’Tis the season to be jolly and do some holly, I mean holiday, shopping! 

If you’re looking for gift ideas for the frequent traveler in your life or someone who is just starting to plan out their adventures, we’ve rounded up 10 gift ideas perfect for travelers. From practical gifts to fun, post-travel things to keep the memories alive, these gifts will be great to put under the tree. 

These are gifts we’ve asked for ourselves or gifts we wish we’d asked Santa for before certain trips. 

10 gifts for travelers

1. Gift cards

I know, I know, everyone thinks gift cards are so impersonal but I think the opposite is true. Gift cards allow the recipient to buy something super personal or something they wouldn’t ask for.

I love, love, love getting gift cards for the holidays as I can use them when I want and on what I want. We’ve gotten travel-specific gift cards in the past for hotels, airlines, and even experiences which have been great gifts as our family knows we’re probably already planning some getaways for next year.

2. Language learning tools

Being a lifelong learner is something many of us strive to be, and for a frequent traveler, being able to learn new cultures, customs, and most importantly, being able to communicate is an important skill.

Help your traveler with learning new languages so they can speak with locals and get the most out of their travels. There are so many options for learning a new language and we’re a bit partial to Rosetta Stone. We have lifetime subscriptions to the service and have dabbled with Duolingo, but don’t find it as comprehensive as Rosetta Stone. I’ve also heard good things about Babbel, but haven’t experienced their language learning tool. 

3. A travel map

We have a magnetic travel map in our dining room that reminds us of the amazing places we’ve been and the fantastic places we have yet to see. We color code our pins so we can show where we’ve gone, places we’re actively making travel plans for, and places that are still on our travel bucket list.

If we ever switch out our map I’d like to go with a scratch-off map that gets super colorful as we explore more of the world. 

4. Relaxing accessories 

Travel can be stressful, especially preparing for long-haul flights. I can fall asleep with no problem on a two-hour flight but when we have an overnight flight to Europe or Asia, I have so many problems getting to sleep. 

Now I travel with a sleep mask and either earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to block out noises and lights, even in a dimmed cabin. It helps recreate the atmosphere at home where it’s nice and dark and quiet. 

5. Battery pack

Even though my phone is still relatively new I wear down the battery so fast on vacations as I’m snapping pics left and right. I need to travel with a battery pack or portable charger so I can continue to take as many photos as my heart desires without worrying about heading back to the hotel with a dead phone. Portable chargers have been life-savers for me on recent trips. 

6. AirTags

We’re not normally the types to check bags, but we have done it a few times and AirTags help keep me calm while I’m separated from my bags. We love being able to check when we land that our bags are with us, or know they’re still safely at the hotel when we drop off our luggage if our room isn’t ready yet.  

7. Weather gear

When we were in Japan this past spring our friends had brought these slip covers to put over their shoes to help waterproof them and I was instantly jealous. It was so smart! And the covers would have been so easy to pack. Instead of drying our shoes with the hair dryer each night, we could have started off waterproofing them.

Another option is to gift your traveler with a cute travel-sized umbrella, an easy-to-pack rain jacket, or a quick drying towel.

8. Packing cubes

It was great to hear from a friend that after I recommended using packing cubes her packing game was changed. She could pack so much more efficiently and I’m glad I helped convert her to the ways of packing with cubes. I love packing cubes and I swear they keep coming out with new sizes and styles each year and will never turn down a new set during the holidays. These are affordable and functional gifts!

9. Travel bags

For a few years now I’ve received some of my favorite travel bags and purses over the holidays. There was one year that I got an incredible phone wallet case where my phone was held in place with a magnet and I loved it. And then sadly I upgraded my phone and Apple doesn’t seem to like people like me with small hands and I couldn’t get my next phone in the mini version.

Go beyond just helping your traveler carry their cash and phones and get them some new luggage. I love my weekender bags, I have a mini from BEIS and a regular-sized one from Los and Sons. These are great for the travelers who book shorter, but more frequent trips. Or, I do love my Monos carry-on, but it does carry a higher price tag for the holidays.

10. Luggage scale

Lastly, help them out with their luggage and ensure they don’t have to pay more at the check-in counter when their bag weighs more than 50 lbs. I wish we had a luggage scale when we went to Japan, but fortunately the airport had scales and that’s where we found out we were almost two pounds over our allowance. Knowing that before leaving the hotel would have saved some stress and Tetris-level repacking.

What other holiday gifts are go-tos for travelers? Share any recommendations or ideas in the comments! Happy holidays!