Looking for the perfect travel gift for that travel-obsessed person in your life? It can often be a challenge!
But I’ve got you covered. From books to inspire an epic travel experience to eco travel goods to must-have travel tech, this gift guide has 21 awesome gift ideas to make your holiday shopping easier. I’ve chosen gifts that cost a few bucks and others that are a bit more of investment.
This gift guide for travellers (or maybe inspiration for yourself?) will help you find the perfect gift for that special someone in your life with a serious case of wanderlust. Many of these items I own and love myself, while others are dreamy gifts that I have on my own wish list.
Happy shopping!
This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
1. Get Your Guide gift card
While I’m an independent traveller, I really appreciate the insights and knowledge of a local guide when I visit a new city. Walking tours, cooking classes and foodie experiences enable a deeper understanding of a place and provide the chance to interact with locals who want to share what’s great about their city.
I usually buy tours direct with a company or through a provider like Get Your Guide.
If you’re not sure what someone will like, then buy them a gift card and they can choose from thousands of different tours across the world.
2. Language classes
Does the special someone in your life love to learn new skills? Perhaps they want to learn a few words of Spanish before they jet off to Mexico? Check local language schools in your area to see what classes are on offer.
I’m a big fan of iTalki because you actually speak with someone, which is the best way to learn a language. Classes are online, so they’re affordable, and iTalki teachers are native speakers. I’ve had Spanish and French teachers through this platform.
3. Tesalate towel
I used to receive a new beach towel every year for Christmas when I was a kid, but they were nothing like these Tesalate towels.
You’ve probably heard everyone raving about these towels or seen them on your Insta feed. They’re completely sand-free – with some sort of wizardry (Tesalate would say it’s because of their patented fabric technology) you simply shake the sand off so you’ll never be carting gritty sand through your car or backpack.
They’re also lightweight, dry super fast and pack up in a small bundle.
But, maybe most importantly, they have a range of beautiful designs to choose from. (I have the Sunseeker, which is actually more of a peach colour rather than pink like in the image below.)
These towels and beach blankets make the perfect gift for any beach lover or traveller, while gym junkies will love their range of gym towels.
They’re also pup approved 🙂
4. Merino wool clothing
My secret weapon when I’m travelling? Merino wool.
This stuff is magic. I can wear merino wool clothing for weeks and it still smells fresh. It doesn’t wrinkle and it keeps sweat at bay.
Plus, these Unbound Merino t-shirts and travel dresses are actually stylish. They’ve got men’s and women’s clothing that would make a perfect gift for the minimalist traveller. (And they have gift cards if you’re not 100% sure what they’ll like.)
5. Carry-on backpack
I just travelled through Central Asia for three weeks with just this carry-on backpack. The tomtoc 40L backpack fits HEAPS of stuff in and has plenty of different pockets and compartments. There’s a pocket for your laptop plus the main compartment as well as extra front and top pockets for smaller items you don’t want to lose.
I threw it around a lot and it hasn’t scratched nor does it look worn. Airlines were happy to accept it as carry-on (except for one airline that actually weighed it and wouldn’t allow it because it was heavier than 7 kilos!).
I got it in black, but it also comes in charcoal, grey, navy and green. It’s water resistant and is made of a ripstop material.
I highly recommend this backpack and am looking forward to putting it through its paces again soon.
- Large Capacity & Organized: This Navigator-T66 carry-on backpack provides ample space for all your travel essentials. It features a large main compartment with a separate laptop compartment, and several other pockets and compartments for organization. Dimensions: 20.47 x 12.99 x 9 inch (52 x 33 x 23 cm). Depending on the packing methods and contents, the actual usable capacity ranges between 38-40L (handmade, slight variations in size & weight)
- Convenient Storage: You can reach the main compartment from the quick access front pocket for easy reach of your travel essentials on the go, and the main compartment can also be unzipped like a suitcase for easy packing and unpacking; The tech compartment can accommodate up to 17″ laptop and 13 inch iPad with accessories; Front pocket, top pocket and side pockets for easy access to glasses, documents and travel liquids, etc.
- TSA Friendly & Flight Approved: The laptop compartment is friendly designed to be opened 90°-180° for security scanning, helps get through airport security checkpoints quickly and easy; And the dimension meets most international airlines’ carry-on size requirements, making it the perfect companion for air travel, it’s ideal for airplane traveling
6. Electronics organiser
I never realised that I was missing an essential item in my life until I got myself an electronics organiser. Who knew?
