Selecting a gift for a traveller can be a daunting task. Yay, I know and I quote Mark Twain “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness”; but these traveller guys, these globetrotting nomads can be absolutely fickle-minded. You never know what they would like and what they wouldn’t. They can act like a gadget-adverse guy one moment, and the very next minute, they may get completely engulfed by your latest iPhone.
So, the safest way to gift them is to buy something that will come in handy on his/her next trip, no fancy pieces of stuff, no costly gear. Just utility things that are mandatory, useful and will ease out their lives. And these obsessive voyagers also are flag bearers of sustainable tourism and like to be called eco travellers. So, keep that in mind too.
Here is my list of best gifts for a traveller that comes under a definite budget.
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Table of Contents
Face Mask
The first thing to consider at this time of pandemic is the safety of your loved ones. And the best way to protect him/her from the virus is by advising to use a barrier – a face mask, which is recommended by every health advisory board throughout the world. A proper mask is a must while travelling around. So, this product is at the top of my gift guide this year.
Vandelay N95 mask is a premium quality disposable mask that is claimed to have five layers of protection. The nose clip snuggly fits over the nasal bridge. The elastic ear straps are comfortable and convenient for most men and women to wear, even with glasses.
Weighing Scale
Carrying a portable weighing scale for the luggage proves very useful if your traveller friend flies frequently. Nobody wants the last-minute adjustment with the luggage near the crowded check-in counter. Isn’t it? That is why a portable weighing scale like this one by GoTrippin that comes in an affordable range can be an excellent buy to gift a traveller.
This weighing scale, made of stainless steel material, can weigh up to 50 kgs with 4 different kinds of weighing units which are easily switchable. It has auto shutoff, auto-lock display, battery indicator and easy-to-read LCD with a backlight for night vision.
Passport Holder
What do you do with your most valuable possessions? You try to protect them always in the best ways possible. Well, a passport is one of the most valuable possessions for an international traveller. And for many, the only way to cover it is to put it in a good passport cover. It helps to protect it from wear and tear, gives easier access, makes things better organised and provides that extra protection from thieves and pickpockets.
Chumbak takes an extra leap by making things more trendy and attractive. Apart from the ample space and sections for cash, cards, papers and your passport, this little cover makes your partner look more stylish for sure. What else are you waiting for?
Ear Plugs
Is your partner a light sleeper and has a difficult time in flight or in hostels while trying to sleep? Or she often experiences earache and tinnitus while flying or trekking at high altitudes. Then gift her a pair of soft earplugs next time.
The new super-soft earplugs by EarPlanes made of latex-free silicone are perfect to relieve her from air pressure discomfort. It also helps her to sleep comfortably in that occasional snoring-dominated dorm of a hostel.
Multi-Tool
Multi-Tool is one tremendous instrument that can offer effective solutions to so many everyday problems. And this can be an excellent gift for your dear ones too if he/she does not have one already. It is inexpensive and can make life easier and more enjoyable, particularly during camping and hiking.
This Hiker Multi-Tool is shaped like a credit card that can be easily put in a wallet. It has 11 useful and essential tools all in one heat-treated stainless steel card that is claimed never to rust or bend. It has a bottle opener, flat screwdrivers, a keychain hole and more.
Engraved Photo Plaque
Engraved photo plaque by Incredible Gifts India can be a beautiful gift for your travel buddies this year. Your favourite photo from the last trip engraved on a wooden block with a little message or a nice quote would be perfect to cherish those sweet old memories.
The block comes in different shapes and sizes and is made of Beechwood. You can make it a tabletop stand or a wall-hanging unit and also customise it with beautiful designs or borders around it.
Reusable Straw
We all are concerned about the burden of plastic on our earth, and gradually we are trying to wipe out the traces of plastic from our daily life. Many cities and countries are pledging to ban the use of plastic in all forms. Many restaurants already started to use reusable straws to replace plastic straws.
There are many types of reusable straws available like – glass straws, stainless steel straws and bamboo straws. These Happy Turtle reusable bamboo straws in a cotton storage pouch can be a perfect gift for your eco traveller friend. They are natural and beautiful. Even the logo on the pouch is also made with natural dye.
Neck Pillow
Research suggests that a pillow with good cervical support can help relieve neck pain and improve rest. And while sleeping on the go, like on a long-haul flight or an exhausting road trip, the best way to support your neck is a horse-shoe-shaped pillow.
The JSB travel pillow made of memory foam snugly fits around the neck. It has an ergonomic design with a button closure for easy portability. The washable cover works perfectly on a dusty road.
Reusable Water Bottle
Every camper and backpacker knows how important it is to hydrate the body while travelling. But it is often easier said than done. That is why, gift a perfect reusable water bottle to your traveller friend this time so that he can refill it whenever needed and drink the optimum amount of water daily to keep himself healthy and fit. And thank you! You just decided to act responsibly towards our pledge of making the environment plastic-free.
This stainless steel insulated flask cum water bottle by Borosil keeps hold of the water temperature inside and is leak-free also. The specially crafted exterior remains condensation free so that the bottle does not make your bag wet or slip when you hold it.
Packing Cubes / Packing Organizers
Is your partner not good at packing? Does he leave it to you always by making some excuses? And you have to pack his bag too apart from yours. Well, now it’s time you show him some packing cubes and tell him to grow up.
These packing cubes are perfect for guys like your partner who are not good at packing. These cubes are available in different sizes. All he has to do is to separate his clothes into different sets like clean dresses, dirty clothes, and bath tools and then pack each set in a different cube. Now zip the cube and then draw the compression zipper. And surprise! All can be accommodated neatly in one bag and yet there is more space left to pack.
