16 Best Travel Podcasts for Wanderlust in 2024

Whether you’re a regular traveler or just looking to escape the daily grind through travel stories and discussions, podcasts are the perfect medium to inspire your wanderlust.

From heartwarming stories told by solo women travelers to tips from tourism experts, this roundup of travel podcasts provides a mix of inspiration, humor, and practical advice that will keep you informed about travel-related topics, and have you itching to book your next trip.

So plug in those headphones, sit back, and get ready to be inspired. Let’s dive into the best travel podcasts, along with a notable episode from each one. 

16 Travel Podcasts to Listen To For Travel Tips and Inspiration

1. Curious Tourism: Responsible Travel Podcast

What does it take to make travel better for people and the planet? On Curious Tourism, travel writer Erin Hynes (that’s me!) and podcast producer, Kattie Laur chat with guests as they explore their curiosities around what truly makes travel and tourism responsible.

The goal of this show is to cover both the pros and cons of tourism. Every episode features a travel expert or thought leader to unpack important topics, like accessibility in the tourism industry, why a passport is a privilege, and why we shouldn’t gatekeep the outdoors. 

Every episode introduces unique and underrepresented perspectives, and provides the tools and information travelers need to travel the world in a mindful way. 

Start listening: Should We Gatekeep the Outdoors?

2. The Thoughtful Travel Podcast

I know the host of this show, Amanda Kendle, personally. In fact, I’ve had her on my podcast, Curious Tourism, twice! 

Amanda launched The Thoughtful Travel Podcast in March 2016. In every episode she interviews her fellow travel addicts about their travel experiences, and digs up some of their best stories. 

Episodes touch on interesting (and thoughtful!) topics like using foreign languages, meeting the locals, getting lost, and what we learn from our travels. The show’s topics, stories, and guests are highly relatable and every episode leaves you with at least one helpful takeaway. 

Start listening: What Does Thoughtful Travel Mean?

3. Travel With Rick Steves 

This is a long-running travel podcast that features an iconic travel personality: Rick Steves. Rick is a leading authority on travel to Europe and beyond. He’s the host and writer of over a hundred public television travel shows and has authored 30 best-selling guidebooks. 

Travel With Rick Steves is a public radio show turned podcast. It’s where Rick shares his passion for exploring and understanding our beautiful world to your earbuds. 

In every weekly episode, he chats with guest experts and callers about travel, cultures, people, and more. Rick’s talent for compelling conversation and descriptive writing comes through in this podcast – listen in for wonderful stories and fantastic travel advice.  

Start listening: Rick Steves on Why We Travel

4. The Better Travel Podcast

Host Paige McClanahan, a journalist, published author, and lifelong traveler, wants to help all of us to travel better. To do this, the Better Travel Podcast delves into interesting and often complex topics related to travel. 

Episodes of the show unpack important issues, like how we can travel mindfully in an unequal world, whether tourism can encourage peace, and how we can travel more sustainably. Paige brings her own extensive knowledge to each episode, and is able to unpack complicated issues so that they are easy to understand.

Start listening: What Travelers Should Know About Airbnb

5. Women Who Travel

On Women Who Travel, Condé Nast Traveler editor Lale Arikoglu highlights the stories of women in travel. In every episode, Lale chats with a woman-identifying guest about their travels  around the world. 

In listening to Women Who Travel, you’ll be inspired by women travelers’ ideas and experiences. Discover the magic of island life in Scandinavia, hear about how two best friends are eating their way around the world, and learn the story of a woman who traveled to Barcelona to freeze her eggs.

Start listening: A Life-Changing Move to Rural Thailand

6. Zero To Travel

The Zero To Travel Podcast is a long-running travel podcast packed with diverse perspectives, travel inspiration, and practical advice for everyone from travel newbies to long-time nomads.

In every episode, travel expert Jason Moore chats with guests about their experiences. They share actionable advice and key resources, and discuss topics like; starting and running an online business from anywhere, how to plan your next career break, budget travel strategies, digital nomad life, and more.

Zero To Travel covers a range of topics that will inspire you in an easy-listening format. Jason is a pleasure to listen to and does a great job of summarizing helpful and actionable takeaways from every episode. 

Start listening: How to Live Your Best Travel Life

7. The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Atlas Obscura co-founder and host Dylan Thuras takes listeners on an audio journey to discover new and hidden places that could be on the other side of the world, or nearby in their own backyard. 

In every 15-minute episode, Dylan interviews journalists and experts to hear the stories and history that makes places around the world so special. 

From the Pigeon Towers of Iran to New York City’s black oyster king, every episode will introduce you to an interesting person, story, place, or cultural practice.

Start listening: The Village Where Every Person’s Name Is a Song

8. Travel With Meaning

This show is hosted by Mike Schibel, founder of the website Travel With Meaning. In every episode, Mike chats with a guest about how travel has impacted their life.

You’ll hear from people of all walks of life, including artists, entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, CEO’s, travel experts. Learn how a lawyer became a full-time travel blogger, learn about a platform inspiring individuals of all sizes to explore the globe, and hear from CEOs who’s businesses were inspired by their travels.

