Finding the best gifts for train commuters is easier than you might think! Why you might ask?
Those of us who have been train commuting for a long time know that while there’s not much we can do about the length of the commute, we can improve the quality of our commute by bringing with us a number of train commuter essentials.
These items can and do make a huge difference to us, but the problem? Train commuting can be expensive.
The cost of living these days is bad, but when we’re commuting by train, the extra expenses really begin to add up.
Unfortunately, this also usually means these small things we buy ourselves, we either go for the inexpensive, lesser quality items, or just go without.
When a friend of family member who knows we commute, surprises us with something we can use on the train (ie a fantastic set of wireless headphones, or a travel mug), I’m telling you now form experience, it’s soooooo appreciated.
With that in mind, I’ve personally selected 18 awesome gifts, specifically for train commuters. If you know someone who commutes, anything on this list is almost guaranteed to make their day, just that little bit better.
Skullcandy Wireless Headphones
When you’re stuck in a train carriage with a whole lot of people, noise can be a serious problem. One of the best gift choices by far is a quality set of headphones – also known as the gift of peace!
Headphones are always a ‘you get what you pay for’ type product, with the lower end headphones delivering poor quality sound, but very little in terms of noise cancelling. I love Skullcandy because they’re reasonably priced, but a very high quality set.
These headphones are a solid choice because:
- Straight up – these headphones look awesome
- Noise-cancelling on a train is about as close to audio heaven as you can get
- Wireless removes the horribly annoying cable and makes the experience just so much more pleasant
- If somehow left on the train, they can be found with the amazing Find Your Headphones technology!
- 24 hours of battery life with rapid charge
- Great sound and great price
If I found these Skullcandy headphones under my Christmas tree I’d be a happy man. (hint hint if my wife is reading this!)
SwissGear Scansmart Backpack
A good backpack is an essential piece of commuter kit, but they also tend to need regular replacing. Continual wear and tear, from a dusty train carriage to the weather and even the occasional tears and spills can mean they wear out quickly. A new backpack also provides a great opportunity to clean out the stuff accumulating at the bottom of the other one (mine in particular is a shocker!)
- Stylish, unisex design which can carry a laptop or tablet
- Not too bulky and will sit comfortably in the middle of the back
- Superior comfort with contoured, padded shoulder straps and built-in suspension
- Signature Airflow panel to cushions your back
- Spacious interior with ample interior and exterior pockets
The SwissGear 1900 Backpack is an all-rounder providing plenty of features, comfort and quality.
Keurig Stainless Steel Coffee Mug
Train commuters need coffee.
Actually let me rephrase that; train commuters NEED coffee in which case train commuters also need a fantastic travel coffee mug!
I have an hour long train ride so like to purchase my coffee post-trip (you know – bathroom anxiety and all that) but on shorter trips I like to use my own mug. It’s not only cost effective but super convenient and on those cold mornings as I wait for the train, there’s something comforting about nursing a hot coffee. The Keurig Contigo travel coffee mug is a great choice even if you don’t own a Keurig Coffee Maker.
- 14 oz. capacity (with room for milk or cream)
- Unique, geometric shape
- Vacuum-sealed, double-walled stainless steel construction
- Air-tight, leak-proof lid
- Dishwasher safe lid; hand-wash only body
Beyond the standard features, a good coffee mug also needs to be aesthetically pleasing – that is, it needs to feel comfortable to hold and be pleasant to drink from.
Contigo Autoseal Water Bottle
Quality re-usable water bottles can also be surprisingly expensive so it’s not uncommon for train commuters to use some cheap and horrible bottle in order to satisfy their thirst requirements on longer trips.
A quality bottle is always welcome and the Contigo autoseal water bottle perfectly matches that description.
- One handed operation – squeeze to sip and then it auto seals to protect against spills – perfection!
- Dual-wall vacuum insulation that will keep the contents cool for up to 28 hours! (note: if you have a 28 hour commute – please re-assess your current situation)
- A protective spout cover to keep the mouthpiece germ-free – valuable in train carriage environments!
- Carrying handle which makes it much easier to use on moving trains
- Dish-washable lid (body needs to be hand-washed)
- Fits most cup holders
Your first thoughts on giving a water bottle as a gift might be something along the lines of meh! But believe me, a train commuter will appreciate it.
Audible Membership (3, 6 or 12 month)
Train commuters have time to fill – lots and lots of time and what better way to fill that time than with an audible membership? In addition to providing free audio books every month, audible also comes with a slew of membership benefits which will satisfy even the most voracious train reader.
- An unmatched selection of audiobooks performed by world-class talent
- 3 titles for each month of their gift membership: 1 audiobook + 2 Audible Originals
- 30% off any additional audiobooks
- Anywhere, anytime listening with the free Audible app
- Free and easy audiobook exchanges
- An Audible book library they’ll own forever
Sounds amazing huh? Your train commuting friend will certainly think so!
