Wondering what to give that person in your life who has an incurable case of wanderlust (other than a flight around the world)?
Well, you’ve come to the right place, because we put together a list of unique travel gifts for all types of explorers.
From super practical travel gear they’ll actually use on their next trip to something unique they’d never think to buy for themselves, you’ll be sure to find a perfect gift.
And hey, maybe you’ll find a few items for your own wishlist, so take notes!
What types of items are in this travel gift guide?
Instead of being filled with high-priced items (like a drone or laptop!) that you’d never realistically be able to wrap and place beneath the tree, we’ve curated a list of things that are a little more… practical to give as a present.
Perfect gifts for every type of traveler
We’ve gathered all sorts of items for different kinds of travelers. Jump to different sections to see the best gift for your favorite traveler.
Oh, and we have a variety of price points too. If you’re on a tight budget, don’t worry because we even have a section of great travel gifts under $15.
Practical Travel Gifts
Unique Travel Gifts
Techie Traveler
Travel Gifts for Women
Responsible Traveler
Outdoor Adventurer
Stocking Stuffers Under $15
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Practical Travel Gifts
AllBirds Wool Runners, $95
Dubbed the “world’s most comfortable shoes,” these babies are made from super breathable wool and have stellar arch support for long days of walking on cobblestone streets. We each recently got a pair of AllBirds and we’re obsessed!
Leather Passport Covers, starting at $14
Made from high-quality leather, these hand-made passport covers will keep their flight stub, credit cards and passport together in one safe place. You can choose from different colored leather and can pick from a variety of quotes and stamps. You can even have a name or special words embossed for a small fee.
Custom Sunglasses from Sun God starting at $95
Every adventurer needs a good pair of sunglasses. We love these high quality shades from Sun God. They have scratch resistant lenses and have a lifetime guarantee! Choose from a variety of styles and customize your own colors. These will be the last sunnies you’ll ever have to buy.
Kindle Paperwhite, $130
Reading books on long haul flights and train rides helps pass the time, but packing the real deal is a thing of the past. A Kindle allows them to pack an infinite number of books on one, lightweight device. Forget those heavy guidebooks! With a Kindle, they can download the e-book version!
Tip: Why not pre-load a bunch of the best books for travelers on the Kindle before gifting it?
Packing Cubes, 3-pack starting at $22
We swear by these super handy pouches to organize and compress all our clothes. We don’t know how we traveled without them! Gift these to a frequent traveler and they’ll be singing their praises too!
Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle, 32 oz. for $39.95
Insulated using a double wall, vacuum seal technology, these bottles keep your liquids cold (or hot) for hours! We use them everyday while traveling and have stood by this product for years. Practical for staying hydrated during travels and in everyday life, this would make a great gift for anyone on your list. And they come in customizable colors!
Anker 20,100 PowerCore Portable Charger, $40
This portable power bank holds 7 charges and is small enough to bring everywhere! We did a lot of research on battery packs and landed on this one because it doesn’t need to be recharged all the time like a lot of the other ones on the market.
Outlander Collapsible Backpack, $20
We love our packable backpack and we use it all the time. It collapses down really small so you can pack it away. Or take it out for the day around the city.
Psst! If you need gift ideas for hiking enthusiasts, we’ve got you covered! Check out this extensive list of gifts for hikers that are both unique and practical.
COWIN S7 Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones, $110
Any traveler who spends time on airplanes knows it’s important to have a good set of headphones with you. These headphones are cheaper than most brand but give you the same sound quality. And Bluetooth gives you the added benefit of not having to deal with cords!
Trtl Travel Pillow, $30
The newest trend in travel is this travel pillow scientifically proven to hold your head at a better position for sleeping than the popular u-shared neck pillows. Any frequent flyer will love one of these!
YOGO Ultralight Travel Yoga Mat, $65
We’ve done a bit of research on the best, most portable yoga mats for travel, and the YOGO Ultralight Travel Mat is our pick. Weighing in at just 2 pounds, the grippy material makes this mat perfect for hot yoga or regular sessions. Plus, it can fold up for easy packing. We now carry these everywhere we go! Use Code TWOWANDERINGSOLES for 10% discount!
