20+ Travel-Themed Gifts (That They Will Actually Use)
by Jenny Javitch, Founder of Global Game Plan
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase.
If you’re searching for the perfect holiday or birthday gift for every kind of traveler in your life, you’ve come to the right place. After years of international and domestic travel, these travel products have risen to the top as my tried-and-true favorites. To make it easier to shop for the travelers on your list, these useful travel gifts are organized into the categories below. And don’t worry, we won’t tell if you end up buying them for yourself 😉.
Food & Drink Gifts (for the foodie)
A monthly coffee subscription featuring freshly roasted coffee from a new country each month, flavor notes, a fact-filled postcard, and brewing tips. Click here to receive $10 off your first order after you sign up.
A monthly subscription box for the whole family to enjoy! Snacks, candy and trivia galore from a variety of countries all over the world. After 4+ years of receiving this, my family still looks forward to the arrival of these unique and tasty treats each month. Click here to see all your ordering options.
Foods from your favorite U.S. restaurants shipped nationwide. It’s a pricey but unique service for yourself or to give as a gift. They have everything from gourmet cookie dough to lobster rolls. Your mouth will start watering after you CLICK HERE.
Travel Magazine Subscriptions (for the avid reader)
AFAR is a travel and vacation magazine that guides and inspires those who travel the world to connect with its people, experience their cultures and understand their perspectives. Published Bi-Monthly | 6 issues per year
Travel + Leisure is your travel and vacation companion for the adventure of a lifetime - from the comfort of home or flying at 40,000 feet above to your dream vacation destination. Published Monthly |12 issues per year
Condé Nast Traveler is a travel and vacation magazine that inspires travel to destinations in nearby familiar territory or to faraway exotic locations and strives to help travelers feel at home wherever their travels take them. Published Seasonally | 8 issues per year
Click here for the best place to buy magazine subscriptions at a DISCOUNT…for other areas of travel as well as food & wine, sports, health, animals, technology and many more categories.
If someone on your list has an upcoming trip, check out the great selection of travel guides at Barnes and Noble. Not sure what they would enjoy? This website matches travel destinations with recommended reads.
Packing & Travel Gear (for the organizer)
A very useful combination of a backpack and a regular tote bag. Worked great on my recent safari/beach travels! It truly is lightweight - and easy to pack in your main travel luggage.
This backpack is my go-to for city travel due to the protection it provides against pickpockets on public transportation and in crowded areas. It comes in a variety of sizes and styles.
I started using these a few years ago for electronics, socks, undergarments, shirts and shorts. They save space and help keep you organized. And, if you share a suitcase or are packing for the whole family, you can buy multiple sets in different colors.
These packs holds sooo much stuff in organized compartments. Well-made, durable, weather-resistant and perfect for weekend trips. They come in 28L, 35L, 42L, 50L and 70L sizes.
Made with repurposed fabric, there are tons of colors to choose from. Use this to carry your essentials for short or long trips like a neighborhood walk or a stop at the grocery store. A pandemic essential!
Much better than using a plastic grocery store bag! Fits many shoe sizes and prevents dirt on the bottom of shoes from spreading all over your suitcase. They can also be used for makeup, toiletries and for carrying shoes to and from the gym. The lightweight design and center zipper are convenient, and the nylon fabric is waterproof.
Great for separating clean and dirty clothes on your trip. When you get home, just take the bag right to your washing machine. Get ahead of the laundry game and buy two – one for light clothes and one for dark-colored clothes.
Kids and adults can use these nightlights with a built-in sensor to light their way in an unfamiliar place to the bathroom in the middle of the night. They come in a multi-pack which is awesome in case you leave one behind on a trip. =)
Cameras & Photo Gear (for the amateur photographer)
Read this Quick Guide to Travel Camera Gifts so you don’t have to spend hours researching and reading reviews to purchase the perfect camera gift.
Take pictures on a timer, use it as a selfie stick or move the gorilla pod’s legs around a nearby object for creating photo taking. Lightweight and portable. Larger pods are available for different sized cameras.
Transfers pictures taken on your camera to your iPhone for easy sharing on social media. This comes in handy, even if your camera has Wi-Fi. Check to be sure your phone model number and operating system are compatible with this item.
Very helpful for your circulation on international flights (or longer domestic flights). Read the Travel Channel’s article on Why You Should Wear Compression Socks on Your Next Flight. These compression socks come in lots of styles, sizes and colors for everyone in the family.
If you’re travelling on an airplane there’s nothing better than noise cancelling headphones to drown out the sound of, well, everything. Also great for listening to music in a crowded coffee shop.
A must-have for when you are out and about for long periods of time or as a backup if your airplane doesn’t have power. When searching for the best charger, the main things to consider are: a) the weight and size (you want it to fit easily in your purse or pocket); and b) the amount of the "charge" it will give your phone...this one is 10000mAh which is a strong choice for its small size and light weight.
For sharing headphones to watch a movie while you travel. Not always necessary but you'd be surprised at how handy it comes in - also a backup if your movie screen or a headphone jack isn't working on the airplane or your kids are sharing one device.
The shop at the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in NYC has oh so many retro TWA airlines gifts and souvenirs for aviation enthusiasts or history buffs. Luckily, they sell online too!
Time-Saving Travel Planning Gifts (for the busy professional)
Would someone on your gift list love to save time and stress while planning a vacation in 2022? Global Game Plan offers multiple travel planning services that will make life easier… and we now offer Gift Cards! Contact us to get started travel planning today.
Travel Tours
Give the gift of a tour with great options such as:
Airbnb Online Experiences - they have a big list of virtual tours you can take from home
G Adventures, an awesome small group travel adventure company
Get Your Guide where you can find tours and activities for all ages and interests
Miscellaneous Gift Ideas (for the all-around travel lover)
Give the gift of a Polar Pen Pal, where kids ages 5-12 can explore Inuit culture in Canada through exciting, educational monthly games and activities. Choose from gift options for monthly subscriptions, downloadable pdf documents and much more!
Gift cards to:
Adventure travel gear and clothing brands such as Cotopaxi, Columbia Sportswear and The North Face. REI sells a lot of these travel-friendly brands.
Stores such as The Container Store (they have a great travel section!) and Barnes and Noble for travel guides or reading material for a long flight
Groupon - for a large selection of travel activities and experiences at a discount price
Global Game Plan - customized travel planning services - let someone else do the travel research for you!
Photobooks
Feeling creative? Design and print your own photobook gift on Shutterfly or Mixbook or send a personalized greeting card or postcard with Touchnote.
————————————
If you liked these ideas, there’s more where they came from. Check out the travel planning services that Global Game Plan offers. It’s our job to make travel easier for you! Also, if you sign up for our monthly newsletter you will receive FREE local travel tips…or you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.