So, your mate or family member who is often found galavanting around the globe has a birthday or Christmas coming up and you’re thinking, what the hell should I get them?!
I get it, we’re awkward buggers to buy for because it seems like we don’t really want “things” at all and prefer those things that can’t be neatly packaged up.
But fear not, because we’ve got enough experience being the awkward ones to be able to advise you on the most useful gifts for travel lovers!
From practical items to life-changing experiences, whether your loved one is at home or away, there is always a way to show you care with some of the best travel gifts.
Oh, and don’t worry either, we’ve got all budgets covered so whether it’s a stocking filler or a grand gesture you are after, we’ve got the ultimate list of gift ideas for travellers!
So, you wanna know what the best travel gifts are? Well, you’re in luck because I’ve been backpacking for the best part of 10 years, so I kinda know a bit about the subject!
Let’s get down to business and check out the top gifts for travel lovers.
Can anyone spare me a few £$ for a night in London?!
The Best Gifts For Travellers … For All Budgets!
So, you’ve got that awkward friend or family member who is a traveller, I bet they go on with themselves about how life is all about moments and not things. You’re thinking, yeah, well, that’s all well and good, but I need to get you a bloody Christmas present, mate!
Well, here’s the thing, they’re not wrong, but at the same time, we travellers do love a good gift. Now, what makes the best travel gifts actually worthwhile is that they allow us to go do those amazing things we love so much.
So that’s where I come in! After many years on the road, I’ve come to appreciate a really well-thought-out travel gift in a way that those who haven’t been backpacking just won’t understand.
Sure, it might just be a packing cube or a head torch, but the idea that someone really put in that much thought, sure does hit you right in the feels… plus it’s actually useful, so there is that!
Right, let’s have a look at my favourite gifts for people who travel.
Big Gifts – On The Pricey End
Ok, let’s start at the sharp end, shall we? If you’re buying your significant other something or you’re just feeling pretty generous… or you’re rich, then these are the best gifts for people who like to travel!
Whichever it is, if you want to spend a bit of dough, then here are my gift ideas for travellers at the top end of the scale.
This is me in 2017, wearing the same bag I still have, 80 countries later! Image: The Roaming Renegades
1. Main Backpack
If you’re looking for a more practical gift for the travellers in your life, then why not go for some luggage or a backpack?
Investing in a good backpack that will last all the challenges it comes across on the road is a great purchase.
We have been doing a lot of research ourselves on all the available packs, and the common consensus is that the Osprey Farpoint 70 is the best. It opens up like a suitcase, comes with a detachable day pack and offers great support alongside tough and lightweight material.
We’ve had our backpacks coming up to 10 years now, and despite a few scuffs here and there, they are holding up perfectly and ready for more adventures in the coming years!
We’ve used the Osprey Farpoint/ Fairview for all our backpacking adventures over the past 5 years and highly recommend them!
The main area of the pack opens like a suitcase, which is great for using packing cubes to keep everything organised and they even come with a detachable day pack!
For those wanting top-quality photos without both the cost and the bulk of a DSLR, my top camera would have to be the Sony RX100VII.
It offers a huge 20MP, 1-inch sensor and also full manual mode for those wanting to be a little more creative, or several auto settings which capture stunning images. It also has a fold-out screen for those selfies!
Keeping entertained on long flights, buses, trains and even 2-day boat trips is hard going at times.
Sure, you can revel in the romanticism of the journey, but that wears thin when you’re flying from NZ to the UK, or on a 23-hour night train through China!
A tablet is a great midway device that gives you much more screen space and scope than just your phone, making it easier to play games and watch movies. Depending on your needs, a tablet also negates the need to bring a laptop along.
Another option for those friends who are bookworms is a Kindle; this way, they can keep up their hobby without having a bag full of books, no one wants that!
Ok, we’ll admit it, we’re pretty into our gaming, but travelling long term, we do miss our PlayStation!
Let’s face it, there are only so many movies and TV shows you can watch on those long, long journeys, and we often get to the point when we’ve been on that many flights in one day that we need something else to keep us entertained!
The Nintendo Switch is ideal as it is compact and small, and can be played as either a handheld gaming device or connected to the TV like a larger gaming system. The controls also detach, so you can play by yourself or with someone else, which makes it a perfect choice for something different on our list of gift ideas for travellers.
