A travel pod was a small Federation shuttlepod predominately used during the 23rd century by facilities like the San Francisco Fleet Yards to transfer personnel to drydocks or spaceships without having to use transporters. These vessels had a flight crew that could include one pilot and up to seven passengers.
In 2272, Admiral Kirk traveled aboard travel pod 05 from the orbital office complex to the refitted USS Enterprise. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
In 2285, Sulu piloted such a vessel, carrying Kirk, Uhura and McCoy to the Enterprise for an inspection tour. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
The following year the former crew of the Enterprise was transported to their new home, the USS Enterprise, aboard a travel pod while the Enterprise was still docked in Earth Spacedock. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)