Travel Theme Graduation Party Ideas

France? Japan? Brazil?  Does your graduate want to see the world after he or she graduates?  Well, if they're planning on studying abroad, spending their life travelling the world, or just starting out on a new journey, than a travel theme graduation party is perfect! From passports to suitcases to exotic food and world destinations, there is a lot of inspiration out there for invitations, decorations, and menu ideas. 

travel theme Graduation party Invitations

Since the theme of this party is travel and celebrating the graduate's new journey, select an invite that reflects both of these things! Here are some of our favorite options:

Graduation Decorations and Party Supplies

There are tons of decorating ideas out there for a travel theme graduation party.  Start with some of our favorites:

• Near the entrance to the party set up "customs checkpoint". A Graduation Travel Theme Banner will do the trick!  Add your own wording like, "Customs - Amy's Graduation Party, Do you have anything to declare?" Add graduation balloons to this area to draw everyone's attention.
• 2019 Life-Sized Graduate Cutout: Your grad might not have time to greet every guest at the door, so a cutout of the girl graduate or the boy graduate serves as the next best thing.  Pile suitcases around the cutout and add a speech bubble that says, "I'm leaving on a jet plane! Don't know when I'll be back again!"
• As guests arrive at their "destination", make sure to have a sign-in area where guests can "check-in". Here are a few fun options that are perfect for a travel theme:
  • A graduation sign in board is a classic way to let guests leave message to the grad.  You can have it read "Travel advice for Brian and well wishes for his journey!"
  • A guest book photo frame is also fun... guests sign the matte surrounding a picture of the grad from vacation. Make sure to buy smudge free markers!
  • For a grad who is going away to college, have guests fill out postcards! Then you can mail them a few at a time to the dorm.
  • Create a photo scrapbook with a travel theme and leave places for friends and family to fill in messages.
  • Set up a vintage suitcase and have guests write notes of well wishes, advice and congratulations! The grad can read them after the party.

Of course, you'll want to carry the travel theme through to the rest of your party space.  Try these easy decorations:

• Suitcase Cooler - Line a vintage suitcase with a clear trashbag and fill with ice and water bottles wrapped in travel theme graduation water bottle labels.
• Hang maps all over your party space! They make easy decorations indoors and outside.  Try using maps as a background for your buffet/dessert table or photo booth!
• Travel Posters - Hang travel signs pointing to the grad's favorite destinations. Use these or make your own!
• 2019 Glasses - These glasses are a great way to decorate your guests! Add some other touristy wearables like flower leis, bucket hats, and Hawaiian shirts.

• Around the World - Daft Punk
• Roam - B-52
• Ramblin Man - Allman Brothers Band
• Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane
• Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles
• I've Been Everywhere - Johnny Cash
• Come Fly with Me - Frank Sinatra
• I'm Leaving on Jet Plane - Peter, Paul and Mary
• Movin' Right Along - The Muppets
• Free Bird by Lynrd Skynrd
• Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude by Jimmy Buffett
• On the Road Again by Willie Nelson
• Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz
• Wherever I May Roam by Metallica

Graduation Table Decorations
Your best bet is to use disposable paper goods at a graduation party. International flag paper goods match the travel theme and give your tables a bright pop of color. Add some of these other great ideas:

• Confetti - Make some from a large paper punch (craft store) and a few old maps (thrift store).
• Table Covers - For your tables, take a colored table cloth and put a clear one over it. In between put pictures of the grad on vacation and traveling through the years. You can also include ticket stubs and maps to add interest. The clear table cloth keeps everything from getting messy!
• Table Numbers - Choose a vacation destination for each table. Guests will love to sit at the "France" or "China" table! 
• Seating Cards - If you're going with assigned seating, direct guests to their tables with luggage tag seating cards. The tag doubles as a great favor!

• Tie balloons to the handles of small suitcases.
• Set up each table with a different travel theme and decorate accordingly. You can do different countries (China, England, Australia) or National Parks (Everglades, Yosemite, Grand Canyon) or modes of travel (Planes, Trains and Automobiles).
• A globe perched on top of a stack of college textbooks is perfect for a grad heading off to college.
• Small toy airplanes serve as great ballon weights for groups of white balloons made to look like clouds.
• Wrap cylindrical vases in maps and fill with flowers for a classic look. Add a few paper airplanes attached to skewers for a fun twist!

• Italy - Pizza, pasta salad, anti-pasta. Decorate with clear jars of dry pasta and jars of sauce.
• Mexico - Taco or burrito bar. Fill a sombrero hat with chips and add a few Mexican flags.
• China - Chinese takeout, egg rolls, lo mien, all the favorites. Decorate with takeout boxes, chopsticks and fortune cookies.
• Japan - Sushi (get a tray from Costco or the like)
• Middle Eastern - Hummous, Tabbouleh and Babagannough with pita chips and pita bread
• French - French pastries and desserts, cheese and crudities

• New York - Bagel bar and cheesecake
• New England - Clam chowder
• Philadelphia - Cheesesteak
• Chicago - Deep dish pizza
• New Orleans -  Shrimp and crawfish with dirty rice, gumbo
• Southern - Fried green tomatoes, biscuits, corn and fried chicken, BBQ

Graduation Party Favors

Again, stick with your theme! These favors match our graduation travel boarding pass invitation, and they'll look great sitting at a place setting or on a favor table. If you're going with a table, make sure to add a decorative sign that says, "Baggage Claim" - so much fun!

• Personalized Travel Theme Candy Bar Wrappers - Who doesn't love chocolate? These personalized wrappers are a great way to keep your guests thinking of your party long after it has ended!
• Personalized Mint and Candy Tins - A great party favor that can be customized with your choice of wording and even a photo!
• Personalized Travel Theme Lollipops - Much like the cookies, now is your opportunity to shine on a lollipop. Yum.
• Personalized Travel Theme Party Favor Bags - An easy way to package all of your favors, and to give your guests one last reminder of your party!

Or try one of these DIY favors that add a sweet handmade touch to your event: 

• Luggage Tags - Make sure there is a special thank you note from the grad slipped in!
• Travel Theme Favor Bags filled with candies and treats for the trip home!
• Postcard Bundles wrapped in twine with a note from the grad asking for guests to write! (Include the grad's new address.)
• Little Booze Bottles - For a college grad, mini booze bottles (like what you would find on a flight or a hotel mini-fridge) make a fun favor!