The Ultimate Gift Guide for Travelers

Much like dads, travelers can be kinda difficult to buy gifts for, ya know what I mean??

In all seriousness, one of the things that makes gift buying difficult for travelers is the simple fact that no one traveler is alike. With that said, knowing them will almost always be beneficial for you. Personally, an airline gift card would work just fine for me!

There are some gifts, however, that you just can’t go wrong with. That is why I decided to make a list of wicked-awesome gear for that traveler in your life. The best part? All of the shtuff on this list is extremely useful! ​

Hardside luggage from Samsonite

If you’re in the market for some luggage, this Samsonite set may be the way to go. Personally, I’ve only had soft-sided luggage, but my wife likes the idea of hard-sided luggage and the more I look into it the more I like the idea. This particular set comes with a 10 year warranty in case you need to replace a piece.

​->Buy 'em now on Amazon so you don't have to ship your pants!

Packing cubes

I love me some packing cubes! They are a Godsend when it comes to traveling/packing (for every type of traveler) because they are so good at keeping you organized. You can get them in a variety of shapes and sizes. I have a set that I use every time I go somewhere.

​->It's hip to be square! Buy them now on Amazon!

Backpack

If you or the person you’re buying for is more of the backpacking type, I’d highly recommend either of the two I'm about to talk about from eBags. The company, in my opinion, makes fantastic bags. I have the big Mother Lode Weekender that I’ve used several times for, well, weekend trips. It also made the trip over to Europe with me. Very durable. And you can fit a lot in it. Slightly on the smaller side, this backpack (pictured) would be a good one if you want a nice size “personal item” along with your carry on.

->I'm a packing genius! Give me the small one now! 
->I suck at packing. Give me the big one!
​

Reusable water bottle

Taking an empty water bottle through security and filling it up once you’re at the airport could save you a LOT of money when traveling. I brought one along the most recent time I went to Europe. That particular one had a filter. Definitely worth the purchase.

Another popular brand is Lifestraw (pictured). It’s slightly more expensive than the Bobble Water Bottle, but the filter lasts longer.

If you or the person you’re buying for would prefer a metal water bottle, this vacuum sealed stainless steel one may be just what the doctor ordered.

->Does it filter more than water? I'll take it!
->Not a paper "straw," but it'll do! I'll buy it now on Amazon!
->Doubles as a blunt instrument, you say? Take my money!
​

Travel pillows

The two pillows I'm about to describe aren’t anything like the typical travel pillows that look like a donut with a bite taken out of it. They are much more unique. If sleep and privacy is important for the traveler in your life, then this hooded travel pillow is a fantastic idea. I absolutely love the idea. It may even help keep some of the germs at bay that can be found floating around an airplane cabin.

If, however, whoever you’re buying for tends to fall asleep as if their head weighed a ton, this neck-pillow-thing (pictured) may be perfect! It wraps around one’s neck and supports it so it doesn’t look like said person is staring at their crotch when sleeping.

-> Hood me!
->I'll be seeing this pillow 'necks' week!

​

Laptops

My personal favorite is the MacBook Pro (pictured), which is a fairly lightweight - yet very powerful - computer. I’ve traveled with mine and you barely notice you're carrying it. So that's a great option to get that special someone in your life who loves to travel. Another great travel laptop would be a MacBook Air.

If the person you’re buying for is more of a PC fan, I have it on good authority that the HP Spectre X360 is a pretty good choice.

->Money? Who needs money? Add the Pro to my cart!
->I'm the pro in this relationship. Give me the Air!
->I'll take the Harry Potter James Bond movie X Circle...err... the HP Spectre X360...mkay?
​

Noise canceling headphones

If you’ve ever been in an airport terminal before… or for that matter, an airplane, you know how noisy they can be. Now imagine an avid traveler who doesn’t have noise canceling headphones! Exactly. That’s why these Bose noise canceling headphones are such a good gift idea. If they work for Aaron Rodgers blocking out the fact that the Packers are a sucky team, they can work for anyone.

​->Do they also block out my nagging ______ (fill in the blank)? I'll take it! 

​

Portable battery charger

I’ve had this exact portable battery charger for about a year, and I absolutely love it. It can charge my phone at least two times. In this day and age, portable battery chargers are more important than ever before. Anyone who travels (a little or a lot) would appreciate such a gift.

->It ain't coffee, but it'll do. Charge me up!

Travel adapter

Much like the portable battery charger, a travel adapter is extremely useful these days. Especially when traveling overseas. I use this brand. Very easy to use. Very dependable. If you or the aforementioned traveler in your life is headed outside of the States anytime soon, I’d recommend getting one of these.

​->Now they definitely won't have an excuse not to call! Where do I pay?

My book

Yeah, I'm most certainly biased (so sue me) (just kidding, please don't!), but this book can teach the traveler you know how to save thousands during their travels. Travel is expensive. And my book, Cracking the Code to Travel Hacking, is the perfect stocking stuffer.

->I like stuffing stockings with useful gifts! Thanks, Keith!

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Bottom line

In a way, travel is a gift in-and-of-itself. You get to see things and do things you’ve never done before. The above list just makes it easier for the traveler in your life - or yourself - to do that.


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