travel Edition
Travel Scrabble is the king of downsized board games, shrunken in physical size but still the same classic word game. The traveler will appreciate not only the size but the time it consumes while in transit (plus, they might learn a new word or two).
Adventure Rental
The outdoors-loving traveler craves adventure and that's just what Polaris offers. One can rent any number of their vehicles, which set the driver up for an unforgettable experience on asphalt, on the water, through the backcountry, or even atop fresh snow.
Read more: Best Gifts for Outdoorsmen
Chromecast
Dads like to unwind, perhaps even more so while traveling. Whether it's a work trip or vacation, he'll appreciate having his familiar streaming service at his side, allowing him to deep dive into a new series or rewatch his favorite movie.
Define Jacket
If mom is a traveler, she'll love this sporty jacket. The soft fabric, trim fit, and unmatched airflow will keep her feeling sharp even on the go. Plus, this stretch form-fitting jacket comes in seven great colors.
Read more: Best Gifts for Moms
Bondi 8 Running Shoes
Even when they're not traveling, teenage boys are, well, traveling. Ever in motion, teens are after comfort in addition to a cool design aesthetic and eye-catching color schemes. The Bondi 8 checks all the boxes.
Read more: Best Gifts for Teen Boys
8x25 WP II Binoculars
The elder traveler in your clan will appreciate these petite binoculars. They offer stellar magnification without filling up your daypack and fold up nicely. Plus, the waterproof body can withstand whatever the weather throws at you.
Read more: Best Gifts for Grandpa
6 Piece Packing Cube Set
Form and function, that's what the packing cube is all about. When not in use, this one takes up very little space, with compartments fitting within compartments. When needed, the six individual bags look elegant and handle every travel item, from clothing to toiletries.
Portable Charger
A great travel gift does not have to break the bank. Proof? This portable charger, which will keep devices powered up no matter where the destination is. The charger is slim but built tough, meaning it can handle all the drops and other oopsies that come with travel.
Read more: Best Gifts Under $25
Gansevoort Meatpacking
New York has its share of great hotels but Gansevoort Meatpacking is in a league of its own. Guests not only get dazzling skyline views, but a year-round rooftop pool, an amazing house restaurant, and standard-setting service.
Airplane Phone Holder Mount
Does the traveler in your life need a stocking stuffer? This phone holder mount is just the thing, engineered to hang on to a device and clip onto the tray of your airplane seat. That translates to non-stop entertainment at 30,000 feet.
Read more: Best Stocking Stuffers
Hinoki Body & Hair Travel Set
Grooming can get lost in the hustle and bustle of travel. Avoid that nonsense with this excellent travel set, candy for hair and skin. It comes with high quality shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and body cream. No more not staying fresh while away from home.
Ulele
Built for the beach lover, these flip flops with arch support offer style and beach-y traits, like sliding on with ease and floating when dropped in the water. They grip well, offer tremendous comfort, and evoke just enough class that you can sport them off indoors as well as out.
The Medium Suitcase
The word suitcase can conjure up heavy containers and colossal matching sets. This carry-on luggage is redefining the category, featuring a classic look with all the modern amenities. Travelers will admire the durable shell and the unique compression system on the interior, which allows for maximum packing efficiency.
The Originals - Set of 6
So many things the traveler needs most—the toothbrush, the sub block, the fragrance—are thrown into the bag last minute. Keep grooming items organized in style with this innovative storage set. The honeycomb design makes it stackable while the size is up to the user, as the whole thing is customizable.
40 oz All Around™ Travel Tumbler
Every good traveler knows hitting the road requires hydration. This travel tumbler is the best we know of, with supreme insulation technology and a splash-resistant design. The built-in straw in a nice touch and it fits in most cupholders (while handling 40 ounces of your favorite beverage).
Acqua di Giò Eau de Toilette Travel Spray
What makes a great travel cologne? A great scent, naturally, but also a packable sprayer that can destination hop with ease. Bonus points for delivering a fragrance that offers its own sense of travel, evoking a breezy cliffside in the Mediterranean.
Sleep Mask
Cozy, adjustable, and breathable, this sleep mask set will set the traveler up with the same caliber of sleep they get at home anywhere they go. The mask is virtually weightless while allowing no light through, meaning a great snooze.
Men's Baggies™ Shorts - 5"
Ready for anything, these stellar shorts from Patagonia are made for the nomad. Equipped to take on the beach, river, camping trip, or brunch table, they dry quickly and look way better than most multifunctional shorts.
