When you think of buying small travel gifts, two important criteria come to mind: the gifts must be relatively cheap, and they must be relatively small physically.
But, obviously, whether you’re shopping for a travel stocking stuffer (which you can find more of here), travel-themed gift basket or for a traveling friend, you don’t want your gift to be left unused, thrown away or piled in the giftee’s rummage sale bin. You want the gifts to actually be used and loved by the traveler.
That’s why, when curating this small travel gifts guide, I not only took each criterion seriously but also made sure that each gift was totally practical for the everyday traveler.
The result? Here are the best small travel-themed gifts under $25 that any traveler would actually use!
Small Travel Gifts For Her
1. Silk Eye Mask
First, as many beauty professionals today claim, silk is better for your skin and hair.
Thus, this silk eye mask is a better option that a regular fleece or cotton eye mask, especially on long overnight flights.
2. Jewelry Travel Case
If you want to surprise your favorite traveler with some jewelry, consider adding on a large and/or small travel jewelry organizer to the gift (available in various colors).
This mini travel jewelry box is compact, which is perfect for packing, has multiple ring and earring compartments, and has hooks to keep necklaces detangled.
Furthermore, this larger travel jewelry box holds even more jewelry than the compact size, while simultaneously laying flat in suitcases.
3. Hanging Toiletry Bag
Purchasing this hanging toiletry bag is a game-changer for any traveler. Here’s why:
- You can conveniently hang it up anywhere: hotel closet rod, hotel shower curtain rod, door knob, towel hook, hostel shower/bathroom door, airport bathroom door, you name it.
- It packs easily because it can lay flat or fold up (or half fold up).
- It has multiple compartments to hold all of your toiletries, makeup, makeup brushes, jewelry, hair accessories, etc.
- The pockets are clear so you don’t have to dig through every compartment.
4. Perfume And Refillable Travel-Size Perfume Bottles
As you probably know, perfume is a classic gift, but don’t forget to add these carry-on-size refillable perfume bottles.
These refillable travel-size perfume bottles are super affordable, easy to use, very high quality, and perfect for when your travelers can’t bring their favorite full-size perfumes or colognes through security.
I have these exact refillable perfume bottles and love them.
Bonus friend points for adding a new perfume or cologne to the gift!
My signature perfume that I wear daily is the YSL Mon Paris. This scent is perfect for the traveler who prefers a sassy perfume over a flowery or musky one. I love it so much that I even wore it for my wedding day.
It comes in a 3.04 OZ size, 1.6 OZ size (TSA approved), 1 OZ size (TSA approved) and a 0.34 OZ mini rollerball size (most affordable and TSA approved, no refillable bottle needed).
5. Handheld Rechargeable Fan With Lanyard
Many people who travel love hot destinations but hate the heat.
This handheld rechargeable fan will make a comical yet totally practical small gift for any traveler that fits this description.
I just ordered this exact portable fan for a recent trip to Florida, and I could not recommend the fan enough. I love that it has three strong fan settings, a lanyard to keep your hands free, a tilting feature for when you’re sitting at a table or laying out on the beach, and it’s rechargeable. It kept me sane in Florida’s summer.
6. A Book For The Beach
All travelers would love a new book to read on their next flight or long drive.
Recently, I’ve been quoting Atomic Habits andThe 4-Hour Workweek nonstop as a traveler.
Atomic Habits offers a mind-blowing perspective on making habits, breaking habits and identity formation. Furthermore, The 4-Hour Workweek teaches step-by-step how to automate your life so you can work less and travel more.
Small Travel Gifts For Him
7. Sunglasses
Expensive sunglasses are fabulous, but not if they get lost or stolen. Therefore, it’s always better to bring a cheap pair of sunglasses on trips.
That being said, cheap sunglasses don’t need to look cheap, and not even prescription sunglasses have to be expensive. I’m a repeat prescription sunglasses (and glasses) customer from Zenni Optical. As the company’s slogan reads, “trendy, not spendy.”
These Zenni tortoise rectangle sunglasses are my favorite pair of sunglasses I have ever owned, and they cost less than $10 USD! (Don’t worry, Zenni sells more masculine styles too.)
