If you have a traveling pal, the good news is that their hobby (or passion) lends itself to plenty of gift ideas. We’ve scoured lots of guides. We’ve consulted our own experiences as campers and travelers. And here we have some of the best gifts for travelers, whether they love a weekend away or they’re planning a trip around the globe.
We’ve also rounded up some of the best camping gifts in our Amazon store – be sure to check that out as well!
This post contains affiliate links. RVshare may receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on a product or service link.
Gifts for Travel
Whether your travel friend takes trains, planes, or automobiles (or RVs!), some gifts are useful across the board. Here are some of the best gifts for travelers, regardless of how they travel.
Toiletry Bag
A good toiletry bag is essential, whether you’re headed on camping trips or staying at the Ritz. Keeping toiletries organized and clean goes a long way toward starting your day off right and ending it well. This toiletry kit has tons of zippered pockets, protected by plastic so your items won’t get wet. It also comes with a TSA-approved clear, zippered bag for going through airport security.
Duffel Bag
If you know a weekend warrior who loves taking trips in between workdays, they’ll need a good overnight bag. This duffel bag has several pockets to separate clothing and other items. It’s waterproof and tear-resistant. And it can fold down into a small pouch when not in use.
Pet Travel Carrier
This soft-sided carrier is perfect for small dogs or cats and is airline-approved. It comes in a range of fun colors including blue, pink, and purple, and even carries a 3-year warranty. If you’re shopping for a pet-loving traveler, be sure to check out our RVshare pet packing list on Amazon as well!
Mobile Power Bank
A mobile power bank can be a sanity saver, whether you need to recharge while you’re exploring a new city, hiking, or doing anything else that takes you away from the safety of a power outlet. This portable charger power bank has ports for two USB chargers as well as a USB-C port and it can charge devices 6-8 times before needing to be recharged.
Electronic Organizer
Keep cords, plugs, adapters, and small electronic accouterments organized in their own bag. This BAGSMART organizer has 2 inner mesh pockets with zippers, 6 mesh pockets with elastic loops to store thumb drives or cords, space for battery backups, SC card slots, and more.
Earplugs
Earplugs can help light sleepers get a good night’s sleep when sharing an RV, a hotel room, or even trying to block out sound on a train or airplane. And if you grab a box of them, you don’t need to worry if you lose some during your travels.
Eye Mask
A sleep mask can be another great present for someone who travels. Block out light on planes, in hostels, or anywhere else they may find it difficult to sleep. This mask is contoured to fit the face, with extra room around eyes so your eyelashes don’t brush up against the fabric.
Travel-Sized Noise Machine
If you know a traveler who has a lot of trouble sleeping, a noise machine may also help. They can drown out the sounds of traffic in an unfamiliar city, or help people fall asleep to the soothing sounds of waves on the beach. This travel-sized machine can go 20-30 hours on one charge.
Insulated Travel Mug
An insulated travel mug makes a great gift for anyone who likes a hot cup of coffee while gearing up for a day on the road (or the trail!). Contigo travel mugs are stainless steel, keep drinks hot for up to 7 hours, and come in a rainbow of colors. And Funkrin makes an insulated coffee mug with a ceramic coating for those who prefer that to stainless steel.
Luggage Tags
Luggage tags make a great stocking stuffer or small gift for a loved one. You can find a slew of tags in a variety of prints. It’s a fun way to distinguish a bag from the crowd at baggage claim.
Travel-Sized Spa Kit
Traveling is awesome, no doubt. But it can also be difficult and tiring. Treat your travel buddy to a pampering session with a travel-sized spa kit, like this rose-scented set. It includes soap, lotion, hand cream, and shower gel.
Travel Pillow
It’s true – everyone looks kind of odd using a travel pillow. But they’re one of the best ways to get comfortable when you’re trying to sleep on a plane or other space that requires you to sit upright. This pillow gets great reviews for comfort, comes in many colors, and has a washable cover.
Electric Adapters
If you have a friend who travels internationally, they’ll appreciate electric adapters! The number of countries that have different adapters can be mind-boggling, and having to buy different ones for different regions can add up quickly. These adapters come in packs of two, with four outlets, three USB ports, and one USB-C port. You can choose from a variety of countries when you select your gift, so you can be sure you get the correct adapter.
Good Headphones
Travelers appreciate a quality set of headphones because they block noise and share great sound on an airplane, are useful for Zoom calls for remote work, and much more. If you really want to spoil someone, these Bose noise-canceling, wireless headphones are some of the best.
Gift Cards & Memberships for Travelers
If you’re not sure of exactly what your gift recipient needs for their travels, a gift card is the perfect way to help them out! There are also several memberships that make travel and camping much easier or less expensive. These are also great options if your loved one lives out of town and you want to avoid shipping costs to deliver a present.
Visa Gift Card
A Visa gift card is helpful because it can be used for … well, pretty much anything! Meals, lodging, clothing – just about anything someone might want for a trip can be purchased with this card.
