Finding the perfect birthday gifts for travelers doesn’t have to be difficult.
In fact, as a full-time traveler myself, I can pretty much guarantee that your traveler will love one of these travel birthday gift ideas.
From new luggage to TSA precheck, your traveling giftee will obsess over any of these 15 unique birthday gifts.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If a product is purchased using one of the following links, I may earn a small commission from the brand at no cost to you.
1. New Luggage
Every traveler wants upgraded luggage, but no traveler wants to spend money on upgraded luggage.
That’s what makes the perfect gift.
If you’re looking for a specific luggage recommendation, I can tell you for certain that the Away bigger carry-on suitcase with a built-in portable charger is on my personal birthday wishlist. The reviews speak for themselves.
2. Packing Accessories
A cheaper and similar alternative to gifting new luggage would be to give packing accessories, such as packing cubes, luggage tags or a travel toiletry bag.
I swear by traveling with a hanging toiletry bag (like this one) because it allows you to hang toiletries basically anywhere without taking up precious countertop space (in the hotel closet, on a bathroom door, on a shower rod, etc.).
3. A Personal Item Bag That Attaches To A Suitcase
This one is a game changer.
Ever since I received my Beis work tote for Christmas, which has a convertible pocket that straps to any standard suitcase handle, dragging luggage through the airport has never been easier — or more stylish. Plus, it holds a ton! I often refer to it as my Mary Poppins purse.
While I highly recommend the Beis work tote specifically, it may look a tad feminine for a masculine giftee. So, instead, you could also look at the tons of cheaper options on Amazon.
(Click here to get $15 off a Beis purchase of $100 or more!)
4. Global Entry (Birthday Gifts For Travelers)
In case you don’t know what Global Entry is, it’s essentially the TSA precheck of international travel. When you travel internationally, you have to clear customs at the airport immediately upon arrival. This is where you get your passport stamped, your belongings declared and your visa if applicable.
For whatever reason, the lines for customs can be painstakingly long. Most of the time, customs lines are even worse than security lines.
Global Entry will allow your traveling giftee to bypass the customs line and get out of the airport ASAP. It may sound like no big deal, but I’m telling you that any traveler will obsess over this gift.
Global Entry does require travelers to apply and interview, but you can still gift them the money to cover the fee, which will last them five whole years of Global Entry!
5. TSA PreCheck
Likewise, TSA PreCheck allows travelers to bypass US airport security lines. Again, any US traveler would love this gift for their birthday.
Now, a Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck, so if you know your giftee travels internationally, Global Entry is by far the better deal. But, if you’re shopping on a budget or for domestic travelers, TSA PreCheck is clearly an outstanding alternative.
(TSA PreCheck also requires application and an enrollment appointment, but, just like Global Entry, you can still gift the fee! Again, the one-time fee will cover five years of TSA PreCheck.)
6. Travel-Friendly Camera Gear (Birthday Gifts For Travelers)
Every traveler needs a way to document their adventures. Travel-friendly camera gear is arguably the best way to do so!
Don’t worry, I have an entire article with the best budget camera gear for travel photography here for your convenience. No tech research needed!
7. Hotel Or Airline Gift Card
Next, your traveler is guaranteed to love a hotel or airline gift card.
What’s nice about this option is that you can put any amount you want on the gift card — $15, $50, $100 or whatever you’re gift budget allows.
Furthermore, you can purchase gifts cards for any airline, any hotel chain and even more generic travel gift cards like one from Hotels.com, Hotwire or AirBnb so your giftee has more control over where they go.
8. An Experience (Birthday Gifts For Travelers)
Similarly, like hotel and airline gift cards, you can now give a tangible gift of travel through Tinggly.
Tinggly offers tons of giftable experiences, ranging from short unique city experiences all the way to international getaways.
Moreover, the different experience options are offered in various price ranges, experience types and even themes (like birthdays, for example)!
9. A Self-Filtering Water Bottle
Unfortunately, travelers don’t always have access to clean, good-tasting water or a sink with soap to wash their water bottle.
That’s why this LARQ water bottle has become super popular among travelers within the past year. Basically, LARQ water bottles use non-toxic UV light technology to kill bacteria and self-clean.
The battery lasts an entire month without charging. Additionally, the bottle is made from BPA-free, plastic-free stainless steel, ensuring that cold drinks will stay cold, and warm drinks will stay warm.
This birthday gift is exceptionally perfect for international travelers, travelers who always question hotel tap water and travelers who love to get out in nature.
10. Portable Phone Charger (Birthday Gifts For Travelers)
As a traveler, making sure your phone never dies is vital. Not only do travelers use their phones for leisure, but they also use their phones for GPS directions and, God forbid, emergencies.
Anker is a leading brand when it comes to portable chargers. The reviews for this Anker charging power bank speak for themselves!
11. Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones
There are numerous noise-cancelling headphone brands out there, but the reason I recommend Bose is that even airline pilot swears by Bose.
(Seriously, my dad is an airline pilot, and he is completely brand loyal to Bose.)
These Bose noise-cancelling headphones will allow your traveler not only to enjoy high-quality music audio en route but also to cancel out the airplane engine and crying baby noises during long haul flights.
12. Portable Waterproof Speaker (Birthday Gifts For Travelers)
In addition, every traveler wants a portable waterproof speaker. But, no one really wants to spend the money on one. Why specifically a portable speaker that’s waterproof?
Because then your giftee can bring it to the beach or pool!
It’s ridiculously relaxing to listen to music while laying out on the beach. A portable waterproof speaker allows travelers to do this without fear of water damage.
Bose (again, a brand approved of by pilots) sells this high-quality portable waterproof speaker. Or, if you’re looking for a cheaper option, this popular JBL speaker is portable, waterproof and sandproof.
13. BPA-Free Reusable Toiletry Bottles
Travelers are all too familiar with cheap travel liquid containers that break and crack on their first trip. Not only is this inconvenient, but it’s horribly messy.
These durable silicone travel liquid containers will last your giftee much longer than those you buy in store.
And, to top it off, they’re BPA-free, which means there will be zero harmful plastic chemicals seeping into your giftee’s products.
14. Destinations Pin Map (Birthday Gifts For Travelers)
I personally have this exact destinations pin map hanging in my office, and I absolutely love it.
I received it as a Christmas gift from my mother a few years ago. To date, it is one of the best travel gifts I’ve ever received.
There is something so heartwarming and nostalgic about having your past, planned and dream destinations pinned on your wall. And, there’s nothing better than pinning a new bright, shiny red pin for your most recent trip.
15. An Entire Trip
Of course, another fabulous birthday gift for travelers would be to pay for an entire trip.
The trip could be as long or as short as budget allows, and it could be any place budget allows. It could be as elaborate as a week in Bora Bora or as simple as a cheap overnight stay in a nearby city. Regardless, your traveling giftee will be eternally grateful.
Obviously, this travel birthday gift idea isn’t doable for most birthday-gift budgets, so I’m going to link some smaller bonus travel gift ideas down below!
As always, if you have any questions or want a traveler’s opinion on your own gift idea, don’t hesitate to comment below or shoot me a DM on Instagram.
More Travel Gift Ideas
20+ Funny Travel Gifts Under $25 That Travelers Will Actually Use
40+ Unique Travel Gifts For Him
50+ Genius Women’s Travel Essentials She Needs This Year
Best Budget Camera Gear For Travel Photography
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