I’m a podcast addict. I’ve been so for years. In 2009 I listened to many travel podcasts planning for the big leap in 2010 when I left my life and bought a one-way ticket to Mexico.
When I traveled throughout South America there were so many 20 hour bus rides. For many that would seem like a nightmare but I miss them.
I didn’t travel with a phone then, just an iPod. As I traveled I spent hours listening to other adventurous stories on travel podcasts.
In so many ways what was old is new again. I think the popularity of podcasts reflects a time when the radio was more than just music but entertained and inspired us.
Today I still subscribe to far more podcasts than I can keep up with.
My Favourite Travel Podcasts
The Amateur Traveler
This may have been the first podcast I downloaded and I still think it’s a terrific resource. Creator, Chris Christensen focuses on travel destinations and top attractions.
He includes interviews with destination experts, someone who has recently traveled to the destination or wrote a book.
Chris is no amateur to the podcast world, his first podcast went live July 2, 2005.
He’s known for his ‘comfortable’ style, along with his passions for learning new things and humour, his podcast motivates people to travel.
Hilariously it’s because of Chris that I did not go see the Panama Canal – he posted a video of the experience and I realized it was not for me!
Instead I went to a fish market in Panama City and had a fabulous day. While Chris and I seek different things in travel I still really enjoy his perspective.
Travel Tales Podcast
Inspired by other travelers and their stories, Mike Siegel started the Travel Tales Podcast in 2011. With over 200 episodes, this easy listening podcast features the best and worst international travel tales from his own experiences to fellow travelers.
Mike is based out of Los Angeles and is a professional stand-up comedian, television host and actor.
During his travels, he dives into each countries culture, customs, food and drinks. He’s an expert in all forms for local travel (from rickshaws and junk boats to camel carts and tuk-tuks).
Through his own experiences and recommendations, he wants to inspire others to see the world.
Zero to Travel
If you’re ready to add more travel into your life, you will want to check out the Zero to Travel podcast.
Hosted by Jason Moore, this podcast is for all travellers even if you’re new to travel.
His mission is ‘to help you travel anywhere, on your own terms, for as long as you desire no matter what your situation or experience’.
Whether you’re looking to travel for short-term or forever, Jason gives you a no nonsense approach. He provides advice and tools to live a life of travel and adventure.
He covers it all from pre-trip anxiety, where to travel next and how to retire early, along with featuring fellow travellers.
Two Girls Trippin’
A cancer survivor and a Mortician aim to inspire you to live your own adventure.
The dynamic duo, Lena Starbird and Kristina Kindred created the Two Girls Trippin’ monthly podcast.
Their fun and entertaining episodes focus on DIY travels ideas, gadget reviews and their mistakes during their day, weekend and road trip adventures.
Their entertaining short-term trips include a lot of research on routes, unusual places to stay and where to eat for each destination.
Most notably, their light-hearted episodes include street art hunting, travelling with your furry family, the dark side of glamping and ways to stay entertained on long trip.
A Broad Aboard
Created by Paula Froelich, A Broad Aboard is a travel and lifestyle podcast with a focus on solo female travel and local cultures.
She encourages people to, ‘get up off their butts, get out of the office, go somewhere and learn something.’
Paula is an award-winning journalist, was named one of Folio’s Top Women in Media in 2015, NATJA Gold medal award for travel writing, NATJA Silver medal award for travel video considered one of the world’s foremost experts in travel.
With over one million views weekly, Paula brings a unique perspective through storying telling to encourage women and men to discover the unknown through travel.
With Husband in Tow
With Husband in Tow podcast focuses on food, wine and luxury travel. Featuring two seasons, their episodes include recommendations on where to eat, best pork dishes, street food and their luxury travel experiences.
They also interview travellers/writers, chefs and winemakers they meet.
I met Amber in Chicago and continue to follow their adventures.Amber left her lucrative law career to reclaim her life, form a new outlook and new experiences.
She and her husband Eric, moved to Southeast Asia to focus on food travel. They have travelled to over 70 countries. Husband in Tow, ‘encourages others to do the same, while exploring the world through food travel.
Travel Podcasts For Budget Travelers
The Budget-Minded Traveler
One of the best travel podcasts for people who think travel is too expensive. The Budget-Minded Traveler was created by Jackie Laulainen, in 2014 and encourages people to travel on any budget.
For over half her life, Jackie has been travelling the world on her own. Her mission is, ‘to make travel as easy and accessible for you as possible.’
