Travel Gifts: 21 Best Gift Ideas for Travellers

Every year we put together a list of the best travel gifts for adventurers, and this year is no exception. I’ve hand-picked items we’ve been using and loving long-term, plus a few products we’ve had our eye on. If you don’t find something that’s right for your loved ones here, have a look at our gift guide from last year too. I’d also love to hear your own suggestions in the comments!

21 Best Travel Gift Ideas

I’ve tried to pick different items from last year, but you’ll have to forgive me for mentioning a few repeats. Mainly because last year I had them on my wish list, and now I’ve had a full year of experience with them to share with you.

1) Wacaco Nanopresso

If you follow us on social media, you’ve surely spotted our Wacaco. It’s hands down the best thing we’ve ever received. Seriously. A portable espresso maker is an absolute must-have for any coffee addict who travels.

With this little wonder, you can make a perfect espresso anywhere you can get hold of ground coffee and hot water. In Mexico, we used it every single day because our accommodation didn’t have a coffee maker for a full five months.

2) Toiletry Bag

My quest for the perfect toiletry bag could fill an entire novel — or more accurately, a tragedy. I’ve gone through so many that it’s honestly embarrassing. In the end, I carry two: a roll-up hanging one for makeup, brushes and jewellery, and a classic one for shampoo, conditioner and moisturiser.

If you’re looking for a great travel gift for a woman, check out the high-quality waterproof toiletry bags from Cocoon. I think I desperately need one myself.

3) RFID-Blocking Document Organisers

Last year I mentioned packing organisers; this year I’d like to highlight security document organisers with RFID protection against electronic theft.

Over the past year, I’ve heard so many alarming stories that these seem like essential kit for anyone travelling to big cities. I personally like the Jack Wolfskin Boarding Pouch organiser, but there’s a great selection of travel organisers to choose from.

4) Sock Shoes – Barefoot Skinners

If you’ve ever been camping, on a long-distance cycling trip, or anywhere with a heavy backpack, you’ve probably wondered about a spare pair of shoes. That’s where the Skinners barefoot sock shoes come in. They’re not just backup shoes — they double as water shoes, running shoes, workout shoes, and they’re perfect for wearing on the plane.

I’ve been testing them since early October, and so far I’m thrilled. I was worried that walking in them would hurt (I’m a bit of a princess when it comes to my feet), but that turned out to be completely unfounded. Instead, it felt like a never-ending gentle foot massage! Another bonus is that you only need to know an approximate shoe size, making them an easy gift to buy.

5) Mementerra Travel Journal

For those of us who love all things paper, the Mementerra journal makes a lovely gift. I personally adore its design — they’ve hit my taste perfectly. The inside is divided into four sections: Dreams & Plans, Experiences & Memories, Challenges & Activities, and Summary & Reflections.

6) Head Torch – Not Just for Campers

I have no idea why we still haven’t bought a head torch, even though we talk about it every time we go camping. We could have used one three years ago in Hawaii, and this year we missed it in the Tatras and the Dolomites.

Unfortunately, I can’t recommend a specific model, but there’s a solid selection of head torches to browse online.

7) A Photogenic, Quality Rain Jacket

Having a high-quality rain jacket that actually looks good is no longer a pipe dream. The only reason I don’t have a stylish yellow one is that we bought our green ones the day after we got absolutely drenched in the Tatras. A solid quality rain jacket is always a welcome gift.

8) Collapsible Cookware Sets

For any friends and family who camp without a car, collapsible cookware is an absolute game-changer. We really wish we’d discovered this about three years earlier. We wouldn’t have had to eat out of the same pot we’d just cooked in. These days we’ve solved the problem by travelling by car, but lightweight collapsible sets are brilliant for backpackers.

9) Hydrapak

Our favourite travel water bottle — and it solves that annoying problem of trying to fill a bottle under a low tap. The Hydrapak collapses to a quarter of its full height. We use it daily, whether we’re heading into town, to the gym, or on a trip. It’s great for camping, hiking, and even casual city breaks.

10) Universal Travel Adapter

Last year I recommended the power cube we use on our trips. If that’s not your cup of tea, you could go for a universal travel adapter that’s compatible in over 220 countries worldwide. It’s one of those practical travel gifts that every frequent flyer genuinely appreciates.

11) Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Even I was surprised by how much we used a portable speaker on our travels over the past year. We got it free with a phone and it came with us everywhere. The speaker has been useful not just for music and podcasts, but also for conference calls with clients.

