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    Let's be friends!

    Guilty as charged. Guilty as charged.
    Romanticizing my 5 hour flight in a tiny plane.✨ Romanticizing my 5 hour flight in a tiny plane.✨

This flight was actually so smooth. We had great weather, and — more importantly — WiFi.

You could say the flight ~flew~ by.

We spent about 5 hours flying from northeast Wisconsin to Cheyenne, Wyoming, for my uncle’s Air Force Change Of Command.

Would you fly cross country in a tiny plane? ✈️
    Testing his patience one vertical video at a time. Testing his patience one vertical video at a time.🫡
    10 non-negotiable USA national parks to visit this 10 non-negotiable USA national parks to visit this summer!

When I started visiting the national parks, I quickly realized that many national parks are seasonal. While the park entrances and overlooks may be open year-round, there are definitely better and worse times to visit some of them.

For example, if you try going to the mountains in fall through early spring, some of the hiking trails and roads will be closed due to snow.

On the flip side, if you try going to the desert in summer, you’ll be battling that fatal heat.

So, these are 10 of the best US national parks to visit in summer!

Share this with your road trip buddy to drop a subtle hint. 🚗

#usaroadtrip #usatravel #usroadtrip #roadtripusa #nationalparksusa
    He looked me dead in the eye and said, “Not arou He looked me dead in the eye and said, “Not around here partner… Not around here.”
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Travel Gifts For Friends Under $25 They Actually Want 2025

By: Indigo Sahara, M.A. | Published: October 2, 2023 | Updated: November 13, 2024

Looking for fun travel gifts for friends they’ll actually use without breaking the bank? You’ve made it to the right place.

Travel Gifts For Friends Under $25 They Actually Want

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.

Whether you’re shopping for Christmas, birthdays or for a travel send-off party, you can find some of the best travel gifts while still staying on a budget here.

Curated below, you’ll find the 20 most thoughtful, practical and overall best travel gifts for friends that all cost less than $25.

travel gifts for friends
travel gift ideas for women friends
Travel Gifts For Friends Under $25 They Actually Want

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • 1. Disposable Film Cameras
  • 2. Portable French Press Coffee Maker
  • 3. Stanley Travel Mug
  • 4. Keychain Reusable Straw
  • 5. Scratch-Off World Destination Map
  • 6. Passport Holder And Wallet
  • 7. Luggage Scale
  • 8. Travel Planner
  • 9. Packing Cubes
  • 10. Personalized Leather Luggage Tag (Travel Gifts For Friends)
  • 11. Hands-Free Suitcase Drink Caddy
  • 12. Silk Eye Mask (Travel Gifts For Friends)
  • 13. Portable White Noise Machine
  • 14. Perfume & Refillable Travel-Sized Perfume Bottles
  • 15. Travel Size Razor With Case
  • 16. Travel Jewelry Organizer (Travel Gifts For Friends)
  • 17. Fjallraven Kanken Key Ring
  • 18. Travel Blogger Hat (Travel Gifts For Friends)
  • 19. Travel-Friendly Card Games
  • 20. Carry-On Cocktail Kit (Travel Gifts For Friends)
  • More Travel Gifts For Friends
  • Save These Travel Gifts For Friends

1. Disposable Film Cameras

Disposable film cameras are the perfect budget-friendly alternative to gifting an Instax Mini instant film camera or other travel camera gear.

With this disposable film camera, you will enable your friends to capture all of their travels in a unique vintage way.

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2. Portable French Press Coffee Maker

Furthermore, when traveling on a budget, sometimes travelers have to settle for free, not-so-great hotel room coffee.

This insulated portable travel mug and french press coffee maker will take away the temptation to find the nearest Starbucks and instead provide your friends with a delicious morning beverage that far exceeds cheap hotel-room coffee.

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Travel Gifts For Friends Under $25 They Actually Want

3. Stanley Travel Mug

Likewise, instead of spending money unnecessarily on plastic water bottles, it’s always best (for the bank, Earth and our health) to use a reusable water bottle.

The Stanley brand of reusable travel bottles has gone absolutely viral over the last year, and for good reason.

For around $25, this Stanley travel mug will keep your friends’ hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold — no matter where they are in the world.

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4. Keychain Reusable Straw

Similarly, with the controversial yet sustainable increase in paper straws across the globe, reusable stainless steel straws would make a perfect travel gift for friends.

What I love about these exact stainless steel straws is that they are compact in size and built into a keychain for maximum portability.

