50 travel gift ideas under $50 that are actually useful

Are you looking for the perfect travel gift under $50 for him and her? Then you have come to the right place! It’s not always easy to know what to buy these days when so many of us have everything we need and more.

And if you like me, have many people on your list, I bet you want to keep the cost down. Which is why I decided to only include items that are $50 or less.

Skip the socks and unnecessary nicknacks this year and buy gifts the travelers in your life will actually use, either during their next trip or to decorate their home. I would be so happy with any of these!

So here are 50 of my best gift ideas under $50 for travelers that I’m sure they’re going to love!

50 useful travel gifts under$50

1. A Guided Experience

Is anyone in your family going on a trip next year? Or maybe you could bring your friends on a tour close to home? For Christmas this year I have focused on experiences instead of things.

I have booked an alpaca walking tour for my mum, for only $45 I might add. And museum tickets and a rafting tour in Murcia for another family member who is going to Spain soon.

I book all my tours and experiences through Get Your Guide and Viator, they both offer incredible value and great customer service. In my mind, the perfect travel gift idea for him and her.

2. The Travel Creator Toolkit

Do you know someone who dreams of traveling full-time? Or monetize their blog and social media? Give them the gift of learning. Being paid to travel is the best feeling and I want as many of you to experience it too.

That’s why I spent a whole year creating the Travel Creator Toolkit, a collection of all the tips and templates you need to start making money online.

3. Island Light Lightroom presets

My popular preset collection is included in the Travel Creator Toolkit. If you bundle them with the phone lens, it’s the perfect gift idea for travelers who want to take and edit better photos without having to worry about a camera.

You can read more about my editing process and each of the presets here.

4. One.com domain & hosting

Maybe one of your friends would like to start a travel blog but needs a little kick in the butt. I thought about starting my blog for about two years before I finally did it. So what about creating a gift card that says you will pay for their startup costs?

One.com is one of the most affordable web hosting providers out there and their service is impeccable. They have helped me out of a stressful situation more than once. By signing up with my link you’ll also get a discount!

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5. NEWVANGA International Power Adapter

My best friend on the road! This awesome adapter works in over 150 countries and has a lifetime satisfaction guarantee. You can’t go wrong with this one!

6. Anker PowerCore 20000

A small and light high-speed charger that comes in several colors. I don’t know how many times I’ve run out of power on my phone while traveling, mostly because of Instagram, so this little thing is super handy!

7. Anker Soundcore 2

A portable waterproof speaker with up to 24-hour playtime for those impromptu beach parties and movie nights on the road. The sound is so good for the affordable price, definitely the perfect travel gift for women and men.

8. Letsfit Digital Luggage Scale

Another gadget I never travel without. If you know someone who has a problem with overpacking or enjoys a bit of retail therapy while traveling, this is the gift for them!

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9. 100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas

This inspiring National Geographic book tells you where to go, when to go, what to see and what to do in 100 national, state, and city parks throughout the United States and Canada.

You have the option to add all 3 in the series for under $50.

10. Holiday

A beautiful coffee table book about travel magazine sensation Holiday, which between 1946 and 1977 was one of the most extraordinary publications in the world. (It was on sale when I added it to this list, it now costs a little over $50)

Hint hint to my friends and family, this is my number one wish this year 😉

11. The Travel Book

Take a journey through every United Nations-approved country in the world with this awesome Lonely Planet book full of stunning photography.

12. The Summer House in Santorini

An uplifting romance story about a girl who runs away from a failed relationship, a dead-end career and a complicated family life and finds herself in beautiful Greece. One of my favorite feel-good books of all time!

You can check out my 7 favorite romance novels set in Europe here.

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13. Wedge Door Stop Security Alarm

I’m kind of a nervous Nellie when I travel and I always hear strange sounds when I try to sleep. And then, of course, proceed to come up with at least five different scenarios in all of which I end up dead or as a hostage (yes my mind is quite dramatic).

So traveling with this door-stop alarm has calmed my anxiety down a lot. Now I can’t imagine traveling without it!

14. Lewis N Clark Travel Door Alarm

Another travel alarm that works great with sliding doors and windows. It is battery-operated and has a built-in LED flashlight.

15. KOSIN Safe Sound Personal Alarm

The ear-piercing sound from this small personal safety alarm can be heard at a distance of up to 200 meters. It comes in many cute colors, fits on a keychain and has a built-in LED light. Buy this pack of six alarms and give one to each of your loved ones and keep one for yourself.

16. TSA Approved Luggage Locks

These luggage locks are a must for all travelers. They allow your luggage to be opened and inspected by authorities without damage to your lock or bag.

