65 Perfect Gifts That Travelers Will Love (2024)
- Updated: 04/10/2024
- Janice
Calling all wanderlusters, jet setters, and the people who love them! If you are anything like me, you know the value of smart, entertaining, and handy travel gear. From clever packing solutions to pocket-sized games, to time-saving gadgets and even cameras and courses to better capture every vacation moment, this curated collection of 65 perfect ideas will transform you into a gift-giving genius.
Table Of Contents
14+ Gifts That Make Travel More Fun
Clever Luggage Tags
I love this collection of luggage tags from Airporttag.com, a site offering cheeky aviation and travel-inspired gifts. My favorite is “You Won’t Look Good in My Clothes.” Nothing like an unsubtle reminder to errant fellow travelers to keep hands off stuff that is not theirs.
Nervy Laundry Bags
I pack two massive black trash bags to collect our laundry when we travel. The bags AirportTag sells makes me want to upgrade. Does the “Danger: Toxic” laundry bag send too strong of a message to my teens? I do not think so, and I love it.
Statement Packing Bags
Sticking with the cheeky theme, I also love these all-purpose labeled packing bags. Find packs marked “sexy lingerie,” “lucky socks,” or phrases like “things you will not find where you are going.” These bags will not only have your traveler covered but also have them chuckling down the jet bridge.
The Best Travel Games
It is always good to have games while traveling—my family loves to play them, especially when waiting for anything, such as restaurant reservations, or when we go on long bus or train trips.
Here are eight winning travel games to gift individually or bundle as a group:
Or consider getting a puzzle book, like Lateral Thinking Puzzlers, or a book of hypothetical questions like If…Questions for the Game of Life. Each book offers a perfect activity to do in tandem while hiking or on the move and will get any travel group talking, interacting, and having more fun.
Looking for gift ideas for the littlest kids? Check out this great gift guide for babies (newborn to 18 months).
Portable Speakers
It is not a party without music. Help your traveler enjoy their tunes with others by using this high-end Bluetooth-enabled Bose speaker, this mid-range Sony, or this more affordable option.
3 Gifts That Make Travel More Zen
Foldable & Packable Yoga Mats
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Collapsible Water Bottle
Hydration for after Hatha. Or for anytime while traveling. I love the sturdy and collapsible construction of this Nefeeko water bottle. Users can stretch it to fill to its limit or shrink it to fit easily inside this Northface crossbody bag I love to use while traveling.
And as a nice perk, it comes with a carabiner for easy hanging and hooking. I have lost more than one unsecured water bottle when it fell out after going through airport security. Its hook and smaller size guarantee your traveler will hang on to this bottle for a while.
Kindle E-Reader
As a lifelong book lover and reader, moments of Zen while traveling include reading a good book. And since I prefer the instant gratification and zero weight of e-books, I need a non-glare e-reader like a Kindle Paperwhite to see my books when outside in the bright sun at a beach or pool. If your traveler also prefers e-books, the reader is a must-have item for maximum vacation enjoyment.
3 Gifts That Make Travel Safer
Secure Crossbody Bags
I love this unisex messenger-style bag from North Face. It is sturdy, secure with zippers, and has a comfortable and adjustable medium strap that allows owners to shorten it for bike rides or lengthen it for walking around town. I find it so practical, especially with its durable fabric, that I gravitate toward using it instead of my more expensive and fancier handbags when home. Plus, it is roomy enough to carry all the essentials and properly unisex to make it a good fit for men or women.
Alternatively for travelers looking for more flair, check out the colorful collection of sturdy and stylish bags from Certified B Corp ORI London. This bright orange Paddington B Crossbody bag caught my eye at a store while traveling in Iceland. Its design drew me in and its heavy duty secure zippers and many interior pockets sealed the deal. I bought it and now use it interchangeably with my North Face bag above.
Door Stop Alarm
Cautious travelers may appreciate the extra peace of mind this door-stop alarm will give them while sleeping in their private hostel, hotel, or guest room. The alarm will make a disturbingly loud emergency noise impossible to ignore when an accidental or deliberate intruder opens a door it is set against, thus dissuading them from exploring further.
