2023 $5 Travel Stocking Stuffers Gift Guide: 50+ Inexpensive But Useful Travel Gifts

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We obviously love to travel. And we know a lot of others who love to travel. And we love gifting them things they’ll actually use and love. But so many gifts for travelers mostly include things like $400 pieces of luggage, which isn’t really in our budget. (Gotta save that money for the actual travel!)

Here’s a list of really excellent, useful gifts that travel lovers will love but won’t break the bank. All of them are under $10, so they’re perfect for a sister, friend, neighbor, or coworker. They’re tried and true items we’ve loved in our travels, so you can be sure they’ll be used for years to come!

Suitcase cover

Suitcase covers are awesome to help you locate your luggage quickly and easily (and keep it from getting mistakenly picked up by someone else). I love these with bright, solid colors and the price is just right. (These with fun patterns are just a couple dollars more.)

Blister Patches

There is nothing worse than walking a ton when traveling and getting blisters, but having no other shoe options available. Blister patches are a must to stay comfortable and to protect in the event you do get a blister. They’re a perfect gift for a traveler or outdoor lover.

Family Passport Holder

We have and love this exact passport holder. It makes it so much easier to keep track of all of them, along with boarding passes, luggage tags, vaccination cards and more. A perfect family travel gift.

Universal Travel Adapter

This universal travel adapter is a must for us whenever we go abroad. I love that we don’t need different plug adapters based on where we’re going because they’re basically all contained in one item.

Comfortable Earrings for Sensitive Ears

I love the earrings from Shop Hey June because they’re stainless steel based and plated with gold, so they work great for my sensitive ears. I love that I can leave them in when we travel and they’re super comfortable even for showering and sleeping, so there’s less risk of leaving them behind somewhere. (Code PREETHI for 10% off your order, and several are on sale right now.)

Cute Sanitizer Holders

Sanitizer is a must when traveling and I can never have too many mini bottles hanging on all my bags. I have and love this darling little sanitizer holder, but there are TONS of other options available out there from pandas to fruit.

Portable, Reusable Straw

These metal straws that come with their own case and cleaner are perfect travel gift for someone who cares about the earth.

3-in-1 Spork/Knife

Speaking of travel utensils, this 3-in-1 spoon / fork / knife is convenient and easy to clean. And nicer to the earth!

Hair Ties

These are the BEST hair ties that hold even my very thick hair. I always have a couple on my wrist or in my bag when traveling. Good for separating out into stockings, too!

Portable Soap Sheets

These are great if you’re traveling somewhere that won’t have reliable soap at sinks but you need more cleaning than just sanitizer. Tiny and easy to pack (and this little pack is so cute, too). Perfect for outdoors or travel lovers.

Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

If you know a road trip lover, this digital tire pressure gauge is so useful to have on hand. We’ve had ours for years and it works great.

Long-Sleeved Bibs

Know a tiny traveler? These are the only bibs worth using and especially helpful when traveling when laundry is trickier. They also pack down super small and weigh almost nothing.

Bug Bite Thing

If you’re traveling somewhere buggy, you definitely want to take this thing along. It sucks venom out to minimize irritation and swelling. Dan swears by it!

Amber Roll On Perfume

If you have someone who likes different fragrances, this is one of my very favorites. I rarely wear perfume but I love that this one smells really natural and lovely and not overpowering. It’s a little different on each person, so it always feels like it belongs on the person. This little roller ball version is perfect for travel!

Travel Journal

We’ve had and loved these lined notebooks as travel journals for years and we keep returning to them over and over because they’re excellent. (Whoever heard of a notebook having 27k 5-star reviews??) Sturdy with nice, lined pages, and a strap to hold it closed. My kids record our activities and draw pictures in them.

Waterproofing Spray

Ever had a “waterproof” jacket or shoes that got totally damp? It’s especially miserable when traveling. This spray is perfect for touching up their performance and will be appreciated by the travel lovers in your life.

Paint By Sticker Book

If you know a young traveler, this is an EXCELLENT gift that will for sure get used. We love these and lots of them are on sale here and here.

