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Tired of boring travel gift ideas? Here’s an awesome list of unique gifts for travelers they’ll actually use. Warning: you may end up shopping for yourself!
Want more? Check out all our Holiday Gift Guides!
Unique Gifts for Travelers
Table Of Contents
Finding a unique travel gift can prove to be a challenge, especially when it seems that your frequent flyer has all the essentials they need. Whether you’re looking to save or splurge, you’re sure to find the perfect item for every jetsetter on your holiday gift list!
Tip: If you need a gift quickly, email or print an Amazon Gift Card!
Please note: the prices listed below are based on the retail price when this article was published. Retailers may change the price at their discretion. Also, you may have heard that retailers are possibly facing supply chain challenges; so be aware of this and try to grab your item(s) now.
Most Unique Travel Gifts According to Our Readers
Wacaco Minipresso GR, Portable Espresso Machine, $54.99
Portable and Lightweight Espresso Maker
A cool gift idea for the coffee-lovers in your life! This easy-to-operate, portable espresso bullet doesn’t require batteries or cartridges to operate, it’s hand-operated! Add grounds to the filter basket, hot water, and pump it a few times to extract a tasty cup in mere minutes.
While it has a 70 ml capacity, one reviewer offers inventive tips on how to use it. “Took this camping over a weekend and it’s very convenient and lightweight. Good for a light single espresso shot or if you reuse the same grinds and purge three capfuls of water through the filter, you’ll get a full cup of coffee.” Excellent for travel, road trips, and camping! Buy it here!
You can even pair your mini bullet with a portable mug or tumbler, see the top reader recommended options here.
RioRand Manual Coffee Grinder, $24.99
Compact Manual Coffee Grinder
This manual portable coffee grinder is lightweight and can sit in a suitcase and not crowd other belongings and yet, can produce enough for one to two cups, or a bit more for those on the go.
An awesome gift, this is described by fans as “an excellent size for taking on a trip,” and also ideal for anyone who wants to be more “sustainable, slow, and conscious about coffee consumption.” It’s made of a durable stainless steel and won’t rust very easily. Buy it here!
Vanlife Diaries: Finding Freedom on the Open Road, $14.49
Inspirational Vanlife: Coffee Table Book
Who doesn’t love a pretty coffee table book? We sure do! If you or someone you know dreams about packing up a van and hitting the road, this book has over 200 travel-gazing photos of mobile van spaces, tips on how to get started with an epic road trip, and first hand interviews. A must-give for the nomad in your inner circle! Buy it here!
Sony Wireless Portable Compact Speaker, $57.99
Waterproof Mini Travel Speaker
Carting around audio accessories is now a way of life, and the Sony mini bluetooth speaker is terrific to bring on overseas travel, local road trips, or to use outdoors since it’s waterproof and dustproof.
At a 1.8” size, it’s compact and has up to 16 hours of battery life, and can be used to take calls as well. Fully USB supported, too, so a breeze to recharge. Buy it here!
BAGSMART Electronic Organizer, $18.99
Compact Electronic Cord Cable Organizer
Keep messy cables at bay with this compact cable organizer bag. This holds your gear so that everything, including electronics and cords, is accessible in one location, but all totally organized so you can find anything you need at a glance!
The Bagsmart electronic cable organizer is noted for its “perfectly slim size for a backpack or bag” and is the #1 most popular travel gift. Many agree that this makes packing so much easier. Buy it here!
LARQ Self Cleaning Water Bottle, $94.99
UV Self Cleaning Water Bottle
Having clean, drinkable water while traveling is vital, so a UV self cleaning bottle is an amazing thing, along with being an amazing gift! After filling water, use a push of a button to activate the “cleaning mode” and a UV light will zap 99.9% harmful contaminants every two hours.
BPA free and made of durable stainless steel, it has a rechargeable lithium battery and a USB port—a charge can last up to one month. Buy it here!
If you’re looking for other water bottle ideas, check out this best portable water bottles post!
1,000 Perfect Weekends: Great Getaways Around the Globe, $35.99
National Geographic 1000 Perfect Weekends: Coffee Table Book
Known for documenting adventures far and wide, travelers always get excited over a National Geographic book, and this one promises lush photos and tons of ideas on the ever-popular weekend getaway. From city to exotic, you’ll surely be inspired to plan your own trip! Buy it here!
