The Best Christmas in Europe Itinerary for 7 to 14 Days
This Christmas in Europe itinerary includes some of the best holiday markets in Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland. From Christkindlmarkts in Nuremberg and Munich to Marche de Noel in the Alsace region of France, these are the most magical places to spend the holidays.
This Christmas in Europe itinerary features the best holiday markets in Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland.
Under twinkling lights on a frosty winter’s night, the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread welcomes holiday travelers to old-timey Christmas markets all around Europe. Some of my favorite ones so far are in Germany, France, Switzerland, and Austria, so I’ve crafted a European Christmas itinerary to incorporate these festive stops.
While the four countries are neighbors and share some similarities, you’ll also notice differences in cuisine and culture as you move from town to town. For a unique blend of experiences, this winter in Europe itinerary includes a mix of larger cities with dozens of Christkindlmarkts and smaller villages brimming with holiday fairytale vibes.
There are many different ways to arrange a Christmas market trip to Europe, and I’ve included a few itinerary options below for a 7 to 14-day vacation. I’ve done the two-week version myself and highly recommend it if you have enough time.
You could also add Paris, Brussels, Cologne, or Frankfurt at the beginning of the trip or Cesky Krumlov and Prague in Czechia at the end.
Keep reading for my Christmas in Europe itinerary and a guide to the markets you can see in each city.
Europe Christmas Itinerary Options
One Week Christmas in Europe Itinerary
Day 1: Fly into Frankfurt or Munich, Germany; train or bus to Strasbourg, France
Day 2: Strasbourg markets and sightseeing
Day 3: Day trip to Colmar, France
Day 4: Day trip to Basel, Switzerland
Day 5: Train or bus to Nuremberg, Germany
Day 6: Day trip to Regensburg, Germany
Day 7: Nuremberg and return to Frankfurt or Munich
10 Day Winter Europe Itinerary
Day 1: Fly into Paris, France, or Frankfurt, Germany; bus or train to Strasbourg, France
Day 2: Strasbourg Christmas markets
Day 3: Day trip to Basel, Switzerland
Day 4: Day trip to Colmar, France
Day 5: Train or bus to Munich, Germany
Day 6: Munich Christmas markets
Day 7: Day trip to Regensburg, Germany
Day 8: Day trip to Nuremberg, Germany
Day 9: Day trip to Salzburg, Austria
Day 10: Return to Paris or Frankfurt or fly home from Munich
Two Week Winter Itinerary Europe
Day 1: Fly into Paris or Frankfurt, train or bus to Strasbourg, France
Day 2: Strasbourg, France
Day 3: Day trip to Colmar, France
Day 4: Day trip to Alsace villages (Eguisheim, Kayserberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauville)
Day 5: Day trip to Basel, Switzerland
Day 6: Train or bus to Munich, Germany
Day 7: Munich Christmas markets
Day 8: Day trip to Regensburg, Germany
Day 9: Day trip to Nuremberg, Germany
Day 10: Munich to Salzburg, Austria
Day 11: Salzburg to Vienna, Austria
Day 12: Vienna Christmas markets
Day 13: Vienna sightseeing
Day 14: Travel home from Vienna
Best European Christmas towns
in Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland
These are a few of my favorite towns to include on a Christmas in Europe itinerary. There are so many other amazing ones, too, but these towns in France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are a great place to start for your first Christmas market trip to Europe.
Strasbourg, France
Little wooden market chalets topped with garland sit in the shadow of a towering Gothic cathedral in Strasbourg, the “Capital of Christmas.” The city is actually the capital of the Grand Est region of northeastern France near the German border, with a blend of the two cultures displayed in the architecture and food.
The Christkindelsmärik here is the oldest in France, dating to 1570. In modern days, more than 300 mini chalets stacked with holiday gifts, cookies, and large vats of mulled wine fill a dozen or so different squares and corners of the town.
Beyond the markets, the streets sparkle with lights and storefronts display elaborate scenes of teddy bears and oversized ornaments. It’s easy to stumble upon Christmas just wandering through the central Old Town, but make sure you visit the markets at Place de la Cathedrale, Place Kleber for a towering tree, and Place Broglie in front of the opera house.
Outside of the holiday activities, I also recommend visiting Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg to watch the astronomical clock show and climb the tower, the riverfront district of Quartier de La Petite France, and Jardin de la Place de la Republic to see the Palais du Rhin (and possibly some gorgeous yellow trees if they haven’t shed their leaves yet). You can also pop into museums dedicated to fine arts, decorative arts, and local history.
Strasbourg makes a great base on your first Christmas in Europe itinerary, especially for a short trip. It’s just a couple of hours from Paris or Frankfurt by train, and you can take day trips to German and Swiss towns nearby and several quaint villages in the Alsace cultural region of France.
Christmas Markets in Strasbourg
Chrìstkìndelsmärik at Place de la Cathedrale and Place du Chateau
Chrìstkìndelsmärik at Place Broglie
Place Kleber Christmas Market and the Great Christmas Tree
Christmas Market at Place du Temple Neuf
Christmas Market at Rue des Hallebardes
Alsatian Christmas Delicacies Market at Terrasse Rohan
Rue Gutenberg Christmas Market and Pere Noel mailbox (letters to Santa)
Christmas Market at Place du Marche-Aux-Poissons
Christmas Market at Place Saint-Thomas
Place Benjamin Zix Christmas Market in Strasbourg
Marche Off at Place Grimmeissen
Village d’Advent at Square Louise Weiss and Suzanne Lacore
Colmar, France
A fairytale village is the best way to picture Colmar, France. Colorful, half-timbered buildings line the cobblestone streets and the canal front Petite Venise district while the imposing, 14th-century churches peak above the skyline.
At Christmas, the town exudes charm, from the decked-out storefronts and festive market squares to the children’s choir that sings carols on boats in the canal in the evening (my favorite moment here, by the way). A Christmas Shuttle also operates from the Colmar rail station to the nearby villages of Eguisheim, Turckheim, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, and Ribeauville.
Colmar is a 30-minute train ride south of Strasbourg, so it makes an easy day trip from the larger city during your Europe Christmas itinerary. This is also an ideal base for a Christmas in France trip to smaller Alsatian villages nearby.
Christmas Markets in Colmar
Artisan Arts Market at Place de Dominicains
Christmas Market at Place Jeanne d'Arc
Gourmet Market at Place de la Cathedrale
Christmas Market at Place de l’Ancienne Douane
Children’s Market in Petite Venise
Koifhus Indoor Craft Market
Basel, Switzerland
With some of the prettiest Christmas markets in Switzerland, Basel makes an easy add-on to a France and Germany holiday trip. Located on the Rhine River, it borders both countries and is just a 45-minute train ride from Colmar.
There are two main Christmas markets in Basel, a large one surrounding the Barfusserplatz square and a smaller one with a cute kiddie zone next to the Basel Minster church. You can also climb to the top of the Gothic cathedral for a view of the river and the square sparkling in lights below. (Be aware that they do not allow anyone to walk up the tower alone, for very strange reasons).
