Are you looking for the perfect gift for your travel-addicted friend? Or maybe you want to find some gifts for yourself onBlack Friday (because secretly, that’s what we’re all doing, right?). Whether a birthday, holiday or anniversary is approaching, you might feel the crushing pressure that comes with finding the PERFECT GIFT for your loved one. But this list of the best travel gift ideas will make shopping much more easy, exciting and hilarious!
This gift guide is definitely a long one.
It’s got everything from gag gifts to incredible gadgets to trendy travel wear. Whether your budget is a couple of grand or twenty bucks, you’ll definitely find something to buy for your wanderlust loved one on this ‘Best Travel Gift Ideas’ list!
Ona Camps Bay Camera and Laptop Backpack
The travel satchel is quickly becoming the most stylish travel bag. But the Ona bag takes it to the next level. Instead of looking like an uber hipster and sacrificing the quality of your pack, this bag comfortably holds your camera, laptop and other accessories needed to travel. All while maintaining its shape and sitting comfortably on your shoulders.
Scratch Map
Nothing is prettier (and more brag-worthy) than a pretty scratch map. If your giftee has been to quite a few countries, they will enjoy the fun of scratching the gold foil off of their map and witnessing the colors. If they’re newer to travel (or just love gold and white) this wall decor will look amazing above a desk or in a bedroom.
Traveler Icon T-Shirt
If you can’t learn a language in time for your trip, this is great option! When in a foreign destination, simply walk up to a local and point to the icon needed on this shirt. They’ll understand you don’t speak the language, yet still know exactly what you need. Available in men’s and women’s sizes and with a variety of symbols.
Go Girl Portable Urinary Bathroom Device
Ever wanted to pee like a man? Sure you have! And now you can! You’ll never know if your friend actually needs this…unless you’re besties and you have a really honest relationship. But this might just be the best travel-gag gift ever. And you know they’ll secretly use it. And love it.
Hydro Hammock
So this one is a tad expensive (and it’s also backorder until 2017), but it’s an amazing gift for you campers out there! If you’re looking for a really cool experience on the road, one that includes a man-mad hot tub in the middle of nature, this is the gear to invest in!
Happy Maps
Looking for something sweet for your sweetie? Commemorate how (and where) you fell in love with this personalized map! The artwork includes a personalized section where you can add your name, the special city and the coordinates of said city. It’s the perfect gift for your anniversary, Valentine’s Day or birthday.
Modobag
Quite possibly the most entertaining gift on the list, the Modobag is a game changer. This suitcase is the world’s first motorized carry-on allowing travelers to sit on it and take them to their terminal quickly. I honestly can’t think of a more amazing way to entertain yourself at the airport. The funniest part is that they market this to business people trying to get to their flight on time. I don’t know how many CEOs are riding their bags to work. But if I saw my employee using one, I’d promote them immediately.
Erin Condren Travel Accessories
If you love journaling as much as I do, than you know how important it is to bring your journal everywhere you go. But nothing compares to the journals and travel accessories made by Erin Condren. Accessories like the world lifeplanner, journal, snap-in travel dashboard, wet erase markers, GO! ID tags, and elastic band trio make your travels (and carrying important information) that much more organized and fashionable.
Contoured & Comfortable Eye Mask
Eye masks are an absolute must on an airplane! They keep the overhead lights out and they keep the weirdos from chatting it up with you. Escape the world with this comfortable eye mask that contours to your face and feels aaahhhhmazzzing. It also comes with ear buds, for further ignoring.
Trtl Soft Neck Support Travel Pillow
Sleeping on an airplane has got to be the worst. The lack of recline, the awkward neck situation, and your pillow from home can’t even help you here. This is where Trtl comes in. This ergonomic pillow not only allows you to sleep in absolute comfort, but will also keep your neck from getting sore.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
I’m kinda over the ear bud things. One size DOES NOT fit all and it’s quite uncomfortable. But headphones are more than just listening to music or movies. It’s about cutting out all of the noise around you, especially on an airplane. That’s why these noise canceling headphones are the best choice for your musical, ignoring-the-world needs.
GATTA Camera Bag
One of my favorite purses is the stylish Gatta Bag. This genuine leather purse is perfect for storing your DSLR camera, a spare lens and a couple of necessities while traveling around town. This gorgeous Lola Rose is their limited edition color, but then again you can’t go wrong with black since it goes with just about everything.
Portable Solar Charger
Maybe you’re roughing it or perhaps you forgot to charge your phone. Either way, you can’t be without your gadgets! This solar portable charger has a rechargeable battery cell with dual USB ports, a built-in compass, flashlight, and universal device capacity. Perfect for those of you with an iPhone 6 Plus 6 5S 5C 5 4S, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge S5 S4 S3 Note 5 4 3, LG G4 G3, Nexus, HTC, Go Pro Camera, GPS etc.
