Isn’t it a task to find good gifts for your loved ones on special occasions? We thought we’d help you out by providing some options for you to consider whenever you’re stuck thinking the next time. Given below are some unique travel gifts for travel lovers in India. We’ve tried to cover items in various price ranges, so you can simply click on the links (text in blue) to find out further details and purchase a gift for your favourite people.
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1. Tinggly Gift Box: for those who love new experiences. Well, who doesn’t?
With Tinggly you’ll give stories, not stuff! How exciting is that? The concept is simple. You first choose a Tinggly gift box which is available in a range of prices and themed to match almost every occasion. Then you send the gift as a gift box or as an e-voucher. The recipient gets to choose from hundreds of diverse experiences or getaways (hotel stays) in over 100 countries around the world whenever they wish to travel and avail the gift. We were gifted this at our wedding and absolutely loved it!
This is a perfect gift for couples who travel! And best of all- there is a 30% discount from 24th to 28th November 2022.
Here’s why Tinggly makes the perfect gift:
1. Choice and Freedom: One gift buys you an entire collection of amazing experiences for the recipient to choose from. The recipient can then choose the ONE experience they want, and book it with just a couple of clicks at a date of their choice.
2. Global Availability: Tinggly covers most of the world’s largest cities and tourist destinations (in over 100 countries) with the best experiences, tours, hotels, and activities.
3. No Expiry Date: The voucher’s lifetime validity is perfect for those who don’t know when they’ll be travelling next. Do any of us anymore?
4. Planet Friendly: A part of Tinggly profit goes to sustainable projects to remove polluting plastics from the environment. With the help of partners, one Tinggly gift not only removes 11lbs (5kg) of plastics but also offsets 200% of CO2 emissions produced during the chosen experience. On top of that, all Tinggly gift boxes are made of 100% recycled materials and are eco-friendly.
2. Sturdy Travel Bag: For those who love to be organised
Sturdy everyday bags like backpacks and slings are so essential for travel. There are Indian companies that build bags specifically designed for travel—think rugged with lots of compartments!
1. Bohomia (for women): There is no company that truly understands what someone wants in a travel bag like Bohomia. We ourselves got a sling bag and a transfer clutch from here. We were amazed at how many compartments there were to keep items organised and how well thought out these compartments were. These bags and pouches definitely make your life easier on the road and hence makes for the perfect gifts for women who travel. Bohomia has all types of bags that’ll suit your travel bag preference- backpacks, cabin totes, slings, RFID wallets, mobile sling wallets, jewellery organizers, transfer clutches, travel pouches and more.
Gift Bohomia Bags
2. Carry Pro (unisex): These are larger backpacks that you can use in the city or for hikes. They are versatile, spacious, unisex, water repellent with an inbuilt rain cover and detachable waist pouch!
3. Suete (for men and women): Suete’s Verdiator backpack is a 30L backpack that opens up like a suitcase, a pocket for a 15.6-inch laptop, a hidden pocket for a passport and wallet, a separate utility pocket for shoes and dirty clothes, and a trolley strap. Therefore, it makes for the perfect backpack for short trips. In addition to backpacks, they have very important travel products like a Backpack Strap Pocket (this one is a huge problem-solver and travellers will love it), Gadget Pouch, and etc. Suete products make for awesome gifts for men that travel.
Gift Suete Products (linked to a referral code through which you get a Rs.300 off coupon)
3. classy passport wallet + Organizers: for a smooth time at the airport
The Postbox has very classy leather products that are meant to organise your travels. Their passport wallets look beautiful and are very functional. You can get these wallets customized with the initials of the person you’re gifting them to.
The Postbox also has other travel accessories that you can throw in the mix like luggage tags, tech kits, jewellery organizers, toiletry kits, mobile wallets and more. To make it easier for you, they’ve got gift sets too so you don’t have to think a lot:D
Gift Postbox Wallets and Organizers
4. Portable Coffee maker: For the Coffee Aficionados
Coffee is a source of survival for some. They simply can’t live without a cup of goodness in the morning. I’m one of them and I had such a tough time in Goa without a portable coffee maker. Here are some great options for your coffee aficionado loved ones. These coffee makers just require coffee grinds and boiling water in order to make coffee on the go. If you like to add milk to the coffee, you can simply add it after the espresso is made.
1. Aeropress: This is the most popular travel coffee maker out there. It brews smooth, rich coffee without the bitterness and high acidity you can expect from French press brewed coffee. Remember that it does require filter paper as well.
Gift the Aeropress Go
2. Wacaco Pipamoka: This is a newer and I’d say more awesome coffee maker out there. Why? Well, you don’t need to buy coffee filter paper, all the parts fit right into the mug, and the coffee maker can also be used as a flask to keep the coffee hot for hours. This is the one I have and I simply love it.