While in Basel, you also must stop by the 500-year-old Rathaus (city hall) to see the large Christmas tree in the fresco-adorned courtyard and add your holiday wishes to the Basel Wish Book. A lot of people skip over Switzerland on a winter Europe itinerary to the Christmas markets, but I think it’s a great addition, especially if you’re already going to Strasbourg or Colmar.
Christmas Markets in Basel
Christmas Market at Barfusserplatz
Christmas Market at Munsterplatz
Munich, Germany
Munich overflows with Christmas markets and special events in December. The capital of Germany’s Bavaria region is best known for its massive Oktoberfest in the fall and makes a logical base for a Christmas trip to Europe.
During the holiday season, the festival grounds, the center of Old Town, and neighborhoods scattered around the city transform into cozy Yuletide hubs filled with warm drinks, delicious bites, and a host of holiday collectibles, gifts, and decor. There are well over a dozen different Christmas markets in Munich.
If you’re only in the city for a couple of days, I recommend sticking to the Altstadt (Old Town) area for traditional markets surrounding the neo-Gothic town hall.
Münchner Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz (the central square) is a must for Bavarian food and crafts. The market at the Kaiserhof of the Residenz is my favorite for the setting in a palace courtyard. And the Medieval Christmas Market in Wittelsbacher Platz is fun for something a little old-timey and different.
The Oktoberfest grounds also transform into the Tollwood Winter Festival, a buzzing holiday event with live music, a food plaza, a curling rink, and more.
Christmas Markets in Munich
Münchner Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz
Winter magic at Viktualienmarkt (food market)
Eiszauber skating rink at the Karlsplatz-Stachus
Christkindlmarkt at Sendlinger Tor Platz
Christmas Village in the Kaiserhof of the Residenz (city palace)
Munich Advent Spectacle and Medieval Christmas Market at Wittelsbacher Platz
Tollwood Winter Festival at the Oktoberfest fairgrounds
Pink Christmas at Stephansplatz
Haidhausen Christmas Market at Weissenburger Platz
Bogenhausen Christmas Magic Forest at Cosimabad
Christmas Market at the Chinese Tower at Englischer Garten
Schwabing Christmas markets at Münchner Freiheit
Märchen Bazar (fairytale bazaar) at Olympiapark
Neuhauser Christmas Market at Rotkreuzplatz
Blutenburg Christmas at Blutenburg Castle
Star Fleet on Alte Utting
Magical Christmas Market at the Werksviertel at Knödelplatz
The Moonlight Express Christmas Market at Bahnwärter Thiel
Nuremberg, Germany
Home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, Nuremberg twinkles with thousands of lights that transform the city’s main square into a fairytale setting for the holidays. The centerpiece of the festivities is the angelic Christkind figure, who symbolizes the spirit of the season in Nuremberg and opens the Christkindlesmarkt every year.
The large Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg fills the square in front of a 13th-century church. Dozens of wooden booths topped with red and white striped canopies and lined with garland sell intricately carved ornaments, spekulatius cookies, candied nuts, and rostbratwurst.
Nearby, a children’s market has a colorful carousel, a Ferris wheel, and activities for kiddos. There’s also the Sister Cities’ Market, where you can shop for international handmade crafts from Nuremberg’s partner communities around the world, including Antalya, Turkey; Cordoba, Spain; San Carlos, Nicaragua; and Kavala, Greece.
Nuremberg is one of the best German Christmas markets to add to your Europe in winter itinerary.
Christmas Markets in Nuremberg
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt in the Hauptmarkt (main market)
Children’s Christmas Market on Hans-Sachs-Platz
Sister Cities Market at the Rathausplatz (town hall square)
Regensburg, Germany
Home to a 13th-century cathedral and a 12th-century bridge across the Danube River, Regensburg’s medieval center is the ideal setting for classic Christmas markets. The main Regensburg Christkindlmarkt fills the square surrounding Neupfarrkirche (new parish church) with twinkling lights, live music, cute carousels, and the aroma of glühwein.
Elsewhere around town, you can stop by the Christmas tree at Altes Rathaus Regensburg (the old town hall), tour inside the St. Peter Cathedral, and wander around to holiday markets at the palace, Kohlenmark, Haidplatz, and across the river by St. Katharinenspital. I also recommend heading to the cafe on the top floor of the Galeria department store on Neupfarrplatz for a view of the main market from above.
Regensburg is about an hour and a half from Munich and an hour from Nuremberg by train. You can get here with the Bayern Ticket, a regional day ticket for unlimited rides in Bavaria for up to five people. Regensburg was one of my favorite stops on my first Europe Christmas itinerary and I highly recommend checking it out. It’s large enough to have a few fun markets, but not too big or overwhelming.
Christmas Markets in Regensburg
Regensburg Christmas Market on Neupfarrplatz
Advent Market at Katharinenspital
Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss St. Emmeram, Thurn, and Taxis
Lucrezia Market at Haidplatz and Kohlenmark
Salzburg, Austria
The jingling of bells in Salzburg can mean two different things — holiday cheer or the arrival of Krampus, the somewhat terrifying horned creature said to scare away the dark winter spirits. Throughout the season, dozens of costumed Krampuses pop up for parades and appearances at markets around the city.
On a sweeter note, the city is the birthplace of Mozart and the Christmas carol “Silent Night” was composed nearby, so music plays a big part in the seasonal festivities. Daily a capella choral concerts take place in front of the Salzburg Cathedral in late November and December, while brass bands, string quartets, and special Advent performances fill the rest of the calendar.
Some half dozen Christmas markets are scattered around the Altstadt (old town) and Neustadt (new town) on either side of the Salzach River. The main Christkindlmarkt fills the squares around the Salzburg Cathedral with an ice skating rink, towering Christmas tree, string lights, and stands full of holiday trimmings.
My favorite holiday spot is in the 11th-century Hohensalzberg Fortress on a hill above the city. Set up in the medieval castle courtyard, the Christmas market here feels cozy and homegrown. To get into the castle for free, mention at the ticket office that you’re there for the Advent market. There’s also a stunning view over the whole city from a terrace near the courtyard.
Christmas Markets in Salzburg
Christkindlmarkt at the Dom and Residenzplatz
Christmas market on Mirabellplatz
Advent at Salzburg Fortress
Stern Advent and Winter Market in Sternarkaden
Charitable Advent Market at Alter Markt
Hellbrunner Adventzauber at the Palace of Hellbrunn
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is a magical city to visit any time of the year, full of palaces, museums, and music. During the holiday season, tons of Christmas markets pop up in landmark squares around the city.
One of the largest holiday markets in Europe is the Wiener Christkindlmarkt in front of City Hall, with an ice-skating track, carousel, Ferris wheel, and dozens of food and shopping stands. From there, you can stop by palace markets like the Christmas Village at Belvedere, the Culture and Christmas Market at Schönbrunn, and the lesser-known Advent Market at the Palais Liechtenstein.
The Vienna Christmas markets have incredible food — be sure to try the suppen im brotteig (soup bread bowl), kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), raclette (warm cheese served with bread), and waffles with all sorts of sweet toppings.
