Welcome to the world’s most comprehensive list of travel gift ideas.
If you’ve been scouring the web, opening up millions of tabs, wondering if the next “best gifts for travelers” article you click will finally give you that perfect idea…
Know that you’ve finally landed in the right place.
No matter what kind of traveler you’re shopping for, I’ve got a specific section of ideas for you.
Seriously…it’s impossible to get through this list and NOT find the perfect travel gift.
The goal of this list is to make your life as easy as possible. To avoid overwhelming you with hundreds of travel gifts, I’ve chosen the TOP 2-3 options for each type of traveler. Simply click on the type of traveler you’re shopping for in the Table of Contents below to see two ideas they’re sure to love.
If you want even MORE ideas to choose from, click on the “Get More Ideas” under each category.
Easy peasy. 😉
Table of Contents
- I’m Shopping for a Travel Gift for…
- How to Choose Good Gifts for Travelers
- Unique Travel Gifts for Guys
- Unique Travel Gifts for Girls
- Christmas Gifts for Travelers
- Gifts for Business Travelers
- Gifts for Couples Who Travel
- Gifts for Moms Who Love to Travel
- Gifts for Dads Who Love to Travel
- Small Travel Gifts Under $10
- Luxury Travel Gifts
- Gifts for Nature Lovers
- Gifts for Travel Lovers’ Homes
- Gifts for Travelers Currently on the Road
- Gifts for First-Time Travelers
- Gifts for Retired Travelers
- Travel Gifts for Kids
- Travel Gifts for Photography Lovers
- Gifts for Digital Nomads
- Travel Gifts for Book-Lovers
- The Best Travel Gift of All
I’m Shopping for a Travel Gift for…
(Choose the type of gift you’re looking for below)
How to Choose Good Gifts for Travelers
Finding good gifts for frequent travelers can be a challenge…
Especially if said traveler basically lives out of their backpack.
In most cases, the best travel gifts are…
- Small
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Multifunctional
- Worthy of valuable “luggage real estate”
Finding something that meets all those criteria is tough, but if you ignore those guidelines, your gift probably won’t “make the cut” for their packing list.
And you don’t want it to be left behind collecting dust, do you?
Lucky for you, I’ve made your job easy. By choosing one of the following travel gift ideas, you’re guaranteed to pick a winner.
Don’t forget—This is just the TOP 2 list. For more options, click the “Get more ideas” link under each category.
Happy gift hunting!
Disclosure: If you purchase through links on this page, I may earn a teensy commission at NO additional cost to you. I only recommend bomb-dot-com products I’m in love with. (See full disclosure)
Unique Travel Gifts for Guys
Need more ideas for guys? Check out these 10 unique travel gifts for men.
Clever T-shirt with Hidden Pocket
This secret pocket t-shirt has got a lot going for it.
First off, it comes in either solid black, gray, or white—meaning it matches with literally everything and is perfect for packing light.
Second, it has a neat little hidden pocket right in the chest area where you can store cash, ID, passport etc. This means your traveler can walk around with peace of mind that their valuables are safe (unless, of course, someone steals their shirt).
The “Buff”
Every guy traveler needs a buff. Heck, ladies should have one too.
They are multi-functional and insanely useful.
It might appear simple, but this bad boy can be worn in 12 different ways (at least). Bandana, scarf, headband, balaclava, do-rag, wristband, and more.
I even used my buff as a facemask sometimes (but I can’t vouch for how many germs it actually protects from).
Buffs come in many designs and styles, but this one is my favorite. It’s made of Merino wool, which has shockingly effective anti-odor properties. That means if your man is sweating in it all the time (which they will be), it won’t get all rank-smelling.
Unique Travel Gifts for Girls
Need more ideas for girls? Check out these 15 unique travel gifts for her.
Travel Makeup Bag Organizer
Traveling as a female ain’t easy (according to my wife).
You gotta pack your makeup, your brushes, your creams, and all those other little beauty thingamabobs girls use.
If you don’t have a solid system to stay organized on the road, stress happens.
That’s where this useful makeup organizer comes in. Your traveler will always know exactly where each of her “beauty tools” are located.