5. Neeman’s Shoes – For one and all
If you’re looking for comfortable, trendy, flexible, lightweight, eco-friendly shoes in beautiful colours that are made by an Indian brand, then this one is for you. Neeman’s shoes are excellent and go with most clothing. Modi and I both have multiple pairs of different types of shoes from Neeman’s and we wear them all the time.
6. reusable Travel products: for those who are environment conscious
Single-use items are the worst for the environment. Here are two companies with products that you can use when travelling and at home that are created to reduce the usage of single-use everyday items.
- LastObject is a company that has created reusable versions of everyday single-use products like earbuds, cotton pads, tissues, and sheet masks. They also give a bag in which you can wash these reusable items. They’re not the cheapest, but paying a premium to reduce wastage on the planet is worth it!
Gift Last Object Travel Bundles - Rusabl is an Indian brand creating eco-friendly products that again reduce single-use plastic. You can gift a combo of products including bamboo toothbrushes, portable steel cutlery+straw, bamboo and steel flasks, face masks and portable bags. Makes for a thoughtful and affordable gift set.
Gift Rusabl Products
7. Travel Jacket: For those who want to have everything handy
These are jackets that have separate pockets for all travel essentials like sunglasses, tab, earphones, phone, passport, portable charger, eye mask, gloves, wallet, etc. Really! They hold all that. Here are some options:
- Baubax Women’s Bomber Travel Jacket: The original. Pretty expensive in India.
- VERSATYL Travel Jacket with 18 Pockets and 29 features: Indian version
- Nobero Wanderer Travel hoodie: Another Indian version with decent design.
I had seen these on the Baubax website initially and really wanted it. Finally, saw Indian versions and had to share!
8. APPLE AIRTAG: FOR THOSE who tend to LOSE THINGS
The Apple AirTag has got the back of your loved one who is also a tad bit careless or forgetful. They can use the Find My Phone App to locate items provided they have the Airtag inside them or attached to them. When not travelling, the Airtag can be used as a keychain or in the wallet so one never forgets where these are kept or to carry them (the Airtag can make a sound by clicking a button in your Find My Phone App). The applications are limitless.
There are two points to note:
1. It will only be able to find luggage/other items when another iPhone is nearby. The iPhone ecosystem is pretty good so it shouldn’t be much of a problem except in rural areas.
2. You need to have an Apple product with an Apple ID to be able to use the AirTag. If you have a Samsung Galaxy Phone, try the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag. If you have another brand’s android phone, try Tile Mate. But be warned that while Tile products work great abroad they don’t work so well in India. This is so because the system relies on lost items coming in close contact with another Tile user to show up on a map. Since we don’t have enough Tile users in India, the system doesn’t work well enough.
Gift the Apple Airtag | Gift the Airtag Keychain
9. Kindle: For avid readers and Solo travellers
Kindles are great not only for avid readers but for solo travellers who are often alone on flights/trains and while sitting at cafes. Books become best friends in such cases. My friend (now husband) gifted me one in 2013 and it has been a life-changer. Here’s why.
- The Kindle can hold thousands of books, so you always have plenty of options to choose from
- Finished one book in a series and can’t wait to start the next one but have to run to the bookstore. No more. You can buy any book you fancy at any time with a few taps.
- Kindle books are cheaper. Yes, you have to invest in the Kindle itself but it pays off in the long run.
- Don’t have your kindle on you? Read on your phone. I’ve read countless books on my phone now or gone back and forth between my phone and kindle. Super convenient!
- They’re very long-lasting. I’m still using mine since 2013 and it’s in perfect condition. I love it despite it not having a backlight like the newer kindles.
- My favourite bit, seeing the meaning of words instantly by just highlighting them in the e-book. I was super lazy to pick up a dictionary or pull out my phone to search for the meaning of words when reading physical books. It makes me super happy that with a kindle, I not only read beautiful stories anytime I wish but simultaneously also improve my vocabulary.
10. Perfect Water Bottles: For those who understand that single-use plastic is a menace!
1. Foldable Water Bottle: Foldable water bottles are amazing because they become so compact whenever not filled up, plus they weigh next to nothing. We use this Platypus Collapsible Softbottle purchased from the USA and found a very similar one, the Vapur Bottle, that delivers in India.
Buy the Vapur Collapsible Bottle
2. Filter Water Bottle: Honestly, we had been eyeing this for a while and are so happy this unique travel accessory is finally available in India. If you’re travelling to or in a country where drinking tap water is unsafe (like India) or you’re going camping, the Lifestraw Go Personal Water Purifier Bottle will be a life saviour. It’ll help cut down on the monetary and environmental cost of buying bottled water at your destination and make access to drinking water during camping as well that much easier.