Since most of the markets here are next to attractions like art museums, historic churches, and palaces, it’s easy to mix sightseeing and tours with Christmas activities. My favorite things to do in Vienna include climbing to the top of St. Stephen’s Cathedral for a view of the city, listening to live music at Peterskirche, and exploring the extensive gardens at Schönbrunn Palace.
Here’s my favorite Vienna itinerary for a day in the city!
Christmas Markets in Vienna
Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz (City Hall Square)
Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz
Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace
Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace
Art Advent on Karlsplatz
Christmas Market on Spittelberggasse
Christmas Village at Stephansplatz
Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung
Christmas Market at Am Hof
Winter Market at the Riesenradplatz
Advent at the Liechtenstein Garden Palace
Christmas Village at the University of Vienna campus
Alm Advent Festival at the Messeplatz
The 12 Best Christmas Markets in Vienna Austria This Year
Vienna transforms into a winter wonderland during the holidays, adorned with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the aroma of spiced mulled wine wafting through the air. At the heart of this seasonal spectacle are the Christmas markets in Vienna that fill the squares around the city’s palaces and cathedrals, each bursting with tradition, culture, and yuletide cheer.
The best Christmas markets in Vienna Austria fill the squares around the city’s palaces and cathedrals each holiday season.
Vienna transforms into a winter wonderland during the holidays, adorned with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the aroma of spiced mulled wine wafting through the air. At the heart of this seasonal spectacle are the Christmas markets that dot the city, each bursting with tradition, culture, and yuletide cheer.
I spent last Christmas hoping between cozy markets tucked into narrow streets in the historic city center and large community gatherings in front of iconic landmarks. The best part about Christmas markets in Vienna is definitely the Austrian dishes (hello, everything potato), but you can also do some serious holiday gift shopping at the cute wooden huts and find fun wintry activities like ice skating rinks and carousels.
In this guide, we'll embark on a festive journey to some of the most enchanting Christmas markets Vienna has to offer. Most of the options listed below are located in the central city, so it’s easy to hop around and visit several with just a few days in Vienna.
From the grandeur of the Rathausplatz festival to the intimate charm of Spittelberggasse street vendors, these are some of the best Vienna Christmas markets to visit this year.
Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz (City Hall Square)
The grandeur of Vienna's Rathausplatz transforms into a fairy-tale setting during the Wiener Christkindlmarkt. Not only is this the largest Christmas market in Vienna, but it’s also one of the grandest in all of Europe, with dozens of vendors, an ice skating track, rides for kids, holiday photo ops, and light shows.
The towering Christmas tree at the center, adorned with sparkling lights, creates a mesmerizing focal point in front of the neo-Gothic style Vienna City Hall. A different tree — the Herzerlbaum — is even more eye-catching, though. It’s in a garden off the main square and decorated with big red hearts that illuminate in a special hourly display beginning at dusk.
Strolling through rows of market stalls, you’ll find handcrafted ornaments, traditional Austrian treats, and artisanal gifts.
Dates: November 15 to December 26, 2024
Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz
Spread across a plaza nestled between the palatial Art History Museum and the Natural History Museum buildings, the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz simultaneously feels both cozy and grand.
This Vienna Christmas market boasts over 70 stalls, showcasing Austrian craftsmanship and culinary delights. If you’re here to shop, expect to find delicate glass ornaments, embroidered textiles, handcrafted gifts, and edible souvenirs.
I ended up eating the most at this location because I couldn’t resist the aroma of sizzling fried dough stuffed with cheese. This market also has private, covered pagodas with tables you can reserve for your group.
Dates: November 13 to December 31, 2024
This is my favorite Christmas in Europe itinerary
Christmas Village at the University of Vienna Campus
The University of Vienna campus transforms into a winter wonderland during the Christmas season. Students and locals alike gather to explore stalls filled with handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and gifts.
The market here has a young and trendy vibe, with creative art pieces and activities like curling. A special section full of lights called the “Fancy Village” features innovative dishes and products for sale. For a fun night out with friends or family, you can reserve private pagodas with a curling rink to play on.
The University of Vienna Campus is right next to the largest Vienna Christmas market at Rathausplatz, so it’s easy to visit them both on one outing.
Dates: November 15 to December 23, 2024
Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace
The Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace is one of my absolute favorites, thanks in large part to its imperial setting. Against the backdrop of the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, this market combines festive traditions with cultural experiences.
Local choirs and musicians provide a soundtrack of carols as you explore the stalls offering traditional handicrafts, seasonal treats, and unique gifts. Some 90 huts fill a square on one side of the palace and an ice skating rink, children’s train, and Ferris wheel add to the festive fun.
The food at this Vienna Christmas market is also top-notch, from stews in bread bowls and hearty grostl (a fried potato, bacon, and onion dish) to crepes and buchteln (stuffed sweet rolls).
Beyond the holiday festivities, you can join tours of the palace or wander the extensive garden grounds on your own. I loved climbing up the hill in the back for a stunning view over the entire city with Schönbrunn in the foreground.
Dates: November 8, 2024, to January 6, 2025
Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace
The Baroque splendor of Belvedere Palace provides a magnificent backdrop for one of the most picturesque Christmas markets in Vienna. The market exudes a refined elegance, offering high-quality handicrafts and bites.
The palace has beautifully manicured gardens on both sides, so it’s the perfect setting to wander around with a cup of mulled wine and some sweet roasted nuts as you take in the views.
In addition to the market, you can tour the Upper Belvedere Palace for an art collection spanning 800 years, the one-time residential palace of Lower Belvedere, and Belvedere 21 for contemporary art in a Modernism-style building.
Dates: November 15 to December 31, 2024
Advent at the Liechtenstein Garden Palace
The Liechtenstein Garden Palace provides a regal backdrop for the Advent market held within its opulent gardens. The holiday stop combines the charm of historic surroundings with the festive spirit, offering a curated selection of artisanal products, culinary goodies, and cultural performances.
This is a newer Christmas market in Vienna, so it’s not as well known yet as some of the others and a bit less crowded. In addition to shopping and dining, you can take a leisurely stroll through the grounds or tour the interior of the City Palace and Garden Palace when they’re open.
Dates: November 14 to December 22, 2024
Art Advent on Karlsplatz
Karlsplatz transforms into a vibrant cultural hub during the Art Advent Market. This alternative Vienna Christmas market focuses on local artisans and sustainability, with regionally sourced products, LED lighting, and entirely organic dishes at the food stands.
The artistic atmosphere is complemented by live music performances and creative workshops, making it the perfect choice for those seeking a unique and socially responsible holiday experience.
The Art Advent Market is also super family-friendly. Activities on the calendar for kids include drawing and craft workshops, fairytale story times, and a carousel of found objects.
This Christmas market in Vienna is situated on a square in front of Karlskirche, a Baroque church with a green dome that hosts regular Vivaldi concerts.
Dates: November 15 to December 23, 2024
Christmas Market on Spittelberggasse
The cobblestone streets of Spittelberggasse, lined with historic Biedermeier houses, provide an intimate setting for this charming Christmas market. The narrow alleys in this neighborhood are packed with market stands full of handmade crafts, vintage treasures, and culinary treats.