With over 70 episodes, The Budget-Minded Traveler has been nominated for one of the Best Travel Podcasts at the 2015 and 2016 Podcast Awards.
She includes interviews with fellow travellers, tips, resources and advice to travel the world.
The episodes include travelling with a large family, online travel writing, how to afford travel on any income and to encourage people to face their travel fears.
Extra Pack of Peanuts
Extra Pack of Peanuts is produced by Travis Sherry. Created in 2012, Extra Pack of Peanuts is now the #1 rated travel podcast on iTunes. With over 130 episodes, Travis’s mission is to help people travel for cheap or free!
He will help you make sense of your confusing frequent flyer miles and show you how to fly anywhere in the world for under $100.
He interviews expert travellers from around the world, gives tips and tricks for finding cheap accommodations, how to pack and travelling on a budget.
Travis and his wife, have travelled to over 20 countries for free and prove you don’t need a lot of money to travel the world.
Travel Podcasts for Nomads and Unconventional Lifestyles
Indie Travel Podcast
Indie Travel Podcast features two full-time travellers. Created by New Zealand’s husband and wife team, Craig and Linda Martin, over 10 years ago.
They share stories from fellow travellers, funding opportunities and useful advice for every continent.
Not wanting anyone to repeat their travel mistakes (don’t forget to validate your train ticket!) they decided to start producing travel podcasts.
Their first show was recorded in St Albans, England on a friend’s server.
Today, Craig and Linda are full-time, independent, debt free travellers. With over 300 podcasts, their podcast was the winner of Lonely Planet’s “Best Podcast.”
I listened to all of Craig and Linda’s podcasts before I left and while on the road. I had an opportunity to meet them in Dublin and they are as lovely as they seem on the podcast.
Nomadtopia
Created by Amy Scott in 2011, Nomadtopia (Nomad + Utopia) podcast helps people create their own ideal travel life.
This travel podcast features stories from different nomads, sharing their nomadic adventure. From living abroad, travelling with kids or doing it solo, Amy and her guests covers it all.
If you’re looking at creating a new life of freedom and flexibility while travelling the world, you’ll want to tune in to listen to her diverse guests.
In 2004, Amy quit her job and took her first step towards local independence.
She has created three online business and is ‘dedicated to helping others create their ideal life, anywhere in the world – their own version of what I call Nomadtopia.’
Become Nomad
I was nomadic for 3 years, then burnt out from travel in Seville and now balance the two. It’s not for everyone but I’m glad I gave it a shot.
Eli David created the Become Nomad podcast. His episodes focus on resources for nomads and aspiring nomads. Eli examines the nomadic lifestyle, offers resources and tips to help you achieve full-time travel, along with interviews with fellow nomads.
He reviews the advantages and disadvantages of the nomadic life, money, flights and other essential topics to help you achieve or maintain the nomadic lifestyle.
Eli changed his lifestyle in 2010 after getting fired from his job and breaking up with his partner.
Eli has lived in more than 30 countries and travelled to more than 60. This guy knows what he’s talking about.
Travel Freedom
Hosted by Tommo and Megsy, the mission of the Travel Freedom podcast is ‘to help other people become location independent.
To live free, travel more and discover travel freedom!’ With over 60 episodes, they discuss how to travel for less, travel hacks, FAQs, ways to make money online and interview other digital nomads and online entrepreneurs.
Discover a new Travel Freedom podcast every Monday.
Another great inspiration for those on a budget, Tommo and Megsy have been local independent since April 2013 and spend only an average of $22.00 (US) a day.
They have travelled to over 80 countries and to every continent, including Antarctica.
Keep Your Day Dream
With over 100 episodes, Keep Your Daydream travel podcasts share inspiring stories from fellow travellers who left their ‘traditional’ life to pursue their daydream of travelling.
Created by Tricia Leach, she features guests from all walks of life and circumstances to share their ideal travel life and how they continue their travelling lifestyle.
You’ll hear stories from guests whose 3 month trip turned into 8 years and counting, travellers who live in a different country each year, near death experiences, people who appeared to have it all in the corporate world, to Tricia’s own story of her and her family discovering their own path to living their daydream.
Living Unconventionally
If you’re ready to ditch your 9-5 job to pursue travel, check out the Living Unconventionally podcast hosted by Britany Felix. With over 150 episodes, Britany features fellow travellers, who are living the lives they want, through travel.
Episodes include safety tips, building online businesses and freelancing on the road, articles for female travellers, travelling with children and answering her listener’s questions.
