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Finding the perfect Christmas gift for someone who’s always planning their next adventure can be tricky, but we’ve got you covered. As travellers and digital nomads ourselves, we’ve learned what’s actually useful when travelling and what we’d genuinely love to receive.
In this guide, we'll share the 20 best travel gift ideas for 2025 - a mix of practical, thoughtful and fun presents that travellers will actually use.
Travel Essentials Gifts
Compression Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are one of the best travel items we've invested in, especially compression packing cubes. Instead of rummaging through messy luggage, you can organise everything and find items instantly.
Compression cubes help you pack more and compress your items by squeezing out excess air, keeping everything neat and compact - it's a game-changer for frequent travellers!
We use and love the Tropicfeel packing cubes, some other great options are these Thule packing cubes and Osprey packing cubes.
Quick-Dry Towel
One of the first travel items we bought was a lightweight, quick-dry towel - an unglamorous travel gift that becomes indispensable. It packs down small, dries fast and is perfect for everything from beach days to hostel stays and spontaneous swims.
We genuinely couldn't travel without one now! We'd recommend choosing one that's soft, absorbent, packs down small and comes with a case.
These Dock & Bay quick dry towels are great quality and come in loads of different patterns.
Good Travel Pillow
After 5 years of travelling without travel pillows (we never believed they worked), we have finally bought one for our most recent long haul flight - it's safe to say it worked!
The trick with a travel pillow is buying a memory foam design that actually supports the neck without being bulky. We bought the Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel Pillow from amazon which was really comfy yet packs down into a tiny cube, so it's perfect for clipping onto a bag.
If you have a traveller in your life that hasn't invested in a good travel pillow, this is the perfect thoughtful yet practical gift.
RFID-Blocking Wallet or Passport holder
RFID-blocking wallets or passport holders protect important cards and documents from digital theft while keeping everything easily accessible, which would make the perfect gift for someone that travels a lot. You can get sleek, functional options that suit any type of traveller, so it's perfect for just about anyone.
Compression Socks
Not the most glamorous gift, but arguably one of the most useful is compression socks. They improve circulation on long-haul flights and keep legs feeling fresh after hours of sitting still, so it's a great gift for anyone who's regularly on longer flights.
Luggage Scale
One of the most useful gifts you could get a frequent traveller is a digital luggage scale. A luggage scale helps travellers avoid overweight baggage fees (and that awkward repacking moment at check-in).
They're compact, lightweight and often under £10 - it’s a stocking filler that’s going to be used on every single trip.
Tech & Gadget Gifts
Airtag (or Similar Tracker)
If you've ever had the dreaded lost luggage, then you'll know how stressful it can be. Unfortunately, this always happens when you travel a lot, so having an AirTag (or similar Bluetooth tracker) gives peace of mind by letting you track all of your luggage in real time.
That way - it can never really be 'lost' as you'll always know where it is! It’s a small, clever gadget that instantly makes travel smoother, especially for anyone who checks in luggage often or travels through busy airports.
Kindle or E-Reader
I was gifted a kindle a few years back and to this day it's one of my favourite gifts i've ever received. I've taken it on plane journeys, long car rides and trips where I only take a backpack.
It's perfect for those who love to read but hate carrying extra weight as it's so small and easy to carry around. It stores thousands of books, has a long battery life and can even be read in bright sunlight or on dimly lit night buses.
It’s an especially thoughtful gift for solo travellers or those heading on long journeys where internet access might be limited.
Filtered Water Bottle
A filtered water bottle is one of the most practical (and eco-friendly) travel gifts out there. It helps reduce plastic waste while ensuring safe drinking water anywhere in the world, from mountain hikes to airport layovers.
Some of the best filtered water bottles are the LARQ bottles and the LifeStraw Go Series, which both offer replaceable filters and sleek designs. It’s a simple, sustainable gift that’s useful on every single trip.