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17. Women’s anti-theft backpack

This stylish yet practical anti-theft back is a must-have, especially for a solo female traveler. It is affordable, lightweight, and comes in many cute colors and materials. And best of all, you can also carry it like a handbag.

18. Unisex laptop backpack

Another comfy and sturdy anti-theft backpack available in many different colors. This one comes with a separate laptop compartment and a USB charging port.

19. Travelon crossbody bag

This smaller anti-theft bag/fanny pack is perfect for days out exploring bigger cities known for pickpocketing. Not only is it practical and waterproof, but also super cute. It will spice up any outfit!

20. Zero Grid Passport Wallet

This RFID-blocking passport holder for men and women keeps private information safe from identity theft. It’s also a great way to organize all travel documents.

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21. Apexel Phone 2 in 1 Clip-on Lens

For the person that wants to take their travel photography to the next level without splurging on expensive gear. This one is a professional HD lens that minimizes lens glare, reflection, ghosting and other artifacts for superb clarity.

I love using clip-on lenses for my phone when I’m feeling a bit lazy and don’t want to lug around my camera all day. It makes much more of a difference in my photography than I thought before I tried one.

22. JOBY Gorillapod 3K Kit

The perfect gift for any solo traveler. This compact tripod and ball head work with compact mirrorless cameras and other devices up to 3 kg. I use mine every day when I’m traveling alone and when I want everyone in the photo.

23. Padwa Lifestyle Camera Strap

I love this wide camera strap that is made of high-quality cotton and features retro embroidery. Both ends of the camera strap are made of double-layer cowhide, making it very durable. Also, there are so many cute patterns to choose from.

24. Canvas camera bag

This is the perfect gift for travel lovers interested in photography. It took me five years before I finally got a camera bag like this one, and it is a completely different world to always know where everything is. Take it from someone who used to throw everything in a tote, this one is a must!

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25. Veken 6 Set Packing Cubes

These packing cubes are a traveler’s best friend. Not only do they keep your stuff dry but they make it so easy to keep everything organized. No more fumbling inside your suitcase and unpacking everything to look for an item.

26. MLVOC Travel Pillow

No travel gift guide would be complete without one of these memory foam neck pillows. Because how would one survive a long haul flight without it? This one is my absolute favorite, it comes with a travel bag, sleeping mask and earplugs!

27. Conair 1600 Watt Compact Hair Dryer

A lightweight travel blow dryer with a folding handle for compact storage. I couldn’t live without mine (or I probably could, there goes my dramatic side again), but what I’m trying to say is that I love mine.

28. TSA Travel Bottle Set

Set of 13 leakproof travel-size containers, from spray bottles to cream jars, with a clear TSA-approved toiletry bag. This gift isn’t only affordable and practical but it also looks nice and clean. 

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29. Travel Planner Journal

This gorgeous blue and gold travel planner come journal allows you to thoroughly plan your trip, as well as write down everything you experience along the way. It is the perfect travel gift idea and way under $50!

30. My Bucketlist (Insert Your Story)

A stylish coffee table book/journal in black and gold. It includes inspiring quotes, interviews, beautiful photos from around the world, a world map and open spaces to write down hopes and wishes.

31. The Penny Journal

I’m an avid penny souvenir / pressed penny collector. They take up no room at all and don’t cost much. If you know someone who collects them I’m sure they would want one of these books to keep them organized. I know I do!

32. Just the Ticket: Ticket Stub Organizer

If not a pressed penny collector maybe you know someone who keeps all their tickets? If so, this ticket organizer would be the perfect gift for them. Such a cool way to make a travel memory book.

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33. LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle

Every traveler should have a reusable water bottle, and even better, a filtered bottle! I always travel with my LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle that filters bacteria, parasites, microplastics, chlorine and organic chemical matter.

But even better is that your purchase has an impact, for every purchase one child in need gets one year of safe water.

34. Bamboo Reusable Straws

Say no to plastic straws! I always bring with me either glass or bamboo straws when I travel. It’s the least we can do. These ones are great, they come with a travel bag and you can run them in the dishwasher.

Did you know that in the US alone, 500 MILLION plastic drinking straws are used and thrown out every day? That’s enough plastic waste to wrap the entire circumference of the earth two and a half times!

35. Bamboo Cutlery Set

Say no to plastic cutlery! This reusable cutlery travel set is made from 100% untreated bamboo and comes in a thick and durable canvas travel bag. It’s perfect for taking to BBQs, on camping trips, hiking trips, festivals and everywhere else really.

36. Combetter Wooden Hair Brush Set

One regular, one mini hairbrush and two combs for men and women made from bamboo. The little one is perfect to bring in a carry-on while the other can be used at home. They produce less static than plastic brushes and combs and the length and width of the bristles mean less hair loss and breakage.

