Disclosure: Fency Music, linked on this page, is our sister store. Liverpool Music does not currently earn affiliate commission from any retailer mentioned here.
The best guitar is the one you actually have with you. That sounds like a fridge magnet, but for songwriters it is close to a rule: ideas turn up on holiday, on a long train journey or in a friend's spare room, and if your guitar is at home, they often disappear. A good travel guitar solves that, as long as it is small enough to take everywhere and good enough that you want to play it when you get there.
I am a songwriter, and I build FencyGuitar, a guitar learning app, so portability and practice habits are things I think about constantly. This list covers acoustic, electric, silent and smart travel guitars, with UK prices checked on 25 October 2026. Some guitars here I would recommend to almost anyone; others suit a very specific kind of traveller. I will say which is which, and where each one falls short.
Top 3: Travel Guitars
| Guitar | UK price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor GS Mini Sapele | £449 | The best sounding small acoustic for most people |
| Steinberger Spirit GT-PRO Deluxe | £349 | A full scale electric that fits in a small gig bag |
| Yamaha SLG200SII Silent Guitar | £699 to £749 | Quiet practice in hotels and flats, with a frame that comes off |
Below are all nine picks, followed by honourable mentions and a guide to choosing the right one for the way you travel.
9 Best Travel Guitars Right Now
1. Taylor GS Mini Sapele
The Taylor GS Mini Sapele is the small acoustic most people should start with. It is a scaled down version of Taylor's Grand Symphony body, with a solid spruce top, layered sapele back and sides and a 23.5 inch scale. It sounds far bigger than its size suggests, with a full, balanced voice that works for strumming and fingerpicking.
It is not the smallest guitar here. It is a compact full guitar rather than a true backpack guitar, and on some flights it may not fit an overhead locker. But if you want one guitar that works both at home and on trips by car or train, it is very hard to beat at £449. The Taylor GS Mini Mahogany, at £519, offers a warmer voice, and the Taylor GS Mini-e Mahogany adds a pickup for £629.
Who should skip this: frequent flyers who need the smallest possible guitar, and anyone who needs a pickup without paying extra.
For a deeper look, read our Taylor GS Mini vs Martin LX1E comparison.
2. Martin LX1E Little Martin
The Martin LX1E Little Martin is the toughest proper acoustic on this list. It has a solid Sitka spruce top, back and sides made from high pressure laminate, a Richlite fingerboard, a 23 inch scale and Fishman electronics with a tuner built in. At £579, it is ready to plug into an amp or PA wherever you end up.
The laminate body is the key to its travel credentials. It handles changes in temperature and humidity much better than solid wood, so it copes with car boots, air conditioning and damp holiday cottages. The trade off is a brighter, smaller sound than the GS Mini. The Martin LX1 Little Martin, without a pickup, was £449.
Who should skip this: players who mainly strum hard and want the biggest possible sound from a small guitar.
3. Yamaha SLG200SII Silent Guitar
The Yamaha SLG200SII Silent Guitar is unlike anything else here. Instead of a hollow body, it has a slim central body and a detachable frame that outlines the shape of a guitar. Take the frame off and it packs down to a much smaller size. It has a near full 634mm scale, so it feels like a normal acoustic in your hands.
Unplugged, it is very quiet, which is the point. Put on the included earphones and you hear a convincing acoustic sound with reverb and chorus, while the person in the next hotel room hears almost nothing. It also has an aux input for playing along with tracks and a line output for gigs. It was £699 to £749 at guitarguitar depending on finish.
For songwriters, the Silent Guitar has a hidden advantage: you can play at two in the morning without anyone complaining, which is exactly when some ideas arrive. The headphone sound is processed rather than natural, so it is not quite the same as playing a real acoustic in a room, but it is close enough to write and practise with for hours.
Who should skip this: anyone who wants to play unplugged around a campfire. Without headphones or an amp, it is too quiet to enjoy.
4. Steinberger Spirit GT-PRO Deluxe
The Steinberger Spirit GT-PRO Deluxe is the travel electric I would recommend first. It is a headless guitar, with tuning done at the bridge, so the whole instrument is much shorter than a normal electric while keeping a full 25.5 inch scale and 24 frets. It has a humbucker, single coil, humbucker layout with a five way switch, so it covers a lot of sounds.
