55 Best Gifts for Travelers: The Only Shopping List You Need

I hate to admit it, but I always end up overthinking things anytime I need to buy a gift.

It can be tough choosing the perfect present, especially if you’re like me and leave shopping until the last minute.

With my birthday and the holidays coming up, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to items I want to add to my wish list.

And since I’m a travel addict, I couldn’t help but create the ultimate list of the best gifts for travelers.

I’ve broken the list down into categories so you can find the perfect present for the travel addict in your life. 

Best Luxury Travel Gifts

Away Luggage

Like most people on social media, I’ve been dreaming of investing in Away luggage for the last few years. 

My sister and brother-in-law recently splurged on the Bigger Carry-On bag that Away is known for. They both say it’s one of the best investments that they’ve ever made.

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If you’re looking for something smaller and more affordable, check out their Everywhere Bag. 

I’d been eyeing it up all year and finally got it when it went on sale in August. It’s seriously the best personal carry-on bag I’ve ever used.

It fits a ton and keeps everything really organized while being small enough to fit under the seat.

Use my referral link and get $20 off the purchase of your own bag (heads up—I’ll get a small referral credit if you make a purchase to further fund my Away bag addiction)! 

Kindle Oasis

I’m one of those people that for years refused to invest in a Kindle because I love the feel (and smell) of an actual book.

This past year a very special someone gifted me a Kindle Oasis, and it was a total game-changer, especially for travel. 

Skyroam Solis Lite

I’ve been wanting to invest in a portable WiFi unit for ages and eying up this model for the last year.

It works best for international travel (from what I’ve read) and connects to up to 5 devices. They have 4g Wi-Fi in over 130 countries by working with local networks to provide service.

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones

Let’s be honest, nobody enjoys listening to that screaming baby while on a plane. 

With noise-canceling headphones, you can sit back, relax, and not hear the surrounding chaos.

Sony Waterproof Mini Speaker

This tiny waterproof speaker makes listening to music at the beach or in the shower a lot more fun. 

With its 16 hours of battery life, the party never has to stop.

Jet&Bo 100% Pure Cashmere Travel Set

I’m always freezing on planes, or at least I was until I started traveling with my own blanket.

It was a game-changer!

This cashmere travel set is perfect for the really luxe traveler in your life. The travel set comes with a blanket, sleep mask, socks, and a carrying case.

Airport Priority Pass

This is a gift that keeps on giving well after the holidays. With the airport Priority Pass, you’ll gain access to airport lounges in over 148 countries. 

This is the perfect present for the frequent flier on your list. 

Unique Gifts for Travelers

Airbnb Gift Card

With an Airbnb gift card, your loved one can book a little getaway, or a localized Airbnb experience like a bike tour or local photoshoot.

Express VPN Subscription

Using a VPN lets you change your digital location in order to stream from networks like Hulu, which only work in certain countries.

Deluxe World Map Scratch Off Travel Map

I love using a scratch-off map to visualize all the places I’ve been to. 

Plus, it’s a great conversation starter when I have guests in my home.

This version even features the individual flags of each country.

Road Trip Kit

This is perfect for those who love taking road trips. The kit includes road trip essentials and games to pass the time driving.

Leather Travel Journal

Journaling is one of my favorite things to do while traveling. I find it therapeutic to write my thoughts and observations. 

This genuine leather model is chic and small enough to pack easily in a carry-on bag.

Best Travel Gifts for Her

Ray-Ban Erika Sunglasses

Every woman could use another pair of sunglasses. 

I almost always end up buying an extra pair on my trip because I inevitably end up forgetting to pack my sunglasses.

These Ray-Bans are classics, and will look timeless in all your photos. 

Infinity Travel Scarf

The Infinity Travel Scarf has two secret pockets that you can store cash and ID in, making it the ultimate multi-purpose accessory.

It comes in black or grey, so you can pick the color best suited to your style.

Tangle Teezer Brush

This little brush is a miracle worker with getting tangles out of your hair. 

The best part is that it takes up less room than a typical brush, making it perfect for us over packers.

You can choose from over 14 color combos, my favorite is the pink!

Slip Silk Beauty Sleep Travel Set

I’m obsessed with my Slip Silk pillowcase and sleeping mask. In fact, I’m so crazy about them I travel with them everywhere I go.

If you haven’t slept on silk yet, you don’t know what you’re missing! It’s super cool, soft, and helps prevent wrinkles.

Rothy’s

Rothy’s are the most comfortable flats that I’ve ever owned. They’re flexible enough that you can squeeze them into almost any tight bag. 

