10 Father’s Day Gift Ideas for the Globetrotting Dad

Hey dad, don’t read this!😂

With Father’s Day just around the corner, I’m using this time to reflect on all of the amazing memories I have while travelling with my dad (and mom!). My husband and I absolutely ADORE going places with them, and they rightfully deserve a post of their own (coming soon, and believe me, you WILL want to read it).

Even though we can’t really go anywhere right now, being prepared for the next great adventure is kind of my thing. I love giving practical gifts, and I like to find ones that I know I would use too. If there is something that will make my dad’s life more comfortable, I will absolutely get it, because I need him to keep up with all of my travels for years to come.

Do you have a hard time finding that perfect Father’s Day gift for your dad? I do. I usually default to the tried and true preferred liquor or a nice cigar, or leave it up to my more creative husband, but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to give him something he’ll use and make his life easier!

This post contains affiliate links.

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This is my dad. You’ll be seeing a lot of him.

Father’s Day Gifts for the Globetrotting Dad

*inspired by mostly true events

1. Compression Socks

This is something I’ve paid attention to more lately. Compression socks boost circulation and improve blood flow – important while flying to avoid blood clots, swelling, and general discomfort. The longer the flight, the increased chances of these things happening. Save your dad some pain and treat him to some socks – yes – socks, the one thing we were all disappointed to receive as children but now can’t get enough of.

These shouldn’t be painful to wear (if they are they may be to small), but rather like your calves are being gently hugged.

2. Travel neck pillow

A grumpy dad with a sore neck is no fun for anyone. Not all neck pillows are created equal, and the one I’ve found that is the most comfortable and has allowed me to arrive on the other end without a cricked neck is the Trtl Neck Pillow. It can be used in numerous ways to provide an added level of comfort and neck support, and since it doesn’t require inflating, there’s no need for a red face on the plane to blow it up. It has a Velcro closure, so it can easily be secured on to a carry-on bag, and thrown in the wash!

3. A folio for staying organized

A stylish travel folio helps contain all of his important travel documents, passport, and cards all in one easy-to-access spot. No more fumbling around at the counter rifling through bag compartments.

Opt for one with RFID protection like this one.

4. Money belt

Dads love gadgets, especially ones designed to protect their money (think fanny packs!). Find something more up to today’s fashion styles with something like an RFID money belt to protect valuables in tourist spots, and with a slim design, it can be worn under clothes without attracting any attention.

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5. Luggage tags

What about a fun luggage tag to help identify his suitcase (since it seems MOST of men’s suitcases are always black?!). Or you could opt for a classier leather style.

*Just a tip – I always tape or twine my fasteners together so I don’t lose my tags. I’ve lost so many awesome luggage tags due to loose, poor-fitting closures.

6. Portable charger

Does your dad spend a lot of time on his phone on Facebook, laughing at memes or uploading pictures, or maybe even texting his other child he left at home while he’s on vacation? Allow him the luxury of extended battery life with a portable charger. We don’t go anywhere without ours now.

7. A lightweight book

Books are a great way to pass the time – whether it’s waiting for flights/trains/taxis/meeting, etc. or vegging out on the beach. If your dad is a reader and you know what he’s in to, there are plenty of lightweight paperbacks to pick from.

From thrillers to biographies, there’s bound to be something to peak his interest – or maybe you have a favourite book you want him to read? Or maybe he’s a history buff? Grab this WW2 Trivia book full of random facts and interesting stories he probably doesn’t already know.

8. Noise-cancelling headphones

Does your dad get irritated by others easily? Perhaps there’s a screaming baby sitting right in front of him on the plane? Dad’s LOVE that (🤣). Calm him down with a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. This bluetooth pair has 30 hours of playback time – enough to drown out any distractions, play some soothing music, and hopefully help him sleep while travelling so he can arrive refreshed and ready to take whatever challenges he may face that day.

Let me tell you a story. We flew to Scotland a few years ago. My dad has been driving in the UK since he and my mom first visited together 35+ years ago. He has a really hard time sleeping on the plane (maybe it’s because he’s so excited????). Anyway, we picked up our rental car and drove all around Scotland that day on zero sleep before heading to our hotel for the night. He admitted to us the next morning he didn’t remember driving at all the day before. Dads need rest. Help them rest. For our sakes. 😂

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9. A photo of your best travel memories

A gift from the heart! Find a nice frame and a photo from one of your favourite memories or trips and give him that. Guaranteed he’ll display this heartwarming gift his desk. I have so many memories traveling with my dad, I would probably have to make a scrapbook.

10. Takeout inspired by food from around the world!

There is no shortage of unique restaurants in our area, and no doubt yours too! Up until a few years ago my dad hadn’t tried sushi – and now he can’t get enough of it! Why not introduce your dad to a unique cuisine he hasn’t had yet or wouldn’t necessarily buy for himself?

We may not be able to physically go to a country to eat their food, but there are a lot of great options at home that can be as good as the real thing. Indian, Vietnamese, Lebanese? Surely there are some unique options where you are!

