15 Affordable Gifts for Travel Lovers

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We all have a person in our lives who spends more time living it up on the road than they do at home. That friend who seems to be permanently on vacation, and whose Instagram feed is full of photos of them in exotic locations doing exciting things.

Short of buying them a round-the-world ticket, how do you choose a gift for someone who's been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt without breaking the bank? Here are 15 affordable gift ideas for travel lovers.

1. Filter water bottle

Water quality varies wildly the world over, so many travelers find the safest option is to only drink bottled water wherever they go. But buying bottled water can be costly, and it also has an extremely detrimental impact on the environment. A filter water bottle will mean they never have to waste money on bottled water again while actively reducing the amount of plastic they're using. (See also: Packing Light? Don't Forget These 5 Must Haves)

2. Portable power bank

Whether it's for a hard-core adventurer or a casual vacationer, a portable power bank is a must-have piece of tech. Keeping your gadgets charged when you're on the move can be difficult, but a portable battery pack removes the worry of running out of juice in an unfamiliar place. (See also: 8 Things You Should Always Pack in Your Carry-On)

3. Travel pillow

Trying to catch a few Zs on the plane can be an impossible task when you're uncomfortable. Even if you do manage to doze off, you run the risk of waking up with severe neck pain and feeling like you're suffering from whiplash. Any travel lover will thank you for a travel pillow that provides them with the right support for a good night's sleep.

4. E-reader

Vacations provide many perfect opportunities for settling down with a good book, from long flights to lazy days on the beach. But baggage allowances mean it's impossible to take a decent selection of paperbacks. E-readers are the perfect solution, and not only are many of the devices affordable, it's easy to get your hands on thousands of free ebooks. (See also: 11 Must-Packs for Your Summer Vacation)

5. Portable Bluetooth speaker

An essential for any music-loving traveler, portable Bluetooth speaker technology has improved massively to allow tiny devices to produce huge, high quality sound. Many designs are also waterproof and shockproof making them perfect for taking to the beach or getting the party going around the pool. They're also able to survive those inevitable bumps received from being thrown in the backpack. Just be sure to get the lighter ones as no traveler wants to pack around a 5-pound speaker! (See also: 5 Things You Should Never Pack for Vacation)

6. Packing cubes

These revolutionary little cases make packing your travel bags unbelievably simple. Whether your friend favors a backpack or a suitcase, they'll thank you forever for this gift. Packing cubes make organizing your clothes and belongings within your bag an easy and efficient process, while helping to save space and allowing you to find things easily. (See also: 15 Packing Secrets From a Professional Traveler)

7. Selfie stick

Whether you love them or hate them, selfie sticks are now woven into the fabric of everyday life. They are an undeniably convenient tool for the traveler, allowing them to take snaps of themselves in the dreamy locations they visit without having to hassle any passers-by. Go for a lightweight one that won't take up much space in their bag. (See also: 5 Best Selfie Sticks)

8. Scratch off world map

Travelers love to reminisce about the places that they've visited, so why not help them out with a fun and permanent way of keeping track of which countries they've been to? These scratch off maps come with a foil layer that you scratch off to reveal a colorful representation of each country that you've visited. The perfect way for any travel lover to log their voyages.

9. A nice journal

They say that everyone has a book inside of them, and all travelers certainly have a story or two to tell. Why not set them on the way to literary stardom with the gift of a beautiful journal where they can compile all of their exciting adventures in one place? A personalized, leather-bound journal will be well received and give them a charming space to record all of their thoughts and experiences.

10. Tech tacos

Tech tacos are the ultimate organization tool for every expeditioner. Somehow, wires always manage to get tangled up in a bag, no matter how neatly you pack them. They can avoid that hassle by using these tech tacos for all of their electrical lead. Simply loop around the body and snap shut and they'll never have to detangle a cable again.

11. Personalized passport cover

For the frequent international traveler, a passport is a prized possession. Help them keep it safe with a personalized passport cover that you can design with touches you know they'll love. Get their name or initials engraved on it, a photo printed on it, or even a funky pattern.

12. Mini wrap around tripod

The discerning traveler will love a mounting device for a camera or phone that will attach itself to virtually anything. It has lots of advantages over a traditional tripod, including being far easier to carry around, and also extremely versatile while still providing a stable base for the perfect snap. GorillaPods are the most popular option, but be sure to get the right size to support whatever type of camera your friend has.

13. Combination padlock

A combination padlock is something that every traveler should take with them when heading off on an excursion. They're the single most effective way of keeping your valuables safe in multiple situations. Use them on a bag or suitcase during transit, secure a locker or wardrobe with them when in a hotel or hostel, and even to keep a day pack safely fastened. Use a TSA approved lock, which will allow transportation security officials to open your lock to inspect your luggage without breaking the lock.

14. Toiletry bag

Don't bother trying to find a space in your shared hostel bathroom sink to hold your toothbrush, comb, face wash, etc. Hang your travel toiletry bag on back of the door or the curtain rail and you've got everything you need within hand's reach.

15. Document holder

Every frequent flyer needs somewhere safe to put their travel documents when they're jetting off to some far-flung destination. It's easy to misplace passports, boarding passes, insurance documents, vaccination records, or visas if you're not organized, so help a friend out by gifting them a document holder. The best ones come with multiple compartments of varying sizes to store all of the important papers.

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