by Great travel gifts for women can be hard to find. Don’t worry. You’ve found the solution! For the last 7 years I’ve travelled full-time and I know exactly what travel gear can make a trip terrific. So if you’re ready to check her name off your gift list, read on!
As a full-time traveller for the past seven years, and a frequent traveller in the preceding decades, I’ve learned a thing or 20 about the little luxuries that help make travel amazing.
If there’s a travelling woman in your life who deserves a great gift, you’ll find it on this list.
Whether you’re looking for a big showstopper of a present, a travel experience you can enjoy together, or a stocking stuffer to make her smile, you’ll find it among these travel gift ideas.
If you’re looking for gifts for a friend going travelling, a travel gift for a business traveller, or a fun travel gift for your girlfriend or wife, we’ve got you covered.
So if you’re ready to check her off your list then read on for…
Travel Gifts for Women
In case you don’t find the perfect gift here, take a look at our guide to Travel Essentials for Women. You might also want to use our minimalist packing guide, or our guide to packing light in just a carry-on suitcase.
What Makes a Great Travel Gift for Her?
Warning! Most gifts for people who travel are so BORING.
Please don’t make the mistake of buying her a travel adaptor or compression socks. You won’t be facing a happy lady on her special day.
A great gift should be personal, meaningful and build on the connection you have with the recipient. The gift should also be useful and durable — something that will last for years to come.
The best gifts for travellers are:
- Portable — Don’t be that person who weighs down her suitcase with useless junk. Make sure your gift is packable and portable.
- Durable — Travel is tougher on stuff than everyday life. So anything you get should be built to endure the rigours of the road.
- Useful — Great travel gifts should be useful every day of the trip and become an essential part of her travel kit.
- Fun — Sure, you could give her yet another travel scarf, but what’s the fun in that? Ideally, your gift should be something she’d LOVE to have but won’t likely buy herself.
OK, I know that sounds like a lot — but don’t let it worry you. The good news is, there are plenty of travel gifts for women that fulfill all those requirements and more. Just keep reading!
Travel Gifts She Can’t Leave Home Without
This section is all about the travel basics that can make or break a trip. If she doesn’t have great luggage, a perfect day pack, and a knockout pair of sunglasses, then start here.
These are the essential travel gifts for her that will make her think of you fondly every day of her trip.
Durable luggage she’ll love for years to come
If her luggage is worn out, has broken wheels or splitting seams, or is just too big for her to lift properly, then new luggage makes the perfect travel gift. After all, nobody wants their luggage to split open in the middle of a busy street, mid-flight, or to find underwear and other unmentionables on display on the airport luggage belt.
Before you buy, consider her particular travel style. Does she travel mostly to cities, or is she taking off on an adventure across Southeast Asia? Will she be staying in hostels, 5-star accommodation, or something in between? Her travel style will make a big difference to the type of luggage she needs.
Soft-Sided Convertible Suitcase
I’ve been travelling with the Standard Luggage Carry-on for about 5 years now and it’s still going strong. I love this suitcase because it’s lightweight when empty and squishable enough that it fits into small taxi trunks or slim overhead bins.
It also has about a dozen pockets to keep me organized, including an easily accessible laptop pocket and two outer pockets for all my urgently needed items.
Plus, it coverts from a regular suitcase into a backpack for those days when I have to climb stairs or make my way down a narrow cobbled alleyway to the hotel.
Convertible Wheelie Backpack
Though I love my Standard Luggage, I do sometimes wish it had wheels (usually when I am rushing to a flight down a long airport concourse).
That’s why I’ve decided that my next suitcase has got to be the Osprey Ozone. This clever backpack comes with built-in wheels, so she can roll it on smooth terrain and carry it when the going gets tough.
It also comes with a guarantee that “Osprey will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge”.
Hard-Sided Luggage in Striking Colors
If you want to get her something tough but feminine (a lot like her?) or a suitcase she can spot from 1000 yards away, the Kenneth Cole Reaction suitcase might be perfect. It is carry-on size, budget priced, and comes with lots of bells and whistles, like multi-directional wheels, interior compartments and zipper pockets, plus a 10-year warranty.
You can choose from a range of fab, flashy colors, like Rose Gold, Kelly Green, and Cobalt Blue.
Sunglasses to protect her eyes and perfect her style
If the woman in your life doesn’t yet own a gorgeous pair of sunglasses, then you’ve found your perfect travel gift. Like jewelry, sunglasses are an intimate and romantic (but less clichéd) way to say “I love you”.
Sunglasses are also far more useful than jewelry, especially for someone who loves to travel.
Travel can be a real assault on the eyes. The sun’s glare, road dirt, and general grit can lead to headaches, sore eyes, or permanent eye damage. Sunglasses are a travel essential that she will thank you for every single day.
