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When I moved from New York City to Italy, I only packed the essentials in two checked suitcases.
I thought I’d be gone for about six months.
Over five years later, I’m still here.
One of the few things that made the cut was a set of packing cubes a friend gave me before I left. I still use them every time I pack.
That’s the test for this list.
Between living in Italy and leading trips around Europe as a Trip Manager, I’ve watched a LOT of people pack, overpack, and reorganize their lives on a hotel floor.
These are the gifts that hold up: practical ones for the move itself, things that make the first month easier, and sentimental ones for the days they miss home.
Short on time? My three favorites are right below. And if your friend has already left, skip to the gifts you can send after they move.
Quick Answers
- Best practical gift for a friend moving abroad: a universal travel adapter with a built-in voltage converter, so their hair tools and chargers work on day one.
- Best sentimental gift: a personalized travel journal, or a photo book of your memories together for the homesick days.
- Best small gifts that pack easily: AirTags, a handheld luggage scale and packing cubes. The cubes a friend gave me before I moved to Italy are still in my suitcase.
- Best gift if they’ve already left: something with nothing to ship, like a language app subscription, a flight-deal membership or a local experience in their new city.
- Mailing a gift overseas? Customs rules depend on their new country, so check its customs website before you ship. In the EU, for example, a gift from one private person to another worth up to €45 arrives without customs duty or import VAT (German Customs).
- Flying out of the US? A Swiss Army knife and pepper spray belong in checked bags (TSA), while a power bank has to stay in the carry-on (TSA).
My Top 3 Gifts for a Friend Moving Abroad
World Voltage Adaptor and Converter
The FOVAL travel adapter and voltage converter has been in my bag on every trip since I moved to Europe. It steps 220V down to 110V for American hair tools and charges their phone through the USB ports at the same time.
Portable Phone Charger
An Anker MagGo power bank snaps onto the back of their phone and keeps it alive through a full day of maps, translation apps and train tickets. No wires, and mine has survived more drops than I can count.
Travel Journal
For the friend who’ll want to remember the small stuff: the first coffee order they got right, the neighbor who always waves. This personalized travel journal from Etsy comes in several cover colors and can have their name printed inside.
What are the best gifts for someone moving abroad?
Practical Gifts for the Move Itself
- Universal travel adapter and voltage converter
- Anker MagGo magnetic power bank
- Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charger
- AirPods Pro 3
- AirTags (2nd generation)
- Personalized luggage tag
- Away luggage
- Compression packing cubes
- Handheld luggage scale
- Passport and travel document organizer
- Luggage shipping with Luggage Forward
- Kindle Paperwhite
- LARQ self-cleaning water bottle
- Rumpl Tech Towel
- Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Blanket
Useful Gifts for Their First Month in a New Country
- Money for their first week
- A good day bag
- A windproof travel umbrella
- A Swiss Army Knife
- A personal safety alarm
- American measuring cups
- A cookbook from their new country
- Scrubba wash bag
- Menstrual cup
- A guidebook for their new home
Sentimental Gifts for the Days They Miss Home
- Personalized travel journal
- A photo book of your memories
- Personalized recipe book
- A playlist of your songs
- Long-distance touch bracelets
- Scratch-off world map
- A care package from home
Gifts for Capturing Their New Life
- Instant camera
- Flexible tripod and Bluetooth remote
- A portable SSD
Gifts You Can Send After They’ve Moved
- A gift card they can use abroad
- An experience in their new city
- A Going flight-deal membership
- A language-learning subscription
- Surfshark VPN
How to Choose a Gift for Someone Moving Abroad
Before you buy anything, picture their luggage.
It’s overflowing with every piece of clothing and memento they wish they could have with them in their new home.
Every gift you give is competing with their winter coat for space, so here’s how I’d choose.
Think carry-on sized. Small, flat things that help on day one beat anything bulky. They can buy a toaster and a screwdriver there.
Check plugs and voltage. A plug adapter changes the shape of the plug. It doesn’t change the voltage, which is why a converter matters for hair tools from home.
Flying from the US? Know what can’t go in a carry-on. A Swiss Army knife and pepper spray belong in checked bags; a power bank has to stay in the carry-on.
Before or after? Give small things before they go. Once they’ve landed, send gifts with nothing to ship: an app, a membership, a tour in their new city.
Mailing it? Mind customs. Every country sets its own rules, so check theirs before you ship. In the EU, for example, a gift between private people worth up to €45 arrives without duty or import VAT, but a single item worth more than that can be charged in full.
Pair practical with sentimental. One thing for the move, one thing for the homesick days. That’s the whole formula.