This electronics organiser is such an organisational life-saver. On our recent USA road trip, no longer did we have to rifle through bags trying to find an iPhone charger as we desperately watched our phones drain to 1%. All our electronic bits and bobs were kept neatly together. It’s well-padded to protect all your precious gear, too.
I also couldn’t believe how much it can fit: I jammed in a Kindle, three iPhone cords, a large multi-port, camera USB cards, camera cables, a portable hard drive – and still had room.
- Keep Small Tech Easy to Find: This electronics travel organizer uses elastic loops, mesh pockets and a main compartment to separate short cords, earbuds, USB drives and slim power banks.
- Soft Padded Everyday Protection: Polyester exterior and cushioned lining help protect small electronics from daily scratches inside a backpack, purse, tote or carry-on without adding bulky weight.
- Made for Commute and Travel: Use this tech organizer travel case for office days, school, flights or business trips when phone cords, compact chargers and earbuds need a tidy place to stay.
7. Travel pillow
No one wants to wake up from a flight or road trip with drool dribbling down their chin and a crick in their neck.
While there’s not much you can do about the drool, you can help your loved ones avoid a sore neck by buying them a travel pillow. Don’t bother with those blow-up travel pillows you see in the airport shops, instead go for something that’s actually useful and comfortable.
I LOVE my Trtl travel pillow. It wraps around your neck like a scarf but has an insert that props your head up so that it doesn’t jerk around as you nod off. The outer layer is really soft and it’s machine washable (to get rid of that drool). It also packs up pretty small, so it’s easily transportable.
There’s another travel pillow I keep seeing everywhere: the Ostrichpillow Go. It’s stylish and compact so it’s easy to carry on a flight.
- PREMIUM COMFORT: Experience a new level of relaxation with our high-density BASF memory foam. It molds seamlessly to your neck, providing optimal support and neck alignment while traveling.
- 360° ERGONOMIC DESIGN: With a Velcro closure for customized adjustment, this neck pillow firmly holds your chin, ensuring complete neck alignment with your spine. Includes a Velcro protector to safeguard the fabric when stored in its bag, ensuring lasting stickiness and protection. Remember to remove this protector before use to enjoy full functionality.
- ASYMMETRICAL SIDES: Ostrichpillow Go offers unequal sides for flexibility in resting positions. Use it with the closure facing forward or backward to find the perfect fit for your comfort.
8. Travel coffee mug
Every coffee drinker (or tea/hot chocolate drinker) should have a travel coffee mug, for travelling and when they’re at home. They avoid the need for takeaway coffee cups, most of which aren’t recyclable and end up in landfill.
There are plenty of travel mugs on the market, so take your pick. These Contigo travel mugs are vacuum-sealed to avoid spillage, and this highly rated travel cup is good for hot and cold beverages.
- Our Lids Are Sealed – AUTOSEAL technology is leak and spill proof (Yes there is a difference!)
- For the Long Haul – Drinks stay hot up to 7 hours and cold up to 18 with THERMALOCK Vacuum Insulation
- Lend a Hand – Easy one-handed drinking with the push of a button
- Squeaky Clean – Lid completely opens for an extra squeaky clean with no separate parts to take apart or misplace
- Lock it Up – AUTOSEAL button lock for added peace of mind
9. Packing cubes
Every traveller needs packing cubes in their life. These little babies are great at keeping clothes organised.
It’s the only way I travel now. I put all my tops in one cube, bottoms in another, dresses in another (and so on and so on). It means I’m not riffling through my whole suitcase trying to find one thing. I simply pull out my colour-coded (oh how nerdy do I sound?) packing cube and voilà! You can also keep dirty clothes away from your clean stuff.
I most recently bought these Bagail packing cubes and really like them. Peak Design also has highly rated packing cube products (although their products are on the higher price end).
