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 Idea #1: Trips, Hotels, Accommodations, and More
Gift Idea #2: Travel Bags & Clothes
Gift Idea #3: Tech and Tools
Gift Idea #4: Cultural Immersion
Gift Idea #5: Travel Hobbies & Interests
The Best Gifts for Travelers in 2026: 100+ Travel-Themed Gift Ideas
Gifts for Travelers #1: Trips, Hotels, Accommodations, and More
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!
I love Contiki for their fully planned, jammed-packed itineraries for 18-35 year olds. You can see what traveling with Contiki is like by reading about my experience with Contiki in the Mediterranean here! I also highly recommend Intrepid Travel for their responsibly minded, culturally immersive itineraries for all ages, and you can read about my experience with Intrepid in Peru here.
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.
First and foremost, after workationing in Belize for a month with this company, I swear by Noma Collective for their small group remote work trips in unbeatable locations like Sri Lanka, Belize, the Himalayas, and more. While you can’t currently buy a gift card, you can speak with the Noma Collective team here to find the perfect gift-giving option, or browse their current trip calendar here.
Outsite is another reputable brand offering remote work-friendly accommodations all over the globe, as well as 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, making for a perfect gift. WiFi Tribe offers 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.
*Use code NOMARACHEL150 to save you $150 off any 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.
Two great options are Tinggly and Get Your Guide. Tinggly offers easy-to-use experience boxes that let travelers choose their own activities, hotels, and more. Get Your Guide connects travelers to all kinds of excursion and tour partners around the world.
*Use code RACHEL to save you 15% off any Tinggly experience box!
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 access to more than 2,000 spas, pools, and fitness centers around the world, with no overnight stay required.
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 other unique culinary-focused gift ideas, like EatWith, Airbnb Experiences, Urban Adventures, Devour Tours, or Red Dining Book.
EatWith offers everything from immersive food experiences, to cooking classes, to full-blown dinner parties. Airbnb Experiences is a great place to find things like food tours, market visits, and cooking classes. Urban Adventures is a tour company providing local-led urban experiences, many of which are centered around food – tapas tours, wine tasting, market experiences, and more! Devour Tours offers small-group, food-centric culinary quests. Finally, Red Dining Book offers curated restaurant recommendations in dining specials in select cities (2026 featured cities include Los Angeles, New York City, and Santa Barbara!).
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. I recommend purchasing a gift card for their favorite airline, if you know it. Otherwise, some safe picks include Delta (global routes, and my personal favorite), Southwest (top-rated customer service and strong flight network in North & South America), and United (largest global network of any airline). One thing to note – United doesn’t offer traditional gift cards. Instead, you can gift cash that can be redeemed for flights using a service called TravelBank.
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! Amtrak offers convenient transit trains and endless possibilities for exploring the USA.
Other Transportation Gift Cards
For the travelers who always prefer to take a ride-share instead of renting a car, an Uber gift card is a practical choice and reliable in most major cities worldwide.
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. Some of the best gift cards for hotels include Hotels.com, Hotelgift, and Marriott.
Vacation Rental Gift Cards
For the travelers who want the comfort and convenience of a home and their own kitchen while they’re away. You can’t go wrong with Airbnb, which lets them book rooms or entire homes in places all over the globe.
Outdoor Getaway Gift Cards
For the travelers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with nature. Two creative options for an outdoor getaway gift are Postcard Cabins and HipCamp! Postcard Cabins (part of the Marriott portfolio) offers incredibly photogenic and relaxing glamping cabins all over the USA, whereas HipCamp connects campers with unique outdoor stays like campsites, RV parks, and glamping sites worldwide.
*P.S. – you can use referral code RACHEL-JEANF for $10 off future HipCamp stays, too!
Gifts for Travelers #2: Travel Bags & Clothes
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. I personally love brands like Monos and July for their sleek look and storage capacity – the Monos Expandable Carry On Pro ($365) and July Carry On Max ($325) would make great gifts. Away arguably continues to lead in the hard-shell luggage category, and their new Series 3 (starting at $328) offers new bells and whistles like hanging hooks and ultimate storage compression, making it perfect for the traveler who appreciates the details. Finally, Amazon Basics also offers a durable and affordable dupe that does the trick, and you can even buy a 2-piece luggage set for just $166.
Other Cool Luggage Designs
For the travelers who crave fancy features and all the bells and whistles. My picks include luggage from Solgaard, TACH, and Rains. Solgaard’s Carry On Closet Original (starting at $260) is exactly what it sounds like – a portable closet on wheels! TACH’s Hard-Shell Connecting Luggage 3-Piece Set (starting at $295) is a patented luggage solution with built-in connectors so you can roll multiple bags at once. Finally, Rains‘ Texel Cabin Bag ($275) is a stylish and fully waterproof carry-on bag for the 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 favorites in this category include Lo & Sons, Aloha Collection, and Cuyana.
