5 Best Travel Acoustic Guitars to Get Going

In 2024, it’s predicted that about 7.2 billion people will be visiting some country for the first time. With the popularity of travel, more and more people are looking into new options to create a unique experience while traveling.

In this post, we look at acoustic guitars as a popular travel instrument because they can be taken on the go and come with a wide number of creative uses so you can adapt them to any destination.

As a person that regularly travels, I’m always on the lookout for a new acoustic guitar. I also try to keep my budget under $300 so as not to break the bank.

In this article, we’ll be listing some of the best travel guitars you can buy without breaking the bank so you can start your road trip adventures with an affordable guitar.

Table of Contents

Buying Guide

The quality of an acoustic guitar’s sound largely depends on the quality of its soundhole, which is typically made from cedar or spruce. Acoustic guitars are built with a body, neck, headstock to support the strings over the frets, and sides that are wrapped around a resonant chamber.

These guitars typically have heavy strings and they’re very suitable for professional guitarists who play solo songs.

Flat-top guitars :

Flat-top guitars are commonly used by fingerpickers and they’re considered the most versatile of all acoustic guitars. They’re capable of playing rhythm, bass lines, chords, and melodies. Flat-top guitars are also built with steel strings on their fingerboards which are more durable than nylon strings.

The classical guitar :

The classical guitar is the smallest in size among the four types of acoustic guitars. It’s smaller than a steel string but larger than a flamenco guitar. It’s typically played by guitarists who play classical music and folk music.

Flamenco guitars :

Flamenco guitars are usually used in performances that involve singing and dancing. They’re also typically built with a big body shape in order for their players to have enough room to move around while playing.

5 Best Travel Acoustic Guitars

Taylor GS Mini Mahogany GS Mini Acoustic Guitar , Sapele, Mahogany Top
Taylor GS Mini Mahogany GS Mini Acoustic Guitar , Sapele, Mahogany Top
It's not too big, it's not too precious, and it's not too expensive
Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar, Mahogany Top
Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar, Mahogany Top
6-string Acoustic Guitar with Mahogany Top; Layered Sapele Back; Sides - Natural; Neck Width 1-11/16 inch
Amazon Prime
Classical Guitar with Soft Nylon Strings by Hola! Music, Junior 3/4 Size 36 Inch Model HG-36GLS,...
Classical Guitar with Soft Nylon Strings by Hola! Music, Junior 3/4 Size 36 Inch Model HG-36GLS,...
Nut width: 45mm / 1.77 inches. Number of frets: 18; Glossy finish gives this guitar a touch of glamour. FREE padded gig bag included!
Ibanez EWP14OPN Exotic Wood Piccolo Acoustic Guitar Natural
Ibanez EWP14OPN Exotic Wood Piccolo Acoustic Guitar Natural
The EWP14OPN is a 1/3-size, steel string Piccolo acoustic guitar; Similar in scale to a Baritone ukulele (17”), the EWP14 sports an EW style cutaway...

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

1. Taylor GS Mini Mahogany GS Mini Acoustic Guitar, Sapele, Mahogany Top

Taylor GS Mini Mahogany GS Mini Acoustic Guitar , Sapele, Mahogany Top
285 Reviews
Taylor GS Mini Mahogany GS Mini Acoustic Guitar , Sapele, Mahogany Top
  • "Body Body type: Taylor Grand Symphony Mini Cutaway: No Top wood: Solid Mahogany Back & sides: Layered Sapele Bracing pattern: GS Mini With Relief...
  • "There's something undeniably inviting about the Taylor GS Mini's scaled-down size, yet a single strum reveals the impressive voice of a full-size...
  • That mix of portability and musicality has proven to be a winning combination that fits into so many scenarios in life, from the couch to the campfire...
  • It's not too big, it's not too precious, and it's not too expensive
  • That broad-based accessibility has given it a resounding universal appeal, not to mention a built-in fun factor

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Taylor GS Mini Acoustic Guitar is a scaled-down version of the popular “baby” or ¾-scale dreadnought used by many of today’s acoustic guitarists.

Pros :

  • Offers great quality and performance with a very affordable price.
  • Built with Long-Scale mahogany body, scalloped X bracing, and a solid spruce top.
  • Reasonably smooth sound from the Dreadnought body style is rich and lush when played acoustically or amplified.

Cons :

The body of this guitar is made of plastic
It’s not water-resistant
The GS Mini Mahogany does not come with an amp or accessories

2. LAVA ME 2 Carbon Fiber Guitar with Effects 36 Inch Acoustic-Electric Travel Guitar with Bag Picks and Charging Cable (Freeboost-Black)

LAVA ME 2 Acoustic-Electric Carbon Fiber Guitar w/Effects, Super AirSonic 36'' Black
592 Reviews
LAVA ME 2 Acoustic-Electric Carbon Fiber Guitar w/Effects, Super AirSonic 36'' Black
  • Unibody Acoustic Electric Guitar: With little to no gluing, LAVA ME 2 guitar offers a wide frequency range, producing resonant, dynamic sounds. At...
  • Versatile L2 Preamp: With FreeBoost Technology, the L2 Preamp uses the guitar back as a speaker, allowing you to shape sounds with reverb, delay, and...
  • Plek’d FlyNeck: Machined with the Plek Pro with a 0.01mm accuracy, LAVA ME 2’s FlyNeck features a minimum string height and stays in tune just...
  • Weatherproof and Travel-friendly: Built from Super AirSonic carbon fiber material, LAVA ME 2 withstands temperatures between -4°F~194°F and humidity...
  • Complete Guitar Package: LAVA ME 2 guitar package includes an Ideal Bag, Ideal Pick (Mix), charging cable, and cleaning cloth.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you are thinking about upgrading your guitar, the Lava ME 2 Carbon Fiber Guitar with Effects 36 Inch Acoustic-Electric Travel Guitar with Bag Picks and Charging Cable (Freeboost-Black) might be just what you are looking for.

