If you’ve got friends, co-workers, or family is ready to swap their office chairs for airplane seats in retirement, you came to the right place. I’m here to help you find the perfect retirement travel gifts for them!
As someone who’s constantly on the move, I know exactly what items make traveling smoother and more comfortable. Plus, traveling often with my mom, who’s almost retired herself, has given me plenty of insights into what retirees might need on their adventures. So, whether you’re looking for a gift that’s thoughtful, practical, or just plain fun, I’ve pulled together a list of 33 great travel gifts that retirees will love!
Are you short on time? Check out the editor’s top three retirement gifts for travelers by budget.
- Best overall travel gift for retirees: Tinggly gift card (#1)
- Best gift for the home: Personalized world map (#2)
- Best practical gift: Portable coffee maker (#6)
- Best gift for outdoor lovers: US national park pass (#16)
- Best gift for her: Anti-theft bag (#17)
- Best retirement travel books Destinations of a lifetime travel guide (#22)
- Best techy retirement gift: Portable charger (#27)
- Funniest gift for retirees: Business cards (#32)
Before you continue, I just want to let you know that if you need inspiration, check out these gift guides too:
- Going away gifts: 40 useful gifts travelers will actually take on a trip
- Travel gifts for men: 40+ gifts that traveling men will love ( and use)
- Travel gifts for women: More than 50 gift ideas for traveling women
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Don’t forget to save these retirement gifts for travelers on Pinterest so you’ll know where to look for the next retiree!
Best overall retirement travel gift
#1 Gift card
I know, a gift card might seem like a lazy gift, but trust me, it can be one of the most practical and thoughtful choices out there.
It’s basically saying, “You know best what you need, so go ahead and pick something you’ll actually use.”
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out my list of the 33 best gift cards for travelers. Or, if you want something really special, consider a Tinggly gift card that lets them choose from incredible travel experiences worldwide.
SEE ALSO: 44 Creative ways to give gift cards →
Retirement travel gifts for the home
#2 Personalized world map
As they set off to explore the globe, they’ll need a way to keep track of all the stunning places they’ve visited and the ones still on their list. That’s where this personalized pushpin world map comes in as the perfect retirement travel gift!
I originally found this map as a wedding anniversary gift, but you can easily customize it to give to a retiree if just don’t fill out the date when adding your personalization.
#3 International coffee beans
As a huge coffee lover, I have to say, this might just be one of my favorite at-home retirement gifts for someone who likes to travel.
Obviously, they won’t be taking these bean bags on their journeys (check out the portable coffee maker #2 if that’s what you’re looking for). But these coffee beans will take them on a coffee journey from home!
They can try 16 different types of coffee beans from around the world. And all of that from the comfort of their home.
#4 Jigsaw puzzles
Now that they’ve retired, they’ve got all the time in the world, right? What better way to enjoy some quiet time than with jigsaw puzzles?
Putting together a puzzle is a fun way to pass the time, especially if it’s travel-themed like this national park puzzle. It’s perfect for keeping the travel vibe alive, even on a chill day at home!
#5 Best places scratch-off poster
With time in their hands, retirees can explore the world!
This poster is just what they need to keep their travels on track!
It’s a fun gift and a great way to help them keep an eye on the places they’ve seen and serve as an inspiration to add new places to visit to their bucket list.
Practical gifts for retirees who travel
#6 Portable coffee maker
As two big coffee lovers, my mom and I can be quite picky about our coffee, but we both love this portable coffee maker. It’s designed for true coffee lovers who are always on the move. Compact (6.9 x 2.8 x 2.4 inches) and light (just 0.8 lbs), it slips easily into any luggage (even for me as a backpacker). Plus, it doesn’t need cups or electricity, so retirees can enjoy a delicious espresso anywhere they wish.
