This is my first year EVER (after over seven years of blogging) I’m doing a gift guide! I’ve compiled all my favorite items (available on Amazon) to make your holiday shopping easy this year. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the traveler in your life, this is the post for you.
And unlike the gift guides I typically see from travel bloggers that are wildly unrealistic – who actually just buys someone a drone or a £1000 camera?! – all of these items are affordable. Best of all, each of these items is useful for travelers. It won’t be something they get and then give away or pitch after it sits in a closet for a few months. All of these are items I use regularly on my trips, if not every single day. So here you go: Away With Maja’s 2023 gift guide for travelers!
The Best Safety & Gear Gifts for Travelers
Pacsafe Portable Safe
This is the single-most important thing I own. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a safe that you can bring with you anywhere. It’s made of slash-proof material, and the drawstring locks tight so you can lock it to something sturdy. I typically lock mine to pipes or furniture (such as a metal bedframe). In my car, I have it locked through metal clasps on my seat. I have the 12L size, which fits my laptop. But Pacsafe also make smaller ones, like a 5L size which is perfect for keeping your passport and money secure. I feel SO much safer traveling around in my car, and staying in hostel dorms that don’t have lockers, now that I have this! I highly recommend it for any traveler.
Buy on Amazon UK (£124) | Buy on Amazon US ($125.54)
Whistle
Who remembers #TentGate, where I lived out everyone’s worst camping nightmare last year?! Well, I’m obviously still totally traumatized from it, and carry a whistle with me everywhere. It is on me at all times. Hopefully they’ll never need to use it, but this is a cheap – yet important – safety device every traveler should own.
Buy on Amazon UK (£2.99) | Buy on Amazon US ($4.99)
Padlock
This is the most important possession of any traveler, particularly anyone who stays in shared accommodation like hostels. Having a padlock to use lockers and keep your valuables safe is vital. I have this exact padlock – you set the combination yourself, so you can make it something you’ll easily remember. A four-digit lock is much more difficult to hack than a three-digit! I also have another padlock with a key, and two small TSA-approved key locks, too.
Buy on Amazon UK (£3.99) | Buy on Amazon US ($6.99)
Day Backpack (Berghaus Twenty4Seven Plus, 30L)
This is my day backpack, which I travel with nearly every single day. It comes with me on just about every hike and adventure. I’ve had mine for over three years, and it’s held up extremely well! I absolutely recommend it – there are clips for hiking poles, two pockets for water bottles, and compartments within the two main pockets for staying organized. If you’re wanting a sturdy day backpack, this is the one I recommend.
Buy on Amazon UK (£42) | Buy on Amazon US ($62.19)
Osprey Dry Sack
This is a great gift for any hikers or outdoor lovers in your life. I have two of these Osprey dry sacks, both 20L, which I use on both my day hikes and long-distance hiking trips (like the West Highland Way). They keep all my stuff dry, and I’ve never had a problem with them! Just keep in mind that it’s not a dry bag – so I don’t recommend them for being submerged in water or underwater trips. They come in different sizes, so if you just want a small one for your phone or electronics, you could get a 5L or 8L size.
Buy on Amazon UK (£15.48) | Buy on Amazon US ($22.27)
Waterproof Phone Case
A waterproof phone case is another fantastic gift for anyone who spends a lot of time outside, particularly anyone who loves the water! I use a waterproof phone case when I go snorkeling, and it keeps my phone dry and safe so I can take photos and videos underwater. It’s not expensive, and well worth the money to know my phone will stay dry.
Buy on Amazon UK (2-pack for £10.99) | Buy on Amazon US (2-pack for $9.99)
The Best Tech Gifts for Travelers
Power Bank
This Anker power bank has been my go-to for hiking and camping trips for years. As I’ve been living out of my car for most of my time in Australia, it has been absolutely priceless to me. It’s my main power source when my car isn’t running! I have the 10,000mAh version, which can charge my phone from dead at least twice. Anker also makes a 20,000mAh – however, it’s bigger and heavier, so not ideal for my backpacking trips where I’m carrying gear.
Buy on Amazon UK (£24.99) | Buy on Amazon US ($21.99)
AirTags & Tile
Lost luggage woes have plagued travelers since the pandemic, as airlines struggle to meet the surge in demand. While hopefully we’re past the point of entire planes being flown to reunite lost luggage with their owners, I think we’ve all learned that carry-on luggage is much easier. But sometimes checking a bag is unavoidable – and that’s where AirTags and Tile comes in. AirTags are digital trackers – put one in your luggage (or on your important possessions, like your keys) and you can use your phone to see the exact location.
But you need an Apple device to be able to use AirTags. If you’re an Android person like me, I’d recommend Tile. It’s the same idea in theory – it’s a small GPS device you can put in your luggage. All you need to do is download the Tile app on your phone, and you can see the exact location of the Tile via Bluetooth. This was great when I stored my suitcase at the airport during my Thailand trip! I could regularly check it and feel secure that it was in the same location at Bangkok airport.
Buy AirTags on Amazon UK (4-pack for £99) | Buy on Amazon US (4-pack for $86.88)
Buy Tile on Amazon UK (£19.99) | Buy on Amazon US ($24.99)
Luggage Scales
These scales are small and lightweight, so they take up barely any of your luggage allowance. But I find them so useful for weighing my bags as I’m packing – and ensuring I can distribute the weight of my luggage according to any airline’s baggage rules.
Buy on Amazon UK (£11.99) | Buy on Amazon US ($9.84)
Portable Speaker
Take it from the girl who drove 18,000km around Australia without a radio – a portable speaker is a GREAT gift for the traveler in your life. Ideally, you want something small, lightweight, and that charges through a USB.