1000 Ultimate Adventures, $15
This book brought us so much joy while we were saving money for travels. We’d read through it together and highlight things that sounded interesting to us. Years later, it’s fun looking back and seeing that some of those dreams have become realities. With 1,000 unique places, festivals, treks and activities around the world, there’s always new dreams to add to our bucket list!
Need more book ideas? Check out our long list of the best books for travelers!
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Unique Travel Gifts
Custom Paint-by-Numbers Kit, starting at $45
Create your very own paint-by-numbers kit based off a favorite travel photo. The team at Painted Memories turns a photograph into a lines and numbers on a canvas. The kit comes with custom-colored paints so when you follow the pattern, it should look just like the photo!
Bear in Mind Logbooks, starting at $15
Different than a typical journal, these logbooks are designed for all types of travelers. The restaurant logbook is perfect for foodies to record favorite meals along the way, while the trekking logbook is perfect for avid hikers. There are even diving, backpacking and road trip logbooks, and they’re all lightweight and made out of super durable materials so they won’t get damaged in your bag.
Scratch-off World Map, $19
This fun map lets them scratch off the places they’ve been! It makes a cool visual representation of how much of the world they’ve seen and serves as encouragement to see more!
Instagram Chat Books, starting at $15
Many travel enthusiasts use Instagram to document their adventures. Surprise them by putting their travel photos together in a keepsake book! It takes virtually no time and they start at just $15.
DIY Instagram Magnets, under $20
If you feel like getting crafty, follow this DIY tutorial to make them magnets that showcase their travels as they have them displayed on Instragram! All you need are some small tiles, mod podge, hot glue, magnets and a little creativity! And if you’re not the DIY type, these square magnets will do the work for you!
Leather Bound Journal, $25
This stunning handmade leather journal will be the perfect spot for them to record their thoughts and musings along their travels.
Flytographer - Professional Photo Shoot, starting at $250
Wanna give them something super unique that they’ll always remember? Give them the gift of photos! That’s right, Flytographer is to photography what Lyft or Uber are to ride sharing. This company makes it possible to hire photographers in in more than 200 cities around the world to do a photo shoot during a special vacation. What a perfect gift to go in on for a honeymoon or anniversary trip! Packages start at 30-minute sessions for $250 increase from there.
Get them an experience with Get Your Guide
If your favorite traveler has an upcoming trip, why not give them an experience? Arrange a cooking class or outdoor adventure, or choose a curated trip with a local from Get Your Guide.
Related: Read all the reasons we think cooking classes are one of the best experiences you can have while traveling!
Prints of favorite cities, starting at $15
These adorably quirky city prints from Fox and Velvet are a perfect gift for a loved one (or for yourself!). With plenty of cities around the world to choose from, it’s a good thing they offer a special deal if you purchase three!
Adventure Fund Piggy Bank, $34
This adorable custom adventure fund piggy bank will motivate them to stash their extra change and save for future travels. They’ll thank you when they’ve filled it up!
City Map Glass, $18
He can drink whiskey (or fruity cocktails; no judgment here!) from this sweet glass etched with a map of his favorite. Score bonus points and order a set of four, each with a place that’s special to them.
Try The World Subscription, starting at $39 per month
This subscription program is a perfect gift for that food-lover who has a constant case of wanderlust. They’ll get a box on their doorstep each month full of a curated assortment of foods – from exotic ingredients to cook with to popular snacks – from one country. Each month the country changes, so it’s like traveling without leaving home! Subscribe today and you can get a FREE box!
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Gifts for the Techie Traveler
Joby Flexible Tripod, $84
This tripod is perfect for adventurous photographers. Not only is it super lightweight and portable, making it great for travel, but the flexible legs allow you to position it almost anywhere.
Polaroid Camera, $60
These old school cameras are making a serious comeback! Traveling with a Polaroid camera is a fun way to meet and interact with locals and can make for some super cool photo ops!
World Map Camera Strap, $20
If your traveler is also an avid photographer who hauls around all kinds of equipment (see above!) to record their travels. This world map camera strap is is the perfect things to keep their camera secure around their neck!
iPhone Lens Kit, $26
These little lenses clip on to enhance the photo-capturing capabilities of your iPhone’s camera. The kit comes with everything from a wide-angle, zoom and fish-eye lenses to blue and orange color filters. Turn any iPhone into a professional camera with these babies!