#7 High-quality suitcase
Most retirees I know are passed the backpacking life. They prefer something more comfortable like a lightweight suitcase that’s easy to handle. That’s why I always recommend Samsonite suitcases for older travelers. They come with 360-degree spinning wheels and a sturdy cover—perfect for any trip.
#8 Compression packing cubes
Packing can be such a pain, but not with these compression cubes!
My mom and I never pack without them—they save so much space and keep everything tidy. They’re perfect for anyone who loves to travel, especially retirees.
#9 Passport cover
This is one of my favorite gifts for retirees who travel, a passport cover that will always remind them of the fun things they can do now that they’ve retired.
For more designs, check out Etsy.
#10 Luggage travel cup holder
Give them a gift of convenience. With this luggage cup holder, rushing through the airport with coffee won’t be such a hassle anymore.
It’s practical, attachable to their suitcase handle, and keeps their coffee safe and steady so they can make their way to the gate stress-free and caffeinated.
#11 Hanging toiletry bag
Everyone needs a good toiletry bag, right?
This fancy water-resistant one is perfect for travelers. It even hangs up, making it super easy to use. Whether they’re retired or not, this is an essential pick for keeping all their bathroom stuff organized on the go!
#12 Luggage tag
With all the trips they will be making, they need to make sure they can find their luggage easily. And luckily, you’ve got them covered with this awesome retirement-themed luggage tag.
Though check out Zazzle if you prefer other designs.
Best travel gifts for outdoorsy retirees
#13 Binoculars
If you know someone who loves safaris and plans to spend their retirement spotting wild animals, travel binoculars are a fantastic gift. They’re compact enough to fit in a backpack but powerful enough to offer 20x magnification. I’ve used them myself on safaris and they’re a game-changer—definitely happy to have them!
SEE ALSO: 25 Safari lover gifts →
#14 Swiss Army knife
A Swiss army knife is one of the best gifts you can get for someone who plans to spend their retirement outdoors. Whether they’re hitting the road with a camper, pitching a tent, or cycling through nature, this tool is super handy. It’s a real must-have for any adventure!
#15 Water bottle
Staying hydrated is crucial for travelers, which is why a water bottle is such a great retirement gift.
I personally use the LifeStraw water bottle everywhere I go because it has a built-in filter. This filter removes dirt, chemicals, microplastics, and more, allowing you to safely drink water, even in places where tap water isn’t safe. It’s a must-have for any traveler!
#16 National Parks free pass
The US National Park Pass is a great gift for anyone who loves the outdoors, especially retirees. It lets one person and up to three other adults in the same car get into over 2,000 national parks across the U.S., like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.
It’s perfect for retirees because they have the time to really enjoy and explore all these beautiful places.
Retirement travel gifts for her
#17 Anti-theft handbag
My mom and I aren’t always the best at keeping an eye on our stuff when we’re traveling, which really worries my dad. But this anti-theft crossbody bag gives him a bit more peace of mind.
It is perfect for anyone looking for travel retirement gifts for women—like your mom or a female coworker. It keeps belongings safe with secure zippers, tough material, and RFID-blocking slots. Plus, it’s cute and stylish, so she’ll actually want to use it everywhere she goes.
#18 Retirement necklace
This retirement necklace is a beautiful and thoughtful gift for a woman who is very dear to you. Not only because it’s a gorgeous piece of jewelry, but also because of the sweet message that comes with it.
#19 Scarf with hidden pockets
A scarf is a practical travel item in general, but this one has something special that makes it an even better retirement travel gift; a hidden pocket!
This way, they can stay warm and keep their belongings safe on the road.
#20 Jewelry box
This is another great retirement travel gift for women (though men with lots of jewelry will love these organizers too).
She can take her precious jewelry and keep them divided and organized in this cute box.
#21 Foldable sunhats
This is a practical gift for women. Whether she’s strolling on the beach or enjoying a sunny day in the city, this stylish sun hat is the perfect blend of fashion and functionality.
Not only is it small and lightweight but it will protect her from the sun and still look fashionable.
