40 Best Travel Jobs To Make Money Traveling The World
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Travel Gift Guide
Looking for the perfect holiday present for that traveler in your life? It’s not always easy! These are best travel gift ideas for wanderlust lovers, no matter what your budget.
Skip the money-belt this year, and buy a birthday or holiday travel gift that your favorite intrepid globe-trotter will actually use on their next international vacation.
These popular gifts for travelers can help make any journey more comfortable and convenient.
There’s only so much room in your bag! Most travelers prefer to pack light.
I’m the same way, and choose to pack travel gadgets that have multiple uses, don’t take up to much space, and will improve my travel experience abroad.
So here are some of my best gift ideas for travelers that are guaranteed to put a smile on the recipient’s face!
Hi, I’m Matthew Karsten
I’ve been traveling the world for 10+ years as a professional photographer & writer. I hope you enjoy my travel gift guide! If you find it useful, using my affiliate links will give me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
My Travel Gift Guide For 2024
Best Travel Gifts Under $100
1: LifeStraw Sip Water Filter
A must-have for international travel to keep yourself safe from sickness. The LifeStraw Sip Water Filter cleans up 99.9% of waterborne parasites, bacteria, and microplastics from water sources in many countries where water quality can be an issue.
This long-lasting filter handles up to 1000 liters of water, and will easily fit into a backpack or purse.
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2:Dopper Water Bottle
Single use plastics are a huge problem all over the world. If you want to help, get yourself a convenient and durable water bottle to fill up as you go instead of buying bottled water and contributing to the problem when you travel.
On a recent trip to the Netherlands, I discovered the dutch company Dopper who makes an excellent travel water bottle. The design includes a removable cup (great for kids, or if you want to keep coffee or wine in your bottle sometimes). It’s sleek, minimalist, and they have insulated options available too.
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3: Anker Magnetic Battery Portable Charger
We all use our smartphones, cameras, and other portable gadgets a lot. There’s nothing worse than running low on power when you need it the most. For travelers, this can be an extra headache if your ticket confirmations, directions, or translation app lives on your phone.
The Anker Magnetic Wireless Portable Charger is about the size of a thick credit card and with 10,000 mAh can charge an iPhone 16 Pro 1.8 times. It attaches to your phone via the magnetic back and can charge at 15W. The USB-C port allows you to recharge your phone or other electronics even faster at 30W.
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4: Sleeper Hold Travel Pillow
Travel pillows are one of the most popular items to pack for long-haul flights. But many of them don’t live up to the job of supporting your neck comfortably. There hasn’t been much innovation in the travel pillow for a few years, until now.
I recently switched to the Sleeper Hold Travel Pillow after jealously watching a couple sleep peacefully through a transatlantic flight using them. It holds your head in place, blocks light, and is super comfortable. Best of all, it’s not bulky.
My previous go-to option was the Cabeau Evolution Travel Pillow, and while nice, the Sleeper Hold is a much better experience.
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5: Sony Portable Bluetooth Speaker
I love this thing! The Sony Bluetooth Speaker makes it easy to watch movies with other people on your laptop when traveling, throw an impromptu hostel party, or play your favorite songs on the beach.
There are a lot of Bluetooth speakers on the market, and I’ve tried many of them. The Sony simply has the best sound quality for its size, and the battery lasts up to 16 hours!
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6: Eagle Creek Packing Cubes
Packing cubes! The best way to keep your luggage organized. My personal favorites are these ones from Eagle Creek. They weigh almost nothing and can hold a lot of clothing.
The garment folder, in particular, is a wonderful way to keep your shirts and/or pants wrinkle-free. I use the medium sized cube for my collection of t-shirts and sweatshirts, and the smaller cube for underwear & socks. It’s an important part of the travel gear I regularly pack.
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7: FlatPak Toiletry Bottles
Hate wasting plastic when buying all those travel-sized toiletries like toothpaste, shaving cream, or shampoo? Why not fill up these reusable FlatPak Toiletry Bottles from your own stash at home!
You can refill them as needed, they don’t take up much space in your bag and are super lightweight too. It’s time to start being more environmentally friendly when we travel. This is one way to start.
