armchair traveller gifts

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• Gifts for grown-ups

The 36 Best Gifts for Frequent Travelers

By Samantha Schoech

Samantha Schoech is a writer focusing on gifts. She spends her time finding things that combine quality, beauty, usefulness, and delight.

Give the globe-trotter in your life a gift that will appeal to their sense of worldly wonder. These items will make flights, long lines at customs, and hotel stays feel less arduous and more comfortable. You could also give your favorite traveler special mementos and experiences to celebrate past trips and anticipate future expeditions. Whatever type of traveler you’re shopping for, we have something here to suit their wanderlust.

Bluetooth connection

This small, portable transmitter sounds as good as more expensive options, and it actually works as advertised, which isn’t a given in this category.

Buying Options

Watching an in-flight movie with freebie airline earbuds is an exercise in missed dialogue and muffled music. The 1Mii ML300 allows travelers to connect their own Bluetooth headphones or earbuds to the plane’s audio system with a standard jack. This little gadget has a solid, 10-hour battery life, support for the aptX Low Latency Bluetooth codec (to improve the sync between audio and video), and the ability to pair to two sets of headphones at once. Like all the Bluetooth transmitters our audio team tested, it can produce some audio lag. Although it isn’t a flashy gift, it can make your giftee’s travel more pleasant.

Anywhere outlet

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

With four plugs that will work in 150 countries, plus four USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and an AC socket, this adapter is the best all-around choice for anyone traveling out of the country.

If your sojourning friend is about to travel internationally, they’ll need a reliable plug adapter. The Epicka Universal Travel Adapter contains the three most common international plugs and a US-style plug, which together cover the majority of countries around the world. It has the most USB ports—four USB-A and one USB-C—of any universal adapter our travel team tested, and it charges more devices faster. A replaceable fuse and an included spare should take care of any shockingly bad connections. Still, it doesn't cover every possible plug around the globe. For someone who is truly bopping from country to country, a multi-plug set like the Ceptics International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter 5 Piece Set contains five different plugs, and it offers sold-separately add-ons for countries such as Brazil , India , Israel , and South Africa , which aren’t covered by “universal” adapters.

Personal-item perfection

Away The Everywhere Bag

This bag slides over the handles of your carry-on for easy transport. It’s made of durable nylon and has plenty of space for in-flight essentials.

Ah, the ideal “personal item”—the bag that’s small enough to stow under the seat in front but large enough to hold headphones, hydration, extra layers, reading material, a laptop, lunch, and whatever other items one might deem essential. It seems nearly impossible, but it can be done. Away’s The Everywhere Bag , made of water- and abrasion-resistant nylon, is our personal-item pick . It has a removable shoulder strap and a sleeve for slipping over the handles of a carry-on suitcase . Inside, your gift recipient will find a roomy interior pocket for clothes and toiletries, plus six smaller pockets and a 15-inch laptop sleeve. Outside is a single slim pocket for tickets and travel documents, and at the bag’s base is a waterproof umbrella pocket. Truly savvy packers could easily get a weekend’s worth of stuff in this bag.

Artful journaling

Hand Book Paper Co. Travelogue Watercolor Journal

This 5.25-by-8.25-inch landscape-oriented journal has 30 sheets of 90-pound watercolor paper.

Caran d'Ache Gouache Studio Set

With 14 shades and a tube of white in a reusable metal case, this gouache paint set allows for intuitive blending and layering, ideal for inspired amateur artists.

Kuretake Gansai Portable Watercolor Set

The travel version of our favorite watercolor paint set also comes with a self-cleaning water brush and a fine-tip black pen for outlines and definition.

One needn’t be a painter to enjoy the craft while traveling. Set a burgeoning artist up right with a few excellent tools of the trade. The compact Hand Book Paper Co. Travelogue Watercolor Journal is designed to absorb watercolors but lends itself just as well to pencil, ink, or gouache. Covered in natural linen, it has pouch-ready rounded corners and an elastic strap to keep it closed. Pair it with a set of gouache paints such as those in the Caran D’Ache Gouache Studio Set , which have a satisfying opacity and don’t require the patience, foresight, or skill of watercolors. Of course, some people prefer the abstract flow of watercolors, in which case the Kuretake Gansai Portable Watercolor Set is a better bet. Both palettes come with serviceable brushes; a more experienced painter might add a few extras as their skills progress.

Dry hair anywhere

PackTowl Personal

Whether used for camping, hiking, traveling, or general outdoor adventuring, this towel is durable enough to handle extended abuse while remaining soft and comfortable.

For adventurers who camp, stay in hostels, or otherwise travel rough, a personal towel is essential. Our pick is the PackTowl Personal , primarily for its odor-preventing antibacterial treatment, ideal for when laundry opportunities are few and far between. At 25 by 54 inches, it’s large enough to wrap around most folks, and it feels soft and substantial against the skin. It dries quickly, shakes free of sand readily, and weighs only 6.4 ounces—a primary concern for anyone carrying it in a backpack.

Noteworthy guidebooks

Herb Lester Guides

These magnificently designed fold-out maps provide unique and whimsical ways to explore dozens of locations around the world.

Gone are the days of carrying around dog-eared guidebooks to find hotels and museum hours. But there are still some things you can’t find online. The beautifully designed and lovingly written Herb Lester Guides provide travelers and armchair travelers alike with utterly unique ways to explore a new place. Serge Gainsbourg’s Paris doesn’t provide the entrance fee to the Louvre, but the gorgeous, 16-by-27-inch fold-out map, packaged in a printed cardstock case with a Gainsbourg cocktail napkin, does lead you to Studio Ferber, where the multitalented musician, actor, and director recorded the soundtrack to the hit movie Tenue de Soirée in 1986, or to L’Hôtel Meurice, where Gainsbourg often visited Salvador Dali. The series also includes John le Carre’s London ; The World of Patricia Highsmith , which touches on locations in the US, Mexico, and Europe; Andy Warhol’s New York , and dozens more.

Luggage helper

Cincha Travel Belt

This wide nylon strap has a sturdy buckle to keep your shoulder bag, backpack, or carry-on firmly attached to your roller bag, for smoother trips through the airport.

Anyone who travels has surely precariously perched their carry-on atop their rolling suitcase, only to have it topple, swivel, or lurch. Solve that annoyance with the Cincha Travel Belt , a useful offering that comes in some snazzy colors and patterns. The concept is simple: This adjustable nylon strap cinches a smaller bag to the telescopic handles of a suitcase, thereby freeing up a hand, shoulder, or back. Yes, your traveling friend could use a bungee or even a rope for that purpose, but this item has a few touches that make it worth the upgrade: The sturdy metal buckle releases like butter, and a hidden elastic loop keeps the belt attached to the suitcase, even when it’s unclasped. Yes, this is a practical gift, but for the right traveler, it will be a real gem.

Penkou Portable Neck Fan

This fan’s battery lasts all day, and several accidental drops haven’t killed it. Also, it fits comfortably around the neck without being heavy, loud, or excessively gusty.

This past summer, heat records broke across the globe, and many travelers reported that they found it difficult to stay cool and comfortable on the go. New York City’s heat wave prompted staff writer Thom Dunn to explore the world of wearable neck fans , including the Penkou Portable Neck Fan . And the Penkou model, with a ring of 72 air slots that softly blow air up toward the head (but not directly into the face), was his pick. It weighs only about half a pound, and because of its smooth plastic design, it’s barely noticeable against the neck and shoulders. One large button on the front right makes it easy to cycle through the fan speeds. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 16 hours, and the fan is compact enough to slip into a carry-on.

Handy sanitizer

Noshinku Hand Sanitizer

This flat, pocket-friendly hand sanitizer comes in sophisticated scents like vetiver, eucalyptus, and bergamot. And it’s refillable.

Traveling requires a lot of surface touching: airplanes, subways, taxis. If the pandemic taught us anything, it was that we should clean our hands as often as possible. The lovely-smelling Noshinku Hand Sanitizer is an FDA-compliant germ-killer that also contains stuff like jojoba, rosehip, argan oil, and aloe, to keep skin from drying out. Each canister is about the size of a credit card, though not quite as slim. So it can be slipped into a back pocket or a purse pocket. The best part is the canister is refillable , so your recipient can continue to use it for a long time.

Reading light

Glocusent Bookmark Style Reading Light

This chic, compact device offers five light settings, and the power indicator makes it easy to tell when to charge it.

Whether your favorite traveler is reading on a plane, train, or bed, or they’re just rifling through their suitcase, they will surely appreciate some extra light. The tiny Glocusent Bookmark Style Reading Light is our pick because it’s so lightweight and easy to carry. It twists and adjusts, so the light covers a full page, and it has simple buttons, for changing the brightness and temperature of the lighting. This lamp is so small it can clip to a paperback without weighing it down, and it fits in a pocket.

Trip planner

Lonely Planet’s Where to Go When

This visual travel guide suggests events and destinations for every month of the year. It’s as much an inspiration as it is a planner.

Graphically exuberant and endlessly inspiring, Lonely Planet’s Where to Go When is arranged by month, so travelers can figure out where to head on any given day. Miami’s Art Deco Weekend is in January. Consider Botswana’s Okavango floods (the best time for dugout canoe safaris) in June. This book further categorizes potential trips by budget, family-friendliness, and “expensive but worth it” (a July road trip along the Westfjords of Iceland, for example). Even if the recipient is more of an armchair traveler than a frequent globe-trotter, this book is sure to kick their wanderlust into full gear.

Luggage tracker

Apple AirTag

AirTags leverage Apple’s huge network of devices to track down a lost suitcase, and they’re impressively accurate at pinpointing an item’s precise location.

Whether it was misrouted by the airline or left behind in a station waiting room, a lost suitcase can really dampen a trip. The Apple AirTag —our favorite Bluetooth tracker —does not work with non-Apple products. But if your beloved traveler owns an iPhone, AirTags are better than their competitors in just about every way—from ease of setup to location accuracy. They track belongings almost in real time. And if an airline does lose your favorite traveler’s suitcase, they will have an accurate map to point to when trying to locate it. Wirecutter staffers have also had success with slipping AirTags into the pockets of their restless kids.

Arrive refreshed

Peace Out Puffy Eyes

Each box contains six pairs of under-eye patches, which are infused with caffeine and hyaluronic acid to depuff tired, travel-weary eyes.

Nobody looks—or feels—as fresh as a daisy after a flight. But the Peace Out Puffy Eyes cooling under-eye patches—a longtime favorite of supervising editor Hannah Morrill—can help with both. Each box contains six pairs of crescent-shaped patches, made of a gelatinous (but not icky) biocellulose gel. The cooling effect is certainly pleasant enough. But the ingredients (caffeine, for a temporary tightening effect, and hydrators glycerin, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid) are what really do the trick for travel-worn eyes.

Safe drinking water

LifeStraw Go Series

This water bottle’s microfilter straw protects against all sorts of contaminants—from microplastics to E. coli. And it makes everyday tap water taste better.

To turn non-potable water into fresh, clean drinking water, staff writer Samantha Schoech swears by the LifeStraw Go Series water bottle (she recently sent her son off to Central America with one). Its replaceable filter removes 99.9% of contaminants and protects against common waterborne pathogens. This bottle is a little pricey, but it eliminates the need for single-use plastic bottles. And each filter cleans 1,000 gallons, which translates to roughly five years of daily use. LifeStraw also makes a 1-liter collapsible bottle for when space is tight. (To learn a little more, see our article on the LifeStraw Max Water Filter .)

Plane entertainment

Nanoblock Birds Rosella Collection Series Building Kit

Flat bags packed with tiny building blocks keep bored hands and minds occupied on long treks. The resulting builds are about the size of a fist.

A person can only watch so many in-flight movies. On long hauls, we find these Nanoblock mini building sets to be just the ticket for restless hands and minds. They’re engaging but not mentally taxing, and the sets (ranging from about 100 to 200 pieces) are small enough to lay out on a tray table and later carry home in luggage. Finished pieces—from musical instruments to cats to pizzas—are only about 3 inches tall.

Power on the go

TravelCard Plus

This power bank is one of the smallest and lightest we’ve tested. It has a powerful USB-C PD port, built-in USB-C and Lightning cables, and a rated capacity of 3,000 mAh. But it recharges slower than our other picks.

At some point, your constantly on-the-go pal will require some extra juice, and a portable charger will ensure they have it when they need it most. We like the slim and petite TravelCard Plus , which also happens to be the smallest, lightest USB portable charger we tested. But there’s more to love than just its pocketable size. The TravelCard Plus’s USB-C PD port, built-in USB-C cable, and built-in Lightning cable can fast-charge most smartphones or other handheld devices (though it recharges more slowly than our other picks ).

An unmissable luggage tag

Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag

This brightly colored silicone tag displays the owner’s name but keeps other personal information out of sight.

There are a few features that make the Ovener Silicone Luggage Tag superior to pricier models in our testing . For starters, due to its sturdy, silicone-and-metal cable construction, it can withstand crowded overhead bins and rough tarmac treatment. Then there’s the issue of privacy: Although the owner’s name is always fully visible, address details are revealed only after you unscrew and remove the metal cable. Also an upside: This tag comes in a range of eye-catching colors. So it can help someone spot an otherwise-nondescript suitcase on a fast-moving carousel.

Premier toiletry transport

State Bags Bensen Toiletry Kit

This bag includes a detachable pouch and other organizational options, so packing is easier for both long and short trips.

For all manner of travelers, the State Bags Bensen Toiletry Kit is the most versatile one we tested . If your traveling pal takes longer trips and often checks their luggage, this bag folds up to stash larger items, like full shampoo bottles or contact solution; the hook hangs smoothly from a towel bar, for easy access. Our favorite feature for light packers: a removable translucent plastic pouch that holds up to four 2.7-ounce travel bottles (ideal for carry-on security checks). Available in a dozen prints and patterns, the bag also looks great and feels like a fancy, will-last-a-lifetime gift at a relatively modest price.

Small servings

Cadence Capsules

These leakproof plastic travel containers hold half an ounce of solids, liquids, or creams; magnetized sides keep them compact and easy to locate.

If your favorite excursionist wouldn’t dream of using hotel shampoo or missing a day of their skin-care regimen, a set of Cadence Capsules will serve as an anxiety-abating treat. (Less-particular travelers will appreciate our favorite simple toiletry bottles .) All six hexagonal cases are leakproof and magnetic on every side, and they can be filled with about a half-ounce of whatever the traveler’s heart desires—from serum and dry shampoo to omega-3 capsules and CBD gummies. The well inside each capsule has rounded corners, so the recipient can scrape out every last daub of their precious potions. Each vessel can be customized with a “tile” or label. But unless you know your recipient very well, we suggest giving a gift card , which will allow them to choose their own colors and tiles.

Organized packing

Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set

Simple and solidly constructed, these packing cubes maximize luggage space and keep everything organized.

Even for the most enthusiastic traveler, packing remains an uphill battle. The Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set (one of our favorites ) can make the task infinitely less arduous, and some of our testers found that this set made packing borderline pleasant. The three cubes are made of sturdy polyester, so they stay upright when empty, and the mesh windows let travelers easily scope the contents. With a clamshell design, these cubes fully open on three sides, so deeply stashed items are easily accessible. Another welcome note in the age of lost luggage: Pouches can help your favorite traveler compress stuff into a single carry-on.

Safety socks

SockWell Men’s Lifestyle Firm Compression Socks

These compression socks offer the perfect combination of function and price. They are made of a merino wool blend, which is typical of more-expensive options.

SockWell Women’s Lifestyle Firm Compression Socks

For a true frequent flier, wearing a great pair of compression socks is both a safety and a comfort measure. Long flights can cause deep vein thrombosis and gravitational oedema (the technical term for swelling caused by sitting around too long); compression socks facilitate circulation and reduce the instances of both. SockWell Lifestyle Firm Compression Socks (available in both men’s and women’s sizes) are comfortably snug, and they’re made of a luxe, merino wool blend that hugs without constricting. The socks are cozy on a nippy flight, and they come in a handful of prints and colors that aren’t as institutional-looking as those of other compression socks we tried.

A hands-free journey

Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack

This neoprene pack blends style and function, fitting everything from a large wallet to a makeup kit—with room to spare.

For those who like to explore new places but don’t want to carry a purse, a modern, cool fanny pack is just the right accessory. Of the 22 we tested, the Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack offers the best marriage of handsome looks (eight suave colors!) and plenty of storage space—it can readily hold a smartphone, a passport, a wallet, and hand sanitizer, and there are extra pockets for a transit card and some change. Wide straps make this bag comfortable to carry, and the neoprene material (think wetsuit) will keep gear dry if the weather shifts unexpectedly.

A cozy cardigan

White+Warren Essential Cashmere Trapeze Cardigan

This simple, luxurious, and flattering open-front cardigan will add a layer of warmth and elegance to a trip abroad.

There is nothing worse than boarding a flight and realizing you miscalculated just how chilly airplane AC can be. One of our favorite cashmere sweaters , the White+Warren Essential Cashmere Trapeze Cardigan is a simple and luxurious piece that will keep a traveler cozy both in transit and once they’ve reached their destination. This sweater is lightweight and soft enough to nap in (it can double as a blanket, thanks to its drapey shape), and it looks polished when layered over a tee or under a jacket. Available in six muted tones, the cardigan has an airy construction, so it can fold down smaller than expected for easy packing.

Colorful little notebooks

Pantone 10 Notebooks

Each brightly colored, pocket-size notebook has 48 grid-dot pages.

Not all travel journals need to be works of art, layered with watercolor and ink. The Pantone 10 Notebooks set includes 10 brightly colored, 4-by-5.5-inch softcover notebooks that are perfect for jotting down ideas, an itinerary, or travel memories. Each notebook slips nicely into a tote or a pocket and has 48 grid-dot pages of decent-quality paper. Send your traveler out into the world with a couple of these and a good pen , and see what they return with.

Armchair travel to Japan

Set in Edo-era Japan, this game revels in the simple pleasures of traveling—in this case, from the city of Kyoto to Edo (what is now Tokyo).

Players journey along the Tokaido road with other travelers, stopping at hot springs, stores, temples, and inns (and collecting souvenirs and eating delicious meals as they go). The ultimate goal is to be the “best traveler,” or to have the richest experience by seeing, eating, or doing the most during your trip. The game itself is beautifully designed and simple to play; it’s not deeply competitive, though there is some strategy involved in attempting to win. The pleasure of playing Tokaido comes from relaxing and accepting the pace of the board, and letting the game reveal surprising discoveries—much like travel itself.

A window out into the world

With each click in this free app, a view opens from a real window somewhere in the world, complete with sounds of birds, traffic, or blessed silence.

Sometimes the best gift is to remind someone that the world is both larger and more accessible than they realize. The strangely addictive WindowSwap allows viewers to take a break to stare out a window in cities such as Copenhagen, Manila, and Prague. Some of the window scenes are tranquil, others are not, but all suggest that there’s an infinite number of new things to see, wherever you are. The app is free, but for $5 a month, your armchair traveler will be able to look out all the windows ever uploaded, create unlimited bookmarks and playlists, and even access a back button so they can spend a little more time gazing out a favorite window.

An eye mask and a travel pillow for catching z’s

Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask

This lightweight, contoured mask comfortably fits a wide variety of face shapes and blocks light well. It’s best when you’re sitting upright or sleeping on your back.

Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow

This compressible pillow has tall, memory-foam walls, and it offers more support than any other pillow we tested.

It’s perhaps an indictment of air travel in general that many travel items are designed to mitigate the environment, whether it’s the noise, the light, or the cramped seats of an airplane. The Nidra Deep Rest Eye Mask , a Wirecutter favorite , features contoured eyecups that rest around the eye sockets, instead of directly on the eyelids. By combining this mask with noise-cancelling headphones and a pillow, a traveler will be about as close to a sense of privacy as one can find on an airliner. For a headrest, we like the Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow . It’s simple to wear, doesn’t interfere too much with headphones, and provides support even when the wearer is sitting upright.

Tiny white noise machine

Yogasleep Travel Mini Sound Machine

This sound machine is about as small as the palm of a hand and weighs less than 5 ounces. And it features a USB-rechargeable battery.

There’s no guarantee that your beloved traveler’s hotel or Airbnb will be as quiet as it promises to be. A small, portable sound machine may create enough white noise to drown out sleep-disturbing intrusions. The Yogasleep Travel Mini Sound Machine is from the same company that makes the classic Yogasleep Dohm Nova , which we recommend . The Travel Mini has six sound options, including white noise, brown noise, and three nature-inspired sounds. It also acts as a gentle night-light, with three dimmable options. What’s better than the gift of a good night’s sleep?

A game about the birth (and death) of words

Those who enjoy language immersion (and disorientation) will appreciate this card game, which has players generate a unique dialect.

Part of the experience of traveling to another country is feeling lost in its language, and Dialect can help fill the gap. This game involves the birth (and eventual death) of a language and the culture that created it. At its heart, Dialect—which requires almost no setup but plenty of imagination—is as much a discussion of what language is and why it exists as it is a game. It’s also good for last-minute shoppers: Order the standard physical edition, and you’ll get a digital copy, too (online access is emailed immediately, so your loved one can start figuring out how the game is played).

Travel posters with classic appeal

Anderson Design Group World Travel Posters

These archive-quality, vintage-inspired prints depict destinations worldwide, and they come in a variety of sizes.

Years ago, senior staff writer Kit Dillon’s father went to Cuba and saw a clay statuette of Fidel Castro for sale. Kit said that when the vendor told his father the price, he said, “Castro no vale tanto” (translation: Castro isn’t worth that much). That may seem risky for an American to say while traveling alone in Cuba, but the statuette is here now looking at Kit, so somebody appreciated the joke. Ever since, Kit said when he finds a small token of Cuba—like this art print —he sends it to his father to remind him to take the trip again one day, only this time with Kit. For its World Travel Poster series , the Anderson Design Group created nostalgic images that harken back to another era of travel—and they make an excellent promissory note for a trip to come. The collection currently encompasses every country in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Central, South, and North America, and it will eventually include every country in the world. The prints come in six sizes, and the images are available on canvas or metal.

Cutlery to go

Hydro Flask Flatware Set

This three-piece stainless flatware set helps climate-conscious travelers avoid single-use plastics, and it comes with a Velcro carrying case.

Airport food has come a long way. What hasn’t progressed: the flimsy and environmentally deplorable single-use plastic utensils you have to eat it with. Portable cutlery will give your recipient a dignified way to dine on the go. Wirecutter editor Ria Misra recommends the sturdy stainless Hydro Flask Flatware Set , which comes with a full-size fork, a knife that’s strong enough to butter a muffin (but that won’t alarm the TSA), and a spoon that’s perfect for slurping soup. This set also comes with its own carrying case, so it won’t get lost (or separated) in the dark recesses of your carry-on.

A pretty passport cover

Tusk Siam Passport Cover

This elegant goatskin passport cover comes in 11 zippy color combos, and it won’t fade or scuff, even after years of traveling.

A bright passport cover will make it easy for your traveling pal to quickly locate their passport in a bag at the airport (or at home, when it’s shoved in the back of a drawer). Supervising editor Hannah Morrill loves the Tusk Siam Passport Cover , which is made from supple goatskin leather and comes in nine cheery color combinations. (Some other versions we’ve tried have a translucent pouch; in theory, this sounds ideal for flashing the relevant page at customs, but in practice, the cover ends up smudgy and embedded with crumbs.) Hannah reports that even after years of use, the slim folio looks clean and crisp. Plus, there are two inner card slots, which are excellent for stashing any stray forms you’re asked to hang onto at the airport or on the plane.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend .

Dorie Chevlen contributed reporting. This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.

Meet your guide

Samantha Schoech

Except for the time she gave a boyfriend her mother’s old toaster for Christmas, staff writer Samantha Schoech has a reputation as an excellent gift giver. She lives in San Francisco with two teens, two cats, a geriatric betta fish, and a bookseller husband. Her first book of short stories, My Mother’s Boyfriends, is coming out in 2024.

Mentioned above

• Looking for a way to connect your wireless headphones to a source that lacks Bluetooth? Use a Bluetooth transmitter like 1Mii’s ML300 or B03. The Best Bluetooth Transmitters for Home and Portable Use  
• We tested over a dozen travel plug adapters to find the best to bring on a trip overseas. Nothing can cover you everywhere, but check out these four good options. The Best Travel Plug Adapter  
• The Waterfield Air Porter Carry-On Bag is a great bag for tech-carrying travelers to slide under an airplane seat. We also have options for other travelers. The Best Underseat Luggage and Personal-Item Bags  
• After 10 years of airport dashes and overhead-compartment stashes, the Travelpro Platinum Elite is still the suitcase we want to carry. The Best Carry-On Luggage  
• We spent 60 hours testing travel packable towels and we are convinced these are the best options for drying off. The Best Packable Travel Towels  
• These reading lights are bright and adjustable, so you can keep reading even if you share a bed with a light sleeper. The Best Reading Light  

Further reading

The Gadgets We Bring on Every Trip

You don't have to be a digital nomad to travel like one. Here are a few gadgets and accessories to make travel as painless as possible.

The Best Underwear for Travel

We tested 37 pairs of travel underwear and found that ExOfficio’s Give-N-Go 2.0 Sport Mesh 6″ Boxer Brief and Patagonia Women’s Active Hipster panties are the best around.

The Best Travel Mug

After testing travel mugs for more than 10 years, we’re still confident that the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug is the best mug to keep drinks hot for hours.

The Best Gear for Travel

We put in another year and tens of thousands more miles of travel to test the best travel gear—and we stand by last year’s choices alongside a few new picks.

Voyage Scribe

For Writers Who Travel

20 Actually Amazing Armchair Travel Gifts

Hey! Want to get free travel-inspired writing prompts every month? Then sign up for the Voyage Scribe newsletter and get ready for some inspiration coming your way!

Welcome back! Interested in journals designed for writers who travel? Check out there Voyage Scribe journals here !

Even though travel is becoming more and more possible as the world opens back up, it’s not as easy as it once was. Your travel-loving friend likely isn’t traveling as much as they once did. But you can cheer them up with armchair travel gifts!

What is armchair travel? It’s “traveling” from home, and this blog post will give you lots of ideas on how to do that. Show your loved ones that you care with gifts that will allow them to travel safely from the comfort of home.

This list isn’t a generic one with ideas you could have came up with yourself. I put a lot of research and creativity into creating this list of super unique gift ideas for any traveler who’s down about the state of travel right now.

If your recipient is a traveler, they probably don’t want a suitcase, GoPro or gift vouchers right now when they can’t travel and use them. That would be like rubbing salt into a fresh wound. But these gifts are ones they can appreciate right now!

Psst : These don’t have gifts for others; you can gift them to yourself! Go on, you deserve it!

Here are 20 gifts for armchair travel for the travelers who can’t travel right now.

Table of Contents

1. The World Game

Travel teaches you a lot of trivia about the world in an immersive way, but you can get that at home too! Give the gift of knowledge through fun armchair travel with this geography trivia game.

2. City Skyline LEGO sets

  London Skyline LEGO

Tokyo Skyline LEGO

San Fransico LEGO

Dubai Skyline LEGO

3. AncestryDNA

While we still can’t travel everywhere and anywhere we want, this is great inspiration for planning a future trip. Give a friend or loved one ideas for a travel destination to explore their ancestors’ roots with this gift! Or, they can explore those roots from home with some virtual travel.

You might not be able to gift an entire travel experience for the holidays, birthdays or anniversaries, but you can gift armchair travel through scent!  Here are some candle scents to transport your gift recipient to a new place or a place they already visited and loved.

Shop by country, state or city! The destination you choose doesn’t necessarily need to be home for your recipient to want to travel there by scent.

5. Books for Armchair Travel

One of my absolute favorite ways to engage in armchair travel is by books that transport me to new places, and I’m sure many others would agree such a book would make a great gift!

Check out my recommendations for great books to travel through .

6. National Parks Monopoly

You might not be able to visit many National Parks anytime soon, but you can gift an armchair trip that will also help pass the time while stuck at home!

7. Trekking the National Parks Board Game

Another great board game with a National Parks theme is Trekking the National Parks, an award-winning game. Not only is it fun, but it’s informative. This is a game that will start off as armchair travel but turn into dreams, plans and hopefully reality one day.

8. Trekking the World Board Game

This amazing board game will keep your recipient so occupied they’ll forget they can’t travel! Made by the same company that made Trekking National Parks, you’ll instead be exploring all the wonders of the entire world.

9. Scratch Off Map

The perfect armchair travel gift to both reflect on past trips and dream about future ones! If your gift recipient is a traveler who doesn’t have one of these yet, they will surely appreciate it!

10. Creative Travel Journal for When You’re Back Home

This journal is a unique one and perfect for any traveler who likes to write. It’s designed to be used when you’re back home in the dull everyday routine and are missing the inspiration that travel gave you. It will help you gain new story ideas and revisit your past trips through a creative lens.

A bit of shameless promo, because I created this journal!

11. Mexican Candy box

Is your friend craving a taste trip to Mexico instead? Buy a box of Mexican sweets!

12. Worldwide Treats European Snacks

Or, give the give of a whole tour of Europe with this tasty armchair travel gift.

13. Stroopwafels

After living in The Netherlands, nothing brings me back more than a bite of a stroopwafel. I used to eat these all the time there, and while it’s hard to find good ones back home, that’s what the internet is for!

14. Japanese Zen Garden

While a zen trip to Asia may currently be out of the question, you can gift the next best thing: a zen garden. The great thing about it is that it can be used anytime. You can’t immediately find yourself in Japan when things get stressful at work, but you can immediately turn to a zen garden for help!

15. Europe Architecture Landmarks Puzzle

Puzzles are a great way to pass the time (i.e. when you’re stuck in lockdown and waiting to travel again). This one is perfect for the traveler who is in love with Europe! 

16. Japanese Matcha Tea Set

Bummed about not being able to witness a traditional tea ceremony in Japan? Give your recipient the chance to make their own matcha the traditional way.

17. Swiss Fondue Set

18. Eiffel Tower LED 3D Puzzle

Sure, you’ll be able to climb the Eiffel Tower again one day. But in the meantime, you can build one (and it lights up!).

19. Beijing Temple of Heaven 3D Metal Puzzle

Think your traveller will prefer to build the Beijing Temple of Heaven instead? Not a problem!

20. Adventure  Awaits Mug

And finally, in a time when normal mugs replace travel mugs, remind your gift recipient that adventure awaits. Not really armchair travel, but hopefully it’s a gift that will be a daily reminder that we’ll be able to travel again soon.

And that’s a wrap (get it? Like wrapping a gift?) on my suggestions for armchair travel gifts!

Check Out Related Posts:

What a col list! I love the games, I didn’t know they even existed 🙂

Me neither! I found them in my research for this post and I want them all!

Haha, fun ideas! Happy holidays!

Some unusual and fun ideas!

Amazing travel gift ideas! Very curious to see what the UK candle smells like 🙂

Cute ideas! I’d love to try some of that Japanese matcha and give that Trekking the World board game a try!

Love that scratch-off map. So many cute gift ideas. Thanks for sharing!

fondue set is a great idea! thanks for sharing these gift ideas!

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Savvy Travel Advice

Ultimate Travel Gift Guide 2024: 75+ Gifts for Travelers

Last updated: July 1, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 29 Comments

Buying gifts can be difficult, so we’ve put together a travel gift guide with over 75 different gifts for travelers. We have gift ideas suitable for all budgets, travel styles, and occasions.

Laurence and I travel for a living and know a thing or two about what makes a good travel gift. We’ve also tried and tested so many travel products and services over the years that we wanted to share a list of what we think would make a good gift for a traveler.

First, we’ll go over some tips for choosing the perfect gift for the traveler on your shopping list. Remember that thoughtfulness is key!

Next we’ll share over 75 travel-related gift ideas that include everything from the typical travel pillows, luggage, and tents to things like automatic pet feeders, cocktail travel kits, and carbon offset gift cards. We have gift ideas that will suit just about any type of traveler from backpackers to campers to cruisers to luxury travelers. We also have plenty of ideas for the armchair traveler.

Our gift ideas are suitable for any budget, whether your budget is $0 or $10,000, we have you covered. The first gift idea on our list is free and the majority of the travel gifts on our list are under $50, so there are loads of ideas for those who don’t have a huge budget. But we also have plenty of ideas if you have a big budget as well!

So let’s dive in with our ultimate travel gift guide!

Table of Contents:

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Travel Gift

Before we delve into travel gift ideas, we wanted to get you thinking about what would make the perfect travel gift for your friend or loved one.

Gift giving by humans likely dates back to prehistoric times although today we have a lot more gift options than the Neanderthals. In fact, with huge shopping malls and online shopping, we are perhaps too overwhelmed with choices! If only the decision was as easy as choosing between the shiny purple rock and the tiger tooth.

