15 Thoughtful Travel-Themed Gift Ideas for Her

Finding the right travel-themed gift can be a meaningful way to celebrate a loved ones love of exploring. From practical items that make trips easier to thoughtful touches that add comfort and style, the right gift can enhance any journey. In this post, we’ve curated a list of 15 travel-themed gift ideas for every trip, whether she’s a frequent flyer, a weekend roadtripper, or an adventurous explorer.

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1. Crossbody Phone Carrier or Belt Bag

A crossbody phone carrier or belt bag makes a fantastic wallet or small purse for travelers. A crossbody keeps your phone and most important items readily accessible while keeping your hands free and, in the case of a belt bag, keeping your valuables securely at your chest.

Why we love them: Ever since my sister influenced me (and my mom) to get a belt bag, I wear it all the time. It’s great for hands-free walks and even better for sightseeing, as I can keep my valuables in sight at all times.

Crossbody phone carriers, on the other hand, are fantastic for hikers and adventurers who want their phones easily accessible for pictures but don’t want to be holding them or fumbling with pockets to get the perfect shot. (Crossbody phone carriers are also fantastic for getting the perfect shot without worrying about dropping your phone… said from personal experience!)

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Bandolier: The ultimate, luxurious crossbody phone carrier.
Bagallini Crossbody Strap: A less expensive, more rugged option that’s great for hiking, camping, and more.
Belt Bag: This hands-free purse is great for sightseeing, as its larger size holds more than most crossbody phone carriers.

2. QALO Silicone Rings

Silicone rings are a durable, comfortable alternative to traditional metal bands, ideal for travel as they’re lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive. Perfect for active adventures or places where valuables are at risk, silicone rings provide peace of mind without sacrificing style.

Why we love them: After losing my engagement ring during a hike in the Canadian Rockies 🙃, I only wear silicone rings while traveling. These rings are great for adventures, working out, hiking, Via Ferratas, rafting, and any other outdoor sport. These rings are also great for trips to cold or hot climates (when temperatures can cause fingers to shrink or swell).

QALO offers tons of cute designs and even stackable sets, so you don’t have to sacrifice style for function.

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QALO Silicone Rings: These rings are comfortable, easy-to-wear, and perfect for an active lifestyle.

3. Adventure Gear (Paddle Boards, Snow Shoes, etc.)

Adventure gear is a fun gift idea for any traveler!

If you’re shopping for someone who loves being on the water, inflatable paddle boards make an excellent travel gift, offering a durable design for all skill levels. Inflatable boards are perfect for anyone looking for a reliable, easy-to-use paddle board (that can also be used as a kayak) on-the-go.

Or, if your loved one prefers to stay on land, consider show shoes, cross-country skis, or other gear for climbing, cycling, and more. We head to Yellowstone each winter for snow shoeing, photography, and wildlife watching—and we love shopping on REI for great, well-tested gear.

Heads Up: These paddle boards are expensive, but they’ve gone on incredible sales during Prime Days and Black Friday / Cyber Monday. When they do go on sale, it’s usually through a limited amount of lightning deals—so keep an eye out around big sale days and weeks to try to grab these on mega discount!

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ROC Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards: The extra wide design is perfect for all skill levels and adventurers.
Retrospec Drifter 21/25/30 Inch Snowshoes: These are our Yellowstone snowshoes, which come with trekking poles and multi-terrain attachments for winter trails.

4. Hidden Zipper Scrunchie

A hidden zipper scrunchie is a clever gift for travelers, offering a discreet place to stash small essentials like keys, cash, or lip balm. With its hidden storage, it provides a hands-free way to keep valuables safe, which is especially useful for hiking, camping, or other adventures where pockets aren’t always an option.

Not only is it a functional accessory, but it also doubles as an on-the-go hair tie for quick updos, making it a perfect blend of practicality and style. These also make fantastic stocking stuffers!

