2024 Ultimate Travel Lovers Gift Guide: 100+ Travel Gifts for All Ages

Car Seat Luggage Strap

This strap is so simple but amazing for attaching your car seat to a suitcase so you’re not carrying it in your arms all through the airport. It even allows your child to sit in it while you pull it, turning your suitcase into a stroller!

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.

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.

Rechargeable Hand Warmers

Love that you can charge these up – they’re perfect for any winter travel.

Carabiners

Just might be my favorite travel accessory of all time. Attach water bottles and jackets, hook stuff on a suitcase or stroller, or a whole bunch of other uses. (An S-biner is also great.)

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.

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!)

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!

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.

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.

Magnetic Bookmarks

Slim and packable, these stay put and are perfect for reading on the go. Lots of color options, too!

Silicone Travel Bottles

Perfect for the frequent traveler to decant their favorite skin and hair products to take with them. I love these pastel colors!

Insect Repellent

We love this repellent, especially in areas with disease-carrying mosquitoes. This travel-sized one is great to tuck in a bag.

Mini First Aid Kit

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

Quick Dry Towel

This is my very favorite quick dry towel for travel, camping, and the beach. It dries in a flash and I love the ribbed texture.

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.

4-pack of AirTag holders

We keel AirTags in all our bags and use these all the time to keep track of them.

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.

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!

Money Belt Travel Wallet

This is really convenient to wear if you want to keep money and credit cards concealed and Dan wears it on a daily basis. It’s thin so it fits under clothing, and is big enough for a passport if you need it, too.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Travel Brain Game

This is a new game for us and it has been SO fun! Great for keeping older kids occupied while in transit.

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.

USA Scratch Off Travel Map

Always fun to see where you’ve been before! This is a great option if you’re working your way through visiting all 50 states.

No Slip No Show Socks

My faves, bar none. They never budget and are perfect with my favorite travel sneakers.

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.

Card Games

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 all under the $20 mark, with some under the $10 mark!

• Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
• Cover Your Assets
• Dutch Blitz
• Uno Flip
• Spot It
• Five Crowns
• Farkle
• Sleeping Queens
• Deck of Cards

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.)

Wet Bag

These wet bags are great for containing swimsuits or any other wet items when traveling, especially if you need to pack up before hitting the road.

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.

Best Bandages

It’s true – I have weirdly strong opinions about bandages. These are the very best for staying on and helping heal quickly.

Children’s Zyrtec

Speaking of meds worth taking, we always make sure to have children’s Zyrtec after our pediatrician recommended having it on hand. It’s recommended now over Benadryl for a variety of bites and allergic reactions, so it’s a good one to keep with you. Stick it in a stocking or a full medical kit!

Folding Lightweight Backpacks

This isn’t the exact model we have (ours doesn’t seem to be sold anymore), but it’s the exact same idea and is on sale. We always throw a couple of these in our luggage. They’re great for redistributing weight, containing stuff (like raincoats) for a day out without completely unpacking another travel backpack, or carrying around snacks.

Wool Socks

Wool socks are always a staple for us when traveling because they wick moisture, are really comfortable, and resist odor (so don’t need to be washed as frequently). Here are the full list of all the wool socks I love:

• Amazon (these are women’s wool blend socks and I’ve been really impressed with them – they’re the ones I reach for the most often!)
• Smartwool (buy at REI)
• Darn Tough (buy at Darn Tough, REI)

Packing Cubes

These are absolutely indispensable when we travel. We’ve been using them for well over a decade, and I find I always reach for these expandable ones first – they’re my favorites by far.

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.

Ultra-Light Trowel

This little trowel weighs almost nothing but is really sturdy and makes it easy to dig a cathole when out on a trail without facilities. Help keep the earth beautiful! Always great to have a functional, useful gift, too, and even better that it has an amusing name. 😉 (Also available on Amazon.)

Blackout Eye Mask

Dan absolutely swears by a using an eye mask to sleep both at home and especially when traveling. This one is excellent, doesn’t put pressure on your eyes, and leaves room to move your eyelashes. It’s a bit pricier than normal eye masks, so it’s perfect for a travel gift.