Practical Gifts for the Move Itself
These help on the travel day itself, from the outlet at the gate to the baggage carousel.
1. World voltage adaptor and converter
Plugs change shape the second you leave the US, and single-voltage hair tools from home won’t survive a European outlet on a plug adapter alone.
My favorite is the FOVAL travel adapter and voltage converter. It steps 220V down to 110V and has four USB ports for phones and earbuds.
Since I moved to Europe, I’ve brought it all around the continent with me, and it’s been the perfect solution.
2. Anker MagGo magnetic power bank
If your friend is like me, they’re never near an outlet when their phone hits 10%.
And a dead phone in a new city means no maps, no translation app and no way to text you that they landed.
I carry an Anker MagGo power bank everywhere.
It snaps onto the back of my phone, so there are no wires to worry about, and it recharges through a regular USB-C port.
I’ve dropped mine more times than I can count, and it still works great.
The newest version, the Anker MagGo 2 Pro, works the same way as mine but charges faster (up to 25W wirelessly), has a built-in cooling fan, and adds a screen that shows battery and temperature plus a fold-out stand.
(It’s made for MagSafe iPhones and won’t charge Android phones.)
Remind them it rides in the carry-on: power banks aren’t allowed in checked bags.
3. Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charger
My newest nonnegotiable is the Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charging station.
It charges my phone, AirPods and Apple Watch at the same time from one plug, and it folds down to about the size of a deck of cards.
The wall charger and cable come in the box, so there’s nothing else to buy. I don’t even bother carrying a dedicated watch charger anymore, since this little device has never failed me.
(It’s built for iPhone users with MagSafe.)
4. AirPods Pro 3
Planes and trains are loud, and a long travel day goes faster with music or a podcast.
I travel with AirPods Pro 3.
On the road I want the most discreet option I can get, and wired earbuds are obvious and get snagged in my backpack all the time.
Apple says the noise cancellation removes up to twice as much noise as the AirPods Pro 2, and they last up to 8 hours per charge with it on.
For a friend moving abroad, the sneaky-best feature is Live Translation, which helps them follow a conversation in a language they’re still learning.
It runs on Apple Intelligence, so check that their iPhone supports it.
Pair them with a sleep mask for the overnight flight and they’re set.
5. AirTags
The other day I ran around for 20 minutes looking for my keys and wished I’d put an AirTag on them.
Clip one to each suitcase and they can see where their bags are in the Find My app, even if the airline can’t.
Apple’s new AirTags (2nd generation) have a louder speaker, Precision Finding on Apple Watch as well as iPhone, and they can share an AirTag’s location with over 50 airline partners if a bag goes missing.
They’re made for iPhone users. Friend on Android? The Tile Mate works with both.
6. Personalized luggage tag
A bag with a clear name tag is a lot easier for the airline to get back to them.
These personalized acrylic luggage tags from an Etsy shop come in a long list of colors and keep their details hard to read from a distance.
Pro Tip: A personalized luggage tag plus an AirTag is the perfect pair!
7. Away luggage
I learned the hard way that a carry-on bag can make or break a flight experience.
On my last international trip, I ran through the Amsterdam airport with a broken 2-wheel carry-on suitcase and a heavy backpack with straps that dug into my shoulders.
I barely made it to my connecting flight because the luggage kept breaking, and the pack was so disorganized that it was difficult to find any of my travel essentials inside.
After vowing never to use either of those again, the luggage I recommend now is Away.
I bought my mom an Away carry-on years ago, and it’s held up very well.
The game changer is Away’s patented CompressMore system, which cinches down one side so you can squeeze in more than looks possible.
For a move, pair the Away Carry-On Flex with The Large as their checked bag.
The Carry-On Flex expands by 2.25 inches when they need the extra room and, unexpanded, fits overhead on most major airlines.
Buy it before they go: Away currently ships only to the US, UK and Canada.
8. Compression packing cubes
Before I moved to Italy, a friend gave me a set of packing cubes, and five years later I still use them every time I pack.
That exact set isn’t sold anymore, but compression cubes like these Bagail compression packing cubes do the same job: they zip down to squeeze more into each bag and keep outfits grouped, which matters when you’re moving your life in a couple of suitcases.
9. Handheld luggage scale
I’m sure you’re familiar with the agonizing process of weighing your checked luggage to ensure it falls under the threshold.
Overweight bag fees at check-in are a terrible way to start a new life.
Instead of worrying about whether your suitcase will be able to fly, you need a traveling luggage scale.
This Etekcity luggage scale hooks onto the handle, so they can weigh each bag at home and move the heavy stuff around before they leave.
