Travel Advice
20 of the best travel podcasts to listen to now
Bringing you entertainment, humour and a wealth of knowledge for your next journey, take a listen to these inspirational travel audio chats from the world’s top podcast presenters…
If you’re the kind of traveller who gets just as much enjoyment from planning a trip as you do when you’re on the ground, travel podcasts are a great way to brush up on a destination before heading off.
Armchair travellers can tune into these brilliant travel podcasts and pick up tips and tricks, discover destinations they hadn’t considered before, and find new takes on old favourites.
Happy listening!
Current podcasts
1. Wanderlust: Off the Page
Wanderlust’s very own podcast is now on its eighth series. Over the past few years, we’ve taken a deep dive into the destinations found within our pages, covering topics like Indigenous-led tourism in British Columbia, walking the length of Morocco and a literary-themed road trip across the Deep South with local experts, and hosted special episodes with Race Across the World winners.
2. The Travel Diaries
Presenter Holly Rubenstein describes The Travel Diaries as the travel version of Desert Island Discs, where celebrity guests reveal the travel experiences that shaped them rather than songs.
It’s the UK’s number one travel podcast and has featured guests such as Dev Patel, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Dame Prue Leith, Tony Wheeler, Simon Reeve, Michael Palin, and Wanderlust’s very own Lyn Hughes.
3. Armchair Explorer
Each episode of the Armchair Explorer podcast sees one of the world’s great adventurers or travellers tell their best story from the road.
Hosted by award-winning travel writer Aaron Millar, every tale is inspiring, action-packed and thrilling. Aaron has a magical way of drawing the best out of his guests, which have included Rob Pope, the real-life Forrest Gump, and mountaineer Conrad Anker.
4. Zero To Travel
With over 15 years experience travelling the world, Jason Moore shares his passion for all things travel in his weekly hour-long podcasts.
Take a listen as he interviews fellow explorers on their epic journeys, from walking across America to visually impaired cyclists embarking on a 16,000-mile journey from Argentina to Alaska.
Other weekly posts include tips on how to budget, travel safety tips, as well as how to find work while on the road.
5. You Should Have Been There
Enjoy travellers tales, relaxed banter and opinion from Simon Calder, one of the most respected voices in travel, and author/former BBC producer Mick Webb.
It’s essentially the equivalent of sitting in a bar with a couple of fun and slightly geeky travel chums. Perhaps the best-named travel podcast in the history of travel podcasts, too.
6. JUMP With Traveling Jackie
Formerly known as The Budget-Minded Traveler, Jackie has revamped her podcast to JUMP with Traveling Jackie – partly inspired by photos of her leaping mid-air at some of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Jackie’s podcast has a distinct focus on off-the-beaten track travel and highlights insider tips, as well as hidden gems of travel across several continents.
Those with travel-related questions also have an opportunity to engage, as her regular ‘ask Jackie’ sessions aim to give in-depth answers to her online community.
7. Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet
If you loved Wanderlust’s article on the 20 most astonishing holiday complaints, you’ll love the Beach Too Sandy podcast.
Presenters Alex and Christine Schiefer scour the Internet for one-star reviews for travel related services and read them out in dramatic voices.
Hilarious!
8. Wander Woman
In her award-winning podcast, travel writer, author, photographer and former Wanderlust editor Phoebe Smith offers a behind the scenes journey to a different destination which features interviews with locals, audio clips and vivid descriptions to make the listener feel like they are there too.
Each episode also includes a Travel Hack of the Month, a Wander Woman of the month, and various tips and tricks.
9. Travel Goals
British travel writer Portia Jones hosts a lively and informative podcast which covers a wide range of topics from the latest travel trends to in-depth destination specific episodes.
Expect interesting experts, advice and lots of actionable tips.
10. Alice in Wanderland
Wanderlust Contributing Editor Alice Morrison lives in a village in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and her fortnightly podcast gives an insight into daily life there when she’s at home. However, older episodes cover her Sahara expedition, when she trekked 2,000kms with camels, while more recent ones cover her Atlas Expedition when she took camels 1,400kms across the Atlas Mountains.
Producer Vic interviews her and teases great tales out of her. Highly enjoyable.
11. Travel With Rick Steves
Rick Steves is an American travel writer, guidebook author, television personality and podcast presenter.
While Rick’s main podcast covers weekly one hour conversations with guest experts about culture, travel and people, his podcast collection extends to audio tours, European videos and live recordings from the travel classics.
12. Amateur Traveler
Host Chris Christensen hones in on specific travel destinations and why they appeal to visitors.
Each 40 to 60 minute clip centres around a particular country or experience, such as a safari in Botswana, or travelling Hawaii’s Big Island, and is joined in conversation by people who have lived in or are well-travelled in the topical destination.
13. Extra Pack Of Peanuts Travel Podcast
Serial entrepreneur and traveller Travis Sherry aims to share his knowledge on everything for a life worth travelling more and spending less.
Listen in as he shares insider travel tips on how to go the extra mile with frequent flyer deals to packing like a pro, alongside fellow iconic travel podcasters and bloggers who also feature in the interviews.
14. Living Adventurously
Alastair Humphreys has himself inspired many people to live a more adventurous life, such as by taking microadventures. This particular podcast strand talks to ordinary people living extraordinary lives, whether that involves travel or not.
The second series features people with a purpose, and makes a thoughtful and inspiring listen.
15. Where to Go
Originally created to help people who have had their travel plans scuppered by COVID-19 and are unsure of where to go next, Where to Go launched in 2020 from the team behind the DK Eyewitness travel guides. Now, the fortnightly podcast features interviews with travel specialists to give you detailed recommendations in destinations including Japan, Istanbul, Kenya and more.
Finished podcasts
16. Not Lost
This now-finished podcast saw journalist Brendan Francis Newnam travel to places places and learn about them by getting invited to a stranger’s house for dinner.
A friend joins him at each destination and they drink, dance, and eat their way from Montréal to Mexico City, often learning as much about themselves as the place they’re visiting, with guests including actor Colman Domingo, pop duo Tegan and Sara and comedian Reggie Watts. Not Lost is both a delightful travel escape and an insightful look at people — locals and visitors alike — trying to make sense of a constantly changing world.
17. A Girl’s Guide to Travelling Alone
Gemma Thompson’s podcast features a different perspective each episode, whether the mental health benefits of travel or travelling with kids.
Gemma’s a likeable host, and the result is an enjoyable mix of travel inspiration whether you are a solo traveller or not.
18. The Big Travel Podcast
The Big Travel Podcast features an eclectic mix of politicians, paralympians, philanthropists, famous faces from TV, radio, music, books, journalism, sports, stage and screen.
Hosted by Lisa Francesca Nand, expect fascinating travel tales whatever the background or day job of the guest.
19. Indie Travel Podcast
Whether you’re looking for advice on the best things to do in New Zealand, the essentials to pack in your carry-on bag, or the cheapest way to get around on your next city break, tune in to Craig and Linda Martin who are the masterminds behind the Indie Travel Podcast.
Each 20 to 30 minute episode brings insightful and entertaining stories from backpackers, expats and digital nomads who share a passion for travel.
20. We Travel There
Go beyond the basic tourist attractions and discover the best things to do, eat, drink and see from a local’s perspective.
That’s the aim of host Lee Huffman’s audio series, which talks with locals from around the world to discover the hidden treasures of the cities they call home.
