30 Gift Ideas For Women Who Love Travel

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“What do you want for Christmas/birthday/insert holiday here?” It’s the question we all kind of dread. Knowing that someone’s going to ask it and we’re going to have to come up with ideas for ourselves as well as try to think of unique gift ideas for other people too. If you’re spiraling into gift buying fatigue, these great gift ideas for women who love to travel will help with ideas for other people and yourself.

How to buy gifts for travelers

If you love to travel then you’re looking for one of two things: travel themed decor for the home, or practical gifts you can use on your travels. I try to limit the amount of “stuff” I give as gifts. Useless items that will never be taken out of a drawer. Which is why I’m so passionate about these gift ideas for women who travel, like me.

Everything here is either designed to keep fueling that desire to travel when you can’t, or help you while you’re traveling. I’m all about the eco-friendly and experience gift ideas too. Keep reading to find out what amazing suggestions I have for you today.

Gift ideas for women who like to travel

Buckle up, get your credit card ready and cross all those difficult-to-buy-for people off your list right now. You’ll be laughing in the run up to their birthday or Christmas as you, my friend, are already prepared. To make this a little easier I’ve divided the gift ideas into gifts for at home, gifts for the journey and gifts for the trip. Included in here are a lot of environmentally friendly and sustainable gifts.

Gifts ideas for at home

Here are some of the top gift ideas for women for use at home, the office or whenever they are not traveling. When travel obsessed people are not currently traveling, they need constant reminders about the world. Maps, planes, food they love from their favorite countries (or countries they want to go to). You can’t go wrong with any of these, but here are my top ideas:

Travel related books

If there’s one way to feel connected to the world again, even from home, it’s to read about it. There are endless amazing books to lose yourself in. Fictional stories about travel or real life accounts of someone’s trip. Check out some of my favorite travel themed books. I also highly recommend Tahir Shah’s The Caliph’s House which is hilarious and also insanely inaccurate of some of the craziness you encounter while traveling.

             

Scratch off travel map

Everyone who loves travel will happily recount the countries they’ve been lucky enough to visit. What better way to display that (also and amazing talking point) than to use a scratch off map. I love this vintage look one and also because the USA is divided into states so you can keep track of the ones you’ve still to visit. For an added bonus get a frame to go with it can be more of a living room art piece.

Cork globe with pins

My friends got me this for my birthday last year and I love it. As with the scratch off map I can pin where I’ve been, but can also be more specific than just a country if I want (for large countries anyway). Top Tip: choose one color pin (or a different type) for places you want to visit to make this both a reminder of where you’ve been and a planning tool.

El Camino bracelet

Along the same lines of keeping count of the places you’ve been there’s no better (and more stylish) way than a bracelet like this. Purchase beads (known as steps) for the bracelet of countries or even major cities that mean a lot to you. You can also get larger colored steps representing continents.

Among my steps I have the city I was born in (Carlisle), the city I now live in (Vancouver) and the city that I lived in for 2 years in China (Jinan). You can also make custom steps and there are even lockdown steps.

Plane necklace

Anyone who loves travel will love anything plane related. The symbol of getting to a new, far off destination. That’s why you see so many plane tattoos. But for something a little less permanent I think this plane necklace is a beautiful reminder about travel. Why not get it to commemorate a trip you took together?

Travel notebook

I adore notebooks. I have dozens of them and can’t get enough. When I’m traveling I use notebooks a lot to make notes about my day. But I also use them at home when planning trips, writing about past trips or for every day work. Try a notebook with her favorite place on it (mine is Paris), or maybe a map of the world.

     

Travel themed wine charms

Having a few people over for few drinks? These little charms will help remind everyone which is their glass of wine after you’re onto the second bottle. I know house parties always mean everyone is constantly losing track of their drink. Never again!

  

Travel puzzles

When it’s cold outside and I’m stuck in the house a lot more, I often like to do jigsaw puzzles. And since I love travel, I like any with a travel theme. Places I’ve been (or places I want to go), maps of countries I love or a world map, or maybe just a reminder of somewhere I once traveled to.

        

Pillows and blankets

I always like to have nice warm blankets around the house. For curling up on the couch to read, or to put on the bed. But when looking for gift ideas for women who love travel you can’t go wrong with a travel themed blanket. I love my Union Jack blanket, in case I forget that I’m British. You could get a blanket with travel icons on. Or what about throw pillows with airport codes on them?

