Even when you’re not on the move, you can quench your thirst for travel right from home with travel podcasts. These audio stories let you explore new places through the experiences of others. Tune in to hear about unique adventures, deep dives into unfamiliar worlds, or captivating updates from around the globe.
Here are 10 top travel podcasts to enjoy while you lay low and plan your next getaway:
When Brad and Matt Kirouac decided to leave their Chicago life—and pack up their dog—to journey across the country in an RV, they had no idea what to expect. “Parklandia” chronicles their often hilarious travels through national parks, from the Florida Everglades to the deserts of the Southwest and the Olympic National Forest in Washington State. As they explore, they rediscover history, encounter amusing characters, and learn what it’s like to be a married couple in close quarters for an extended period, all while testing out a nomadic lifestyle.
Start with: “The Oscars of Rivers—Cuyahoga Valley National Park.”
This program from New Hampshire Public Radio paints vivid pictures of the natural world and our journeys through it. It’s not just for nature enthusiasts—topics range from counting penguins in Antarctica to exploring the “raw water movement,” storm chasing, moose whispering, and learning about Lyme disease. With a slight focus on New England, host Sam Evans-Brown finds surprisingly engaging and delightful topics, showcasing that a love for nature truly has no bounds.
Start with: “Now I Am an Axolotl.”
The podcast is an audio extension of the “On She Goes” travel community, a platform for women of color. Running since 2017, it boasts an extensive library of episodes featuring guests like Crissle West from “The Read,” yogi and author Jessamyn Stanley, and “Bad Feminist” writer Roxane Gay. Topics include camping, road trips, voluntourism’s ups and downs, travel romance, winter travel joys, and how to feed your wanderlust without losing your mind.
Start with: “What Is Business Travel” with guest Roxane Gay.
The United Nations recognizes 193 independent countries, and a dedicated group of travelers aims to visit them all—sometimes even multiple times! In each episode, host Ric Gazarian talks with travelers who have visited all 193 countries or are close to achieving this ambitious goal or breaking Guinness World Records. These conversations offer compelling insights into when travel becomes more than just a hobby. Be warned, these stories will make you eager to grab your passport and head out.
Start with: “Audrey Walsworth.”
Hosted by Willow Belden, this podcast explores the big questions of life and how to live it by traveling through nature. True to its mission, episodes tackle profound topics like going on a pilgrimage without being outdoorsy or religious, living deep in the woods where the only people you meet are strangers on the Appalachian Trail, redefining “adventure,” and when it’s okay to express dissatisfaction despite a privileged life.
Start with: “Everest for a Sherpa Teen.”
Able-bodied individuals rarely consider the challenges of jumping into a jeep for a South African safari or ziplining through the Costa Rican jungle. However, those with disabilities must think carefully about accessibility. This podcast talks to travelers and guides who ensure that needing a wheelchair, living with cerebral palsy, or lacking sight or hearing doesn’t prevent anyone from experiencing safaris, surfing, pilgrimages, or triathlons.
Start with: “Let’s Go Ziplining with Angelique Le Roux.”
One of the original travel podcasts, fans have followed hosts Travis and Heather on their global adventures since 2010. They began podcasting in 2013, back when explaining what a podcast was might have been necessary. Their forte is showing how to travel on a budget without skimping on the fun. Their long-standing presence proves it’s possible to live a globe-trotting life affordably.
Start with: “7 Lessons Learned.”
Outside magazine’s audio stories make for compelling listening, even if you haven’t ventured into nature since a school field trip. The show includes interviews with outdoor enthusiasts, scientists, athletes, and ordinary people in extraordinary situations. While you may not plan to face near-death experiences on Mt. Everest or encounter grizzly bears, the “Science of Survival” series ensures you’re prepared for emergencies.
Start with: “Science of Survival: Snakebit, Part 1.”
Contrary to Instagram’s glossy portrayals, travel isn’t always perfect. This show addresses that reality. San Francisco Chronicle’s travel editor, Spud Hilton, talks with travelers, journalists, and influencers about life on the road, favorite destinations, and when things go terribly wrong. Among tales of touching encounters, the most entertaining episodes share travel mishaps, reminding us that even the worst situations can be funny in hindsight. Hopefully, a second season is on the way.
Start with: “Travel Hookups” with Fly Brother Ernest White II.
While not a podcast per se, this “audio travel magazine” by writer Phoebe Smith resembles a glossy publication. Each episode offers diverse stories and formats. You’ll hear field recordings from her global adventures, like beer bathing in Estonia or trekking through Tasmania, alongside interviews with conservationists, shopping ideas, tips from travel writers like Bill Bryson, and manatee spotting in Florida. Each episode is informative and entertaining.
Start with: “Wild Waters Run Deep.”
