If you're set to give a gift to someone who loves travel or is planning a big trip, then consider this your cue to forgo a generic voucher gift and give something with a practical or travel-inspired twist. From must-haves for plane travel to inspiring books and time-saving gadgets, the following are our top picks of the best travel gifts to give in 2024. The gift of stress-free travel For all the joy a holiday can bring, the actual travel element can be rife with stress, from lost luggage to misplaced passports and navigating busy airports.
As frequent flyers ourselves, our editors have navigated a multitude of bumps on our travels, and found that the below buys are great for making the journey a lot smoother. For the loved one who’s a frequent flyer, Antler’s zippy hard shell Clifton cabin bag is a winner. The durable yet lightweight polycarbonate case features a twist-grip handle, making it very easy to wheel it around the airport at speed.
A favourite of our editors, this case is both a great size and quality, and also looks smart, with seven subdued shades to choose from. Aspinal of London’s travel collection makes for a classic gift to give any travel lover. Including a passport holder, luggage tags and travel wallet, the collection is made from full-grain leather and comes in six elegant shades and finishes.
The brand also offers a personalisation option, so you can add the recipient's initials for a special personalised touch. Anya Hindmarch’s in-flight travel bag is a game changer when it comes to staying organised on the go. Designed with air travel in mind, the carry-on bag has an array of clever features including a sleeve designed to sit over the bag of a luggage trolley and a clear removable pouch to store liquids.
We also love the numerous internal and external organisational pockets, each with its own embossed label covering all of the travel essentials like ‘passport’ ‘keys’ ‘glasses,’ ‘headphones’ and ‘water.’ Since its release in 2021, Apple’s Bluetooth AirTag has become a must-have for frequent travellers or anyone prone to misplacing their keys. Simply attach the small button-shaped AirTag to your suitcase and connect to your iPad or iPhone via Bluetooth.
Once connected you can find your item via the built-in speaker when it’s nearby or via the Precision Finding function on the app when it’s further away. Finished, naturally, in beautifully soft Nappa leather, Mulberry’s passport cover has a soft grain effect and comes in a selection of chic colours to match your handbag. There are three slip pockets inside for all your docs along with four card slots.
A must-have companion for keeping all your important travel documents together safely. There's nothing like a dead battery to slow down a trip. Keep all your accessories charged up with a power bank.
Anker is our favourite – it weighs just over 300 grams (or as little as a can as soup) but can charge an iPhone 8 almost seven times, the Galaxy S8 five times, or the iPad mini 4 twice. A travel wash bag is key to staying organised — and avoiding spills in your luggage. We like this option from Away for its water-resistant materials and ample space for your toothbrush and toothpaste, razor, soaps, and more.
A hanging bag also allows you to keep items tidy and off the bathroom counter. For international travel, a power adapter is a must to make sure you can get devices charged up in the airport and your hotel room. Apple's World Travel Adapter Kit comes with seven AC plugs with prongs that fit into different electrical outlets around the world, and each one is labelled with the regions they are compatible with.
This is a fun idea for the friend who likes to be organised. Papier’s travel journals have pages for planning and memorialising six special trips, with space for noting down budgets, itineraries, packing lists and other important details. Long flight? There are travel games at the back, along with pages for journalling and scrapbooking.
The gift of sleeping on a plane Standing down the hours of a long haul flight is made all the more easier with a gift that doubles as a travel hack. When it comes to feeling comfortable and getting some shut eye, the littlest luxuries can make a huge difference. Trtl has revamped its clever wrap-style neck pillow to accommodate people of all heights more comfortably.
The latest iteration is adjustable, to better suit your particular requirements, and the pillow section itself has been given a high-density foam makeover. Trtl’s offering is a lot smaller than standard U-shaped pillows, and weighs a petite 225 grams, so it won’t take up precious space in your hand luggage – or you could use the included clip to attach it to your rucksack . Neal's Yard products make a lovely treat, whether you're travelling or not.
This mini travel kit comprises all the skincare routine you'll need – bar SPF – for a 10 to 14 day trip, in a hand luggage-friendly size. This particular set is from the brand's Rose range, which uses highly fragrant roses grown and distilled in Bulgaria, farming co-operatives in Turkey and at high altitude on Mount Lebanon. Something globetrotters will surely appreciate.