We’ll go over some tips and advice to help guide you into choosing the perfect gift for the traveler in your life.

Decide on the Type of Travel Gift

It can be helpful to know what kind of gift you want to give the friend or loved one on your shopping list. Do you want it to be something practical and functional, or do you want it to be something funny that will make them laugh?

Do you want something that will inspire them to travel or something that will make their next trip more comfortable? Or do you want it to be an experience they can do on their next vacation? Or maybe a gift that will remind them of a special trip they have already taken?

Do you want it to be something that multiple people can enjoy, such as pinning locations on a map pin board, a family cooking class, or a travel-inspired film pack?

How personal do you want the gift to be? Obviously a gift given to a colleague at a work party is not likely to be as personal as the one you give your spouse on Valentine’s Day.

Do you want the gift to take them by surprise? Or do you want to give them something you know they already need or want?

Has the person already told you or hinted to what they want? If so, we’d recommend getting them something from their wish list as this research study  found that people who provide gift suggestions are happiest when they receive gifts they want.

Answering these questions can help you narrow down what kinds of things to consider.

If you really have no idea what they might want or what to get, go for something practical. Research, like this study , shows that people generally prefer gifts that are feasible and practical versus those that are fun but unpractical.

Consider the Tastes of the Traveler

What kind of person is the traveler you are buying a gift for? What kinds of things do they enjoy doing? What kind of clothes do they wear? What kind of trips do they take? Are they travel newbies or have they been traveling the world for decades?

Are they a dreamy backpacker type, a practical person who plans every minute of their itinerary, an outdoors loving camper, an environmentally conscious volunteer worker, an adventure-junky risk taker, a 5-star luxury lover? A good practical gift for an RVer would likely be very different from a good practical gift for a luxury traveler who vacations at exclusive beach resorts.

What do they do on their travels? How do they get around (bus, car, RV, plane, train, boat)? What do they enjoy doing most? Would you be more likely to see them in a museum, bungee jumping, going on a food walk, or lying on the beach?

Think about anything that is unique about them and the way they travel. Do they worry about getting robbed when they travel? Are they obsessed with coffee? Are they worried about their carbon footprint? Do they go to classical music concerts in every city they visit? Do they use guidebooks? Do they pack too much? Do they love taking photos? Do they love trying out new-fangled tech gadgets?

If you want to give someone something practical for the trip, consider how they travel and how much space they have. A family embarking on a National Parks road trip in a van may appreciate a nice cooler to keep their drinks cold, but that same gift doesn’t work for someone who normally travels by plane.

Use these things to help guide you to the right gift for the travelers on your list. Remember, the gift should be something that they’ll love, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be something you personally love.

Take Into Account the Occasion

The type of occasion may influence the type of gift you buy as most gifts are purchased to celebrate holidays, events, and rites of passage. Are you buying it for a birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day, graduation, honeymoon, retirement party, a gap year send-off, or some other occasion?

Why are you giving the gift? It may be to show others that we are thinking of them, to show we value our relationship with them, and/or to celebrate a special moment. And sometimes we feel obligated to give gifts during a special holiday or because someone gave us one and now we are in a never-ending gift-giving cycle!

Does the size of the gift matter? Are you getting them something that will fit in a card, a stocking, or a gift box under the tree?

Will the gift be opened in public or in private? Some gifts may be more suitable for being opened in an intimate setting versus a workplace party.

Have you been given any strict budget or rules around the gift? Perhaps the gift has to be under $20 for an office party, or it has to be something vintage, handmade, or recycled for an environmentally friendly gift exchange?

If it’s a college graduation or gap year send off, consider what a young and inexperienced traveler might be needing. If it’s a retirement, consider what might be a meaningful gift for the way that person plans to travel after they retire. A honeymoon couple might appreciate a romantic or experiential gift they can do together like a cooking class, spa day, or boat trip.

Perhaps you are gifting to someone you don’t know very well like a work colleague, a church or club member, or a friend’s daughter. In such cases, if you don’t know much about someone, you might go for a less personal gift like a gift card, a popular travel book, or something universally useful.

Maximize Quality Within Your Budget

Obviously you need to take your budget into consideration when shopping for a gift. We provide price ranges for each of the suggested gift items on our list to help. I’d try to get a gift that maximizes quality within your budget.

Although it may seem better to buy a number of cheap things rather than one more expensive item, you want to make sure what you are giving is a quality item that the person is likely going to want and is going to use.

For example, a person has a gift budget of $25, wants to get something practical, and knows the person wants a new water bottle for their upcoming hiking trip. You check options and find that you can buy two inexpensive plastic water bottles for $10 each, or spend $20 for a much nicer and more stylish stainless steel bottle.

I’d recommend going with the latter. Although two gift items might sound better than one, the person is likely to appreciate the nicer bottle and it will likely be more durable and last longer.

You don’t have to have a huge budget to get a quality item, it is about choosing the right type of item. If your friend really wants a mirrorless camera, a $70 budget is not going to buy you a camera, but it will buy you a high quality camera case, strap, or bag.

Although people giving gifts worry about the cost and value of a gift, research shows that generally the receive feels no less appreciative of a $15 gift versus a $150 present if they believed the gift was thoughtful. Instead of worrying about cost, pick something you think they will want and is good value for your money.

If you have only a small budget, don’t despair. Thoughtful gifts don’t have to cost you anything but time. We provide gift ideas on what you can for free or what you can buy for very little money. This might include offering to watch your loved one’s pets, picking them up at the airport, or cooking them dinner when they return. Or maybe it’s a DIY gift like handmade luggage tags.

Consider Personalized & Custom Items

A customized or personalized gift shows obvious thoughtfulness and makes the item special and unique. You can create a completely custom item or just personalize an item with the person’s initials, a quote, or a special image.

There are an almost endless amount of items you can have personalized or customized, from luggage tags to toiletry bag to jewelry to clothing to luggage. I love buying handmade gifts on Etsy , and many of the artists can personalize items for you. For example, I have gifted three personalized toiletry bags in the past couple of years.

Just note that handmade and personalized items are going to take longer to receive than an off-the-shelf one. So not a great idea if you need the gift as soon as possible.

Be sure to order handmade and personalized items well in advance of when you need them as in our experience, they often take longer than anticipated. We’d also recommend factoring in return time just in case something needs to be fixed.

Remember that the Thought Really Does Count

You have likely heard the popular American idiom: “It is not the gift, but the thought that counts.” This is what your mother told you when your aunt gave you those ugly socks for Christmas.

But is it really true? Yes, actually, gift giving is a very symbolic thing. Giving someone a gift shows your appreciation, love, and/or respect for that person. It also conveys that you think about them and that they are included within your personal circle.

However, this does not mean just marking a date on your calendar for someone’s birthday and then shipping them the first thing you find online as their birthday present. The gift is not likely going to be perceived as being very thoughtful and it may convey a lack of care and respect for the receiver. Bad gifts can damage a relationship.

Research studies show that the most treasured and memorable gifts are those that the receiver knows that the person put some thought and effort into getting or making. People like things that show the giver’s knowledge of them. So, for instance, giving a leather purse to a vegan or earrings to someone without ear piercings shows low knowledge of that person. But giving someone tickets to their favorite rock band or buying them a much-needed new backpack shows knowledge and thoughtfulness.

People also like gifts that they know a person put effort into choosing, obtaining, saving for, and/or making. People also like things that are unique such as a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry or handmade scarf.

This research study also found that women are often better at choosing gifts than men. However, the relationship again seems to be driven by the fact that women, on average, put more thought into the gifts and perhaps had more personal knowledge of the receiver.

If you did put a lot of thought into a gift but are not sure if the giftee is going to love it or not, consider adding notes or a card saying why you chose the gift items. Tell her that the lavender candle is to remind them of the trip you took together to Provence, the camera strap is because he complained of neck pain from his camera, or that you think the scarf color will go well with her favorite travel dress.

So even if you don’t choose the perfect gift, it is the thought and effort behind it that does count the most to people. Something to keep in mind if you can’t figure out the perfect gift. Just give them something that shows how much you appreciate and know them.

The fact that you know they love travel and are looking for travel-related gifts is already a good start!

75+ Great Gifts for Travelers in 2024

We’ve put together a giant list of gift ideas for travelers that should fit any budget, travel style, and gift occasion. The cost of the suggested travel gifts range from free to $1,000+, with the majority costing less than $100 so that you can find the perfect present no matter what your budget.

We feel a gift should be special and specific to the traveler. For some of the travel gift ideas we do suggest a specific product, but for most we suggest different options. For example, there is no one-size-fits-all luggage set but we do give you recommendations and suggestions on types and specific sets and brand that might be a good fit.

We’ve listed the gift ideas in approximate order of budget, starting with items that can be purchased for under $10. However, keep in mind that you can purchase a $30 tent or a $500 tent so the order is somewhat relative, and we recommend skimming through the full list.

If you like to shop on Amazon, you can check out our curated gift list here that includes many of the items in our list that are available online via Amazon.

We’ve used many of the suggested products and services in this list, so please feel free to ask us any questions in the Comments section at the end of the post if you have any questions or want an opinion about a gift option.

Without further ado, here is our ultimate travel gift guide with over 75 gifts for travelers:

Offer to Watch House, Pets, or Children

Not all gifts cost money. Sometimes the most thoughtful thing you can do for a traveler is to offer to help them out with something while they are away. There are always plenty of things that most people worry about when they go away, and you can help offer to take care of one or more of these things while they are away.

This might be offering to water the plants, collect their mail, run an errand, check the house, watch pets, babysit children, or mow the lawn. Or maybe its a ride to and/or from the airport.

If you want to make it more gift-like, consider creating a nice voucher (you can do it for free using Adobe Spark, Canva, Microsoft Word, etc.) and getting them a card.

Price: FREE

Word Puzzle Books

Buying for a traveler who likes word puzzles and games? Consider getting them a book with crossword puzzles, word searches, and/or sudoku.

Word puzzles are great for airports, planes, trains, and so many other situations where you are sitting and waiting while traveling. Save your favorite traveler from boredom on their next trip, and give their brain a workout!

There are lots of word game puzzle books out there, including large-print versions and ones designed for kids and families.

Another option is coloring books, for adults or kids, but this means they’ll also need to pack crayons, colored pencils, or markers. You can see some travel themed coloring books here .

Price : ~ USD $6 to $15 per book

Face masks have become a daily way of life in much of the world. For travel, whilst as of 2024 most countries no longer require them, you might still want to wear one for peace of mind and to avoid getting sick.

Etsy has become one of the most popular places for buying reusable face masks, and this is where we have purchased all of our own masks. There are hundreds of sellers making masks, some of which can be personalized. You can see a very wide selection here on Etsy and even more options on Amazon .

The CDC has a great guide to choosing, wearing, and washing face masks and coverings you can read here. We personally buy handmade reusable cotton masks from Etsy that are made from double layers of cotton fabric with an extra filter pocket (we’ve been using the Filti material since April 2020 to make mask filter inserts). We’d also recommend masks with adjustable nose wires to achieve a snugger fit around the nose.

One of the issues we have with face masks when traveling is that it can be difficult to wash them every day. So traveling with a number of masks is important and also having a travel-sized bottle of detergent so I can hand wash them as we go has been important. We keep a sealable bag for dirty masks and hand wash them at every stop where they have enough time to dry.

Other great gifts you might want to put together with some face masks are filters for the masks, travel sized laundry detergent (if person is going to have to hand wash masks on trips), travel sized alcohol-based hand sanitizers (CDC recommends at least 60% alcohol), moisturizing lip balm (masks can cause dry lips), and sanitizing wipes.

Price : $3 to $10 per mask

Children’s Travel Games

Do you know someone heading off on a long road trip or a set of international flight with children? Make their lives a little easier by gifting them a game or activity the kids can play in the car or plane.

Most kids spend too much time in front of screens, so consider a game that is low-tech and interactive like the Take N Play games and this washable marker drawing set . For road trips, we really like games such as this USA license plate game , the Rubbernecker game , Mad Libs for the road, and this travel scavenger hunt game .

Just be sure to check the suggested age range for any game you buy to make sure it is suitable as some games may contain choking hazards for small children or may be too simplistic for older ones.

Price : ~ USD $5 to $22

Travel Inspired Scented Candles, Perfumes, and Soaps

Smell is one of the most powerful human senses and it is the sense most closely associated with memory. The scent of something has the ability to transport us back in time to past experiences and places, and this includes to places we’ve traveled.

If you are looking for a gift for a traveler, consider getting them something scented that will evoke past travel memories to places they enjoyed. Or take them on a sensory journey around the world to exotic places that they have yet to explore. This can be in the form of a candle, soap, perfume, body spray, beard oil, incense, etc.

Often we have specific smells associated with different locations and experiences. Lots of different scents may evoke a travel destination for someone. For example: pineapple (Hawaii), lavender (Provence), roses (Bulgaria), oranges (Seville), coconut (Caribbean), pine (Finland) frangipani (Seychelles), rosemary (Tuscany), lemongrass (Thailand), cardamom (India), tobacco (Havana), burning wood (camping), or whisky (Scotland).

A small company called Homesick makes soy candles which are supposed to smell like specific U.S. states, cities, and countries to remind people of their hometowns or places they love. For example Pennsylvania apparently smells like “ caramel, maple, buttery rum, and malty molasses balanced with dark cocoa and dry tonka bean” and India smells like “a simmering pot of curry with the ever-present scent of cardamom”.

Many of the Mer & Sea candles and other fragrance products are inspired by travel and locations, especially the seaside. They also come in really pretty jars and packaging for gift giving.

We also love these two small artisanal shops which have created handmade travel-inspired candles, perfumes, wax melts, soaps, perfume oils, and more: Wanderlust Scents  and Adventuress Soap Co . We regularly use the soy wax melts from Wanderlust Scents and the perfume oils and lip balms from Adventuress Soap Co.

These kinds of items can also make perfect inexpensive stocking stuffers or additions to a larger gift basket.

Or if you have a bigger budget, consider taking a look at the latest from the fragrance companies which usually have a travel inspired scent or two. For instance, Penhaligon’s currently has a line of 19th century Trade Route destination inspired fragrances.

Price: ~ USD $7 and up

Travel Perfume Atomizer

A travel perfume atomizer is perfect for taking your favorite fragrance on the go. A full-sized glass perfume bottle is not ideally suited for life on the road, so a travel atomizer allows you to take a smaller bottle, protect the bottle from getting broken, and are ideally leak-proof.

So perfume atomizers generally can be filled in one of two ways. The most common type, like this one , is that you attach the atomizer directly to the tube of the perfume bottle and pump it directly into the atomizer. The second type, like this one , can be filled directly by pouring, spraying, or pipetting the perfume into the atomizer, and normally come with a mini funnel and/or pipette.

I personally avoid the first type as they can waste perfume if the seal isn’t perfect and they don’t work with all perfume bottles. The second type will generally work with any type of perfume or cologne and won’t waste perfume if you do it carefully.

Be sure to check the sizes as some are very small (e.g. 3 ML) and won’t hold much perfume if someone is taking a longer trip or travels a lot.

I love my little Fragonard perfume atomizer and so far it hasn’t leaked, but I could not find it available for sale online. These make for a great inexpensive gift or stocking stuffer.

If you budget is a little higher, this more pricey set of 4 atomizers is very well reviewed. If you are in the UK or Ireland, we recommend taking a look at these well-reviewed atomizers .

Price: ~ USD $8 to $20

Luggage Scale

Know someone who tends to overpack and is always having trouble keeping their suitcases under the weight maximum for airports? They may benefit from a digital luggage scale which will allow them to easily tell how much their suitcases weigh before getting to the airport.

The great thing about a luggage scale is it keeps you from needed to unpack and repack your luggage once you are at the airport which is often stressful and a bit embarrassing, not to mention time consuming. Know what it weighs before you leave so you can ensure it fits airline guidelines before you leave home.

With many airlines imposing stricter weight requirements on luggage, a luggage scale is a handy item for frequent fliers who have to pack a lot or have to carry very heavy gear (e.g., video or photography gear).

There are a lot of digital luggage scales out there and you can find a good one for an inexpensive price, like this one , so they make a good budget-friendly travel gift.

Travel Related Coffee Mug

A coffee mug can be a great inexpensive but thoughtful gift to remind someone of their love of traveling and your love for them every morning when they drink their coffee or tea.

If you don’t see what you want you can also make your own custom mug if you prefer to add your own words and images. So the possibilities are endless.

Price : ~ USD $8 to $20

Eye Mask and Sleep Aids

For frequent fliers (and light sleepers like Jess), there are a range of products that can make for a more comfortable experience. Most important of these in our mind is a good eye mask to block out the light. This is helpful on both flights and at hotels, as well as on overnight bus or train rides.

There are a lot of eye masks out there and often it takes a few tries to find one that is best for one’s face and sleeping style. You can see reviews for lots of popular eye masks here .

One of our favorites so far are the eye masks from Manta Sleep , which Laurence loves. They are a bit pricey but they are comfortable to wear and offer complete blackout of the light without exerting any pressure on the eyes. The eye cups actually adjust so you can achieve a much better fit.

Of course, an eye mask is not the only useful sleep aid and you might consider putting together a travel sleep kit as a gift for a traveler. Another useful sleep aids is ear plugs to block out sound and I personally use these Mack’s ear plugs . Other items might include a travel pillow, a drape clip, pillow mist, and/or silk travel sleep sack.

Price: ~ USD $8 to $30

Travel Journal

If you are looking for a gift for a traveler who enjoys writing, doodling, or sketching, a travel journal would likely make a thoughtful gift. A travel journal allows them to document their travels and be able to go back and read about them years from now.

There are lots of options out there for travel journals , such as this very popular and budget-friendly Maleden refillable travel journal with a synthetic leather cover and compass design. Or consider a personalized design to make it personal with these handmade travel journals .

Lifetime Leather and Leather and Earth Co . both make some beautiful handmade leather journals that can be personalized. Bound by Hand does a lot of vegan-friendly journals.

Personally, I like a really slim book and have filled up a few of these Paperblanks journals which reproduces a 1688 binding protecting L’Office de la Semaine Sainte. These are really slim so they are not for everyone, but larger sizes are available by Paperblanks .

Things to think about are the dimensions of the journal, whether you want the pages lined or not, do you want a journal with planning or checklist pages, and how many pages it has. Will it be used for journaling only or will the recipient also likely be using it for planning, making lists, sketching, scrapbooking, etc.

If you are looking for a quality classic style writing journal there is of course the well-known Moleskine journals , but you’ll likely find better paper quality from journals such as Rhodia Webnotebooks or this one by Lemome .

If you are looking for a travel journal for a child, this notebook is one to consider.

For more tips on choosing a travel journal, you can check out our travel journal review article.

Price: ~ USD $8 to $25

Reusable Water Bottles

We think every traveler should have a high quality reusable water bottle to take with them on their travels. Having a water bottle handy keeps you hydrated, saves money on buying bottled water, and helps reduce single-use plastic waste which is bad for the environment.

There are tons of types of travel water bottles out there, from collapsible bottles for minimalist packers and campers to streamlined double-walled ones to fit into car cupholders to gallon-sized ones for those who need to carry a lot of water. There are also these popular wide-mouthed ones for those who like to add ice cubes or powder mixes.

If you are not sure what brand and are looking for a good but not too expensive reusable water bottle, then I’d suggest checking out the bottles by Nalgene . They are one of the most popular brands and have a wide range of options.

For those trying to avoid reusable plastics, we recommend getting an insulated stainless steel bottle or one of the glass water bottles with protective silicone skins.

Although tap water is safe to drink in many parts of North America and Europe, it is not safe to do so in many countries or areas of the world. So travelers and hikers may need to take a portable water filter system or purification tablets to make local water safe to drink.

Travel Wall Decals

Wall decals are great for decorating a wall and adding some personal taste to a space. Most are made of vinyl, and they are designed to affix and peel off a wall without damaging paint or a wall’s surface.

There are a lot of travel wall decals to choose from on Etsy, from world maps to travel quotes, and you can see a list here . One great thing is that you can customize wall decals so you can get a decal of your favorite travel quote, word, or destination.

We personally own a set of travel decals from Blue Design Co . Conquest Maps also makes a range of wall decals , including some that you can peel off the places you visit.

Price : ~ USD $8 to $50 per decal design

Films to Inspire Travelers

Most people enjoy watching movies, and there are many films that have inspired us to travel. Consider putting together a film pack as a gift for a travel-loving friend. These could be general travel related films or ones related to an upcoming or dream destination.

Films can be purchased in so many formats these days (e.g., DVD, Blue-Ray, digital, online rental), that they can suit almost any device.

Just a few films to give you some ideas are Midnight in Paris (Paris), Eat, Pray, Love (Italy / India / Bali), Roman Holiday (Rome), Under the Tuscan Sun (Tuscany, Italy), Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (India), Out of Africa (Kenya), The Way (Camino de Santiago), and Breakfast at Tiffany’s (New York City). Of course there are also lots of travel-related documentaries out there as well.

There are also lots of children’s films with exotic destinations such as Madagascar , Ratatouille (Paris), Lion King (Africa), Mulan (China), The Princess and the Frog (New Orleans), and Rescuers Down Under (Australia)

Of course, if the person is more into TV than films, consider getting them a collection of episodes of a travel-related show. Some ideas include Rick Steves Europe , Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown , and BBC’s Planet Earth / The Blue Planet .

Price: ~ USD $10 to $20 per film

Travel Adapter

One of the more frustrating aspects of traveling with electronic items is the wide variety of power sockets around the world. Travel adapters are a necessity for international travelers.

If your travels are mainly taking you to one country, you can get fairly inexpensive travel adapters that you put on the ends of your plugs to make them fit into the electrical outlets in that country. For instance, an American traveler to France may want to get a set of these plugs . We’d recommend packing a few for a trip.

However, if the person regularly travels to a number of different countries, then you might get them a couple of universal travel adapters like this that will work in just about any country. This is a cost-effective yet highly practical gift and is needed by all international travelers. The one we recommend includes surge protection as well as USB charging ports.

Note that a travel adapter is not the same thing as a travel voltage converter which has to do with the voltage. So for example if the person is traveling from the US, which uses a 110v power system, to Europe, where it’s 220v, they’ll have to check to make sure any electronic equipment they want to bring is compatible.

If you are not sure what kind of travel adapter you (or the gift recipient) will need, check out our guide to travel adapters . It also explains the differences between plug types and the differences between travel adapters and converters.

Price: ~ USD $10 to $20

Books to Inspire Travelers

If you are shopping for someone who loves traveling and reading, consider getting them a travel-related book. It can be a book to inspire them to travel, to learn about an upcoming destination, or a book to read during their trip. Put together a collection of books to turn it into a larger gift.

There are a lot of general travel books out there. There are books that give information about iconic destinations like National Geographic’s Destinations of a Lifetime and Patricia’s Schultz’s popular 1,000 Places to See Before you Die , inspiring and funny travelogues such as those by Bill Bryson , or books that provide tips on how to travel in a certain way such as on a budget .

If the traveler in your life has an upcoming trip planned or a dream destination, consider putting together a thoughtful book pack that includes several books that each have something to do with that destination. I love to read books about a destination before and while traveling there.

So if you know someone heading to California, perhaps buy them a collection of fiction novels set in California and a useful California guidebook.

If you are looking for travel books for children, there are also lots of kid-friendly books out there for kids of all ages.

Price: ~ USD $10 to $20 per book

Selfie Stick

To be honest, we are not big fans of the selfie stick but millions of travelers use them and they can be invaluable to a solo traveler who wants to get some photos of themselves while traveling. Also great for getting couple photos.

They are also small, cheap, and fairly easy to travel with and most can sync to your phone using Bluetooth so you don’t need to fiddle with wires.

Selfie sticks come with a number of different features these days. Before choosing a model, make sure it is compatible with the traveler’s phone’s model, operating system, and size.

Price: ~ USD $10 to $25

Luggage Tags

Luggage tags are used to include identifying information in case your luggage is lost and are much more durable and nicer looking than the paper tags provided by airlines. They are also perfect for making it easier to spot your suitcase as it comes around the luggage carousel at airports.

If you are getting someone a luggage tag as a gift, we recommend you get them a unique tag. It is easy to get a personalized or custom luggage tag made. There are tons of handmade options on Etsy that you can see here .

For privacy reasons, we recommend getting a design where the traveler’s full name and contact information is hidden inside the tag rather than displayed on the outside.

We received custom leather luggage tags as a wedding gift from a friend that includes our first names and date of our wedding. A thoughtful gift for frequent travelers.

Passport Wallet

It can be a hassle to dig in and out of your purse or suitcase for your passport, travel documents, and boarding tickets while at the airport or while traveling by train. A passport wallet can make this a lot easier by keeping all your documents together in one convenient place.

Some features to look for include a pocket big enough for a passport, ID and credit card slots, a place for boarding tickets, a place for cash, and a zipper pouch where you can store coins. Most also have RFID blocking. We recommend taking a look at this well-rated wallet .

If you are traveling as a family and want to be able to store multiple passports and identity cards together we recommend this family travel wallet which can hold several passports plus other travel documents.

If you are looking for a passport holder that can be personalized with initials, names, or quotes, there are a number of handmade and customizable ones available as well.

Microfiber Beach Towel

Traditional beach towels are often too heavy, take up too much space, and dry too slowly for traveling. If you know someone who loves to go to the beach or lay by the pool on vacation, consider getting them a microfiber beach towel.

Microfiber beach towels are thinner, more lightweight, and dry faster. They are great for people on the go. Also great for camping, hostels, and other places you may need a towel when traveling.

A couple of microfiber towels to consider are these colorful ones by Dock & Bay and these ones . These towels are not going to be as soft or thick as regular towels, but they are perfect for travel.

Travel Pillow

For travelers who have difficulty sleeping on planes, a travel pillow can be a lifesaver for long-haul flights. These can help you get to sleep, get better quality sleep, and wake up with fewer aches and pains.

There are so many travel pillows out there! There are the typical U-shapes ones, ones that allow you to lean forward and rest using the airplane tray tables, ones that go across your chest like a seatbelt, memory foam mini traditional pillows, and ones that fit like a neck brace. These all have fans and devotees and it really depends on how a person likes to sleep.

You can see a list of some of the most popular models here . It can be tricky choosing a travel pillow because often people need to try a couple of different types to find the one that works best for them. If you are not sure what kind they might like best, I’d just go with one that sounds good and is well-reviewed.

If space is a concern, as it is with many people, we recommend looking at those that inflate rather than those that are filled. This way they will take up only a small amount of additional room. Of course, the filled ones often provide more support and will be longer lasting than the inflatable ones.

Price: ~ USD $10 to $30

There are a lot of variations on the money belt out there. We can personally recommend the money belt products by Eagle Creek , which makes several money belts and other types of travel security products.

In addition to money belts, there are many other ways to keep money safe if a money belt isn’t a good fit. These include hidden pockets which fit onto belts, bra stashes , neck wallets , and this pocket and strap system that can be worn in multiple places.

Price: ~ USD $10 to $35

Travel Coffee Mug

Know a traveler who loves to take along their morning coffee? Consider getting them a quality travel coffee mug or thermos.

These spill-proof coffee thermoses are designed to be carried with one hand and to fit well in car cup holders. They keep your coffee hot longer and their reusability allows you to avoid using single-use paper and styrofoam cups.

A travel coffee mug is perfect for travelers and workers on the go, and can help save travelers money by being able to brew their own coffee in their hotel room or take along coffee from the morning hotel breakfast. No need to buy that second cup of coffee later. Perfect for road trips.

A couple of popular brands we have used are Contigo and Stanley .

Price: ~ USD $12 to $30

Travel Themed Holiday Decorations and Tree Ornaments

If it’s Christmas and the person you are shopping for likes to decorate for the holidays, then you might consider getting things like travel-themed holiday decorations, Christmas tree ornaments, stockings, candles, and other types of decor. You can see a number of ideas here on Etsy .

Christmas tree ornaments are a popular gift and some examples include these globe ornaments , these personalized suitcase ornaments , and these custom floating photo ornaments (great for displaying a special travel photo). There are also things like globe tree toppers , travel themed Christmas stockings , and map luminaries .

The great thing about the majority of the travel-themed Christmas decorations on Etsy is that they can be personalized by adding text, monogramming, adding photos, choosing colors, etc. So that you know the gift will be unique and memorable.

Price : $15 and up

Travel Guidebook

Even as travel bloggers, we still love to read a good travel guidebook as they have all the information you need in one place, are organized, and easy to take along on your travels. Many travel guidebooks these days are available in both printed from as well as in digital form, and some purchases come with both a physical and a digital versions.

A travel guidebook is a great gift for a traveler planning their next big trip, or for the armchair traveler who wants to some day travel to their dream destination. Get them one step closer with a travel guidebook.

There are lots of travel guidebook brands out there. Your choices will be narrowed down by destination and language. Each brand is a bit different, for instance some are better known for budget focus (Rough Guides and Lonely Planet) or their photography (DK Eyewitness Guides).

Lonely Planet and Fodor’s are two brands we recommend taking a look at that have English-language guides to destinations around the world. Rick Steves’ guidebooks are designed for North American travelers going to Europe. We have guidebooks from all three of these brands, and each brand has its strengths and weaknesses.

In the United States, we like to find state-specific guides written by local writers as these tend to be the best and often include smaller places and better advice than guides written by the big travel brands.

We recommend looking for a guidebook specifically focused on where you are traveling (e.g., if traveling only to Paris, buy a Paris guidebook instead of a France one) and be sure to buy the most updated version. Most guidebooks are updated every year or two.

Price: ~ USD $15 to $20

Packing Cubes

We’re not sure that anyone loves packing, but as it’s a necessity when you travel, you might as well do it right.

We find that the whole process of packing and unpacking is greatly simplified when we use packing cubes. They let us easily sort all our different items into different sections in our bags, making it easier to find things and repack.

With packing cubes, you no longer have to go hunting through your whole bag to find that one thing you suddenly need. You can just locate the correct packing cube, and know that it’s going to be in there!

Packing cubes come in a variety of sizes, making them handy for different items and different sizes of luggage. We recommend this set which have mesh windows that allow you to see what’s inside and they also come with a laundry bag. We also really like Eagle Creek brand items and they make this cube set which we can also recommend.

Jess uses a couple of smaller packing cubes plus an Eagle Creek packing folder for her main clothing items (shirts, pants, jackets).

Price: ~ USD $15 to $35 per set

Travel Sized Beauty Items

If you are buying for someone who is into skincare or cosmetics, then you might consider putting together some travel-sized items for them to pack on their next trip. Depending on their preferences and lifestyle, these could be eyeshadow, lip balm, lotion, beard oil, sheet masks, sunscreen, hairspray, lipstick, etc.

If you are not sure exactly what they might like, consider the brand Wander Beauty for a great travel-themed gift. The brand has a on-the-go travel-themed branding and packaging and most of their products are the perfect size for travel.

Wander Beauty offers both skincare items and make-up items; two of the brand’s most popular items are their Baggage Claim eye patches and their Mile High mascara . The eye patches are something that just about anyone can use regardless of their makeup or skincare preferences.

If you are looking for more sustainable beauty products for someone who wants a more minimalist routine and likes to travel light, consider the plastic-free sustainable beauty brand Axiology. You can see all their multi-use and plastic free products here .

They offer multi-sticks and balmies, all of which can be worn on the lips, cheeks, and lips. So even if you don’t know the perfect color to get, these are pretty versatile and most can be used by pretty much anyone with any skin tone. They also come in multi-pack sets which can make a nice gift.

If you are putting together a larger gift, an idea might be to get a makeup bag or toiletry bag and then fill it with a few skincare, hair, and makeup items that you think they’d love.

Price: ~ USD $10 to $50 per item

Camping Cookware

If you are buying a gift for someone who loves camping and exploring the great outdoors, then we would suggest that some camping equipment might be just the thing for them. One thing that any outdoors person needs is a good camping cookware kit or camping mess kit, which is a set of versatile cooking equipment and utensils designed for cooking outside.

This allows them to cook in almost any situation and the kits should include a number of versatile pieces, and be easy to clean and pack up. Ideally, they should take up a minimal amount of space when packed.

One good option is this very well-reviewed and budget-friendly camping cookware kit , which is a set of cooking equipment and utensils that will fill a variety of roles and includes a small stove. Or perhaps this more elaborate 4-person mess kit is well suited for families.

Price : ~ USD $15+

Travel Jewelry Organizer Bag

If you know a traveler who likes to travel with several pieces of jewelry, consider getting them a travel jewelry bag. These bags provide a cushioning to help better protect jewelry and keep it organized. They come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes.