My current favs are the Randolph USA line, which are engineered for use by the US Military, made by hand, and guaranteed for life. They come in classic aviator styles, with lots of luxury upgrades, like real gold finishes and broad choice of high-quality lens colours and styles.
Most importantly, they look and feel great when I’m wearing them and work just as well for a week-long backcountry trek or a beach break on a Thai island.
Daypack and Suitcase In One Gorgeous Pack(age)
If most of her travels are for a week or less, then a suitcase that doubles as a daypack or daily commuter bag is an ideal travel companion.
The cleverly designed (and quite beautiful) Knack Pack is my favourite piece of travel kit these days.
In its unexpanded state, it’s a slimline backpack, perfect for trips to the co-working cafe or for day hikes in the forest. Unzip to reveal the hidden suitcase compartment. Knack Pack comes in three sizes. I have the medium, which is perfect for weekend trips. The small makes an ideal overnight bag, while the large is great for a week or so. For minimalist packers, this bag couldn’t be better.
Plus, it also has lots of organized compartments for phones, water bottles, passports, laptops, and more. These keep the obsessively organized side of me very happy!
Anti-Theft Daypack
If she already has a great suitcase, then next on the list is an anti-theft travel daypack. A pack like this will keep her most precious items safe, makes it easy to stay organized, and will be her constant companion, both on the road or during her daily commute.
The Tzowla daypack has plenty of space for a laptop, charger, phone, and snacks to carry on the plane. Plus, it has lots of organized compartments (a must for a travel daypack), comes with a security lock on the main compartment, and a USB port for on-the-go charging.
Unlike many travel daypacks, which only come in shades of grey, this one is available in lots of bright colors and patterns, perfect for the woman who likes to stand out.
Amazing Travel Experiences for Her
Experiences make the best gifts for travellers — they are fun, exciting, memorable and don’t take up any room in her suitcase.
If she’s one of those women who already has everything, then give her an experience she won’t forget. Sharing experiences with the people we love is one of the quickest routes to happiness, so make her extra happy by booking yourself a ticket, too.
Treat Her to a Wellness Retreat
A retreat can be the perfect way to say “thank you” to the woman in your life for all that she is and does for the people around her. Some retreats are all about relaxation and stress relief, focussing on spa treatments and healthy food. But some retreats can involve lots of activity, like daily yoga and surf lessons.
This 3-day meditation and yoga retreat in Bali, in luxury accommodation overlooking the glorious green rice fields looks terrific. If not Bali, how about a 5-day eco-friendly yoga and detox retreat in Portugal or a 3-day women’s wellness and empowerment retreat in New York?
Whichever style and destination you choose, she’ll be sure to feel transformed after a few days of focus on self-care. Give her the gift of a truly transformational experience.
Feed Her Soul with a Cooking Class
If she’s planning a trip soon, treat her to a cooking class at her destination. A good cooking class isn’t just a chance to learn how to make the local cuisine — it’s a complete introduction to the role that food plays in the culture. It’s also a great way to learn how to find the best, most authentic cuisine while you travel.
For women who love to travel but aren’t planning a trip, seek out a cooking class close to home — maybe you can find one featuring the cuisine of her dream destination.
Gift Her a City Food Tour
Whenever I get to a new destination, I love taking a tour of the city’s best foodie spots. Each country and city has its own culinary personality, and you can learn a lot from tasting a variety of the local dishes.
A great food tour is one of the best ways to help her discover food she’d probably miss on her own and to help her start eating like a local from day one.
Take Her on a Bike & Boat Trip
One of my favourite ways to experience a new place is by bicycle. Bikes give you access to so many places that cars can’t go. Plus, they bring you to street level and slow your pace so you can interact with locals and find out what life is like for them.
Travelling by boat, she can sit back and relax while exploring a destination from a perspective that few people ever see.
A bike and boat trip makes a unique travel gift for her that she’ll remember long after most of her travel memories fade.
Photo: Famous bicycle art in George Town, Malaysia.
In Asia, our favourite bike and boat tours come from Grasshopper Adventures, where local guides take you to secret places that most tourists never go.
Find an Asian bike & boat trip ⟶
In Europe or North America, GetYourGuide is an easy way to find the perfect bicycle day trip.
Essential Techie Travel Gifts for Women
Who says women don’t like tech? Personally, I love it when I get gifted a new gadget that I’ve had my eyes on. If the woman you’re shopping for loves her tech toys, consider these techie travel gifts.
Phone camera lenses for amazing photos
Does she shoot her travel photos on her phone?
If so, then a great set of add-on lenses is the perfect way to make her photos amazing.
There are lots of kinds available, but I like the Moment lens system.
The kit starts with a Moment phone case, which is designed so the add-on lenses can be screwed right into it, giving a secure and perfectly aligned housing for the lens. With a case in place, she can add on whichever lenses she wants. I recommend the Wide 18mm and Tele 58mm lenses as the perfect travel lens starter kit.
