Looking for the best unique travel gifts for all the backpackers in your life? Say no more, there’s all the inspiration you could possibly need in this 30 useful travel gifts guide.
The year is coming to an end, which means Christmas is coming closer. Even though the last few years were not the best year for travelling for obvious reasons, people feel the urge to go back on the road more than ever.
We’ve put together a list of all the useful travel gifts that travelers actually want and need, for all budgets and kinds of travel lovers, with as many small businesses as possible. Without further ado, here’s your 30 unique travel gifts from 2 to 100 euros!
Useful travel gifts under $10
Travel notebook
I’m very glad to begin this list with a travel notebook because that really is one of the most thoughtful gifts you could think of. Travelers use them as data keepers, trip planners, thought and memory guardians, numbers of friends you met on the road…
It doesn’t matter what kind of traveler your loved one is, they will use it anyways. A pocket-sized notebook is perfect for travelers who like to document their journeys, but also for backpackers to write down street addresses when they’re low on battery for instance.
DIY Travel Kit Gift
Yes, and even with a budget as small as $10, you can get your friends some of the most practical travel gifts, things travelers need! In this traveler kit, here are the essentials : an external battery, an international converter and adapter, or even a nice dry shampoo, very useful as your bag has to be liquid free at the airport!
These all are very useful travel accessories, so if the friend you’re Christmas shopping for is lacking one of them, do him a favor. Leaving presents for someone going travelling is not always easy but the DIY Travel Kit is among the most important things to pack for a road trip, so there’s no way you’re off topic.
If they are leaving for a while, they might need the Hostel survival kit as well… The two MOST important items of this kit are the flip flops for the shared showers and a lock for their bag to avoid any trouble.
Further down the list, you can find the items that will upgrade their stay, such as headphones when they need some air and privacy, ear plugs to sleep in their mixed dorm, or a towel as hostels don’t always provide them.
Passport Holder
The Passport is the most important item in the life of a traveler. They must carry it on them all the time. Giving them a nice passport holder is one of the best travel gift ideas because it helps them take better care of it. It would be a shame to damage or lose the one thing that will get them back home, right?
Socks
Yes, you read that one right! I can’t stress enough how important good socks are when travelling. And they must always have all kinds of socks to not miss out on any activity opportunity. For instance, last summer I went hiking with ankle socks and got injured.
Bonus : this is your chance to find original socks and make it to the top of the funny travel gifts under the Christmas tree this year.
2022 Diary
A 2021 diary is definitely among the best gifts for someone traveling abroad. It will help them keep track of all their planes, hostel addresses, meetings, activities, friends numbers… The writing options are endless, which makes it a very thoughtful gift idea as Christmas is the best period to get someone a diary.
Silk Eye Mask or a Travel Pillow
Oh the soft silk eye mask, yes, the one you’ve dreamed of on your 17 hour flight to Thailand. You’ve never been to Thailand? Here’s a Thailand Holidays Budget Guide to prove you it’s possible to travel with very little money.
Ok, back to the point : don’t let your friend or family member make the same mistake and get them a cool eye mask or plane pillow. It will save them a few hours of sleep, good mood and patience!
Best travel gifts under $25
Travel Book
While we’re all staying home, why not get a bit adventurous on a spiritual level and read some mindful poetry by the poet, yoga teacher and traveler Allie Michelle? “Explorations of a Cosmic Soul” is the perfect pocket-size book.
This is one of the best gifts for friends going travelling while working or writing down travel notebooks. As Allie said “I think every writer would benefit from mindfulness practices because it dismantles the need for a finished result, and teaches us to fall in love with the process.”. What she did here truly is noteworthy : putting together raw and almost unedited poems.
Vintage Travel Map
Looking for the most unique Christmas travel gifts ? Get your loved one a travel map of their favorite country! And a vintage one please, it makes everything look so much better ! I’ve been passionate about Iceland for a while now, so my friends got me this wonderful Iceland map. Dig a bit and you’ll find wonders on Etsy.
Travel Guide of their Dream Destination
Of course, among the best travel gift ideas for her or him, getting plane tickets is the very top of everyone’s Christmas list. But if you don’t have the budget to buy them a plane ticket to the destination they have been talking about for years, you can still get them items related to their beloved country. The first one being a travel guide!
Travel Fanny Pack Anti Theft
Next of the list is a must have : a fanny pack or waist pack. First, it’s very convenient because it carries all your important documents in a lightweight bag. It won’t stop the backpacker from doing any of the activity opportunities they may run into.
