Last Minute Travel Gifts (That Don’t Feel Last Minute)
It’s crunch time. Christmas is basically tomorrow (okay, a week, but who’s counting?), and you still need the perfect gift for your globe-trotting BFF. No judgment here—we’ve all been in that “last-minute, panic-clicking on Amazon” phase of holiday shopping.
But no need to stress! I’ve rounded up some of my favorite quick-ship gifts for your favorite traveler that are so good, they’ll think you’ve been curating this list for months (even if you’re going to be wrapping it up at midnight in your pajamas).
From digital gifts that will upgrade their next vacation to a luxe DIY gift that you can literally pull together at CVS, this last minute gift guide is here to save the day—and your holiday cred! 🎅
Last-minute? Yes, but these Amazon finds are anything but a gamble. Every gift below is tried, tested, and travel-approved by yours truly across thousands of miles of travel. And the best part? Every single one ships with Amazon Prime 2-day delivery, so they’ll be on your doorstep faster than you can say, “I totally planned this.”
Hanke 20" Carry-On Suitcase
One of my top three carry-on suitcases of all time. It’s the perfect mix of hard-side and soft-side features—combining the sleek protection of a hard shell with the packability of soft-side luggage. Plus, it opens like a trunk so it doesn’t take up half your hotel room. Thoughtful and efficient!
Ekster RFID Blocking Wallet
This wallet is the James Bond of travel accessories—slim, stylish, and way smarter than it looks. Cards pop out with a fancy click of a button, RFID protection keeps data thieves out of the picture, and pair it with a tracker so they never lose it.
BrüMate Era 40 oz Tumbler
My fav water bottle of the year. It’s leakproof despite having a straw (even with fizzy drinks!), keeps drinks cold for 24+ hours, and fits in cup holders. But the best part is that you can toss it your under-the-seat airplane bag without a single spill!
6-Pack Leak Proof Toiletry Pouches
A TSA-friendly lifesaver for carry-on travelers. These slim toiletry pouches pack flat when empty, freeing up precious luggage space for souvenirs on the way home. They’re my go-to for liquids like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash, and more.
L’ANGE HAIR Le Duo
This heat-styling tool is doing the most. It’s a curling iron and straightener, is compact enough for your carry-on, and works internationally with dual voltage. It’s so good, I’ve ditched my everyday tools at home—this one’s that much of a travel must-have.
TRAVELREST All-in-One Travel Pillow
This inflatable pillow is like a hug for side sleepers on a red-eye. Rolls up small enough to tuck into a carry-on but inflates to provide first-class comfort no matter where you’re sitting. Perfect for anyone who swears they can “never sleep on planes.”
Personalized Luggage Tag
Give their suitcase a glow-up with this cute and functional tag. It’s perfect for adding a bit of personality (and ensuring their black bag stands out in a sea of black bags).
Kunitsa Co. Travel Journal
For the sentimental traveler who loves to document their adventures. This beautifully bound journal includes planning prompts, space for keepsakes, and even blank pages for creative wanderlust scribbles.
Hypothetically Fun Cards
Road trips and layovers just got way more entertaining. Packed with 350 hilarious and thought-provoking questions, this game guarantees deep belly laughs and even deeper connections. Perfect for sparking convos, avoiding awkward silences, or discovering your travel buddy’s weirdest hypotheticals.
Gift cards? Oh, we’re going way beyond the generic "grab it at the checkout aisle" vibe. These thoughtful vouchers take gifting to a whole new level with upgrades, luxe perks, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Perfect for the traveler who’s always chasing their next adventure.
Tinggly Gift Boxes
For those who live for experiences rather than physical gifts, Tinggly is the perfect option! Tinggly gift boxes are available as instant PDF e-vouchers, so even if you’re watching this now, about to head to your holiday party, you can still give someone a once-in-a-lifetime experience – like a hot air balloon ride, a relaxing spa day, or a gourmet food tour! Each collection offers thousands of experiences across over 100 countries, allowing friends and family to choose their own unique adventure.
PS. You can use my exclusive promo code RILEE for 22% off your purchase!
Voucher for Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check
I’ll never go back to travel life without TSA Pre-Check—it’s honestly a non-negotiable for me now. This cash voucher is the ultimate time-saver for any traveler in your life, giving them 5 years of smoother, stress-free airport security. Shoes stay on, laptops and liquids stay in their bag, and the whole process is faster, easier, and way less touchy (literally).
Pro tip: Go for Global Entry if they travel internationally. It’s a bit more ($120 vs. $85) and includes all the perks of TSA Pre-Check plus expedited U.S. customs screening when they come home from abroad.
Membership to Priority Pass
For the traveler who basically lives at the airport, Priority Pass is the ultimate VIP upgrade. This global membership gives them access to over 1,700 airport lounges in 85% of the world’s top airports—regardless of their airline or ticket class. With perks like complimentary snacks, drinks, and even spa treatments, they’ll be relaxing in style while everyone else is fighting for seats by the charging station.
A Gift Card to Upgrade Their Travel
A lot of people feel guilty spending the extra money to upgrade or treat themselves on vacation—so take the hesitation out of their hands! Give them a gift card to their favorite airline or hotel and make it clear it’s specifically for that first-class seat or the room with the jaw-dropping view. It’s the perfect way to help them travel in style without second-guessing the splurge.
Need to whip up a Pinterest-worthy travel gift like, yesterday? Why not turn their next long-haul flight into their own mile-high self-care session! This super easy in-flight essentials DIY kit is the perfect way to elevate their travel experience—and the best part? You can throw it together in no time with items from your local drugstore or snag some of my favorite options on Amazon Prime for quick delivery. Here are some ideas of what you could include:
A TSA-Approved Toiletry Bag
Start with a small bag (9"x6" or smaller) to hold all their in-flight essentials. It’s the perfect size to fit in their personal item, keeping everything organized and TSA-compliant.
A Luxe Sleep Mask
Help them get some much-needed rest with a silk eye mask that blocks out light and adds a touch of luxury to their red-eye routine. It’s the ultimate “spa vibes” travel essential.
Mini Makeup Remover Wipes
Taking off the travel day has never been easier. A pack of mini makeup remover wipes lets them freshen up mid-flight without ever leaving their seat.
A Lip Mask
Airplanes are notorious for drying out lips. Add a super hydrating lip mask to their kit so they can combat chapped lips as soon as they board. A total game-changer for long-haul flights.
Silk Hair Ties
Upgrade their everyday ponytail with silk hair ties that won’t pull, snag, or leave creases—no matter how awkward their sleeping position gets.
Eye Patches
Because luggage should be the only bags they walk off the plane with! Eye patches are the perfect pick-me-up to help them look refreshed and restored after a long flight.
Disposable Toothbrush
Make sure they step off the plane with minty fresh breath for whoever’s waiting to greet them. Whether it’s a big hug at baggage claim or a business meeting straight from the airport, this small addition ensures they’re ready to make a fresh first impression.
And there you have it—last-minute travel gifts that are thoughtful, practical, and anything but boring. Whether you’re gifting a spa-in-the-sky kit, a dreamy travel voucher, or one of my Amazon Prime-approved favorites, these ideas will have your traveler feeling all the love (even if you pulled it together at the eleventh hour).
The clock’s ticking, but there’s still time to make their holidays extra special. PS: If you’re looking for even more travel gift ideas, check out my full Amazon shopping list for her. Happy gifting, and happy travels!