Best Gifts for Travellers in 2021

Need travel gift ideas for the wanderers, backpackers and adventurers in your life? Our round-up of the best travel gifts will put a smile on any traveller’s face.

Finding good presents for travellers isn’t always easy, so I’ve compiled a list of travel gifts to help. From the practical to the unique, budget to luxury, for men and for women – this list of travel gifts has something for every type of traveller.

Packing your backpack instead? Read our travel packing list.

Best Travel Gifts for 2020

• Best Travel Gifts Under £100
• Best Travel Gifts Under £25
• Gifts for Travel Photographers
• Unique Travel Gift Ideas
• Travel Gifts for Men
• Travel Gifts for Women
• Gifts for Travelling Couples
• Travel Gift Vouchers

Why Listen to Us? We’ve been travelling the world for 5+ years and know what travellers really need. We use a lot of the travel kit on this list ourselves and some of our recommendations are travel presents we’ve been bought that we love. 

Best Travel Gifts Under £100

1. Fjallraven 28L Backpack

Eco-friendly! More comfortable and larger than the 16L Kanken, this Fjallraven backpack is a great travel gift. It works well as a day backpack for travel and commuting. The design includes a padded laptop sleeve and the backpack is made from water-resistant G1000 heavy duty eco fabric. 

Okay, I admit it’s just over the £100 mark but a sturdy backpack is well worth it.

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2. Osprey Ultralight Packing Cubes

Ethical! Packing cubes are designed to make travel packing easy. By separating and compressing your clothing, you can fill your backpack to capacity and keep organised. I really don’t know how I ever managed to pack before packing cubes. Osprey have good sustainability practices. 

Another even more ethical option are Patagonia’s packing cubes made from 100% recycled fabric. However, you need to buy these separately as they don’t come in a set.

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3. LifeStraw

LifeStraw is a compact and lightweight water filter that filters water for drinking. It can filter out bacteria and parasites and reduces organic chemical matter and chlorine. It filters a maximum of 1000 litres of water, which is enough for one person for approximately a year. Lifestraws let you drink water from any tap, river or water source and filter it into clean water that’s safe for drinking. I have the very lightweight and compact blue steel Lifestraw, but you can also buy a water bottle version. A great present for practical travellers!

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4. FYLINA Travel Pillow

Widely tipped as one of the best travel pillows out there, this is a good travel gift for the frequent flyer or bus-traveller. It’s 100% memory foam to fully support your neck and adjust you to an ergonomic position for sleeping. This travel pillow comes with a handy travel case, so you can pack it down neatly.

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5. Sony Srs-XB12 Compact Portable Speaker

Our portable travel speaker is one of the best travel gifts we’ve ever received. For its size, the Sony Srs-XB12 Compact Portable Speaker has excellent sound quality and bass, perfect for listening to music or linking up to a laptop for an impromptu film night. This travel speaker is also waterproof, dustproof, sand proof and mud proof.

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6. Sony WH-CH700N Noise Cancelling Headphones

A good quality pair of noise cancelling headphones without the Bose price tag. These headphones can make long journeys a lot more pleasurable – especially if there are crying babies on your flight! They have 35 hours of long battery life and with just 10 minutes quick charge you can get 60 minutes playback.

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7. Kindle

This has got to be the best travel gift if you ask me. For years I lugged around heavy books until my work colleagues gifted me a Kindle. I was instantly converted. Lightweight, compact and glare-free I can ‘carry’, read and buy as many books as I want. I don’t know how any traveller could be without a Kindle. There’s also the option to get a slightly more expensive waterproof Kindle.

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Best Travel Gifts Under £25

8. Karrimor Drybag (5L)

This waterproof drybag from Karrimor is the best gift for travellers who love water sports, surfing, boat trips, beach days or island hopping! Store your phone, camera and money whilst on the beach or in the water and they’ll stay dry as a desert. 

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9. Sun Protection Head/Neck Scarf

Me wearing my UV protection head scarf whilst hiking in Ecuador

These are so essential for any traveller who loves hiking. Our UV protection neck scarves have saved us from serious sunburn multiple times. I recommend the Buff brand which has UPF 50+ sun protection and breathable fabric. A good travel gift for men and women.

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10. Elephant Box Leakproof Tiffin Lunchbox

Eco-friendly! This stainless steel travel lunch box from Elephant Box is 100% plastic free and it’s leakproof so no risk of pesky damp patches on your bag. This lunch box has a gorgeous circular, tiffin shape making it stylish as well as practical.

