The College Guide to Travel Gifts (To Give and to Get)
The ultimate travel gift guide for college students: stuff you’ll actually use, actually want, and maybe subtly send to your family group chat.
There are two types of travelers: the ones who have their suitcase packed three days before a trip and the ones who pack 45 minutes before leaving for the airport and somehow forget deodorant and socks.
This guide is for both.
Whether you’re shopping for your travel-obsessed friend, making a holiday list for your mom who keeps texting “what do you want???”, or you’re simply treating yourself because the semester took you out at the knees, here are the best travel gifts for college students to give AND get.
1. A good travel backpack
If you are a frequent budget traveler (as I am), you know a good backpack that can fit everything and still pass as a personal item is KEY in making sure you have a smooth trip.
This one’s my favorite because it has five secret pockets (passport protection slay), a wet pouch (for those summer trips), and a separate pouch for your shoes (so your clothes don’t get dirty). Trust me, this bag is worth it—and I’ve had had to carry it around all day ’til check in.
2. Plane skincare
You never think to buy your skincare travel sized, nor do you automatically relate plane to skincare. But doing your routine on the plane is a GAMECHANGER. You'll wake up refreshed and glowing, not like you just slept two hours in the middle seat at the back of the plane. I love this SOS Skincare Minis Kit from Tower 28!
3. A portable charger that won’t betray you at 2%
If your phone dies abroad you….I don’t even want to think about it. A reliable portable charger is the most practical, lifesaving gift anyone can receive. This one can charge my phone three times over and any time I lend it out people ask me where it’s from.
4. Packing cubes because they’re FOR REAL worth it
Perfect for messy people, organized people, and people who pretend to be organized. Ideal for packing nine days of outfits into a carry-on like some kind of airport wizard. I swear by these, but any type will do!
5. A Bluetooth airplane TV adapter
Game. Changer. This gadget lets you connect your wireless headphones to the airplane seat TV, meaning you can watch Crazy Rich Asians without being tethered to those questionable free earbuds that feel like you’re listening to a 1st gen iPod. Every traveler needs one. AirFly is the OG and most reliable, but there are tons all over that all get the job done!
6. A good eye mask (that actually blocks out light)
7. Packing-safe journal for the sentimental gals
For the friend who takes aesthetic photos of every sunset and writes dramatic notes app entries like they’re Liz Gilbert in Eat Pray Love. A cute travel journal is the way to go. Any journal will do, but if you want prompts, this journal is great!
8. A reusable water bottle that won’t leak in a bag
Hydration is a love language (that Europeans don't speak). Get one that fits in a backpack pocket and doesn’t leak all over your bag and ruin your laptop. Our favorite is anything Owala (just make sure to break the seal before you open it mid-flight).
9. Compression socks (yes, seriously)
The older you get, the more you understand that compression socks are elite. Perfect for long flights, heavy walking days, and pretending you’re a seasoned traveler with wisdom. If you are on a longer flight, these are a MUST! You can get classic compression socks, or these fashionable ones.
10. A trip from the EF College Break collection (yes, literally a whole trip)
Get the most perfect gift out of the way: an EF Ultimate Break trip.
It’s the one gift that guarantees core memories, bragging rights, and a borderline annoying amount of Instagram stories. These trips are designed for college budgets and schedules: think Spring Break in Greece, a weekend escape to London, or a summer Portugal adventure that becomes your entire personality for six months.
Gift it to your college kids, and let them brag about how their parents got them the most perfect Christmas gift EVER.
Travel gifts don’t need to be wild or expensive, they just need to be practical (and maybe even cute and stylish).
So, whether you're gifting a trip (iconic), setting someone up for their most comfortable long-haul flight ever, or sending this guide to your parents with a casual “just ideas…,” here’s to gifts that make your next adventure even better.
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