Best travel books for retirees
#22 Travel guide
Now that they’ve retired they need to find a way to fill all that free time. And this book by National Geographic will give them more than 100 amazing ideas! Making it one of my favorite retirement travel gifts. (Though it’s also one of my favorite travel inspirational books in general).
#23 Book about retired travelers
Looking for a gift for someone who loves reading about adventures?
“To Oldly Go” is a great pick. It’s packed with 41 true stories from folks over 60 who decided to travel the world. The stories are not only funny but super relatable for retirees hitting the road. I’m not retired yet, and I really enjoyed reading them too!
#24 Travel journal
A travel journal is the best way to collect memories of a trip. And I am not just saying this for retirees, that’s actually true for every traveler. I sometimes read my old travel journals, and very often I realize how many stories, names, and experiences I had forgotten already. Honestly, rereading a journal is one of the best gifts travelers can give to themselves.
So to help them with that, a travel journal is one of the best travel gifts for retirees.
#25 US travel inspiration book
This book is a perfect gift for retirees ready to explore the US. It’s packed with cool ideas for things to do in every state. Plus, it’s full of illustrations, giving them a sneak peek of what to expect. They can flip through, get inspired, and start picturing all the fun stuff they’ll do on their travels!
#26 Puzzle book
If you are looking for small and practical gifts for retirees who travel then a puzzle book will always come in handy.
I mean, retired people tend to puzzle a lot in general, plus they need something to do on the plane, bus, or train while traveling to their next destination!
Techy gifts for retirees who travel
#27 Portable charger
This portable charger is a lifesaver, and I’m sure it will be the same for any retiree! I’ve spent many long rides just listening to music or podcasts (since reading on buses and trains makes me carsick), and this charger ensures my phone never dies. It powers through the journey and still has enough juice left to help me navigate to my accommodation. Even if your recipient isn’t very tech-savvy, they’ll soon find this charger indispensable on the road.
#28 Kindle subscription
Reading’s one of my favorite ways to relax, and I bet it’s the same for many retirees!
Why not gift them a Kindle subscription? There are millions of books at their fingertips, and they might even discover a new favorite. I absolutely love my e-reader and Kindle subscription—it lets me devour loads of books without lugging around heavy tomes.
#29 Camera
Pics or didn’t happen!
Well, retirees might not say that, but they sure love capturing their travel adventures. If you’ve got a bigger budget or are pooling together for a group gift, a quality camera (or a gift card for them to choose their own) is a fantastic choice.
Funny gifts for retirees who travel
#30 Tote bag
Tote bags are one of my favorite sustainable travel retirement gifts because they can replace plastic bags with this funny one!
So not only will it always remind them of the amazing time they had at work, it will also save the planet for their children (and grandchildren).
#31 Travel-sized games
Another way in which retirees keep themselves busy is by playing games. So if you are looking for fun gifts for retirees who travel, a travel-sized game is the perfect solution.
You can find my 40 favorite games for travelers here, or go for the travel-sized catan game.
#32 Funny retired business cards
Retirement is all about leaving stress behind and this gift will certainly go well with this concept.
A small, gag gift like this will remind them (and everyone else) that it’s no longer their problem anymore. They’re finally stress-free and can bid them adieu!
#33 Funny retirement cutting board
Looking for a fun gift for retirees who love to cook?
Then this recipe for a great retirement is a fun gift idea!
Not only will it make them smile upon receipt but they might actually follow the instructions and add the ingredients in their own way!
Save these gifts for retirees who travel
Did you save these retirement gifts for travelers on Pinterest yet?
Final note on gifts for retirees who travel
Alright, these were my 33 favorite retirement gifts for travelers. If you haven’t made a decision yet, check out the editor’s top three.
- Large budget: Personalized world map (#1)
- Mid budget: Destinations of a lifetime travel guide (#13)
- Small budget: Luggage tag (#25)
