Picking out gifts for travelers can go beyond suitcases! Check out these creative and actually useful gift ideas for travel lovers, from steals under $20 to big ticket gifts.

Why this blog? Hi there! My name is Maddy and I’ve been working as an outdoor guide & travel writer since 2018. I’ve lived in Armenia working as a Peace Corps Volunteer, worked as a sea kayak guide on the largest freshwater lake in the world as well as the ocean, and traveled both part and full-time out of my Subaru, a kayak and a backpack. I’m happy to help you find creative gift ideas for the traveler in your life!

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Gift Ideas for Travelers:

From the ultimate travel bags to things to throw in the carry on, here are the best gift ideas for travel lovers:

1) Bedrock Mountain Clogs

Normally I wouldn’t recommend buying someone else a pair of shoes as a gift — feet are just so personal you know — but the Bedrock Mountain Clog is pretty much the perfect do-it-all shoe for travelers. This sexy little number comes with adjustable straps and a strap at the heel as well as additionally toe protection, making it sturdy enough for hiking. There’s decent traction, and the sole is zero-drop, or no incline between the heel and toe, which can help strengthen foot muscles.

Despite all of the adventure ready features of the Mountain Clog, it’s ultimately a slip on shoe making it great for airports and great to put on after a long day of walking when you just have a little farther to go. Last year when visiting a friend in Berlin these were the only shoes I brought for two weeks of travel.

2) Cotopaxi Allapa 35L Del Dia: Best Carry On Travel Bag

The Cotopaxi Allapa 35L Del Dia is basically the dream carry on bag of any traveler– or, any traveler who likes fun colors that is. With a built in packing cube system, the Del Dia can pack in tons of gear and help you stay organized.

3) Packing Cubes OR Compression Sacks

There are two types of travelers: those that check a bag and call it a day, or those (like me) that WILL be fitting everything into a carry on even if it means only one pair of shoes for two weeks. Truly the only way I’ve been able to pack like this is packing cubes. The REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set makes for a great storage solution, but honestly I usually opt for 2-3 compression sacks, where you can literally compress out all the air.

My system is one compression sack for PJs, socks, and underwear (size small), one for pants and one for tops. I can usually get a full wardrobe down to three neat little balls.

4) Make a snack pack

A quick way to get a consumable gift for the traveler who already has everything is to put together a non-perishable snack bag with things like dried mango, fruit jerky or dried cherries. You can also include things like oat bars or meal supplement bars. This is an inexpensive gift idea but offers a really great way to provide a useful gift that won’t take up too much space in their bags, but also doesn’t need to be used immediately.

5) A Global Adapter

The Matador Global Travel Adapter is orange, so they won’t lose it this time. Jokes aside, I’ve lost at least five of these. Or rather, loaned them to fellow travelers indefinitely. A travel adapter makes it possible to charge your devices internationally, and is one of those details people often forget when heading abroad, especially the first few times.

This particular adapter is also unique in that it’s got a variety of different plug ins for pretty much anything.

6) Travel Skincare Kit

Two fun facts about me! One: I turn thirty this year. Two: I’ve worked in the outdoors most of my twenties, and did not always wear sunscreen and I really wish I would have taken skincare more seriously younger. All this to say, travel skin care kits like the Mad Hippie Travel Essentials and simple Zinc sunscreen make for a really great gift.

7) A Fanny Pack or Hip pack

Easy to carry both for backpacking style trips and for bumping around foreign cities, a hip pack that can be worn either around the waist or as a cross body makes for a really great versatile travel accessory. These come in a lot of shapes and sizes and can be pretty easily stuffed into or strapped onto your main pack to downsize a personal item. Check out the the 1 L North Face Terra, the Fjallraven Kanken for a classic look, or the REI Co-op Ruckpack Waist Pack for something bigger with more pockets.

I’m a big fan of my Wild Brush hip pack, made and designed by Julianne who runs Wild Brush, a small business designing and sewing outdoor packs.

