Travel is one of life’s greatest gifts. Whether someone is jetting off to Europe, setting sail on a cruise, or spending a week with their toes in the sand, there’s something magical about the anticipation of an upcoming adventure.
Over the years, I’ve put together travel care packages for friends, family members, clients, and anyone lucky enough to be heading off on a trip. And one thing I’ve learned is this: the best travel gifts depend entirely on where they’re going.
After spending three months backpacking through Europe, nearly two years living abroad, and many years traveling since, I’ve learned that the little things can make a huge difference when you’re away from home. Some travel essentials are universal, while others depend entirely on the destination.
A traveler headed to Italy has very different needs than someone spending a week poolside in Hawaii. And cruise travelers? They practically have their own category altogether.
That’s why I’ve rounded up some of my favorite travel essentials and destination-specific gift ideas. Whether you’re creating a thoughtful bon voyage care package for someone special or simply looking for a practical packing list for your next vacation, you’ll find plenty of inspiration below.
*As an Amazon Associate I earn a little something from qualifying purchases at zero additional cost to you.
Why Travel Care Packages Make Great Gifts
Travelers spend so much time planning flights, hotels, excursions, restaurant reservations, and all the little details that go into a trip. A thoughtfully assembled travel care package is a fun way to celebrate their adventure while helping them prepare for it.
One of my favorite tricks is to make the container part of the gift itself.
A beach tote becomes the “basket” for a tropical vacation. A travel tote works perfectly for a European adventure. For cruise travelers, a hanging organizer can double as both the gift and a practical cabin organizer they’ll use throughout their trip.
Then simply fill it with thoughtful items they’ll actually use along the way.
The best travel gifts aren’t necessarily expensive. They’re the ones that make someone smile and think, “I didn’t know I needed that—but I’m so glad I have it.”
Start Here: Travel Essentials for Any Destination
No matter where someone is headed, there are certain items that have earned a permanent place on my packing list after years of travel, trial and error, and learning a few lessons the hard way.
Many of these also make great additions to a travel care package.
✈️ Plane & Travel Essentials
- Hand-sanitizer
- Clorox wipes – to wipe down tray table, arm rest, bathroom – anywhere sketchy for germs
- Kleenex
- Hand lotion
- Lip balm – I always need this with the dry air on a plane
- Gum – fresh breath and unplug your ears
- Mints
- Travel toothbrush/toothpaste (these are awesome to stash in your purse or desk at work)
- Ear plugs or Noise Cancelling Headphones – crying baby? No problem.
- Eye mask
- Dual Eyeglass Case – ideal for people like me who have both sunglasses& prescription glasses
- Snacks/treats – because, vacation! 🙂
- Magazine(s)
- Kindle/Ipad – filled with several books and movies/shows to entertain
- Advil/Pepto/Excedrin PM
- Neck pillow
- Airplane Foot Hammock – Flight Attendant recommended!
- Blanket or Travel Scarf – to keep cozy warm on cold planes or airports
- Tide to-go
- Refillable water bottle – collapsible water bottle if space is an issue
- Travel packing cubes – my hubbie is a die-hard user
- Travel Jewelry Organizer
- Travel Make-Up Bag
- First Aid kit
- Ziplock bags – so many uses; vary sizes, too
- Microfiber towel – BEST sunglass cleaner ever…and handy for a myriad of things!
- Pop Up laundry basket – I throw one in every suitcase when I travel
- Travel liquids containers
- Bottle Covers – silicone covers for no spills; a ziplock bag could work, too.
- Travel luggage lock
- Luggage Tags; Luggage Tag with built in tracker
- Air Tag Case (wallet size) – does not include Air Tags
- Portable Charger
- Portable Speaker – create your vacay playlist for some extra FUN
- Curling/Flat Iron Travel Case – Love this thing. Pop in the iron even while hot & off you go!
- Plug In Night Light – Credit to my hubbie for this one. Never trip in the middle of the night again!
- This Works Deep Sleep Spray
Gift Basket Idea
Use a travel tote or reusable shopping bag as the gift container. Add a travel journal, compression socks, passport holder, international adapter, and a destination-specific item such as a guidebook or miniature flag for a fun personal touch.
🌍 Travel Care Package Ideas for International Travel
If they’re heading overseas, a few smart travel accessories can make navigating airports, customs lines, hotels, and unfamiliar destinations much easier.
International Travel Essentials
- International travel adapter (adapter & converter combined is best)
- Travel journal – I still refer back to my old travel journals for names & places refresher
- Pen – Everyone’s always looking for a pen when filling out their customs forms
- Book about travel in the country of their destination
- Passport holder – RFID and with AirTag holder
- Money belt and/or Travel scarf with hidden pockets
- Portable charger
- Travel-size toilet paper – you laugh, but they will thank you 😉
- Toilet Seat Covers – another gift that will keep on giving…
- Travel luggage scale – eliminate airline overage charges
- Travel umbrella
- Compression socks – One long-haul flight can make a believer out of you.
- Travel clothes line – I used one constantly while backpacking through Europe and still pack one today.