Start listening: Beauty Beyond Borders: Shalini Vadhera’s Inspirational Story

9. Travel Tales Podcast

Hosted by comedian and TV host Mike Siegel, this travel podcast will get you laughing! Mike Siegel sits down with a mix of people, including comedians, actors, writers, producers, and travel professionals, to dig into the joys (and nightmares) of travel.

Every episode is a light-hearted discussion that will leave you feeling inspired to get back out into the world. Having published over 350 episodes, there’s a huge backlog of travel tales that you can binge, as well two new episodes released every month.

Start listening: Christina Johnston  

10. Peak Travel

Peak Travel is a podcast that examines the problems created by tourism through the eyes of locals. Every episode of this show asks us to question our travel choices through a more nuanced lens.

Peak Travel has covered issues around overtourism in Barcelona, displacement of locals in Mexico City, and why Hawaii doesn’t want any more tourists to visit.

This show uses on-location sound from around the world to tell important stories about the $1.9 trillion travel industry and its impact on people and the planet. 

What I love most about it is that these stories aren’t designed to make anyone feel guilty about their travels. Instead, it’s meant to encourage us all to be more conscious of how we travel. 

Start listening: The Porters of Machu Picchu 

11. JUMP with Traveling Jackie

Hosted by travel blogger Jackie Nourse, JUMP is your invitation to adventure. In every episode of this long-running travel podcast, you’ll hear a mix of guest stories, solo episodes, and the occasional raw and personal account of travel. 

Learn about the impacts of alternative tourism in Baja California Sur, hear advice for studying and teaching abroad, and discover all the benefits of going on a group trip. Ultimately, Jackie’s goal is to motivate you to move and get out and see the world. 

Start listening: Sustainability and Rewilding in the Real Patagonia

12. Armchair Explorer

Aaron Millar hosts this podcast which tells the stories of the world’s greatest adventurers. Each episode is done in a documentary style set to music and cinematic effects which makes for an immersive experience! 

This is a unique listen because the sound design really transports you to the place being discussed. This show will inspire you to connect deeply with the outdoors, adventure, travel, and culture. 

Start listening: Rowing Solo Across the Atlantic While Recovering from Brain Surgery

13. Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler is a popular travel podcast hosted by Chris Christensen. The show focuses on travel destinations around the world, and the best places to travel to. 

Each episode features interviews with travelers and location experts, providing tips, cultural insights, and personal experiences. Whether you’re planning your next trip or exploring new destinations vicariously, the show covers a wide range of locations and themes.

You’ll learn important things like, what to put on your Chicago hot dog when you visit the Windy City, and how to go swimming with whales in Tonga. And with a backlog of over 900 episodes, you’ll have plenty of old episodes to binge when you dive into this one!

Start listening: Sailing the Caribbean on the Windstar Star Breeze

14. Ticket 2 Anywhere

Hosts Leah and Trizzy are two friends who balance a life of travel with their full-time jobs. On Ticket 2 Anywhere, they share tips, advice and anecdotes on how to make the most of your travels, live your life to the fullest, use all your vacation days and get the most out of your weekends. 

Episodes cover topics like what it’s like to travel solo to Turkey, how to see Alaska’s natural wonders, and tips for budgeting for long-term travel. Leah and Trizzy have great energy together (you can tell they’ve been friends for ages!), and the show is also available to watch on YouTube. 

Start listening: A Life of Loving Yourself Through Travel 

15. Travel Tales by AFAR

Travel Tales by AFAR is a storytelling travel podcast that unpacks the transformative power of travel. The show is hosted by the editors of AFAR magazine. In every episode, you’ll hear personal stories from travelers about their life-changing experiences across the globe. 

Travel Tales by AFAR highlights unique and sometimes emotional stories, and covers the encounters that highlight how travel can connect people, shape perspectives, and lead to self-discovery.

Start listening: When Zebras Taught Me to Drive in Namibia

16.  Winging It Travel Podcast

On Winging It Travel podcast, well-traveled host James Hammond has discussions with a wide range of guests about all things travel. The show follows a conversational format and covers topics like what it’s like to travel without a strict itinerary, and how to have a cultural experience. 

This anecdotal and informative podcast is for backpackers, travelers, or for anyone who is interested in traveling in the future. Winging It has a casual vibe that makes you feel like you’re right there in the room with friends, and hearing their stories first-hand.

Start listening: Traveling With Erin Hynes (yes, I’ve been a guest on this show!)

Final Thoughts: Travel Podcasts That Inspire Wanderlust

If you’re eager to fuel your wanderlust, learn how to deep travel, gain practical travel tips, and learn why we all should be pivoting to sustainable tourism, these podcasts are for you.

If you’re curious about responsible travel, Curious Tourism offers thought-provoking discussions on how to travel mindfully, while The Thoughtful Travel Podcast dives into the important lessons learned through global experiences. And if laughter is what you’re after, Travel Tales Podcast mixes humor with adventure, reminding us of the joys (and occasional mishaps) that make travel so memorable.

Whether you’re planning your next trip or just daydreaming about the world, these podcasts provide a perfect blend of inspiration, education, and entertainment. So, plug in, get inspired, and let these travel stories take you on a journey—one episode at a time.

Read more from Pina Travels:

• 6 Benefits of Staying in Homestays Versus Hotels
• What is Economic Leakage in Tourism (& How to Prevent It)
• 8 Travel Clichés and Why You Should Avoid Them

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