Venom Go
Travel can be stressful, not just on the mind but on the body. That's where a good massage comes into play, soothing you to the core. Turns out you can get a pro-grade massage while away from home with this high-functioning gadget. Best, it throws heat and is about the size of a wallet.
LifeStraw
Gone are the days of clunky, oversized water filters with hoses, capsules, and multiple containers. LifeStraw is the way of the future, a straw you can drink with whether you're in need of some H2O while in the backcountry or just want to stay healthy and hydrated while in a new place with unfamiliar tap water.
200W Portable Power Station
Power is more important than ever, as it's the fuel for our many valuable devices. Travelers know as much as we inhabit an increasingly tech-driven world. Keep your travel apps in check and that phone camera charged so you can navigate the way while documenting the adventure.
Rechargeable Mini Handheld Fan
It's hot out there and not to bring you down, but that's sorta the trend these days. Adapt with this rechargeable handheld fan, great for beating the heat after a hike in the desert or a sweaty subway ride.
Galaxy Tab S9
Traveling with the kids is always a logistical riddle but things can be simplified with a good tablet. This one will keep the little ones busy when you need to focus on something else. Plus, it's a great mechanism for creating art or engaging in educational games or shows.
Studio Buds
Great travel headphones are small in size while delivering larger-than-life acoustics. The Studio Buds from Beats do that and more, set up with a built-in mic and 36 hours of battery life.
Nova Travel Kit
Got a traveler friend who's still toting around that dopp kit they grew up with? Time for an upgrade. This one is made from recycled plastic, comes with a smart rubber base that can grip the counter, and even includes four refillable recycled bottles for those toiletry liquids.
Austin Hoodie
Traveling and a good hoodie go hand-in-hand (or, arm-in-sleeve). Away from home, people want familiar comfort in their clothing and items that pack easily. Check and check with the Austin Hoodie, made of performance stretch terry and offering an athletic fit.
Carry-On Jacket
We love a heavy jacket but they don't travel well. Enter the Carry-On Jacket, inspired by a blazer and softened for both feel and packing pucposes. Now you can look sharp and have some warmth without being weighed down by heftier garment.
Read more: Best Travel Blazers
eb66 Performance Five-Pocket Pant
Not all pants can keep pace with the welcomed rigors of travel. This pair loves a good hike, walking tour, or round of golf, fit with moisture-wicking polyester and a classic five-pocket design. If there's a functional and happy medium between casual and formal, this is it.
Battery Toothbrush
Say goodbye to travel hygiene with cords and spare chargers. This smart toothbrush is battery powered and comes with a slick travel case.
OneBlade 360 Electric Trimmer and Shaver
Get the quality of a barbershop trim anywhere with this electric razor. The blade can stretch in all directions making it a great tool not just for beards and head hair but the entire body.
Ambeur Large Luggage
The last thing a traveler wants is a too-heavy piece of luggage that TSA will likely pull aside. This lightweight check-in bag features spinner wheels and an expandable interior for all of your items (plus the ones you'll likely pick up while traveling).
AirFly Pro Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter
Smart travel involves being practical. And it's a lot easier to be practical with this bluetooth wireless audio transmitter. Simply plug it into the audio jack on the plane and send that sound wirelessly from the source to your ear buds.
Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches (30 pair)
Turns out, you don't have to fill three dopp kits just to knock out that skincare routine on the road. With this pack of 30 patches, one can keep the glow alive. The gel is made to hydrate the skin and take on any puffiness that comes with extended air travel or a night on the town.
Gift Card
Need a travel gift right away? Gift them actual travel with a gift card from AirBNB. They'll love being able to pick out not only the destination but the dwelling.
Read more: Best Last-Minute Christmas Gifts
THE ROGER Pro
Superior travel shoes are sneakers on steroids—they handle multiple surfaces, are a joy to wear, and look good enough for most outings. These tennis shoes ace the travel game, great for the actual game but so versatile they can be worn just about anywhere.
Wallet S
Bulky wallets are the nemesis of any good traveler. This sophisticated option offers security via RFID blocking and enough space for 12 cards, all while appearing incredibly sleek and minimalist.
Go Travel Coffee Press Kit
For the traveler who loves a good cup of coffee and won't settle for what's at the hotel, this is the gift of gifts. Bring that lauded roast with you, whether it's for an extended camping trip or a faraway conference.
Read more: Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers
WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones
When it comes to travel, the roar of the engine or the loudmouth next to you should not be on the itinerary. Nix the noise with these excellent headphones, offering superior audio and a great fit. It'll just be you and the music (or podcast, or meditation), no distractions.
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