- Travel Iron
- Mini travel flashlight
- Microfiber bath towel – Originally purchased for a trip to Africa, but it has earned a permanent place in my suitcase.
- Reusable shopping bag
- Cooling towel – great for humidity or if you just run hot
- Mini Handheld Fan – another option for cooling off
- Patchology on the Fly Facial Kit
- Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
- Mini flag from the country of their destination(s) for jeuging
Gift Basket Idea
Use a travel tote or reusable shopping bag as the gift container. Add a travel journal, compression socks, passport holder, international adapter, and a destination-specific item such as a guidebook or miniature flag for a fun personal touch.
☀️ Travel Care Package Ideas for Beach Vacations
Whether they’re headed to Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean, or their favorite coastal town, these warm-weather essentials help maximize the fun and minimize the sunburn.
Beach Vacation Essentials
- Sunscreen – reef safe is best
Aloe vera gel – because “I don’t burn” has humbled many travelers
Bug spray – a stay in Brazil when my kiddo was devoured by mosquitos makes this now a staple
Mini spray bottle – perfect for staying cool poolside
Cooling towel – great for humidity or if you just “run hot”
Paperback book – light read for fun (List of fun Summer Reads or Top 12 Books I’ve Ever Read!)
*Beach bag – use as your gift basket & fill with all the fun goodies for their trip!
*Insulated bag – another great option to use as the gift bag 🙂
Sand Eraser Mitt (Travel-size baby powder) – easiest way to remove sand from your skin!
Drink umbrellas – because they scream FUN
Cocktail napkins – for happy hour in your hotel room
Beach cover up or sarong
- Flip Flops
- Water shoes – rocky beaches, hot cement or save a pedicure 🙂
Wet bag – Great for bathing suits or any wet items for travel. I own this one & have gifted.
Sunglasses and/or case
Frisbee – Easy to pack & can play virtually anywhere
Paddle Ball Set – I grew up playing this at the beach & it’s a fav
Sleeve of golf balls and/or golf tees
- Waterproof portable speaker
- Phone Umbrella – my new “find” that I added to all our clients’ gift bags for Maui
Straw Hat or Visor – both designed to roll up and pop in my suitcase or beach bag
Magnetic Hat Clip – Patented design makes traveling with a hat a breeze
Gift Basket Idea
Skip the traditional basket and use a beach tote instead. Fill it with sunscreen, a beach read, a cooling towel, waterproof phone pouch, and a few fun extras like cocktail napkins or drink umbrellas for happy hour by the pool.
🚢 Travel Care Package Ideas for Cruise Travelers
Cruises are unique because cabin space is limited and organization is everything. A few strategic items can make a surprisingly big difference.
Cruise Essentials
- Air sick bands and/or medications – a trip can be ruined if you never get to leave the cabin!
- Towel bands – so towels don’t blow away on deck when you’re poolside and it’s breezy
- Plastic hanging shoe organizer- filling the pockets keeps you clutter free
- Hanging toiletry bag – the ship can sway and your goodies are still safe and sound
- Magnetic hooks – hang up your travel makeup bag or a bathing suit to dry
- Waterproof bag or Waterproof backpack – best option for daily excursions
- Towel Bands – No more fly away towels on deck
- Lanyard – great for cabin keys
- Power Strip (w/charging ports) Cruise compliant; they don’t allow power surge protectors
- Waterproof Luggage Tags
- Foldable Travel Hangers
- Magnetic Rechargable Fan – Cruise aproved
- Gift card from their chosen Cruise line
Gift Basket Idea
A hanging shoe organizer makes an adorable and practical gift. Fill the pockets with cruise essentials like motion sickness bands, lip balm, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, towel clips, and other travel necessities before rolling it up and tying it with ribbon.
My Personal Travel MVPs
There are a few things I take with me no matter where I’m headed.
Plug-In Night Light
Credit goes to my husband for this one. It’s tiny, inexpensive, and makes navigating an unfamiliar hotel room at 2 a.m. so much easier.
Pop-Up Laundry Basket
I keep one in every suitcase. It instantly becomes a dirty-clothes hamper and helps keep hotel rooms organized.
Travel Emergency Kit
This lives in a large zip-top bag and gets refreshed before every trip. Bandages, medications, safety pins, stain remover, and all the little things you hope you won’t need—but are very glad to have when you do.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re assembling a thoughtful bon voyage gift basket or creating your own packing checklist, a little preparation can make any trip smoother, easier, and far more enjoyable.
After years of travel, I’ve learned that the items you appreciate most aren’t always the obvious ones. Sometimes it’s the night light, the travel clothesline, the extra zip-top bag, or the tiny tube of sunscreen that saves the day.
Here’s to smooth travels, memorable adventures, and arriving prepared for wherever the journey takes you.
Bon voyage!
For more lifestyle, gift, and entertaining ideas AND BONUS gain access to my Resource Library, subscribe below to Fun with Fun-Size! No confirmation email? Check your spam folder…it sometimes hides there.
For any issues or if you just wannna reach out: Email me at: shelley@funwithfunsize.com
Follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram @funwithfun_size.