40+ Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers They’ll Actually Use (2025)
Looking for the perfect gift for a travel lover but not sure where to start? Our handpicked list of gift ideas for travel lovers is packed with practical picks that globetrotters will actually want to use.
Finding something thoughtful for a frequent traveller isn’t always easy. When you’ve got a friend, sibling or partner who’s constantly jetting off, it can feel like they already own every gadget, bag or travel pillow out there. After visiting over 50 countries ourselves, we’ve had more than enough time to figure out which items actually earn a spot in the carry-on and which ones end up forgotten at the back of a drawer.
We’ve also chatted with fellow travellers and bloggers to help put together a list of gift ideas that are practical, personal and often surprisingly affordable. These are the things we genuinely use and love on our own trips, from small comforts that make long-haul flights bearable to smart picks that keep everything organised and stress-free.
This guide is ideal if you’re shopping for someone heading off on a gap year, planning a honeymoon, or just loves a spontaneous city break. You’ll find useful options across every price point.
So if you’re looking to skip the novelty souvenirs and give something they’ll take on every trip, keep reading.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item or service, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using our links, you’re supporting us to provide you with free content for your city trips. Learn more on our Privacy Policy page.
Short on time?
Here are our top 5 tried-and-tested gift picks for travel lovers:
1. Universal Travel Adapter
Navigating the 15 different plug and socket types worldwide can be daunting, but a worldwide travel adapter makes it easy! It’s an international travel essential that ensures devices stay charged, no matter the country.
Look for one with USB-C ports and fast charge capabilities, like this one, which we take with us on every trip.
2. AirFly Pro
If you’ve ever struggled to use your wireless headphones on an airplane or with an audio guide (in a museum or on a guided tour), the AirFly Pro is a lifesaver.
This clever device connects up to two wireless headphones or earbuds to any device with a wired headphone jack, making it perfect for planes or tours.
We’ve had our fair share of awkward moments stuck with poor-quality wired headphones, especially on long-haul flights. Since getting the AirFly Pro, those days are over.
3. Scratch Map
We received our scratch map from a friend who knew how much we’d been on the road – over 50 countries so far!
It’s fun to scratch off more destinations after each trip and see the map come to life with every new adventure. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter when guests come over. This makes it one of the most unique gifts for travel lovers.
4. Apple AirTag
Travelling with checked luggage? A luggage tracker lets you track your suitcase in real time, offering peace of mind when your bags take longer to appear at baggage claim or if a suitcase doesn’t make it on a flight. They’re even great for a carry-on bag.
The Apple AirTag is our go-to for its seamless integration with iPhones (and it works with Android too!).
This little gadget is a small but thoughtful gift for your travel-loving friends.
5. Smartphone Tripod
A smartphone tripod is an ideal gift for solo travellers and those who enjoy taking perfect shots without relying on others. We’ve used ours on many trips, not just to take pictures of ourselves but also to capture stunning landscapes like the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Look for a lightweight, compact option that fits easily into any travel bag.
6. Travel-Themed Jewellery
A personal item like travel-themed jewellery can keep the person you’re shopping for connected to their past adventures while inspiring new ones. Look for necklaces, bracelets, or charms that feature maps, globes, or meaningful travel quotes.
We love Etsy for its wide variety of travel-inspired jewellery, and many sellers offer customisation. They’ll be reminded of you and their next trip every time they wear it!
7. Tech Organiser Travel Case
If you’ve ever fumbled through a tangled mess of cables and chargers, you’ll understand why a tech organiser is a game changer. After years of stuffing everything into a single pouch, we finally upgraded… and now we wouldn’t travel without one!
It’s not the flashiest gift, but for anyone carrying gadgets on the go, it’s incredibly useful. If your gift recipient is the techie type, they’ll appreciate the neat compartments and how much easier it makes packing and unpacking.
8. Book: Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List
If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for someone who loves to explore, Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List is one of the best travel books out there. This book features 500 of the world’s best places to visit and has stunning photos.
