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Shopping for a family member or friend who's always on the go? Whether they're jetting off to an tropical beach or roadtripping to a national park, you can give them something thoughtful to help their travels go more smoothly.
Whether they’re keeping it low-key with a day trip, hopping on a long-haul flight, or hitting the open road with their close pals, they’ll need the right attire, luggage, accessories, and tech gadgets. After all, nothing saves time like being prepared — and they'd rather be adventuring than stopping at the nearest convenience store to pick up necessities.
No matter the trip, they’ll be glad to have these useful travel essentials on hand. We included items to help them when they’re last-minute packing, going through security, and exploring the great outdoors. From waterproof sandals to bug repellent to packing cubes for any suitcase, you can be sure you’ll be giving a gift they’ll actually use. With all this talk of travel, you might even want to snag a few of these essentials for your next vacation.
If you're looking for some discounted options, check out these travel essentials on sale on Amazon.
There’s nothing more frustrating than having to untangle your many cables after stuffing them in your carry-on. Avoid that hot mess by packing a cable organizer to keep everything in order while you’re not using (or charging) your gadgets.
More: 20 Spring Break Essentials for a Stress-Free Vacation
A travel backpack is one of the easiest ways to keep everything they need at hand (purse, wallet, phone, keys, technology, passport, you name it) safe in one place. This backpack is not only perfectly compartmentalized to hold their laptop and other belongings, but it also opens from the top, giving the feel of a tote without having to carry it on one shoulder.
The best part? It even has a built-in USB port so they can recharge their devices while traveling (charging cord not included).
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Travel Toothbrush Upgrade
One by Sonicare Battery Toothbrush
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Travel Toothbrush Upgrade
One by Sonicare Battery Toothbrush
A toothbrush that comes with a case is non-negotiable and with a 3-month battery life, this Philips electric toothbrush is one they’ll want to use at home, too.
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For the Friend Who's Always Cold
Travel Blanket and Pillow
Sure, they could bring a blanket from home, but it certainly isn’t as compact as a travel one — and does it zip up to double as a pillow? I didn’t think so.
Seriously, a travel blanket is truly game-changing, even on short trips with multiple people. They never know who will want the AC blasting while they're cold, so it’s always best to be prepared.
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Laundry Bag
Remind them to bring along this travel essential so their dirty laundry doesn’t pile up on the floor, or worse, mingle with the clean clothes in their luggage. This compact laundry bag is especially important if your recipient is the type of traveler who lives out of their suitcase for the duration of the trip.
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For More Than Just a Weekend Trip
Travel Bottles
Since traveling with glass bottles is risky, and buying individual travel-size products can get expensive quickly, having reusable silicone travel containers is definitely the best option.
This travel essential is also much more environmentally friendly than buying TSA-approved products in plastic bottles every time they go on a trip. Saving money and the environment is definitely a win-win.
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Perhaps one of the few downsides to trekking around a new city, state, or even country is taking those dirty shoes off and packing them away with your clothes. Safe to say that nobody wants the dirt and germs from the bottom of their feet to rub all over their otherwise clean items!
These shoe bags are the perfect travel essential for keeping your recipient's filthy soles off their silky drawers when packing before or after a trip.
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An Organized Suitcase Means an Organized Trip
Packing Cubes (6 Pieces)
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An Organized Suitcase Means an Organized Trip
Packing Cubes (6 Pieces)
There’s nothing worse than laying out everything you want to pack for a trip and then realizing that you don’t have the room. Cubes are an easy way to keep your recipient's suitcase organized and help them free up space for the essentials.
Even better? This set comes with shoe sleeves, so they can avoid having their dirty shoes come into contact with their clean clothes.
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For the Friend Always on 1%
PowerStation Portable Charger
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For the Friend Always on 1%
PowerStation Portable Charger
This handy little device lets your recipient avoid having to fight over outlets on their vacation. Now everyone can juice up their gadget at the same time. It’s on them to remember all the cords, though.
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A Space-Saving Essential
Vacuum Storage Bags Variety Pack
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A Space-Saving Essential
Vacuum Storage Bags Variety Pack
If packing cubes just aren’t cutting it, compression bags are the solution for your recipient. These ones by Spacesaver work with any vacuum and come in a variety of different sizes for their packing needs.
With this travel essential, they’ll be able to pack their favorite scents, while leaving the bulky bottle at home. This set includes two portable perfume spray bottles, each lightweight and easy to fill.
From serums to earrings to medication, these magnetic capsules stick together and make traveling with every step of their skincare routine less of a hassle. You can customize the color and label of each capsule for a personalized gift.
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The notepad will be just the thing they turn to when they know they’re forgetting something, but just can’t place it. From important prescriptions to insect repellent, it lists all the items they’ll need to remember to have on hand for a stress-free trip.
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For Skincare Midair
Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask
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For Skincare Midair
Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask
Whether your recipient is traveling on a long-haul flight or relaxing poolside with a cold drink in hand, this travel essential will boost their skin’s moisture in just 15 minutes for a skincare moment even on vacation.
Made with red algae extract, this single use sheet mask from Tatcha will hydrate their skin, leaving them with a luminous complexion.
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For the Mosquito Bite-Prone Friend
Suction Tool
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For the Mosquito Bite-Prone Friend
Suction Tool
Between the itchiness and swollen, red appearance, bug bites are the last things anyone wants to deal with, especially while traveling. The Bug Bite Thing will remove the irritant from their skin to reduce itching and swelling. No creams or chemicals necessary.
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For Tangled Tresses
Original Detangler Hair Brush
Detangling post-pool hair is the last thing they’ll want to be doing on vacation. The detangling brush works on dry or wet hair and has flexible bristles that will gently loosen knots and reduce breakage.
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For Instant Photo Fun
Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
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For Instant Photo Fun
Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
Most people have fallen into the habit of just using their phones to capture photos while traveling, but there’s nothing quite like having a print of all of your favorite memories.
This instant camera has automatic exposure and a one-touch selfie mode for capturing the perfect vacation selfie with ease. It comes in fun colors to match your recipient’s aesthetic.
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For Blocking Plane Noise
AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
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For Blocking Plane Noise
AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
The latest AirPods Pro are still sweat- and water-resistant, but also have improved noise cancellation, an extended battery life, and different ear tips for a custom fit that’ll keep them in place. They're great for a long run on the beach and blocking out noisy passengers on their flight.
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For a Breathable Face Covering Option
KN95 5-Ply Breathable Filter Disposable Masks
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For a Breathable Face Covering Option
KN95 5-Ply Breathable Filter Disposable Masks
Now 17% Off
No matter the destination, these best-selling, disposable KN95 masks are a travel essential. They’re filtered yet breathable, and the black makes them a touch more elevated than standard surgical masks. Keep them germ-free on the go with a mask storage case.
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Germ-Fighting Essential
Travel Hand Sanitizer (6-Pack)
Let’s be real — does anyone go anywhere without this anymore? I hope not. Traveling, of course, should be no different. If they skip out on some of the other items in this list, don’t let hand sanitizer be one of those missing things.
Elisabeth Narine
Elisabeth Narine is the Associate Editor, Reviews at Best Products, where she spends her time interviewing experts and scouring the internet for the best gift ideas for every occasion. Her work can also be found on BuzzFeed and Forbes Vetted. She uses her love of shopping, pop culture, and cooking to help guide her search for the perfect gift.
Taylor Mead
Taylor is a freelance writer, editor, and social media manager for beauty, wellness, and lifestyle brands and publications.
