12 Smart Travel Gifts For the Wanderlusters in Your Life!
Oh, I know too well the struggle of finding the perfect gift for your loved ones. It’s tough to find something that’s both useful and unique and will make them happy. Whether it’s for Christmas or birthdays, I always find myself at a loss, so I feel your pain.
But when it comes to finding gifts for people who love to travel, I’m your go-to person. As a hard traveler myself, I know exactly what would make an awesome travel gift, so I’ve put together this list just for you.
And trust me, I wrote this piece to help you find the perfect travel gift—not just to drop hints for my family and friends, haha! 😅
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Portable Power Bank
This is hands down my favorite travel gear, so I had to put it at the top of the list. I never leave home without a portable power bank.
As a traveler, there’s nothing worse than being abroad and having your phone or Wi-Fi hotspot die on you. I always keep a power bank with me so I don’t have to waste time searching for a charging spot and then waiting around for at least an hour, or worse, losing my way on a hike because my battery ran out.
If you’re thinking about gifting a portable charger, make sure to pick one with a high capacity—at least 50k mAh—so it can charge multiple devices.
Here’s the power bank I love the most:
- Colossal Cell Capacity: 26,800mAh of power charges most phones over 6 times, tablets at least 2...
- Charge 3 Devices at Once: 3 USB output ports together with Anker's PowerIQ and Voltage Boost...
- Recharge with Dual 20W Micro USB: A full recharge of the power bank takes just over 6 hours while...
2. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are my latest travel game-changer, and I’m hooked. These handy square pouches come in various sizes, perfect for packing clothes, underwear, shoes, toiletries, and jewelry, while maximizing space in your suitcase and keeping it organized.
I usually travel with just a backpack, and packing cubes make it so much easier to keep everything neat and organized. No more digging around and making a mess just to find something.
Here are my favorite packing cubes that also come with a laundry bag:
- Stress Free Traveling: Enthralled by travel, yet frazzled by packing chaos? Introduce packing cubes...
- High-Quality Materials: Our packing cubes are designed with twill polyester fabric, an sturdy fabric...
- Seamless and Reliable Zippers: Our packing cubes feature sturdy metal, two-way zippers that...
3. Reusable Water Bottle
Having a reusable water bottle may sound basic nowadays, but it’s actually not the case for a lot of people. That’s why it makes a great gift, offering a loved one a step towards more sustainable travel—or a fresh upgrade if they already own one.
Personally, I always carry mine, even when I’m not traveling. I never buy bottled water, especially since tap water is drinkable in France. When I’m abroad and the tap water isn’t safe, I just refill my reusable bottle.
Here’s my pick for the best reusable bottle.
- 40 OZ WATER BOTTLE: The stainless steel insulated reusable water bottle keeps drinks cold for 24...
- 24 HOURS COLD. 12 HOURS HOT: Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot or cold for hours. The...
- LEAKPROOF: Say goodbye to leaky water bottles. The Hydro Flask Flex Cap is leakproof when closed....
4. Travel Pillow
We’ve all seen those basic travel pillows—the ones that wrap around your neck and are sold in every duty-free shop. Let’s be honest, they’re not that comfortable, and they’re bulky, making it hard to fit them into your carry-on.
I went through several of those before I finally found a good one. This one actually attaches to the seat, stays securely around your neck, and prevents your head from falling forward while you sleep. Plus, it folds up neatly into its own little bag.
Your loved one will definitely thank you for upgrading their travel comfort!
- FROM THE MAKERS OF THE BEST TRAVEL PILLOW FOUR YEARS RUNNING - As featured in CNN, Travel + Leisure,...
- B CORP CERTIFIED: We are committed to creating comfort-on-the-go accessories that not only provide...
- EXCLUSIVE PATENTED SEAT STRAPS - Attach our neck pillow for travel to ANY chair, including airplane...
Read more: 15 Best Travel Accessories For Surviving Economy Flights
5. Universal Travel Adapter with USB Ports
Here’s another must-have item for any traveler: a travel adapter!
Since not all countries use the same plug system, I always check online before packing to see if I’ll need to bring my adapter.
If you’re gifting one, be sure to choose an adapter with USB ports so multiple devices can be plugged in at once.
- Universal Travel Adapter: the adapter comes in a small compact size with 5 USB ports to power all...
- Worldwide usage: travel to over 160 countries of the most traveled nations. The power plug adapter...
- Supports most of your devices: including your travel hair dryer, shaver, laptop, curling iron,...
6. Lightweight Backpack
A sturdy backpack is essential for any traveler, but a travel addict will truly appreciate a high-quality one.
I’m constantly on the lookout for better backpacks—ones that are lighter, roomier, more compact, or loaded with useful features. A great backpack makes every trip smoother.
I use mine daily when I travel, whether as a carry-on, on hikes or while exploring cities, so it needs to be lightweight and durable. Since I rely on them so much, they wear out quickly.