Pros :

  • This guitar is perfect for those that need a lightweight and portable instrument.
  • Is incredibly durable and comfortable to play.
  • The sound quality is not the best but is better than most low-end guitars at this price point.

Cons :

  • The strings become muted quickly, making it difficult to do fast runs on the instrument.
  • There are reports of the instrument cracking during shipment from being so tightly crammed in its box.

3. Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar, Mahogany Top

Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar, Mahogany Top
  • 6-string Acoustic Guitar with Mahogany Top
  • Layered Sapele Back
  • Sides - Natural
  • Neck Width 1-11/16 inch

Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

People love Taylor guitars for their durability, quality, and versatility. Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor is no exception to this trend. This is a guitar that will be perfect for small beginners or people who need a smaller instrument for travel.

Pros :

Cons :

  • The guitar’s neck is susceptible to warping when exposed to high humidity – Strings are susceptible to breaking due to the lack of cutouts in the nut
  • The guitar does not come with an electronic tuner. Tuning requires an additional purchase.

4. Classical Guitar with Soft Nylon Strings by Hola! Music, Junior 3/4 Size 36 Inch Model HG-36GLS, Natural Gloss Finish – FREE Padded Gig Bag Included

Classical Guitar with Soft Nylon Strings by Hola! Music, Junior 3/4 Size 36 Inch Model HG-36GLS,...
  • Don't miss!! We’ve joined with America’s largest lessons company. When you purchase this bundle, you will get TWO MONTHS of FREE live, video...
  • Don't miss!! We’ve joined with America’s largest lessons company. When you purchase this bundle, you will get TWO MONTHS of FREE live, video...
  • Hola! Music Junior Classical Guitar HG-36GLS features: Spruce top, Mahogany back, sides and neck
  • Nut width: 45mm / 1.77 inches. Number of frets: 18
  • This 3/4 size classical guitar provides the perfect combination of style, sound, and savings. Small and light, but produces big, beautiful melodies...

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Junior 3/4 Size 36 Inch Model HG-36GLS classical guitar with a natural gloss finish has a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with nylon strings.

Pros :

  • Easy to play
  • Great size for kids 5-8 years old
  • High quality materials and construction

Cons :

  • The sound is not that of a classical guitar, sounds similar to a nylon-stringed acoustic guitar
  • We weren’t sure what the “scale length” meant.

5. Ibanez EWP14OPN Exotic Wood Piccolo Acoustic Guitar Natural

Ibanez EWP14OPN Exotic Wood Piccolo Acoustic Guitar Natural
121 Reviews
Ibanez EWP14OPN Exotic Wood Piccolo Acoustic Guitar Natural
  • Piccolo cutaway style EW body Ovangkol top Ovangkol back and sides Rosewood fretboard and bridge Abalone rosette Chrome die-cast tuners 17" scale
  • Smaller scale instruments have increased in popularity over the past few years, because not only do students seem to be starting younger than ever,...
  • From the on-the-go businessperson who needs a guitar that can fit in a plane’s overhead compartment, to the happy wanderer just looking to animate...
  • The EWP14OPN is a 1/3-size, steel string Piccolo acoustic guitar
  • Similar in scale to a Baritone ukulele (17”), the EWP14 sports an EW style cutaway body

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Ibanez EWP14OPN is a 14-fret, solid wood acoustic guitar with a gloss ebony fingerboard. The guitar offers lower action for more comfortable playing.

Pros :

  • Beautiful craftsmanship
  • Exotic wood finish
  • Great sound quality
  • Easy to play and tighten set screws for longevity and accuracy of intonation
  • Includes gig bag and framed certificate of authenticity

Cons :

  • Its sound is not as rich and full as other guitars

Conclusion :

The best acoustic guitars for travelers are those that are lightweight, durable, and easy to carry around. Additionally, they should be able to last you for years without having to constantly update them. Following this set of criteria, I’ve compiled a list of the top acoustic guitars for travelers.

FAQ:

Q: What is the best acoustic guitar for a beginner?

A: Taylor Academy 10. As one of the acoustic world’s ‘big two’,Taylor Guitars has a long track record of producing some of the highest quality,best sounding acoustic guitars … Fender CD-60S. If you’re uncertain exactly how much time and dedication you have to put into learning the acoustic guitar,don’t worry. Martin LX1. … Yamaha Storia I. …

Q: What is the best travel guitar?

A: Taylor Baby Taylor. Scale length: 22.75” If the more outlandish styles of travel guitar aren’t for you,maybe the Baby Taylor will be. Martin Backpacker. We weren’t lying when we said travel guitars can jar a bit visually. … Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe. … Traveler Travelcaster Deluxe. … Hofner Shorty travel guitar. … Traveler Escape Mark III. …

Q: What is the best acoustic electric guitar brand?

A: Martin LX1E Little Martin Acoustic/Electric. The Martin LX1E is proof that size doesn’t always matter when it comes to an acoustic-electric guitar. Gibson J-200 Standard. This is a truly special,limited edition guitar. … Epiphone DOVE PRO. … Takamine GN93CE-NAT Nex. … Taylor 214ce Deluxe Grand Auditorium. … Gibson Hummingbird PRO. … Yamaha FGX820C. … Epiphone PR5-E. …

Q: What is the best affordable electric guitar?

A: – Great Les Paul tone – Humbucker pickups – Narrow neck – Just like the original Gibson model