Mini Travel Hair Straightener
This is one of my wife’s most prized possessions in her backpack.
These days, travel is all about taking amazing pictures to show off on Instagram.
If your lady is having a bad hair day, those photos are never gonna see the light of day.
This travel hair straightener is super compact and will barely take up any space in your travel girl’s luggage.
And every time someone compliments her hair in her photos, she’ll think of you 😉
Christmas Gifts for Travelers
Need more ideas? Check out these 10 perfect Christmas gifts for travelers.
DNA Ancestry Kit
Seriously though. Who isn’t interested in discovering their roots and ancestors. I’ve heard some pretty cool stories of people who did these Ancestry DNA tests and discovered things about themselves they would have never imagined.
This is an awesome gift idea for travelers who would love to visit the lands of their ancestors (they can even discover long lost relatives living around the globe!).
All they have to do is send in a test tube with their saliva, then their DNA will be analyzed, and they’ll be sent a full ancestry report in the mail.
Tinggly Experience Box
Now THIS is the ultimate gift for travelers (especially if you’re worried about buying something they won’t like).
Here’s why:
With the Tinggly Experience Box, your loved one will receive an email (perfect for those who are already traveling) where they will be able to choose from 100+ awesome travel experiences worldwide.
We’re talking things like Ferrari-racing in Lithuania, skydiving in Singapore, Desert safaris and camel rides in Qatar…you name it.
Your traveler will have 5 years to do whichever once-in-a-lifetime activity they choose.
You literally can’t go wrong with this travel gift.
Gifts for Business Travelers
Need more ideas? Check out these 15 top gifts for business travelers.
Priority Pass Membership
Your business traveler likely spends A LOT of time in the airport.
Airports can either be productive and comfortable…or a complete waste of time.
By giving the business traveler in your life a Priority Pass membership, you’ll make sure it’s the former.
This gives them access to over 1,200 private lounges worldwide, where they can actually LOOK FORWARD to all those long layovers.
Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
Most business travelers are pretty productive people.
If they’re spending countless hours in the air, they mind as well knock out some work while they’re at it.
The problem is, unless they’re flying first class, it’s gonna be a bit cramped (if you’ve ever tried to break out your laptop on a plane tray table—even laptops designed for travel—you know what I mean).
Fortunately, there’s a better way.
With this handy foldable bluetooth keyboard, your loved one can work comfortably in the sky by connecting to their phone or tablet.
Gifts for Couples Who Travel
Need more ideas? Check out these 10 travel gifts for couples that’ll keep the romance alive.
Bucket List Adventures Book
It’s easy to get in ruts in life (and relationships). To get out, sometimes all we need is a bit of inspiration.
That’s exactly what this book will do for the travel-loving couple in your life.
Not only will it help them brainstorm 50 adventurous activities they can do together. But it also has room for them to journal about their experience and add in their favorite photos—making it the ultimate keepsake!
Adventure Buddies Matching T-shirts
These matching adventure shirts are the perfect gift for all those cheesy romantic couples out there.
They’re not only cute, but they also bring couples together. I can’t explain it, but wearing matching clothes has a way of unifying a couple and creating an extra special bond while traveling (my wife and I even have matching swimsuits!).
Plus, by buying this travel present, your almost guaranteed to see them pop up in photos from your travel couple’s next big trip.
Gifts for Moms Who Love to Travel
Need more ideas for mom? Check out these 10 best travel gifts for mom.
Pickpocket-Proof Purse
When traveling, mom needs to be extra careful with her belongings. That’s why I recommend the Travelon anti-theft bag (AKA the Fort Knox of purses).
It is lined with slash-resistant mesh body panels, RFID blocked pockets for passports, lockable compartments, and slash-resistant shoulder straps.
If you’re worried about keeping mom safe on the road, giving her this useful travel gift will put your mind at ease.
Sunlily Roll-N-Go Sun Hat
Your mom is beautiful. And she’ll look even more beautiful with this stylish Roll-N-Go Packable Sun Hat.
This hat is perfect for travels. You can roll it up into a nice little wad, stuff it in your suitcase, and never worry about it getting a bunch of ugly wrinkles.