Bored of their traditional corporate life, Britany and her husband sold everything they owned, quit their job and bought a travel trailer to explore the United States in 2015.
The Expat Chat
Hosted by Tony Argyle, The Expat Chat podcast shares stories of people who left their ‘traditional’ work life behind.
He shares stories of those who explore life overseas and are living their dream lifestyle. With over 100 episodes, Tony discussed where to live, ways to travel, how to afford it and other challenges.
Don’t miss their stories on How to Leave the Cubicle; Why I Left My “Dream” Career to Care For Elephants; and Raising Our Kids without School – Our Mexican Life.
The Expat Chat has over 20,000 downloads per month. I love this one because it gets you thinking about all the possibilities you have in life.
The Suitcase Entrepreneur
The Suitcase Entrepreneur, Natalie Sisson created a podcast that emphases freedom. She shares her own experience, along with fellow entrepreneurs and helps aspiring entrepreneurs.
She inspires her audience to create businesses, to achieve their own freedom, income and time for travel.
She focuses on achieving a local independent lifestyle through social media, online business tools and other technology.
Natalie has been freedom living and out of her suitcase since 2010. She has traveled to over 70 countries and runs a profitable online business. Huffington Post named her one of 50 Must-Follow Women Entrepreneurs in 2017.
Travel Podcasts for Families
Epic Education
I initially left to travel because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to have children but the clock was ticking.
I mistakenly thought that children meant the end of travel but then I met so many traveling families.
Jason Jenkins created the Epic Education Radio podcast to inspire people to travel with their children.
He discusses the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of family travel and offers tips, tools and resources aspiring travellers will need.
He also provides destination info, reviews, interviews with fellow family travellers and his own personal stories.
In 2013, Jason and his wife quit their jobs, took their children out of school and started their nomadic lifestyle.
Jason discusses homeschooling, remote working, parenting while traveling, bilingual multi-cultural education and being a dad on the road.
Jason has been featured on CNN Travel, Bon Appétit, and The Japan Times.
A Canadian dad, Casey’s podcast is more than just travel. He also talks about family, food, fashion, faith and tech.
He’s known to be an energetic and positive person and spends the podcast talking to passionate people about their passions.
In a medium where most family creators and podcasters are women, it’s nice to get the perspective on parenting and family life from a dad.
All right what travel podcasts did I miss? What are you listening to that you love?
You know I’ve had an ipod for years and have never listened to a podcast. From this list it looks like I’ve been missing out… 🙁
Wow, I had no idea all of these were out there. Honestly, I don’t have time to listen to music much less podcasts. I know about Chris and ytravelblog but some of these sound interesting.
I’m a bit of a podcast whore and a lot of these stay on my IPod. Now I have some new ones to check out, thanks.
Oh no! You must share what you listen to!
I’ve never listened to a podcast either. I think I’m more of a visual person, but I could see how it would be good on a plane or bus ride.
Well there are video podcasts as well…
Even after you told me about the podcasts… Now that my tech guru is with me, I can have him load these up on the ipod for me. Sweet list. Thank you!!!!
yay!
I enjoy listening to audiobooks, but haven’t really tried podcasts yet. An inspiring selection here.
Funny I’m the opposite, I haven’t made the natural transition to podcasts yet.
cool stuff
got to say im more of a music man myself. however, when my ners-self takes over i occasionally get amongst time or the economist podcasts. huge ricky gervais fan, so can totally agree on that one!
glad to see Ricky unites 🙂
Never actually listened to a podcast – don’t even know how hah.
If the bus has power sockets then, I use it to blog on my iPod Touch. If there’s wifi, I usually just waste time surfing the net!
we need to meet in person, I will blow your mind!
I listened to the Learn Spanish Survival Guide when I was preparing to leave for Latin America too.
I think I’m going to have to start getting into podcasts now that I’ll be facing the 20 hour bus rides in South America. And I’ll need a new iPod with a battery that doesn’t die in 3 hours 🙂
Critical to a good bus ride, fortunately there are lots of places that can replace your battery.
Thanks for this. I haven’t ever given podcasts a second thought (I’m a little slow on the uptake) but this is definitely something I’m going to get on top of before we hit South America and the accompanying long bus journeys this year.
it makes the bus rides so much more pleasant!
You almost managed to make a 20 hour bus trip sound appealing. Cept I haven’t got an ipod.
Oh you need one…or a REALLY good book!
