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Looking for thoughtful gifts for travel-loving friends? Here are a variety of ideas to inspire you for every type of traveler:
Are you looking for a gift for someone you know who loves to travel? It can be hard to think of something they may need, especially if they’re seasoned travelers.
Do you want to find something that they can use, but you’re not sure what to get that they may not already have? Here are some of our favorite gifts to give to our own travel-loving friends!
Our top picks for the friend who loves to explore the world!
Best Overall Gifts
1. Neutral Travel Backpack
Not to be biased because we both literally own this exact backpack, but it is the BEST. Not only is it budget-friendly, but you can fit so much in it. It has 3 main pockets, and a show compartment at the bottom if you need it. This backpack gets bonuses for coming in tons of colors, but we love the neutral tones! This is the exact backpack we took with us on our trip’s to Japan and Hawaii.
2. 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station
It sounds dramatic, but this wireless charging station is a life-saver. You can charge all of your Apple products (and others) with one charger, and you don’t have to worry about all those cords when going on a trip. You plug it in and BOOM! You can charge up to 3 devices.
3. Comfortable Sleeping Mask
I feel like sleeping masks are overlooked when you’re looking for gifts for someone who likes to travel. From two women who travel a lot, having a sleeping mask dedicated to airplane rides is a must. Not only that, but this specific one comes with a handy pouch to keep it in! They’re reusable and easy to wash once you’ve used it.
4. Foldable and Portable Steamer
A foldable and portable steamer is a gamechanger because a lot of the times, any irons that are provided in hotel rooms are a pain to bust out or they’re super old. This steamer doesn’t take up a lot of space, and you’re guaranteed to remain wrinkle-free no matter where you go!
5. Bluetooth Audio Wireless Transmitter
A lot of airplanes have content you can watch, but that’s only if you have plug-in headphones. This little tool is so handy where you can use it to connect to any of the in-flight entertainment devices via your Bluetooth headphones.
6. Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
I don’t know how people can sleep on long-haul flights without a pair of noise cancelling headphones! The ones linked here are the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless, and they do an amazing job and blocking out crying babies, airplane engines, and stranger who’s having a conversation with the person behind them for the entire flight
7. Cute Fanny Pack / Belt Bag
We love fanny packs and belt bags for travel because not only are they cute and stylish, but it’s a very convenient way to keep your important documents and items on your body at all times. Need your passport? In your fanny pack! Need your waller? Fanny pack. Need your boarding pass? Guess what, fanny pack!
8. Digital Travel Planner
Lastly, using a digital travel planner like this one is a great way to not feel like you’re working the entire trip. You and all your friends can collaborate to plan the trip together, so by the time you’re ready to leave for the trip, all the work is done! No more researching where to eat day of or trying to figure out what sights to see that day. You can plan your days, transportation, and even input all your restaurant research all in one document. Read more here!
Gifts under $25
9. Personalize Jewelry Box
We all have that friend who just throws their jewelry in their bag or in their pocket and loses it. This travel jewelry case is not only personalized with an initial, but it has so many compartments for everything: rings, earrings, and even necklaces. It’s a great way to make sure you don’t lose anything, no matter how small, because you can place it all in this jewelry box when it’s taken off.
10. Cute Passport Holder
A passport holder is key when you’re planning on taking an international trip. Not only will it protect it from getting all gross, but it’ll be easier to spot when you’re looking for it in your bag. This particular holder has another clear pocket for things like IDs or even vaccination cards.
11. Memory Foam Travel Pillow
When you’re on a flight longer than 4+ hours, a travel pillow is an absolute MUST. This memory foam travel pillow has support for your neck, and even comes with an eye mask and ear plugs if you really want to go all-out.
12. Aesthetic Travel Bottles
Constantly buying travel toiletries for when you have a trip can get expensive, and if you’re like us you like to use the products in your everyday routine even when you’re traveling. This set gets bonus points for being super cute and aesthetic!
13. Minimal Electronic Organizer
Nowadays when you travel, there are so many gizmos and gadgets you have to keep track of that it can get messy when trying to pack. This organizer has a lot of pockets and two different sides for everything from your chargers to bazillion cords you may need on your trip. Keeping everything in one place not only keeps you organized, but it also helps limit the amount of mess in your bag.
14. Travel Makeup Bag
I know this is technically labelled a makeup bag, but this would be great for any kind of toiletries! The leather is a great touch, and the zipper opens completely so you can lay the bag flat and look at everything inside of it.
15. LED Travel Mirror
Having this portable mirror has been a gamechanger when traveling and trying to do makeup and/or skincare. Sometimes, the hotels don’t have multiple mirrors and doing your makeup on a little mirror can be difficult (especially with bad lighting!) This mirror not only provides light, but is a good alternative when you don’t have access to the mirror in the bathroom to do your makeup.
16. Travel Adapter
Travel adapters are crucial when you’re travelling internationally. Not every country has outlets similar to the US, so getting a universal travel adapter like this one gives you the ability to use it no matter what country you visit. This one also has handy USB and a USB-C plugin to make it easier when packing.
Gifts for the Beauty-loving Traveler
17. Heat Resistant Bag for Hair Tools
We honestly wish we knew of these sooner, but these heat resistant bags are great for traveling when you need to bring a straightener or curler. Not only does this case protect it from everything else in your suitcase, but you can also use it as a heat protectant on whatever surface you end up puting your hot tool on.
18. Beauty Sponge Holder
This is a great gift because we feel like it’s something that’s usually overlooked when traveling. This beauty sponge holder protects your sponge from getting nasty in your makeup bag (considering you use it on your face), and it’s small enough where you can throw it in anything.
19. Refillable Mini Perfume Holder
Finding a travel size of your specific perfume can be expensive and annoying, so these little refillable mini perfume holders are great gifts for people you know can’t live without their favorite scent. All you have to do is fill it with your favorite perfume and you’re ready to go and smell amazing wherever you go.
20. Tap Dry Shampoo
This Tap Secret dry shampoo is one of the best gifts you could give. Not only is it small enough to pack, but because it’s not in a normal aerosol can, you don’t have to worry about it spilling or exploding. All you have to do is tap the puff onto your roots (or wherever you want to use it) and it does its magic. Who needs to wash their hair when you have something like this?
21. Sheet Masks
The only downside to traveling is how dry skin, especially on our face, can get. This make of sheet masks are so great because they can be packed since they’re small, and you can make sure you stay hydrated (like on an airplane!) Your friends and skin will thank you.
Gifts for the Budget-minded Traveler
22. Tube Pillow
Have you ever needed to pack more clothes but you booked basic economy and have no more room in your bag? This is the perfect gift for those who need a little bit of room and like to fly on a budget. Not only do you get to pack extra, but you can use the pillow to sleep on too.
23. Compression Packing Cubes
I know we’ve all heard of packing cubes, but have you used compression packing cubes before? These compression packing cubes are great gifts for those on a budget because you need every little space of room you can get when you’re packing and only get a backpack. Just like how you can expand/compress your carry-on luggage, these packing cubes have a zipper you can close to compress it if you need to,
24. Collapsible Water Bottle
Sometimes when you travel, you can’t bring your big emotional water bottle with you because it’s precious space you could use for more clothes. That’s where this handy dandy water bottle comes in. It’s fully collapsible when you don’t need it!
25. Ultimate Packable Duffel
When traveling on a budget, you usually won’t have room for an additional bag. This packable duffel not only packs well, but is great when you’re on one of those trips where you buy one too many souvenirs. You can use it as a smaller bag when you’re walking around, or you can use it to pack any extras that don’t fit in your backpack.