Then, it helps them keep their most precious belongings safe. Do not go out with an open tote bag or a bag that opens easily, I’m talking from experience… Having both their wallet and phone stolen at the same time can complicate the rest of the trip.
World Globe
I know, what’s more cliché than a world globe ? But honestly, who doesn’t like world globes? Sitting on the corner of the desk or near the fireplace, it will always light up the room with dreamy vibes. Colombus Globes will help you choose the right travel globe for your friend or loved one.
Best Gifts for Travelers under $50
Wildlife Inspired Gifts
If the traveler in your life is passionate by nature, you can get him something wildlife related. And the best part is, it can be anything! Some mugs or bed sheets with nature designs, a plant (oh yes please!), a book about nature, just like Steve McCurry’s book “Animals”.
You can also take there on a weekend trip to the forest or mountains, where they’ll be able to observe nature and scenic scenes from up close. If you can’t make the trip, get him a copy of the wonderful movie “Into the Wild“.
Travel Hat
Who hasn’t seen Mc Dundee in the Crocodile Dundee movies get away from all kinds of wild situations, alway with his hat on his head? Well, we hope your friend won’t need to get out of similar situations during his travels but a hat is always useful for an adventurer! Plus, there are some wonderful looking hats of all kinds on the market nowadays : chic, straw, vintage, cow boy…
Airport Clothing Ideas
For airport days or just travel in general, you want to feel comfortable and pretty. This mixture is 100% possible with the 100% organic cotton tee shirts of the Boubouille shop. A must have, that is homemade and unisex!
Useful travel gifts under $100
Relaxing travel gifts
You’re looking for the best travel gifts for couples of wanderers but they already have had loads of unique travel accessories in the past years? Be original and help them make their home cosy so they’re not sad to get back home!
And the most unique travel gifts ideas I could think of, especially if they’ve been travelling to Asian islands and are into yoga and meditation, is an Essential Oil Diffuser. For that, NEOM Organics will be your best ally.
Travel backpack
For a backpacker who is just starting out, or a traveler who’s been on the road for years, a new travel backpack is always welcome! The benefits of having a travel backpack instead of a suitcase are endless. It’s much easier to go around everywhere : in public transports, in the streets or even in boats.
Having full use of your hands makes navigation much more convenient. You also have all your belongings with you at all times, which is less stressful. So, if you’re looking for family travel gifts, or travel gifts ideas for him or her, you should definitely check it out.
Travel Print
Definitely the most beautiful travel decorations you can offer someone! Travel photography documents a country’s culture, landscape and people. Photography is always meaningful and there’s always a history behind it. For your friends or family, I recommend checking out Jonathan Bertin’s Print Shop.
Best Luxury Travel Gifts
Techie Traveler : gifts for business travelers
Travel Camera or Gopro
Your daughter, father or best friend loves to capture everything they run into on the road or underwater ? A camera is a huge gift but I think it’s the best thing you can get to someone. It’s giving them the opportunity to back home the unique people they met and landscapes they saw.
📸 For starters, we recommend the Canon 90D. It is easy, professional and has lots of cool features. You can check it out here : DSLR EOS 90D with 18-135 is USM Lens.
Best Photo Printer for Photographers
What a wonderful innovation ! You can now bring your pictures to life from your smartphone instantly with small photo printers, such as the Canon IVY Mobile Mini Photo Printer or the Fujifilm Instax Share SP-3. They produce outstanding colorful or black and white prints in a record time.
Drone
Another unreal travel themed gift is a drone ! Drones are perfect for travelers to see the world from a bird’s point of view. They will capture scenic landscapes that they could not have seen otherwise. In addition, it’s easy to find one that fits your budget because you can find drones of every price, kind, functionality and quality. In all cases, it’ll be a fun and cool experience.
Surprise trip
Finishing this travel themed Christmas gifts list with the most wonderful of them all : a trip ! Every traveler will agree on that : offering a surprise trip to someone is the most wicked thing you could think of. It doesn’t have to be the whole trip.
Ask them discreetly where they would like to go next and buy them a Paris to Amsterdam train ticket for instance. If they already booked a flight somewhere, you can also check out the fun activities they could do there.
Whatever your unique travel gifts choices, I hope this list inspires you to travel and discover the world with your family, friend or lover. For cool alternative art, I highly recommend Copenhagen and Berlin. For scenic landscapes, Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan will meet your expectations. Go out, say yes and travel!