Two of the most annoying things about traveling with jewelry is being able to find it quickly and keeping it from getting tangled up, but an organizer bag can help prevent these issues. Those traveling with more expensive pieces can also easily place the whole case in hotel safes to keep it safer while traveling.

I have had a silk brocade jewelry roll like this one for about 10 years which has several zippered compartments, a snap roll for rings, and folds flat. The problem is that necklaces and earrings can get tangled if not kept in the separate pockets.

If I was buying a new one I’d probably get a bag like this or like this which has special earring boards and places to hang necklaces to prevent them from getting tangled in the bag.

For those who are wanting little pockets for individual pieces to put into a larger travel or toiletry bag rather than a full-sized jewelry roll, consider these little jewelry pocket packs . These can help keep your jewelry more protected and separated when placed in another bag.

Price: ~ USD $15 to $35

Travel Scarfs with Hidden Pockets

Travel scarfs combine fashion and functionality and have hidden zippered compartments where you can store valuables, including cash, credit cards, passports, locker keys, and IDs.

These are a great security solution for those who enjoy wearing scarfs and like to travel.

Almost all these sort of scarfs are infinity scarfs because the design is best suited for the hidden pockets and to allow for the extra weight of the items being stored. There are lot of different designs and brands making these scarfs so there are a lot of choose from, and you can see a selection of them here .

For a wider list of all kinds of travel scarves, with and without hidden pockets, see our travel scarf guide .

Toiletry Bag

Almost all travelers have a toiletry bag (sometimes called a dopp kit for men) where they store all their toiletry and shaving items. Much better than throwing your toiletries in a plastic bag.

We recommend looking for a toiletry bag that has a water resistant or waterproof interior so that it can be wiped clean easily if anything spills. Some toiletry bags have hooks so they can be hung in a bathroom or shower if that is a feature you want.

A couple different bags under $20 to consider are this hanging bag and this more traditional looking toiletry bag . You can check out some of the most popular toiletry bags online here .

Recently, I bought two of these handmade leather toiletry bags on Etsy as gifts. It is a bit more expensive than many of the toiletry bags out there, but I liked that it was handmade, made in the USA, personalized with embroidered initials, and had an inner nylon liner. Laurene also has one of these leather toiletry bags and it has held up to travel very well.

If you are buying someone a toiletry bag, you may also want to fill it up with a set of travel-sized toiletry bottles (so they can fill with their own products) or with travel-sized toiletry items from brands they love.

Price: ~ USD $15 to $50

A globe is a perfect travel gift for someone who loves to travel. They are both decorative and functional, and can fit perfectly into someone’s living room or office. They are also great for kids as they are educational and inspire a bit of wanderlust and interest in geography.

There are a lot of globes out there and some are designed more for decorative purposes and some are designed more for educational purposes. They range in size from the tiny hand-sized ones to the giant floor sized models. Many have special features such as this one , which has lights which show the constellations in the evening.

Personally, I like the Replogle brand globes as they tend to be good quality for the price and most of them are made in the USA. These are a bit more expensive but tend to be of much better quality than some of the cheaper globes.

I had a globe as a child and remember spending a lot of time looking at it and spinning it to play the “where will I travel” game. Today, I still have a bit of an obsession with globes and made sure to visit the Globe Museum on our trip to Vienna .

If you have a very large budget (or just want to look at awesome globes) we recommend taking a look at Bellerby & Co Globemakers’ website . The London-based company creates custom handmade and handpainted globes, from tiny desktop globes to giant Churchill globes (50 inches in diameter). Feel free to buy one for me!

Price: ~ USD $15 and up.

Travel Jewelry

A piece of travel related jewelry is a great gift for a traveler who loves to wear jewelry. It can show off a passion for travel, remind them of a special trip, and inspire them to plan their next adventure.

There are lots of options out there for travel jewelry such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and earrings. Remind someone of travel or a special destination. Such as this dainty airplane necklace , Pura Vida bracelet style packs , the travel-inspired fine jewelry by Cristina Ramella , or Pandora Disney charms for Disney park lovers.

Consider a personalized or custom piece which are easy to find and create on Etsy . Make your jewelry piece unique with special coordinates, initials, quotes, photos, or messages.

Travel jewelry is also not just for women, as there are plenty of rings, necklaces, arm cuffs, cuff links, and watches out there for men as well.

See our travel jewelry guide for lots of ideas on choosing the perfect piece of travel jewelry for you. We own a number of pieces and are also happy to give recommendations.

If you are buying jewelry for a frequent traveler, consider whether the item is going to be travel-friendly or not. Chunky pieces can be difficult to travel with, delicate items can break, and flashy expensive pieces can draw unwanted attention.

Price: ~ USD $15 and up

Lifestraw Water Filter

A LifeStraw personal water filter makes contaminated water drinkable by filtering out both waterborne bacteria and waterborne parasites. This allows a person to be able to safely drink from most streams, wells, ponds, etc. Each straw will filter up to 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of water.

Some LifeStraw filters and purification systems can also filter out chemicals, viruses, and lead.

These are perfect for anyone who likes to camp, hike, fish, boat, or do other outdoor activities where they may run out of water or need to filter available water. They are also perfect for international travelers visiting countries with questionable public water supplies and for emergency situations. They are regularly used by international aid workers and military personnel.

You can purchase the straws individually , in packs, or you can purchase a LifeStraw that is already fitted into a LifeStraw water bottle . We have a LifeStraw water bottle which has been perfect for hiking trips and are planning to get a second one for a trip to East Africa.

Price : ~ USD $20 – $60

Dual Voltage Hair Appliances

Know someone who is planning to travel internationally and needs to blow out, straighten, or curl their hair every day? You might want to find out if the hair appliances they have are dual voltage or not.

Different countries use different electrical voltages and most hair appliances are not designed to work with other voltages. If used with the wrong voltage the appliance will often stop working, short out, or even catch on fire if used with another voltage. Dual voltage products can work with both voltages.

In the United States and most of North America the standard voltage is 110V or 120V, but in Europe and much of the rest of the world the standard voltage is 220V to 230V. So if you are traveling from the United States to France, you would want a hair dryer that support 220V.

You can purchase dual voltage hair dryers , hair straighteners , and curling irons .

If you are getting someone a dual voltage hair appliance for their trip, I’d recommend first checking out what kind of brands they are currently using. For instance, if they love Conair, Chi, or Babyliss, but the product they own is not dual voltage, you can probably find a similar dual voltage model.

We personally have a Conair dual voltage travel dryer, which is a much older version of this one which must be about 20 years old now! It is small, inexpensive and works well for its size. I also have a dual voltage straightening iron but they don’t seem to make the model anymore.

One thing I like about my dual voltage flat iron is that it came with a heat resistant bag cover that allow me so pack it when it is still warm (although I wouldn’t risk it being too hot). If the hair straighter and/or curling iron you purchase does not come with one, I’d recommend getting one. It also doubles as a resting mat for the hair tool when it is hot to prevent burning surfaces when in use.

Price: ~ USD $15 to $60

Canvas Print of Travel Photos

A great gift for travel lovers is a way to help them remember some of their most memorable trips and experiences. A good way to do that is with a high quality canvas print of one or more of their favorite photos.

We take so many photos on our trips, but the reality is that we rarely see them. By giving someone a canvas print that they can hang on their wall, they’ll have a regular reminder of a trip they loved!

Canvas prints come in a wide variety of sizes, from small 8″ x 10″ all the way up to much larger prints. A lot of photography shops, drug stores, and department stores offer the option to make photo canvases. You can also see online size and price options for canvas prints here .

When choosing photos, be sure to upload the most high-resolution images you have for the best results.

Price: ~ USD $15 to $80

Travel Cord & Electronics Organizer

If you are buying a gift for someone who has a lot of devices and cords, they may appreciate an electronics organizer to keep their gear together.

Electronics organizers generally have pockets and straps to keep cords and electronics in place, and then they fold or roll and then slip into a carry-on or suitcase. They often have different pockets and compartments that hold cords, cables, chargers, batteries, dongles, adapters, stylus pens, ear buds, SD cards, hard drives, travel adapters, and other tech accessories.

For example, this well-priced electronics organizer has room for several cords, chargers, batteries, a smartphone or hard drive, and other accessories. If you are bringing along a tablet, multiple hard drives, mice, keyboard, and/or laptop you’ll likely need a larger electronics organizer. You can see a lot more options here .

If you are looking for something handcrafted and unique, then I’d check out some of the handmade electronics organizers that you can customize and personalize. These make for great gifts for tech-loving travelers.

Price: ~ USD $15 to $150

Travel Home Decor

Consider giving them something that will inspire them to travel but also something that is decorative and/or functional for their home. For instance, If they need a new shower curtain or throw pillow, consider getting them ones with a travel-related design.

The options are almost endless and could work with just about any budget. Some ideas are travel-themed artwork , shower curtains , throw pillows , duvet covers , fridge magnets , nursery decorations , jewelry dishes , or really anything else they might want or need. Most of these items can also be personalized to make them unique gifts.

See our article on travel themed home decor for a lot more gift ideas for the home.

Travel Scratch Map

A travel scratch map can be a fun way to keep track of the countries you have visited on your travels. You simply scratch off the countries you have visited and it is a fun activity for couples and families.

There are a lot of world maps, like this one , available but you can also find more detailed regional or country maps, such as large maps of just the United States and Europe .

In addition to just regular maps, there are also scratch maps focused on specific types of locations and hobbies like keeping track of U.S. National parks visited , golf courses played , and origins of craft beers .

We own both a world scratch map and have gifted a beer related map. They have been well-received. If you are giving a scratch map to someone who is likely going to want to hang it on the wall, you might also to also get them a frame as part of the gift.

Price: ~ USD $20 to $30

Carry-On Cocktail Kit

If you are searching for a gift for a person who loves a well-made classic cocktail, consider giving them a carry-on cocktail kit. These pocket-sized kits include all the ingredients (other than the alcohol) needed to create a nice handcrafted cocktail.

The best known ones are made by The Cocktail Box Co who currently creates different classic cocktail kits that you can take on the go so you can have a cocktail on an airplane, train, party, or at your hotel. So far they have released several kits, including an Old Fashioned kit and a Champagne Cocktail kit . You can also get a combo kit to try 4 or 6 different kits at once.

The travel cocktail kits come with all you need to make your drink, you just need a glass and the alcohol. Each kit makes 6 drinks. For instance, the Old Fashioned comes with bottles of aromatic, grapefruit, and orange bitters, raw cane sugar cubes, steel cocktail pics, 1 muddler spoon, and a linen cocktail napkin. Just add bourbon!

Making a few drinks for other passengers is a great way for a solo traveler to make friends during a long plane ride or train journey!

For a traveler who really loves their drinks, you might consider getting them a travel bartender kit so they have the tools need to make their favorite drinks wherever they go!

Price: ~ USD $22 and up

Eco Friendly No Waste Travel Kits

If you are buying for a gift for a traveler who wants to be more eco-conscious, you may think about getting them an eco-friendly travel kit. You can purchase an assembled kit of items, or build your own kit.

These kits usually contain several items that are eco-friendly and made of natural renewable resources. Generally, items are also vegan, plastic-free, reusable, cruelty-free (not tested on animals), and recyclable.

You can put together your own eco-friendly travel kits with some of your favorite products such as soaps, hair care items, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, reusable make up pad remover pads, cosmetics, cutlery, razors, period products, laundry soap, reusable straws, reusable face masks, reusable water bottle, etc. An eco-friendly toiletry bag or tote bag could make for a great gift bag.

Or if you don’t want to buy a bunch of individual items, you can purchase a pre-assembled travel kit. For instance, we like this popular eco-friendly kit by Battle Green which contains eco-friendly shampoo, soap, travel tins, cutlery set, wooden comb, toothbrush, and toothbrush holder.

The shop also sells a number of other eco-friendly products such as natural deodorant, cutlery, reusuable makeup remover pads, feminine hygiene products, kitchen items, and travel soaps. You can search their full product line here .

Price: ~ USD $20 to $40

Car Power Inverter

If you know someone who is going on a road trip, and who also likes to pack along electronics, they may enjoy receiving a car power inverter.

These plug into the car’s cigarette lighter and transform the electrical currents from DC to AC while the car is running. This allows you to charge devices such as laptops, e-readers, tablets, TVs, breast pump machines, DVD players, and game consoles. However, most of these are NOT designed for use with high wattage devices like hair dryers or flat irons.

We bought this model in the U.S. before our Pacific Coast Highway and Route 66 road trip , and found ourselves using it almost every day. It is one of those things we never knew we needed until we had one!

Be sure to check to make sure your purchase works for the make and model of the car being driven and converts into the correct voltage for your appliances.

Carbon Emission Offset Gifts

Know a traveler who is concerned about the environmental impact of travel and would appreciate a gift that gives back rather than a cool travel gadget? Consider donating to a worthy cause such as a carbon offset project in their name.

Travel, especially flights and cruises, has a huge carbon footprint and many travelers are concerned about the huge impact travel can have on the environment. Many travelers seek to offset their carbon footprint by investing money in ways that reduce, avoid, or remove greenhouse gas emissions (of which carbon dioxide is the biggest) from the atmosphere, or otherwise have positive environmental impacts.

There are a number of companies that allow you to purchase gift certificates for contributing to carbon offset projects and other environmentally positive projects. These include terrapass , the United Nations , and Cool Effect .

There are a number of good carbon footprint calculators that can be used to calculate one’s personal carbon footprint such as this one (global) and this one (U.S. focused) so you can be sure to give at least at the level of the carbon footprint estimated for the person’s trip.

If you think carbon offsetting is expensive, it is not. If fact, it costs very little. For example, for a round-trip 8-hour each way flight, there is about 1.32 tonnes of carbon dioxide created per person on the airplane. It costs less than USD $12 to offset this cost.

Of course if you are thinking about a gift that gives back, it doesn’t just have to be strictly related to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. There are lots of other worthy non-profit organizations that help save wildlife and forests, provide disaster relief, and provide medical treatment around the world. Some examples include the World Wildlife Fund , World Land Trust , UNICEF , the American Red Cross , and Doctors without Borders .

Just be sure to do a quick bit of research on any organization you choose to make sure it seems legitimate and that the donation actually goes towards the cause.

Price: ~ USD $20 and up

Travel Scrapbook or Photo Album

If you know a traveler into scrapbooking or who enjoys taking photos, consider getting them a scrapbook or photo album. This will allow the person to create a special book with memories of his or her trip.

Or if you went on a trip with them and have access to photos and items from the trip, you can create a special photo album or scrapbook about the trip to give to them!

A co uple of options are this multifunctional synthetic leather one and this photo album with map cover. But we recommend that you consider personalizing one if are giving it as a gift to make it extra special.

On Etsy, you can find loads of custom travel scrapbook and photo album options so you customize the album with names, initials, locations, and/or trip details. For instance, we really love the ones at The Pink Shop Crafts store , and we also like the look of this wooden scrapbook album and the ones by woodlack .

Price: ~ USD $20 to $50

Travel Router

A travel router is a wireless range extender and access point designed for people who are on the go and need to connect to the internet when they are away from home. They can make a great gift for travelers who need to be able to get online and connect multiple devices securely.

Our current recommended model for most people is the GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) as its small, inexpensive, and has all the basic features. But it depends on which features are most important to you. We personally use this bigger and more advanced model by GL.iNet .

You can see our travel router guide to help choose the best model for you.

Price: ~ USD $20 to $70

Portable Aromotherapy Kits & Essential Oil Diffusers

Know someone who loves aromotheraphy and love to travel? Consider getting them an aromotherapy travel kit like this one by Scentered . The kit includes 5 different mini balms in a travel kit; the balms are solid rather than liquid so easier to travel with and use on the go.

Or perhaps consider getting them a travel-sized diffuser or cool mist humidifier. These mini gadgets can diffuse essential oils for aromatherapy, help purify hotel rooms, and put moisture into the air to prevent dry eyes and scratchy throats.

You can’t pack a full size diffuser, but there are mini ones like this one and this one that are portable and can be used for travelers. If you have a bigger budget, you might consider this mobile mini nebulizer that is wireless and requires no heat or water to run!

You might also consider also getting them a set of mini essential oils to pack with them. Just note that many users of essential oils also have strong preferences regarding brands of oils, so if they are already using essential oils, I’d try to find out what brand and scents they use to help guide your purchase.

Price: ~ USD $25+

Travel Coffee Maker

If you have a friend who isn’t functional until they’ve had their morning coffee, you might want to get him or her a travel coffee maker.

A travel coffee maker is great for being able to get a cup of coffee whenever you want it, saves money on purchasing coffee, and allows you to make coffee when camping or outdoors. Also great for those who love coffee but hate instant coffee which is often provided in hotel rooms.

Travel coffee systems vary and include French Press style ones, pour over systems, and others. Some are better for American style coffee and some are better for espresso. But you have several models out there to choose from.

The easiest design to travel with is a French Press style like this one which also doubles as a travel mug! All the users have to do is add ground coffee and hot water, and then it is good to go! This model is leak proof, easy to clean, and designed for travel.

For those who want more control over the coffee making process or who don’t like French Press coffee makers, you might consider the popular Aeropress coffee system . This travel coffee system has more parts and isn’t nearly as convenient, but gives you control over making a perfect espresso style shot or cup of coffee. The Aeropress Go is an even more portable version that comes with a mug and lid.

See our full review of the AeroPress and AeroPress Go to see which might be the best option for your gifting needs.

If you are shopping for someone who likes freshly ground coffee, you might also consider a travel coffee maker that includes a coffee grinder like this one as part of the gift. For more ideas, see our guide to the best travel coffee makers .

Price: ~ USD $25 to $45

Travel Medicine Organizer

Medical issues can be a hurdle to traveling and can be a major source of worry and travel stress . Make it easier for someone by getting them a travel organizer to help safely store their pills and medications, medical information, and medical supplies in one safe place.

We recommend getting a pill organizer like this one or this one that will hold a number of pill bottles and medicines, a pill organizer, medical documentation, and additional medical supplies. If the case doesn’t come with a locking mechanism, you can add a small luggage lock to if you want to be able to lock the case.

We always recommend keeping all important medications and medical documentation in your carry-on bag and to not pack it in checked luggage in case that luggage is delayed or lost.

If you are traveling internationally, some destinations require that pills and medications are accompanied by their prescription. This is also useful if you get stopped and need to prove that something is not illicit. So it is generally best to keep pills in their original prescription container whenever possible.

Price : ~ USD $25 to $45

Camera Strap

A camera strap is a great gift for the traveler who enjoys carrying a camera, but maybe doesn’t have a camera strap or is using one that is uncomfortable. Most cameras in our experience come with manufacturer straps that are neither attractive nor very comfortable.

The type of strap is going to depend on the size and weight of the camera. If are buying a camera strap for a smaller and more lightweight camera, you have more options. For more lightweight cameras, I have used these stylish camera straps which are designed to appeal to women and I like the look and quality of them. They are also really colorful!

However, for our heavier cameras, we use Peak Design straps which are more heavy-duty straps that are designed for heavy and bulky cameras. Laurence has found these to be the most well-designed and comfortable straps out of all the brands he has tried over the years.

The specific straps we use for the DSLRs are the Peak Design Slide straps . This strap allows us to sling our camera across our body, which is a lot more comfortable for prolonged usage, and means the camera isn’t always bumping off our chests!

You can see our full review of the Peak Design strap system here .

Looking for gifts for a photographer? Check out our guide to gifts for photographers for dozens of photography related gifts that will make any shutterbug happy!

Price: ~ USD $25 to $75

Outdoors Bluetooth Speaker

An outdoor Bluetooth speaker is great for listening to music while on the go, whether it is at the beach, car, on a boat, or next to the pool. They sync wirelessly with your phone by Bluetooth to provide louder and clearer sound.

The COMISO Bluetooth speaker is splashproof, rainproof, dustproof, and sandproof. They are lightweight and portable, making them suitable for traveling.

Note that many Bluetooth speaker models, like this one, are oftened marketed as “waterproof” but they are only water-resistant and cannot be partially or fully submerged in water. Most are not waterproof.

However, if you have a bigger budget, you can get a truly waterproof Bluetooth speaker such as the Wonderboom speaker by Ulitmate Ears, which is waterproof, dustproof, and can even float! It runs up to 13 hours on a built-in rechargeable battery.

Price: ~ USD $30 and up

Dog Travel Bag

Looking for a gift for a dog lover? Consider getting a dog travel bag that includes all the space pet owners need to store all their pet’s dog food, toys, and accessories. The bag is perfect for long trips to the park, traveling, and for dropping off the dog at the dog sitter or kennel.

This dog travel bag comes with insulated food cases, collapsible silicone food bowls, water bottle pouch, and storage for toys and leashes. It is also TSA compliant so it can be taken onto a plane. You can see many more pet bags here .

Although most are designed for dogs, these bag can also be used for those traveling with cats, rabbits, or pet pigs.

Price: ~ $30 to $60

Custom Travel Photo Blanket

If you are looking for a unique gift, consider making them a custom travel photo travel blanket that includes photos of some of their favorite travel memories.

There are a number of custom photo blanket options out there that you can customize with your own photos and get in different sizes. A couple of examples are this photo fleece blanket and this custom throw .

Be sure to check the size, and thickness, and fabric details before ordering to make sure you know what you are getting. All designers should also give you a color proof for your approval before printing to make sure the photos are arranged as you wish.

I would look for a machine washable blanket that has been printed (normally via sublimation) so that the images won’t fade, crack, or peel during washing.

Price : ~ USD $30 to $85

Travel Purse

Most women (and some men!) take a purse when they travel to keep their money, valuables, travel guides, and daily essentials handy when exploring. Although any purse can work, many people purchase a purse specifically for traveling.

We recommend a sturdy crossbody purse that is large enough to hold all the essentials but isn’t too big or flashy. We also recommend one with several compartments to keep your items organized and handy. Many travel purses contain anti-theft related features like RFID blocking, slash resistant straps, and locking compartments.

When choosing a purse as a gift, think about what the person is most likely going to put in it (e.g., does it need to fit an iPad, a guidebook, an oversized wallet, or a water bottle?) to determine the best size. The lighter the load the better for traveling.

There are travel purses designed to fit any budget and style. For a general all-round travel purse, I like this one by Peak Gear . But there are several travel brands out there specialize in travel purses or have a travel purse line including Travelon (best selling travel purse brand), Tumi (more upscale brand), and Baggalini (lots of good value options).

Pric e: ~ USD $30 and up

Travel Wrap

A travel wrap is a great versatile travel garment that can work as a shawl, scarf, or travel blanket. A good travel wrap can keep you warm as a blanket on a cold plane, cover your shoulders on a cool evening, and dress up a plain outfit.

There are a lot of different travel wraps out there in a variety of styles and fabrics. A few ones we recommend taking a look at are this USA made HappyLuxe wrap , this wool wrap , or the many travel wraps by Mer & Sea Co .

If you have a larger budget and are looking for something more luxurious, you might consider a cashmere wrap like this Ovcio wrap or this classic cashmere wrap made in Scotland .

For more suggestions, see our travel wrap guide that has tips for selecting a travel wrap that will fit just about any budget.

Travel Tripod

If you are looking for a travel-related gift for a keen photographer, consider a travel tripod. These help keep cameras steady to prevent blurry photos, help photographers take photos in low light conditions, and to do more advanced photography techniques.

Travel tripods are smaller and more lightweight than regular tripods which make them much more suitable for travel. Travel tripods come in all sizes and there are ones designed to work with all types of devices from smartphones to professional DSLR cameras.

We ourselves almost always travel with a tripod and use Vanguard VEO tripods . But there are lots of options out there to fit any budget and you can see our travel tripod guide to help you choose the best model for the person on your gift list.

Price: ~ USD $30 to $200

Knitting Travel Kits

If you know someone who enjoys knitting, consider getting them a travel knitting kit. These little kits include all the knitting essentials in a travel-sized kit.

For example this kit includes a needle gauge, stitch markers, mini scissors, U-shaped cable needle, sewing needles, and more. Another useful item might be this handy wrist bag to hold yarn for knitting on the go.

If the person is planning to fly and knit on the plane, be sure to make sure that the knitting needles and scissors are compliant with the airline’s standards to be taken in carry-on luggage.

Price: ~ USD $32 for full kit

A tent is an essential item for those who plan to camp outdoors, and is a perfect gift for someone who is looking either to start camping for the first time or is in need of a new tent.

Tents range in prices from about $40 to over $1,000 depending on size, brand, and features. But you don’t have to spend a lot to get a decent tent, especially if you just are looking for a small and simple one. This well-reviewed 2-person Coleman tent currently starts at just $50 (although price seems to fluctuate wildly)!

Although tent material is already usually water-resistant, it is recommended for most tents that a waterproof spray be applied before first use to make them more weather-resistant. This is often particularly important for the tent seam area. So you may want to buy a can or two of spray for the new owners as part of your gift.

If someone is new to camping, they probably need a lot of other camping gear as well, so if your budget is larger you might also think about getting them some other camping stuff like a sleeping bag , sleeping mat , and cooking kit .

Price: ~ USD $40 and up.

Picnic Basket

Do any of the people on your gift shopping list love picnics? Considering getting them a picnic basket to help them better transport all their food and goodies to local parks, hiking locations, campsites, or just the neighbor’s backyard.

There are of course, the more traditional basket wicker picnic basket designs like this one . But for those who often hike before a picnic, a picnic basket backpack may be a better fit as these are designed for campers and hikers.

The picnic baskets and picnic basket backpacks come with all the basic plates, silverware, and glassware and a large insulated area to store food. Most also come with extras like wine corkscrews, picnic blankets, cloth napkins, cheese boards, and dirty dish bags.

Price: ~ $40 to $100

When traveling, as well as a main bag, most travelers will also appreciate a good quality day pack. This is where they’ll put all the stuff that they take out during the day, which may include a water bottle, rainjacket, guide books, snacks, and so on. Also great for putting on for a day hike.

A day pack is also useful as a carry-on bag for flights. We like to stash all our valuables and essentials (e.g., important trip documents, medications), main electronics (e.g., laptop), and anything we need for the plane ride (e.g., travel wrap, snacks, headphones) in this bag.

We’d suggest a day pack in the region of 15L to 30L would be ideal for most travelers, depending on how big you need it to be. Just note that backpacks are often not allowed into museums or attractions and will need to be left behind or stored in a locker.

We’ve traveled with and used both Osprey and Eagle Creek daypacks and suitcases for years, and have found both brands to be reliable, quality products. Key features to look for in a daypack in our mind are multiple compartments so gear can be separated, space for a water bottle, room for a tablet or laptop, and a hip belt / sternum belt combination for extra comfort.

We’d recommend checking out the latest Osprey day pack and Eagle Creek packs . That should give you a good start to your day pack search.

Price: ~ USD $40 to $150

Map Pin Board

A map pin board is a great gift to give a traveler who loves to keep track of his or her travels. It hangs on the wall and you use pins to indicate all the places on the map that you have been (or want to visit!).

You can get boards that cover the entire world, a specific country, or a specific state. These boards are nice reminders of all your past travels and also can help you decide where to travel next. A thoughtful gift for any traveler who has some available wall space!

Although there are lots of travel pin boards out there , we can personally recommend pin boards by Conquest Maps which are handmade in the USA and made with digitally printed cotton/poly blend matte canvas stretched around am internal frame created especially for the pin boards. We have this one hanging in our apartment!

Another great option is the  Push Pin Travel Maps products which are also American-made and the framed options come with your choice of a 2-inch wooden frame. A variety of maps are available including world maps, USA maps, continent maps, U.S. state maps, and maps of other individual countries.

Just note that if you want to see finer details on a map (beyond just countries, states, major cities), you’ll want to go for the larger size map boards. Or I’d look for a pin board that just has that particular region, country, or state.

Every traveler needs luggage. If you are giving a gift to a traveler who is new to traveling, they may need a luggage set. Or a more veteran traveler may be in need of a new piece of luggage or an upgrade from a cheap set of luggage.

Luggage comes in a variety of shapes, colors, and prices. It is good to know if the traveler you are buying for is a carry-on only traveler or a person who packs multiple suitcases for a trip. Also they may have a preferences about soft luggage versus hard sided luggage which can help guide your gift selection.

If the person is a light packer or business trip taker, they are probably the carry-on only type, and I’d look for a good quality carry-on suitcase that fits their travel style.

I’d look for a 21 inch suitcase as this should fit any international baggage guidelines for a carry-ons. In the United States the standard carry-on allowance maximum is 22 inches X 14 inches X 9 inches (56 cm X 35 cm X 22 cm). We like the look of these snazzy Steve Madden carry-on bags .

If they are someone who is going to pack multiple bags, consider getting them a 2 or 3 piece matching set, such as this set by Samsonite .

Price: ~ USD $40 and up

Travel Washing Bag

If you are looking for travel gift for a traveler who goes off on extended travel and does laundry while traveling , you might consider a travel washing bag.

The Scrubba is a portable washing bag from Australia helps you get your clothes cleaner than hand washing them in the hotel or campsite sink and is great for campers and travelers.

The Scrubba is best for doing essentials and small loads of clothing and you can wash and rinse a small load in about 3 minutes. There is a flexible internal washboard that helps you get clothes cleaner than in a sink or dry bag alone.

Scrubba is the best known, but there are also a couple of competing bags out there on the market as well. We haven’t tried these but they appear to work in a similar way to the Scrubba.

Other accompanying products that you might want to add to the gift are travel-sized washing liquid , travel laundry line , and a laundry bag for dirty clothes.

Price: ~ USD $30 to $50

Travel Gift Certificate

If you are not really sure what the traveler on your gift list may want, you might consider getting them a travel related gift card or gift voucher. This allows them to spend it on travel related things like tours, activities, concerts, and hotels around the world.

Here are just a few to consider:

One great gift card to consider is a GetYourGuide certificate as they can be redeemed against any of the 30,000+ tours and activities offered on their website. They offer experiences worldwide but have a particularly large number of tours within Europe and major cities worldwide.

Tinggly gift boxes are gift certificates where the recipient can choose from the hundreds of different experiences and activities offered on that card for free. These include things like food tours, spa treatments, hot air balloon rides, and walking tours. There are cards geared to different geographical locations and types of travelers, and range in cost from USD $80 to $350.

Although better known for their wedding and honeymoon gift funds, Honeyfund also has gift cards you can purchase and use towards travel oriented purchases. They can be redeemed with over 20 brands which currently include Amazon, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Hotels.com, and Columbia Sportswear.

Price: ~ USD $50 and up

Automatic Pet Feeders

Know a traveler who is out of the house a lot and worries that their cat or dog is not getting fed on a schedule when they are traveling? Consider an automatic pet feeder. These allow you set a schedule with automatic feeding times and program the amount of food delivered at each meal time.

The two main types of automatic feeders are gravity fed and electronic ones. The gravity-fed ones don’t need a power source, but the electronic ones require an electric or a battery power source.

We recommend checking out the PetSafe automatic feeders like this one as the company has been making electronic pet products for a long time.

While these won’t replace the need to have someone check on the pets when someone is away on vacation, they can certainly make it easier for the carer and allow them to visit less frequently. These also allow you to make sure your pets are being fed the right amount of food at the same time even when you are away.

For cat owners, you might also consider a self-cleaning litter box , which makes litter box cleaning much easier for pet carers when the owners are traveling.

Price: ~ USD $60 to $200

SCOTTeVEST Vests

SCOTTeVEST is a travel clothing company which specializes in clothing that is designed to hold and organize a lot of objects without being too bulky. Their signature item is a vest and they have several designs for both men and women.

The vests are designed to hold all your valuables and handheld electronics including wallet, phone, iPod, keys, change, passport, ID documents, sunglasses, tickets, cosmetics, chargers, etc. They can even hold larger items like tablets and e-readers, travel journals, and paperback books.

In addition to vests, they also make shirts, jackets, pants, dresses, and other items. All items are designed to look nice, be durable and rugged, and have a lot of pockets. You can see more of their clothing here .

Laurence owns two of the vests, a long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of boxers from SCOTTeVEST and finds them to be well-made and lightweight with lots of pockets. Useful for going through airports and also for holding his photography gear when out shooting.

Price: ~ USD $100 to $175

Know someone who is setting off into the wide blue yonder on a classic backpacking adventure? Whether they are gap year newbies or fit silver-haired veterans, their adventure will be greatly enhanced by a nice backpack.

Backpacks allow you to travel with just one piece of luggage and not have to drag along a wheeled bag. They also allow you to easily transition from plane to city to hiking trail to campsite easily.

We’re big fans of Osprey for their backpacks, and we’ve had both backpacks and daypacks from Osprey that have lasted us for years. Osprey have a number of great backpacks, which you can see here . The Osprey Atmos in particular is a quality product that will last for many years of backpacking.

