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The Best Gifts for Travelers in 2025: A Curated List of 100+ Thoughtful (and Useful) Travel-Themed Gift Ideas

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Rachel Off Duty – 100+ Best Gifts for Travelers

Finding the perfect gifts for travelers can be incredibly daunting. What do you buy the person who’s usually spending their money on flights instead of clothes or the latest tech?

To make matters worse, I often find that when I browse the web for gift ideas for travelers (usually, to get inspired for things to buy for myself), I’m bombarded by gimmicky and impersonal suggestions that, while nice and practical, don’t necessarily feel the most thoughtful. I’m looking at you, airplane necklaces and “flights not feelings” mugs. 

One of the most amazing gifts I’ve ever received was a suitcase filled with travel essentials to prepare me for my first solo getaway. In it was a travel pillow, a few books, my first set of packing cubes, and a passport holder. Since then, I’ve traveled extensively multiple times a year on solo adventures, work trips, backpacking expeditions, and workations. Over the years, I’ve tested and perfected what I consider some of the most practical and thoughtful travel must-haves that every traveler would find useful, and I’ve compiled them into this gift guide. 

From upgraded packing essentials to the gift of cultural immersion, there are endless approaches you can take when it comes to finding the best gifts for travelers. Below, I share 100+ gift ideas for the travelers in your life, broken down into different categories, to help point you in the right direction. 

Want to jump ahead? Use this legend and click on any section below to jump straight to it:

Gift Ideas #1: Travel

  1. Pre-Planned Getaway Gifts
  2. Activity and Experience Gifts
  3. Transportation Gifts
  4. Hotel and Accommodation Gifts

Gift Ideas #2: Travel Essentials

  1. Luggage Gifts
  2. Travel Bag & Personal Item Gifts
  3. Organization Bag Gifts
  4. Travel Wardrobe Gifts

Gift Ideas #3: Tech and Tools

  1. E-Reader Gifts
  2. Headphone Gifts
  3. Other Tech Gifts for Travelers

Gift Ideas #4: Cultural Immersion

  1. Language Learning Gifts
  2. Global Culinary Experience Gifts
  3. Curated Boxes & Subscription Gifts

Gift Ideas #5: Travel Hobbies

  1. Active Adventurer Gifts
  2. Water Sports Enthusiast Gifts
  3. Artist & Creative Gifts
  4. Nature & Outdoor Lover Gifts
  5. Digital Nomad and Jetset Entrepreneur Gifts

The Best Gifts for Travelers in 2025: A Curated List of 100+ Thoughtful (and Useful) Travel-Themed Gift Ideas

Gifts for Travelers #1: More Travel

Rachel Off Duty – 100+ Best Gifts for Travelers

Let’s start with a dream gift for travel lovers, and an especially thoughtful gesture for the people in your life who seemingly have everything: the gift of more travel! This is my ideal gift, but this list isn’t about me. Sigh… anyway, giving the gift of travel is one of the most amazing things you could get for a fellow traveler because it’s so much more than just a trip. It’s the gift of not having to plan, the gift of saving money on enjoying your favorite pastime, and the gift of new experiences. 

When my dad retired, I asked him to choose a country he’d always wanted to visit (he picked Norway!), and I planned a 10-day road trip for him. It was a privilege that I’d been saving up to do for my parents for years, and when Christmas day came, I gifted him a printed 10-page Norwegian itinerary wrapped in a sleek envelope and a bow.

My husband and I have also put our own smaller-scale spin on this, surprising each other with weekend getaways instead of presents every other holiday season.

From a gift card that alleviates the expense of a flight or accommodation on a future trip, to a full-blown, all-expenses-paid getaway, there are so many ways to gift travel and experiences to someone, no matter what your budget may be.

1. Pre-Planned Getaways

Pre-planned getaways are the ultimate gift for travelers, and usually include a full or partial trip itinerary. You can plan and book the trip yourself, or leave it to the professionals with any of these options below. 