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3-Pack Velvet Scrunchies: Discreet storage and comfortable to wear.

5. Personalized Travel Jewelry Case

A personalized travel jewelry case is a thoughtful and practical gift, helping her keep her favorite accessories organized and safe while on the go. With compartments for rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, it prevents tangling and damage, making it easy to bring along treasured pieces on any adventure. Adding a custom monogram or name makes it even more special, giving her a beautiful, personal touch to take on her travels.

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Velvet Jewelry Roll Travel Case: Designated organizers for necklaces (4 hooks), earrings (detachable organizer), and rings.
Personalized Rectangular Jewelry Case: Available in 5 colors with the option for engraved personalization.

6. Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses

Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses are a stylish and timeless travel gift, instantly elevating any outfit while providing quality eye protection. With their classic design, they pair effortlessly with both casual and dressier looks, making them a versatile accessory for travel. Wear them on the trail… or wear them out on the town!

For more rugged sunglass options—better for more active outdoor adventure—the Sunski Treeline Sunglasses and Maui Jim Polarized Sunglasses are excellent choices, offering enhanced durability and polarized lenses.

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Ray Ban Aviator Flash Lens Sunglasses: I have and love these sunglasses in pink lenses with rose gold frames.
Sunski Treeline Sunglasses: Pop-in, pop-out sun shields protect your eyes from sun, snow, wind, and dust. These are especially great for snow sports and sensitive eyes.

7. Nook/Kindle

An e-reading device like a Nook or Kindle is a thoughtful travel gift that lets her bring an entire library wherever she goes—without taking up precious luggage space.

With long battery life and glare-free screens, these devices are ideal for enjoying books on flights, at the beach, or in cozy cafes. Plus, access to thousands of titles means she can always have something new to read, whether she’s in the mood for a novel, travel guide, or anything else.

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Barnes and Noble Nook: Over 3.6 million eBooks, digital comics, newspapers & magazines to read anytime, anywhere (with purchase).
Amazon Kindle: The lightest Kindle, with glare-free display. A Kindle Unlimited subscription unlocks access to over 4 million titles, thousands of audiobooks, and more.

8. Wool Joggers or Convertible Hiking Pants

Wool joggers or convertible hiking pants are perfect travel gifts for her, offering comfort, versatility, and style on any journey.

Wool joggers keep her warm while remaining breathable and odor-resistant, ideal for flights or cooler destinations, while convertible pants provide flexibility by easily switching from pants to shorts during hikes and other outdoor adventures.

Both options are lightweight and packable, making them easy to carry and a fantastic fit for everything from backpacking trips to long flights.

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Woolx Lola Jogger: These thin joggers are great for cool summer nights or warm shoulder-season days. They pack well and are incredibly comfortable to wear on travel days or while working from the road.
Outdoor Voices Zip-Off Pant: Convertible hiking pants are ridiculously convenient for packing less because they function as both shorts and pants—that you can use for temperature regulation as you go. (The Athleta Trekkie Hike Pants are my favorite, but they’ve been out of stock for a while. These from Outdoor Voices are similar.)

9. Portable Sound Machine

A travel-friendly white noise machine is perfect for light sleepers, as it effectively masks disruptive sounds with soothing ambient noise and a compact design that’s easy to take wherever you go.

Why we love it: This portable sound machine has become our go-to solution for quality sleep while bouncing between hotels, short-term rentals, and campgrounds on the road. I’m a very light sleeper, and this device effectively conceals distracting noises—like clunky AC units or refrigerator hums—that would otherwise keep me awake. It’s been a sleep game-changer!

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Yogasleep Rohm+ Travel White Noise Machine: I have the basic travel option, but you can also upgrade for more sounds and Bluetooth connectivity.

10. Ridge Merino Wool Hoodie

We love odor-resistant fabrics, like Merino wool, for packing less and doing more between washes.
This travel hoodie is a great gift for anyone who loves to hike or enjoys outdoor adventures, as it provides enough warmth during cool days but is also lightweight enough for sun protection on hot days.