Since receiving the first edition of Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List as a gift in 2018, it has influenced many of our trips across the world (and the new second edition is just as inspiring). We’ve gifted it to many fellow explorers, and it never fails to spark ideas for new adventures!
9. Trtl Travel Pillow
This is hands-down our favourite travel pillow, and it’s made a huge difference on long-haul flights. The Trtl Travel Pillow has a soft, fleece-wrapped, reinforced rib structure that holds your neck in a better position while you sleep upright.
We gave it a go after hearing rave reviews from other travellers, and honestly, it lives up to the hype.
10. Universal Crossbody Lanyard for Phone
A universal smartphone strap protects against drops and falls while keeping the smartphone accessible for snapping photos or checking directions.
We love using ours when exploring new cities, as it frees up our hands. Plus, it’s compatible with most phone cases, so you won’t need to know what type of cell phone they have. They can easily adjust the length and wear it crossbody, as a necklace, or over the shoulder!
11. Clever Fox Travel Journal
Travelling isn’t just about destinations; it’s about the memories made along the way.
A travel journal is a lovely gift for those exploring a new place or creating a travel wish list for future adventures.
The Clever Fox Travel Journal stood out for its high-quality paper and dedicated sections for planning, packing lists, and budget pages. It’s the perfect companion for capturing the small things that make each journey special!
12. Theragun Mini Massage Gun
You might wonder, why a massage gun for a traveller? We thought the same until we received a mini one as a gift. Long flights or full days of exploring cities can leave anyone feeling sore.
The Theragun Mini is compact and easy to pack, yet effective at relieving sore muscles after a long day. Since we usually average 25k steps per day when exploring, this little device has become essential for easing muscle soreness and fatigue.
13. Away’s Insider Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a great way to maximise suitcase space and keep everything in order. We were once gifted packing cubes ourselves, and they’ve been a huge game changer to us! Since then, we’ve upgraded to packing cubes from the travel gear brand Away, which we love.
If you’re looking for useful gifts that make packing a breeze, packing cubes are an excellent choice!
14. Travel Cutlery Set
Here’s a fun fact: we never travel without our travel cutlery. While we love dining out and trying local food, there are moments when we want to enjoy snacks in the comfort of our hotel or on a train.
A travel cutlery set is perfect for eco-conscious travellers who want to avoid single-use plastics.
15. Etekcity Digital Hanging Luggage Scale
A hanging luggage scale is a practical gift that frequent flyers will truly appreciate. We always take ours along whenever we’ve got check-in luggage, and it’s saved us from surprise overweight fees more than once!
16. Panasonic Lumix S5
Got a frequent traveller who loves photography? A camera is an amazing gift that helps them capture all their travel memories.
After trying various models over the years, we’ve fallen in love with our Panasonic Lumix S5. You can see some of the shots we captured with the Lumix in our Seville article! This mid-range mirrorless camera delivers stunning photos and excels in videography, too.
We know it’s a significant gift, but pooling resources with others can make it an unforgettable group gesture!
17. Reusable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated on the go is crucial for any travel lover, and a good water bottle makes it easy.
We love our Chilly’s Series 2 Drink Bottle (which we take everywhere), but there are many great options out there. Look for one that is lightweight and keeps drinks cold or hot for hours.
A bottle with a built-in filter is also a great option. This way, they can fill up from any tap or fountain.
18. MiiKARE Airplane Phone Holder
An airplane phone holder is a must-have for long flights. This handy gadget keeps phones securely in place, allowing you to easily watch movies or catch up on shows.
Simply attach it to the tray table in the closed position and adjust accordingly – no more looking down and suffering neck pain from bad posture!
19. Scrabble to Go
Travel games are a fantastic way to pass the time at the airport, during long journeys or relaxing evenings in your hotel room.
One of our favourites is Scrabble to Go, which offers the classic word-building fun in a compact, travel-friendly version.
20. Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
If you’re shopping for someone who loves immersive audio on the go, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones are a fantastic choice.