10. Travel document organizer
A move abroad comes with a stack of paperwork: passport, visa letters, vaccination records, the apartment contract.
This Zoppen RFID-blocking passport holder and travel wallet zips everything into one place.
11. Pay for their luggage to get shipped to them with Luggage Forward
We’ve all heard the luggage horror stories.
My friend loves to retell the time her underwear exploded across a busy airport.
Great story. Not one I want to star in.
A move means more bags than any vacation, so pay for Luggage Forward to pick up a few of their suitcases and deliver them.
They walk through the airport with a carry-on instead of guarding their whole life at the bag drop.
12. Kindle Paperwhite
For the friend who reads on every train, plane, and beachfront, the newest Kindle Paperwhite holds a whole library in a carry-on pocket.
It has a 7-inch glare-free screen with warm light, it’s waterproof, and Amazon says one charge lasts up to 12 weeks.
13. LARQ Bottle PureVis 2
I’ve switched to the LARQ Bottle PureVis 2 for travel.
The cap uses UV-C light to clean the water and the bottle itself, and the filter straw improves the taste and, LARQ says, removes chlorine and PFAS.
On a long travel day I refill wherever there’s a tap instead of buying plastic bottles.
It’s insulated, charges by USB-C, and LARQ says a charge lasts 2–3 weeks. It’s one of my top zero-waste travel essentials.
One honest note: it’s not a license to drink from any tap. Check whether the water is safe where they’re going, and swap the filter about every two months.
14. Rumpl The NanoLoft Puffy Blanket
I don’t know about you, but I’m almost always cold.
If your friend is too, the Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Blanket packs down to about 4 x 10 inches and opens to 38 x 52, perfect for drafty trains, chilly flights and that first apartment before they figure out the radiator.
Since it packs down so small, I keep it in my suitcase as an extra layer to keep me warm any time of year in hotels.
15. Rumpl Towel
My travel towel is the Rumpl Tech Towel, from the same company that makes my travel blanket.
It’s a travel and beach towel, not a fluffy one for home, and that’s exactly the point: it holds up, dries quickly and folds down so small, which is huge when you’re on the road and every bit of suitcase space counts.
When I travel Europe for work, it’s my main towel, because there’s no room in my bag for a normal one.
Rumpl makes it from recycled microsuede with an antimicrobial treatment, so it stays fresher between washes.
Useful Gifts for Their First Month in a New Country
The first month abroad is paperwork, grocery labels they can’t read yet and an apartment without a single screwdriver. These help.
16. Cash in the local currency
Moving abroad is exhausting. Your friend will probably cross several time zones on very little sleep (I did!)
The last thing they need on landing is a hunt for a fair exchange rate.
Send money straight to their new account with Xe, and tuck a card in their bag that says what it’s for: groceries, a SIM card, the first round of drinks with new friends.
17. A great day bag
In most of Europe they’ll walk and take the metro far more than they drove at home, so a comfortable backpack does a lot of work.
My go-to is the Osprey Transporter.
It’s the only laptop backpack I’ve found with a zip-around front opening, a top strap that doubles as a luggage pass-through for sliding it over a suitcase handle (it doesn’t work great, but it’s there), and both a chest strap and a waist strap.
I use that waist strap constantly; it puts the weight on my hips on long walking days.
The padded sleeve fits up to a 16-inch laptop, and there’s a side pocket for a water bottle.
I explain what to look for in why you need a good backpack in Italy, and there are more options in my breakdown of travel bags and purses.
18. A Bodyguard umbrella
I can’t tell you how often I’ve been going about my business on a city street when the sky opens up in a torrential downpour.
My Bodyguard umbrella has 12 ribs, so it stays upright when the wind flips everyone else’s inside out.
It closes inside-out, so the wet side folds in, and a reflective stripe helps cars see them on dark, rainy walks home.
19. A Swiss Army Knife
Along with a small toolset, a Swiss Army Knife is a perfectly practical, lightweight gift.
The Victorinox Huntsman has 15 tools, including scissors, a screwdriver and a small wood saw.
Just tell them to pack it in a checked bag: TSA doesn’t allow it in carry-ons.
20. A small personal safety device
When I lived in New York City, keeping pepper spray on my keyring always made me feel a little safer.
But pepper spray can’t go in a carry-on, and rules on carrying it change from country to country.
A personal alarm is the easy swap. She’s Birdie is made by women, for women: it sets off a 130dB siren and a strobe light to draw attention fast.
21. American measuring cups
American recipes use cups and spoons; most of the world weighs ingredients in grams.
If your friend loves to bake, a set of American measuring cups means the family recipes still work without converting every line.