12) Online Language Course

I’d always been sceptical about online language courses, but trying one completely changed my mind. After just six weeks, my partner and I could get by in Spanish during our time in Mexico. The lessons are interactive, there’s both a phone app and a desktop version, and you learn grammar as well as vocabulary. Just 20 minutes a day is enough for effective language learning.

There are some brilliant options out there for English speakers — platforms like Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone all make excellent gifts for travellers. An annual subscription to a language app is a thoughtful, unique gift for any travel lover.

13) Photo Keepsakes

One of the most popular gifts I’ve ever given was a calendar made from photos of our travels together. Calendars are also appreciated by people who didn’t come along on the trip — mums and grandmothers especially. In our family, custom photo calendars are always the biggest hit with the grandparents.

Services like Photobox, Shutterfly, or Snapfish make it incredibly easy to create beautiful custom photo calendars, canvas prints, and photo books from your travel snaps. They’re personal, unique, and always bring back wonderful memories.

TIP: You can also commission a custom painting based on a favourite travel photo — a truly unique travel gift!

14) Performance Outdoor Clothing

You can never have too much quality outdoor performance clothing if you travel to the mountains regularly. Just like last year, I wholeheartedly recommend Kari Traa for women. I still haven’t found a better brand that flatters the female figure while also being genuinely functional gear.

I’ve stayed loyal to it all year and haven’t looked at anything else. For men, we don’t have a particular favourite brand, but Norwegian outdoor brands are well worth exploring.

15) Beautiful Books for Travellers

I only read fiction electronically on my Kindle (also an excellent travel gift for bookworms, by the way), but I love collecting colourful cookbooks and beautiful coffee-table travel books. If you’ve got someone like that in your life, here are my picks.

Travel Gifts for Photographers

I’m a passionate amateur photographer. It’s one of the things I love investing in, and any photography-related gift makes me incredibly happy. These are some of the best unique travel gifts for photography enthusiasts.

16) Gorillapod by Joby – A Tripod You Can Mount Anywhere

This is my absolute favourite piece of travel gear. Luky got it for me a year ago before our road trip to Iceland, and I can’t imagine any trip without it now. You can mount it virtually anywhere — on a chunk of ice (yes, we tried), a railing, a tree branch — it’s compact and incredibly easy to handle.

17) Peak Design Capture – Safe, Easy Camera Carrying

If anyone reading this wants to make me happy — this is the piece of gear I somehow still don’t own but desperately need (Santa, are you taking notes?).

The Capture is the safest, most comfortable, and most accessible way to carry your camera on hikes. You clip your camera onto your backpack or rucksack strap using the Capture, keeping it secure and always within reach.

18) LaCie External Hard Drive

For MacBook users, there’s no better choice than the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt. It’s no wonder it’s so popular among bloggers and content creators. I already have two at home. If your loved ones use Windows, Seagate and Western Digital also make excellent rugged options.

Travel Gifts for Cyclists

After our cycling trip from the Czech Republic to Greece, I thought I’d never get on a bike again. I was wrong — I missed it within about a month. I think I can officially call myself a cyclist now; the only remaining challenge is figuring out how to cycle with our dog.

19) Livall Smart Helmet

This is a pricier gift, but if you’ve got a cyclist-gadget-lover at home — like my husband — it’ll go down a treat. The Livall helmet is ideal for long-distance cycling, letting you listen to music or podcasts while riding.

You can also use the helmet to communicate with other cyclists who have one, though you need a phone connected to Wi-Fi, which is a bit impractical — we didn’t use that feature much.

What we did use a lot was the flashing light feature at night. It’s far better than standard reflectors because you light up like a Christmas tree and there’s no way anyone can miss you.

20) Book – Epic Bike Rides of the World

Every book by Lonely Planet is a treasure you want on your shelf, and this one is no exception. When I saw it in a bookshop, I almost bought it on the spot — even though we weren’t planning any such trip. It’s a stunning coffee-table book showcasing the world’s most incredible cycling routes.

21) Cyclist Mug – A Fun Little Gift

A fun little stocking filler for passionate cyclists. There are plenty of cycling-themed mugs and enamel cups out there — browse the options and pick your favourite.

That’s it for this year’s list! I hope at least something caught your eye and made your Christmas shopping a little easier. If you’re hungry for more inspiration and this roundup wasn’t enough, be sure to check out our gift guide from last year too.