43 travel gifts for globetrotting friends and family

It's been said that traveling is the only thing you can spend money on that will make you richer. But as far as spending money on the traveler in your life... that can be tricky. It's difficult to know exactly what your favorite wanderluster wants, needs, or already has.

Maybe your favorite travel enthusiast is the outdoorsy type, hiking through national parks with no room for extraneous possessions. Or maybe they're a frequent flier who won't check luggage, no matter what. Or maybe you know an aspiring travel blogger who needs to bring along two dozen outfits and their full beauty routine. To help you shop for your travel-lovers, we've rounded up the best gifts for travelers of 2023.

This list includes 43 awesome options for every type of traveler in your life, whether it's the chronic over-packer, the weekend warrior, or the friend who has everything. That's right, we have 'em all covered, with nary a "where I've been" map in sight.

• Best gifts for travelers under $20

• Best gifts for travelers under $30

• Best gifts for travelers under $50

• Best gifts for travelers under $100

• Best gifts for travelers under $250

• Best gifts for travelers under $500

Best gifts for travelers under $20

1. GroupJanuse personalized luggage strap

For the one with the nondescript luggage

Anyone who has been staring at a carousel of endlessly spinning, unclaimed luggage knows what it feels like to be trapped in Dante's seventh circle of hell. Save your giftee from the fiery inferno of despair with an eye-catching personalized luggage strap. 

Such a simple gift. Such an enormous sanity saver!

$6 at Etsy

2. Zoppen RFID Travel Wallet

For the Type-A traveler

This slim envelope wallet holds all the travel essentials and opens to reveal them in an orderly layout for the organization-obsessed traveler.

Designated pockets and pouches fit everything you could dream of, including a passport, boarding passes, credit cards and IDs, a cell phone, keys, pens, and a zippered pocket for money and coins. Bonus: It even includes an RFID-blocking shield to prevent identity theft, and it comes in over 30 colors, from classic black to bold coral.

$15 at Amazon

3. Dr. Meter Luggage Scale

For the chronic over-packer

A good luggage scale is worth its weight (see what we did there) in gold. Going even an ounce or two overweight can be a costly issue, and can see you with charges of $50 or more. The Dr. Meter Luggage Scale is the best luggage scale our testers tried. it allows you to determine the exact weight of your luggage so you can shift things around (or toss them) before you get to the airport and get slapped with extra luggage fees.

$9 at Amazon

4. Marvis Travel with Flavor Set

For the one who likes to keep it fresh

Sometimes the best gifts are the simplest. I was gifted this three-pack of Italian toothpaste a year ago and it's one of my favorite ways the freshen up after a long flight or car ride. It's packaged beautifully and feels like a small moment of self-care and luxury every time I use it. 

$17 at Amazon

5. Gemice Toiletries Container Set

For the one who is particular about their toiletries

No one wants a mess of exploded shampoo greeting them when they reach their travel destination. This silicon set of travel bottles expands ever so slightly when your luggage reaches higher altitudes to prevent in-bag explosions. And because they are soft-sided, they make squeezing out every last drop easier, making every last bit of your liquids count. Plus, they come in an array of pretty, giftable colors.

$14 at Amazon

6. Flex-flap airflow

For the jet-setting movie buff

Call me lucky, but on every flight I take, the seatback screens in my row go out. Since most flights I take are over 5 hours, this is a royal bummer. Enter the Flex-flap Airflow. Feather-light, and thin as cardboard, it can be bent and molded into a super-sturdy shape to prop up your smartphone or your tablet so that it's perfectly positioned for extended media-viewing.

$15 at Amazon

7. Addalock Portable Door Lock

For the one who always stays in sus homestays

A little extra security never hurt anyone. Think of this tiny travel lock as a deadbolt on the go. It gives a little extra security whether you're staying in a semi-sus short-term rental or a hotel that doesn't feel quite as secure as its online photos made it out to be. 

$18 at Amazon

8. Bevegekos Cable Organizer Bag

For the one with lots of electronics

For anyone traveling with electronics, the proper storage will make a trip much less stressful. This handy little travel cord organizer comes in three sizes and 10 colors and has all of the pockets, slots, and zip-up compartments they'll need to keep all their cords tidy.

$6 at Amazon

9. Lanolips Original 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm

One balm to fix it all

There are balms and there are superbalms. This "travel endorsed" balm by Lanolips is a petroleum-free multi-purpose product. Made from 100% lanolin, it's safe enough to use on babies, on your lips, as a nipple balm, on cuts, on cuticles—you name it!

