The Best Travel Gifts for Every Price Point

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It’s that time of year—the Halloween decorations are packed away, the leaves are gone from the trees, and the first twinkling notes of Mariah Carey’s earworm Christmas classic ring through the aisles of every retail store. While we may all wish to hear the simple (and affordable) request of “all I want for Christmas is you,” odds are the travelers in your life have a few more boxes to check on their holiday wishlist. Luckily, there are travel gifts available for any shopper, from bargain hunters to big spenders. Here are the top travel gifts for every price point. 

The Best Budget Travel Gifts

The perfect travel gift doesn’t have to be a budget-breaker—these affordable gifts all clock in at $20 or less. 

A Framed Travel Photo

A framed travel photo has a personal touch that beats out even the priciest present. Walgreens and Staples offer low-cost photo printing for as little as $0.29 per print. Add a unique frame from the craft store and you have an instant heartfelt holiday memento. Many frames come in multi-packs, helping you check off several people on your list for under $20 total. 

You can elevate this concept and order your prints on canvas from services like Shutterfly or Frameology. Both sites offer frequent sales (at the time of writing, canvas tile prints from Frameology are on sale for just $19) and Shutterfly in particular offers freebies to those signed up for their mailing list. 

A Silk Sleep Mask

Whether they are regular red-eye passengers or frequenters of five-star stays, any traveler will appreciate help getting some shut-eye on the road. The Quince Silk Sleep Mask is a luxury gift at a budget price, just under the $20 mark. This 100% mulberry silk mask is hypoallergenic, thermoregulating, and comes in twelve soothing colors. 

A Smartphone Mini-Tripod

A mini smartphone tripod is the ideal gift for solo travelers who don’t want to miss out on prime ‘plandid’ shots. This one from Bower is particularly versatile, with six configurations and a maximum height of 36 inches.  

The Best Mid-Range Travel Gifts

These travel gifts, priced between $20 and $80, are more expensive than the previous category but still solidly affordable for many budgets. 

Cotopaxi Packing Cubes

Though the functionality of packing cubes is hotly contested, these Cotopaxi Packing Cubes earn their spot on the list by pulling double duty. Available in a set of three in varying sizes, these packing cubes are made from breathable mesh that will keep your essentials from getting musty while packed away and allow you to see what’s inside each cube. The handle on each cube means they can easily double as individual bags while you’re on-the-go.  

Loop Earplugs

A pair of Loop earplugs are perfect for anyone traveling for a concert or just wanting to protect their ears in noisy and crowded tourist attractions. The Loop Experience 2 model reduces the volume of an environment up to 17 decibels while still maintaining quality of sound, while the Dream Loops are well-suited for sleeping on a noisy plane due to their soft silicone body and  innovative design that lies flush against the ear. 

Ries Travel Toiletry Bottles

If you know a traveler whose at-home vanity is littered with mini tubes of shampoo, a set of Ries Toiletry Bottles will be the answer to their packing prayers. These bottles are TSA-compliant for carry-on luggage and the airless pump design minimizes the chance of spills. Best of all, their sleek design makes them cute enough to leave out on the bathroom counter post-vacation until any leftover product runs out. 

The Best Splurge Travel Gifts

Have a little extra cash to burn on a special traveler this holiday season? These splurge travel gifts run anywhere from $80 to $200.

An Automatic Pet Feeder

If the pet parent on your list is constantly torn between their love of travel and their love of their furry friends, then this automatic pet feeder is the solution to their woes. The PetLibro is WiFi-equipped and can be controlled remotely through its companion app. Two-way audio lets pet owners stay in contact with their cats or dogs even when they’re halfway across the world.

A Cozy and Stylish Travel Outfit

Travel days are the bane of vacationing for the fashion-forward among us, so give the gift of comfort and style with a functional, fashionable travel outfit. The Half-Zip Sweater from Everlane has an on-trend silhouette made from toasty warm wool for the cold plane cabin, while their Easy Pant solves the issue of uncomfortable buttons and zippers with its ruched elastic waistband. Get creative with combining discounts and sales to snag an entire outfit for under $200.

The Beis Weekender Bag

Even seasoned travelers find themselves in the awkward situation of packing a giant suitcase or stuffing everything into a tiny backpack for a weekend away. These awkward-length trips are easily accommodated by the Beis Weekender Bag. A level up from the typical duffel bag, this weekender has a separate compartment for shoes and a sleeve to easily attach it to a rolling suitcase.

The Best Luxury Travel Gifts

These luxury travel gifts have a hefty price tag ($200+), but they will be well worth the money to surprise the die-hard traveler on your list. 

Complete Luggage Set

Frequent travelers will be set for life with a high-quality luggage set from CALPAK. This starter kit includes an expandable carry-on, an expandable checked bag, three packing cubes, two washable pouches, and a luggage tag. For the total travel package, go the extra mile and throw in a toiletry kit.

Luggage preferences can be highly personal. If you’re not confident that you know their packing preferences, opt for a gift card that lets them choose their own set. 

Airline Gift Card

There’s no better travel gift than the gift of travel itself. Guaranteed to be met with shock and delight, gifting an airline gift card will let them book that dream trip they’ve been planning, whether you choose to cover part of the airfare or the entire thing. 

Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access

An early morning flight is much more pleasant when relaxing in a lounge instead of the terminal. Make the deluxe airport experience a reality for someone with a Priority Pass Airport Lounge Membership. The Standard Plus membership costs $279 and includes ten free lounge visits and a $35 fee for each subsequent visit. (Pro-tip: this gift can be bumped down to mid-range by opting for the $79 Standard Membership, however this tier does not include free visits).

Prices are accurate at the time of publication. All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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