Storing your photos and memories when you travel is a constant battle, and keeping everything backed up is so important. Bringing along a travel-proof external hard drive and also some smaller, more portable and durable pen drives is the ideal way to keep everything safe and backed up, just in case.
So why not gift your favourite traveller something as precious as peace of mind whilst on the road? If they’re into photography, they’ll love this.
Having an action camera is the perfect travel companion, whether or not you think you’re going to be particularly adventurous or not!!
The GoPro has become a staple of the photography kit of any traveller, offering waterproof casing which can be taken SCUBA diving, or just in the swimming pool if that’s more your thing!
It is also extremely compact and lightweight, meaning it doesn’t take up precious space in your bag. This thing can literally go anywhere with you, and it’s perfect for capturing all your adventures with stunning wide-angle images, burst shots and 4k video! It’s one of the best gift ideas for travellers for sure.
Plus, there are heaps of different GoPro accessories you can buy too, and they also make great gifts for people who like to travel.
Alright, so you’re not feeling quite as generous as those items above, but don’t worry! I’ve still got a whole stack of things you can buy your buddies that will impress them no end. Check it out.
Can somebody please at least shout him a pair of socks? Poor lad!
7. Small/ Day Backpack
On the front, I use the Osprey Flare 22 backpack, it is great for keeping everything safe and has just enough room without being too big.
I keep my laptop, mirrorless camera, compact and GoPro in here as well as my documents.
It has lots of different compartments and sections, which are really useful, especially the internal zip section that is great for passports and wallets, etc. With the laptop section, it’s also one of the best gifts for people who travel for work.
It’s also a great size for hiking and day trips, so it’s a mega useful item on my list of gift ideas for travellers.
PS. For photography enthusiasts, have a look at the Wandrd Prvke, it’s an amazing bag designed for photographers, by photographers and allows you to access your camera from a dedicated side access opening.
It’s mega comfortable when when fully loaded. Has side access so you can grab your camera on the go. The material is weather resistant and there’s even a secret passport stash pocket!
There’s an expandable upper section with a roll top to keep gear separate from your camera.
Continuing the theme, the next great stocking filler is some memory cards for your travelling friend so they have enough space to capture all their adventures to show you when they get home!
I know I am always in need of new and spare memory cards, and they are always a bit of a pain to keep buying, so this would be perfect as a smaller travel gift or go-to, along with a larger present, such as a camera. They’re ideal low-cost gifts for people who love to travel.
Most cameras take SD cards, and GoPros take Micro SD.
When travelling, a multi-purpose knife is always handy to carry around, especially if you are hiking or camping a lot. These come in handy for all sorts of situations you might come across where you need to light a fire, cut rope or even just open a bottle of the old vino!
When it comes to taking long buses, flights, trains, or just watching a movie in the hostel dorm, noise-cancelling headphones are a godsend for travellers. I even use them when I need a nap during the day if I am jetlagged.
The best thing is that if you shop around, you can find some at a price that suits your budget too.
Now, when I say a “proper” travel pillow, I don’t mean one of those crappy neck things made for the plane. I hate those!
Instead, what I recommend as a top travel gift is a small memory foam pillow that works just as well on transport as it does when you rock up to the hostel dorm and the pillows feel like they’re made of rocks!
I always travel with one, and it’s made a massive difference to the sleep I’ve gotten on the road. Usually, it’s a great topper for below-average pillows at your accommodation.
This is one of the most useful pieces of kit I carry around with me, making it a perfect addition to my list of gift ideas for travelers.
A portable battery pack, or power bank, is super useful for keeping your phone, camera or other small devices charged up on the road, whether that be on a long bus, whilst out and about or even inside a locker. For me, it’s one of the most useful gifts for people who travel a lot.
Don’t tell anyone, but it’s also perfect for playing Pokémon Go, too!
Bathrooms in hostels and budget guest houses can sometimes leave a lot to be desired! Often, shelving space is at a premium, and you’ll want to keep all your gear organised and yet accessible. It’s something many people staying in hostels for the first time often worry about!