When it comes to what to wear on a long flight , an oversized hoodie is hard to beat. Team it with a pair of comfortable leggings or a matching jogger, add a cashmere blanket and get ready to drift off. For a hoodie that makes a great gift, we love this elevated organic cotton style, embroidered with the Vogue logo for the ultimate fashion stamp of approval.
Skip the in-flight blankets provided by airlines – not only are they wasteful but also made from scratchy polyester. A much more luxurious alternative is a cashmere blanket, which not only feels softer but has an insulation capacity that's three times higher than wool, ideal for maintaining body temperature during a long flight. Elizabeth Scarlett’s signature delicate embroidered designs features here on a 100 per cent cotton eye mask, helping travellers claw back a few precious hours’ shuteye while en route.
Cleverly, the mask is filled with a sweet lavender blend to maximise the relaxation in use – a real treat. The gift of jet-set style Airport style had a big moment in 2023, with travellers walking the line between classic style and total comfort, and a subtle nod to celebrity paparazzi photos. The outfit formula is all about a designer loungewear set in a muted shade, teamed with comfortable trainers, a cap, sunglasses and a hardshell suitcase in a classic neutral shade .
German designer luggage brand Rimowa has some of the slickest suitcases on the market, with their classic aluminium cases proving the envy of all frequent flyers. Merch fans will love the latest collaboration between designer denim brand Frame and legendary hotel the Ritz Paris. This Cashmere knit, embroidered with the hotelier's iconic logo, is the epitome of jet-set chic.
For a designer luggage tag that doesn't take itself too seriously, this cheerful lobster tag is part of a collaboration between cult cool-brand Loewe and the irreverent Paula's Ibiza. It's made in Italy from 100% leather and embossed with the brand's signature Anagram logo. It also comes with a dustbag, to keep him safe when not on his travels Gucci has elevated the humble souvenir sticker with their ultra-stylish set of retro-logo luggage stickers.
Perfect for personalising a suitcase, or adding to any travel accessory – travel wallet or luggage tag – these stickers are a playful way to add personality to any journey. A secret beauty weapon for well-heeled travellers, this thick, creamy and super-hydrating mask is the key to caring for skin while in-transit. The mask features chestnut extract exfoliates to take away dullness, allowing for deeper penetration of Vitamin C to brighten.
Green tea soothes and calms redness, and niacinamide reduces pores and fine lines. You can wear it throughout a flight, overnight or as a 10-minute mask. This portable all-in-one dressing table by Beautifect is a game changer for regular travellers – it might even replace your makeup bag at home.
The easy-to-carry box features a table, adjustable mirror, and storage, as well as an impressive lighting system that offers five different environments including true daylight. We also love that the box is powered by a standard USB-C and can last up to a month on just one single charge. The gift of avoiding baggage fees Packing hacks were a big talking point this year, with the below buys ranking top of our list when it came to travelling carry on luggage only.
It might be called an overnight bag, but if you pack strategically Antler's Chelsea bag can easily work as a weekender bag. This is a worthy investment for frequent flyers – in addition to numerous internal and external pockets and compartments, including a laptop sleeve and a water bottle pouch, it also has an over-handle sleeve, making it an ideal option to take on a long-haul flight . The bag is made in a durable water-resistant nylon and comes in nine different colour options, which of course match their Chelsea suitcase range .
For a do-it-all tote bag, it’s easy to see why this style from July is a best seller. Firstly the size – the large tote has room for 22 litres, plenty of space for packing a whole weekend’s worth of items. Then there are the organisation options – a dedicated laptop sleeve, a drink bottle holder, a pocket for a phone and wallet, as well as a zip-up pocket ideal for storing a passport.
There are two external pockets, one that’s hidden and secured with a magnet, as well as a sleeve to slip over a luggage handle, so it can easily sit safely on top of a suitcase. Australian luggage brand July has developed the world’s lightest carry-on suitcase. Weighing in at a dainty 1.