We swear by these for their exceptional noise cancellation and comfort on long flights.
21. Jewellery Case
If you know a traveller who loves jewellery, a travel jewellery case could be the perfect gift! This handy case keeps jewellery organised and prevents annoying knots and tangles.
Choose one that can hold multiple earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets but is compact enough to fit in luggage or a small bag. With a jewellery case, they’ll never lose their favourite pieces again while on the go!
22. RFID-Blocking Wallet
With rising concerns about electronic pickpocketing, an RFID-blocking wallet helps protect credit cards and travel documents from unwanted scanning.
No one wants to worry about identity theft while exploring new places, and these wallets keep personal information safe while on the go. With various styles and sizes available, you can easily find one that suits their taste and needs.
23. LEGO Skyline Set
The LEGO Architecture Skylines series makes a fantastic gift for fans of specific cities.
Each set features famous buildings from city skylines worldwide, including New York City, Las Vegas, London, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, and even landmarks like Himeji Castle in Japan or the Louvre in Paris.
These sets are not only fun to build but also serve as fabulous decor pieces that creatively celebrate the beloved destinations of the gift recipient.
24. Hanging Toiletry Bag
In our early travel days, we only had a regular toiletry bag without a hook. However, we quickly discovered how amazing hanging toiletry bags are!
They can be easily hung up in hotel bathrooms, saving precious counter space in tight hotel rooms while keeping everything tidy.
25. Apple AirPods Pro 2
Bulky over-ear headphones can be a hassle to pack if you only travel with light luggage. That’s where a pair of noise-cancelling Apple AirPods Pro 2 come into play.
We own two pairs ourselves and love their excellent sound quality and compact design. While they pair seamlessly with iPhones, they’re also compatible with Android devices.
26. Anker Power Bank
A power bank is one of those travel essentials you never want to be without. Whether it’s navigating, translating, or snapping photos, phones take a hit during travel days – and this keeps them running.
We always travel with the Anker Nano Power Bank (30W, 10,000mAH capacity). It’s compact, charges super fast, and holds enough power for 1.5 to 2 full smartphone charges.
If your gift recipient travels with multiple devices or needs extra juice, go for the Anker 335 PowerCore 20K with 20,000mAH. It’s a bit larger but can charge a phone 4 to 5 times.
27. Waterproof Phone Pouch
A waterproof phone pouch keeps phones dry while still allowing photos through the case. We used ours at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and found it just as useful for other water-related activities.
This is a great gift for ensuring phones are safe and protected during their adventures.
28. Inspirational Read/Listen: Abroad in Japan
If you’re looking for a travel-inspired gift, Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad is a fantastic choice.
We first discovered Chris’s YouTube channel and instantly loved his dry, sarcastic humour as he navigates life in Japan. His first book, released in 2023, became a No.1 Sunday Times Bestseller, capturing his ten years of living abroad and the cultural clashes he encountered.
Whether in book or audiobook format (narrated by Chris himself), it’s perfect for anyone fascinated by Japan.
29. Luggage Identifier
At busy airports, many bags can look alike, which makes it tricky to spot your luggage. A luggage identifier is a thoughtful gift that helps differentiate bags or express the travel lover’s personality. Options include luggage tags, straps, and handle wraps.
There’s a great selection on Etsy, and most can even be personalised.
30. Stojo Collapsible Travel Cup
This collapsible cup is perfect for eco-conscious travellers who want to avoid single-use plastic bottles and cups. It folds flat, making it easy to pack in a carry-on or day bag.
It’s incredibly handy when your favourite traveller is exploring cities and wants to grab a coffee on the go without creating waste.
31. Audible Membership
An audiobook membership is the perfect present for explorers who love stories on the go. Whether they’re dealing with long journeys or airport waits, listening to audiobooks makes travel time fly.
Our personal favourite is Amazon’s Audible app. With an Audible gift membership, your loved ones can choose a new audiobook every month, along with unlimited access to Audible Originals and podcasts.