A hanging toiletries bag is the perfect solution and also stops any unwanted leakages when placed back in a backpack. They come in mega useful when using shared bathroom facilities and are the perfect addition to a backpacker’s gift guide.
When your mate is travelling around the world, is highly likely they’ll find themselves in areas where the local water isn’t drinkable. Buying plastic water bottles can be both expensive and bad for the environment, so bringing along a reusable filter bottle is the perfect solution.
Plus, if they’re hiking in remote locations or find themselves stuck without water, these bottles mean they can literally drink water from anywhere… like a stream or even a toilet!
A head torch is a super useful item for any traveller. It can be used for hiking at night, photography, or just rummaging around the dorm when the lights are out. A good quality headlamp will be able to deal with a good downpour and some pretty harsh conditions, so get your mates a decent one for their trip!
As a keen photographer, I always travel with a tripod. While you can get bigger, more expensive ones, these small Joby ones do the trick at half the weight.
A tripod is not only perfect for those who take photography seriously, but it’s great for solo travellers or couples wanting to get pictures of themselves during their trip. For me, this is one of the best travel gifts you can get.
Ok, I totally get it, it’s the thought that counts. Believe me when I say that though these gifts below might be low in price, they are high in value to most travellers. We’ll still love you massively if you gift us these, so check them out.
When you’re a budget backpacker, even small travel gifts like locks are super useful. Image: The Roaming Renegades
17/18. Combination Locks / Pacsafe Safe
Travellers often carry with them expensive gear like cameras and laptops, and even without those items, you’ve got your phone, passport and wallet. Keeping things safe whilst staying in hostels or hotel rooms across the globe can cause serious stress!
The perfect solution is twofold.
Travellers will need some good combination locks to put on those lockers in their hostel dorm. Another layer of protection, particularly for those places that don’t have lockers, is to grab the Pacsafe travel safe. These are also perfect for things like night buses and trains.
Packing cubes are the perfect way to organise your backpack and make it so much easier to keep everything in place. I honestly would never go travelling, long or short trips, without them now we’ve used them!
You can keep all your clothing separate and tidy instead of just throwing everything in! Combined with a backpack that opens up or a suitcase, it’s even easier to keep your bag in order and a great stocking filler on our list of gift ideas for travelers.
We all need to keep our devices charged and ready to go when travelling, but moving between regions can make it stressful. An adapter with the ability to work around the world is therefore a priceless travel gift.
On top of that, make sure you get one with multiple USB slots so they can charge multiple devices at the same time. I know I have at least a couple of these, so I can work on my laptop, charge multiple cameras, my power bank and phone at the same time … it’s no wonder I often cause power cuts!
Travelling is a life-changing experience, and it’s during those long night buses and quiet evenings in the hostel that you can really reflect on this pivotal time of your life. One of the best travel gifts you can give is a journal so your friend or family member can record it all… maybe they’ll share it with you when they get home!
Be sure to get a good-quality journal for them because the road can be rough!
Keeping your documents safe can be a challenge, depending on what region you’re travelling in. A money belt is the perfect solution where you can keep your passport, money, cards and even things like memory cards and pen drives close at all times.
These are great for both day-to-day use, especially in busy cities, as well as on night buses and travel days where you’ve got all your gear with you.
Travelling can often mean carting around loads of documents, confirmations, bookings, tickets, and money, just to name a few! So we have this handy document holder to keep everything in one place, from Passports to Boarding Passes!
If you get a larger money belt, you can easily combine the two for the ultimate in travel organisation and safety.
These are a great budget purchase that comes in so handy, and they’re a great item on this list of gift ideas for travellers if you want a good bang for your buck.
These come in handy for keeping valuables dry inside your bag, and I will always have a few handy in my backpack at all times. I also often put my camera and laptop in one when moving from place to place, just in case.
We also take these out and clip them to ourselves when canoeing or doing water sports. Whether you’re packing for Thailand or hiking in the Alps, these are a must, and you can never have enough.
Carrying a heavy towel whilst travelling is seriously not the one! I like to try to keep my backpack as light as possible, so instead, I always pack a microfiber towel. These little bad boys are not only super light, but they dry you wayyy quicker than a traditional towel and also dry super fast too.
If you’re looking for something different when it comes to gifts for travel lovers, then why not look at getting them something that isn’t a “thing” at all?