It was on offer at £349 at guitarguitar, with a gig bag included. Because the scale is normal, it feels like playing a regular electric, which is a big advantage over smaller travel guitars. Pair it with a headphone amp or a small multi effects unit and you have a complete rig that fits in a backpack and a carry on.
Who should skip this: players who dislike the look of headless guitars, and anyone who wants an acoustic sound.
Models Worth Checking Out
Most players: Steinberger Spirit GT-PRO Deluxe
A premium headless step up: Strandberg Boden Essential 6, £999
5. Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light
Traveler Guitar specialises in instruments built for travel, and the Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light is its best known model. It is a very slim, very light guitar with a full scale neck and a minimal body, with the tuners hidden inside the body to save length. There are electric, acoustic and nylon string versions.
UK availability is patchier than for the bigger brands. When I checked, Bax-shop listed the Ultra-Light Electric at around £288 to £355 depending on finish, and Mann's Music listed the acoustic version at £335. It is regularly recommended in travel guitar roundups for its low weight, though owner reports suggest the minimal body takes some getting used to, especially sitting down.
Who should skip this: players who want a guitar that feels and balances like a normal one.
6. Lava ME 3 36
The Lava ME 3 36 is a "smart" acoustic made from a one piece carbon fibre style composite. It has a 36 inch body, a 23.5 inch scale and a touchscreen that controls built in effects, including reverb, delay and chorus, plus a looper, recorder, tuner and metronome. Remarkably, the effects come out of the guitar itself without an amp.
It was on offer at £699 at guitarguitar in pink, against £999 for other colours. The composite body shrugs off humidity, which makes it a good choice for beaches, boats and anywhere you would worry about wood. The built in looper and recorder are genuinely useful for capturing song ideas on the move.
There is also a larger 38 inch version for players who want more body. Bear in mind that the smart features rely on a battery, so charge it before you travel, and that the composite sound is clear and bright rather than warm.
Who should skip this: traditionalists who want a wooden acoustic tone, and players who find touchscreens distracting.
7. Enya Nova Go
The Enya Nova Go is a compact carbon fibre acoustic and one of the most affordable composite travel guitars. UK listings varied from around £229 to £349 depending on the retailer and version, and the Enya Nova Go SP1, which adds a pickup with effects and Bluetooth, was listed at £319 to £329 by Scan.
It is light, tough and very stable in changing weather, which makes it a sensible "throw it in the car" guitar. Its sound is brighter and less woody than a wooden acoustic. Availability at the big UK guitar shops is limited, so you may need to buy from a smaller retailer.
Who should skip this: players who want rich, warm acoustic tone, and anyone who prefers to try guitars in a big shop first.
8. Martin Backpacker
The Martin Backpacker is the most packable acoustic here. Its unusual, paddle shaped body is barely wider than the neck, so it slides into a narrow gig bag that can strap to a rucksack. It has a solid spruce top and a short scale, and it was £359 at guitarguitar.
The sound is thin and quiet compared with a normal guitar, and the shape takes some getting used to; many players use a strap even when sitting. But as a guitar to take hiking, camping or on long trips where space is tight, it has been a favourite for decades.
Who should skip this: anyone hoping for a full acoustic sound. It is a sketchbook, not a concert instrument.
9. Alvarez LJ2E Little Jumbo
The Alvarez LJ2E Little Jumbo is a small jumbo shaped acoustic with a pickup, and it was on offer at £299 at guitarguitar. It sits in a similar space to the GS Mini and LX1E, with a fuller body shape and a lower price. The Alvarez LJ2, without electronics, was also £299, so the electric version was the better deal when I checked.
It is a strong budget alternative to the bigger names, especially for players who want a pickup for open mics without spending close to £600.
Who should skip this: players who want the reassurance and resale value of Taylor or Martin.
Honourable Mentions
Strandberg Boden Essential 6. A premium headless electric with an ergonomic body and excellent playability. At £999 it is expensive for a travel guitar, but players who fall for it often use it as their main instrument.
Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele. Half guitar, half ukulele, with six strings tuned like a guitar capoed at the fifth fret. The Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele was just £89, and it is a fun, very portable way to keep your fingers moving on holiday.