Kindle Paperwhite
I love, love, LOVE my Kindle Paperwhite.
I cannot praise it enough for the countless hours I’ve spent using it on the train. Being a lover of physical books I was initially hesitant as I dislike reading books on screens – but the Paperwhite is different. With its e-ink technology (I know – it sounds a little naff) – despite being backlit, it’s effectively simulating paper. What this means is it’s gentle on the eye, very comfortable to read and honestly – if you’re giving someone the gift of a Kindle, it’s a mighty gift indeed!
Did you know that Kindle’s:
- only use power when turning pages so their battery life is insane
- allow the reader to carry their entire library with them on the train
- can be held and operated with one hand which is AMAZING when sitting beside people on the train and elbow room is limited
- work perfectly during all lighting conditions including full sun
- allow for book purchases while on the train
And this Kindle offer comes with 3 months of Kindle Unlimited FREE! If you’re feeling really generous, why not pick up a fabric cover to go with it? Either way, you’ve done a great job and your friend will love you!
Check out Why every train commuter needs a kindle paperwhite!
Repel Travel Umbrella
Don’t let your friends and family get caught in the rain on their way home from work – get them one of these awesome windproof travel umbrellas from Repel. If that vibrant rainbow design doesn’t say amazing gift idea, I don’t know what does! But in all seriousness, a good umbrella is mandatory train commuter kit.
- Teflon coated canopy offers superior water repellency – very handy in an umbrella!
- Three-fold chrome plated black metal shaft, and strong metal frame – they won’t be buying a new one anytime soon
- Ergonomic, slip-proof, and rubberized grip handle with wrist strap which allows for easy carrying
- Protective travel sleeve – will keep the umbrella from wetting everything else in their bag
- A great sized smaller umbrella which will fit nicely into most commuter bags
An umbrella isn’t the most exciting of gifts but when the heavens have opened and your friends are caught beneath, they’ll be loving this beautiful umbrella from Repel.
Check our 10 Best Compact Travel Umbrellas for Commuters
Cloudfield Polarized Bamboo Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a train commuters best friend. Those large train windows let in a lot of light and can be incredibly glary and uncomfortable. A good pair of sunglasses combined with headphones is also the perfect way to isolate yourself from the rest of the carriage – perfect on those days when you’re tired and just not in the mood to deal with the antics of other passengers! The Cloudfield Bamboo Polarized Wooden Sunglasses are seriously sexy and look great on men and women alike. The stylish wooden design makes them the perfect gift for train commuters.
- Handmade wooden sunglasses designed to look great on both men and women
- 9-layer polarized lenses with a double UV block coating
- Free bamboo protective case, microfiber pouch and cleaning cloth – they’re not going to get scratched in your bag
- Come with a 100% money back guarantee
There’s a lot to love about these sunglasses.
Modetro Leak Proof Bento box
Taking our lunch to work can save us considerable money but carrying it on the train can be disastrous if it’s in the wrong container. When that delicious lunch is now permeating every corner of your bag – let’s just say it’s the stuff of nightmares. The ultra slim, leak proof bento lunchbox from Modetro is perfect for train commuters. It not only has 3, individually isolated and leak proof compartments, it’s also a particularly slim design which won’t take up too much space in your bag.
- 3 isolated compartments means no soggy food from cross contamination!
- Far smaller than most lunch boxes which is perfect for train commuters
- Both microwave and dishwasher safe
- Comes with a money back guarantee
Handmade Leather Journal Gift Box Set
If there’s one place perfect for writing it’s the train and what better thing to write in than this exquisite handmade leather journal by Skymark Home. Whether it’s to capture memories or work on the novel that’s been peculating in their head for years, your commuter friend will adore this beautiful gift.
- Made from handcrafted genuine leather which is soft to touch yet tough and durable
- Kept secure via dual band locks
- Finished with beautiful polished golden card clips and classic vintage beads
- The perfect size to fit in a commuter bag (7 x 4.8 x 1.5) while also very comfortable to write in
- Comes with a refillable lined pad and luxury golden pen
This is a seriously nice gift set which is perfect for your writer friends or family.
Veronz Winter Scarf
Waiting for a train in the colder months can be a miserable experience, and when that freezing air makes its way down your neck…brrr. This luxurious winter scarf from Veronz will solve that problem with the additional bonus of looking seriously stylish!
- Large range of styles available, patterned in rich colors
- Perfect for men or women, comes in an elegant gift box
- Hand washable or dry clean
- Luxurious, soft cashmere feel with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
TOZO Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Wireless earbuds and train commuters go together like bread and butter – particularly on busier trains where there’s often a lot of moving around and not a lot of room. These premium wireless earbuds from TOZO provide studio-grade sound at a reasonable price and active noise-cancelling means your commuting loved one will be able to travel in peace!
