The best gifts you can give to travel lovers are, of course, travel-themed gifts, and the more unique they are, the better.
However, you may be still be stuck for ideas on the perfect gift to fuel your loved ones’ wanderlust. Well worry not – this post will have you covered on choosing from some of the best, most unique travel-themed gifts you will ever come across.
From maps and globes to sustainable gifts, convenient ideas to novelty gifts to travel-inspired jewellery, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Here you’ll find something for everyone – even those who haven’t yet caught the travel bug!
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Scroll on to read 19 Unique Travel Gift Ideas (2021 Edition)
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19 Unique Gifts Ideas for Travellers
Globe & Map Gift Ideas
Some of the most exciting gifts you can give a travel lover are globes and large maps. Indeed, one of the best gifts I have ever received is my beloved Luckies World scratch-map (the XL version, of course).
1. Mini Cork Globe
What could be a more unique gift than a mini Cork Globe? A superb choice for any traveller, this little globe sits conveniently on a desk, side table or a shelf, perfect for reminiscing about past travels and dreaming of new adventures. Comes with pins too.
Purchase the Mini Cork Globe on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
2. Light Up 3D Globe
Perfect for kids and those who love geography, countries and cities – the Light Up 3D Globe looks great on a side table or a shelf. You can switch on the light and the globe acts as a stunning, ambient room lamp too!
Purchase the Light Up 3D Globe on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
3. Luckies World Scratch Map
The XL Edition of the Luckies World Scratch Map is one of the best gifts I have ever received, so it’s a no-brainer this is a special gift that all travellers will love.
Every morning I admire this map on my wall, gazing at the scratched-off areas that I’ve been to and reminiscing on the incredible memories I have of those places. And looking at the places I’ve yet to visit – with anticipation and excitement – daydreaming about going there one day.
Purchase the Luckies World Scratch Map on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
4. Personalised Map In A Bottle Keepsake Gift
A thoughtful and intimate gift for loved ones – this tiny map in a bottle is corked and comes with a personalised message tag.
You can even modify this gift – simply turn it into a pendant by screwing a looped screw into the cork and placing some string or a plain necklace through the loop!
Purchase the Map In A Bottle on Not On The High Street
5. Metallic Personalised City Map Print
Another one of my favourite travel gifts is this beautifully-made metallic, personalised location map print – you can choose any city or location worldwide, with colour options of gold, rose-gold, silver, and gun metal, you can even have a heart marked on the print, and have it framed too.
An affordable gift idea that will no doubt impress anyone with a love of travel or a specific city.
Purchase your Personalised City Map Print on Not On The High Street
6. Stitch It Yourself Travel Wallet
A luxurious leather travel organiser printed with the world map and is specially perforated, so each country you visit can be marked with a colourful cross.
Features a ‘travel’ needle and threads to create a personalised label, you can stitch initials, a country flag or a bespoke design.
With credit card and pen holders, zip pocket, document & passport compartments, it’s ideal for organising your travel essentials.
Available in brown with teal thread, navy with gold thread and an exclusive grey with orange thread.
Purchase the Stitch It Yourself Travel Wallet on Not On The High Street
7. Vintage World Map Passport Cover
An excellent gift for all travellers – the perfect vintage World Map style passport cover comes with a matching Luggage Tag and features a colourfully detailed world map design with visa stamps on the exterior giving it a unique design. Made from distressed style faux leather material that is strong and provides great protection for your passport.
Purchase the World Map Passport Cover on Not On The High Street
Sustainable Gift Ideas
If you’re an eco-friendly global citizen doing your part in the world and looking to buy sustainable gifts for your loved ones, then look no further. More and more people are becoming conscious of our environment and the threat of global warming. That said, receiving a sustainable gift is still a unique and well-thought out gift idea. Here’s a few of my favourite products that I have used and bought for others.
8. Lifestraw
When you’ve travelled for years like I have, you find that continually buying water gets expensive. And environmentally, you’ll have sadly witnessed the impact that pollution from single-use plastics is inflicting upon the environment.
This is why I now do my part for the world, and why you should too, by always travelling with a reusable filter bottle. The Lifestraw is a fantastic brand and its filters last five years, so you’ll save money.
Purchase the Lifestraw on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
9. OrganicMe Re-usable Bamboo Cutlery Set & Straw
A sustainable, reusable cutlery set is an awesome travel essential and a must for anyone conscious of being eco-friendly on their travels.
This is a new addition to my carry-on list – after years of traveling the world and witnessing the devastation that plastic waste is causing, and realising my part in this destruction, its no doubt one of the most important carry-on travel items that I travel with.
Purchase the OrganicMe Bamboo Cutlery Set on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
10. Natural Toothpaste Bites
A relatively new addition to sustainable travel – this jar of toothpaste tablets is the solution to wasteful toothpaste tubes that not only count as a liquid in airports, they are difficult to empty and they end up in landfills. Even the jar itself is sustainable.
It takes a bit of getting used to the strong taste of these tablets, but they are 100% natural, and fluoride free.
Purchase Georganics Toothpaste Tablets on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
Handy & Convenient Gift Ideas
11. The Little Bodhi Microfibre Travel Towel
A decent travel towel is always recommended, especially if your accommodation doesn’t guarantee one is provided.