We travellers, love our experiences, so why not give us the ultimate gift?
Sometimes experiences are worth so much more, but ya know, tickets can be spenny! Image: The Roaming Renegades
26. An Incredible Travel Experience
If you’re really not sure what material present your friend or family member would love, then why not gift them an incredible travel experience instead!!
This way, you can give them something truly memorable! Gifts like this are also perfect because they can be given to someone who is already travelling or lives far away from you! This is one of my top gift ideas for travellers and the most fun for sure!
A great site to check out if you’re looking to book tickets or organise a tour is Viator
Viator often offers different tours to other companies, ones that aren’t otherwise available or have tickets still on sale when they have sold out. It’s the company we trust the most when it comes to booking top quality, unique and exciting tours when travelling.
If your friends and family are anything like us, then getting travel insurance is probably the last thing on their minds and also one of those annoying expenses. So why not organise it for them and take the stress out of it for them?
Travel insurance is one of those annoying things that no one likes to think about, let alone pay for, when you’re planning your next trip. It can also be bloody annoying as a backpacker/long-term traveller to find affordable coverage that meets the itinerary-less lifestyle (*cough* World Nomads *cough*).
So instead of getting subpar travel insurance, now we just always go with SafetyWing. It takes like 5-10 minutes to purchase your policy and essentially functions as a monthly subscription plan with near-global coverage!
If you want to keep in touch with your friends and family whilst they are on the road, then why not shout them an eSIM so they have no excuses?
They come in heaps of different packages, so you can get one for an individual country or even an entire region. They can also be topped up, so you can make sure your pals are always connected.
Just because your best buddy has returned home from their world trip doesn’t mean they won’t appreciate something travel-related to remind them of their galavanting.
Check out these items if you want to send your pal down reminiscing lane!
We LOVED our time in Japan and have such fond memories of our trip. So this subscription box from Tokyo Treat always fulfils our longing for this wonderful country.
Tokyo Treat offers two different types of boxes, one with mostly sweets and the other (seen below), where you get a higher-end experience. These Sakuraco boxes also include authentic home goods like ceramics, chopsticks or furoshiki, as well as a 24-page Culture Guide.
These boxes are carefully curated in Japan (and shipped directly from there, too) to offer a complete cultural experience each month.
We just can’t wait for our box to arrive each month, and they really are great gifts for people who travel and especially those who love Japan as much as we do.
It’s also one of the best travel gifts for couples, as it comes with way too much for one person, and most treats come as a pair.
If you are anything like us, you will love this! Every time you go somewhere new, you get to scratch off a new section of the map. I can’t tell you how satisfying that is!
For the well-travelled friend, this is the perfect way for them to show off where they have been. And if you feel extra generous, you could even get them a corkboard to put it on and a few pins for each city they have been to, like we have done!
So, there you have it. Hopefully, you’ve found the perfect travel gift for someone pretty darn lucky! Can we be mates too!?
This list has been compiled of many things I’ve used personally and also gifted to other travellers I know, so I can vouch for their usefulness and trust me, the traveller in your life is gonna be buzzing if they rip open anything on this list on Christmas, Birthday, Eid or Passover morning!
So, what are you buying, or are you keeping it a surprise? Also, what are the gifts for travel lovers you would pick for yourself?
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Yo, I’m Nic (they/them), one-half of The Roaming Renegades.
I’m an adventure (and halloumi) obsessed traveller with a passion for hiking mountains, exploring cities, watching Arsenal win, moshing out to Rammstein in random European fields and getting hopelessly lost on a motorbike somewhere in Asia! I am also a proud member of the LGBT+ community.
I’ve explored 80 countries, lived in Australia and New Zealand, and spent months wandering Southeast Asia, South America and Eastern Europe, all while trying to avoid growing up!
Did it work? I dunno, but my back hurts, and I still collect Pokémon cards! Who wants in?!
That Go Pro looks really cool, Nic. Definitely one to add to my travel list of gear one day. All set for our upcoming Oman trip. But down the road, I am grabbing it.
Those packing cubes look so practical. I really like to have my backpacking gear sorted out in different compartments. Makes the sometimes hectic life on the road a bit more organised.
