22 Unique Travel Gifts for Dads Who Are Jet-Setters
Whether he's traveling for work, heading abroad for a big vacation or planning a quick weekend getaway, these ideas are ideal for fathers with wanderlust.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
One of the most notable and universal things about traveling with a dad is the lack of stuff he’ll want to pack. Personally, I prefer just a backpack, even for 10- or 14-day trips, a fact that horrifies my daughters. But there are travel gifts for dads like me that they’ll love, will improve their life on the road and keep them comfortable, entertained and safe.
CHECK OUT OUR ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE FOR 2024
Most importantly to him, these are travel gifts that won’t take up much space at all. From the best low-price carry-on suitcase to an affordable way to practice self-care on the go, here's a list of the best gifts for dads who travel for work and for fun on planes, trains and automobiles. Keep these travel accessories in mind for Father's Day gifts, birthdays or whenever you need to honor a dad on the go.
Looking for even more great gift ideas for him? Check out some of our top gift guides for dad:
The Best Gift Ideas for Men | Meaningful Gifts for Dad | Clever Last-Minute Father's Day Gifts
There isn’t a Dad on Earth who doesn’t love the challenge of packing the trunk perfectly like a real-life Tetris game. These compression packing cubes will allow him to get the most out of his carry-on luggage and backpack space, too, fitting so much more stuff.
What’s the absolute best travel gift for Dad? The ability to carry on all his stuff and never, ever wait around the baggage carousel after landing. This Amazon Basics piece is highly rated by our very own Good Housekeeping Institute pros because the wheels roll smoothly, it doesn’t dent easily and is well under $100.
Scammers are getting more clever, so help Dad stay one step ahead with this RFID-blocking, pocket-sized wallet for his passport, credit cards, cash and important documents.
RELATED: The Best Passport Holders, According to Travel Enthusiasts
If your Dad is anything like me, he has a lot of stuff needing to be charged in each and every hotel room, Airbnb or hostel. With this travel power strip, his Bluetooth earbuds, smartwatch, phone, camera, laptop, tablet, razor and more will always have the juice needed to get to the next destination.
Formulated with a blend of essential oils like lemongrass, cedarwood and peppermint, Lemongrass Farms' Trek insect repellent will ensure Dad won’t return home with a parade of bug bits up and down his arms and legs.
If he’s committed to staying super clean even when he’s on the road for work, at the campsite and on his fishing trips, the Tushy Travel Bidet will help Dad keep his "down belows" tidy even when he’s roughing it in nature.
It's not something you think of bringing with you until you're stuck in a rainstorm somewhere. Luckily, this top-rated travel umbrella is so compact, Dad can leave it in his suitcase, and just grab it when he needs it.
RELATED: The Best Travel Umbrellas
With over 30,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, it's hard to not get this for him, especially if he loves a good road trip. It'll hold Dad's phone perfectly in place to help with directions. Amazon reviewers were impressed by how sturdy it is, even during the bumpiest trips.
RELATED: Best Car Accessories on Amazon
This all-in-one travel blender lets Dad keep making his fresh fruit and protein smoothies no matter where he is for work or play this week, from San Diego, California to Santiago, Chile.
After he’s done mowing the lawn or walking miles on his travels, Dionis Sole Keeper and Sole Soother goat’s milk foot care treatment is exactly what Dad needs to relax and recharge to go again tomorrow.
Make his trips more engaging, fun, and adventurous, with this clever book of scratch-off challenges and games, with space to store his thoughts and memories. This is one of the most unique travel gifts for dads you can buy right now, and the budget-friendly price is perfect. In addition to a solo edition, there's a couples edition and a family edition, among others.
Maybe he can leave home for a day or two without thinking about his beard and ‘stache, but anything longer, and he’ll need a travel gift like the Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 to edge, trim, and shave his facial hair so that he looks great in front of the client and in his travel selfies on social media.
Whether he's hitting the road solo or with the kids, this is the perfect portable streaming device to turn almost any TV into a home entertainment system. He'll be able to watch his favorite movies, TV shows, Roku Originals and 400+ live TV channels, plus access a dedicated kids and family channel.
I’ve been traveling the world and wearing myself out making my book, Street Cats and Where To Find Them. Travel takes a massive toll on the human body, especially an older Dad’s bones and muscles. A massager he can pack to relieve pain in his back, shoulder and neck is a genius travel gift for Dad.
I own this hoodie and I wear it like second skin when traveling. In hot weather and when it’s chilly, and in sunny or shady conditions, this hoodie is breathable, comfortable and protects skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Plus, the thumbholes are so rad!
Finally, with no glare and most importantly, absolutely no distracting pop-up notifications, the brand-new, full-color Kobo Libra eReader lets Dad take his favorite books, magazines and audiobooks with him wherever he goes. This waterproof and sturdy eReader is also a journal for note-taking, with easy access to borrowed ebooks, Google Drive and Dropbox.
Applying sunscreen is a PITA, but not with this sunscreen stick that works just like deodorant. Give Dad all-day sun protection while he's traveling with ingredients like vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc oxide.
Whether he’s hiking the Grand Canyon or kicking it with his favorite bands at a music festival for the weekend, make sure Dad always has cold water to stay hydrated. This durable, leakproof 40-ounce insulated reservoir will keep his water chill for over 24 hours.
Four travel-sized and TSA-friendly manly self-care cleaning essentials in a handsome bag at a great sale price make a superb travel gift for any dad who is no stranger to hotel bathrooms.
Satin-lined on the inside and rich corduroy on the outside make this bucket hat designed for big heads and big hair the perfect travel accessory for any Dad.
Jeff is a dad of two daughters, an avid traveler, a photographer, an author and a freelance writer who lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife and their cats. In addition to Good Housekeeping, he's written for Parents, Fodor's, Food and Wine, Real Simple and Reader’s Digest, among other print and online publications. Jeff is the publisher of the quarterly literary magazine, Stanchion, and his book, Streets Cats and Where to Find Them, will be published by Running Press in the Summer of 2025.
The 44 Most Popular Gifts of 2025
Gift Ideas for the Whole Family to Enjoy Together
40 Gift Ideas for Every Kind of Husband
50 Best Gifts for the Awesome Boys in Your Life
