Every year, I look forward to creating my popular best travel podcasts list for the coming year because it lets me shine a spotlight on the travel podcasts that truly add value to our journeys. These are shows that go beyond glossy destination lists and instead dig into storytelling, culture, adventure, personal growth, and thoughtful ways to see the world.
Whether you’re training for a long-distance hike, planning your next international adventure, or simply dreaming from your favorite chair, the podcasts below will inform, inspire, and entertain you throughout the year. I’ve kept everything in alphabetical order so it’s easy to browse and revisit.
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1. Active Travel Adventures
Hosted by yours truly, Kit Parks, Active Travel Adventures highlights immersive, active trips around the world with a focus on hiking, cycling, cultural exploration, and adventure for curious travelers over 50. Each episode blends destination inspiration with practical tips from firsthand experience and expert guests who have actually gone on the adventure. A free travel planner is available for all episodes to help you create your next epic adventure.
Why you’ll love it: Because adventure doesn’t retire—and neither should you.
2. Adventure Diaries
Adventure Diaries is a storytelling podcast that brings you along on extraordinary journeys through candid, personal travel narratives. Expect emotional highs, unexpected challenges, and raw reflections that capture what adventure really feels like on the road.
Why you’ll love it: Because these are the stories travelers tell long after they’re home.
3. Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura explores the world’s strangest, most fascinating, and often overlooked places. Each short episode dives into curious history, hidden destinations, and cultural oddities that will completely change how you see the map. My friend Lori is an Atlas Obscura bagger who makes sure to check out what oddity she should see on her travels – this makes for a fun way to see new places you might miss.
Why you’ll love it: Because the weirdest places are often the most wonderful.
4. Bikepack Adventures
Bikepack Adventures is dedicated to long-distance cycling, bikepacking culture, and human-powered exploration. Through interviews and trip reports from cyclists who explore the world on two wheels, the show celebrates endurance, resilience, and the freedom of traveling by bike. You’ll hear stories, plus get gear and training advice. Great for all levels of experience. Check out this bikepacking episode I did with writer Steve Silk about his bikepacking adventure from London to Wales.
Why you’ll love it: Because adventure feels better when you earn every mile.
5. But Did You Die? with The Jet Sisters
Hosted by sisters and travel writers Lindsay and Jet, this podcast blends adventure travel with humor, honesty, and real talk. They share stories of mishaps, growth, and lessons learned abroad—always reminding listeners that discomfort often leads to the best memories.
Why you’ll love it: Because sometimes the best trips are the ones that go wrong.
6. Counting Countries
Counting Countries focuses on the joy, obsession, and strategy behind country collecting. Less people have been to all 192 countries than have been in space! The podcast offers thoughtful conversations about travel goals, logistics, and the deeper meaning of ticking destinations off a list.
Why you’ll love it: Because travel isn’t just about where you go—it’s about why.
7. Curious Tourism
Curious Tourism looks beyond bucket lists to examine how tourism impacts cultures, communities, and travelers themselves. It’s a smart, reflective podcast for listeners who want to travel more thoughtfully and responsibly – something that is becoming more important as destinations get more crowded.
Why you’ll love it: Because how we travel matters as much as where we go.
8. Deviate with Rolf Potts
Hosted by travel writer Rolf Potts, Deviate explores the philosophy and psychology of travel. You’ll hear deep conversations about long-term travel, creativity, identity, and how movement through the world shapes who we become. More ideas and exxperiences than destination driven. Rolf wrote the bestseller Vagabonding, one of the inspirations for my long term travels.
Why you’ll love it: Because this podcast makes travel feel like a way of thinking, not just moving.
9. French People Are Rude
This podcast humorously dismantles travel stereotypes by examining cultural misunderstandings—starting with France. Through interviews and stories, it reveals how much of “rudeness” is really just cultural difference.
Why you’ll love it: Because travel is better when we stop judging and start listening.
10. Gone to Timbuktu
Gone to Timbuktu explores the magic of travel through personal stories and conversations with adventurous guests. The show emphasizes curiosity, cultural connection, and the transformative power of leaving home.
Why you’ll love it: Because wanderlust is a state of mind.
11. Inspire Campfire
Inspire Campfire is a storytelling podcast featuring adventurers, changemakers, and explorers sharing defining moments from their journeys. It’s designed to motivate listeners to pursue bold experiences. You can hear my interview with Scott here.
Why you’ll love it: Because everyone needs a spark to take the next step.
12. Low Season Traveler Inside Guide
Low Season Traveler Inside Guide focuses on traveling smarter by visiting destinations during quieter, off-peak times. The podcast offers insider tips and a calmer way to see the world. The more I travel and see how busy the top tier destinations have become, the more I realize I need to instead visit the second and third tier locales to get the authentic experiences I crave or go in the off season.
Why you’ll love it: Because fewer crowds mean deeper experiences.
13. Misinformation Passport
Misinformation Passport investigates myths, misconceptions, and outdated assumptions about travel destinations. You’ll examine how destinations are portrayed in contrast to the reality.
Why you’ll love it: Because questioning what you hear makes you a smarter traveler.
14. Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaway (NerdWallet)
Produced by NerdWallet, Smart Travel helps listeners make better financial decisions around travel. Learn practical tips on using points and miles, how to budget and how to strategize to maximize value and minimize stress.
Why you’ll love it: Because great trips don’t have to wreck your budget.
15. The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
The Thoughtful Travel Podcast dives into the emotional and personal side of travel. On each episode, Amanda interviews three fellow travelers. They focus on a specific meaningful topic to get their perspectives. It’s a podcast that encourages reflection and connection.
Why you’ll love it: Because sometimes the journey happens inside you.
16. The Trail Less Traveled
The Trail Less Traveled highlights unconventional destinations and off-the-beaten-path adventures. This show focuses on unique places and alternative travel experiences.
Why you’ll love it: Because the best stories rarely come from the main road.
17. The Travel Diaries
The Travel Diaries features guests sharing formative travel memories that have shaped their lives, revealing the transformative power of travel.
Why you’ll love it: Because travel memories never really fade.
18. Wander Woman
Wander Woman showcases women’s voices in adventure and solo travel. You’ll find encouragement and inspiration along with increased curiosity with each episode.
Why you’ll love it: Because confident travel is empowering travel.
19. Winging It
Winging It embraces spontaneous, imperfect travel. You’ll hear fun stories of mishaps and misadventures along with the lessons learned, while you celebrates figuring things out as you go.
Why you’ll love it: Because the best plans are sometimes no plans at all.
20. You Should Have Been There (BBC)
Produced by the BBC, You Should Have Been There explores iconic historical moments through firsthand accounts. Each episode combines travel, and memories of the guest’s lived experiences.
Why you’ll love it: Because being there—even by ear—changes everything.
Final Thoughts
Travel podcasts are powerful companions—use them for education, inspiration and encouragment. They will keep your curiosity alive between trips. I hope this list introduces you to new favorites and reconnects you with shows you already love.
Need More Inspiration? Check out Previous Best Travel Podcast Lists from 2019 – 2025 HERE
If you have a travel podcast you think belongs on next year’s list, let me know—I’m always listening. You can reach me HERE.
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