Gift Buying Guide for Travelers
- destinationsimplif
- Dec 4, 2023
- 11 min read
Do you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and are always struggling to find a gift for them? The holidays are here and if you are like me you are scouring your mind to figure out what gifts to buy them.
Well look no further as I have a complete list of gifts that any traveler in your life will love. Whether they are stay-cationers or have a suitcase at the ready to travel the world they will appreciate the gifts on this list.
If you know a traveler then you probably know they have all the essentials needed to travel. If they find new travel gear that will make their travels easier, they will probably quickly buy it.
This guide will provide you with gift ideas for travelers that they themselves might not think about or they are items that they always need to replenish.
No matter which gift on this list you pick, you can rest assured that the traveler in your life will like it and it will be just what they need!
So keep reading for the complete list of travel gift ideas for the traveler in your life!
Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
Crossbody Bag
Travel Wallet
Shawl/Scarf Blanket
Packing Organizers
Filtration Water Bottle
Tech Organizer
Memory Cards
External Hard Drive
Portable Battery
Camera
GoPro
Travel Guide Travel Journal
Travel Planning Journal
Travel Map
Activity Book
Viator Tour
PrAna Gift Card
E-Reader/Audio Book Gift Card
Amazon Gift Card
Airbnb/Hotel Gift Card
Tripit Pro
VP
Essential Travel Gift Ideas
Whether you are buying for a traveler that is taking their first big trip, a college student studying abroad, or a seasoned traveler the travel gifts on this list are essential for all travelers.
1. Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
I love my microfiber cleansing cloths! I have been using them for years whether I am home or traveling.
These microfiber cloths are hypoallergenic making them great for all skin types - sensitive skin included. They can be used with just warm water or with your favorite product. I use them with just warm water and all my makeup - mascara and eyeliner included - comes off with just a few wipes.
The smaller square size cloths are great for travel and just one or two microfiber cloths will last the entire vacation as they can be reused over and over before they need to be washed! This not only saves packing space in suitcases, but you can travel a little more eco-friendly as well! Your travel loving friends and families will thank you as well as the environment!
2. Crossbody Bag
A crossbody bag is essential for any traveler that's on your gift buying list. A bag that provides quick and easy access to wallet, phone, and passport makes day travel so much more enjoyable. Not only will they have access to their important items, but they won't have to carry around a heavy bag.
I have a Travelon bag that I bring with me on all vacations. Travelon bags provide extra security with RFID blocking as well as anti-theft material and zippers. These added benefits provide any traveler with peace of mind while traveling knowing that their belongings are safe when in crowded tourist areas. Bonus - they can be dressed up or dressed down making them great for any travel occasion!
3. Travel Wallet
No travel is complete without a good travel wallet that keeps your traveler's money, credit cards, and passport safe and secure. Bonus points if it is not too big and bulky!
This passport wallet is great for male and female travelers and fits nicely in a purse or pocket. There is even room to hold other important travel documents like plane tickets or confirmation bookings.
Every traveler loves an upgrade on essential items. If you are buying for a frequent traveler their current wallet has probably been used quite a bit and a new one is always appreciated!
4. Shawl/Scarf Blanket
You never know when you are going to get cold while traveling. It could be on the airplane, in an air conditioned venue or restaurant, or while out sightseeing during a cool evening.
Having a blanket that serves multiple purposes is definitely a plus for the travelers on your gift buying list.
A Turkish towel answers this call. They are stylish, compact, can be used as part of an outfit, or even as a blanket or towel while on the beach. Turkish towels will keep your traveler warm, are quick to dry, and will last years. These are sure to be a favorite staple for everyone!
5. Packing Organizers
Every traveler is always looking for the best and most efficient way to pack and travel.
Packing organizers are a great gift for travelers. Those just starting out on their travel adventures are sure to appreciate the help on knocking some of the travel needs off their list in the form of gifts.
However, there are a lot of packing organizers out there so it can be difficult deciding which ones to actually gift.
My go to packing organizers are:
Packing Cubes - great to keep clothes organized in suitcases. Say goodbye to having to repack multiple times due to rummaging around in suitcases looking for that one item that always falls to the bottom. Packing Cubes can be utilized for organizing clothes by outfits, like items, or to separate clean and dirty. No matter their organization and packing style every traveler will enjoy packing cubes.
Jewelry Organizer - When I travel my jewelry always seems to be a tangled mess. With a jewelry organizer each piece has its own designated spot preventing them from getting tangled together. I also use my jewelry organizer to store my every day jewelry at night or if I am having a beach day and not wearing it. It keeps my jewelry in one spot and not getting lost in the hotel.