It needs to be lightweight and thin – so as to easily pack into a carry-on bag, and to keep your carry-on as light as possible. And a travel towel made from microfibre material dries much quicker than cotton or polyester too.
What I love about this towel is how lightweight and thin it is.
I bring two of these for travelling hot destinations – one for drying myself after showering, and the other for the beach. You’ll be surprised how compact and light they are when tucked into your carry on bag.
Purchase the Little Bodhi Microfibre Travel Towel on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
12. Thumbs Up Wallet Ninja
TheThumbs Up Wallet Ninja is a nifty little tool that has countless uses – from opening letters, boxes cans and bottles, to transforming into a screwdriver of various sizes, to holding your cellphone upright. It’s the perfect gift for backpackers and practically anyone.
Purchase the Thumbs Up Wallet Ninja on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
13. Solar Portable Powerbank Charger
A superb gift idea: a waterproof powerbank charger suitable for charging all mobile devices including iPhones and Samsungs. Instead of just one solar panel like the others – this one comes with FOUR solar panels!
The ADDTOP Ultra capacity 25000mAh powerbank is capable of charging most mobile phones 8-10 times, and tablet 3-4 times.
Features four fold-out, highly efficient solar panels, which charges 4-6 times faster than other brands.
Purchase the ADDTOP Solar Portable Powerbank Charger on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
Gift Ideas for Readers
Books make the perfect gifts for avid readers and bookworms, but do you know about these unique book accessories for gift ideas? Check them out below:
14. TILISMA Book Page Holder
This handmade, natural walnut shade thumb bookmark is the ultimate gift for page turners – a simple, easy, and very unique gift that not many people would have heard of!
Purchase the TILISMA Book Page Holder on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
15. Lonely Planet’s Where To Go When
The ultimate trip planner for every month of the year, is a beautifully illustrated book that is both practical and inspiring. For every month fo the year, it presents 30 recommendations that are at their best during each month.
Purchase Lonely Planet’s Where To Go on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
For bookworms and avid readers, check out my Travel Tools page for a list of excellent Travel Themed Book recommendations
Novelty Travel Gift Ideas
When you’re stuck for ideas or looking to buy a unique gift that doesn’t require lots of thinking, planning and research on what the gift-receiver likes, sometimes the easiest thing to do is to buy them a novelty gift – they are suitable for most travel-fans, whilst also being thoughtful ideas that stand out from the generic, predictable gifts from major brands and high street stores.
16. Twinkle LED Fairy Peg Lights
Featuring 40 LED Peg lights for clipping your favourite polaroid snaps and stringing them up on the wall, (on 5 meters of string). There’s 12cm between each light. The lights are operated by a battery pack with an ON/OFF switch, that requires 3x AA batteries.
This gift makes a perfect party decoration, be it Christmas, birthdays, or Valentines. It’s also the perfect ambient light decoration for the living room, bedroom, kitchen, or any room.
Purchase the Twinkle Fairy Peg Lights on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
17. World Map Colour-In Mug
Much like the scratch map, this high quality ceramic mug comes with a world map outline on it, and you can colour in the places you’ve been with the pens provided. What a clever gift idea!
Purchase the World Map Colour-In Mug on Not On The High Street
18. 100 Places Scratch Bucket List Poster
A wonderful gift that oozes wanderlust inspiration, this is perfect for the experienced explorer or the newbie traveller just starting out. Features 100 of the most beautiful, must-see places in the world.
Purchase the 100 Places Scratch Bucket List Poster on Not On The High Street
19. Travel Inspired Jewellery Gifts
Why not gift your loved ones with a travel-themed piece of jewellery? Now that’s something different! Below are a few of my favourite travel-inspired jewellery gift ideas:
Tiny Globe Necklace
Purchase the tiny globe necklace on Not On The High Street
Travel-Themed Adjustable Bangle
Purchase the travel-themed adjustable bangle on Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK)
World Atlas Locket
Purchase the world atlas locket on Not On The High Street
So there you have it – the 19 unique travel themed gift ideas fit for every traveller and travel lover.
Take it from my 6+ years of being a traveller – if you were to buy any one of the above for me, I’d not only be thrilled to receive a travel-themed gift, I would also be totally impressed.
Going abroad soon? Check out my post: How To Plan For A Vacation (and download my FREE printable travel checklist)
Read up on my Top 10 Ways To Save Money For Travel to learn how I saved over £700 in one month
Thanks for reading my post: 19 Unique Travel Gift Ideas. I hope you’ll find lots of inspiration for travel gifts.
Book Your Trip: Budget Tips & Tricks
Flights:
As always, I source the cheapest flights on the web from Kiwi.com and Skyscanner. They are considered the top flight search engines for the best deals.
Accommodation:
I use Booking.com to find cheap listings and free cancellation options. Alternatively, Airbnb offer more authentic stays – click here to get $40 off.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance will protect you from theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. It’s a safety net in case anything goes wrong, and I never leave without it. World Nomads is my favourite company for total peace of mind.
Head over to my Travel Tools page for all my best travel tips & advice and everything you need for your trip.