$17 at Lanolips

Best gifts for travelers under $30

10. Adidas Alliance Sackpack

For the "ready for anything" adventurer

The Adidas Alliance Sackpack is, bar none, one of my most essential travel staples. Every member of my family has one. It packs down to almost nothing and expands to be a lightweight around-town backpack, a beachbag, a ski pack, a gym bag, a shopping bag, or a spillover "personal item" bag that fits my purse and the last-minute purchases I made on vacation.

$20 at Adidas

11. For the one whose phone is always on 5%

A Calpak portable charger luggage tag

This smart and stylish Calpak luggage tag has a secret. Hidden within the pretty colors and elegant lines is a 2500 mAh power bank that is ready to charge up any device with dwindling juice. Slim, compact, and lightweight, it features a USB port as well as a personal information card.

$27 at Calpak

12. For the one who can't go anywhere without their pillow

A Sleep Number pillow tote

Be it a long roadtrip or a train ride to visit a friend, some of us just need our favorite pillow to come along with us on the journey—and to sleep soundly at our final destination. This zip-top, water-resistant tote will help keep your pillow clean and protected while not in use. It features carrying straps as well as a convenient luggage sleeve to slip over your roller bag handle, so your precious pillow stays safe on the go.

$30 at Sleep Number

13. For the one who likes their comfort with a side of style

Trtl compression socks

If you've got a frequent flyer, compression socks are a must-have. 

No need to get ugly medical socks. We love these adorable and versatile ones by Trtl. They'll look adorable and they'll feel invigorated and their feet will feel energized to explore once they meet their destination.

$23 at Trtl

14. For the one who just wants some peace and quiet

Loop Earplugs

Snoring seatmate? A bachelorette party in the hotel room next door? Not a problem. Not only do Loop Quiet Earplugs dampen noise by 26 decibels, they come in seven pretty shades and can be reused ad nauseam.

$24 at Loop Earplugs

15. Peace Out Puffy Eyes

Because the only bags they should be carrying are their luggage

Altitude, salty snacks, and lack of sleep are going to do a number on your under-eyes. These soothing, cooling, and portable under-eye patches will help them feel fresh before they deplane.

The magic of these highly effective patches is in their power-packed ingredients, including caffeine, glycerin, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. 

$25 at Amazon

16. Zojirushi travel mug

For the caffeine addict

Overnight trips can leave you bleary-eyed, exhausted, and in need of a great travel coffee mug—and this Zojirushi travel mug, as we can personally attest, is incredible.

Don't expect your beverages to change temperature inside that stainless steel torpedo: day-old coffee can still burn you after sitting for 24 hours in the 16-ounce mug. Its sleek design and its airtight, lockable lid make this travel mug perfect for tossing into your bag on the go, too.

$29 at Amazon

17. A Cocktail Box Co. cocktail kit

For the one who needs to take the edge off

There are many reasons people choose to imbibe on travel days. Maybe they're headed home for a stressful, family-filled holiday. Maybe they hate flying and need to take the edge off with a stiff drink. 

We're not here to judge, we are here to make that airline nip more enjoyable with this cocktail-in-a-box.

The kit is equal parts adorable and efficient, with the ingredients needed to prepare six Old Fashioned cocktails, including three bitters variants, cocktail picks, a spoon, sugar, and a linen napkin—all of which fit inside your pocket.

$23 at Amazon

18. Tatcha Mini Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

This revitalizing face mist is just what they need when their skin has be dehydrated by recycled airplane air. Tatcha Mini Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is different from other face mists in that it not only refreshes, but it actually moisturizes. It also smells divine. 

$22 at Sephora

Best gifts for travelers under $50

19. Trtl Travel Pillow

For the perennial side-sleeper

Side sleepers have it rough when they are flying. This innovative Trtl travel pillow is one of the best I've personally tested. It's lightweight, compact, and supportive and will keep your head and neck in alignment—even when you're subjected to middle-seat exile.

$45 at Trtl

20. Marks & Gram Leather Charger Roll Pouch

For the one who likes a little bit of elegance

Practical but elegant, this monogrammed chord pouch ensures their chords stay organized and that they are always able to find their headphones and chargers.

$49 at Marks & Graham

21. Bombas Gripper Slippers

For the one with the cold toes

Travel slippers walk the perfect gift-giving line of being practical and luxurious. The Bombas Fair Isle Gripper Slippers fold up small, wash easily, and, because of their grippy bottoms, make for a sturdier situation when you're walking on unfamiliar flooring—like tile or laminate at your hotel or homestay.