Plus, they’re made from recycled materials and are machine washable. 

Use my referral link and get $20 off your first purchase (I’ll get a small referral credit if you make a purchase to further fund my shoe addiction)!

Cior Women’s Down Jacket 

Typically, winter coats take up a ton of room when you’re packing, but not this one. 

This is the best lightweight heavy-duty winter jacket I’ve ever packed, and one of my favorite investments that I’ve made this year.

Compass Necklace

When in doubt, get the lady jewelry!

This compass necklace is a fun accessory for the woman who loves to travel. 

If it’s a romantic present, add a card with a cheesy note about how you hope the compass will always lead back to you.

Best Travel Gifts for Him

Leather Dopp Kit 

I believe every man should own a leather Dopp Kit. They’re classy and practical, what’s not to love?

Nordgreen Watch

Nordgreen is a well-known watch brand that makes quality minimalist timepieces for the modern man.

If he’s always running late—even better. It’s now a gift with a cheeky undertone. 

With any luck, he’ll take the hint and be on time for your next outing. 

Leather Travel Wallet

This is the perfect wallet to keep all his travel essentials safe, while still looking stylish. It’s big enough to hold his passport, money, and credit cards. 

The best part is that it uses RFID blocking technology to keep him safe from hackers.

Useful Travel Gifts

Packing Cubes

If the travel lover in your life doesn’t own packing cubes, you need to get them some ASAP. 

Everyone needs packing cubes in their lives. They are a major game-changer organizing your suitcase.

Anker Portable Charger

This is one of the best investments I’ve ever made. 

This brand has a bit of weight to it, but it’s not super heavy to carry around. I almost never leave the house without my charger these days—it’s perfect for travel and everyday life. 

Digital Luggage Scale

This is the ideal present for anyone who has ever experienced the panic of realizing their luggage was way overweight while trying to check bags for a flight.

Having a digital luggage scale with me has saved me so many headaches when checking my bag.

SABRE Door Wedge Alarm

The door wedge alarm is one of the most original and practical inventions that I’ve come across this year. 

Just place this little wedge in front of the door where you’re staying and it will alert you with a loud noise if anyone tries to get in through the night. 

It’s one of the few portable alarms that will make noise and actively stop an intruder from coming through the door. 

Mini Travel Steamer

I’ve been traveling with one of these little guys for years, and it’s always an item all my friends end up borrowing. 

It’s totally random to pack, but always seems to come in handy!

TRTL Travel Pillow

Full disclaimer, I have yet to try this pillow, but my dad tells me it’s the best travel pillow he’s ever purchased.

I really like that it’s a pillow that you can wash easily in a washing machine. It’s amazing how many travel pillows you can’t toss in the wash. 

International Travel Adapter

This tiny USB plug adapter works in over 150 countries, what’s not to like?

S’Well Bottle

I always pack my S’Well Bottle, it’s been so handy for hydrating while traveling. 

You can also feel good about reducing your use of plastic bottles each year.

Resistance Bands

Recently, I’ve become obsessed with keeping a few resistance bands on hand while traveling. 

They provide a solid workout while on the road and barely take up any room (or weight) in your luggage.

Electronics Organizer

Nobody enjoys traveling with a mess of cords tangled in their bags. 

This bag is a total timesaver for locating a charger quickly in your luggage, plus it’s waterproof.

Gifts For Travel Photographers

JOBY Portable Tripod

This is the ultimate portable tripod. It’s a ideal for people who travel solo and need to set up photos of themselves that aren’t selfies.

The best part about this tripod is that the legs are flexible and can easily wrap around poles or fences to set up the perfect shot.

Fujifilm Instant Camera

Instant cameras have made a major comeback over the last few years. 

The Fujifilm instant camera is a great throwback to the days before everything went digital. 

This camera is a hit at parties and with Instagrammers who want to indulge in the recent trend of Instagramming photos of Polaroids. 

Zhiyun Smooth XS Selfie Stick

This tricked out selfie stick two-axis gimbal is a must for any aspiring filmmakers on your shopping list.

It’s the perfect introductory tool for anyone looking to make high-quality content for social media. 

Plus, it’s lightweight and small enough to fit a purse or pocket, making it the ideal travel accessory. 

GoPro Hero 9 Black

I’ve been wanting to invest in one of these bad boys for ages. It seems like every traveler these days has a GoPro to record all their epic outdoor adventures.

The latest GoPro Hero 9 Black is waterproof and comes with the ability to live stream, stabilize, and LCD touch screens. 