The market's cozy ambiance makes it a favorite among locals and a hidden gem for visitors.
Dates: November 16 to December 23, 2024
Christmas Village at Stephansplatz
Nestled at the foot of the grand St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Christmas Village at Stephansplatz offers a festive escape in the heart of Vienna's city center. The stalls here brim with all the seasonal delights you’d expect, from gingerbread cookies to handcrafted ornaments.
The true highlight is the cathedral, though, a must-see on your Vienna itinerary. It’s the tallest church in Austria at nearly 450 feet and has four intricately detailed towers and a roof with colorful tiles.
If you’re able, I recommend climbing the 343 spiral steps up to the south tower room for stunning views over the city.
Dates: November 8 to December 26, 2024
The ultimate itinerary for visiting Vienna, Prague, and Budapest
Christmas Market at Am Hof
Am Hof, the historical center of the city, welcomes visitors to a traditional holiday market. More than 70 wooden stalls full of handcrafted treasures and tasty bites create a nostalgic atmosphere at this Christmas market in Vienna.
Sip on a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine as you peruse the handcrafted goods and festive decorations. The market’s central location and historic surroundings make it a perfect stop while exploring Vienna's cultural landmarks.
The Am Hof square actually has a really interesting background. Once a setting for a military camp and tournaments in the 1165 AD era, it was built into a fish and farmers market from around 1280.
The Vienna Christmas market here has roots as far back as 1842.
Dates: November 15 to December 23, 2024
Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung
Step back in time at the Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung, where the historic square transforms into a festive tableau. Early holiday markets took place here over 300 years ago, and the current iteration has been around for some three decades.
The market celebrates Vienna's rich cultural heritage with artisans showcasing their skills in glassblowing, woodturning, and other traditional crafts. A stage in the square hosts special Advent programs, like a puppet theater, craft demonstrations, and musical performances.
You can also indulge in culinary treats like roasted chestnuts and traditional Austrian pastries.
Dates: November 15 to December 23, 2024
Winter Market at the Riesenradplatz
The iconic Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater amusement park sets the stage for the Winter Market at the Riesenradplatz. As the illuminated wheel towers over the market, visitors can enjoy a unique blend of festive attractions, live music, and fun rides.
This is more of a modern-style winter fest, but the vibrant atmosphere and activities make this market a favorite for families and groups of friends.
Dates: November 26, 2024 to January 6, 2025
KUK Christmas Market at Michaelerplatz
Though it’s a small Christmas market in Vienna, the stalls at Michaelerplatz have a regal air. The plaza sits just outside the 13th-century Hofburg Palace, once an imperial residence.
The market is referred to as KUK for the German words “kaiserliche und koniglich,” which translates to “imperial and royal.” The white and gold vendor stands with chocolate fountains and delicate ornaments have decorative flourishes to blend in with the surroundings.
Dates: Typically mid-November through the first week in January
20 of the Best Gifts for Road Trippers This Year
If you’re looking for the best gift for road trippers, this list is packed with fun ideas. Whether you need gifts for RVer relatives or are trying to find the perfect road trip gifts for your travel-loving friend, use this guide to spark some ideas this holiday season.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for road trippers in your life, this list is packed with fun ideas.
From practical safety and organizational tools to cozy socks and sweaters, these are the best road trip gifts to use on the go and at home.
More folks than ever are hitting the road right now to explore the amazing national parks, forests and monuments the U.S. has to offer. It’s a great way to travel with a flexible schedule and more space to pack.
I went on a handful of road trips this year, including Southern Utah, Yellowstone National Park, and the Northeast, and most of these ideas are inspired by items I found super useful or wished I had with me while traveling.
Whether you need minimalistic gifts for RVers or are trying to find the perfect road trip gifts for your travel-loving friend, use this guide to spark some ideas this holiday season.
Best Gifts for Road Trips
These gifts for road trips include things to use in the car, at home, and on camping trips. Pair a couple together or add in a gas station or fast food restaurant gift card for a fun road trip-themed gift.
Road Atlas
While most everyone relies on their GPS for navigation these days, some of the most epic road trips go off the grid, where paper maps are a lifesaver! Wrap up a nice road atlas that can be stashed in the glove box for a gift that’s practical and helpful.
Roadside Emergency Kit
Every driver should have a roadside emergency kit in their vehicle, and an upgraded one makes a great gift for road trippers. Make sure the one you pick has essentials like jumper cables, a first aid kit, and a reflective vest.
Trunk Organizer
Add a trunk organizer to the shopping cart as a gift for road trip travelers who spend a lot of time in a car or SUV. When you’re in a smaller space, it’s essential to keep things sorted without a bunch of bulky storage containers.
Backseat Organizer
A backseat organizer is one of the best road trip gifts for families with kids. They can use it to store games, snacks, wipes and more in an easy-to-grab spot. Some even come with special slots for tablets so kids can keep themselves entertained with some screen time.
Need more ideas? These are the best travel gifts under $20
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes makes excellent gifts for someone going on a road trip or traveling by plane. You can use them to sort and compress clothing and to keep dirty clothes and shoes away from the clean stuff. For a present, pick packing cubes in a fun color or pattern.
Day Pack
A day pack is so useful for hiking and sightseeing. They come in a variety of price ranges and you can even fill them with smaller gifts for road trips for a fun, themed present. If you’re looking for a really nice quality backpack, the Osprey brand is a favorite with frequent travelers.
Hammock
Road trips and camping go hand-in-hand, and nothing says cozy evening under the stars like a comfy hammock. Road trips gifts like this are great because they can also be used at home!
Throw Blanket
Anyone who spends a lot of time in the car knows that traveling companions don’t always have the same temperature preferences. A plush throw blanket makes a thoughtful gift for road trippers that can also be used at home.
Need more ideas? These are my favorite travel stocking stuffers.
Oversized Sweater
Everyone likes to be comfortable on a long drive in the car. Wrap up a soft, oversized sweater for your travel-loving sister or friend that she can wear on her next adventure.
Comfy Socks
This may be controversial, but taking off your shoes to get comfy is the right of every passenger on a long road trip. Nothing says cozy gifts for road trips like a pair of fuzzy socks. Plus, they can be worn at home, too.
Sunglasses
A new pair of sunglasses may be one of the best gifts for road trippers as they’re both practical and pretty. Splurge on a nice pair you know your partner has been eyeing or grab your friend some stylish shades for selfies.
Rain Jacket
It’s always a good idea to pack a rain jacket while traveling, especially on a road trip! Use the holidays as a chance to gift a quality raincoat that will hold up for years of hiking and sightseeing. North Face is a quality brand that will hold up for years and Columbia offers more budget-friendly styles.
Need more ideas? These are my favorite small shop gifts for travelers.
Travel Towel
A quick-dry travel towel is handy in so many situations, especially on road trips when you may be camping or spending time outdoors. You can gift individual towels or sets that include a few different sizes.
Toiletry Bag
An upgraded toiletry bag is a great gift idea for road trippers. You could even add in your loved one’s favorite cosmetics or some lux toiletries to make it a little more special.