Whilst there are many backpacks available online, we would very much urge you to go shopping in person with the person you are buying the backpack for or just be sure to get one with a good return policy.

Getting the right fit for a backpack is very important, and this can really only be done in person and by testing out the backpack with some weight in it.

Price: ~ USD $70 to $300

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is highly recommended for any international traveler. However, some travelers forego travel insurance to save money or because they don’t think anything bad will happen to them. But you never know when you might get sick, injured, have a tour canceled, miss a flight, or have your luggage lost.

Travel insurance covers things like trip delays and cancellations, lost luggage, and overseas medical care. Some also include things like protection of travel gear, rental car insurance, and medical evacuation to your home country.

Giving the gift of travel insurance is a great way to help protect the health and trip costs of your favorite traveler. While you can’t purchase their policy for them, you can research an appropriate policy and get a quote so you can gift them an appropriate amount.

There is no one-policy-fits-all insurance. Some things that will affect the cost and suitability of a policy is traveler’s country of residency, age, destinations visited, and length of travel. Be sure to check carefully what is covered (and to what extent) and what is not covered.

The COVID-19 pandemic has really made the need for travel insurance clear. But it has also made it clear that a lot of policies have limitations. So do read the fine print and ask questions. The “cancel for any reason” policies tend to offer the most coverage but are also the most expensive.

We’d recommend starting with your current insurance agency and see if they offer travel insurance as you may get a better rate for an additional policy. If you don’t have an insurance company in mind, World Nomads will cover people from just about any country and trips to just about any destination. They are especially recommended for extended and long-term travels.

Price: ~ USD $0.40 to $20 per day of trip. Can vary widely.

If you have a friend who likes to stay connected as they travel, but doesn’t need a full laptop (or even a keyboard), then a tablet would make a great gift.

These devices are good for checking e-mail and keeping up to date on social media, as well as for travel tasks like researching destinations, booking accommodation and restaurants, and looking up directions. It’s also much nicer to read a book or watch a movie on a tablet than on a tiny smartphone screen.

There are a number of tablets on the market. Our advice would be to find out what sort of phone your friend has so you can get them a matching tablet as this will let them use their favorite apps across devices.

If they have an Apple phone, they would like appreciate an Apple iPad like this. If they have an Android phone, it would make more sense to get them an Android tablet like this .

If you looking for something under $100, we’d recommend taking a look at the Amazon Fire tablets .

Price: ~ USD $70 to $400

Wireless Hotspot

You can help your loved one stay in touch while they are traveling by buying or renting them a wireless hotspot. This is great for travelers heading overseas who want to stay in touch, but are worried about high data roaming fees. They allow for multiple devices to connect at once.

These pocket-sized devices can be purchased (and person pays a low data usage amount) or are available to be rented for a fixed daily rate. These devices allow people to access the Internet without having to worry about finding a free WiFi hotspot or paying data roaming fees, and can be an easy way to stay connected when traveling.

If you want to purchase a wireless hotspot device, there are a number of devices out there , and we’ve personally used hotspots from both Netgear and GlocalMe. You can see their latest hotspot models here. You can see our guide to choosing the best mobile hotspot for travel to help find the best model for you. 

Check out our article for more options for getting online when traveling if you are looking for other solutions.

Price: ~ USD $9/day (rental) or USD $75 to $200 (purchase device)

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones are perfect for any traveler who loves listening to music or watching films while traveling, or people who just need peaceful moments in noisy places. Perfect for airplanes, noisy buses, and long commutes.

Active noise-cancelling headphones have a microphone, amplifier, and speaker incorporated to also cancel the lower-frequency portions of ambient noise. Active ones generally are better at reducing noise than passive ones.

The quality and price varies widely for noise-canceling headphones from about $30 to over $500, and for a gift we’d recommend spending at least $75 or more to ensure quality. We recommended looking at options from Bose and Sony which are industry leaders in this category. If you have a larger budget, we recommend taking a look at this highly-rated pair by Bose .

Price : ~ USD $75 and up

Silk Sleep Sack

A silk sleeping bag liner or sack is a travel sheet that can be used when you don’t feel comfortable using hotel or motel sheets or when camping or staying in a hostel. It makes for a perfect camping bag liner.

Often you need to bring your own sheets when hosteling, camping, glamping, or staying in cabins. So this is a perfect fit for that and the fact that it is made of silk which is super soft and hypoallergenic, gives you that added bit of luxury.

There are a lot of sleeping bag liners and sleep sacks out there, made of a variety of fabrics, and you can see several options here which can fit just about any budget. Note that most of the less expensive “silk” options are not real silk. But we recommend this silk sleep bag if your budget is a little larger.

This works for almost any type of traveler as it can be used in any sleeping situation from a campsite to a nice hotel to a sketchy motel to an unexpected snooze in an airport. The recommended silk sleep sheet also has a built in pillowcase pouch where you can place the hotel pillow (or you own pillow).

The recommended silk sheet sack weighs less than 6 ounces and folds up into a 6 inch by 8 inch pouch. Even though it is made of silk, this one is machine washable.

Note that some sleep sacks and sleeping bag liners claim to deter or prevent bed bugs , but we do not know of any research that supports such claims. Bed bugs are highly persistent and the best prevention is to look for signs of bed bugs and not stay in a room where signs of infestation are present.

Price: ~ USD $20 to $50 for non-silk; $90 to $150 for silk

Travel Photography Course

Know a traveler who wants to improve their photography skills? Then an online photography course, local photo workshop, or how-to book would make a perfect gift.

We can specifically recommend an online course such as Laurence’s online travel photography course . It covers all the basics of photography that is perfect for those at any skill level and then goes into more advanced photography concepts and techniques. It also covers photography editing and even tips on how to sell your photos.

With over 60 lessons across 10 weeks, optional homework assignments, lifetime access, interviews with several professional photographers, we think the course is pretty amazing value for money. You can also do it at your own pace as you have lifetime access to the content.

You have direct access to Laurence for help and feedback with the homework and any other questions you have about photography. There is also an exclusive Facebook group where you can post questions and receive feedback from the other members of the course, and take part in regular fun photo challenges.

You can purchase the course for yourself or as a gift to give to someone else. Customizable gift certificates are offered for gift purchases and can be customized for the person and special occasion (e.g., Christmas, birthday, gap year, graduation, etc.).

You can learn more about it here and read testimonials from some of the over 2,000 people who have already joined the course.

Price: USD $129

Ebook E-Readers

If you are looking for something for an avid reader, consider getting them an electronic reader. Packing a large number of books can add a lot of weight to luggage, and an e-reader, a digital table designed for reading books, is a great solution for having access to lots of books and travel guidebooks without the bulk.

Kindle is the best known brand of e-reader, but there are also a variety of other ebook e-readers and tablets out there as well, and you can take a look at this list .

There are a variety of models available which offer many of the same features. The latest Kindle versions are lighter, thinner, and even waterproof (I’d read that as water resistant!)

If you are familiar with ebook readers, consider setting up the e-reader for them and downloading some ebooks you know they’ll love and some guides and helpful books related to their upcoming travels.

Price: ~ USD $90 to $200

Most people’s most treasured souvenirs from a trip are not something they purchased, but the photos they took during the vacation. Smartphone cameras keep improving, but a “real” dedicated camera can take better photos and allow for more advanced photography capabilities.

The best types of cameras for most travelers are either a compact camera, a mirrorless camera, or a sports camera. We’ll go into some thoughts about each of these types of cameras and which might make the best gift for your special traveler.

If a person you are buying for has never really used a camera before, a good-quality compact camera , or point-and-shoot camera, may make a perfect gift. The pros of a compact camera are they are small, lightweight, easy to travel with, and fairly easy to use. The downside is they give you less control and may not perform well in certain situations. Perfect for those who want something that can fit into a pocket or purse.

If you are buying a travel gift for someone who is more keen on photography and does have some photography experience, then you might look at a mirrorless camera. Mirrorless cameras come with interchangeable lenses and offer more features and versatility than compact cameras. Although heavier than compact cameras, they are often smaller and less heavy than DSLR cameras .

If the traveler you are buying for is a bit of a daredevil and adventurer, you might consider an action camera or sports camera instead. These are similar in capabilities to a compact camera, but are designed for sports, action, and are normally water-resistant or waterproof.

Action cameras are small, durable, and built to withstand elements such as dust, water, and some bumps and bruises so are great for the more outdoorsy and adventurous travelers. The best known type of these cameras is the GoPro series .

You can read our travel camera guide for even more options. We also have guides to the best compact cameras for travel , best action cameras , best bridge cameras , best mirrorless cameras , and best DSLR cameras . Have a question about choosing a travel camera or travel camera accessory, feel free to ask us as we have a lot of experience buying and recommending cameras to people of all skill levels.

Price: ~ USD $125 and up.

Give them a Weekend Getaway

Know someone who could use a weekend getaway but maybe can’t afford it or doesn’t have the time to plan because of personal or work related responsibilities? Plan and book a weekend getaway for them, so all they have to do is pack something and go. It’ll be a thoughtful gift and experience they’ll always remember.

This might be a getaway with you, a solo getaway, or one you help organize with their partner or family. It could be a weekend spa getaway, a family beach vacation, an all-inclusive cruise or tour, or a fun city break. Or maybe its just a hotel stay in your own city for needed time away from the house and daily routine.

It helps of course if you are close to the person and know their day-to-day schedule and availability. But if you don’t, perhaps get in touch with someone who would know this such as a spouse, parent, or best friend and enlist their help.

Price: ~ USD $150 and up

Home Security Camera System

If you know someone who travels regularly, one thing that they might love is a networked home security camera system. These devices will let them keep an eye on their home (or their pets!) when they’re away from home, and they can be configured in a variety of ways.

Lots of different systems are available , but we recommend the Netgear Arlo range, which have been around for a while now and we’ve used in the past. Another popular option is the Ring home security system .

Versions are available for indoor and outdoor use, as well as with night vision capabilities and 2-way audio. Most send you an email or text alert when motion is detected. Many are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Echo Show, Fire TV, Google Assistant, etc.

You can see what’s going on and control the cameras with a smartphone app, tablet, or computer, making these cameras an excellent option for peace of mind when you are on the go.

Cruise Tickets

If you know someone who is looking for a fun trip where they’ll be able to experience new destinations without the hassle of having to pack and repack on a regular basis, a cruise might be just the gift for them. Whether it is a weekend party cruise or a 3 week expedition cruise to Antarctica, you’ll likely find something to suit their taste.

Cruises are available at a wide range of price points, and cover a huge variety of destinations and travel styles. There’s everything from luxury river cruises to transatlantic cruises to family-friendly cruises . There are even expedition cruises to some of the more far flung corners of the globe.

There are hundreds of cruise companies out there, and it will depend on what kind of cruise you are after. We have booked most of our cruises from a Carnival weekend cruise to Mexico to our Cunard Queen Mary transatlantic cruise ( where we got married !) via Priceline.com as they often have special deals and offers, and we have found their phone and online customer support to be good.

Price: ~ USD $150 and up.

Round Trip Plane Tickets

Perhaps there is nothing more romantic and exciting than receiving round-trip airline tickets to some exotic destination!

Of course, you may not know the dates, times, and passport details necessary to book tickets for someone else, so you are probably better off giving them a card with the money, check, or gift card they can use towards the purchase of the flights.

If you know which airline they like to fly, some airlines including United Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines offer gift credit or gift cards that you can purchase.

Also if the traveler on your gift list has an airline miles account, most airline miles programs allow you to gift miles to another account. So that is another option. Just be sure to check any expiration or exclusion details.

Price: ~ USD $200 and up

Flytographer Photographer

Give the gift of lasting memories by hiring a professional local photographer to take photos of your loved one on their next holiday. 

It is difficult to take good photos of yourself if traveling solo, take good couples photos while traveling , or get those perfect family photos on the road, and the best way to get great photos is a professional photographer.

You can, of course, hire a specific local photographer for them, but an easier solution is to give them a gift card for a service, such as Flytographer, that specializes in pairing travelers with photographers in over 200 cities around the world.

You can get a discount on your first Flytographer shoot by signing up here .

Price: ~ USD $250 and up

If you know someone who is into photography or making videos and is maybe looking for a new way to capture images, a drone makes for a fantastic gift.

There are a number of drone options out there. In terms of brands, we can recommend the DJI line of drones which make some of the best drones out there. The DJI Mini  is a great portable starting drone option and is really lightweight. We personally have a DJI Mavic 2 (more recent version is the Mavic 3 ) but it is too bulky for the average traveler.

Or if you know a traveler with a drone, you might consider getting them some cool accessories. You can see our drone accessories guide here.

Just note that there are a lot of restrictions related to drones and travel, and it can be difficult to travel with drones to certain countries. They are also not permitted in places like in U.S. National Parks or near airports. So you’ll want to do your research before packing a drone for a trip.

Price: ~ USD $400 and up

Space Camp is an educational camp which provides a fun interactive learning experience that is based on the training that U.S. astronauts receive when going into Space. It is operated and located at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center . There are also special programs that focus on things like robotics, cyber technologies, and aviation.

The majority of attendees are children who attend as part of a school or club groups, but Space Camp is also open to adults and families. The standard program is 6 days for children or a weekend or 3-day programs for families and the Adults only program.

A trip to Space Camp has been on Laurence’s bucket list ever since he saw the 1980’s Space Camp movie. We were finally able to make that happen on a trip to Huntsville Alabama , and you can read all about our experience visiting Space Camp .

If you want to give Space Camp as a surprise gift but not sure of what dates would work, you can create a registration and instead of picking a date, you will select ‘choose your dates later’.  The person who receives the gift can then call later and schedule the dates they would like to attend.

There are also space-related camp programs that are now offered in other parts of the world as well, including Florida, Norway, and Russia. These are not exactly the same thing, but may be a good alternative for those living closer to these locations.

We think that a trip to Space Camp would be the most amazing gift for anyone interested in space, no matter their age!

Price: USD $499 and up per attendee

Travel Laptop

Travel is often a time we want to get away from everything, but this isn’t always possible. For longer trips, or for folks who just take their jobs on the road (like us!), a travel laptop is a necessity rather than a luxury.

There’s a huge range of travel laptops to choose from. Our suggestion would be to go for something that is very portable and has good battery life, but is still powerful enough to do everything you need to do when traveling.

Some good lightweight traditional laptops are the Dell XPS 13 series for Windows users and the Macbook Air series for Apple users.

If you like the idea of something that can be used as a laptop or a tablet, one of the best options is the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (try the older Pro 6 or 7 versions if you have a smaller budget), which is a very portable laptop. It has both stylus support and a detachable keyboard (both sold separately ).This makes it great for use as a tablet for watching movies, and the keyboard can be added for writing e-mails or other word-processing tasks.

If you are buying a gift for someone who is likely to do things that requires a more powerful laptop, like photo editing, video editing, or gaming, see our guide to the best laptops for photo editing to get some ideas of what is available.

Price : ~ USD $750 and up.

Travel Related DIY Gift

As noted, a travel gift doesn’t have to cost money. Consider giving them something thoughtful that you made yourself.

Do you knit, do crafting, woodworking, or make candles? Some examples could be a travel themed charm bracelet, a handmade wooden photo frame of one of their vacation photos, a needlepoint of their favorite destination, a leather luggage tag, a handsewn fabric passport cover, a knitted scarf for their next trip, or a scented candle to remind them of favorite travel memory.

Perhaps you are a great home cook. Consider cooking for them or filling their fridge with some meals before they return from a trip to save them from grocery shopping and cooking when they first get back.

Got a gift for choosing great music? Create an amazing playlist for your loved one’s next road trip.

If you are doing a gift with children, perhaps get together to make the person a surprise Welcome Home banner and throw them a little welcome home party.

Price : Priceless

So that is our travel gift guide! Hopefully we’ve given you some great gift ideas for the travelers in your life.

If you want to see the items all in one place (or at least those available online via Amazon) you can check out our gift list here that includes many of the items from our gift guide.

Going to be needing to buy more gifts for travelers in the future? Pin this article on Pinterest to read it again later:

I hope you’ve enjoyed our gift guide for travelers! Which of these products would you want to receive as a gift yourself? Know of a travel-themed gift idea not on our list, feel free to tell us about it.

If you have any questions about any of the gift suggestions, please let me know in the Comments section below!

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Idelle Longman Post author

October 15, 2022 at 9:28 am

Hello Jessica,

This is the most comprehensive and well-thought-out gift list ever written. Thank you for your diligent research. I might have missed it, but did you have anything for a well-made rain jacket? Good to have in your suitcase when mother nature does not want to cooperate.

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

October 17, 2022 at 12:45 pm

Yes, a good rain jacket is a great idea for a traveler gift. We personally own rain jackets from Trespass (UK company) and North Face. I just got a new North Face one (they have several rain jacket options) that is really lightweight and easy to pack and good for warmer climates. I also have a thicker, warmer one I use for colder places from Trespass. You can see some rain jacket options on Amazon here and on REI here (if in the USA). North Face, Outdoor Research, Columbia, REI, Marmot, and Patagonia all have a number of rain jacket, parka, and poncho options but any of the outdoor stores/brands carry some good options.

I would just make sure you get one with a good hood, useful pockets (preferably zippered and sealed), and is the right weight/warmth for where you plan to travel. Reading reviews online can also be helpful. If needing one for a warm/hot place, I would recommend something really thin and packable so it doesn’t take up much space in your suitcase.

Hope that helps!

Best, Jessica

Jan Post author

December 9, 2021 at 10:10 am

Great gift guide here! Wondering if you could help direct me to what kind of camera might be good for a beginner. I have no real knowlege of cameras and my son, age 19, is taking interest in photography and would like to get him a decent camera that he could perhaps upgrade in future. What models might be best. What else would he need, such as basic accessories just to get started. Budget for camera around 500 to 600 euros.

December 9, 2021 at 12:36 pm

What a lovely gift idea.

I’d recommend either a mirrorless camera or DSLR camera . So at that price point we would probably recommend a DSLR camera, because mirrorless cameras tend to be a bit more expensive (although you might also consider a used or refurbished camera as well where you can get more for your money).

For a new DSLR at that price point (for both the camera body and a lens), we’d recommend something like the Canon EOS 250D , which you should be able to get with a lens for around €600. Canon have a huge range of lenses, so he can upgrade further down the road if he wanted to.

In terms of accessories, you’d want to make sure the camera comes with a battery, charger, and camera strap (most cameras come with these included) and you’d also want to probably get him a memory card (16GB or greater). Those are the basic things he would need to use the camera and get started!

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any other questions!

December 9, 2021 at 6:35 pm

Thanks Jessica! this is super helpful and very kind of you to get back to me so quickly. That recommendation sounds good as I know he had a little Canon camera when he was a kid that he loved. This gives me a good jumping off point to start from and I will also check out the camera articles you link to try to educate myself a little more about the basics.

Much appreciated!!! ~Jan

December 10, 2021 at 5:06 am

You’re very welcome and just let us know if you have any other questions when camera shopping! Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season.

October 17, 2022 at 8:22 pm

Hi Jessica,

Your information is very helpful, especially concerning jackets for colder places.

Erma G. Post author

December 4, 2021 at 8:29 am

Fantastic travel gift guide! Just wanted to say thanks as it gave me lots of ideas as I do my holiday shopping this weekend 😉

December 4, 2021 at 8:35 am

Glad you found our gift guide for travelers useful for your holiday shopping! Thanks for taking the time to comment, we always love hearing that our content has been helpful 😉

Wishing you luck as you shop and a wonderful holiday season!

Connie D. Post author

November 7, 2019 at 2:33 pm

Very detailed list ! How about adding some travel translators like Travis or Pocketalk? They’d fit right well with the theme 🙂

November 8, 2019 at 3:45 am

Hi Connie, Glad you like our gift guide for travelers. Yes, a travel translator could also make a great gift for someone traveling internationally to a country where they don’t speak the language. Thanks for the suggestion!

Suzanne Walsh Post author

October 28, 2019 at 5:13 am

Such a wonderful and thoughtful gift guide for travel lovers! I have a couple of questions if you don’t mind as would like some advice.

1.) What would you think would make a nice travel related stocking stuffers for a family of 4 (parents in late 20’s, girls 5 and 7)? My husband and I are purchasing a trip for our older son and daughter in law and their two kids to go to Costa Rica this year – it will be their first time out of the country. Big gift for them all and then we wanted to just give them some stocking stuffers that would go with it so they have something else to open.

2.) On a sort of related note, I really like your articles about cameras and am thinking about getting a camera for my stepson. He’s 17 and interested in photography. He really likes nature and landscapes as well as taking photos of our dog, family, and documenting our family travels. Currently he has his phone as well as an old point and shoot camera (5+ years old now). Was thinking of maybe a mirrorless camera and budget is around U.S. $500. Any thoughts on a specific model?

Thank you very much indeed!

October 28, 2019 at 6:16 am

Hi Suzanne,

That sounds like some exciting holiday gifts for your family – I am sure they are going to be very excited and thankful for such a big gift! For stocking stuffer travel gifts, I would perhaps consider some things that are related to their upcoming trip. You can get them small things to help them get excited for their trip, things to help plan their time in Costa Rica, and/or things they will need for the trip.

Here are a several ideas:

-Passport holders for their new passports, you can get them personalized with their first names or initials, you can see some options here -Candles or soap that smell like Costa Rica to get them excited, like this soy candle -Guidebook to Costa Rica to help them plan what they want to do, there are a lot of options with most of the major travel guide companies having one on the country -The girls may like coloring books about Costa Rica they can do before the trip and on the flights -Costa Rica themed jewelery, such as a necklace or bracelet, see some options here -Christmas tree ornament related to Costa Rica, such as this one that can be personalized for the family -Toiletery bags, packing cubes, travel sized bottles, etc. are also great things to gift, especially for those new to international travel

In terms of a mirrorless camera for your stepson, I would probably recommend the Canon EOS M200 . This is a great entry level mirrorless camera with all the manual controls that you need to get to grips when learning photography and doing some experimenting, but at a reasonable price point. It is slightly over your budget, so you could get the older model EOS M200, but we think the price difference is worth the upgrade in this case.

Hope that helps and wishing you a happy holiday season!

October 30, 2019 at 3:19 am

Thanks so much Jessica, so many great thoughts. Love the idea of making them about Costa Rica and you’ve saved me from many hours of looking and searching for the perfect gifts!

Aksel Post author

September 3, 2019 at 2:52 pm

This is such a thoughtful and amazing guide, so many great gifts for travellers!

I am wondering if I can get your help as bewildered husband in Copehagen. My wife and I love to travel when we can and I want to get her something she could use on an upcoming trip. We don’t normally do gifting at birthdays but it is going to be her 45th birthday and wanted to get her a little something. Something tasteful and something that would be good for travelling but also would be useful in other situations. I have read your great guide and just can’t make choice, if you have any ideas that would be great. Budget is 150€ to 200€.

September 3, 2019 at 4:43 pm

I am happy to try to provide some suggestions, although it is of course difficult without knowing your wife’s tastes or travel style.

The thing that popped into my mind as I was reading your comment was a cashmere scarf or travel wrap. It is tasteful, useful, and could be used for traveling as well as at home in Denmark. I have a couple from Ovcio that are within your budget that I can highly recommend, you can see those here .

Other birthday gift thoughts:

-A nice piece of luggage, perhaps a carry-on bag that could also be used for other situations? Or a weekender bag? -A nice set of noise-canceling headphones -A monogrammed toiletry bag or travel jewelry case -An e-reader or tablet

Hope that helps you decide, and I am sure your wife will love whatever you get her!

Roslia Santamaria Post author

July 9, 2019 at 4:07 am

wow!! so many great things in this gift guide for travelers and amazing pictures – love it. Thanks for sharing this.

July 11, 2019 at 2:00 pm

Hi Roslia, Glad you are enjoying our travel gift guide – lots of great options for travelers!! Best, Jessica

Scott Post author

May 20, 2019 at 10:29 pm

Wow! Awesome post, really loved reading it. Thank you for sharing all these travel related gift ideas with us.

May 21, 2019 at 5:22 am

Hi Scott, Thanks, glad you enjoyed our post, hope you find the perfect gift for the traveler on your gift list (or for yourself)! Best, Jessica

MF Post author

May 8, 2019 at 5:47 am

Hey, Great content and amazing tips. The list of gifts for travellers contains a list of items that are utmost necessary. Will surely help when next travelling. Thank you for sharing and Keep up the good work.

May 8, 2019 at 8:46 am

Hi MF, Glad you enjoyed it, hoped it helped you choose the perfect gift for the traveler in your life or for yourself 😉 Best, Jessica

Valerie Post author

May 2, 2019 at 5:47 am

Fab travel gifting guide! I am looking for something for my granddaughter, a 17 y.o. (soon to be 18) who is graduating from high school next month and is very interested in traveling the world and joining Peace Corps in future. She is going on a trip with her family to Florida over the summer, but no other travels planned before she starts university. Would like to get her something travel themed but not necessarily something that has to be used for travel since not sure how much traveling she will get to do in near future. Just wanted to see if you had any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

May 2, 2019 at 6:32 am

Hi Valerie!

There are lots of possibilities and it depends on your budget and her taste obviously, but here are a few ideas:

-A piece of jewelry such as this compass necklace which makes a nice graduation gift for a travel lover. But you can see our guide to lots of travel themed jewelry for lots of options. -Something for her university dorm room such as this sheet set . Will need to know the size of her dorm bed. -A nice smartphone phone case with a travel theme such as these ones -A weekend bag she can use for shorter trips, going to the gym, trips home, and nights at friends. You can have it personalized with her initials such as this canvas bag .

Hope that helps! Jessica

May 2, 2019 at 7:02 am

Thanks so much for your thoughtful response, Jessica. These are some great ideas and I think I may go with a necklace and a dorm room sheet/comforter set – just need to check with my daughter about sheet sizes. Thankss so much, Valerie

Ruth Zelger Post author

April 29, 2019 at 8:52 am

This is an amazing list of gift ideas for travelers – the best I’ve ever seen! Very thoughtful list and you can tell you did some research into so many of this products and ideas. I am doing some gift shopping for some college graduation gifts for a few of my nieces/nephews and partners who are headed off on a European backpacking trip and this guide has been incredibly helpful so thank you for that!

One question: You mentioned that some people avoid reusable plastic water bottles – is there anything but BPA that I should be avoiding? Just wondering as planning to buy a few water bottles as part of the gifts.

April 29, 2019 at 9:19 am

So glad you are finding our travel gifts guide helpful! Sounds you have a number of gifts to buy this Spring.

So I am not an expert on the research on reusable plastic bottles, but obviously BPA (bisphenol-A) is one chemical that has been deemed as unsafe by a number of organizations and most plastics bottles are now made without BPA. However, a number of scientists are now concerned about BPA alternatives and similar chemicals used in reusable plastic bottles and containers as they may have the same health effects. The health consequences aren’t from a new bottle, but from a bottle used over time as the chemicals can leech through as the bottle wears and gets older or if it gets scratched etc. You can read more in this article .

How much BPA or other chemicals truly effect an individuals’ health or how often bottles leach into drinks/food is unclear, but if it is a concern, the best recommendations are for uncoated stainless steel bottles (be sure if it is coated, the coating does not contain BPA) or glass bottles.

Seana Turner Post author

April 25, 2019 at 6:24 am

Wow – this is one comprehensive list! I’ve actually given or received a number of these, including the travel adapter, the Bose earphones, the scratch off map, the pin map, the water bottle and the travel vest (which my husband loved when we went to Israel). I love that you started with the idea of watching children.. that is probably the hardest one to get, and is such a sacrificial and loving gift!

April 25, 2019 at 11:23 am

Hi Seana, Glad you like it and wow, sounds like you have already given and received some great gifts for travelers – we have many of those same products 😉 Yes, indeed, sometimes the most thoughtful gift you can give is your time! Best, Jessica

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The 41 Best Gifts for Travelers from Day Trip Adventures to Long Vacations

Adventurous friends and family will appreciate these travel must-haves including wireless headphones, luggage organization tools, and more starting at just $6.

If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

Whether someone’s a frequent flyer, digital nomad, or simply adventuring elsewhere every so often, gifting an item that improves their travel experience can go a long way (often literally). Small, helpful travel gadgets can reduce airport headaches and increase your giftee's odds of staying sane on long flights , handy organizers like travel makeup bags can optimize all that never-enough suitcase space, and splurges — well, they’ll traverse thousands of miles and passport stamps.

As a travel writer and professional shopper, I’ll be the first to admit that the best present for a loved one who loves to explore the globe might just be a plane ticket. But we didn’t just give you the second-best gift idea for a traveler. After researching, testing, and consulting on gift ideas with an expert flight attendant and travel author, Best Products gave you 42 more too.

There are two main types of travel gifts: the practical and the aspirational, explains Nikki Vargas , Senior Editor of Fodor’s Travel and author of the memoir Call Me When You Land . For Vargas, a practical gift would be an item to “make a traveler’s journey easier and safer.” She suggests picks like a carry-on suitcase, toiletries holder, or even a personal safety alarm. “An aspirational gift might inspire wanderlust, like an armchair traveler book that sweeps you across the globe or map to start tracking your trips.”

I tend to opt for practical items that can reduce the friction of being away, but others may prefer gifts to inspire wanderlust or sweet sentimental commemorations of a beloved venture. My own recommendations as a hotel reviewer and digital nomad range from a blackout sleep mask that salvaged my sleep in a boisterous hostel to the portable TV stick that made a cold resort room feel homey when I needed it most.

Check out our list of best travel gifts starting at just $6 — before your giftee checks in to their next flight.

K. Carroll Harper Crossbody Bag

This adorable (and affordable!) small purse, named one of Oprah's Favorite Things , is perfect for traveling. Made of synthetic leather, it holds all the essentials, such as your phone, credit cards, and cash. Plus, it comes in a ton of colors and patterns and can be worn across the body or on your belt.

More: Great Gifts for Here She Won't See Coming

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

Look, you certainly don't need us to explain why a lululemon bag is a notable gift to give. But in this case, it's more than just attractive. This Everywhere Belt Bag is designed for those who embrace their wanderlust or their daily routine, with a comfortable fit that can be worn crossbody or around the waist. Its water-repellent fabric is a fit for any adventure, whether a hike or a night out.

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

It may not be the most romantic travel gift, but frequent travelers definitely are always in need of this travel essential .

This all-in-one adapter works in almost every country (you can easily change prongs with a flip of a switch), charges up to five devices at once, has a built-in safety fuse, and comes in shades like grey, rose gold, or white.

Knock Knock Pack This! Pad

Eliminate the stress of packing for your giftee with a thorough list that will help every traveler keep track of everything in their suitcase (or everything they always forget). The list is quite extensive, so they can get as thorough as humanly possible as they plan for practically any trip and leave fully prepared.

Knild Magnetic Wireless Charger for Apple Devices

Carrying a tangled mess of charging cords while traveling is a bigger pain than it should be, as is carrying multiple plug adapters if you’re traveling internationally. So if you’re buying for someone loyal to Apple products, this foldable charger is an incredibly useful gift. Its strong magnetic pull ensures a stable connection to your device, and it takes up very little room in a backpack or handbag.

More: The 12 Best Viral TikTok Travel Essentials on Amazon—Under $60

Veken Packing Cubes

For the traveler in your life who just can't seem to keep their suitcase in order, gift them a set of these discounted, durable, and lightweight polyester packing cubes available in 14 stylish colorways.

Packing cubes will compress their luggage so they can fill any suitcase to the brim while keeping their newly organized contents safe. Plus, the visible mesh fronts mean they can easily keep track of what’s stuffed where.

eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack

Of the thousands on the market, the Mother Lode is the best travel backpack around the $200 price point considering it's packed with useful features. It has everything a traveler needs for maximizing carry-on space, like internal compression straps for clothing, external side straps for larger items like a tripod or rolled jacket, a laptop sleeve, lie-flat pockets for travel docs, and tuck-away backpack straps so you can use it like a duffel bag.

The clamshell-style, suitcase-like zipper is also helpful if you need to unpack your bag during a surprise TSA security search.

Que Bottle The Collapsible Bottle

Staying hydrated during travel is pretty darn important, you guys. This water bottle is the absolute best for traveling because it collapses small to fit easily into your carry-on. Head to the water fountain after you're through security, expand it out to full size, and make sure to drink up!

ThunderBunnyLabs USA Photo Map

Our 50 states encompass a rich array of ecological, sociological, and cultural diversity. Here's a way for those travelers working their way through the USA to display their favorite photos from every state, highlighting what landmarks and hidden gems made each location stand out.

