On the quest for gift ideas for the travel-lover in your life? Your search ends here! We’ve curated this conscious collection of a dozen sustainable gifts, perfectly tailored for the avid travelers who light up your life. From reusable essentials to solar-powered innovations, these eco-conscious and sustainable gift ideas for travelers are among the most thoughtful – and useful – items you can give.
We believe sustainability should seamlessly integrate into every travel adventure. Let’s look at thoughtful, unique and eco-travel gifts for the frequent traveler in your life.
Reusable Water Bottle (with filtration)
Say goodbye to disposable plastic bottles and hello to a sustainable hydration solution. A reusable water bottle is the perfect companion for modern travelers. Traveling is thirsty work, so a handy drink bottle will not only keep adventurers hydrated on the go, but also take a stand against single-use plastic. At Trafalgar we’re doing our best to eradicate single-use plastics. It’s why we ask travelers to bring their own water vessel!
Since we’re talking unique travel gifts, you could gift a more deluxe reusable bottle with a built-in filtration system. This ensures your beloved traveler will have access to clean, refreshing water wherever the journey leads. Lightweight, durable, and planet-friendly, a well-designed resuable bottle is a sustainable travel essential that you know will be gratefully received.
RELATED BLOG: Why wait for the new year? Here are 10 travel resolutions to start tomorrow
Solar-powered charger
Unleash the power of the sun! For the more adventurous travel lovers in your life, a solar-powered charger could be a game-changer. One of the best gift ideas for eco-savvy travelers, this compact device harnesses renewable energy, providing a sustainable solution to keep your gadgets charged on every expedition.
Whether trekking through the wilderness or exploring urban landscapes, a solar charger taps into the sun’s energy to ensure devices stay powered up. Lightweight and portable, this green gift idea fits seamlessly into any outdoor adventure.
Eco-friendly luggage
One of the best gifts for frequent travelers is new luggage. Of course, there’s the saying that the most sustainable fashion is the clothing you already own. The same goes for suitcases. But if your favorite traveler is in the market for new luggage, then you can look for more sustainable options on the market.
Choose luggage made from sustainable materials like recycled plastics or organic fabrics. Look for brands that offer five, or 10-year guarantees. This shows they believe in the durability of their product and are committed to making repairs. Brands like Quince, Roam, Patagonia, and Orvis make luggage designed to last, and Db uses recycled materials to craft its hard polycarbonate shell.
Sustainable clothing layers
When it comes to gifts for frequent travelers, high-quality, sustainable clothing is always a thoughtful choice. If you’re not sure where to start or what might be useful for your avid traveler, look at the world of versatile basics. Items like merino wool layers and timeless neutrals are the foundation of a sustainable capsule wardrobe.
Choose classic garments that not only exude style but are crafted from ethical and eco-friendly materials, reducing the environmental impact. Step away from Zara and other fast fashion brands. Instead look for conscious brands producing clothing with sustainable fabrics and people and the planet in mind.
RELATED BLOG: Arrive refreshed with these 19 budget-friendly travel products
Experience-based gifts
Do we really need more stuff? Probably not. That’s why gifting experiences is a great way to give something that’s appreciated and doesn’t just get pushed to the back of the cupboard. Instead of physical items, consider experiences… If you have the budget, a Trafalgar tour is a sustainable and unique travel gift. It’s something that the travel lover in your life will cherish forever! Think of all the memories they’ll make on the road and how much they’ll appreciate the opportunity to go somewhere new and expand their horizons.
If a multi-day tour is beyond your gifting budget, look for simpler experiences. This includes one-off eco-tours, hands-on workshops, cooking classes or outdoor adventures that align with their interests. If your traveling pal is planning a Trafalgar tour in the coming year, you could gift them an add-on optional experience.
GET INSPIRED BY: Best of Portugal
Versatile tote bag
Never underestimate the power of a good tote bag. We’re big fans of throwing a few tote bags in our luggage for any trip. That way you’ve got something handy if you’re at a local market in France, shopping up a storm in New York, or need somewhere to stash your coats on the plane. Say goodbye to single-use plastic bags, and hello to eco-convenience.