22. A cookbook with recipes from their new country
No favorite recipes of your own to share? Give them a cookbook from their new country instead
While they’ll probably want to try every restaurant in their new area, eating out can become expensive.
Having a cookbook with authentic local recipes allows them to try out these new foods in the comfort of their home.
23. Scrubba Portable Wash Bag
The Scrubba Portable Wash Bag is an incredible, pocket-sized portable washing machine.
At only ~5oz, the Scrubba bag not only serves as a dry or wet bag but also provides users with an electricity-free, machine-quality wash in just minutes.
Your friend won’t have to worry about unhygienic hostel sinks or losing their delicates to industrial washers when they’ve got their own self-contained bag.
It’s perfect for digital nomads or expats who don’t have access to regular laundry services.
24. Menstrual Cup
OK, hear me out–a menstrual cup is an awesome option for a going-away gift.
Not only is it practical and more cost effective than traditional tampons or pads, but it’s also an environmentally friendly choice that your friend can use over and over again.
Especially if your menstruating friend is worried about finding period products that work for them in their new country, giving them a menstrual cup means they always have their go-to option.
And since they’re lightweight, they can add it to their travels without any added bulk or weight.
25. A travel guidebook for their new home country
Before I move anywhere, I read every travel guide and blog I can find.
A good guidebook gives them realistic expectations and a list of weekend plans before they even land.
My trusty copy of Rick Steves Italy was my lifeline during my first years of exploring Italy by myself, and even now I highly recommend his guidebooks to travelers.
Sentimental Gifts for the Days They Miss Home
Homesickness shows up eventually, usually around a holiday. These make home feel closer.
26. Travel journal
A personalized travel journal is one of the most personal, affordable gifts on this list.
This one from an Etsy shop can have their name printed inside, and you pick the cover color.
Unlike social media, it gives them a place to write down the parts of the move they don’t want to post.
27. Create a photo book of memories
Just because your friend is moving overseas doesn’t mean they won’t miss you when living away.
Create a Mixbook of your favorite memories together to give them a sentimental gift as a going-away present.
It doubles as a heartfelt token of your friendship and a tool for fighting homesickness.
I have a complete guide on creating a Mixbook if you’re interested in learning more!
28. Personalized recipe book
When you’re looking for gift ideas for friends going abroad, give them a blank recipe book, and fill in the first few pages with your favorite recipes.
When they’re feeling homesick or missing their favorite comfort meals, they can open the book and feel connected to their loved ones by making their recipes.
And, since they’re in a new culture, it gives them a place to store recipes for the new foods they encounter.
29. Create a playlist with your favorite music
Bringing it back old school with a modern twist!
Instead of a mixtape or a burned CD, make your friend a Spotify playlist of your favorite songs so you can listen together, no matter where you are.
30. Long-distance touch bracelets
One of the most meaningful gifts I’ve come across: Bond Touch long-distance bracelets.
You each wear one, and when you tap yours, theirs buzzes on their wrist, wherever they are in the world.
31. A scratch-off world map
If your friend is moving to another country, they probably love to travel.
The Scratch the World travel map gives them a place to keep score: every new country gets scratched off with a coin. Scratching off a new country is so satisfying.
32. A care package of food from home
Local food is half the fun of moving abroad. But some nights they’ll just want the snacks they grew up with.
Packed with Purpose makes gift boxes whose products support specific communities, and it has a Friends & Family collection.
If you’re mailing food overseas, check what their new country allows first. In the EU, a gift from one person to another up to €45 arrives without duty, but some foods have quantity limits (German Customs).
Gifts for Capturing Their New Life
They’re going to want to remember this, and a phone camera only goes so far.
33. Instant camera
Phones take great pictures, but nothing beats handing someone a print on the spot.
A Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is light enough to carry every day, and the photos end up on the fridge in their new apartment.
Add a few packs of film so they can start shooting right away.
34. Flexible tripod and Bluetooth remote
When I first moved to Italy and started traveling around on my own, one of the things I wished I had was a lightweight tripod and Bluetooth remote to take my own pictures when I was out.
The UBeesize Flexible Tripod is fantastic because it’s tiny enough to fit into a day bag or even a large purse and can be bent to attach at whatever height you want it.
It also comes with a Bluetooth remote, so you can take as many pictures as you’d like on your own.
35. High-quality SSD hard drive
My external hard drive was one of the most essential items I brought when I moved abroad.
I have libraries of family pictures, research papers from college, and other documents that I definitely do not want to lose.
The Samsung T7 Portable SSD is small, light and has no moving parts, so it handles being tossed in a bag better than an old spinning hard drive.
1TB is plenty of room for photos and documents.