- Easy Travelling: Are you still worried about the chaos of packing for a trip? Introduce our packing cubes to join your travelling gear! They help to sort, organise and find items quickly; Let’s you start your trip with effortless organisation
- Durable Fabrics: All packing cubes are made of 290D fabric; This fabric is strong and durable; We offer packing cubes with Precise internal stitching, smooth and durable zips for your everyday needs
- VALUED &CONVENIENT: Mesh top panel for easy identification of contents, and ventilation; These cubes will go the distance; No broken zippers, no weak stitching; Bagail Packing Cubes will become your valued and reliable travel buddy
10. Reusable filtering water bottle
Who drinks throwaway plastic bottles anymore these days? Not me, that’s for sure. I always travel with a reusable water bottle and fill it up whenever and wherever I can. It feels so good to not be buying plastic bottles that likely end up in landfill!
For your eco-conscious traveller who is also travelling to places where the water quality ain’t so good, I recommend this Lifestraw water bottle. I bought it earlier this year and used it all through Colombia. It’s fantastic for filtering potentially dodgy water into drinkable liquid and filters out bacteria, parasites and microplastics.
- LifeStraw Go Series is the ULTIMATE SIDEKICK. The BPA-Free bottle filters out nasties so you can fill up from airport bathrooms, a tap in Mexico, or a gas station while road-tripping
- IMPROVES TASTE: the Carbon filter reduces chlorine, odors plus organic chemical matter
- FILTERS OUT CONTAMINANTS: the Membrane microfilter protects against 99.999999% Bacteria (including E.coli plus Salmonella), 99.999% Parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), 99.999% Microplastics, sand, dirt, and cloudiness
- LONG LASTING: The membrane microfilter lasts up to 1,000 gal (4,000 L) – about five years of daily use. Carbon filter lasts up to 26 gallons (100 L) – about two months
- SAVES WASTE: The membrane microfilter lasts up to 4,000 liters. That’s 8,000 single use plastic water bottles out of our parks, our oceans, and our communities
11. Travel guidebooks
Is your friend or family member planning an upcoming trip? Or do they need some inspiration for their next post-pandemic trip? Get them a guidebook so they can start planning.
I’m partial to Lonely Planet books. I’ve been using them since my first overseas trip. I love the detailed history and culture sections, and being able to flip back and forth through a physical book.
I especially love the Lonely Planet wine trails series, and their road trip guides.
12. Portable washing bag
For the long-term traveller or hiker or camper in your life, I introduce the Scrubba!
This is like a mini washing machine you can throw in your bag and it’s a gamer-changer for anyone on the move.
On our recent road trip around half of Australia, we had this washing bag with us with us. It was a lifesaver when we were miles away from civilisation (and washing machines). All it takes is a few minutes of scrubbing and voila! Fresh, clean clothes.
- PATENTED WASHBOARD TECHNOLOGY: Get a machine-quality wash in minutes with the patented Washboard-in-a-Bag design. Unlike wash bags with smooth interiors, the flexible inner washboard helps clean clothes effectively from hotels and cruises to camping, RV travel and off-grid adventures.
- ULTRALIGHT & PACKABLE: Weighing just 5 oz (~140 g), the Scrubba wash bag folds to pocket size so you can pack fewer clothes and travel lighter with a compact portable travel washing machine.
13. Travel set
Plane travel can be brutal, so frequent flyers need some goodies to comfort them on the way. (PS. I have a whole guide to long haul flight essentials as well!)
This gorgeous cashmere travel set with blanket, socks and eye mask will make even the longest flight a little comfier. Because it’s 100% cashmere, everything is super soft. It also includes a case so nothing gets lost – and the case can even be used as a pillowcase for airline cushions.
The perfect luxe gift for the frequent long-haul traveller in your life.
- Set contains 100% cashmere blanket, socks, eye mask & carry case and is a compact size to fit in carry-on luggage. Crafted from grade A cashmere sourced from Inner Mongolia.
- The cashmere travel blanket is 60” x 35” and will ensure you are completely covered in your airplane seat, while the cashmere socks will keep your feet cozy without feeling tight or restrictive.
- The cashmere eye mask is soft and weightless and the cashmere carry case doubles as a pillowcase for airline supplied pillows.
14. Wine bags
You can’t visit any wine region without picking up a few bottles of the local drop. Help your wine-loving friends keep them safe with a few protective wine bags. I have several of these wine bags and have never lost a bottle!
They’re cheap so they’d be a great option for a stocking stuffer.
