Christmas Gift Guide for Solo Travellers: Practical Gifts That Actually Get Used
- Sam Burden
- Dec 14, 2025
- 8 min read
Looking for Christmas travel gifts for someone who travels with just a backpack? Or hints for what you actually want this Christmas? Forget novelty passport covers and scratch-off maps - here are practical Christmas gifts for travel lovers who have limited time off and real budgets.
This gift guide covers travel essentials under £20, quality gear under £50, and investment pieces under £100. Everything here is designed for solo travellers who pack light, travel frequently (but fit it around work), and need gear that actually works.
Why This Gift Guide is Different
Most travel gift guides assume you're travelling with suitcases, taking long trips, or have unlimited budgets. This guide is for solo travellers who:
Travel with a backpack only (no checked luggage)
Take day trips, weekend breaks, and short European escapes
Work full-time with limited annual leave
Need practical gear that fits in limited space
Want quality items that last, not cheap rubbish
These are Christmas gifts for women who like to travel solo, Christmas gifts for budget travellers, and practical presents for anyone planning UK day trips or European weekends in 2026.
Christmas Gifts Under £20
1. Memory Foam Travel Pillow (£12-18)
Why you need it: If you've ever taken a night bus, early morning flight, or long coach journey, you know neck pain is real. A proper memory foam travel pillow supports your neck whilst you attempt to sleep sitting upright.
What to look for:
Memory foam (not inflatable)
Washable cover
Compact enough to attach to backpack
Supports your neck without pushing your head forward
Why it's worth it: The difference between arriving at your destination exhausted or somewhat rested. Essential for night buses from London to Edinburgh, overnight coaches to Europe, or early budget flights.
Where to buy: Amazon, Dunelm, Decathlon
2. Packable Day Bag (£10-15)
Why you need it: You arrive at your destination with your backpack. But what do you use for the actual day trip? A packable day bag folds flat into your main backpack, weighs nothing, and expands when you need it.
What to look for:
Folds into its own pocket (takes no space)
Water-resistant material
Comfortable straps
Big enough for water bottle, jacket, snacks, camera
Lightweight (under 200g)
Why it's worth it: Perfect for day trips when you need to carry stuff around but don't want your full backpack. Also brilliant for shopping when you buy more than planned. I use mine on every single trip.
Where to buy: Decathlon, Amazon, Go Outdoors
3. Collapsible Reusable Water Bottle (£10-18)
Why you need it: Save money (£2-3 per bottle adds up), reduce plastic waste, and stay hydrated. Collapsible bottles take minimal space when empty.
What to look for:
BPA-free
Collapses or rolls up when empty
Leak-proof (test this before travelling!)
At least 500ml capacity
Carabiner clip to attach to backpack
Why it's worth it: Airports, train stations, and tourist attractions charge ridiculous prices for water. Fill up for free, save money for actual experiences.
Where to buy: Amazon, Decathlon, Sports Direct
4. Portable Phone Charger - 10,000mAh (£12-20)
Why you need it: Your phone is your map, camera, translator, booking confirmation, and entertainment. When it dies at 3pm during a day trip, you're stuck.
What to look for:
10,000mAh minimum (charges phone 2-3 times)
Compact and lightweight
Fast charging
Multiple USB ports (charge phone + earbuds simultaneously)
Power indicator lights
Why it's worth it: Navigate all day without anxiety about battery. Take photos without rationing. Check last-minute transport changes. Essential for any day trip or weekend break.
Where to buy: Amazon, Argos, Currys
5. Microfibre Travel Towel (£10-18)
Why you need it: Quick-dry, compact, lightweight. Essential for hostels (some don't provide towels or charge for them), beach trips, spontaneous swims, or wiping down wet train seats.
What to look for:
Microfibre material (dries in hours, not days)
Comes with carry pouch
Medium size (bath towel size is too big for backpack travel)
Lightweight (under 200g)
Why it's worth it: Hostels often charge £5-8 for towel hire. One travel towel pays for itself in two trips. Plus, it takes minimal space in your backpack.
