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The Best Last-Minute Gifts for the Travel Lover

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you as well as items I received from companies to review.  

Finding the perfect last-minute gifts for the travel lover can be difficult.  However, I created this last-minute guide for gifts for the travel lover in your life to give you a few fun ideas.  My travel gift suggestions are grouped together into the following categories: electronics, clothing and accessories, luggage-related gifts, maps and books, and toiletries.  Scroll to find the best last-minute gifts for the travel lover in your life.

Last Minute Electronic Gifts for the Travel Lover

Noise-canceling earbuds are an awesome last-minute gift for any traveler.  These earbuds drown out background noise while at the same time enhancing the sound of your movie or music experience.  As a side note, these also work great when talking to a friend or a colleague. 

A Go Pro is an ideal gift for the adventure traveler because it is tough and waterproof. With smooth 4K video and vibrant WDR photos, every moment can look amazing.  Also, GPS lets you track how fast, high, and far you went on your adventure.  

The Microsoft Surface is a lightweight touchpad computer great for creating content on the go, streaming videos, staying on top of emails, and doing homework.  With 10-hour battery life, you will likely get tired before your Microsoft Surface.  In addition, there are two HD cameras (front and rear-facing), allowing you to take and share crisp photos or take a business call.

If you are not in the market for a camera, you can still enhance your smartphone photos with the Zenvo lens kit.  The two lenses included in this kit let you capture 45% more picture as well as more of the intricacies and details of the image.  This is a unique gift for travelers.

Many of you might be thinking you don’t need a camera because everyone has a smartphone.  And yes, smartphone technology is getting better. However, your pictures’ quality on a real camera versus those on most smartphones is far superior.  A point and shoot camera takes excellent pictures, easily fits in your purse or pocket, and offers unique features to enhance your photos.

A travel adapter is a terrific last-minute gift for travelers because the adapters can be used around the world. Depending on the country you are traveling from/to, the electrical current may vary.  So, a travel adapter will come in handy.   After ruining my hair straightener, I now travel with a reliable adapter.

Popular last-minute gifts for the travel lover include external battery packs. Travelers can never complain they can’t call because they forget to charge their phone when they have a battery pack.  I have used a battery pack countless times on vacation, and I am always glad I have one with me.  A battery pack is a small travel gift that every traveler needs!

A Kindle makes a terrific gift for the reader in your family. Let’s face it, books are heavy, and you can only take so many with you on vacation.  But with a Kindle, the world’s library is your oyster.  The Kindle is light, easy to use, gives you the ability to see text in any light, and can store far more books on my Kindle than I could ever dream of reading on vacation.  I love my Kindle Paperwhite.

Kindle E-Books and Audio-books

If you are buying a gift for an avid reader or lover of audio-books, consider signing up for Kindle Unlimited or Kindle Audible.  They will have thousands of e-books or audio-books at their fingertips with just a few clicks of a button. 

Unique Clothing and Accessory Gifts for the Travel Lover

The infinity scarf is the perfect travel gift for older travelers because not only is it stylish, but it also has pockets to securely keep your passport, phone, sunglasses, or wallet.  The snap design lets you wear the scarf in several different ways, so you don’t look like you are wearing the same outfit in all of your pictures.

In this COVID era, health and safety are paramount.  Tesalate has developed quick-drying exercise towels with patent-pending antibacterial technology to keep the Tesalate towel smelling fresh.  The double-sided design allows you to keep track of which side has had contact with your body or gym equipment. Tesalate towels make a unique travel gift and can be used inside or outside, for traditional exercise, yoga, or tennis.  And if you don’t love your towel, you can return it for free! 

I took my Tesalate towel out with me for a workout and loved it!  It’s light, easy to travel with, and makes for a terrific workout towel.  

A comfortable pair of pants for traveling is essential.  However, so many comfortable pants are not stylish.  But, these pants are comfortable, stylish, and you can dress up any outfit. 

