This gift guide for travel lovers will prove that they DON’T have everything. Full of unique and useful travel gift ideas!
Affiliate links are used in this post. If you see something you like and you buy it, I might make a commission from it. However, all items on this list were selected for their relevance to this list!
Making gift guides like this one is actually pretty easy. BECAUSE I’M A TRAVEL LOVER! To make a gift guide like this, I simply pick out all the things I love when I travel or all the things I want when I travel.
When I’m traveling I’m usually focusing on a couple of things:
- Comfort (remember – airplanes can be freezing!)
- Organization
- Protection
- Technology
- Fun (because why not?)
You’ll find these selections run the pricing gamut. I don’t know what your budget is but I always like to include some big ticket items so that if my husband is doing some panic buying for me, he might consider these!
Also, some of this travel gear might be more than you need if you’re simply a leisure traveler. But if you like to document your travels in any way, shape, or form, you can look a little closer! And if I have one of the items below, I’ll let you know. Otherwise, just know that I’m coveting it!
The Top 15 Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers
Let’s talk COMFORT. If you can’t be comfortable, you can’t really enjoy traveling.
Kruzers Foldable Street Sneakers
Ever pack for a trip only to realize you brought the wrong type of shoes? You’re doing waaaay more walking than you thought you would and the blisters on your feet are telling you that. These foldable sneakers come in a travel tote so you can squish them in your bag, carry them with you, and thank the heavens above when you realize you need them.
Trtl Neck Travel Support Pillow
(I HAVE THIS!)
I am not a sleeper – not in car or planes. I might be able to nod off on trains but I’ve never really tried. Not only do I get nervous when I travel but I just can’t get comfortable! I saw this and asked for it for my birthday. It’s like a soft fleece scarf you wrap around your neck with a soft plastic brace inside. Rest to the left, to the right, towards the back or even on your chin. I can’t wait to try mine out!
Mersea Travel Wrap
(I HAVE THIS!)
If you’re going to splurge on one travel item, this might be it. I heard some women talking about the cashmere version of this wrap (and cashmere totally isn’t my thing). But this beautiful acrylic blend is soft and warm and folds up into a little carrying case that double as a travel pillow. I totally ADORE this wrap (also a birthday present).
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How about ORGANIZATION? Nothing says amateur traveler than someone who can barely manage their bags and is dropping everything as they go. Don’t let that be you because you don’t want travel lovers like the rest of us scoffing at you (after we help you, of course).
Freehand Travel Drink-Caddy
I found out about this product through a random tweet. But I clicked and thought it was ingenious! Mainly because I am that person that is fumbling with my purse, my carry-on bag and a drink.
American Tourister Small Spinner Underseater
If you’re like me, you probably have about 15 different suitcases in your closet (almost all of them American Tourister!). But you probably don’t have this one and neither do I. You know all those budget airlines that let you bring ONE “personal item”? The ones that don’t even allow you to bring a carry-on unless you pay for it? They have strict sizing requirements onto the plane with a maximum “personal item” size of 16 x 14 x 12 inches.
Guess how big this suitcase it? #nailedit
Baggallini Big Zipper Crossbody Travel Bag
(I HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR))
In the likely event you can bring a carry on AND a personal item, I highly recommend picking up a Baggallini cross body purse. I don’t have this exact one but mine is similar. It has a brightly colored interior so you can see everything inside, plenty of exterior pockets, especially to provide easy access to your phone, and a little slot on the bag that allows you to slip in your sunglasses (or reading glasses) without a case.
It’s big enough to fit my small computer, my wallet, and my camera with a few lenses. I use it every time I travel!
Travel Tray
Just look at this product. I KNOW, RIGHT? Why has anyone ever thought of this before? It comes in nice bright colors and I think it was mostly designed for you to stick in your kids drink holder slot while they eat their goldfish crackers in the back.
As for me? It looks like the perfect french fry holder. You can even open a little packet of ketchup.
Rubyzaar Handcrafted Leather Drop Bag
This one isn’t a must have. It’s a “gee, I really want this” have. It’s a handcrafted leather wristlet made by fair trade artisans in Thailand. And it’s the perfect size for your phone and the few other essentials you might need on a night out. WANT (in this color too!)
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Now, let’s talk PROTECTION. I feel pretty safe when I travel but I’m also careful and cautious as well. Here are a couple of new items to help give you a little peace of mind.
GEKO GPS-Connected Safety Whistle
I’m just going to leave the product description here because I think this is absolutely brilliant.
Activating this emergency tracker is as easy as blowing a whistle or pushing a button. Do either to call, text, and send emails to your trusted contacts in an emergency or if you’re otherwise feeling unsafe. Your exact location is sent every two to three minutes until you deactivate the alert with an all-clear message. It’s a low-profile way to feel safe, whether you’re out at night or as a just-in-case precaution.
Flyebaby Infant Travel Seat
Thankfully, I’m well beyond the baby years and I wasn’t brace enough to fly until my son was 3 years old (and we had to pay for a ticket!). But I’ve seen those mothers who have to hold their babies for hours at a time on flights. I think this little hammock with a five-point harness is genius (although be advised – it can only be used at cruising altitude).
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Now it’s time to talk TECHNOLOGY. I’m a sucker for gadgets and these are some of my favorites. I’m letting you in on my video and photography secrets because I have many of these items personally!
FuelBox Ultimate Charging Solution
I have plenty of portable chargers and adapters but I think this all in one outlet with a separate portable charger. It’s perfect for the hotel room with limited outlets (darn those hotels!)
Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Camera
(I HAVE THIS!)
I’ve been using the Sony Mirrorless system for years and I have no plans to switch to a DSLR. I love this particular model because you can change lenses (I have 4 lenses for my camera) but also because it has a digital viewfinder. My aging eyes can’t always see the large screen as well as I’d like when I’m shooting so the viewfinder is a must. Plus it takes amazing photos AND video!
Ricoh Theta SC 360 Degree Digital Camera
What better way to bring people to your travel destination than to provide a complete 360 view of what you are seeing? Even better, Facebook and YouTube love 360 degree video. I’m not saying you’ll get preferential visibility on those platforms. But you might.
JOBY Gorillapod Flexible Tripod
(I HAVE THIS!)
Basically, if you don’t have this, you need to get it. Period. It’s perfect for a Facebook Live, a family photoshoot, or capturing something at an awkward angle. (They make them for cameras as well as smart phones too.)
Vantec Smoovie Pocket Video Stabilizer
(I HAVE THIS!)
It looks like a selfie stick but I promise it’s not. This is a video stabilizer designed for your smart phone. Why did I put it here? Because it’s less than $25. Most video stabilizers start at $100. Now, you get what you pay for but if you’re look to get started in video and need a little help stabilizing your camera, the counterbalance of this handy stand will help you start to get the hang of it.
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And now for the FUN!
Wait… where are all the fun-related travel products? Well, those are the trips you book! Whether you’re a planner or a last minute traveler (like me), picking your destinations and planning the trip is most of the fun! And with the help of this gift guide for travel lovers, you’re sure to be a more comfortable, organized, safer, and tech-savvy traveler in the new year.
