The Best Gifts for Travelers

Delight the traveler in your life with the perfect present.

If you know someone who loves to travel, giving them the right gift can make their adventures even better. From useful things they'll need on their trips to cool gadgets and fun experiences, you'll find the perfect gift to make their travels even more exciting. So, whether it's your friend, family member or someone special who loves to explore, keep reading to discover awesome gifts that will enhance their journeys.

Picking the perfect gift for a traveler in your life might seem like a tall order. Fortunately, there are many travel gift options to suit their active lives. Think about their frequent destination of choice, what mode of transportation they usually take and what items might make the experience more enjoyable. With this handy guide, you can pick out some travel gifts that are sure to make your favorite traveler smile.

Water bottles.

Readily available drinking water is necessary to stay hydrated during all forms of travel. Whether one is backpacking or taking long bus trips, it's important to have access to a water bottle. Some models have designs that keep water cold longer or have frozen cores that continue to cool water over the day. Metal water bottles stand up better against the elements and rough treatment, so camping enthusiasts may prefer them. Look into ones with straws that filter out microbes and pollution to enable the safe drinking of water from natural sources like lakes and rivers.

Headphones.

Headphones are great for casual travelers as well as frequent flyers. Wireless headphones work for listening to music or audiobooks while on the go. Compact headphones take up less space in luggage to make them incredibly portable. Noise-canceling headphones help with long plane rides as they let the traveler remain in an audio "bubble," which may promote sleep during the journey.

Luggage options.

The kind of luggage you choose as gifts for men and women who like to travel should depend on what sort of trips they take most often. For example, the best travel backpacks suit someone who tends to walk between destinations or wants to keep their luggage minimal.

Hard case luggage protects portable electronics and is sometimes waterproof to keep clothes from getting damp in transit. Soft luggage that won't easily rip or tear works well as a carry-on item that can be stored in compact spaces such as under seats or inside overhead bins on planes. Look into useful travel accessories as well, including tags and specialized locks to prevent theft.

E-readers.

Electronic readers allow jetsetters to take thousands of books with them on the go. Not only does an e-reader make a plane ride feel shorter, but it also makes it possible to download translation guides and travel books, so the tourist is ready for their next destination.

Another option is a tablet which is more versatile than designated e-readers because they can also be used to browse the internet if your traveler wants a map or to play games. With the right apps, some smartphones also work as e-readers, making them a lightweight and compact alternative to tablets.

Portable chargers.

Phones, tablets and laptops all need to charge, and sometimes that's difficult in other countries with different standards for outlets. Avoid frustration and buy a portable power pack to charge before the journey begins and for using wherever it's needed. Get a travel adapter as well, for recharging once you arrive in a new country. If you don’t want to rely on outlets, consider solar versions that allow replenishment of power with just sunlight.

Cameras.

The best way to capture adventures for years to come is with a video or photography camera. Action cameras and other small cameras attach to the head or body for easier use while walking, biking, or hang-gliding. The best travel camera is one that will stand up to exposure to the elements and some rougher handling at times.

Video cameras with no-shake features help get smooth footage of moving subjects. Digital cameras can take and store tons of photos without needing to develop film. Then travelers can send their photos to loved ones online from wherever there's a connection. Camera accessories such as tripods or specialized lenses are also thoughtful presents for avid voyagers that probably already have a camera.

Travel blankets and pillows.

No matter what kind of travel people do, they’ll likely want to be comfortable during their time on the road or in the air. Blankets and pillows for travel, like a neck pillow, are excellent for gifting.

The best travel pillows are designed to fold up and fit nicely into a carry-on or purse. Plane cabins tend to get cold and having their own blanket to cover up with helps keep a tired traveler cozy. Likewise, a pillow designed to fit snugly around the neck makes sleeping in a train car or passenger’s seat of an automobile less awkward. Some travel pillows have clips on them so that they can be clipped onto the outside of luggage if they run out of room because of newly acquired souvenirs.

Travel gift cards.

When in doubt, you can pick up a gift card and let the one with wanderlust decide what they need. There are gift cards that can be used on travel packages from specific retailers, such as hotels and flights. Look into gift cards for e-books, music, games or other distractions to ease long flights. Try gift cards for ridesharing or taxi services that work in many cities across the U.S.

The best gifts for travel make vacations more enjoyable.

With these ideas for travel gifts, finding the perfect present to make traveling more enjoyable doesn't have to be difficult with these ideas for travel gifts. Plus, the plethora of travel tech available on the market today has grown considerably, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Remember to pick out something that complements their travel preferences, so they'll truly appreciate your gift for many trips to come.