Portable Charger / Power Bank
A portable charger is an absolute travel essential for anyone, whether it's to keep your phone, camera, kindle or headphones charged, it's always reliable for long flights and travel days.
We swear by this Snapwireless charger, it charges fast, has built in cables and has interchangeable adapters. We also love Anker, which also does great portable charging products.
GoPro or Travel Action Camera
For the adventure lovers, a GoPro or compact action camera is the perfect gift - these cameras are perfect for capturing everything from snorkelling and diving to biking and hiking. They're great for travellers who love documenting their trips or creating content along the way.
We have used Go Pro's, Insta360's and the DJI Osmo Action - all of which are incredible cameras. If we had to pick one though, it would be the DJI Osmo Action 5 for its incredible features such as the underwater colour correction (perfect for diving and snorkelling)!
Mini Tripod or Phone Stand
Carrying on with the theme of capturing memories and content, a mini tripod or phone stand is a must-have for anyone who loves to take photos or create content.
You can get compact, lightweight and versatile tripods so they don't take up much space in a backpack, but they're perfect for capturing content on the go - especially for solo travellers.
This K&F Concept tripod is perfect, it's interchangeable between a tripod, selfie stick and handheld, has a detachable bluetooth control and can hold phones and action cameras - the perfect all-rounder!
Noise-Cancelling Earphones or Headphones
Whether it’s tuning out airplane noise, listening to podcasts on a long train ride, or catching up on playlists during layovers, good headphones are a travel essential.
Noise-cancelling models make the biggest difference on flights, it's something we can't travel without! Compact wireless earphones are also great for everyday exploring and not taking up much space, which might be better for backpackers.
We have used Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling headphones for years and swear by them - make sure to get a model that folds up to maximise space! They also have the earphone version, which would also be great.
Luggage, Bags & Storage Gifts
Suitcase
If you’re looking to go big with a travel gift, a quality suitcase is always a great option. Make sure to go for lightweight yet sturdy materials, smooth wheels and expandable compartments for those inevitable souvenirs.
Some quality luggage brands include Antler, Samsonite and American Tourister.
Travel or Camera Backpack
A travel or camera backpack is a must have for travelling - whether for carry-on travel, city breaks or long-term trips. The best ones balance comfort, durability, and smart organisation, with padded straps, multiple compartments and a laptop sleeve.
We've tried a lot of travel/camera backpacks and our current favourite brand is Tropicfeel - they do great quality and versatile backpacks along with useful accessories like this wardrobe system (it's incredible)!
Bellroy is another great travel backpack that's versatile and perfect for outdoor adventures.
Bumbag or Crossbody Bag
A bumbag or crossbody bag is surprisingly handy for travel days and flights. They're ideal for keeping your important documents, phone and money in, so you have quick access and can keep it on you at all times.
Some of our favourite bumbag brands are Bellroy and Fjallraven - they both do stylish and high-quality bags.
Jewellery Case
This is a useful gift for anyone who likes to wear jewellery yet travels a lot. A mini jewellery case is a small luxury that keeps everything organised and tangle-free, perfect for packing earrings, necklaces or rings safely in transit.
Toiletry Case
A good toiletry case makes packing (and unpacking) so much easier and is a practical gift that every traveller needs but rarely upgrades for themselves.
Look for one with multiple compartments, leak-proof lining and even a hook for hanging in small bathrooms or hostel showers.
Fun & Personal Gifts
Personalised Luggage Tag
A personalised luggage tag is the perfect small gift that adds a stylish and practical touch to any suitcase, helping bags stand out on the carousel (and making them harder to lose).
You can customize it with initials, a name, or even a favourite destination, making it a thoughtful, personal travel gift that feels far more special than it costs.
Travel-Size Board Games or Cards
Long train journeys, rainy afternoons or hostel nights are always better with a bit of friendly competition. Travel-sized games or playing card sets are perfect for just about anyone, and they're easy to pack and lightweight.
👋 We hope that you found this guide helpful! Before you go - don't forget to explore our other travel guides here.
