Shopping for the avid traveller in your life can be tricky—they’re always on the go and often prefer experiences over materialistic things. To help you choose wisely, I’ve put together a list of gifts that are hits and misses, alternating between the best ideas and those you might want to rethink. Let’s dive in!

Worst Gift: Oversized Luggage

While a big suitcase might seem like a generous gift, it can actually be more of a burden for those travellers who prefer to pack light. Travellers value convenience, and oversized luggage can be hard to carry through crowded streets, packed trains, or on tight-budget airline connections.

Best Gift: A Universal Travel Adapter

Practical and compact, a universal adapter is absolutely essential for globetrotters. With one of these, your traveller can stay powered up anywhere in the world. Bonus: some come with USB ports for even more convenience.

Here’s a 2024 Travel Adapter Review by Wirecutter if you want to see a few more options.

Worst Gift: Fragile Souvenirs

While a beautiful glass ornament or ceramic keepsake might seem thoughtful, these souvenirs are often hard to pack and prone to breakage. Additionally, travellers tend to prefer memories they can carry with them, rather than items that sit at home and are easily forgotten over time.

Best Gift: Compact Travel Journal

A small travel journal (emphasis on small) is the perfect gift for documenting adventures. Lightweight and portable, it’s great for jotting down thoughts, sketching a beautiful view, or even keeping track of recommendations along the way.

I’ve even had people I met during my travels write messages in my travel journal, like signing a school yearbook. It’s nice to look back on after the trip and remember the connections I made along the way.

Worst Gift: Impractical Travel Gadgets

From solar-powered chargers that barely work to quirky neck pillows with built-in speakers or phone holders (Yes, that is a real thing you can buy!), some travel gadgets sound great in theory but don’t always deliver. They often end up taking up space without much use or simply left at home by the traveller.

Best Gift: Noise-Cancelling Earbuds

Lightweight and portable, a quality pair of noise-cancelling earbuds is a fantastic gift. They’re perfect for drowning out airplane noise, bustling cities, or hostel roommates without taking up space in their bags.

Note: This might not be the best gift if they already have a quality pair, but could be perfect if they are in need of an upgrade.

Worst Gift: Travel-Themed Home Décor

Items like globe lamps or “Adventure Awaits” wall signs might seem fun, but seasoned travellers often prioritize experiences over decorations. Plus, these gifts don’t offer much use when they’re constantly on the move.

Best Gift: Travel Gift Cards

Gift cards for airlines, Airbnb, hotels, or even a popular coffee chain are a fantastic option. They’re flexible, practical, and allow travellers to spend them on something they genuinely need or enjoy during their adventures. Additionally, many gift cards can be used internationally if the company has entered the global market.

Worst Gift: A Pet

This might seem extreme, but it happens more often than you’d think! A well-meaning but ill-informed gift-giver might think a furry companion would be a great surprise. For someone who’s always travelling, they will unfortunately not have the time or stability to take care of their newly acquired pet.

If your traveller is a pet lover, you could consider making a donation to a local animal shelter under their name instead.

Best Gift: A Quality Packing Cube Set

Packing cubes are a traveller’s best friend. They keep suitcases or backpacks well organized, save space, and make packing and unpacking a breeze. It’s a practical gift they’ll use on every trip.

I used to not use them, but once someone gifted me one, I never looked back. It made it much easier to organize my things and find what I needed in my bag.

Worst Gift: A Physical Copy of a Travel Guidebook

A hefty travel guidebook may seem useful, but it’s heavy and takes up precious space in limited-spaced bags, instead, an eBook can be a much more traveller-friendly option. Whether it’s a digital city guide or an eBook to read on a long flight, it’s weightless and easy to access from your phone or tablet.

Best Gift: Lightweight, Quick-Dry Microfiber Towel

A great gift for a constant traveller would be a Microfiber towel that is compact, lightweight and dries quickly. Whether it’s for a beach day, a hiking trip, or a hostel shower, this is a gift that’s always practical and appreciated.

Worst Gift: Tacky T-shirts or “I Love [City]” Souvenirs

While those cheesy “I Love [City]” t-shirts might seem like a fun gift, they rarely make it into a traveller’s wardrobe. Travellers often pack with purpose, choosing versatile clothing that can mix and match to create multiple outfits from a limited wardrobe (also known as a Travel Capsule Wardrobe). A single-use, bold souvenir shirt just doesn’t fit the bill. Instead, focus on gifts that align with their practical needs.

Best Gift: A Reusable and Collapsible Water Bottle

A high-quality, compact water bottle is essential for staying hydrated on the go. Eco-friendly, durable, easy to pack, and perfect for any traveller—whether they’re trekking through mountains or touring city streets.

Learn More: The 5 Best Collapsible Water Bottles (2024 Review)

Final Thoughts

When choosing the right gifts for the special traveller in your life, think about items that are practical, portable, and meaningful. The best gifts make their journeys smoother and more enjoyable, while the less useful ones tend to take up space or create extra challenges.

With a little thought and care, your gifts could be the one they take on every trip. Happy gifting—and may their travels inspire wonderful stories to share!

Safe travels,

Carina

One Girl and the Big World is a travel blog dedicated to sharing inspiring adventures, practical tips, and unique experiences from around the globe—all available for free to readers.

The site is a passion project committed to bringing fresh content to travel enthusiasts everywhere. Donations are welcome to keep the blog running smoothly and cover the maintenance costs. Every contribution, whether big or small, directly supports the continuation of this journey, ensuring that the blog remains a valuable resource for fellow travellers.

Thank you for being a part of this global adventure!