Lo & Sons‘ Catalina Deluxe and Catalina Deluxe Tote (starting at $200+) are, in my humble opinion, two of the best travel bags on the market. I can fit around four to six pairs of shoes in the Deluxe and two to three pairs of shoes in the Tote thanks to the convenient bottom storage pocket. The Aloha Collection Keep It Light Weekender ($78) is my pick for a water-resistant option, complete with a luggage sleeve and bold, Hawaiian-themed prints. Finally, Cuyana’s Easy Overnighter Bag ($498) is a solid pick for maximum storage and 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. Check out Monos, Lo & Sons, and Fjällräven for their perfectly portable travel backpacks.
The Monos Metro Backpack ($215) is unique because it lets you easily attach/detach to other any other storage solution in the brand’s modular collection. I also like the Lo & Sons Rowledge 2 ($498), particularly if you’re gifting this bag to someone who travels often for work, because it has a dedicated laptop sleeve. For unmatched storage size, and a padded laptop sleeve, try the Fjällräven Färden Carry On Pack ($220).
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. Monos, Lo & Sons, and Cuyana all make the list again, for their awesome travel purses that are as functional as they are sleek.
My picks are the Monos Metro Belt Bag ($95, and part of the same modular system as the Monos backpack!), the Lo & Sons Waverly Crossbody ($220), and the Cuyana Mila Satchel ($798). While the price is a bit steep, the Cuyana option is made of Italian leather and has the sleek look of a designer purse with all the features of a practical travel wardrobe staple.
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. These are pretty self-explanatory and you can’t really go wrong, but my trusty go-to’s are the Peak Design tote ($29) and the Herschel backpack ($50).
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 travel career can be divided into two chapters – BC (before cable bag) and after.
The Orbitkey 2-in-1 Pouch ($69) is both an anytime organizer and detachable carry case. Native Union makes a minimalistic organizer ($50) for sleek storage. Dagne Dover’s tech pouch ($60) is a small, space-saving solution that’s perfect for just. the essentials. Finally, Mark & Graham makes an organizer ($139) which fits all your cables and has space for an iPad. Plus, it’s customizable if you want to monogram the gift with their initials for a special touch.
Toiletry Storage
Everyone travels with a toiletry bag or dopp kit of some kind. Why not gift them a nifty new one? For an ultra-spacious storage solution, grab the Away Large Toiletry Bag ($85) or the Cadence Parcel System ($65). The Cadence system is modular and the individual parcels magnetize together to keep everything in one place. If you want to gift a toiletry bag that they can hang up for easy access, you can’t go wrong with the BAGSMART Toiletry Bag (starting at $17) or the Beis Dopp Kit ($68).
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. For a more compact jewelry carrier, opt. for the Monos Travel Jewelry Case ($95) or the Dagne Dover Frankie Jewelry Case ($55). For a larger jewelry organizer that’s still portable, go for the Leatherology Large Case ($145) or the Mejuri Jewelry Box ($128).
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. Peak Design makes a 45L Travel Backpack ($300) that’s both a travel bag and camera bag all in one. Or, for a more fashionable choice, the Lo & Sons Claremont Camera Bag ($298) is surprisingly chic and fits a DSLR and lens!
Packing Cubes
You can simply never have too many packing cubes. I don’t make the rules! This is always a safe travel gift, and Monos (starting. at$ 95), Peak Design (starting at $29.95), and Cotopaxi (starting at $55) each make good-quality options that won’t steer you wrong.
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.
Unbound Merino makes a rotating variety of travel pants that are both comfy and chic enough to wear straight off the plane into a meeting (my top pick: The Merino Travel Pant, $218). Plus, since they’re made with merino wool, they are meant to be odor-repelling and wrinkle-resistant for long travel days. They also usually offer two different inseams – perfect for tall girls (for reference, I am 5’7″ and could easily wear a 28″ or 30″). Alo Yoga offers stretchy trousers made with comfortable athletic materials, but you’d never know they weren’t regular business slacks. Another good commuter option is Athleta.
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.
While there are so many reputable travel jackets out there these days, a few brands that consistently stand the test of time for me include Patagonia (my top pick: The Nano Puff Packable Jacket, $229) Cotopaxi (check out: The Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket, $350), Free People (my fave: The Pippa Packable Puffer, $198), Rains (go for: The Curve Long Jacket, $155), and Levi’s (can’t go wrong: The Original Trucker Jacket, $110).