Cooler
You can’t have too many coolers and they are a must on any road trip. Put it under the tree filled with some snacks or a favorite beverage for a gift inside a gift!
Camping Cookware Set
A compact camping cookware or dish set is the perfect gift for outdoorsy travelers. Cookware is perfect for camping trips while camping tableware sets are useful for any road trip to cut back on waste from disposable plates and cutlery.
Need more ideas? Luggage makes a great holiday gift for travelers!
Tumbler or Water Bottle
Insulated cups and tumblers are great for road trips to keep drinks at the right temperature. A reusable water bottle is another useful option for on-the-go. You can personalize either one with an engraved name or fun stickers.
Travel Games
Car games make the best gifts for road trips with family or friends. You can buy individual games for your kids or pick ones that the whole car can play together.
Box of Snacks
Nothing says road trip like an abundance of snacks. Pack them in a pretty basket with a bow and they’ll make a yummy gift for road trippers that everyone will love. You can also purchase pre-assembled snack boxes full of fun surprises.
Travel Journal
A travel journal is perfect for documenting destinations, stashing postcards and other mementos, and jotting down road trip thoughts.
FlipBelt
FlipBelts are a handy accessory for on the go, especially if you like to walk, hike, or run on a road trip. The fitted waist pouch has pockets for your keys, phone, ID, snacks, and even a small water bottle you can buy as an accessory. The FlipBelt can sit over your clothes or discretely hide underneath for safety while traveling.
10 of the Best Disney World Resorts to See for the Holidays
It doesn’t get more magical than Disney World during the holiday season, when giant trees, peppy tunes and yummy treats converge into one festive wonderland at the parks and resorts. Self-touring the themed Christmas decorations at all the resorts is one of the best free things to do at Disney during the holidays and we’ll show you how to get around to see it all this year!
The best Disney resorts for the holidays feature giant Christmas trees, themed decor, and special treats and eats.
It doesn’t get more magical than Disney World during the holiday season, when giant trees, peppy tunes and yummy treats converge into one festive wonderland. And parks like the Magic Kingdom are not the only place to soak up the yuletide atmosphere — Disney World holiday decorations also pop up in the resorts each November and December.
In fact, self-touring all the themed trees, garland, wreaths and twinkling lights at the various resorts is one of the best free things to do at Disney during the holidays.
Believe it or not, you don’t have to be a guest to wander around these properties, but you also can’t just drive up and park at any of them without having a reason to be there. So, we’ve added tips and hacks for how to get around to the resorts in a private car or using Disney transportation under the map below. We’re mostly focusing on the deluxe resorts because those tend to be the most elaborate.
Keep scrolling for a few of our favorite Disney resort Christmas decorations.
How to See Disney World Resort Christmas Decorations
Did you know that you can visit Disney resorts even if you aren’t a guest? Keep reading for our tips on how to sightsee at the prettiest hotels on Disney property.
Driving to the Disney Resorts
If you want to drive and park to see Disney World Christmas decorations at resorts, you either have to be a guest at that particular property or have a reservation or mobile order at an on-site restaurant or cafe.
The easiest hack right now for parking at resorts is to use the Disney app to put in a mobile food order at an on-site cafe (even ordering a beverage works) and telling the gate attendant you’re here to pick it up. Most of the resorts on this list are grouped together, so you can park at one and then walk or use Disney transit like the Skyliner, Monorail, or boats to hop around to others nearby.
Using Disney Transportation to Resorts
Disney has an extensive transit system of Monorails, boats, Skyliner gondolas and buses that connect the resorts to parks and, in some cases, each other. It’s a good idea to map out a plan before you set off so you know where you can go and how long it may take. Check the official Disney website for the most up-to-date hours and closures.
Disney Monorail
The Disney Monorail makes a loop between the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian resorts. It also runs back and forth from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
Water Ferry Boats
Water transportation connects the Magic Kingdom to Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. A separate boat line connects Epcot and Hollywood Studios to the Beach Club, Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Swan and Dolphin hotels. The Disney Springs route connects the shopping and dining center to Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and the Port Orleans resorts.
Disney Skyliner
The Skyliner gondolas are a fun and scenic way to get around (when it’s running) between Epcot and Hollywood Studios and the Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts. Caribbean Beach is the hub where you change gondolas to go in different directions. From the Epcot stop, you can walk to the Crescent Lake resorts (Swan, Dolphin, Beach Club, Yacht Club and Boardwalk).
Disney Buses
Buses aren’t typically a practical option for hotel hopping, as you need to ride them to a park and then connect on another bus to the resort you’re trying to get to, which can be a lengthy journey. If you need to go from one resort area to another that isn’t directly connected by transit and you don’t have a car, it will be much faster to use an Uber or Lyft.
Disney Resort Holiday Hopping Routes
These Disney resort hopping routes will get you to some of the best holiday displays around Disney World.
Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake Route
There are five resort hubs on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake by the Magic Kingdom and you can easily see all of them in one outing. The five resorts on this route are: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. You will use a combo of Monorail, boat, and walking for this itinerary.
1. Park at any of the five resorts with a dining reservation or mobile order, or park at the Transportation and Ticket Center for a fee. Using Disney transit, you will need to take a bus to the T & T Center or Magic Kingdom from any other resort area.
2. Use the Monorail to visit the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian and exit at the Magic Kingdom or Contemporary resort to connect by boat to Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge.
3. Use the boat from Magic Kingdom or the Contemporary to reach Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge.
Crescent Lake and Skyliner Route
There are five resorts and hotels around Crescent Lake by Epcot that you can walk between — Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Walt Disney World Swan Hotel and Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. In addition, the Skyliner from the Epcot International Gateway runs to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, where you can connect to Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Hollywood Studios.
1. Park at Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Art of Animation or Pop Century with a dining reservation or mobile order, or park at Hollywood Studios or the Swan or Dolphin hotels for a fee.
2. Use the Skyliner to ride between Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Art of Animation, Pop Century and the Epcot International Gateway.
3. From Epcot, walk around Crescent Lake to visit the Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin hotels.
10 of the Best Disney World Resorts to See for the Holidays
These are some of the best holiday displays at Disney World resorts!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The outdoor space at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is one of its best features, with a waterfall, lakefront, pine-filled nature trails, and a “geyser” giving off national park vibes. It’s the rustic and woodsy interior that shines during the holidays, though.
A Christmas tree some four to five stories high rises from the center of the grand lobby, surrounded by cozy sitting spaces and a stone fireplace. In the past, there has been a gingerbread cabin as well.
Location: Bay Lake/Magic Kingdom boat route
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
This modern-style A-frame hotel was one of the first Disney resorts and is just a short walk from the Magic Kingdom. A few holiday decorations are scattered inside, but the best feature is the enormous Christmas tree in front of the property.
Location: Magic Kingdom Monorail and Bay Lake boat route
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is themed in a South Pacific style, with lakefront villas, a sandy beach, palm trees and luau feasts. For the holidays, you’ll find a lobby tree and decor with a tropical flair (think pink flowers for ornaments).