Tanglewood Crossroads TC2. A small, budget travel acoustic at £129. It will not match the Taylor or Martin, but it is cheap enough that you will not worry about taking it anywhere.
Fivcil MIC Mini. If you want a small guitar with all solid woods, Fency Music, our sister store, carries the Fivcil MIC Mini, a 38 inch parlour style acoustic with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid African mahogany back and sides. Solid wood needs more care when travelling, but it rewards you with a richer voice.
Farida F-5820. For a headless electric with a different look, Fency Music also carries the Farida F-5820, with a 25.5 inch scale, stainless steel frets and a listed weight of 2.5kg.
How to Choose a Travel Guitar
Decide how you actually travel
Be honest about your trips. If you mostly drive or take trains, a compact full guitar such as the GS Mini or LX1E is ideal. If you fly often, smaller and lighter matters more, and a headless electric, a silent guitar or a Backpacker style design makes more sense. If you hike or camp, weight and durability come first.
Acoustic, electric or silent
An acoustic is the simplest: no batteries, no cables, just play. An electric needs headphones or a small amp, but it can be quieter and more versatile, and a headless design packs very small. A silent guitar is the best choice for hotels, shared flats and late night practice, but it needs headphones or an amp to sound good.
If you go electric, pair it with a headphone amp or a compact multi effects unit. Our Valeton GP-50 vs Boss GT-1 vs Zoom G1X Four comparison covers the options, and our Boss Katana vs Positive Grid Spark comparison includes tiny amps such as the Spark GO.
Scale length and feel
Short scale guitars are easier to carry and easier on the fingers, but they feel slacker and can make it harder to move back to a full size guitar. Full scale travel guitars, such as the Steinberger and the Yamaha Silent Guitar, feel more like your main instrument. If you practise for long periods while travelling, a full scale is worth considering.
Durability and climate
Solid wood guitars sound best but are the most sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. Laminate and composite guitars, such as the Martin LX1E, the Lava ME 3 and the Enya Nova Go, are far more forgiving. If you are travelling to very hot, cold or humid places, choose a tougher material.
Flying with a guitar
Airline policies on cabin instruments vary, and size limits are strict on many short haul flights. Check your airline's policy before booking, arrive early to secure locker space, and use a padded gig bag. Detune the strings slightly for long flights.
Nylon strings
If you love a softer, mellow sound, a small nylon string guitar is another option. Our guide to nylon string guitars for steel string players includes slimmer necked models that travel well.
Budget
Travel guitars fall into three rough price bands. Under £200, you get fun, cheap instruments such as the Yamaha GL-1 and Tanglewood TC2, which are good for keeping your hands busy but not for serious writing or recording. Between £300 and £600, you get the sweet spot: the GS Mini, LX1E, Steinberger, Backpacker and Alvarez LJ2E. Above £650, you are paying for something special, such as the Yamaha Silent Guitar's quiet practice, the Lava's built in effects or a premium headless electric.
A useful rule is to spend enough that the guitar inspires you, but not so much that you are afraid to take it anywhere. A travel guitar that stays at home because it is too precious has failed at its only job.
Accessories that make travel easier
A few small extras make a travel guitar far more useful:
A clip on tuner. Changes in temperature knock guitars out of tune quickly, and a tuner on the headstock is faster than an app in a noisy station.
A capo. Short scale guitars and capos are a great songwriting combination.
Spare strings and a string winder. Strings break at the worst moments, and small towns rarely have music shops.
A soundhole humidifier. For solid wood acoustics, especially in dry hotel rooms and on planes.
A padded gig bag with a rucksack strap. If your guitar did not come with a good one, upgrade it. It protects the guitar and frees your hands.
Writing and recording on the road
For songwriters, the reason to travel with a guitar is often to catch ideas. Your phone is the simplest recorder: put it on a table about a metre away, record a quick voice memo, and name it with the key and tempo. If you want better quality, a small handheld recorder or a phone microphone helps a lot.
Electric travel guitars can plug straight into a multi effects unit with USB audio, which turns a laptop into a full studio in a hotel room. The Lava ME 3's built in recorder and looper make it particularly good for sketching ideas without any extra gear.