If your loved one travels as often as I do, they’ll be thrilled to receive a new backpack!
- Weight-distributing, low-profile harness system.
- Carry-on-compatible 35L capacity. TPU-coated 1000D polyester. 840D ballistic nylon paneling.
- Suitcase-style, full-wrap zipper opening on the main compartment. Large zippered mesh compartment on...
7. Scratch-Off World Map
Many travel enthusiasts take great pride in their adventures and love sharing (or even bragging about) their experiences with family and friends.
A scratch-off world map to hang on the wall is like a trophy they can show off. It’s also a lot of fun because every time they visit a new country, they get to scratch it off the map.
If you’re unsure what gear your loved one already has or if you’re on a budget, this is one of the best travel gifts you can give!
- 🌍SET OF TWO - Includes a pack of 2 traveler maps: one World Map (24x17 inches) plus one USA Map...
- 🎯SUPERIOR SCRATCHING - Our maps are made of premium quality material to scratch off specific...
- 🎁EXTRA SPECIAL FEATURES - We’ve included bonus accessories that bring more fun, including a...
8. Compact Camera
Capturing high-quality photos is a must for any traveler. While I bring my professional camera and gear for longer trips, I prefer something more compact and lightweight for short getaways, especially when I want to avoid checking a bag.
But don’t be fooled—compact doesn’t mean compromising on quality.
When picking a compact camera, it’s important to find one that offers a good balance between manual and automatic settings. This way, your loved one will be able to easily adjust to different shooting conditions without giving up convenience.
Here’s my recommendation:
- 20. 1MP 1. 0 Type stacked CMOS sensor, Zeiss Vario Sonnar T 24 200 millimeter F2. 8 F4. 5 large...
- 0. 02 sec. High AF speed, 357 point focal plane Phase detection AF and 425 point contrast detection...
- Up to 20 fps blackout free shooting, using up to 60 times/sec. AF/AE calculations. Diopter...
9. Noise-Canceling Headphones
When traveling, there are often those downtime moments, like on a plane or while commuting.
For solo travelers, these blank moments can pop up even more, like when they’re eating alone or hiking. And sometimes, even when you’re with others, you just need a moment of peace to retreat into your own bubble.
For me, I can’t leave the house without my headphones. If I forget them, I’ll either go back home to grab them or buy a new pair if I’m short on time. That’s how essential they are to me, and I don’t know any traveler who would disagree.
- Three levels of world-class noise cancellation for better listening experience in any environment
- Alexa-enabled for voice access to music, information, and more
- Noise-rejecting dual-microphone system for clear sound and voice pick-up
10. Blocking Passport Holder
This is a brilliant gift idea for any traveler, and it might even surprise them since it’s not widely known yet.
An RFID-blocking passport holder is a protective case that shields passports and other important travel documents from unauthorized scanning. In lots of countries, scammers discreetly scan people’s bags in transit or on the street to steal personal information, which they then use for illegal activities.
By offering a blocking passport holder, you’re helping protect your loved ones and their personal information.
- Sleek and Stylish: Premium Velo Vegan Leather exterior is lined with a soft fabric interior for...
- Secure Locking Mechanism: Clicks down to safely hold your passport and other confidential documents...
- Plenty of Storage: Includes 4 credit/ID card pockets, a passport pocket, 2 sim card pockets, a...
11. Luggage Tracker
This has become a must-have for frequent travelers, who face a higher risk of losing their luggage.
Losing your bags is every traveler’s worst nightmare. While a luggage tracker won’t magically return your lost luggage, it does give you peace of mind by letting you know where it is, and it can be a big help when dealing with the airline.
You’re loved one will adore you for getting him a luggage tracker. And don’t worry if they already have one—it’s always good to have two or three, so they can track multiple bags at once.
- Keep track of and find your items alongside friends and devices in the Find My app
- Simple one-tap setup instantly connects AirTag with your iPhone or iPad
- Play a sound on the built-in speaker to help find your things, or just ask Siri for help
12. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot
Out of everything on this list, I have to say this is the gift I’d love to receive the most haha!
Having internet access anywhere, anytime while abroad is a true luxury, and that’s exactly what a portable Wi-Fi hotspot offers. We all know how pricey international phone plans can be, and roaming is definitely not an option.
Like most travelers, your loved one probably relies heavily on internet access while on the go, so they’ll be beyond grateful if you get them one of these!
- 1GB Global data plus 10GB local data 30day – RoamWiFi R10 Mobile Hotspot router comes with 10GB...
- Home & Travel Essential – Support for travel abroad, self-driving tours, family gatherings or...
- Buy local data packages– The R10 router supports 4G LTE high-speed network, with a maximum...
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I hope this travel gifts list helped you and that you now have something to offer your family or friends. Don’t hesitate to let me know in the comment if you come up with another idea so I can add it to the list!
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