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Gifts For Travelers Under $25
9: Foldable Duffel Bag For Traveling
Have you ever found yourself in a situation when your suitcase was too heavy to check on a plane? Or you bought too many souvenirs and ran out of space? I have. That’s why these days I carry a packable duffel bag as a backup.
But that’s not its only use! You can use it as a makeshift beach bag, laundry bag, or grocery bag too. I also use it when I’m hiking & camping abroad, to help store extra gear/clothing in a hotel’s storage room, so I don’t have to bring everything into the mountains.
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10: Lightweight Passport Holder
If you travel internationally quite a bit, your passport is going to get pretty beat-up. That’s why I love my simple passport wallet. It gives just enough protection, without being too bulky. It comes in many different colors & style prints too.
You can also use it to hold credit cards, airline boarding passes, SIM cards, and extra cash. Keep your passport looking like new, so you don’t have any trouble at customs & immigration due to worn-out travel documents!
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11: Anker Travel Plug Adapters
In order to use your electronics in foreign countries, you’re going to need a great international travel adapter plug for different sockets. I’ve tried them all, and the most convent option for me is carrying two Anker International Adapters in Type E/F (Europe) and Type G (UK, Dubai).
These adapters are well built, actually stay in the outlets (a big problem with other adapters), and include a USB-A and 2 USB-C charging options too. Just keep in mind these won’t work in countries like Australia, India, or much of South America. You would need different adapters for those specific countries.
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12: Moleskin Notebook
I realize everyone has a smartphone now, but there’s just something romantic and unique about recording your travel adventures in an old-school style notebook. I always travel with a small Moleskin Notebook when visiting other countries.
At the end of each day, you can journal about what you saw, the people you met, and how a destination made you feel. Looking back on these entries years later is super fun to do!
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13: Portable Luggage Scale
Airline baggage fees are starting to get out of control. They want to charge you for EVERYTHING these days! To ensure you don’t get hit with paying extra, I always weigh my luggage with a portable luggage scale before checking in.
This way, you can pack your bags to the maximum weight limit every time without going over. This backlit scale from Bagail is lightweight and portable, with the ability to weigh luggage in both kilos or pounds.
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Unique Luxury Travel Gift Ideas
14: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
The Amazon Kindle probably doesn’t need an introduction. It’s the ideal gift for a bookworm or even those who like to read occasionally. Travelers like me love it due to its small size and long battery life.
The “Paperwhite” version allows you to easily read in the dark, plus there’s no glare from the sun when reading on a beach (unlike trying to read on your phone). You can fit thousands of books on it — a library in your hands. Excellent for flights and long bus rides.
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15: Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Sony WH1000XM5 Headphones are a frequent traveler’s best friend. Their advanced noise-canceling technology makes it feel like you’re all alone, even if you’re stuck on a packed airplane with crying babies!
Listen to your favorite music or podcasts wirelessly via Bluetooth, with deep bass and crystal clear highs. Control volume, ask Siri questions or take phone calls with the touch of a finger. Now that I own these, I’m not sure how I traveled previously without them!
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16: Carry-On Pro Luggage
The Monos Carry-On Pro is my favorite carry-on rolling suitcase. The wheels are fast, sturdy, and silent. There is a front pocket for quick & easy access to your laptop and other items you may have to pull out for the security line.
Extremely lightweight to maximize airline luggage weight limits, a strong telescoping handle, and a built-in compression pad to fit as much stuff as possible inside.
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17: Peak Design Travel Backpack
The Peak Design Travel Backpack is the perfect stylish backpack to bring on the plane as a carry-on. Top, side, front and rear access makes it very easy to get your stuff, plus it’s loaded with pockets for your electronics and other travel gear.
Tuck-away shoulder straps and hip belt use unique magnetic catches to stay in-place, and the tough 100% recycled outer shell is water resistant to any weather you might encounter on your trip. Add a camera cube, and it turns into an awesome camera backpack too!
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18: Apple Vision Pro Headset
While the Apple Vision Pro can do all kinds of cool stuff (I’m typing this out on it right now actually) it really shines when you travel with it.
Linking it to your laptop and working on a massive 4k virtual screen from your airplane seat. Immersive VR180 travel videos that make you feel like you’re there. Watching a 3D movie from your own personal home theater on the surface of the moon — it really feels like you’re no longer on an airplane.