SkyRoam Wifi Hotspot, $180
Getting stuck somewhere without access to Wifi is every travelers’ nightmare. That is having this Skyroam portable wifi hotspot around is really handy. You can purchase a data plan for it, or load it will SIM cards while traveling abroad.
Bluetooth Speaker, $50
They can bring their favorite tunes all around the world with this super portable Bluetooth speaker. With the handy hook, this speaker can be latched to your backpack or even a shower ring.
Waterproof Memory Card Holder, $12
This memory card holder is waterproof, drop proof and floats. Rest assured all photos are safe.
LifeProof Phone Case, $45
This baby is basically indestructible and will protect their phone from drops and spills along their travels. Or just in everyday life!
Thule Laptop Case, $50
We swear by our Thule cases to keep our Macbook Pros safe from water and bumps along the road. It’s essential for traveling with a laptop.
Electronic Organizer, $18
Cords will never get tangled again with this sleek and well-designed organizer for all their electronic accessories.
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Travel Gifts for Women
From beautiful travel-inspired jewelry to super practical items she can pack no matter where in the world she’s headed, here are some great items for your favorite female wanderer.
The Adventure Dress, $80
This light weight, easy to pack dress is the perfect gift for a female traveler who loves adventure, but likes to look good while doing it! Made by women, for women, the company creates their dresses with sustainable impact in mind, supporting female artisans in Indonesia and allocating 1% of revenue toward eliminating poverty in communities across the globe. Use our coupon code: TWOWANDERINGSOLES for 20% off your purchase!
GATTA Chic Camera Bag, $159
I’ve struggled to find a bag that not only fits, but protects, my precious DSLR and is actually cute… But I think I finally found it! If you know of any women who love travel and photography, a GATTA Bag could be just the perfect gift. The interior is padded and has a removable divider to keep her DSLR safe.
Pinch Provisions Kit, $30
This palm-sized pouch contains 18 travel essentials like earbuds, wrinkle remover and a sleep mask.
Coordinates jewelry, $45
This beautiful bar necklace can be customized with special coordinates for your favorite traveler. Choose the coordinates of her favorite destination, your wedding venue or honeymoon, or even the coordinates of the home she will always have to return to. It’s a special gift that will give her a constant reminder of something she holds near and dear.
Travel Jewelry Organizer, $18
Perfect for the stylish girl on the go, this jewelry organizer will help her keep all of her accessories organized in her luggage. Because no one like to untangle a delicate necklace chain!
Turkish Towel, $17
Super absorbent and lightweight, these towels are more than just beautiful. Plus, they pack up much smaller than a typical beach towel.
Portable Toiletry Case, $10
This super practical toiletry case will hold all their travel sized goodies and conveniently hangs in a hotel bathroom for easy access.
Watch, starting at $55
This stunning watch is a beautiful gift for any lady who loves travel.
Speakeasy Hidden Pocket Scarf, $20
This scarf is fashionable, but it does more than just look good! A hidden pocket is a perfect place to stash cash, your passport or other important things. It keeps your valuables safe, plus it eliminates the need for a purse. Say what?!
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Gifts for the Responsible Traveler
Hiptipico Sling Bag, $158
With a focus on ethical textile sourcing and honest production, Hiptipco showcases pieces made by Maya artisans in Guatemala. The brand’s mission is to preserve indigenous culture while providing opportunities for jobs for Maya women through the promotion of this traditional art form. Hiptipico has many pieces — from camera straps to larger bags — so check out their website and pick a gift that will impress your favorite responsible traveler.
Serengetee
This clothing and accessory company uses fabrics from around the world on their products, and a portion of the profits go to charities in those countries! We love their shirts with colorful pockets, their fanny packs and this globe-inspired hat!
Solar Charging Power Bank, $40
Use the energy of the sun to power up your electronics on the go with this solar charging power bank that folds up and fits in your pocket. Fully charged, the battery can provide backup to all of your devices, including a laptop!