Cosmetics bag - yes this is a packing organizer. And let me tell you not all cosmetic bags are created equal. I have been on the hunt for that perfect cosmetic bag that is not too bulky and fits most of my items. This bag has helped me to go from 3-4 cosmetic bags per trip to just 2 bags. I can fit all my essentials in this bag and bring another one from my shower and hair products.
Underwear organizer - I put this on this list, but it is more of a nice to have and not an essential packing organizer. For those that like to have everything neat and tidy this organizer is a great addition for their underwear and socks.
6. Filtration Water Bottle
A water bottle is a must while traveling. I bring one with me every vacation and I make sure to fill it up at the airport to stay hydrated during flight. I also bring it with my daily while traveling so I always have water readily available, especially in warmer climates and any time we are sight seeing or physically active.
A reusable water bottle will help your traveler cut down on costs of having to continually buy bottled water plus they will be traveling more eco-friendly which the environment will thank them for.
Gifting a filtration water bottle is a perfect upgrade for those individuals that like to have filtered water as they can use any water while traveling and the water bottle will purify the water right there.
Your seasoned travelers who travel to remote locations as well as your backpacking travelers will also love this water bottle as they will always be able to guarantee access to clean and safe drinking water. They won't have to worry about any contamination from rivers or plumbing in other countries as the water bottle will remove all of the contamination during it's filtration process.
7. Travel Backpack
Every traveler needs a good backpack. There are many different styles of backpacks to satisfy every type of traveler.
For short weekend trips a carry-on backpack that can fit clothes, cosmetics, laptops and any other travel essentials is the perfect option.
For longer trips I am a fan of a backpack that serves as my personal item for the flight and doubles as my main bag day to day during the trip. It is a great way to have your hands free while at the same time bringing all the essentials like a water bottle, sweater, snacks, sunscreen and any other items that might be needed throughout the day while out and about sightseeing or hiking.
Tech & Gadgets Travel Gift Ideas
There is no denying that we all travel with technology and electronics. Sometimes keeping them organized can be a challenge.
The travel gifts on this tech & gadget travel gift ideas list will make sure every traveler has the technology they need to create a memorable travel experience.
8. Tech Organizer
When I first discovered this I knew I had to try it. I quickly came to like it as it kept all my cords all my electronics - phone, watch, ear buds, e-reader, etc - and plugs all organized in one spot.
Seasoned and new travelers will love the organization this brings to their packing experience.
9. Memory Cards
If you have a traveler who loves to take photographs while traveling they will love the gift of memory cards.
Having memory cards gives them comfort knowing they won't run out of space on their vacation for all the photos they want to take.
10. External Hard Drive
Looking back on pictures of past travels is always a good time. But eventually space on a camera, phone, or computer runs out.
To ensure your travel loving friends and families don't run out of space or lose all their photos from a computer or phone crashing, an external hard drive is a perfect gift.
When all their pictures have been safely backed up on external hard drives, your travel will be able to cherish their travel memories for years to come!
11. Portable Battery
There is no worse feeling when your phone says you only have 10% of your battery left, but you still have hours of sight seeing to do or need your GPS to get back to the hotel.
Portable batteries are a great gift for travelers so they don't have to worry about not being able to capture some of the memories or how they are going to navigate their way back.
Give the gift of a portable battery so your traveler doesn't have to worry about charging their phone or other electronics during a full day of travel adventures.
12. Camera
Phones are a great way to take pictures and with all the advances some cameras on phones have very professional capabilities.
If you have a traveler who loves to take travel photography upgrading them from their camera phone to a quality camera is a perfect gift option.
13. GoPro
Do you have a traveler that is an adventure seeker? A GoPro is a perfect gift for them!
They can catch all the action as they are ziplining through the rainforest, skydiving, or skiing the slopes in the Alps with a GoPro.
Experiences Travel Gift Ideas
If you know a traveler, the chances are they're either reminiscing about a vacation they recently took, preparing for a vacation they are about to go on, planning a future trip, or dreaming about a bucket list vacation.
The travel gifts on this experiences travel gift ideas list will help keep your travelers memories, plans, and dreams about vacations organized and alive!
14. Travel Guides
All travelers love travel guides. Newer and seasoned travelers can use these guides to plan or inspire their next vacation. No matter the traveler, we all love a good guidebook that has provided us with a good itinerary that we can use as is or tweak it to make it our own.
15. Travel Journal
Travel journals are a great way to document a trip.
If your traveler is a scrapbooker getting them supplies they can use to create a scrapbook of their trip is a perfect gift.
