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Looking for unique travel gifts because the ones with wanderlust in your life respect the ‘buy experiences, not things’ mantra?
We’re confident you will discover a travel present that your adventure enthusiast will love in our updated guide to 10 travel items under £25/$30.
Forget the passport covers and luggage tags; we’re discussing extremely useful and unique travel gift ideas that have stood the test of time; this guide was first published in 2018!
Practical Gifts for Travel Lovers
1. Skross Universal Adaptor
It’s universal (boom boom!) that there are never enough plug sockets in accommodation.
So, Skross devised a solution to this nightmare: the universal plug with two phone sockets attached.
This nifty device can also be used in all countries because it has every prong possible.
2. Earphone Headband
Red-eye flights, long overnight bus rides and busy hostel rooms make the need for ways to drown out the lights and noise a necessity.
What about a travel item that can do both? Enter the earphone headband!
The fleece headband is worn over your eyes and is an eye mask. Inside the headband are two adjustable disc inserts, which are the earphones.
This is one of Craig’s fave Christmas presents from last year.
He is a big fan of falling asleep to podcasts (Joe Rogan fan) so uses it at home too.
3. SD Cards Case
This sounds like an obvious gift, but SD cards (US / UK) are sneaky wee things that go missing as soon as you eject them.
An SD card case keeps them safe.
Pro tip: I never delete images on an SD card.
This is a backup in case I lose any precious holiday pics from my hard drive.
4. Bum Bag/Fanny Pack
This idea isn’t as funny as it used to be now that a 90’s revival has taken over the catwalk.
Still, I maintain that a bum bag or fanny pack, whatever you choose to call it, we Scots find the US version hilarious, of course, is one of the most underrated travel gems in any backpack or suitcase!
The bum bag/fanny pack is the perfect size for a mobile phone, some money and a bit of makeup.
Since it sits on the front of the stomach, it is easily accessed during hikes, and if you want to go super cool, the bright colours look great at beach parties.
You don’t put it down and forget about it, and it is way harder to detach, so it is less likely to get stolen than a bag being carried on a shoulder.
Ten years later, I still rock a bumbag during transit, city trips, hiking and skiing. \
Here’s an example with decent reviews in the UK and US.
5. Foldaway Tote Bag
I know what you are thinking: how many bags does one need?
However, the tote differs from the bum bag or a day bag.
Firstly, as the tote is foldaway, it doesn’t take up too much room in day bags.
Another reason I love a tote is that it is helpful during transit. I pack the items I want for the journey into the tote, then store it in my carry-on bag until the flight/bus/train journey.
Before settling, I remove the tote and store my cabin bag overhead.
In most European countries, buying a plastic carrier bag for goods bought in shops costs money.
Why?
Because the governments of these countries are trying to tackle the plastic tide, the tote is a great way to reduce single-use plastic.
6. Collapsible Tupperware
Mind blown. This collapsible Tupperware US / UK flattens down to the width of the lid and pops out to create a box.
Ideal for doggy bags and packed lunches – we’re all about affordable travel tips at Two Scots Abroad!
I’ve still got these tubs!
7. Packing Cubes
It has taken me a long time to come around to packing cubes, but they really are revolutionary.
I used to use large zip lock bags, but eventually, they got tatty and broke.
I like how packing cubes come in various sizes, allowing easy access to your belongings and having handles so you can grab them out of your luggage quickly.
Check out these affordable cubes US / UK.
8. Hydration Electrolytes
These are some of our best sellers!
No travel trip should be taken without packing a tube or sachet of hydration tablets (UK/ US).
Flying causes dehydration, as does cocktail drinking! Pop one of these tablets into a pint of water before you go to bed, then one again in the morning, and you’ll feel like a new person after a bacon sandwich.
We were actually recommended electrolytes by a doctor friend we met on our Cuba travels.
Follow doctor’s orders…
9. Leukotape Tape
Prevention is better than cure! Prone to nasty blisters?
Those pesky little bubbles are not welcome on any travel trip.
Tape this baby (UK / US) to the backs of your ankles where your skin touches your shoes; no amount of wear is getting through this bad boy tape.
I can’t’ take credit for this tip, it came from an avid hiker we met trekking up a volcano in Nicaragua.
10. Buy An Experience
Don’t you love when a gift guide comes full circle?
Succumb to your travel-loving friend’s mantra and buy them an experience.
Yes, for under $30, you can treat them to an eclectic mix of travel activities, from Harry Potter tours in Edinburgh to island hopping on longtail boats in Thailand.
Just pop the trip dates and choose a tour that suits them best.
Final Words
We don’t believe in buying for the sake of buying and know that most travel enthusiasts feel the same.
We genuinely use the above travel gear because it makes our lives easier on the road.
Many of these items were gifts kindly given to us to friends and family, and now we pass the idea on.
Enjoy!
What an interesting post. I love LUSH shampoo bars, and their super lightweight tin. “Honey I washed my hair” is my favourite.
I too love the Osprey cover. While I have an Osprey Farpoint 40 pack, my cover fits my other similarly-sized travel bag. It was indispensable on a recent motorcycle trip in New Zealand, protecting the Farpoint 40 from both rain and dust. It was a good purchase.
I love LUSH! Just bought myself a face mask. That cover saved our electronics from many a downpour. Thanks for reading and commenting (and agreeing!)
I have the same 60L Osprey Meridian backpack (I think – hard to tell with the rain cover). But dude. That rain cover. Genius. Will definitely put that on my wish list! 🙂
No more death by rain for our cameras!
Just a heads up, none of your links in the filter bottle section actually link to the described products on Amazon US, and one even links to Antifreeze!
I appreciate that and will check it out! I don’t want anyone trying to drink that…
hahaha pretty sure that is worse than a lump of coal.
Have you been a good girl?!!
The luggage covers are such a good idea! Getting some now!
Saviour during hikes, my camera did actually stop working once due to rain. Came back to life like Death Becomes Her though – phew!
I LOVE my Lush solid shampoo and conditioner! They’re super handy for travel since they don’t need to be checked and there’s no likelihood of spilling. Great suggestion.
I need to invest in a good conditioner too Lyndsey. Thanks for reading!