36. A gift card to their favorite store
A gift card lets them buy what they didn’t know they’d need until they arrived. An Apple gift card or an Amazon gift card are the easy picks.
Just read the fine print first. Gift cards often only work in the country they were bought in.
Gifts You Can Send After They’ve Moved
Already said goodbye? These take up no suitcase space, and most of them don’t need to be shipped at all.
37. Give them an experience in their new home
It takes time to feel at home in a new city.
I’d love to send them on a Contiki, but a multi-day trip might be out of your budget.
A food tour or skip-the-line ticket in their new city is the next best thing, and there’s nothing to mail.
Browse GetYourGuide, Viator or Go City by city.
Moving to New York? I put together 28 gifts and essentials for someone moving to NYC and once-in-a-lifetime NYC experiences.
38. A subscription to Going
Flights home are the priciest part of living abroad, and the price of a ticket decides how often they see you.
Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) emails deals from the airports they choose.
Premium is $49 a year and covers international economy deals; Going says Premium members save an average of $550 per international flight.
39. Give them a language-learning subscription
I’ve made so many mistakes mispronouncing words, especially in Italian.
I studied it in school for years, and even living in Italy, there are still days I butcher it.
The locals find it entertaining. I find it mortifying.
I like Babbel because the lessons are short and work on a phone, tablet or laptop, so they can practice on the train.
Add a pocket phrasebook for the first few weeks, before the lessons kick in. And if they want to go deep, Rosetta Stone is the other big name.
40. A VPN subscription
Airport, train station and café Wi-Fi is everywhere abroad, and a VPN encrypts their connection on those networks.
I’ve been using Surfshark for 3 years, and it’s fantastic.
Whenever I’m on the road, I have it turned on for all of my devices. Of course, streaming is great, but knowing my data is protected is the most important reason I have it turned on all the time.
One subscription covers an unlimited number of devices, so their phone, laptop and tablet are all protected.
Plus, their Surfshark One plan has a whole host of additional features like anti-virus and scam protection.
It’s a perfect long-distance gift: pay for the plan, send them the login, and there’s nothing to mail.
Gifts for Friends Going Abroad: FAQs
What is a good gift for someone leaving the country?
Something they’ll use in the first week and won’t have to pay extra to fly with. A universal adapter with a voltage converter, AirTags for their suitcases, or a personalized travel journal all fit in a carry-on.
What should I get a friend as a moving-away gift?
Pair one useful thing with one sentimental thing. A luggage scale and a photo book of your memories together covers both the move and the homesick days after it.
Should I give the gift before they leave or after they arrive?
Before they leave, give small things they’ll pack: tech, travel accessories, a journal. After they arrive, send things with no shipping: a language app, a flight-deal membership, a tour in their new city. Bulky gifts are easier bought locally once they know what their apartment needs.
How do you mail gifts to friends overseas?
Order online with international shipping when you can, or ship it yourself through the postal service or a courier. Mark it as a gift and list what’s inside and its value on the customs form. Every country has its own rules, so check their new country’s customs website first. If your friend lives in the EU, for example, a gift from one private person to another worth up to €45 can enter without customs duty or import VAT; above that, duties may apply, and the shipping cost doesn’t count toward the €45 (German Customs). Limits change, so double-check before you mail anything valuable.
What are good gifts for men who travel?
A Swiss Army Knife (packed in a checked bag), a 3-in-1 charger that powers his phone, earbuds and watch from one plug, and a backpack that can handle a daily commute. It’s the same list I’d give anyone shopping for a brother going abroad.
What are the best lightweight gifts to take abroad?
A travel journal, a photo book and a cookbook are small enough for a backpack. AirTags, a luggage scale and packing cubes all fit in a carry-on pocket.
What are the most practical gifts for someone moving abroad?
When you’re considering practical gifts, think about what your friend will actually use.
Some practical gifts include useful subscriptions like a VPN, language learning memberships, and discount flight alerts like Going.
Or, since everyone needs to eat, encourage them to explore their culinary skills by giving them items they’d use in the kitchen like a cookbook, measuring cups, or a kitchen scale.
What are the best gifts for a friend who is studying abroad?
The best gift for a friend who is currently studying abroad is something that will be useful for their studies.
Whether it’s a portable printer when they’re running late to class, a new pair of noise-canceling headphones to help them focus when studying, or a high-quality VPN to protect themselves online, there are plenty of options!
The Best Gifts for Friends Going Abroad: Wrap-Up
Saying goodbye to a friend who’s moving abroad is hard. Hand them something that makes the move easier, and something that makes home feel a little closer.
And then go visit.
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