Here is the latest list of the best travel podcasts to add to your playlist for 2021!  You’ll get inspiration, learn travel tips and hacks, and hear travel stories about cool destinations from around the world. 

After the year we just had, it’s time to start planning your next adventure, and here are some great shows to help you plan it!  In alphabetical order:

Top 25 Travel Podcasts of 2021

1. Active Travel Adventures

Host Kit Parks curates outstanding multi-day adventure travel holidays from around the world that any reasonably fit person can do.  Examples include hiking Machu Picchu or the Mont Blanc Circuit, trekking Nepal, whitewater rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, or cycling the stiletto heel of Italy. 

You’ll learn what you’d see and experience, what to expect, and whether you want to add this adventure to your ever expanding travel list.  If you want to brush up your adventure skills, check out the companion podcast, Adventure Travel Show, which teaches you the “How To’s” of adventure travel.  Active Travel Adventures

2. Armchair Explorer

British Travel writer, Aaron Miller hosts this engaging show that takes you around the world on exciting adventures and introduces interesting cultures that you probably won’t get a chance to see for yourself.  Beautifully produced storytelling.  You might race 2500 miles across India in a rickshaw, or join the final dance of the San Bushman before they pass on.  Exotic and engaging!  Armchair Explorer

3. Amateur Traveler

Chris Christensen hosts this long running travel podcast.  Each week (since 2005!), Chris interviews a guest about itinerary ideas for specific destinations.  You’ll learn what to see and do, where to eat and where to stay.  With over 700 episodes, you are sure to find detailed information about any destination on your travel list!  PS: You can check out my own interview about the Crystal Coast of NC  Amateur Traveler

4. Culturally Ours

Karthika Gupta hosts a thoughtful travel podcast that examines the art, culture, lifestyle and food of destinations around the world.  You might learn about the colorful Holi festival in her native India, or the practice of Japanese forest bathing.  Each season brings new and interesting aspects of travel that teach us that, despite our differences and how we manifest our traditions, deep down, we are all the same.  Culturally Ours

5. Extra Pack of Peanuts

Each week since 2013, hosts Trav and Heather explore all things travel.  Sometimes they interview guests who come on the show to share an amazing adventure.  Other times they share helpful travel tips.  Commonly, they might showcase the “Best of” a certain enjoyment of a given destination, such as the best breweries or ice cream you need to check out.  Extra Pack of Peanuts

6. Eye on Travel

Legendary CBS travel news journalist, Peter Greenberg, hosts this weekly travel podcast where he interviews high profile industry guests about a specific timely topic or destination.  My favorite ‘go to’ podcast for travel news, particularly during this crazy time!  A fantastic resource to get the inside scoop on all things travel.  Eye on Travel

7. Flight of Fancy

Aussy host Ben Groundwater explores all things travel.  Of course, you’ll get an insider’s take on how to best see his native Australia, in addition to exploring exotic destinations like Antarctica and the Middle East.  In addition to destinations, you’ll get helpful tips like how to deal when things go wrong, or the best places to travel solo. Travellers Flight of Fancy

8. Girls Talk Travel

Get inspiration, motivation and practical information from hosts Megsy and Alice, and their female guests.  You get the inside scoop on what it’s really like to travel as a female, without the fluff and glossing over of some of the negatives of travel.  Girls Talk Travel

9. Globetrotter Lounge

Join travel points guru, Jetset Lisette, as she reveals cool ways to creatively travel.  Since 2012, Lisette has traveled $100,000 worth for free by earning hotel and airline points.  Now she helps others to do the same.  She also interviews other travelers about discoveries they’ve made about how to stretch their travel dollars.  Globetrotter Lounge

10. JUMP

Join Traveling Jackie as she explores travel, adventure and lifestyle in a mix of solo and guest interviews.  Feel like you are eavesdropping on engaging conversations that will encourage you to get out and go on an adventure.  I was so inspired that I signed up to go on one of the adventure trips (Bike/Boat Croatia) she hosts .  JUMP

11. National Parks Traveler Podcast

Get across the board information about national parks and other protected areas.  The podcast covers not only the destinations, but also delves into environmental, scientific and other newsworthy topics involving these national treasures.  National Parks Traveler Podcast

12. Outdoorsy Diva

Join host Lauren Gay as she explores all aspects of travel, often through the lens of a black woman and her guests. You’ll learn about outdoor adventures, food and the latest travel trends, as she seeks to encourage you to travel and get outdoors.  Outdoorsy Diva

13. Rick Steves Travel Talks

If you are planning or dreaming about a trip to Europe, then this is your podcast!  Venerable European travel expert Rick Steves takes us inside Europe’s most exciting destinations – plus it’s on video, so it’s like taking a class on your chosen European destination!  Rick Steves Travel Talks

14. She Explores

Join host Gale Straub as she explores outdoor travel as a woman.  Episodes include interview, listener submissions to a particular topic and in the field recordings.  There is an emphasis on solo female hiking and camping, diversity and inclusion, feminism and all things female as they relate to outdoor experiences.  She Explores

15. The Travel Diaries

Get the backstory from fascinating guests as host Holly Rubenstein interviews them about their most memorable travel experiences.  Guests include Jane Goodall, Simon Reeve, Jacqui Gifford and more on the UK’s most popular travel podcast.  The Travel Diaries

17. The Thoughtful Travel Podcast

Each week, Aussy host Amanda Kendle interviews two or three fellow travelers regarding a specific topic.  They’ll share stories about meeting locals, slow travel, tackling foreign languages, getting lost, what we can learn from traveling, etc.   The Thoughful Travel Podcast

18. Travel Tales by AFAR

The best travel tales (or any good story for that matter), demonstrate transformation.  The stories you’ll find on Travel Tales exemplify this in spades.  You’ll hear stories about someone who heads on an adventure and returns home changed.  Travel Tales by AFAR

19. Travel Tales Podcast

Comedian and host Mike Siegal takes a casual and lighthearted approach to this interview-based travel podcast.  Each episode, Siegal checks in with folks who have fun travel stories to share. Travel Tales Podcast

20. Travel Tomorrow

Get the latest news and industry trends from co-hosts Alicia Underlee Nelson and Joe Baur.  Listen to interviews with fellow travelers, and hear their fun stories.  Learn helpful travel tips.  Episodes generally are a compilation of banter, information and stories.  Travel Tomorrow 

21. Travel with Rick Steves

The ever popular weekly travel radio show as an on demand podcast.  Host Rick Steves chats with experts about all things travel, and answers questions called in from listeners.  Travel with Rick Steves

23. WDW Radio

If you love all things Disney, then this long running and award winning podcast is for you!  Gregarious host Lou Mongello leaves no stone uncovered when it comes to Disney parks plus Marvel, Star Wars and other assets of the behemoth.  WDW Radio

24. Women Who Travel

Condé Nast Traveler editors Lale Arikoglu and Meredith Carey explore what it’s like traveling as a woman today.  Topics include hospitality, food, adventure and all aspects of travel as it pertains to female travelers.   Women Who Travel

25. Zero To Travel

Affable host Jason Moore uncovers a myriad of ways to travel, no matter what your financial circumstances.  He also delves into how you can travel long term by becoming ‘Location Independent’ with your work.  Jason interviews fellow travelers who have actually figured out clever ways to hit the road.  Zero To Travel

Did I Miss Your Favorite?

Let me know your favorite travel podcasts for consideration for next year’s Top 25 Travel Podcasts list

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