Shopping for a woman with a nomadic heart; equally at home on the mountains in Whistler or that famous stretch of sand in Sydney‘s Bondi, can be a challenge. But, we’ve made it that much easier for you. We’ve curated a list of travel gifts for her, from big gestures to great useful travel gifts that will come in handy on her next trip.
Skye Gilkeson
The best travel gifts for her: Skye uses one of her Loewpro camera bags, doubling up as a crossbody bag. | © Skye Gilkeson
A Complete Guide to the Best Travel Gifts for Her
This comprehensive list of the best travel gifts for her is divided to suit your budget.
Whether you are splurging on luxury travel gifts or you’re just looking during the festive season for some smaller travel essentials, these presents will hit the mark for anyone with a love of travel.
Luxury Travel Gifts for Her
Our list starts with luxury travel gifts for her. These aren’t just frivolous pieces but also fun travel gifts for her to use on any trip – whether it be for work or play.
These are travel gift ideas for her that will last a long time and she will continue to use them both on holiday and back at home.
So, if she’s really been bitten by the travel bug and you have the budget, the extra cost might be worth it.
If you are looking for more affordable travel gifts for her, simply scroll further down the page, we’ve got you covered.
A Great Travel Camera
A DSLR camera
The best gift for travelling women has to be a camera, for first-timers to the intrepid adventurer.
Thankfully, there are so many options these days when it comes to choosing a camera that is easy to travel with, but still performs.
If she is a serious photography enthusiast would be a DSLR like these great travel cameras:
She’ll also need a basic Canon zoom lens these are two lenses which are great for travel:
- A 24-70mm is a great standard starter zoom that’s not too heavy
- A Sigma art lens (here is a cute Sigma for Canon travel bundle with accessories).
If she is just starting to dabble or like me, has her hands full while traveling with kids, then lighter, more compact cameras like these will be great:
- Canon R5 is a compact full-frame camera
- Canon R6 Mark II might be a better option, to begin with. Don’t forget a lens.
Vlogging camera
A smaller, vlogging camera has to be the best travel gift for her if she is a budding content creator.
Sony has a collection of vlogging cameras like this cheap vlogging camera and this full-frame mirrorless vlogging camera to her started.
External hard drive
If she takes photography seriously, an ideal gift would be an external hard drive to back all of her images up. La Cie is our favorite brand as they are shock-resistant and high quality.
Here are some tips on how to choose photography equipment for beginners and here are some other travel tech gift ideas that she also might like.
A Stylish Travel Camera Bag
There’s nothing better than a camera bag that doesn’t look anything like a camera bag.
There are a few types of camera bags for women that she should get excited about;
Handbag-style camera bags
More of a luxury gift, this camera bag looks like a simple black leather handbag.
For a boho-chic look and a more affordable camera bag, try this vintage-style camera bag.
Camera Backpack
If she carries a bit more camera gear like extra lenses, a camera backpack will save her back and make it easier to shoot all day.
I have used Lowepro camera backpacks for many years and I personally love them as they allow easy access to my camera and gear quickly while shooting on the move.
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The best travel gift has to be a camera to savor those memories forever. | © Skye Gilkeson
A Kindle Paperwhite
For the traveling bookworm, this is the gift that keeps on giving and will be her best friend on long flights.
With a Kindle Paperwhite, she will be able to download and immerse herself in a new book with each new adventure.
She can also avoid that last-minute airport impulse book buying and head straight to the airport lounge.
Folding Sunglasses
A standout as one of the best accessories for travel for frequent travelers has to be folding sunglasses.
Not only do they take up less space, but there is also less risk of them snapping. It’s also a great way to save you from buying cheap, throwaway sunglasses while on the road.
Here are three stylish folding sunglasses options:
- We love these Ray Ban folding sunglasses.
- You also can’t go wrong with the iconic and first-ever folding sunglasses by Persol that will transport her instantly to Lake Como.
- Foldies are a less expensive option and they are still polarized.
Luxury Tech Travel Accessories
A laptop Sleeve
A personalized laptop sleeve will make those business trips a little more fun.
If she is more of an intrepid traveler or content creator who travels off the beaten track, she may prefer a hard-shell protective laptop sleeve like these.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
You can’t go wrong with a pair of noise-canceling headphones for a frequent flyer. They are such a step up from the uncomfortable airline headphones.
Bose noise-canceling headphones are the most comfortable headphones.
Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Take it a step further and get choose the Bose noise-canceling earbuds – a more subtle option that she can also use on her daily commute too.
Digital luggage scale
If she’s partial to affordable carriers or simply isn’t efficient at packing for a trip, a digital luggage scale might come in handy.
There are more must-have travel gadgets in our travel gadgets shopping guide.
Travel Bags
Crossbody Handbag
A crossbody handbag is a woman’s travel must-have.
Big enough to fit her exploring essentials in with a generous crossbody strap it will keep her hands free and her valuables close.
Here are some theft-proof travel bags that are less expensive.
This is a more stylish crossbody bag for travel that is easy to pack in her carry-on.