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What travel related gifts will you be giving your dad this year for Father’s Day? I’m going to have to think of something good because I bet mine will read this post.😂

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66 Comments

  1. Valerie
    June 5, 2020 / 8:23 am

    Nailed it with great Father’s Day gift ideas – your Dad needs every one of them!🤣 Nice you got to research this over the years with us travelling together! This blog is itself a lovely gift for him this year🥰

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 5, 2020 / 8:29 am

      Aww, so sweet!! I’ve been so fortunate to have been able to travel so many places with you all. That, and you know Dana refuses to go anywhere without you guys now! 🤣💓

  2. June 5, 2020 / 10:44 am

    Love these! Compression socks are a good one! I love that your list doesn’t include the usual things you find on these types of lists!

    I’ll definitely be using this when I search for all my Father’s Day gifts ! Thanks

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 5, 2020 / 2:39 pm

      Thanks so much! Just some things I’ve come across that will be helpful 🙂

  3. June 5, 2020 / 8:08 pm

    Great travel gifts for any traveler. I will take a few of those items. So great to buy and then I can use. Lol

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 10:52 am

      Haha exactly!! I usually do this with my mom and end up “borrowing” things 🙂

  4. June 5, 2020 / 11:02 pm

    Great ideas! I appreciate the suggestions!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 10:58 am

      Thank you! 🙂

  5. June 5, 2020 / 11:26 pm

    Great gift ideas for Dads and any travelers! Thank you for sharing your great gift ideas!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 10:58 am

      Thanks so much!

  6. Cindy
    June 6, 2020 / 7:29 am

    I love your Dad stories. They actually sound like me on vacation. Amazing how helpful compression socks are on long flights.

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 10:59 am

      Haha thank you! I could write a novel about him so this is a great platform to start sharing more stories. Agree on the socks – they make a huge difference!

  7. June 6, 2020 / 10:06 am

    Yes to noise-canceling headphones! How could any dad not love that gift?!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 11:05 am

      My thoughts exactly!! 😂 Thank you!

  8. Chelsea
    June 6, 2020 / 11:33 am

    My dad would love all of this (as would I actually haha) I travel long haul a lot as I am Aussie but live in Canada – noise cancelling headphones are life!!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 11:37 am

      I love getting items I know I’d use (maybe even borrow 😉 )!!! Totally agree on headphones – everyone needs a pair!

  9. Sandi
    June 6, 2020 / 11:38 am

    Noise canceling headphones are the best! No crying baby on an airplane issue – unless it’s yours! Great list.

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 11:43 am

      Haha!! Yes the headphones are a popular gift item, definitely! Thanks so much! 🙂

  10. June 6, 2020 / 11:40 am

    Awwww you are so lucky to have been able to travel so much with your dad! I love your comments about him – you are right though, when we travel with dads, it’s easy to fall back into relying on them – we do need to let them rest too!

    Anywa, thanks for the fab ideas. The RFID money belt is such a good idea – dads like safety first!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 11:53 am

      You are so right! I am SO lucky and I love my parents – they are the world’s greatest travel partners!! Thanks so much for your comments 🙂 !

  11. June 6, 2020 / 11:58 am

    This is a great post. Enjoy travelling with your dad for years to come! 🥰

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 8:23 pm

      Thank you so much! I cherish every trip 🙂 ❤️

  12. June 6, 2020 / 12:06 pm

    I love these ideas! We’ve done quite a bit of multigenerational travel, as well. It’s such a great way to connect the generations and make lifelong memories!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 8:24 pm

      It really is! Some of my friends can’t believe I travel with my parents haha – but they really need to understand how cool they are 😂

  13. June 6, 2020 / 12:52 pm

    Noise Cancelling headphones are a must! I bought my dad a pie of AirPods Pro (I also use them) and the noise cancellation is incredible.

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 8:37 pm

      Yes!! They really do make such a difference!

  14. June 6, 2020 / 12:54 pm

    My dad is the one who got me interested in travel. He isn’t with us anymore, but my love for travel still remains. Thanks for sharing your story.

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 8:38 pm

      I love that. I’m sorry to hear ❤️ But how wonderful he sparked such a great interest in you!

  15. June 6, 2020 / 2:00 pm

    Great tips!!! The neck pillow is a must…. especially since we are always flying economy. A solar charger midget be cool, too, for those sunny trips to Egypt, Morocco etc

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 8:40 pm

      That’s a great idea – especially when we don’t have access to any power. Thanks!

