Are you looking for the perfect but affordable travel-themed gift?
Then you have come to the right place!
I know how hard it is to find a gift for someone. I personally feel I suck at it.
But this time I found a great gift option that will make choosing a gift soooo much easier! Subscription boxes!
Long gone are the days of doubting whether that person will actually like your gift or where to even start looking.
With a subscription box, you just choose the type of box and you can be confident that what’s in it will be ORIGINAL and CREATIVE!
In this post, you’ll discover the best travel subscription boxes out there under 50 Dollars. I made sure that all the giftboxes in this post are affordable so that you can surprise your loved one or friend without burning a hole in your pocket.
If you don’t know what a travel box subscription is or what it entails, I’ll first explain to you all the ins and outs of it! Afterward, I give a comprehensive list of the best travel subscription boxes to be found for all types of travelers and a short FAQ!
Ready to dive in?
Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of these links I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Read more in my Disclosure Policy.
The best travel subscription boxes for 2021
Below, I’ll list for you the top travel subscription boxes you should check out in 2021. Each box is unique and might appeal to a different type of traveler. Find out which one fits you or the person you buy a gift for!
Please note that some of these boxes claim to support non-profit organizations. Which non-profits and how much they donate I don’t know, I can only say what they state on their website so read this with a critical note!
Obviously, I haven’t tested all of the boxes myself, but you can find honest reviews of real customers when you visit the website and I took these into consideration when crafting this list.
Of course, I did my absolute best to list the most incredible travel subscription boxes for you which have proved to be pleasing other customers.
Note: prices stated below depend on the duration of the subscription and are without taxes and shipping.
Explore Local Box
The Explore Local Box allows you to experience a new US travel destination each month. Inside you’ll find locally made products and food produced by small businesses at that destination.
It’s perfect for you if you want to discover more about the US AND support small businesses at the same time.
You’ll never have discovered more of the United States than with this subscription!
Price: $39 – $40/month
Shipping: US only
Topic: US travel
The Wordy Traveler
The Wordy Traveler is a book subscription box which offers you readings from all around the world!
The box contains curated books, fine art prints and free trade organic thee. Everything to provide you with an amazing reading experience! You can even choose between a fiction or non-fiction variant.
Moreover, a portion of the proceeds are donated to help women and children around the world!
Price: $46.25 – $49.99 (one book) $101.75 – $109.99 (three books and much more) each quarter
Shipping: worldwide from the US
Topic: books
Safiya’s World Music Playlist
For all the music lovers, there is Safiya’s World Music Playlist box!
This box lets you discover music from all around the world, one country at a time. It comes with an interview of a local artist as well as a travel guide of the country to travel through music!
The box also supports local businesses as you’ll also receive handcrafted items, musician merchandise, travel accessories and so much more! But the best part is that you’ll receive a live performance from a featured artist!
They have 2 options, either you get the Suitcase box which is the most elaborate option as it also gives you live experiences or the Book Bag box which comes without the interactive interview, live performance and cultural experience.
Price: $30-35/month (Book Bag box) or $85.83-107 (Suitcase box)
Shipping: worldwide from the US
Topic: music
Vacation Crate
Each month’s box is full of… vacation! This really says it all.
The box contains 8-10 items from a particular country. If you buy this box as a present you can even put a personal note in it for your friend!
This makes it the perfect surprise gift!
Price: $36/month
Shipping: worldwide from the US
Topic: global travel items
Life’s A Wave Beach Box
Get those beach vibes in your house with this beach box!
Each month this box will give you 5-8 beach-themed goodies which could range from home decor items to shells, candles, soap and much more.
Plus, this box also supports an ocean minded non-profit organization.
Price: $45 – $49.95/month
Shipping: worldwide from the US
Topic: beach decor items
Spice Madam
This box is PERFECT for all the foodies out there!
Every month you’ll get an assortment of spices together with a bunch of recipes (plus a grocery shopping list) to make a delicious meal. You’ll also receive a music playlist from that destination in order to bring the local atmosphere home.
Important to know, this box is also vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free.
And even more important, the box supports a non-profit organization for youth education (take a look at the box for more about this).
So what are you waiting for?
Price: $18.33 – $20/month
Shipping: US and Canada
Topic: spices
Wanderkarma Travel Box
The Wanderkarma Travel Box delivers you artisan products from around the world every month. In the box, you’ll find 3-5 items of local craftmanship depending on the destination where the creators are.
But that’s not everything, you’ll also receive a travel guide of that month’s destination and a bit of background about the items. Sounds great, right?
Plus, they also donate 10% of their proceeds to a good cause every month and they really make a point of paying the local artisans a fair price for their craftsmanship.
Price: $30 – $45/month
Shipping: worldwide from the US
Topic: local crafts
Eat2Explore
This amazing box is the perfect mix between cooking and education!
The box is aimed at families who’d love to try food from all over the world while teaching their kids about our wonderful world!
Each month features a specific country and you’ll receive spices, activity sheets, shopping lists, cooking tools and fun items from a country. Each box features 3 recipes with 4 servings per recipe and there’s also a vegetarian option!
Price: $21.21 – $24.95/month
Shipping: worldwide from the US
Topic: cooking with kids
Kizuna Box from Japan
Who doesn’t love Japan?
