8 best travel ukulele

A travel ukulele is a compact and portable version of a traditional ukulele, designed for musicians on the go or those who want a smaller instrument for easy transport. These instruments are popular among ukulele enthusiasts and travelers alike. Here are some key points about travel ukuleles:

  1. Size and Portability: Travel ukuleles are typically smaller than standard ukuleles, making them easier to carry around.They come in various sizes, including soprano and concert, which are the most common choices for travel.

  2. Materials: Travel ukuleles are often made with durable materials like laminate or composite woods to withstand the rigors of travel. Some models even feature carbon fiber construction, which is exceptionally lightweight and resistant to environmental factors.

  3. Collapsible or Detachable: Some travel ukuleles are designed to be collapsible or have detachable necks, allowing them to fit into compact cases or backpacks. This feature makes them incredibly convenient for travel.

  4. Sound Quality: While travel ukuleles may not have the same resonance and projection as full-sized instruments, many manufacturers have improved the sound quality of these instruments over the years. Some models offer surprisingly rich tones.

  5. Price Range: Travel ukuleles can vary in price, with entry-level models being more affordable than high-end ones. The price often depends on the materials used, craftsmanship, and additional features.

  6. Accessories: Travel ukuleles may come with accessories such as padded gig bags, straps, and built-in tuners to enhance the overall playing experience.

  7. Popular Brands: Some popular brands known for producing quality travel ukuleles include Kala, Flight, Cordoba, and Martin, among others.

  8. Playing Experience: Despite their smaller size, many players find travel ukuleles enjoyable to play. They are suitable for practicing, jamming, or even performing in more intimate settings.

  9. Tuning: Travel ukuleles are typically tuned the same way as standard ukuleles, with the most common tuning being G-C-E-A. This ensures that players can easily transition between a travel ukulele and a standard one.

  10. Travel-Friendly: Travel ukuleles are ideal for backpacking trips, vacations, or any situation where space is limited. They can be taken on airplanes as carry-on items due to their compact size.

In summary, travel ukuleles are compact and portable musical instruments designed for musicians who want to enjoy playing the ukulele while on the move. They come in various sizes and materials, offer decent sound quality, and are a practical choice for travelers and ukulele enthusiasts alike.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best travel ukulele on the market
  

Flight, 4-String Travel Series Soprano Ukulele, Yellow (TUS-35YW)

Flight

Based on 258 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Plastic fantastic! Conventional wisdom will say that plastic ukuleles are cheap, low-quality substitutes for the Real thing. Well, it's time to kick conventional wisdom out the door! Built unapologetically from plastic, the sound quality of these ukuleles will blow you away, and their durability will make them Keith Richards' Instrument of choice after Armageddon hits. These uses are perfect for rainy festivals, cramped overhead lockers, moody teenagers, and ukulele teachers working with young children. Thanks to a wider arched ABS back, This Baby has more volume in middle range than your average soprano, while also resonating better and sounding brighter. It is needless to mention the durability and resistance to humidity changes, the main enemies of the wooden ukuleles. Linden is a wood characterized by a bright sound and sleek texture. It also absorbs water colors in a very interesting way creating very cool patterns, which means that no UK is the same and your UK will be the one and only. On top of that, Flight is using a special wiping color technique to create even more patterns. The neck and fingerboard of the tus-35 are made from ABS plastic. It is a perfect solution for entry class ukuleles, since it is not prone to any weather changes. You will never get a sharp fret or bent neck in any of Flight travel ukuleles. The neck surface imitates the wood pattern, to avoid a feeling of cheap plastic. Zero fret paired with unique bridge construction keeps the string action low and intonation on point. Since the plastic is never going to move, you will never have to deal with any additional work on the saddle. Headstock design is an integral part of our identity. The headstock veneer of tus-35 is made of Linden and matches the color of the top. All Flight ukuleles feature a carefully-designed headstock fitted with geared tuners that will always stay in tune. The final touch that the travel ukulele needed was a cool gig bag to accompany it on your travels. The blue denim color will compliment your style and also make the bag stand out from the standard black.