Kitsch Ultimate Travel Containers – 3pcs, $11.99
Flat Compact 3 oz Toiletry Containers
An easy, yet useful gift is a set of refillable travel bottles. These are nifty too, as they squeeze out, so excellent for shampoo, conditioner, or creams. And since they sit flat, they take up very little space in your luggage. These are also TSA approved and we love that these are made in the USA. Buy it here!
1DEA.me Store USA Photo Map – 50 States, $48.99
USA Travel Photo Map – All 50 States
If a loved one is all about local travel lately, gift a 50-state USA photo map. It’s a wonderful way to remember important moments from family vacations, road trips, or National Park visits. I certainly have fond memories of my Utah road and camping trip this past summer (and also check out my entire packing list too).
This map is easy to add to your photos and hangable anywhere in your home. Buy it here!
Wandf Foldable Duffle Bag, $18.99
Lightweight, Foldable Duffle Bag
Here’s a versatile gift! The Wandf is a popular lightweight duffle bag packable in your carry-on that many readers and travelers love. It weighs just over 1 lb and is wearproof, waterproof, tear-resistant, and it comes in various sizes (20L, 30L, 40L, 50L) which is handy if you need a smaller or larger bag.
And not just for overseas travel, it can be used for weekender trips, camping, or overnights—even for storage use at home. Buy it here!
Duffle bags are so popular that TFG readers shared their favorites for best duffle bag!
Compass Rose 4-Piece Carryon Size Packing Cube Set, $32.99
Carryon Size Luggage Organizers
Packing Cubes are the perfect gift for just about any traveler! We’ve put together a five-part YouTube series showing you the benefits of using them along with different methods for how to pack them. The secret to traveling carry-on only is this specific packing strategy, which compresses your clothing!
The ones shown above by Compass Rose Travel Accessories (our brand!) are the ONLY luggage organizers that are sized to fit a carry-on suitcase and they are also the ONLY packing cubes that are color and number coded for maximum organization! Ideal for travelers that love being organized or for travelers that want to travel with a smaller suitcase. Buy it here!
Violife Slim Sonic Toothbrush with Traveler Case, $17.99
Mini Electric Travel Toothbrush
Perfect for any traveler, the Violife slim toothbrush is sonic-powered, portable, and delivers a sparkling smile with 22,000 brush strokes per minute. The slim, mascara-style, vented cap design is ideal for your handbag or suitcase.
As a plus, it has a carrying case and is available in a wide variety of colors just for fun! Buy it here!
Silicone Travel Foldable Electric Kettle, $47.99
Foldable Electric Kettle
Made of silicone and PBA free, get a decent cup of tea or coffee out of this collapsible portable kettle. It has a one-button function and you’ll have hot water in three to five minutes. For easy packing, you fold the body down, detach the power cord, and put it inside a convenient carrying case.
Plus, it’s dual voltage and can be used at home or abroad. A handy accessory with a 555 ml capacity. Buy it here!
For even more choices, check out the best travel kettles here!
Stojo Collapsible Coffee Cup 16 oz, $19.99
Collapsible Drinking Cup
A handy thing to own, either for international travel, camping, or road tripping, the Stojo collapsible cup with a straw can accommodate hot or cold liquids, and yet folds down small, and can be stored in your day bag or suitcase.
Reviews say this doesn’t leak, can hold hot liquids and the exterior feels cool, and breaks down easily for washing. Perfect for coffee, tea, or other types of drinks. Available in a bunch of colors. Buy it here!
JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan, $15.99
Handheld Mini Fan
Little gadgets are stellar gifts and this portable hand fan is SO useful in a number of scenarios. Whether you want a bit more air on a flight, need some relief while visiting a humid destination, or looking to cut through stifling heat at an event, this is a perfect way to get cool instantly!
The fan also has a flashlight featured on the end, so it’s quite useful if you come across a dark area, just grab it from your bag. Totally USB supported and guess what? You can use the 5V/1A USB port as a mini power bank, and recharge your phone in an emergency! Comes in some fun shades. Buy it here!
Nomadix Travel Towel, $39.99
Versatile and Packable Travel Towel
Versatile items are important for travel, so why not pick up a packable towel that can be used for practicing yoga, camping, to dry off, or lay around a beach or pool! It measures 27.5” x 72.5” and rolls up fairly small.
Many travelers love how absorbent they are but take up half the space! These have some lovely prints as well and are made from recycled materials. Buy it here!
A travel towel is one item that many travelers want to bring—read this post for the top travel towels!