Where to buy: Decathlon, Amazon, Go Outdoors
Honourable Mentions Under £20:
Cable Organiser Pouch (£8-12) - Keeps charging cables, earbuds, adaptors organised instead of tangled at bottom of backpack
Leather Cord Holder (£10-18) - Stylish way to keep charging cables wrapped and tangle-free, compact and personalizable
AirTag or Tile Tracker (£15-25 for single) - Track your backpack location, peace of mind if bag goes missing
Reusable Makeup Remover Pads (£8-15) - Eco-friendly, washable, take no space, save buying disposable wipes
Luggage Scales (£10-15) - Check your backpack weight before budget flights (avoid surprise charges at gate)
Earplugs & Eye Mask Set (£8-12) - Essential for hostels and night buses when your roommate snores or fellow passengers watch films at full brightness
Compression Socks (£10-15) - For long flights or coaches, reduce swelling and discomfort
Mini first aid kit (£8-15) - Plasters, pain relief, essentials
Christmas Gifts Under £50
1. Noise-Cancelling Earbuds (£30-50)
Why you need them: Block out crying babies on flights, snoring in hostels, loud passengers on night buses, and general travel chaos. Plus, listen to music, podcasts, or sleep sounds.
What to look for:
Active noise cancelling (not just passive)
Decent battery life (6+ hours)
Comfortable for extended wear
Decent sound quality
Compact charging case
Why they're worth it: The difference between arriving stressed and exhausted or relatively calm. Worth every penny for solo travel sanity.
Where to buy: Amazon, Currys, Argos
2. Portable Charger - 20,000mAh (£20-45)
Why you need it: The upgrade from the £20 version. Charges phone 4-5 times, plus charges other devices. Perfect for multi-day trips or when you're using your phone heavily for navigation and photos.
What to look for:
20,000mAh capacity
Fast charging
Multiple ports (charge phone, earbuds, camera simultaneously)
Pass-through charging (charge power bank whilst it charges devices)
Power display
Why it's worth it: Never worry about battery on weekend breaks. Charge multiple devices. Share power with travel companions if needed.
Where to buy: Amazon, Currys, Argos
3. Packable Rain Jacket (£35-50)
Why you need it: UK weather is unpredictable. Europe isn't much better. A packable rain jacket stuffs into its own pocket, weighs nothing, and saves trips when weather turns.
What to look for:
Waterproof (not just water-resistant)
Breathable material
Packs into own pocket or stuff sack
Lightweight (under 300g)
Hood with adjustment
Pit zips for ventilation
Why it's worth it: The difference between enjoying a day trip in drizzle or being miserable and soaked. Takes minimal backpack space, massive impact.
Where to buy: Decathlon, Go Outdoors, Mountain Warehouse
4. Quality Phone Holder/Mount (£20-35)
Why you need it: Hands-free navigation whilst walking, filming yourself for content, watching films on trains without holding your phone.
What to look for:
Versatile (attaches to backpack strap, table, tripod)
Secure grip
360° rotation
Compact when folded
Works with phone case on
Why it's worth it: Navigate cities hands-free, take better photos (including yourself), watch content comfortably during long journeys.
Where to buy: Amazon
5. Toiletry Bag with Hanging Hook (£20-40)
Why you need it: Hostel bathrooms rarely have counter space. A hanging toiletry bag hooks onto shower rail or door, keeping everything accessible and off gross bathroom floors.
What to look for:
Hanging hook
Multiple compartments
Water-resistant material
Transparent pockets (see what you need quickly)
Compact when packed
Why it's worth it: Organisation in hostels, quick access to toiletries, nothing touches bathroom floors. Makes hostel life significantly easier.
Where to buy: Amazon, Decathlon
Honourable Mentions Under £50:
Smartphone Gimbal Stabiliser (£40-50) - Smooth video footage for travel content creators, compact and foldable
Travel Laundry Bag/Scrubba Wash Bag (£30-45) - Wash clothes on the go, saves paying for laundry services, extends outfit options
Foldable Flat Shoes (£25-45) - Roll up, take no space, smart enough for evenings out, comfortable for walking
Multi-Port USB Charger (£20-35) - Charge multiple devices from one plug socket (essential in hostels with limited sockets)
Christmas Gifts Under £100
1. Quality Weekend Backpack - 35-40L (£50-100)
Why you need it: Your main travel bag. Needs to fit weekend clothes, toiletries, electronics, and extras whilst staying under cabin baggage size for budget flights.
What to look for:
35-40L capacity (cabin size for most budget airlines)
Comfortable padded straps
Hip belt (distributes weight)
Multiple compartments (organisation)
Laptop sleeve (if you work remotely)
Water-resistant material
Lockable zips
Compression straps
Why it's worth it: The foundation of backpack travel. A quality bag lasts years, fits everything you need, and makes travel significantly more comfortable than cheap alternatives.