  • The Flight travel ukulele is truly an innovative product — never has a ukulele with such outstanding sound qualities been so affordable
  • The rounded plastic back Combined with Aquila night strings produce loud tones and clear projection
  • The neck and Body of each ukulele is made from plastic, resulting in consistent intonation from our instruments
  • Perfect first ukulele for children. The plastic Frets will never stick out, low action makes it easy to press the strings, and it is virtually indestructible
  • Flight travel ukulele has received top marks on got ukulele - the worlds most extensive and respected source for independent ukulele reviews
  • Don't be fooled by the colorful looks and low price — this ukulele is a real instrument played by real musicians
  • Blue Denim colored Gig Bag is included with the purchase of a travel ukulele

User questions & answers

Question: Buttons for strap
Answer: There is a strap button at the bottom on the one I have. I believe the “older” ones did not have a strap button on the bottom. So if the one they send you does not have a button, then you will know it was an “older” one in their inventory. I remember watching a review on YouTube in which the reviewer was pleasantly surprised to see strap button on the bottom. Please note that I am referring to the TUS 50. Adding strap buttons is easy. I even added one to the neck on mine. I’d contact flight via e-mail. They were prompt at answering my question, which was if a strap button could be added to the bottom. They said yes so I bought buttons. Then come to learn it already had one on the bottom.
Question: Does this ukulele have the original variable height bridge (which I prefer) or the new more standard bridge
Answer: The bridge appears to be a part of the saddle. You probably know that much of the TUS50 Ukulele is made from plastic and this includes the bridge and saddle. They seem to be molded as one piece. As a result, I don’t think the bridge is adjustable unless you find a way to remove it and replace both the saddle and bridge you desire. If you’re concerned about intonation, you don’t need to worry about that. I too prefer to have the flexibility you desire but this is a special case in which it may not be needed or warranted. No adjustments need to made to the bridge out of the box. Really!
Question: Can anyone tell me the difference between the tus35 and the tus50? thanks
Answer: Size wise, and other components I would guess they are probably the same. I believe where they differ is the top. If I am not mistaken I believe the TUS35 has a Linden wood top, and the TUS50, which I have a love, sports a walnut wood top. I hope this helps. You can confirm this by contacting Flight
Question: Can this be restrung for left handed play? Or are the nut and saddle specifically made to be right handed
Answer: The travel series unfortunately cannot be restrung for left handed play. However, Flight's normal wooden ukuleles can be adapted for left hand playing. The nut and bridge may need some adjustment, to fit the different string gauge.

Product features

Flight Ukuleles — Travel Series

The Flight Travel ukulele is truly an innovative product. Never before have ukuleles with such outstanding sound quality been so affordable! But don't be fooled by its price and colorful appearance — this ukulele is an authentic instrument played by real musicians. Don't just take our word for it... Flight Travel ukulele has received high scores and much praise from Got A Ukulele. gotaukulele.com is an extensive and respected source for independent ukulele reviews.

Design & Sound

The ukulele's plastic back generates excellent sound projection. This feature, combined with Aquila Nylgut strings, produces a loud and clear tone. The neck and body of each ukulele is constructed from plastic, resulting in consistent intonation from our instruments.

Easy to Play & Kid-Friendly

The Flight Travel uke is perfect for children as their first ukulele. This instrument is virtually indestructible; an important quality when it comes to kids! Low action makes it easy to press the strings, plastic frets never stick out, and the plastic neck can be easily sanitized. Don't forget - each Travel Series ukulele comes with a starter booklet and blue gig bag!

Benefits of the ABS back

Thanks to a wider arched ABS back, this baby has more volume in middle range than your average soprano. Our design creates a brighter sound that resonates as you play, making our ukuleles stand out from the rest. Needless to say, humidity is a major enemy of wooden ukuleles. Flight ukes avoid this issue because they have the durability to resist changes in weather.

Linden Wood - Bright & Funky

Linden Wood is characterized by its sleek texture and ability to produce bright sound. Linden Wood absorbs water colors in a very interesting way, creating unrepeatable patterns. A result of this process is that no two ukes are the same. Your ukulele will literally be one of a kind! We also use a special wiping technique, creating even more unique patterns.

Let's Play - ABS Neck & Fingerboard

The neck and fingerboard of the TUS-35 are made from ABS plastic. The use of ABS plastic means the Travel uke is perfect for your first ukulele, and it is not prone to weather changes. Sharp frets and bent necks are issues you will never come across with our Travel ukuleles. The neck surface imitates the wood pattern to avoid the feeling of cheap plastic.

Pitch Perfect Quality - Zero Fret & ABS Saddle

Zero fret paired with unique bridge construction makes for low string action and consistent intonation. Additional work on the saddle won't be necessary due to the use of ABS plastic.

