So you’re looking for some travel gift ideas and have no idea where to start? You’re not alone! My parents ask me every year what I want for Christmas and most of the time I ask for practical gifts or gifts that don’t fit into my backpacker budget.
I’ve listed some of the best gifts for travelers that include everything from fun things to decorate the home, cool stocking stuffers and practical travel items that every traveler will love. I know travel presents aren’t the easiest to buy if you’re not a traveler but the traveler you’re buying for will thank you for these totally awesome, epic and absolutely great gifts!
To make your shopping list easier I’ve broken down these unique travel gifts into categories though I do suggest browsing through them all because something else may catch your eye!
Contents
Stuff with Maps
The perfect gifts for world travelers who love to decorate at home or just love anything with maps (which most of us travelers do!).
Scratch-Off Map
What traveler doesn’t want to come home and scratch off all of the new countries they’ve been to? Plus then they can daydream about all the countries that are still a solid colour on their map and plan their next trip!
Globe Light
This globe that is also a light
Mugs with Maps and Inspirational Quotes
Find mugs with maps and inspirational travel quotes on them to keep your traveler dreaming about all of the world’s incredible places.
Wine Glasses
For all of the wine and travel lovers, this will make the perfect gift. Just look at how cute they are!
Map Coasters
And while we’re talking about drinking…take a look at these map coasters! How perfect are they for the traveler who also loves to entertain? You can find a ton of other designs here.
Watch
A watch because every traveler needs to know the time and is a very popular travel gifts for her idea.
Decorative Travel Pillows
So the traveler can dream of travel and have cute travel decorations in their room.
Traveler’s love journals and many keep one while on the road to remember memories clearly and to look back and reflect on experiences while on the road. It’s a precious keepsake for many traveler’s and a cute one like this any traveler will love!
Cork Globe
Help a traveler keep track of where they’ve been with this awesome cork globe that allows you to stick pins on every place you’ve been!
Phone Case
A phone case is both cute and practical and with so many options for phone cases with maps you’re bound to find one for the traveler on your list.
Practical Travel Gifts for Frequent Travelers
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes make a traveler’s life so much easier. It’s easier to pack, easier to find things, saves space and is great for diving clothes types and dirty from clean.
Cord Organizer
There’s nothing worse than losing cords while traveling or constantly untangling them. This practical travel gift is the perfect solution. This cord organizer has spots that separate each cord and then rolls up to keep them in place and compact to fit into a carry-on.
Toiletry Bag
This clear toiletry bag is TSA approved so there is no need to grab a clear bag once going through security at the airport. It’s the required size that is allowed in a carry-on and the traveler needs only to pack their toiletries once at home and not have to open their bag once at the airport.
Collapsible Water Bottle
Buying water on the road really adds up, not matter where people are traveling. A water bottle is ideal to save money on the road and a collapsible water bottle helps to save space when it’s not being used.
Portable Luggage Scale
With almost every airline restricting weight limits on bags and asking for ridiculous fees if a bag is over the weight limit there is no better time to give a portable luggage scale then now. Especially if the traveler in question flies frequently on budget airlines, this small and lightweight scale is perfect for on the go and saving money from those extra fees.
Scrubba Portable Laundry System
Laundry is the last thing people want to think about when traveling but this portable laundry system will help to save money, time and is super easy to use. It’s also perfect for any campers!
Grid-It
This is the most practical thing I have ever bought for organization. It keeps all of my cords together and I recommend it to anyone who travels with multiple electronics. It fits in a backpack and holds everything together, perfect for a carry-on. Plus it has a pocket on the back to store papers.
Travel Adapter
I don’t think I need to explain why this is practical and a necessity!
Quick Dry Towel
A micro fiber quick dry towel is essential for backpackers, especially those who stay in hostels as hostels often charge extra to rent a towel. These dry fast and are quick to throw in a backpack.
Neck Pillow
This neck pillow is different. It doesn’t take up a ton of room like the classic neck pillow as this one can fold up and it supports your neck and head better in one position that can be adjusted.
Travel Scarf
This travel scarf is practical for both warmth and safety. Many people fly with scares to use as pillows and to keep warm on planes but this one also has a secret pocket to keep important things such as a passport.
Compression Socks
These are ideal for traveling, especially if your traveler goes on long flights. Your feet can swell and these keep a traveler both cosy, comfy and stop the swelling.
Electronics and Technology
Gorilla Pod
This handy camera accessory will let the traveler you’re buying for take pictures anywhere. This is the ultimate mount that will help take incredible sunset videos, get hard to take shots and will even be perfect for solo travelers as they can mount their camera anywhere.
Kindle
I mention a Kindle in every post I have about gifts or must-haves for travelers. They really are a great investment as books become heavy or it can be difficult to kinds books in the language you want (yes, even in English!). A Kindle is lightweight, lets you store hundreds of books and is something that will last a long time. I personally recommend the Kindle Paperwhite but a more budget option is the Kindle Fire.
