The final destination is always worth the journey — even if there are a few mishaps along the way. And while the jet-setter in your life has probably accumulated all the best luggage, gadgets and other travel essentials by now, these upgrades will ensure smooth sailing, er, flying time and time again So, if you want to earn first-class praise, then surprise your frequent flier with any of these best travel gifts, all recommended by people who travel like it’s their job (and in some cases, it actually is).
Ask any traveler (I did!) and they’ll tell you that the right gear makes all the difference. Comfort and functionality are key, whether it’s a memory foam neck pillow for long-haul flights, a set of compression packing cubes to maximize suitcase space or a travel crossbody with anti-theft features. I’ve also included a few nice-to-haves for the more experienced travelers — a foldable wireless charger and Priority Pass, to name a couple.
Quick Overview
Grouped by price for easier shopping, these expert-approved gift ideas are something your travel lover will reach for every time they hit the skies (or the road, for that matter).
Make More Adventures tells Yahoo. Sure, these lightweight, waterproof pouches are great for storing wet bathing suits and clothes, but van der Horst often uses them to “keep dirty items away from the rest of your belongings.” The best part? “They can easily be put in the wash after use.”
Michelle Atenberg says these silicone earplugs have convinced her otherwise. “They have a ball inside that very slowly and carefully adjusts to pressure changes. Trust me, your eardrums will thank you,” she tells Yahoo. Use a single pair for a round trip (or two flights) before disposing.
One five-star flier raved that it was “perfect for our 15-hour flight,” plus it was “easy to put back in the pouch” and “easy to fasten to my carry-on.”
travel bag makes all the difference. Michelle of Travel HerStory swears by this Travelon bestseller because of its anti-theft features, which include lock-down straps, locking zippers, RFID blocking, an interior key clip and slash-resistant material. As a result, she tells Yahoo that travelers “no longer need to worry about cut-and-run or identity theft.”
Our Senior Deals Writer Britt Ross traveled for a year straight and used this portable charger more times than she can count. “In addition to its small profile that barely takes up room in my bag, I appreciate how quickly it juices up my phone. Plus, I only need to charge the power bank once and it’ll last a whole day,” she raved. Just keep in mind that this exact model is only compatible with the latest Apple releases and devices with a USB-C port.
Kathy McCabe, host and executive producer of Dream of Italy and Dream of Europe on PBS tells Yahoo. Just plug this Bluetooth transmitter into the headphone jack and seamlessly connect your AirPods (or the wireless headphones of your choice), so you can enjoy music, TV shows and movies while up in the air. (Want to learn more? Check out Senior Tech Writer Rick Broida’s in-depth review of this “genius gadget.”)
Senior Style Writer Rebecca Carhart put this four-pack to the test and found that the two smaller cubes fit a week’s worth of undergarments, pajamas and t-shirts, while the two larger ones were big enough to fit sweaters, dresses and pants. But that’s not all: They topped her list of the best compression packing cubes!
Must See Spain tells Yahoo. It comes with all the bells and whistles — a removable vegan leather strap, trolley pass-through and metal feet to protect the bottom. But perhaps the best part is its sleek design that makes Espinar “feel put together when I’m traveling.”
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Your go-to shopping guide: See all of our gift guides in one spot. We’ve got gift ideas for all the different people in your life — men, women, kids, you name it.