Waterproof Mini Bluetooth Speaker

Perfect for the music lover in your life to take on the road or to a campsite. Even has a loop to attach to a backpack or stroller. I also super love this slightly-more-expensive speaker (under $30, so great for a gift!).

Compressed Towels

These are great, especially if you’ll be spending time outdoors. They pack really small and plump up when you add water. Sturdy and helpful for cleaning.

Triangle Crayons

These are great for not rolling around even when in a moving vehicle. Fun for young and old!

Travel Laundry Soap Sheets

You saw the handwashing soap sheets above; there are also little strips for laundry! These are so convenient and take way less space than packing detergent pods. (Just know you’ll likely need a couple of these per article of clothing.) If you prefer a liquid, these Sink Suds packets are a good option.

USB Car Charger

My phone battery always dies quickly, especially if I’m looking up maps when road tripping. This little adapter is great for charging in the car whether going on a road trip from home or renting a car at a destination.

Small Dry Bag

We got a couple dry bags when in the Philippines and they are SO useful. Perfect if you’ll be near water to keep important things like phones and passports safe and dry.

Human Body Activity Book

An activity book is always a winner and we really love this one about the human body. Fun and also educational. An amazing deal right now!

Mini Tripod + Selfie Stick

Who doesn’t like to take photos when traveling? This serves double duty as a mini tripod and selfie stick for your travel-loving friend’s phone.

Mini First Aid Kit

This tiny little kit is perfect to have a few basics on hand. Plus, it’s cute!

Toothbrush Covers

These toothbrush covers will ALWAYS get used and it’s always nice to have fresh ones. A perfect little gift that’s a travel essential.

USA Scratch Off Travel Map

Always fun to see where you’ve been before!

Card Game

A small card game is always welcomed when traveling – they’re perfect for long rides, waiting in airports, sitting at restaurants, and more. Here are a few family favorites that are under the $10 mark right now!

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (even cheaper here)
Cover Your Assets
Dutch Blitz (we’re getting this one this year)
Uno Flip – great for all ages
Spot It – such a great one for younger kiddos!
Five Crowns
Farkle – amazing deal on this one
Sleeping Queens – a perennial favorite
Deck of Cards – the fave of my 13 year old right now

Satin Pillowcase

Travel can be rough on hair, especially if it’s curly or textured. A satin pillowcase can really help, and weighs almost nothing to take along. This one is really affordable and has terrific reviews.

Quick Dry Towel

I always like to have one of these quick dry towels on hand when traveling, even if we’re not planning on being around water. Helpful for rain, cleaning up babies, or showering in a pinch. The smaller ones especially take up very little room.

Headlamp

This is a great staple to have in a travel pack – equally helpful when hiking and when walking through dark streets and trying to find your hotel.

Mini White Noise Machine

Perfect for kiddos or for grown ups to sleep despite kiddos.

Car Seat Suitcase Strap

It seems ridiculous to pay for a strap but I promise it’s one of our most used travel items. So helpful to easily attach a car seat to a suitcase, especially when wheeling it through the airport.

Small Thermometer

I always like to pack a slim thermometer along when we travel and have been grateful for it countless times.

Velvet Travel Jewelry Box

I love this useful and lovely mini velvet travel jewelry box – perfect for anyone who loves jewelry, like a friend or a tween/teen.

Door Stop Alarm

This is a great one for situations from whether you’re concerned about safety when traveling solo, to worrying about a kid opening a hotel room door and escaping while you’re asleep. (It’s happened to us!)

Melatonin

We don’t like to use melatonin regularly but it is a game changer for travel. We really like this kind because it’s fast acting and the dosage is the same as kid-specific ones but isn’t gummy (and takes less space) than kid versions. Good for both adults and kids.

Gear Ties

Like carabiners, these gear ties hold all kinds of things in place. Really helpful to have on hand and a perfect useful, under $5 gift for a travel lover.

Wiki Stix

I don’t know what it is about these little wax sticks, but they’re SO fun for all different ages. I’m talking about my toddlers up to my teenager all love fidgeting with them. They’re quiet, non-messy, and take up almost no room. A gem of a travel toy.