Shopping for the perfect holiday gift for the traveler in your life? There are hundreds of “gift guides for travelers” on the Internet, but very few of these guides focus on items that are legitimately practical and useful for the recipient.
Drones with a thousand dollar price tag? No, thank you! Travel-themed candles, soaps and decor? Cute and most often appreciated, but wouldn’t it be nice to give them something you know they’ll actually use?
This gift guide focuses on items that travelers actually need, love and use during their trips…and I would know, because I’ve tested them myself! I’ve actually received many of these items as gifts over the years, while I’ve purchased others for myself.
Either way, all of these gift ideas pass the “is this actually useful” test with flying colors. They’re also all gender-neutral, appropriate for all ages, and range from $12.99 to $146, so there’s something for every traveler on your list.
10 Best Useful Gifts for Travelers
- Noise Cancelling Headphones
- Carry-On Luggage
- Kindle Paperwhite
- Universal Power Adaptor
- Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer
- Packing Cubes
- Travel Wallet + Organizer
- Waxed Canvas Backpack
- External Hard Drive
- TSA Approved Toiletry Bag
1. Noise Cancelling Headphones – $59.99
It’s no secret, flying can be a pain. Crying baby in the row behind you? Chatty seat neighbor who won’t take a hint? Cabin announcements that come riiiiight as you’re finally starting to fall asleep? Not a problem with noise cancelling headphones!
I received a pair of noise cancelling headphones last Christmas, and I’ll never travel without them again. These highly rated wireless headphones have 30 hours of playtime, and a reputation for being lightweight and comfortable.
2. Carry-On Luggage – $99.99
More than 1,600 five-star reviews say everything you need to know! This Samsonite carry-on roller suitcase has 360-degree spinner wheels (a game changer in a crowded airport) and side-mounted TSA approved locks for added security.
I personally use Samsonite luggage, and I use it for every single trip. It’s the perfect size for carry-on or checked luggage, and comes in a range of bright colors like burnt orange, Caribbean blue and radiant pink.
3. Kindle Paperwhite – $129.99
No joke, my Kindle is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. It has gotten me through countless long, boring flights, and is so much more convenient and portable than actual paperback books (as much as I still love those, they’re better for enjoying at home).
There are a few different models/versions of the Kindle to choose from, but I highly recommend opting for one with a built-in light, so you can still read in a dimly lit airplane or hotel room. This model is also waterproof!
4. Universal Power Adaptor – $19.99
Yet another incredibly useful gift for any traveler who is planning an international trip! I received this travel power adaptor as a gift a few years ago, and have used it more times than I can count.
There are many alternative brands and models to choose from, but I personally love this one because it’s super compact and portable, and covers 150+ countries. You can plug USBs straight into it too, and charge multiple devices at the same time.
5. Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer – $119.00
I finally discovered the magic of gimbals before my trip to Spain last year, and now I’m obsessed with mine. It’s for stabilizing your camera (or in this case, smartphone) so you can capture smoother, more professional-looking videos. No more shakiness while panning or walking!
This particular gimbal is compatible with most iPhones and Androids, but double check to make sure that your (or your recipient’s) phone model is compatible before purchasing. Click here to see a video I made using this gimbal and my iPhone 8 while in Spain!
6. Packing Cubes – $24.99
I purchased this exact set of packing cubes in 2015, before my backpacking trip through Central America. All these years later, and I still use them every single time I travel. Even short weekend trips!
Packing cubes are one of those items that many travelers wouldn’t think to purchase for themselves, but won’t be able to live without after they receive them as a gift. Someone will be very pleased to received these as a gift this year!
7. Travel Wallet + Organizer -$65.70
Raise your hand if you’re guilty of shoving all of your carry-on belongings (including your passport or ID) into various zippered pockets and pouches of your backpack, forcing yourself to rummage through the clutter every time you need something? Well, you can put your hand down now!
This nifty little travel wallet and organizer makes it easy to store your boarding pass, money, passport, phone, iPad or kindle, sunglasses, headphones and other items in one neat and tidy little package. Plus, it’s super stylish!
8. Waxed Canvas Backpack – $146.15
I’m alllll about a nice canvas backpack. They’re just so effortlessly cool, and give off that vibe of, “why yes, I DO jet off to fabulous locations around the globe on the regular, why do you ask?”
Because of the muted, neutral colors, this is a nice unisex gift that any traveler is sure to love. Perfect for stashing all of their most essential belongings on-the-go!
9. External Hard Drive – $50.99
Every traveler knows that external storage is an absolute must-have while abroad, for a multitude of reasons. These handy devices are perfect for safely storing all of those precious travel photos and videos while you’re on the road and at home.
Not only that, external hard drives are also great for storing music and movies. When I got dengue fever in Honduras and ended up bedridden, a fellow traveler was able to transfer hundreds of movies from his external hard drive to mine. Life. Saver.
10. TSA Approved Toiletry Bag – $12.99
The perfect gift for travelers that is both practical and affordable! Sure, you could stuff all your liquids into a ziplock bag…but this reusable, TSA-approved bag is a much more fun and eco-friendly alternative.
As someone who ends up receiving multiple travel storage bags every year during the holidays (whether for toiletries, makeup, jewelry or electronics) allow me to reassure you that travelers can never have too many of these. Never!
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Which of these 10 Legitimately Useful Gifts for Travelers would you be most excited to unwrap this year during the holidays? Anything else you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments, I’m always looking for cool new travel products and gadgets to try out!
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Chocoviv says
The noise cancellation earphones are important!!!
Kelly | The Wandering Blonde says
Yes!! Never traveling without them again!