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37. Yiluana Portable Jewelry Case

This jewelry organizer is compact and lightweight so it’s easy to carry in a handbag or suitcase. I usually put my jewelry in a pocket in my toiletry bag which isn’t really great, so I better get myself one of these.

38. Pura Vida Bracelet

The bracelets from Pura Vida have been among my favorite travel accessories for a long time. They are handmade by artisans in low-income countries and wax-coated which means they can be worn in the water. And best of all, Pura Vida has a charity section where you can choose which charity you want to support by which bracelet you buy.

39. 4ocean bracelet

Support the cleanup of our oceans and get a beautiful bracelet in return. The cord is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles and the clear glass beads are made from 100% post-consumer recycled glass bottles.

When living in Indonesia I saw 4ocean cleanup crews all the time so I know they’re making a real difference! Choose between the regular 4ocean bracelet, the penguin bracelet, the dolphin bracelet and the Everglades bracelet.

40. Baydurcan Compass Necklace

A beautiful everyday necklace that will look just as good with jeans and a t-shirt as with a dress. It comes on a cute card with an inspiring message and in a love heart envelope – the perfect travel accessory.

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41. LifeStraw Personal Waterfilter

The award-winning LifeStraw water filter is a must-carry tool for adventure travelers. It filters up to 1000 liters of contaminated water and removes a minimum of 99.9% of waterborne bacteria and parasites.

42. Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads

These super soft bamboo pads are reusable so you only have to bring a few which means they won’t take up much room in a carry-on. And they are much better for the environment than the cotton ones. They come with a small laundry bag so they don’t disappear in the wash.

43. Bamboo Charcoal Toothbrushes

A set of 4 natural toothbrushes and a travel case all made from biodegradable bamboo with charcoal-infused soft bristles. This could be a great gift for anyone really, let’s say no to plastic toothbrushes from now on!

44. Natural Mosquito/Insect Repellent

Bug spray might not be the most exciting gift, but it is certainly useful. Especially if you plan on chasing waterfalls in Bali, I was eaten alive the last time I went to Sekumpul in the morning.

This one is made in the US from all-natural ingredients which means it’s safe for everyone, including pets and the environment.

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45. Scratch The World® Travel Map

This is one of the largest and most popular scratch-off maps on the market. It is the perfect travel gift for both men and women, I mean who doesn’t like to look at all the amazing places we have visited?

46. World Surf Map

This one is a print of a hand-drawn world map with over 1000 surf spots and beach breaks. It’s the perfect gift for the surfer in your life.

47. The Magnificent Maps Puzzle Book

Any quiz masters in your family or friend group? This book features 100 fascinating map examples from the British Library, ranging from world and city maps, celestial and sea charts, etc., in addition to fake maps that have been selected as the basis for this puzzle book.

Readers are asked to scrutinize the maps to answer a series of historical and geographical questions, all the while enjoying new perspectives on the world we live in provided by our eclectic and extensive archive. So much fun!

48. The World Game

Fun and educational geography board game for the whole family. Race around the world and pass famous monuments and landmarks while training memory and mind. An award-winning world learning game toy.

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49. Scrubba Wash Bag

The perfect gift for anyone heading out on a long journey. Scrubba wash bag ensures a quick and easy way to wash clothes on the road. It features a wash-board-like inner scrub panel that produces a machine-quality wash. So cool!

50. Ahyuan Reusable Mesh Bags

These lightweight and foldable market string bags are all-natural and chemical-free. I always bring at least one of these with me when I travel and usually end up using them every day.

The set includes 3 bags, which means you get three gifts with one purchase. It also looks kind of cute in photos when filled with fresh fruit. Just saying 😉

How to come up with gift ideas

Here’s a list of what to think about when coming up with the perfect gift ideas for friends and family.

• Consider the recipient’s interests, hobbies, and passions.

• Take note of any specific items they may have mentioned wanting or needing. I take notes throughout the year.

• Reflect on the recipient’s personality, style, and preferences.

• Keep in mind any special occasions or milestones they may be celebrating.

• Consider the practicality and usefulness of the gift.

• It’s easy to get carried away when buying gifts, so challenge yourself to stay within your budget constraints.

• Think about the sentimental value of the gift and how it may resonate with the recipient.

• Consider the potential for creating a memorable and meaningful experience with the gift.

• Reflect on any inside jokes, shared memories, or personal connections that could inspire a unique gift idea.

• Take into account any cultural or religious considerations that may influence the gift choice.

Looking for some inspo?

• The only course I recommend after completing 79
• Digital Nomad life advantages and disadvantages
• 15-page Canva lead magnet/workbook template (FREE for subscribers)
• 12 Cities That Aren’t on Your Bucket List (But Should Be)
• 16 incredible lesser-known islands you should visit

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