Shopping for travelers isn’t always easy. Ask three people what they can’t live without and you’ll get four different answers. Airfare rarely fits in a gift box. And unless you’ve got the budget to season your greetings with a cruise, finding the perfect present can feel as challenging as scoring an upgrade on a long flight.
Fortunately, plenty of travel-inspired gifts don’t require a passport, boarding pass or help from the North Pole. This year’s holiday gift guide highlights a mix of new and recently improved products designed to make life on the road, in the air and everywhere in between a little smoother. Whether your favorite traveler circles the globe or simply enjoys a good weekend getaway, these picks are ready for the journey.
Before we start unwrapping this year’s picks, a quick disclosure: Like Santa, we checked this list twice to make sure it wasn’t naughty, but nice. While some products were provided as review samples, no compensation was received, and no promises of inclusion or favorable coverage were made. No ghosts of sponsorship past, present or future here.
I’m steaming of a white Christmas: Anyone who has unpacked a suitcase after a flight knows that neatly folded clothing rarely arrives looking that way. The CHI Collapsible Travel Steamer ($50) borrows technology from the company’s professional hair styling tools and features a heated faceplate that lets users press and steam fabrics at the same time, making it useful for everything from everyday travel attire to bridal gowns for destination weddings. No more hanging a wrinkled garment in a steamy hotel bathroom shower for longer than an environmentally conscious person should. (Guilty.) The unit folds into a compact shape that takes up little luggage space, making it easy to bring along without sacrificing room for souvenirs on the trip home.
How the Grinch stole luggage: Before his Christmas epiphany, the Grinch probably swiped a suitcase or two from the Whos. Fortunately for modern travelers, the Knog Scout Travel Luggage Tag helps keep tabs on checked bags while adding security features that go beyond what an AirTag can do. Available starting at $33, the Scout works with Apple’s Find My network to locate luggage and lets contact details be instantly accessed with a smartphone. It also includes an 85-decibel motion-sensitive alarm that sounds if a bag is moved unexpectedly, helping deter theft before it happens, a feature that would have come in handy at PDX years ago. A rechargeable USB-C battery and built-in mounting system eliminate the need for disposable batteries and extra accessories.
A stocking stuffer actually for stockings: After a few days of exploring or racing through airports, travel gear can develop an aroma all its own. Christmas ornament-sized Arm & Hammer Odor Busterz balls can be slipped into luggage, shoes and drawers to help keep belongings smelling laundry fresh between adventures. Costing about $2 apiece in packs of two to 10, they’re especially handy when arriving home with a suitcase full of well-traveled clothes that may have overstayed their welcome.
Joy to the world of award travel: Frequent travelers know that redeeming airline miles and credit card points can feel like a part-time job. Point.me, a flight search tool that offers gift subscriptions, helps take the guesswork out of the process by searching more than 150 airline and loyalty programs in real time to uncover award flights that might otherwise go unnoticed. While the free version offers a taste of what’s possible and a more robust Standard membership costs $129 annually, a Premium subscription ($260) adds unlimited searches, fare alerts, points-balance tracking across multiple programs and step-by-step booking guidance.
Making spirits (and teeth) bright: Quikee from Supersmile reimagines the humble lip balm as something travelers may appreciate even more: a pocket-size teeth balm that freshens breath and helps whiten teeth without strips, trays or lengthy treatments. A quick application and swipe of the tongue can freshen the mouth and leave teeth looking a bit brighter, making it ideal for long trips when a sink isn’t convenient. While traditional whitening systems demand time, consistency and precious luggage space, Quikee ($30) slips easily into a pocket, purse or toiletry kit.
