Even with a dream destination, traveling can be rough. Throw in a high volume of travelers on a tight schedule, overbooked airplanes and looots of little kids, and an otherwise average trip home becomes an adrenaline-fueled scramble through a holiday minefield.
Enter travel treats. When you’ve got a long trip ahead of you, give yourself a little special something. It could be a bag of your favorite trail mix for the road, Beyonce’s new CD so you can jingle all the way or a warm and cozy scarf to throw on top of your flying layers. Whether you borrow something from a friend or decide to buy something for yourself, the excitement of a little present lessens the pain of the red-eye or the (cute but) squalling baby in 15A.
I always fly home (Illinois and Virginia, please get cozier) and have decided that it is 100% appropriate to throw my frugal ways out the window and splurge on stupidly expensive things at the airport. Case in point:
Note: in my financial vocabulary, “stupidly expensive” is synonymous with “could get this for free” and “full price anything.” Generally I keep my purse strings pretty tight when it comes to non-essential spending so that when I do want to splurge, I feel zero guilt getting myself something super nice…like a snazzy planner I’ll use daily or a bright red (super discounted) KitchenAid stand mixer that I plan to use until 2089.
The last time I flew home, I knew I had a lot of downtime ahead of me. Like the bibliophile I am (thanks, Tina, for giving me the official word for “”), I hightailed it over to the airport bookstore. With several hours to kill at the airport and on my flight, buying myself a new book felt like the most indulgent of pleasures. I dove into the Seven Kingdoms and emerged hours later, safely landed in Virginia, with about 600 more pages to go.
Travel treats can be books, snacks, a cocktail before a flight, a plush neck pillow, or even a seat upgrade so you can sit next to your favorite sibling. In a season for merriment and cheer, they make travel just a bit more fun, so you can pass on the kindness to anyone else you meet.
For my next flight, I’ve done a better job of planning ahead. I’ll have a bag stuffed with homemade trail mix and The Satanic Verses (which my dad bought me awhile back and I still haven’t read.) I can’t wait to recline and read through the entire trip. I also know that when I get back to Arlington, I have an extra-special annual Christmas dinner with friends to look forward to. That kind of anticipation makes all the difference.
What treats do you give yourself to make travel more fun? Any recommendations for your fellow holiday travelers?
The Psychology of Travel Treats: Why They Work
Travel treats aren’t just about the object itself—they’re about the mental shift they create. When you’re stuck in a long security line or crammed into a middle seat, a small indulgence signals to your brain that this moment is special, not just something to endure. It’s a form of self-care that interrupts the stress cycle and gives you something to look forward to amidst the chaos.
Psychologists call this “anticipatory joy”—the pleasure you get from looking forward to a reward. That’s why planning your travel treat before you leave can be just as delightful as the treat itself. Whether it’s downloading a new album, packing a favorite snack, or promising yourself a fancy coffee at the gate, the anticipation alone can lower your travel anxiety and make the whole journey feel more manageable.
Even a tiny treat, like a paperback from the airport bookstore or a pair of cozy socks, can create a positive memory anchor. Later, when you think back on that trip, you’ll remember the treat as a bright spot rather than the turbulence or the delays. It’s a small investment with a big emotional return.
Practical Ways to Treat Yourself Without Breaking the Bank
I know I said I throw frugality out the window at the airport, but that’s not a requirement—it’s a choice I make because I can. For most of us, travel is already expensive, so adding more cost can feel counterproductive. The good news is that travel treats don’t have to cost a thing; they just need to feel like a treat.
One of my favorite zero-cost treats is a carefully curated playlist or podcast queue. I’ll spend an evening before a trip saving episodes and songs I’ve been meaning to enjoy, so that when I’m on the plane, I have hours of entertainment ready. Another idea: pack a “treat bag” with items you already own but rarely use—a fancy tea bag, a face mask, a small notebook—so every item feels new in the travel context.
If you do want to spend a little, look for ways to maximize value. Use airline miles or credit card points for seat upgrades, or buy a treat at the grocery store before you get to the airport instead of paying airport prices. Here are a few more budget-friendly travel treats:
- Bring your favorite candy from home—it’ll taste even better at 30,000 feet.
