Holiday Gifts for Travelers 2023

It is that time of year again… time to shop for holiday gifts! Many people find joy in shopping for the right gift for family and friends. Unfortunately, gift shopping can also be frustrating. No need to worry, though, we’ve updated our annual gift guide for travelers to help you find the right gift for everyone on your list. And maybe even something for yourself!

We know not everyone is a frequent traveler. But most everyone travels at least a little bit, even if it’s just a weekend trip to visit friends or family. While some items are focused on serious travel, most of these holiday gifts are great for the occasional traveler or even for use at home.

Unless otherwise noted, everything on this list is something we use and love. So, if you have questions about any of the products, please ask!

We tried to sort everything by price point, but with all things, it depends on what’s on sale and sometimes certain colors and sizes are more or less expensive.

Updated November 2023

(Disclaimer: When we link to places you can buy our stuff or places we stayed, we are using special codes which earn us commissions on the sales at no additional cost to you. Please see our Review Policy  for more information.)

Holiday Gifts: Less Than $30

Amazon Basics Cables

Let’s be honest, electronics are a part of our everyday life now. And keeping them charged is important! We have found that chargers make great holiday gifts because they can always be used at home, work, in the car, on the road and, well, just about anywhere! We use Apple products and we live by Amazon Basics cables because they work just as well, for a fraction of what Apple charges for their charging cables.

The quality is great… we have never had to replace one and we’ve been using these almost exclusively for many years. Instead, we just keep buying additional cables to keep in the truck, RV and with our portable charging stations so that we don’t have to remember to pack the ones we keep at the house.

And, if you’re not an Apple user, you can find an Amazon Basics cable that will work at a fraction of the cost of just about any branded cable.

Portable Charger

You’ve got your charging cables, but what if you don’t have electricity? We picked up an Anker PowerCore portable charger, similar to this one, a couple of years ago and we love it! It will provide three iPhone charges and can also charge an iPad. It’s one of the smallest and lightest portable chargers out there. This is a life-saver when you know you will be out and about and need to keep your phone charged.

Dual USB Car Charger

Being able to charge your electronics is essential. Being able to charge two devices at one time… even better! With as much as we rely on our phones and other devices, it’s important to keep yours charged on the road.

Many newer cars have built-in USB chargers, like our F-150. But, if you’re still rocking an old-school charging plug (or even a cigarette lighter), you’ll need an adapter.

This inexpensive dual car charger, along with a couple of Amazon Basics charging cables, makes for the perfect mobile charging station!

Money Belt

Lots of travel-industry folks will suggest using a money belt when traveling to hide your cash. We like this one, which is actually a belt. Traditional money belts hide under your clothes and pretty much require you to undress to access them.

While this one will not hold your passport, etc., it will hold emergency cash and it’s a real belt! An actual, functional, comfortable belt!

Sunglass Straps

Whether you are at home or away, being able to easily slip your sunglasses on and off is essential! I got my first pair of Croakies many, many years ago and they have been a staple of my life ever since. Grant now regularly uses them, too.

Since then, we have gotten these great glasses straps, which are quite comfy. While they do not float, they last have lasted longer than Croakies and you can tighten them down on your head to keep your glasses snug against your face.

Key Multi Tool

One of the struggles of traveling by air, especially when you only pack a carry-on, is leaving behind basic tools. Before 9/11, Grant used to keep a Swiss Army Knife on his keychain. That tool allowed him handle minor repairs and open difficult packages with ease.

Now, he has a light, simple tool he can carry with him, even on a plane: the Nite Ize DoohicKey+. This tool has eight tools built into it and it easily fits on a keychain. This is a perfect stocking stuffer for any traveler!

Travel Towel

A good travel towel is essential, especially when backpacking or camping. We used similar towels from REI when tent camping because they dry quickly. They also roll up fairly tight, thus not taking up a lot of room in your luggage.

Having a towel when traveling is great just in case you need to shower at a train station or if you get caught in the rain and just need to dry off. Plus, if you plan on visiting the beach, you’ll generally want a towel!

Luggage Scale

Nobody likes overweight baggage! Check your weight with a luggage scale BEFORE you get to the airport. If you’ve ever tried to weigh luggage with the bathroom scale, you know it’s not easy and, often, not accurate. Plus, this is easy enough to pack with you so that you can make sure all that shopping you did while on vacation doesn’t put your bag over the weight limit.

If you’re a backpacker, you can make sure you don’t load your pack so that it is too heavy for your body weight. Believe me, that pack will feel A LOT heavier after 45 minutes than it does whenever you first pick it up!

