Bringing a drone on vacation with you changes everything! You can capture the sweeping landscapes, while your travel memories will look straight out of a movie. These are the best travel drones that are compact, easy to use and fun to fly!
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One of my favorite travel accessories that comes with me on literally every trip is a drone. I actually own 4 drones, and I often travel with more than one!
But not all drones are created equal, and if you’re new to travel photography, you don’t want to lug around more gear than you need to. You need something lightweight, easy to use, and packed with features to help you capture awesome photos and videos.
After traveling to over a dozen countries with drones and flying since 2018 with many different drones, I can definitely say it’s much easier to get a mini drone for travel. The smaller drone, accessories, charging equipment, etc. is so much easier and lightweight to pack!
And the technology has come so far that the mini drones actually take amazing footage, too!
👉Interested in drone photography? Learn how to take amazing drone photos and videos!
By the end of this guide you’ll be able to tell which is my favorite…but for now, let’s dive into the details!
Best travel drones
Let’s talk about three of the best travel drones out there right now: the DJI Mini 4 Pro, HoverAir X1, and DJI Neo.
DJI Mini 4 Pro
If you want a travel drone that’s tiny but mighty, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is the one to get. This drone is lightweight – under 249g, which means you’ll have flexibility when traveling with it.
But don’t let its size fool you – it packs a serious punch!
The Mini 4 Pro has 4K video, a camera that tilts all the way up and down for unique angles, and built-in obstacle avoidance to help keep it safe while flying. It takes vertical and horizontal photos and videos, perfect for social media, YouTube or to hang family photos on your wall!
One of my favorite things about this drone versus the others on this list of the best travel drones? The amazing battery life. You can fly for up to 45 minutes on one charge (which, realistically is more like 35 minutes considering wind and conditions), which is a game-changer when you’re trying to capture an epic sunset or gorgeous ocean views.
It has fun tracking features as well, plus fun shots like orbit, Point of Interest and lateral tracking. If you want a drone that’s easy to fly and creates pro-level shots without a steep learning curve, this is it.
Buy Mini 4 Pro nowDJI Mini 4 Pro – pros’ and cons
- Pro: top of the line camera and functionality
- Pro: DJI brand is the leader in drone technology
- Con: price point is at the top of the market for mini drones
HoverAir X1
Ever wish you could get drone footage without actually flying a drone? Meet the HoverAir X1. This drone is basically magic—it’s a self-flying camera that follows you around without needing a controller.
It’s super small (and literally folds to fit in your pocket), and it’s designed for travelers who want basic abilities and don’t want to mess with controllers or complicated settings. With a few taps, the HoverAir X1 will take off, follow you around, and capture cinematic shots with very little effort on your part.
This travel drone even has pre-programmed flight paths, like a perfect orbit around you or a smooth pull-away shot to capture more of the background.
Since it’s ultra-lightweight and super compact, you can take it anywhere without stressing about space in your bag. It’s perfect for solo travelers who want cool footage without needing a second person to film them.
Buy HoverAir X1 nowHoverAir X1 – pro’s and cons
- Pro: easy to learn and use
- Pro: budget-friendly
- Con: the drone is very loud and can be obnoxious around other people
Additional drone resources:
Learn to fly a drone course: Elevate Your Photos: Beginner’s Guide to Drones!
Study guide for your FAA Part 107 drone license test
DJI Neo
The DJI Neo drone takes vlogging to the next level, making it one of the smartest, easiest drones to fly. It’s designed for creators and travelers who want great footage with minimal effort.
Similar to the HoverAir X1, it’s controlled by the app on your smartphone, instead of a controller. You technically can use a DJI controller, but it’s absolutely not necessary with this mini drone!
The Neo has intelligent algorithms for tracking, meaning it can follow you smoothly even if you’re running, biking, or climbing a mountain. It also has high-quality stabilization, so even if it’s a little windy, your footage comes out silky smooth. If you love vlogging or creating travel content, this drone makes your life so much easier with vertical and horizontal shots.
One thing I love about this travel drone? The controls. You can literally tell it to take off, follow you, or land just by using voice control. That means no more fumbling with controllers or worrying about getting the perfect shot—it basically films for you.
Buy DJI Neo nowDJI Neo – pro’s and cons
- Pro: low price point
- Pro: DJI brand is the leader in drone technology
- Con: low quality camera compared to other DJI drones
Tips for traveling with your drone
Traveling with a drone is relatively easy! Here are a few tips to make it go smoothly:
- Research laws where you’re going. International rules, state and city laws are all changing rapidly.
- Drones should go in your carry-on luggage only. Not only are the batteries required to be in carry-on, you really don’t want to check expensive equipment.
- If you’re searched by TSA, let them know you have photography equipment packed in your bag when they start the search.
- Add an AirTag to your drone case in case it gets lost or stolen so you can track it down!
Best travel drones – which is right for you?
Hmmm well I can’t answer that for you directly. But I always recommend to get the best drone you can afford! My personal favorite is the DJI Mini 4 Pro. It has amazing camera quality, the best features and it’s small enough, making it easy to travel with.
No matter which drone you choose, having a drone while traveling takes your memories from cool to cinematic experiences.
Related drone content you might like:
Elevate Your Photos: Beginner’s Guide to Drones
Can You Fly Drones in Other Countries? Steps to Find Out International Drone Laws
Drone Preflight Checklist: Essential Actions You’ll Need Before Every Flight
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