Looking to treat the jet-setter in your life this Christmas? Short of flight tickets, there are plenty of gifts that will bring a smile to their face and help them plan, pack and travel better in 2026. We’ve rounded up the best travel products money can buy, from practical packing tools to luggage, sleep aids and a beautifully designed travel journal. Happy shopping.
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Papier ‘Off Piste’ Travel Journal
A lot of travel journals out there are a bit naff and impractical. But the beautiful collection from Papier is nothing of the sort. There are seven designs to choose from, but our favourite is the forest green and baby pink ‘Off Piste’, which has a closer resemblance to a Murakami hardback than a journal. It’s a classy, good-looking gift – but not only that, it’s actually very useful for those who still like to plan their travels by hand. There’s ample space for planning, with pages dedicated to packing lists, accommodation details and itineraries; then you have the actual journal bit, with lots of room to write about your experiences. Best of all? Personalisation is included in the price. Sentimental, practical, beautiful and personal – ticking every box for your favourite jet-setter.
£29, www.papier.com
Antler Compression Packing Cubes
If there’s someone in your life who is still stuffing underwear into shoes to save space in their suitcase, do them a favour. Get them some packing cubes. They actually work: you can pack way more than you thought, and you can organise it all nicely, making going on a trip (particularly when you’re hopping from place to place) way less stressful. These compression cubes from travel brand Antler, while pricey, are the best on the market. Sure, you can get cheaper, but the double compression zips really do the business.
£50, www.antler.co.uk
Carl Friedrik ‘The Check In’ Suitcase
Fair warning: it doesn’t come cheap, but this is honestly the best check-in case I’ve ever used. It’s made of some pretty robust materials – aluminium frames and a polycarbonate shell – meaning it’ll survive any heavy-handed baggage handling. It’s lightweight, with 360-spinning wheels that seem to anticipate your next move, making it very easy to cart around. In lieu of zippers, which are typically the first thing to malfunction on cheaper models, you have two combination lock closures. Serious stuff for the seasoned traveller, this.
£545, www.carlfriedrik.com
Silk Sleep Mask from Drowsy Sleep Co
A sleep mask is a must-have for an overnight flight, long train journey or hostel stay – and Drowsy’s silk sleep mask is a cult favourite for good reason. It’s pillowy soft, made of padded silk that’s good for the skin, and the thick, wrap-around design delivers total blackout darkness for catching some much-needed Zs.
£69, www.drowsysleepco.com
Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs
Much like eyemasks, earplugs are essential for long flights, and good ones are well worth investing in – both for a good night’s sleep and for the health of your ears. Loop has quickly dominated the earplug market over the last few years, and there’s good reason their nifty little products are so popular. The Quiet range is designed for travellers, offering 24dB noise reduction, pressure equalisation while flying and maximum comfort.
£19.95, www.loopearplugs.com
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