LensPen Cleaning Kit

I can’t tell you how many times my camera lens ends up with a smudge or two after a day out shooting. 

The LensPen cleaning kit is the ideal thoughtful and affordable gift for photographers. 

It easily removes dust and fingerprints from the lens, and is safe for all-optical lenses and coatings. 

Black Rapid Sport Breathe Camera Strap

Anyone who’s carried around a camera can tell you that a quality carrying strap can make all the difference.

The Black Rapid Sport Breathe strap hugs your shoulder and keeps your camera steady while you’re looking for that perfect shot.

DJI Mavic Mini Combo – Drone FlyCam

Every photographer wants a drone in order to take epic aerial shots of the new places they’re exploring. 

The DJI Mavic Mini Drone is on my wishlist this year because it’s super compact, making it easy to travel with. 

The drone can fly for up to 30 minutes when fully and is small enough to fly in the U.S. and Canada without having to register it. 

BAGSMART Camera Bag Anti-Theft 

Every photographer needs a chic bag to tote around all their camera equipment. 

The bag is waterproof and can fit a tripod, camera, laptop, and lenses.

With its super low key looks and anti-theft design, this bag is the perfect gift.

Kodak Mini 3 Retro Portable Photo Printer

I can’t believe printers have finally become portable. I still remember the days when they had a millon cords and took up way too much desk space.

This handy little portable printer is small enough to bring on trips and operates on Bluetooth and is compatible with iOS and Android devices. 

The crazy thing is that not only can this little guy print, it also laments!

Best Books to Gift Travelers

Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel 

Do you know someone who dreams of leaving life behind to travel the world long term?

If you do, then this book is a must-read!

This inspiring guide will tell you how to finance your adventures, adjust to life on the road, handle adversity, and re-adjust to normal life when your long-term trip ends.

100 Hikes of a Lifetime

Filled with National Geographic photography, this is the ultimate hiker’s bucket list book.

Give this to anyone on your shopping list who dreams of exploring all that nature has to offer.

Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent 

Written by a couple who spent their honeymoon traveling to all seven continents over five years, this is the ultimate travel inspiration book.

It’s organized into sections based on the destination you desire and offers advice and anecdotes from their time there.

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day

This New York Times Best Seller teaches its readers how to travel the world for $50 a day (big surprise, huh!).

Written by travel blogger, Matt Kepnes of Nomadic Matt, this book gives tons of practical advice for traveling on a budget.

1000 Places to See Before You Die

If you’re looking for bucket list inspiration, look no further than this book. 

If you’re anything like me, your bucket list will be twice as long after reading this. 

Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List

While you’re dreaming up your next destination, check out Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List. 

There’s no shortage of inspiring locations in this book.

Stocking Stuffers For Travelers

Carry-On Cocktail Kit

Everyone could use a cocktail around the holidays, especially when traveling. 

I don’t think I should really have to say too much about this gem of a kit. It comes in multiple cocktail combinations, my favorite being the gin and tonic kit.

Tide Travel Sink Packets

I’m one of those people that always ends up splattering pasta sauce on white shirts. 

Tide Travel packets have become a lifesaver for me (and my clothes) over the past few years.

You can never have too many Tide packets!

Klorane Oat Milk Dry Shampoo

Dry Shampoo may be one of the best inventions of this century. 

Okay, maybe that’s a dramatic statement, but let’s be honest, it’s a miracle worker when trying to freshen up oily hair quickly, especially when getting off a long-haul flight.

Justin’s Peanut Butter Packs

Okay, I bet you didn’t expect to see these on this list.

Trust me, these are practical (and delicious) stocking stuffers for anyone who needs to carry a healthy snack that doesn’t take up a ton of space through security. 

Luggage Tags

I’m one of those people that just ties a ribbon to their bag so they can identify it in baggage claim. 

But let’s be honest, everyone (including me) could use a nice luggage tag to keep track of their baggage. 

Lifestraw

This handy little straw is perfect for campers, or travelers who want to make sure their drinking water is clean. 

The best part is that the company provides safe drinking water for a year to a child in need. It’s a thoughtful resent that keeps on giving!

Compression Socks

Compression socks are the ultimate practical gift. They’ve been proven to help circulation, and are recommended for use while traveling. 

Wrapping Up the Best Gifts For Travelers

Just remember, at the end of the day, it’s the thought behind the present that really counts.

I hope this list inspires a surprise that makes the travel lover in your life light up with joy when they open it.

Let me know in the comments below which gift is going on your shopping list!