Good-looking - Easy to tune

Headstock design is an integral part of our identity. The headstock veneer of TUS-35 is made of linden wood and matches the top color of the uke. All Flight ukuleles feature a carefully-designed headstock, fitted with geared tuners that will always stay in tune.

Flight, 4-String U Can Signature Concert Travel Ukulele (TUC-UCU)

Flight

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Flight TUC-UCU Concert Travel Ukulele is an artist signature desert-themed ukulele that provides a warm sound and has the ability to project different dynamic ranges. We partnered with U Can Uke to design our first ever concert-size travel ukulele, featuring original artwork from the ukulele community. Light and durable for travel, its ABS plastic neck and fingerboard make this original ukulele durable, weather resistant, and easy to clean. It is a perfect ukulele for the stage or display.

  • Designed with an arched ABS back, the Flight TUC has more volume than the average concert ukulele, and it resonates freely with a bright, punchy sound
  • The TUC-UCU uses laminate linden wood for the sound board. Linden is characterized by a bright sound.  The TUC-UCU features the U Can Uke logo on the headstock, and a desert scene on the sound board.
  • The neck and fingerboard of this ukulele are made from ABS plastic.   The TUC is resistant to changes in climate conditions and is easy to clean and maintain
  • A zero fret paired with unique bridge construction keeps the string action low and intonation on point. Since the plastic is never going to react to climate conditions, you will never have to adjust the action on your ukulele.
  • All Flight ukuleles feature a carefully-designed headstock fitted with geared tuners that make it easy to keep your ukulele in tune.  The headstock veneer is made of linden and matches the soundboard.

User questions & answers

Question: Does this come with a gig bag
Answer: Yes, it does. Thank you.

Flight, 4-String Concert Scale Travel Soprano Ukulele - Space, TUSL40

Flight

Based on 30 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Have you ever looked up into the clear night sky and soaked in the beauty of the moment?   Have you ever felt your spine tingle in connection with music?  Combine these powerful experiences with Flight’s new space-inspired ukulele.  The TUSL40-SPACE is a Flight Travel Ukulele that features a galaxy of stars on its soundboard and headstock.  The TUSL40-SPACE is the perfect instrument to strum around a campfire or to play under the starlit sky. The body and neck of this ukulele are made with rugged and dependable ABS plastic, and the laminate basswood soundboard of the ukulele is punchy, resonant, and loud. This model is a long neck soprano version featuring a concert scale fretboard and the great sounding soprano body of the original Flight travel ukulele.

  • Thanks to a wider arched ABS back, this baby has more volume in middle range than your average ukulele, while also resonating better and sounding brighter.
  • The TUSL40 uses laminate linden wood for the sound board. Linden is characterized by a bright sound and sleek texture. It also allows us to print our incredible designs on the sound board without compromising the sound quality of the instrument.
  • The neck and fingerboard of this ukulele are made from ABS plastic. It is a perfect solution for entry class ukuleles, since it is not prone to any weather changes.
  • Zero fret paired with unique bridge construction keeps the string action low and intonation on point. Since the plastic is never going to move, you will never have to deal with any additional work on the saddle.
  • Headstock design is an integral part of our identity. The headstock veneer is made of linden and matches the color of the top.

User questions & answers

Question: Is this model the concert series soprano
Answer: Yes, this is a concert soprano ukulele.
Question: Is this a concert ukulele or a soprano. It can't be both! There is a concert-neck soprano, but also a concert sized ukulele
Answer: Soprano body and a concert neck. Thank you!

Kala Satin Exotic Mahogany Travel Tenor Ukulele with Bag

Kala

Based on 22 reviews Check latest price

Product description

New for 2019, the Travel Series is adding Exotic Mahogany concert and tenor models. The lightweight, thin-body allows you to easily take your ukulele with you wherever you go. The resonance and well-balanced tone of Exotic Mahogany combine with the arched back is to deliver a huge sound.

  • Exotic mahogany top, back and sides
  • Gig bag included
  • Thinline travel body

User questions & answers

Question: Is it a solid mahogany or is it laminated
Answer: Its not laminated
Question: How wide is the body
Answer: The width is standard tenor size, but its only 1 1/2 thick.
Question: Sorry, I meant how thick is the body (not wide
Answer: 1-7/8 inches body depth
Question: What's the nut width? 35mm (1-3/8") or 38mm
Answer: 1 -3/8 “

Flight Music Ukuleles, 4-String Travel Ukelele, Right (ALMTUS40GRAF)

Flight Music Ukuleles

Product description

Plastic Fantastic Conventional wisdom will say that plastic ukuleles are cheap, low-quality substitutes for “the real thing”. Well, it’s time to kick conventional wisdom out the door Built unapologetically from plastic, the sound quality of these ukuleles will blow you away, and their durability will make them Keith Richards’ instrument of choice after Armageddon hits. These ukes are perfect for rainy festivals, cramped overhead lockers, moody teenagers, and ukulele teachers working with young children. A cool and hip design, inspired by the street art in the suburbs of London. A truly unique finish for all the graffiti artists and enthusiasts out there.

