5 Best Travel Drones in 2023 (for international travel)

Drones made it possible to capture the world's beauty from a new perspective. In this article, we'll explore the best travel drones for every adventurer, along with tips for making the most of your drone on your journeys.

Key Features to Look for in a Travel Drone

When it comes to choosing a travel drone, there are several key features that you should consider. The most important are portability, durability, camera quality, and flight time. Here's a closer look at each feature:

• Portability: A travel drone should be small and lightweight enough to fit in your backpack or carry-on luggage (How to take your drone on a plane). Foldable drones are even better since they take up less space. We highly recommend drones under 250g so you can simultaneously be free of any legal hassle and extra weight.
  
• Durability: Since  you’ll be traveling, choosing one that can withstand some wear and tear is essential. Look for drones made with high-quality materials and good build quality. In a travel drone, materials are important for the inevitable small accidents and crashes, while the build quality can keep away splashes of water, grains of sand and whatever else nature throws at you.
• Camera quality: The camera is the most essential part of a travel drone. Look for drones with high-resolution cameras and good stabilization features for smooth footage.
  
• Flight time: A good travel drone should have a decent flight time of at least 20 minutes. This will give you enough time to capture the needed shots without constantly recharging.
  
• Ease of use: You don't want to prepare for hours before every critical moment you capture. You have to be able to enjoy your travels and, at the same time, be ready to launch and control your drone anytime you want.

The Best Travel Drone for Your Needs

Now that you know what features to look for in a travel drone, let's look at some of the best available options.

(Comparison video between this drone and the next in the ranking)

1.Best Travel Drone for Photographers - Autel Robotics EVO Lite+

6k

30 min

12 km

GPS

The Autel Robotics EVO Lite+ is a fantastic travel drone for photographers. Its newest firmware update makes it one of the best options under $2,000. It's positioned between the DJI Air 2S and DJI Mavic 3 in terms of price and features, offering great value for those looking for a high-quality camera drone.

Check out the Price

Key Specs:

• Video Quality: 6K
  Photo Quality: Slightly more detailed than DJI Air 2S
  
• Battery Life: Over 30 minutes of flight time
• Range: 7.4 miles (12 km)
  

Price: About $500 more than DJI Air 2S

The EVO Lite+ has a rugged build, featuring carbon fiber frames on the legs for extra durability. Its large battery offers double the capacity of the DJI Air 2S, ensuring you have enough juice to capture stunning aerial shots. The drone is available in white, gray, or orange (with the orange variant being easier to spot in the sky).

Although the standard color profile tends to be magenta-heavy and over-sharpened, the overall photo and video quality is excellent. The adjustable aperture provides more control over exposure, and the firmware update adds dynamic tracking, HDR video, and log video capabilities. Plus, it's made in America, so you can feel good about supporting local manufacturing.

(Comparison video between this drone and the next in the ranking)

2.Best Drone for Travel Videos and Vlogging - Air 2S

5.4k

30 min

12 km

GPS

The DJI Air 2S is a fantastic choice for travel videos and vlogging, thanks to its one-inch sensor, which provides improved image quality compared to other drones in its price range. In addition, the Air 2S has new obstacle avoidance sensors at the top, and the OcuSync 3.0 (O3) transmission system ensures a stable connection during flight.

Check out the Price

Key Specs:

• Video Quality: 5.4K
  Photo Quality: 20MP
  
• Battery Life: 30 minutes of flight time
• Range: 7.5 miles (12 km)
• Price: More affordable than Mavic 3, slightly more expensive than Mini 2
  

Some of the standout features of the Air 2S include Focus Track tools (Active Track, Point of Interest, and Spotlight), Master Shots, Quick Shots, Panorama, and hyper lapses. These built-in safety features, such as return to home and obstacle avoidance, make it a reliable choice for travel vloggers.

In terms of performance, the Air 2S still holds its own in 2023. It offers longevity and capabilities that won't be outdated anytime soon, making it an excellent investment for content creators.

3.Best Budget Travel Drone - DJI Mini 2

4k

31 min

10 km

GPS

The DJI Mini 2 is an excellent budget travel drone for those looking to capture stunning aerial shots without breaking the bank. Although it's about 2.5 years old, the Mini 2 still offers great features and performance.

Check out the Price

Key Specs:

• Video Quality: 4K
• Photo Quality: 12MP
• Battery Life: Up to 31 minutes of flight time
• Range: 6.2 miles (10 km)
• Price: A little over $100 cheaper than the Mini 3
  

With great camera quality, flight characteristics, built-in safety features, and 4K video capability, the Mini 2 is an excellent choice for hobbyists and casual drone enthusiasts. The OcuSync 2 transmission system provides a good range and signals image transmission, making it perfect for flying around buildings and trees.

4.Best Compact Drone for Travel - DJI Mini 3

4k

38 min

10 km

GPS

The DJI Mini 3 is the perfect compact travel drone for those who want professional-quality content without the added bulk. Released in 2022, this entry-level drone boasts specifications and performance suitable for experienced flyers and content creators.

