The 46 Best Travel Gifts Under $10 of 2025

The next best thing to a camping trip is taking the scents of the great outdoors home with you. T+L senior editor Kayla Kitts loves Homesick candles as fun, inexpensive gifts. “My dad and I love to go on hiking trips together. I gifted him the larger version of this ‘Gone Hiking’ candle, and he loves to light it in his office while he works,” she says. “The pine, cedarwood, and sandalwood notes remind him of our national park trips being outside soaking up nature.”

Is it just me, or do blemishes just know to pop up at the most inopportune times? Lucky for us, we can get rid of them STAT with the Peach Slices acne dots, which come in various sizes on these convenient to-go sheets. “Flying and traveling in general can make my skin break out, so I typically throw this pack of acne patches in my makeup case,” says Anna Popp, T+L associate editor. “They take up virtually no room since they are on just a sheet, and one small sheet can usually last me an entire trip.”

Travel delays are par for the course this season, which is why Popp loves to bring a pack of UNO cards to stay entertained. “To pass the time while traveling, I always bring some sort of game with me, and it’s usually UNO,” she says. “It doesn’t require a lot of brain power when I’m exhausted, and it’s fun for all ages. I typically toss it in my personal item bag, and reach for it when watching a movie, reading a book, or sleeping doesn’t appeal to me. It’s also really easy to travel with the cards, especially with this card case that is perfect for storing UNO.”

“I’ve had various eReaders and Kindles for over 10 years, and I love that this universal case can grow with me as I upgrade devices,” says Popp. “It’s marketed as a universal case, and after testing it on my 2019 model and a newer Paperwhite, I can confidently say that it offered the same protection and fit on both versions.”

Keeping kids occupied during long travel days requires a bit of preparation, and T+L writer Emily Hochberg loves packing this mess-free coloring set when flying with her two young kids. It’s also available in different cartoon themes including Bluey, Peppa Pig, Mickey Mouse, and Cocomelon.

No bag hook at the bar? No problem. T+L associate testing editor Danielle Calma swears by this nifty portable bag hanger for days out. “My mom would always take a purse hook to coffee shops and restaurants, and I recently came across one at Muji that works just as well,” she says. “The hook lets me hang my purse on tables and within easy reach, plus the anti-slip padding has so far proven effective against slippage.”

“My brother camps in the Philippines, where it rains often and unexpectedly,” says Calma. “When it rains—and inevitably pours—these water and windproof matches would come in useful. In any case, I think he’d appreciate having them on hand. This set includes 25 matchsticks and a waterproof case with a replaceable striking surface. You can choose from three colors, including a traffic-cone orange option for easy visibility outdoors.”

A sturdy hair clip is something you can never have too many of, which is why it’s an underrated stocking stuffer. This tortoise shell set from Eyegla comes in a pack of two (so they always have a backup). “They’re more suited to half-up styles rather than buns, but they’re small enough to store in a cosmetics case (or clip onto a tote or personal item) when I’m not using them,” says Calma. “Their teeth manage to keep my hair place, even after a long travel day—and they’re pretty cute, too.”

Unexpected overweight baggage fees is a surprise no one wants, which is why a luggage scale is something every traveler should have in their stash. “When I travel to the Philippines or a new destination, I usually leave room in my luggage for snacks and souvenirs that I wouldn’t find in New York. All that stuff usually adds up, and I always wish I had a portable luggage scale to ensure my suitcase isn’t overweight,” Calma says. “This one comes at an affordable price and with the approval of T+L editors. I want it for myself, but I think it’d make a great gift for people who check their luggage or are prone to overpacking.”

“This reading light is compact enough to travel with and useful for situations—like planes, trains, hostels, or shared hotel rooms—when I want to enjoy a physical book without disturbing the person next to me,” says Calma.

The more I travel, the more I’ve realized that finding soap in bathrooms is not always a guarantee in every location. From now on, I’ve vowed to keep a packet of these soap sheets by Fomin in my purse. It takes just a few drops of water on one sheet to activate a foamy lather, leaving my hands squeaky clean every time.

Roomy, water-resistant, and available in a variety of cutesy colors, this Bagsmart makeup bag is a wallet-friendly gift we can’t recommend enough. “I love a travel pouch—they help keep me organized in my black hole of a purse,” says T+L’s senior testing editor Jackie Cucco. “This cute Bagsmart one has a puffy, water-resistant exterior and has so many different uses, which makes it a fabulous gift idea. You can use it for keys, makeup, pens, tech, or any small items that you want to keep separate in your bag.”

A few handy scrunchies are just the thing to complete a toiletry bag or to add in your personal item just in case. Cucco happens to love this set from Carve Designs. “You’ll always catch me with a scrunchie in my hair or on my wrist, and I always like having extras in my toiletry kit in case my other hair ties snap,” she says. “These come in a two-pack for under $10, with fun colors and designs to choose from.”

