Every year it seems like finding the perfect holiday gift for a travel enthusiast gets more challenging. Our top 12 travel gift shopping guide can help! You want a gift that’s practical, thoughtful, and will enhance their adventures in meaningful ways. Whether they’re heading off on a flight to a new destination, embarking on a road trip, or exploring hidden travel gems close to home, you can find the perfect gift that will make all the difference.
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In this guide, we’ve curated our list of the best gifts for 2024 that any traveler would love. From high-tech gadgets that keep them connected to organization products that make packing a breeze, these gifts are designed to elevate their travel experience. Whether you’re shopping for an experienced globetrotter or someone who’s planning their first big adventure, our favorite travel items are guaranteed to inspire wanderlust and make every journey smoother, more comfortable, and unforgettable.
The best part is that they are all available without leaving home to brave crowds during holiday shopping season! Most are just an Amazon or manufacturer website order away. There are also many inexpensive gift options on the list!
For more ideas see our first time cruiser article with lots of gift ideas for the cruiser too!
1. Portable Travel Wi-Fi Hotspot
Gift Recommendation: Simo Solis Lite Wi-Fi Hotspot with lifetime data
Why It’s a Great Gift: Phone charges can add up when you are traveling outside your coverage areas. Also, staying connected while traveling can be a challenge, especially in remote areas or foreign countries. This Solis portable hotspot allows travelers to access the internet from almost anywhere in the world. It’s perfect for digital nomads, business travelers, or anyone who wants to avoid high roaming fees or surprise charges.
2. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Gift Recommendation: Sony WH-1000XM5
Why It’s a Great Gift: These Sony white headphones are perfect when trying to drown out outside sounds on a flight! Long flights and crowded public transportation can be stressful, but noise-canceling headphones provide a perfect way to cope. The Sony WH-1000XM5 on Amazon offers incredible sound quality and superior noise cancellation, making it a top choice for frequent flyers and train travelers.
3. Scratch-Off World Map
Gift Recommendation: Innovative Scratch-Off World Map ***great inexpensive option
Why It’s a Great Gift: This colorful world map comes into view as you scratch the places you’ve been! A visual reminder of past and future travels, a scratch-off map lets travelers track the countries they’ve visited in a colorful and artistic way. It’s a great piece of wall art decor for any travel lover’s home and salutes the spirit of exploration. (note to family: I’d love this as a gift this year!)
4. Travel Pillow Set
Gift Recommendation: Buyue Adjustable Travel Pillow Plus ***great inexpensive option
Why It’s a Great Gift: This inexpensive travel pillow is my favorite because you can adjust it to exactly where you need the support. Comfort during long flights is key to relaxation to start the trip. The Buyue Travel Pillow from Amazon provides excellent moveable neck support, and its design makes it easy to pack. Perfect for frequent flyers or road trippers who value comfort and relaxation.
5. Solid Shampoo Bar and Conditioner Set
Best Gift Recommendation: Ethique Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Bars ***great inexpensive option
Why It’s a Great Gift: For the traveler who never has enough space for liquids in their carry-on, solid haircare is a great alternative to bulky bottles of liquids. These bars are compact, travel-friendly, and free from plastic packaging, making them perfect for anyone trying to save space and liquid allowances while on the road. They are also great on the hair and leave mine frizz-free! Check out the Amazon reviews on these. They are well-loved!
6. Compression Packing Cubes
Best Gift Recommendation: Bagail Compression Packing Cube Set ***great inexpensive option
Why It’s a Great Gift: We highly recommend these packing cubes for their ability to pack in more than you thought possible in less space with their compression ability! They are also a great inexpensive gift option! It’s a great product to help you stay organized, maximizing space in their luggage and ensuring easy access to essentials. This set is perfect for the travel-enthusiast on your gift list!
7. Portable Charger (Power Bank)
Best Gift Recommendation: Anker PowerCore 10000
Why It’s a Great Gift: Running out of battery while traveling is a common issue. This power bank is compact, lightweight, and powerful enough to charge phones and other devices multiple times. It’s a lifesaver for any traveler who relies on their phone for navigation, photography, or entertainment.
8. Travel Notebook
Best Gift Recommendation: Moleskine Voyageur Travelers Notebook ***great inexpensive option
Why It’s a Great Gift: Sometimes you need to make a few notes to add to later or jot down a few memories. Whether for writing, sketching, or planning, a travel notebook journal makes for a timeless gift. Moleskine’s Voyageur is designed specifically for travelers, with a compact 4.5” x 7” design and strap to keep it closed.
9. Portable Water Purifier Bottle
Travel Gift Recommendation: GRAYL GeoPress Water Purifier
Why It’s a Great Gift: We love this for a travel essential gift! Clean water isn’t always easily available when traveling off the beaten path and sometimes the water in hotels seems sketchy.. This water purifier ensures safe drinking water anywhere, making it the perfect gift item for travelers, hikers, and campers exploring remote destinations.
10. Digital Luggage Scale
Best Gift Recommendation: Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale ***great inexpensive option
Why It’s a Great Gift: Baggage fees have gotten expensive! Finding ways to avoid overweight baggage fees can be tricky, especially on multi-stop journeys. This small and easy-to-use digital scale can help your travel-love avoid the stress of last-minute airport baggage reshuffling or having to come up with unexpected extra money.
11. Smart Luggage with cup and phone holder
Best Gift Recommendation: 20” Mixi Carry on With Spinner Wheels, Cell Phone Holder and Charger
Why It’s a Great Gift: This 20” smart carry-on bag is not only sleek and stylish but also includes cup and phone holders as well as a built-in charger, which makes it a game-changer for modern travelers. It’s designed for ease and durability, ensuring that travelers can navigate airports with ease while having a space for their phone and drink.
12. Travel-Sized Skincare Kit
Best Gift Recommendation: Glow Recipe Fruit Babies Kit
Why It’s a Great Gift: Skincare routines can be tough to maintain on the road and going through different climates. This travel-sized skincare set contains all the essentials, making it easy to keep up a beauty routine while adventuring. Glow Recipe’s products are known for being gentle yet effective, perfect for most skin types and easy to use on the go.
Final Thoughts on our Top 12 2024 Travel Gift Recommendations
We travel a lot, but sometimes still struggle to find the perfect gift for the travelers in our lives who seem to have everything. Each of these gifts can enhance the travel experience in a unique way and hopefully, it will make it a little easier to find the perfect gift the jet-setters in your life.
Whether your loved one is a seasoned traveler or just starting their adventures, these 2024 gift ideas are sure to delight and inspire the holiday shopping experience this year.