(PS. Looking for inspiration on wine regions? Check out my guides to La Rioja in Spain, and Cafayate and Mendoza in Argentina!)
![[UPGRADED PROTECTION] 4 Set (8 pcs) Reusable Wine Bags for Travel, Wine Travel Protector, Bottle Travel Sleeve Case For Airplane, Car, Cruise, TRIPLE Protection Luggage Leak-Proof Safety Impact Resist](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51udmIJIgHL._SL160_.jpg)
- ★UPGRADED TRIPLE PROTECTION – 4 set (8 pieces) wine travel bags provides the Triple Protection – PVC outer layer + double layers bubble bags. Refer to the 2rd picture
- ★ANTI-IMPACT BOTTLE SLEEVE – Double layers premium thick bubble bags padding provide enclosure for extra cushion, as well as their tough, sturdy, thick vinyl(PVC) exterior wrap to prevent breakage in transit shipping .No worries. LET YOUR WINE FLY LIKE AN ANGEL!
- ★TRIPLE SEAL LEAKPROOF – Double ziplock and Velcro seal to keep bag air tight and luggage safe from bottle breakage. If a bottle is accidentally crushed by a violent impact, liquid will not leak out of the bag and mess up your luggage.
15. Travel journal
A travel journal is the perfect gift for the person who loves to write a record of their trips, or who enjoys sketching or simply jotting down the details of their holiday.
Personally, I’m a fan of a simple Moleskin notebook. They fit neatly into a handbag and the paper is good quality.
This Elan field notebook is apparently indestructible: it’s waterproof, tear-proof and weatherproof. This mindful travel journal encourages travellers to use creative thinking and mindfulness techniques to record their journey.
- CLASSIC MOLESKINE NOTEBOOK: Moleskine classic notebooks are perfect notebooks for writing journals, a daily diary, or note taking in college classes or meetings. Moleskine notebooks are beloved by travelers & bullet journalists for their slim design.
- DURABLE COVER & ELASTIC CLOSURE: Hold writing projects & notes in your Moleskine notebook with an elastic closure band & inner storage folders. Leather-like classic Moleskine cover & thick, ivory paper pages are perfect for writing with fountain pens.
- GIFT QUALITY NOTEBOOKS: Moleskine planners, journals and notebooks come in hardcover or softcover and colors like black, red, blue, green and brown. The binding and cover have a durable finish, designed for daily journaling, writing and sketching.
16. Noise-cancelling headphones
Babies on planes. Snorers. The guy in the seat in front cackling at the movie. We’ve all wanted to shut out these annoying noises on a long-haul flight and the only way to really do it well is with noise-cancelling headphones.
With noise-cancelling headphones, you can be alone – even if you’re on a crowded train, bus or plane.
These Bose headphones are wireless, lightweight and comfortable, so they can be worn all day long.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Effortlessly combines noise cancellation technology with passive features so you can shut off the outside world, quiet distractions, and take music beyond the beat
- COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES: Plush over-ear cushions softly hug your ears, while a secure and comfortable padded band gently keeps your studio headphones in place for those extra-long listening sessions
- 2 LISTENING MODES: These wireless Bluetooth headphones feature Quiet and Aware Modes that let you toggle between full noise cancelling or full awareness of your surroundings for seamless sound control
17. Cocktail set
Have a friend who’s always whipping up cocktails from scratch? (PS. Who are they? I want to be their friend!) Then they’ll love this travel bartender kit.
This 17-piece kit has everything they need (except the booze) to mix, pound, stir, shake, swizzle, strain and pour the perfect cocktail.
Bonus: it’s all stored in a very sophisticated bartender roll.
- Complete Bartending Kit: Our all-inclusive 17-piece copper bartender kit includes premium quality bar accessories and a stylish bartender roll to empower you to mix impressive cocktails at home or on the go.
- Travel in Style: Our hand-crafted rustic-style bartender tote bag is designed with extra inner straps and compartments to keep barware tools organized and accessible. With 27 different pockets and fixed straps, you can fit any tools combination or even carry your liquor bottle.
- Impressive Gift Idea: Our first-class mixology kit plus a stylish canvas bar bag makes for a classy gift box. Suitable for any occasion, your recipient will be thrilled. Plus, to make things truly delicious, we’ll throw in a Lewis ice bag for a refreshing experience.