Check out the Price

Key Specs:

• Video Quality: 4K 30fps HDR, 2.7K 60fps
  
• Photo Quality: 12MP, HDR image capture, and vertical mode
  
• Battery Life: 38 minutes of flight time
  Range: 6.2 miles (10 km)
  
• Price: $650  (not including the new screen controller)
  

Some standout features of the DJI Mini 3 include a proper vertical shooting mode for social media content, a flying speed of 16 meters per second (24mph) in sport mode, and a 10.7 meters per second wind resistance, similar to the DJI Air 2S. Compatibility with DJI's new RC controllers allows for unobstructed transmission across a distance of 10 km.

While the Mini 3 has some limitations compared to the Mini 3 Pro, such as the lack of 4K 60fps video and active track, it's still a fantastic budget drone.

5.Best Drone for Motorcycle Travel - Skydio 2

4k

23 min

3 km

GPS

The Skydio 2 Plus is the ideal travel drone for motorcycle enthusiasts, thanks to its advanced obstacle avoidance capabilities and self-tracking features. This drone can effortlessly follow and film subjects without direct input from the user, making it perfect for capturing your motorcycle adventures. Of course, you can find as many use-case scenarios for this drone as your imagination allows you - planned flights can capture awesome videos for everyone.

Key Specs:

• Video Quality: 4K 60fps
  
• Photo Quality: 12MP
  
• Battery Life: Up to 23 minutes of flight time
  
• Range: 1.9 miles (3 km)
  
• Price: Comparable to DJI Air 2S
  

The Skydio 2 Plus has a unique Keyframe Mode, allowing users to set keyframes for the drone's movement and camera angles. The drone automatically moves between these keyframes, providing a smooth and cinematic filming experience.The Skydio 2 Plus Cinema Kit provides everything you need for a seamless drone-flying experience. With its advanced features and capabilities, the Skydio 2 Plus is the perfect companion for motorcycle travelers looking to document their journeys in style.

Best Travel Drone for Beginners: Easy-to-Use Options

Choosing the right travel drone for beginners can be challenging, especially with so many available options. But when considering ease of use, affordability, and features, the following drones stand out as the best choices for beginners:

1. DJI Mini 2: The DJI Mini 2 is an excellent choice for beginners, thanks to its user-friendly interface, intuitive controls, and solid performance. With a 4K camera, OcuSync 2.0 transmission system, and a range of intelligent flight modes, this drone offers an impressive set of features at an affordable price. Its compact size and lightweight design make it perfect for travel. While it doesn't have obstacle avoidance, its built-in safety features and reliability make it a great option for new drone pilots.
   
2. DJI Mini 3: As the successor to the Mini 2, the DJI Mini 3 is another fantastic option for beginners. It retains the same ease of use and compact design, adding features like 4K 30fps HDR video, 2.7K 60fps video, and true vertical shooting mode. These improvements make it even more versatile for travel photography and videography. Although it lacks obstacle avoidance and some advanced features, it's still an ideal choice for beginners who want a drone that's easy to fly and produces professional-quality content.
   
3. Mini SE: The DJI Mini SE is an excellent option for those on a tight budget. It's more affordable than the Mini 2 or Mini 3 but still offers great flight characteristics and built-in safety features. The Mini SE is limited in range due to its Wi-Fi connection, and it doesn't have the same camera capabilities as the other two options. However, it's still a reliable and easy-to-use drone that is perfect for beginners who want to dip their toes into aerial photography and videography.
   

In summary, the DJI Mini 2, DJI Mini 3, and Mini SE are all excellent choices for beginners looking for the best travel drone. Each drone offers a balance of ease of use, affordability, and features that cater to new drone pilots. While there are some differences in camera quality, transmission systems, and advanced features, all three drones provide a solid foundation for beginners to learn and grow their aerial photography and videography skills during their travels.

Best Travel Vlog Drone: Document Your Journey With Minimal Effort

Regarding travel vlogging, the ideal drone should be easy to use, have excellent camera capabilities, and offer advanced features to help you capture stunning footage effortlessly. The following drones stand out as the best choices for travel vloggers:

1. DJI Air 2S: The DJI Air 2S is a top choice for travel vloggers due to its one-inch sensor, which provides outstanding image quality. This drone is reliable and versatile with features like obstacle avoidance, OcuSync 3.0 transmission system, and 30 minutes of flight time. Its advanced Focus Track tools (Active Track, Point of Interest, and Spotlight) make capturing dynamic and engaging footage easy. While it's slightly more expensive than the Mini series drones, the Air 2S offers exceptional value for travel vloggers.
   