DIY Pre-Planned Getaways:

This gift typically involves planning an entire trip (or the majority of it), with an itinerary, travel, and accommodation figured out. However, if this idea is daunting to you but you want to give it a try, feel free to keep it simple and don’t worry about planning every minute of every day. Flights, accommodation, and one or two highlight activities (like a nice restaurant or an excursion) are more than enough to blow someone away!

Surprise Trips:

This is a great gift idea if you don’t know where your loved one wants to travel. Companies like Pack Up + Go specialize in planning surprise itineraries, and will send them a survey once they redeem your gift and create a surprise trip based on the responses and allotted budget. The best part? They won’t find out the destination until shortly before they leave!

Small Group Trips:

Small group trips can be a life-changing way to explore the world and meet other likeminded travelers along the way. As a holiday gift idea, they also give you peace of mind because the heavy lifting is taken care of for you, from accommodations, to transport, to activities, and local experts along the way. Want to gift a group trip down the Nile River, or a whirlwind Mediterranean road trip? The sky’s the limit!

Remote Work Vacations:

Does your workaholic friend need a change of scenery, but not sure you can pry them away from their laptop? A workation or remote work vacation might just be the solution. 

  • My Picks:
    • Noma Collective for their small group remote work trips in unbeatable locations like Sri Lanka, Belize, the Himalayas, and more.
    • Outsite for their remote work-friendly accommodations all over the globe, as well as their new curated one-month workation trips. This community is membership-based, but gift cards can apply to either the membership, a future stay, or a future month-long trip.
    • WiFi Tribe for their 4- to 8-week chapters for digital nomads and remote workers. This community is also membership-based, and once again, gift cards can apply to either the membership or a future trip.

2. Activities and Experiences

Another fantastic gift option is to make their upcoming travels extra special with an activity or experience. Ask them what trips they’ve got coming up (be stealthy if you can!), and plan accordingly with these clever ideas. 

Experience Gifts:

Did you know there are companies that enable your gift recipient to choose their own experiences to complement their upcoming trips? This takes all the guess work out of things for you, while still ticking the box of a thoughtful and travel-friendly gift.

  • My Picks:
    • Tinggly for their easy-to-use experience boxes that let travelers choose their own activities, hotels, and more.
    • GetYourGuide for their abundant excursion and tour partners around the world.
Spa & Wellness Days:

This is a universal gift idea and easy to pull off, especially if you can find out the hotel(s) they’re staying at or the spas they’re staying nearby on an upcoming trip. Schedule a spa day for them, grab them a voucher, or let them choose a service and call to put your credit card down for the treatment. You could also gift them a ResortPass, which would allow them to visit a nice resort for a pool or spa day whenever they want. 

A Memorable Meal:

This one’s for the foodie travelers. Book them a hard-to-get reservation at a restaurant they’ve been dying to visit, or explore one of these other unique culinary-focused gift ideas. 

3. Travel Transportation

Getting around is often one of the more annoying and less exciting parts of the trip planning process. So, why not make it easier and give the gift of a flight or a train ride? This is an incredibly practical gift and appropriate for all travel lovers!

Flight Gift Cards:

For the travelers who are always catching flights, not feelings. 

Train Travel Gift Cards:

This could either be a super practical gift for someone who loves train travel, or an exciting new adventure for someone who’s always wanted to see the world this way!

Other Transportation Gift Cards:

For the travelers who always prefer to take a ride-share instead of renting a car. 

4. Hotels and Accommodations

Alleviating the cost of a few nights’ accommodation on an upcoming trip can be a great way to show you were thinking of them! I always love receiving Airbnb gift cards myself, and usually put them to use right away. 

Hotel Gift Cards:

For the travelers who prefer seeking out the coolest and most unique hotels when they’re on the go. 

Vacation Rental Gift Cards:

For the travelers who want the comfort and convenience of a home and their own kitchen while they’re away. 