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11. Tree Tribe Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Eco-friendly! Always go stainless steel when buying a water bottle to make sure it’s BPA-free. I recommend this one from Tree Tribe who plant 10 trees for every water bottle sold. It doubles as a thermos because its design keeps water cold the whole day and hot drinks hot for 6+ hours. 

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12. KeepCup Reusable Coffee Cup

Eco-friendly! Is your favourite traveller a coffee-lover too? These beautiful KeepCups save on plastic from takeaway coffees and keep your coffee hot. They’re BPA free and non-toxic.

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13. Little Bodhi Microfibre Travel Towel

Quick-dry, no-stink travel towels make a great travel gift for backpackers and beach lovers. The Little Bodhi travel towels are absorbent, quick-drying and have anti-bacterial properties to prevent odours. We rely on these travel towels when staying in hostels and on the beach. They also come beautifully designed with a leaf imprint in five different colours.

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14. Guppyfriend Washing Bag

This handy laundry bag is great for travellers who care about the environment. Not only can you store up dirty clothes ready for the wash, but you can pop the Guppyfriend bag right in the wash to prevent microfibers from polluting the water system.

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Gifts for Travel Photographers

Travel photography is how we keep memories, so investing in some nice travel photography kit would be a gift any travel photographer would appreciate. I keep my travel photography kit quite simple and just carry a Fujifilm X-T20, but I’ve included some other travel gift ideas here too.

15. Fujifilm X-T20 Mirrorless Camera

The best travel photography camera I’ve ever owned. The Fujifilm X-T20 has beautiful colouring on photos and works well in most conditions. It’s a small and lightweight camera, so can easily be carried in a backpack. I did a lot of research before investing in this camera and I’m confident it’s the best on the market for the price tag.

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16. SanDisk 64GB Memory Card

If you’re buying a camera, you’ll need a memory card too. I’ve had this one for over 5 years and it’s been excellent. It will hold a large amount of travel photos.

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17. Portable Travel Camera Tripod

This travel tripod works perfectly for those who prefer to take travel photos on their phone. The legs bend so you can place it anywhere, wrap it around anything and get the perfect angle.

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Unique Travel Gift Ideas

Sometimes you want to get something a little different. These unique travel gift ideas are popular alternatives to more common travel gifts.

18. Tenswall Portable Blender

Eco-friendly! A lightweight and powerful portable blender perfect for making juices, smoothies and protein shakes. The perfect present for travellers who can’t be without their morning smoothie or post-work out shake, this blender will do the job well. Much faster than your average portable blender and with a rechargeable battery that can be charged via USB. It’s made from non-toxic and eco-friendly PCTG material and food grade stainless steel. 

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19. Aeropress

For good coffee whilst travelling or camping, you have to go Aeropress. This lightweight coffee maker brews smooth coffee from any pre-ground coffee. Luke and I have thrown our Aeropress in our backpack for camping holidays and have always been pleased with the results.

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20. Personalised Travel Adventures Map Print

Make a trip more memorable with a personalised map print of your travels. These original travel maps are unique travel gifts custom-made to highlight the best parts of your trip. They’re individually hand-drawn and no two are the same! 

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21. Unwrpd Zero Waste Goodies Box

An Unwrpd subscription box is a great gift for the eco-aware traveller who has a postal address. This monthly subscription box is packed with zero-waste and sustainable bathroom goodies. You can pick and choose what goes inside the goodie box. My Unwrpd box includes a bamboo toothbrush, truthpaste plastic-free toothpaste, essential oil soap and natural deodorant. Get 25% off your Unwrpd box here.

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22. Scentered Aromatherapy Balms

Suffer from terrible jet lag or just find it difficult to sleep in a bed that’s not your own when you travel? The Sleep Well balm is a traveller’s best friend. This balm is made from a blend of 14 essential oils that help you sleep easy. Simply rub on your wrists, temples and neck and inhale. The balms are 100% natural, made from essential oils and are non-greasy. The balms are a perfect, portable size present for travellers.

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Travel Gifts for Men

I often find myself researching travel gifts for men when I’m on the hunt for the perfect travel gift for Luke. These are some of my best finds that any travelling man would appreciate.

23. Patagonia Hip Pack

Eco-friendly! Durable and lightweight, this hip pack is the ultimate men’s travel gift. Keep passports, money and valuables close to your chest. The hip pack is made from 100% recycled fabric and is water-resistant.

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24. Men’s The North Face Jacket

This lightweight, waterproof jacket from The North Face is guaranteed to keep you dry and looks good too. There’s no travel gift quite like a good quality rain jacket.