Buy on Amazon UK (£23.99) | Buy on Amazon US ($24.99)
Cable Organizer
This is one item I definitely need… a handy organizer to keep all my electronic cables organized and tidy! Nowadays, we travel with so many different devices that usually require their own charger or cable. Make sure nothing gets lost by getting one of these super useful cable organizers!
Buy on Amazon UK (£6.79) | Buy on Amazon US ($9.85)
The Best Clothing Gifts for Travelers
Microfiber Changing Robe
Save space in your backpack with this useful changing robe! While it’s great for swimming anywhere there aren’t changing rooms – it saves you flashing everyone in a car park in the Lake District, I speak from experience – you can also use it as a normal towel. I’ve gotten so many compliments on it since I’ve been in Australia, it’s a lifesaver for preserving your dignity (lol) when you need to change in and out of a swimsuit on your own!
Buy on Amazon UK (£11.99) | Buy on Amazon US ($16.88)
Buff
One of the most versatile clothing items you can buy for travelers is a buff. Wear it as a neck warmer, a headband, a bandana, a hat – whatever way you need it, this lightweight, fast-drying stretchy bit of fabric will help you out. It’s an essential for all of my hikes.
Buy on Amazon UK (6-pack for £9.99) | Buy on Amazon US (6-pack for $13.99)
Bridgedale Socks
These are my favorite hiking socks – I refuse to wear any other brand. They’re comfortable and dry quick, and I’ve never gotten any blisters from them. Bridgedale socks also last ages – I’ve had one pair, which I hike in on a regular weekly basis, for six years. It’s well worth the money to get good socks.
Buy on Amazon UK (£15.69) | Buy on Amazon US ($25.99)
Scrubba Wash Bag
An item that I desperately need! Laundry can be a big expense for travelers over time – if we can even find somewhere to do laundry in the first place. For anyone on the road, especially if you’re not staying in accommodation each night, this Scrubba bag is a great buy. Simply dump your dirty clothes in, get some water and liquid detergent, and scrub it out. It’s super small and lightweight, which makes it great for backpackers.
Buy on Amazon UK (£45) | Buy on Amazon US ($55)
Laundry Soap Bar
If you don’t have a Scrubba, but are needing to do your clothes on the road, a bar of laundry soap will definitely come in handy. These are really inexpensive to buy, but a total lifeline for making sure you have clean clothes on the road! I bought a three-pack of the Zote brand in 2016 and – even though I’ve traveled loads since then – still have two full bars left.
Buy on Amazon UK (2-pack for £7.88) | Buy on Amazon US (2-pack for $7.99)
Trtl Pillow
Someone buy this for me, lol! I never sleep well on planes, partly because I don’t have a neck pillow and can never get my head and neck in a comfortable position. The Trtl pillow wraps around to the exact shape you want, so you can doze off without the neck strain.
Buy on Amazon UK (£59.99) | Buy on Amazon US ($59.99)
Miscellaneous Travel Gifts
National Trust & English Heritage Memberships
National Trust and English Heritage are two separate organizations in the UK, but both are responsible for the ownership/operation of many historic sites. National Trust also maintains many nature areas around the country. Gifting a membership is a fantastic present – it gives members access to hundreds of sites across the country, for free. National Trust also operates many car parks where members get free parking, giving even more value to a membership. I was a member of both organizations for many years. If you’re not sure which membership would be better, I’d look at a map of where the person lives, and see which has more sites nearby. For anyone in Yorkshire, I think English Heritage is better financial value of the two!
Buy a National Trust Membership (from £84)
Buy an English Heritage Membership – use code BFAFFEHM23 for 25% off annual memberships (from £69)
OS Maps Annual Subscription
This subscription is a fantastic gift for anyone who enjoys being outdoors in the UK! I use the OS Maps app on every single hike I do in the UK, and its the single-most valuable tool for navigation. While nothing beats a paper map and compass, the app allows you to access maps throughout the entire country (saving you having to buy multiple maps for one trip). It works off GPS, so you cna check where you are in the app. You can also download maps or specific routes to use offline – I do this for every hike. The app is available on a subscription service, and it is 100% worth the money.
Buy an OS Maps Gift Subscription (£25)
Travel Journal
When I first started traveling (way back in 2011), I always used to keep a journal. My travel journals from my study abroad (2013-2014) are some of my most prized possessions. I wish I’d had the energy to journal on this trip around Australia! This is a wonderful gift to give to a traveler, so they can put their memories down on paper – and have something to look back on after their trip.
Buy on Amazon UK (£7.99) | Buy on Amazon US ($7.24)
Scratch-off Map
This is a gift for travelers who have returned home: a scratch-off map! I had one for several years – a joint map with my ex-husband – and have another one I intend to put up with just my travels, whenever I settle down. It’s an easy conversation starter anytime you have people over at your house, and – let’s be real – a nice humble brag.
Buy on Amazon UK (£15.99) | Buy on Amazon US ($27.99)
*All prices are correct at time of publishing.
I am not a gift giver myself, and I honestly don’t enjoy receiving gifts. Too often, I find that I am given gifts that I don’t use or need – and I end up getting rid of them. Because I live abroad, I’m not usually around to celebrate birthdays and Christmas with family and friends. And when I am home, I’ve typically paid enough on flights that I am the gift! But the gifts in this travel gift guide are all items I use regularly – if not items that I use on a daily basis as I travel around Australia.
If you’re planning gifts for someone in your life who loves travel, I hope this practical gift guide gives you some ideas!
Are you giving gifts for the holidays this year? Which item would you find the most useful?
You might also like my posts:
My Outdoor Gear Guide for Hiking and Camping in the UK
What I Packed for 6 Weeks With Only a Carry-On
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