A great gift doesn’t have to cost a lot, although it can take some effort to find something that’s both thoughtful and affordable. Whether it’s a cleverly designed product that makes long-haul journeys less daunting or is inspired by a special destination to your giftee, the best travel gifts under $50 tend to be as delightful as they are functional—and often something the recipient might not get for themselves. We’ve scoured the market to cover every type of traveler, from the frequent business flier to your go-to travel companion. Here are 50 of our top picks for the holiday season, including complexion-reviving under-eye patches, colorful upcycled packing cubes, a croissant-inspired candle, and more.
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Travel accessories
Cadence The Small Trio
Leakproof, crafted from post-consumer plastic, and practically indestructible, these TSA-friendly mini jars are great for decanting your toiletries, medication, or anything else that fits, for carry-on travel. They start at $14 for the original size (which holds a little over half an ounce), and can be bought as a set—that can stick together thanks to magnets—to suit your packing needs.
Apple AirTag
This small but mighty stocking stuffer is bound to get used right away, especially if your giftee is frequently on the go. Attach it to everything from keys to luggage to keep tabs on the item using the accompanying app on your iPhone. Plus, if you buy it through Apple, you’ll get complimentary engraving.
Slip Silk Sleepmask
For those who cherish their beauty rest, this classic mulberry silk eye mask has you covered—both in shutting out light and doing so in the gentlest, softest way.
Kusshi Everyday Makeup Bag
From the water-resistant, brightly colored inner lining and trio of interior pockets to the compact, flat-bottomed shape and three-sided zipper, every last detail of this makeup bag has been cleverly designed for trouble-free rummaging and organization. It’s also great for rounding up chargers, earbuds, face masks, and all other daily WFH or in-flight essentials.
Dagne Dover Hunter toiletry bag
This neoprene bag may be small, but it’s roomy enough to fill up with toiletries, tech accessories, or the jumble of in-flight necessities that usually float around in the bottom of your personal item. It comes with a matching mesh pouch for added organization on the go.
Mark & Graham Fillmore vegan leather passport case
Choose from a variety of fonts, colors, and designs to customize a passport cover for the international traveler in your life. Pro tip: A bonus of going with a brighter color is that it’s that much easier to find in your bag when you need it.
Calpak portable charger luggage tag
This portable battery pack from Calpak doubles as a luggage tag thanks to its sleek faux leather case, which can be attached to your suitcase. In other words, you’ll never get caught at the gate with a dead phone and no access to your boarding pass.
Cabeau Evolution S3 travel pillow
A reliable travel pillow is an essential on every long-haul flight. What really sets this Cabeau pillow apart from the rest are the Velcro straps on the back, designed to loop around a plane seat’s headrest, helping to keep your head upright and take any pressure off your neck.
Cotopaxi Cubo packing cube bundle
Once you use packing cubes, you’ll never go back; they compress your belongings and help keep everything organized stuffed into luggage. This bundle from outdoor brand Cotopaxi features top handles and mesh side panels so you can easily see what’s inside with minimal rummaging. And each pack has a one-of-a-kind color combo for good reason, as they’re crafted completely out of repurposed fabrics.
Away The Circle Zip Pouch
Away consistently turns out thoughtfully crafted accessories, and this one is no exception. The circular pouch is compact but shaped just right to double as a wallet or house tiny travel essentials like earbuds, lip balm, and eye drops. And its loop handle allows it to latch to the exterior of your carry-on for easy access.
Counterpart retractable charger
Sure, you can find random ways to organize and corral all those charging cords when traveling, but here’s a more streamlined solution. This aesthetically pleasing USB-C charger has fold-down prongs and a four-foot cord that conveniently retracts back into itself.
Outdoor gear
Third Eye Headlamps TE14 headlamp
Whether you’re going off the grid or want to read in bed long after your partner has fallen asleep, this artist-designed headlamp is great for lighting the way, hands-free. Choose from over 20 strap patterns and 4 headlamp colors for customized gear that doesn’t look overly outdoors-y. The battery-operated light has 6 settings that range from SOS-style flashing white to night vision-preserving red light that’s ideal for wildlife viewing.
JBL Go 4 portable speaker
Waterproof, dustproof, and practically everything-proof, this pocket-sized speaker is perfect for streaming your favorite tunes or podcasts while on the go. It’s available in eight fun color combos, and the best part is you can bring it on your beach vacation without a care when it inevitably gets sand kicked on it.
Paravel Mini Fold-Up Backpack
Ideal for everything from city excursions to last-minute souvenir shopping, Paravel’s lightweight backpack folds up so small that it will take up hardly any space in your suitcase—perfect for those of us who tend to buy too much on vacation. Bonus: It’s crafted out of the brand’s earth-friendly “negative nylon,” which is made from recycled plastic water bottles.
Quince Mongolian cashmere pom pom beanie
Crafted from luxuriously soft Mongolian cashmere, this cozy beanie from Quince will be appreciated by snowboarders and après skiers alike. Plus, who can resist a pom-pom during a bout of winter gloom?
Owala SmoothSip Slider tumbler
Owala is known for its fun-colored water bottles, but its travel mugs are equally amazing. This light pink, 20-ounce mug keeps hot coffee or tea hot for hours and is completely leakproof.
Nomadix The Original Towel
Made from certified post-consumer recycled plastic, this ultra-absorbent towel can be used for yoga, camping, the pool, and pretty much everything in between. It’s also guaranteed to stand out on the beach courtesy of the vibrant print options available, from classic stripes to national park-inspired patterns.