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25. Men’s Bamboo Hiking Socks

Eco-friendly! Nothing beats a pair of bamboo socks. Bamboo is a sustainable material that is both soft and durable. If you’ve not tried a pair of bamboo socks on before, oohh boy is it luxury for your toes. These breathable socks prevent rubbing from your shoes and keep your feet cushioned on walks.

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26. Men’s Flipflops that Support our Oceans

Eco-friendly! These ground-breaking flipflops made by Ocean Refresh are a revolution. Made out of recycled plastic waste cleared from our oceans, these vegan flipflops look great and support with keeping our oceans clean. A percentage of your purchase is donated to charities and organisations dedicated to conserving our oceans and coastlines.

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27. Huntsman Knife

There is no better Swiss army knife on the market. We love this travel knife for everything from adventures in the outdoors to opening a bottle of wine. It has 15 tools including a knife, scissors, tin opener and corkscrew. Remember you can’t pack these in carry-on luggage, they have to go into your checked baggage.

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Travel Gifts for Women

Naturally I have more experience in this department! These are some of my favourite travel gifts for women based on what I find useful and my own personal travel kit. Want to know exactly what’s in my backpack? Check out my travel packing list.

28. Fjallraven Gear Bag

This multi-purpose gear back can be used for travel toiletries, bundling electronic accessories or storing passports and travel docs. The perfect women’s travel gift if you’re not sure exactly what your traveller needs. It’s a really cute design and comes in different colours.

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29. Naked Pinecone Travel Kit

Naked Pinecone are a small online store specialising in zero-waste and plastic free travel kits. It’s the perfect present for a traveller who needs some bathroom basics for their backpack. Everything is under 100ml which means you can take it in a carry-on bag. I’ve got the Backpacker Basics travel kit which includes natural sunscreen, natural deodorant, lip balm and shampoo cubes.

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30. Women’s The North Face Jacket

Eco-friendly! This waterproof jacket is made from recycled materials and guaranteed to make sure the rain doesn’t get through. Lightweight and breathable, this jacket is comfortable and keeps you at the right temperature.

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31. Women’s Bamboo Hiking Socks

Eco-friendly! Do your feet a favour and switch to bamboo. These lush socks will keep your feet protected, wick away sweat and prevent your shoes from rubbing on your heel. Bamboo is a sustainable material that is both soft and durable. I wouldn’t be without a pair of bamboo socks on a hike.

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32. Women’s Bamboo Beanie Hat

Eco-friendly! Bamboo is such a soft material that many think it’s a sustainable rival to cashmere. This lightweight hat is soft to wear and will keep you warm. A great travel gift for women who love the outdoors and colder climes. If you’re looking for something cuter, check out this knitted hat.

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33. Upcycled Cotton Sari Robe

Social good! If you’re after unique travel gifts, then check out this stunning upcycled robe. Made from reclaimed saris by artisans in India, this kimono-style robe is handmade and every robe is unique. Purchasing this robe provides Indian women the opportunity to create a better standard of living for their families.

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Gifts for Travelling Couples

Want to get a special gift for a travelling couple you know? This gifts are great for couples.

34. Personalised Wooden His and Hers Luggage Tags

Eco-friendly! His and hers luggage tags are the perfect gift for travelling couples. These luggage tags are made from sustainably sourced wood.The tags can be engraved with initials, names and a message or address.

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35. His and Hers Passport Holders

Personalised passport holders for him and her are another good gift for travelling couples. These ones are made from vegan leather and come in different colours. They can be personalised with names or initials.

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36. Love Letter Card Game

The best card game to play while travelling! This 2-4 player card game is perfect for couples, friends and family. The game is straightforward and a game can easily be played in under 10 minutes. There are very few pieces so it’s compact for travel. It’s a good fun travel gift!

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Travel Gift Vouchers

Sometimes you’re just not sure what the right travel gift is. I get that feeling too. In those situations, I opt for a travel gift voucher or choose to give to a local charity where my traveller friend is. Here are some ideas for travel gift vouchers.

37. Airbnb Gift Card (USA only)

Get a unique travel stay for the traveller in your life with an Airbnb gift card. These currently only work for residents in the USA.

38. Give to a Local Charity

If I have a friend who is travelling abroad and isn’t able to receive an item (and probably doesn’t want anything additional weighing down their backpack!) I look for local charities in the country they’re travelling in to give to. Some of the travel gifts I appreciate the most have been charitable donations.

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