Best Gifts for Travelers: Practical Gifts They’ll Actually Use

Wanting something larger than my international spinner but still able to carry-on domestic flights, I decided to try the Quince expandable carry-on suitcase. Years later, I am still glad I made that choice. This bag is durable, lightweight, and looks good too. This is a great choice for someone who is still carting around a beat-up suitcase with struggling wheels. Great range of colors, and that expanding feature really has saved me at the end of a trip! Check out my detailed Quince suitcase review.

This is by far the hardest working luggage I own. This brilliantly designed lightweight backpack has places for all your devices, your laptop, water bottles, small items, large items, you name it. There is a pouch or pocket or bungee to organize it. It fits easily under a plane seat, has a sleeve to slip it over the handles of a suitcase, and looks modern and sophisticated with the tonal zippers. It comes in three sizes; I swear by the Large for travel and as my commuter bag. My kid also has one as her school backpack. Several colors and fabrics to choose from.

It was hard to decide which item from Tom Bihn to add to this travel gift guide as all their products are brilliant. But I have this bag (that's me modeling it last year!) and it's the best luggage I have ever owned. It holds SO MUCH; I've gone on a two-week vacation with 99% of my luggage fitting in it. It has handles and padded backpack straps and you can get the optional shoulder strap that I have here. The side pockets are big enough to hold men's size 14 shoes, it can hold more than other bags I own the same size yet it can fit in an overhead compartment with ease. It's designed so you can work out of the bag on a table or luggage rack, and it has held up to baggage carousels beautifully. Tom Bihn is US-located and made and does much for the environment. Learn more in my Tom Bihn Aeronaut review.

My bestie is a frequent flier, a world traveler, and an Aloha bag superfan. And this mini hip pack is what made me understand her fandom and the fandom of thousands others. This bag weighs hardly anything. It's splashproof. It has a hidden interior zipper pocket. Put your essentials in it and when you get through TSA put it around your waist for easy access to AirPods, wallet, phone, lip balm, and other small essentials. On your trip, use it as a crossbody bag. Because it's splashproof, it's a great bag to have at the beach or pool. It's so thin your hotel room key card will work through it but it's so durable it will be a travel favorite for years to come.

As someone who can't be without her prescription lenses, I think this travel case is utterly genius and utterly necessary. Holding up to three pairs of frames in smudge- and scratch-proof microsuede, this zipper polycarbonate case is hard to protect while taking up very little room in your luggage.

These are not your typical packing cube, and they are an amazing gift for your adventure traveler. Made from 100% recycled polyester ripstop with a matte, weather-resistant, recycled TPU-film laminate, they are super durable and long-lasting, even through gnarly situations. The main compartment is divided equally with zippered pockets; one side is mesh for easy visibility, the other is plain-weave fabric to fully separate dirty items. And with exterior daisy chains, these can be connected together or lashed to the exterior of other bags.

If your traveler is always worried about luggage space, the Aerless™ Vacuum Bag compresses 15+ clothing items to save up to 60% space. Designed for carry-on efficiency, each modular bag is made from durable, anti-rip nylon with waterproof, odor-proof seals to keep clothes clean and fresh on the move. Four colors to choose from

Luggage tags are an always appreciated gift, and these are especially awesome because they're stylish, durable, and can be personalized. Add a bold monogram or foil embossing and your choice of tag color for luggage they'll immediately be able to recognize at baggage claim. I've personally given these as a gift and years later my friend is stilll using them on her suitcases!

This is THE travel hoodie. Cozy, quality, and utterly genius. A built-in sleep mask in the hood, zipper pockets on the sleeves for your AirPods and other small travel essentials, hidden kangaroo pocket to keep your passport and wallet secure and eight pockets in all to make you comfortable on your flight and have your outfit secretly be your personal bag! Over a dozen colors to choose from, unisex sizes XS-3X, and even matching pants for a great travel outfit!

I am not sure why people recommend a cashmere travel wrap because I know personally, after using it as a plane blanket, an evening wrap, a shoulder covering, having it stuffed in my tote and wrapped around like a winter scarf I want to wash mine. That is why I love this travel scarf from Zestt. Made from 100% GOTS Certified organic cotton, it's quite soft and cozy, looks elevated, but can be thrown in the washer and dryer. Big enough to be versatile, it can be worn in over 20 ways and comes in a range of versatile colors.

Especially if you are shopping for a teen or college-aged traveler, the Calpak cosmetics case will be a well received gift. If a toiletries case could have a cult following, this one has it. Beautiful, durable, and brilliantly designed, it organizes full-sized product as well as tiny items, keeps them protected but protects your luggage in case of leaks, and is designed to fit very easily in most suitcases. A range of colors to fit one's personality or luggage collection.

My sister bought this for me and my sister for Christmas a couple of years ago, and it is bt far one of the best little gifts I've ever gotten. It's tiny, but it holds SO MUCH. I own a lot of jewelry, and I like big rings and bold earrings and they all fit and zip up to protect it all and keep from tangling. Comes in a few different colors, and makes a great stocking stuffer!

Top rated by travel experts, this is the most brilliant neck pillow for flights, especially if you're known to have your head fall to the side when you fall asleep sitting upright. Fleece-covered plastic, this is lightweight but sturdy and takes up hardly any space in your luggage. I actually have this on my wish list after going on a trip with friends and one had this. The trtl can actually make flying economy comfortable!