Best of all, it’s “one size fits most”. So unless mom has a ginormous dome, it should fit perfectly!
Gifts for Dads Who Love to Travel
Need more ideas for dad? Check out these 10 best travel gifts for dad.
Roll-Up Backgammon
Does dad like board games? If so, this present will be right up his alley.
This nifty backgammon kit was designed by a couple of German backpackers to be solid as a rock, yet weigh next to nothing.
In other words, it’s perfect for dad’s who want to have game night while on the road!
City Map Glass
If your dad’s a whiskey drinker who likes to travel, this custom city map glass is about as thoughtful a gift as it gets.
The best part is it’s personalized (which will make it even more special). You get to choose his favorite city to be etched into the glass, so everytime he has a drink, he’ll reminisce on his best memories.
Small Travel Gifts Under $10
Need more cheap travel gift ideas? Here’s 10 more small travel gifts under $10.
TSA Locks
As a traveler, you can never have enough of these bad boys (especially since they have a way of disappearing).
They have a small price tag, but they’ll give your favorite traveler BIG peace of mind.
As a full time traveler, I use these almost daily to…
– Lock up backpack zippers while traveling from destination to destination
– Lock up valuables in my hotel room when it’s going to be cleaned
– Secure my locker whenever staying in dorms or other shared spaces.
TSA locks are probably the most useful travel gift you can give that’ll cost you less than $10.
Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch
Let me tell you from experience…
It’s a shame when you travel halfway across the world to a stunning beach but are afraid to go swimming because you don’t want your phone or wallet to get jacked while you’re out in the water.
That’s where these cheap but useful waterproof pouches come in. They allow you to take your valuables with you into the water!
These are also handy for other water activities like kayaking, tubing, paddleboarding, etc—where your traveler will want to have their phone with them in the water to take photos.
If you’re shopping for someone who can’t get enough of the water, check out these other awesome gifts for beach lovers.
Luxury Travel Gifts
Need more ideas? Check out these 10 best luxury travel gifts money can buy.
Cashmere Travel Set
It doesn’t get much more luxurious than this.
This cashmere travel set will ensure your favorite traveler flies around the world in ultimate comfort.
It includes a 100% cashmere blanket, travel pillow, eye mask, socks, and carrying case.
They’ll never be forced to use the rough (and doubtfully clean) items provided by the airline ever again.
SONY WH1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Looking for the ultimate travel gift that will win you a place in the heart of your favorite traveler forever and ever? Look no further.
Here’s the thing. I used cheap headphones while traveling for years. And guess how many times they broke in the middle of my trip? TOO MANY TIMES!
For the cost of all the cheap headphones I had to replace, I could’ve just purchased one nice pair.
Now I use Sony WH1000XM3s (one version older than the XM4s), and it is like heaven on earth. If I need to focus and get work done, drown out crying babies, or simply get lost in my music, I throw on my Sonys and let the noise-canceling block out the world.
Gifts for Nature Lovers
Need more ideas? Check out these 20 awesome gift ideas for nature lovers.
Steripen
Many developing countries do NOT have safe drinking water. Travelers going to these areas have three options:
Spend tons of money buying earth-killing water bottles or lugging around huge water jugs
Get sick
Use a handy portable water purifier
A Steripen is a great gift for people who travel because it’ll not only help keep them healthy, but you’ll also save them loads of money on water (and trips to the grocery store).
That said, there is one caveat. If you’re going to give a Steripen as a gift, it’s SUPER important to also include a few sets of spare CR123 batteries. It turns out, these batteries can be hard to find in other parts of the world (I learned that one the hard way). And no batteries means no clean water.
Solar-Powered Power Bank
These solar-powered power banks are cool travel gifts for nature lovers who like exploring off-the-grid locations without running out of battery.
They come with 4 solar panels that soak up the sun’s energy during the day and, once full, can charge a smartphone 8-10 times.
In other words, as long as your traveler isn’t sitting in a dark cave for 8 days, they’ll never have to worry about their electronics dying ever again.
Gifts for Travel Lovers’ Homes
Need more ideas? Check out these 15 cool gifts for travel lovers’ homes.
Scratch Map
These world scratch map posters are the perfect way for travel lovers to keep track of (and show off) all the adventures in their homes.
