25 Must-Have Travel Gifts for Under $25

Written by

Gifts for travelers

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for the travel junkie on your gift list or are a traveler writing a wish list for an upcoming trip, we’ve got you covered with today’s post.

Below are 25 handpicked, must-have items for travelers. Any of them would make a great gift. Every one of them is under $25. Enjoy.

Packing Supplies

ExOfficio underwear and Smartwool socks: Sure, socks and underwear are usually the boring gifts everyone gets for Christmas. But, hey, they’re necessities. Outshine every other relative with these best-in-class basics that will help your favorite traveler pack light.

REI MultiTowel Lite: Supplies are in short, um, supply on the road. A microfiber towel is useful, packs small, and dries quickly. A need-to-have. If you need more convincing, read our full review.

Flybags: Seasoned travelers know to never check a bag. Upgrade them from a dirty, old Ziploc bag to a Flybag to carry their toiletries through security.

GoToob

GoToob: Not every product comes in convenient travel sizes. GoToobs hold three ounces of any liquid or gel so that it can be taken through security and carried onto a plane.

Grid-It!

Grid-It: Even when abroad, unplugging is almost impossible, especially for Generation Y. The Grid-It storage system keeps electronics and wires organized.

Stuff sacks, Dry bags, and Packing cubes: Take the hassle out of packing with stuff sacks to maximize space, dry bags to keep clothes clean and dry, and packing cubes to stay organized.

TSA-approved luggage locks: Airports, trains, and hostels are not the safest of places, especially when you’re carrying a passport, money, credit cards, and electronics. Keep the travel enthusiast in your life safe with TSA-approved luggage locks.

Flight001 Eye Mask

Sleeping mask: Sleeping in crowded hostel dorms and on planes is always tough, but sleeping masks definitely help. Flight001 has some of the most unique designs you can find.

Trekker pillow case: A compact pillow case that can be filled with clothes to form a comfortable pillow. Ideal for sleeping on trains and bus station floors.

Travel Gear

Travel plug adapter: A no-brainer for any traveler.

Solar charger: Solar chargers are great for outdoor travelers who still love their gadgets, whether they’re hiking through Argentina or volunteering in Africa.

Portable water filter: Could mean the difference between life and death. Or at least diarrhea.

Swiss Army Knife: It doesn’t have to be a Swiss Army Knife, but a good multi-tool will quickly become indispensable, especially outdoors.

Gorillapod tripod

Gorillapod tripod: Most travelers love to photograph their trip. A compact tripod can help amateurs and pros take better pictures.

iPod speakers: Making friends on the road is always easy for the party-starter. I can’t count how many times I’ve regretted not having speakers with me.

CamelBak water bottle: A simple, BPA-free water bottle of excellent quality.

More Cool Stuff

Flight001 scratch off mini wall map

Scratch-off mini wall map: This awesome map lets travelers show off by marking everywhere they’ve visited.

30 Words language guides: These passport-sized guides provide a great overview of common phrases for a wide variety of languages.

Vagabonding: The bible for long-term world travel. As a bonus, the author, Rolf Potts, is a super nice guy.

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day: A travel hacking guide for aspiring travelers from one of the masters, Nomadic Matt.

Moleskine travel journal: Most travelers document their trips with photographs and some with a blog. Nothing is more intimate and memorable than a real travel journal.

REI gift card: Sure, gift cards are the easy way out, but anyone who loves to travel could easily spend all day and all of his money at REI. Chip in with $25 to get him started.

That’s our list. Post a comment below to let us know what’s on your list.

(Photo: kevin dooley)

Like this article? Share it.


Then join our list for free updates.

  • Michael

    great write up, short sweet and packed with useful stuff. Do they all link to amazon cause your an affiliate or was it the easiest way to link to items!!??

    • http://fredperrotta.com Fred Perrotta

      Thanks, Michael. The Amazon links are affiliate links, but we link to products on Amazon, because it’s usually the cheapest and easiest place to shop, not to make money. As a busy, frugal person myself, I prefer cheap, one-stop shopping.

      Any plans to pick up anything from the list?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_XZZ2KVWLGEACG2SSWELBL3ITNA Sadie Heldberg

    Christmas is a
    happy Holiday for me I love buying gifts for
    others especially when I know they need the gift! When you work or hang out
    with certain individuals, you learn their habits and stresses and when you know
    you can help someone out that rocks! Most of my colleagues and I travel for the
    majority of our current existence. A couple are the type that get all stressed
    out and try to appear focused while a couple girlfriends are always trying to
    find enough room to pack everything. I specifically like the idea of the GoToob,
    Grid-It, Packing cubes, and Sleeping masks for them, as I know they would get
    much use out of these items. I think one of my buddies would really get more
    out of his trip and come out on off-hour adventures with me if he had the Gorillapod
    tripod, as he loves photography. For the stressed out frazzle fried friend of
    mine I have to go with a product I have been using that I think would really
    help. He also blogs although his blogging is on sports not film and if he had a
    distraction and more time to work on his passion he would be happier he’s told
    me. Therefore, I believe I am going to get him a gadget that really has helped
    me. I got my hands on some awesome technology called the Sling Adapter
    available through Dish Network free through a rebate to qualifying new and
    existing customers, which has changed an important part of my life. The Dish
    Remote Access app is free and downloads to iPads, laptops, and Smartphones plus
    there are no additional monthly charges and it is that simple. It gives me unlimited
    access to all my subscription programming and I need those movies for my blog. With
    the online content I can get access to tons of more movies and thousands of TV
    episodes but I can also schedule my DVR events remotely if need be and utilize
    the recordings. I found it strange that other companies restrict programming to
    their customers then charge for the app and the Sling technology. This technology
    is important because it challenges my creative side to blossom. My work for Dish
    Network will always require travel, which will take me away from my blog, but I
    can research everything I need while I am away. Then when I get home, I am
    prepared to write. This would be perfect for him, as he has often commented on
    it but was worried about cost like he worries about everything else. Well that is
    not an issue anymore so no more excuses for him.
     

  • Pingback: Why a Backpack is a Great Gift for a Traveler