The Vision Pro is very expensive, but if you work from airplanes, airports, and hotels a lot while traveling — it’s totally worth the cost.
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More Travel Gift Ideas?
Make sure to check out my ultimate guide to travel gear and peek inside the luggage I pack on all my trips.
Fun Travel Gifts For Men
Some of my favorite travel gifts for men, based on my own personal experience as a traveling man. Like most of this list, I personally own all these items because they rock!
19: Bluffworks Gramercy Travel Blazer
While I started traveling as a budget backpacker 10-years ago, these days I’m older and a bit more fashion conscious. Especially in major international cities or traveling though Europe. Packing a suit when you travel light can be difficult, but not with the Bluffworks Gramercy Blazer!
This fashionable jacket is wrinkle-free and can be rolled up and packed away easily. But it also looks and fits great, featuring a bunch of hidden pockets that help while traveling. It’s perfect for flying, or when you need to dress-up a bit on the road. In fact I got the Gramercy Travel Pants too, and use this combo as my regular “suit” at home.
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20: Toiletry Dopp Kit For Traveling
Every man needs a good toiletry bag for their adventures around the world. This Osprey UltraLight Roll Organizer is lightweight, durable and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about wet surfaces in hostel/hotel bathrooms.
With 4 zippered compartments, plus a small mirror, it has plenty of room to pack everything the traveling man would need. You can attach it to a towel rack to free-up bathroom space too. This is how I pack enough shaving cream to keep my head shiny and clean!
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Fun Travel Gifts For Women
Ok, I admit I’m not a woman. However, after consulting my professional traveler wife Anna, she has recommended the following travel gifts for women — based on her own expertise and advice from her traveling friends.
21: Portable Travel Jewelry Box
Storing a few jewelry items when you travel can be a pain. Especially when it comes to earrings, many women complain about them breaking in their luggage. This pretty little Travel Jewelry Box from Vlando is perfect for your next journey.
Keep delicate and expensive jewelry items safe and secure in one place. It has room for earrings, rings, necklaces, and even bracelets. A super simple and compact design.
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22: TUO Origami Unicorn Organizer
TUO stands for Travel Undergarment Organizer. Its purpose is to store anything travel-related, like socks, underwear, electronics, jewelry, or other loose items that some women tend to pack when they travel.
Staying organized when you’re off gallivanting around the world is so much easier using this fun little bag. You can hang it from towel racks or doors and unfold it for full access to your stuff in hotels or bathrooms.
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23: BaByliss Pro Nano Hairdryer
The BabylissPro Travel Dryer is the perfect hair dryer to pack in your bags for a vacation. It’s both powerful and small, a rare combination.
If you aren’t staying in fancy hotels all the time, you may not have easy access to a good hairdryer. This one folds up nice and small, so it won’t take up too much room in your bag.
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24: Security Door Stop Alarm
If you travel alone and worry about safety, check out this travel-friendly security door stop. The Sabre Security Door Stop Alarm requires no wires or complicated installation, powered by a single nine-volt battery.
Place the door-stop under your door before going to bed, and if someone tries to enter your hotel room during the night, this device blocks the door from opening. Plus its powerful 120db alarm wakes you up (along with everyone else nearby), scaring off any intruders!
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Travel Gifts For Kids
New for 2024! Now that I’ve been traveling with my family for a few years, I thought it was time to add a section for kids travel gear. Because when it comes to kids, certain key items can really help make the travel experience much easier in an already difficult situation.
25: MiaMily Carry-On With Seat
MiaMilly Carry-On Luggage is a lifesaver if you travel with small kids! It’s a spacious, sturdy carry-on suitcase that has a hidden backrest that pops up, allowing your kids to ride it through the airport! We own two of them.
It’s especially useful for kids aged 3-6. Old enough to not be using a stroller, but still may get tired or cranky easy when walking through airports on little to no sleep. There is a seat-belt type strap too, so you can strap them in for safety. It is sturdy enough for adults to sit on too.
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26: Cloud Sleeper Inflatable Mattress
The CloudSleeper Inflatable Mattress is wonderful for saving money on accommodation. Not all hotels and guest houses offer kids beds, but if you pack one of these, your kids will sleep comfy in a hotel room with only one bed.
It packs down small, inflates without any bulky extra pumps, and has side bumpers built in so your kid can’t roll off it in the middle of the night. It’s great for home if you have guests over, or when visiting relatives too.