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.

Waterproof, Insulated Gloves

These gloves are sturdy and fantastic – super warm, cozy, and keep you dry. I think they’re excellent whether your skiing or just walking in cold weather to stay toasty when traveling. Great for yourself or as a gift.

Hanging Toiletries Bag

I love this one for containing everyone’s toiletries, and we have another that is the very best way to organize kid travel activities.

1mg Melatonin

We don’t like to use melatonin regularly, but occasionally it’s helpful if switching many time zones or trying to sleep on a plane. I like this kind because it’s 1mg (the same dosage as kid-specific melatonin) but is fast acting, much cheaper, and doesn’t have sugar.

Camping pillow

I bought this for Dan after a recommendation from a friend. It shrinks down super small and has been a great addition for travels.

Mineral Facial Sunscreen

My absolute favorite sunscreen. Love the rosy glow and it protects so well. I use it on myself and on my kids.

Magnetic Phone Ring Holder

I bought this magnetic phone ring holder before this trip and it’s definitely helped me drop my phone less 😉

Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover

We have one of these waterproof rain covers for every family member’s backpack. They’re the best for travel or for hiking, and I love that they are super lightweight and have a hook to just stay with the pack. They come in several sizes for different packs.

Mini White Noise Machine

We absolutely love this tiny white noise machine and have two of them we always take with us when we travel. They’re great for helping everyone (including adults) fall asleep quickly and stay asleep, especially when dealing with jet lag. It’s compact and so easy to use, and we’ve even turned it on quietly in a stroller when walking around outside.

Active Skin Repair

This is our go-to topical for any cuts, scrapes, burns, etc. It helps heal so much more quickly and doesn’t sting, and is hypoallergenic (unlike Neosporin). It’s really wonderful and helps skin regenerate quickly. I always pack a bottle when we travel!

Cozy Travel Slippers

These are the coziest little luxury after long travel days! They fold up super small and are great for using in hotel rooms and on long haul flights.

Family Passport Holder

We love this 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.

Mini Portable Charger

I do not go anywhere without a mini portable charger on hand. I love this tiny one for a little charge that easily plugs directly into my phone (it even fits in my jeans pocket easily). I like that this one shows the percent of charge left!

Charger with Multiple Connectors

Especially with the iPhone changing ports, this is a great charger to have on hand to connect to the new and old phones, AirPods, and other devices.

Mosquito Head Net

We love this one when traveling to buggy areas!

Luggage Belt

You know when you want to rest a personal item on top of your rolling luggage but it keeps shifting and falling and it’s wildly annoying? The Cincha is a simple but brilliant solution for that. It has a sleeve that hooks over the handle of your suitcase, then the belt secures any other item on top. Perfect for someone who loves traveling with a carry on and an easy add to the best travel gifts list!

Airfly

We absolutely love this little device that allows you to connect your own Bluetooth headphones to the airplane’s entertainment system. You just plug this tiny device into the headphone jack, connect, and voila – you can listen via wireless headphones.

Folding 3-in-1 Charging Station

We’ve had this folding charging station for a few months and at first I thought it was a bit extra, but it turns out it’s really awesome to have everything in one spot. We have never take the case with us but just take the dock, and it’s so easy to charge our iPhones, AirPods, and Apple watch all in one spot. Also perfect gifts for someone who travels for work.

Kids Travel Backpack

We’ve used these 12L hiking backpacks for years and they’re the best. Roomy, comfortable, water-resistant, and last forever. We use them on day hikes, and they’re often either the carry on luggage or airplane backpack my kids use when we travel. The best. I also use it myself!

Mini Camelbak

For younger kiddos, especially ones who just want to join in the club of having a backpack but can’t carry much, this little Camelbak is our favorite. It’s amazing to let them carry their own water and snack and drink while walking instead of stopping every 45 seconds. 😉

Portable Tire Inflator / Air Compressor

Amazing deal on this one that we love and that has saved us more than once when we’ve had a flat on the road. 88k positive reviews don’t lie.

