40 travel gift ideas NY Post recommends after visiting 40 countries

After visiting 40 countries, the New York Post’s Post Wanted Picks released a travel gift guide highlighting 40 recommendations the editors say are genuinely useful for travelers. The list focuses on items that improve comfort, organization, hydration, and entertainment on the road, rather than novelty gadgets. It also notes that the Post earns revenue from affiliate links and advertising partnerships when readers purchase items through its links, a standard practice the publication says it clearly labels.

Among the picks are category highlights tailored to different travel styles: the sleepy flyer, the city explorer, the podcast listener, and the business traveler, among others. For instance, the sleepy traveler is directed toward the Trtl Travel Pillow, praised for neck support on planes and trains, while long‑haul travelers are advised to consider the JefDiee Inflatable Travel Pillow for a quick inflate‑and‑nap setup. The cozy traveler is pointed to Bombas Gripper Slippers for hotel‑room lounging, and the city traveler is drawn to the lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L for hands‑free sightseeing. The guide also spotlights tech essentials for modern trips, including Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) for commuters who want to block out cabin noise, and the Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) for offline entertainment during layovers and train rides.

Other top picks target entertainment and everyday carry: the AirPods provide two to three days of listening on a charge in many use cases, and the iPad mini is described as compact enough to tuck on a plane tray table for binge‑watching or reading. For corporate travelers, a TUMI Garment Bag Tri‑Fold Carry‑On is highlighted for keeping suits crisp during business trips, while the Away The Bigger Carry‑On Flex is praised for its expandable interior and dependable wheels for frequent flyers who want smooth transitions through airports. The guide also features comfort items like Spanx Air Essentials, designed for wrinkle‑free travel wear, and Comrad Compression Socks to promote leg comfort on long flights.

The list leans into a practical mix of accessories that complement time in transit and hotel stays. For the traveler who prioritizes audio and video, the Perilogics Airplane Phone Holder Mount offers hands‑free viewing and easier streaming on cramped trays, while the AirFly Pro 2 supports Bluetooth headphones when in‑flight entertainment relies on wired earbuds. Coffee lovers can enjoy a portable espresso fix with the Wacaco Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker, a popular pick for hotel coffee skeptics. Hydration is another throughline, with the HydroJug Traveler 32 oz bottle designed for spill resistance and a comfortable grip, alongside the Larq Self‑Cleaning Water Bottle that uses UV‑C technology to sanitize water and inner surfaces during trips to areas with questionable tap water.

For organizers and planners, packing cubes remain central to the guide’s philosophy. The Eagle Creek Pack‑It Isolate and Reveal Packing Cubes Set helps travelers keep clothes and gear neatly separated, while the Scratch‑Off World Map Poster keeps global ambitions visible and motivates future itineraries. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Peak Design Camera Clip, which lets travelers secure cameras without adding bulk to the neck, and the Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag, which provides a lightweight, versatile carry option for day trips. Security‑minded travelers may favor the Zero Grid Infinity Scarf with Hidden Pockets, a stylish layer that doubles as a discreet safe spot for valuables while on crowded streets. For readers, the Kindle Paperwhite offers a compact library in a single device, ideal for long waits in airports or train stations.

The shopping guide does not shy away from outdoor and adventure gear either, highlighting the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack for versatile travel that blends city commuting with weekend expeditions. A portable picnic arrangement—complete with a compact basket and table—appeals to food lovers who want to savor local spreads in scenic locations. LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottles are recommended for hikers and campers, offering a way to stay hydrated where water sources may be uncertain. Light sleepers can consider Loop Quiet Ear Plugs to improve sleep quality on noisy flights or in hotel rooms, while gadget lovers might lean on the Cocoon GRID‑IT! Organizer to tame cables, chargers, and accessories.

The guide also highlights personal care and hygiene, with options like the Noshinku Spice Refillable Pocket Hand Sanitizer 3‑Pack designed to feel luxurious while staying practical, and a Cotopaxi Nido Accessory Bag that keeps essentials within reach in a cramped cabin. And for those who plan in advance, the JetBlue Vacations package—a bundled flight and hotel deal—offers a convenient way to lock in a get‑away with less on‑the‑ground decision fatigue.

The 40 picks span budget ranges and travel styles, underscoring a central theme: the best gifts are those that genuinely improve the travel experience rather than merely impress. The guide emphasizes authentic experiences, practical design, and durable construction, reflecting years of firsthand travel experience across continents. In doing so, it offers a curated lens on what tends to travel well—from compact, high‑utility items that fit in a carry‑on to thoughtfully designed accessories that reduce friction in busy airports and hotel rooms.

Overall, the NY Post shopping package demonstrates how travel culture has evolved into a space where function and form meet, with gifts that cater to sleepers, explorers, readers, and tech lovers alike. It also illustrates how media brands deploy product roundups to help readers navigate an ever‑growing market of travel gear. Whether readers are shopping for frequent flyers, first‑time adventurers, or someone who simply loves planning their next escape, the guide provides a broad, practical starting point. The emphasis remains on reliability, real‑world use, and items that travelers actually reach for again and again on the road.