National Geographic 100 Places That Will Change Your Life

For over a century, the pages of National Geographic have provided stories and images about the far reaches of the globe, allowing readers to visit new regions, if just in their minds. Now, your intrepid traveler friend can use those same pages to inspire their next real-life trip, in this sprawling collection of life-changing destinations, from the iconic to the hidden gems.

Jet Set Natural Jet Lag Remedy Pills

Pills might not seem like the most appropriate gift for someone, but anyone who has experienced jet lag knows it's no joke. This convenient little package can even be wrapped up with tickets to a faraway destination where the time-zone change can really get to a person.

Compendium “Everywhere You Go:” A Guided Travel Journal

This thought-provoking travel journal is a great travel gift for recent grads taking their first big trips abroad or anything who appreciates the life-changing moments that can happen on the road. They don’t have to be a writer or journalist to appreciate the book’s thoughtful prompts on everything from their favorite views on vacation to lessons they’ve learned while traveling.

The book is slim and small, and can be used while traveling or after they get home.

AllBirds Tree Runners

AllBirds is the brand most associated with the idea of “one-shoe-to-do-it-all” while traveling, and no single shoe shows that off better than the Tree Runner. The packable shoes won’t take up much space in the recipient's bag, and the cushioning and grip make them well-suited to light hikes and treks.

And if that hike happens to be muddy, no problem: they can throw them in the washing machine when they get home. Bonus: they don’t scream “athletic shoe,” so wearers won’t get laughed out of that Parisian cafe like they may if they showed up in traditional sneakers.

Intenext Book Reading Light

As convenient as e-readers like Kindles are, some people just like the feel of paper pages. And for those people, reading using an airplane’s overhead light can feel like someone is shining a flashlight in your eyes.

If you’re buying for someone who reads actual books, magazines, or newspapers, an ultra-light clip-on book light is a great budget travel gift. It’s useful on planes and trains, but also if they want to stay up late reading in bed while their travel buddy gets some shut-eye.

Basu eAlarm Plus 130db Emergency Alarm

If you or a friend happen to be traveling somewhere that could be unsafe for any reason (be it because of people or wild animals), this little personal alarm is a smart thing to have with you.

When activated, it makes an insanely loud noise, scaring off potential danger, and is much more effective — and easier to travel with — than pepper spray. It's TSA-approved as well, so don't worry about bringing it through security.

‘Atlas Obscura, 'An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders’

There are a million and one travel blogs out there trying to tell you where to go and what to do there. It's hard to sift through it all. The first edition of Atlas Obscura was a best-seller, and it's only gotten better. The book includes 12 city guides, including a map and info on everything you should be doing when you get to your destination.

JMTcollectionsByMary Passport & Vaccination Card Holder

Travel in the modern world, particularly international travel, requires its fair share of crucial documentation. Yet, for some reason, the most crucial of those documents, passports and vaccine cards, are prone to damage and displacement. Help ensure your giftee isn't stranded without the paperwork they need with this simple, colorful passport and vaccine card holder, which helps keep their documents safe, secure, and easily accessible.

More: 15 Passport Holders That’ll Have You Planning Your Next Getaway

National Parks Explorer Map

Calling all nature lovers! This awesome map allows you to chart every national park you've visited using the included tree sticker kit and a corresponding list of parks at the bottom. Place a tree on the map after you visit for a creative way of charting and tracking all your adventures.

W&P The Carry On Cocktail Kit

Go ahead, take the edge off! For a boozy boost, this carry-on cocktail kit is the perfect gift for travelers. It comes in a variety of classic cocktail flavors and can be used to really kick the mini bottles of alcohol you can purchase on the plane up a notch.

Kelofon Travel Jewelry Case

Which jewelry-loving travel-mad gal wouldn't appreciate this portable jewelry box from Kelofon? She can keep all her favorite rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings organized and in one handy place. Plus, there's a small mirror, so she can check out her look.

Grace Smith is a writer, editor, and creative consultant who got her start on a book review blog she launched in the 7th grade — and still runs. Now, she writes commerce and affiliate content across PEOPLE, Real Simple, Southern Living, and Better Homes & Gardens at Dotdash Meredith, as well as moonlights at other publications. Grace covers commerce, travel, style, books, and lifestyle to start and is interested in anything strongly rooted in aesthetics.

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The 55 Best Gifts for Travel Lovers in 2024

Peruse these practical and thoughtful gift ideas for every traveler on your list.

Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa

Shopping for your travel-loving friends and family can be tricky — after all, you’ll want to ensure you’re picking up something practical, but you also don’t want to gift them something they already have. It’s also worth considering that frequent travelers, especially digital nomads, tend to live a more minimalist life. This means practical gear will reign supreme over more frivolous items.

You’ll also want to take into account the kind of travel your favorite globetrotters or influencers are into. City explorers or luxury-leaning travelers, for example, probably won’t want the same gear as someone who spends their PTO hiking and trekking through the wilderness.

The following options were hand-picked by our team to suit every type of traveler and vacationer on your list. We’ve extensively researched (or personally tested) all of the following gifts to ensure your purchase will make a thoughtful and genuinely practical addition to your loved one’s travels. Here are the best gifts travelers will love — for all budgets and needs.

Paravel Passport Case

If your favorite travelers don’t already have a high-quality passport cover, you might want to consider the Paravel Cabana Passport Case. The elegant leather case can even be personalized with a hand-painted monogram or custom graphic to add another layer of elegance. We also like that this option has an abundance of pockets and card slots to make organization easier.

Boka Fresh on the Go

The Boka Fresh on the Go set was made for travelers who avoid checking a bag at all costs. It includes everything they’ll need to maintain good oral hygiene while on the go. The toothpaste is TSA-approved and the mouthwash — this is the best part — comes in the form of chewable tablets, so it won’t even count toward their liquid quota.

Jamaica Vibes

Jamaica Vibes is one of the latest in the Assouline coffee table book family — and possibly one of the most fun options to date. The stunning visual-first book will allow travelers to reminisce about any time spent in Jamaica (or dream about future trips) while the cover and spine of the book will add a dose of elegant and trendy style to coffee tables and bookshelves.

Contiki Tour

You can’t go wrong with the gift of travel itself. If you’re looking for a big-ticket experience gift for a younger traveler in your life, look no further than a Contiki tour. The pre-packaged trips will take them all over the world with like-minded young people and range from exploring the Garden Route in South Africa to road-tripping through the Balkans.

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

Sure, a travel adapter might not immediately come off as the most exciting gift. But any traveler will tell you just how valuable a reliable one really is. The Epicka Universal Travel Adapter is the best travel adapter in our book; it works in more than 150 countries and it’s super compact and easy to pack thanks to the modular design. Plus, you can always pair it with a flashier item like a travel-themed phone case.

SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

The SereneLife Stand-up Paddle Board is an excellent option for anyone who wants to bring the spirit of resort life home. We tested out a variety of inflatable paddle boards and our team agrees that this is the best board on the market thanks to the lightweight, portable design and impressive stability in the water.

LARQ Bottle PureVis

The Larq Self-cleaning Water Bottle is a true game changer for all kinds of travelers. The smart bottle uses UV technology to not just disinfect itself but also to purify the water you’re drinking. This means the jetsetter you’re shopping for will be able to comfortably drink from most water sources without worrying about getting sick.

Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair

The Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair is simply the best beach chair around — and it makes a great gift for road-trippers and camping enthusiasts alike. It’s super easy to transport thanks to the folding backpack design, and is surprisingly comfortable due to the adjustable head pillow and elongated seat. We also like that the frame is rust-proof, meaning it’s perfect for using at the beach or in the rain.

Intelligent Change Inc. The Five Minute Journal

Sometimes, it can be hard to live in the moment and absorb all the magic that is travel — but a gratitude journal can help ensure your globetrotter stays centered on the go. The Five Minute Journal takes, as advertised, takes just five minutes of a traveler’s time; but jotting down their thoughts for those few minutes will help them remember and appreciate the most exciting parts of their day while traveling or at home.

Andobil Car Phone Holder Mount

The best car phone holder mount in our book is the Andobil Car Phone Holder Mount, and it’ll make a great gift for road trippers and car commuters. It’s super easy to install and, once set up, is incredibly stable and easy to use while on the go. There’s also space to plug in a charger so drivers won’t have to mess around with their phone just to get some juice.

Puffer Hug 418 Scarf

Think of the Puffer Hug 418 Scarf as a stylish and equally practical alternative to the fishing vest. Hear us out: this cozy accessory serves as a regular scarf but also has tons of pockets for things like a smartphone or passport. It’s great for wearing to the airport when you need to have documents at the ready but is equally sensible for wearing to explore a new city.

Slip Silk Skinny Scrunchies

The Slip Pure Silk 4-pack Skinny Scrunchies is a fail-safe gift for travelers who want to care for their hair while they're away. The silk design is gentle on the hair and is designed to not pull or cause breakage, even with regular use. We also really like the elegant patterns and colors of the scrunchies, which can easily double as cute arm candy among a stack of bracelets.

Vinarmour Travel Wine Carrier

Wine-loving travelers will flip for the Vinarmour Travel Wine Carrier. This stunning carrier is designed to transport a bottle of wine without any risk of breakage. It features sufficient padding to keep the bottle safe while in transit, but it’s also made from leak-proof material — so even if the bottle was already damaged and cracks while in cargo, it won’t spill on the rest of your luggage.

The Harmonist Travel Coffret

The Harmonist Travel Coffret is a game-changer when it comes to feeling fresh and relaxed in transit. The set of three heavily-concentrated perfumes were designed to foster a sense of calmness and relaxation thanks to the various notes, including patchouli, pomelo, Bulgarian rose, and vanilla. It also comes with a striking travel case to keep the vials safe in transit.

Twelve South AirFly Pro

The Twelve South AirFly Pro is a T+L editor favorite and such an easy way to upgrade the economy experience. This handy little device allows travelers to use their own Bluetooth headphones or earbuds with the inflight entertainment system rather than having to use the sub-par freebies provided by the airline. The AirFly is super easy to use as well — all you have to do is plug it into the headphone jack on the plane and pair it with your headphones.

Four Seasons Velvet Slippers

There’s something inherently luxurious about slipping into a pair of hotel slippers upon check in — and the Four Seasons Velvet Slippers amplify that feeling and bring it home. These stunning slippers are made in Italy from sleek velvet and cotton with the Four Seasons logo embroidered on the top. The elastic back and rubber sole make them appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use.

Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

Here’s one for the solo women travelers on your list. The She's Birdie Personal Safety Alarm is designed to fit incognito in her handbag or pocket — but if she finds herself in any kind of trouble, it’s easy to grab and sound the alarm to draw attention and deter an attack. All she has to do is pull off the top tab to activate the 130-decibel siren and flashing strobe light.

Dagne Dover Tech Organizer

Nobody thinks they need a tech organizer while traveling, but when you take into account all the cables and adapters required to make international travel smooth, having a specific spot to keep everything untangled is major. The Dagne Dover Arlo Tech Organizer is small enough to pop into a carry-on but has plenty of interior space to store everything a traveler needs.

Lindsay Albanese Toptote Leather Hat Holder

Traveling with a cute hat seems like a great idea, but in practice it can be a bit of a pain. The Lindsay Albanese Toptote Leather Hat Holder allows travelers to bring along a wide-brim hat without having to wear it the entire commute or risking it getting crushed in a suitcase. The clip attaches to the brim of a hat and the built-in carabiner lets you pop it onto a handbag or carry-on for a hands-free solution.

Diptyque Travel Cleansing & Moisturizing Set

This cleansing and moisturizing set will be a welcome addition to any routine whether at home or on the go. The decadent set includes both rinse-free and regular hand wash as well as a moisturizing hand lotion — all of which smell just like your favorite luxury hotel bath products. We also like that this option comes with a cute carrying case that makes it easy to store the items in a handbag or carry-on.

Vasco V4 Language Translator Device

World travelers always have a few favorite travel products they swear by. For traveling abroad, the Vasco V4 Language Translator Device makes the experience so much easier — not just on the traveler but on the locals as well. This genius device provides instant voice translation in 108 languages and comes with free lifetime internet to ensure it’ll always be functional anywhere in the world. The instant translations mean your traveling pal can have real-time conversations with people across the globe, even if there’s no common spoken language.

Pokoloko Harem Towel

The Pokoloko Harem Towel is handcrafted using 100 percent Turkish cotton by artisans in Turkey — and it’s the perfect beach bag essential. It’s very lightweight and rolls down much smaller than the average towel. However, it’s also incredibly absorbent and quick-drying, so travelers can pop it back into their beach bag at the end of the day without worrying about lugging home a soggy towel.

lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L

It’s called the Everywhere Belt Bag for a reason! This Lululemon staple has quickly become a cult classic for travelers (it has quite literally been everywhere this year). The adjustable belt bag is super convenient for everything from hiking to exploring cities hands-free, and the durable nylon material means you won’t have to worry about potential spillage or getting stuck in the rain (it’ll wipe clean with a bit of water).

Longchamp Le Pliage Filet Mesh Bag

Regular travelers know the importance of throwing a decent-sized tote into their luggage. After all, you never know when you’ll need the extra bit of space while on the road. The Longchamp Le Pliage Filet L Mesh Bag offers a sophisticated take on the humble mesh tote complete with a snap closure and both a top handle and shoulder strap for added versatility.

Conair Travel Garment Dual Voltage Steamer

The Conair Power Steam Handheld Travel Garment Steamer makes looking and feeling put together on the road a snap. The compact steamer is small enough to slip into a carry-on bag and pull out as needed while traveling. It boasts a 35-second heat-up time so the traveler in your life can power away wrinkles and creases in no time at all.

YETI Roadie 24 Cooler

The Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler will be well received by the road trip warriors and beach bums on your list. Not only is it super aesthetically pleasing, but it can also actually fit an incredible amount in such a compact space — we’re talking up to 33 cans, 26 pounds of ice, and even full-sized bottles of wine.

Loop Quiet Ear Plugs

You don’t quite realize how high-quality the Loop Quiet earplugs are until you really need them. The surprisingly stylish earplugs were designed to be comfortable while sleeping and will serve as a major blessing the next time your gift recipient has been put in a hotel room next to a crying baby or bachelorette party.

Paravel Mini Fold-up Backpack

The Paravel Mini Fold-Up Backpack earned the top spot in our books as the best mini backpack of 2024 , and it’s easy to see why. It’s easy to fit all the essentials — think a tablet, a wallet, sunscreen, and shoes — but it also folds down into the size of a wallet when not in use, which makes it great for tucking into a carry-on bag in case of emergencies. We also love that this bag has the option to be monogrammed, making your gift all the more thoughtful.

Béis The Cosmetic Case

We love Béis for its cheeky and innovative take on travel accessories — and the Cosmetic Case in particular is one of our top picks of the year for best makeup cases . We love that this option is highly durable but still elegant in design and also has a generous-sized built-in mirror that makes it easy to do makeup or skincare while on the go. It’s also worth noting that this case is available in eight different colorways, so you can choose one that’ll best suit their specific style.

Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus

If the traveler on your list is in need of a new carry-on, you’ll want to consider the Paravel Aviator Carry-on Plus. This innovative carry-on bag earned top marks in our books as the best piece of luxury luggage thanks to its super sturdy build and variety of organization options within the luggage. It’s also worth noting that all carriers are ethically produced — which makes this a great gift for conscious travelers as well.

Baggu Nylon Crescent Bag

We love a crossbody bag for travel — and the Baggu Nylon Crest Bag is definitely the top crossbody bag of the year in our books. We love just how versatile this bag is and how easily it can be packed into a suitcase without adding any bulk or weight. The crossbody bag is also highly durable and even machine washable, which is a huge perk for travelers who don’t want to have to baby their accessories while on the go.

Awake Caffeinated Chocolate Energy Bar

Frequent flyers know the perils of trying to get a good cup of coffee on an airplane or in an airport — which is why the Awake Caffeinated Chocolate Energy Bites are such a game changer for caffeine-loving travelers. The tasty chocolate bites have the caffeine equivalent of half a cup of coffee, and also offer a sweet sugar kick that’ll help them get through everything from red-eye flights to long layovers.

Nitecore MT21C Flashlight

You might not immediately think of a flashlight as a standout gift for a traveler — but a rechargeable flashlight is a packing essential for travelers who do any kind of adventure or outdoor traveling. The Nitecore MT21C Flashlight is one T+L editors swear by thanks to its compact size, impressive brightness, and longevity (it has a maximum output of 1000 lumens and a peak beam distance of 201 yards). It’s also adjustable by 90 degrees which can be highly practical for getting into tight spaces.

Moon Dissolving Whitening Strips

There’s something about indulging in a self-care routine while flying that can make an economy seat feel like you’re sitting in first class — and what could be more luxurious than whitening your teeth while on the go? The MOON Teeth Whitening Strips were designed to be used while traveling, the strips work the same as your classic Crest variety, but all you have to do is stick them on and wait for them to dissolve — no sink or rinsing required.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet

Sure — most airplanes have built-in in-flight entertainment, but boy does it suck when you board a flight only to realize there’s no screen on the seat back. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet will let them download all their favorite shows and movies to watch on the flight. It’s also great for reading e-books or checking into social media while in transit.

Aer Travel Weekender

The Aer Travel Weekender is our favorite carry-on duffel bag right now thanks to its versatility and durable design. We like that this bag can easily be used as a top-handle tote, but that it also has a built-in strap that makes it easy to use as a duffel bag while on the go. It’s worth noting that the bag also has a 16-inch padded laptop sleeve, which means they’ll be able to keep their laptop or tablet safe and secure while traveling.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3

A portable speaker makes a great addition to any traveler’s packing list. Not only does it ensure the vibes will be good no matter where they find themselves, it’s also a great tool for playing white noise and making it easier to fall asleep in unfamiliar places. We highly recommend the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3; this one is super easy to connect to any phone and is both waterproof and dustproof — so they won’t have to be precious with it while traveling.

nCamp Café Portable Coffee Maker

If you’ve got a coffee lover on your list, the nCamp Café Portable Coffee Maker is going to be a game changer in terms of the quality of their morning joe. This compact coffee maker is especially great to bring on camping trips because it crafts espresso-style coffee without any power source. The only thing they’ll need is a hot water source and they’ll have cafe-quality brew wherever they go (which, let’s be honest, will also save them a ton of money on morning coffee).

Nintendo Switch

Travel can be endlessly thrilling and entertaining — but there’s a lot of downtime that comes with it as well. A Nintendo Switch is going to make a great gift for the gamers on your list (or those traveling with little ones). The beauty of the Switch is that they’ll be able to use it as a handheld to pass the time at airports or train stations, but it can also be set up television-style to play party games at the hotel room or Airbnb.

Infinity Pillow Travel Pillow

Unless you’re lucky enough to get a miraculous upgrade to business class, sleeping on a plane can be a struggle. That’s where the Infinity Pillow Travel Pillow comes in. This innovative pillow was designed with neck support and can be adapted to work whether they’re in the window, aisle, or even the middle seat.  It’s also temperature regulating, so it won’t make them sweaty mid-flight, and doubles as an eye mask.

Call You When I Land: A Memoir

Travel writer and author Nikki Vargas spares no detail in her evocative memoir Call You When I Land , which follows Vargas as she relentlessly pursues her dream career, and in turn, dream lifestyle. The juicy travelogue is ideal for fans of Eat Pray Love or What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding . Oh — and there’s a love story and murder mystery baked into it as well. Can you say beach read?

Nimble Champ Portable Charger

It doesn’t matter how streamlined their travel is — every traveler struggles with having juice for all their devices while on the go. Sometimes it’s a lack of adequate adapters, and sometimes it’s long excursions with no charging outlet in sight. Either way, a decent portable charger just makes things easier. We love the Nimble Champ Portable Charger in particular. It’s compact and durable, but it’s also eco-friendly having been crafted in part from recycled water bottles.

Slip Lovely Lashes Contour Sleep Mask

Traveling without a sleep mask sucks — especially if you’re sensitive to light or plan to sleep on the plane. The Slip Lovely Lashes Contour Sleep Mask in particular is an awesome gift and great alternative to the classic eye mask model. It’s crafted from real silk, so it won’t pull or mess up their hair. It also has a contoured eye area so it won’t squish their eyes or lashes, even if they use it all night long.

Away The Insider Packing Cubes

Away The Insider Packing Cubes are a game changer for travelers who want to pack light and travelers who like to pack more than they might need. For starers, these packing cubes allow them to organize their clothing by categories, which allows them to have a better grasp on exactly what they have. The cubes also gently compress clothing which makes it easy to fit everything into a carry-on or smaller-sized suitcase as needed.

Skyborne iTravel Folio 4.0

Staying organized and on the ball on travel days makes the whole experience go much smoother — and that’s why we love the Skyborne iTravel Folio 4.0. This sleek travel wallet is designed to fit all their travel documents (including passport, smartphone, AirPods, and more) in one stylish zippered wallet. It also has built-in charging capabilities to keep their electronics juiced up, no matter where they are.

Rewined Bordeaux Candle

If they’re always waxing poetic about their trip to wine country, why not gift them an olfactory memory of their time? The Bordeaux Candle by Rewined comes as an homage to the French countryside with notes of Maritime Pine, Crushed Herbs, and Cypress that are designed to transport them right back to the vineyards of Bordeaux. Rewined’s candles are also beautifully made and will look just as good as they smell on a coffee table or kitchen counter.

Pocket Tripod Universal Kit

Let’s be honest: no matter how cool we think we are, everyone wants to get some good photos to share on social media (or to look back on) while traveling. The Pocket Tripod Universal Kit is a super compact and discreet alternative to the larger tripods on the market. It’s about the size of a credit card and is easy to pop onto a smartphone for an instant tripod, wherever they find themselves.

Foreo Luna Mini 2 Facial Cleansing Brush

Traveling can wreak some serious havoc on the skin — which is why skincare-loving travelers (and really anyone who likes a clean face!) will flip for the FOREO LUNA Mini. This innovative skincare tool uses T-sonic pulsations to clean the skin, brushing away any traces of makeup, dirt, or acne-causing bacteria that might be lurking on their face after a long flight or day of exploration.

Audible Membership

If you’re shopping for a traveler who is big on podcasts or listening to audio books while on the go, a subscription to Audible is pretty much a no-brainer. This subscription will get them one free audiobook per month and allow them to listen to all kinds of different books at their own pace while traveling. It’s also a great alternative to packing various books or having to remember an e-reader; all their audiobooks will be accessible right on their smartphone or tablet!

The Essential Guide to Turkish Wine

The Essential Guide to Turkish Wine by wine writer and author Andrea Lemieux is the only English-language anthology you’ll find sharing the ins and outs of Turkish wine. Turkey is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world, and Lemieux’s comprehensive guide will inspire them to book a trip to the wine trail of Turkey thanks to her captivating (and comprehensive) descriptions and gorgeous illustrations and visuals to match.

Riemot Luggage Cup Holder

It would be nice to have another set of hands when rolling through the airport, wouldn’t it? Well, that’s where the Riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder comes in. This handy attachment can fit onto any rolling suitcase or carry-on. It not only accommodates a beverage, but also easily fits a wallet or passport and most smartphones. There’s nothing better than being hands-free without having to dig through a handbag or backpack to get out the essentials.

BasicConcepts Airplane Foot Hammock

Sure — it might look a little cheesy at first glance… but they will be incredibly grateful for this whimsical gift when they’re on hour five of their next red-eye flight. The Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock attaches underneath the tray table, providing them with instant relief of aches and pains that might crop up after sitting upright for hours on end. It can adjust to three different positions as well, so they’ll be able to continue to change their position throughout the flight for added comfort.

Steamline Luggage The Palm Cosmetics Set

Frequent flyers are always on the hunt for streamlined packing accessories — and this cosmetics set from Steamline Luggage is a standout option. It ranks number one in our best travel pouch of 2024 thanks to its charming tropical-inspired prints and the fact that the pouches are crafted from recycled water bottles. The pouches can easily fit inside of one another when not in use and lay flat, which makes them easy to pack and store.

1,000 Places to See Before You Die

1,000 Places to See Before You Die is one of our favorite travel-focused reference books. The anthology is a veritable bucket list that is just as good for armchair travel as it is for reference when planning a trip. We also love flipping through this book to reflect on all the places we’ve been — the intriguing descriptions and photography evoke memories while also seeing even the most popular tourist destinations and monuments in a refreshing new light.

Native Union Universal Sling

The Native Union Universal Sling is designed to pop onto smartphones like a phone case — but it comes with a built-in strap that allows travelers to wear their phone like a crossbody bag or around their neck like a lanyard. It’s available in a variety of colorways and is made from recycled material for a more sustainable approach. It’s perfect for travel as it’s more secure than throwing a phone in a pocket or bag as well.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Kaitlyn McInnis is a lifestyle editor-turned-freelance travel writer for T+L. She started her career as a gift guide editor and has a long-standing passion for helping others find the absolute best gifts (at great prices) for everyone in their life.

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Katz’s Three-Course Dinner for Four

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The Wayfarer’s Handbook

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Hawkins New York Wool-Blend Striped Throw

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Holiday Magazine Subscription

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Matcha Brewing Kit

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Yoruba Beaded Arm Chair

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Small-Batch Organic Chocolate Subscription

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Whal Myung Skin Elixir

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We have so many more ideas for gifts that give back , ideas for globetrotting foodies , the best travel books of the year, essentials for frequent flyers , and gadgets and inspiration for adventure travelers .

We make every effort to ensure the information in our articles is accurate at the time of publication. But the world moves fast, and even we double-check important details before hitting the road.

50 Best Gifts for Travelers: Unique Ideas for Every Budget

This page contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.

This list of the best gifts for travelers will help you find the ideal travel presents for the globetrotters in your life.

As nomads for the past 12 years, we know what travelers really need. These travel gift ideas include practical items that your loved one will actually use on the road.

Many of them help travelers pack lighter or even travel carry-on only, like we do. 

Whether you are looking for inexpensive, small travel gifts or an extravagant splurge, you’ll find ideas for all budgets.

Click on the links below to skip ahead to your gift budget or scroll down to read the whole article.

Travel Books

Digital gifts for travelers.

Waterproof Phone Pouch

We have this waterproof phone pouch to keep our phone and wallet safe and dry when we are snorkelling, kayaking, and river hiking. It’s also handy if you don’t want to leave your valuables on the beach when you head into the ocean for a dip. 

It comes with a lanyard to wear it around your neck. 

An inexpensive, useful and small travel gift. 

Buy on Amazon

Llama Makeup Bag

These small and inexpensive makeup bags come in a range of cute designs including llamas and sloths. Perfect for storing toiletries and other small items on the road or at home.

Hiking Wool

We discovered hiking wool in New Zealand and have been amazed by how successfully it prevents blisters when hiking, running, or just when you’re on your feet a lot.

It’s made from super soft New Zealand merino wool and is easy to use—just tear off a chunk and place it under your sock in any area where you begin to feel rubbing.

We haven’t had a blister since using it, even on our five-day Queen Charlotte Track hike. It makes a lightweight gift for active people or anyone struggling with sore feet. 

Burt’s Bees Skincare Kit

This gift set features five travel-sized skincare products made from natural ingredients.

This was one of the most useful travel gifts we received before heading off on the road, but it’s just as enjoyable at home.

Travel-Size Toiletry Bottles

Every carry-on traveler needs toiletry bottles under 100ml/3oz that meet with airline regulations and can be taken on planes. They allow you to pack your favorite product without having to carry a large container. These bottles are leak-proof and have wide openings.

Buy on Amazon  

Foldable Water Bottle

Normal water bottles take up too much space when they’re empty, so foldable water bottles are a better option. We love the Vapur Element Bottle as it’s lightweight, can be flattened or rolled when empty, has a flip top cap, and can be clipped to a bag.

Portable Charger

Portable battery chargers are incredibly useful travel gifts for anyone who travels with a phone.

They fit in your pocket and take the stress out of long travel days as you don’t end up without access to Google Maps when trying to find your hotel.

This one is tiny and comes in five colors.

Solid Lotion

There are only so many toiletry bottles you can fit in your airline-compliant ziplock bag, so if your loved one is a beauty product junky, the answer is solid toiletries.

You can take as many of these on the plane as you like, and they usually save space and weight and last longer than liquid versions. This Honey House Naturals Bee Bar gets excellent reviews and leaves your skin silky smooth.

Travel Coffee Mug

A travel coffee mug is a must for every traveler who is concerned about the millions of disposable coffee cups that end up in landfill every day.

They are also really useful on road trips, especially in remote areas where there might not be places to stop for a drink (Simon used one often in Iceland and Namibia). 

The Contigo Autoseal West Loop mug is leak and spill proof (you can shove it in your bag) and keeps drinks hot for 5 hours. It comes in many colors and sizes. 

Beeswax Wraps

My mum gave me these beeswax wraps and I’ve been surprised how useful they are (and have since bought more).

We often self-cater while traveling and these have been fantastic for wrapping up leftover food, covering bowls, and packing sandwiches for day trips.

They are a sustainable alternative to plastic wrap and make simple but beautiful presents for travelers or anyone who cares about reducing plastic waste. 

Shampoo Bars

Another solid toiletry product to get around airline restrictions and avoid leaks. Shampoo bars work as shampoo and soap, last ages, and are vegan and eco-friendly (no plastic bottles or harmful chemicals). 

They make fantastic small and inexpensive gifts for people who travel.

I’ve used Lush shampoo bars for years and they are available in Lush shops around the world.

I’ve also tried Ethique solid shampoo bars which are just as good and smell less intense. Their hair sampler with three small shampoos and two conditioners is a perfect travel gift.

Travel Towel

A normal towel is bulky and heavy, so a travel towel is a must for budget travelers staying in accommodation where towels aren’t provided.

Although that’s not us these days, we use ours for the beach, picnics, and sweaty yoga classes. They are light, compact, and quick-drying.

This  Youphoria travel towel  on Amazon comes in a range of sizes and colors and has excellent reviews. 

Alternatively, the  Eccosophy travel beach towel  is more expensive and a little heavier than the large Youphoria, but it comes in many beautiful patterns. 

Solid Perfume

Solid perfumes are much more practical than liquid fragrances for travelers and make excellent small travel gifts. These scents come in tiny tins that fit easily in your purse. 

You can also buy a  solid men’s cologne  in a travel-friendly tin. 

Packable Tote Bag

Packable tote bags make good gifts for travelers as they are tiny and always comes in handy for shopping and beach trips. ChicoBag has a range of beautiful designs and their bags hold up to 40 pounds (18kg) of shopping.

Electronics Organizer Bag

A great present for anyone, like us, who travels with too many electronics. An electronics organizer bag keeps our cables, chargers, hard drives, and accessories organized, accessible, and protected.

Moleskine Pocket Notebook

We usually avoid traveling with heavy paper, but sometimes you want a real notebook rather than using your phone (like I did on safari in Africa or when hiking the Dales Way).

Classic Moleskine notebooks are the ones we return to again and again for their high quality. The hard covers make it easy to write without a table.

You can choose from many colors and limited edition designs. I have a cherry blossom themed one Simon bought me in Japan. 

USB Travel Plug Adapter

A travel plug adapter is essential for every traveler to allow them to use different plugs around the world. A USB version is best—this one from Epicka has four USB ports allowing you to charge multiple devices at once. 

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Peak Design Phone Case

Peak Design has made the perfect phone case (available for iPhone, Samsung, and Pixel). The Everyday Case is slim, stylish, and protective. 

Best of all, its built-in connection system means you can instantly attach it to other Peak Design items like the stand wallet (see below) and car and bike mounts. 

Buy at Peak Design

Allbirds Merino Beanie

A wool beanie is essential for cold weather travel and this unisex one by Allbirds was perfect on our US road trip in February. 

It’s made from superfine merino wool so it keeps you warm without itching and feels so soft and cosy. 

Add a matching Allbirds scarf for an even better winter travel gift.

Merino wool Buffs are lightweight, tiny, and multi-purpose and make ideal gifts for travel lovers. They are super soft and work as a scarf, hat, headband, bandana, or to protect your face from dust in the desert.

I regretted not bringing one to Iceland where strong winds make other scarves impractical.

Buy on Amazon  or on  REI

Clever Travel Companion Tank Top

A Clever Travel Companion tank top is a great alternative to money belts for storing passports, cards and cash.

It has two zipped pockets for storing valuables (one under each arm), and I find it more comfortable than a money belt. The pockets aren’t entirely hidden so it’s best to wear it under another shirt.

They also make t-shirts, leggings, and underwear with hidden pockets. A really handy gift for any travel lover.

Buy at Clever Travel Companion

Travel Scarf with Hidden Pocket

This infinity travel scarf with hidden pocket is another excellent way of concealing your valuables or being able to go out without a purse. It’s made from a soft fabric, comes in a range of colors, and the pocket is big enough for an iPhone and passport.