Outdoor Getaway Gift Cards:

For the travelers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with nature. 

Gifts for Travelers #2: Upgraded Travel Essentials

Rachel Off Duty – 100+ Best Gifts for Travelers

This one’s for anyone who believes “carry on only” is their whole personality (like me). Some of the coolest gifts for travelers are the ones that upgrade their existing essentials, marrying practicality with style and the occasional high-tech enhancement. 

I mentioned earlier that to this day, one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received was a hard-shell carry on bag filled with all kinds of travel goodies I could use on my first solo trip. And it’s not necessarily because it was a practical gift, but because it was so customized to me and the way I wanted to live my life. I knew I was about to make a career out of travel, and this gift essentially came to be my very first “tools of the trade.”

1. New Luggage

The “it factor” of any seasoned traveler is the bag they are traveling with. And, if they’re frequently on the road, their luggage might be lovingly in need of a refresh 🙂 

Hard-Shell Luggage:

For the travelers who care about durability and always show up to the airport in style.

  • My Picks:
    • Monos Expandable Carry On Pro, for its sleek look and its convenient exterior laptop sleeve. I have the non-expandable version in olive green, and I highly recommend upgrading to expandable for more storage flexibility!
    • July Carry On Max, for its unmatched 50-62L storage capacity and matching packable tote
    • Amazon Basics 2-Piece Set, for its durability and affordability. As much as I love my luxe luggage, my Amazon Basics has been my go-to since day one!
Other Cool Luggage Designs:

For the travelers who crave fancy features and all the bells and whistles. 

  • My Picks:
    • Solgaard Carry On Closet Original, which is exactly what it sounds like – a portable closet on wheels!
    • TACH Hard-Shell Connecting Luggage 3-Piece Set, a patented luggage solution with built-in connectors so you can roll multiple bags at once.
    • Rains Texel Cabin Bag, a stylish and fully waterproof carry-on bag for that friend who’s always going somewhere tropical.

2. Travel Bags

Any frequent traveler knows that the pesky personal item you lug onto your flights can make or break what you’re able to bring with you. From totes that magically hold three pairs of shoes, to backpacks with easy-access travel pockets, to collapsible bags you can stuff into the smallest of places, the options are endless and the added functionality is always appreciated. 

Travel Totes:

For the travelers who like easy access to their things and the ability to balance their personal item on their carry on luggage. Bonus points if it has unique travel-friendly storage features, like shoe pockets or water bottle holders, built in! 

  • My Picks:
    • Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe and Catalina Deluxe Tote, which are in my opinion two of the best travel bags on the market. I can fit around four to six pairs of sandals in the Deluxe (or three to four pairs of sneakers), and three pairs of sandals (two pairs of sneakers) in the Deluxe Tote thanks to the convenient bottom storage pocket.
    • Aloha Collection Weekender, a water-resistant travel tote with a luggage sleeve and several fun aloha-themed prints to choose from, with the added benefit of 5% of proceeds going to conservation efforts in Hawai’i.
    • Cuyana Weekender Bag and Overnighter Bag, both of which are designed for maximum storage and maximum style.
Travel Backpacks:

For the travelers who need a hands-free personal item and an adventure bag once they’re on the go. The best travel backpacks usually have a sleeve you can easily slip over your roller bag handle when you don’t feel like carrying it, too. 

Travel Purses:

For the travelers who want to hold onto just the essentials. Travel purses are unique in that they usually have better storage features and, in some cases, creative ways of clipping onto your travel luggage for easy transporting. 

