20 Must-Have Travel Gifts for the Holidays

It’s that time of year again. It’s the season of giving! As you elbow your way through hordes of shoppers at the mall while diligently crossing gifts off your list, you might have some trouble finding the perfect present for the traveler in your life.

Traveling the world, exploring continents near and far, meeting new people, trying exotic foods—what do you get the person who seems to have it all?

It’s no question that globetrotters usually tend to prefer experiences over things. And while buying a plane ticket, booking a resort stay, or arranging an adventure excursion might be completely out of your budget, there are so many goodies you can find that will create lasting memories for you and your favorite traveler.

Whether you’ve got love for a backpacker, resort princess, or frequent flyer, you’ll find something on this list to tickle their fancy. Oh, and if you snag a whole bunch of this stuff for your own use, no one will tell!

1. GoPro Hero 7

Every adventure junkie should have a 4k action cam to record all of their thrills! I could write a book about all of the amazing features of the GoPro Hero 7, but I’ll just keep it simple. It’s rugged and waterproof and can be personalized with about a bazillion accessories!

2. Sony a7R iii

We’re in the social media era. So, pics or it didn’t happen! Traveling is such a life-changing experience, and when you’re able to capture those moments in time and share them with friends and family, that makes them even sweeter. The Sony a7R III is a simple point & shoot that takes fantastic pictures. No learning curve required.

3. Sony 24-70mm lens

Smartphone technology is so evolved that, with the right skills, you can take pretty solid pictures just from your phone. But for most travel fanatics, having a sick lens to really grasp the depth of iconic sites is crucial. After all, if you summited Mt.Kilimanjaro or climbed the Kīlauea volcano in Hawaii, you’d want a stellar lens too!

4. Koolertron Professional Women Canvas Camera Bag

Camera equipment can get clunky quickly! And I can tell you from experience, schlepping through the airport with bags of cameras and cords is not ideal. That’s why a camera case backpack is so great. Travelers can look good without carrying an entire tech store in their luggage.

5. Samsonite Centric 3pc Hardside Luggage Set

Finding luggage at baggage claim has never been sleeker or sexier! This scratch-resistant, hardside luggage with spinning wheels makes the airport bustle a breeze. With so many different colors to pick from, you’ll have no problem choosing between options for a brother, sister, or friend.

6. Skyroam Solis Mobile WiFi Hotspot

Let me tell you the last words you want to hear while you’re in the middle of a foreign land, “No WiFI.” The horror! That’s why every digital nomad needs a reliable hotspot. With instant coverage in over 130 countries, Skyroam gives you the freedom to travel with the security of solid internet.

7. Travelon Compression Bags

Compression bags are not only nifty for keeping items compact when space is limited at best, but they’re also great for safeguarding liquids! I’ve definitely arrived at a location with my packed clothes drenched in shampoo, lotion, perfume…you name it. But these compression bags keep my gear protected every time!

8. Lululemon Vinyasa Scarf

When I tell you that this scarf is magical, I mean it! Whether I use it to spruce up my outfits (can’t be caught wearing the same thing in every pic #amiright?) or as a blanket on those long-haul flights, I can’t live without this thing. With one simple Youtube search you can find videos that will teach you how to wear this accessory all sorts of different ways. 10/10 highly recommend!

9. Zoppen Multi-Purpose RFID Blocking Travel Passport Wallet

When traveling in a crowded place, you’re totally at risk of your credit card information being stolen by thieves. That’s why I never leave my hotel without an RFID blocking wallet. It holds my passport, ticket stubs, cash, and all my cards.

10. Luxebell 110lbs Digital Luggage Scale

Have you ever dealt with the agony of wearing 3 jackets and 2 scarves on a flight simply because your bag was way, way, way overweight? It’s stressful, and if you simply refuse to pay that extra $60 for the overage fee, you’ve got to have a digital scale. Travelers can weigh their luggage before leaving the hotel room. So, no check-in hassles here, thank you very much!

11. Candid Co. Teeth Aligners

You might be wondering why this made my holiday travel gift list, but it’s pretty much the only way a constant traveler would be able to straighten their teeth! Instead of having to go to appointments, Candid Co. simply sends you a starter kit to get the molds for your clear aligners made, and then ships you them when they’re ready! Plus they’re easy to travel with, just make sure you don’t leave them in another country!

12. Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo

Depending on where (and how) you travel, showering every day is not always a possibility. Shampooing hair? Forget about it! Dry shampoo is the secret to keeping hair looking, feeling, and smelling good without the soap and water.

13. Travel Plug Adapter – World Travel Plug Adapter

So many countries, so many different power outlets! When spanning the globe, nothing is more beneficial than having a handy dandy converter that can be used no matter where you go.

14. Stashbandz Unisex Travel Money Belt

Even though I’m always down for rocking a fanny pack, I’ve found a more versatile solution that I can use at the airport, crowded night markets, on hiking treks, and even underneath a loose fitting skirt. They’re pickpocket proof with loads of storage space, and they don’t look as bulky as traditional fanny packs.

15. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe Herbs and Rosewater

Nothing says fresh and ready to rock like someone who just got off of a plane, right? Wrong! A travel-sized bottle of rose water is the perfect co-pilot on any long-haul flight. With a few spritzes you’ll feel and look more refreshed. Plus, it smells great too.

16. BCOZZY Chin Supporting Travel Pillow

Those days of nodding off onto the plane passenger next to you are long gone! Nothing can make a grueling flight more enjoyable than a comfortable travel pillow. You can customize it in numerous ways. And it’s actually the only travel pillow that stops your head from rocking forward while you snooze.  

17. Lonely Planet Solo Travel Handbook

As you know, I’m a huge advocate for solo travel. You get to learn about the world while learning so much about yourself. If you have a travel junkie who is ready to set sails solo, they’ll want to flip through this first.

18. Steamfast Mini Travel Steam Iron

Traveling the globe is no excuse to show up with wrinkled clothes! Not every hotel will have an iron, and though most destinations don’t call for perfectly pressed shirts, everyone should be prepared when that time comes. This mini steam iron will make clothes look brand new…even if they’ve been scrunched at the bottom of a hiking backpack for three months!

19. LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottles with 2-Stage Integrated Filter Straw

Unfortunately, everyone in the world does not have access to clean drinking water. While the fight to give this basic human right to citizens around the planet is still pushing forward, the LifeStraw helps travelers drink clean water no matter where they go. The LifeStraw removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites without chemicals.

20. You Are Here: A Mindful Travel Journal

No matter how hard we try, we can never remember all of the beautiful details from our travels. That’s when a journal comes in handy! It’s nice to keep it old-school sometimes, and good ol’ pen & paper is a great way to get back to basics.