Kapkon Humidifier with Essential Oils, $13.99
Mini Humidifier to Sleep Better In Hotels
Humidifiers are a topic that TFG readers have been asking about lately, as dealing with air conditioned air or dry air when traveling is a real concern. Perhaps gift the Kapkon humidifier. It’s compact at 6” x 2.1” x 2.1”, so can fit into carryon luggage, and it’s not noisy when operated.
It has two modes of mist, an auto shut-off, and the kit includes essential oil to have a totally restful night’s sleep. Plus, it has seven mood light levels just for fun! Buy it here!
Scrubba Wash Bag, $52.99
Portable Travel Wash Bag
Backpackers, budget travelers, and long term wanderers love the Scrubba Wash Bag. It saves you money by allowing you to efficiently and effectively wash your clothes anytime, anywhere. This works especially well for adventurers getting off the beaten path with limited access to laundry facilities or those that would prefer the convenience of doing it themselves. Buy it here!
AIRE 16-Piece Camping Cookware Set, $26.99
Collapsible Camping Cookware Set
For avid campers, trekkers, or adventurers, this 16-piece cookware set has exactly what you’d need to cook a yummy meal on the go. The set includes a pot, pans, dishware, cutlery, and even a vegetable sponge!
Everything is made safely, either with BPA free materials, 304 stainless steel, and non-toxic aluminum alloy. All components are packable, stackable, and fit inside a sturdy nylon bag. Buy it here!
Trtl Neck Support Travel Pillow, $29.99
Foldable Neck Pillow for Planes, Buses, or Trains
For travelers that prefer to travel lighter, the Trtl Travel Neck Pillow offers head support without the bulk. It has been strategically designed to prevent a stiff neck while trying to sleep when traveling and stops the need for you to lean against the airplane for head support. To learn more, read our full review, which includes feedback from our readers. Buy it here!
Hotsch Portable Blender 400 ml, $24.99
USB Rechargeable Portable Blender
Talk about nifty! The Hotsch mini blender is compact and fully rechargeable via a USB port. At 400 ml capacity, that’s enough to make a smoothie or a bowl of baby food and the 150W allows for three hours of usage. At only 1 lb, this gadget can fit into luggage and be useful for camping adventures, traveling, or any occasion you might want to make nutritious drinks or food on the go. Buy it here!
LifeStraw Go Water Bottle 2-Stage Integrated Filter, $39.99
LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle
Using filtered water bottles is all the rage now; the LifeStraw Go Filter Bottle is highly popular with travelers and for good reason! It’s BPA free, super durable, and more importantly, filters out 99.99% of microbes, parasites, and even micro plastics.
It holds 650 ml of water; simply fill up, wait for a few minutes, and then drink away! One traveler says they “travel a lot and never go anywhere without it,” but warns it helps to “bring an extra filter along in case the one you’re using wears out.” However, LifeStraw says their filter is good at 1,000 gallons. Buy it here!
YSAGi Carry Case for LifeStraw, $7.99 | LifeStraw Personal Water Filter, $14.99
LifeStraw Water Filter + Carrying Case
If you’re choosing to forgo gifting the LifeStraw filtered water bottle, you can consider the LifeStraw water filter instead and use whatever container you wish.
If you aren’t aware of the LifeStraw and what it does to purify water. It blocks 99.9% of bacteria and contaminants. Fill your water bottle or glass with water and use the straw to drink.
And you can create a doubly amazing gift by buying one of these LifeStaw carrying cases and presenting both together! The case is sturdy with a hand strap and carabiner, it’s made from scratch resistant and shock proof materials. It comes in several other colors too.
Buy the carrying case here, and the LifeStraw filter here!
Cressi Adult Snorkeling Set, $113.99
Snorkel Mask and Fin Set for Ocean Adventures
A fun gift for swim lovers! The Cressi snorkeling set is fully equipped with a tempered glass mask and quality fins, all transportable in a sturdy mesh bag. So help inspire a loved one to dream about that next beach vacation by getting them this. Comes in S/M and L/XL and these sets are unisex. Buy it here!