Travel Power Adapter

If you are traveling internationally, you will need an adapter plug. Sometimes you will need a converter but, usually, just an adapter will do. Since every region is different, we recommend an all-in-one Travel Adapter, like this one. This compact adapter covers 150 countries with a built-in surge protector. Note: we have not personally used this exact product but have something very similar that is now out of production. Actually, this device might be even better than what we currently have!

Headlamp

Headlamps may look silly, but the functionality can’t be beaten. Our Petzl headlamps have lasted us for nearly 10 years.

We also picked up a pair of rechargeable headlamps we keep in the truck. I love that with this headlamp we don’t have to worry about batteries while we are traveling.

Maybe you are navigating streets without streetlights or changing a tire on the side of the road. We’ve even used the headlamps to set up our tent or RV when arriving at the campground after dark.

Heck, Grant even got his out one night when the sun went down before he was done mowing the grass! Yes, that is just one reason why we now live in an apartment!

TP Kit

When you gotta go, you gotta go, right? Doesn’t matter if there is a bathroom nearby or not, sometimes nature calls and you just have to answer. With as much travel and hiking as we do, we’ve definitely had our fair share of TP “emergencies.” We’ve had to stop along the trail and pull over on the side of more than one remote road. The worst was when Grant realized AFTER taking care of business that he should have gotten toilet paper BEFORE going into the stall in a train station in Budapest, Hungary.

When we heard about TP Kits, we knew it was something we just had to try! These small packages each contain 5 two-ply tissues and 2 wet wipes in a resealable packet. And, yes, the wet wipes are each in their own sealed package. Best of all, all contents are 100% biodegradable. Grant and I both now keep one of these packets in our daypacks and in our travel backpacks.

TP Kits are available in singles or a 10-pack, which is what we recommend. Yes, you can just keep a stash of toilet paper in a plastic bag. Honestly, though, having one easy-to-grab packet that includes toilet paper and a couple of wet wipes is worth the small expense.

Purchase TP Kits here.

Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle with Straw

For a “normal” water bottle, when you know you’ll have access to safe drinking water, this Owala insulated bottle is what we both carry these days. The insulation is top-notch, keeping ice all day long or even overnight. The freeSip spout allows you to swig from the spout or sip through a built-in straw. A leak-proof seal prevents spills.

For travel, the 24-ounce fits in the cupholder in the truck and in the side pouch of a backpack. Or, you can choose 32 or 40 ounces. Choose from a variety of colors, depending on whether you prefer neutrals or something more colorful.

Our Book – USA RV Adventures

Looking for the perfect gift for the RV owner in your life? Get them a copy of our book, Moon USA RV Adventures. This book covers 25 routes across the country. These routes include driving directions and attractions, as well as restaurant and campground recommendations.

We designed these routes to highlight some of this country’s best sites and made a point to take all of the legwork out of planning an excellent vacation to see these wonders.

Holiday Gifts: $30-$50

Scratch Off Map

The Landmass Travel Tracker Scratch-Off maps are a great way for any traveler to record (and show off) where they’ve visited. Available in a World map or the United States (with National Parks), any traveler will love this gift! This easy-to-scratch-off map is a great display of where you’ve been and where you still need to explore.

A fun map and conversation starter!

Travel WiFi Router

We take this small (2.2″ by 2.2″ by 0.7″) WiFi Router by TP-Link with us everywhere we travel. Combined with a retractable Ethernet cable, we can both use just about any wired ethernet connection at a hotel. Admittedly, it doesn’t always work, but when it does, we get a boost in speed and not as much “congestion” as we would on the hotel’s router. Plus, it’s more secure.

Amazon Fire Stick

We have gotten to where we almost always travel with an Amazon Fire Stick. It is small and easy to pack and allows you to stream just about anything you want to, provided you have the subscription.

The best part about the Fire Stick is that it has the ability to log into Web-enabled internet portals, found in most hotels. This makes it the perfect device for streaming Netflix, etc. while on the road. That’s right, no more fighting over ESPN or Lifetime; couples can just stream whatever shows they enjoy together at home while even while traveling!

The Amazon Fire Stick is one of the best holiday gifts that can be used at home or on the road!

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Travel Pillow

We first bought these pillows for tent camping. They roll up into themselves, making them easy to pack and store while traveling. The pillows naturally expand in a reasonable amount of time to be comfortable while sleeping.

Our original two pillows now “live” in the camper, as the perfect companion to our “normal” pillows on the bed. Recently, we bought two additional pillows to take with us on road trips without the camper. We just aren’t a big fan of the feather pillows we seem to find at most hotels these days.