Location: Seven Seas/Magic Kingdom boat and Monorail route
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
This flagship resort overlooks the Magic Kingdom and is a juxtaposed blend of elegant Victorian and breezy Floridian aesthetic that somehow flows perfectly. The grand lobby Christmas tree is one of the best across all of Disney World, standing several stories high and decorated with birdcages, swans, and vintage-looking ornaments.
There’s also a crowd-drawing Victorian gingerbread house some 14 feet tall. When the live pianist is playing near the tree, the setting is the epitome of Disney Christmas magic.
Location: Seven Seas/Magic Kingdom boat and Monorail route
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
The resorts on the Disney Springs boat route may just be the easiest to get to since Disney Springs has free car parking. All of the resorts along the boat route have Christmas decorations, but the lobby tree at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside makes a great photo spot, with cool vintage-looking trunks at the base.
You can also take a nice nature walk around the property and stroll along the water to the Port Orleans Resort French Quarter for New Orleans-inspired decorations.
Location: Disney Springs watercraft route
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is one of only two moderate-classed properties on this list (the rest are deluxe) but since it’s the Skyliner hub, it’s worth popping by. The resort has five island districts that surround a lake.
The Old Port Royal dining and shopping center is where you’ll find small Christmas trees and decorations accented with flowers and vibrant pops of pink, orange and blue.
Location: Skyliner route/walkable to Riviera
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Beach Club Resort has all the charm of a summer seaside getaway — sandy lakefront, winding pools and lagoons, and a breezy blue and white aesthetic. In line with that theme, the holiday decorations here are accented with starfish, seahorses, coral and other nautical pieces. Garland, wreaths and Christmas trees are scattered around the interior and a giant gingerbread carousel fills the lobby.
Location: Crescent Lake walk/Skyliner route
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Neighboring the Beach Club and sharing a pool deck and beachfront, this property has the air of a stately New England boating club. There’s even a captain’s wheel, a massive globe, and ships in display cases adorning the lobby of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. At Christmas, the main tree is accented with toy-sized yachts and blue ornaments and in years past, a snowy railroad village has been displayed in the lobby.
Location: Crescent Lake walk/Skyliner route
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Reminiscent of a classic Northeast seaside vacation spot, Boardwalk Inn’s wooden lakefront promenade features carnival games and a row of shops and eateries, including a bakery and dueling piano bar. The interior lights up for the holidays with trees and garland adorned with vintage ornaments, while a courtyard on the lakefront outside has its own Christmas tree in the center of the lawn.
Location: Crescent Lake walk/Skyliner route
Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin
You can’t miss these sister hotels with their giant rooftop swans, clamshells and fish — even though the pair are a slight detour off the walking loop around Crescent Lake, they’re easy to spot. The two hotels share amenities like a resort-style pool and a Balinese spa.
In addition to lobby trees, the must-see at the Swan is a life-size chocolate and confectionary Santa display, while the Dolphin has a massive chandelier with a green and red light display.
In the evening, dancing lights and holiday music put on a show every few minutes in the exterior corridor between the pair. The hotels also deem themselves “Santa’s favorite resort,” and the man in red makes special appearances throughout the season. Check the calendar.
Location: Crescent Lake walk/Skyliner route
7 of the Best Shop Small Gifts for Travel Lovers This Year
This small business gift guide is packed with one-of-a-kind goodies that travelers will love. We’re talking eco-friendly bags, gorgeous watercolor maps, and accessories handcrafted by artisans around the world. The best part? These are shops you can feel good supporting.
These special gifts for travel lovers all support small business around the world.
This small business gift guide is packed with one-of-a-kind goodies that travelers will love. We’re talking eco-friendly bags, gorgeous watercolor maps, and decor and accessories handcrafted in Nicaragua, Mexico, Greece and the United States.
The best part? These are businesses you can feel good supporting. They’re small shops run by fellow travel lovers and passionate owners, many on a mission to reduce waste, support fair trade, and highlight talented artisans around the world. Some have found a lot of success and others are just starting their entrepreneurial journey.
We hope you’ll shop small with us this holiday season and support these makers and others in your local community.
Soy Candles Hand-Poured in New Jersey
We especially love the “Breathe Queen Breathe” with a calming combo of eucalyptus, mint and lavender, and the “Love Thy Self” with a jasmine and vanilla scent.
SHOP HERE
French Inspired Natural Skin Care
The gift sets are perfect for the holidays, grouping together a few pampering items into a pretty self-care package for a sister or friend.
SHOP HERE
Vegan Bags and Backpacks
The Greenpoint and Rockaway bags are especially useful for travelers since they can be worn as backpacks or shoulder bags. The store also has duffles, totes, clutches and wallets.
SHOP HERE
Watercolor Scratch Maps and Bucket Lists
Scratch maps, scratch journals and scratch bucket lists let you track and display your travels in a pretty way. You can select from U.S., world and national park options with gold and silver overlays and floral, topography and modern watercolor backgrounds.
SHOP HERE
Cutting Boards Handmade in Vermont
We think their charcuterie and cutting boards would make beautiful and useful gifts — they come in clean and classic looks as well as fun animal shapes like whales, elephants and bears. Their Etsy store also has little wooden toys, wall shelves, coasters and utensils.
SHOP HERE
Jewelry Crafted in Greece
We love the store’s dainty string bracelets, but there are also statement pieces made with gold coins, beads and charms. Jewelry options include earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets.
SHOP HERE
Printable Travel Art and Quotes
For travel-lovers, there's inspirational quotes, destination prints, and pretty watercolors of beaches and florals. The best part — the art is available as digital downloads, which means it’s quick for last-minute shoppers to buy, print and gift.
SHOP HERE
More Travel Gifts Ideas
25 of the Best Travel Stocking Stuffer Ideas This Year
Looking for stocking stuffer ideas for the travel lover in your life? We’ve got you covered with handy travel gadgets, mini toiletries for the carry-on, pretty art prints for the home, and fun souvenirs from around the world. These travel stocking stuffers make sweet gifts for family and friends!
These stocking stuffers for travelers include pretty passport covers, practical gadgets, and lots more!
Looking for stocking stuffer ideas for the travel lover in your life? We’ve got you covered with handy travel gadgets, mini toiletries for the carry-on, pretty art prints to decorate with, and fun souvenirs from around the world.
These travel stocking stuffers make sweet gifts for everyone from your globetrotting aunt who can’t stop talking about the French Riviera to your sister-in-law who’s about to take her first trip abroad. Scroll down to shop our holiday stocking gift guide!
Mini Travel Lotions
These Burt's Bees travel sets have mini creams and cleansers perfect for stashing in a purse or carry-on. The mini lip balm sets can even be divided up into different stockings.
SHOP HERE
Korean Beauty Masks
I stocked up on a similar version of these fun Korean beauty masks in South Korea last December. You can feel like you've been souvenir shopping overseas if you stuff these character sheet masks in stockings this year. They come in multipacks so you can split them up or keep a few for yourself!
SHOP HERE
Travel Beauty Bars
These beauty bars are the perfect size to travel with and don't count against the liquid limits for your carry-on. There are options for shampoo, conditioner, face scrub, and body wash, plus pet shampoos that would be the perfect gift for your furry family member!