Better packed than Santa’s sack: When airlines limit travelers to a carry-on and a personal item, every inch of storage space counts. The Control EPX Pack from Mission Workshop makes the most of it, swallowing an impressive amount of gear while remaining comfortable on long travel days. The EPX Kit 2 we tested takes things a step further, adding a waterproof folio and two accessory pouches that provide dedicated space for such travel essentials as electronics and documents. A highly adjustable harness keeps heavy loads comfortable through airports, train stations and city streets, while secure closures help deter pickpockets — something to keep in mind if the giftee is planning to visit destinations known for petty crime. At $415 for the base Solo model and about $640 for upgraded configurations, this is undeniably a generous gift. Then again, if you’re shopping for someone who practically lives out of a backpack at home or abroad, few presents will get put to better use.
Silent night, comfy flight: Long flights and decent sleep rarely go hand in hand, but The Neck’s Evolution S3 Deluxe travel pillow gives travelers a fighting chance. Its patented HeadCatch Technology helps prevent the all-too-familiar nod, jerk and repeat cycle that makes sleeping upright such a challenge. Raised side supports and an integrated seat-strap system help keep travelers comfortably aligned, while the open-front design allows airflow that many traditional neck pillows lack. The included travel case buckles onto a carry-on, making it easy to bring along for the journey. A sizing note: Giftees with smaller necks may prefer the Slim TNE S3 Deluxe model ($60), while those with average to larger neck sizes will likely be happier with the regular version ($65).
Happy renew year: Travel can take a toll on your skin, but The Complete Duo from Skilk Skin ($28 for a 7-pack) makes it easy to feel refreshed wherever life takes you. Made in Korea, where skincare innovation has earned a global reputation, this unisex product offers a complete skincare routine in a travel-friendly dual packet. It starts with Remove, a cleansing wipe that sweeps away sweat, sunscreen and daily buildup. Follow with Renew, a moisture-enhanced serum wipe that hydrates and refreshes skin. This sink-free system is gentle enough for sensitive and acne-prone skin, and slips easily into a pocket, purse or carry-on.
Let it blow, let it blow, let it blow: The Honeywell Turbo On-the-Go Folding Personal Fan ($17) is a cool and inexpensive gift that makes stuffy hotel rooms and cruise ship spaces more tolerable. Weighing just a half-pound and folding flat for packing, it earns its place in a carry-on without demanding much space. Despite its compact size, it delivers a surprisingly strong breeze, and its adjustable design lets it sit on a table or hang nearby when airflow is in short supply. It can run on USB power, batteries or a wall adapter, giving travelers plenty of options no matter where their itinerary takes them.
Separating naughty and nice: The FlipSide Carry-On is for the traveler in your life tired of playing clean-clothes roulette. Its movable divider lets you separate fresh outfits from dirty laundry and wet swimsuits from dry clothes without resorting to packing cubes or plastic bags. Better yet, the divider slides as needed, allowing the clean and dirty sides to expand or shrink as your trip unfolds. The two-sided design helps keep everything organized from departure to unpacking day, while smooth 360-degree wheels glide through airports, hotels and city streets. Rugged yet lightweight, sleek yet functional, the FlipSide isn’t cheap at $349. But what a unique and practical gift, and the 100-day, 100% money-back guarantee that even covers shipping fees may be the best return policy of any product in this guide.
Not a creature was stirring: Perhaps that’s because Calm & Chill was on the menu for your traveling dog or cat. One of three Holy Cap Squeezees formulas for pooches and pusses, this creamy, lickable puree supports stress response and emotional balance in pets taken to unfamiliar places. This standout in a crowded field of pet travel snacks combines mackerel and turkey hearts with pumpkin and chamomile, then adds powdered lion’s mane and reishi mushroom, the “cap” in the company’s name, for a mellow finish. Priced at around $12 for a box of five sachets or $30 for 15, the blends are crafted with clean proteins, whole foods and functional mushrooms selected to support immunity, digestion or, in the case of Calm & Chill, relaxation. Just tear open a tube and let your four-legged friend lick away. Our resident taste tester, the undisputed best bordoodle in the world, salivates over all three dog varieties, while her humans appreciate that they require no refrigeration, are virtually odorless and pack easily. That makes them paw-some stocking stuffers for dogs and cats that accompany their owners on trips. After all, few travel companions offer as much unconditional love before, during and after the holidays as those with four legs.