For all other travelers out there, a travel journal is a great gift idea that allows the traveler to give a summary of the trip, provide details or stories, and pictures. This gives your traveler a place to document their trip and to have a memory book full of all their best travel moments!
16. Travel Planning Journal
A travel planning journal is a great gift to help travelers plan and organize their vacation. They can use the travel planning journal as their roadmap to the vacation filled with checklists and reminders.
The travel planning journal is also a great resource for travelers to keep all itineraries, bookings, and confirmations in one place.
17. Travel Map
A travel map is a fun way for travelers to document every place they have been.
Every time they travel they can add a new dot or pin showing where they have been.
When I travel, I like to experience the location and culture. A travel map is a fun way from me to see how much of the world I have seen and how much more is out there I have yet to see!
18. Activity Book
Whenever you travel there will always be moments of downtime. Waiting at the airport terminal for your flight, stuck in traffic, or sitting in line waiting for a Uber.
Some of those downtimes can be very long and boring. Giving an activity book filled with activities for your travelers is a great way to help them pass the time.
Travelers young and old enjoy activity books. It could be books or coloring books for kids or book filled with brain teasers and sudoku for adults.
Find the activity/puzzle book your traveler likes best and gift it to them! Even if they already have one this is a gift they will appreciate in the future when they complete their current one.
19. Viator Tour
There is no better experience than buying your traveler a pass to an attraction at their destination.
With Viator, you can book your traveler on an attraction or buy city passes to some of the top sights on their next trip. You will have the pleasure of knowing you helped fund part of their trip and contributed to their enjoyment.
Subscription/Gift Card Travel Gift Ideas
You might have a traveler you need to buy a gift for, but just don't know what they need or want. Don't worry, this subscription/gift card travel gift ideas list is perfect for them!
No matter what type of traveler they are, they will love and appreciate receiving one of these as a gift. You can rest assured that they will be able to get exactly what they need and want when you give them one of these subscriptions/gift cards.
20. PrAna Gift Card
PrAna is a clothing line that makes versatile travel ready styles allowing your traveler to be ready for any setting. They make a wide variety of clothing styles ranging from loungewear, active wear, dress wear, casual wear, and outerwear. This will sure become your travelers favorite clothing line not only for travel, but for everyday and work wear! My PrAna pants are my favorite pair that I own and I get lots of compliments!
21. E-Reader/Audio Book Gift Card
Your traveler might already have an e-reader, but they will always need books or entertainment to put on their device. If you find that you don't know their preferred author or genre of book you can give them a gift card so they can select their own books.
22. Amazon Gift Card
An Amazon gift card is a fool-proof gift. No matter what the traveler on your list wants, whether it be for travel or not, they are sure to find it on Amazon. Chances are your traveler already purchases items on Amazon so they will undoubtably appreciate a gift card to Amazon!
23. Airbnb/Hotel Gift Card
If you know a traveler then you also know they will need a place to stay on their next getaway! What better gift then a gift card to their favorite accommodation brand. Hotel and Airbnb expenses can add up pretty quickly so every traveler will be glad to have you help fund the expense. The next time they make a reservation they will be thinking about you and the gift you gave them.
I have linked some popular hotel brands. Find out what hotel is your travelers preferred place to stay and you can go directly to that hotel's website and purchase a gift card.
24. TripIt Pro
Tripit is a mobile app that helps travelers keep track of all their travel details including: flights, hotels, confirmation numbers, car rentals, and more.
Tripit offers a free version that any traveler can use to help monitor and organize their travel details.
The paid version, Tripit Pro, offers a few added features like: sending real-time flight alerts, finding alternate flights, country-specific information, provide your connected people with updates on your travel plans, tracks reward program, and allows more trip document storage.
Giving the traveler on your list a Tripit Pro subscription will help to ease their travel planning and keep them more organized. Plus, you can get updates on their travel plans while the are traveling!
25. VPN
A VPN, or virtual private network, helps to protect your online activity. This is a perfect gift for the traveler on your list as they will encounter may open wi-fi connections. When they use their VPN while connected to these open internet connections they can relax knowing their information is more protected.
There are many different VPN services. Two that I recommend are NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Both of these VPN services offer great security and features.
Final Thoughts
In this guide I’ve recommended the travel gear and products I absolutely LOVE and would not travel without. These items have made my travel lifestyle easier and more efficient. Whether the traveler on your list takes a lot of flights, road trips or cruises, there is a travel gift on this list for everyone.
All of these travel gift ideas are designed to make their trips more enjoyable and practical and to take the stress out of their next vacation.
I hope you found something to get your traveling enthusiast from this list! Let me know which gift idea you’ve decided on in the comments!
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