4 Gifts That Make Travel More Comfortable
Wheeled Carry-On Backpack
After two back-to-back visits to Europe—including to stairwell intensive Positano and riding lots of trains—I became convinced my civilized roller carry-on needed to have straps along with its wheels. With backpack straps, I could have the flexibility to deftly navigate any terrain without strong-arming my bag or banging it around as I yanked it up and down stairs and platforms. The bag I want is this Osprey 36 Fairview Women’s Wheeled Luggage. The equivalent for men is the Osprey Farpoint 36. If these bags are unavailable on Amazon, find them by scrolling down this page on the Osprey website.
Eye Mask
I use this eye mask nightly. And foolishly, I have not yet bought a second one as a backup. Whenever I think I cannot find my eye mask before bed because it slipped behind my bedside table, I panic—it is that good. Soft and supple, it provides excellent and comfortable eye coverage and a sense of calm, especially when traveling and sleeping in new environments where brighter lights might make it harder to sleep.
Neck Pillow
Also on my next-to-buy list is a neck pillow for overnight flights. The one I want is this well-rated TRTL neck pillow. Since it folds nearly flat when not in use, it offers the most support for the least amount of bulk—making it perfect for travelers.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
I held out way too long on getting these amazing and life-changing, noise-canceling Bose headphones. Did I mention I liked them? And, I did not even purchase them for myself. I got them as a gift. Until I slipped these audio wonders on during an overnight transatlantic route, I had no idea how much easier it would be to sleep by eliminating the airplane noise and how calm they would make me. Plus, when I wore them, I no longer needed to queue up subtitles on my downloaded movies because I could hear everything perfectly.
11 Gifts That Make Travel More Organized
Packing Cubes That Impress & Compress
To keep the contents of my luggage organized, making it easier to pack and unpack, I use old-school compression sacks leftover from our days of being round-the-world backpackers. However, it is time for an upgrade. Much better-engineered packing cubes now exist that offer compression without the need for archaic drawstrings and straps.
For my upgrade, I want these compression cubes, perfect for national park lovers with their cool park-inspired designs from Tripped. I also like this transparent cube set, also sold by Tripped, that allows travelers to see what they packed in which bags. Or, on the more affordable end, opt for this set of five packing cubes from TravelWise.
Top Treatment for Toiletries
While traveling, I have often stayed in places where the bathrooms had minimal countertops, and I was thankful I had a toiletry bag to hang onto the nearest towel rack or bathroom hook. This durable hanging option from Aussie outdoor company Sea to Summit with water-resistant fabric and solid construction is worth the notch-higher price tag as it is well-primed to give years of use.
And for the frequent fliers in your life, consider gifting these clear TSA-approved and reusable zip-top bags from Ogato. Travelers use these bags to contain liquids likely to explode or leak while flying. Or frequent fliers can use them as stand-alone no-hassle toiletry bags for carry-ons on quick trips. I typically use Ziploc bags to contain my most-likely leaky offenders, and these bags offer a superior and more environmentally friendly alternative.
Another great way to minimize leaks and ensure TSA carry-on compliance is with these ingenious refillable Gotoob travel-size toiletry bottles from Humangear. Their silicone exterior gives them serious durability—their wide screw tops make them a breeze to fill, or clean. And their hooks make them easy to position where your traveler needs them most. Plus, there is a label space to sharpie-marker the contents. I own six Gotoobs and fill them with personal care products and sunscreen. And I will never go back to cheap drugstore travel containers again.
Jewelry Organizer
With clever magnetic snaps and hooks, travelers will have a perfect place to store bracelets, rings, and necklaces where they do not get tangled. And then keep them packed flat to ensure no bulk and minimal space usage in luggage. This affordable jewelry organizer from Teamoy is the best I have seen.
Tech Organizers
Currently, I use a mess of Ziploc bags and rubber bands to keep all of the chargers, USB cords, and adapters that my family uses while traveling organized and accessible. Until I researched the content for this article, I did not realize there was anything better.
Now that I know, I want this bag from Tripped shown above, which is roomy enough to carry all the cords a family of four needs before my next trip. I particularly like its high-quality and durable fabric, stand-up construction, and multiple pockets. I plan to pair this bag purchase with a collection of these reusable silicone cord keepers so I can toss my always-breaking rubber bands. Though, if your traveler is a solo one, they may want something less bulky, and this slimmer and more affordable pouch is a great fit.