Bluffworks also make a non-infinity scarf with two large hidden pockets. The  Threshold Utility Scarf  is super soft and large enough to double as a blanket.

Bluffworks Threshold T-shirt

The Bluffworks Threshold t-shirt is our favourite shirt. It feels as soft as cotton but has the performance of a technical shirt—moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and wrinkle-resistant.

It also has impressive odour-resistance and can be worn for multiple days without smelling. Even after two years of constant wear, our t-shirts still look great and have maintained their shape and color.

The Threshold t-shirt is available for men and women in a range of colors in crew, v-neck and long sleeve styles.

Buy at Bluffworks

Even the lightest yoga mat weighs 1kg, so Yoga Paws, which are little yoga mats for your hands and feet, are the perfect solution for travel. I’ve practiced yoga in over a dozen countries with them.

They prevent slippage when doing yoga on any surface and provide support for the wrists. They are so small and light that it’s easy to take them anywhere. I recommend the lighter SkinThin version. 

AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press

Perfect for coffee lovers, the AeroPress is the best travel coffee maker and makes incredibly smooth and flavorful coffee. It’s compact, lightweight, durable, and easy to use and clean.

This new travel version is even more compact than the original, comes with its own mug, and is great for camping. A unique travel gift.

Toiletry Bag

The best toiletry bags are light yet durable, have a few pockets for organization, and a hanger for when there’s nowhere to put it. The Sea to Summit TravellingLight Hanging Toiletry Bag meets all these criteria, and we manage to fit a surprising amount in the small sized bag.

Buy on Amazon   or on  REI

Packing Cubes

Every experienced traveler we know adores  packing cubes . They are the secret to traveling carry-on only as they allow you to fit more clothes into your luggage by squeezing them into a smaller package. They also keep things organized and easy to find in your bag.

I love the ultralight  Eagle Creek Specter compression packing cubes .

Simon uses  Peak Design packing cubes , which are a little heavier, but he appreciates the stylish design and separate compartments for clean and dirty clothes.

Highly recommended for anyone who travels!

Buy on Amazon  or at  Peak Design

Peak Design Mobile Stand Wallet

Simon’s favorite purchase of the year was this superb wallet from Peak Design. It’s slim and elegant and makes it easy to access your cards. 

Even better, it features a built-in stand that connects easily via a strong magnet to the Peak Design phone case. We often use this for selfies. 

It’s also handy for keeping your phone and wallet connected so you only have one thing to worry about. 

Matador Packable Daypack

Packable daypacks  are useful if you want to travel with just one bag but don’t want to use your main luggage when you are out exploring.

We’ve tried a variety of backpacks and our top pick is the Matador Freefly16. 

It’s lightweight yet extremely durable, weatherproof, and more comfortable than most packable bags.

Buy at Matador

Compact Binoculars

Simon bought me these Olympus 8 x 21 RCII binoculars for my birthday so we could get a closer look at wildlife on our travels. 

They are amazingly small and light so you can throw them in your bag or pocket. We’ve admired sea lions, turtles, birds and more.

RipSkirt Hawaii Travel Skirt

I love this comfortable wrap skirt by Ripskirt Hawaii. It comes in lots of beautiful patterns and is lightweight and very quick-drying. 

It’s ideal for throwing on after a swim as the water-resistant fabric means you don’t get wet bum marks—it’s remarkable how well it works!

Porlex Mini Coffee Grinder

Simon adores this wonderful little coffee grinder. Pre-ground coffee just doesn’t taste the same anymore.

This manual stainless steel grinder is surprisingly compact (our friend even takes it hiking), high-quality (it’s made in Japan), and easy to use and clean.

It’s the ideal gift for any coffee lover for camping, road trips, travel, or even just to use at home.

Bluffworks Travel Dress Shirt

Typically dress shirts wrinkle easily, but Bluffworks has designed the perfect travel shirt. Simon has the Meridian shirt which is so much more practical for travel and can be dressed up or down.

It’s wrinkle-free, soft, comfortable, and anti-microbial so you can wear it for multiple days without it smelling.

Allbirds Wool Runners

I’m obsessed with my Allbirds Wool Runners. They are the softest, cosiest shoes I’ve ever worn and are light enough to pack easily. 

They feel as comfy as slippers as they are made from superfine merino wool that’s ultra soft, temperature-regulating, and moisture-wicking.

All the materials used are eco-friendly and sustainable. 

I also love the waterproof  Allbirds Mizzles , which are better for rainy weather and hiking, and the  Allbirds Tree Dashers  for running. 

Simon has the  Allbirds Tree Runners , a summer version made from eucalyptus, which he wears all year.  

Allbirds shoes are available for men and women in a range of colors. Free shipping and returns are available in many countries including the US, UK, and Canada.

They have a brilliant return policy where you can return them within 30 days (or until January 22nd for gifts) if you don’t like them, even if you’ve worn them outside! This makes for a risk-free gift. My  Allbirds review  has more details.

Buy on the Allbirds website

Allbirds Tree Breezer Flats

The Allbirds Tree Breezers are my new favourite flats.

My shoe collection is now dominated by Allbirds, so it’s no surprise that their flats are just as comfy as their other shoes. They feel amazing on my feet!

Breezers are made of a knit fabric from eucalyptus trees with a cosy wool insole, come in lots of colors, and are machine washable. As with all Allbirds, they are eco-friendly and have a 30-day free trial.

Buy at Allbirds

Marmot Precip Eco Rain Jacket

The Marmot Precip Eco Rain Jacket is the best compact, lightweight waterproof we’ve found.

These Marmot jackets pack down into their own pockets so they are easy to throw into your backpack for a hike, but they come with more features than most packable rain jackets.

They have hoods, pit zips for breathability, and a good degree of waterproofing. They also look fairly stylish and come in lots of fun colors (as well as neutrals).

Bluffworks Shirt Jacket

Simon’s latest addition to his wardrobe (which is mostly made up of Bluffworks gear!) is the Gramercy Shirt Jacket. 

It’s perfect for layering and manages to be both stylish and cosy with a wool-like exterior and fleece lining. 

And as it’s Bluffworks, it’s wrinkle-free and features six pockets. 

It’s a versatile top that Simon has worn on hikes, bike rides and out to dinner. He’s even worn it on a snowy walk! I kind of want one myself.

Kindle Paperwhite Signature

An e-reader is indispensable for traveling bookworms as you can travel with thousands of books on a device smaller than one paperback.

I couldn’t live without my Kindle Paperwhite and love that it’s waterproof for reading in the pool and bath! 

Last Christmas I treated myself to the new Signature edition and the faster page turn speed and improved screen with adjustable light make it well worth it.

These are brilliant gifts for people who like to travel or any book lover. 

Tieks Ballet Flats

These ballet flats are comfortable, durable, pack up small, and come in many gorgeous designs (I love my  Silver Lake Vegan Tieks ).

They are pricey so are ideal for gifts—treat someone you love! Tieks has a free exchange policy if they don’t fit. Read my honest  Tieks review  for more information. 

Buy at Tieks

Away Everywhere Bag

I love my Away Everywhere Bag. It’s a personal item that fits under an airplane seat but is ultra roomy with lots of pockets including one for a laptop.

Best of all, it slides over suitcase handles so you don’t need to carry it. It works perfectly with the Away Bigger Carry-On—the combination is the maximum you can get away with taking on a plane.

It’s also ideal as a small overnight bag—I’ve used it for a few weekend side trips.  

I have the nylon bag in Asphalt (grey), but there are a variety of colors. 

Buy on the Away website

Away Carry-On Suitcase

I originally thought Away luggage was a social media fad (their suitcases are all over Instagram), but after doing a lot of research, it was the best carry-on-sized suitcase I found. 

I have the Bigger Carry-On which is the maximum size you can take on a plane (for stricter airlines you might want the smaller Carry-On but I’ve been fine on 10 airlines so far). I can fit a huge amount in with the two-sided design and compression pad. 

The four spinner wheels make it so easy to push alongside you. Other features are a laundry bag and optional built-in phone charger. 

It looks stylish and comes in an array of colors—I have the limited edition Plum and Simon has Coast (light blue). 

Away luggage makes an ideal travel gift because Away offers an exceptional returns policy—you can try any of their items for up to 100 days and if you don’t like it, return it for a refund.

There’s also a lifetime guarantee for defects and free delivery to many countries including the US and UK.

AirPods Pro

These wireless headphones are brilliant—it’s liberating being free of the tangle of wires.

I love them for running and yoga videos, they are super comfortable (I forget I’m wearing them), and the battery lasts for ages. I can even steal Simon’s phone to wander off and take photos while he continues to listen to podcasts.

The Pro version is definitely worth it for the impressive noise cancellation—perfect for plane trips.

Bluffworks Travel Blazer

Simon upgraded his look a few years ago with the Bluffworks Gramercy Travel Blazer. It’s made from a soft lightweight fabric that’s wrinkle-free, so you can pack it inside your luggage without messing it up.

It’s also machine washable, quick-drying, and has tons of pockets that are perfect for carrying your valuables (and especially useful on travel days).

It looks fantastic and can be worn with everything—it was ideal for spring in Italy and Paris. 

Buy on the  Bluffworks website .

Packable Puffer Jacket

Packable puffer jackets are the best way to keep warm and still pack light. They pack down small so don’t take up much space in your luggage.

They are essential for us as we regularly travel between hot and cold climates and a bulky jacket is impractical. 

I love the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody made from synthetic down with a durable water repellent finish so it even works in light rain.  

Buy on Patagonia for men  and  women

Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard

Ok, so this isn’t a small travel gift or packable without a car, but it is a fun one! When the events of the last few years meant we spent longer than planned in New Zealand, we picked up an inflatable stand up paddleboard. 

It was a fantastic way to experience the sea, lakes, and rivers of this outdoorsy country. I’m now hooked!

It makes a wonderful gift for anyone who loves the water as it’s easy to learn. Unlike regular paddleboards, the inflatable kind packs down into a large bag and is easy to transport in the trunk of a car (perfect for road trips).

We were surprised by how firm the board is once inflated—you’d never know it was full of air. It comes with everything you need including a pump, repair kit, paddle, and leash. The only additional item needed by maritime law in many places is a life jacket.

Buy on  Amazon   or at  REI

Travel books are inspiring for both experienced and armchair travelers.

For more gift ideas for travelers, see these posts about my favorite books: 

• 20 Best Coffee Table Travel Books to Inspire Wanderlust
• 10 Travel Memoirs to Inspire Your Next Trip

I’ve also written about the best novels and non-fiction books to read before (or after) a visit to the following destinations:

• South Africa

The best gifts for travelers won’t take up any space in their luggage. Buy them a gift card for one of these:

• Find What Feels Good Yoga with Adriene – My absolute favorite online yoga classes which have enabled me to practice anywhere in the world.  You could gift a month or year’s membership.
• REI – The best travel store in the US with everything you need for a backpacking trip or outdoor adventure.
• Airbnb – Rooms and apartments around the world. We use it all the time.
• Netflix – Stream TV and films.
• Backblaze – Unlimited cloud backup to keep data secure.

Do you have any other gift ideas for travelers? Leave a comment and let us know. 

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17 Comments

Great list! How about a travel translator like Travis or Pocketalk? That could be great for people that like to travel :)

Reply ↓

I love that you included digital gifts—that is something most people never think of!

Yes and they are ideal for those of us trying to reduce our clutter or pack light (we’re impossible to buy for!)!

I’ve been looking for a complete ‘gifts for traveller’s’ post and your post is very detailed, I’m loving it! I always have my travel scarf with hidden pockets on my bag.

I’m glad you found it useful Katie!

Kindles are the absolute best! :) Another awesome gift idea for travellers is the Avalok Airplane Mode Sleep Mask, also from Amazon!

A perfect list of gifts. I own a kindle and that has become an indispensable part of my life.

I know, I don’t know how I’d live without my Kindle!

Very cool list. I love my Buffs, they are so useful in all kinds of conditions. I carry a Tortuga backpack and love it! I use the ultrasound packing cubes and they are a life saver for keeping my pack organized.

Sounds like we have similar tastes!

The Trunki is neat but not a great choice as your one carry on item for kids. It’s bulky, heavy and awkward to carry so kids small enough to ride it can’t manage it themselves. The inside is an unusual shape which makes packing anything but clothes in it a pain. Overall, I’d not bother although we have been given one and use it occasionally. A final downer is that the age range it works for seems to be pretty limited and it only rolls well in really flat surfaces. I think it’s lovely, but only if you’ve got a suitcase and a he car! Oh, and some of them have stickers instead of printed features and they come off after a trip or 2

That’s good to know Betts. It was recommended to us by a travelling family but it sounds like it might only work in certain situations. They are cute though!

Hello Erin,

Great list of essential products you have mentioned above! As a technology Geek, i never forget to keep SD card, hard drive and my Camera with me. BTW, I am using Canon EOS 700D.

Thank you Erin for the great post!

Your content is always insightful and your site is so very nicely done. Love the negative space utilization, attention to detail and consistently good formatting.

Happiest of holidays to you and Simon.

Thanks Jack – we appreciate your kind words!

Thanks simon and erin for the suggested items. I bought the family the headlamps and we use them all the time. Kids love them (7 & 5) it came in handy when we got stuck biking and it got dark fast in NC. Keep it coming!

They are really useful aren’t they?

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Gone With The Family

Adventures in Family Travel

20+ Fun and Useful Gifts for Travel Lovers

At Home , Travel Products and Gear / November 30, 2020 by Lisa Goodmurphy / 2 Comments

Looking for the perfect gift for the travel addict in your life? These 20+ fun and useful travel-inspired gifts ($50 or less) are great for travel lovers whether they’re stuck at home or on the road.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to  Amazon.com  and affiliated sites.   As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase then we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Gifts for Armchair Travel

Just because we’re grounded for the time being doesn’t mean that we’re not dreaming about future trips to beautiful destinations. These thoughtful gifts will inspire wanderlust and armchair travel for the traveller who is currently staying close to home.

Jigsaw Puzzles – It had been years since I had completed a jigsaw puzzle and I had honestly forgotten how much I enjoyed them until we went into lockdown this past spring. Since then I have been doing them regularly and tend to pick travel-themed puzzles so I can dream about travelling again while putting them together. A puzzle is a gift that will provide hours of entertainment and there are so many options to choose from. I particularly like the Globetrotter series from Eurographics which are a bit like a bucket list with photos!

A subscription for language lessons is a great way to brush up on language skills before the next big trip and is sure to be much appreciated by a friend or family member who loves to travel. One option is Rosetta Stone which offers subscriptions starting around $11.99/month for a 3 month subscription for one language.

A Globe – Who doesn’t love the game of spinning a globe and pointing to pick a destination? A globe is the perfect gift for the travel lover to dream about future trips while at home.

Travel Quote Mug – If you’re looking for an inexpensive gift for the travel addict on your holiday list then you can’t go wrong with a mug printed with a travel quote. I like this one that has one of my favourite travel quotes “I haven’t been everywhere but it’s on my list”!

Calendars – A wall or desktop calendar is something that is going to be looked at several times a day so why not have it serve up some travel inspiration with beautiful photos?

Coffee Table Books – A beautiful coffee table book with stunning photos is a great source of travel inspiration as well as a lovely decorative item for the home of your travel lover. A few favourite options include Wanderlust: A Traveler’s Guide to the Globe ; Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips (2nd edition) ; Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places ; and Humans of New York or Humans by Brandon Stanton.

Travel Books – Any travel lover on your list will love receiving a book that helps them plan an adventure or read about a destination and do some travel dreaming while at home. A few of my favourites are National Geographic 50 States, 5000 Ideas ; National Geographic 100 Drives, 5000 Ideas ; Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Advenures by Leigh McAdam of Hike Bike, Travel ; and National Geographic Secrets of the National Parks (2nd edition will be available mid-December).

Read our Review of 100 Drives, 5000 Ideas and our Review of Discover Canada

Cookbooks from favourite destinations – Eating local foods is undoubtedly one of the best parts of travel so why not gift a cookbook so your loved one can recreate that travel experience at home.

L’Occitane en Provence Hand Lotion always reminds me of our trip to Provence. The Shea Butter Hand Cream and Lavender Hand Cream are my favourites but there are a variety of beautiful scents to choose from and the smaller size tube (30 ml) is ideal for travelling as well.

L’Occitane en Provence products are also available on Amazon if you prefer to do much of your shopping on one site.

Lingo playing cards – these playing cards are a fun way to brush up on language skills by learning a few key phrases before a trip.

Wall Maps – A wall map is a creative way for a travel lover to decorate their home and there are so many options from beautiful decorative maps to scratch-off maps or maps with push pins to illustrate countries that have been visited.

Decorative Throw Pillow – Throw pillows are another fun way for someone to show their love of travel at home. I like this vintage map but you can also find them with travel quotes or with specific city or country designs as well.

Board Games – Who doesn’t love game night particularly if there’s a travel twist?!? Whether it’s a geography or travel-themed game or Monopoly National Parks, a board game will make a great gift for the travel addict on your list!

Practical Gifts (to Use at Home or on the Road)

Travellers always appreciate practical gifts that will come in useful when they’re on the road and most of these can come in handy at home as well.

S’Well Stainless Steel Water Bottle – a S’Well water bottle is the perfect gift because it can be used at home or while travelling. S’well bottles feature Therma-S’well® Technology with triple-layered, vacuum-insulated construction designed to keep beverages cold or hot for hours and are made of food grade stainless steel.

My daughters and I love ours and use them all the time. My daughter puts ice water in hers in the morning on the way to school and it hasn’t all melted by the end of the day! And there are so many patterns and colours to choose from.

Portable Charger – We have become so dependent on our phones that the last thing anyone needs is to have a phone die when out and about or on the road. A portable charger is a great gift as it will be useful at home or on the road.

Travel Journal – I love this travel journal that can be used over and over again. It’s a beautiful book and it seems more environmentally friendly to just replace the paper instead of buying a new book for each trip.

Travel Power Adaptor – Another gadget that every traveller needs (and it doesn’t hurt to have more than one because they sometimes get left behind in hotel rooms!). This all in one International Power Adapter available on Amazon has 4 x USB ports and 1 Universal AC Socket, enough to simultaneously charge 5 devices. The travel adapter Covers over 150 countries such as the USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Japan, China, Korea, India, Italy, Brazil, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, etc.

Travel Jewelry Box – A travel jewelry box is great for carrying small pieces of jewelry when travelling and can be used at home as well.

GorillaPod tripod – This compact, flexible tripod will allow you to secure a phone or camera (up to 6.6 lbs) to virtually any surface. Useful for travelling but it might come in handy at home as well.

Travel Blanket – We have been flying with Lug travel blankets for years as we hate the blankets that the airlines hand out but love curling up on overnight flights to Europe. My daughter even brings hers along for the backseat on road trips! The blanket comes inside a case made from the same cozy fabric that doubles as a pillow case for the included inflatable pillow and there’s a variety of colours and patterns available.

Merino Wool Socks – Socks might not seem like an exciting gift – unless they’re merino wool! Natural merino wool keeps you cool in the summer/warm in the winter and is moisture-wicking so will keep your feet dry and prevent blisters. Anyone would love this practical gift that they can use while travelling or hiking near home!

Bamboo Utensils – Reusable bamboo utensils are a great gift for the environmentally conscious traveller on your list. Having a set of reusable utensils is a simple way to help reduce plastic waste and will soon be essential as more places ban single use plastics.

You Might Also Like

50+ Books To Inspire a Love of Travel and Adventure in Kids

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Pin This For Later

Reader Interactions

Keri | Bon Voyage With Kids

February 28, 2021 at 10:15 pm

This is a great list! I would love the Babbel subscription especially. Great ideas, many I hadn’t thought of yet! I will definitely save for my next gift-giving occasion, as we have a family full of travel lovers.

Lisa Goodmurphy

March 3, 2021 at 2:05 pm

The gift of learning a language is priceless!!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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The best travel gifts for frequent flyers and armchair travellers

It’s time to treat the travel lover in your life, wherever they might be headed in 2022, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

The best travel gifts come in many shapes and sizes.

Whether it’s a practical present like a sturdy, space-saving backpack that seamlessly takes you from jungle trek to city stroll, a travel-sized toiletry that can make even the most modest of hotels feel like a five-star resort or one of the best gifts for wanderlusters – the experiential travel gift card – we’ve tracked down and tested present ideas for every type of explorer.

Travellers have faced a whole new set of stress factors on their journeys this year, from long-winded passenger locator forms to expensive day-two travel tests and more traffic-light updates that you can shake a selfie stick at. So there has never been more of a need for some travel-related joy.

If you’re looking to delight a traveller in your life this year, consider one of these Christmas gift ideas.

How we tested

While most of our adventures this year have been largely staycations , our tester made sure to include a range of travel gifts that appeal to every kind of wanderer for this gift guide, assessing each item on its quality and wanderlust factor – with extra points given for practicality.

• 14 best noise-cancelling headphones for an immersive experience
• 8 best travel backpacks for every adventure
• 9 best cabin bags to return to travel in style

The best travel gifts for 2021 are:

• Best overall – Stubble & Co the adventure backpack: £185, Stubbleandco.com
• Best last-minute gift – Airbnb gift card: From £25, Airbnb.com
• Best for road trips – DS & Durga auto fragrance set: £60, Mrporter.com
• Best for camping – BioLite campstove 2+: £149.95, Boliteenergy.com
• Best stocking filler – Sensori+ Byron Bay breeze mask sanitiser: £15, Selfridges.com
• Best for heritage tourists – 23AndMe ancestry DNA test: £99, 23andme.com
• Best for over-packers – Paravel foldable travel duffle bag: £64.84, Amazon.co.uk
• Best for serious coffee lovers – Handpresso portable espresso machine: £91.20, Handpresso.com
• Best for hands-free exploring – Dagne Dover phone sling: £59, Modesens.com

Stubble & Co the adventure bag

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

Whether they’re gearing up for a big hiking trip around the world or a road trip around Britain, a multi-tasking high-quality backpack is the trustiest travel companion. And this 42-litre option from Stubble & Co is the perfect pick. Not only is it lightweight and small enough to tuck away comfortably in the carry-on compartment of a plane, but it also has about 11 brilliant easy-access pockets so they can separate everything from their laptop to their liquids to shoes and water bottles with ease – one of those is a hidden card pocket on the strap for easy access to your money. Another feature we love is the main zip, which opens like a suitcase.

Read more: 8 best travel backpacks for every adventure

Airbnb gift card

Best: Last-minute gift

Rating: 8/10

If they’re the type of traveller who prefers to absorb themselves in a local neighbourhood rather than bed down in a hotel, then Airbnb’s new gift cards are your best choice this year. The customisable e-cards can be purchased in amounts from £25 and £2000 and can be redeemed on any Airbnb service, whether that’s a wooden treehouse stay in West Sussex, a cooking class in Mexico, or an online meditation session with a Japanese Buddhist monk. And the best thing? Your gift arrives instantly via text or email, making it the perfect last-minute Christmas gift .

DS & Durga auto fragrance set

Best: For road trips

Road trips are having a moment. So if your favourite traveller is hitting the road, why not elevate their drive with a luxury car freshener? This gift set from our go-to candle brand DS & Durga is a far cry from the hanging car trees you may be familiar with – think smoky fragrances like “portable fireplace”, eucalyptus-scented “Big Sur after the rain” and cardamom-infused “holy ficus”.  It doesn’t just need to be a companion to a lengthy drive, either – the hanging cards (which come cased in scratch-and-sniff envelopes) also double as home air fresheners for wardrobes and drawers too.

Read more: 9 best car diffusers to make driving a joy for the senses

BioLite campstove 2+

Best: For camping

Rating: 9/10

If their campside cooking repertoire doesn’t normally stretch beyond soggy burgers, BioLite’s campstove 2+ is a game-changer. The lightweight, portable cooking system burns sticks and wood scraps or pellets to create a sophisticated smokeless flame perfect for grilling, boiling or cooking – but our favourite feature? The heat from the fire then creates electricity, which can be used to charge your phone via a handy USB port – magic. The stove is easy to pack away and packs down to an impressively small size. Want to take your happy camper’s present up a notch? Choose to add on the tabletop grill (£59.99, Bioliteenergy.com ) or a proper tent-side feast or add the kettletop and cafetiere (£12.99, Bioliteenergy.com ) for a group who take their morning brew seriously – it can make six cups of coffee at once.

Sensori+ Byron Bay breeze mask sanitiser

Best: Stocking filler

Travelling in our current times means many hours spent wearing reusable masks. Beyond making sure your traveller has the best face mask possible for lengthy journeys ( we rounded up our favourites ), Sensori +’s Byron Bay breeze mask sanitiser eliminates bacteria and pairs that with a calming fragrance inspired by Byron Bay’s summer breeze – think peppermint, lime and cedarwood – ideal for long, stressful journeys.  The handy, travel-sized 30ml bottle fits easily in any bum bag or purse. Plus, it’s packed with salicylic acid and soothing aloe vera to banish any maskne woes.

23andMe ancestry DNA test

Best: For the heritage tourist

Not all travel begins at an airport or train station – some can start at home with a DNA kit , believe it or not. Enter: heritage travel. Not only are travellers nowadays looking to connect with locals on their trips, but they want to connect to their own family tree. Our favourite geneology kit, 23AndMe, has even go so far as to partner with Airbnb so travellers can find homes and experiences in their native countries immediately.

The kit itself is very slick and makes a great present. On the test front, the results are impressively in-depth and equally as fun to read through. We were told we had 0.1 per cent Korean ancestry, as well as having 5 per cent more Neanderthal DNA than other customers, which may influence our traits, such as having difficulty discarding rarely-used possessions. The rest of the results are similarly fun insights.

Paravel foldable travel duffle bag

Best: For over-packers

Rating: 9.5/10

We’ve droned on about this stylish Mary Poppins -esque fold-up bag for a long time (it was our staycation essential and our best duffle bag) . And three years since first using it, it’s just as essential to us in any packing situation, whether it’s a countryside trip in the UK, an international jaunt or, sometimes just to help get the Sainsbury’s weekly shop up the stairs in one go.

What makes it such a perfect pick for the overpacker? Not only is it incredibly lightweight (it’s 453g) and incredibly chic, it somehow fits every souvenir or tchotchkes a traveller could possibly buy. And, best of all, it folds completely flat and zips into a neat little pouch.

Handpresso portable espresso machine

Best: For serious coffee lovers

If your giftee is serious about their coffee, then look no further than Handpresso’s manual espresso machine set. The luxurious and lightweight set comes in an easy-to-carry bag along with a pump for E.S.E pods or ground coffee, a thermo-flask, a napkin, and four“unbreakable” clear espresso cups.

There’s no electricity or battery needed to use the pump either, so, as long as they’ve packed the thermos with boiling water they can have a civilised espresso break even if they’re camping in the middle of nowhere.

Read more: 10 best Christmas gifts for coffee connoisseurs

Dagne Dover mara phone sling

Best: For hands-free exploring

Rating : 8/10

Phone, cards, keys, earbuds, lip balm ? If they like to travel light or they like to keep their valuables up close, Dagne Dover’s recycled neoprene phone sling was made for essentials-only carrying. For such a small sling, it packs a punch when it comes to maximising space. There are multiple pockets, card slots, a lip balm holder and a D ring for latching keys onto, meaning they’ll never need to scramble to find their wallet or waste a second reaching for their phone for a picture-perfect moment.

The verdict: Christmas gifts for travel lovers

Stubble & Co’s adventure backpack really does scream “travel” and is a seriously good gift for any wanderluster planning a big trip. It’s incredibly light, small enough to fit into an overhead compartment and wastes zero opportunities when it comes to its practical pockets and hidden compartments.

For the super-last-minute shopper, Airbnb’s gift card is a no-brainer and can be spent on out-of-the-ordinary stays or online experiences.

Voucher codes

For the latest discounts on gifts, try the links below:

• Hotel Chocolat discount codes
• Goldsmiths discount codes
• The Whisky Exchange discount codes

For more festive present ideas, head over to our Christmas gifts section

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TRAVEL TIPS & RESOURCES

30 insanely useful travel gifts for frequent travellers.

Are you looking for a useful travel gift for someone who travels a lot?

Having travelled to over 70 countries over three decades, I have a fairly good idea of what travellers need and have pulled together a list of presents for someone who travels a lot. So put a smile on someone’s face by choosing from this list of super useful travel gifts to accommodate all budgets.

Unless otherwise stated, I personally use all of these products.

Some articles on this website contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . Read the full disclosure here .

IN THIS ARTICLE

Stocking Fillers for Frequent Travellers

Let’s start with some easy wins. These inexpensive but super useful travel gifts make ideal Christmas stocking fillers.

1. PACKING CUBES

Packing cubes are an essential tool to keep your gear organised, especially when you are travelling light . It doesn’t matter if you are backpacking on a budget or staying in five-star hotels, this is the perfect low-cost gift for someone who travels a lot.

These come in various sizes (I usually take away three different sizes with me). Although they can be more expensive, I prefer packing cubes with a mesh front.

>>> CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

2. TRAVEL PADLOCK

A travel padlock is a must-have item for frequent fliers. This is especially the case for backpackers needing to store their stuff in a locker, for which they have to provide or rent a padlock.

For maximum versatility, choose one that is TSA-approved.

3. QUICK-DRYING TOWEL

Again, this is a travel gift idea that is of most use to those travelling on a budget who need to pack their own towel.

Towels are bulky and occupy valuable backpack real estate. They take a long time to dry and I’m sure that there’s many a traveller out there who remembers being on the move with a damp, whiffy towel in their backpack (I know I do!).

The solution is one of these compact, quick-drying towels .

4. TRAVEL LAUNDRY BAG

Are you searching for a useful gift for a traveller that comes with a sly wink?

All travellers need to pack a laundry bag . I have gathered quite a collection over the years but I love this inexpensive bag emblazoned with a vintage-style world map to inspire future trips. It folds up super small into a built-in pouch.

Much better than a manky old carrier bag don’t you think?

5. TRAVEL POWER ADAPTOR

An essential part of any traveller’s packing list is an  all-in-one universal power adaptor .

Compact and lightweight, this comes with its own case, has adjustable voltage and can charge multiple USB devices at the same time.

6. MOLESKIN NOTEBOOK

Moleskin notebooks are proof that a thing of utility can also be a thing of beauty.

As well as capturing those precious travel memories, journaling can help travellers process that day’s experiences. This is a particularly important tool in combatting solo travel loneliness .

Of course, there are many other brands of notebooks out there, but Moleskin notebooks are something special.

7. RFID-BLOCKING PASSPORT WALLET

I don’t yet have an RFID-blocking passport wallet but it’s on my shopping list.

A decent RFID-blocking passport wallet will prevent any thief armed with a reader from swiping personal information.

There is a lot of choice out there. But considering the wear and tear a travel wallet endures, I would opt for one made in a tough fabric like leather or durable nylon. If the material is water-resistant, all the better.

I have my beady eye on this Travel Passport Wallet RFID Blocking Organizer .

If you are looking for a low-cost stocking filler, check out these RFID-blocking passport sleeves

>>> CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON

8. TRAVEL BOOKS

Give your favourite travel addict the gift of reading. Few things can stoke your wanderlust like a good travel book. And when you are not able to travel, they can transport you to new places from the comfort of your armchair.

If you need inspiration, check out this list of these inspirational solo travel books

>>> SHOP FOR TRAVEL BOOKS ON AMAZON

9. EYE MASK

Who wants to wake up every morning at sunrise? Not me, that’s for sure.

Eye masks are a useful travel gift as they can come in handy in all sorts of situations, from long-haul flights to hotel rooms without blackout blinds. One of the most lightweight gifts for someone who travels, they’re easy to pack, taking up close to zero room and weight.

There is no shortage of choice, from pretty silk sleep masks to functional fabric ones.

10. EARPLUGS

Whether it’s to help me snooze on that long-haul flight or to muffle the noise of barking dogs in the wee small hours of the morning, I never travel without earplugs. And they’re the perfect Christmas stocking filler for the frequent traveller.

I prefer these disposable foam earplugs which are super soft and block noises up to 38dB.

11. DRY SHAMPOO

Dry shampoo is not only eco-friendly but is also a convenient liquid-free alternative to regular shampoo. Absorbing dirt and grease, dry shampoos are good for all hair types and lengths.

There are many different brands out there but I stick with Batiste , which is the world’s #1 with good reason.

12. SCARF WITH A HIDDEN POCKET

Are you looking for a stylish but useful gift for a woman who travels?

Combining style with security, this innovative infinity scarf features a hidden zipper pocket to stash your valuables. As it’s lightweight and folds down into virtually nothing when not in use, it is easy to pack.