The wall map is covered with a gold scratch-off coating (similar to a lottery ticket). Whenever your traveler visits a new country, they can scratch off the gold layer to reveal the colored map underneath.
It’s a pretty neat travel tradition!
In addition to tracking where they’ve been, it’ll also inspire them to plan where to go next.
World Map Bedsheets
Here’s a neat travel-related gift that’ll have your loved one dreaming about travel every single night.
These bed sets come with a blanket and two pillow covers. There are tons of different map styles to choose from (like this antique version), so it shouldn’t be hard finding something that matches their bedroom.
Gifts for Travelers Currently on the Road
Need more ideas? Check out these 10 creative gift ideas for travelers who are CURRENTLY TRAVELING.
Trusted Housesitter Subscription
Here’s an awesome gift to help your traveler score free accommodation around the world.
Trusted Housesitters is a platform that will match your traveler with people around the world who are looking for someone to watch over their house (and pets) while they’re gone in exchange for a free place to stay.
Housesits can last from a few days to a few months, so it suits all different types of travelers.
I’ve met travelers who use housesitting to live in mansions around the world for free. Some haven’t paid for accommodation in years!
(This link gets you a discount.)
Audible Audiobook Subscription
Frequent travelers spend a lot of time in transport—planes, trains, buses, boats, etc. Books are a great way to take advantage of that time. But if you’re like me, reading and moving vehicles don’t mix well.
That’s why Amazon’s Audible subscription is a good gift idea for travelers. They can download a bunch of interesting books, and listen to the audio version to keep them busy on travel days. This can also be a great gift idea for travelers who love to go on road trips.
Travel Insurance
If your traveler is currently on the road without travel insurance, this NEEDS to be the gift you give them.
Some think they’ll be fine without travel insurance, but let me tell you—there are SO many things outside a travelers control. Poorly cooked food, faulty adventure equipment, crazy taxi drivers, accidentally squirting hand sanitizer in your eye (yes, that really happened to me)…you name it.
Over the past five years, I’ve claimed nearly $20,000 in medical expenses with my travel insurance company. All of them unexpected accidents.
If you’re looking for a good travel insurance to buy for your loved one, my two favorites are World Nomads and Safetywing.
I used World Nomads as my trusted travel insurance for several years, but I’ve recently switched to Safetywing—a newer, cheap and reliable alternative.
Here is a complete complete comparison of all the best travel insurance plans.
Gifts for First-Time Travelers
Need more ideas? Check out these 15 useful gifts for FIRST-TIME travelers.
Leather Travel Journal
My travel journal is one of my most prized possessions that I own.
If your traveler doesn’t already have a journaling habit, buying them a nice leather journal (and a waterproof pen) will help them kick it off.
And they won’t regret it. I absolutely LOVE having “Travel Memory Nights” every now and then to read through my journal and remember all the crazy adventures I’ve had, fascinating people I’ve met, and amazing experiences I’ve lived around the world.
If you buy a nice journal for your traveler, it could very well become one of their most prized possessions too!
Packing Cubes
World travel comes with a learning curve. There are many things first-time travelers will have to learn the hard way.
Packing is one of them.
Fortunately, by giving them a quality set of packing cubes, you can help them cut down the learning curve.
Simply put—packing and unpacking without packing cubes sucks. It’s a disorganized disaster, always digging through your mounds of clothes and gear searching for that one sock.
Packing cubes not only keep everything organized, but also allow you to fit more into your backpack.
I never travel without packing cubes. And once you buy these for your traveler, they won’t either.
Hydration Fanny Pack
Think fanny packs are dorky? Think again!
When your traveler is in the airport, taking a tour around town, or off on a day hike, they probably have a few doodads they want to carry around with them, but not enough to warrant hoisting around a big backpack all day.
That’s where a nice fanny pack comes in. I invested in one of these bad boys last year, and it’s made travel way more comfortable. I highly recommend it as a gift for people who like to travel.
Gifts for Retired Travelers
Need more ideas? Check out these 10 thoughtful gifts for retired travelers.
Personalized Playing Cards
Just because your retired traveler is far away doesn’t mean they don’t miss their family every day.