8) Goo Toobs

You probably think that’s a typo. Goo Toobs are basically little flexible bottles that make it easy for you to BYO shampoo and conditioner while flying without having to waste those tiny plastic bottles.

9) Hanging Toiletry Bag

This is one of those just sort of classic gifts for travelers, but if you’re looking for a quick and easy hit check out the Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag. This is a pretty small and simple toiletry bag good for the needs of most barebones travelers.

10) Patagonia Black Hole Duffle

While I respect the hustle of the organized traveler, that personally could never be me. No, I’m a Black Hole bag kind of traveler, throwing in an assortment of clothes without really planning it too hard into the abyss of the Black Hole bag. No organization needed, until things stop fitting of course then maybe I’ll rejingle.

The 40L Black Hole Bag fits in an overhead bin (I actually can usually shove mine under a seat as long as it’s not overpacked) and is a super solid bag. I’ve had mine since 2018 and it’s been pretty much everywhere with me.

11) Wet wipes

If you’re looking for a gift for a travel lover that’s a little bit funny but also very practical, consider gifting some wet wipes. Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes or PACT Outdoors Bathroom Wipes can make a world of difference to any adventure traveler, especially on long layovers or adventures where a shower is not in sight.

12) An Adventure Camera

If they’re going to travel without you, you might as well have them bring back memories! Check out adventure cameras like the Insta360 or GoPro Hero as a fun gift for a travel lover who loves to be creative and capture memories. Alternately, check out an instant film camera like the Fujifilm Instax Mini.

13) Binoculars

Travel is all about sightseeing, and nothing scratches that itch quite like a good pair of binoculars. I was actually shocked by how often I use my Nocs.

Nocs Provisions or the slightly stronger Nocs Field Issue make for a great gift for any traveler into hiking, bird watching, sight seeing, or basically anything that gets you outside.

14) A packable puffer jacket

Weather can be unpredictable when traveling, and bringing a full, thick jacket is often pretty inconvenient. Instead, gift your travel lover a packable puffer jacket with lots of loft like the Patagonia Nano Puff, Stio Pinion Down Jacket or REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket.

READ: Best Puffer Jackets

15) A Neck Pillow

A neck pillow is one of those things that always seems really silly until you have an overnight flight.

16) Packable day pack

One of the little hacks that makes a huge difference on a trip is stashing a smaller day pack for hiking or day trips inside your primary bag. For this, you want a small backpack that collapses down to almost nothing like the REI Flash 18 or the Cotopaxi Luzon.

COMPARE: The Gregory Kiro 24, pictured above left has more paddling and a frame to it, which can make it more comfortable to carry long distances but makes it pretty challenging to pack within your existing carry on or other luggage. The Cotopaxi Luzon 18 L (left) has no padding and is completely collapsible. Both are good for different purposes.

For example, I used the Kiro on a trip to Moab when I had to check my backpacking gear in a big duffle anyhow, and knew I could stash the day hiking pack in a friends car anyhow. Meanwhile, when I flew to backpack the Havasu Falls Trail, I packed the Luzon 18 because I knew I’d be basecamping at the bottom of the canyon and wanted a day pack that could carry lunch, water, and first aid but fit easily inside a backpacking bag and add no weight.

READ: Best Hiking Backapcks

17) Sleep Mask and Ear Plugs

The Matador Sleep Mask and Ear Plugs are a thoughtful gift for any frequent flyer or hostel crasher, or basically any travel lover who values a good night’s sleep. At $25 USD, a nice sleep mask makes for an affordable gift.

18) Exped MegaMat Duo

There’s nothing that makes for a comfortable road trip quite like an epic crash pad in the back of your car or bed of a truck. Check out the Exped MegaMat Duo for the travel lover looking to bring weekend camping trips to the next level.

READ: Ultimate Road Trip Packing List

19) Gift a trip!

There is little more meaningful to a travel lover than the gift of actually going somewhere with them! Plan a trip with or for them, book a flight, or gift a guidebook to their dream destination!

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