Having someone in your life who travels the world constantly can be difficult. Apart from missing them, it’s a nightmare buying them presents! We’ve put together this list of some of the best gifts for backpackers so you can give them something super practical but also thoughtful and fun too.
Thinking of something that will fit in their luggage, be useful AND thoughtful can be tricky. I know that my family are always complaining that they’ve wanted to buy me a gift but I can’t take it with me. They’ve actually got kind of used to it now and have begun to buy me things that I not only want but things that come in handy too.
You could buy the traveller in your life the boring things, like a decent water bottle, a sexy safe money belt or a practical rain jacket, but those things are on their own packing list for a reason! The fun travel gifts are on this list and are less likely to be in someone’s backpack already.
Whether you’re buying unique stocking stuffers for Christmas, making up for lost birthdays or considering buying a going-away present, this gift guide for backpackers so you won’t be stuck for choice!
Electronic Gifts For Backpackers
Kindle
Absolutely no one travels with books anymore, but sitting on the beach with a good read and coconut is truly the epitome of backpacker life!
A Kindle is one of the best gifts for backpackers because it is small and lightweight, simple to use and it will last years!
You could buy the latest Fire tablet model because you can watch movies on it, or just stick with the Kindle Paperwhite to only read books.
I bought the original Kindle E-reader in 2012 and it is still going strong! I would also recommend buying a hardback case like this for the device as electronics can be easily damaged in transit.
Click here to check the latest Kindle prices.
Bose SoundLink Headphones
I travelled for 2 years with my Apple earphones and they constantly gave me earaches, fell out of my ears when I was relaxing and got tangled up EVERY. DAMN. DAY.
My mum bought me a pair of wireless headphones for Christmas last year and they were literally Godsend.
This year Kev upgraded me to these Bose Soundlink beauties and they’re incredible. They are so much more comfortable than regular earphones, and they are amazing at blocking out sounds. I got the white pair but you can choose black too.
Click here to check the latest deals and prices.
Portable LED Projector
Kev bought me this mini projector for my birthday last year. It might not sound like a typical backpacking gift but it has been so much fun!
We have used it whilst working in the outback in Australia, in a co-working space in Bali, in our campervan and even hotel rooms around the world!
We love our projector but it’s a little expensive for a backpacking gift so I’d recommend this mini one. The reviews are outstanding, and I don’t think you’d find a better product for this price anywhere!
Click here to check out this portable projector.
Current Drone Recommendation – It has to be the DJI Mavic Mini 2. Recently the Mavic Mini 3 came out but the additional price for the few extra features does not quite make it onto my everyday traveller recommendation just yet. The Mini 2 will fit into a tiny space and capture unbelievable vacation shots. If you are big into social media then the Mini 3 might be the better shout due to the new portrait mode so check that out too.
Bluetooth Speaker
If you know a backpacker who wants to be the party saviour, then buy them one of these portable and waterproof speakers!
Not many people travel with one, but they’re so handy to have when there’s a group sitting by the pool or on the beach. Plus, luckily we’re no longer in the ’80s so speakers are a lot smaller and more portable nowadays!
They’re also good to use with the projector I mentioned above for movie nights!
Choose your favourite colour and read the INSANE reviews here.
Rechargeable Phone Case
Travelling for long periods of time can mean that most updated phones will run out of battery pretty quickly.
I am a huge fan of Apple products but I have to say that the battery life on my iPhone is terrible! Kev’s Samsung lasts much longer so if you know a backpacker with an iPhone, this could be a great gift!
Most backpackers will need a phone to find their hotel and get in touch with their family at home, let alone be able to call emergency services if they need to. Having a full battery is really important, so one of these cases can save the day when they run out!
Buy a rechargeable phone case here.
Current Action Camera Recommendation – I nearly always recommend the previous version of the Go Pro series – in this case, the Hero 9 – This is because Go Pro is known for very slight incremental updates so getting the previous version is nearly exactly the same but cheaper. Go Pro won’t let you down so check out the current price here!
Decent Zoom Camera – We constantly update this camera to make sure you get brilliant shots as well as have a great zoom range in order to capture everything far away as well as close by. This is a must! It happens to currently be the Panasonic LUMIX ZS70K which is a fantastic all-around camera that will fit into small spaces and do you well throughout all your travels.
Experience Gifts For Travellers
Airport Lounge Access
Airport lounges are the perfect place to start any trip, whether it backpacking around Asia or going on a luxury all-inclusive holiday to the Caribbean!
Buying an access pass for a backpacker is a great gift because rather than spending some of their holiday money on over-priced meals in the airport, they can have unlimited food, drinks and WiFi all included! Usually the lounge passes are around $25 – $35 and give access for between 2 and 5 hours.
There are comfortable seats, quiet areas, showers and some places even offer complimentary massages!
Browse these different airport lounges and pick the one you need!
Classes/Day Pass or Activity Voucher
Sometimes experiences are better than material gifts, and if you know someone who likes to take part in activities, then consider buying them a lesson or class in a new country. It could be a surf lesson in Bali, an evening river cruise in Paris or a wine tasting afternoon in Perth.
There are hundreds of different activities to choose from, in just as many countries so get creative and choose something they wouldn’t necessarily pick for themselves but would love!
Diving Course
Something that is on many people’s bucket lists is learning to scuba dive. There are so many dive shops out there but it’s often not an expense that backpackers will have the budget for!
Why not purchase a beginner’s course for them so that they have the opportunity to learn a new skill and perhaps enjoy a lifetime hobby!
Pro Tip
The most famous diving company is Padi but SSI are cheaper and still just as good. Padi has a few more dive shops around the world but if you get your certificate with SSI, you can still go to a Padi Dive Centre and scuba dive with them.
