If you happen to be looking for the best gift ideas for family & friends that happen to be travel lovers, it’s not always easy. Finding the perfect present for that special traveler in your life can be a really tricky task… well, it used to be at least. We’ve gathered 25 of the best gift ideas for travelers, gifts that they’re sure to love… I know I would.
These 25 great gift ideas for those that love to wander are sure to make their travels more enjoyable, comfortable & maybe even a little bit more adventurous.
With something for just about every type of traveler, you’re bound to find the perfect gift that’ll fit any budget whilst putting a massive smile on the face of those that receive it.
Some of these gifts are so awesome, you may even feel the need to gift them to yourself… I already have.
One of the biggest travel aspects is that of space, after all, you can only fit so much into your suitcase. For this reason, I’ve tried to keep things compact, some of the best gifts are those that you can take with you after all.
Enough chitchat though, I know you’re probably just as excited as I am to get to the good stuff!
25 of the Best Gift Ideas for Travelers
Lonely Planets annual bestseller ranks the best travel destinations for the coming year.
Whether you’re looking for 2019’s must-visit countries, cities, regions or best value destinations, the best in travel guide covers it all including a wide variety of new places & trends.
The perfect gift for just about anyone, but especially for travelers.
Your traveler friend can now clearly show off where they’ve been with this scratch-off travel map. It’s not small either coming in at 33 x 23 inches, meaning they’ll clearly be able to show where they’ve been & where they are going.
I personally like this detailed & more traditional styled travel map the most.
Remember the ostrich pillow?
That travel pillow that allowed you to take a nap in public transport or when flying discreetly… Discreet may be the wrong word here… Ah yes, obviously was the word I was looking for. It’s not that it didn’t work, it just made you look like you had gotten your head caught between the cushions & thought what the heck, I’ve got a flight to catch.
The Trtl travel pillow is nothing like that and is one of the best gift ideas for travelers for a number of reasons. It’s compact & folds away nicely when you’re not using it & more importantly, it works brilliantly whilst resembling any of your regular old scarfs. What more could you want?
We all know how important compression socks are if you struggle with swollen ankles & blood flow in your legs, but they’re just so boring.
Until these fashionable compression socks came along at least.
With a style to fit just about every occasion, it may be the only time that someone will love getting socks as a present.
Bose are the masters of sound & there’s nothing quite like relaxing on a flight with some great tunes in your ears. In-ear headphones mean that even people sitting right beside you won’t get wind of what you’re listening to & no-one will be distracted.
They’re not just for travelers that fly though, these headphones are also great for those active travelers thanks to their stay here tips.
Related: 14 Items to save money road tripping Namibia.
Much like the in-ear headphones from Bose, these over-ear headphones produce some really impressive audio quality. A very comfortable pair of headphones fitting over your ears, they’ll effectively cut out any noise & being wireless, there won’t be any pesky cables getting in the way.
P.s. It does come with a cable so that even when the built-in battery is on its last legs, the music can run long into the night.
The YoFoMat makes doing yoga just about anywhere a walk in the park. Folding up to the size of a large book, it easily fits inside of a travel bag & makes for a great item to gift to any active adventurers.
Music is something that travelers can struggle to find, especially when they’re on the road. Rarely will you find great speakers, if any, where you’re staying over for the night? This makes bringing your own a real perk & comfort. There aren’t many better at creating brilliant sounding Bluetooth speakers than JBL and this one is even waterproof, in case of any pool or beachside accidents.
P.s. These speakers are also great for playing soothing background music whilst doing yoga. Maybe it’s time to bundle these gifts!
The Beer Bucket List: Over 150 essential beer experiences from around the world, by Mark Dredge.
If you know of anyone that enjoys a beer on their travels, this essential guide of beers, bars & breweries around the world is a no-brainer.
Around the World in Eighty Wines: Exploring Wine One Country at a Time, by Mike Veseth.
Did you think we’d leave out something for those wine lovers amongst us? Of course not.
This fun guide takes you around the world much like Jules Verne’s classic, but with the bonus twist of showcasing some of the best wines, you’ll be able to get your hands on.
For all of those travelers that can’t quite get out and about as much as they may want to. If you’re anything like us, the adventure only really begins once you’re eating something deliciously local, so bring the adventure to your loved ones with these subscription food boxes from around the world.
Each month they’ll experience a whole new cultural experience, and with their pay once plan, the subscription isn’t one of those pesky deals that run on and on and on and on… I think you get the point. 😉
If you think a full-on meal box isn’t the right choice, check out their snack boxes! Who doesn’t love a delicious snack?!
