The holiday season is the perfect time to surprise your travel-loving friends and family with thoughtful gifts that make their adventures more enjoyable. Stocking stuffers are a great way to pack in the essentials—useful, fun, and compact items that don’t take up much room in a suitcase.
If you’re looking for ideas to make your favourite traveller smile, here’s a list of practical and exciting travel stocking stuffers to consider based on what I actually use as a full-time traveller.
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- 1. Portable Charger (Power Bank)
- 2. Travel-Sized Toiletry Kits
- 3. Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
- 4. Travel Journal
- 5. Mini First Aid Kit
- 6. Compact Travel Pillow
- 7. Reusable Water Bottle
- 8. Universal Travel Adaptor
- 9. Luggage Scale
- 10. Travel-Sized Board Games or Card Games
- 11. Passport Holder
- 12. Portable Stain Remover
- 13. Compression Socks
- 14. Microfiber Travel Towel
- 15. Phone Holder
- More Travel Stocking Stuffers
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1. Portable Charger (Power Bank)
In the era of smartphones and other gadgets, a portable charger is an absolute must for anyone on the go. Whether it’s keeping a phone alive during a long flight or charging a camera while on a hiking adventure, a compact power bank will always be appreciated. Look for one that’s lightweight and powerful enough to charge multiple devices.
2. Travel-Sized Toiletry Kits
These mini kits are lifesavers when it comes to complying with TSA liquid restrictions and reducing luggage weight. From tiny shampoo bottles to refillable containers for creams and lotions, travellers can stay fresh without the bulk. I prefer the squeezable silicone versions (pictured), rather than hard bottles as they take up less room.
I’m aware these kits are not very eco-friendly kits, so if you find one made from sustainable materials, let me know.
Read next: Where to Find Plastic Free & Zero Waste Travel Toiletries
3. Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
Whether it’s a loud plane cabin or a bustling city street, noise-cancelling earbuds are the perfect tool for peace and quiet. Travellers will appreciate these as they enjoy podcasts, music, or even some much-needed rest during a long journey.
To be honest, I prefer headphones with wires to the faff of connecting with Bluetooth and remembering to charge my earbuds. However, a compact, wireless set is better than a tangled mess. So, I have both in my backpack, just in case.
4. Travel Journal
For those who love to document their adventures, a small travel journal makes a thoughtful and personal gift. Pick one with a sturdy cover that’s easy to carry in a backpack or day bag. Bonus points if it comes with fun travel prompts or maps where they can track their trips!
Read next: What is a Reading Journal & Why Every Book Lover Needs One
5. Mini First Aid Kit
This is the item you feel like you’ll never use, but when you need it, you need it. My advice is to start with the smallest first aid kit you can find and add/take away from it as you travel more and know what you need and use most. For emergencies, you should get yourself to a doctor or hospital anyway.
Here’s what I carry with me always, based on my needs. Some of these make good stocking stuffers too:
- Tiger balm (for mosquito bites and clearing sinuses)
- Mosquito repellent
- Anti-histamine tablets
- Pain killers (for period pain and headaches)
- Cranberry supplements (for UTIs)
- Laxatives
- Antibacterial hand gel
- Contraceptive pills
- Nail scissors and tweezers
- Band-aids and blister plasters
- Multi-vitamins
- Steroid cream (for eczema)
6. Compact Travel Pillow
I find it near-impossible to fall asleep on planes unless I’m lucky enough to have an extra seat next to me so I can curl up. I know I should just bite the bullet and get a quality travel pillow.
There are some really good ones now, such as the twisty memory foam one pictured above and the neck support pictured below, which has over 35,000 reviews. I’ve always wanted to try it out, but it’s quite expensive.
A compact, inflatable travel pillow makes long flights or train rides much more bearable. Look for one that’s lightweight and easy to pack away when not in use. Even better if it comes with a washable cover to keep it fresh.
Bonus Idea: Silk Pillowcase
However, one thing I did travel with up until I sadly lost mine, was a silk pillowcase (satin also works well and is usually cheaper, but silk is best). These make such a difference to hair and skin.
One thing I definitely struggle with while travelling is being able to keep up a good skincare routine and hair health, so this is a super-easy lightweight product that works. Not a travel essential, for sure, but a game-changer for me.
7. Reusable Water Bottle
A reusable water bottle is a travel essential, even for a lizard like me that never drinks water. It’s always important to have clean water on hand, just in case. And these collapsible bottles are great because they’re lightweight and don’t take up too much room.
8. Universal Travel Adaptor
You can never have too many adaptors. I travel with one multi-adaptor, like the one pictured, but I try and I have another backup because sometimes the big bulky multi-adaptors don’t fit or fall out of the sockets. Plus, it’s important to have a backup anyway or in case you need to use more than one appliance or device at a time.
9. Luggage Scale
No traveller likes to be surprised by overweight baggage fees at the airport. A digital luggage scale is a lightweight and handy stocking stuffer that can save a traveller from the headache of reorganising at check-in. These compact scales are easy to use and ensure a stress-free packing experience. I use it every time I fly, which is usually once a month, so that’s a lot of use!
10. Travel-Sized Board Games or Card Games
Small, portable games like a deck of cards or travel-sized board games can make long waits at airports and getting to know new people much more fun.
Personally, I travel with Love Letter (pictured) and India (also known as Ludo, Sorry, or Frustration), but UNO, Dobble, and Connect 4 are also high on my list of favourites.
Read next: 9 Best Travel Games: Addictive & Luggage-Friendly
11. Passport Holder
A stylish and durable passport holder is both functional and fashionable. Look for one with RFID protection to keep personal information safe from potential electronic theft. Extra slots for credit cards and travel documents make this accessory a practical addition to any traveller’s toolkit.
12. Portable Stain Remover
I’d never thought of this before, but it’s actually kind of genius. I’ve had to part with many clothing items over the years because I’ve got a stain while travelling and no easy way to get it out quickly.
A stain remover pen is an excellent stocking stuffer that will travellers keep their clothes looking fresh, even after an unexpected coffee spill during turbulence or soup noodle splash at a messy street food stall.
13. Compression Socks
They may not look sexy, but compression socks help improve circulation and prevent swelling during extended periods of sitting, such as long flights or other journeys. Compression socks can seem like a bit of a joke, but you know what’s not a joke? Blood clots. Keep those muscles moving!
14. Microfiber Travel Towel
Microfiber towels are lightweight, quick-drying, and compact—perfect for beach trips, camping, or staying in hostels. I have a normal-sized one for the beach (and sometimes yoga), and a smaller one for the gym or drying my hair. Microfiber towels are kinder on hair then regular towels, especially if you have curly or wavy hair, prone to frizz.
15. Phone Holder
This little gadget is so handy for flights or any time when you just want to catch-up on Netflix on-the-go.
More Travel Stocking Stuffers
This is by no means a definitive list, but hopefully it has helped spark some ideas. When choosing travel stocking stuffers, think about practicality, portability, and personalisation.
Whether it’s for a globe-trotting adventurer or someone who loves weekend getaways, these thoughtful and useful gifts will make any traveller’s journey a little smoother and more enjoyable.
Read next: 19 Stocking Stuffers for Book Lovers and Unique Literary Gifts for Book Lovers Who Travel