Top 5 Budget Travel Gifts

No matter the time of year, chances are you've found yourself shopping for a gift that will go to a travel enthusiast. Such gifts are almost always used and appreciated. But what can you give that will maximize each traveler's budget? Here are a few suggestions, along with links to either the products or articles that will help you make an informed buying decision.

1. Under $15: Laminated Pocket Maps
One of the most common ways people waste money when traveling is by getting lost. Spending two hours trying to find something you should have found in 20 minutes is both frustrating and money-wasting. Many of us are reluctant to carry paper maps because they're hard to fold and awkward to handle. Instead, whip out a nice laminated version. They're available from a variety of companies, and the condensed city versions are almost always less than $15 USD.

2. Under $30: Budget Travel Guidebooks
Guidebook authors would be the first to tell you that they cannot keep current on all the latest food, lodging, and entertainment bargains. But they can tell you about well-established budget haunts, and the methods for getting a good deal in a particular area. Choose wisely, and you'll only need one for each trip. But don't get too dependent on the author's recommendations--venture away from the comfortable and discover your own "finds."

3. Under $150: Carry-on Luggage
Whenever possible, you should avoid big, bulky luggage that must be checked. Carry-on luggage all but eliminates the risk of losing your bags enroute, and shortens your time in busy airports. It also offers mobility, an essential ingredient in hunting down the best lodging and transportation deals. With this in mind, Patagonia has developed a line called "MLC" which is short for "Maximum Legal Carry-on." Most of the bags are under $150 USD.

4. Under $500: Bargain Cruise
With a little shopping, you can find a cruise that will cost $100 USD per day, per person. This means you can sail for nearly a week and stay under $500. Check out the "last-minute deals" sections on your favorite line's Web site. These are cabins (often inside, without windows) that they could not sell. Naturally, the company would rather not leave port with these cabins empty, so they'll book you at a deep discount and at least get something.

5. About $1000: Travel Passes
The all-inclusive pass has to be one of budget travel's greatest purchases. If you want to see a lot for a little, consider Cathay Pacific's All Asia pass, good for 21 days and 18 cities, just $1299 USD per person. Or how about a European railpass? A one-month Eurailpass for $975 will allow you unlimited travel in 17 nations. It also earns discounts on the EuroStar and some cruise lines.