Luggage Related Gifts for Travelers

Shoe bags are a great invention for keeping your clothes clean and your shoes protected while traveling.  Stop using old purse covers to separate your shoes from your clothes, and start using a dedicated shoe bag.  These waterproof shoe bags can also double as a toiletry bag.  When you are not traveling, you can also use these shoe bags to prevent your shoes from getting dusty in your closet.  

A backpack is a great carry-on and weekend bag.  This North Face backpack makes a terrific gift for the avid traveler because it has easy access pockets, a front elastic bungee system, a place to keep a laptop, and offers multiple ways to stay organized.  I have a North Face backpack that I often use while traveling.

Packing cubes are all the rage right now in travel gear.  Help your loved one keep his/her belongings neatly stored and conveniently organized with packing cubes.  The mesh design of these packing cubes helps you quickly determine the contents. As a bonus, packing cubes help you save space in your luggage too.  Packing cubes are great gifts for the travel lover in your life.  

Women often travel with some jewelry, but we don’t always have a great way to store it.  Avoid tangled necklaces and misplaces earnings with a foldable travel jewelry organizer case.  This small travel gift is perfect for the style-savvy traveler in your life. 

Gifts for the Travel Lover who Loves to Learn and Read

Travel books are small travel gifts for the avid reader in your life.  Whether your traveler loves to read or daydreams about travel, these books are fun adventures about travel. 

Keep track of all the places you have been in the world with this colorful scratch map.  Looking at the map will bring back unforgettable memories! A scratch map will inspire you to travel to new and exciting destinations.  Your loved one can also use the scratch map as an educational tool to learn the world’s geography. 

Toiletry Gifts for the Travel Lover

This TUMI toiletry bag comes with three clear zip pockets so you can easily see your toiletries and a detachable nylon pouch for smaller items. This versatile design can lay flat or hang from a fixture when open.

The Morfone travel bottles are excellent gifts for the traveler in your life because they allow a traveler to travel with their favorite toiletries. These TSA approved, leak proof silicone squeezable travel accessories come in 2oz and 3oz containers for shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash.  These containers are even BPA Free!  These travel bottles make great gifts for last-minute travelers!

Give the gift of beauty with a travel shower kit complete with shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion.  The Aveda rosemary mint is a delightful smell leaving you feeling clean and fresh.  I use Aveda products on the road and am a big fan.

I hope you found this guide for gifts for the traveler in your life helpful.  Don’t forget to check out my 15 of the best stocking stuffers for travelers under $20, the best hostess gifts that fit in your carry-on, or my guide to road trip essentials.


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Michelle Steinhardt

Michelle Steinhardt is a luxury travel expert and the founder of The Trav Nav, an award-winning luxury travel blog for active travelers. She has written for Matador Network and MB News, and has been quoted in publications such as CNN Underscored, Yahoo!, USA Today, and GOBankingRates. The Trav Nav has consistently been recognized by Feedspot as one of the top 100 luxury travel blogs since 2021.
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Anita Beyond The Sea
2 years ago

Oh! That infinity scarf is definitely interesting, I’m going to check that! It’s important to be well covered on long haul flights!

Anna
2 years ago

What great gift ideas! Now I know exactly what to give my family for Christmas. Thank you for this handy gift guide.

Linda (LD Holland)
2 years ago

It is that time that I start to make my holiday gift list. So I always love to get some new ideas. We are over 100 countries and were not sure how to show that off. Maybe hubby would love that scratch map! 

Josy A
2 years ago

I have a lens that clips into my phone camera and I love it sooo much! That is a great possible gift. You have some great ideas for travel-obsessed friends 🙂

Amy
Amy
2 years ago

That phone lens is a great idea. My daughter got me one last year and I love it!

Chelsea
2 years ago

I’ve been looking for a GoPro for myself so this might have to be added to my own list! A toiletry bag and books are always great fits for the travelers in your life too. I think I’ll have to add a few of these items to my cart!

simplyjolayne
3 years ago

I just added the iphone lens to my Christmas list! Have you tried it?

Krista
3 years ago

I love the idea of a smartphone lens! It’s great if you don’t have room to take a larger camera on your trip but still want more professional looking photos.