12 Best Travel Drones: Portable Options for Trips & Vacations

We all know that our best adventure needs to have the best travel drones, for sure. There are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and places that you probably only visit one time. Read more to see the best travel drones for your next adventure.

Let’s face it, traveling can be expensive, and anything won’t be possible if you don’t have the budget to splurge while you are on a travel.

That’s the reason why we have credit cards to save the day. A drone can capture all of those moments from different perspectives and they will give you unique shots that will last forever on your mind.

List of the Best Travel Drones

In this exclusive list ViaTravelers prepared for you, you will find out the best affordable drones for travel, and the best travel drones with a camera.

But also, you will see the drones that can travel a mile and find out how far do drones travel.

Get ready for your next adventure with the best travel drones!

1. DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo

We are starting this list off strong with the DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo. It is one of the best travels drones out there because it is lightweight and easy to pack, making it ideal for travel.

This travel drone can fit conveniently into the palm of your hand, making the small drone your ideal travel companion.

The Mini 2 also supports up to 10km of video transmission and boasts amazing anti-interference capabilities, so you can fly your drone further and see much more.

The max battery life of this travel drone is around 31 minutes, but that allows for more than enough time to achieve your perfect shot. The Mini 2 can also resist level 5 winds and takes off at a max altitude of around 4,000 meters.

The drone footage will appear clear and stable, even if you fly in high winds and along a coastline.

The 4x digital zoom feature makes achieving your dream shot much safer and more convenient while transitioning between varying distances and composition.

Looking for quick shots? The DJI Mini 2 automatically records and shoots a professional-level video that you can share directly to your social media platforms. This is a feature a novice drone flyer and professional will both love and appreciate.

When it comes to compatibility, the Mini 2 works requires iOS v10.0, Android v6.0, or above.

The Mini 2 is an ultralight and foldable drone. It provides you with 4K ultra-clear video, has a 10km 720p video transmission capability, and has intelligent flight modes, allowing you to choose from wide-angle, 180-degree, and sphere panoramas.

Want to see this drone in action? Check out this video shot on a DJI Mini 2 here about our trip to Palm Springs.

Palm Springs, California: Things to Do and See [4K HD]

Watch this video on YouTube.

Subscribe to the ViaTravelers channel to get travel adventures as soon as they become available.

Also, we all know the beach is a great place to take pictures.

And drones are particularly great to highlight the beauty of beaches; that’s why we recommend using your new drone in any of the 4 Hidden Gems in the Caribbean Sea.

2. GoolRC SG906 Pro 2 GPS Drone

The SG906 Pro 2 GPS drone is definitely a contender when it comes to finding the best travel drone. This drone features a 3-axis stabilized gimbal, 28 minutes of flight time, an ultra HD 4k aerial camera, GPS return home function, dual camera, GPS positioning, optical flow positioning, and so much more.

We have yet to get into the real specs of the camera drone that make it one of the best for travel photography.

With optical flow positioning and one-key operation, you can capture image data with the bottom camera. This means you can see exactly what the drone sees, making it ideal for filming a specific location or simply looking around at your surroundings.

The optical flow also improves the overall smoothness of flight and makes the drone more convenient to operate when you enter unfavorable and unexpected weather conditions.

With Waypoint Flight and Point of Interesting drone technology, you can click on any point on the APP interface, and the drone will automatically begin flying to the designated location.

As the pilot, you can also focus more on controlling the camera and achieving more complex shots.

With Follow Function and GPS Positioning, the drone can capture movement with an aerial photography view. The lens will continue to point at the mobile phone and remain a constant distance away.

The advanced GPS of this drone ensures it is always aware of its location in relation to where you are.

Also, you and your new drone will have a wonderful time visiting these 15 Best Unknown Places to Visit in the US.

Take nice shots of these secret spots and share them with your friends.

3. GoolRC SJRC F11 4k Pro GPS Drone

This is a slightly better version than the previous one we listed, meaning it has received an upgrade you will love.

We introduce you to the SJRC F11 4K PRO. It features a 180° ultra definition camera that covers 1.5 km, or about a mile in distance.

You have 128 GB to take pictures and shoot videos. The advanced 5G Wi-Fi also allows for a 100° field of view (FOV), allowing you to achieve a panoramic view for all your shots and video. The 5G ensures a higher quality camera images and clear real-time video.

This drone is also equipped with 4K cameras with a stable gimbal and allows for vibration-free footage.