SHOP HERE
Artisanal French Soaps
Made in the Provence region of France, these artisanal soaps come in scents like peony, honey almond and rosemary mint. They'll add a little lux to any stocking and inspire dreams of France.
SHOP HERE
Packing Checklist
This detailed packing checklist notebook will be a huge help to even the most unorganized traveler. It has just about everything you could ever think of to pack and comes with 60 sheets to last for many many trips!
SHOP HERE
Travel Planner Journal
For the traveler who loves lists and scrapbooking, this travel planner and journal makes the perfect stocking stuffer. It has planning checklists and packing reminders as well as pages to journal, stick photos and map where you've been.
SHOP HERE
Bucket List Journal
This bucket list journal is a sweet stocking stuffer for your significant other, full of journal pages to build a bucket list together. You can focus on travel destinations or simply life experiences you want to share together and then jot down the story when you accomplish it.
SHOP HERE
Affirmation Cards
With 62 beautifully handlettered quotes, this set of affirmation cards can be used for daily or weekly motivation and mantras and to remind someone how much you care. They feature sayings like, "I love myself and trust who I was made to be" and "today I will set the stage for peace."
SHOP HERE
Reusable Portable Straw
With so many places around the world getting rid of disposable plastic products, travelers especially will find these reusable portable straws super handy. They come in a four-pack and collapse into a little case you can hang on a keychain.
SHOP HERE
Travel Water Bottle
You can never have too many reusable water bottles and this one is designed to carry hot or cold beverages. Plus it'll make a pretty stocking stuffer in a variety of colors!
SHOP HERE
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
If you're shopping for an adventurous traveler who enjoys hiking and going off the beaten path, this LifeStraw water filter makes a super useful stocking stuffer. Each unit filters bacteria and parasites from up to 1,000 gallons of water without using chemicals or batteries. It belongs in every emergency kit!
SHOP HERE
Baggage Scale
With so many airlines charging for luggage these days, every frequent traveler knows the stuggle of worrying about their bag being too large or too heavy and triggering extra fees. This handy baggage scale will weigh your cases before you head off to the airport so you can do the frantic repacking at home instead of at the check-in counter.
SHOP HERE
Mini Tripod and Remote
Whether you're traveling solo, with a partner or with the whole family, at some point, you're going to want to take a vacation photo. Enter this mini tripod that makes it super easy to take that next Instagram photo. The legs are bendy, so you can set it directly on the ground or wrap it around a post, bench or tree to take a snap at eye level. And, it comes with a bluetooth remote so you can click away as many times as you need to get the perfect shot.
SHOP HERE
Emergency Whistle
If you're shopping for someone who loves to hike, camp and spend time outdoors, this emergency whistle is the perfect little gadget to stuff in a stocking. It's small and clips easily onto a keychain or backpack, but makes a mighty noise in case you get into trouble on the trails.
SHOP HERE
Travel Cord Organizer
If you travel with as many electronics as I do, this cord organizer is a must. The little leather cord clips come in a set of five and snap shut to keep chargers, headphones and more from getting tangled up in your travel case.
SHOP HERE
Travel Wallet
This pretty RFID blocking travel wallet comes in a bunch of colors. The zippered pockets are large enough for passports and many phones, perfect for keeping all the important stuff tucked away while traveling.
SHOP HERE
Pretty Passport Holder
Frequent travelers can never have too many passport holders, especially when they're this pretty. The card slots and boarding pass pockets on this one are perfect for keeping all the important stuff organized for the airport.
SHOP HERE
Passport and Luggage Tag Set
This fun passport holder set includes a matching luggage tag. There are a couple of quote options and a pretty marbled cover to pick from.
SHOP HERE
Luggage Tag Set
These cute luggage tags feature fun travel sayings in coordinating sets of three. There are a few different styles in classy faux leather or gold, bright colors, and black and white.
SHOP HERE
Travel Destination Socks
You can remind someone you love of their favorite vacation with these travel socks that feature destinations around the world. There are a couple dozen cities, states and countries to pick from, including Las Vegas, Paris, Venice, Mexico, Tokyo and Nashville.
SHOP HERE
Pearl Headbands
Girly girls will love to wear these pretty pearl headbands in their travel photos.
SHOP HERE
Travel Necklace
You can never go wrong slipping a little jewelry into a stocking, and these inexpensive travel charm necklaces are perfect for globetrotters. There are a bunch of different messages and charm options — elephants, anchors, compasses, lotus flowers, pineapples and more.
SHOP HERE
Travel Art Print
Roll this travel art print up to slip it in a stocking or go ahead and frame it to wrap under the tree. The cute photo is perfect for road trippers and RVers.
SHOP HERE
Vintage National Park Posters
These vintage national park prints feature four of the most popular parks in the United States and fit together perfectly for a small gallery wall. You can buy them in 8x10 or 11x14 sizes.
SHOP HERE
Camper Pillow Cover
Your RVing friend or family member needs this adorable camper pillow cover to decorate their home on the go.
SHOP HERE
Turkish Hand Towels
Give a taste of travel abroad with these gorgeous hand towels made in Turkey. They come in a few different colors to match any home.
SHOP HERE
20 of the Best Travel Gifts Under $20
Looking for unique travel gifts for the globetrotter in your life? These travel gifts under $20 make an ideal present for someone going traveling. They include gadgets for aspiring adventurers, packing gear for casual vacationers, and travel style items that are both practical and pretty.
These travel gift ideas under $20 include practical and pretty items to take on vacation.
Looking for unique travel gifts for the globetrotter in your life? You don’t have to have a jet setter’s budget to find the perfect goody to put under the tree. These travel gifts under $25 make an ideal present for someone going traveling.
They include gadgets for aspiring adventurers, packing gear for the casual vacationer, and a few style items that are both practical and pretty. Whether you’re looking for travel stocking stuffers or need a gift for your favorite travel buddy, these ideas will get you started.
Visit our travel gift shop for even more ideas! We also love this list of gifts for road trippers.
Beauty Bars
Each shampoo bar holds the washing power of three bottles, while conditioners save about five bottles, cutting back drastically on plastic waste. Plus, they’re cruelty-free, vegan and compostable. Varieties cover different hair needs like frizz control, volume, or dry or oily scalp.
Packing Cubes
Who doesn't love a good set of packing cubes? They help keep suitcases neat and organized, compress the mess, and look pretty!
Mini Travel Bottles and Jars
Every light packer knows you don’t need 3 ounces of every product you use for one-week vacations. Not to mention, the quart-sized clear bag limit for your carry-on could only handle a handful of bottles in the max size. That’s why mini containers that hold 1 to 2-ounces are super convenient to have on hand.
Contoured Sleep Mask
Travel Towel
Travel towels come in handy for beach trips, camping, hostel stays, backpacking adventures — you name it! Made of microfiber, these compact towels are super absorbent but also dry quickly, making them easy to wash out and reuse. They also pack down small, and many come with a carry case or bag to store them tightly.
