For the past few years, we’ve shared our holiday gift guides to help you pick the most thoughtful (and useful) presents for the travel lovers in your life. In this year’s list, we’ve combined a few tried-and-true classics with some new ideas for you to consider as the holiday shopping season approaches. Read on for our expert travel gift recommendations for 2026.
A good pair of headphones or earbuds is an essential accessory on any trip. For earbuds, Apple AirPods are a tried-and-true classic – and as a bonus for avid travelers, select AirPods models (including the AirPods Pro 3) have a live translation feature when paired with an iPhone running iOS 26 or later.
As for headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the current best overall noise-cancelling headphones, featuring excellent sound quality and 31 hours of continuous battery life.
Pro tip: To make it easier to follow along with tour directors on visits to museums and historical sites, Odysseys Unlimited provides audio devices for guests to use on most tours. If you wish to bring your own headphones to use with these devices, please make sure they have a wire and can connect to a standard 3.5 mm audio jack. Check out our blog post on audio devices for more information.
For frequent fliers who already have a good pair of headphones, consider gifting a Bluetooth adapter like the Twelve South Airfly. Plugging the AirFly into a 3.5mm audio jack (such as for the entertainment system on an airplane) allows users to wirelessly connect their headphones or earbuds for easy listening.
Breathe easier while traveling in crowded tourist areas and big cities with a pickpocket-proof day pack, such as the Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Backpack or the Pacsafe Vibe 150 Sling Pack. These bags feature interlocking zippers, slash-resistant fabrics, and other safety features to keep your belongings safe while on the go.
Image courtesy of pack allⓇ
Packing shoes in a suitcase can be tricky – after all, you don’t want your dirty soles touching your clean clothes. Eliminate the struggle with a pair of odor-resistant and water-resistant shoe travel bags, like the pack all Shoe Bag.
If your loved one struggles to keep their toiletries organized while traveling, a hanging toiletry kit may help. These save valuable hotel bathroom counter space by keeping all your bottles and brushes tucked away in an organized and easy-to-access pouch. L. L. Bean’s Personal Toiletry Bag provides ample yet compact storage space perfect for long trips.
Ditch the plastic grocery bags and toss dirty clothes into a dedicated travel laundry bag instead. You can even purchase vacuum-sealed laundry bags, such as the CANBOX Travel Laundry Bag, to save space in your luggage.
Image courtesy of Basic ConceptsⓇ
Almost everyone struggles with the minimal legroom provided on commercial airplanes. One way to help alleviate restless legs is with a foot hammock (like the Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock), which hangs from the tray table to give feet an elevated resting place. This can help travelers find more comfortable positions to sit in, with the added bonus of alleviating strain on the lower back.
A virtual private network (VPN) is essential for anyone who spends a lot of time traveling. A VPN encrypts your data and blocks your IP address while you’re online, making it a must-have for anyone who often finds themselves connected to public Wi-Fi networks at airports and hotels. CNET evaluated some of the most popular VPN services, with three options emerging as standouts: ExpressVPN (best overall), NordVPN (fastest option), and Surfshark (best value).
Pro tip: A VPN can be especially useful on our Exploring China small group tour, as China’s “Great Firewall” blocks access to most websites, apps, and streaming services we in the U.S. use every day. A high-quality VPN running obfuscation (or “stealth”) technology allows you to bypass the “Great Firewall” and use the internet as you would at home.
Photo courtesy of CamelbakⓇ
Not only is it a smart idea to always have a reusable water bottle handy, but many countries around the world have started restricting or banning certain single-use plastics in an effort to cut down on pollution. A reusable water bottle, like the CamelBak Chute Mag Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle available for purchase at the My Odysseys Outfitter webstore, makes the perfect holiday gift for any travel enthusiast.
Almost anyone could use a quality rain jacket, and travelers are no exception. A lightweight, waterproof, windproof, layerable option: The North Face Antora Rain Jacket, complete with a hood and plenty of pocket space.
Like rain jackets, sunglasses are almost universally useful, and polarized lenses add an extra layer of utility: they block reflections, resulting in improved vision clarity compared to non-polarized sunglasses. Options abound: Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Maui Jim are popular brands, but less-expensive off-brand options can work well, too.
Hydration ranks as a cornerstone of health, and with the increased physical activity, dry airplane air, changing climates, and altered routines that travel often brings, it becomes even more important for travelers to ensure they’re drinking enough liquids.
Electrolyte powder packets increase hydration by replenishing the body’s natural minerals, which are lost as we sleep, sweat, and even breathe. Reputable brands like Liquid I.V. offer a wide range of flavored, sugar-free electrolyte powders, and even offer a subscription service, which makes for an excellent – and long-lasting – gift.
We hope some – or all – of these recommendations make great gifts for the adventurers on your list. Happy holidays!
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