Travel T-Shirts

My go-to shirts for travel these days is the Amazon Essentials Women’s Tech Strech T-Shirt. They are quick-dry and moisture-wicking, with just a little bit of stretch. You can dress them up or down and they come in a variety of colors. It really is a great, versatile shirt!

Grant has recently fallen in love with the Eddie Bauer Resolution t-shirts. The Eddie Bauer Resolution shirts are light and comfy and can be worn just about anywhere, from the trail to dinner.

Selfie Stick

How many times have you gotten home from a trip and realized you have no pictures of yourself? Yep, it’s happened to us many times. So, we finally broke down a bought a selfie stick. Yes, it’s sometimes a little cumbersome to use, but it does make getting pictures of yourself and your entire group a lot easier!

We like this Bluetooth selfie stick because it also opens up to a small tripod and has a wireless remote. It really is very versatile!

Travel Laptop Backpack

Grant and I both are always on the hunt for the perfect backpack for every situation. I initially purchased this laptop backpack to use for work but quickly realized that it was better for travel! It worked as the perfect carry-on when I flew to Paris, with plenty of room for my laptop, a change of clothes and all the other stuff I wanted with me on the plane.

It’s a medium-sized backpack… not big enough to pack more than 1 or maybe 2 days’ worth of clothes but also maybe a little too big for a daypack. But, it was perfect for what I needed! I really loved that the laptop sleeve has a lock on it; it also has a couple of “hidden” pockets for cash or other small items. Add in several small front and side pockets and a connection for a battery pack and it really is a versatile pack.

Grant recently got an Eddie Bauer Adventurer Backpack 2.0 to fill this niche. It is large enough to pack for a weekend, including his camera, and has sleeves for his laptop and tablet. He hasn’t had the chance to test it out, yet, so he can’t fully recommend it. Still, it is a solid bag!

Holiday Gifts: $50-$100

Packable Daypack

For anyone on the go, having an extra small bag is never a bad thing. We love this Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 30L Pack. It packs into its own pouch so you can easily pack it in your main bag. At 30L it is big enough for a full day out and about. Grant even used it for our overnight trip to Isle Royale National Park.

We each have one of these packs and take them with us just about every time we travel.

Read more about choosing the right daypack and all the various packs we use when we travel.

Multi-Port Charger

For years, we traveled with a dedicated charging station that had a built-in battery pack. While it did a great job, it had some limitations in terms of power and it was a bit bulky. Additionally, we now travel with more electronics than we used to, so we wanted to get something that would handle charging a laptop in addition to our phones and watches.

When Grant spotted the KOVOL 65W Charger (formerly RAV Power) and saw it would charge his MacBook Pro (now MacBook Air) plus all of his other electronics, he jumped on it. This one device eliminates both the laptop power brick and charging station with one compact and lightweight (5.6 ounces) charging station.

If you have switched over completely to USB C or need more in terms of charging capacity, check out this Anker alternative. It is a bit more expensive and a bit heavier but will handle a lot more in terms of devices.

Laptop Power Bank

The more time we spend on the road, the more we end up in remote locations and need to get work done. Especially during the pandemic, the idea of sitting down to work in a coffee shop for several hours to take advantage of free Wifi was not really appealing.

That’s why Grant really loves this Laptop Power Bank the folks from Eggtronic sent us. It allows us to work from pretty much anywhere, regardless of having an outlet to power our devices.

It has serious capacity (20,000 mAh), produces enough juice (63W) to charge his MacBook Air and has a small display that indicates the current charge level. We took this with us while glamping near Great Sand Dunes National Park and it really saved the day in terms of keeping our devices charged for the next day.

For something that only weighs a pound, it has found a permanent spot in Grant’s gear.

Packing Cubes

One of the best ways to make a small backpack or suitcase work is to use packing cubes. You will be amazed at how much more you can fit if you pack your clothes into these cubes. Packing cubes also allow couples who pack together in one bag to keep their clothes separated.

We use eBags Hyper-Lite Packing Cubes. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, so you can get whatever size best fits your backpack, suitcase, or whatever you are packing in. They also sell multi-packs if you want or need a variety of sizes.

Travel Pants

Convertible pants (which zip off and convert to shorts) may not be the most stylish, but they sure are convenient! I have tried several different brands over the years and all are about the same, other than the specific fit of the pants. Try a few and find a pair that are comfortable for you.

