20 Brilliant Travel Gifts Under £35 for Every Adventurer

I love giving travel gifts that won’t end up forgotten under the bed or shoved to the back of a wardrobe. Even better if they come as a genuine surprise. I jot down ideas on my phone throughout the year so I don’t forget them, which means my gift-giving is planned well in advance. But this list came together a little differently. I asked my travelling friends what would actually make them happy.

I spoke to people who travel with a backpack, those who prefer luxury hotels, and frequent business travellers who take short but regular trips. Then I added a few of my own favourites and trawled through forums, discussions, and articles from around the web. The result is this list of 20 gift ideas that will delight travel lovers (and plenty of non-travellers too) of all kinds. I hope you’ll find some great inspiration here.

1) “I Need a Holiday” – a t-shirt with a clear message

• Price: around €14

My absolute favourite t-shirt for everyday wear at home. Sometimes I wonder whether it amuses me more, or the people who spot me wearing it?

2) For those who photograph with their phone

• Price: around €16

I had no idea something like this even existed for phones! I’m talking about a Bluetooth remote shutter for your phone’s camera. This is a genuinely brilliant gift for any traveller who takes photos on their phone – no more awkward selfie arms or begging strangers for a quick snap.

3) A hidden-gem walking tour – the gift of experience

• Price: from around €7/person

I’ve been on countless guided tours around the world, but some of the most memorable are the ones that take you off the beaten path. If you have a friend who loves exploring cities, consider gifting them a walking tour that uncovers hidden stories and secret corners. Whether it’s a lesser-known neighbourhood stroll or a themed history walk, it’s the kind of experience that sticks with you far longer than any material gift. Look for local operators in your area – many offer gift vouchers, making it a hassle-free present. You can find similar experiences on GetYourGuide for destinations worldwide.

4) Scratch maps – track your adventures

• Price from around €24

Scratch maps are a fantastic way to keep track of where you’ve been. You can get wall-poster versions, but we actually find a scratch-map travel journal far more practical – it doubles as a diary and a map in one.

• Journal version
• Wall poster version

5) Powercube – an essential piece of travel kit

• Price from around €12

The moment Lukáš and I arrive anywhere, we’re hunting for a power socket. Drone, GoPro, camera, phones, laptops, Kindle – everything needs charging. But sockets aren’t the same everywhere, and we’ve bought our gadgets in different countries too. That’s where this genius little device comes in – the Powercube. It has four interchangeable plug adaptors for different parts of the world, plus 4 standard sockets on the other sides and a pair of USB ports. The cubes can be stacked together, and there are several versions that work brilliantly at home too.

6) Packable daypack

• Price: around €23

A packable daypack is quite possibly the perfect gift for any traveller. These lightweight bags hold around 15 litres and weigh under 100 grams. You can tuck one into your main rucksack or suitcase and pull it out for day trips and short walks. We used ours all the time in Iceland when heading to hot springs, and my mum took hers all around Australia for day excursions.

• We recommend the Ferrino O’Hare, which weighs just 70 g

7) An original camera strap

• Price from around €20

I personally fell in love with handmade camera straps featuring beautiful woven patterns – think colourful, artisan designs that turn your camera into a fashion statement. A gift like this will delight any photographer who wants to stand out from the crowd.

8) Quick-dry, super-absorbent, and ultra-compact travel towel

• Price from around €8 (depending on size)

A regular towel takes up a surprising amount of room and starts to smell pretty quickly because it never dries fast enough between stops. That’s why Lukáš and I switched to these ultra-compact, quick-dry travel towels. We went with Sea to Summit and couldn’t be happier with them!

9) For dust-allergy sufferers – a travel-friendly anti-mite pillowcase

• Price from around €8

Even when you stay in hotels, the accommodation isn’t always as pristine as you’d hope. If you’re allergic to dust mites or simply have sensitive airways, you might wake up puffy-eyed or struggling to breathe at night. We carry a travel pillowcase with nano-fabric and simply slip it over the hotel pillow. Problem solved.