Backcountry.com Gift Card
A gift card from Backcountry.com can help outfit an outdoorsy friend or relative. The site features clothing for skiing, hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. It also has mountain bikes, paddleboards, camping gear, and a variety of other outdoor items.
Hipcamp Gift Card
Book campsites on Hipcamp – this more like gifting an experience than an item. Hipcamp has more than 120,000 sites, many of them in unique places you might not otherwise discover.
BabyQuip Gift Card
Make travel easier for young families with a gift card to BabyQuip. This is a baby gear rental service that has full-sized cribs, strollers, car seats, toys, books, high chairs, and just about anything else you need for a baby. They will rent, deliver, and set up your baby gear wherever you’re staying and will even meet you at the airport. When you’re finished with the gear, they pick it up as well. This is a great option for a family flying from out of town and renting an RV, or a family opting to have an RVshare owner set up the rig at a campground. You can save 10% off all of their services with the code RVSHARE.
Instacart Gift Card
An Instacart gift card can also be a relief that allows parents not to have to drag cranky kids along on boring errands. Actually, it’s a relief for anyone who doesn’t want to go grocery shopping after a day of exploring.
The Dyrt Pro Membership
If you’re shopping for a camper, they may appreciate a membership for The Dyrt Pro. The membership gets them access to the site, where they can search for campgrounds nationwide. But it also gets them access to trip-planning resources, discounts on gear, and access to offline service.
Boondockers Welcome Membership
If you know a frequent RVer who loves going off-grid, they may appreciate a membership to Boondockers Welcome. They’ll have access to more than 3,675 host locations for the year. Just make sure the recipient has a self-contained RV and can dry camp – there are no hookups at these campgrounds.
Harvest Hosts Membership
Similar to Boondockers Welcome, Harvest Hosts allows members to stay overnight at nearly 1,500 wineries, breweries, farms, and other outdoor spaces in the U.S. and Canada.
Passport America
Passport America gets you access to 50% off campsites at almost 1900 campgrounds across the country. The membership fee is about the cost of 1-2 nights at a campground. This would be a great idea for RV or trailer travelers who camp frequently.
Home Chef Subscription
Home Chef is a great idea for busy families who like to explore all day. The meal prep company will deliver fresh, pre-portioned ingredients straight to your RV with easy-to-follow recipes. There are also oven-ready meals you can cook with very simple prep and almost no clean-up. The meals come in tins so you don’t need to dirty your dishes cooking. Get 55% off your first order, up to $40 off, with the code RVS55.
DISH Network Subscription
Help a loved one watch their favorite movies and shows while they travel! You can get $50 off a DISH Outdoor TV package with the code RVSHARE.
Gas Cards
Fuel can be expensive, especially when you’re driving a large RV! A gas gift card is a wonderful way to help someone take the edge off of their travel budget.
Gifts While You’re on the Road
Traveling by car, truck, or RV across the country is a truly unique way to see it. But there are some products that can help road trippers enjoy their trip and stay organized on the road.
CRAVEBOX Snacks
Road trips call for plenty of snacks! This CRAVEBOX Snack Box has crackers, cookies, puffs, candy, and more. It will keep a traveling family well-stocked on snacks for quite a while!
Spotify Subscription
Help a family while away the hours with podcasts and road trip playlists on Spotify. You can find podcasts covering just about anything, along with audiobooks, music, and more.
Backseat Car Organizer
Kids can stay organized and find their toys, colored pencils, drinks, and other items easily with this backseat organizer. The organizer hangs over the back of the driver’s or passenger’s chair and has 9 pockets that can hold a tablet, water bottles, snacks, and anything else kids might need.
Gifts for Outdoorsy Travelers
Got a friend who loves getting outside? Try one of these gifts for outdoorsy people.
Sportsman’s Guide Gift Card
Sportsman’s Guide has hunting, fishing, and camping gear, along with clothing to keep hunters, fishermen, and campers warm and comfortable. They also have gear for dogs. Check out Sportsman’s Guide’s doorbusters sales, and their special section of products made in the USA.
Cabela’s Gift Card
Cabela’s has hunting, camping, fishing, boating, and other outdoor gear. You can also look for deals on specific items by checking the Bargain Cave for discounts.
Bass Pro Shop Gift Card
Bass Pro Shops has clothing (including tons of flannels), plus camping, hunting, boating, and other gear. They also have a Bargain Cave with discounted items.
Hydro Flask
Make sure your friend stays hydrated on all these outdoor activities with an awesome water bottle. The Hydro Flask is iconic for a reason. Sure, they look cool, but they’re also durable and hold plenty of water. You can check the sales section of their website for deals as well.
Patagonia Provisions
Stay fueled for a day outdoors with food that’s harvested and prepped in sustainable, eco-friendly ways from Patagonia Provisions. The outdoor gear company has what they’re calling “a powerful alternative to industrial agriculture, a path to restore and regenerate our home planet.” Check out their camp meal kits and vacuum-insulated food canisters for unique gifts.
Hand Warmers
Whether you know an avid skier or someone who loves a good winter hike, they’ll appreciate some hand warmers! These easy-to-use, air-activated hand and toe warmers are the perfect stocking stuffer for travelers who love winter wonderlands, but can’t quite keep their digits toasty. You can get a pack of ten on Amazon for less than $8.