From now on, you can discover Japan’s wonderful culture from the comfort of your home with the Kizuna Box!
Each month’s box provides you with 6-8 lovely items delivered straight from Tokyo. All of them are 100% made in Japan and could range from clothes, to ceramics and snacks!
Every month has another focus depending on the seasons and festivals going on in Japan.
Warning: be fast, this box is quickly sold out!
Price: $32.49 – $34.99/month
Shipping: worldwide from Japan
Topic: Japan
Seligo | Authentic Italian Experience
Here’s another box for the foodies reading this post!
If you can’t travel to Italy to have a pasta, why not bring Italy to you?
Each month, you’ll receive a box with only 3 ingredients to make the best Italian pasta you’ve ever had! All the ingredients are traditionally Italian and made with pure ingredients, even the pasta is artisan made.
Although you pay a bit more for a pasta, you’ll get THE most savory pasta in a box!
Each month, you can expect a different type of pasta with 4 servings.
Price: $24.99/month
Shipping: worldwide from the US
Topic: Italian pasta
Teawrks
Discover organic tea from all around the world!
Each month you’ll receive a box with 4 organic loose leaf teas for 30+ cups of tea (enough for a cup each day!), a tea card with information and instructions, disposable tea bags as well as a reusable tea bag.
Teawrks really makes a point of sustainability which it shows through eco-friendly packages and reusable tea bags.
They have 4 types of tea boxes: organic black tea, organic green tea, organic herbal wellness tea and organic variety tea.
Price: $25/month
Shipping: worldwide from the US
Topic: tea
Bokksu
This is another box for the Japan-lovers. This time no beautiful gadgets but tasty snacks and Japanese tea!
Every monthly box focuses on another cultural theme so you can discover different snacks from all around Japan plus matching teas. You’ll also receive a booklet with information about all the snacks (including allergies).
They have 2 options, the large box (20-25 items) and the smaller box (10-14 items) and offer a huge plus, which is FREE shipping worldwide!
Price: $37 – $45/month
Shipping: Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States and Japan
Topic: Japanese snacks & tea
The Russia Box
If you love Russia, Eastern Europe and the Slavic countries, you’ll certainly love this box!
It not only includes snacks but also a cultural item corresponding to the local culture, festivals and tradition.
You can choose between monthly or quarterly boxes.
Price: $22.99 – $24.95/month
Shipping: US only
Topic: snacks
Quick comparison
| Box | Type | Shipping | Price |
| Explore Local Box | US travel | US only | $39 – $40/month |
| The Wordy Traveler | books | worldwide | $46.25 – $49.99/quarter |
| Safiya’s World Music Playlist | music | worldwide | $30 – $35/month |
| Vacation Crate | global travel items | worldwide | $36/month |
| Life’s A Wave Beach Box | beach decor items | worldwide | $45 – $49.95/month |
| Spice Madam | spices | US & Canada | $18.33 – $20/month |
| Wanderkarma Travel Box | local crafts | worldwide | $30 – $45/month |
| Eat2Explore | cooking with kids | worldwide | $21.21 – $24.95/month |
| Kizuna Box from Japan | Japan | worldwide | $32.49 – $34.99/month |
| Seligo | Italian pasta | worldwide | $24.99/month |
| Teawrks | tea | worldwide | $25/month |
| Bokksu | Japanese snacks & tea | limited countries | $37 – $45/month |
| The Russia Box | snacks | worldwide | $22.99 – $24.95/month |
FAQ
What is a travel box subscription?
The concept is really simple. When you buy a travel box subscription, you get shipped a crate full of travel-themed items (depending on your box) to your home address. You choose the type of box which can literally be anything!
The box is supposed to be a surprise so mostly you’ll know the theme of the month and what kind of items you’ll find in it, but you won’t know exactly what there’s going to be in it! And the theme/content will be different each month.
This makes it not only the best surprise gift for others but also for yourself!
How does a travel box subscription work?
As it’s a subscription, you’ll get a box shipped to your home each time period, this could be each month or each quarter depending on the company and your plan.
You can choose to pay each month in which case you get charged monthly until you cancel your subscription.
But you can also opt to pay up-front for either 3, 6 or 12 months and get a discount on the monthly price! Again, the subscription automatically renews each time period (3, 6 or 12 months).
Is a travel box subscription worth my money?
This truly depends on the specific box you choose. In this post, I gave an overview of what I believe are travel gift boxes that are definitely worth their money, but of course, you can have another opinion!
If you take an in-depth look at each of the boxes, you can see exactly what will be in there (not really exactly since it has to be a surprise but at least what kind and how many items) so you can make an assessment yourself.
You’ll also be able to take a look at past boxes if you want to be completely sure you’ll like it.
Can I also just buy 1 box?
Yes!
You have multiple options. You can buy just one month, as a one-time gift, or subscribe for multiple months at once.
Be aware that subscriptions are automatically set to renew each period, so if you only want one box, you’ll have to cancel further subscription after receiving it!
Generally, the more months you pay up-front, the less you’ll pay for the boxes! So either you pay monthly, 3-monthly, 6-monthly or yearly.
Conclusion
These travel subscription boxes look great right?
I really think I might buy one as a gift for myself instead of for someone else.
If you tried one of the travel subscription boxes, please let me know what you thought of it in the comments below!