10) Travel-themed enamel mugs

• Price: around €10

Judging by Instagram, Lukáš and I aren’t the only ones who love a good enamel mug. There are loads of great designs out there featuring mountains, campfires, and wanderlust slogans – the kind of thing that looks lovely hanging from a backpack or warming your hands around on a chilly morning. A simple but charming travel gift for anyone who appreciates the outdoors.

11) A natural toothbrush in gorgeous packaging

• Price from around €6

Think a toothbrush can’t make a lovely gift? Think again. Meet Miswak – an ancient alternative to conventional toothbrushes, used for millennia. It essentially combines a brush and toothpaste in one, and the packaging is beautiful enough to wrap up as a present.

• If you’d prefer something closer to a traditional brush but still eco-friendly, try EcoHeart.

12) Anti-jetlag skincare

• Price: around €20

After a long flight or an exhausting drive, your skin can look pretty rough. I’ve tried all sorts of remedies, but for under-eye circles, nothing works quite like hyaluronic acid. It refreshes the skin, firms it up, and it’s a naturally occurring component of our bodies anyway.

I’ve had great results with Nafigate, but you can find similar products from other brands. Just make sure it contains a sufficient concentration of the active ingredient (at least 1% hyaluronic acid).

13) A gift for eco-conscious travellers

• Price: around €6

Lukáš absolutely loves them – I’m talking about reusable mesh bags. We really regret not having ours with us in Thailand, where the amount of single-use plastic is honestly staggering. We’ll definitely pack them for our next trip to Asia. A mesh bag folds down to nothing and makes a great gift for absolutely anyone, not just travellers.

14) Travel reading light

• Price: around €16

I fell head over heels for this travel reading light by Moleskine. It has a rotating clip and five adjustable brightness settings. You can use it as a bike light, a reading lamp, or a mini desk light – incredibly versatile for such a tiny thing.

15) Travel journal & planners

• Price from around €10

You can find travel journals from big-name brands like Moleskine, but there are also wonderful smaller makers producing beautifully designed notebooks specifically for travellers. For anyone who loves putting pen to paper, a quality travel journal is a truly thoughtful gift.

Tip for freelancers and digital nomads: I used an undated planner for a long time – the kind that isn’t tied to a specific year. It was one of my most important tools for staying organised and keeping up motivation while working remotely. If you know someone who works on the road, this is a winner.

16) Headtorch

• Price from around €17

This is a superb gift for anyone who goes camping. A reliable headtorch is one of those things you never think you need until you’re fumbling around in the dark. You’ll find a solid selection at outdoor retailers like specialist camping shops.

17) Pocket monocular

• Price: around €16

A compact pocket monocular that extends your range of vision. Think of it as a budget-friendly alternative to binoculars – perfect for spotting wildlife on safari, birdwatching, or simply getting a closer look at distant landmarks.

18) Photo book

• Price from around €32

I love flipping through old photo books. We only have three at home, but every time I walk past the bookshelf, I pull one out and reminisce. My dad used to make them from our family trips. I’d always wanted to create my own but was put off by how time-consuming and clunky the software was. Then I discovered Saal Digital – and I was blown away. I managed to put a book together in just 15 minutes, and it arrived in an incredible 3 working days. Highly recommended.

19) Quality travel-size cosmetic bottles

• Price: from around €8

Travel-size cosmetic bottles are never a bad gift, especially for frequent flyers. Just make sure you get decent quality ones – there’s nothing worse than opening your bag to find shampoo leaking all over your clothes. I’ve tried dozens over the years and eventually invested in a more premium set by Kikkerland, which haven’t let me down yet. They are a little stiff, so you have to tap them to get the product out rather than squeeze, but at least they won’t leak.

• I personally have a larger set with spray bottles, but at the moment I’ve found this set available.

20) A gift that truly gives back

• Price from around €6

Give a flock of chickens, school supplies for 7 children, or a cheerful goat through a charity like Oxfam Unwrapped. You’ll receive a certificate that you can give as an original, meaningful gift – perfect for the person who has everything.