Gifts for Setting Up Camp
One of the most satisfying parts of travel can be setting up your home-away-from-home (or, in some cases, your permanent home!). Here are a few gifts that make campsites comfy and welcoming, and make life easier while you’re there.
Camp Chairs
One of the best ways to relax at camp is in a chair, outside an RV, looking at the world and meeting other campers. These LET’S CAMP padded camp chairs are a splurge, but would be worth it for someone who camps frequently. They have a cup holder and small cooler, are durable, and can hold up to 450 pounds.
Stainless Steel Wine Glasses
Guard against spills or broken glass with these metal travel tumblers that look like stemless wine glasses. Each tumbler comes with a lid, and they’re perfect for wine or a cocktail at the end of the day.
An Instant Pot
The versatility of an Instant Pot makes it a wonderful RV kitchen appliance. Campers can set it to slow cook all day while they’re out, or whip up a quick meal with the pressure-cooker setting when they get back. And if they need more inspiration, we have a collection of recipes to get them started.
Nesting Cookware
Kitchen storage space is one of the biggest gripes in any camper’s experience — especially for people who love to cook. But being able to whip up meals on the road is one of the most attractive parts of RVing. Simple storage solutions in the kitchen can be a serious benefit.
One of the best ways to save kitchen storage space in an RV is to invest in tools that perform multiple tasks, or tools that stack. Nesting cookware, like pots and pans and mixing bowls, doesn’t take up much room and makes cabinets feel nice and organized.
Cute RV- and Travel-Themed Decor
Travel-themed gifts may not be a necessity, but they can help an RV feel cozy. These Happy Camper throw pillows are a cute way to spruce up a couch or bed. And these camping-themed kitchen towels would make a fun gift.
Games
One of the best parts of travel is that it can remove everyday distractions and allow some family bonding that doesn’t always happen during everyday life. And whether you’re stuck in the RV on a rainy day, or just spending some screen-free time together, board games and card games are a wonderful way to spend time together.
Apples to Apples, Scrabble, and Sorry! are all great options for game night, or you could go with a quirky game like Exploding Kittens for some guaranteed hilarity.
Gifts to Commemorate Trips
The next best thing to actually traveling is remembering the great trips you’ve already taken! Instead of scratching the travel itch, my own trips often inspire me to want to travel even more. Here are a few gifts to help people remember their wanderings across the globe.
Travel Scratch Map or Pinboard
A travel scratch-off map or pinboard is a unique gift, because no person’s or couple’s map will be the same as anyone else’s. A scratch-off map can be a fun project for kids as well – each time they visit a new destination, they get the fun of scratching it off when they get home.
You can find a variety of these maps for all kinds of destinations. Track your national parks with a scratch-off map, scratch off your state travels, or put a pin in each country you visit.
Travel Journal… or Plain Old Notebooks
For people who travel a lot, even epic journeys can start to blend together. That’s why travel journals can be so helpful. They remind their owner to take a second and reflect on their amazing experiences by writing them down… which helps them both appreciate the moment more and remember it better later on. Win-win, right?
You can choose between purchasing travel-specific journals or open-ended notebooks that can be used however their new owner sees fit. Don’t forget to include a quality pen!
Camper Keychain
Sometimes a small trinket can remind someone of good times well after their trip is over. This camper keychain is sure to make an avid RVer smile. It makes a great stocking stuffer or small present for a parent from their kids.
Homesick Candles
You could also get your globetrotter a reminder of home, like one of these state-specific Homesick candles. Florida’s, for instance, smells like citrus and mangrove. Or gift them a candle from a state they visited and especially loved.
State-Shaped Necklace
A state-shaped necklace is another travel-friendly trinket that will make your giftee remember their home base, no matter where their wandering feet may take them. Or, you could get them one for a state they have visited on their travels.
Books for Travelers and Campers
There are so many books on travel, from other people’s travel memoirs to guides for places to fiction stories set in places that will make you want to visit. Be sure to check out our summer travel book list (it’s actually good year-round!) Here are even more books to inspire your wanderlust.
Books for Kids
If you want to help children feel at home in a new place like an RV, consider gifting some children’s books for bedtime stories. Little Blue Truck is a great board book about a travelin’ truck, and Pete the Cat’s Family Road Trip is a great book for early readers. Children’s classic Stuart Little features a small mouse on a big journey and C.S. Lewis’s Narnia book Voyage of the Dawn Treader features exciting ocean adventures.
Be sure to check out our Amazon store for kids for even more gifts to help them on their travels.
Books for Adults
National Geographic’s Destinations of a Lifetime will inspire many people on their next trip. Just about any book by Bill Bryson will give you a witty, insightful account into a place he has lived or travels he has taken. And Four Seasons in Rome, by Anthony Doerr (author of All the Light We Cannot See) will have you wanting to pack your bags right now and head straight to Italy.
Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas for your friends and family who have the traveling bug. Happy holidays and happy trails to all!
