Of course the best gift would be a surprise trip with your favorite travel buddies, but for those of us who haven’t factored that into our budgets, here are 29 gift ideas for the people in your life who love travel… Or for you – nothing wrong with treating yourself!
updated November 2023
This page contrains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. For more info please read our privacy policy and terms of use.
The Usuals
/ luggage scale
There’s nothing more stressful than getting to the ticket counter and having to repack your bags to avoid luggage fees as dozens of onlookers stand impatiently behind you. A luggage scale that you keep to hand while packing can decrease your chances of ending up in this situation. I tend to only use mine on big trips, but it certainly is useful. Plus it keeps me from having to use the bathroom scale and confront my own lockdown weight gain.
To upgrade this gift, find one like this with a built in tape measure. No one can ever keep up with each airline’s ever-changing luggage restrictions and I find I have to check dimensions every time.
/ passport wallet
I got my first passport wallet about 5 years ago and I would never be without one now. I still use the same one, a simple leather wallet that can hold a couple extra items like my BRP card, US Driver’s License (and the contact information for an immigration lawyer!).
I love being able to tuck my luggage tracking stickers in there after checking in, too. That way I don’t have to worry about where I’ve stowed it should the worst happen. I’ve used it for so long now that I wouldn’t want to travel without it.
/ luggage tags
Luggage tags are a fun gift that you can choose to match the personality of the recipient. With so many options out there, you’re bound to find one that fits. I like the look of these luggage tags – they’re smart and they have a range of available colours. Plus, there are loads of positive reviews.
/ travel gift card
If your traveller has everything they could possibly want, then what could be better than a gift card? Free travel is at the top of every travel lover’s list.
If you decide to go this route, be sure to check the terms and conditions to ensure that you won’t lose money if a trip gets cancelled.
/ packing cubes
Living in a tiny house has helped me develop my Marie Kondo spirit – everything needs to have a place, and the smaller it can be when stored the better. I think packing cubes follow the same principles.
My mom gifted me these BeeNesting Packing Cubes which promise to compress your clothes by up to 50% providing you with some valuable extra space.
I have used them many times now and they work fabulously. They are impressively effective and don’t feel like they’ll burst from the pressure. They’ve certainlyt helped me get away with my terrible habit of over packing for every trip. I feel I must get that under control – but with these packing cubes, I suppose I don’t have to.
Gifts for the sleepy traveller
/ neck pillow
I used to resist sleep on Transatlantic flights, but now I find that a 2 hour in-flight nap can make a world of difference in the time it takes to recover from the post-journey jetlag. To help find that elusive comfy sleeping position (especially if you’re in the middle seat), I’ve resorted to using a neck pillow.
I have used both a memory foam neck pillow – which is lovely – and the original TRTL neck pillow. It comes down to personal preference, really, but if I were to look at TRTL again, I think I’d spend the extra money and go with the Pillow Plus, their more advanced design which allows you to adjust it a bit more for a better fit.
/ sleep phones
Bluetooth headphones built into a headband that can also be used as a sleep mask?! Who needs in flight entertainment when you can play your favorite sleep meditation through a cozy, fleece-lined eye mask?
Tune out all the noise of your fellow passengers and settle in for a mildly acceptable, almost comfortable airplane nap. Say goodbye to sore ears and large, unwieldy headphones.
There are a number on the market ranging from £15 to £85 ($20-$100). For compatability with newer phones, you’ll need Bluetooth, but if you want compatability with the airplane entertainment system you’ll need an adaptor.
Gifts for the techy traveller
/ compact portable charger
I like the convenience of the tech items I travel with, but on long trips it can be difficult to find time (and a free outlet) to charge them. Having a portable charger means I can charge on the go so when I do finally have a moment to sit down, I can relax in a cafe instead of hunting for a plug.
Anker is a well-known brand and this portable charger has some cool additional features like wireless charging and a phone stand.
/ kindle paperwhite
If your traveller is anything like me, they take 5 books on a two week trip and might get halfway through 1 of them. I have grand ideas of devouring all the books on my list while waiting around airports and riding on trains, but inevitably I end up sipping coffee and making to do lists. With a Kindle I still get to bring along my 5 books (or 100) and I don’t have to lug around a heavy bag while doing so.
Don’t jump to conclusions, though… in every other situation, I prefer a printed book.
… I don’t really appreciate that the Kindle makes a point of telling me that I’m a slow reader.
/ travel tech organizer
You can easily get tangled up in all the bits and pieces that accompany phones, chargers, cameras, tablets, e-readers and whatever else you take along with you. Using one of these little organizers ensures that all those accessories are in the same location.
In this little case they’re easily accessible and protected (make sure it’s waterproof). There are loads on the market, but I have one like this. Find one that’s large enough to fit what you need, but small enough to be easy to pack.
I’ve ended up storing everything in this all the time, not just when I travel. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Gifts for the travel photographer
/ SD cards
Something wonderfully practical – my favorite kind of gift. I would always welcome an SD card with loads of memory (128GB). I once filled a 64GB card in the middle of a puffin sighting adventure and had to hastily delete unwanted photos while being jostled about in a RIB boat off the South Coast of Iceland.
Because of this I’ll purchase SD cards with at least 128GB of memory. You can certainly get by with less, but if it’s in your budget go for more storage.
The next thing to look at is read speed. For general photography anywhere from 104 up to 120MB/s should be plenty. But if it will be used for recording or taking rapid sequence photos, then go for the faster speeds.
/ external hard drive
The more photos I take the more important it becomes to develop a system of backing up my work. The most responsible way to do this is by having an external hard drive (at least one). Having a portable one means that I can back up on the go. Frankly, at the moment, the only ones I have are portable. Once I develop a more sophisticated system, I’ll likely buy a much larger one that stays at home like this 8TB hard drive from WD.