>>> FIND OTHER SCARVES WITH HIDDEN POCKETS ON AMAZON

13. SCRATCH-OFF WORLD MAP

This is one of the coolest Christmas presents that I have ever received.

A unique gift for world travellers, this world map allows travel addicts to scratch off the countries visited. The ultimate country-bagging recording tool.

A useful gift for travellers? Probably not. A fun gift? Absolutely!

More Useful Gifts for Travellers

Pushing the budget up a notch, here are further useful gift ideas for travellers.

14. JOBY GORILLAPOD

Have you ever tried to capture a city at night but the image comes out blurry because of camera shake? Or do you know a solo traveller who struggles to capture photos of herself when travelling?

The answer to both of these problems is a flexible and lightweight Joby Gorillapod .

I always take mine away with me. Although it is compact and lightweight, it can mount both my smartphone and mirrorless camera, and its bendy legs wrap around most surfaces.

15. PORTABLE POWER BANK

You’ll recognise this creeping anxiety.

You are on a long journey, many hours from your final destination and the battery life on your phone is already down to 40%. Or you’re out and about for the day, taking lots of photos and videos on your smartphone and realise that you’ve caned the battery and it’s barely lunchtime.

A portable charger is a godsend to any traveller.

16. BUDGET IN-EAR HEADPHONES

When hunting for the perfect gift for someone who travels a lot, you can’t go far wrong with a pair of in-ear headphones. A decent pair of headphones is essential for anyone who is travelling on public transport or hanging around airports or train stations.

For me, this is an essential item on my travel packing list, allowing me to listen to my music library, plug into my favourite podcast or watch a movie on my tablet. And the good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to pick up a good pair of in-ear headphones.

Based on glowing reviews, I bought the SoundMagic E11C . Whilst they aren’t wireless or noise-cancelling, they offer cracking sound quality for their price.

17. PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

Another useful gift for the music-loving traveller in your life is a portable Bluetooth speaker.

On more than one occasion I have been relaxing in a hotel room or apartment and longing to play music through something other than a tinny smartphone or tablet.

Sometime very soon I am going to treat myself to the Bose Sound Link Micro . On a trip to Walberswick , one of my friends had brought along one of these bad boys and I was blown away by its sound quality.

Rugged and waterproof, and weighing in at just under 300g, this speaker really packs a punch for its size.

18. TRAVEL PILLOW

A travel pillow is an unbeatable gift for someone who travels a lot.

Bring a touch of luxury and comfort to your travel addict’s life by gifting them with this Travelrest NEST pillow. Yes. It is an ever so slightly naff C-shaped pillow, but it is super soft and the memory foam padding supports and compresses in all the right places.

Better still, it packs down to the size of a coffee cup.

19. VERSATILE TRAVEL SHAWL

Keep your favourite traveller warm with this highly versatile travel blanket/shawl/scarf.

An unbeatably useful gift for women travellers, this wrap is also tasteful and stylish. Available in a range of colours, and made from lightweight and breathable fabric, it is perfect for snuggling into on a draughty aeroplane or elegantly layered with other clothing.

20. TEVA SPORTS SANDALS

One of the biggest dilemmas I have when packing is selecting footwear. Which type? How many pairs are enough? How many pairs are too many?

Doubling as a sports shoe and sandal, Teva sandals have been a godsend over the years. Available in an array of styles and colours, they are available for both women and men.

21. TRAVEL HEADLAMP

You don’t have to be camping in the wilderness for a headlamp to be a useful travel gift. Whether navigating to your bed in a pitch-black hostel room or walking in an unlit area at night, it’s smart to pack a headlamp.

Although cheaper headlamps are available, this Petzl headlamp is lighter and brighter than many.

22. REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

An eco-friendly, reusable water bottle is a travel gift that keeps on giving.

The cost of bottled water adds up if you are travelling for a while, and nowadays many airports have water fountains where travellers can fill up their water bottles prior to boarding their flights.

For a space-saving solution, buy the favourite traveller in your life a lightweight  Que bottle that collapses to half of its size. These bottles are made of 100% BPA-free food-grade silicone, are 100% plastic-free and are available in all the colours of the rainbow.

23. GetYourGuide GIFT CARD

I know. Gift vouchers are a little dull but when it comes to a useful travel gift, you can’t go far wrong with money towards a day trip or excursion.

GetYourGuide is a global online marketplace for tour guides and excursions that I have used on more than one occasion. What I like is that it is a one-stop-shop to compare and book things to do and that it offers free cancellation on all its activities.

GetYourGuide gift cards are available in any amount and are available to send or print straight after purchase. The gift card is valid for up to 3 years from the date of purchase.

24. TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION

Fuel a loved one’s wanderlust by giving them the gift of armchair travel.

A subscription to National Geographic Traveller was one of the most useful travel gifts that I have received and one of the most appreciated. Available as print only, digital or both versions.

Alternatively, check out subscriptions to Wanderlust magazine .

25. PACSAFE DAYPACK

Safety and security are essential for any traveller and part of this is keeping your precious belongings safe. I am a very satisfied owner of the Pacsafe Women’s Citysafe Cx Anti Theft Convertible Backpack , which I use at home in London as well as when I am away.

Pacsafe daypacks feature security hooks and security clips, anti-theft zippers and zipper pullers that will deter pickpockets, RFID blocking pockets and are made with slashguard fabric. Not only are they packed with these awesome anti-theft features, but they also look good (the Citysafe one doubles as a handbag and messenger bag).

A stylish and useful travel gift for women.

Useful Travel Gifts That Frequent Fliers Will Love

Now we’re really going to bend that credit card with this final selection of useful gifts for travellers that are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of someone who travels a lot.

26. OSPREY BACKPACK ON WHEELS

I love Osprey luggage so much that I own two of their backpacks on wheels.

If you are looking for a well-designed piece of cabin-sized luggage, take a look at the Farpoint Wheels 36. Sturdy yet ultra-lightweight, this is the perfect travelling companion for shorter trips

27. LEVEL8 LUGGAGE

LEVEL8 is a New York-based brand that now ships to Europe and the UK. The brand prides itself on its range of hard-shell suitcases that are not only durable and well-designed but also look super stylish.

I had the opportunity to road test the LEVEL8 Pro Carry-On with Laptop Pocket and was very impressed. The perfect gift for the stylish traveller in your life.

I made the leap from paper books to e-books some years ago and have never looked back. I’m now on my second model, the Kindle Paperwhite .

Forget lugging around paperbacks and trying to gauge how much reading material you are likely to need for your trip. You can’t beat having your library on a small, slim super lightweight device, which you can add to whilst you are on the road. You can even buy guidebooks as e-books.

The battery life is impressive too.

29. WIRELESS NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES

Do you want to see your favourite traveller’s face light up like a Christmas tree when they open their present? If so, a set of wireless, noise-cancelling headphones ought to do the trick.

The set of headphones that consistently come out top in reviews is the Sony WH-1000XM4 .

A close runner-up, which is less expensive, is the Bose QuietComfort 35 .

>>> CHECK OUT OTHER HEADPHONES ON AMAZON

30. MIRRORLESS CAMERA

If you really want to push the boat out when buying a useful travel gift, turn your attention to photography.

Every traveller needs a camera. There is no such thing as THE best travel camera – many factors and preferences come into play – but it does need to be one that will produce great images without giving the traveller a hernia because of its size and weight. Like any of these travel gifts, it needs to justify its place in their luggage.

I’m a long-time DSLR user and have lugged my battered, but much-loved, Canon around on many a trip. But seduced by its size and weight and stellar reviews, I treated myself to the mirrorless beauty that is the Fuji X-T30 and have never looked back.

Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Totally!

>>> SHOP FOR FUJIFILM CAMERAS ON AMAZON

And That’s a Wrap !

So there we have it; the best travel gifts in 2023. I hope that one of these cool gift ideas will put a smile on the face of the frequent traveller in your life.

Whether you are looking for the best Christmas travel gift, a fun birthday present, or just something to say that you care, you won’t go far wrong with these ideas for travellers’ gifts.

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

23 wanderlust-y gifts for travelers, used by expert travelers

The holiday season is officially upon us, and that means it's time to start thinking about gifts for the loved ones in your life.

Each year, we curate some of our top gift picks, giving you the perfect guide for the jet setters and road warriors on your list.

This year's guide includes 23 of our top picks for travel tech, luggage, gear and much more — all of which have been tested and approved by the TPG team.

Without further ado, here are TPG's 2023 holiday gift picks.

Apple AirTags

Buy Apple AirTags on Amazon for $79.99 (normally $99) Buy Apple AirTag (Individual) on Amazon for $23.99 (normally $29)

If there's one must-have travel item this holiday season, it's an Apple AirTag .

These coin-size item trackers are a lifesaver for those who travel with checked luggage, especially as delayed and misplaced baggage continues to be a global travel issue.

Just pop one into each of your bags — I'd recommend adding one to your keychain and backpack , too — and you'll be able to track your bags directly on your iOS device. The next time an airline tells you that your bag is "lost," you'll hopefully have a much clearer picture of where it is.

Zero Eight Left art

Buy: Zero Eight Left art for $48

What do you get the traveler who loves the journey even more than the destination? Look no further than 08L (Zero Eight Left).

This aviation enthusiast-approved shop specializes in art and lifestyle gear for those who love planes and airports. Pick from airport diagrams, runway maps and aircraft metal art.

My current favorite pick is 08L's coasters — the Airbus and Boeing six-packs make a great gift for any AvGeek.

Apple AirPods Pro

Buy: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) on Amazon for $189.99 (normally $249)

A plethora of top-notch noise-canceling headphones are on the market — trust me, I recently reviewed six of them — but none are as easy-to-use as Apple's AirPods Pro.

The second-generation Pros bring major improvements to the noise cancellation experience, and the fact that the entire package can easily fit in my pocket makes them a game changer for travel. I used to lug around bulky over-ear headphones, but why bother when you can get great sound quality in a pair of earbuds that fit in the palm of your hand?

Also, the latest generation Pros offer a USB-C charging case, which pairs perfectly with the new iPhone and the latest tech standards.

MZ Wallace Metro Tote

Buy: MZ Wallace Metro Tote for $295

Sometimes your travels call for a bag that's sized in between a backpack and a rollaboard. Perhaps you have a loved one who treks around the city or bounces between work, home and the gym.

MZ Wallace offers a lineup of bags that are sure to fit that always-on-the-go lifestyle. Their bags come in a variety of colors and styles. My favorite is the Large Metro Tote, which is perfect for bopping around New York City.

Le Labo from Shop Edition

Buy: Le Labo from Shop Edition for $184.80 (normally $231) or 63,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

One of my favorite parts about staying in luxury hotels is trying out all of the fancy scents and bath amenities that I wouldn't necessarily purchase at home.

While some people like to fill up doggy bags with their favorite scents, this year, I'm going to ask my wife for some of Le Labo's creations, specifically the formulation designed for Edition Hotels.

This is perhaps my favorite hotel fragrance, so what better way to dream of the shores of Bodrum than by pumping my apartment with this scent?

Plus, Shop Edition lets you redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to cover the cost of your gifts. It might not be the world's best points redemption, but it's at least worth noting the option.

Loop Engage Earplugs

Buy: Loop Engage Earplugs on Amazon for $27.96 (normally $34.95)

If your family or friends are sensitive to noise when traveling, you might want to pick up a pair of Loop Engage Earplugs for them this holiday season.

With more than 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, including some glowing recommendations from TPG staffers, these are among the best earplugs out there. Also, the loop system should help them stay in your ears when dozing off.

HoomBand Ultimate Eye Mask

Buy: HoomBand Ultimate Eye Mask on Amazon for $117

Eye masks are another sleep essential, especially when crisscrossing time zones on long-haul flights.

Finding the perfect eye mask is no easy task, but HoomBand's version continues to receive rave reviews from travelers, myself included. It even has Bluetooth connectivity to play relaxing meditations.

With this gift, you'll help your friends and family doze off during their next flight — and they might not even ask you again for extra miles for a business-class upgrade.

5 Stripe Hoodie, Aviator Nation

Buy: 5 Stripe Hoodie, Aviator Nation for $189

Everyone has their travel uniform, and these days, I'm seeing more and more people walking around the airport in Aviator Nation sweatshirts.

I didn't originally know why, but after my wife bought me one earlier this year, I've been hooked. If you're looking for a gift that'll make travel more comfortable, an Aviator Nation sweatshirt is it.

iPhone 15 family

Buy: iPhone 15 from Apple starting at $799

For as long as TPG has published an annual holiday gift guide , the latest iPhone models have made the cut. This year is no exception, especially with the abundance of travel-focused improvements Apple brought to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro lineup this year.

Upgrades include USB-C charging ports (that can even power other devices), an Action Button on the Pro models for easier access to your favorite apps and the introduction of the Dynamic Island on the entry-level iPhone 15.

TUMI - Alpha Continental Dual Access Carry-On Luggage

Buy: TUMI - Alpha Continental Dual Access Carry-On Luggage on Amazon for $1,050

No holiday gift guide is complete without a suitcase, so why not set your sights high with one of the very best? Tumi's Alpha 2 Continental four-wheeled carry-on is a popular sight at airports worldwide, and for good reason.

The bag is incredibly durable — my current Tumi carry-on has lasted nearly a decade — and its multiple pockets make for easy access while on the road. Additionally, it's stylish and comes in four different color options, making it the perfect choice for any road warrior in your life.

Anker Prime 67W USB-C Charger

Buy: Anker Prime 67W USB-C Charger on Amazon for $37.99 (normally $59.99)

Cable clutter can be frustrating, so I do whatever I can to minimize the number of power bricks and cables I carry in my travel backpack.

With Anker's 67-watt USB-C charger, you can leave all your big and bulky power bricks at home. This small cube easily fits into your backpack, and it boasts two USB-C ports and one USB-A port for easy charging of up to three devices.

No wonder the TPG team swears by it.

Riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder

Buy: Riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder on Amazon for $9.99 (normally $13.99)

We've all been there. You just picked up a coffee at the airport, and now you need to figure out how you'll hold the cup, wheel your bag and carry your purse or briefcase without spilling the drink.

Enter this Luggage Travel Cup Holder. It fits perfectly on the handle of your rollaboard, and it's the perfect place to put your coffee when you're hustling to the gate.

It's already saved some TPG travelers from multiple spills, and it's the gift that certainly pays dividends.

Wanderlust Passport — A Travel Journal

Buy: Wanderlust Passport — A Travel Journal for $36

There are many digital tools available to track your travels. However, sometimes a pen and paper will be your best bet. Also, if you want to help a loved one get started on journaling their travels, consider the Wanderlust Passport.

This notebook features maps and open-ended prompts to help jog their memories, and it includes pockets to store ticket stubs and receipts. This would make a great gift for adventurous kids and teens.

Q Slim Portable Charger

Buy: Q Slim Portable Charger on Amazon, $28.79 (normally $39.99)

If your friends and family members aren't yet traveling with a portable power bank, it's time to change that. On a recent long-haul flight, the power outlet was broken, forcing me to either drain my battery or resort to using a power bank.

When gifting a power bank, Q Ultra's 10,000mAh model is a good bet. Not only does this power bank have enough juice for all your devices, but it also has built-in charging cables for added convenience.

Aluan Handheld Mini Fan

Buy: Aluan Handheld Mini Fan on Amazon for $9.99 (normally $11.99)

Whether it's a long-haul flight that doesn't feature personal air nozzles or an Uber ride with broken air conditioning, don't leave your loved ones' thermal comfort in the hands of someone else.

Several TPG members swear by the Aluan Handheld Mini Fan, and I'm definitely going to pick one up this holiday season, too.

SABRE Door Stop Security Alarm

Buy: SABRE Door Stop Security Alarm on Amazon for $13.25 (normally $14.99)

Danger can strike at any time, so show your family and friends that you're looking out for them with the Sabre 120 dB Wedge Door Stop Security Alarm.

This door alarm is small and lightweight — making it great for travelers — and it'll provide extra piece of mind in hotels and Airbnbs.

Belkin BoostCharge Pro

Buy: Belkin BoostCharge Pro on Amazon for $125.26 (normally $131.76)

While I enjoy using multiple tech devices , cable clutter is a big pet peeve of mine. That's why Belkin's BoostCharge Pro has become a fixture on my nightstand.

This all-in-one dock can wirelessly charge up to three devices with just a single power cable. Additionally, with the introduction of Standby Mode with iOS 17 , iPhone users can dock their phones and peek at all their important widgets even without touching the device — a game changer when I first wake up in the morning.

JetKids by Stokke BedBox Ride-on Suitcase

Buy: JetKids by Stokke BedBox Ride-on Suitcase on Amazon for $183.20 (normally $229)

Kids also need carry-on bags, so why not get one they'll be excited to use?

If you're shopping for a future world explorer, the Stokke JetKids Ride-On Suitcase should fit the bill. Not only does it come in six colors, but kids can also ride on top of it when they get tired — a win-win gift.

DJI Mini 4 Pro

Buy: DJI Mini 4 Pro on Amazon for $759

I've long been a fan of DJI's drones, and the Mini 4 Pro has the broadest appeal, both for travelers and recreational users. Weighing less than 249 grams (or less than 8.8 ounces), it's pretty portable. Since the device is just shy of the Federal Aviation Administration's 250-gram limit, you can fly it without prior registration.

This drone packs some serious pro-level chops into its small package: a 48 MP photo capability, 4K video and 34 minutes of flight time. Better yet, this is one of DJI's first drones to support vertical content capture for Instagram and TikTok.

It's a small but mighty drone.

"Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation" Assouline Coffee Table Book

Buy: Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation - Assouline Coffee Table Book on Amazon for $105

Even if they're staying at home this holiday season, you can quickly transport your friends and family members to paradise with an Assouline coffee table book, such as the "Villeggiatura: Italian Summer Vacation" edition.

With stunning photos, interesting stories and eye-catching colors, an Assouline book is a great way to explore a favorite destination without getting up from the fireplace.

Apple MacBook Air (2023 model)

Buy: Apple Macbook Air (2023 model) on Amazon for $1,049 (normally $1,299)

Even though it's been more than three years since the pandemic started, "work from anywhere" is very much still the norm with many employers. As such, choosing the right travel laptop is more important than ever.

Loved ones will want the best mix of performance, portability and battery life.

Apple recently debuted a slew of new MacBook Pros that excel at all three metrics — including battery life that can top 22 hours — and the company's MacBook Air continues to impress more casual users.

Microsoft also recently improved its portable laptop game, with the $799 Surface Laptop Go 3 being a great introductory option for those looking for a more budget-friendly choice.

Vuori joggers

Buy: Vuori performance joggers for $94

I asked my wife for her top travel-themed holiday gift recommendation, and Vuori's Performance Jogger was at the top of her list. I then asked the TPG team the same question, and a handful of staffers had the exact same response.

The joggers are available for both men and women and come in various colors. If there's a frequent flyer in your life, here's an easy way to make them more comfortable on their next journey.

Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2024"

Buy: Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2024 on Amazon for $16.19 (normally $17.99)

Know someone who is seeking some inspiration on where to travel in the new year? Consider gifting them with the 2024 edition of Lonely Planet's best-selling "Best in Travel" guidebook.

This title will provide the ultimate trip inspiration, and it packs some great recommendations that are sure to impress even the most discerning travelers. Note: Lonely Planet is owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures.

8 Transportive Novels That Will Take You Around the World

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Aside from the actual practice of buying a ticket and boarding a plane or train, there is perhaps no act more transportive than reading a good book . Getting lost in a book is more than just a turn of phrase; with a truly great read, your mind experiences the sights, smells, and sounds of a story in almost the same way it would if you actually traveled to the places described in its pages.

Scientific research proves this : Neuroscientists tracking the brain activity of patients who read words like “cinnamon” and “jasmine” found that the very act of reading those words caused the part of the brain involved with processing smells to light up.

That means that if you can’t get to a white-sand beach in Aruba, reading about it can nevertheless evoke the powdery sands, the warm palm-tree breezes, and the sweet scent of the Wanglo flower. If you aren’t able to fly to London or Paris or Bangkok , there are novels that can still put you on the bustling Underground , transport you to the shores of the Seine, or make your mouth water with the floating-market flavors of khao man gai and tom yum goong.

Here are some of our favorite armchair travel books to transport you—no passport required.

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

India: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

First published in 1999, this collection of nine short stories from Pulitzer-prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri traces the quotidian challenges of Indians and Indian Americans navigating the junction of two different worlds. Travel along with Mr. and Mrs. Das, whose return from America to their homeland reveals a gaping weakness in their own marriage; with Bibi Haldar, a woman nearing 30 whose lack of a husband seems to be causing her mysterious psychotic fits; and with Boori Ma, who shares stories from her girlhood in Calcutta while she sweeps the stairs of an old brick tenement.

Buy now : $15, bookshop.org

Chile: Ways of Going Home by Alejandra Zambra

Dive into Chilean life under Augusto Pinochet in Alejandra Zambra’s stirring third novel, which will challenge your ideas of what it means to remember, what it means to belong, and what it means to describe something as historical truth. With two narrators to guide you—a nameless nine-year-old living on Santiago’s fringes and an adult writer putting the story of that same nine-year-old boy down onto paper— Ways of Going Home is a story told in layers, peeled back slowly and delicately for the reader to savor.

Buy Now : $13, bookshop.org

Haiti: Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat

Edwidge Danticat is the definitive voice of the modern Haitian diaspora, and Claire of the Sea Light, her vivid and lyrical 2013 novel, is a fictional story rooted in the deep struggles and truths of a nation. The book hooks its narrative on the disappearance of a seven-year-old girl, Claire Limyè Lanmè Faustin, from the island town of Ville Rose in Haiti. But Claire vanishes just pages into the book. The actual story is about the villagers who must make sense of her disappearance, and the stark realities of life, society, and the interconnectedness of island life this single episode unearths.

Italy: Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr

Anthony Doerr won a Pulitzer Prize for his dazzling novel All The Light We Cannot See . The seeds of that story were planted during the year he spent in Rome with his wife and newborn twins after receiving the Rome Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The award comes with a stipend and a writing studio, and in this lovely, descriptive memoir, Doerr shares his struggles with balancing the sleep schedules of two infants, the deep historical research that laid the groundwork for his novel, and the creative journey of a novelist and new father amid the colorful, chaotic, and endlessly charming Eternal City.

Zimbabwe: The Book of Memory by Petina Gappah

Memory is a construct, yes, but in Petina Gappah’s fierce debut novel, Memory is also a protagonist. The story zooms straight into the maximum-security unit of a prison in Harare, Zimbabwe , where Memory, an albino woman on trial for murder, is scribbling down details about the events that led to the death of her adoptive father. She is writing for her life, and memory—both the person and the practice—has never felt more urgent.

Buy now : $16, bookshop.org

Saudi Arabia: A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers

Set amid Saudi Arabian sand dunes during the American recession, Dave Eggers’s A Hologram for the King is a meditation on globalism, excessive wealth, and the utter fragility of the modern American dream. Alan Clay, a 54-year-old sales consultant, is very much a 21st-century Willy Loman (of Death of a Salesman ). Sent to Saudi Arabia to pitch a holographic teleconference system to none other than the king himself, he takes readers from the glass towers of Jeddah to flapping white tents in the stark Arabian desert. The novel describes a nation misunderstood by many, where the illusion of extremism is unmasked to reveal the same complicated contradictions that define nearly all of humanity.

England: White Teeth by Zadie Smith

Zadie Smith’s debut novel, White Teeth , came roaring onto the literary scene in 2000 and quickly established the novelist as one of the most influential voices of her generation. The novel revolves around a community of misfits in modern-day London , comprised of Bangladeshi Muslims, a Jamaican former Jehovah’s Witness, a Jewish genetic engineer, and a hardcore animal-rights activist. Through their interactions, Smith brilliantly tells the story of England’s relationship with the citizens it once colonized, contemplating the ideas of race, urban sprawl, and religion.

Turkey: Snow by Orhan Pamuk

Poet Ka returns to his homeland, Turkey , after 12 years in exile, settling in the city of Kars, where a spate of teenage suicides has shaken the community. It’s no coincidence, of course, that Ka and Kars both sound like the word kar , the Turkish word for “snow.” In this mystical, restive novel, there is snow everywhere—both on Kars’s boulevards and buildings and on the tip of Ka’s pen. The snow becomes a buffer from the outside world and a metaphor for the modern nation of Turkey, where so many truths and troubles are buried just beneath the surface.

Japan: Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

Nothing and everything seems to make sense in Kafka on the Shore, the intergenerational tour de force from Japanese literary master Haruki Murakami. The tale is bookended by the 15-year-old Kafka and the elderly Nakata, a simpleton who communicates with cats. Kafka, on the run from a family curse, ends up holed up in a library run by a former singer; Nakata’s mental facilities were wiped out during World War II and now he traipses along an alternate reality. At the story’s core is a respect for Japanese spirituality, a fascination with our dreams, and a longing for connection across generations.

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• Destinations

Wild Junket

Armchair Travel: 45 Fun Ideas to “Travel” Without Leaving Home

Last Updated on September 11, 2024

Sometimes travel isn’t an option — whether that is due to illness, financial issues or personal circumstances. 

Right now, it’s a global pandemic that is sweeping across the world, putting a halt on travel.   Whether you are stuck at home in a lockdown or a self-imposed quarantine, there are some creative ways to feed your travel addiction . 

From joining online travel communities to taking virtual tours of UNESCO sites, here are my armchair travel recommendations to help you “travel” without leaving your home.

Table of Contents

How to Travel Without Leaving Home

Explore museums virtually on your laptop, take a digital hike around america’s national parks, take virtual tours of the world’s unesco sites, read travel books, read travel blogs, join an online travel community, take an online travel-related course, learn a new language, watch travel-related shows on netflix, watch travel vlogs on youtube, indulge in travel movies, start scratching your world map, make a travel scrapbook, get a travel coloring book, make jigsaw puzzles or models of your favorite places in the world, entertain your kids with travel games and books, create multicultural crafts and activities, cook exotic dishes from around the world, order food delivery.

Many of the world’s musuems have been forced to temporarily shut their doors. But that doesn’t mean that we’ve lost access to the countless treasures housed by these great museums.

Thanks to the extensive  Google Arts & Culture project, we can now access more than 2,500 art spaces from around the world online, and many offer virtual tours. This is the perfect armchair travel activity for museum buffs.

Remember that COVID-19 still poses a threat while you’re surfing the web at home. Hackers are creating thousands of fake pandemic sites to steal your personal information. Make sure to use a COVID-19 scam site checker  before going to any suspicious sites.

Here are some museums worth checking out virtually:

• Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam —   View over 164,511 pieces of artwork from the revered art museum in high-definition. The museum’s most famous art pieces include Vermeer’s  The milkmaid and Rembrandt’s  Self Portrait.
• The Tate, London —This respected museums houses the foremost collection of British art dating back to the the Tudor era and including a large holding of J.M.W. Turner’s work.
• Guggenheim Museum, New York — This contemporary art and architecture museum has over 200 works viewable through Google’s portal.
• The MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art), New York — One of America’s best museums has 26 virtual exhibits and over 200,000 documented works of art from nearly any era.
• Musée d’Orsay, Paris —Check out the virtual exhibitions and 278 pieces of art from 1848 to 1914, including include Van Gogh’s  Bedroom in Arles .

Google Earth has rolled out virtual tours of some of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. The map and satellite imagery masters at Google Earth have put together a series of guided virtual tours of 31 national parks around the country .

Now you can literally travel without leaving your home and take a digital hike on Google Earth. It may not be the same as lacing up your hiking boots and inhaling the crisp clean air of the wilderness, but they’re pretty neat nonetheless. Here are the national parks offering virtual tours:

• Acadia National Park
• Arches National Park
• Badlands National Park
• Big Bend National Park
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Bruce Canyon National Park
• Canyonlands National Park
• Channel Islands National Park
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• Death Valley National Park
• Denali National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Everglades National Park
• Glacier National Park

Not just that, Google Earth has also recently launched  Heritage on the Edge , an online experience that uses 3D maps to showcase a handful of UNESCO World Heritage sites facing the looming threat of climate change.

The goal was to digitally preserve the legacy of the landmarks. For now, you can enjoy a zoomed-in view of the moai on Rapa Nui  (Easter Island), the ancient city of Chan Chan in Peru, and the coastal city of  Kilwa Kisiwani in Tanzania .

Not only will you be able to interact with 3-D models and 50 exhibits, but you’ll also have access to expert interviews and information on how to conserve these historical sites – an important lens, self-isolating or not. Check out this list of best virtual tours around the world .

The best travel books are often the ones that have the power to transform you as much as a journey does. My love for travel books was probably the reason why I became a  travel blogger and writer .

I have always been obsessed with travel books, especially biographies of adventurers who have embarked on extraordinary journeys.  Reading George Orwell’s Burmese Days when traveling in Myanmar made the trip all the more special. And reading Escape from Camp 14 before my trip to North Korea definitely piqued my interest in the hermit kingdom.

If you have a long list of books you’ve been wanting to read but never had the time for, this is the best time to hit that list. Check out my massive list of 50 best books on travel .

• Escape from Camp 14 (by Blaine Harden)— One man’s remarkable odyssey from North Korea to freedom in the West.
• Desert Flower (by Waris Dirie) — A true story of Waris’ escape across the dangerous Somali desert to London as an internationally renowned fashion model; and ultimately to New York City, where she became a human rights ambassador for the U.N.
• The Kite Runner (by Khaled Husseini) — A fictional book about the struggles of a young boy Amir amidst the backdrop of an unstable Afghanistan.
• Burmese Days: A Novel (by George Orwell) — A story of the waning days of British imperialism, by an Englishman living in a settlement in Burma.
• Into the Wild (by Jon Krakauer) — The remarkable story of a young man’s solo adventure in Alaska.
• Gratitude in Low Voices: A Memoir (by Dawit Gebremichael Habte)— A man’s true story of how he fled his homeland  of Eritrea during the war to find solace and success in America.
• It’s Our Turn to Eat (by Michela Wrong) — The story of a Kenyan whistle-blower

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TIP: I recommend getting a Kindle Paperwhite if you don’t have one. You can store a ridiculous amount of books on it and read it at night without ruining your eyesight. You can buy books individually or  sign up to Kindle unlimited (first month is a free trial).

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The pandemic has affected many small businesses, travel companies and websites. I am one of them — my blog’s readership and income have dropped by over 80%. It’s heartbreaking to see all that I have worked hard to build in the past 12 years be reduced to nothing.

Of course I’m not the only one. So many travel bloggers are worried about possibly losing their livelihood. I ask for your support — just read travel blogs and websites whenever you can. There’s no need to make any purchase; just reading and scrolling can help us out at times like this! 

Here are some of my best travel stories:

• World’s Most Remote Islands
• ​ Spirits and Spells: Voodoo Culture in Benin ​
• ​ 12 Interesting Facts About Madagascar ​
• ​ A Photo Essay of Tajikistan ​
• ​ Iraqi Kurdistan — The Other Iraq ​
• ​ Travel in the Caucasus: Where East Meets West
• ​ Asmara, Eritrea: An Art Deco City in Africa

Other travel blogs and websites with brilliant narratives and inspirational stories:

• Roads and Kingdoms
• Uncornered Market
• Atlas & Boots
• The Candy Trail
• Candace Rose Rardon

Looking to connect with like-minded travelers virtually? There are plenty of online travel communities catering to specific types of travelers, from solo female travelers to extreme travelers who like to veer off the beaten trail.

• Extreme Travel — A Facebook group I set up to connect with curious travelers seeking out the extraordinary in unusual places like North Korea, Iran and Sudan.
• Every Passport Stamp — A Facebook community of travelers planning to travel to every country in the world. They have strict rules and requirements, so please join only if you share the same goals as everyone.
• Travel Community — This massive Facebook group caters to all travelers from different parts of the world. Currently, there are quite a few positive discussions in light of the pandemic.
• Wanderful — This is a leading network for female travelers. The brand is currently giving away 500 free one-year memberships (typically $69/year).
• Girls Love Travel — A Facebook group for female travelers covering all kinds of travels and destinations.

If you have always been interested in travel photography or sketching, this is the best time to sign up for a travel-related online course. There are tons of virtual workshops and courses on Skillshare and Udemy .

Here are some interesting travel-related courses worth checking out:

• Travel sketching — Take an adventure into your imagination with illustrator and children’s book author Mike Lowery.
• Oil painting — A fun and informative course that will teach you basics of mark making, glazing and oil painting.
• Travel street photography — Learn popular street photography techniques, as well as composition, lighting, and photo editing for visual storytelling.
• Drone photography — Up your skills from beginner to professional drone photography with this step-by-step vide guide.
• Travel writing class — Learn to write travel tales readers (and editors) will love and sell your freelance writing to newspapers and magazines.
• Travel poster illustration : Design your favorite city and place in Procreate5. 