  • My Picks:
    • Monos Metro Belt Bag, which is the perfect size for quick access to your passport and phone. Plus, it’s another bag that’s part of Monos’ modular system, meaning it can be easily attached to other bags for inconspicuous storage.
    • Lo & Sons Waverly Large, my go-to travel and everyday crossbody purse thanks to its perfect size, chic go-with-anything design, and convenient interior and exterior card holders.
    • Cuyana Sling Bag, which is both gorgeous AND washable. Yes, in the laundry machine, making it a game-changer for travel.
Collapsible Bags:

I always keep a collapsible bag or two clipped onto my travel bag, because as soon as I’m on the plane, that’s where I’ll put my hat, jacket, and other miscellaneous items like snacks. From grocery shopping to beach days, collapsible bags are endlessly useful for any traveler. 

  • My Picks:
    • Peak Design Packable Tote, my go-to bonus bag everywhere I go. It’s got a zipper and collapses down smaller than your phone, plus, it can be easily clipped onto your travel bag for easy access.
    • Herschel Rome Packable Backpack, a trusty just-in-case backpack I usually throw into my carry-on whenever I plan on doing light hiking, beach days, or lots of long sightseeing days.

3. Travel Organization Solutions

The storage options for frequent travelers don’t end at luggage. Organization bags are great gift ideas for travelers because they are designed to make packing, and keeping track of your things, significantly easier when you’re on the go. 

Tech Bags:

For the business travelers, remote workers, digital nomads, or simply the traveler that always seems to fly with a million devices. These bags keep cables, adapters, and plugs all in one convenient place. I received my first cable organizer at a conference and honestly, I don’t know how I survived without it. In fact, my life can be divided into two chapters – BC (before cable bag) and after. 

  • My Picks:
    • Orbitkey 2-in-1 Tech Accessory Pouch, which is both the ultimate anytime organizer for all your cables, and an ideal travel companion thanks to the detachable carry case it comes with.
    • Native Union Stow Organizer, a minimalist storage solution for cables and other tech accessories.
    • Dagne Dover Arlo Neoprene Tech Organizer, a tiny zippered pouch for the tech essentials – a perfect little space-saver for your carry on only friends!
    • Mark & Graham Essential Tech Folio, which fits all of the above plus an iPad, for the traveler who can’t live without it. Bonus customization points if you monogram it with their initials!
Toiletry Storage:

Everyone travels with a toiletry bag or dopp kit of some kind. Why not gift them a nifty new one? 

  • My Picks:
    • Away Large Toiletry Bag, an ultra-spacious storage solution for makeup, beauty care, and beyond.
    • Cadence Parcel System, designed for easy access with magnetic closures (no zippers!) that stay open when you need to access your things. When used together, multiple parcels magnetize together keeping everything in one place.
    • BAGSMART Toiletry Hanging Bag, the best option for frequent travelers who need to easily see everything they’ve brought without needing to unpack.
    • Beis The Dopp Kit, because it has a convenient separate compartment and you can store it on your hotel’s bathroom towel hook when your counter space is lacking.
Jewelry Storage:

Another thing I can’t believe I used to live without is a jewelry organizer, It’s not usually something people think of to buy for themselves, making it a unique gift idea for stylish travelers. 

  • My Picks:
    • Monos Travel Jewelry Case is the perfect size for travelers bringing a small selection of jewelry with them on short trips.
    • Leatherology Large Jewelry Case, which I love for longer trips because I can easily fit multiple pairs of earrings, multiple bracelets, and all those oddly shaped pieces of jewelry that just don’t otherwise fit nicely – bangles, hair clips, and statement necklaces. I bought myself this jewelry case for the rare instances when my mini case (below) isn’t big enough.
    • Dagne Dover Frankie Jewelry Case, another small jewelry organizer perfect for shorter trips or travelers who stick to tried-and-true accessories when they’re on the move. I was gifted this one in dark moss and I hardly go anywhere without it.
    • Mejuri Small Jewelry Box, a more traditional jewelry storage solution that’s still the perfect size for throwing into your suitcase.
Camera Bags:

Traveling with cameras can be cumbersome at best and damaging to expensive gear at worst. Help them protect their lenses, camera bodies, and more with the right travel camera bag for the occasion. 