Germs are lurking everywhere, but especially in airports. That’s why we love this slim and extremely portable hand sanitizer by Touchland. Cucco says, “I never leave home without hand sanitizer, and the Touchland packaging and scents are more appealing than a lot of the other brands out there, which makes them more fun to use. I also find it easier to spray a hand sanitizer rather than pump it into my hands.”

A cooling fan is a must during summer trips. We love this one since it can be worn around the neck, attached to a belt, or held in your hand, and the digital display makes it easy to never be left with a battery that’s out of juice.

Long flights and jam-packed itineraries can leave even the most frequent flyer looking a bit worse for wear. Patchology’s restoring eye gels will be a blessing to your favorite globetrotter. “I always need a little extra help looking more awake, especially when flying a red-eye,” Cucco shares. “These eye patches are conveniently packaged in on-the-go pouches, which I throw into my purse so I can use them on the plane. They have retinol in them and also help reduce my dark circles. The best part is you only have to use them for five minutes to look more refreshed.”

“I am not ashamed to do my skin care on the plane, and I always pack face masks when I travel,” says Cucco. “These overnight masks are meant to be worn for a minimum of three hours, which is why I love wearing them on long flights as I’m sleeping or watching movies. Then I can arrive at my destination with a fresh face instead of dry skin.”

For the traveler who still prefers the feel of a physical book over an eReader, Wayzton’s heart-shaped leather bookmarks are a thoughtful touch. Crafted from soft, full-grain leather and finished with hand stitching, these bookmarks slip easily between pages while preserving the condition of books. Plus, we love that they come in a variety of earthy tones.

Coming in as the most budget-friendly gift on this list is this Ikea shoe bag, designed to keep your suitcase clean and your most beloved footwear in pristine condition. Upon testing it, I found it to be durable and able to fit more than one pair of shoes if I packed strategically. The material is the same as Ikea’s iconic shopping bags, so it’s safe to say it’ll probably last forever.

Getting good rest on a flight is no easy feat, but a reliable sleep mask to block out light certainly helps. This one from Mavogel is our favorite budget pick because it comes with a soft (not bulky) padding and is adjustable for your comfort. After months of use, it’s held up super well and feels way more expensive than it is.

Avid concert-goers will cherish this stadium-approved clear purse by Bagenius. It comes with removable crossbody and wrist straps. T+L editors tested this firsthand and found it can comfortably fit essentials like a digital camera, travel-sized perfume, a portable fan, battery pack, and more.

“I’m so obsessed with this silky lip oil,” says T+L writer Jasmine Gomez. “Not only does it smell good, but if you accidentally get some lip product in your mouth as one often does, it tastes fruity, too. The lip oil is made with vitamin E, so it’s extra moisturizing. My go-to no-makeup glowy travel look is just slathering some sunscreen on my face and treating my lips to this gloss.”

If you ask us at T+L, a reliable pair of AirPods is a must-have for every trip. What takes it up a notch is a protective case. “The silicone case comes in handy during accidental drops, but I also love that it comes in a ton of fun colors,” Gomez says. “Plus, it makes my AirPods easy to spot when they get lost in the endless black pit that is the bottom of my purse.”

If I can recommend one gift that’s practical for just about anyone you’re shopping for, it’s a tech organizer. This one has dual dividers and elastic compartments that will make tangled cords a thing of the past. I’ve used it to pack enough tech for a two-week trip to Japan as well as my shorter Amtrak commutes. Bottom line: I go nowhere without it. Now that I think about it, it’s pretty astounding that I’ve gotten so much use out of an item that only cost $8.

T+L updates writer Anne Taylor brings one of these satin pillowcases on every trip to make her hotel bed feel a bit more homey. “It’s nicer on my hair and skin than the often old/scratchy pillowcases that hotels have,” she says. “It also just makes me feel comfier in a new bed, plus I know it’s sanitary and there’s no chance I’m sleeping on a pillowcase that hasn’t been washed since the last guest.”

This do-it-all multipurpose shimmer stick is also a mainstay in Taylor’s toiletry bag. “People are really specific about their makeup choices, but I like tossing this stick into my bag on trips since it performs triple duty. It can be used on the cheeks as a blush, on the eyelids, and as a lip tint.”

Another personal care gem Taylor swears by is this Eos hand cream, which she always keeps in her personal item for long flights. “It’s a great skin refresher after 5+ hours of dry plane air and the small bottle lasts surprisingly long,” she says. “I also like the sweet (but not overwhelming) scent.”

A toiletry bag staple that will always need to be replaced is makeup remover. T+L associate director Morgan Ashley Parker says this version from Sephora is her go-to, even though she doesn’t wear a ton of makeup. “This gets off my eyeliner, eyeshadow, and even waterproof mascara, with just one swipe,” Parker says. “As a bonus, this doesn’t irritate my contacts and can be refilled from the jumbo-sized bottle when the smaller bottle runs out.”

Whether on a hike or a long train ride, you can never go wrong packing this convenient snack bag, which Parker says is “a thoughtful way to gift a loved one their favorite candy as you can fill it up once and they can reuse it again and again,” She loves that it can this hold treats but is a “dishwasher-safe bag can also be used to reheat or freeze items after their gifted snacks are done.”