Fanny Pack or Sling Bag
A fanny pack is also another cute option that will carry most things she needs for a day of exploring, but leave her hands free to take photos.
Make sure whichever bag you choose has at least one zipper pocket to keep credit cards and IDs from falling out.
Travel Gifts for Active Women
Whether she is off to a yoga retreat or wellness escape, to run the New York Marathon or she simply likes to work out while traveling, here are some cute travel gifts for the fit woman in your life that she will love.
A Travel Yoga Mat
Encourage her to stay healthy and fit with a Foldable Travel Yoga Mat that she can roll out in the hotel room, gym, or the beach.
She can throw the mat in her carry-on or suitcase easily and roll it out easily, each morning no matter where in the world she is.
A Travel Towel
A travel towel is a good idea for active travelers, anyone who does a lot of outdoor travel or hiking, or spending time at the beach.
These fast-drying microfiber towels fit easily into a day travel bag.
Weighted Bangles
Looking for travel gift ideas for women who love Pilates?
Then, you can’t go past these gorgeous Bala wrist and ankle weights for her to elevate her workout.
These aren’t the best option for air travel if you’re worried about flight weight restrictions.
But, if she is packing for a road trip, these should fit in her bag nicely and come in a choice of different colors.
Reusable water bottle
A reusable bottle is one of the more practical items she will take on a trip. But, for any health-conscious traveler it will be the perfect travel companion.
A stainless steel water bottle is a give that she can use everywhere from the home office to the gym and to each new place she travels to.
While there are cheap water bottles on the market, consider a Grayl.
If she is a world traveler who likes to travel to countries where the water quality may not be great like Bali or Mexico, this bottle will purify and filter her water.
The best part is that it has been designed to remove viruses and bacteria from water too so it may become one of her most valuable pieces of travel gear too.
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One of the most useful travel gifts for her is a simple cotton scarf. | © Skye Gilkeson
Useful Travel Gifts for Women
Gifts for women who travel should, of course, always be useful and functional.
While many of these useful gifts are very sensible options, you can still make stylish choices to ensure they are thoughtful, special presents too.
Travel Document Holders
Travel Wallet
A travel wallet is a very useful travel gift but can also make for a stylish accessory and one of the best ways to stay organised on the road.
Passport Holder
A passport holder might suit her if she relies mostly on digital ticketing and apps for her documentation.
A bright-colored passport holder will help her keep tabs on her passport when moving through airport security and she won’t miss it when clearing out a dark hotel safe.
A Travel Toiletry Bag for Her
Choosing the right design in a travel toiletry bag could save her time and broken beauty products and she will love you for it.
We look out for a toiletry bag that has enough space, waterproof inner pouches (not just mesh), a place for brushes, and a hook to free up the valuable bathroom bench space and keep the bag away from wet floors, like this.
Personalized toiletry Bag
A personalized toiletry bag for her is definitely one of the most thoughtful travel gifts you could buy. Mon and Etoile both do monogrammed toiletry bags.
Carry-on toiletry bags
For a carry-on toiletry bag, choose clear waterproof bags like these.
Travel cosmetic bag
For the make-up lover, a really well-designed and beautiful travel cosmetic bag is a really useful travel gift for her.
Travel makeup accessories
Create a make-up travel gift set for her by adding a make-up blender holder and make-up brush holder.
A Luxurious Lounge Set
One of the more unique travel gifts for her, have you ever considered a luxury lounge set?
A gorgeously soft and comfortable lounge set could make her economy seat feel like she’s traveling in business class on long-haul flights.
A lounge set is such a versatile travel outfit that can go from an airport lounge to an airplane seat and straight out to dinner on arrival.
Choose a set that is made from natural, breathable materials like cotton, bamboo, linen, or Tencel to keep her comfortable and fresh no matter what the weather.
Stylish Travel Sweats
These designer joggers will keep her cozy on the long haul. Pair them with a comfortable sweater that she can wear layers under for a comfortable travel fit.
A Travel Scarf
An oversized cotton travel scarf is a year-round travel essential with endless uses.
Aside from its obvious role, transform it into a light throw or blanket on the plane or train, and use it to cover your shoulders or head for modesty when entering temples or religious sites.
They even come in handy as a picnic rug for that impromptu park lunch while traveling in Summer.
This gorgeous Tencel blend scarf is the perfect gift and useful travel accessory.
This Lululemon scarf wrap is a cute travel gift for her
Travel Skincare
There is almost nothing better than jumping on a plane with a case full of nourishing, moisturizing beauty products to keep your skin feeling fresh for the long haul.
Here are some travel sets for her that we love;
Skincare travel sets
The Aesop Arrival travel beauty kit is a great option for the non-toxic beauty lover.
Travel-sized skincare
If she is into active skin care she might like this Medik8 skincare kit. Their cleanser is one of my personal favorite travel beauty products.
If she’s a beauty nut then she will be well across the cult Korean beauty brand, Laniege.
