The Ultimate Luxury Gift Guide: The Best for Travelers

Looking for a luxury gift for someone who loves to travel? What are the best cool luxury travel gifts right now? Our correspondent Jillian Tangen has travel gift ideas and inspiration in our ultimate luxury travelers gift guide with the best chic travel gifts for men and women right now.

What are the Best Chic Luxury Travel Gifts Right Now?

You probably have someone in your life who loves to travel, and for whom you need a gift at least once a year. Perhaps they travel for the joy of it – filled with wanderlust and a need to explore. Or maybe they do it for work, or to fulfill other obligations. 

The prospect of travel can evoke a spectrum of emotions. For some, it’s an exciting chance to explore. For others, it’s a burdensome and mildly unpleasant requirement of keeping their job. And even the best vacation travel can have its moments, especially when something unexpected occurs.

That’s why the best luxury gifts for travelers are not only practical. They’re also energizing, or soothing. And ideally, stylish and smart. 

From stress-reducing self care products to sleep aides to noise-cancelling headphones to an indestructible yet chic roller bag, we’ve found over 30 of the best cool travel gifts for someone who loves to travel. These will help your favorite globetrotter make it through their next adventure like a pro. 

The Ultimate Luxury Gift Guide: the Best for Chic Travelers right now

1. Headphones

One way to make traveling en masse more bearable? Help your gift recipient block out the noise and tune in with some top of the line headphones.  We’re big fans of Bose QC25 headphones ($300). They feature a new folding design, better audio quality and improved noise reduction. 

For someone looking for style and sound quality, we like the Klipsch Heritage HP-3 ($1,200).  Or if you think they might prefer hearing nothing at all, try the Bose Noise Masking Sleepbuds ($249) that are great for overnight flights (or the inevitable screaming toddler).  Looking for more options?  Check out our guide to the best first class headphones.

2. Luggage

heritage brands

We are big fans of the heritage style of Goyard and LV, with one of our faves being the Louis Vuitton Horizon ($3,900-$4,300).  It has a classic trunk-inspired style, but with the modern touch of a completely flat back shell for more packing space. Plus, it comes in either a hard or soft case option and a variety of colors. 

high tech-high style

For something with a little more high tech, we like the new aluminum line of suitcases ($475 – $595) from Away.  Their carry-ons all feature a TSA-approved ejectable battery with charging ports for your phone and other devices.  And for you influencer friends, there is always the Off White x Rimowa suitcase ($1,355).  The latest offering from Off-White sees the brand going out on its own with a new line of carry-on bags ($1,000) called “Quote” that launched in August 2019.

A suitcase from a favorite hotel

Le Bristol Hotel in Paris is one of our absolute favorite hotels in the world. If someone on your list shares that view, the Globe-Trotter Le Bristol Paris suitcase (1,366€) is the perfect gift. This limited-edition piece is made in the UK of lightweight durable Vulcan Fiber. The suitcase has black vegetable tanned-leather straps, chrome buckles, a pull-out handle and wheels.

There are also versions available for some of the other properties in the Oetker Collection of luxury hotels, including the Lanesborough London hotel, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Eden Roc St. Barth’s, and the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden Baden. For even more ideas, check out our roundup of the best suitcases.

3. Travel Tech and Gadgets

Help your Road Warrior make their travel just a little bit smarter with the some of the latest in travel tech.  Adero’s Smart Tags ($79.99) will keep them organized on their journey.  By using the bluetooth taglets, users can keep track of their must have items, ensuring nothing gets left behind or that they ever have to look under a hotel bed again – phew. 

For friends who love foreign travel, there is the Vasco Mini Translator ($249), which can help them with any potential language barriers they may encounter.  And for the road warriors who are always getting sick, we like the Bizond Portable Ozone Generator ($69), a conveniently travel cup-size device that can purify and sterilize up to 99% of allergens, bacteria and chemicals in an area up to 10 square feet.  Their immune system will certainly thank you.

4. Beauty and skin care 

Cleansing and moisturizing are the two smartest steps you can take for your skin after you board. Encourage your beloved traveler to take care of themselves with the MZ Skin Hydra Bright Golden Eye Treatment Mask ($106).  The tiny gold particles will definitely make them feel fancy. And more importantly, this treatment will provide them with a dose of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and seaweed to fight dark circles and fine lines. 

For a complete facial treatment, we like the Patchology On the Fly Travel Skin Treatment Kit ($20). It has everything covered, including the lips. 