Headphones
I know, I know it’s obvious that traveler’s need headphones. But I just had to include these ones because they’re noise canceling and look freakin’ awesome. This brand, Frends headphones, has a ton of styles available which you can find here.
Portable Speaker
Every traveler who has a portable speaker instantly becomes loved. They’re practical for hanging out in hostel rooms before heading out for the night and great for chill beach days. This speaker even comes with a travel case.
GoPro
Every second traveler I meet seems to have a GoPro (myself included) and that’s because they’re so damn practical. They’re compact, take high quality pictures, are waterproof and shockproof. It’s the perfect action camera but also capture great shots in cities too. Don’t believe me? Check out my Instagram for proof. Below is the latest version but if you want a more budget option the GoPro session is smaller and cheaper.
Selfie Stick
I always recommend the GoPro selfie stick for anyone who has a GoPro. I consider it one of the best investments I’ve made for photography as it’s a selfie stick and has a hidden tripod in the bottom. Solo travelers will love this!
Steady Cam
Since videos are becoming so popular these days it makes sense that traveler’s want to take more and show off their awesome adventures online. A steady cam is perfect because it’s easy to use, compact and makes videos look epic.
Drone
Have you taken a look at Instagram lately and seen all of the drone shots? And how amazing they are? The traveler you’re buying for will love you for getting this awesome gift, the gift of freaking awesome travel pictures and videos.
Ollo Clip Core Lens Set
A great option for travelers who hate carrying around too much stuff but want to up their photography game is clip on lens for iPhones that will change the lens to be wide angle and more. It’s a simple solution that takes up minimal room but makes a big impact.
Stocking Stuffers
Smartphone Polaroid Printer
This is an awesome way to keep track of memories and have them instantly. This portable printer is a fun stocking stuffer than print off polaroids straight from a smartphone.
Travel Kit
This mini travel kit is perfect for carry-on and has all of the essentials that someone will need during a travel day. There are also mini beauty kits available that are extremely handy to have in your bag when traveling!
Portable Charger
Days on the road can be long and days out exploring can be even longer and with the amount that travelers use their phones the battery often doesn’t last a full day. A portable charger is extremely practical for every kind of traveler. And this one happens to be a charger small enough to fit in any bag! I personally use it and love it.
Pool Float
Now this will make for some incredible Instagram pictures! The unicorn has been popping up all over the world but there are a ton of other options available too.
Passport Cover
A passport cover makes it easy to find your passport in your bag and protects your precious passport from damage because believe me they do see some weat and tear! You can find a ton of other passport cover options for women here and men here.
Luggage Locks
Both practical and a perfect stocking stuffer, a luggage lock acts as both a lock on a bag and can be used to lockers when staying in hostels. This is why it’s best to buy some with a flexible top so that they can fit on any locker.
Luggage Tags
Luggage tags to dress up every traveler’s bag and to make them quicker to spot.
Carry-On Cocktail Kit
For the traveler who loves to always have a drink nearby.
Travel Colouring Book
A good gift for travel lovers and awesome for shorter trips, this colouring book acts as entertainment while traveling or inspiration while at home.
For the Traveler That Has Everything
Inflatable Wine Bags
For the traveler’s who also love wine and love to bring some home when they’re traveling! These inflatable wine bags keep they precious goods from breaking in a checked bag.
Waterproof Dry Bag
These are must-have’s but often not bought. They’re perfect for the beach and are great to take into the water if traveling solo as they’re waterproof and float so all of a traveler’s important items can stay with them even on a boat or in the water.
For the traveler who loves to work out and keep fit while on the road, this on the go fitness kit is the solution. The kit comes with its own bag and everything fits inside including a jump road, resistance bands and an exercise manual to create their own exercise routine.
Crumpled Map
Paper maps go through wear and tear from your pockets and bags. No need to worry about ruining maps anymore though, these crumpled maps can withstand a traveler beating them up. Check out all of the cities available here.
Cord Tacos
There’s nothing more annoying that having to constantly unravel tangled headphones and cords. This cord tacos hold cords in place so no more getting tangles.
Books and Travel Guides
Love with a Chance of Drowning
Girls will love this book, it’s a love story as one girl decides to set sail with a handsome young man who invites her to travel around the world with her – on his sailboat. It’s all adventure and will seriously encourage traveler’s to get out the door and go to incredible places.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
A book I think all traveler’s should read, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is pure reality with some humour.
The Geography of Bliss
This book’s author travels around the world discovering what makes each place happy. It’s an interesting observation of the subtle and major differences around the world that any traveler will appreciate.
This book may be about Australia but Bill Bryson writes about the country is such a laughable yet knowledgeable way. Bill Bryson has written plenty of travel books, this one just happens to be one of his best. Check out more of his books here.
Southeast Asia Adventure Guides
If you know a traveler heading to southeast Asia then these guides are a must get! They are packed with information and have an incredible value written by travelers who have spent a ton of time in southeast Asia, know the ins and outs and know how to do it all on a budget.
Got enough ideas for gifts for someone traveling? I sure hope so! Happy holiday season and I know these travel related gifts you’re traveler will love.
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