The World Game

Perfect for family game night, having friends over or just some healthy competition with your partner, this is an awesome game. Think trivial pursuit but all travel related. Test your knowledge of everything travel with this (potentially home wrecking) game.

Phone case

I love my world map phone case. Every time I look at it I’m reminded about travel. Plus it helps save my phone because I’m super clumsy and drop it a lot. But you can get a country’s flag case or even a quote about traveling. You’ve just gotta be sneaky when finding out what phone she has.

World map ice cube tray

I love the novelty ice cube trays. I actually think they make a fun little stocking stuffer. And is there anything better than a world map ice cube tray of the continents? Just don’t let Antarctica melt too quickly! Bonus: you could also use these silicon trays to make map shaped cookies or other treats like chocolate.

Global snack box

First thing I do in a new country is go to the local supermarket or convenience store and sample all the new and fun snacks. But if you can’t travel right now, why not order some international snacks to eat at home? Try this Japanese Kit-Kat snack box, a country known for their incredibly interesting flavors.

     

Gifts ideas for the journey

Planes, trains…automobiles. I know, that was a movie right? Point is there are a lot of ways to get places and however you choose is still traveling. From spending hours on end on a long haul flight to wiling away the boredom on a road trip or lengthy train journey, you have to have the essential carry on items. These are the gifts ideas for women that will get her through the journey so that she’ll reach the final destination (different kind of movie) in a much better mood:

Kindle

A kindle, or any e-reader, is a great gift idea for women who love to travel. It’s lightweight, small and easily holds more books than any regular carry on would allow. Perfect for plane journeys or long car trips, why not purchase some local travel guides or travel novels to put on it as part of the gift? Pro tip: get one with a backlight or this won’t be good for those overnight flights.

Backpack

Everyone needs a good travel backpack. I know I’m currently on the hunt for a good one. Something I can use as both a day pack while traveling but that will also work well as a carry on bag. I’m currently on the hunt for one of the Osprey backpacks that will also work well for my new found love of hiking. But I also love these Herschel backpacks.

        

Passport cover

Passports are often a little bit boring and generic on the front cover. Mine has amazing graphics on the pages inside, but the page is just a little blah. So I love my passport cover to give it a little more of a unique feel about it. Bright colors, patterns or their favorite themes make good passport covers. Plus the good thing: one size fits all!

     

Hooded neck pillow

I never knew how much I needed a neck pillow until I got one. I used to think I was perfectly comfortable without it. Or as comfortable as you can be on a double-digit hours flight. But not just any neck pillow will do. I love mine with the hood. It is large enough that it drapes down in front of my eyes and I can get a little shut eye on a long flight too.

Travel footrest

While we’re talking comfort on long flights, don’t you just hate not having anywhere to put your feet? The footrest on the plane is not comfortable, often at the wrong height and in some cases it flips up every time you take your feet off it. Try this adjustable footrest that hooks over the seat and will give a little added comfort to a long haul.

Luggage tags

Buying someone some fancy unique luggage is a great gift, but if you can’t stretch to that, the next best thing is a nice luggage tag. Find something personal to them. A place they’ve been, a monogram of their initials or maybe their favorite image like a flower design or hearts. Whatever it is they like, a luggage tag will help identify their bags easily and help combat lost luggage.

     

Face mask

The new accessory since 2020. But don’t be boring and get just a plain black mask. How about something they like? Personally, I love my plane icon mask which got me a lot of compliments on a recent flight. You can buy my mask here or find another for your gift recipient.

    

Headphones

Bose noise cancelling headphones make traveling a lot easier when I can tune out the people around me a little more. They also give a much clearer sound when watching the in-flight movies. But if they’re are a little big for your carry on, one of the best gift ideas for women who love travel are some nicer headphones than the free ones you get on the flight. Airpods are great for Apple fans but if you’re an Android person like me then what about these pretty bronze Samsung earbuds?