Unique Gift Ideas for Travelers Product Chart
| BRAND | MODEL | FEATURES | REVIEWS | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
|
Wacaco Minipresso GR, Portable Espresso Machine |
A cool gift idea for the coffee-lovers in your life! This easy-to-operate, portable espresso bullet doesn’t require batteries or cartridges to operate, it’s hand-operated! Add grounds to the filter basket, hot water, and pump it a few times to extract a tasty cup in mere minutes. | Check Price |
|
RioRand Manual Coffee Grinder |
This manual portable coffee grinder is lightweight and can sit in a suitcase and not crowd other belongings and yet, can produce enough for one to two cups, or a bit more for those on the go. | Check Price |
|
Vanlife Diaries: Finding Freedom on the Open Road |
Who doesn’t love a pretty coffee table book? We sure do! If you or someone you know dreams about packing up a van and hitting the road, this book has over 200 travel-gazing photos of mobile van spaces, tips on how to get started with an epic road trip, and first hand interviews. A must-give for the nomad in your inner circle! | Check Price |
|
Sony Wireless Portable Compact Speaker |
Carting around audio accessories is now a way of life, and the Sony mini bluetooth speaker is terrific to bring on overseas travel, local road trips, or to use outdoors since it’s waterproof and dustproof. | Check Price |
|
BAGSMART Electronic Organizer |
Keep messy cables at bay with this compact cable organizer bag. This holds your gear so that everything, including electronics and cords, is accessible in one location, but all totally organized so you can find anything you need at a glance! | Check Price |
|
LARQ Self Cleaning Water Bottle |
Having clean, drinkable water while traveling is vital, so a UV self cleaning bottle is an amazing thing, along with being an amazing gift! After filling water, use a push of a button to activate the “cleaning mode” and a UV light will zap 99.9% harmful contaminants every two hours. | Check Price |
|
1,000 Perfect Weekends: Great Getaways Around the Globe |
Known for documenting adventures far and wide, travelers always get excited over a National Geographic book, and this one promises lush photos and tons of ideas on the ever popular weekend getaway. From city to exotic, you’ll surely be inspired to plan your own trip! | Check Price |
|
Kitsch Ultimate Travel Containers - 3pcs |
An easy, yet useful gift is a set of refillable travel bottles. These are nifty too, as they squeeze out, so excellent for shampoo, conditioner, or creams. And since they sit flat, they take up very little space in your luggage. These are also TSA approved and we love that these are made in the USA. | Check Price |
|
1DEA.me Store USA Photo Map - 50 States |
If a loved one is all about local travel lately, gift a 50-state USA photo map. It’s a wonderful way to remember important moments from family vacations, road trips, or National Park visits. | Check Price |
|
Wandf Foldable Duffle Bag |
Here’s a versatile gift! The Wandf is a popular lightweight duffle bag packable in your carry-on that many readers and travelers love. It weighs just over 1 lb and is wearproof, waterproof, tear-resistant, and it comes in various sizes (20L, 30L, 40L, 50L) which is handy if you need a smaller or larger bag. | Check Price |
|
Compass Rose 4-Piece Carryon Size Packing Cube Set |
Packing Cubes are the perfect gift for just about any traveler! We’ve put together a five-part YouTube series showing you the benefits of using them along with different methods for how to pack them. The secret to traveling carry-on only is this specific packing strategy, which compresses your clothing! | Check Price |
|
Violife Slim Sonic Toothbrush with Traveler Case |
Perfect for any traveler, the Violife slim toothbrush is sonic-powered, portable, and delivers a sparkling smile with 22,000 brush strokes per minute. The slim, mascara-style, vented cap design is ideal for your handbag or suitcase. | Check Price |
|
Silicone Travel Foldable Electric Kettle |
Made of silicone and PBA free, get a decent cup of tea or coffee out of this collapsible portable kettle. It has a one-button function and you’ll have hot water in three to five minutes. For easy packing, you fold the body down, detach the power cord, and put it inside a convenient carrying case. | Check Price |
|
Stojo Collapsible Coffee Cup 16 oz |
A handy thing to own, either for international travel, camping, or road tripping, the Stojo collapsible cup with a straw can accommodate hot or cold liquids, and yet folds down small, and can be stored in your day bag or suitcase. | Check Price |
|
JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan |
Little gadgets are stellar gifts and this portable hand fan is SO useful in a number of scenarios. Whether you want a bit more air on a flight, need some relief while visiting a humid destination, or looking to cut through stifling heat at an event, this is a perfect way to get cool instantly! | Check Price |
|
Nomadix Travel Towel |