Tide Travel Sink Packets
A perfect way to help keep the vacation days of your traveler on track and organized—is by simplifying their laundry. I love these sink travel packets from Tide. The packs offer a huge improvement on the messy and leaky liquid laundry soap I have brought on past trips. Plus, these space savers make for an ideal stocking stuffer for travel lovers.
9 Gifts That Make Travel More Memorable
Smartphone Selfie Stick with Tripod
For any traveler who likes to take videos or photos of themselves without having to rely on the unpredictable skills of others, having a smartphone on a stick is a game changer. Using it steadies the phone when recording. And this highly rated and affordable one from Atumtek also comes with a wireless remote, which is very helpful for setting up and capturing the perfect selfie shots.
Build Better Photo Skills
I bought this book for my 70-something-year-old relative with some trepidation for a gift. She is an artist, loves composition, and has not been able to translate it seamlessly to taking photos. Mainly because I believe the technology and equipment have outpaced her. So, I was unsure if she would be annoyed or pleased when I gave her The iPhone Photography Book about how to take better photos. She loved it. And then she raved about it so much that I bought one too.
Or, consider gifting your loved one an online photography course, like from the iPhone Photography School. Or from Udemy, which offers this iPhone Photography Course or a Photography Masterclass, for beginners to advanced learners.
Mirrorless Camera
Speaking of leveling up, if you know your traveler would like to upgrade from smartphone photos to something more powerful, and your gift-giving budget is generous, my local photographer friend recommends beginners start with this Panasonic G95 Mirrorless. It is the first serious camera I plan to get when I am ready to spend the money to go big with my photos.
Go Pro with All the Accessories
I received a Go Pro as a thank-you gift, and I could not be more grateful. For anyone who travels, it is a blast to use. For those who do not already know, this tiny camera records video and takes photos at 4K definition, has a stabilizer to minimize shakiness, and is waterproof. I have used mine while snorkeling, kayaking, biking, and hiking. See the two photos below from a recent stay at Club Med Ixtapa Pacific in Mexico.
You can buy the latest version—the GoPro Hero 12, or opt for the highly-rated Hero 10 and save a bit. I have the Hero 7, which costs a fraction of the Hero 12 price, and it still takes fantastic footage. Visit this GoPro store to view your options.
And it was a missed opportunity when I did not taking it ziplining, which is why I highly recommend also getting this Go Pro accessory pack. The pack includes a harness to use the camera hands-free and other attachments that allow users to affix the camera to helmets and tripods. While you are on a GoPro shopping spree, remember to get a high-capacity memory card, like this one from SanDisk, for your gift recipient. The minuscule capacity card the GoPro comes with is not usable.
Keep All Their Gear Charged
Not nearly as exciting as the fancy tech shared above, though highly practical, get your traveler the latest gadgets to keep their electronics charged and functioning at 100% no matter where they choose to explore. If they do not already have it, this compact universal adapter—which I also own—will allow them to plug into 160 different countries.
And this slim and powerful portable travel charger will keep them powered while on the go. So will this smaller one from iWalk. Then, consider getting them a way to keep it all organized—I share two options here.
150+ Gifts For Travelers Who Love to Read & Cook
Plus, I provide more reading list recommendations for places like Rome & the Amalfi Coast, Mexico, Belize, Switzerland, Ireland, Wisconsin (which happens to have great books), and more destinations in my Bookshop.org shop.
And for those travelers filled with wanderlust but do not have a trip planned, I also offer lists of books that will inspire both globally-minded adults and kids in “150+ Books to Gift Travelers Who Love to Read.”.
Or do you want to know what to gift a person who loves travel and cuisine? Check out this 27-item cookbook gift guide.
5+ Gifts That Make Travel More Affordable
Still not sure what to get the travel lover in your life—how about the gift of more travel? Search for travel gift cards on Amazon. Choose cards from Southwest Airlines, Airbnb, Hotels.com, Amtrak, and more. Or get them a Starbucks gift card—perfect for a caffeine kick at the airport.
55 More Gift Ideas for Moms
If you know an outdoorsy mother, check out “55 Gift Ideas for Moms Who Love National Parks,” a gift list I created specifically for moms. It is full of travel-related and park-inspired items they will love.
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Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use. And the income goes to keeping the site community-supported and ads minimal.
Welcome to Gather and Go Travel, a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, an experienced traveler to over 50 countries and a travel writer, book lover, and blogger. Learn more about me, read our story, and how to work with me.
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