With the ability to download books for offline listening, there’s no worry about Wi-Fi connectivity during trips.
32. Kindle e-Reader
One of the best gifts for travel lovers and avid readers is an e-reader like the Kindle. It eliminates the need for heavy books, allowing travellers to carry an entire library in their pocket.
With the ability to download hundreds of digital books, it’s the perfect companion for long journeys, beach days, or quiet evenings away.
33. Lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag
If you’re shopping for a globe trotter who appreciates both style and practicality, Lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag is a fantastic choice.
This cult-favourite belt bag can be worn around the waist or over the chest, making it perfect for day trips, hikes, or city breaks. It’s super lightweight and offers easy access to essentials like credit cards and your phone.
34. Travel Print Wall Art
For the travel lover who wants to bring some of their adventures home, travel print wall art is an excellent gift. These prints can feature iconic landmarks, skylines, or maps of major cities, adding a stylish and personal touch to their living space.
We have prints of our favourite cities at home, and they always remind us of our past adventures.
Whether it’s a minimalist map of Paris or a colourful print of Tokyo, there are endless designs to choose from.
35. Traveller Keychain
A traveller keychain is a meaningful way for travel lovers to carry a reminder of their adventures wherever they go. We especially like the keychains that allow them to collect tokens for every country, state, or city they’ve visited.
It’s one of those unique travel gifts that can add a personal touch to their keys or bags – and it’s a great conversation starter, too!
36. Hanging Travel Shelf
Instead of rummaging through a suitcase, your travel enthusiast can easily hang these travel shelves in a closet for easy access to their clothes. They’re especially great for longer trips or when switching hotels frequently.
We wish we’d had one during our five-month adventure through Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, as it would’ve made living out of a suitcase much easier for us.
37. Experience Gifts
For the travel lover who has everything, experience gifts are a thoughtful option. Whether it’s a cooking class in a foreign country, a hot air balloon ride, or a guided tour of a famous landmark, these experiences create unforgettable memories.
We love using platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator to book such experiences, and we’ve gifted them through GYG before. It’s a unique way to give something truly special, ensuring your loved one can enjoy a new adventure wherever they wander!
38. Travel-Themed Laptop Stickers
Travel-themed laptop stickers are a fun way for travel lovers to personalise their devices.
With designs ranging from world maps to iconic landmarks and travel quotes, these stickers add a touch of wanderlust while protecting their laptops. It lets them showcase their passion for exploring.
39. Personalised Passport Holder
A passport holder is both a practical and stylish gift for travel enthusiasts. It keeps passports, credit cards, and travel documents organised and secure.
Whether for holidays or business trips, a well-designed passport holder adds convenience and peace of mind while on the move.
40. Away The Carry-On
Investing in durable and well-organised luggage is key to stress-free city adventures. After personally testing dozens of suitcases, The Carry-On from Away has clearly stood out for us! We love its durable hard shell and smooth 360° wheels.
Available in different colours, you can choose one that matches their style. Its great size fits easily in most overhead compartments and has plenty of room for a weekend getaway.
41. Gift Card
When you’re unsure what to get, a gift card is the perfect solution for a globe-trotter. Whether they want to book flights, accommodation, or experiences, a travel gift card gives them the flexibility to choose.
Popular options include airlines, hotels, and booking platforms like Airbnb. We’ve found this to be an ideal option for letting our travel-loving friends plan their trips exactly how they like to ensure they get something they’ll genuinely appreciate.
Wrap-Up
There you have it, our carefully curated list of the best travel gifts for 2025. No matter the type of traveller you’re shopping for, this gift list features a variety of travel items that cater to all kinds of adventurers.
If the travel lover on your list has a European trip in mind, you could give them some extra inspiration by checking out our guide to the must-see cities in Europe.
We hope these gift ideas have sparked inspiration for the travel lover on your list (or maybe even for yourself!). Happy gifting!
Like this post?
Save it to Pinterest for later!