“I’m all about practical stocking stuffers versus clutter, and this retractable clothesline is the perfect gift for travelers who handwash items or swim a lot on trips,” says Parker. “It comes in a tiny pouch and can be attached between any two points in your hotel bathroom like a shower rod, towel bar, or hook.”

Having an extra stick of deodorant on hand is a travel lifesaver, according to Parker. “I love having an emergency deodorant in my purse, especially when I’m doing a lot of walking or working out,” she says. “This tiny tube easily fits in my crossbody bag on hot days out but it’s a great size for my toiletry bag on a short trip, too.”

Tapple has become one of my favorite games to play when hosting friends and family—it’s the ultimate test of thinking on your feet, and it’s something kids and adults can both take part in. This mini version is small enough to pop in a backpack or tote if you’re headed to something like a cabin trip or visiting family for the holidays.

Some of my favorite kinds of gifts are the ones that help reduce waste. T+L editors love this reusable on-the-go metal straw to bring on trips, especially all-inclusive resorts. I personally find it clever that its carrying case comes in a bright neon color that makes it easy to spot and hard to leave behind.

“An esthetician once told me during a facial that I needed to hydrate my skin more given how much I traveled, and recommended this spray as a way to help my moisturizer actually sink in,” says T+L writer Sophie Dodd. “I use it on every flight, and it’s great for warm-weather getaways too!”

Gifting a passport wallet to a frequent flyer is a no-brainer—even if they already own several. We like that this one from Tigari distinguishes itself from the rest with four credit card slots, pen holder, and a transparent window which you can use to store a vaccine card, a global entry card, or other form of I.D.

I clutch my pearls every time I’m forced to buy a bottle of water at the airport because I forgot to bring a collapsible water bottle of my own. But you don’t have to be like me. Gift yourself, and your loved ones, this inexpensive and ultraportable water bottle that scrunches down to a fraction of its size for easy storage.

Whether you’re fresh off a 7-hour international flight or stepping out for a day of exploring a new city, you’ll be thankful to have this compact hairbrush on hand for touch ups. “I keep this foldable brush in my purse 24/7 because I hate having disheveled hair,” says Popp. “The brush is compact enough to fit in even my smallest handbag, and it doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap. I like that it has both small and larger bristles to brush out my thick hair.”

Stumped on a gift for the traveler that seems to have everything? We can guarantee this Vitog toiletry bottle set will have them singing your praises for years to come. This 11-piece set comes with a spray, pump, and screw-top bottles, allowing them to fill each one with the product of their choice. The two jars can be used for jewelry, medication, or thicker creams and gels.

If a beach vacation is in their near future, you can’t go wrong gifting them this two-pack of Banana Boat Sunscreen. For less than 10 dollars, they get two 3-ounce bottles that can easily fit in a carry-on. “It protected my skin on a long day out on a boat in the sun, and I got a nice glow but did not burn at all,” says T+L senior editorial director Nina Ruggiero, who used them on a recent trip to Mexico.

This $7 monogrammed luggage tag skews so luxury, they’ll never know it was a bargain buy. This black faux leather tag comes embroidered with their initial in gold. The cherry on top is that it ships quickly if you’re ever in a pinch.

Campers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike will appreciate the easy application and non-sticky feel of this gel-based insect repellent by Off! It’s one of our favorite bug sprays because it ensures the more precise coverage of exposed skin; plus, it’s fragrance-free!

Whether you’re strolling through a charming Christmas market somewhere in Europe or roasting marshmallows by the fire, a toasty set of footwarmers is something you’ll want to have tucked in your winter boots. You’ll get at least nine hours of warmth from these self-heating insoles.

A well-stocked mini first aid kit is the one travel safety product most people forget to pack, making it a gift that will come in handy when they least expect it. This first aid kit by Johnson & Johnson comes complete with essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, and gauze pads—everything needed for those unexpected scuffs and scrapes, plus you can add other essentials like blister bandages and Neosporin in the case, too.

Beauty lovers to the front! For just under $10, we’ve found this incredibly well-organized makeup case made with travelers in mind. It’s perfect for hauling your products to a special event like a destination wedding, or it can serve as your everyday kit. You’ll find six brush pouches, two interior pockets, and an open compartment where you can stack eyeshadow and bronzer palettes to your heart’s content.

Another excellent stocking stuffer is this multipack of Tide To Go pens (because nothing ruins the vacation vibes quite like staining that one garment you were looking forward to wearing.) This is yet another underrated stocking stuffing because this pack of three means they can keep one stored in their everyday bag, in their car, and suitcase so they’re covered in all scenarios.

T+L editors keep this pack of wet wipes close by at all times, but especially when flying. You can use them to sanitize tray tables and arm rests before take off, and you can use them to clean your hands as well. This pack of 20 is available for a steal, perfect for an office gift exchange or addition to a gift basket.