There’s nothing like getting a drone up into the sky & capturing moments & landscapes you could never have seen otherwise. DJI’s Mavic Air makes capturing those moments easier than ever & with its tiny form factor, there will be no reason to leave it at home.
Packed full of great features for travelers that want to capture great 4k videos, captivating images or just for those that want to have some fun flying about in the sky, the Mavic Air is definitely one of the most fun gift ideas for travelers.
Sticking to the theme of great cameras for a minute.
OlloClips iPhone Lens set is an easy way to get more out of the iPhone’s already great camera.
Play around with macro, fish-eye & a super-wide lens to take iPhone photography to the next level.
You’ll want to make sure the recipient has an iPhone though beforehand.
They don’t have an iPhone? Well, then Moment provides some great quality lenses to spice up those android device’s cameras.
Check out the wide variety of supported manufacturers and find the perfect lens match.
There is nothing quite like capturing a moment instantly on paper, and with an Instax Mini, you’re not going to need to lug around a massive camera to do so.
This instant camera is perfect for taking candid shots when out & about. Great for giving to friends & family to showcase that awesome summer holiday.
It’s another piece of kit that fits easily into your travel bag. Add in its fun factor, & you’ve got one of the best gift ideas for travelers.
With enough power to charge a platoon of devices multiple times over, the Anker PowerCore is not just a great gift for Travelers, I’d even go as far as calling it travelers essential.
When out hiking or camping in remote locations, plugs and charge points will be hard to come by, making a portable power brick like this one from Anker a real must-have to stay connected in case of emergencies, to capture great moments, or just to keep the spirits up with some beautiful melodies from those Bose headphones.
Related: Guide to packing light for Namibia.
I’m not sure if I’ve come across anything more frustrating than realizing you’ve packed the wrong travel adapter & none of your devices fit into the wall sockets when you’re away on a trip. Ugh!
The Flight 001 4-in-1 Travel adapter takes that worry right away though. With sockets for just about every country, it just becomes a matter of not forgetting your Flight 001 before, well, your flight.
Binoculars are an often-overlooked item when it comes to traveling, even though I’ve never once seen or heard someone complaining that they brought along their binoculars.
A high-quality pair of binoculars that doesn’t take up too much space is ideal for your traveling friends. The Nikon 8245 Aculon Binoculars fits the bill wonderfully & makes for a great gift for travelers of all ages.
If you’re more of a practical person, or you know your traveling friend is, then you’ll appreciate the benefits of a floating dry bag.
When out and about on hikes near rivers, lakes or the sea, floating dry bags will keep all of your gear safe and dry inside. You may even have a spare set of dry clothes to throw on after a dip.
Have you ever had one of those trips where you go somewhere with one bag & seem to come back with two? It happens to us all the time… except instead of leaving with one bag, we leave with two and come back with five!
A foldable duffel bag makes it easy to sort out your luggage. Whether the luggage has magically multiplied after visiting the local market or you just need some space to pack your smelly socks, you’ll always find a use for some extra space whilst on the road.
Whilst smartphones may be replacing compasses & maps, some outdoor gear just can’t be replaced by mobile phone companies just yet.
The Swiss Safe 5-in-1 Fire Starter kit will get that campfire going in no time whilst tucking away nicely into a backpack pocket whilst you’re on the go.
It’s a hammock that you can take with you wherever you go, what more do I need to say?! 😉
These hammocks are super light & compact, whilst still being very durable & able to hold weights of up to 500lbs. The easy & quick setup comes in the form of carabiners at both ends, meaning it can go up & come down in a matter of minutes.
For those worriers, this door stop alarm should ease some nerves when your loved ones are away on their travels.
It not only jams a door shut but once triggered, the alarm will create a real racket with 120db sirens that will ward off any potential intruders & alert just about everyone in the immediate vicinity.
A very useful gift idea for a traveler with a camera. This camera clip can be mounted to just about anywhere, meaning you’ll be able to easily carry your camera on your belt or attach it to one of your backpack straps.
We’re all naturally curious, at least that’s what I’ve heard & I can only back it up with my own personal experience of watching pretty much every detective show ever made.
But I digress.
Haven’t you wondered where your great-grandparents or great-great-grandparents originated from? The AncestryDNA genetics test will answer some questions… and pose a whole lot more leading to some long & interesting phone calls with your grandmother.
You may even find some new family members you never even knew of.
Now I don’t know about you, but those are some pretty awesome gifts if you ask me. I’d even go as far as to call them the best gift ideas for travelers. How many do you want for yourself?
And more importantly, have you found the perfect gift for those loved ones that love to travel?