These personalized playing cards come with photos of loved ones printed on each card, so they’ll be a constant reminder of all the family and friends that are thinking about them back home.
This specific set is more special than other similar sets. With others, you can only choose one photo to go on the back of all the cards. With this one, you can choose up to 52 photos that go on the front side of the cards.
Sleepy Ride Memory Foam Footrest
This airplane memory foam footrest is a useful travel present to help make long flights more comfortable for your retired traveler’s creaky bodies (who am I kidding, I’m 29 and I need this).
This ingenious contraption easily attaches to the seatback in front of you, and makes it feel like you’re sitting in a comfy recliner.
Lastly, it packs down tight into an included travel carrying pouch and takes up minimal space in a carry-on bag.
Travel Gifts for Kids
Need more ideas for kiddos? Check out these 10 fun travel gifts for kids (and travel-loving families).
Thought-Provoking Conversation Starter Game
This awesome game will not only keep kids entertained while traveling, but will bring the whole family together.
The idea is simple…
100 cards.
100 thought-provoking conversation starters.
100 opportunities to strengthen relationships on the road.
Instead of the kids bouncing off the walls during downtime, the family will be able to spend it getting to know each other on a deeper level.
Lonely Planet Kids Travel Book
If you want to get a lil’ one excited about exploring the world, this book is the perfect way to do it.
It’s crammed full of fascinating facts about countries around the world that’ll blow their minds (and make them wanna see for themselves!). From bizarre cultural practices to crazy foods to unbelievable festivals—it’s impossible for a child NOT to feel wanderlust after reading this book.
Travel Gifts for Photography Lovers
Need more ideas? Check out these 15 perfect travel presents for photography lovers.
Apexel Phone Camera Lens
This cool travel gift allows you to take stunning photos without having to lug a ton of expensive bulky camera equipment.
All you have to do is clip one of the small Apexel lenses onto your cell phone camera, and watch as the images magically improve. This set comes with two handy lenses…
The first is a wide-angle lens that lets you fit more scenery into each photo (this could mean the difference between fitting in the entire view and having a section chopped off). This lens is perfect for selfies too—no more cutting off the tops of people’s heads. Check out the difference!
The second is a macro lens for taking ultra-detailed close-up photos of tiny objects like insects and flowers.
Insta360 One X 360 Action Camera
Camera technology has exploded over the past couple years. One of the coolest new advancements is this 360 action camera which takes photos and videos in every direction simultaneously…insane, right?
This let’s your traveler get some amazing shots they wouldn’t be able to get with a normal camera.
The Insta360 is also loaded with other high-tech tricks like the “invisible selfie stick” (which does exactly what it sounds like) and nifty video editing tools they can do right from their smartphone.
If you’ve never seen a 360 action camera before, check out the video on their Amazon page—it’s pretty neat!
Gifts for Digital Nomads
Need more ideas? Check out these 15 cool gifts for digital nomads (to make work-travel easier).
PacSafe Portable Travel Safe
This little-known piece of travel gear is something I take with me everywhere I go.
I can’t believe I don’t see more people talking about it. It’s basically a portable safe to lock up your expensive gear in your accommodation—perfect for digital nomads with expensive laptops and other equipment.
The sturdy bag is slash-proo and lined with mesh wire. Just secure it to any fixed object in your room using the included cable lock, and your belongings are safe and secure!
Best of all, it’s lightweight and fits perfectly at the bottom of any backpack or luggage.
Many accommodations have spots to lock up valuables, but a day will come when there is no secure storage, and your traveler will be happy they packed this!
(An alternative option is this nifty bag protector that locks up an entire backpack.)
(Other options: Amazon)
Solis Mobile Wifi
One of the biggest struggles digital nomads face while traveling is staying connected to wifi.
For most people working on the road, no internet = no work = no money.
Solis (formerly Skyroam) helps solve this problem and will be a super handy gift for the digital nomad in your life.
It’s basically a pay-as-you-go hotspot that offers internet connection in 130+ countries. That means if your traveler ever finds themselves in an emergency where they need to work but have crappy internet (which they will), they can fire up their Solis and be instantly connected.