This Laniege kit includes the much-hyped Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask (like a super moisturizing lip balm) and other super-hydrating products in some small-size bottles, perfect to elevate her inflight skincare routine.
A Travel Journal
Is she bound for a trip in the name of self-discovery?
Then she will need a journal to hold onto all of those memories. Journals make great travel gifts as they are often kept forever (as mine have been).
This gorgeous vintage-style leather travel journal will fit easily into her handbag or carry-on, primed for whenever or wherever inspiration strikes.
A Bag Organiser
Has she got a favourite tote bag that she can take travelling?
Simply make it easier to find things on her trip with a bag organizer.
This is a thoughtful and useful travel gift that she can transfer between her travel tote to her beach bag while on vacation, or at home.
A bag organiser is a particularly great gift idea for new mums packing for travel with a baby.
A Travel Pillow
One of the worst things we experience in international travel is being stuck on a plane and not able to sleep.
A travel pillow is a simple and useful travel gift that most women will appreciate.
Here are a few great travel pillow options:
- Memory foam travel pillow – The cheaper memory foam travel pillows.
- Silk travel Pillow – A more luxe option said to be better for skin and hair health is a silk travel pillow.
- Trtl travel pillow – Trtl travel pillow is another option to prevent a stiff neck from flying. It’s scientifically designed and helps prop your head up so you can sleep while seated.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a travel essential, these days.
They not only keep your suitcase organized, but they also save space and stop all of your belongings from getting tossed around and damaged while in transit.
These are 3 types of packing cubes, depending on your needs:
- There are regular packing cubes that come in sets.
- Compression packing cubes will be great for the over-packer.
- Compression bags can come in handy for larger items like coats or ski gear.
A National Parks Pass
Is she planning a road trip or does she love hiking?
A National Parks Pass is one best travel gift ideas for female travelers who love the great outdoors. It’s thoughtful and will save her money on her next trip too.
A National Geographic subscription will also give her some inspiration in the lead-up to her trip.
Affordable Travel Gifts for Her
Looking for travel presents for her but you’re on a budget? Some of the best gift ideas will save her time or space so these are more affordable ideas that she still loves.
These small items are also great ideas for the holiday season to throw in her Christmas stocking.
His and Hers Luggage Tags
Don’t have the budget for a his and hers luggage set? Maybe try his and hers luggage tags as a fun travel gift idea without stretching the purse strings.
There are so many styles to choose from – with patterns, prints, and monogramming or plain.
A Stylish AirPods Charging Case
An AirPods charging case is always a fun travel gift to celebrate her personality:
Personalized AirPods charging case
These colorful personalized AirPods charging cases are a cute travel gift.
Designer AirPods case
These are some designer AirPods charging cases that are the perfect travel gift if she is more of a fashionable traveler
A Portable Charger
A portable charger makes a practical gift for her next trip.
A fast charger with a USB port will be great for her mobile phone (cell phone) and for charging her laptop and camera batteries in the hotel room.
Fun Phone Accessories
Ring Light
A selfie ring light is a unique and handy gift for the traveler looking to perfect her Insta-game. Illuminating the skin during the day or night she will look at her refreshed best for every snap.
Phone Bag
A crossbody cell phone bag is one of the best gifts for traveling women who like to travel light and simply take a phone and credit cards out for the day.
Waterproof phone case
A water-resistant phone case is a fun, easy gift if she is going on day trips where she might want to use her phone on a boat or near water.
Travel Photo Mementos
Photo Plaque
Allow her to showcase a beautiful memory of one of her trips with a personalized photo plaque.
Magnetic prints
If her Instagram gallery is a work of art, why not bring it to life by transforming her gallery into fridge magnets?
She can use this magnetic gallery to keep her highlights in full view on the fridge.
A Versatile Tote Bag
A fun, reusable tote bag is a fashionable and functional gift that she can use at home or away.
A tote like this flattens easily to fit in your suitcase and can be used as a carry-on bag, beach bag, gym bag, market bag, or shopping tote.
A Hat Clip
Definitely one of the most unique gifts for travelers, a hat clip is the travel accessory she never knew she needed.
I have a Klipta hat clip myself and its compact design makes it convenient to throw in the carry-on for travel in summer or winter.
It holds sunhats, fedoras, caps, and even water bottles.
A Travel Gift Card
A travel gift card is a really thoughtful gift for travel lovers, particularly if they are saving for a trip.
We have gifted many travel gift cards (for flights or hotel vouchers) to friends and family members for special occasions and they are always really well received.
A Travel Experience
Giving her a voucher for a tour in a location she is traveling to is such a wonderful gift.
It might also encourage her to step outside of her comfort zone and try something adventurous.
A Portable Door Lock
While not the sexiest gift, a portable door lock is a really thoughtful travel gift for solo travelers.
They are inexpensive by may give her some more peace of mind, particularly when staying in ground floor accommodation.
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This article featuring useful travel gifts includes affiliate links through which we may receive a small commission to help support the growth and development of The Fit Traveller.
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.
She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.
As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.
Read more about Skye’s story here.