Oil Cleanser

My beloved oil cleanser! This is what I use every single day at home, too, but I especially love it for travel because it means I don’t need to pack nearly as much. I cleanse AND moisturize with this, and my skin is glowy. Cose LOCALPASSPORTFAMILY stacks with their current sale!

Kids’ Rain Pants

I think rain pants are such a great travel item – they keep clothing from getting wet and soggy, of course, but they’re also great for wind/cold/outdoor play. Plus, they weigh almost nothing and take barely any room. These are the kids’ ones we love, but we also own and love the women’s style and the men’s style.

Magic Blue Facial Oil

I love this stuff at the end of my nighttime face cleansing routine even at home, but especially when traveling. It’s a magic serum that somehow manages to keep away blemishes, or very quickly make them disappear if they start to pop up (which they are always WAY more likely to with traveling between dry air and germy airplane seats). Love it so much. Code LOCALPASSPORTFAMILY gets a discount.

Scrubba Wash Bag

We started using this handy travel wash bag a few months ago and it’s amazing for being able to wash small amounts of clothing when traveling. This bag is super lightweight and packs small, but cleans clothing as well as a full washing machine. (Free shipping in the US, also available on Amazon.)

Packable Duffel

My favorite packable duffel! Folds down really small and lightweight so it’s easy to throw in a suitcase or attach onto a backpack with a carabiner (we’ve done this many times). But expands to hold a TON and is really sturdy. This would make a terrific gift.

Convertible Pants

All 3 of my boys have loved these pants for years. They’re super sturdy and comfortable, and they love that they can zip off into shorts. This makes them excellent not just for hiking, but for travel – pants for cold airplanes, shorts for the beach! The ultimate 2-in-1 outfit. We’ve had multiple sizes and passed them through multiple kids and they still look practically brand new.

Power Bank

While a little portable charger (above!) is fantastic, when traveling or out for whole days as a family, we always have a bigger power bank for multiple charges. We’ve had this one for years – it’s fantastic and lasts a long time, and is lightweight relative to how much charge it holds. Highly recommend.

Life Jacket

We find a lot of places out of the US, especially, don’t have infant and toddler life jackets available. We like to take this one along for safety for our littlest ones.

Hiking Poles

Here’s a secret – unless you’re quite tall (above 6′ or so), I think these kids’ hiking poles are absolutely fantastic. Sturdy and great quality, and the kids’ ones are much less expensive. The adult ones are also great. I love using them on hills to help with energy and saving knees and they really do make a huge difference. My kids also love using them. They’re currently on sale!

Yoto Mini

Of course we had to bring our Yoto mini along, as well as some cards. It’s great for listening to audiobooks on the plane, in cars, or even at a hotel room. It’s perfect for a preschooler’s travel backpack!

Travel Belt Bag / Minimal Diaper Bag

I’ve used this bag absolutely nonstop since I got it a year and a half ago. It’s the absolute perfect travel or everyday bag for moms who are active and on the go. The main pocket is roomy and can fit diapers and snacks, along with my keys, sunglasses, AirPods, and more, along with an interior zip. (Also available on Amazon.)

40L Backpacking Pack

We absolutely love this kids’ backpacking pack and have used it for so many different trips, from actual backpacking to many many carry-on-only flights. I actually used it myself on a 4-day Alps trek and it was absolutely perfect, and much more comfortable than an adult pack on me (several friends tried it and agreed!).

Merino Wool Base Layers

Wool base layers are a winter travel must have for me – they stay so warm, don’t get stinky when traveling, and last a long time. Our whole family has them and we’ve passed them down through multiple kids. They’re on the pricier side, so perfect for gifting. These are my favorites that are super warm and stretchy, or these are a great, more affordable merino option.

Lightweight Portable Baby Carrier

Dan uses this lightweight folding carrier all the time. We absolutely love how lightweight and portable it is, and that it folds into its own little pouch when not in use. It weighs less than a pound dries in a flash when it gets wet, and is much cooler than other carriers. Love it.