  • My Picks:
    • Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L, a travel bag and camera bag all in one, with smart compartments for all your gear, plus a suitcase sleeve to balance on top of your roller bag.
    • Lo & Sons Claremont Camera Bag, a surprisingly chic purse that’s designed to fit a DSLR and lens, complete with internal padding compartments and nifty SD card holders.
Packing Cubes:

You can simply never have too many packing cubes. I don’t make the rules! 

4. Their Next Travel Wardrobe

I can almost always be found in some variety of baggy pants, sneakers, and a denim jacket when I’m traveling. Does the globetrotter in your life have a signature travel wardrobe, too? While you can wear anything to the airport, some clothes are better than others when it comes to comfort, versatility, and practicality on long-haul journeys. Here are some of my favorites that make for great gifts.

Travel Pants:

Comfy pants that don’t look like pajamas are the chef’s kiss of travel pants. My priorities are always comfort (can I wear them without a belt?), aesthetic (are they versatile enough to wear on other occasions throughout my trip?), and functionality (does it have convenient pockets?). I have a steady rotation of four or five different travel pants I wear every time I’m flying or going on a long road trip, and they include these three picks below.

  • My Picks:
    • Unbound Merino Lightweight Travel Pants are usually my go-to, because they’re comfy but still chic enough to wear to a conference or nice dinner. They also have a zippered pocket for quick passport or phone access at the airport! If helpful, I am 5’7″ and wear the 28″ inseam for an ever so slightly cropped look and the 30″ for a more casual look. Made of merino wool, these pants are meant to be odor-repelling and wrinkle-resistant for long travel days.
    • Alo Yoga High-Waist Dreamscape Trouser because they’ve got a great stretchy waist and material – you’d never know they weren’t business slacks unless you looked close. I wear mine all the time in any situation!
    • Athleta Brooklyn Mid-Rise Ankle Pant is a great commuter pant for looking good whether you’re in transit or at your final destination.
Travel Jackets:

A trusty travel jacket is a must-have, but the type depends on the traveler. Are they outdoorsy? Always going somewhere cold? Always getting cold no matter what temperature it is? Or are they always jetting off to someplace tropical? Whether they gravitate to these extremes or need an anywhere, anytime jacket, here are some great picks they’ll appreciate.

Loungewear Sets:

Who doesn’t love a matching set? They’re cozy and sleek, elevating our on-the-go attire into something more sophisticated, no doubt. But while they’re beloved in most travel circles, they’re not usually something we’re buying for ourselves. Enter – you.

Wardrobe Rentals:

I’ve been renting my clothes instead of shopping for years, and it has been an absolute game changer for my travel wardrobe, helping me cut down on unnecessary expenses while still having fun with my outfits. Renting is a huge travel hack, and if they’re not onto it yet, you can help them give it a try!

  • My Pick:
    • FashionPass is a monthly rental subscription service that lets you rent everything from casual looks to gowns for trips, conferences, events, and more. I’ve been using them for the past 3+ years and have received so many compliments in doing so.

Gifts for Travelers #3: Travel Tech & Tools

Rachel Off Duty – 100+ Best Gifts for Travelers

Who doesn’t love getting their hands on the latest tech? Travel tech has become a bit snobbish – you certainly don’t need the latest gadget in order to travel well. But an upgrade every now and then can make for a great gift idea. Things like e-readers or a new pair of headphones are sometimes enough to help frequent travelers actually look forward to that 10-hour international flight! 

1. E-Readers

This is the ultimate gift for travelers who are always reading, and while e-readers could never replace the satisfaction of a paperback or hardcover book, the practicality and space-saving value really can’t be beat. Why travel with one book when you can have endless options at your fingertips? 

  • My Picks:
    • Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is the e-reader I own, and I love it because not only is it incredibly thin, it also features a glare-free screen, doesn’t overheat, and is fully waterproof. Perfect when reaching for a good book to get into on those long, lazy beach days!
    • Kobo Clara Colour is the e-reader to gift for bookworms who like to also journal, make notes, see illustrations in full color, and scribble in the margins.