Leaf Leather pouches, starting at $24
These handy pouches feel like leather, but they are made from strong, super durable teak leaves. They are vegan, sustainably made, and will help your favorite traveler keep all their essentials organized! Plus, Tree Tribe plants 10 trees for every purchase! Everyone’s a winner! Get 15% off with our Discount code: TWOWANDERINGSOLES15
ToGo Ware Bamboo Utensils, $12
Your traveler will never have to ask for plastic utensils again when you gift them this reusable bamboo utensil set from ToGo Ware. They are light weight, easy to clean and fit easily in a purse or daypack.
Nomadix Towel, starting at $40
These towels from Nomadix are quick-drying and they pack up small, making them great for travel. Plus, they serve multiple purposes – they can be used for taking to the beach, doing yoga, and of course, drying off after a shower! And it doesn't hurt that they come in a ton of cool patterns. But the best part is that they are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. What a neat way to take waste and turn it into something useful!
ChicoBag RePete Sling, $15
This is a staple of ours that we carry EVERYWHERE, whether we're at home or traveling. This super small pouch unfolds to become a large and roomy bag that is perfect for taking to the grocery store, the farmers market, or anywhere you might need to say no to a plastic bag! It packs up so small you can fit it inside your palm, and it's very affordable, making it a great gift for just about anyone on your list. Oh, and an added bonus is that it's made of 99% recycled materials. Everybody wins!
Related Reading: Looking for more gear for your responsible traveler? Check out our eco-friendly packing list.
Gifts for the Outdoor Adventurer
National Park Pass, $80
Give the gift of outdoor experience with an annual park pass! The America the Beautiful National Park Pass is valid for one full year from the month of purchase. The pass covers the entrance fee for the pass owner and up to 3 accompanying adults in one vehicle entering any of the 2,000 Federal natural, historical, and recreational sites across the United States.
Not convinced yet? We broke down the value of the annual park pass (also known as the “America the Beautiful pass”) and gave our personal assessment on whether it was worthwhile in this detailed guide.
Coalatree Pants, $89
Clothing items can be sometimes difficult to buy for someone other than yourself, but these super versatile trailhead pants from Coalatree would make an amazing gift. They are made out of stretchy, durable fabric that is water-resistant and so ridiculously comfy Ben that wears them even when we're not on the trail (and I don't even argue with them because they look goooood, unlike lots of hiking pants!). Oh, and did we mention they are sustainably-made and come in men's and women's versions? They pretty much check all the boxes!
Packable Raincoat, $47
We’re obsessed with our incredibly lightweight, super packable raincoats. (It stuffs up right into one of the pockets and is the size of a fist.) It’s perfect for outdoor adventuring – whether that be on multi-day backcountry trips or just visiting Thailand during rainy season. We’ve definitely used it in both!
Mini Camp Stove, $19
Perfect for cooking hot meals even in the backcountry!
Black Diamond Headlamps, $30
We can’t tell you how many times our headlamps have saved us on hikes that take longer than expected and we get caught in the dark. It’s always a good idea to have a headlamp in your pack.
Waterproof Dry Bag, $11
This is a super important piece of gear for keeping items like your camera, phone and wallet dry on boat trips. Plus, it’s nice to know your stuff is safe if it starts to downpour.
Collapsible Cups, $19
We are obsessed with our collapsible cups and bring them everywhere. Perfect for everything from backcountry camping to picnicking at home to traveling around the world, these handy cups have held everything from wine to coffee to guacamole!
Luci and Luci Pro - Inflatable Solar-Powered LED Light, $19 - $35
This collapsible solar-powered lantern is nearly weightless and is powered by the sun. The Luci Pro even has a chargeable USB outlet to give your electronics a boost. Plus, your purchase is supporting a company that has donated over 200,000+ lights to over 103 counties where electricity is in need.
Chaco Hiking Sandals, starting at $105
I’ve had my Chacos since 2007, and I am a huge advocate for these outdoor shoes. Ben just bought his first pair this past summer and it’s safe to say he’s never going back to other sandals! Originally made for watersports, these super comfortable shoes have incredible grip and great support for long days of trekking. I wear them when traveling in South America and Southeast Asia too. I’m about due for another pair, and the cute new patterns and colors makes it hard to choose just one!
