i have the same philosophy for Father’s Day as I do for most other gifts – experiences together are best, but any physical gifts should be quality products that will serve Daniel and our family and actually help us on adventures! So Father’s Day travel gifts are the perfect fit.
Here are 25+ fantastic gifts for dads that love to travel. They’re all items we have personally have used and love and are helpful for travels near and far. They’re definitely not limited to dads, and are excellent, practical travel gifts for anyone who loves to adventure.
And if you need more ideas, here are some other posts that have some great gift ideas for moms who love to travel!
- Useful Travel Gifts Under $10
- 50+ Travel-Themed Easter Basket Ideas Under $5
- Gifts for Families Who Love to Travel
Airfly
We absolutely love this little device that allows you to connect your own Bluetooth headphones to the airplane’s entertainment system. You just plug this tiny device into the headphone jack, connect, and voila – you can listen via wireless headphones. It’s brilliant and is way more comfortable than using the cheap headphones airlines provide, and less annoying than having a cord hanging. It’s especially helpful if you’re flying with a lap infant so the cord isn’t constantly in their face or a choking risk! Perfect Father’s Day gift for a dad who loves to travel.
Portable Jump Starter
If there’s one safety item I recommend for every family who loves to travel in a car, it’s this portable car battery jump starter. It’s so convenient because it can jump start a car entirely on its own (can do up to 20 jumps on a single charge) without needing another car. Absolutely essential if you’re driving in remote areas or even cities where you might not have other cars easily accessible in case of a dead battery. Brings so much peace of mind and practical help. Would make an absolutely fantastic Father’s Day travel gift for anyone who enjoys road trips, but in my mind, it’s really a must have for anyone who drives anywhere at all. We keep one in every vehicle! A super practical, thoughtful, useful Father’s Day gift.
Mini Bluetooth Speaker
If you know a dude who loves music or audiobooks, this tiny Bluetooth speaker is fantastic. Easy to move around or even carry in a pocket. Perfect for once you reach your destination to set the travel mood in your accommodation.
Where to Buy: Amazon
Set of Packing Cubes
Always a welcomed gift for any traveler! This is my favorite set because they’re expandable, and this set is nice and sturdy, too.
S-biner (Size 5)
Carabiners are the very best, and S-biners are maybe even more useful than that. I love that you don’t have to finagle them as much to hook things on. This size is perfect to attach to a backpack or luggage.
Where to Buy: Walmart | Amazon
Scrubba Wash Bag
We started using this handy travel wash bag a few months ago and it’s amazing for being able to wash small amounts of clothing when traveling. While we usually stop to do a full load when possible at a laundromat, we definitely have times when we’re just washing undies in the sink of a hotel, which is not awesome. This bag is super lightweight and packs small, but cleans clothing as well as a full washing machine. It’s awesome and would be perfect for a Mother’s Day travel gift. (Free shipping in the US, also available on Amazon.)
Portable Air Compressor / Tire Inflator
We bought one of these portable air compressors that can inflate car tires years ago and have never been without one in the car for emergencies ever since. Having one totally saved us when we got a flat tire in our RV in a remote area, and it helped us reinflate a car tire for long enough to get to a shop so we didn’t need to get a tow. Absolutely worth keeping in the car and would make a perfect Father’s Day gift for any dad who loves to road trip (or even just drive around town).
Satellite GPS Device
This is a super handy little device that’s especially great for hiking and other outdoors activities, but also really helpful for traveling, especially to remote areas. It was so helpful when our RV broke down when we didn’t have service, and is great for traveling to areas where cell reception is weak (or nonexistent). (It’s also included in my list of outdoorsy Mother’s Day gift ideas!)
Ultra-Light Trowel
Hear me out. You want the men in your life to follow good hiking and backpacking hygiene practices, right? This little trowel weighs almost nothing but is really sturdy and makes it easy to dig a cathole when out on a trail without facilities. Help him keep the earth beautiful! Always great to have a functional, useful gift, too, and even better that it has an amusing name. 😉 (Also available on Amazon.)
Blackout Eye Mask
Dan absolutely swears by a using an eye mask to sleep both at home and especially when traveling. This one is excellent, doesn’t put pressure on your eyes, and leaves room to move your eyelashes. It’s a bit pricier than normal eye masks, so it’s perfect for a Mother’s Day travel gift.
Filter Water Bottle
If you know a dad who loves to travel off the beaten path either in the wilderness or in areas without potable tap water, this filter water bottle is absolutely amazing. We love that it filters quickly and easily without needing to suck through a straw for clean water. You can filter the entire bottle in one go, and then it’s also easy to decant into other bottles (like kid ones) if needed. It’s an investment, but it’s been a lifesaver for us for everything from hiking in backcountry to exploring in India. Definitely on the list of best gift ideas for people who travel.
Storyworth (Perfect Last Minute Gift)
Hear me out – I know this one isn’t specific to travel, but Storyworth is perfect for someone who has enjoyed travel (or any experiences, really) to record the special moments of their life. Think of it as custom travel gifts! The recipient receives question prompts about their life that they answer, then those are all compiled into a beautiful book. We did this for my dad a few years ago, before he passed away, and I am SO grateful to have those special memories that he shared from his travels and adventures, as well as about time spent with family.
Utility Spork
We got these for all our kids for their hiking backpacks last year. Functional and better for the earth than disposable utensils.
