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13 Gift Ideas for Your Travel Friend

Brown leather bag with passport in an airport setting. Gift ideas for your travel friend.

Need gift ideas for someone who loves traveling? I got you.

Get them something they’ll actually love and use. Whether they’re jet-setting for leisure or work, these gifts will make their journeys smoother and more enjoyable. Below you will find unique, practical, and fun gift ideas for your travel friend!


1. Apple AirTags

Picture of 4 Apple AirTags.

If you’ve ever had an airport lose your luggage – this needs no explanation. They’re compact, reliable, sync effortlessly with iPhones, and are more affordable than you’d think! Just stick them in your bags, and the AirTags will help you keep track of your belongings.

Get one on Amazon, or get a 4-pack.

2. Away Bigger Carry-On Suitcase

The Bigger Carry-On bag from the luggage brand Away.

I actually have the Away Expandable Medium bag because I’m a serial over-packer and prefer to check my bags, but the Away Bigger Carry-On is a great choice for most travelers. It has really smooth wheels (seriously – they glide like butter), and smart compartments that make it a popular choice. It’s perfect for everything from weekend getaways to longer trips.

Use my referral link and get $40 off on your first purchase.

3. Portable Power Bank

Black skinny portable power bank.

Ever been sitting at the gate waiting for your flight and everyone is using all the outlets? A reliable power bank is essential! Brands like Anker offer compact, high-capacity options with fast charging capabilities. Your friend will thank you when their phone never dies in the middle of those photoshoots for Insta content!

I got this one on Amazon a few years ago and it’s still going strong!

4. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Bose wireless bluetooth headphones in a white/grey color.

Long flights or noisy commutes are easier with noise-canceling headphones. Bose or Apple AirPods Pro are always popular choices. And don’t forget the Bluetooth adapter for airplanes that have in-flight entertainment – there’s nothing worse than watching everyone around you enjoy free movies but you’re left out because your wireless headphones can’t connect.

Get the Bose best sellers, the Apple AirPods Pro, or the trendy Apple AirPods Max (if you reeeeally like your friend – they’re not cheap!) on Amazon.

Or, if your friend is old school like me, I still use the wired Apple headphones that used to be included in an iPhone purchase. Oh, the good old days.

5. Silk Sleep Eye Mask

Black silk sleep mask.

If your friend is one of the unlucky ones who can’t sleep on planes (sorry – I can’t relate), a high-quality sleep mask like the Alaska Bear mask might help. It blocks out light but is also gentle on sensitive skin. Pair this with the amazing headphones you also bought them, and they’re good to go.

Get the Alaska Bear sleep mask on Amazon.

6. Packable Travel Backpack

ZOMAKE brand backpack that folds up into itself, convenient for travel.

Brands like Patagonia and Osprey offer lightweight and packable backpacks that fold into small pouches. These are great for day trips, hikes, or just keeping extra space handy without adding bulk to luggage. (or if you’re anything like me, an extra bag to bring home full of souvenirs).

This ZOMAKE bag has over 15,000 reviews on Amazon.

7. Reusable Water Bottle with Filter

Brita brand plastic water bottle with filter.

Keep your friend hydrated while encouraging sustainable travel with a reusable water bottle, like those from LifeStraw or Brita. These come with built-in filters that remove impurities, making tap water safe to drink. But keep in mind – some filters are strong enough that they can actually filter out the minerals in your water, too – so be sure to replace your minerals with electrolyte packets or Trace Minerals drops.

8. Travel Adapter with USB Ports

A grey travel voltage converter and adapter, shown with power cord and multiple different plugs for US, UK, EU, AU, and IN.

A universal travel adapter and voltage converter is a literal requirement if you’re doing any international traveling (trust me; my husband learned his lesson the hard way in Germany). It’s compact, practical, and essential when traveling to different countries. Look for one with multiple USB ports, and different plugs for different countries (US, UK, EU, AU, IN).

I bought this one a few years ago and it’s great. I love how many USB ports there are, so my husband and I can share and charge all of our devices at night.

9. National Park Pass

For the adventurous friend in the US, an annual National Park Pass offers access to over 2,000 locations nationwide. It’s the ultimate gift for those who enjoy hiking, camping, or exploring natural wonders. I need to start exploring more of these parks myself!

If an annual pass isn’t a good fit, the US National Park Service offers multiple different types of passes.

10. Lightweight Travel Blanket

Travel blanket that folds up into a portable bag with a plane emblem on it.

Cozy and easy to pack, a lightweight travel blanket like the EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow is perfect and can be used as either a pillow or a blanket. Bonus 1: it folds up into a small carrying bag for convenience. Bonus 2: it can be easily attached to your luggage handles, or hooked onto any bag/backpack with the included carabiner.

The EverSnug one has over 7,000 reviews on Amazon.

11. Waterproof Phone Pouch

A 2-pack of waterproof pouches for smartphones.

Great for beach trips or rainy hikes, a waterproof phone pouch keeps devices safe while still functional. It’s a small but impactful gift for anyone who loves outdoor adventures. I wish I had gotten one of these years ago – it would’ve been helpful for cruises and the windy, drizzly days in Ireland.

This one from Hiearcool has over 100,000 reviews on Amazon and it’s a 2-pack!

12. Compression Packing Cubes

Set of 8 pieces black of packing cubes.

I’ll be completely honest – I haven’t yet jumped on the packing cubes bandwagon, but everyone else swears by them, so I had to include them as an option. This set from BAGAIL has over 35,000 reviews on Amazon and includes 8 pieces! Maybe I’ll buy myself a gift and try out the packing cubes method.

Get the 8-pack from Amazon here.

13. Portable Espresso Machine

Okay, this option is not necessarily needed for travel, it’s just pure fun. For the caffeine lover, a portable espresso machine like Wacaco Nanopresso can be an added luxury to their trip. Compact and easy to use, it’s perfect for road trips or camping (with their new National Parks pass).

The Wacaco Nanopresso also comes with a protective case.


I hope this list of gift ideas helped!

Shopping for your travel-loving friend doesn’t have to be tough. The right gift can make their trips more comfortable, stylish, and fun. From practical tools like power banks to fun items like the espresso machine, these ideas work for all budgets. Give them something they’ll actually love and use. Unique, practical, and fun gift ideas for your travel friend.

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