GoPro HERO5 Session
If you don’t already have a GoPro, then you’ve certainly heard of them. They capture everything around you, are great quality and are pretty durable. But you don’t need to break the bank just to get your hands on one. The updated HERO5 Session costs half that of the Hero + line and takes amazing 4K video. With this gift, you’re not sacrificing quality for such a low cost.
Feiyu GoPro Gimbal
If your friend is trying to capture their moments via GoPro Hero 3 or 4, help them enhance the experience. This GoPro gimbal allows stabilization so that the video is smooth and steady when recording. The video looks much more professional (and gives you a little less motion sickness when you watch it).
Harry Potter Coloring Book
Keep the magic alive, for at least a few hours anyway. Perfect for flights, train rides and buses, a coloring book will keep you entertained forever. And sure there’s a ton of coloring books out there, but Harry Potter is just better in every way.
LifeStraw Go Water Bottle
Hiking is becoming the new mode of travel. It’s adventurous, it’s beautiful and it really tests your limits. But with it comes a lot more expensive gadgets and travel gear. This water bottle, however, makes camping/hiking a lot easier. Now you don’t need pills, packets or gadgets to clean water from a river or spring nearby. This straw removes 99.99% of airborne bacteria from natural water sources and has no funky aftertaste.
Snugpak Head to Toe Travel Towel
Backpackers know the importance of the right travel: it needs to dry fast, work for all kinds of situations and pack easily. Thus, I present you with the Snugpack Head to Toe Travel Towel. The ultimate travel towel is super compact and incredibly affordable. This travel body towel is quick drying, antibacterial treated and low weight, so packing is a breeze.
LOOP World Adapter Plug and Charger
We all know that we can’t live on the road without our adapter plugs, some of us even need two (awkwardly raises hand). But this one is incredibly! Not only does this adapter work with every outlet around the world and charge 3 devices at the same time, but it also contains an SP and USB outlet.
Lifeproof Waterproof Case for iPhone
This cell phone case may be a tad bulky, but is perfect for the adventurous traveler. This waterproof and screen protecting case is a great way to protect your phone when your kayaking, rock climbing, sky diving or trying any other bad ass activity. Now you can take pics on your phone and not have to worry about ruining it!
If you or your giftee are hardcore campers (or simply glamp for the Insta) then this could be the gift that takes it to the next level! While it doesn’t offer much in the way of privacy, it completely alters your camping experience. You can witness the beautiful stars at night, the rain fall above your head or watch the sunrise first thing in the morning. You’re experiencing nature in its truest and best state.
Mini Travel Steam Iron
Kid headed to college? Sloppy child backpacking but insisting they’ll wear their only nice collared shirt out? Then you should probably prepare them with this mini steam iron. It heats up incredibly quickly and takes up a small amount of space in their travel bag.
CREATE-A-SPACE Airplane Seat Divider
This is one of those gifts you want so badly, but just don’t have the balls to buy. If you’ve ever sat in the middle seat, you know what a nightmare it is to claim your personal space. With the Create-A-Space seat divider, you’re taking control of your air comfort. And maybe getting a few awkward looks in the process.
Tentsile Stingray Tree Tent
Camping made magical. If you’re not a fan of camping, you’ve probably never tried it suspending in air before! This 3-person portable treehouse is great for an adventurer and allows you to experience nature in a whole new way.
World Map Patchwork Duvet Cover
Wrap yourself in the world. This comfy duvet by Bianca Green not only looks beautiful, but a portion of each purchase goes toward supporting art communities around the very world you’re sleeping in! Perfect for the world traveler, if they’re home long enough to enjoy their own bed!
The New York Times: 36 Hours Europe
This is one of my favorite books to read before any trip to Europe. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or staying in one city for a prolonged period of time, there are always a ton of great ideas listed in here! Offbeat or super touristy, you’ll have at least 5 things to add to your bucket list. New York Times also has 36 Hours in USA & Canada, Latin America & The Caribbean, and Asia & Oceania.
What a cool list. I’ve got some buying to do!
I am really curious and excited to see the magical Antelope Canyon. I am fascinated by your first trip to Arizona. I agree that this place is really a beautiful landscape. I appreciate that you shared your wonderful experience to other people since this would help them not miss this amazing experience.
Noise cancelling headphones are really very useful for travelers. I always carry one around whenever I’m travelling. In fact, I never travel without it. It makes the ride/flight more stress free.
Seriously! It’s one of the best things to make you feel like you’re somewhere else 😛 Thanks for reading Dan!
Now I dream of a night under the stars in this bubble tent… 🙂
This is such a cool list! I use the lifestraw every time I head out camping. Thanks for bringing the hydro hammock to my attention. Looks like its a sweet piece of gear to have!