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.
Alo Yoga and Quince make some comfortable, good-looking sets that are perfect for long travel days.
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!
There are several wardrobe rental services on the market these days, but my time-tested favorite continues to be FashionPass. They do a good job balancing casual and elevated dressing options and they refresh their stock regularly, and I’ve been using them for the past 4+ years for everything from trips and conferences to weddings and other special events. I always get compliments when I do!
*P.S. – you can use referral code RACHELOFFDUTY to save money on your first month, too!
Gifts for Travelers #3: Travel Tech & Tools
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?
You can’t go wrong with a classic Amazon Kindle Paperwhite ($199). But, if they happen to also enjoy journaling or making notes while they read, the Kobo Clara Colour ($179) is the way to go.
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.
I personally love and swear by the Sony Noise Cancelling WH-1000XM6 ($458). The Bose QuiteComfort Ultra ($327) is another strong contender though, 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.
Luggage Trackers
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! Apple AirTags ($89) and Life360 Tiles ($75) are the gold standard here.
Outlet Adapters
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. Any travel adapter will do, but I’m recommending the two that I personally use below.
Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Portable Bluetooth speakers are that thing you always forget you needed… until you find yourself in the wilderness or at the beach without one. Ultimate Ears‘ WONDERBOOM 4 ($99) is a bargain for its quality, but the JBL Clip 5 ($80) is well-regarded for its portable clip-on functionality.
Health Trackers
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! I find the Oura Ring (starting at $399) to be the most travel-friendly health tracker of them all.
If you do decide to gift 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
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!
Duolingo Super Subscription ($12.99/month or $84/year) allows them to learn languages in an app without ads or interruptions. Babbel (starting at $8.95/month or $107/year) allows you to gift in monthly increments or opt for a lifetime subscription. If you want to get them a physical gift, try Etsy’s language learning cards. 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.
The Chef and the Dish (starting at $369) 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. Finally, Diaspora Spice Co ($80) 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.
Try the World (starting at $35/box) lets them sample snacks and other culinary goodies from different countries around the globe, either as a one-time gift or monthly subscription. VineBox (starting at $79) 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 (starting at $195 for 3 months) 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 gift boxes (starting at $22) allow you to gift spices and recipes from all over the world. Perfect for those who love to experience culture through making delicious cuisine. Bomibox (starting at $40/month) 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. Last but not least, Atlas Coffee Club (starting at $60) 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: Travel Hobbies & Interests
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.
Bala is a fun gift idea in this category, because they make on-the-go workout gear (starting at $35) 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 is another solid pick. The Therabody Theragun Mini ($220) 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).
Insta360 ($550) 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 ($60) 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 ($80) makes luxe, Turkish cotton towels and ponchos that are both sand-resistant and quick-drying for all kinds of water activities. Plus, 10% of proceeds from every purchase goes directly to marine conservation efforts, like coral restoration and wildlife research.
For a symbolic gift, Coral Gardeners’ Adopt A Coral Program lets you “gift” a coral to an ocean lover (starting at $30), 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.
Travel-friendly watercolor painting sets on Etsy are a fun pick, 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. The Travel Journal by Gateway22 ($20) is one of the most classic gifts for travelers, allowing them to jot down memories, document their days, and even scrapbook their favorite photos. Finally, the B8 Hotpress Notebook Square by Cottonwood Arts ($10) 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
This is for the friend who prefers their sleeping bag and the great outdoors over a five-star hotel in the middle of the city.
The America the Beautiful Pass ($80) gives them unlimited access to national parks and other federal recreational lands all over the USA for 12 months. A Go Travel Coffee Press by AeroPress ($50) is a must-have for outdoorsy people who appreciate a delicious, quality cup of coffee no matter where they are. An annual subscription to AllTrails ($35) is 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.
As a symbolic gesture, Sheldrick Trust’s Orphan Adoption Program lets you “adopt” an orphaned elephant, rhino, or giraffe (starting at $50), 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.
Moft’s Tripod Stand ($40) 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 (starting at $758) 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. Finally, I recently purchased a Meine Studios Ergo Sleeve ($110) and I absolutely love it so far. It’s sleek, folds flat, and unfolds into an ergonomic workstation for your laptop wherever 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!
Read This Next:
- Group Travel Programs Reviewed: My Contiki Experience (Everything You Need to Know)
- Remote Work Travel Programs Reviewed: My Noma Collective Experience
- Postcard Cabins Review (Formerly Getaway House): A Tiny Cabin For Urban Dwellers
Pin For Later:
