The best gifts to buy the traveller in your life
Travel gifts are a great pick for the jet-setters in your life, whether they're backpacking around the world or escaping to a new capital city every other weekend. So, this Christmas, treat your globe-trotters with our pick of the best travel gifts for her and him.
From luggage tags to suitcases and everything in between, we've rounded up the top travel essentials your loved ones will love to unwrap under the tree this year. We've scoured the shops for the most stylish travel accessories, smart tech and more to spark wanderlust and help your special someone holiday in style.
We've also got some perfect secret Santa gifts under £20, luxury beauty treats and unique travel gifts for men. Basically, we've got something for every frequent flyer out there.
Want more? We also have some excellent ideas for gifts for walkers and experience gifts for the people who have everything.
Ready to go? These are our top gifts for travellers this Christmas.
Travel Neck Pillow
Give someone the gift of comfort when they travel with this innovative neck pillow, which provides far more support than the average design you can pick-up in a last-minute airport dash.
The unique (and far less bulky) pillow wraps around the neck to offer complete head support, so chances of a proper nap (without the head-bobbing) are vastly improved.
The pillow has received more than 10,000 five-star reviews so far. One user observed: "My neck is pain free and my hair still looks great!" It also packs away far more easily than a traditional neck pillow, making it considerably more convenient to carry.
Medium Suitcase
Of all the getaway essentials, a sturdy suitcase is high on the list, so why not add a little luxury to their travel plans with this Antler design?
Ideal for any adventure, the hardshell expandable style provides plenty of space for a week away, while the wheels are built to move seamlessly in any direction. We love the forest green shade for its premium look and feel, but there are five other shades to consider. It’s available in cabin bag size, too.
Personalised Ultimate Travel Journal
In a world where most travellers are found capturing every moment on their smartphone, a journal will help them take in their destination in a different, more mindful way. And, who knows, this could be the gift that inspires their first novel.
This travel journal includes sections to tick off off their wish list destinations, space for packing lists, holiday plans and photos, and it's customisable, so you can add their name to the front cover.
£17.60 at notonthehighstreet.com
Self-Watering Plant Pot
Know someone who always needs a plant-sitter while they're away? This innovative self-watering plant pot will take care of their greenery for up to three weeks with a specially designed wicking cord.
Crafted from recycled waste plastic, sustainable travellers will also love the fact that this gift uses 95% less material than traditional plant pots.
Heatless Curler Set
No matter how perfectly preened you are when getting on a flight, stepping off the plane looking dishevelled and slightly worse for wear is an unfortunate side effect of even the shortest-haul journey. For the beauty-conscious traveller, therefore, this heatless hair curling set is a total game changer.
Silke's nifty kit comes with a curling ribbon, claw clip and scrunchies that can be easily packed into a carry-on and put on mid-flight to create salon-worthy waves, ready for a stylish arrival. This is also a great gift for those who don't want to lug their styling tools halfway across the world, or for the time-poor who want to make the most of their flight.
Packing Cubes in Green
These are one of the best travel gifts you can buy any traveller in your life. In fact, Antler's Chelsea packing cubes are nothing short of genius. We've tried a few packing cubes in our time and these are the ones we keep going back to for their excellent quality, expandability and handy double zips.
They come as a set of four, so you can separate your smalls from your bulkier clothing and the mesh windows are handy for seeing what's inside. The cubes are also perfect for trips where they're short on time as they can simply lift the organisers out of their suitcase and pop them in their hotel wardrobe, without the need to unpack.
Trust us, once they try these brilliant organisers, they'll never go back.
Queen Of The Skies Navy Sweatshirt
What might look like just another graphic jumper to the untrained eye, will in fact make a particularly thoughtful – and much-valued – gift for the travel lover in your life. Not only will it keep them cosy and stylish on their next flight, but it also has a deeper meaning, featuring artwork from Virgin Atlantic's A330 neo aircraft Queen of the Skies as well as the registration G-VEII on the sleeve in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth.
It's also unisex, made from organic cotton, comes in a range of sizes, and is designed to have a modern, boxy fit for ultimate comfort. You can also nab it for a discount if it's delivered on-flight. A new flying essential.
Bobbi Ankle Wellington Boot - travel gifts
Complete your loved one's wet-weather look with these stylish Merry People boots, which have a natural rubber and neoprene lining. Great for rambles on weekend adventures away, they come in a range of sizes and colours to suit whoever you're gifting them to.
Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
For a flavoursome tour of Syria's traditional dishes, treat your favourite foodie to Imad's Syrian Kitchen, a recipe book packed with dishes from Imad Alarnab, a chef from Damascus and refugee. Imad's London restaurant was named the 'Best Breakthrough Restaurant' of 2022 and he has impressed the likes of Nigella Lawson with his "wonderful book" full of "gentle good humour."
The recipes are adapted Syrian dishes that are easy to make at home and include mouthwatering Katif ghanam (lamb shoulder) and kabsa rice with chicken. Imad also shares stories of his home country in the beautiful hardback book that celebrates how food can bring people together.