Really great ideas. I like the Osprey 22L backpack. I’m trying to find a new practical smaller one. Also, I love those scratchmaps. If someone was to buy me one of those I’d be very happy. Thanks for the ideas!
I have to say the gift of travel itself is the best! I’m glad you listed it because no gifts beats the memories that traveling can make! Fingers crossed that I’ll be on the receiving end of that gift soon haha
I am intrigued with the packing cubes, many people swear by them – I guess they must be good for small items. I have the Sony camera you feature and it’s great for putting in a small bag whilst out and about.
I honestly wouldn’t travel without them again, I don’t even know how people DON’T use them now!! It just keeps everything so organised. You can get all different sizes. We used them for underwear in the smaller ones, then the medium ones can hold t-shirts/ shorts. Then you can get bigger ones for jumpers and jackets.
I am hearing more and more about the packing cubes which I thought was just another item on the market which will fade away in no time but it looks like they are here to stay and seen some good reviews. I might treat myself now before my 2019 travels 😀
Honestly dude, I was skeptical at first but they are a godsend, wouldn’t travel without them, they make it so much easier especially if you have a backpack!
Some great ideas here. I have most of these things and agree they are really useful for travelling. One thing I do not have is a GoPro and have wondered about that, especially for skiing. I’m just not sure how much I would use it once the novelty wears off. Perhaps I’ll get one for my husband…..!
It’s actually pretty good to just take around with you day to day as well. We’ve used it for landscape shots or inside buildings when we need a really wide lens! Good for selfies too as its easy to make sure you’re both in!
Hey! Yeah it’s a lot easier than a DSLR though we have just upgraded to the Sony a7ii which is quite a bit bigger but still smaller than my DSLR. No it’s not waterproof, that’s just the silver version! The only one that is waterproof is the GoPro!
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That Go Pro looks really cool, Nic. Definitely one to add to my travel list of gear one day. All set for our upcoming Oman trip. But down the road, I am grabbing it.
Those packing cubes look so practical. I really like to have my backpacking gear sorted out in different compartments. Makes the sometimes hectic life on the road a bit more organised.
I wouldn’t travel without them now, especially backpacking when it can be so hard to keep your bag organised!
Really great ideas. I like the Osprey 22L backpack. I’m trying to find a new practical smaller one. Also, I love those scratchmaps. If someone was to buy me one of those I’d be very happy. Thanks for the ideas!
I have to say the gift of travel itself is the best! I’m glad you listed it because no gifts beats the memories that traveling can make! Fingers crossed that I’ll be on the receiving end of that gift soon haha
I am intrigued with the packing cubes, many people swear by them – I guess they must be good for small items. I have the Sony camera you feature and it’s great for putting in a small bag whilst out and about.
I honestly wouldn’t travel without them again, I don’t even know how people DON’T use them now!! It just keeps everything so organised. You can get all different sizes. We used them for underwear in the smaller ones, then the medium ones can hold t-shirts/ shorts. Then you can get bigger ones for jumpers and jackets.
I am hearing more and more about the packing cubes which I thought was just another item on the market which will fade away in no time but it looks like they are here to stay and seen some good reviews. I might treat myself now before my 2019 travels 😀
Honestly dude, I was skeptical at first but they are a godsend, wouldn’t travel without them, they make it so much easier especially if you have a backpack!
Some great ideas here. I have most of these things and agree they are really useful for travelling. One thing I do not have is a GoPro and have wondered about that, especially for skiing. I’m just not sure how much I would use it once the novelty wears off. Perhaps I’ll get one for my husband…..!
It’s actually pretty good to just take around with you day to day as well. We’ve used it for landscape shots or inside buildings when we need a really wide lens! Good for selfies too as its easy to make sure you’re both in!
Love that small Sony camera. I’ve been really discouraged lugging our big DSLR around lately. Is that a waterproof case around it?
Hey! Yeah it’s a lot easier than a DSLR though we have just upgraded to the Sony a7ii which is quite a bit bigger but still smaller than my DSLR. No it’s not waterproof, that’s just the silver version! The only one that is waterproof is the GoPro!
That little Sony camera has definitely caught my eye. We have a Nintendo Switch wrapped under our tree. 😉