I have 2 different portable external hard drives: a 2TB WD Passport and a 1TB Transcend StoreJet. I have used the WD Passport for a year now with no problems (though I’ve read that others have had them give up prematurely). To be doubly safe, I bought the Transcend to store a second copy of my most important content. Unfortunately external hard drives have a short life span and really should be replaced every few years, especially if they are “hard disk drives” with moving parts. The more expensive “solid state drives” fail less often, but you certainly pay for that luxury.
/ camera cleaning kit
While out shooting, it’s inevitable that you’ll end up with a smudge on the camera lens from some unknown origin. I’ve used my lens pen more than any other kit in my camera bag and it does the job nicely.
They are meant to be replaced every so often, so no need to worry if someone already has one. Plus the action of the retractable brush is satisfying. 10/10 would recommend.
/ camera strap
Like a luggage tag, the camera strap is a budget friendly gift you can get creative with. Find one that really seems to capture the spirit of the lucky recipient. They’re fun to switch out, like most accessories, and they also are a practical way to avoid advertising just how much money you’re carrying around your neck.
Though my Canon EOS strap looks cool and “official” it does immediately alert anyone interested in a quick buck that my camera might easily be resold for a profit. I much prefer my colorful alternative.
Gifts for the germ conscious traveller
/ UV toothbrush sanitizer
This gift is for those who understand the deep discomfort of not knowing where to put a toothbrush in the shared hostel bathroom or the tiny hotel lav. This little toothbrush case allows you to rest easy knowing that your toothbrush is safe from all those invisible nasties.
/ travel wash leaves
Travel hand sanitizer is a must have these days. But as a nurse, I know all too well that there is a limit to the number of times you an use hand sanitizer before your hands become a sticky disaster.
The only thing that will fix it is a proper hand wash. These soap leaves are ideal when camping, hiking, or those moments when you find the soap dispenser hasn’t been refilled.
Gifts for the stay at home traveller
If the traveller in your life doesn’t have any plans to travel in the near future, for whatever reason, then you can still help them satisfy their wanderlust by gifting them something from the lists below.
Help them explore the world without having to leave the couch.
Gifts for the armchair traveller
/ travel books
Books have the ability to transport you anywhere. For the stereotypical US road trip try John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley in Search of America. For a wander around Europe in the years leading up to World War II pick up Patrick Leigh Fermor’s A Time of Gifts. For a story of hiking through the Peruvian wilderness, dive into Mark Adams’s Turn Right at Macchu Picchu. And for something with a bit of humor and lots of insight into the quirky English way of life, crack open Kate Fox’s Watching the English which I think is a must-have handbook for life in the UK.
/ travel magazines
There’s no time like the present to start planning that next trip. Some of the best inspiration can come from travel magazines like National Geographic Traveller (UK). If you like options, there are single issues, bundles, and subscription packages of Suitcase.
/ personalized journal
These personalized journals are simple, clear, and come with a system which allows for easy organization. For me, they tick all the boxes. Did I mention they have a fantastic selection of colors, too?
It makes me excited to start filling them up just so I can get a nice little collection going. A journal for every hobby? Why not – as long as it comes with its own label!
Gifts for those travelling to the fridge and back
If the recent pandemic has taught us anything it’s that sometimes you just want good things delivered straight to your door. There are so many intriguing subscription boxes out there now (or I’m only just becoming aware of them? – both are equally as likely).
The ones I’ve linked below are just a few food-focused options that can help you taste your way around the world.
/ The Spicery (global delivery minus Australia)
Get specially blended spices and recipes delivered right through your letterbox. The Spicery has a range of subscriptions to choose from including Food Truck, Indian Restaurant Favourites, and World Kitchen Explorer.
/ Cheaze (UK only)
Who wouldn’t be happy with a curated box of cheese every month? Talk about extending Christmas into the new year! Cheaze sends out a hand-picked selection from all around the world, so you’re bound to get something you’ve not tried before.
They also throw in some background info about each cheese, tasting notes, and suggested pairings. Get a fresh selection of cheese every 3, 6 or 12 months or maybe just for that one special delivery.
/ The Coffee Factory (UK only)
A family run company on the Devon/Dorset border which roasts their own coffee using beans from around the world. They have different gift subscriptions, but the one with the greatest variety is the roaster’s choice discovery pack. As an added bonus, it’s letterbox friendly!
/ Atlas Coffee Club (US & Canada only)
Because coffee means so much to me, I couldn’t just cater to my UK readers. For all of you in the US and Canada, there is Atlas Coffee Club which provides a “world tour of amazing coffee”. Their parcel includes 12 oz of coffee, a postcard from its origin, some flavor notes and brewing tips. Their coffee can keep your traveller going while they plan their next adventure.
Finding those extra special gifts for the ones we love can be so difficult, but I hope these suggestions have helped you decide on something for that travel lover in your life.
Wishing you a happy festive season, and for those who celebrate – Merry Christmas!
2 Comments
Emily
November 9, 2022 at 2:18 pmI have one of those bluetooth eye things. They’re great, except I got the cheap one and the earbuds move around a lot. 🙂
The travel pillow looks awesome and maybe like it wouldn’t make me feel claustrophobic like the traditional big ones.
Rachel
November 9, 2022 at 10:05 pmHi Emily! Good to know about the bluetooth eye masks – go for a quality one! The travel pillow is nice. I’ve used it multiple times now. It does take some getting used to and practice with getting it on! On a similar line, retrospectively, I might have spent a bit more to get the upgraded version of it for more support.