We also like these for a sanitary buffer zone when we want to slip off our shoes mid-flight, but don't want our toes touching a nasty airplane floor.

$45 at Bombas

22. Béis Travel Dopp Kit

For the one who likes a tidy vanity

This brilliant little dopp kit is—like all Béis travel products—made with an innovative "why didn't anyone think of this before" design. Mesh pockets allow you to keep the main pocket organized, while a zip-on bottom pocket lets you keep items like jewelry and cosmetic brushes separate and clean during travel.

$49 at Beis

23. Eagle Creek Packing Cubes

For an organizational game-changer

Packing itself can be a feat, but keeping your suitcase or backpack in neat, working order through the duration of your trip is the real challenge. If their meticulously arranged bag historically morphs into a hurricane of bunched-up clothes and missing socks, do them a solid: get them some truly amazing packing cubes.

These pouches keep contents organized, fresh, and easy to find.

$45 at Backcountry

24. T-Core Power Bank

For the one who is always low on juice

Teeny, tiny, palm-sized, and portable, the T-Core Power Bank makes a great gift for those who always need to juice up. The compact 10,000mAh portable power bank is small enough to fit in a pocket but powerful enough to recharge a cell phone twice.

$35 at Amazon

25. Lifestraw Collapsible Squeeze Bottle

For hydration with limited space

Once you get through TSA you pay a premium for water, but sometimes airport water fountains can be a bit sus. This travel bottle by Lifestraw not only packs down to be supremely portable it also filters your water, so you can always be confident you are hydrating with some H20 that's fit for human consumption.

This is perfect for a backpacker or the traveler who is adamant about fitting everything into a carry-on (i.e. me).

$38 at Amazon

Best gifts for travelers under $100

26. Adidas Kaptir Running Shoes

For the one that's always on the run

Reviewers rave over the Adidas Kaptir Running Shoes as being "ultra-comfortable sneakers" that are perfect for running through airports or walking for miles across European city streets. The Cloudfoam midsole supports your feet giving maximum cushion with every step and a breathable knit upper keeps sweaty feet at bay. What's more is the grippy synthetic outsole makes them a great choice for an unexpected hike or slippery city streets.

Starting at $72 at Adidas

27. 1More SonoFlow Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

For the one who requires silence on flights

Be it turbulence, a crying baby, or the chatty couple in the next row over, noisy disruptions on flights aren't for the faint of heart. If you're looking to gift a pair of over-ear headphones while not breaking the bank, we found 1More's SonoFlow to "offer the noise canceling you’d expect in a pair of headphones that cost twice as much, as well as other nifty features to enhance the listening experience." With clear sound and preset EQs, the SonoFlow will be a major upgrade to their wired earbuds.

$64 on Amazon

28. AirFly Pro

For the one who wants Bluetooth connectivity

They love their Airpods or their Beats but without Bluetooth connectivity, they're a bust on flights and a hotel gym. This little device ensures they are always connected. With over 25 hours of battery life, the AirFly Pr will never run out of steam—even on an overseas flight. Plus it comes in a compact little keychain holder to make it extra portable.

$54 at Amazon

29. Ostrich Go Neck Pillow

For the one who's always on the red-eye

Getting in those few hours of shut-eye is essential, but it's often near impossible. I wore the Ostrich Go Neck Pillow during a 6-hour red-eye where I was subjected to all of the indignities of sleeping in a middle seat.

The 360°, memory foam design cradled my neck and gave me a comfortable, yet structured slumber to allow for a full five hours of restful sleep. This travel pillow also compresses down to 60% of its size to be stowed away when not in use.

$60 at Ostrich Pillow

30. A Kindle Paperwhite

For the resident bookworm

Got a friend or family member who loves a good book? The lightest and most compact Kindle Paperwhite ever is a perfect travel companion for those who love to take their reading with them. It's small enough to fit in a fanny pack yet still holds thousands of books. A battery charge that boasts six weeks of power means that they won't even need to pack a charger to keep the reading going.

$99 at Amazon

31. A Dagne Dover belt bag

For the one who likes to keep things at their fingertips

A roomy, well-structured belt bag is one of the smartest things a savvy traveler can own. The Dagne Dover belt bag is one of our favorites. It's impervious to stains, somehow fits everything you need and then some, and it has the most brilliant pocket design of any we've tried.

$79 at Nordstrom

32. Larq Purifying Water Bottle

For the purest water, wherever they go

This first-of-its-kind water bottle by LARQ not only keeps H20 chilled but also keeps it clean. A proprietary design utilizes 99.99% of harmful, odor-causing bacteria, including E.coli, using neutralizing UV-C light. The award-winning LARQ water bottle is more than a cool gift, it's incredibly practical.