2. Headphones

Headphones are a practical gift that can make all the difference on a long flight. Goodbye to crying babies and loud in-flight gossipers, hello to actually hearing the bass in your favorite songs from liftoff to touchdown.

  • My Picks:
    • Sony Noise Cancelling WH-1000XM4 are the headphones I use and swear by. They even come with a convenient carry case which can be clipped to the outside of your bag!
    • Bose QuietComfort Ultra are another strong contender, thanks to their long battery life, incredible sound clarity, and slightly more affordable price point.

3. Other Top Tech Gifts for Travelers

From film cameras to universal adapters, here are just a few more gift ideas for the travelers in your life who love new tech and tools to complement their adventures. 

  • My Picks:
    • Luggage trackers are a travel tool I avoided for ages, until I started diving and traveling with oversized luggage for the first time. Now, I have tags in all of my suitcases at all times. The peace of mind isn’t something I take for granted!
    • Outlet adapters aren’t a sexy gift, but they sure are practical. Consider this for your Secret Santas, your White Elephants, and the like. No one will ask for an adapter, but you can bet they will steal this gift at the company Christmas party if given the chance.
    • Portable Bluetooth speakers are that thing you always forget you needed… until you find yourself in the wilderness or at the beach without one.
    • Health Trackers aren’t necessarily a gift for travelers per se, but once they start realizing how many more steps they get when they’re abroad than they do when they’re home in the suburbs, they will surely want to travel more – and it’ll all be thanks to you!
      • Buy the Oura Ring Here starting at $349
        • Helpful Tip: When you order an Oura Ring, you’ll receive a sizing kit in the mail first. The sizing is different from a regular ring (i’m a whole ring size larger with Oura), so this is an important step. The sizing kit can be the gift you physically give, and once they pick their size, they’ll be shipped their ring!

Gifts for Travelers #4: Cultural Immersion

Rachel Off Duty – 100+ Best Gifts for Travelers

Do they already have the latest luggage, a signature travel wardrobe, and the most up-to-date gadgets for life on the go? In that case, a cultural immersion gift can be a solid route to try. This is all about gifting something that lets them relive their favorite travels, immerse themselves in new cultures and languages, or taste new flavors from different countries. 

1. Language Learning

Are they an aspiring polyglot, or looking to brush up on a couple basic phrases before an upcoming trip? Language learning gifts are a thoughtful way to show support! 

  • My Picks:
    • Duolingo Super Subscription, which allows them to learn languages in an app without ads or interruptions.
    • Babbel Subscription, for online learning with access to up to 14 languages at 6 month, 12 month, and lifetime gift increments.
    • Etsy’s Language Learning Card selection is impressive if you want a physical gift to give! I bought myself Aussie slang cards recently and found them hilarious (and useful). You can find everything from Italian basics, to American Sign Language alphabets, to Japanese Kanji writing tips, all made by artisans on Etsy’s global marketplace.

2. Global Culinary Experiences

This gift is all about experiencing the intersection of food and culture, whether it’s in the form of a cooking class abroad or a new way to appreciate unique flavors in their own backyard. 

  • My Picks:
    • The Chef and the Dish is an awesome culinary concept that lets you take cooking classes from chefs all over the world. As a gift, this will allow them to learn how to make Basque cheesecake from a chef in Spain, or pad Thai from a chef in Thailand, or even pierogis from a chef in Hungary!
    • Airbnb Experiences is once again an obvious choice because of all the cooking classes, food tours, and culinary experiences run by local people worldwide.
    • Red Dining Book is another recommendation I’m re-listing here because it’s the perfect mix of cultural exploration and culinary tourism in Los Angeles, with restaurants spanning all cuisines and neighborhoods throughout the city.
    • Diaspora Spice Co offers responsibly sourced, unbelievably flavorful spices to infuse their future home-cooked meals. They can even go on their website to find recipes to put each new spice to work.