Note: You can get Moment lenses for iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel, and OnePlus.
Noise-cancelling headphones for improved sanity
If she travels a lot, the stress of noisy airports, busy city streets, and crowded events can take its toll. With a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, you can help her reduce the buzz of travel to a pleasant hum.
Ever since Stephen got a pair of Sony noise cancelling headphones about a year ago, I have been coveting them from afar (and from near — I borrow/steal them frequently).
If you want to really make her year, get her the Bose QuietComfort 35 II in Rose Gold. These headphones will help keep her entertained and sane as she travels — and she’ll think of you every time she uses them.
Wallet phone case for sleek security
Carrying a heavy bag or even a light backpack around all day while travelling can be supremely annoying. Help her lighten her load with a slimline wallet phone case.
I love the Wallet Slayer case from Smartish, which holds 3 cards plus cash, protects her phone, and turns into a clever kickstand for when she wants to watch movies on the plane.
Plus, they come in a great range of colors and can even be customized with several fun designs, including cartoon cats, tropical flowers, and colorful pineapples.
Smartish cases are available for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones.
Travel Gifts to Bring Her Sexy Back
Bluffworks travel clothes
Finally, there’s a line of women’s travel clothes that puts as much effort into functionality as it does into style.
Stephen has been wearing Bluffworks travel clothes for men for a few years now but, much to my joy, the first pieces of the women’s line have just been released.
I am a huge fan of the Azores blouse — and have been wearing it constantly since I got it. It’s a silky-feeling dressy blouse with lots of functionality built in.
Most importantly, the fabric is breathable, which makes it the perfect cover-up in hot locations or the perfect layer in the cold. Plus, it is anti-odor, wrinkle-resistant, and machine washable for easy care on the road.
If you want to get her a go-anywhere outfit, pair the blouse with the Trevi pants. They are also wrinkle-resistant and come with 8 pockets, including several hidden zipper pockets for extra security. Plus, they look great on — ideal for a dressy evening out!
For those of you worried about getting the wrong size or color, a Bluffworks gift card is the perfect answer.
Travel skincare set
Travel can be unforgiving to your skin.
It starts with that ultra-dry airplane air. Then there are dusty, smoggy city streets, sweaty days outdoors, excessive sun exposure and late nights of fun.
A travel skincare set will help her reverse the effects of travel while she’s on the road. I have been using Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses face cream for a few months now and would love to get their whole skincare range. Luckily, the set is available in a mini travel kit, so she can keep her skin glowing no matter what her travels throw at her.
This little kit makes the perfect stocking stuffer for a travelling woman.
Tempur-Pedic travel pillow
Here’s another item that Stephen has and that I try to steal on a daily basis.
Travelling a lot means sleeping on random pillows that always seem to be too thick or too thin, too hard or too soft. Uncomfortable pillows have led to more sleepless nights than I can count. A Tempur-Pedic travel pillow is on my gift list this year so I can sleep better, feel better and look better every morning on my travels.
While a pillow might not seem that sexy, she’ll look and feel much sexier after a solid sleep than she does after tossing and turning all night. And she’ll have you to thank every morning when she wakes up feeling refreshed and ready for another great travel day.
Ergonomic eye mask
Have you ever tried to fall asleep in a brightly lit room, or under the glaring lights on an airplane? So impossible.
A good eye mask solves this problem and will let her wake up bright and shiny (rather than pale and grouchy) each day.
The handmade Mavogel eye mask is specially designed to keep her eyes free from pressure, block out all light seepage, and be so soft and comfortable she won’t even notice she’s wearing it.
A good sleep is the key to a great day of travel — and this mask will help.
A Final Word About Travel Gifts for Women
I know it can be tough to buy the perfect gift for the woman in your life. I hope this list has given you some great ideas — I can guarantee that each item I’ve picked is versatile, functional, and useful for a woman who travels. But only you can decide if it’s the right gift to make her eyes light up and understand how much you appreciate her.
If nothing on this list works, or she really has everything she needs, think about giving a charitable gift in her name instead.
Just think about what she’s passionate about — whether that be empowering girls and women, the environment, or something else entirely — and pick a related charity. Once you’ve chosen, make a donation, get a personal card, and wrap it all up in an elaborate package to make an extra special gift.
We hope you’ve found this guide to women’s travel gifts useful. We want all our readers to experience the transformational powers of travel, so why not help her along with one of these travel gifts? If you have any questions about this list, give me a shout on email or Instagram.
♥ Happy transformational travels, Jane & Stephen
We’re not going to lie, it takes a LOT of work to create travel guides like this. But it’s easy to help us out! If you book or buy something using one of our personal links in this post, we’ll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you. Of course, we would never recommend anything we didn’t 100% believe in! Huge thanks in advance! –S&J
