Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is just around the corner. That means it’s time for a little holiday shopping!
I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite travel-related items from this year (and a few that are on my own wish list for Santa!) in case you’re shopping for a friend or loved one who also loves to travel.
It’s worth noting that I am the type of person that tends to only buy things that fill a specific need, therefore most items on this list are practical. Personally, I think useful gifts are the best kind, but if you’re looking for travel-themed gifts such as scratch-off maps of the world or coasters that look like atlases, you may want to look elsewhere 🙂
The list is arranged by price, starting with most expensive to least expensive. Please note that the price reflected is the cost on Amazon at the time of posting and is of course subject to change.
GoPro Hero 7
The GoPro Hero camera is a traveler’s best friend. These cameras originally got their start as a camera for extreme and outdoor sports enthusiasts, but it’s quickly become a must-have item for regular travelers as well.
The GoPro shoots beautiful photos and video and is incredibly small. You can buy a number of specialized mounts and accessories for it as well — the possibilities with this camera are endless. This latest model is also waterproof up to 33ft (10m) without a case!
To Buy: $394.98 on Amazon (older versions are available for less)
Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones
These noise-cancelling headphones are a traveler’s best friend. They do a great job cutting out all the background noise on airplanes so you sleep more soundly and better hear your music/movie.
If you’re more into earbuds than over-the-ear headphones, Bose also makes noise-cancelling earbuds.
To Buy: $299.00 on Amazon
Carry-On Suitcase from Samsonite
I’ve had this carry-on suitcase for many years now, and it’s by far the most-used travel item I own. Don’t let its small size fool you — it’s possible to pack everything you need for a two or three day trip in its surprisingly spacious interior.
My favorite thing about this bag is its outer dimensions, which are sure to comply with every airline’s carry-on baggage policy. If you and/or your loved one are an efficient packer like myself, you can definitely save quite a bit of money using this bag for your shorter trips.
To Buy: $199.99 on Amazon
Pawbo Pet Camera
For those having to leave their pets behind while traveling, the Pawbo pet camera is a great way to stay connected with their furry loved ones. Not only can you see your pet in real-time on the other end, you can also interact with them at the click of a button — you can dispense treats, talk to them, and even have playtime with a laser.
To Buy: $149.00 on Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader
Books can take up a lot of real estate in a bag, especially for an avid reader that plans to knock out a couple of books while on vacation. A great solution to this problem is an e-reader such as Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite. The screen is glare-free with adjustable light, making it easy on the eyes indoors and out, day and night. This latest model is also waterproof!
To Buy: $129.99 on Amazon
Osprey Collapsible Duffel Bag
If you’re looking for a versatile weekend bag, this Osprey Duffel is a great choice. The bag comes with handles, a crossbody strap, and can even be worn as a backpack. It’s also collapsible, which makes it a great bag to bring along in the outside pocket of your suitcase so you’re sure to have enough room for any souvenirs acquired along the way.
Pictured is the 40L, which is the smallest version of the bag, but it also comes in 65L, 95L, and 130L.
To Buy: $110.00 on Amazon
4-in-1 Adapter
This colorful adapter set has you covered in over 150 countries. It’s a great product for the world traveler on the go!
To Buy: $36.15 on Amazon
Packing Cube Set
Packing cubes are great both for staying organized and saving space. I really like this set of four cubes from Well Traveled — the side of each one is decorated with landscapes from National Parks. They’re also made from a durable, lightweight, and water-resistant material.
To Buy: $26.93 on Amazon
Rifle Paper 2019 Wall Calendar
I love Rifle Paper Company! They make the best high-quality paper products with brightly colored floral patterns. This wall calendar features cheerful illustrations in their signature color palette of cities around the world — a great gift for the aspiring traveler.
To Buy: $26.00 on Amazon
Bagsmart Electronics Organizer
This organizer from Bagsmart stores all of your easy-to-lose electronic accessories in one compact bag, making it easy to locate your phone charger, headphone adapter, or SD card while on the go.
The version pictured is the Medium, which has three sections and an outside pocket, but there’s also a Slim and Large version.
To Buy: $25.99 on Amazon
Portable Charger & Hand Warmer
As someone with perpetually cold hands, I absolutely love this thing. It’s worth it’s weight in gold as a rechargeable hand warmer alone, but it also has the added feature of being able to charge your phone or any other device with a USB connection.
To Buy: $24.95 on Amazon
Foldable Travel Flats
I like to travel as light as possible when I travel. This usually means having to limit how many pairs of shoes I can bring, since shoes tend take up a lot of real estate in my luggage. These ballet flats are foldable and super compact in their carrying case, making them an easy backup pair of shoes to bring along in a carry-on bag. They’re also great for people that like to take off their bulkier shoes on long flights but want something more substantial than socks.
To Buy: $19.99 on Amazon
Flexible Tripod with Remote
This flexible tripod has come in handy many times when traveling off-the-beaten path (where there’s no one around to take your photo for you). In addition to the standard connection for smaller cameras, the tripod also comes with a mount especially for the GoPro as well as an adjustable attachment that allows you to mount your cell phone. This newer model comes with a wireless remote, too!
To Buy: $17.99 on Amazon
Travel Guides
If the person you’re shopping for has a big trip coming up, you might want to consider getting them a travel guide for their particular destination. If you’re a regular reader, you probably know I’m a big fan of Rick Steves Guides of Europe, but there are of course many other reputable travel guides (Lonely Planet, National Geographic, and Fodor’s to name a few).
If there’s no specific destination, you can also gift something a little more generic, such as the Europe Through the Back Door handbook by Rick Steves, pictured above. Lonely Planet’s A Journey Through Every Country in the World or National Geographic’s Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places could also be a great source of inspiration for an aspiring traveler.
To Buy the Rick Steves Guide: $16.99 on Amazon
To Buy the Lonely Planet Guide: $31.92 on Amazon
To Buy the National Geographic Guide: $27.87 on Amazon
Cord Tacos
This trio of vegan leather cord organizers (or “tacos”) help keep unruly power cords and headphones in check. They’re great for organizing carry-on bags but are also useful for an everyday bag.
To Buy: $14.99 on Amazon
Microfiber Travel Towel Set
This microfiber travel towel set is compact, lightweight, and fast-drying, making it easy to pack in your luggage. The set comes with both a small and large towel and a convenient carrying bag.
To Buy: $10.99 on Amazon
Nalgene Water Bottle
The Nalgene water bottle is a staple for most outdoor enthusiasts, but I actually take mine along on every trip I go on. These bottles are super durable — in fact, they come with a lifetime guarantee.
To Buy: $9.99 on Amazon
Digital Luggage Scale
Avoid surprise overweight baggage fees at the check-in counter by weighing your bags with this handy dandy digital luggage scale!
To Buy: $8.49 on Amazon
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