$99 at Amazon

33. de Mamiel Altitude Oil

For the one that needs a bit of centering

Sometimes we just need to BREATHE. This tiny bottle is the ultimate travel pick-me-up that will soothe and revive and help your frequent traveler thrive. With scents of lavender, lemon myrtle, peppermint, pine, and eucalyptus it can also help to decongest airways to help them breathe easier once they've reached their destination.

$52 at The Detox Market

34. Calpak Kaya Cosmetic Case

For the one who sees clearly how to get through TSA

We can all agree that going through TSA is brutal. This clear Calpak toiletry bag makes it a little bit easier. Clear compartments allow you to not only breeze through the TSA line, it allows you to survey all that you've packed quickly and easily. Plus, it comes in multiple pretty colorways.

$75 at Calpak

35. Tile Trackers

For the one who'd lose their head if it wasn't attached

If your pal is the kind who loses precious travel time tracking down their purse or other belongings, consider getting them a Tile tracker.

We love the Tile, a small tracking device that you can attach to your most important—or most often forgotten—personal items (think: keys, wallet, purse, luggage, laptop bike, etc.)

Three for $65 at Amazon

Best gifts for travelers under $250

36. J. Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap

For the one who is always cold

A cashmere wrap that's under $200 and sustainable? Sign us up. Wrapping your body in J.Crew's cashmere sublimely soft travel scarf is equivalent to a warm and snuggly hug. This wrap is a scarf, a shawl, and a travel blanket all in one, and—with 11 colors to choose from—you're bound to find one your giftee feels spectacular wearing. 

$140 at J. Crew

37. Samsonite Free Form Medium Spinner

For the one who needs a stellar piece of carry-on

Smooth wheels, a high capacity, and a lightweight build make this Samsonite roller bag make this one of the best carry-on luggage pieces we've found. Added features like super-smooth wheels, a variable height handle, a built-in TSA-approved lock, and options for an array of colors make this a great choice for a well-priced gift for your favorite frequent flyer. 

$150 at Amazon

38. Béis Weekender Bag

For the weekend warrior

The most talked about weekender bag on TikTok lives up to the hype, with a smart design that has a place for everything. The Béis Weekender Bag comes in eight gorgeous colors and is designed with a flip-up, zip-closed, separate shoe compartment—which is the perfect place to stash shoes, dirty clothes, or even souvenirs that need to stay pristine while traveling. 

$108 at Béis

39. Dagne Dover Landon

For the meticulous packer

For another weekender bag option, the Dagne Dover Landon blew us away during testing with its extra-roomy interior that allowed for almost a week's worth of clothes. Numerous inside pockets and make the Landon a great choice for the meticulous packer.

$215 at Dagne Dover

40. Briggs & Riley Weekender Bag

For the one who needs tougher travel gear

Not all of us are the kind to stay in swank hotels. For the one who travels off the beaten path and needs a travel bag to keep up, Briggs & Riley makes the best weekender duffel that our experts recommend. 800D ballistic nylon with a PVC coating ensures it's tough enough to go to the ends of the earth.

$249 at Amazon

41. Nomatic Backpack

For the pocket-obsessed packer

The Nomatic Backpack made waves on Kickstarter and did not disappoint when it became available for purchase. Boasting 20 (that's right—20) pockets, there is a place for everything for even the most meticulous packer. Magnetic side pockets, a water resistant exterior, and an expansion of 20% (for all those souvenirs you pick up) make this an unbeatable bag.

$280 at Nomatic

Best gifts for travelers under $500

42. The Away Large Suitcase

For the one who can't pack light

Whether they are the type who can't pare their packing down, or they are the kind to go on an epically long vacation, the we think the Away Large roller bag is  the best-checked luggage money can buy.

The super-strong suitcase affords you about 100 liters of packing space, mesh pockets, and a clip-in compression panel to hold two weeks' worth of clothing (and a ton of souvenirs), as well a laundry bag and a combination lock.

$315 at Away

43. Sony WF-1000XM5 noise canceling earbuds

For the friend who needs their quiet time

Our Managing Editor of Tech swears by the Sony WF-1000XM5 noise canceling earbuds and even professes to using them during his 6+-hour flights from LA to Boston. Ranking as the best noise-cancelling earbuds we've tested, we can't say we are surprised.

Yes, these earbuds are pricey but don't let that dissuade you: Their unparalled capability and unmatched comfort makes them worth the investment.

$289 at Amazon