Best Travel Guitars For The Road

Last Updated: November 19, 2019 Loads had changed in the travel acoustic market since our last refresh, so we decided to give our chart a revamp to reflect this. We removed some models, such as the Cordoba Mini O and Washburn Rover, and replaced them with five new models. This included the highly-impressive AG-105EQ from Traveler Guitar, as well as the new Cordoba Mini II MH and Fender CT-60S. We added an old favorite in the Taylor Baby Taylor BT2, as well as a budget-friendly option, the Rondo Music SX Trav 1.

Traveling the world? Good for you! But if you’re a true guitarist, you aren’t going to want to hop from country to country without a trusty axe by your side. But please… make your life easier – leave your $5,000 solid-wood Martin at home, and pick up a dedicated travel guitar instead. As you’re about to see, there’s no one-size-fits-all travel guitar. You could use a smaller version of a full-size guitar, such as a parlor or a 3/4 size; you could use a full-size guitar where the neck folds in half (yes, they do exist!); or you could use a travel-dedicated guitar which, truth be told, don’t really look like guitars in the first place! Whether you’re off on a six-month global voyage, or just heading to a different state for the weekend, check out the following chart of travel acoustics, which will give you a good idea of what’s worth taking with you on your next trip.

Top 10 Best Travel Guitars:

First, let’s discuss some of the things you need to consider. Keep an eye on your budget. Any guitar that you take out of your house is going to be subject to damage or loss. How much can you afford to lose, or how much are you willing to pay to replace it? A cheap guitar is not necessarily the answer, but it is an option. Next, the size of the guitar will matter how much space it will take up, but it also effects playability and the sound it produces. A parlor style instrument has a certain sound and vibe that may not be to your liking. It might tick the boxes of the right price point and the right size, but you have to make a connection to the instrument. It doesn’t matter if it travels well, if you don’t like the guitar you won’t be playing it. The guitars we have listed will answer some of these needs, but none of them answer them all. We hope to help you narrow your choices down to get the best travel guitar for you. We have links to our more in depth reviews to let you have the best information to make an educated decision.

What is a Travel Guitar?

A travel guitar could technically be a full-size Jumbo model, providing you are happy to take a huge guitar like that on the road, train or plane. However, when most people discuss travel guitars, they are talking about those that are specifically designed for quick and easy transportation. As some of the models on our chart will have shown, travel guitars come in all shapes and sizes. They could be as simple as a 3/4 or 1/2-sized guitar, which retains a full (albeit smaller) real wood tone. Travel guitars could be a full-size guitar that fold at the neck, offering full-size playability and tone but with the convenience of being able to fold the guitar in half! Or they could look like the Traveler collection, which are a little alien in design, but ultra-convenient to take along on your travels.

What Should the Best Travel Guitar Have?

There are a few key factors that you should consider when comparing different brands and models of travel guitar. Above all, you want something with a compact size. Travelling with a full-size dreadnought is all well and good for tone, but try maneuvering it along an airplane aisle or through a crowded train and you will soon be longing for something smaller. Of course, you will also want something that looks good and is built with quality materials, although you don’t want something that is so precious you feel scared to take it on the road with you. Thankfully most travel-dedicated guitars are robust in their build, capable of taking a few bumps. Talking about materials, solid wood isn’t so important when it comes to travel guitars as solid wood is not as resistant to temperature and climate changes as a laminate. If you still want the tonal benefits of solid wood, choose something with solid wood on the top but laminated back and sides. As for tone and projection, the smaller you go, the quieter the guitar tends to be. It will depend on whether you are travelling with a guitar for practice or performance. If you are looking for something to impress with on a street corner or in a coffee house, a full-size guitar that folds – or a small acoustic with a pickup and preamp system – is vital. If you are just wanting something with which to strum on the beach or noodle with in your hotel room, you can be more flexible. In that case, choosing a small guitar or silent guitar is a smart choice. Finally, consider the price. You don’t want to spend too much on a guitar that is more susceptible to being lost, stolen or damaged. Unless you are a professional musician or a gigging artist, travelling with an expensive guitar is silly when travel guitars exist at around $100 to $400. If something bad happened to it (God forbid!), it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

The Final Word

There we have it – a selection of ten excellent travel models ranging in sizes, styles and price categories. We hope this article has given you a little inspiration, whether you are buying or just browsing. A full-size folding guitar is very different in terms of tone and playability compared to a Baby Taylor, which is as different from an ultra-portable Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light. So be sure to try as many models as you can and figure out what works best for you. Good luck with your new axe on the road!