Travel is off the cards for the moment, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t invest some time in learning about new places and dreaming about future trips. With that in mind, GoTravelDaily has rounded up some of the most informative and inspiring podcasts on all things travel that are sure to help.
Listening to a podcast can be a great entertaining or educational distraction while at home. Here are some of the best travel-themed ones we’ve found.
The Trip That Changed Me
Featuring conversations with individuals whose lives were profoundly influenced by travel, The Trip That Changed Me covers topics ranging from the beginnings of long-term romances to the foundations of businesses, including authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and activists.
“For many of us, travel provides more than just respite from the daily grind: it gives us the headspace to problem-solve, leaves us open to connection and serendipity, and reinvigorates us creatively,” host Esme Benjamin expressed. “Our guests will draw you in with captivating personal stories while painting a sensorial picture of the place that changed their world. During these monotonous indoor days, I hope the podcast will allow listeners to travel vicariously and dream about the amazing experiences they’ll have when we emerge from this thing.”
A standout episode features bestselling author and anonymous poet Atticus, who discusses how a chance meeting with actor Michael Madsen and a trip to Paris inspired him to write his first poem.
North Americana
Focusing on the shared history between Americans and Canadians, North Americana features a variety of fascinating storytellers and expert guests. Joined by award-winning writers and journalists, host Liz Beatty explores the connections between the US and Canada through intriguing stories and characters.
Episodes cover everything from the surprising origin of Rosie the Riveter (hint: she was Canadian) to the American dissidents of “Resisterville” in British Columbia. Not to be missed is the episode titled “How Did Siberian Reindeer Get to Canada’s Arctic?“, featuring GoTravelDaily editor Alexander Howard recounting the epic tale of how a herd of reindeer were driven 1500 miles from Alaska to Canada’s Northwest Territories in the 1930s.
Out Travel The System
GoTravelDaily entered the podcasting scene in 2019 with “Out Travel The System.” Host Nisreene Atassi engages with industry experts, insiders, and regular travelers to deliver valuable insights about travel, including how to avoid crowds and score the best deals.
An episode titled “A Trip Down Food Travel Memory Lane” examines how the food we enjoy while traveling profoundly influences our memories of those trips. Nisreene is joined by Top Chef-alum and Food & Wine Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Nilou Motamed, to discuss recreating big travel memories through destination-inspired cooking at home.
Women Who Travel
GoTravelDaily editors Lale Arikoglu and Meredith Carey focus on the realities of traveling as a female today in an engaging way. The podcast features the How I Became series, showcasing episodes like “How I Became a Photojournalist with Lynsey Addario”, alongside discussions on topics such as body positivity through travel and maximizing family vacations.
A significant episode from October 2019 titled “Why We Need to Slow Down When We Travel” serves as a reminder to appreciate the simple pleasures of the French art of flaneuring; wandering without specific intent or destination.
The Travel Diaries
This weekly interview series features entertainment and travel journalist Holly Rubenstein connecting with special guests to discuss their global adventures and the travel experiences that shaped their lives. Notable guests have included Poppy Delevingne, Jo Malone, Dan Snow, Dev Patel, and Sir Richard Branson.
To start, listen to the episode featuring an interview with GoTravelDaily founder Tony Wheeler about the company’s inception in the 1970s.
Zero to Travel
Having traveled and lived nomadically for over a decade, Zero to Travel host Jason Moore became inspired by people from all walks of life who managed to explore the world despite personal challenges. In 2013, he launched his podcast to share their stories and advice.
“Zero To Travel is a community-powered show designed to help listeners travel the world on their own terms. Audience feedback indicates that the show normalizes their ‘crazy’ travel ideas,” Jason shared. With over 6 million downloads globally, the podcast has resonated widely, featuring a mix of bestselling authors, adventurers, creators, and everyday explorers.
Episodes explore subjects from “How to Surround Yourself With What You Love” to “How to Overcome Travel Anxiety and Fear of Flying”.
JUMP with Traveling Jackie
Host Traveling Jackie explores lifestyle, adventure, and travel, inspiring listeners to engage with the world around them.
In the episode “Don’t Forget to Pack These Five Things”, Jackie breaks down essential items across five categories (totaling 25 suggestions) for various types of travelers. Additional episode themes include “How to Become Fluent in Any Language with Polyglot Benny Lewis”, “Walking the Camino de Santiago”, and “How to Plan a Trip to Patagonia”.
America’s National Parks Podcast
This podcast highlights the history and uniqueness of the US National Park system, celebrating each destination in an engaging manner. From spooky ghost stories and lore of Yellowstone to the contributions made by Chinese Americans at Yosemite National Park, every park has a story to tell.
A good starting point is the episode titled “Prometheus“, which narrates the tale of a man who accidentally killed the oldest tree in the world at Great Basin National Park.
Flight of Fancy
Hosted by Ben Groundwater, Flight of Fancy takes a light-hearted, yet insightful approach to discussing various travel topics. Episodes cover an array of subjects from “Things That Surprise First-Time Visitors to Antarctica” to “How to Travel Without Ruining the Planet”, among others.
“Flight of Fancy was born from the desire to share experiences and insights that often go unmentioned in standard newspaper features. The podcast resembles a pub chat with travel experts, blending tips and anecdotes in a relaxed manner,” Ben commented.
The Thought Card: A Travel Finance Podcast
The Thought Card podcast caters to budget-conscious travelers, providing practical guidance on enjoying diverse global destinations without overspending. Each episode focuses on a different topic, whether it’s offering “Practical Tips for Saving Money in Iceland” or tackling the subject of the racial wealth gap.
This article aims to inspire your travel dreams with a curated list of podcasts from GoTravelDaily. Immerse yourself in stories that celebrate the beauty, challenges, and triumphs of travel.
This article was first published Mar 26, 2020, and updated Dec 2, 2020.