Grant has been wearing the Eddie Bauer Men’s Rainier Pants | Guide Pro Pants for travel and hiking and loves them. They are light, have great pockets, wrinkles just fall out of them quite easily and they are quite comfy regardless of where you are. He likes them so much, he wears them to work, too!

Daypacks

REI Trail 25 Pack

This pack is a bit heavier than past packs Grant has used but it has some excellent features which make it perfect for our hikes. It has a hydration sleeve, so he can carry a water bladder. It also has multiple mesh pockets on the side for stuffing odds and ends plus a top pocket for accessing snacks.

The pack has a framesheet, which adds structure but still keeps the weight down. This pack has more space than his former one, allowing him to more easily stow layers when hiking in cold weather.

For more information, check out our article on choosing the right daypack here.

Osprey Packs Daylite Plus Daypack

I have been using the Osprey Packs Daylite Plus Daypack for a hiking pack for a couple of years now. This 20L pack will hold an extra layer, snacks and all the essential hiking gear. It also has a large main compartment, a medium front pocket and a small pocket for keys or other small items. The stuff-it pocket on the front is perfect for stashing a trail map for easy access or an outer layer as temperatures warm up.

For longer hikes, there is a hydration bladder sleeve. For shorter hikes, there are two mesh side pockets for water bottles. There is even a padded compartment for a tablet or small laptop if you wanted to use the bag as a carry-on.

For someone who likes to stay organized even when on the trail, this is a great pack!

Packable Raincoat

Having good rain gear when traveling is essential. At the very least, you should always take a packable raincoat with you in case of the rain rolling in. We each have a couple of raincoats that we use for different purposes.

Grant hates hoods, so he always goes for jackets with a hood that packs into the collar or zips off. He has a Glennaker Lake Rain Jacket from Columbia he got several years ago. It packs into its own pocket and doesn’t weigh that much. For casual use, it’s great and it stays in the truck most of the time. For travel and backpacking, he recently got a Rainier Jacket from REI, which weighs a bit more but is far more robust and has pit zips for ventilation. He wore that coat at a very soggy Army football game and loved it. Were he not averse to hoods, he would certainly be interested in the men’s version of my Eddie Bauer Rainfoil Packable Jacket.

I have two raincoats, one designed to be packable and one I have used a stuff sack with. My newest raincoat is an Eddie Bauer Rainfoil Packable Jacket, which works really well. It has kept me dry every time I have used it. My first raincoat, a Marmot PreCip, was actually a wedding gift from Grant. I had it for more than 10 years before it finally had to be retired. The only downside is that it does not pack down as well as the one from Eddie Bauer.

AirTags

We always do our best to not check bags when we fly. And, if you use packing cubes, choose the right outfits and plan to do laundry, it’s really not that difficult even on a long trip. In fact, we managed both a month in Eastern Europe and a month in Italy with just a carry-on backpack! But, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and check a bag, which is what we did when we went to Greece.

While you’re still at the mercy of the airline baggage handlers, we found that placing an AirTag in our suitcase reduces a lot of stress. You can easily check the location of your bag before you get on the plane and when you land. While it doesn’t prevent your bag from getting left behind, it at least answers your question before you are the last person waiting at baggage claim.

We picked up a set of four AirTags, along with a 4-pack of silicone case key chains. Two of the AirTags go in our checked bags and we have the other two on my keys and Grant’s work backpack. Yes, AirTags are handy for anything that you are likely to leave behind or misplace.

National Park Pass

Did you know you can purchase an America The Beautiful Pass, which grants access to most public lands, including units of the National Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management, as a gift? You can and it makes a great gift for the adventurous folks in your life.

You can purchase the pass at any National Park site which charges a fee. If you don’t live close to a site, you can get one online from REI. They cost $80 and are good for a year.

Pro Tip: Buy this the same month you plan on giving the gift so the recipient gets the most value out of the gift. The passes come pre-punched to expire a year from the month they were purchased.

Holiday Gifts: More than $100

Suitcases

While we rarely travel with a suitcase, there are times when that is just the best way to pack. We mostly use a suitcase when cruising or going to a resort… basically, any trip that involves unpacking just one time.

Buying the right suitcase for your needs is essential. It needs to be sturdy, yet lightweight. Wheels and a handle are a must. The size that you need will vary, so think about that before you buy one.

We each have a hard-sided Samsonite suitcase, similar to this one. Four wheels allow it to spin and pull easily. It has a built-in TSA lock. The size allows us to easily pack for more than a week. And it’s expandable… essential if you typically do a lot of shopping while on vacation!

