Are you looking for fantastic travel gifts for teens? It’s a tricky age to buy for, they’ve grown out of toys but still want plenty to unwrap for their birthdays or Christmas. So why not encourage their wanderlust and give them a gift they’ll use again and again.
All the recommendations can be bought off Amazon, one of the most useful and stress free ways I know to shop from home. These are affiliate links which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase through one of them. At no extra cost to you.
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Great gifts for teens who travel
Samsonite Suitcase
History has taught me that cheap cases are a false economy, especially when you see how teens drag them around and overfill them. This black Samsonite case has travelled with us all over the world and still looks as smart as the day we bought it.
Packing Cubes
Sticking with the luggage theme these packing cubes are super handy to help teens keep their case organised. I’ve found them essential when sending Piper off on school trips so she can keep clean, dirty, jumpers, PJs easy to find when she doesn’t have me to bug her to unpack. You can get them in heaps of different colours, all budgets, shapes and sizes.
Portable Charger
A portable charger is an absolute must wherever you travel and teens get through A LOT of battery taking photos and checking their socials. One that’s lightweight and small enough to fit in a pocket is ideal.
Nintendo Switch
Portable gaming can be a lifesaver when on the go and it could even encourage your teen away from their console at home. We love our Nintendo Switch as we use it both at home and away and can download any game we choose. The Nintendo Switch Lite is also available now which is even better value.
Worldwide travel adapter
A lightweight power adapter will save many arguments over whos turn it is to use the power. You teen will very much appreciate having their own to use whenever they want, WHERE EVER they are in the world.
Travel Hammock
Nothing beats dozing in a hammock, preferably to the relaxing sound of waves between two palm trees. But even if you’re just camping is Skegness teens will love setting up one of these portable hammocks and jumping in.
Headphones
My teen is permanently attached to her headphones, whether she’s listening to music, chatting with friends or just watching Netflix on a plane. Good quality noise cancelling ones are best for travel.
Go Pro
Our teens spend a large part of their lives online, on their socials, uploading images and videos and chatting to their friends. A new Go Pro will be an absolute treat. They’re fantastic for recording adventure travels, climbing, hiking, biking and diving and also for streaming the everyday.
Fjällräven Backpack
Fjällräven seems to be the current it brand for backpacks and to be honest, the quality is really good with comfortable straps and plenty of space for your teen to pack all their carry on essentials. They’re available in heaps of colours and several sizes.
Neckpillow
Whilst most teens seem to be able to fall asleep anywhere it can still be tricky on planes, trains or long car journeys so a neck pillow makes a brilliant gift. This Ostrichpillow is made out of memory foam, so moulds to the neck is machine washable and easy to carry. Or you could try this twistable pillow which is also made from memory foam.
Stocking filler travel gifts for teens
Luggage scales
Let’s face it, teens will over fill their luggage. So help them keep within their weight limit with a portable luggage scale. I love this Mycket one as it has an easy to read digital display and is comfortable to lift.
Luggage Tags
These luggage tags make great travel stocking fillers for teens. They’re bright and vibrant making cases easy to spot as they’re coming off the luggage carousel. Plus it should make any lost luggage easier to locate should a forgetful teen mislay their bags. You could go one better and gift them an Apple Airtag to pop in their luggage which they can then track on their phone. Or even better, your phone!
Luggage strap
Colourful luggage straps are another great way to easily identify and add a personal touch to a teens suitcase. They’re lovely little travel gifts for teens and you’ll find loads of different designs on Amazon.
As we all know, teens love anything personalised so make sure you check out this post on personalised gifts for travellers.
Travel make up bag
If your teens love make up and are obsessed with their lotions and potions a drawstring make up bag makes a great gift. They hold so much stuff and will help keep the hotel room tidy as everything can be kept in the bag – no rooting around at the bottom of a pouch for that eyeliner!
Shell Choker
If you have a teen with an Outerbanks obsession they’ll surely love one of these great value shell choker and bracelet sets.
Travel Activity Book
Teens get bored when traveling, we all do! So anything that will keep them entertained for ten minutes and away from their devices is surely a win. I love these little activity books which have plenty of teenage appropriate puzzles and tasks.
Travel books for teens to inspire their next adventure
Non fiction travel books for teens
We absolutely love The Bucket List which has heaps of ideas for adventures big and small. I love how it encourages teens to get involved with travel planning, Piper has suggested heaps of activities to add to our itineraries since reading it. To encourage a true sense of wanderlust you could try The Rough Guide to 100 Best Places to Travel the images alone are enough to keep your teen engrossed for a few hours. Plus Rough Guides always “tell it like it is” which I think teens really appreciate.
If you’re thinking of treating your teen to an interrail holiday or have previously been on one as a family then Epic Adventures will make a great gift. It explores all corners of the globe via some fabulous train journeys and made me want to try each and every one.
Travel fiction for teens
13 Little Blue Envelopes follows Ginny, a 17 year old who has to follow the instructions in 13 blue envelopes left to her by her eccentric Aunt. It’s a fantastically uplifting adventure around Europe. Girl off the Grid will transport your teen to Costa Rica where fashion blogger Camille discovers her all inclusive work trip is more off grid than expected. The Passport Project follows two young teens who ditch their high school for an adventure of a lifetime around the world. Peak is a fantastic story of a young teens ambition to be the youngest person to climb Everest. It has some pretty interesting characters but is a great read.
Read next: Travel Themed Stocking Fillers for the whole family