2. Autel Robotics EVO Lite+: This drone is perfect for travel photographers and vloggers who want professional-level camera capabilities. The EVO Lite+ has a rugged build, large battery capacity, and adjustable aperture for more control over exposure. The 6K video quality is more detailed than the DJI Air 2S, and a firmware update added dynamic tracking, HDR video, and log video options. While priced higher than the Air 2S, the EVO Lite+ is an excellent investment for travel vloggers seeking top-notch video quality and features.
   
3. Skydio 2: The Skydio 2 is ideal for travel vloggers who want a self-tracking drone to film themselves without needing a dedicated cameraman. With its advanced obstacle avoidance system and keyframe mode for setting up camera angles and movement, the Skydio 2 enables users to capture cinematic footage effortlessly. This drone is beneficial for vloggers who engage in activities like hiking, biking, or motorcycling, as it can follow and film subjects without direct input from the user.
   

DJI Air 2S, Autel Robotics EVO Lite+, and Skydio 2 are all excellent choices for travel vloggers looking for the best travel drone. Each drone offers unique features and capabilities that cater to the specific needs of travel vloggers. Whether you prioritize image quality, advanced features, or self-tracking capabilities, these drones will help you quickly document your journey and capture stunning footage for your travel vlogs.

Best Drone for Travel Pictures: Frame-Worthy Snapshots

Capturing breathtaking travel pictures requires a drone with exceptional camera capabilities, high-resolution images, and easy-to-use settings. The following drones stand out as the best options for taking frame-worthy travel pictures:

1. Autel Robotics EVO Lite+: This drone is an excellent choice for travel photographers prioritizing image quality. The EVO Lite+ offers outstanding photo quality with slightly more detail than the DJI Air 2S. Its adjustable aperture allows for more control over exposure, ensuring that your travel pictures are well-lit and vibrant. Although priced higher than some competitors, the EVO Lite+ is a worthwhile investment for those seeking top-notch photo capabilities.
   
2. DJI Air 2S: The DJI Air 2S is another superb option for travel photography. Its one-inch sensor ensures improved image quality, allowing you to capture stunning travel pictures in various lighting conditions. With features like obstacle avoidance, OcuSync 3.0 transmission system, and 30 minutes of flight time, the Air 2S is reliable and versatile. This drone is an excellent value for travel photographers who want high-quality images without breaking the bank.
   

DJI Mini 3: For those on a budget or seeking a compact travel drone, the DJI Mini 3 is an ideal choice. Its 12MP sensor allows JPEG and Raw shooting, HDR image capture, and vertical mode, ensuring you can capture high-quality travel pictures in various formats. In addition, the Mini 3's 4K 30fps HDR video and 2.7K 60fps video capabilities also make it a versatile option for travel photographers who want to capture both stills and video footage.

Making the Most of Your Travel Drone

Essential Accessories for Your Travel Drone

Invest in accessories such as spare batteries, a carrying case, ND filters, and extra propellers to maximize your drone's potential.

These items will help ensure your drone is ready for action and that you can capture the best possible footage.
The accessories you need are only specific for your journey, and they're not a must, but if you want to make the best out of your drone, you can check out our drone accessory article. 

Traveling with Your Drone: Tips for Safe and Hassle-Free Transportation

Taking your drone with you on your travels can be a fantastic experience, but it's essential to follow some tips for safe and hassle-free transportation:

• Pack properly: Use a hard case or a padded backpack designed for drones to protect your equipment during transport. Ensure the drone, controller, batteries, and accessories are securely placed within the case.
  
• Carry-on vs. checked luggage: It's generally recommended to bring your drone as carry-on luggage to avoid potential damage or loss during transit. However, always check with your airline about their specific policies.
  
• Battery safety: Lithium-ion batteries, like those used in drones, are subject to strict regulations when it comes to air travel. Pack them in a fireproof bag, and keep them in your carry-on luggage. Check the airline's guidelines for the maximum allowed watt-hours (Wh) per battery.
  
• Drone registration and documentation: Some countries require drone registration and may have specific rules for bringing drones into the country. Research these regulations in advance and carry any necessary documentation with you.
  
• Be aware of local laws: Familiarize yourself with your destination's local drone laws and regulations. This will help you avoid fines or confiscation of your drone.
  

Drone Maintenance and Care During Your Travels

Keeping your drone well-maintained during travels is crucial for ensuring its performance and longevity. Here are some tips for drone care while on the go:

• Inspect your drone: Before each flight, carefully inspect your drone for any signs of damage or wear. Check the propellers, motors, and other components to ensure they work well.
  
• Clean your drone: After each flight, clean your drone to remove any dust, dirt, or debris. This way, you can prevent buildup affecting the drone's performance. Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean the drone's exterior and a microfiber cloth for the camera lens.
  
• Calibrate the compass: When traveling to new locations, it's essential to recalibrate your drone's compass to ensure accurate GPS positioning. Check your drone's user manual for instructions on compass calibration.
  

Charge batteries: Always keep your batteries charged and ready for your next flight. If you are away from power sources for an extended period, consider investing in a portable solar charger or additional batteries.