Portable Power Bank
She is a solo budget traveller and loves to travel by train. Now while talking about the extensive network of Indian Railways, at times journeys are often more than 24 hours. And the power outlet in Indian trains is often not very dependable. But you do not want her to be unreachable for long hours during these train journeys. So, the smartest way to deal with it is to gift her a portable power bank.
Usually, the thumb of rule is you should have a power bank which has a battery capacity of 3-4 times that of your phone battery. But the catchline is the more you will pay the more you will get. As I have told you already that I will give you gift ideas which come below ₹1099, my selection is this 15000mAh Li-Polymer Powerbank with Type-C USB Ports from Ambrane. And who does not know that Ambrane is the leading brand in India when talking about power banks?
Universal Travel Adapter
This is one thing that I never forget to carry while travelling. I mean, for me, it is part of my camera bag, whether I travel domestica or international. Ans I suppose, that is true for any traveller. Everyone carries a travel adapter. Almost everyone! But still, there is nothing wrong if you gift another one.
GoTrippin has a universal travel adapter that comes at the same price, which is the upper limit of our range. It can be used in more than 150 countries worldwide. It has a fast-charging option with dual USB ports.
Dry Bag
A dry bag is a perfect gift item for campers, hikers and travellers who like adventure activities. It seals all essentials in a watertight manner during activities like kayaking, rafting, canoeing, skiing or snowboarding.
Lowe Alpine has a 20-litre dry sac which comes in assorted colours and is within our price range. You can choose the capacity as per your need. It has a small handle at the bottom to grab and a small sling to hang it from anything.
Classic Pocket Notebook
Though smartphones and tablets serve the purpose of taking notes these days, the charm of carrying a travel journal in the pocket still holds value for many travellers, particularly people like me who still love to think it like the old school – carrying a pocket diary and taking field notes. It really acts as a great souvenir to bring home, flipping through the pages of the journal and reading the old travel notes which can take a traveller back to the place again, like an armchair journey.
Moleskine notebook is what I use during my travel. This reliable travel companion, perfect for writing, thoughts and passing notes, has a cardboard-bound cover with rounded corners. The look is so conventional and elegant. It can be a perfect gift for your loved one too.
Travel Padlocks
Travel padlocks are absolutely essential for every traveller these days. More so, if staying in a hostel or moving in public transport. And in airports, not only a padlock keeps the opportunistic baggage handlers away but also keeps the zips secure so that they do not make their way open while in transit.
So, gifting a TSA-approved travel padlock would be of great use to any backpacker. These DOCOSS metal locks are built with sturdy material and are simple to use. And of course, the TSA approval ensures premium quality and design.
Eye Mask
Seasoned travellers know the importance of sleep. It can make or break your trip. So, whether you are in an airport or inside an aeroplane or in a hostel with dorm-mates who want to party late at night, an eye mask always comes in handy. It gives you that extra edge to take some rest anywhere anytime. It can be very useful for people who suffer from insomnia, migraine headaches and dry eye.
Friends of Meditation (FOM) is a well-known brand that produces comfortable sleep masks and blindfolds made of mulberry silk. It supports sound sleep in flight or at night. And can be of great help during a meditation or yoga session.
Toiletry Bag
Why not gift her a toiletry bag before her first solo trip? So, that she does not miss anything and things are kept in one place. A nice little toiletry kit bag can be a perfect travel companion which takes care of all the on-the-go essentials for her.
This sober-looking toiletry bag from JEI is a great gift for family and friends. It has multiple compartments inside of varying sizes to accommodate all everyday essentials. The external pocket offers extra space for grab-and-go items. And the reliable loop handle and the sturdy bottom are comfortable for carrying or resting on flat surfaces while not in use.
Foldable Outdoor Mat
A foldable outdoor mat is a perfect gift item for your family if you love to picnic, go camping and like to relax at the beach. It is lightweight, handy and portable to any place you go. It can be packed inside your backpack or you can carry it in your hand like a purse.
This mat is waterproof and sand proof, easy to clean and measures 70″x56″ when opened. It is large enough to seat four adults with room for snacks or beverages comfortably.
Compact Travel Umbrella
We Indians love monsoons. It is part of our culture and beliefs. And we love to travel during monsoons too. So, you won’t find many families who forget to pack their umbrellas while travelling in the monsoon. But packing them inside our travel bags often causes some amount of headache, the reason being the size of these umbrellas.
The compact travel umbrellas by Taslar address this issue of an Indian family. These are super small when folded and also come in protective capsules that save them while your bags often suffer thrusts during airport transit.
Amazon Gift Card
You are still confused, about whether your friend will like any of those above gifts. Well. we all go through that kind of dilemma while selecting a gift for our loved ones. Because we simply don’t know their choices enough. In that case, the safest option is to send a “Gift Card” and let him/her decide what to buy.
The Amazon Gift Card can be a perfect choice during the coming festive season. It is redeemable on all products on the Amazon website, and there is no cap on the number of gift cards that can be added to one account. And the best thing is that if you are unable to use the gift amount completely within 1 year, which is the validity of the card, you can contact customer care to increase its validity again.
Book your trip: Resources
- Flight
Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to book your flight.
- Accommodation
Tripadvisor and Agoda are perfect for booking your hotel. If you want to stay in a hostel, then Hostelworld would greatly help you find one at your convenience.
- Travel Insurance
World Nomads is perfect for travel insurance. You can get comprehensive protection from them. Let them take care of unexpected situations while you concentrate on your trip.
- Package Tour and Activities
You can book a package tour from G-Adventures and Viator. They are a reputed company arranging small group tours and customising them per your requirements. You can also use Get Your Guide to book your private transport, city tours, heritage walks, food walks and other experiences like a cooking lesson or a Yoga session.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. You will be directed to another third-party website when you click those links. If you purchase anything via those links, I will earn a referral bonus without any extra cost to you.
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