Luggage Belt
You know when you want to rest a personal item on top of your rolling luggage but it keeps shifting and falling and it’s wildly annoying? The Cincha is a simple but brilliant solution for that. It has a sleeve that hooks over the handle of your suitcase, then the belt secures any other item on top. Perfect for someone who loves traveling with a carry on and an easy add to the best travel gifts for him list!
Money Belt Travel Wallet
This is really convenient to wear if you want to keep money and credit cards concealed and Dan wears it on a daily basis. It’s thin so it fits under clothing, and is big enough for a passport if you need it, too.
Clip-On Mini Bluetooth Speaker
If the guy in your life is always on the go, this little portable bluetooth speaker is perfect because it clips onto almost anything. It’s great for hooking on a backpack or stroller, especially if you need white noise for a sleeping baby. We have a couple of speakers from this brand and they’re my favorite – the sound quality is really excellent.
Crush Resistant Mini First Aid Kit
It’s much easier to be prepared with bandages if they come with this cool-looking and durable little case. Small enough to even slip into a pocket.
Folding 3-in-1 Charging Station
We’ve had this folding charging station for a few months and at first I thought it was a bit extra, but it turns out it’s really awesome to have everything in one spot. We have never take the case with us but just take the dock, and it’s so easy to charge our iPhones, AirPods, and Apple watch all in one spot. Also perfect gifts for someone who travels for work.
Universal Power Adapter / Worldwide Charger
A power adapter is an absolute must have for anyone traveling internationally, and we love this one because it works all over the world and doesn’t take much room. It has both USB-A and USB-C ports and is super convenient. We always pack a couple with us for every international trip and it makes for one of the best gifts for people who travel.
Backpack
Dan has used a number of backpacks, but this one is his favorite by far. It’s perfect for hiking when he’s carrying a lot of stuff for the family, or it works great as a carry on when traveling and keeps everything organized. It’s sturdy, roomy, and well thought-out and it’s absolutely a favorite.
Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover
We have one of these waterproof rain covers for every family member’s backpack. They’re the best for travel or for hiking, and I love that they are super lightweight and have a hook to just stay with the pack. They come in several sizes for different packs.
Flytographer for Family Photos
The very best Father’s Day gift is the gift of time, and if you can document it, even better. We absolutely love using Flytographer to get some beautiful family photos; despite having a camera and tripod, there’s something so special about having someone else capture your family in a way that you can’t. It’s a terrific option for getting photos together while traveling (they have photographers all over the world), and we’ve even used them in our home city. Family photos would be such a lovely Father’s Day gift for a dad who loves to travel. Code PASSPORT for $25 off. (This would also check the box for gifts for travel couples!)
Mini White Noise Machine
We absolutely love this tiny white noise machine and have two of them we always take with us when we travel. They’re great for helping everyone (including adults) fall asleep quickly and stay asleep, especially when dealing with jet lag. It’s compact and so easy to use, and we’ve even turned it on quietly in a stroller when walking around outside.
Small Drone
If you’re looking for a big ticket Father’s Day item, we have and love this drone. It has great video quality and is so small and compact, so it’s very convenient for travel. It’s not cheap, but it’s a terrific choice if you’re in the market for one.
Pack of Locking Carabiners
Carabiners are always, always welcomed when we travel. We have at least one on every person’s backpack because they’re the best for hanging another bag on, clipping on a jacket, or myriad other uses. A great practical, simple, and inexpensive Father’s Day gift that will get used.
Lightweight Portable Baby Carrier
Dads can be great at babywearing, too, and Dan uses this lightweight folding carrier one all the time. We absolutely love how lightweight and portable it is, and that it folds into its own little pouch when not in use. It weighs less than a pound dries in a flash when it gets wet, and is much cooler than other carriers. Love it.
Mini Portable Charger
If you’ve been here for a while and I have not yet convinced you to get one of these mini portable chargers, I’m sorry for failing you. I love these because they don’t need a cord and are so convenient to carry around. There are lots of different ones available now, but this is my favorite kind for the old iPhone port, I love these for a USB-C port (the new iPhone or Android), or this is a fantastic one that has a magnetic charger or both ports.
Stream Thermometer
Honestly, I couldn’t really tell you why Dan loves this little water thermometer so much, but he truly does. He loves checking the water temperature in different rivers and lakes, and my kids love it, too! Maybe it’s for clout for when they jump into freezing waters. 😉
Water Bottle Ice Sticks
We stuck these in our kids’ stockings a couple years ago and they were such a hit. Perfect for sliding into a water bottle without needing to stuff in a bunch of ice. Perfect for a summer road trip or camping weekend with dad!
Where to Buy: Amazon
Hiking Backpack Carrier
We absolutely love this hiking backpack carrier for kiddos – it’s comfortable, adjustable, and has plenty of room and storage to carry everything we need. Dan is the one who wears it the most often and it’s been so excellent for us for a number of years. Perfect Father’s Day gift for a dad who wants to get out exploring the outdoors with his little ones.
Insect Repellent
We really love this kind. Stick in a small bottle that’s perfect for a trip that you’ve planned to a tropical paradise. 😉
Wool Socks or Base Layers
Wool socks are always a staple for us when traveling because they wick moisture, are really comfortable, and resist odor (so don’t need to be washed as frequently). Here are my favorite base layers for families, and here’s the full list of all the wool socks I love:
- Smartwool (buy at Smartwool, REI)
- Darn Tough (buy at Darn Tough, REI)
- REI Co-op
Best Luggage for Dads
Of course, luggage is always a classic and great gift if you know someone who could use a refresh. Here’s all our favorite luggage for families, including carry on suitcases, check in suitcases, and backpacks.