- Download a movie or book from your library app for free.
- Pack a travel-size luxury lotion or lip balm that you save only for trips.
- Treat yourself to a pre-flight stretch session in a quiet corner of the terminal (free and refreshing).
- If you’re a coffee lover, bring your own instant specialty coffee packets to upgrade the in-flight cup.
Travel Treat Ideas for Every Type of Traveler
Not all treats are created equal, and what feels indulgent to one person might be meh to another. The key is to know what makes you light up. Over the years, I’ve collected ideas from friends and fellow travelers, and I’ve noticed they fall into a few categories. Here’s a quick guide to finding your perfect travel treat based on your travel personality:
- The : A brand-new paperback or an e-reader loaded with your favorite genre. Bonus points if you buy it at an airport bookstore for the full romance of the experience.
- The Foodie: Pack a gourmet snack you’d never normally buy—artisanal chocolate, fancy cheese and crackers, or a single-serve bottle of nice wine (just check airline rules).
- The Comfort Seeker: Invest in a super-soft travel pillow, a cashmere-blend scarf, or noise-canceling headphones. The goal is to make your seat feel like a tiny sanctuary.
- The Tech Lover: Download a new game, subscribe to a streaming service for the month, or buy a portable charger so you never have to ration screen time.
- The Social Butterfly: Treat yourself to a seat with extra legroom so you can chat comfortably with your neighbor, or bring a deck of cards to start a game.
- The Planner: A beautiful new journal or a set of colored pens to document your trip, set intentions, or simply doodle during delays.
Remember, the treat should feel like a gift to yourself—something that says, “This trip matters, and so do you.” Don’t overthink it; just pick something that makes you smile.
Making Travel Treats a Habit (or Ritual)
Once you start treating yourself on trips, you might find it becomes a ritual—something you look forward to as much as the destination. For me, it’s the airport bookstore. Every single flight, I allow myself ten minutes to wander the shelves, read a few first pages, and choose one book that will carry me through the journey. It’s a small tradition that makes every trip feel a little bit magical.
Rituals like this can be powerful because they create a sense of continuity and control in an otherwise unpredictable environment. Whether it’s always ordering the same drink at the café near your gate or listening to the same song during takeoff, these small anchors can calm your nerves and signal to your brain that “travel time” has begun.
“Travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living.” – Anonymous (but I believe it).
If you don’t have a travel ritual yet, start small. Next trip, pick one tiny treat and make a point to enjoy it at a specific moment—like right before boarding or just after takeoff. Over time, that ritual will become a source of comfort and joy, something that turns even a routine flight into a mini celebration.
Sharing the Joy: Treats for Fellow Travelers
One of the most beautiful things about travel treats is that they can be shared. Just as the existing page mentioned “pass on the kindness,” a small gesture to a fellow passenger or a flight attendant can transform the mood of the entire cabin. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—sometimes a simple offer of gum or a spare snack can break the ice and create a moment of connection.
If you’re feeling generous, consider packing a few extra treats specifically for others. Individually wrapped chocolates, small packs of tissues, or even a handwritten note of thanks for the crew are inexpensive but meaningful. On a long flight, a little kindness goes a long way; you might make someone’s day and yours.
And don’t forget to treat your travel companions. If you’re flying with a sibling, spouse, or friend, surprise them with their favorite candy or a travel-sized game. Shared treats become shared memories, and that’s the whole point of travel, isn’t it?
Final Thoughts: The Long-Term Impact of Small Indulgences
Travel treats may seem frivolous, but they’re actually a form of self-respect. By giving yourself permission to enjoy the journey—not just the destination—you’re acknowledging that your comfort and happiness matter, even in the cramped seat of a budget airline. Over time, these small moments of joy add up to a richer travel experience and a more resilient mindset.
So next time you’re dreading a long flight or a stressful layover, remember that you have the power to make it better. A tiny treat, chosen with intention, can turn the most chaotic travel day into a story worth telling. Whether you splurge on a first-class upgrade or just pack your favorite tea bags, you’re worth it.
And if you’re looking for more inspiration, check out our Links page for travel gear recommendations, or browse Favorites for curated picks from the community. Happy travels, and happy treating!