With Gesture Photo and Video and simple controls, you don’t have to worry so much about orientation. With a simple press of a button, your drone will rise to the intended height, making it the perfect beginner drone option.

This is one of the best travel drones because it is perfect for any kind of adventure. Regardless of whether you go to the mountains, river, beach, woods, forest, foggy places, or snowy spots, this drone gets the job done beautifully.

See Related: 16 Best Travel Blenders: Portable Options to Buy

4. Parrot Thermal Drone 4K

First of all, this is a drone with a 180° camera angle, so just imagine how good it is.

If you are a nature lover, this drone is definitely for you. The quality of the videos you can capture with this drone is 4k full HD. This drone not only captures panoramic views but also shows you thermal pictures of the places you visit.

The thermal feature is a good attribute, along with its two high-precision cameras. The drone allows for compact and high performance due to its foldable, ultra-compact, and lightweight design. It weighs less than a pound, making it the ideal travel companion.

The drone will always remain within reach of the operator and can unfold and become operational in just around three seconds. It has a 26 minute flight time and a Wi-Fi connection of up to 2.5 miles.

When done with its flight mode, the drone will automatically return to its original takeoff point. It has a wind resistance of up to 31 mph, so you can worry less and enjoy flying your drone more.

This drone is often used by professionals in the construction industry and for civil security. The zoom singularity also applies to the thermal camera. One of the best uses for this drone is identifying people if they become lost.

The drone can monitor heat points without endangering anyone. It can also identify high voltage cable power failure or isolate a defective solar panel, making it an asset in a multitude of industries.

If you have work-related travel and need a drone to inspect the area where you are, this is the best option for you as well.

Besides all of this, skylines and metropolises are excellent locations to use drones. Chicago is a good example of a big city with beautiful spots, so you can use your new drone in the 12 Best Attractions in Chicago.

5. DJI Mavic Air Quadcopter with Remote Control

This DJI Mavic Air Quadcopter allows you to take horizontal, vertical, and 180° panoramic shots. It is also capable of stitching together 25 photos in just eight seconds so you can successfully create a crystal clear 32.0mp sphere panorama.

The DJI Mavic has a lightweight, compact, and foldable design, so it can be taken with you anywhere. It also features a three-axis gimbal that can stabilize the camera even in high-speed motion, allowing for smoother video and sharper images.

This DJI drone can be controlled from up to 6,562 feet away, and the Mavic Air Intelligent Flight lithium batteries allow for up to 21 minutes of flight time on each charge.

The travel drone’s remote control features a foldable, low-profile, and ergonomic design. The detachable control sticks can be conveniently stored inside the remote control, making them even easier to pack.

And talking about superb places to use your drone, of course, Paris is at the top of the list. The city of love will be the perfect model for your drone day or night.

Check out the 10 Best Paris Night Tours: See the City of Lights.

6. Hubsan H501S X4 FPV Brushless Quadcopter

The Hubsan Brushless Quadcopter guarantees up to 20 minutes of flight time and comes with a 2300mAh LiPO battery. The 1080p HD camera allows you to capture stunning images and crystal clear video.

This travel drone also features four brushless motors and convenient modes and functions, including a Follow Me mode, Headless mode, One Key Return function, and Auto Home Return function.

With the Headless mode, you can break through your regular flight direction and find high performance in expert mode.

Follow me is great for taking selfies and allows you to have more fun with orbiting and hovering while in flight and while perfecting your travel photography. With orbiting, you can shoot photos from every angle.

The automatic return home function makes the drone fly back to its home point automatically, so it never becomes lost. The altitude position hold enables a smoother, safer, and more stable flight.

It can go a distance of 300 meters. It also features GPS positioning, real-time FPV, a low drone battery failsafe, and altitude hold.

Real-time FPV allows you to see what the drone sees without any kind of signal delay.

If you are looking at selfie drones, this one is definitely one to keep high on your list.

See Related: Best Portable Lenses for Travel

7. Syma X500 4K Drone with UHD Camera

The Syma X500 makes our list of the best travel drones because it ensures intelligent flight modes and impressive 56-minute flight duration.

It features a 4K FHD camera with 120° FOV and 90° up and down. It allows you to capture a much greater dynamic range and provides high-quality and advanced high-resolution shots.

The wide-angle lens combines with 90° vertical gimble movement, allowing you to see your surroundings from a different perspective. In addition to all these amazing features, you will find other convenient functions and modes you will find useful.