3. Curated Boxes & Subscriptions

You know when a certain dish, smell, item, or activity instantly transports you to a place or memory? That’s what travel-themed gift boxes aim to do. With a one-time gift box or subscription, you can gift them everything from globally sourced single origin coffees, to wines from their favorite region in Europe, to skincare in South Korea, and so much more in between.

  • My Picks:
    • Try the World lets them sample snacks and other culinary goodies from different countries around the globe, either as a one-time gift or monthly subscription.
    • VineBox is a wine subscription box that lets you gift either a single month, a curated holiday gift, or a full subscription of sommelier-curated varietals.
    • Murray’s Cheese is the gift for travelers who love all things dairy. Their Globetrotter’s Cheese Club explores a different country every month for 3, 6 or up to 12 months.
    • The Spicery’s World Kitchen Explorer box sends you spices and recipes from all over the world each month. Perfect for those who love to experience culture through making delicious cuisine.
    • Bomibox is a Korean skincare subscription for the beauty-loving travelers, providing 7-8 authentic South Korean travel- and full-size skincare products each month in 1, 3, and 6-month increments.
    • Atlas Coffee Club offers a monthly and quarterly global coffee subscription that goes deeper than just the bean, providing fun postcards and backstories behind each featured coffee inside each box.

Gifts for Travelers #5: Supporting Their Hobbies Abroad

Rachel Off Duty – 100+ Best Gifts for Travelers

Are they the kind of person that wanders the globe looking for the next great setting for their hobby? The next dose of inspiration for their creative pursuits? Or the next location for their personal growth journey? If the answer is yes, this last section is for them. I am rounding out this massive list of gifts for travelers with a collection of gifts that support their hobbies and interests abroad.

1. Active Adventurers

These picks are for the rare and special humans among us who can manage to stick to a workout routine no matter where they are. Sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery.

  • My Picks:
    • Bala makes on-the-go workout gear that can be packed in your suitcase for convenient workouts wherever you are. Their most travel-friendly gear includes bangles (ankle weights), bars (dumbbells), resistance bands, and jump ropes. I personally swear by my resistance bands and jumprope whenever I’m away from home!
    • Therabody’s Theragun Mini is the perfect travel-sized massage gun for the travelers who are always running, hiking, surfing, skiing… you get the picture. It also makes for a great gift for business travelers who are always hunched over a laptop, or really, anyone who needs ache relief after a long-haul flight.

2. Water Sports Enthusiasts

Scuba divers, freedivers, snorkelers, and wannabe mermaids travel far and wide for their next great underwater adventures. These picks are for the fishy people among us who are happiest by the sea (myself included).

  • My Picks:
    • Insta360 probably isn’t the first underwater camera they’d buy, but it’s definitely on their wish list for camera #2. It takes epic action shots and renders the selfie stick invisible, leaving you with trippy, unbelievable underwater footage of yourself and your surroundings.
    • Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Hip Pack is a fully submersible, waterproof little bag that keeps your valuables dry. This is good for any and every water sport, but it’s especially useful for solo travelers and beachgoers who want to swim, but don’t want to leave their wallet and phone on the sand.
    • Sand Cloud makes luxe, Turkish cotton towels that are both sand-resistant and quick-drying for all kinds of water activities. Their ponchos are the ultimate gift for any activities involving a wetsuit, because it allows you to quickly change into and out of your wetsuit and stay warm on long boat days. Their towel bags are great for recreational beachgoers and snorkelers! Plus, 10% of proceeds from every purchase goes directly to marine conservation efforts, like coral restoration and wildlife research.
    • Coral Gardeners’ Adopt A Coral Program lets you symbolically gift a coral to an ocean lover, with proceeds from your gift directly benefiting coral restoration projects in French Polynesia, Fiji, and Thailand. Your gift recipient will receive a certificate of adoption, updates on its growth, and the ability to track and view the nursery’s progress every step of the way. It’s an impressive undertaking that I got to witness firsthand in French Polynesia, and one that anyone wild about the underwater world will appreciate being connected to. 