Who cares if you look silly if it keeps you rested and from slipping onto your neighbor's shoulder? This eye mask connects to your plane seat to keep your head upright. But the best part is the removable Velcro messages you can add for humor or as an FYI: wake for food, do not disturb, and more. And best thing is this gadget is so small you can stuff it in your pocket!

A cult favorite for years, available in multiple sizes and colors, this toiletry bag from L.L.Bean stands out from the rest. Made travel-tough with water-resistant, abrasion-resistant fabric that keeps water from seeping in and spills from leaking out. Removeable mirror, shower caddy, and side compartments are genius and this is a case that will keep its shape, even if it's half open, half empty, and hanging from a tree branch.

I didn't get the hype of Cadence capsules for toiletries until I received this set as a gift. Leakproof, TSA-compliant, BPA and PFA-free, these capsules are the perfect size to decant toilitries for travel and come in a great range of colors. The capsules are magnetic, so they connect together for added security and organization. And what is coolest is these capsules are adaptable: screw off the bottom and you can connect two together to make it larger. Seriously genius, and I am a total Cadence convert!

I own several of these exact phone chargers. I have one for my phone, one for my iPad. My husband and daughter also have one. They're so small they can fit into a belt bag or pocket. The charge plug is long enough that it fits even with thick security phone cases. You can continue to use your phone while it's on, no need for extra cords. And you can plug your phone into it and the charger into the wall and charge both at the same time! This is a fantastic stocking stuffer for most anyone, especially your favorite traveler.

We all want a dark room for a good night's sleep when on travel, but when you have to get up and can't find your way around your hotel room or cabin, it can be stressful. These little lights take up no space in your luggage, are USB rechargeable, and magnetic. They can adhere to cruise cabin walls, mini fridges, bed bases, and more and have a motion sensor feature so it will only turn in when you get out of bed (or there is any other activity in your space).

I first learned about these crossbody phone cases from a travel blogger. I met her at a conference and admired her phone case with a strap. She shared she had worn in in a dozen different countries and loved how it was so secure, kept her hands free, yet was the perfect length to not have to remove it to take a photo or look something up on her phone. I linked here to their leather crossbody with a small pocket that is available in a variety of colors and prints, but Bandolier has an amazing range of phone cases in different styles, with more storage, and different colors and textiles. I have now owned a Bandolier for each phone I have had and can't recommend them enough for durability, style, security, and ease of use.

Wirelessly transmit audio from in-flight entertainment, gym equipment, gaming devices, TV's or any 3.5 audio jack. Use your AirPods, earbuds or wireless headphones anywhere with no more cords in the way. Now you don't have to sacrifice audio quality/comfort in flight. With a battery life of 25 hours, it will survive through the longest flights. AirFly Pro can be used while charging with the included cable if you forget to charge before take off. Two colors and less than $60!

We've all heard of AirTags, and these are similar... but better. And actually the original! Made by an independent company, Chipolo item finders work with Apple FindMy, Android Find, and the Chipolo app and come in a great range of functional sizes (and pretty colors). A slim card to slip in your wallet, laptop sleeve, or clutch purse. A Loop which is similar but more durable than an AirTag (hello waterproof!) to attach to keys, luggage, and more. Amazing colors, and the battery lasts up to 1 year on a single charge.

I hate most earplugs. They're uncomfortable, they fall out, they just don't work. And then I tried these and now I can't travel without them. Loop earplugs are stylush (they come in a bunch of cool colors), they come with several sizes of earbuds to get a comfortable and custom fit, and the Switch style is perfect for travel. Engage mode just dims the noise but lets you still have a conversation with others - great for waiting at the gate or a noisy restaurant. Experience provides the protection needed but the crisp sound for attending concerts and live events. Quiet mode is great for flights and train trips, when you need to concentrate, or just to make the space quieter to sleep or rest. And yes, these are comfortable enough to sleep in!

I own this, have gifted it to others, and even bought a backup. This is one of the best tripods on the market because it can also be a selfie stick, you can unscrew the phone holder to put on other attachments (or attach a DSLR camera), and it comes with a great remote so everyone can be in the picture. It's so durable, I have traveled with it in checked and carryon luggage and it folds down to fit into most any tote or small bag. All that for less than $20!

I have one of these and LOVE it for travel, whether it's a beach weekend or a flight and I don't know what to do with my hat. I use it all summer so I have somewhere to place my sunhat when I go indoors. It looks like a stylish bag charm and the magnets are so strong it holds onto even my leather hat when wiggling through a crowd.

I bought this for my husband one year and it has remained a favorite and something he always takes on travel. The LARQ Bottle PureVis is the world's first self-cleaning water bottle and water purification system. It comes in two sizes and a few different colors, and you can choose from insulated or a very lightweight option. You can also add on accessories like a carabiner loop and travel sleeve to make carrying this bottle a breeze.

My sister loaned me this collapsible water bottle years ago and I never gave it back. In fact, I just took it on a trip a few weeks ago! Durable, these bags when holding even a few ounces of water stand upright. They have a carabiner so you can clip it to your bag or belt. But once empty, they fold down super small to fit into a pocket. I carry one on flights empty and folded down, then once through TSA I fill it at a filtered water station and clip it to the handle on my backpack for the rest of my trip. Easy to clean, comes in a range of colors and sizes.

When I was interviewed by a travel Substack of what I always pack in my suitcase, I included my Printfresh robe. This cotton robe comes in a range of prints and an even better range of sizes. It's 100% cotton with deep pockets and a wide long self-belt. I have worn this padding around my hotel room, over my swimsuit, even as a dress. And it's years old and still looks beautiful.