Rumpl Packable Blanket, starting from $49
Perfectly cozy, this blanket feels like a sleeping bag and stuffs into one tiny sack. It is perfect for adventuring!
SteriPEN, $70
Another one of our travel gear obsessions, our Steripen has provided us clean water during backcountry trips in the mountains of Washington, during our travels in South America, and all the way up at Everest Base Camp. This is essential for any adventurer.
ENO Hammock, starting at $60
Our ENO hammock was one of our favorite wedding gifts, and we’ve gotten tons of use out of it on our travels all around the world as well as in our own backyard. This super high quality hammock packs up small so it can be brought on all sorts of adventures!
Collapsible Coffee Filter, $17
For us, morning coffee is essential. But we know how difficult it is to get in the wilderness. This handy device is at the top of our wish list for backcountry trips as well as travels in parts of the world where the only coffee available is instant Nescafe.
Mini First Aid Kit, $11
Be prepared for anything that can happen – from a sliver to a sprained ankle.
National Park Poster, starting at $20
For the outdoor adventurer who already has all the gear they need, consider gifting them a National Park poster of one of their favorites. There are tons of beautifully-designed options on Etsy to suit all styles, but one of our favorites is the hysterical posters with phrases from the worst reviews on Trip Advisor. Browse through this shop and try not to laugh!
Psst! If your traveler is really into vanlife, you’ll want to check out this customized list of campervan gifts for adventurers who prefer life on the road!
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Stocking Stuffers Under $15
If you want to get your favorite traveler a super thoughtful gift, but are working with a small budget, fret not! We’ve got you covered with plenty of great stocking stuffer ideas that are all under $15. And they’ll never know what a steal it was!
Silk Eye Mask, $10
Perfect for the frequent flyer, this silk eye mask will make it easy to sleep anywhere and is soothing on tired eyes.
Fun Luggage Tags, $6
With these unique luggage tags, they’ll be able to identify their bag at a glance!
Carry-On Cocktail Kit, $16
For a fun little gift that fits perfectly in a stocking, check out these carry-on cocktail kits. Each kit comes with all the ingredients and supplies you need to create the perfect craft cocktail while in the air. With all kinds of flavors like Margarita, Moscow Mule and Bloody Mary to choose from, this little gift is sure to please any recipient!
*Alcohol not included (you will need to purchase from the airline).
Toiletry Case, $11
This masculine pouch will store all his toiletry products needed for travel and packs away easily in his suitcase.
Cocoon Grid-It Organizer, $9
This super handy organizer keeps all their essentials, like Chapstick, mints, headphones and hand lotion, all in one place!
Passport Holder, starting at $10
This passport cover is practical and pretty. You can choose a charm of your choice and add their name to the cover. It’ll look like you spent a hell of a lot more than $10!
Enamelware Adventure Mug, $10
This enamelware mug will inspire wanderlust with each morning coffee.
Globe Ornament, $10
They can pay homage to their love of travel by hanging this beautiful gilded globe ornament on the Christmas tree this year!
Mini Portable Charger, $9
Measuring no bigger than a tube of lipstick, this tiny portable battery pack will ensure that their phone never dies, whether they’re running daily errands or they’re in a remote village on the other side of the road.
Luggage Wire Locks, set of two for $13
These wire locks keep luggage bags sealed on a bus or locked to a dorm room bed. The thin wire fits where chunkier versions don't, so valuables are always kept safe.
Digital Luggage Scale, $10
A must-have for all frequent flyers, this luggage scale will ensure their bag isn’t too heavy. This means no more extra baggage fees!
Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel Coloring Book, $10
We love the trend of adult coloring books, and this one is right up our alley! It makes a perfect gift for that creative traveler in your life.
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You may also like…
Campervan Gifts that are Practical & Fun
Best Books for Travelers: Curing Your Wanderlust One Page at a Time
The Ultimate List of Eco-Friendly Travel Gear
Simple Ways to Reduce Your Everyday Plastic Use
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We want to hear from you!
What do you think of our list? Have you tried any of these? Which ones do you want to buy for the traveler in your life? Let us know in the comments below!
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