Welp, we’re not all first-class jet setters with a champagne lifestyle or fat bank account when we travel. Most of us travel on a budget and want to come home with cheap travel souvenirs that are still meaningful.
You might not believe this, but souvenir shopping on a budget is an art form, and you can be a master hunter/gatherer on your next trip. Travel shouldn’t be about how much you spend but about how much you can experience! So, ditch the fancy souvenir guilt, and start getting creative, finding cheap (or even free) travel mementos that you will love in your home for years to come.
Beyond the Tourist Traps
Think beyond the hotel lobbies and overpriced tourist shops. Hit the local markets or grocery stores for a bag of local spices or candy specific to the area for a delicious treat. Find postcards with stunning local photography to frame when you get home, or a handcrafted bookmark with a regional design can keep your place when you’re reading the latest thriller.
The Art of Free Travel Souvenirs
Yes, you can find FREE travel souvenirs. And these might just be your ultimate trophy. Snag a brochure from a local museum or national park—the artwork can be beautiful for a scrapbook or in a small frame. Pocket a colorful flyer from a local festival or performance—it will instantly transport you back to the sights and sounds of that eventful evening. Or a beautiful jar of beach sand will instantly make you think of the sea.
Free or Cheap Travel Souvenirs
To start you thinking, here are a few of my free or cheap travel souvenir favorite ideas to spark your creativity. And these are some of the best travel souvenirs to collect because they are small, lightweight, and super easy to pack:
- Coasters. Find coasters at any bar or restaurant. Often, you can use one and pick up a second fresh one to bring home. The coaster will feature a brand or bar to remind you of a night on the town or a wonderful, shared meal. And with a collection of coasters, you will never be out of one to use at home. Keep these in a stack on the coffee table or by your home bar.
- Matchbooks. Find matchboos easiely in your hotel, at a bar, or restaurant. Bring home several and stash them in a glass or crystal bowl. Practical and pretty little memories to keep your cozy candles lit.
- Tour Brochures and Maps. The best way to remind you of all the places that you have visited. Frame particularly beautiful images and use them as art. If you are a scrapbooker, collect these as you go to add to your journal and write handwritten notes on the corners to remind you of what you experienced.
- Ticket Stubs. The event was obviously not free, but this little piece of paper can hold an evening of memories. Don’t throw these away. Display a cluster of stubs in a jar, under a cloche, or in a shadowbox. It is a tangible way to capture a memory. Now, many events have gone ticketless with your tickets saved on your iPhone. Look for a flyer from the event, a coaster from the bar with the band’s name written on the back, or even a page printed from the event website to add to a journal. ProTip: Always bring a pen in your purse or backpack to write down a quick date or note.
A few more!
- Postcards. Is there a more classic souvenir? With a lot of bang for your buck, postcards can be found in every gift shop or tourist center. Inexpensive, easy to carry, and pack home in your journal or for your scrapbook.
- Corks. The bottle cost you something. But after you have enjoyed your bottle of wine, keep the cork as a souvenir. I write on my corks with a sharpie, including the date, who was there, and what we are celebrating.
- Hotel Notepads. Many hotels leave a small notepad on the desk. If you need to write a grocery list, why not on a fun little souvenir of your trip? Or keep this in your purse to jot down notes about your travels that you do not want to forget.
- Seashells, Rocks, or Sand. Free! Remember a wonderful trip to the beach with shells, a beautiful rock, or a Ziploc bag of sand. We found Myrtle the dinosaur on Myrtle Beach in the sand. This lost and weathered toy is a wonderful reminder of the sand between my toes and the taste of saltwater. And we picked up liter from the beach, leaving it cleaner for the next visitors.
Responsible Souveniring
Be a responsible souvenir hunter. While free or cheap travel souvenirs are fantastic, it’s important to be a respectful visitor. Souvenirs should be a way to commemorate your trip, not a burden on the destination.
Taking items like seashells or rocks from national parks or protected areas can damage ecosystems. (Not to mention, just bad luck if you are cursed by Pele for taking lava rock from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park) Always check regulations before pocketing a memento from nature. A good rule of thumb is to only take what nature freely gives, like a smooth pebble or a colorful leaf that’s already fallen.
And of course, never swipe a hotel towel or robe – those are meant for guest comfort, not souvenirs. By following these simple guidelines, you’ll be a responsible and respectful tourist wherever you travel.
There are so many wonderful ways to collect mementos that don’t involve taking something that doesn’t belong to you. And—it could potentially land you in hot water in a foreign country—no one wants that!
Souvenirs Tell a Story
The best souvenirs to collect when traveling are more than just trinkets. They’re tangible reminders of the experiences, connections, and emotions you experience on your travels. As you explore these souvenir tips, consider what truly resonates with you.
Do you seek a delicious taste of the local cuisine?
A handcrafted item that reflects the region’s artistry?
A cheap travel souvenir that sparks conversation and compels you to share your travel stories?
When you choose souvenirs with intention, they become more than just decorations – they become keepsakes that tell the story of your adventures and life.
What free or cheap items do you collect on your vacation? Leave your comment below!