Of course, self care doesn’t only have to be about skin care. It’s also about their state of mind.  Help them unwind and prepare for the adventures (or meetings) ahead with these Acupuncture massage rings ($10).

5. Personal grooming

Friends don’t let friends get caught using hotel/airline toiletries (unless they’re from a premium kit).  But perhaps your road warrior can’t always fly first class or stay in a 5-star hotel. So why not give them some top-of-the-line toiletries to make their travels a little more luxurious?  Aesop’s Departure Kit ($53) features seven Aesop classics to help your Road Warrior stay fresh-faced and groomed at their destination. 

For men, the Menscience Travel Kit ($86) includes a full regimen of products (shave, after shave, cleanser, moisturizer, shampoo, deodorant, lip balm and more) to cover all their skincare and grooming needs while on the road. 

Lastly, let’s not forget oral care on the go.  To help them keep a bright smile, we like the Marvis Toiletries Kit ($20). It comes with the brand’s classic whitening mint toothpaste, a nylon bristle toothbrush and rubber carrying case.  Even better?  These all come in convenient TSA-friendly sizes – so those who never check a bag are in luck.  

6. Fragrance

Hermes has a wonderfully chic set of travel-sized perfume vials ($99.95)  with four of its most popular scents. Louis Vuitton has travel sizes ($250) in many of its new fragrances, including the aptly-named Sur la route.

7. Small Leather Goods: Pouches, Bags and Cases

Whether it’s for toiletries or for gathering cords and cables, pouches, bags and cases are a great gift idea for people on the road to help them stay organized. 

Brighten their days away from home with a floral Gucci Blooms Pouch ($520) that can be used for everything from makeup to passports. Keep their hands and shoulders free with a Prada Belt Bag ($750) made from recycled nylon.  Or for a more polished look, you can opt for a Mark Cross Grace Briefcase ($2,495).  We’re partial to the bright red option.

Smythson of Bond Street‘s dove grey Grosvenor jewelry roll ($330) is crafted from printed calf leather with a light grey nubuck interior. There are three zippered pockets, and holders for rings and earrings. It also comes in cherry red, and can be personalized with the recipient’s initials.

One of the best gifts we’ve ever received is a leather passport holder that also has room for our business cards, hotel room keys and other travel necessities. We use ours all the time. If you want to go in this direction, for chic passport holders, you can never go wrong with Bottega Veneta. Valextra has classic monochromatic versions. And Off-White has a sassy and sleek black and white offering ($190).

8. Attire

Elevate their style and possibly also their comfort with some new travel attire.  For the ladies, a scarf or wrap adds a layer of sophistication while also offering warmth on long cold flights. We like Burberry’s new Silk Puffer Bandanas ($690) – they’re lightly padded for added coziness and volume, and finished in a soft color-blocked silk. 

One of the best and most practical travel gifts for men is a classic blazer that works with both jeans and khakis.  We’re partial to Canali’s water and crease-resistant Travel Blazer ($1,200). Your Road Warrior can either wear it right off the plane and into meetings, or pack it away in his bag for a night out during the trip.  Another great option for both men and women is a packable ultra light down jacket ($69).  It’s perfect for those destinations where the weather might be unpredictable. 

9. Sleep Aides

Help them arrive at their destination well rested with some easy to carry sleep aides like sleep masks and neck pillows. 

The Gravity’s Weighted Sleep Mask ($40) will evenly distribute weight lightly across their face, helping to calm their nervous system to help improve sleep, mood and relaxation. Slip has become famous for its luxury sleep masks ($50), made of silk and available in many stylish subdued hues.

Say goodbye to a stiff neck with a Ostrichpillow Go ($60) that will wrap around their neck for quality support and soft cushioning.  And when they’re done resting, it rolls up into a compact ball for easy transport. 

Ladies with long hair who travel know how wonky their hair can get while they sleep.  Keep her looking well-groomed and comfortable with Calpak’s Silk Travel Neck Pillow and Eye Mask Set ($95).  The luxe silk fabric is not only hypoallergenic, but also extra easy on hair and skin.

Lisa Perry’s cashmere travel set ($395) includes a red and pink color-blocked fine-gauge knit cashmere throw and an eye mask conveniently stowed in a matching top-zip carry case. Balenciaga’s silk-satin neck pillow ($650) will make for stylish overnight flights.