Storyworth (Perfect Last Minute Gift)

Hear me out – I know this one isn’t specific to travel, but Storyworth is perfect for someone who has enjoyed travel (or any experiences, really) to record the special moments of their life. Think of it as custom travel gifts! The recipient receives question prompts about their life that they answer, then those are all compiled into a beautiful book. We did this for my dad a few years ago, before he passed away, and I am SO grateful to have those special memories that he shared from his travels and adventures, as well as about time spent with family.

Filter Water Bottle

If you know someone who loves to travel off the beaten path either in the wilderness or in areas without potable tap water, this filter water bottle is absolutely amazing. We love that it filters quickly and easily without needing to suck through a straw for clean water. It’s an investment, but it’s been a lifesaver for us for everything from hiking in backcountry to exploring in India. Definitely on the list of best gift ideas for people who travel.

Portable Jump Starter

If there’s one safety item I recommend for every family who loves to travel in a car, it’s this portable car battery jump starter. It’s so convenient because it can jump start a car entirely on its own (can do up to 20 jumps on a single charge) without needing another car. Absolutely essential if you’re driving in remote areas or even cities where you might not have other cars easily accessible in case of a dead battery. It’s really a must have for anyone who drives anywhere at all. We keep one in every vehicle!

Lightweight Camp Chair

This chair is the best for throwing in the car for a road trip or just for heading to a sports practice. So lightweight and my kids can easily set it up.

Inflatable Toddler Bed

We got 2 of these and they’ve been so helpful when we have guests and for big road trips. We use it a ton when we need an extra bed.

Kidco Peapod Portable Kids Pop Up Tent

We’ve had one of these for well over a decade and have used it since our eldest was a baby. It’s the absolute best – it folds up so small and flat, easily slides into a carry on suitcase or duffel, and only weighs about a pound. It sets up in about 10 seconds and is so easy for travel! Would make a terrific gift for a traveling family with little kids.

Smartwool Quarter Zip

Dan has and loves this merino quarter zip – it’s great as a base layer or mid-layer – warm, lightweight, and easily packable. Wool is a fantastic travel gift because it can be reworn without needing frequent washing, sustainable, and warm in cold weather/cool in warmer temps.

Cashmere Hoodie

Speaking of great layers, this cashmere hoodie is the absolute tops. Super soft and warm, doesn’t need washing when traveling, looks good with absolutely everything. Dan wears it tons in the winter.

Hiking Sandals

These are my favorite hiking sandals – they’re sturdy and have great grip, but are also perfect for the beach and walking around. I’ve used them for multiple months and summers and they still look brand new.

Kids’ Rain Jacket

This is the rain jacket we have for multiple kids and it’s a workhorse. Lightweight and packable, too.

Rain Pants

I think rain pants are such a great travel item – they keep clothing from getting wet and soggy, of course, but they’re also great for wind/cold/outdoor play. Plus, they weigh almost nothing and take barely any room. These are the women’s ones I love, but we also own and love the men’s style and the kids’ style.

Lightweight Car Seat

Sometimes things are really popular with very good reason, and this lightweight convertible car seat is one of them. It’s nothing fancy, but it weighs almost nothing and works for even young kiddos. It’s a great travel car seat for little ones that can face forwards or backwards.

The Best Travel Pants

These are, by far, my very favorite women’s pants for travel. I wear them all the time at home, and they’re the ones I always take along when we travel. They’re super lightweight and packable, dry quickly, have a comfy/stretchy waistband, can be dressed up or down, and can layer easily in lots of different climates. They’d be a fantastic gift for a woman you love who enjoys traveling.

Rumpl Blanket

A Rumpl puffy blanket is ALWAYS a good idea! This is one of my favorite gift items for anyone who’s into the outdoors. So packable but really warm and just works great all around. The National Park prints are my faves. I also super love the Everywhere Mats – they’re the perfect sturdy, waterproof picnic blankets and fold up really small.

Kids Kindle

An absolute MUST for us, both at home and while traveling. My 4 older kids each have one and it helps them read soooo much more, especially when we’re away from home. This is a fantastic deal on them either for your kids or for yourself. Don’t forget to sign up for 30 TOTALLY FREE days of Kindle Unlimited!

