10 BEST Gifts for Retired Travelers [2024 Edition] (2024)

Know someone who just retired and is about to set off on a travel adventure?

Imagine their excitement.

They’ve been working their WHOLE lives for this.

Finally the time has come for them to follow those travel dreams they’ve been waiting so long for.

After traveling the world for the past 5 years, wanderlust is in my blood. If any of my loved ones decide to hit the road when they retire, you better believe I’ll be there to cheer them on with an awesome going-away present.

Here are some travel gift ideas I found that’ll help your adventurous retiree have a trip of a lifetime.

The travel gifts in this list are specially chosen with the senior citizen in mind. Click here for even MORE awesome gift ideas that any traveler will love, no matter their age.

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#1.) Personalized Playing Cards (with Family Photos)

This simple, yet thoughtful gift for retired travelers will remind them of their loved ones back home whenever they have a game of cards.

These personalized playing cards come with the photos of your choice printed on each card.

They are also waterproof, tear-proof, and come in a clear plastic case perfect for travel.

#2.) “GobiSea” Airplane Memory Foam Footrest

Let’s face it. The older we get, the more unpleasant it feels to sit cramped in an airplane seat for hours on end.

This is one of the best gifts for retired travelers who have aches and pains that make long flights unbearable.

The GobiSea Airplane footrest attaches to the seat back in front of you and lets you raise your feet as if you were in a comfy recliner (elevated feet also means better blood circulation). When the flight is over, the footrest packs down small into a travel pouch that barely takes up any room in their luggage.

#3.) 3D Contoured Cup Travel Sleeping Mask

This is the ultimate travel gift for retired travelers, who tend to be light sleepers.

See, travelers need to be able to sleep in all sorts of weird conditions—in buses, airports, shared dorm rooms where rude people turn on lights at the crack of dawn…it can be rough for light sleepers.

As a light sleeper myself, I’ve tried regular basic eye masks, and they suck. I usually end up ripping them off after about 15 minutes.

Thankfully, technology has brought us a better option: the 3D contoured cup sleeping mask.

By helping your senior traveler catch more zzz’s, they’ll have more energy to enjoy their trip!

#4.) Packable Roll-Up Sun Visor

I can totally see grams rockin’ this non-crushable sun visor—it’s grandma fashion at it’s finest.

This trendy straw visor rolls up tight and can be mushed down in your bag without getting damaged. It comes in many different colors, can be adjusted to grandma’s head size, and provides extra sun protection for her delicate skin.

#5.) Travel Compression Socks

Compression socks are great for anyone who has to sit for hours on long bus/plane rides. But they are especially important for older folks who have circulation problems.

When they sit for a long time, the “stale” blood pools in their feet and can cause dangerous blood clots.

These travel compression socks will boost their circulation and help them stay healthy on their trip.

#6.) EarPlanes Ear Plugs

Here’s another good gift idea for travelers with sensitive ears.

These special ear plugs are designed to make air travel more comfortable.

They’re built to help relieve unpleasant changes in air pressure when changing altitudes.

Gone are the days of regulating air pressure by blowing into your nose (and hoping your eardrums don’t explode).

#7.) AARP Membership

Don’t let the senior adventurer in your life pay full price for travel!

Sign them up for an AARP Membership so that they can start receiving discounts on flights, insurance coverage, tours, cruises, hotels, rental cars, airport parking, and much more.

They’ve worked hard their whole life saving up for these adventures. Help them make that money last as long as possible.

#8.) Reliefband Motion Sickness Bracelet

There’s nothing worse than looking forward to seeing a beautiful destination…only to get horrible motion sickness on the ride there.

You can take medicine to prevent nausea, but that makes you sleepy (and who wants to travel the world half-awake?).

Thankfully, technology is here to save the day. The Reliefband bracelets create small impulses on the inside of your wrist that “trick” your nervous system into not getting motion sick.

#9.) Travel Motion Sickness Wristbands

This is the budget-friendly alternative to the above-mentioned Reliefband.

Instead of wrist pulses that affect your nervous system, these travel wristbands use acupressure to a certain area of the wrist shown to decrease nausea.

I have yet to try these myself, but I’ve heard multiple people say they love these things.

#10.) Travelpro “Platinum Elite” Suitcase

Your senior traveler may have an adventurous spirit, but chances are they aren’t as strong as they once were.

Lugging around a heavy backpack or poorly-designed suitcase won’t be fun for them.

If you’re looking for gifts for retired travelers that’ll make their trip more comfortable, consider the Travelpro Platinum Elite Suitcase – it’s lightweight, has four wheels with patented technology that increase stability, has plenty of space, and is comfortable to travel with.

BONUS: Leather Travel Journal

A quality travel journal is a perfect place for your senior traveler to record their travel experiences.

That way, if their memory starts to fade, they can read through their journal to relive their experiences.

It could also turn into an important family heirloom, a book full of your family’s worldwide adventures, passed down from generation to generation.

Gifts for Retired Travelers Recap

By choosing any of the gift options above, you’re sure to make your loved one’s retirement adventures as safe and comfortable as possible.

They’ve worked hard their whole lives to finally have their trip of a lifetime, and they’ll be thankful you helped them get the equipment needed to enjoy it to the max!

Need even more gift ideas? We’ve got ya covered. Choose the type of traveler you’re shopping for below:

Or check out this video where we share our top 10 travel gifts (things we never leave home without):

Mitch's Travel Recommendations:
Travel Planning Resources - Everything you need to plan your trip on one convenient page.
Going Cheap Flights Newsletter - Get flight deals from your airport up to 90% off sent straight to your inbox.
Safetywing Insurance - This cheap travel insurance has saved me over $15,000 in medical bills.
Booking.com - Book accommodation without adding your credit card (in case you need to cancel).
Trusted House Sitters - Take care of pets in exchange for free (sometimes luxury) accommodation.
Flexjobs - Find remote jobs without having to sift through crappy ones.
Skillshare - Free trial to take unlimited classes that teach digital nomad skills.
Wise - Send and receive money abroad cheaply (great for freelancers).