  • Cool 'graffiti' design
  • Bright and Funky
  • ABS Neck & Fingerboard
  • Zero fret & ABS Saddle
  • Good-looking and easy to tune.
  • Comes with gig bag and Instruction Book

KA-SSTU-T Travel Tenor Ukulele

Kala

Based on 51 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Take these ultra thinbody ukes anywhere. Stuff em in your backpack, suitcase or briefcase! Features an archback thinbody depth with a surprisingly full sound. The KA-SSTU-T T offers a solid spruce top and projects quite nicely. Also includes a Kala logo gig bag.

  • Ultra Thin Body and Archback
  • Solid Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides
  • Synthetic bone nut and saddle
  • Die-Cast Chrome tuners with black buttons
  • Includes Kala logo gig bag

User questions & answers

Question: what is the action like? I tried one tonight that a friend had and her's was wonderful, just making sure I'm getting the same thing
Answer: The action is just about for strumming or picking. I play with the "low" G on the top. I even installed a pickup and it works well. As a traveling uke it is great.
Question: What strings come with this ukulele
Answer: Aquila Super Nylgut strings. Here are complete specs for this instrument. https://kalabrand.com/collections/travel-ukes/products/ka-sstu-t

Flight, 4-String Ukulele (TUSL-35 BK)

Flight

Based on 15 reviews Check latest price

Product description

When you’re on the beach, alone, under the night sky, you need the best tool to sing to the universe with. An instrument with a killer sound which can also withstand more mileage through challenging climates than you could ever hope for. We unapologetically use plastic because it is resilient and our well-established TUS-35 proves that it gives a sound to bowl you over. We’ve added a concert scale to the soprano body so that when you’re away from home, you have the comfort sustain and depth of a concert-sized fretboard and the punch and percussiveness of the soprano.

  • Made from linden-a wood characterized by a bright sound and sleek texture
  • The neck and fingerboard of this ukulele are made from ABS plastic. It is a perfect soluation for entrry class ukuleles, since it is not prone to any weather changes
  • Zero fret paired with unique bridge construction keeps the string action low and intonation on point
  • Headstock design is an integral part of our identity. The headstock veneer is made of linden and matches the color of the top
  • Blue denim gig bag included

Flight, 4-String Electro-acoustic Travel Soprano Ukulele - Black (TUS-35E BK)

Flight

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

When you’re on the beach, alone, under the night sky, you need a great instrument as you sing to the universe–an instrument with a killer sound which can also withstand challenging climates.  That instrument is our Flight Soprano Travel Ukulele.  We unapologetically use plastic in our travel ukuleles, and they are  punchy, loud, and bright.  The TUS-35E has an added twist; we placed a passive pickup in the ukulele, making it ready to be attached to a sound system where you can add effects and amplify the sound.  This isn’t just a travel ukulele, it is a ukulele worth playing on stage.

  • Thanks to a wider arched ABS back, this baby has more volume in middle range than your average soprano, while also resonating better and sounding brighter.
  • The TUS35 uses laminate linden wood for the sound board. Linden is characterized by a bright sound and sleek texture. It also absorbs color in a very interesting way that creates very cool patterns.
  • The neck and fingerboard of the TUS-35 are made from ABS plastic. It is a perfect solution for entry class ukuleles, since it is not prone to any weather changes.
  • Zero fret paired with unique bridge construction keeps the string action low and intonation on point. Since the plastic is never going to move, you will never have to deal with any additional work on the saddle.
  • This ukulele is equipped with a passive piezo pickup system, so you can plug it in and make yourself really heard, add effects and take to the stage with it. Pickups are usually not fitted on soprano ukuleles, but we thought that it would be fun to try and the result turned out to be really impressive.
  • Back material type: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

User questions & answers

Question: This looks like the standard travel ukulele, Where do you plug in the amp
Answer: It plugs into the bottom strap button. Thank you.

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