Versatile items are important for travel, so why not pick up a packable towel that can be used for practicing yoga, camping, to dry off, or lay around a beach or pool! It measures 27.5” x 72.5” and rolls up fairly small. | Check Price |
|
Kapkon Humidifier with Essential Oils |
Humidifiers is a topic that TFG readers have been asking about lately, as dealing with air conditioned air or dry air when traveling is a real concern. Perhaps gift the Kapkon humidifier. It’s compact at 6” x 2.1” x 2.1”, so can fit into carryon luggage, and it’s not noisy when operated. | Check Price |
|
Scrubba Wash Bag |
Backpackers, budget travelers, and long term wanderers love the Scrubba Wash Bag. It saves you money by allowing you to efficiently and effectively wash your clothes anytime, anywhere. | Check Price |
|
AIRE 16-Piece Camping Cookware Set |
For avid campers, trekkers, or adventurers, this 16-piece cookware set has exactly what you’d need to cook a yummy meal on the go. The set includes a pot, pans, dishware, cutlery, and even a vegetable sponge! | Check Price |
|
Trtl Neck Support Travel Pillow |
For travelers that prefer to travel lighter, the Trtl Travel Neck Pillow offers head support without the bulk. It has been strategically designed to prevent a stiff neck while trying to sleep when traveling, and stops the need for you to lean against the airplane for head support. | Check Price |
|
Hotsch Portable Blender 400 ml |
Talk about nifty! The Hotsch mini blender is compact and fully rechargeable via a USB port. At 400 ml capacity, that’s enough to make a smoothie or a bowl of baby food and the 150W allows for three hours of usage. | Check Price |
|
LifeStraw Go Water Bottle 2-Stage Integrated Filter |
Using filtered water bottles is all the rage now; the LifeStraw Go Filter Bottle is highly popular with travelers and for good reason! It’s BPA free, super durable, and more importantly, filters out 99.99% of microbes, parasites, and even micro plastics. | Check Price |
|
LifeStraw Carrying Case + LifeStraw Water Filter |
If you’re choosing to forgo gifting the LifeStraw filtered water bottle, you can consider the LifeStraw water filter instead and use whatever container you wish. | Check Price for Case Check Price for LifeStraw |
|
Cressi Adult Snorkeling Set |
A fun gift for swim lovers! The Cressi snorkeling set is fully equipped with a tempered glass mask and quality fins, all transportable in a sturdy mesh bag. So help inspire a loved one to dream about that next beach vacation by getting them this. Comes in S/M and L/XL and these these sets are unisex. | Check Price |
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What do you think are the most unique gifts for travelers? Comment below!
View all of our holiday gift guides here. These are a few of our faves:
- • Editor’s Wishlist: 13 Things I’m Lusting for This Season
- The Ultimate Guide to Cheap Travel Gifts: 27 Top Picks!
- 17 Awesome Travel Gift Ideas for Women
- 16 Top Travel Gifts for Men
I hope you liked these unique gifts for travelers! Please share this post with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Great list! Love the Compass Rose Travel Cubes. Dissolvable laundry sheets were our best travel item! A foldable cosmetic hanging bag would be another great addition to the list.
Hi Stacy, thank you for your feedback, so pleased you love your CR packing cubes. Thank you so much for all your support we really appreciate it!!! 🙏 Happy travels! ❤️
Nice list you made there! It might be missing a portable translator like Travis or Pocketalk for people that want to understand the languages in the country they’re going to 🙂
Hi Patricia, so glad you liked the post! Thank you for taking the time to share your great idea for a travel gift with us! Happy travels! 😃
The radius travel toothbrush is also available on Amazon for the US readers!
Hi Kaylie, thank you for sharing your suggestion for a travel toothbrush with us!! 🙂
The Scrubba, packing cubes, and massager all sound great to me! But my favorite gift is experience. I started giving these a few years ago and have come up with creative ways to still have a package under the tree for the recipient. It started when I put admission tickets in a box, put that box in a box, and put that box in a box for my sister to unwrap. Last year I gave a “family trip in a box”, which had a Groupon for family admission and a gift card for gas and snacks for the way there. This year, I shouldn’t share all my gift-giving yet, but a pilot I babysit for is giving me standby tickets to Maui! I am passing one of those tickets on to my sister, and I’ve come up with a great idea for how she can unwrap it on Christmas morning!
That sounds like the perfect gift!
Some nifty items on this list! Would LOVE to have YOUR packing cubes.
Thanks Sherry 😊
Great list here! I’ve got quite a few of the items you mention packed in my backpack. The Scrubba is great, I always carry a neck warmer (the thin variety too to use as a bandana) and scarf bags are a great thing for solo female travellers like me to stash their stuff!
Oh that’s a great idea with the neck warmer! Thanks for sharing Alice!