8kg, the July Carry On Light, £195, offers a 32L capacity, aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell, specially-designed noise-reducing wheels, and a lifetime guarantee. The case is available in nine colours and also offers a personalisation service as well. Packing cubes are a game-changer for hand luggage aficionados, helping you squeeze more into your case in a way that’s pleasingly effective.
This set of four gives you space to separate your clothes, underwear, electronics and toiletries, while the mesh windows ensure you can see what you need to grab at-a-glance. Even travellers with a library full of books at home have to admit it: E-readers are an essential travel accessory for bookworms . They are so much lighter than even one paperback book, and let you bring as many options as you want along for the ride.
The gift of armchair travel Our pick of the best transportive gifts that bring the essence of travel to your home. Loewe's collaboration with Paula's Ibiza perfectly captures summer in Ibiza in a rainbow ombre bottle. The woody-meets-floral fragrance combines notes of citrusy orange flower, jasmine sambac, incense essential oil and frankincense, creating an evocative bohemian scent that any sun-worshipper will love.
Transport your gift recipient to the fragrant fields of Southern India via Diptyque's delicately scented tuberose candle. Inspired by visits to Indochina in the 1930s, the heady yet fresh and green scent is available in a dreamy oceanic blue jar as part of the limited edition Don Son collection , which draws upon the childhood memories of Yves Coueslant, one of the Maison's founders. Cult favourite London restaurant BAO released its first recipe book earlier this year, offering up the secrets to 100 of its most beloved Taiwanese-inspired dishes.
Keen cooks can now recreate their famous steamed buns at home, as well as Taiwanese fried chicken, beef noodles, snack-size xiao chi, and more. Assouline’s much sought-after coffee table books make for the ultimate wanderlust-meets-decor gift. On the outside these beautiful hardcover travel books add a fun splash of colour to any room, while inside they feature dreamy imagery and inspiring stories from some of the world’s most beloved destinations.
The gift of adventure Practical gift ideas for those who prefer a hike over a sun lounger. With an impressive 42L capacity, this Stubble & Co carry-on travel backpack is ideal for hands-free travel on trips that last three-to-five days. It's packed with clever features, including a 16" laptop sleeve, a clamshell opening for easy packing, a hidden valuables compartment, and a reflective rain cover to ensure you stay visible and your gear stays dry in wet weather.
Compression straps keep everything as compact as possible, and there's a passthrough band to attach it to your case as well. When we asked Victoria Beckham , earlier this year, about her most beloved travel item, she name dropped Yeti. The popular American drinkwear brand is the ultimate go-to for any adventure traveller, especially for camping or hiking trips.
Their classic Rambler bottle is a winner when it comes to travel; made from stainless steel and vacuum insulated, so your water will stay cold for hours. Okay, yes – it’s a gift card. But no gift guide is complete without one option and, as far as stereotypical vouchers-as-presents go, this is a pretty good one to receive.
With a feast of stunning properties available to book across the globe, from London to New York and beyond, the keys to a new Airbnb makes an ideal gift for a globetrotting loved one ready to tick off the next trip on their list. The gift of distraction For the little travellers in your life, these clever buys will help to ensure an easier journey. For more ideas, see our pick of the best travel toys .
It’s rare to take a trip to the airport without spotting at least one of Trunki’s cheery suitcases in the waiting room. The designs are practical and fun, with a roomy 18 litre storage capacity for toys, clothes and games. As a bonus, the cases have a saddle seat and tow strap, allowing for easy tot transportation from check-in desk to gate.
This made-for-kids tablet could be the key to a peaceful flight, car journey, ferry ride and more. It comes with 1 year of Amazon Kids+ content so your little one can watch all the Peppa Pig they want, and has a sturdy kid-proof case (available in three different coloured) to protect it against the inevitable drops and bumps. The mini size of the popular Yoto audio player is perfect for travelling.
Compact and easy-to-use for kids aged 3+, the collectable cards which play stories and interactive games are also easy to pack. It also doubles as a speaker and alarm clock and the extended battery life means it's a great companion for long journeys. If the goal is to get maximum entertainment from just one toy, then busy boards are a miraculous invention for children from a few months to a few years old.
The ARVRI Sensory Busy Board offers 15 different activities in a book-style carrying case that’s just a tiny bit larger than an A4 sheet of paper..
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