- Up to 10.5 hours of music playback/talk time, and an extra 24 hours when using the charging case will suit even the longest train commutes
- One step pairing
- Active noise-cancelling allows for a long, quite commute
- Transparent mode allows you to control how much outside noise you hear – good for listening out for train changes and disruptions.
- Comes in choice of black or brown design
- Multi-functional button control allowing for play/pause/skip of music tracks and to take phone calls with its built in mic
- Charge on the go with its charging case
Your loved ones will flip out when they get their hands on these awesome earbuds!
Light weight puffer jacket
I can honestly say that I look forward to the colder months because I would happily live in my puffer jacket if given opportunity. Yes it’s freezing, but it feels so nice and warm and cozy inside the puffer jacket that I almost feel sad when Spring comes. This stylish light-weight puffer jacket will keep your female friends similarly toasty – but don’t worry, your chilly male friends are covered also.
- Lightweight, streamlined designed that’s waterproof yet still breathable
- Stylish design which will look fine over business or casual clothing
- Two zippable pockets
- Huge range of colors available
Your friends and family will be so warm you’ll be feeling all left out and wanting one for yourself 🙂
Digital Pencil Stylus
I’m putting this on the list because I want one badly and would never buy one for myself because beyond just messing around in a drawing app, I really have no need of it. But I still want one!!! Stylus technology has come so far, and this digital pencil feels about as close to a conventional pen as you can get. There are so many fantastic design apps available these days that doodling (or outright creating unbelievable art) on tablets is the perfect way to pass a long train commute. There’s also a plethora of apps available which will convert your hand-writing into type – perfect for people who find the inaccuracy of phone typing infuriating! (aka me)
- Sleek aluminium design
- Precision accuracy with a 1.5mm tip
- Compatible with most touch screen devices (iPad, iPhone, Samsung, Android phones etc)
- Doesn’t require Bluetooth and can be used across multiple devices simultaneously
- Comes with a mesh tip which can be used if the lithium battery runs out
Mini Portable Fan
We talk about how cold and miserable train commuting can be but in the summer months on those crowded trains….bad! Some trains are air conditioned and a great way to escape the heat, but many are not and when crowded together with 100 of your fellow sardines, a portable fan like this one from PRAVETTE can make a heck of a difference. It also just happens to be a particularly thoughtful gift idea!
- Super Long Endurance and Updated Strong Airflow
- Foldable Design and Mini Size
- Power Bank Function and Quiet Operation – relatively quiet to not annoy your fellow commuters
- Can also be used as a desktop fan if you want to use it at work too!
Don’t be surprised if the other commuters are pressing just that little bit closer in order to catch some of those cool cool breezes.
Portable USB Charger
Question: What is one of the most important items that every train commuter relies on?
Answer: Their phone or electronic devices.
And what happens when those electronic devices run out of battery? We die. Or something similarly disastrous. Don’t let this tragedy befall your friends and loved ones – give them the gift of power with this portable USB charger.
- Small design which can be stored in most commuter bags without taking up valuable space
- Charges 3 devices simultaneously
- iPhone and Samsung compatible
Congratulations! That loved one who got caught in a work meeting then had to run out the door to catch a train without a fully charged phone now adores you.
Fancii LED Makeup Mirror
When you’re spending long periods of time on a train to and from work, there’s going to be those times when your make-up needs a touch-up (particularly after those hot & disgusting summer trains). This LED illuminated compact mirror by Fancii is the perfect addition to your friends or loved ones commuter bag.
- Daylight LED’s simulate natural lighting for perfect coloring
- Two-sided 1x/10x magnification
- Decent sized distortion free view
- Lightweight mirror perfect for handbags, purses or commuter bags
- LED bulbs with up to 20,000 hours lifespan
- Beautifully glossy, rose-gold finish (also available in white & black)
Fitbit Smartwatch
Train commuters sit down for long periods of time and as many of us know, doing so can increase the risk of many chronic health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and worse. Giving a train commuter a Fitbit may seem silly at first as obviously there’s not a lot of exercise occurring ON the train itself, but by being able to track their physical progress, your loved one may gain the motivation they needed to exercise either side of the commute, or moreso, because of the commute. A Fitbit will allow them to:
- Track their total steps in a day – perhaps taking a longer route to the train station, or making a conscious effort to use the stairs rather than the elevator’s
- Encourage them to go for a jog in their lunch break
- Allow them to track a whole range of other health insights from sleep patterns to overall physical activity
When we’re talking about thoughtful gifts for train commuters, the Fitbit offers the gift of health and that’s hard to put a price tag on.
So there we have it, 18 of the best gifts for your train commuting friends and loved ones. I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot of happy commuters in the near future! If you want even MORE awesome ideas, here’s 18 even more great gifts, especially for commuters!
Happy commuting!