Best Travel Sneakers

Only my favorite shoes of all time! The most comfortable, the best for walking miles and miles, can wear with trousers or jeans or dresses, the very best of the best. Have had multiple pairs for years and will never stop singing their praises.

Chelsea Boots

Speaking of shoes, these are my absolute go-tos boots for autumn/winter/spring. I literally wear them probably 90% of days living in London, and they’re great for travel because they’re super comfy and go with everything. I wear them with jeans, dresses, when hiking, and more. I’ve had mine for over a year and they still look brand new!

Best Luggage for Families

• THIS is the one big suitcase we brought on our current 2 month trip and it’s great. Super durable, roomy, and really lightweight so we have the most weight for our actual stuff.
• We also love both the carry on size and the 29″ checked size of THIS brand. SO well made.
• Here’s all our favorite luggage for families!

Favorite Women’s Rain Jacket

This women’s rain jacket is more expensive than the basic ones, but it’s super sturdy, comfortable, and most of all, keeps you bone dry. I purchased it for my Alps trek when I knew I didn’t want to take chances with being damp and cold, and it held up beautifully.

AirPods

Cliche, but for a reason. Still use mine daily.

Ultra Light Packable Down Coat

I love this coat because it’s warm and super lightweight, and packs into a pouch the size of a water bottle for easy storage when not in use. I love it for travel with different climates or if it’s not super cold since I can easily pack it up and hook it onto a bag with a carabiner if I’m not using it. They also have a whole line of these jackets for men & kids, too, and our whole fam uses and loves them.

Inflatable Boat

Trust me, I know how ludicrous a big inflatable boat sounds – I’ve lived it, lol. But Dan absolutely loves this thing and we’ve used it far more than I ever would’ve guessed. It’s perfect on lakes and calm rivers and my kids think it’s the best thing. It’s technically not for 8 people but since we still have some little kids, we all get in just fine and it’s rated to far more weight than we make up.

Satellite GPS Device

This is a super handy little device that’s especially great for hiking and other outdoors activities, but also really helpful for traveling, especially to remote areas. It was so helpful when our RV broke down when we didn’t have service, and is great for traveling to areas where cell reception is weak (or nonexistent). (It’s also included in my list of outdoorsy Mother’s Day gift ideas!)

Cotopaxi 35L Pack

Dan has used and loved this backpack for YEARS and is still obsessed. The layout is fantastic for travel, and it makes an excellent carry on or day pack when out exploring with kids.

Sleeping Bag

REI’s newest line of sleeping bags is super warm and cozy, and has lots of different sizes and lengths to get a perfect fit. They’re a terrific bag and great of you want something sturdy and warm.

Cooler

This Roadie Cooler is a great item to keep in the car for keeping drinks cold. Perfect for anyone you know who drives around a lot, whether on a road trip or just going around to school pickups and sports practices.

Kids’ Bike

Our very favorite kids’ bike would make an excellent gift and is currently on sale for Black Friday. The braking system is the safest in existence and we have absolutely loved using these for our kiddos.

Flytographer for Family Photos

The very best gift is the gift of time, and if you can document it, even better. We absolutely love using Flytographer to get some beautiful family photos; despite having a camera and tripod, there’s something so special about having someone else capture your family in a way that you can’t. It’s a terrific option for getting photos together while traveling (they have photographers all over the world), and we’ve even used them in our home city.

Small Drone

If you’re looking for a big ticket travel gift item, we have and love this drone. It has great video quality and is so small and compact, so it’s very convenient for travel. It’s not cheap, but it’s a terrific choice if you’re in the market for one.

Favorite Women’s Hiking Boots

These women’s hiking boots are definitely not cheap, but I think they are absolutely fantastic. I’ve had mine for years and they’ve held up 100% perfectly – my feet have stayed bone dry, I’ve never had a blister or so much as a hint of one, and they’ve supported me through miles and miles of trails. I love them so much. Dan has the men’s version and also loves them!