Universal Worldwide Travel Plug Adaptor
Even the most seasoned travellers can have trouble predicting which type of plug sockets they'll encounter in their next destination – so help them take the guess work out of it entirely by gifting your frequent-flyer friend this brilliant universal adapter. Admittedly, it's not the most exciting gift, but it's probably the most useful one they'll receive.
Unlike the temperamental worldwide adapters of yore, this brilliant Tessan socket has two overload fuses that make it extra safe. And despite its compact size, it has all bases covered: it can be used in 224 countries, and includes two USB-A and three USB-C ports for charging multiple devices at once.
Sling Bag
We love this premium sling bag for keeping valuables close while exploring the world. It's made from eight recycled bottles for something that's kinder to the planet, while offering luxurious, durable fabric that looks good. It's super-functional, with hidden features, too. The discreet side pocket is the perfect size for earbuds and the self-repairing zips ensure opening and closing the compartments is smooth.
A hidden security pocket at the back has an RFID shield so they're protected from digital pickpockets. There's also antibacterial mesh padding to ward against germs. The clever sling back can be worn as a hip pack or crossbody and, as the cherry on top for gifting, there's a leather tag that can be personalised.
Green Weekender Travel Set
Whether they've already got a travel toiletry bag or not, this gorgeous set of mini toiletries from Cotswolds-born brand Bamford is the perfect treat for a mini-break. The set includes travel sizes of Bamford’s products for healthy hair and pampered skin, with the brand’s refreshing scent of geranium, lavender and peppermint.
It comes in a white muslin bag containing the Geranium Shampoo, Geranium Conditioner, Geranium Body Wash and Geranium Body Lotion.
Beyondfeel Women's Trail Running Shoe
Designed for trail running, these are ideal if your loved one enjoys adventurous weekends away.
The versatile design means they can pack light; they look good, and fit like a glove, so your lucky recipient can wear them on their morning run in a new city, on a leisurely hike (thanks to their rugged grip), or simply going from the airport to their hotel.
Switch Earplugs
Whether on the dance floor, on a packed train, or trying to block out the outside noise while starting their holiday book, your favourite traveller will thank you for this small gift that makes an excellent stocking filler.
The earplugs feature a mechanical dial that allows them to switch between three different modes, depending on their environment. There's Quiet mode for when they want peace and quiet, Experience mode for reducing the volume, perhaps at a concert or in a bar, and Engage mode, which lets them focus on a task but still hear conversations.
Women's R1 Air Zip Neck
A fabulous travel gift for her, Patagonia's R1 Air Zip Neck is the perfect cool-weather companion for active adventures. Perfect for those who like to hike, ski or simply enjoy relaxing walks in the country, the fleece is lightweight enough to pack in a backpack and features a unique zigzag texture that wicks moisture and dries fast.
They'll like the internal pockets to stash their essentials and its eco credentials; the high-quality fleece is made from 100% recycled materials.
Rambler 35 Oz Straw Mug White
Spotted in the hands of Victoria Beckham, YETI's oversized Rambler mug is an excellent companion for adventures. It comes with a straw lid for easy sipping during road trips and the vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot or cold for hours. The handle is a simple yet effective feature that makes it easier to hold than standard water bottles.
What's more, it doesn't collect condensation, so hands stay dry and it comes in various colours.
City-Hopper Backpack Nubuck Leather Fold Top Backpack
A beautiful travel backpack made from nubuck and featuring a folded top, Carl Friedrik's City-Hopper bag makes a terrific gift for the traveller in your life, whether they often go away for business or frequent holidays.
There's a pocket for their laptop, a zip pocket at the front for small essentials, and a long side zip that lets them fully open the bag for easier packing. One for travellers who love organisation.
Power Bank
For the people in your life who panic at the thought of their devices running out of battery (same), this compact, portable charger is a helpful gift. It has three ports and can charge an iPhone 13 almost five times and a 2021 iPad 1.3 times.
Helpfully, it also features a digital display showing the estimated time left on your charge. Whether they're on the move with their MacBook, AirPods or just their phone (or all three), this power bank's got them covered.
Spa Break for Two
Treat them to a staycation they'll never forget in the glorious Leicestershire countryside as you both soak up the serenity at Ragdale Hall Spa. You'll enjoy treatments, full use of the spa and spend some quality time together. Plus, you get a Clarins gift thrown in too.
Ragdale Hall is home to incredible facilities and treatments and is one of the most luxurious spa destinations in the country. Be sure to use the Rooftop Infinity, Candle and Outdoor Waterfall pools!
Tranquillity Scented Candle
Give the gift of a good night's sleep, even in a new bed and time zone with this blissful scented travel candle.
The special blend uses 100 per cent natural fragrances with 19 heavenly essential oils including English lavender, jasmine and sweet basil to help prepare for an excellent night's sleep. There's up to 20 hours of burn time and it weighs just 75g, ideal for popping in their travel beauty bag.
Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet
Need a gift for a younger traveller? Amazon's new Fire HD 10 tablet will help keep them entertained in the car and on a flight, with a whole load of apps, games and videos. It comes with a child-proof case, robust parental controls and a year's worth of unlimited entertainment including books and apps, from Disney to Peppa Pig.
With Amazon Kids+ content, children can learn, create and play while they travel. There's a two-year guarantee too, so if it gets broken, just send it back to Amazon and they'll send you back a new one for free.
Travel Collection - travel gifts
This beautiful set of accessories from Aspinal of London will add luxury to any trip. Part of the refined Travel Collection, the gorgeous gift includes a suede-lined passport cover, luggage tags and a compact travel wallet that reveals space for tickets, passport and documents, as well as a zipped compartment for currency.
The accessories are made from fine full-grain leather and come in navy leather, with a range of other colours and finishes available. You can also personalise the set to make it a unique travel gift.
$184.00 at aspinaloflondon.com
Membership
If your loved one prefers experiences over material things, they might appreciate an entire year of National Trust Membership. They can visit over 500 places in the UK, enjoy free parking at most National Trust car parks and receive the National Trust Magazine three times a year to inspire them where to go next.
There's also the Handbook, which is packed with information about National Trust places and access to the online Members’ Area for first-look previews and behind-the-scenes features.
Kindle (16 GB)
The ultimate gift for book lovers, Amazon's newest Kindle allows them to take as many books as they wish to read on their travels – without the weight. This one is the lightest and most compact Kindle made, with a 300 ppi high-resolution display for sharp text and images.
They can read comfortably with a glare-free, paper-like display, and switch to dark mode for effortless reading at night. There's extended battery life, so it lasts up to six weeks – much longer than the average beach break. This Kindle also uses 75 per cent recycled plastics and 90 per cent recycled magnesium for a more sustainable option.
Leather Weekend Bag
A leather overnight or weekend bag is one of the best travel gifts you can buy and this luxe style for men from Marks & Spencer is the one we've got our eye on right now.
It offers ample space for all his essentials, with a zipped interior pocket to store his valuables inside.
Two Night Premium Escapes Gift Box
A lovely gift for the travelling couple in your life, Red Letter Days' two-night escape voucher gives them the option to choose from hundreds of spa breaks, country getaways and more around the UK.
They have two years to use the voucher and can choose from a range of stays, from two nights in a castle to a mini-break by the sea.
£299.99 at redletterdays.co.uk
Minipresso NS Portable Espresso Machine
Coffee addicts who can't be without their morning brew will love this portable espresso maker. It's light, compact and easy to use.
They simply add a Nespresso or similar capsule in the holder, as well as boiling water to the water tank and then pump the coffee out. There's no battery or electric power needed.
Travel Destinations 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Tub
This puzzle features 50 beautifully illustrated destinations to feed your wanderlust and inspire your next holiday. From The Great Barrier Reef to Tokyo, Patagonia and Cambodia, via a host of capital cities and famous landmarks, the completed work looks like a bucket list for any keen traveller.
It's all packed up in a tub and printed on FSC paper with vegetable inks, so it's kinder to the planet they'll soon be exploring.
Hanging Washbag
If your intended recipient is on the go all the time, or is someone who insists on unpacking as soon as they enter a hotel room, this hanging washbag is the perfect gift, as they'll be able to access all of their essentials with ease and stow them away neatly, too.
It features two zipped compartments and a removable toiletry bag, with a hook so it can be hung up easily in bathrooms. And it folds into a compact, suitcase-friendly bag.
Pro (2022) Bluetooth Item Finder
Forget wondering when the carousel is going to start moving – with this hi-tech gift, travellers will be able to track the exact location of their luggage, thanks to this Bluetooth device's 120-metre finding range.
It will also come in handy for putting people at ease in the unfortunate event of an airline losing their luggage. One traveller says: "When I arrived at my destination, it appeared the airline left my luggage at the airport. Thanks to the tracker I could locate it and then see the progress when the company finally shipped it to me."
Travel Sleeping Bag Liner
Super soft yet durable, this sleeping bag liner will prove invaluable for all manner of adventures, from camping trips to festival fields.
It's crafted from 100% cotton and can be slipped inside a thicker sleeping bag or bedding, or used on its own in warmer climates. Plus, for travellers who are particularly conscious of cleanliness, it can be used within hostel or hotel bedding.
Leather Tech Roll Organiser
It's surprisingly easy to forget something as crucial as a phone charger or plug adaptor when you're jetting off. Which is why it's very helpful to have everything arranged neatly (and chicly) in one place, thanks to this roll-up organiser.
It's made of super-soft genuine cowhide leather and suede, and can be personalised for your lucky recipient. You can also add on a matching accessories set plus a power adaptor to complete the present, or let them fill it for themselves.
£59.00 at notonthehighstreet.com
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