10. For the Hotel Room

For those who spend a lot of time on the road, it’s always nice to have a piece of home along for the ride.  The best gift for someone who loves to travel might actually be a little surprise note from you in their bag. In addition, you could tuck in a travel-sized candle with the fragrance of home.  Snowe makes pint-sized and TSA-approved versions of their most popular scents in their Travel Candle Set ($50). 

For those who may want to drown out the sounds of an unfamiliar city, consider the Marpac Rohm White Noise Sound Machine ($29.95).  It can be used both at home and away.  And for fitness gurus who have trouble keeping up at their workouts while away from home, you can gift them a Lorox Travel Foam Roller ($17). That way, no car ride or long layover will stand in the way of long, flexible muscles.

10. Power Sources 

No guide of luxury travel gifts would be complete without a few items to help jet-setters stay connected to their loved ones.  The Anker Powercore 10000 ($24.99) is lightweight and powerful and can recharge two whole phones and then some in one go. The Mophie Powerstation XXL ($99.95) will give them up to 100 hours of extra battery for their phone and can power up to three devices at once. 

For the world traveler there is the Tumi 4 Port USB travel charger ($125), an adapter that supports electrical outlets from 150 countries.  And with four USB power ports, they can power multiple devices at one time.

11. In-flight entertainment 

Long flights can be grueling without something to pass the time. If by chance they don’t have one already, gift them a new tablet filled with their favorite movies or shows to watch.  Android users will love how easy it is to login and play straight away on Google’s Pixel Slate ($799). 

For those who might prefer a good book, try Amazon’s new Kindles Oasis ($299) which now features adjustable warm lighting that is perfect for dim airline cabins.  Last but not least, you might want to consider an actual book for them to read to take their mind off of work for a change.  For our latest suggestions, check out our monthly list of the best new books. 

12. Books

It wouldn’t be a luxury traveler gift guide without the addition of some marvelous books that will inspire future travels.

a global art guide

Destination Art: 500 Artworks Worth the Trip ($35) is a portable guide to 500 must-see examples of permanently installed art from the last 100 years. Organized geographically and with ample logistical details (including GPS coordinates, addresses, websites, and symbols indicating the degree of possible access), it’s made to travel. The featured artists include Marina Abramović, Alexander Calder, Jenny Holzer, Yayoi Kusama, Henri Matisse, Henry Moore, and Richard Serra.

architecturally interesting hotels

Where Architects Sleep by Sarah Miller is the ultimate insider’s guide to where to stay when traveling the world. In it, more than 250 of the world’s leading architects share their tips on where to stay, from renowned destinations to undiscovered gems. With 1,200 listings in more than 100 countries, your wanderlust is sure to be ignited.

a philosophical treatise

The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton is a wonderful travel companion that will stimulate a higher level of mindfulness as a journey unfolds. He writes of “the pleasures of anticipation; the allure of the exotic, and the value of noticing everything from a seascape in Barbados to the takeoffs at Heathrow.” It’s a great read, whether you’re in an armchair or up in the air.

a literary journey

Blind Spot by Teju Cole is remarkable. Cole is a polymath: essayist, novelist, photographer, and art critic. This book includes more than 150 of Cole’s full-color original photos. Each one is paired with an essay about what he saw and why it lingered in his mind. It’s an engrossing diary of years of near-constant travel that will make you want to pack a bag and go exploring. From Berlin and Switzerland to Brooklyn and Capri, Cole is a brilliant guide to the profound mysteries all around us.

an overview for curious travelers

In Wanderlust: A Traveler’s Guide to the Globe, author Philippe Gloaguen shares dream travel itineraries for a wide variety of travelers. Whether one is traveling solo or a large group; pursuing a passion like nature or star-gazing; or heading to a large city for world-class shopping and dining, it’s all here. The text is accompanied by photographs, infographics and extensive research notes. 

13. Gift Certificates for Luxurious Travel Experiences

A gift certificate to a 5-star hotel would be a welcome gift for many travel aficionados. Whether it’s Claridge’s in London, or perhaps a trip to Goodwood for a flight in a vintage airplane (£9,000), the gift of a luxury travel experience might be the best one of all.

The Best Luxury Gifts for Frequent Travelers

There you have it! Our luxury traveler gift guide with the best chic luxury travel gifts for women and men. Now only one question remains: which ones will you pick for your favorite someone who loves to travel?

Join our Community

For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.

Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier. Formerly, she was a Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in NYC and is married with three young children. She loves cross country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.

Forward This Article