Brands to consider: Osprey Farpoint 40, Cabin Max, Decathlon Forclaz
Where to buy: Go Outdoors, Cotswold Outdoor, Amazon, Decathlon
2. Kindle or E-Reader (£70-90)
Why you need it: Thousands of books in one device. No weight. No space. Perfect for long journeys, hostel downtime, or rainy days.
What to look for:
Backlit screen (read in any lighting)
Waterproof (read in bath, by pool, on beach)
Long battery life (weeks, not days)
Enough storage (8GB minimum)
Lightweight
Why it's worth it: Never run out of reading material. Download books before trips. Weightless entertainment for long journeys. Library access from anywhere.
Where to buy: Amazon, Currys, Argos
3. Cordless Hair Straightener/Hot Brush (£60-90)
Why you need it: Normal straighteners are heavy and bulky. Cordless hot brushes or compact straighteners are lightweight, portable, and USB rechargeable - perfect for backpack travel.
What to look for:
Cordless/rechargeable (no hunting for plug sockets in hostels)
Compact size (fits in side pocket of backpack)
USB-C charging
Heat protection
Dual voltage (works across Europe/UK)
Lightweight (under 300g)
Why it's worth it: Look presentable on day trips and city breaks without packing heavy styling tools. Game-changer for solo travellers who want to look good but pack light.
Where to buy: Amazon, Boots, Lookfantastic
4. Quality Packable Trainers (£50-80)
Why you need them: Comfortable shoes for day trips, walking tours, casual evenings. Lightweight, packable, versatile.
What to look for:
Lightweight (under 400g per shoe)
Comfortable for full-day wear
Breathable material
Easy to clean
Neutral colour (goes with everything)
Packable (squish flat in backpack)
Why they're worth it: The difference between enjoying a day trip or getting blisters. Comfortable shoes matter more than any other clothing item when travelling.
Brands to consider: Allbirds, Veja, Adidas Ultraboost
Where to buy: Sports Direct, JD Sports, Schuh, Amazon
5. Packable Down Jacket (£60-100)
Why you need it: Warm, lightweight, compresses into tiny space. Perfect for cold European winters, UK autumn/spring, or unexpected temperature drops.
What to look for:
Down or synthetic insulation
Packable (comes with stuff sack)
Lightweight (under 400g)
Water-resistant outer
Hood
Packs small (fist-sized or smaller)
Why it's worth it: Warmth without bulk. Takes minimal backpack space. Saves you from freezing on cold day trips or evening walks.
Where to buy: Decathlon, Uniqlo, Mountain Warehouse, Go Outdoors
Or Just Gift an Experience
Sometimes the best Christmas gift for a travel lover isn't stuff - it's an actual trip.
Experience gift ideas:
Day trip voucher (£30-50 return train/coach)
Weekend break contribution (£100 towards accommodation/transport)
Activity voucher (walking tour, food tour, museum entry)
Gift card for National Express or Trainline (use on future trips)
Railcard (£30, saves money all year)
Coach discount card (saves on every journey)
National Trust membership (access to historic sites across UK)
Airbnb gift card (towards weekend accommodation)
What NOT to Gift (Save Your Money)
❌ Novelty Passport Covers - Add unnecessary bulk, serve no purpose, often not allowed through security
❌ Scratch-Off Maps - Gather dust on walls, don't actually help plan trips
❌ "Wanderlust" Wall Art - Generic, doesn't reflect actual travel experiences
❌ Luggage Tags Shaped Like Planes - Tacky, break easily, draw attention to bags
❌ Travel-Themed Socks - Just no
❌ Inflatable Travel Pillows - Uncomfortable, pop easily, useless for actual sleep
❌ Cheap Packing Cubes - Fall apart after two trips, zips break, false economy
❌ Oversized "Travel Journals" with Prompts - Too big for backpacks, prompts feel forced
Where to Buy These Gifts in the UK
Amazon UK - Widest selection, fast delivery, easy returns
Decathlon - Budget-friendly outdoor gear, excellent quality for price
Go Outdoors - Quality outdoor equipment, frequent sales
Cotswold Outdoor - Premium brands, expert advice
Mountain Warehouse - Budget outdoor clothing, frequent discounts
Uniqlo - Packable down jackets, quality basics
Argos - Tech accessories, same-day collection
Currys - Electronics, power banks, earbuds
The best Christmas travel gifts are practical, not pretty. They solve actual problems, fit in limited space, and get used repeatedly. Forget Instagram-worthy gift wrap - focus on gear that makes solo travel easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable.
Whether you're shopping for a solo traveller or dropping hints for what you actually want this Christmas, these gifts will get used on day trips, weekend breaks, and European escapes throughout 2025.
Comments