12 Best Gifts for Digital Nomads + Travelers (stuff I use)
Finding the perfect gift can be stressful. Unless you know exactly what to get, then it’s fun. So you’re in luck! This is my list of the absolute best gifts for digital nomads and travelers.
These are things that I either personally use — as a digital nomad myself — or would love to get as a gift (so if anyone reading this knows me — hint hint! 😉).
Alright, let’s do this!
Hey there, just a heads up some links in this post may be affiliate links, which earn me a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you, but helps me keep the lights on. Thanks for your support!
1. Airalo eSIM Card
Having phone service and internet while traveling abroad is a must. I can’t imagine navigating places without it (yes, we’re all spoiled now).
Luckily, eSIMs make getting service abroad super easy. Simply purchase a plan online and load it onto your phone — all digitally. eSIMs let you access local cell towers so you can get online abroad (aka, no more scouting for free wifi spots).
Airalo is an app that lets you easily buy eSIMs for 200+ countries, instantly getting you internet access.
You can explore Airalo gift vouchers here.
Explore more:
➤ Best SIM Card for Japan
2. Plane Tickets
Plane tickets are a fixed cost for digital nomads. So gifting one is the perfect way to make any traveler feel stoked.
A lot of major airlines have gifting options, making it easy to give a flight as a present. For example, you can easily buy gift cards from major (US) airlines:
So the only thing you need to decide on is how much to gift and which airline to choose. You can use Google Flights to get an idea of how much a typical flight costs between countries your traveler commonly visits.
3. A VPN Subscription
Secure wifi while traveling abroad is super important. And one of the best ways to protect yourself (while online) is to use a trustworthy VPN. So this is an excellent gift for digital nomads and travelers.
A VPN (virtual private network) creates a secure connection between your device and a remote server. And they’re perfect for travelers (since we use a lot of public networks).
VPNs let you:
Stream your favorite shows abroad (on platforms like Netflix)
Access local content from your home country
Get around a country’s content restrictions
Secure your connection while using public wifi
NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN are some of the best VPNs options for travelers and digital nomads.
Explore more:
➤ Best VPNs for Japan
4. The Neck Pillow
Traditional travel pillows suck. They just look like poofy scarves and don’t actually support your neck when you finally do start to drift off. Luckily, there’s a better way!
trtl travel pillows offer innovative neck and shoulder support — aka, no more neck slumping or bobbing head syndrome!
These are especially prefect for any travelers that complains about long flights and sleeping on airplanes.
5. Airbnb Gift Card
Besides share houses, my go-to booking app is Airbnb. It’s the most convenient platform for grabbing accommodations abroad and I’ve never had any serious problems with finding rooms.
Airbnb gift cards are a classic gift for digital nomads and travelers. You can purchase them here.
6. Travel Gadgets + Accessories
We all have gadgets and trinkets. But travelers have a unique collection of them, which are all great gifts ideas!
Here are some of the most common gadgets and accessories helpful for travelers and digital nomads:
Power bank
Toiletry bag
Comfy Bomba socks
Misc. travel sized toiletries
International plug adapter
Noise-cancelling headphones
Explore more:
➤ Become a Digital Nomad
7. A New Suitcase
The right suitcase can make all the difference and traveling a whole lot easier. For example, my first time abroad, I didn’t have a suitcase for wheels.
So I found myself lugging around a duffel bag full of clothes, a big guitar case, a snowboard bag (with a snowboard) and my backpack. While Tokyo trains are convenient, they were no match to my terrible packing strategy.
So if your traveler is in need of a new suitcase, this is the perfect gift idea for them.
You could buy a smaller carry on, a larger hard side suitcase (with wheels!) or a simple travel backpack. You’ll need to do some digging to find out what they need.
If you’re needing some inspiration, check out Solgaard’s cool Carry-on Closet suitcase.
8. Phone Gimbal
Gimbals are tools that connect to your phone and make filming and photography way easier while traveling. This is perfect if someone loves creative travel.
After mounting your phone, you can use controls to rotate, stabilize and capture moments. I love my gimbal — it makes filming so much easier.
The DJI Osmo is a popular option for mobile users and beginners. But if your traveler is more advanced or has a more professional camera, they may prefer something like this.
Either way, gimbals are staple for modern travelers. They let you capture adventures way more effectively.
9. Airport Lounge Access
Long layovers happen — especially for frequent travelers. So access to a premium lounge is an amazing gift.
Certain travel credit cards or if you’re a premium member with a particular airline, you can access this types of lounges. But another option is using Priority Pass, which is a company that offers 1,600+ lounge experiences in over 600 cities across the globe.
Members can even bring a guest (for a small fee) if they’re traveling with someone.
This is a great gift to make international travel comfier and more convenient.
10. Antitheft Trackers
Losing something while traveling is stressful. Luckily, we have the technology to avoid some of this headache! They’re called antitheft trackers, which are small tags you can place on your valuables to keep track of them.
Apple’s AirTags or Tile (for non-Apple users) are two popular choices.
These are perfect for keeping track of your most important things and preventing lost luggage or misplaced items.
Plus, it’s great peace of mind knowing you can track your stuff.
Another option is tagging your stuff using SeQR Contact tags. These are scannable QR codes you put on your stuff, so if someone finds it, they can contact you (anonymously) and let you know.
Tracking tools are a great gift for digital nomads who travel with a lot of expensive electronics and important documents.
11. A Streaming Subscription
Most of us have too many subscriptions (not just full-time travelers). So why not lighten that load a little bit by gifting a premium subscription?
I love unwinding with Netflix and I’m constantly streaming music on Spotify while traveling (but I hate the ads). So a subscription gift is a great idea.
You just need to do some digging to learn your traveler’s favorite platform and what they actually need. For example:
Hulu
Netflix
HBO Max
Apple TV+
Amazon Prime
Spotify Premium
YouTube Premium
12. Cash Money
At the end of the day, it’s hard to know exactly what a digital nomad or traveler needs. After all, it’s a unique lifestyle based on minimalism — so more stuff isn’t always good!
Cash is always nice. And don’t worry if it doesn’t feel personal — cash is something we can always use! It’s practical.
You can use Wise for quick international transfers online with low fees.
And that’s a wrap! Those are my top gifts for digital nomads and travelers. Surely, whoever gets these goods will be stoked.
Later ✌️
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