Plus, they come in a pack of four, which you can divide between four different friends (or keep one for yourself). I ordered these straws for our Disney World trip, and I cannot wait to use them.

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5. Scratch-Off World Destination Map

Next, all travelers want one of these scratch-off world destination maps to check off all of their adventures.

You really can’t go wrong with this travel gift for friends.

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6. Passport Holder And Wallet

You can’t go wrong with this bestselling leather passport holder and wallet either.

It holds credit cards, vaccination cards, boarding passes, a pen for customs forms and, of course, a passport. Plus, it comes in a ton of colors so you can keep this practical travel gift totally personalized.

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7. Luggage Scale

Another completely practical, useful travel gift for friends is this digital luggage scale.

There’s nothing worse than getting to baggage drop, weighing your suitcase for the first time, learning your bag is six pounds over the allowed baggage weight and having to shove clothes into your nicely packed carry-on.

Save your traveling friend the trouble by buying them this super convenient, portable luggage scale.

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8. Travel Planner

Next, this travel planner journal will not only make your friends’ travel planning more fun and organized, but it will also help them stay on budget so that they can travel more as soon as possible.

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9. Packing Cubes

We all have that friend whose suitcase is always vomiting clothes out everywhere.

Help this friend stay organized — and sane — with this travel luggage cube set from Amazon, recommended by thousands of professional travelers worldwide.

I use this exact packing cube set and love it, and, therefore, recommend it. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper gift option, there are plenty of packing cube sets on Amazon under $25 as well.

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10. Personalized Leather Luggage Tag (Travel Gifts For Friends)

Moreover, you could also give your friends personalized leather luggage tags to help them easily identify their suitcases at baggage claim.

I love that these tags look more sophisticated, luxury and first class than most cheap luggage tags — and for an extremely affordable price.

As a travelers, I would love to receive this travel gift from a friend.

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11. Hands-Free Suitcase Drink Caddy

This next travel gift for friends would make fantastic travel-themed white elephant gift.

What I particularly love about this suitcase cup holder is that it has a harder shell to keep your friends’ coffee, water bottle, phone and other belongings secure.

Also, there’s a pocket on either side of the holder where your friends can keep their ID, passport and boarding passes readily available

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12. Silk Eye Mask (Travel Gifts For Friends)

Did you know silk is better for skin than cotton or other fabrics?

It’s true. Silk absorbs less moisture than other materials, which means this silk eye mask keeps skin moisturized on dry long-haul flights. This is something all travelers can appreciate.

I brought this particular silk eye mask to Iceland, and I’ve honestly never slept better on a trip.

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13. Portable White Noise Machine

In addition, this portable, rechargeable noise machine will have all travelers sleeping like babies in every hotel room.

Its small size compacts perfectly as a gift for friends who travel, and its wireless functioning will free up those limited hotel room outlets needed for charging other electronics (like phones and travel camera gear) overnight.

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14. Perfume & Refillable Travel-Sized Perfume Bottles

Next, these refillable travel-size perfume bottles are super affordable, easy to use, very high quality, and perfect for when your friends can’t bring their favorite full-size perfumes or colognes through security.

Bonus friend points for adding a new perfume or cologne to the gift!

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My signature perfume that I wear daily is the YSL Mon Paris. This scent is perfect for the traveler who prefers a sassy perfume over a flowery or musky one. I love it so much that I even wore it for my wedding day.

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It comes in a 3.04 OZ size, 1.6 OZ size (TSA approved), 1 OZ size (TSA approved) and a 0.34 OZ mini rollerball size (most affordable and TSA approved, no refillable bottle needed).

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15. Travel Size Razor With Case

This Venus mini razor set is genius for travelers, and the practicality in the gift is pretty self-explanatory.

It even comes with a travel case and three refills!

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16. Travel Jewelry Organizer (Travel Gifts For Friends)

When packed in luggage, necklaces tangle. Earrings are lost. And tears are shed when the ruined jewelry is valuable.

Protect and keep your friends’ jewelry organized on all their trips by gifting them a travel jewelry case or two.

This mini travel jewelry box is compact, which is perfect for packing, has multiple ring and earring compartments, and has hooks to keep necklaces detangled.

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Furthermore, this larger travel jewelry box holds more jewelry than the compact version, while simultaneously laying flat in suitcases.

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17. Fjallraven Kanken Key Ring

Because you’re reading this list of travel gifts for friends under $25, I already know you don’t want to spend your hard-earned cash on a trendy Fjallraven Kanken backpack for your friends. So, why not get them a branded Fjallraven Kanken key ring instead?

