The Best Travel Gifts Under $50

I recently bought this chair in navy (some colors are more expensive than others) to use while reading in Central Park, and it is not an exaggeration to say it changed my life. It’s extremely light and compact, making it easy to take on the MTA or even to pack in a suitcase for your next trip. You can never be too sure when you might want to sit down whether it be to simply take a load off of your feet or to enjoy a favorite pastime in the park or even a stadium. After all, this well-crafted chair offers back support, which makes all the difference in the world when you’re trying to stay comfortably seated for any considerable amount of time. — Becca James, Senior Editor at Thrillist

This sleep balm was a secret first gifted to me in a stretch of life when I had trouble falling asleep and staying there. One use, and I was zonked. It’s now become a must-have staple in my travel bag, used for everything from passing out on planes to adjusting to new time zones to creating a relaxing and familiar sleep routine on the road. Made by a small company in New York, it’s gorgeously aromatic, packed with things like lavender, marjoram, sandalwood, rosemary, and, I’m convinced, magic. When I rub it on my temples and chest, I’m out five minutes later. It also doesn’t take much! In fact, I still have that first jar I was given, all those years ago. — Vanita Salisbury, Senior Writer at Thrillist

A colleague of mine (Hi, Opheli!) recommended these to me when I mentioned how stressed I was trying to transport my skincare routine in my carry-on bag. At first, I was a bit skeptical because of the price and how hyped they were, but I was immediately hooked after I ordered my first starter set. You can customize the sets to your needs and color preferences, and everything is TSA-compliant and will absolutely not spill in your bag. I also adore that the capsules are magnetized and, frankly, just super cute and efficient. This bundle is a good starter kit for anyone who travels a bunch and can appreciate the more aesthetic as well as functional things in life. They’ll easily be able to add to them should they desire, too. —  Joe Erbentraut, Editorial Director at Thrillist

It is nearly impossible to identify your suitcase in the baggage claim these days unless you have spectacularly colorful or dinged-up bags. One way to help the globe trotter in your life not pick up the wrong black/gray/tasteful navy suitcase is to get them these nifty luggage stickers from Monos. Featuring every letter in the alphabet, you could get them their initials or the letters to a slightly inappropriate word that is sure to stand out and maybe even make the baggage handlers chuckle. — Opheli Garcia Lawler, Senior Writer at Thrillist 

Before a recent flight, I saw a TikTok hack for parents flying with babies or toddlers, which was to bring painter’s tape on the airplane to help distract your baby from ruining everyone’s flight. There are already far too many toys and gadgets marketed to highly anxious new parents like myself, but I really appreciate the things that aren’t meant to last just a few months and have to be thrown away afterward. So, I tested it with my one-year-old and was pleasantly surprised. Why painter’s tape, you ask? Because it’s small enough to fit quite easily in your carry-on, and babies are, indeed, amused by sticking stuff on things. Painter’s tape is super easy to remove, so even if it looks like you’re planning an extensive remodel of the seats in front of you by the end of the flight, clean-up isn’t a problem. As a bonus, the tape also finally gave me the upper hand in my ongoing battle against half-eaten bags of graham crackers. — Lindsay Schrupp, Editor in Chief  at Thrillist

For any traveler who can’t help but pack multiple books on a trip or consistently tells themselves that a flight is a great opportunity to get through their TBR pile, I present to you my favorite book light of all time. It folds flat, which means no more of those annoying noodle necks that are impossible to organize; comes in fun colors; and has multiple settings for brightness and even hue. Plus, it recharges via mini USB. Whether you do any actual reading matters no; the light is easy to pack and barely takes up any space, much less than the books I’m packing. Plus, you could always use it as a flashlight. — Sarah Medina, Editorial Director, Local at Thrillist 

Buying someone the ultra-popular Away suitcase might be out of your budget, but you can get them another Away product that will make packing so much easier. These cubes come in a fun variety of colors, and the varying sizes make organizing your suitcase—whether it is new and fancy or a few decades old—a breeze. — Opheli Garcia Lawler, Senior Writer at Thrillist 

I'm obsessed with this Cotopaxi hat, which is perfect for keeping the sun out of your eyes on a hike or walk. The recycled nylon fabric is incredibly light and breathable, the color options are fun, and the bendy brim never gets too beat up in my luggage. In fact, this hat is widely beloved in my family—my sister, sister-in-law, and I each have one in different hues. — Kori Perten, Senior Editor at Thrillist

If I’m on a long-haul flight, I must sleep. I don’t really care whether I’m traveling during the day or the middle of the night, the only way I know how to avoid being grumpy and irritated like a stray cat is to get some sleep while I'm soaring the skies. Of course, that requires the use of an eye mask. A heated eye mask, however, is the travel companion you didn’t think you needed. Not only does it provide the pitch-black environment necessary for real relaxation, but it also helps prevent your skin from getting incredibly dry after being on a plane for so long. It’s a win-win, really.  — Serena Tara, Staff Writer, Thrillist

This customizable luggage tag is a perfect gift for anyone who has been creating Pinterest boards for their next vacation based on their favorite HBO show. It has real utility, but it is also just very, very fun. It’s also the ideal companion gift for anyone looking to actually stay at one of the real resorts where White Lotus was filmed. —  Opheli Garcia Lawler, Senior Writer at Thrillist 

Listen, we all know how disgusting planes are. We also know that keeping your shoes on for the entire duration of a long-haul flight is essentially excruciating. The third thing we know is bare feet in an enclosed shared environment is not proper plane etiquette. But I have the solution—plane socks. Having a rotating pair of cute socks to pop on while you’re flying is truly a game changer. Not only do they keep you warm, shoeless, and fashionable (peep the pastel colors), but they also prevent your feet from touching the disgusting plane floors, allowing you to avoid your neighbors’ disgusted and valid side-eye had your actual feet been visible. The grippy ones are a must-have. — Serena Tara, Staff Writer, Thrillist

If you’re like me, you never know when you’re going to want to hike. You might be headed to a particular destination with plans to just lay on the beach and drink margaritas, but then you hear about some ruins halfway in the jungle and you think: Yes. I must see that. This packable backpack has been with me from urban hiking in Panama City to gorilla trekking in Rwanda. There are side pockets for water bottles, and it is big enough for all your day trip essentials, making an excellent gift for someone who also may like to plan vacation activities on the fly. It also comes in handy if your unexpected vacation activity is shopping: in your luggage, it packs down to just a little pocket; fill it up with your acquired treasures and it’s sturdy enough to call a carry-on. — Vanita Salisbury, Senior Writer at Thrillist 

This Tide To Go instant stain remover does the job in a pinch. It really works! I bring it everywhere, whether hanging out with friends, traveling, or celebrating birthdays. Its compact size makes it easy to fit in my purse without taking up much room in my luggage. Just think about all the times you've accidentally stained your clothes with sauce, oil, or wine, feeling frustrated at the thought of throwing the clothes away or taking them to the cleaners. With this stain remover, those worries are a thing of the past. — Kisai Ponce, Director of Audience Development at Thrillist

Something that more and more people are seeking out every year is an authentic connection to the natural world. Our national parks are one of the most accessible ways to pursue that goal, and this book can be a road map, bucket list, or inspiration for anyone seeking adventure more frequently. Plus, who doesn’t love an adult sticker book? — Opheli Garcia Lawler, Senior Writer at Thrillist