What I Don't Like About Travel Guitars
Even the best travel guitars come with trade offs, and it is worth knowing them before you buy.
Small bodies mean less bass. Every small acoustic on this list sounds lighter than a full size guitar. Through a microphone or pickup the difference shrinks, but unplugged it is always there.
Unusual shapes take time. Headless guitars, the Martin Backpacker and the Traveler Ultra-Light all balance differently from a normal guitar. Some players adapt in a day; others never quite get comfortable. If possible, try one before buying.
Electronics add things to forget. Silent guitars, smart guitars and electrics all need batteries, chargers, cables or headphones. On a long trip, one forgotten charger can leave you with a very quiet guitar.
Prices creep up. Once you add a good gig bag, a headphone amp and accessories, a £350 travel guitar can easily become a £550 travel rig. Budget for the whole setup, not just the guitar.
Resale can be weaker. Niche travel designs sell more slowly second hand than mainstream guitars. Taylor and Martin hold their value best.
Who Should Skip a Travel Guitar
A travel guitar is not the right buy for everyone.
Players buying their only guitar who rarely travel. If the guitar will stay at home, a full size instrument usually gives you more sound and more resale value for the money. Our Squier vs Epiphone comparison covers excellent first electrics.
Players who need a big acoustic sound for gigs. Small guitars sound good through a PA, but unplugged in a room they cannot match a full size dreadnought.
Players who mainly want to practise quietly at home. A headphone amp or a small modelling amp with your existing electric may be cheaper. See our best practice amps roundup.
Anyone expecting a travel guitar to replace a main guitar perfectly. The best ones come close, but most involve some compromise in sound, feel or both.
Why Liverpool Music
Liverpool Music is run by Zhong Gu, a songwriter who also builds FencyGuitar, a guitar learning app. We care about the guitars that keep people playing, and for many songwriters that is the one that comes along on every trip.
We checked prices against UK retailers on 25 October 2026, mainly guitarguitar, with Bax-shop, Mann's Music and Scan for brands that the big shops do not carry. We cross checked specs against manufacturer and retailer listings, and when a point comes from owner reports rather than our own hands, we say so. Fency Music is our sister store, which is why we say so at the top of the page. We do not currently earn affiliate commission from any retailer we mention. If a price or spec has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
FAQ
What is the best travel guitar for flying?
The best travel guitar for flying is usually a headless electric, such as the Steinberger Spirit GT-PRO Deluxe, or the Yamaha SLG200SII Silent Guitar with its frame removed. Both are compact enough for many overhead lockers. Always check your airline's instrument policy before travelling, because cabin rules vary.
Are travel guitars good for beginners?
Yes, many travel guitars suit beginners because short scales and smaller bodies are easier to handle. The Taylor GS Mini and Martin LX1E are both excellent first guitars. Very small or unusual designs, such as the Martin Backpacker, are better as second guitars because they feel quite different from a normal instrument.
Can I take a guitar as hand luggage in the UK?
Many airlines allow a small guitar as hand luggage, but policies differ between airlines and even between fare types. Some count it as your main cabin bag. Check the airline's website, consider buying an extra seat for valuable instruments, and use a padded gig bag in case it ends up in the hold.
Do carbon fibre guitars sound good?
Carbon fibre and composite guitars sound bright, clear and loud for their size, but they do not have the warmth of a solid wood acoustic. Their big advantages are toughness and stability in heat, cold and humidity. They are ideal for beaches, camping and long trips where a wooden guitar might crack.
Is a silent guitar worth it?
A silent guitar is worth it if you often practise in hotels, shared flats or late at night. It feels like a normal acoustic, sounds convincing through headphones, and packs down small. If you mainly want to play unplugged for friends, a small acoustic such as the Taylor GS Mini is the better choice.
The Bottom End
There is no single best travel guitar, because there is no single kind of traveller. For most people, the Taylor GS Mini is the best all rounder: small enough to take on trips and good enough to play every day at home. If you fly often or want an electric, the Steinberger Spirit GT-PRO Deluxe packs down small without shrinking the neck. If you need to practise quietly, the Yamaha Silent Guitar is in a class of its own. Choose the one that fits the way you travel, then take it everywhere. The songs you write on the road are often the ones you would never have written at home.