3. Artists and Creatives

Some of us are most motivated – and make our best art – when we get outside our comfort zones. Whether they are a writer, a sketch artist, or a painter, here are some great gifts for travelers who find inspiration on the road.

  • My Picks:
    • Travel-friendly Watercolor Painting Sets on Etsy, because they’re so cute and convenient. Whether they like to create their own travel scenes, or they simply like the therapeutic effect of painting, these pocket-sized sets are the perfect gift for travelers who enjoy expressing themselves with a paintbrush.
    • Travel Journal by Gateway22, which is one of the most classic gifts for travelers, allowing them to jot down memories, document their days, and even scrapbook their favorite photos.
    • B8 Hotpress Notebook Square by Cottonwood Arts is a great pick for travelers who love to sketch and doodle. This notebook lays flat, has a durable hardcover, and comes in a convenient size for throwing in your carry on bag.

4. Outdoor & Nature Lovers

For the friend who prefers their sleeping bag and the great outdoors over a five-star hotel in the middle of the city.

  • My Picks:
    • America the Beautiful Pass, which gives them unlimited access to national parks and other federal recreational lands all over the USA for 12 months.
    • Go Travel Coffee Press by AeroPress, a must-have for outdoorsy people who appreciate a delicious, quality cup of coffee no matter where they are. Unlike the original AeroPress, this one comes with a travel carrying case that doubles as a mug. It’s the exact one I personally own and bring with me everywhere.
    • An Annual Subscription to AllTrails for the travelers who love hiking. This subscription will give them ad-free access to global trail conditions, on- and offline trail maps, and safety features like location sharing with friends and family.
    • Sheldrick Trust’s Orphan Adoption Program lets you symbolically adopt an orphaned elephant, rhino, or giraffe, with your gift directly contributing to their care and eventual reintroduction into the wild. Gift recipients receive an adoption certificate, regular updates, and exclusive (adorable) content. 

5. Digital Nomads and Jetset Entrepreneurs

Last but not least, these are the best gifts for travelers who have made the world their office.

  • My Picks:
    • Moft’s Tripod Stand is a slim, origami-inspired tool that elevates your device experience on the go. I use my phone tripod stand to optimize everything from hands-free video calls, to watching movies on the plane, to clipping my phone onto my purse or yoga pants when I’m running errands. They also make laptop stands and tons of other minimal, travel-friendly tech accessories worth checking out.
    • Xebec Portable Travel Monitor isn’t cheap, but it’s a game-changer for serious digital nomads, business travelers, and global entrepreneurs. It instantly transforms any laptop into a 3-screen monitor system, giving you all the convenience of a home office no matter where you are.

There you have it! As a nonstop traveler myself, it was important to me to put together the most comprehensive and genuinely helpful list of ideas to help cut through the noise (and the waste) when the holidays roll around. I hope this list of 100+ gifts for travelers that are unique, thoughtful, and completely customized pointed you in the right direction. And if it did, I’d love to know – tell me what caught your eye in the comments!

What are you considering gifting your travel-loving friend or loved one? What’s missing from this list that you wish you had recommendations for? Let me know below!

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Rachel Off Duty – 100+ Best Gifts for Travelers
Rachel Off Duty – 100+ Best Gifts for Travelers

Hey there! I’m Rachel, a travel writer and a full-time advertising / marketing expert. In 2019, I traveled more than 25 times while working 9 to 5, and since then I’ve committed myself to living a more adventurous life, even if it means bringing my laptop along for the ride.

Are you hungry to travel more, but overwhelmed with how to juggle work and play? You’ve come to the right place!

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