18. Bluetooth speaker
Many people head to the great outdoors for silence, to listen to nature and escape noise. But others love having music as they explore new hiking trails or set up camp or hang out on the beach.
A portable bluetooth speaker is a great gift idea for the latter group. Most speakers are lightweight and some are even waterproof, which means they can use it in the shower or by the pool.
- [Immersive Sound Experience & Dual Connectivity] Experience unparalleled sound quality with this wireless Bluetooth speaker’s 2 drivers and advanced technology that delivers powerful, well-balanced sound with minimal distortion. Connect two speakers together to create an immersive stereo sound experience and fill any room with powerful sound. Perfect for gaming, music, and movie playback
- [Tough & Weather-Resistant] Engineered to handle rough use and adverse weather conditions, this speaker features a durable design and an IPX5 rating for protection against water splashes and spills. It’s an ideal choice for outdoor events, and is perfect for use at parties, at the pool, on the beach, while camping or hiking, and more
19. Pocket blanket
Ever been out for a walk and you feel like sitting down but the grass is wet? This pocket blanket is what’s needed.
This teeny-tiny blanket folds to a square just a little bigger than a matchbox. It’s so small you can keep it in your bag (or pocket) at all times. It’s waterproof and it’s been pretty handy for us a few times when we’ve been travelling (although I still struggle to fold it back into its teeny tiny bag!).
- Compact and Portable: Our packable outdoor picnic blanket measures 63 x 44″ unpacked, 4.5 x 2.7 x 1.1″ packed up. Packs down in the attached storage pouch to fit in the palm of your hand
- Convenient Features: Includes integrated stakes for secure grounding and corner sand pockets to keep it in place on breezy days. Perfect park blanket for family getaways
20. Camera strap
A super affordable gift for a travelling photographer is a camera strap. I love this flower-patterned camera strap a friend gifted to me (even though my husband says it’s too girly for him to use).
More professional photographers or people with quality camera gear will appreciate this heavy-duty camera strap from Peak Design.
- Soft and vivid design. This camera strap is made of high quality cotton fabric which comes with a very nice vivid pattern. This DSLR/SLR camera strap allows the camera users to have nice compliments when perform the picturing.
- Being compatible with Most Cameras by the universal application. This camera neck shoulder strap comes with universal clips, which is compatible with most DSLR/SLR/Digital Camera/Instant Camera.
21. Kindle
A Kindle is a great gift to buy someone who loves to read. These lightweight devices can hold dozens of books.
There are a few questions to consider if you’re thinking about buying a Kindle for someone. How many books will they read on their trip? Do they prefer the feel of a real book? Will they have access to electricity so they can keep it charged?
I love my Kindle (which is a much older, heavier version) but I also love flipping through the pages of a book, so I alternate between the two.
- Read in color – The new 7″ Colorsoft display is high-contrast and easy on the eyes, with paper-like color that brings covers and content to life.
- A brand-new experience – The Kindle Colorsoft display is optimized for reading in color and is different from the Kindle Paperwhite display, which is optimized for black and white reading.
- Color your pages – Highlight your favorite scenes in yellow, orange, blue, and pink.
- Marathon reading – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 8 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
So, there you have it, plenty of gift ideas to consider. I hope something in this gift guide will help you to buy a present for that special someone in your life who is obsessed with travelling!
What’s on your wish list? Let me know in the comments below if there’s something you love that I should add to this gift guide.
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Featured image by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash
Loved this list! I personally want some decorations for the van! If I win the bag I’ll give it to my boyfriend Shawn and then I’ll use it 😝. Located in USA.
Haha, love your thinking!!
I’m in Australia but I’d give it to my mate in Texas
Ah that’s so nice of you!!
I love those wine bags (you know I love to visit wineries!!). And I’d totally send that cool backpack to my parents in Texas to hold onto for me til i visit if I win ????
I think the first time we used them was in Argentina! Good luck!
At the top of my wish list this year is a new set of luggage for when we can safely travel again! I’m living in Texas!
Brilliant thing to have at the top of your wish list!! Hopefully you’ll get lucky this year and then hopefully you’ll be able to use them soon!! Where are you in Texas? I was living in Dallas before I moved back home to Oz.
Love the suggestions….
Thanks! Hoping I get a few of them 🙂