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Best Gifts For Adventure Travelers
Know someone who likes to travel a lot in the great outdoors? Hiking, camping, and going on road trips? This list is for them!
27: Eno Travel Hammock
A hammock is a great gift for travelers and backpackers. String it up in the woods or on the beach to relax and enjoy the view. I’ve even used my hammock on boats, between palm trees for beach naps, or as a comfortable swinging seat after a long hike.
The Eno Travel Hammock is extremely strong, lightweight, and easy to pack, perfect for people who don’t want to waste space in their travel bag. Designed to hold up to 400 lbs, you’ll always have a place to nap.
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28: Leatherman Wave Multitool
A good set of tools is always useful when you travel, but it’s not realistic to pack a whole toolbox. The Leatherman Wave is the next best thing. Perfect for any job, adventure, or everyday task.
It includes 17 common tools, crammed into a simple compact package that can be opened and operated easily. Never be without a sharp knife, pliers, bottle opener, screwdriver, or scissors again! There’s also a smaller version called the Leatherman Squirt.
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29: Nitecore NU25 400 UL Headlamp
In my opinion, a headlamp is an absolutely essential piece of travel gear for adventure travelers. My favorite is the water-resistant and USB re-chargeable Nitecore NU25 Headlamp. It’s incredibly small & lightweight — doesn’t take up much room in your bag.
Headlamps give you hands-free access for reading a book in the dark, exploring a cave, returning from hikes after dark, or searching through your luggage in the middle of the night. It always comes in handy when I travel!
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30: Nomadix Travel Towel
Every adventure traveler needs a packable microfiber towel because it has a million different uses. It folds up super small and dries very quickly. Perfect for camping, swimming, or staying in hostels.
The Nomadix Mini Towel comes in a few different colorful designs and sizes. I’ve used it swimming in natural hot springs, to wipe down camera gear after a storm, and even as sun & dust protection in the desert. I feel the most useful and convent size is the mini towel – 16×40 inches.
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Essential Books About Travel
Obviously there are MANY great books about travel out there. Both useful how-to type books, as well as amazing novels set in far-away places. I’ve highlighted a few of my favorites below, but you can see all my best travel books here too!
32: Vagabonding
The book Vagabonding is an excellent read about how to travel more, no matter what your budget or background. This book inspired me to take my first international trip!
Learn how to take a break from your normal life and travel for a few weeks, or even a few years, while experiencing the world on your own terms. Get ideas for how to make traveling long-term possible, from others who’ve done the same.
33: The Best American Travel Writing
Ready to be inspired by other people’s travel stories? You can’t go wrong with a collection of The Best American Travel Writing Of 2024. Each year, the best of those stories are collected in this great series.
You’ll find stories about all aspects of the travel experience here. Stories were curated by Padma Lakshmi.
34: How To Travel The World On $50 A Day
My friend and fellow travel blogger Matt Kepnes (also known as Nomadic Matt) has written an awesome New York Times bestselling book How To Travel The World On $50 A Day.
He goes into detail on how he’s stayed on the move for so long on a shoestring budget, with tips and tricks coming to life through relatable stories. Also seeping through the pages is a heavy dose of modesty, a necessity when venturing off the beaten path abroad.
35: 100 Hikes Of A Lifetime
Ok, there’s a bit of self-promotion involved with this gift idea. National Geographic’s 100 Hikes Of A Lifetime by Kate Siber is an excellent book full of awesome hikes around the world.
From short day hikes to multi-week backpacking trips, this great travel book will inspire you to get out into the wilderness on your next adventure.
Make sure to turn to page 148 to see my own personal contribution, photography from my trek along Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail!
Happy Holidays This Season!
Well, that’s it for the best travel gifts for 2024. I hope you found some unique gift ideas for the traveler in your life who likes to pack light.
Whether you’re travel shopping for a birthday, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwansa, or even Festivus — you can’t go wrong with these fun gifts for travelers!
I actually own and use most of these products regularly during my travels.
Happy shopping this holiday season, and remember to get out there and explore the world yourself a bit too (when it’s safe to do so)! Think of it as a little present to yourself after all we’ve been through this year…
Because we all know that travel is the gift that keeps on giving! ★
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