I have always had a special interest in languages — they are the best way to connect with locals and cultures when traveling. My first experience learning a foreign language was in college, when I took French and Spanish classes. Eventually I took intensive Spanish courses in Madrid. I also took Arabic classes after that, and recently finished my 6-month Dutch course here in Amsterdam.

Technology has made it really easy to learn a language online these days. Here are some apps and online courses I recommend:

• Duolingo — A language app that helps beginners to build up vocabulary. It is free to use and has many languages available.
• Mindsnacks — Another app that offers free language-learning games to help you learn vocabulary, grammar, practice your listening.
• BBC Languages — Free online language lessons, with crosswords, videos and quizzes accompanied by audio. Courses covering 40 languages, including Urdu, Icelandic and Slovak.
• Verbling — Interactive language lessons with a native teacher over video chat. You can choose the teacher you prefer, schedule the lesson and pay her hour.
• Lingoda — Similar to Verbling, Lingoda also offers video lessons with native teachers. But it offers monthly plans and a free 7-day trial.

Many of us are turning to Netflix to entertain us and feed our wanderlust. Forget depressing series like Outbreak, check out the following travel-themed shows that will sure to uplift you in hard times like these.

You can even use the new Google Chrome extension  Netflix Party  to watch these shows with your friends online. Just click the extension button to create a “party” and share a link to the event with whoever you want to watch the program with. The extension also allows all party members to group chat about the show in real-time.

• Dark Tourist — Definitely top on my Netflix’s favorites list, this show covers lesser-known areas and unfamiliar cultures. Check out the episodes on Pablo Escobar’s hitmen, vampires in New Orleans, and Japan’s suicide forests.
• Larry Charles’ Dangerous World Of Comedy — Another of my favorite shows (cos I love travel and comedy), this travel show follows film director, Larry Charles, around the world seeking out how comedy is done in war zones, in slums, and beyond.
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner — One of the many foodie travel shows on Netflix, this is what I’ve been binge-watching lately. Chef David Chang brings big-name celebrities around the world and dives in local food scenes, from Phnom Penh with Kate McKinnon to Marrakech with Chrissy Teigen.
• Conan Without Borders — One of my favorite talk show hosts, Conan O’Brien, gives a non-traditional and humorous take in this travel series. He lightens up the mood before delving into serious topics, like the humanitarian crisis in Haiti or the war in Israel.
• Our Planet — This nature series is Netflix’s very own  Planet Earth, narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

Don’t have a Netflix account? Youtube actually has some high quality videos from vloggers and videographers who are out there doing some great stuff. Here are some of my favorite Youtube channels:

• Drew Binsky — This unique vlogger brings viewers to unique places and he always has an interesting story to tell. Some of his videos are insightful and educational, such as these ones on Equatorial Guinea and Congo.
• Karl Watson — Karl produces quality travel documentaries that are professional and definitely inspirational. His videos tend to cater to younger millennial looking for some adventure.
• Migrationology — Foodie travelers have to check out his awesome food-focused videos. He’ll bring you on street food tours in Pakistan, feast on home-cooked food in Iran, and try top-notch Wagyu beef in Japan.
• WildJunket — Shameless self promotion here: I’m not a Youtuber or vlogger, but I do have some short travel videos on my Youtube channel. Watch me jump off a canyon in New Zealand , drive around Iceland on a campervan , and l earn about voodoo in Benin .
• Eva Zu Beck — This girl has interesting vlogs from the world’s least visited places, including Syria, Pakistan and Yemen. She shows us some of the world’s most beautiful hikes, remote islands and delicious food along the way.

And for movie lovers out there, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to movies about traveling . I have been inspired to go to certain destinations thanks to these travel movies, and I hope they will inspire you too. Check out my giant list of 60 best travel movies of all time !

• Secret Life of Walter Mitty — Embark on an adventure with magazine writer Ben Stiller (as Walter Mitty) as he goes in search of a photojournalist from the streets of Manhattan to Greenland and the Himalayas.
• The White Maasai — Based on a non-fiction memoir, this German movie sparked my interest in Africa almost 12 years ago. It tells the story of Corinne’s trip from her home country of Switzerland to Kenya , where she met and fell in love with a  Maasai  warrior and builds a home with him in the savanna. 
• The Motorcycle Dairies — This movie traces back to where it all began for Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Gael García Bernal), whose road trip across Latin America with his pal Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna) opened Che’s eyes to political injustice.
• Slumdog Millionaire — One of my all-time favorite movies, this Oscar winner tells the story of an Indian Muslim from the Dharavi slum in India. He is a contestant on “Who Wants to Be a  Millionaire ?”, and is one question away from the grand prize. 
• Wild — This movie follows the journey of Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl Strayed, as she treks 1,100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail after the devastating loss of her mother.
• Tracks — Another non-fiction movie based on the adventure of Robyn Davidson, who traverses across the r ugged landscape of Australia with only four camels and a beloved dog for company.
• The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel — A story about a group of aging Brits who follow advertisements and arrive in India, with the promise of a second act.

This is the perfect time to reflect on past travels, and think about how far we’ve come.  Get a scratch map and spend time scratching off the places you have been! It’ll bring back some beautiful memories and get you excited about future travels.

I have a scratch map myself and it’s great fun to come home from a trip and scratch off a new country each time. My friends got me this scratch off world map when we moved to Amsterdam and it’s the best travel gift I’ve ever gotten. I hang it on a cork board with push pins, where I also pin souvenirs or memoirs (like bus tickets) from each trip. It’s such a great way to keep travel memories alive!

Another awesome thing to do to bring back beautiful memories is to make a travel scrapbook. The scrapbook could be based off one epic trip you’ve done. Perhaps an awesome adventure in Southeast Asia , or a Silk Road overland trip . It could also be a collection of all your travels from the past.

Since Kaleya was born, I’ve been wanting to make a special travel album packed with photos, postcards, brochures and stubs I collected during our trips together. It would be an awesome thing to look back on with Kaleya when she grows up. Perhaps now is the time to start making one!

I have my eye on this vintage style scrapbook album ,  but technically you can use any notebook to create an album of travel memories.

Coloring is scientifically proven to have countless health benefits for adults. It can help relax the fear center of your brain, the amygdala, and help you stay calm and mindful.

I enjoy coloring with my daughter when I get the chance. It not only soothes me, but also brings back wonderful memories from places I’m coloring.

Here are some excellent travel coloring books designed for adults:

• Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel Coloring Book
• ColorIt — Around the World in 50 Pages
• Travel Between the Lines — Inspirational Coloring for Globetrotters and Daydreamers
• Crayola City Escapes — Color Your Favorite World Cities

Growing up, I did lots of jigsaw puzzles with my family during our free time. It was how we spent quality time together.

You can easily find jigsaw puzzles of all kinds for both adults and kids, whether that’s 3D puzzles of iconic landmarks or traditional puzzles of landscapes. I love making 3D puzzles with my daughter!

• 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of world’s greatest attractions
• CubicFun 3D puzzle of Notre Dame de Paris
• LEGO built-it-yourself kit of New York city skyline
• ROKR 3D wooden craft puzzle of an airship

Now that school is closed in many parts of the world, parents who are stuck at home with kids will need as many resources as they can. To keep your kid engaged, here are some travel-related ideas to pique their interest in the world.

• The books from Lonely Planet Kids are educational, interactive and fun. Kaleya has a few of this Let’s Explore series of sticker activity books  and she absolutely loves them.
• Inspire your kids with this book, Explorers: Amazing Tales of the World’s Greatest Adventurers , written by yours truly!
• Teach your kids geography with the Beginner’s World Atlas  from National Geographic, suitable for kids ages 5–8. 
• An  interactive world map  is a fun and engaging way to teach kids about the world. It has over 1000 facts about countries, capitals, oceans, and languages, that your kids can learn through interactive quizzes!
• Join online read-alouds and activities organised by your kids’ favorite authors — here’s a full list .

Another fun thing to do with kids that can pique their interest in travel is creating art and craft or products from other cultures. My daughter loves making Japanese origami and it always brings back fond memories from Japan for both of us.

Adults can also enjoy making multicultural crafts together — it’s a great way to learn about a culture and engage with it without actually traveling. Here are some other ideas:

• Make Mexico’s Day of the Dead masks
• Make Japanese origami
• Make a Native American rain stick
• Make a Japanese karp kite
• Learn Aboriginal dot painting from Australia

Food is one of the best ways to engage and connect with a culture and destination.  Some of my favorite dishes I’ve tried around the world, include the Moroccan chicken tajine (slow cooked stew), Hungarian beef goulash, and the traditional Japanese ramen. I’m not a great cook, but I enjoy making Mexican tacos, Vietnamese pho, and Indian prata from time to time.

But you don’t have to travel to tickle your tastebuds — sometimes you learn even more about a cuisine by making it in your own kitchen. Here are some great websites that provide excellent recipes from around the world:

• All Recipes
• BBC Good Food
• Serious Eats

Can’t cook or don’t enjoy cooking? I recommend looking at your local takeaways and trying something brand new. If you live in a multicultural city like I do, there are lots of international cuisine to choose from: from Nepalese to Mongolian, Ethiopian to Peruvian.

Support your local restaurants and give them some business to help you make it through the pandemic! This is seriously armchair travel at its best.

What other things are you doing at home to get that “travel” experience? Share your armchair travel ideas with me in the comments field below!

Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means I get a small commission when you purchase anything through my links. AT NO EXTRA COST to you. Thank you for your support!

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Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. As an accomplished travel writer, she has written for BBC Travel, CNN and Rough Guides . She is also the author of five travel books, including the latest Lonely Planet's Mexico guidebook. Read more about her here and follow her on Facebook and Instagram .

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The Comments

Marc Latham

Comprehensive fun list, but I have one more… I virtually travelled via the internet and wrote fiction books creating a storyline (vegetarian werewolf protagonist looking for its origins years before Missing Link did similar with a bigfoot) using real celebrities and places along the way, with Simpsons inspiration. I think it helps you find new places, learn more about places, and remember them; for me it was nostalgia too, as I virtually travelled places I’d passed through, but didn’t know much about at the time.

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Armchair Travel: 16 Ways To Travel The World From Home

Got the wanderlust but you’re not able to travel anywhere at the moment? That’s okay – you can become an armchair traveler and explore all the places you want from the comfort of your bed.

You’ll need a computer or a smartphone, a good internet connection, and an idea of a place you want to explore. Nothing else is required for armchair travel, and if your interest is peaked, you can read all about armchair travel right here in this detailed guide!

What Is Armchair Travel?

Armchair travel is kind of like a staycation, but instead of exploring the local attractions, you don’t even have to leave the house. It’s discovering new places from the comfort of your chair, hence the term armchair travel.

It can include anything from looking over photos from your past trips to spending hours on Google Earth, walking around the streets of a city you’ve never been to. It’s pretty much just detaching yourself from your current surroundings and immersing yourself in things related to a different country so that for a moment you actually feel like you are there.

It’s as simple as reading a book about Paris while listening to Edith Piaf and eating a croissant.

16 Ways To Travel The World From Home

Technology has come far enough to allow us to travel the world from the comfort of your own home. Well, not quite, but it’s almost there – you can explore the streets of any country in the world from the comfort of your bedroom, you can learn about the best restaurants, and you can even do virtual tours of museums and other famous attractions – you just have to zoom in enough on the world map. That’s the beauty of living in the age of virtual reality and 360-degree images.

I’m just getting started, and here are even more armchair travel ideas that will help you explore your dream destination from home!

Read Travel Blogs

Just because you can’t hop on an airplane and head to a new destination doesn’t mean you can’t learn about it and explore it. Reading travel blogs is a good way to explore new countries through the eyes and lenses of other travelers.

It’s a form of virtual travel that allows you to draw from other people’s experiences. The key is to find a travel blogger you can relate to and whose content you enjoy reading. Immerse yourself in their content, and sooner than you know it, you’ll become an expert on a destination you’ve never even visited.

There are thousands of travel blogs run by people from all around the world, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find at least one that you enjoy.

Virtually Explore US National Parks

Most US National Parks offer virtual tours that are absolutely perfect for an armchair traveler. You can explore any national park you want from the comfort of your home, and you can even peek inside museums and other unique attractions that the national parks have.

Of course, it’s not the same as reaping the benefits of a hot spring inside a national park, but it’s a great way to explore nature and get to know more about the national parks. There’s also the added benefit of not having to deal with snakes, bugs, and the changing weather that’s so common in the NPs.

Head to the Google Arts & Culture website to see all the 52 national parks and historic sites from the US that have made their collections available for digital exploration. You can also see loads of other famous attractions from countries all over the world here, but more details on that later.

Read A Travel-Related Book

If you’re a bookworm, this is the easiest way to become an armchair traveler. Find some travel-related books that you enjoy reading and allow yourself to live in their worlds for the next few days.

Also, a travel-related book can be anything. It could be the autobiography of your favorite artist who recounts all the places life has taken him to, a proper travel guide to a different country, or even a fiction novel set in a foreign country.

Travel guides and coffee table books related to travel are the safest options if you’re not an avid reader. From travel guides through the US to detailed exploration of Italy’s best beaches – there are countless travel books out there, and you just need to search for one that’s about the destination you’re most interested in.

Those who prefer fiction have even more options. I can’t help myself and I have to recommend Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series – the popular crime novels are set in Norway, primarily Oslo, and the detailed descriptions of the city’s top sights will truly transport you to the Nordics for a moment.

Listen To Travel Podcast

Not a big fan of reading or watching TV? Put on a travel podcast then and listen to other people recount the details of their latest trips. You’ll hear some fun and interesting stories for sure, but you may also learn about the inconveniences that might arise should you choose to travel to the same destinations.

We Travel There is a great podcast hosted by Lee Huffman. He interviews locals from all around the world, so every episode is about a different city. The local attractions and best places to visit are usually highlighted in each episode, making this podcast worth checking out even when you’re planning a travel itinerary.

Where To Go is also a great podcast, mostly because it’s hosted by the team behind DK Eyewitness travel guides. They’re some of the best travel guides out there, and the podcast episodes truly give them a run for their money.

Watch Travel Vlogs On Youtube

There are countless travel vloggers trying to make a living by doing the one thing they love most – traveling. You can support them and help them make their dreams come true by consuming their content and exploring the different countries of the world from the comfort of your own couch.

Finding a travel vlogger you like shouldn’t be too challenging, especially with so many different options out there. The key is to find a person you genuinely enjoy watching, otherwise, you won’t be able to focus on the travel destinations!

You can also find live camera streams on YouTube from countries all over the world. They usually include short snippets from various cameras, but it’s a great way to get a glimpse of distant landscapes and everyday life in foreign countries in just a few minutes. Plus, if you see a stream that you particularly like, you can always just find that specific live camera and refer to it whenever you want.

Enroll in A Travel-Related Course

If you still enjoy learning and you’ve particularly interested in travel, why not enroll in a travel-related course. Working on yourself and furthering your education is always a good thing, and you never know what opportunities may present themselves after you’ve completed the course.

I’m not saying enroll in a five-year college course about tourism, but you can take various online and offline courses on a myriad of topics relating to travel. The best way to get started is to get acquainted with all the different diplomas and certificates that are relevant to the tourism industry.

There are dozens of them, and there are many ways to earn them, from attending free online courses to enrolling in MBA degree programs.

Learn what it takes to become a travel agent, get a certificate that allows you to be a tour guide in your hometown, or complete a flight attendant training program. There are countless travel-related courses you can take, and you just need to see which ones interest you the most. This can also increase your chances of getting a job with one of the travel companies if that’s something you are interested in.

Additionally, you can also enroll in language-related courses. They usually include learning about the culture, literature, and history of the country whose language you’re learning, plus learning a new language is always a great idea.

Cook Your Favorite Dishes From Around The World

Exploring a new country means exploring its cuisine and getting to know all of its different flavors. So, if you’re feeling like traveling somewhere but you can’t actually go to that country, you can try to make it – or at least a tiny bit of it – in your own kitchen.

Turn to YouTube or one of a million different recipe websites, and find a dish you enjoy from the cuisine of the country you want to visit. Tacos will immediately fill the room with staple smells from South America, a good curry can never not remind you of India, and sushi is entirely self-explanatory.

So, if you can’t go on a trip right this minute but you’re desperate to at least feel like you’re traveling, just make your entire kitchen smell like a street full of food vendors from that country!

Watch TV Shows Related To Travel

Sometimes it’s enough for a show to be filmed at the right location for it to become extremely popular. Emily in Paris proved that – despite the fact that the show was criticized for a number of different things, it remained extremely popular and mostly because of the fact that it’s filmed in Paris.

People love to tune in to see Lily Collins strolling down the cobblestone alleys of Montmartre and enjoying croissants with a fabulous view of the Eiffel Tower, and I have to admit I’m also guilty of binging both seasons.

It doesn’t have to be a show about one specific city – there are countless travel shows that will satisfy your wanderlust for a moment, and many of them feature a different city or country in every episode. Put on some of Anthony Bourdain’s classics – No Reservations and Parts Unkown are still some of the best shows that combine food and travel!

The Grand Tour is another gem that covers remote destinations from around the world, and it’s particularly interesting for car lovers. But you don’t have to be into cars to appreciate the humor of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, and you certainly don’t need to know anything about vehicles to admire the spectacular landscapes that are featured in the episodes of this humorous travel show.

Watch Travel Movies

If you don’t want to commit to an entire TV show, you can just put on a travel movie. Into The Wild is a textbook example of a travel movie, and probably the best-known film in the genre. But a travel movie can be almost anything, as long as it’s set in the place that you’re yearning to visit.

I get the urge to travel to Sicily whenever I watch Godfather, and I doubt anyone would consider that a travel movie. But the beautiful landscapes that Al Pacino escapes to are so fascinating that, for a moment, it’s entirely possible to forget you’re watching a movie about mobsters.

The entire Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight trilogy showcases the beauty of spectacular European cities – Vienna, Paris, and Greece, in that order. Mamma Mia also depicts the beauty of Croatian and Greek islands, and it’s a great film to put on if you’re dreaming about a beach vacation.

Wild, starring Reese Whitherspoon, follows an inexperienced hiker setting out on the Pacific Crest Trail. The entire movie was shot on location, so it features the actual highlights of the iconic US long-distance hiking trail.

Go On A Virtual Tour of World’s Famous Museums

Some of the most famous museums in the entire world offer free virtual tours, and you should take advantage of that. J Paul Getty Museum, London’s Natural History Museum, and Musée d’Orsay in Paris have all made their collections available for virtual exploration.

Head to Google Arts & Culture again to go through the collections of these museums. You can even browse the various digital collections they have by genre or time period, so finding a collection curated specifically for you is easier than ever.

Learn A New Language

Learning an entirely new language is the best form of armchair travel. Not only does it get you closer to the culture of a country you’re fascinated by, but it’s also a way of developing a new skill that you can use for the rest of your life.

Learning a new language isn’t exactly the easiest thing you can do to satisfy your wanderlust, but it’s certainly the most useful one. You’ll particularly be happy you took up that happy if you manage to travel to the country whose native language you’ve mastered!

Also, keep in mind that learning a new language usually includes learning about the history and culture of that country, as well as reading a few books written by the nation’s most prominent writers. So, you’re not just learning how to talk to locals on your next trip, but you’re also getting a complete guide to the most important landmarks and attractions of the country you choose!

Plan Your Next Trip

Do you already have a destination in mind for your next trip? Then why not start planning it right now. You don’t have to purchase airplane tickets if you’re not sure when you’ll be able to go, but it’s a good idea to start researching other details that will come in handy during your trip.

Look at hotels and AirBnBs to see where you would like to stay and be sure to check out all the top tourist attractions and things to do at the destination. You can even make little maps for any future trip, and you can refer to the map when you actually arrive at that destination.

If you often go on road trips, you already know just how much planning goes into them, if you want things to go smoothly. You can get a head start on your next trip right now – it will get you excited about the trip, plus you can plan out a good chunk of the road trip.

Reminisce About Your Past Trips

Nothing can transport you through time and place quite like a personal photograph. Blow the dust off your online albums and take the time to go through all the 2365 photos you took on that trip to Rio de Janeiro. It can’t be just me that takes a million photos wherever I’m in a new city, and it can’t just be me that never looks at them again.

Take the time to go through the old photos and choose your favorites. You can even print them out if you like and create a travel collage to hang on a wall. Or you can just turn them into a throwback post.

You can also use this opportunity to make room in your phone for photographs you’ll take on your upcoming trips. Delete any blurry shots, images you don’t like, or images that you have a dozen copies of, and create some space for the photographs of places you’re yet to visit!

Create A Travel Scrapbook

Now that we all have amazing cameras in our pockets, it seems like we’re always taking photos, but never taking the time to go through them. Do you remember going through your childhood albums, and how happy you’d be when you saw that one photo you have a great memory of? Or when you looked at images from your travels as a kid?

You can still do that now, even if you’re a full-blown adult. You can even create an album if you want, but a travel scrapbook is a bit more fun. Go through the photos of the last (or any) place you visited, and select the ones you like the most and you want to have in your travel scrapbook.

If you need some travel inspiration, why not dedicate a few pages to every destination you visited. Print out your favorite photos with your friends and family, but also of the landmarks you liked and any places that stood out. Put all the photos in the scrapbook, and be sure to write little captions beneath the photos.

If you do go through with this, two decades from now, when your travel memories start to fade, you’ll be thrilled every time you lay eyes on your little travel scrapbook.

Play A Travel-Themed (Board) Game

Why not try a travel-themed board game to satisfy your itch for a quick trip? Trekking The World is one of the best-selling board games out there, and it’s great for families and friend groups of up to five people. You play the game by racing to visit as many countries in the world as you can and you collect souvenirs along the way. It’s extremely fun, and a great way to learn about some of the most popular destinations in the world.

The World Game is a travel-themed card game for up to five players. It tests your knowledge of geography by asking you to name the capitals of countries, point them out on a map, or guess their flag. It’s a fun card game, but only if you’re into geography.

It’s worth noting that board games aren’t the only types of games you can play that are related to travel. If you’re into gaming, you’ve got even more options when it comes to armchair travel! Many recent AAA games are set in existing cities, and most of those open worlds are incredibly detailed and pretty true to life.

Not all the details will be identical, but it’s important to point out that the reconstruction of Notre Dame will be done with the help of Ubisoft’s drawings that they used to recreate the iconic church in their Assassin’s Creed Unity game.

You can walk through the streets of London, New York, San Francisco, Paris, Tokyo, and many other cities if you’ve got a computer that can run newer AAA games. If not, just try Geouesser – the online game is one of the best things for armchair travel, especially if you want to explore places off the beaten path.

Socialize With Fellow Travel Enthusiasts on Social Media

If all else fails, turn to social media. Go on Reddit, Instagram, or even Facebook and find a group of like-minded travel enthusiasts with whom you can share travel stories and photos. This is also a great way to meet new people and make friends, and you could potentially travel with those people sometime.

But it’s a way of armchair traveling that only extroverts will consider, so it’s definitely not for everyone. You could be one of those people that lurk around the groups and forums, taking in all the stories and images, but not sharing anything with strangers.

About the Author Anna Timbrook

Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.

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Books to Ignite Your Wanderlust: 12 Books for Armchair Traveling

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Travel through books with these novels and travel memoirs to inspire wanderlust! These books will transport you far away to the Swiss Alps, the English countryside, Venice, Iran, and more…

Guest post by Kaitlyn Beck

Ah summer! A season of sun, fun, and travel. Many of you will be going on well deserved vacations in these months and to you I say Bon Voyage! If you are sticking closer to home but still wish to be in far off places, books are the ultimate passport! In this article, I have compiled some book ideas for traveling to various places–some well known, others not so much. I hope these suggestions allow you to take a mental vacation.

Best Wanderlust Books for Armchair Travelers

If you want to travel to the Swiss Alps, try Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Published in 1881, this children’s classic follows a little girl named Heidi who is sent to live with her withdrawn grandfather in the Swiss Alps. The story is sweet, filled with loveable characters and kindness. I love this story, however the character that shines the most is the Swiss Alps! The description of these beautiful mountains are amazing. Anytime I read any part that talks about the flowers and how the sun hits the mountains, I cannot help but smile. Some of the book also takes place in Frankfurt but you do not get an in-depth description of the town. So, if you want to travel to the Alps for a quick trip, hop on this book and fly!

If you want to travel to the British coast, try The Offing by Benjamin Myers

As an American, I had never heard of this book until it was suggested to me at an independent bookstore in England. I devoured this book and cannot recommend it enough! The Offing takes place in 1946, just after World War II has ended, and follows a sixteen-year-old boy named Robert Appleyard. Son of a coal miner, he decides to travel from his small mining village in the north of England to the coast. Here he meets an older woman named Dulcie and they develop a deep friendship over a beautiful summer. The writing is poetic and feels like a cool, refreshing drink. In addition, the descriptions of the landscape, flora, and fauna are just fantastic. Now I do not want to spoil any of this beautiful book, but take a look at a taste of the language used:

“On the contrary, it had awakened within me a sense of adventure, a wanderlust to step beyond the end of the street where the flagstones finally gave themselves to the fields, and industrial Northern England stretched away beneath the first warm haze of a coming season of growth, to explore whatever it was that lay beyond this shimmering mirage that turned the horizon into an undulating ocean of blossoming greens.”

Be still my heart! The characters, plot, and setting are woven expertly to make you never want to put this book down. Best of all, for all you seasonal readers , it takes place over an entire summer. Run, do not walk, to check out this book!

If you want to meander through a forest or laze on a river, try The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

This is a children’s classic I had never read as a child. Tragic I know. I had seen the Disney short but it doesn’t even scratch the surface of this brilliant book. The Wind in the Willows follows animal lives of  Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and Mr. Toad as well as their camaraderie with each other and others. Though not necessarily set in a specific, well-known town or place, this book gives the coziest vibes of enjoying the outdoors. If you are into cottagecore, this book should be high on your priority list. The chapters take you on many adventures in different seasons, allowing you to feel enveloped by the wonders of their home. A great mix of slow tales and invigorating adventures, this novel will transport you far from your everyday life.

If you want to take a journey through the English countryside, try A Fine Romance by Susan Branch

Now before I read this book, I had never heard of Susan Branch. I later found out she is a well known blogger and author of cookbooks as well as a beautiful artist (which you see clearly in this work). This memoir, which is her actual journal, follows Susan and her new husband on a two-month trip in 2004 to various villages in the English countryside. She describes each place as well as the various house museums and activities she partakes in (including Chawton for all my Jane Austen lovers out there!).

This book is like a soothing cup of hot tea on a rainy day–very relaxing and charming. The memoir is accompanied by such beautiful, hand-drawn artwork that you cannot help but smile. If you want a relaxing trip to England, by all means pick up this book!

Related: If you want more books set in the English countryside, you should check out the book series by Miss Read !

If you want to travel to Paris, try Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst

This sweet romantic comedy follows popular author Maggie Bliss, who is desperately trying to finish her latest romance novel manuscript. She decides she needs to go somewhere new for inspiration and decides to stay with friends in Paris. There she soaks in the creative atmosphere and gets to know more about who she is and, maybe, even finds a new love.

This book is quite unique in that it follows an older protagonist (only 48), which I feel like is not that common. She is funny and kind yet still growing as a person; I really appreciated that. Now this book is not the most minisculely-detailed Paris book I have read–for that I would recommend the memoirs My Life in France by Julia Child and A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway–but I really enjoyed the atmosphere as part of the story (with some small trips to other parts of France). Filled with humour and heart, this is a great book to smell the baguettes and fill the heart.

If you want to travel to Iran, try Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

This young adult novel is a unique intersection of setting, family, and heart. Darius is a Persian American teen who is traveling to Iran for the first time. He struggles with both clinical depression and his identity as a multicultural kid. This book has so much heart and discovery, I couldn’t put it down. In our world today, I am saddened that certain countries are only associated with war or poverty without recognizing the beauty of them. The setting of Iran takes you to a rich, beautiful old culture that may not be so easily found in well-known modern novels. I will warn that this book does look at mental health, so please consider that if you are triggered by such discussions. Otherwise, please take a look at this complex and gorgeous book.

If you want to travel to the Scottish Coast, try A Summer at Sea by Katie Fforde

With all the craziness in our world, sometimes you just want a sweet book in Scotland. Katie Fforde and her plethora of novels never disappoint to take me far away. Emily is a midwife who loves her job but wants a change of scenery. When her very pregnant friend Rebecca asks for help on her puffer boat off the coast of Scotland, Emily is all aboard! Helping as a cook, Emily enjoys the fun of sea life and the camaraderie of all those on board. This sweet romance is cozy and a perfect book to read on a vacation. There are many books that take place in Scotland (including the famous Outlander series) but I really recommend this one for a more seabound novel.

If you want to travel to Venice, try The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

Cornelia Funke is one of the first authors I remember truly loving and I was a devourer of her novels. Thief Lord is a 2002 children’s adventure (translated from the original German) that takes place in modern Venice. Two orphans–Prosper and Bo–find themselves on the run through Venice when they come across a group of homeless boys led by an alluring lad named Scipio. From here you have laughs, adventures, and a little bit of magic. To tell more would spoil it.

There are so many books that take place in Italy, so why this one? Well, this book really shines in not just using Venice as the setting but also utilizing its magical ambiance for the plot to take place. Venice is one of those special cities that almost doesn’t feel real, which can be hard to explain in literature form. However, this book does an excellent job at making the reader believe in its unique magic. Though twenty years old, The Thief Lord is a fun and inventive book whose characters and story make you feel like you are truly in Venice.

If you want a multi-stop trip, try some family travel memoirs

Let me start by saying I DEVOUR travel memoirs–I just love them. Family travel memoirs are an interesting subgenre because they have the added element of the family dynamics, which can be both hilarious and heartfelt. When I say family, this means both families with and without children. Additionally, these books tend to go to multiple places either in a specific country or continent, though sometimes it’s even more expansive than that! I see it as hitting multiple birds with one stone. Below I am listing just a few books and their places of travel:

Best Family Travel Memoirs:

• Wide-Open World: How Volunteering Around the Globe Changed One Family’s Lives Forever by John Marshall (Costa Rica, Thailand, and India) 
• We Came, We Saw, We Left: A Family Gap Year by Charles J. Wheelan (travel across 6 continents!)
• No Baggage: A Tale of Love and Wandering by Clara Bensen (3-week travel all around Europe)
• At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe by Tsh Oxenreider (all over the world)

Now, there are so many other places to travel with the help of a book but these are just a few! Writing this list makes me want to read more books with even more diverse settings. I hope these might give you some new finds to dip your toes into. Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful summer. Happy travels!

About the author

Kaitlyn Beck has been a lover of books for as long as she can remember. Her favorite novel is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott but she also loves classics, literary fiction, historical fiction, and memoirs. Besides reading, Kaitlyn loves research (especially history), knitting, musical theatre, cuddling with a blanket, and education. She is a military wife who currently lives with her loving husband in Germany.

More Ways to Travel Vicariously Through Books

These posts from Tea and Ink Society are full of books to transport you to faraway places!

• Quiz: What’s Your Ideal Fictional Vacation Destination?
• 6 Books That Will Transport You to Scotland
• Classic Irish Novels Set in Ireland
• Bestselling Classic Novels Set in the American South
• 7 Books to Pack on Your Next Beach Vacation
• 8 Nautical Novels That Will Make You Want to Run Off to Sea
• Best Classics from Latin America
• Must-Read Japanese Classics

I very much enjoy your newsletter! Thanks for the recommendations. I am curious about the painting at the beginning of this post, the two ladies on the train. Can you tell me the artist? I collect prints of women reading and would be interested in finding the print. Thanks

Yes, that painting is called “The Travelling Companions,” painted in 1862 by Augustus Leopold Egg (what a great name!). It’s in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (Birmingham, England, not my own Bham!). Another fun fact: Augustus Egg was friends with Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins!

This is a fantastic list! The Offing sounds the most intriguing to me. I’m a big Brit Lit reader, and I’ve never heard of this author or this book. I saw some Goodreads reviews compare it to The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley and A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr, both of which I recently read. Thank you Kaitlyn!

What a fantastic list! I would love to travel to all these magical places. In the meantime, I’ll be content with them, reading here in Brazil, on my couch and with a delicious cup of tea. Beijos e abraços, with all my heart, Malu.

Yes, Kaitlyn did such a lovely job! Enjoy your tea and books!

Ann Cleaves does a great job describing northern England in her Vera books, and the far northern Scottish islands in her Shetland series.

Thank you for those recommendations, Noel!

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