Why we love them: They look great and perfectly balance the need for lightweight warmth on cool mornings and sun protection on hot days.

Want something more custom? Consider a personalized Travel Sweatshirt from Etsy. Sweatshirts, like Custom Colors sweatshirts, are beloved for their cozy feel, and a personalized sweatshirt keeps her favorite destination or adventure close to the heart. With options for custom maps, quotes, or graphics, a custom sweatshirt adds a special, thoughtful touch to any traveler’s wardrobe.

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Ridge Merino Lightweight Wool Hoodie: A natural UPF of 30+ makes this the perfect layer for adventures in the sun.
Travel Destinations Personalized Sweatshirt: Highlight a summer abroad or your favorite road trip stops with this custom cities-focused sweatshirt.
Personalized Embroidered Travel Sweatshirt: Especially great for travelers who love the mountains.

11. Personalized Globe or Compass Locket Necklace

A personalized travel locket is a meaningful gift that lets her carry cherished memories from her favorite destinations close to her heart.

With options to include favorite photos or special locations, a locket adds a personal touch that goes beyond typical travel souvenirs. It's both a stylish and sentimental accessory, perfect for reminding her of past adventures and inspiring future ones.

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Personalized Globe Locket: Personalize the globe locket with an initial, favorite photo, or personal message.
Compass Locket Necklace: The locket has a magnetic working compass set into the front and opens to reveal a secret place to keep pictures, messages, or small trinkets.

12. Portable Projector

If she enjoys watching movies or would love creating private drive-in movie theatres wherever you go, a portable projector is a fun gift idea!

Compact and easy to use, portable projectors turn any blank wall into a screen, whether she’s in a hotel room or camping under the stars. Look for lightweight, rechargeable options for easy portability.

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Anker Nebula Capsule: Soda-can-sized, with a built-in speaker, perfect for projecting in small spaces.
Kodak Luma 150 Pocket Projector: Compact, with bright imaging and USB compatibility for ease of use.

13. Personalized Souvenir (Framed Picture, Route Map, Christmas Ornament)

Create a visual representation of her favorite travels with a framed photograph or route map. Websites like Etsy offer customizable map prints that can be personalized with the starting point, destination, and memorable stops along her favorite road trip.

Or, if she loves traveling and the holiday season, bring a piece of her travels home with a Christmas ornament representing a beloved destination. Check out Etsy for unique handmade ornaments that capture the spirit of any location.

14. Gathre Mat

A Gathre Mat is a fantastic travel gift for her, offering versatility for any adventure, from beach days and picnics in the park to outdoor concerts and camping trips.

Made from durable, wipeable material, it's easy to clean, lightweight, and packs compactly, making it ideal for travelers who want a comfortable, portable surface wherever they go. With stylish designs and practical features, this mat is a perfect blend of functionality and elegance, enhancing every outing.

Why we love it: This mat is the perfect picnic mat and best for days in the park or outdoor concerts!

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Maxi Gathre Mat: Folds to a packable size yet offers room for everyone.

15. Polaroid Camera

A Polaroid camera makes a wonderful travel gift for loved ones, letting them instantly capture and document their adventures. Unlike digital photos, Polaroids offer a unique, tangible memento she can keep, display, or even use to create a travel scrapbook on the go.

With its fun, vintage feel and the immediacy of printed photos, a Polaroid camera is perfect for making memories last in a creative, personal way.

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Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera: Classic, compact, user-friendly.
Polaroid Now: For a more retro touch and larger prints.

Happy Gifting!

We hope you enjoy these 15 thoughtful gift ideas for the travelers in your life! To save this gift guide on Pinterest for later, hover over the image below and click on the red “Save” button that pops up in the upper lefthand corner of the image. (If you’re on mobile, you might have to tap the image first to see the red ‘Save’ button.)