Clothing & accessories
Quince Organic Cotton Oversized Cardigan
A warm cardigan is an essential for chilly fall and winter mornings. Throw on this one to run errands, venture out to a museum, grab coffee (or a cocktail), and, well, pretty much anything in between.
Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Slippers
Crafted from 100 percent Turkish cotton terry, these plush slippers are like a spa robe for your feet. To complete the cozy at-home look, add Parachute’s matching Classic bathrobe to your cart, too.
Graf Lantz Ami Market tote
Perfect for storing produce or souvenirs, this sturdy yet lightweight 100% cotton tote is a staple for beach days, farmer’s market trips, and impromptu weekend jaunts. It folds neatly into its own pocket and takes up very little space, making it especially great for stashing in your luggage.
Uniqlo Round Mini shoulder bag
A bag that keeps your hands free is a travel essential, whether you’re taking in the sights or browsing local shops. This versatile crossbody comes in muted pastels, neutrals, and wear-with-everything black, and is also durable thanks to a water-repellent finish.
Lululemon 1L Everywhere Belt Bag
Lululemon’s Everywhere belt bag is perfect for active travelers. It can be worn as a crossbody, is surprisingly roomy, and has several internal mesh pockets to keep small items organized.
Beauty & wellness
Kate McLeod Grounding Stone
Formulated with five ultra nourishing oils and butters (cocoa, sweet almond, apricot kernel, fractionated coconut, and avocado), this sculptural moisturizer softens as it comes into contact with warm, dry skin. Bask in the calming mix of woody vetiver and zesty bergamot, and use it as a massage stone for an incredibly relaxing and indulgent self-care ritual that rivals a day at your favorite spa.
Act+Acre scalp gua sha
There’s nothing more relaxing than a soothing scalp massage. This beautiful, weighty comb is carved from jade (and comes in varying shades of serene green); it is designed to relieve tension and help stimulate circulation. It’s perfect for pairing with your favorite hair treatment for a calming self-care ritual.
L’Occitane hand cream set
A good hand cream is an in-flight must, and in terms of hydrating and nourishing, this travel-friendly set from L’occitane is about as good as it gets. It comes with three 1-oz. tubes in classic shea butter, almond, and lavender scents.
111Skin Jetsetter wallet
Created by a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, 111 Skin is beloved for its super luxurious, highly effective products—and the brand’s brightening, firming, invigorating under-eye masks are no exception. This trio is perfect for stashing in your toiletry bag and saving for jet-lagged mornings or anytime your complexion is in need of a pick-me-up.
Aesop Ginger Flight Therapy roll-on
Whether you’re looking for relief after a marathon of luggage-laden travel or a little help unwinding from back-to-back Zoom meetings, this soothing botanical blend of lavender, ginger root, and geranium provides just the right dose of self-care in a TSA-approved roller ball size. Pro tip: Dab it on your pulse points and pair with an eye mask and noise-canceling headphones for brief moments of zen.
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
For the traveler who’s always fine-tuning their skincare and makeup routine, consider a gift from clean beauty brand Ilia. This serum skin tint comes in 30 different shades—though if you’re still not sure which to get, you can always send them a gift card instead.
Home goods
Fazeek Teaspoons
These beautiful color-blocked teaspoons from Australian brand Fazeek are hand-blown from durable borosilicate glass useful for drizzling toppings or mixing concoctions. They make for a memorable gift for the foodie friend who has everything.
Carrière Frères Botanical Palet Lavender
A unique gift for the Francophile in your life, these wax discs by storied candle brand Carrière Frères can be used in suitcases, closets, the car—anywhere you’d like to add a soft lavender scent. They also double as a fragrant ornament, and thanks to the ornate packaging, require no additional wrapping.
Art, games, & toys
Tegu Sunset Blocks
Besides being sustainably crafted (colored in nontoxic, water-based paint) and simply pleasant to look at, these building blocks have hidden magnets that allow them to be grouped or shaped in a variety of formations. They’re perfect for fiddling with while en route to your final destination no matter your age.
Kiko+GG Wakka Retro Water Game
Is your giftee always trying to unplug or reduce screen time, at home or on the road? This adorable Game Boy-inspired “device” is crafted from sustainable beechwood and features a pair of manual controller buttons for playing. It requires no batteries or power switch to turn on, and comes with its own chic carrying case—an excellent, travel-friendly gift for both children and adults alike.
Papier travel journal
This artfully gilded notebook comes packed with everything a traveler might want in a journal. It has sections for up to six trips, with each featuring pages designed for planning (itineraries, packing lists, budgets), doodling, and jotting down everything memorable about the journey.
Amazing Islands by Sabrina Weiss
While technically geared toward kids, this gorgeously illustrated book features islands of every kind around the globe and is packed with interesting facts on their history, local flora and fauna, and more. It’s sure to inspire travel and exploration in both adults and little ones alike.
Artifact Uprising Color Series Photo Book
Forget Instagram stories, the best (and lasting) way to commemorate that trip to Greece you’ve been reminiscing about is with this beautifully designed foil-printed book. The embossed theme printed on the front can be customized according to where you traveled, making it the perfect conversation starter (read: excuse to brag about your vacation) at your next dinner party.
Moonlight Potions puzzle
Whether snowed in at your Airbnb or looking for a family activity to entertain guests over the holidays, a good jigsaw puzzle is ideal for some much-needed time offline. This 500-piece set from Ordinary Habit features a cozy moonlit scene by Italian artist Lida Ziruffo, and comes with a handy pouch to make it a no-brainer to bring with you on the road.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.