The Best Gifts for Travelers
Is there someone on your gifting list that’s constantly on the move? Whether they’re traveling for work, vacation, sports, or kids – this is the ultimate list for finding perfect gifts for the travelers in your life.
There’s something especially difficult about finding a gift for the frequent traveler. They value experiences over things, so the most cherished gifts are practical or experience focused. We created this guide to help guide and give you some great ideas (at all price ranges!) to treat the traveler in your life. No fillers or useless crap they’ll throw in the closet here – this is stuff that we’ve personally loved as gifts and we actually use in our travels.
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Scratch Off Map
For any traveler, it’s fun to keep track of the countries you’ve ticked off the list. Scratch off maps are a way to reflect where they’ve been and capture some of those memories in a beautiful home decor. There are many options out there, but the one I’ve captured here rose above the rest for quality, detail, price, and because it’s one of very few that include their own frame.
Here’s a link to purchase this Scratch Off World Map as a gift for your traveler:
Cabeau Travel Pillow
You can pick up a cheap travel pillow anywhere, but here’s my two cents: most travel pillows are TRASH. This Cabeau Evolution pillow is the only one that’s actually allowed me a real night’s sleep in the cheap seats. The flat back, high sides, and front clip keep your head in a healthy upright posture. The memory foam is soft and cozy, but firm enough to provide support. AND THERE’S MORE: the cover is removable/ machine washable! It’s the perfect gift for any traveler heading out on a long flight.
Here’s a link to purchase the exact Cabeau Pillow I use (and LOVE):
Backpack
Not just any backpack – because most of us already have 1 or 10 backpacks that are “just fine” in the closet somewhere. I’ve raved about the Eagle Creek Global Companion since I received it as a Christmas gift last year and would sing it’s praises from the mountaintops. Seriously – it’s the freakin BEST!
What makes it so great? Well, for starters, this thing unzips all the way around to open like a suitcase.
Beyond that, the Eagle Creek Global Companion is ergonomically shaped with straps around the front to center the weight, it has a built-in padded laptop sleeve, built-in waterproof rain cover, and POCKETS GALORE.
I usually use the bag as carry-on luggage but it can fit under most airplane seats as a free personal item. It’s the secret sauce for how I get away with traveling the world by backpack. This is truly the perfect gift for anyone who travels a lot, needs something compact and convenient, or even for avid hikers.
Here’s the link to pick up the Eagle Creek Global Companion as a gift for your traveler:
Reef Safe Sunscreen
Are they heading somewhere tropical? By now you’ve probably learned that common sunscreens have an ingredient called oxybenzone that’s been proven as detrimental to ocean life (more on that here if you’re interested) but the market hasn’t caught up with the proven research yet. That means that coral safe sunscreen isn’t as easy to find and a little pricier so it makes a great (and responsible) gift or stocking stuffer!
I’ve tried many brands – even the crazy $40-a-mini-bottle kinds – but the best by far is Raw Elements and it’s much more affordable. In fact, I use their tinted daily moisturizing sunscreen everyday. The Face + Body sunscreen is a godsend as non-sticky, and high performing.
I was able to get you a 10% off with coupon code “WHEREVERSOMEDAY10” – so click here to pick up their Face + Body reef-safe sunscreen.
The Gift for Hardest-to-Shop-for Travelers: Airport Lounge Access
I stumbled into lounge access a few years ago as a benefit of a travel card I was using at the time and let me tell you, it’s definitely greener on the other side. Priority Pass grants access to lounges around the world, as well as restaurant credits in airports where there isn’t a lounge. Free food, drinks, nap rooms, tv, wifi – I’ve even seen massage rooms! The gift that definitely can’t miss for any traveler is a year of Priority Pass Membership.
While Priority Pass doesn’t necessarily advertise a “gift membership”, you can simply purchase the membership in the person’s name and address. Here’s a link to purchase the Priority pass membership on their site.
Packing Cubes
I’m a firm believer that a good set of Packing Cubes can change lives. Well – at least life on the road. They save a ton of space in the suitcase and keep things organized. Without packing cubes, by the end of a trip suitcases start to look more like a crime scene with pants and underwear everywhere. Packing cubes help keep clothes folded, organized, and easy to find.
Here’s a link to the 4-piece Gonex Compression Packing Cubes I use and highly recommend:
Universal Power Adapter
Universal power adapters make great gifts for travelers and digital nomads. Since many countries use different plugs, It’s one of those things you can always use another of, even if you already have a few so there’s no worrying whether they already have one. There are plenty on the market but here’s my #1 that has taken me around the world:
Beyond the fact that this plug works in most of the world, I love that it has USB ports along one side. You can charge multiple cell phones, cameras, etc. without hogging the plug.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is an absolute necessity for a traveler, or let’s be honest – anyone who’s busy AF. A gift of Amazon Prime is the gift of free 2-day shipping for just about any item you could think of, free movie and show streaming, free music and playlist streaming, free Kindle e-books, and so much more that I can hardly keep track. We use it religiously and it’s made life gloriously easier. Here’s a link where you can gift Amazon prime in 3 month ($39) or 12 month ($119) increments.
Give the Gift of Amazon Prime!
Power Bank
Cell phone battery life goes FAST while traveling and there just isn’t always a plug around. Being lost in a foreign place with a dead phone is pretty much every mother’s worst nightmare. Having a high-quality power bank around helps prevent this from happening.
This Power Bank is one of the highest rated, charges quickly, and is super small and compact:
Travel Scarf with Hidden Pocket
This scarf is one of my all-time favorite finds! We’re always worried about theft while traveling because lost cards and passports mean a realllyy rough time. This scarf has a hidden pocket where you can tuck small items like cash, cards, and passports. Genius!
You can pick up one of these life-saver gifts for travelers here:
Airbnb Gift Card for Travelers
What’s the gift that every traveler wants above anything else? To travel more. An Airbnb Gift Card is the gift of stays and experiences all around the world. Pretty impressive! Here’s a link to pick up an Airbnb gift card at $50 or $100 for your loved one’s travels:
Or, if e-gifting is more your style or want to send a specific amount, send an email gift card in any amount between $25 – 200. Here’s a link to send an email gift card:
GoPro Camera
GoPro is the perfect gift for any traveler because it allows you to take superior quality photos whether you’re a photography pro or an amateur. It syncs with a cell phone easily for seamless sharing. The best part? GoPro is waterproof, shock resistant, and compact sized to make it easy to travel with and extremely difficult to break.
GoPro was one of the best investments I ever made, and let me tell you it’ll be a HIT with your traveler. Here’s a link to a package that includes the starter essentials like memory card and battery:
Want to add accessories, or gift accessories for current GoPro users? Here’s one I’ve found especially useful:
Calling all world wanderers – what have been some of your absolute favorite gifts?