  16. June 6, 2020 / 2:55 pm

    I second the noise cancelling head phones! great idea!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 8:41 pm

      Thank you! They’re a must for me!😂

  17. June 6, 2020 / 3:49 pm

    These are all such great Father’s Day gift ideas! I totally agree with the compression socks. When my dad flies (he is 62), he has to wear them but always ends up losing them after he lands! haha

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 9:22 pm

      Thank you! My dad is around the same age as yours – we must protect them at all costs 🙂 ❤️

  18. Shay
    June 6, 2020 / 8:58 pm

    Your dad is adorable haha what a cute fam! Great ideas. I’ve already bought my pops a few things on this list. I definitely think he’d like the rest!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 9:23 pm

      Haha thank you!! He’s a riot – glad to know everyone is finding these useful too! 🙂

  19. June 6, 2020 / 9:24 pm

    These are all great ideas for dads that like to travel. I hope my husband’s kids get him some of these things for Father’s Day. Lol

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 6, 2020 / 9:30 pm

      Ha! Thanks so much – no doubt he could use a few of these 🙂

  20. June 7, 2020 / 1:18 am

    This is a great guide, thanks for sharing! In recent years my dad has found a passion for traveling and I think some of these gadgets could really come in handy!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 7, 2020 / 8:40 am

      Thanks so much! I’m so glad he has found a passion for all things travel. That’s wonderful!

  21. June 7, 2020 / 2:02 am

    I also have great memories of travelling with my dad when I was a child. Thanks for sharing.

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 7, 2020 / 8:40 am

      I love that! So sweet. Thank you for your comments 🙂

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 7, 2020 / 8:41 am

      Thank you Bolet!

  22. June 7, 2020 / 7:28 am

    I’m sure your dad will be so happy with any of these gifts! I always have the hardest time finding a Father’s Day present for my dad and in the last years have always giving him puzzle books for Christmas, his birthday and Father’s Day ha ha! He is chronically ill so can’t travel nor drink. He doesn’t like going out for dinner nor reading books, quite a difficult person to get presents for! However, as cheesy as it may sound, he’s just happy to see me. It’s difficult at the moment, not being able to travel and seeing my family (I haven’t seen them since January!) and having no idea when people from the UK (where I live) will be allowed to enter the Netherlands (where my family lives) makes it even more difficult. But perhaps I should use this time to think about the ultimate present for him. Then again, seeing me in the flesh again might be his ultimate present eh? Anyway, happy Father’s Day for your dad and I hope you get to see him on the day itself 🙂

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 7, 2020 / 8:43 am

      Your presence is the best gift ❤️ I completely relate to finding things incredibly difficult right now with social distancing. I too have family in the UK (I’m in Canada) but was fortunate to visit myself in January. What about a nice framed photo? I do hope you are able to visit soon 🙂

  23. June 7, 2020 / 7:29 am

    Father’s day is coming around so fast! I was wondering what to get my husband on behalf of our daughter, but I think you’ve solved it with a travel themed take out dinner party.

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 7, 2020 / 8:41 am

      That is one of my favourite ideas – who doesn’t love food?? Have a great time! 🙂

  24. Erin
    June 7, 2020 / 9:38 am

    Love these ideas, all of them are SO spot on. I want everything on this list too, haha. Thanks for this Father’s Day inspo!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 7, 2020 / 9:44 am

      Thank you! Yes – me too!😂

  25. Kate
    June 7, 2020 / 9:47 am

    What awesome ideas! I love traveling with my dad and I can’t wait to get him the perfect travel-themed Father’s Day gift!! This guide is super helpful!!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 7, 2020 / 9:57 am

      Thanks so much Kate! 🙂 I love that you travel with your dad too!!

  26. June 7, 2020 / 11:26 am

    Thanks for all the great ideas, it’s always so challenging to come up with gift ideas for dad!

    ~Laurel

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 7, 2020 / 3:39 pm

      Thanks Laurel! 🙂

  27. Kira
    June 7, 2020 / 8:21 pm

    Awesome suggestions! I love that they can be applied to any travellers too!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 8, 2020 / 8:36 am

      Absolutely! I like giving gifts to family when I know I can use them too! haha!

  28. June 7, 2020 / 8:46 pm

    Lots of great ideas! I think I’m going to go with the travel themed takeout 😍

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 8, 2020 / 8:36 am

      ME TOO! There are so many fun options to try!!

  29. June 7, 2020 / 11:38 pm

    These are great ideas! My dad is so hard to buy for and find something that he would actually use. So this is really helpful 🙂

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 8, 2020 / 8:36 am

      Thanks so much 🙂 !

  30. Francesca
    June 8, 2020 / 9:31 pm

    I need to get me some compression socks! I also love the take out idea. So great!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 9, 2020 / 8:07 am

      Thank you!!

  31. June 11, 2020 / 11:46 am

    These are all really great picks! Portable chargers are so, so useful, and noise-cancelling headphones for flights would be great!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 11, 2020 / 1:40 pm

      Thank you! Yes – the portable chargers are an absolute must for me!!!

  32. June 13, 2020 / 7:55 am

    Such great tips!!!! I’ll go with that neck pillow! For some reason, we always just want to buy one, but we never actually did. Time to do so!

    • Sarah
      Author
      June 13, 2020 / 7:58 am

      Thank you! Seriously – this Trtl neck pillow SAVED me on our 18 hr flight to South Africa – normally I end up with such a stiff and sore neck but this really helped! Much better than those inflatable ones!

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