This is a post about gift ideas for travellers and travel lovers.
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I don’t know about you but I have serious mixed feelings about Christmas. I love having the time off, being cosy and occasionally spend it making an extra buck by dogsitting. However, the shopping part is super overwhelming! Usually I have my best gift ideas out of the blue, forget to write them down and end up with only boring ideas. In the end, I always ALWAYS second guess my purchases relentlessly. I just really dislike giving random things that’ll just end up as clutter just for the sake of giving. I like gifts that either are going to be super useful, make them laugh or something that’s unique to/for them.
I’m pretty sure the best gift you can give a traveller is an actual trip but, if that’s just a bit a lot out of your budget, keep scrolling to see how else you can actually contribute to their next adventure. You’d be surprise with some of these options!
Whether you’re shopping for a globetrotting friend, a family member dreaming of their next adventure or someone who loves exploring the world from their couch, this list of travel-inspired gifts has something for everyone. From practical gadgets to memorable experiences, whatever your budget, these ideas will surely inspire wanderlust.
Practical Gifts for Travellers
Packing Cubes
- Why They’ll Love It: Helps organise clothes and save space in suitcase.
These packs come with cubes in multiple sizes and colours like this pretty green set:
Travel Adapter with USB Ports
- Why They’ll Love It: A universal travel adapter is essential for international trips and, quite frankly, they’re very easy to lose or misplace. Rare are the trips I’m not left looking for mine while packing for the next destination. And nowadays you can get adapters like this one below that’s all-in-one: universal AND caters to USB A and USB C at the same time
Portable Charger/Power Bank
- Why They’ll Love It: Never run out of battery while navigating new cities or capturing photos. This is one of the most essential items for any traveller!
Approved Hand Luggage Backpack
- Why They’ll Love It: For all those low cost airline trips where you’re basically allowed to bring yourself and a pin.
These backpacks will take the anxiety off that pre-boarding experience wondering if they’ll let your bag in or not.
Travel Journal
- Why They’ll Love It: A thoughtful way to document their adventures. And there are so many types to choose from! From small, pocket ones to leather-bound for the Kerouac fans or larger, more scrapbook-like to add all kinds of photos and trinkets from abroad! Or how about this Moleskine one below that’s classic, beautiful and also serves as a travel planner?!
Portable Printer
- Why They’ll Love It: for printing travel photos for the journal! I was tempted to get the Polaroid one as it’s so pretty and iconic but the paper turned out to be more expensive than others. So I got this HP sprocket below and I LOVE it!
For just a little extra, you can actually get a bundle that comes with the printer and a whole lot of extra goodies such as stickers, markers, frames and even a case for the printer!
Scratch-Off World Map
- Why They’ll Love It: A CLASSIC! A fun way to keep track of visited destinations AND inspiration for the next adventures
Noise-Canceling Headphones
- Why They’ll Love It: Perfect for long flights, loud hostels, working from coffee shops or just generally cancelling the outside world noise!
The price of these necessary bad boys can really range. I’ve got these Sony earbuds which are easy to carry around, charge, pair and come with 3 different-sized tips for all kinds of ears. Or you can go the other way and opt for the bulk which tends to be even more isolating!
More than you’re looking to spend? Here’s a more budget-friendly version.
Collapsible Water Bottle
- Why They’ll Love It: Stay hydrated without bulky bottles. Collapsible bottles are ideal for travel – especially at the airport where you can fill them up for free after going through security!
Portable Espresso Maker
- Why They’ll Love It: Coffee lovers can enjoy a fresh brew anywhere without having to shell out £5 every time they want a caffeine hit!
Travel Blanket
- Why They’ll Love It: Makes long-haul flights more snug as well as long bus or train journeys in coach.
This one also comes with a pillow for extra comfort!
Experience-Based Gifts for Travel Lovers
Experience/Tour Gift Cards
- Why They’ll Love It: Allows them to book unique experiences, like city tours, cooking classes or museum passes, anywhere in the world. If you don’t know what they need or want or where they’re going next, gift cards from the likes of GetYourGuide! They can use to purchase any experience/passes they want when they go away.
Hotels.com Gift Card
- Why They’ll Love It: Help them cover accommodation costs for their next trip.
And you can get it from Amazon to be delivered by post or email.
Airbnb Gift Card
- Why They’ll Love It: Perfect for a cozy stay or a quirky experience abroad.
Also available from Amazon. (these are redeemable by UK residents only so, if you’re abroad, check your country’s Amazon)
LastMinute.com
- Why They’ll Love It: Extra cash to spend on a holiday? SIGN. ME. UP!
Available from Amazon and this one redeemable on LastMinute’s UK website only.
Airline Gift Cards
- Why They’ll Love It: Contribute to their next flight, making travel dreams a reality.
On FlightGift you can actually get flight vouchers they can redeem themselves and book a destination of their choice when it’s most convenient.
Obviously, check their website for terms and conditions =)
City Passes for Popular Destinations
- Why They’ll Love It: Grants access to top attractions in cities like Paris, Berlin or New York.
If they’ve actually got a trip coming up, why not get them a pass like the Amsterdam City Pass which includes transport and entrance to various attractions?!
Language Learning Apps Subscription
- Why They’ll Love It: Helps them learn a new language for their travels.
I’ve been on Duolingo for years and absolutely love it! It helps me keep in touch with the German I’ve been trying to learn for about 20 years now as well as learning at least basic phrases of different languages before going on a trip.
You can purchase a gift subscription here.
Alternatively, if they’re more of a Babbel kind…you can also get them a Babbell sub here.
Small but Thoughtful Gifts
Travel-Sized Toiletry Set
- Why They’ll Love It: TSA-approved and perfect for carry-on bags. These are SO useful! They won’t have to buy overpriced mini toiletries at the airport anymore.
Luggage Tags and Passport Holder Set
- Why They’ll Love It: Adds a touch of personality to their travel gear. And obviously helps them spot their luggage on the conveyor belt!
I personally like the novelty kind like this Lego one or this Guinness pint one for the stout lovers.
For the Armchair Traveler
Coffee Table Travel Books
- Why They’ll Love It: Stunning photography and travel inspiration.
Books like Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List or National Geographic Destinations of a Lifetime are SO gorgeous! I’ve got several on my list like this DK Unforgettable Journeys or this Lonely Planet Off Beat below
Streaming Subscription for Travel Shows
- Why They’ll Love It: Documentaries and series that explore cultures and destinations.
Travel lovers appreciate gifts that fuel their passion for exploration, whether through practical tools, unforgettable experiences or inspiration for future trips. These ideas of gifts for travellers cater to various budgets and preferences, ensuring you’ll find the perfect present.