For our most recent trip to Greece, we decided to get smaller suitcases we picked up at eBags since we knew we would be unable to do laundry and most everyone was checking bags anyway. These suitcases were quite good and useful for a 10-day trip. They are still too big to use as a carry-on, though.

Travel Backpacks

When traveling overseas, or anytime that we will be moving around a lot, we carry a backpack rather than a suitcase. If you have ever tried to pull a suitcase across cobblestone streets, you will understand why we love to travel with a backpack. Being able to have our hands free when getting on a train or walking through the airport is also great.

I use the eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible and Grant uses the Lowepro Highline BP 400 AW. I wish you could still buy Grant’s bag but it has been discontinued by Lowepro, along with most of their non-camera bags. It’s too bad because we both have daypacks from Lowepro which are awesome but have been sadly discontinued as well.

With some careful packing, we can fit about five days’ worth of clothes, plus toiletries, electronics, and any other essential items. It does take some creative packing and VERY careful consideration of what you actually need, but we have lived out of a backpack for more than a month at a time in Europe.

When we traveled to Italy in 2017, we actually managed to pack for eight days and both of these packs performed like a charm. Personally, I would rather take 5-6 days and do laundry but both of these packs impressed us on that trip.

You can read a full review of Bonnie’s backpack here and Grant’s here. If you think you can’t pack in just a backpack, read our tips on How to Travel Like a Professional Traveler.

Grant is in the process of evaluating a new backpack: the Tortuga 40L Travel Backpack. It looks great but he has not tested it out yet, so he can’t quite recommend it. Still, they offer a 30-day trial period with the pack, so if it looks like something you are interested in, it is worth a shot.

Tablet

I know not everyone is on the Apple bandwagon, but we are and that is what we recommend. The iPad Mini is my tablet of choice, allowing me to read books, work, or just catch up on the day’s news. Until recently, we both had iPad Minis. Grant now has a full-size iPad Air, which he uses extensively to read books, play games, watch movies and perform basic work tasks. Additionally, we can use both tablets as extra screens for our Macbook Airs.

Both tablets are the perfect size for reading and they fit easily in our backpacks for easy access on the train or in the airport. Yes, the iPad Mini is smaller and lighter.

In the past, when my old iPad Mini’s screen broke, I opted for a Fire Tablet. It worked really well as an e-reader but it’s all of the other things where an iPad excels and is worth the additional price.

Whether you opt for an iPad or a Fire Tablet, anything that allows you to carry just about unlimited books while traveling is a great option!

Check out our list of books to inspire your travels.

Cameras

Canon SX70

While the camera on the iPhone is great, sometimes you just need a bit more. This is where the Canon SX70 comes in. It is lightweight, making it perfect for hiking or backpacking around the world.

Grant used the SX40, a previous version and we have taken it on hikes, to Eastern Europe and twice to Italy. While he has since upgraded to a different camera, he really likes this camera for a relatively inexpensive travel camera. The camera is light, has an AMAZING optical zoom and weighs about a pound.

Read more about all the gear that Grant keeps in his camera bag.

Sony RX10 Mk IV

Looking to spend a lot more money on a travel camera? Then look no further than the Sony RX10 IV.

While this camera does not have the zoom range that the SX70HS, it has a MUCH better lens and a MUCH better sensor. But that extra performance comes with a significant additional cost over the SX70HS. Still, this camera is easily Grant’s favorite camera.

Read Grant’s review of the RX10 here.

Cotton Carrier Sling Belt

Looking to upgrade your camera strap? Grant is a huge fan of the Cotton Carrier Sling Belt. He uses this belt whenever he hikes or does any sort of walking tour while traveling.

The Sling Belt has three components: a belt with a mount on the right side, a sling strap, which attaches to one of the strap loops on the camera, and a cam that screws into the tripod lug.

The cam slides into the mount and securely locks the camera to the belt, making it quite secure for hiking and travel. The belt takes the weight of the camera off your neck/shoulders and is quite comfy. The sling provides drop security when you are using the camera and can be used by itself.

Use the code WANDERFILLED at checkout to get 10% off!

Looking For RV Gear?

Be sure to check out our RV Gear Guide for suggestions for the RV owner in your life.

Still Need More Ideas?

You can find many of these items and much more on our Amazon Influencer page. Check it out for additional gear suggestions.

Final Thoughts on Holiday Gifts for Travelers

Hopefully, we made shopping for the holidays just a bit easier! Every item is something that we use ourselves and feel comfortable recommending as holiday gifts for anyone who travels extensively or occasionally. If you have any questions or are looking for recommendations on something we haven’t covered here, please contact us! We are happy to answer any questions about our recommendations.

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