Gift the Lifestraw Go Personal Water Purifier Bottle
11. Portable Makeup: For women who appreciate travelling light
Portable makeup can be a great gift for women who travel whether they love makeup or do only a little bit of it. Personally, I’m always struggling with which lipstick shades to carry, whether to even carry eyeshadow and highlighter, etc. Renne has effortlessly solved this problem of having to pick and choose, and worrying about travelling light with these two products:
- A 5-in-1 lipstick: This has 5 matte shades of mini sizes in one stick. You can get the nude shades, the fab 5 or a combo of both if you’re confused or would rather give more options!
- 3-in-1 Makeup Stick: With eyeshadow, highlighter and lipstick this is a killer combo that gives you a full makeup look in just one stick. Again it comes in two types – Fab Face Diva and Fab face Nude. The best would be to get a combo of both for having day and night looks sorted!
12. Cabeau Neck Pillow: For those who complain that the perfect neck pillow doesn’t exist
We have often heard people say that their neck hurts if they sleep on a flight yet they don’t use neck pillows. The reason is that the neck pillows they’ve tried are very uncomfortable. We were the same. We hated all the neck pillows we got because they were really thick behind the neck. But then we got the Cabeau Evolution Travel Neck Pillow and our opinion changed – it is very very comfortable. It can be strapped to your flight seat too! When not in use, one can fold it into the provided cover and strap it to a bag. However, it is a tad bit expensive (we got ours for less than half the price on CRED) so here is a budget-friendly option.
Gift the Cabeau Evolution Travel Neck Pillow
13. Cabeau TRAVEL BLANKET CUM CUSHION: For those who love comfy and cosy travel days
Cabeau Microfibre Fold ‘n Go Travel Blanket is again a super unique travel gift in India that serves a dual purpose. It comes folded and packed in a soft fleece case that can be used as a pillow, cushion or lumbar support. Unpacking the cover reveals a soft blanket. After using the banket, just fold it, put it inside the cover and keep it in your bag. If your bag doesn’t have space to accommodate the blanket, simply strap it to the outside of your bag instead.
Gift the Cabeau Microfibre Fold ‘n Go Travel Blanket
14. Scratch Map: For the country counter
This one is perfect for dreamers who can’t wait to travel the world, frequent international travellers, and those who love to tick countries off their lists. It is a map where you can scratch off the ones you’ve visited and liven up that boring wall!
This could make for a great gift for travel couples setting up a house together so think anniversary, house-warming etc.
Gift a scratch map (black) | Gift a scratch map (white)
15. Bluetooth Earphones: For entertainment needs on the go
Music lover or not, everyone needs a good pair of earphones not only for listening to their favourite tracks but also for watching movies, TV series and social media binging.
Here are some options of amazing earphones you could get given from highest priced to lowest priced:
16. Waterproof PORTABLE SPEAKER: for music lovers
Music lovers will want to play their favourite tracks aloud on trips so portable speakers are an apt gift. And it’s even better if they’re waterproof so they can be used in the shower, around pools, tubs and water bodies without any hesitation. Here are some good options in a variety of price ranges from highest to lowest.
UE Wonderboom: 10 W output, 13-hour battery life, Deep Bass, 360 ° Surround Sound, IP67 rated (it’s waterproof, dustproof) and it floats. This is the one I have been using for five years. Carried it for multiple trips and have no complaints. But yes, know that it is a bit bulky compared to other portable speakers but also provides louder sound because of the same.
Sony SRS-XB13: Another powerhouse with 5 W output, 16-hour battery life, IP67 rated (it’s waterproof, dustproof), extra bass, and sound diffusion processor (loud sound despite watts)
JBL Go 3: 4 W output, ultra-light, ultra-portable, IP67 rated (it’s waterproof, dustproof), with 5-hour battery life.
boAt Stone 180 5W Bluetooth Speaker: This is a super budget option with powerful specs. 5W output, 10-hour battery life, IPX7 (splash and dust resistant), lightweight and ultra-portable. However, there are issues with the mic so know that before you buy.
17. Make My Trip gift card: best for choosy folks
If you’re simply unable to choose from the above options or have a super choosy friend you can’t understand what to gift to, then opt for the Make My Trip Gift card. You can choose any card value from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 50,000. Your loved one gets to spend that value on what they love best – travelling to destinations of their choosing.
My friends got together and gifted us one for our wedding. It was perfect because we used it soon after for buying flight tickets to Sri Lanka.
So tell us. Which of these did you like the best and are considering gifting to a loved one? Also, do you have other gift ideas for travellers? Do tell us in the comments below.
best idea for travelling and it is very helpful.
Thanks for sharing your detailed info. I love traveling very much.