8. Travel-Size Cologne
Furthermore, cologne and perfume bottles are often too big to pack in carry-ons. It only takes losing one $50 bottle to a TSA agent’s garbage can to learn this the hard way.
Prevent this mistake by purchasing a TSA-approved cologne bottle for your traveler.
9. Two-In-One Passport Holder And Wallet
This two-in-one wallet and passport holder is thin, secure, easily packable and will undoubtably keep your traveler’s money, passport, boarding passes and other travel documents organized.
(Pro tip: Always have a photo copy of the passport packed in another suitcase. In the unfortunate event that your passport is stolen while abroad, having a photo copy will make the embassy’s replacement process flow a lot quicker.)
10. Underwater Phone Cases
I’m probably the only travel blogger who will admit it, but GoPros are overrated.
There! I said it!
Unless your traveler is an aspiring travel vlogger or filmmaker, a GoPro is unnecessary if they have a smartphone with a nice camera. Even so, as a travel vlogger or filmmaker, they’re still better off investing in underwater housing for your camera over a GoPro.
An underwater phone case, like this one, is a safe and much more affordable way to take underwater photos and videos on trips.
11. Plane Seat Phone Mount
This fun gadget, a plane/car seat phone mounts, attaches phones to the tray tables of plane seats so travelers can watch movies in-flight hands-free.
My husband and I both tested this gadget out on our three-hour flight to Orlando, and we loved it. We were able to watch an entire movie during the domestic, TV-less plane ride without looking down into our laps or straining our necks.
12. Multifunction Keychain: All-In-One iPhone Charger, Bottle Opener and Carabiner
Next, even though this multifunction keychain is the lowest-priced item on this small travel gifts list, it is simultaneously one of the most practical.
iPhone lightning cable chargers (for iPhones 5 and newer), bottle openers and handy carabiners can all now be extremely accessible to every traveler.
13. Portable Rechargeable Noise Machine (Small Travel Gifts)
Moreover, this portable, rechargeable noise machine will have all travelers sleeping like babies in every hotel room.
Its small size compacts perfectly, and its wireless functioning will free up those limited and oh-so-valuable hotel room outlets needed for charging other electronics overnight.
14. Hands-Free Suitcase Drink Caddy
There is nothing more impractical than traveling with full hands.
What I particularly love about this suitcase cup holder is that it has a harder shell to keep coffee, water bottle, phone and other belongings secure.
Furthermore, there’s a pocket on either side of the holder where IDs, passports and boarding passes can be readily available.
15. Travel Electronics Organizer (Small Travel Gifts)
Similarly, many travelers nowadays inevitably have a plethora of electronics to pack, such as their phone, headphones, laptop, external hard drives, camera gear and accompanying chargers.
This double-sided electronics organizer will keep chargers from tangling and taking up an unnecessary amount of space in suitcases.
Small Travel Gifts For Friends
If you’re on the hunt for small travel gifts for friends (which, by the way, means you are an excellent friend), I have an entire guide to the best travel gifts for friends under $25 here.
Some of my favorite small travel gifts for friends from that guide include:
- Disposable film camera.
- Stanley travel mug.
- Digital luggage scale.
- Travel-size razor with a case.
- Travel-friendly card games.
You can find more details about each of these gifts here.
Small Travel Gifts For Stocking Stuffers
Likewise, if you’re searching for small travel gifts to use as stocking stuffers, I have an entire guide to the best stocking stuffers for travelers under $25 here.
Some of my favorite small travel gifts for stocking stuffers from that guide include:
- Pre-made packing list notepad.
- Organic lavender essential oil rollers.
- Non-liquid lotion stick.
- Foreign snack and candy boxes.
- Reusable makeup remover cloth (I use this every day).
You can find more details about each of these gifts here.
And, if you still haven’t found what you’re looking for after browsing that travel gift guide, try my travel-themed easter basket filler guide here, which includes some more youthful small travel gift ideas!
More Travel-Related Gifts
Travel Gifts For Friends Under $25 That They’ll Actually Use
Funny Travel Gifts Under $25 They’ll Actually Use
40+ Stocking Stuffers For Travel Under $25
Save These Gifts For Later
Save this list of small travel gifts for later by sharing on social media.
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