Unique Travel Gifts
What unique travel gift do you buy the person who has everything?
Most frequent travelers buy the things they need to make travel more comfortable, but there are a lot of unique travel gift options that can be helpful.
I am generally a travel minimalist, so I like my gifts to be practical and useful.
Whether you are looking for a unique gift for your partner who always travels for work, your best friend who travels alone, or your brother who travels with his dog, there are lots of fun choices at different price points.
Keep reading to find lots of unique gift ideas for different kinds of travelers.
Unique Travel Gift for the Traveler who Always Gets Motion Sick
Did you know that there are glasses to help with motion sickness? Whether your friend gets sick on a boat, on a plane, or while in a car, these glasses should be able to help.
As someone who gets motion sick on boats and while driving, it is nice to have an option that does not involve medicine that makes you tired. I have to debate whether it is better to be a little bit sick or extremely tired, so I can’t wait to try these glasses myself.
Another option for motion-sickness relief is a wristband. This version is a nicer option than the ones usually sold in shops.
What do you buy someone who is moving abroad?
As someone who has moved abroad, I can attest to not wanting anything that will take up space or add weight to my luggage.
To be honest, the best going-away gift may be the promise of sending a care package of items they are not able to get in their new country, but if you are looking for something tangible that you can give before they go, here are a few items that I purchased before our move:
- packing cubes (because you can never have enough)
- sleep mask (for the plane and when overcoming jetlag)
- foot hammock (to be as comfortable as possible on the plane)
- a travel pillow (that is actually comfortable)
- document wallet (so they don’t have to scramble to find their important things)
I finally invested in a good travel pillow, and while it isn’t like sleeping on a bed, it definitely helps me to be more comfy on those long-haul flights.
The one thing that has really changed my comfort level is the purchase of a foot hammock. It sounds silly, and I wasn’t sure if it would help, but they are inexpensive, so I figured, why not try? I feel like this is a hidden trick to getting comfortable in economy class.
Unique Travel Gifts for the Person Who Travels with Their Dog
It is easy to remember the dog’s food and drink bowl when it is attached to your water bottle.
This drink bottle for humans has both a dish for food and a dish for water attached to the bottom.
They can keep all of the dog food, treats, toys, and anything else their dog needs in this airline-approved travel bag. It has a strap that attaches to the handle of a suitcase, making it easy to carry through the airport. Plus, it fits under the seat on the plane.
Of course, this bag is also easily packable for a road trip.
What do you buy for someone who travels a lot for work?
Unfortunately, the internet can be spotty, so why not buy a hotspot? This gift will come in handy for the avid traveler, especially someone who needs to stay connected for work.
While many planes have a TV for each individual, that is unfortunately not always the case. Sure, you can hold your phone up, but an easy and practical gift is a phone holder. That way, your friend can watch a movie hands-free on every flight.
Another TV issue for frequent travelers is the lack of channels. That will no longer be an issue after you gift a Google Chromecast that can connect their phone to the hotel TV, allowing them to watch anything they can get on their phone on a larger screen.
Another option is a travel gear organizer. This way, your friend will be able to keep everything organized and in one easy-to-find place.
Unique Travel Gift Ideas for the Traveler Worried About Safety
Take your pick of anti-theft bags and purses so that your friend has one less thing to worry about while traveling.
Another option is a hotel safety lock or a hotel safety alarm.
If they are worried about the safety of the drinking water, this Steripen gets rid of bacteria and viruses with an LED light, and it is extremely lightweight and easy to bring along while traveling.
What do you buy for someone who loves to hike while they travel?
Help make drinking water one less thing to worry about with a Camelbak insulated water bottle that includes a Lifestraw that filters out bacteria and microplastics.
Perfect for hikers, travelers, and anyone worried about drinking water on their vacation.
For those who already have a water bottle that they love, Lifestraw is available separately.
Another option for avid hikers is a backpack that holds a lot of water.
Unique Travel Gift Ideas for Your Eco-Friendly Friend
Bags are always useful when traveling, and this cute bag is perfect for trips to the market or for putting laundry in.
Clear toiletry bags are great for your eco-friendly friend who does not want to use ziplock bags in the security line.
While essential oils are something that is generally used at home, a Banksia Aroma Pod allows you to diffuse essential oils while traveling without giving up a lot of luggage space. Plus, they are lightweight.
Even if your friend isn’t traveling, they can use the aroma pod in a small room or a car.
If you want to include the oils, Biome sells a gift pack along with an aroma pod.
What Do You Buy a Traveler Who Has Everything?
Something to do upon arrival! There are quite a few companies that have worldwide events. Why not purchase a gift card, and your recipient can decide where and when to redeem their gift?
Some amazing options include:
Unique Travel Gifts for Families
For the family that wants to be entertained, gift a mini projector. That way, everyone can watch the movie wherever they are. This mini-projector rotates and makes it possible to watch a movie anywhere, even on the ceiling.
Another option is a headphone splitter so that more than one person can listen to the same thing.
For the movie or to listen to music by the pool, a portable waterproof speaker is something that all members of the family will appreciate.
While games are not necessarily unique, there are plenty of small travel games.
What do you buy a traveler who travels light?
It may seem counterproductive to add a product that most people leave out, but the Scrubba Portable Wash Bag works like a washing machine, and it is extremely lightweight and small.
Easy to add to a backpack or carry-on, having a Scrubba means they can pack less and easily wash their clothes on camping trips or during hotel stays.
Another option is a travel backpack that will fit their clothes as well as their things to do on a plane with all its separate compartments. This waterproof backpack even has a special place for shoes.
Unique Items for Beach Vacations
Help them keep the sand and sea out of the rental car with a seat cover that is specific to beach trips.
Beach trips can be messy, and an unisex bag that holds both wet and dry items will come in handy.
For friends who visit the beach often, a sandproof towel makes a great gift that they most likely buy themselves. Tesalate makes a great sand-proof towel for adults, and they also have a kid-sized towel that is perfect for a family day on the beach.
What do you buy a traveler who loves to camp?
If your friend loves tent camping, get them a travel coffee press so that they can enjoy their morning cup without needing to leave the campsite.
One option is an all-in-one boil and brew Stanley that they can put right on the camping stove.
A foldable travel tea kettle also comes in handy for making hot drinks without using the camping stove.
Unique Gift Ideas for Travelers Wrap-Up
Hopefully, this list of unique gift ideas for every kind of traveler will help you pick out the perfect gift.
While there are plenty of travel-themed gifts on the market, most of them your recipient may already have or not want.
Suitcases, travel journals, and headphones can be useful, but chances are, your friend already has them. The items on this list are a bit more unique and perfect for those who are looking for a different kind of travel gift.