For the travel lover in your life, you could gift a foldable toe bag that packs down to nothing, a large shopper tote to carry a drink bottle, umbrella and sweater on the go, or a fun custom tote that’s an in-joke between you. Whatever the choice, a foldable and lightweight tote bag makes it easy for your traveler to avoid single-use plastic bags while traveling.
Bamboo travel utensils
When you’re traveling there’s a high likelihood that you’ll grab takeaway a few times, either due to a lack of kitchen or lack of energy to sit in a restaurant. That’s why reusable travel utensils are a great gift for the traveler in your life. Compact and lightweight, bamboo utensil sets are perfect for travelers who want to reduce their reliance on disposable plastic cutlery.
You can slip them into a bag or pocket, reducing reliance on disposable options and minimizing environmental impact. These sets are perfect for picnics, plane rides, or exploring local cuisines. That way your traveler pal can take a stand against plastic pollution while savoring every meal with guilt-free indulgence.
RELATED BLOG: How these Costa Rica tours are inspiring the next generation of environmental guardians
Solid shampoo and conditioner
Surprise your travel enthusiast friend with the perfect globetrotting companion – solid shampoo and conditioner. These compact, eco-friendly bars are a game-changer for travelers, offering a mess-free, space-saving alternative to liquid counterparts.
Ideal for carry-ons, they eliminate spills, reduce plastic waste, and adhere to travel regulations. Maybe the travel lover in your life already uses solid skincare, or maybe they’re keen but don’t know where to start. Do the research for them and find bars loaded with nourishing ingredients, ready to keep those luscious locks healthy and clean without sacrificing environmental responsibility. Send your traveler pal on their adventures with a conscious and clutter-free approach.
Silicone Stasher bags
Just like reusable cutlery, reusable containers are a great sustainable gift for travelers. There’s a cool brand called Stasher that creates silicone bags. Gift them to the travelers in your life, who can use them in a range of ways while on the road.
Embrace a plastic-free lifestyle by using these reusable silicone bags to organize toiletries, safeguard your gadgets, and replace single-use plastics. If you get takeaway food, you can even ask the restaurant to them instead of single-use plastics, or make a sandwich at the breakfast buffet and stash it for later on! These durable, easy-to-clean bags not only streamline your travel essentials but also make a lasting impact on the environment.
Audiobooks
Travel inevitably comes with long journeys and time to fill. Whether it’s flying to your destination, driving from A to B, or dreaded travel delays, there are always periods with nothing to do. That’s why one of the best gift ideas for travelers is audiobook credits.
Gifting audiobook credits means the person can choose the fiction or non-fiction book they wish to consume. Audiobooks are longer than podcasts, go more in-depth, and are often narrated by their authors. It’s an intimate and convenient way to read books while traveling – particularly if your traveler pal gets motion sickness. Not everyone is a Kindle person, but perhaps they’ll become an audiobook lover!
RELATED BLOG: 15 essential packing items for a Europe trip
Travel calendar
How to keep the wanderlust alive while at home? Travel inspiration. Give the travel lover 12 months of travel inspiration with a wall calendar. Keep it sustainable by looking for recycled paper and support small business by purchasing an illustrated calendar directly from local artists or photographers.
Better yet, you might be able to find a sustainable calendar that supports a charitable cause – that’s a gift that keeps on giving and will make a difference in your community or communities across the globe.
GET INSPIRED BY: Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords
Apple air tag
For a travel lover, there’s nothing worse than losing your luggage. Disorganization or mismanagement by airlines means travelers are sometimes separated from their perfectly packed suitcases. While there’s usually insurance to cover buying new socks, undies, toiletries and clothing, there’s nothing sustainable about buying everything again only to be reunited with your bag in a few days or weeks.
An Apple air tag, or similar, is one of the greatest gift ideas as it means travelers can track where their luggage is at any time. This way if the person behind the Lost Luggage desk says their bag is somewhere else, they’ll be able to know exactly where in the world their suitcase is. Often it’s right there, hidden in plain sight!
RELATED BLOG: 7 reasons our travel experts recommend traveling in shoulder season
Those are our favorite gift ideas for travelers that take the environment, people, and local communities into consideration. What will you be gifting the traveler in your life? Leave us a comment…