I have celebrated eight birthdays and three Christmases (and counting…) overseas. I am well past receiving physical gifts, and I prefer it that way, as I am a minimalist.
You may know a traveler like me who doesn’t want more “stuff” either, or who may happen to be across the world during a holiday or special occasion. So what should you do if you still want to send them a gift? Don’t worry; there are plenty of options!
I’ve put together this list of unique gifts for travelers that can be delivered electronically, via email, even at the last minute. So, that no matter where in the world the intended recipient is traveling, you can still send a great gift to that special someone overseas.
This post contains affiliate links.
Unique Gifts For Travelers – That Can Be Delivered Online!
1. Spotify Premium Subscription
Spotify Premium is a subscription music app, which allows users to create and download playlists to enjoy with or without cell phone service or WiFi, among many other great things.
I use this as my main source of music on the road, and I LOVE the downloadable playlist option, which is only available with a Premium subscription. Our BMT Community Playlist is available on Spotify!
Spotify Premium starts with a free trial and then costs $10.99/month for an individual plan.
Click here to gift Spotify Premium.
2. Kindle Unlimited
If your traveler carries a Kindle, get them a subscription to Kindle Unlimited (and our list of the best travel books). Even if they don’t own a Kindle, they can use a Kindle Unlimited subscription with the free Kindle reading app on their phone.
It includes unlimited reading from over 1 million ebooks (and audiobooks), and doesn’t take up any extra space in their pack! It normally costs $11.99/month. Plus, they might run holiday deals!
Click here to gift a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
3. Audible Subscription
Audiobooks are the new ebooks.
I am a fan of audiobooks because I can listen to them without getting dizzy on a bus or train, and I don’t have to carry a Kindle with me. I can listen to books straight from my phone, so they don’t take up any extra space in my pack!
An Audible subscription includes two free books upfront and one book per month, along with other special discounts and benefits. Plus, it can be used to listen to Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited ebooks with an audio component.
Click here to give the gift of Audible.
4. Airbnb Gift Card
We all need a place to sleep at night, and Airbnb has a fabulous global presence. Give the gift of accommodations with an Airbnb gift card, allowing the traveler to choose their preferred places.
Click here to gift an Airbnb gift card via email.
5. Tossable Digits Subscription
If your traveler is leaving long-term and will need to get a foreign SIM card and local phone number overseas, give them the gift of keeping their beloved US phone number.
Tossable Digits provides this service for just a few dollars per month. Learn more about how Tossable Digits works here.
Click here to give the gift of keeping a phone number.
6. VPN – “Virtual Private Network” Subscription
In short, a VPN masks a computer’s IP address. Doing this is beneficial for many reasons, one of which is that I can watch my beloved Game of Thrones on HBOGO no matter what country I’m currently in, even though HBOGO is “blocked” in many places.
Here are several options for VPN providers:
- VPN Unlimited (the one I currently use)
- Nord VPN
- Pure VPN
- ExpressVPN
- TorGuard VPN
7. Worldwide Tours
Here is a BRILLIANT way to give the gift of fun and adventure to your favorite traveler.
Both of the following companies offer tours from a few hours to several days in countries worldwide, so there is a great chance there is something of interest for every traveler.
From the Sydney bridge climb to a palace concert in Vienna, trekking in Patagonia, to a simple city or wine tasting tour in the USA. You can gift any tour and have confirmation sent via email.
If you know your traveler is headed for something special, be the one to give them what they really want!
- Gift a Viator Tour (60,000+ things to do)
- Tinggly Gift Collection (Hundreds of experiences in 100+ countries)
8. Tripit Pro Subscription
Tripit is one of my absolute favorite travel apps.
It organizes itineraries like magic, and all you have to do is forward your confirmation emails to Tripit. It brilliantly consolidates everything: maps, booking numbers, contact information, times, flight numbers, and more, neatly within the app.
My favorite function of the Pro version is that it provides real-time alerts about flight statuses and delays, gate changes, etc. Tripit Pro is 100% worth purchasing, and it costs $49/year.
Click here to gift a Tripit Pro subscription.
9. Travel Insurance
Because we all need it (especially in our new reality), and it can sometimes be a forgotten expense. It’s worth remembering that you can still get travel insurance even after your trip has started.
Here are a couple of options for companies I have used:
- SafetyWing (I use this one most often!)
- Battleface
- InsureMyTrip
- World Nomads
- Allianz Travel Insurance
Learn everything you need to know about travel insurance. Pass the post along to your gift recipient, as well!
10. Workaway Subscription
Workaway is a program that connects volunteer travelers to hosts worldwide, with countless opportunities to exchange a few hours of work each day for room and sometimes board.
I’ve done it twice in Italy and Mexico. Read about my Workaway experience in Mexico and listen to my Workaway podcast episode. I highly recommend it for travelers looking to get an authentic experience out of their travels.
Workaway costs $49 per year for a single person and $59 per year for two people traveling together. Giving the gift of a Workaway subscription opens doors to endless opportunities across the globe.
Click here to gift a Workaway subscription.
11. Worldpackers Subscription
Speaking of volunteering abroad, Worldpackers connects travelers to volunteer and cultural exchange opportunities around the world (similar to Workaway). Travelers trade their skills for accommodations, meals, and other benefits, which is truly a budget traveler’s dream come true!
Worldpackers costs $49 per year and gives your frequent traveler access to 4000+ travel opportunities and a community of 1 million travelers.
Use promo code JUMP or click this link to get $10 off when you sign up.
Workaway & Worldpackers alternatives: WWOOF, Helpx
12. Global Entry (U.S.)
Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler Program, which essentially means the government does a background check on you, clears you, and allows you to move quickly through US immigration.
If your favorite traveler flies a lot, especially within or in and out of the US, having Global Entry is like having a superpower.
The initial application fee is $100, and if approved, Global Entry is good for five years. Since each applicant has to fill out quite a bit of information, it is not possible to send this as a gift, but it is still a great idea to send $100 to a frequent traveler to put towards a Global Entry application.
13. Pimsleur Subscription
The Pimsleur Method accelerates learning to speak another language by tapping into the user’s natural ability to learn through hearing and speaking. Please read our full Pimsleur Method review to see how it works.
All types of travelers benefit from knowing the languages of the places they visit and help them learn faster with Pimsleur!
A Pimsleur subscription starts with a 7-day free trial and then costs $14.95/month.
Click here to gift a Pimsleur subscription.
14. Trade and Travel Course
Gift a unique learning opportunity to your traveler that will help set them up now for when the world is open to travel freely again.
With the Trade and Travel course by Invest with Teri, you learn how to make money via stock market trading while traveling the world. Listen to Teri’s podcast interview to learn more about the course.
Click here to buy Teri’s Trade and Travel Course.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Some of these links are affiliate links.
Use these BMT-approved travel resources to plan your best budget-friendly trip yet!
Flights – Learn our tried and true strategies for finding the cheapest flights.
Accommodations – Using Booking.com to search for hostels and budget hotels has many benefits, including free cancelation and member upgrades.
Travel Insurance – Now more than ever, we encourage the purchase of travel insurance for every trip. Insurance protects you against cancellations, lost luggage, theft, injury, and illness. Here are the ones I use the most often:
- SafetyWing – covers travel medical and trip delay/cancelation
- Battleface – customizable protection including cancel-for-any-reason
Activities – Find amazing things to do that won’t break the bank in destinations worldwide on Viator.
Need an international SIM card? We suggest pre-ordering from SimOptions.