With hand gesture shooting, you can use hand gestures to take a photo. The camera will recognize the gesture and auto shoot the picture. To record video, simply place your hand in front of the camera.

You can save your images and video on the drone and share them on your social media platforms.

You can also take advantage of VR mode when you download the Syma app and choose this mode. VR glasses are not included. However, when you purchase them separately, you can benefit from VR mode and enjoy a first-person view in real-time.

This travel drone is capable of a flight distance of up to 350 meters or 1148 feet and a flight altitude of 100 meters or 328 feet. The charging time is 180 minutes.

With all of these advanced features and the functionality of all its basic functions, the Syma Quadcopter definitely deserves a spot on our list of the best travel drones for your adventures.

See Related: Best Portable Routers for Travel

8. Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon Quadcopter Drone

The Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon drone features a built-in touchscreen and integrated three-axis precision gimbal camera. It shoots in 4K and at 30 fps in ultra-high definition.

It also has 1080p/120fps slow-motion video capabilities, user-controlled video resolution, white balance, and light exposure.

The all-in-one 4K system has a touchscreen controller that enables a fast setup. This drone is often also considered a tripod in the sky due to its three-axis gimbal.

The drone operator can control the tilt angle direction and view everything above just as if they were flying themselves.

The ST10+ Ground Station is a remote control and receiver in one. This provides you with full control over the drone while flying and lets you take videos and photos easily.

The touchscreen display is 5.5″ and lets you track your images from the connected camera, so you can adjust the camera settings when necessary.

The flight time for this drone is 25 minutes and has a field view of 115°. The flight distance is approximately 2500 feet from the point of takeoff.

Ready to take in a gorgeous skyline with your drone? Chicago is a great example of a big city, and it has plenty of beautiful spots you can explore with your drone. Check out these 12 Best Attractions in Chicago.

9. Ryze Tech Tello Mini Drone Quadcopter

The Ryze Tech Tello Mini Drone is a great beginner drone if you want to fly a drone for the first time and have minimal to no experience.

It was actually designed by DJL, which happens to be one of the top names in drones and drone technology, so you can be assured of this drone’s high quality.

This drone is well-constructed, easy to fly, and very lightweight, making it great to have while traveling. It has quick-release propellers and propeller guards to protect the drone as you learn to fly it.

Despite its light weight, it can still withstand a less than perfect landing. If you happen to lose connection with the drone, it will land automatically.

It features a 720p camera with built-in electronic stabilization. Because of this quality drone technology, it can take great video footage.

It is equipped with a high-quality image processor. It allows you to take professional-level videos and images with EZ Shots that can then be shared across your social media channels right from your smartphone.

The Tello also features two antennas for incredibly stable video transmission, and it runs off a high-capacity drone battery that offers longer drone flight times.

The max flight time for this drone is only 13 minutes, but that is more than enough time for a beginner drone operator to learn the ropes.

10. Potensic D68 Drone with 4K Camera

The Potensic D68 Drone offers incredible value and is high-quality while still being a suitable drone option for a beginner.

It has built-in GPS functionality that allows the drone to return home even when the battery is running low or loses connection with the controller.

It has easy one-touch takeoff and landing, and the app contains different shooting options you can try out as you find out how to get the best footage.

You can choose to fly your drone on a preset path that you previously drew into the app, or you can fly around in circles using preset points.

If you don’t want the drone to fly into a particular area, you can make sure it stays within range and does not fly into restricted airspace.

The camera records images with 4K resolution, and the video quality is at 2K. You have the chance to use several viewing angles with smooth transmission.

Your mobile phone mounts easily to the drone’s controller so you can always see what is going on and where the drone is headed.

It has a brushless motor and a long flight time of up to 25 minutes. The brushless motor allows for increased reliability, reduced noise, and less maintenance, and all this can result in a longer lifespan for your drone.

In addition to being easy to fly, this drone also comes equipped with optical flow positioning, Follow Me, Circle Fly, and Waypoints, making it that much easier for a beginner drone operator to use.

See Related: Best Travel Guitars

11. Parrot ANAFI Drone

The Parrot ANAFI Drone is another foldable drone option that is compact, lightweight, and perfect for travel. It has a flight time of up to 25 minutes thanks to the intelligent Li-Po battery that optimizes the battery life and allows the drone to charge up to 60% faster with a USB Type C charger.

