Coloring might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to travel... but perhaps it should be. A coloring book is easy to toss in a carry-on, it's screen-free entertainment for long flights and train rides, and it's a relaxing way to wind down after a busy day of sightseeing.
Travel coloring books also make a really thoughtful gift for the traveler in your life. Whether they're dreaming about Paris, planning their next national park road trip, or just love looking at beautiful places, there's a coloring book out there for them. We've rounded up our favorite travel coloring books for adults below, from inexpensive stocking stuffers to splurge-worthy gift books.
What to Look For in a Travel Coloring Book
- Theme - Pick a book that matches the places your traveler loves, whether that's a favorite city, a bucket list destination, or the national parks.
- Level of detail - Some books are very intricate, while others have bolder, simpler designs. Intricate pages take longer (great for long trips!), but simpler pages can be more relaxing.
- Size - If it's going in a carry-on, a slimmer book is easier to pack. Bigger books with more pages are better for coloring at home.
- Pens or pencils - Colored pencils (like this pretty set) are the easiest to travel with. If your traveler likes markers, look for books with heavier paper or pages printed on one side only.
Travel Coloring Books for Adults: Cities, Landmarks & Destinations
These books cover destinations around the world, from famous landmarks to charming shopfronts. There are a few great Paris picks in here, too!
Travel Coloring Books for Adults
Part of Dover's Creative Haven World & Travel series, this 64-page book is all about the places you'd send a postcard from. It's one of the most-reviewed travel coloring books on Amazon, and at only a few dollars it makes an easy stocking stuffer.
Another one from the Creative Haven World & Travel series, with city scenes arranged into round, mandala-style designs. It's a nice mix for people who love detailed patterns but want something more interesting than abstract shapes.
Beach lovers (or anyone dreaming of their next beach trip) will like this 64-page book of island scenes. It's a fun one to pack for a tropical vacation, too.
Dutch illustrator Astrid Wielinga's first Urban Anna book is 96 pages of charming storefronts from cities around the world. If you're the kind of traveler who stops to photograph pretty shop windows, this one's for you.
The second Urban Anna book heads to Paris, with 48 pages of Parisian streets and shopfronts. It pairs nicely with the first book if you're putting together a gift.
This one from Workman has 24 Paris landmarks, and the pages are meant to be sent like postcards or framed once you're done. A sweet gift for anyone who's been to Paris or has it on their bucket list.
French illustrator Zoé de Las Cases is known for her detailed, whimsical city scenes, and this 112-page Paris book is a great pick for experienced colorers. It's pricier than most on this list, so it's a nice splurge gift.
With 100 coloring pages of monuments, buildings, cities, houses and castles, this one will keep an architecture lover busy for a long time. It's a big book, so maybe save it for home rather than your carry-on.
This book has 50 pages of destinations from around the world, designed with relaxation in mind. It's a good all-around pick if you're not sure which places your traveler would like best.
National Parks Coloring Books
National park fans have some especially great options. These would make a fun gift before (or after!) a national park trip.
National Parks Coloring Books
From Fifty-Nine Parks, the folks behind the popular national park poster art, this 144-page book turns those vintage-style park scenes into coloring pages. It's our favorite pick for national park fans.
This 112-page book from Cider Mill Press is full of scenery from America's national parks. It's a great souvenir-style gift for a family that's been chasing park visits.
With more than 100 pages to color, this one covers a lot of ground across the national parks. A good value pick if you want lots of pages.
National Geographic's take on the national parks is 112 pages in a larger 11 x 8.5 inch format, which leaves plenty of room for detail.
Tips for Coloring While You Travel
- Pack a small set of colored pencils and a compact sharpener in a zip pouch so nothing ends up loose in your bag.
- Bring a slim book or tear out a few pages to bring along, rather than packing a big, heavy book.
- Coloring is a nice screen-free option for kids and grown-ups alike on long flights, so consider bringing a kid's coloring book for the little ones too.
- Finished pages make a great travel keepsake. Frame a favorite, or tuck it into your travel journal.
Looking for more gift ideas for travelers? Check out these helpful guides:
- Gift Ideas for Women Who Love to Travel
- Gift Ideas for Men Who Love to Travel
- 20 Totally Awesome Stocking Stuffers for Travelers
- 24+ Creative Ways to Display Your Travel Photos
- Our Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers on Amazon
And if you're planning a national park trip, don't miss our 14 national parks to visit in winter and our family trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
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