That said, while Solis is popular, it’s not the only game in town. For more options, check out my full breakdown of the best mobile hotspots for digital nomads and travelers.
The “Roost” Laptop Stand
Digital nomads spend A LOT of time hunched in front of their laptops. Like, an unhealthy amount.
After a while, this poor posture WILL catch up with them (I know from experience). Not only will they slowly turn into a hunchback, but poor posture leads to discomfort and serious neck, back, and wrist injuries.
Fortunately, the solution is simple. Raise up the laptop screen to work in a better posture!
This is exactly what the Roost helps with. The best part is, this thing weighs next to nothing, packs down super tiny, and barely takes up any luggage space. It’s the perfect addition to any traveling office setup. No matter what digital nomad job your traveler has, this will make it more comfortable. (P.S. This alternative stand is almost identical to the Roost for almost half the price).
Travel Gifts for Book-Lovers
Need more ideas? Check out these 15 must-read books for travel lovers (who need a shot of wanderlust).
Kindle
Yes, there is something special about reading a real book with actual pages…
But when you’re traveling (especially long term), it’s just not practical.
With a Kindle Paperwhite e-reader, you can essentially carry unlimited books with you without weighing down your backpack or luggage. You can also read at night or in buses/planes without turning lights on and bugging people. Plus, it’s waterproof!
If your traveler loves books and doesn’t already have a Kindle, this is one of the best travel gifts you could possibly get them.
Bucket list: 1000 Adventures Big and Small
I’ve found that if we humans don’t have a constant flow of inspiration entering our lives, it’s easy to fall into a monotonous rut.
This awesome book helps prevent that and will keep your traveler’s wanderlust alive.
Perfect for a coffee table, this big book of adventures will be a constant reminder of all the amazing trips they still need to cross off their list.
You Only Live Once
This book is pure inspiration. It not only covers extraordinary places to travel, but it teaches how to live an extraordinary life.
World travelers seem to have been born with an extra “adventure bone” compelling them to escape the mundane routine. They know there is more to life, and they’re dedicated to finding it. This book encompasses these feelings and is a manual on living life to the fullest.
The Best Travel Gift of All
As you can see, when it comes to good gifts for travelers, you have TONS of options.
Just remember – While all these travel gift ideas are great, there’s one gift that trumps them all.
It’s the gift of your TIME.
Whether that be sharing meaningful experiences together or simply talking on the phone, spending time together is the best way to show your love.
So give them that travel gift. But ALSO give them your time.
After all, travelers are an unpredictable bunch.
You never know when they’ll fall in love in (or with) a faraway land, never to return.
***How’d you like this ultimate list of best gifts for travelers? This collection of travel gift ideas posts took me an embarrassingly long time to put together (thanks, A.D.D.). So if you found them at all useful, I’ll love you forever if you click the buttons below to share on social media. Gracias! 🤗***
Mitch is your typical nomadic backpacker. Or at least, he was. But after stopping in Colombia to take “one week” of salsa lessons, his life took a sharp left turn. He met a cute Colombian girl in dance class, fell in love, and got married. Over half a decade has passed since he left his career to travel the world as a digital nomad, and he’s never looked back.
Nowadays, he’s the blogger behind Project Untethered — where he runs an awesome email newsletter and Youtube channel teaching adventure-craved wanderlusters how to escape the rat race, earn money from anywhere, and build an “untethered life”.
His advice has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, Yahoo, MSN, Reader’s Digest, Condé Nast Traveler, and more.
Mitch's Travel Recommendations:
Travel Planning Resources - Everything you need to plan your trip on one convenient page.
Going Cheap Flights Newsletter - Get flight deals from your airport up to 90% off sent straight to your inbox.
Safetywing Insurance - This cheap travel insurance has saved me over $15,000 in medical bills.
Booking.com - Book accommodation without adding your credit card (in case you need to cancel).
Trusted House Sitters - Take care of pets in exchange for free (sometimes luxury) accommodation.
Flexjobs - Find remote jobs without having to sift through crappy ones.
Skillshare - Free trial to take unlimited classes that teach digital nomad skills.
Wise - Send and receive money abroad cheaply (great for freelancers).