20 Gift Ideas for Travelers

Stumped on what to buy your travel-loving friend or relative for the holidays?  Here’s an extensive list of practical, yet fun gift ideas for anyone with travel plans in the near or distant future.  I promise the traveler in your life will be excited to receive a useful gift that aids them in their travel pursuits!

Clicking on the name of each item will open a link to where you can purchase the gift in a separate window.  I did not include pictures of each item for copyright reasons.

 

JOURNALS/BOOKS:

1) Travel Stub Diary

This is a great way to save important ticket stubs as tangible memories of various trips!

2) Moleskine Volant Notebook Ruled Blue Extra Small (Set of 2) 

These pocket-sized notebooks provide a fantastic way for a traveler to jot down their thoughts, save important addresses or phone numbers, and write down important translated words so they’ll always know how to ask where the bathroom is.  They’re a perfect size and won’t weigh your traveler down.  I never travel without these!

3) The Food Traveler’s Handbook (also available as an e-book: The Food Traveler’s Handbook)

Perfect for your food-loving traveler!  It discusses adventurous eating while traveling, safety precautions, and some interesting historical/cultural insights about food.

4) The Solo Traveler’s Handbook 2nd Edition (e-book: The Solo Traveler’s Handbook)

This book offers stories and tips on everything a solo traveler should know, whether they’re a seasoned traveler or about to embark on their first solo trip.

5) The Career Break Traveler’s Handbook (e-book)

Get this for the traveler-at-heart who needs a little help planning their career break and the trip they’ve been dreaming about for years.

SAFETY & HEALTH:

6)Braza Bra Travel Pocket Pouch

This is one of my favorites and has been a total life saver for me!

7) Anti-Theft bags

Anti-theft bags do what they say: they’re designed to protect against theft and are a great way to help your traveler stay safe.  There are purses, messenger bags, backpacks, and safety-minded accessories available.

THIS is the purse I use when traveling. (It has “slashguard” water repellant fabric, a “slashproof” shoulder strap, hidden pockets, a “turn & lock strap hook”,  and isn’t a total fashion abomination. ($49.99))

8) Brita Water Filter Bottle

These bottles are BPA-free, save money, and help keep travelers healthy by filtering tap water.

9) Activated Charcoal Tablets

Most travelers have had at least one unfortunate instance of tummy troubles caused by local water/food.  These tablets can be trip-savers since they absorb unwanted substances and toxins in the gut, but many people don’t even know about them!

MAPS:

10) Scratch World Map Poster

This allows your travel-lover to easily keep track of all the countries they’ve traveled to.

11) Children’s World Map

Perfect for the young aspiring world-traveler!

STOCKING STUFFERS:

12) Universal Travel Charger Adapter

Allows a traveler to use most of their electronics anywhere in the world, regardless of the outlet type.  (Note: a few older electronics will not be compatible, but it is suitable for the universal voltage of 100-240V AC)

13) Currency And Passport Organizer

This lets travelers keep track of multiple currencies, allowing their foreign transactions to be quick, effortless and safe.

14)World Time Travel Alarm Clock with Flashlight

Features a clock in 16 time zones, a thermometer, an alarm, and a flashlight all in one!

15) Retractable Headphones

This is an inexpensive gift that is surprisingly useful for anyone, as it keeps cord tangling to a minimum every time the headphones are hastily tossed into a backpack or purse.

16) Mini LED Flashlight/Lantern (2-pack: $22.50)

A great flashlight that doubles as a stand-alone lantern…this is a must for all travelers!

17) Power Monkey Portable Charger

The power monkey will charge small portable electronics (cell phones, iPods, digital cameras, Kindles, etc.) multiple times and holds its charge for up to a year before needing to be recharged.

18) “Fiz, Let’s Go Places” iPhone App: (Free)

If you can, download this free app on your traveler’s iPhone!  It has a compilation of exciting activities for locations all over the world, and should be available for Android phones soon.

OTHER FUN IDEAS:

19) Airline miles

Airline miles are a great way to actually give the gift of travel to your travel addict, but keep in mind you will have to know your traveler’s membership number for each airline.  Here are a few of the common U.S. based companies:

  • Delta: Both you and the recipient have to be Delta Skymiles members.  It’s free to open an account; the cheapest option is 2,000 miles for $70.
  • US Airways: Both you and the recipient have to be Dividend Miles members.  It is free to open an account; the cheapest option is 1,000 miles + 1,000 bonus miles for $35.
  • American Airlines: Both you and the recipient have to be AAdvantage members.  It’s free to open an account; the cheapest option is 1,000 miles for $29.50.

**Note: If you’re purchasing miles with a specific destination in mind that your traveler is dreaming of, make sure the airline actually flies there.  Regardless, your traveler should be excited to receive such a useful gift.**

20) House Sitting Membership

Imagine the rustic romance of a white stone house overlooking lush vineyards in Tuscany, Italy…or the modern excitement of a high rise apartment in the heart of Melbourne, Australia.  Think vacationing in such exciting destinations around the world free of accommodation costs is impossible?  Think again!

Buy your travel-addict a membership for a house sitting website, where they can peruse house-sitting opportunities all over the globe that last anywhere from a couple of days to several months.

One good site is www.trustedhousesitters.com, but there are many out there.  Keep in mind that a lot of the house-sitting opportunities involve pet care, so your travel lover should be comfortable with animals.

Trusted House Sitters.com membership prices:

  • 3 Months: $30
  • 6 Months: $45
  • 12 Months: $60

 

What other great gifts have you thought of for the traveler in your life?  I’d love to hear more suggestions!

 

  • http://www.yellerealty.com Pam

    Wow…that is an awesome gift list with reasonable prices for friends & family to help the traveler in their life have a safe & enjoyable trip without the worries of so many of the things alot of us would not have thought of! Great ideas thanks for sharing!

    • http://www.fleetinglife.com Fleeting Life

      Thank you! I’m glad you liked the post! :)

  • http://www.fiz.com Sarah Hughes

    Thank you so much for including the Fiz app in your excellent list! We`e hearing it`s getting a few people out of a fix when somewhere new as well as helping them explore the kids of places they most want to see. Hope your readers try it and like it and we’re open to all feedback via the app or on http://www.facebook.com/fizplaces. Happy travels!

    • http://www.fleetinglife.com Fleeting Life

      Happy to recommend it, it’s such a great app idea!

  • http://enterthedragans.com/ Melanie

    This list is fun! Found a few things to add to my Amazon Wish List. I see you like the braza secret stash. Don’t you have to dig around in your shirt to get your money out? How do you handle that?

    • http://www.fleetinglife.com cgmyr

      So glad you liked the post Melanie! I do love the braza secret stash..I use it mainly when I’m going out to a bar or something and do not want to carry a purse if the area is sketchy. I used it a ton when I was living in San Jose, Costa Rica! You’re right, you do have to reach into your shirt, but the velcro makes it very easy to attach and unattach, and it looks like a cute little wallet if you just have it in your hand. (not to mention it’s way more comfortable than sticking cash or keys into your actual bra!)

      So usually I would leave my house and get into a cab/etc. with it in my hand, buy a drink/entrada into a bar, then go attach it quickly to my bra in the bathroom. It seems to look great under a dress or a nice top, but I admit it might show a bump under a tight t-shirt! A lot of Amazon reviewers prefer attaching it to the side of their underwear under their pants so that’s another option.

      Happy Travels :)
      Christina

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