    

Gift ideas for the trip

Packing is an art. Not always one everyone is good at. We all have our own talents, right? But part of the art of packing comes from weeding out the things that you don’t need and replacing them with the most useful items. That’s why I’ve listed some of the best gift ideas for women who want to save on valuable checked baggage space and things she didn’t know she needed for her next trip:

Compression bag/packing cubes

Who doesn’t love organization? And this is about the best way to Marie Kondo the crap out of your checked bag. I got packing cubes last year and they are so good. They help keep everything in my bag in order, but I also have compression bags which make the bulkier clothing items take up less space. Even more handy for carry on bags. One of the best gift ideas for women who overpack like I do!

     

Hanging toiletry bag

While we’re on organization, there’s no reason that your hotel bathroom shouldn’t be as organized. This hanging waterproof toiletry bag is perfect for toting toiletries without worrying they’ll leak. Also great for hotel or hostel bathrooms lacking in counter space. Some of the designs are really pretty too.

Shampoo and conditioner bars

If you want to travel carry on only you’ll have to find ways to reduce the amount of liquids you take. These awesome toiletry bars are ideal for that, and great gift ideas for women who want to help the environment too…no plastic!

Lisse Safety Razor

Just because we’re traveling doesn’t mean we don’t want to look our best. This isn’t any old razor though. It’s sleek and beautiful, and perfect for anyone with dreams of living a more sustainable life. Why? Because it’s not just another throw away plastic razor. The Lisse safety razor one will last you for years to come and in the end will save you money. Did I mention it’s a pretty rose gold color?

Reusable straws

While we’re saving the environment, is there any better way than to ditch the plastic straws? Bring your own reusable (and much prettier) metal straws for your vacation cocktails. I have mine in a nice little cloth pouch, a variety of sizes for any drink I carry everywhere. Remember to rinse them using your glass of water or in the bathroom until you can wash them properly.

    

Power bank

I can’t go back to living without my portable power bank now. It takes an age to charge it up, but it will last you for so long that you won’t need to worry about your phone dying halfway through your day while traveling. I took mine camping for 4 days and at the end of it, I still had 50% of the battery left. After charging multiple devices every day. Amazing! This is the one I got but there are number of them out there.

Portable WiFi

Traveling can be hard on the wallet. Especially with roaming charges. Which is why a portable WiFi is one of the best gift ideas for women who travel a lot. It’s handy at home too. Often you can connect your own WiFi network and use it even when you’re not at home or near your plugged in router. You can also buy subscriptions and use it when you travel connecting all your devices through the mobile router. No more hanging out at a McDonalds for an hour of your vacation just for the WiFi.

Camera tripod

Last Christmas my boyfriend got me an awesome tripod. I’d recently bought myself a really good camera, but since I sometimes travel solo being able to take pictures with me in them was not easy. The tripod he got me is amazing and lightweight enough for travel. It can stand up or bend around things to allow for the perfect shot. And it fits cell phones too.

Travel adaptor

Perhaps the most important thing for any international trip. I have a couple and leave them in my suitcase then I never forget them. Realizing you forgot your travel adaptor and having to buy one in the airport is the worst. Much cheaper to buy at home before you leave. I typically have more than one with me too if you can find a nice lightweight one, or only take the part you need for the country you’re visiting. That way I can use more than one electronic item at a time. Nothing worse than having to decide between your hair straightener and charging your cell phone!

Bonus Gift Idea – Bagnet

I wouldn’t be able to finish this list before talking about one of my favorite products. Bagnet is a magnet for your bag. It clips to your bag strap and holds up to 8lb of weight (enough for even the most enthusiastic purse packer). They come in a variety of colors of real leather or vegan-friendly silicone rubber. Using Bagnet means your purse doesn’t sit on the ground which is not great in a public washroom that doesn’t have a hook, or in a restaurant. It sticks to anything metal. Mine has been a lifesaver while I’ve been traveling.

The best gift ideas for women who travel

Hopefully you have managed to solve at least some of your gift buying decisions after reading this. For anyone who likes to travel, practical gifts they can use are the best. Things that will save space in luggage, replace other larger items or help make traveling a little easier or a little more fun.

If in doubt find some fun items for home that will remind them of travel even when they can’t go anywhere. There are plenty of gift ideas for women who travel if you know what to look out for. And you can never go wrong with a sustainable, environmentally friendly gift. Happy shopping!

If you’ve enjoyed this post or found it useful leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Which of these gift ideas for women who travel are your favorite? What’s going on your wish list?