Dry Bag
Perfect for beach trips, boat rides, water sports, or even heavy rainfall, dry bags keep your stuff from getting ruined when you’re out adventuring. You can find premium options at outdoor retailers, but plenty of budget-friendly ones are available, too.
LifeStraw
Refillable Water Bottle
Universal Plug Adapter
Every international traveler needs a good plug adapter, and even if they already have one, they’ll inevitably leave it behind at a hotel and need a backup at some point.
Portable Charger
Nothing kills a day out sightseeing faster than a dead phone battery, and if you’re using your device to take photos, check maps and translate coffee orders, you’re likely to drain through it pretty fast. That’s why every savvy traveler should keep a backup charging device on hand to power up and keep moving.
Mini Tripod
Anyone who doesn’t want to be that annoying tourist wielding a selfie stick but also lives by the motto “pics or it didn’t happen” can find a happy medium with a mini tripod. It actually produce better photos than a stick since you can set it up further than an arm’s length away, and the bendy kind can even wrap around trees, poles, benches and so on.
Luggage Scale
Sun Hat
Pashmina
When traveling, a multipurpose scarf can transform into a warm wrap on a chilly airplane, a modesty cover for the shoulders or head, a sarong dress over a swimsuit, a pashmina to fancy up a plain outfit, a towel for laying on the sand, and so much more.
Hidden Pocket Scarf
Sarong
The multipurpose scarf for a warm climate, sarongs are a great gift for beach lovers and light packers. Their obvious function is as a swimsuit coverup, but they can serve double duty as a head cover, lightweight shoulder wrap or colorful scarf for a playful outfit.
Travel Jewelry
Travel Journal
Language Phrase Book
Help your favorite traveler prep for their next big trip with a foreign language phrase book. Sure, they could turn on Google translate in a bind, but there’s something retro and nostalgic about riffling through a pocket-sized dictionary to order a coffee or poring over the pages on a train ride studying greetings and pronunciations.
Inspirational Travel Book
Vacation Fund
10 of the Best Winter Staycation Ideas This Year
These are 10 of the best winter staycation ideas to help you plan the ultimate at-home vacation this season. We’ve got everything from active, outdoor activities like snow biking and sledding to ways to stay busy and entertained when you’re stuck indoors. And since we all love to travel, these winter staycations will make you feel like you’re on a holiday, even if you’re just checking into a cabin the next town over or setting up a tent and firepit in the backyard.
These ideas for winter staycations at home include themed movie nights and holiday crafting and cooking.
It’s the snowy, cozy, hot-cocoa time of year, and we’ve got the best winter staycation ideas to help you plan the ultimate vacation at home this season.
Whether you’re looking for cheap staycation ideas for winter that you can do at home, or mini getaways to a nearby hotel and spa, these fun and festive suggestions take advantage of the best the season has to offer.
This list has everything from active, outdoor activities like snow biking and sledding to ways to stay busy and entertained when you’re stuck indoors. And since we all love to travel, these winter staycations will make you feel like you’re on a holiday, even if you’re just checking into a cabin the next town over or setting up a tent and firepit in the backyard.
Keep reading for 10 of the best winter staycations!
Recreate a Christmas Movie
You know those classic holiday flicks where a couple checks off pretty much every Christmas cliche as they fall in love — ice skating, snowman building, tree decorating, cookie baking, caroling, etc. Well, it may be cheesy, but it sure makes for a fun winter staycation, especially when you’re stuck at home for the holidays.
To recreate a Hallmark movie, you’ll want to start with a holiday bucket list full of every yuletide activity you can possibly think of. Then, don your most festive Christmas sweaters (or make some with bells and bows) and start spreading the cheer. Document it along the way with a polaroid and you can string up photos of your wintry adventures as holiday decor.
Practice for the Winter Olympics
The snowy season doesn’t mean you have to huddle indoors avoiding the cold. For some fresh air, plan a staycation full of adventurous winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, sledding and snow biking.
If you’re stuck close to home, get creative with whatever is around you — grab a pair of snowshoes for some winter hiking, go ice skating at the local rink, find a nearby hill for sled races, or throw a street hockey tournament if you don’t have any ice to play on.
Book a Hotel Staycation
Pick one with an on-site spa, room service and an indoor hot tub for the ultimate relaxing getaway.
Camp Under Dark Skies
If you live somewhere that doesn’t drop below freezing very often, a camping trip makes the perfect staycation for winter. Pack up the tent and head to a nearby park or set up a campsite in your own backyard.
You can make a bonfire (or fire pit) for cooking hot dogs and roasting marshmallows and read Christmas books by flashlight. The long nights in winter are perfect for stargazing when it gets dark.
If it’s too cold to camp outdoors where you live, you could set up a tent in the living room and watch holiday movies tucked into cozy sleeping bags.
Road Trip to a Holiday Town
For a holiday staycation full of twinkly lights, festive tunes, tree farms and wintry displays, plan a day trip or mini road trip to the most Christmassy town near you. Even if your local community doesn’t go all out for Christmas, there’s probably a spot within a couple of hours where you can find dazzling lights and heaps of holiday decor.
ChristmasLightFinder.com is a great place to start — it’ll pull up any nearby light displays and decorated homes. You can also check the visitor bureaus for your city and any nearby for a list of holiday events and displays.
Host a Winter Craftathon
The extra time indoors in winter is perfect for attempting all those holiday crafts you’ve never tried. You could make Christmas goodies like hand-poured candles, make cards for the neighbors or make gingerbread men from scratch to decorate.
Even when the holidays pass, you can use your hibernation staycation to learn a new crafty skill like knitting or tackle a DIY project around the house you’ve been wanting to try.
Learn Holiday Traditions From Around the World
If you can’t travel to the Christmas markets of Germany or the ski slopes of Switzerland this winter, why not bring the world into your home by learning and incorporating the holiday traditions of your favorite vacation destinations.
Whether it’s baking an English figgy pudding, leaving shoes on the windowsill for the Icelandic Yule Lads, or doing a midnight Christmas gift exchange a la Brazil, there are so many fun traditions around the world. Spend each weekend leading up to Christmas learning about a different one or focus on a few for a winter staycation international festival.
Head to the Spa
This winter staycation idea is the perfect way to warm up and rejuvenate in the middle of the dreary season. Check out your local spa for a day of treatments — think steam rooms, body wraps, warm hydrotherapies and body polishes for that dry skin.
To turn it into a longer staycation, see if any nearby hotels have on-site spas where you can combine room service and some TLC into a mini getaway.
You can also recreate this idea at home and plan a spa staycation using your soaker tub and some aromatherapy.
Getaway to a Cabin
Whether you host the whole family for the holidays in a large chateau with skiing and snowshoeing just outside or book a weekend getaway full of board games and movie marathons, woodsy cabins make the perfect winter escape without having to travel far.
Test International Recipes
Something about the cold just makes us want to hibernate indoors eating and growing a layer of winter warmth. If that’s your cup of tea, turn it into a staycation by trying different winter recipes from around the world.
You can either pick one country and theme a whole weekend around making and tasting that cuisine, or sample dishes from around the world in a winter bake off at home.