We decided to use SSI and still got an amazing course and the qualification to dive pretty much anywhere!
Subscription Backpacking Gifts
Spotify Premium
At home, free music is easy to access because of the constant access to WiFi. However, whilst travelling, it can be hard to get a good internet connection.
This can be a real pain, especially on long travel days – sitting on a rickety train for 12 hours with no music or entertainment can bore the most enthusiastic of travellers!
With a monthly Spotify Premium subscription, the music can be downloaded and listened to offline. With their new headphones and rechargeable phone case, a backpacker will never have to go without their favourite playlists again!
Pro Tip
Spotify also often does a deal where you can get 2 months Premium membership for free so look out for that!
Audible Subscription
Another great subscription gift is Amazon’s audiobook platform. Audible has over 425,000 audio books that can be played on the free app anywhere.
Sometimes listening to a book is better than reading one because you can close your eyes on that bright sunny beach, or on the cramped aeroplane and enjoy being read to.
Netflix
A lot of travellers will cancel their Netflix subscription to save a few extra pounds every month before their big trip. A great gift is to re-subscribe them for their travels, because Netflix is available even on a phone so can be watched anywhere.
Pro Tip
Using a VPN allows you to browse Netflix’s full database from any country! Surfshark is a good VPN that we regularly use to watch Netflix shows that aren’t available in the country that we are currently in.
Rosetta Stone
Do you know a backpacker eager to learn a language whilst on the road? One-to-one classes are great, but if you’re travelling then you can’t set up a base for spending time with a tutor.
With an online resource like Rosetta Stone, you can use their online software and choose between 20 different languages to learn. It’s a great way to supplement learning whilst in a new country!
Travel Accessory Gifts For A Backpacker
Travel Pillow
My very first travel pillow was basically just a cushion, and it was made for children. I picked it because of the fun ladybird pattern, not because I knew anything about the ergonomics of neck travel pillows.
However, I lost it and my mum bought me a new one that literally blew my mind. It was soft but it supported my neck and head when I slept – a game changer!
There are some amazing travel pillows on the market now, and they’re definitely worth every penny on those horrible extra-long flights!
Click here to see the best travel pillows available.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
A really helpful item when backpacking or on a road trip is a sturdy toiletry bag like this.
They usually have plenty of different compartments with buttons, zips or Velcro to keep your things secure, and an all-important hook at the top.
They can also be really compact so they’re ideal for keeping all of your toiletries together and makes finding things really easy.
Snorkel Set
When people go travelling, one of the most common activities they do is go snorkelling.
Every snorkel tour and even most hotels will have snorkel gear that customers can use, but having a personal set that’s the right size and shape for your head is a game changer. I can’t even count the amount of times that we used old snorkelling equipment and the eye mask steamed up immediately, or the mouthpiece had been chewed to pieces.
A decent set can be tied to a backpack easily, and it also gives you more freedom because you can go snorkelling literally anywhere you want!
Comfy Pyjama Set
A nice set of pyjamas is one of the best gifts for backpackers because there will probably be many a night in a shared 20-person dorm!
No one wants to be that person sleeping naked because they didn’t pack the essentials, and old albeit comfortable pyjamas someone’s had since they were 15 are also not going to make a great impression either.
Depending on where they’re going, your backpacker friend might appreciate a light t-shirt and shorts combo, or they might need something a little warmer.
Browse the colours here and read the great reviews!
Personalised Luggage Tags
A small but cute gift idea, a personalised luggage tag is also actually really helpful because spotting your luggage immediately on the baggage carousel is such a good feeling!
Not having to run around following a bag that turns out to be someone else’s is a much better way of arriving in a new country.
You could even choose tags where you can order different shapes, sizes and even pictures which help individual bags stand out.
Buy a personalised luggage tage here.
Eco-Friendly Solid Toiletries
Travelling with toiletries can be really annoying because even if you ditch the bulky bottles and use mini versions, they run out really quickly!
Using solid shampoo and conditioners are more eco-friendly as they often come in minimal recyclable packaging and they are small so don’t take up much space.
For those travellers who love trialling different toiletries, these are a perfect gift.
Take a look at the huge variety of solid toiletries here.
Travel Games
Whether the ice needs to be broken, or you’ve been travelling with the same person for 2 months straight, sometimes a quick game of cards or mini Connect 4 is all you need!
Choose a few boxes of games for the long airport layovers or lazy days by the pool.
This set is perfect for a bit of variety too!
Travel Document Organiser
Even with the increased use of e-tickets now, travellers always seem to have documents to print out and keep safe.
I see so many people pulling out a tatty and flimsy plastic sleeve that they’ve been storing everything important in. Why!? There are so many nice-looking and functional document holders available to buy online – do your friend, daughter, cousin or whoever is going travelling a favour and buy them one!
Choose one like this that will fit in their passport, plane tickets and a little bit of travel cash, as well a travel insurance documents, visa forms and different sim cards too.
Travel Journal
Not everyone is into sharing their adventures in a travel diary, but if you have a budding writer or even someone who just likes to read back on their written memories then a good journal is a perfect gift for backpackers.
There are all sorts of different types out there – plain notebooks, bullet journals or scrapbooking diaries but choose one that suits your traveller.
Remember to add in a few nice pens and pencils to get their creative juices flowing!
Click here to buy the journal.
Buying presents for travellers doesn’t actually have to be difficult. You could buy one large gift, or a couple of small things as a little hamper set if they already have a lot of luggage! And Mum, if you’re reading, this is our Christmas list for this year 😉
If the traveller in your life is a little more picky, then browse our full list of trip essentials here!
Have you bought any gifts for backpackers that should be on this list? Let us know in the comments!
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