You will find it lets you take amazing and high-quality 4K HDR videos and 21mp photos. It has a 180° tilt gimbal and 2.8x lossless digital zoom.

Worried about adverse weather conditions while you fly your drone? You can worry less because this powerful drone features strong wind resistance while still allowing quiet flight performance.

The drone is also easy to operate and has an intuitive FreeFlight 6 app. You can fit this drone in the stylish and durable case it comes with, making it easy to take with you for everyday use.

The drone case also offers the device significant protection while it is being transported. The case is lightweight and compact and can fit easily into most bags.

The drone’s camera only has HD 720p resolution and an effective flight distance of about 100 meters. The flight time is also less than the other models on our list and comes in at around 10 to 15 minutes per battery.

However, it is a great portable drone option to consider if you want to take selfies on your next vacation.

Want some travel inspiration? Here are the 12 Best Travel Instagram accounts to Inspire Your Wanderlust.

12. Ruko Portable Drone with 4K Camera

Last but certainly not least is the Ruko Portable Drone with a 4K camera. This is an easy-to-fly drone equipped with GPS.

It will auto return when there is a low battery, or it loses connection with the remote. The max flight time for this drone is around 26 minutes.

The 4K camera features a shock absorber and allows you to take clear images from the sky while reducing blurriness when you fly.

The fly app you can download comes with Follow Me, Point of Interest, and Waypoint functions. All of these allow you to begin your drone journey easily and in just a few steps.

The upgraded brushless motor on this drone means it is more durable and is stronger than ever. The motor allows the drone to achieve a level 5 wind resistance and much quieter flight performance.

It is a great travel drone because it is foldable and compact, making it portable and easy to carry with you in its carrying case.

The maximum control range of this drone is 1640 feet, and it has a max Wi-Fi range of 984 feet. It weighs around 9.52 ounces.

Ready to travel the world and document your adventures? Here are 10 Best Roadtrips in the USA to get you started on your journey.

Buyer’s Guide – Best Travel Drones

If you love to travel and take memorable photos and videos of those travels, you may be interested in a drone you can take with you as you travel to each destination.

With the vast selection of travel drones available on the market today, it can prove difficult to find the best one. We are here to help you narrow down your choices.

Why Purchase a Drone?

The primary reason to purchase a travel drone is to gain a more unique perspective of your surroundings. You can take a million pictures of the same object, but you will quickly see the value once you take that photo from a different perspective.

A drone opens up a world of possibilities such as vlogging, photography, and even service-based jobs.

Professional vs Recreational Drones

Before choosing your new travel drone, you should understand the differences between a professional drone and one used strictly for recreation.

A recreational drone is used once in a while and in special situations like when you travel, while a professional drone will see a lot more use.

With that in mind, you will see a difference in the prices. When it comes to affordability, you will find the DJI Mavic Mini packs the best value for recreational use.

However, if you use your drone more often and professionally, you will probably want to go with something more expensive, like the DJI Mavic Air drone.

Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Drone for Travel

Now let’s break down the criteria to keep in mind when hunting for the best travel drone.

Quality

You want a drone with at least 12 megapixels and one that can film in 1080 HD. Gimbal is also important for image stabilization while you are recording videos.

Remember, the more expensive the drone, the higher quality it is probably going to be, and the more advanced features you will find.

Weight and Size

Since the drone will be used while traveling, you want something lightweight and easily portable.

Many of our options above are foldable drone options and come in a carrying case, making traveling much more convenient. Also, the lighter the drone is, the faster it is.

Flight Time and Flight Distance

The flight time and distance are also important and easily overlooked. Many prefer that their drones stay within eyesight, which means you don’t need an extensive flight distance.

When it comes down to it, you really only need to have enough flight time and flight distance for what you intend to shoot. More often than not, 15 to 20 minutes is going to be plenty of time.

Price

Finally, price is always going to be a factor in your decision as well. When looking for the best drone, you can expect to spend a few hundred dollars or more, and you can’t forget about purchasing additional batteries, a carrying case if one is not included, and other supplies you may need.

Ultimately, the traveling drone you choose is going to come down to personal preference and budget.

Determine which features are must-haves and then go from there, and you will successfully narrow down your choices for the best travel drones for your next adventure!

Related Resources

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• 7 Best Minimalist Travel Backpacks
• Best Travel Credit Cards: What Card is Best For You?
• 18 Best Gifts For Couples Who Love To Travel

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