The key rings, as well as the backpacks, come in tons of colors, so you’ll definitely find the perfect one for each traveling friend.

Plus, Fjallraven products are built with the traveler in mind. The whole Fjallraven clothing and practical accessory brand revolves around the outdoors, hiking and adventure.

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18. Travel Blogger Hat (Travel Gifts For Friends)

Similarly, this wide-brim fedora is every travel blogger and travel photographer’s staple fashion piece.

Not only do these hats act as perfect travel photo props for both male and female travelers, but they’re also saviors for long shower-less, greasy-hair adventures.

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19. Travel-Friendly Card Games

When I found these language playing cards, I had to add them to this travel gifts for friends

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I hate to admit it, but I’ve been addicted to Monopoly Deal (which is totally portable, and you can play it in less than 15 minutes) lately. You can also buy travel-friendly UNO, Clue and our new favorite Exploding Kittens.

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20. Carry-On Cocktail Kit (Travel Gifts For Friends)

Lastly, save your friends’ time in over-priced airport bars and money on expensive in-flight beverages with this fun TSA-approved carry-on cocktail kit.

Although your friends can’t legally bring their own alcohol through security and onto the plane, they can use the mix inside this kit with a simple drink from the onboard services to make a delicious cocktail (or mocktail)!

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Have any questions about these travel gifts for friends? Ask me by leaving a reply below or sending me a message on Instagram. I’m here to help!

More Travel Gifts For Friends

40+ Stocking Stuffers For Travelers Under $25
25 Funny Travel Gifts Under $25 That Travelers Will Actually Use
15 Birthday Gifts For Travelers That Any Traveler Will Love

Travel Gifts For Friends Under $25 They Actually Want

Save These Travel Gifts For Friends

Save these travel gifts for friends by sharing them to social media!

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By: Indigo Sahara, M.A.

About Indigo Sahara, M.A.

Indigo Sahara, M.A., is the founder and CEO of the Indigo Sahara travel blog. Since earning her master's degree in global leadership, she has traveled to more than 20 countries. Now, her goal is to make travel accessible to all by teaching others how to travel on a budget. She writes world travel guides and travel hacking tips weekly.

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  1. Gifts For Photographers Under $50 They Actually Want says:
    August 24, 2022 at 8:16 am

    […] Budget Camera Gear For TravelTravel Gifts For Friends Under $25 They’ll Actually UseBest Canon Travel Lenses To Buy This Year15 Birthday Gifts For Travelers That Any Traveler Will […]

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  2. 10 Christmas Gifts For Travelers They'll Love - Indigo Sahara says:
    November 1, 2022 at 3:12 pm

    […] In fact, I have tons of travel gifts guides for all types of travelers, including an entire guide on stocking stuffers for travel as well as an entire guide on travel gifts for friends. […]

    Reply
  3. Small Travel Gifts Under $15 That Are Still Practical - Indigo Sahara says:
    November 1, 2022 at 3:34 pm

    […] for a travel stocking stuffer (which you can find more of here), travel-themed gift basket or for a traveling friend, you don’t want your gift to be left unused, thrown away or piled in the giftee’s rummage sale […]

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Guilty as charged. Guilty as charged.
Romanticizing my 5 hour flight in a tiny plane.✨ Romanticizing my 5 hour flight in a tiny plane.✨

This flight was actually so smooth. We had great weather, and — more importantly — WiFi.

You could say the flight ~flew~ by.

We spent about 5 hours flying from northeast Wisconsin to Cheyenne, Wyoming, for my uncle’s Air Force Change Of Command.

Would you fly cross country in a tiny plane? ✈️
Testing his patience one vertical video at a time. Testing his patience one vertical video at a time.🫡
10 non-negotiable USA national parks to visit this 10 non-negotiable USA national parks to visit this summer!

When I started visiting the national parks, I quickly realized that many national parks are seasonal. While the park entrances and overlooks may be open year-round, there are definitely better and worse times to visit some of them.

For example, if you try going to the mountains in fall through early spring, some of the hiking trails and roads will be closed due to snow.

On the flip side, if you try going to the desert in summer, you’ll be battling that fatal heat.

So, these are 10 of the best US national parks to visit in summer!

Share this with your road trip buddy to drop a subtle hint. 🚗

#usaroadtrip #usatravel #usroadtrip #roadtripusa #nationalparksusa
He looked me dead in the eye and said, “Not arou He looked me dead in the eye and said, “Not around here partner… Not around here.”

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