Fans of sports and pop culture should listen to the BS Report with Bill Simmons. It’s a bit biased at times, but is funny and insightful
Fans of sports and pop culture should listen to the BS Report with Bill Simmons. It’s a bit biased at times, but is funny and insightful.
I feel like I never have time for Podcasts but I am really going to try to work on that and add some of these into my day.
Glad to hear I’m not the only one who actually misses the long bus rides! There is nothing like staring out the window for hours on end…it’s just not the same sitting on the couch and staring into space!
We listened to a lot of NPR’s This American Life but I’ll be checking out some of those others too.
“This American Life” was what I was going to recommend too. Love that one!
Kind of similar to The Moth, a bunch of wacky/sad/uplifting/interesting true stories.
Compared to The Moth? ’nuff said!
I love TedTalks. Not a big podcast fan though. But I’m willing to give it a try. The first few I listened too – can’t remember who they were, were just poorly done and boring. So I had a bad experience from the get-go.
PS. I could fall asleep to Alan Ross’voice. It’s so soothing.
Oh me too except the last time he talked to me I had my veneers off waiting for new ones and he asked wtf was up with my teeth
not traumatic at all…
Thanks for this list of podcasts! I just recorded my first podcast this month and am going to post it soon. It’s a big change from writing!
Can’t wait to hear it, let me know of the feed and I’ll sign up!
Love The Moth and yTravelBlog podcasts! Looking forward to checking out some of the others.
The Moth was my biggest discovery this year, not surprising you guys listen to it as well.
My favorite is “Camera Position” by Jeff Curato.
He is a great photographer and approaches the podcast from the creative side.
I really like this suggestion, I have been looking for solid photography recommendations.
We listen to a lot of the same podcasts! I am big into Jillian now, mostly because of how she breaks it down about food, toxins and vitamins, not so much about working out, etc. I have listened to Ytravelblog’s podcast, which I think is getting very good and totally relate to. I’ll have to check out copyblogger’s podcast, sounds perfect. Great list, well done!
Jillian is awesome and Copyblogger is sound advice on how not to be a douche bag…
Really interesting list of podcasts. Thanks for sharing! Not that I would do a 20 hour bus ride but I’ve done 21 hour plane rides (and then some).
I love these for a 30 minute grocery store walk 🙂
I know that your ipod came in handy when we were in Eucador, once I figured out how to use it since I technologically peaked at an MP3 player. . Rick Gervais certainly distracted me from thinking that I was going to die on a mountain cliff!. I think he could be a guilty pleasure.
Just bought an iPod Touch so that one is now yours 🙂
Yeah for me!
What do I get?
you get to be next in line after me.
I haven’t really gotten into listening to podcasts as of yet, but I’ll check some of your suggestions out!
It will rock your world, TED alone is life changing.
I love podcasts! I faithfully listen to This American Life, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and RadioLab (I’m a big fan of NPR!) I also enjoy Stuff Mom Never Told You and Savage Love.
Thanks for the list, I’m going to check some of them out!
Ooh good recommendations, thank you!
Thanks so much for including us on the list. We are only new to the whole podcasting thing. It’s a little daunting but a whole lot of fun. I’m definitely going to check some of these out. Podcasts are so great for when you are mobile or cooking, which is when i listen to a lot of them. I also love Positive world Travel’s podcast. You should listen to that one too!
You guys totally deserve it, you may be new but you know your stuff!
What a great list of podcasts! We are facing some long bus rides in Central America and are looking forward to looking these up. Big thank you for our mention Caz. Much love 🙂
Interesting. I listen to a lot of NPR throughout my day, so maybe podcast is a good next step for me. Thanks!
I love podcasts, such a relaxing time for me.
Another vote here for This American Life. I’ve been enjoying Moth podcasts a lot. And Most Emailed Stories from NPR often has great stuff!
I had only listened to NPR Food, which was disappointing, but maybe I need to give the general podcasts another chance.
I love The Moth!!! As for “7 kinds of poo and why you have them” – informatively hilarious.
Thanks for all of the new podcast recommendations!!
I love to share good stuff!
I’ve never been able to get into podcasts or books on tape – my mind wanders too much and the next thing I know I’m lost!
I found that too at first but if you find something that interests you, you will listen for hours.
Great idea!! And I love that you miss the long bus rides– it’s so rare that we have time to sit and enjoy doing next to nothing. I teach ESL and will use some of these for my students to get more listening practice.
It’s actually quite calming when you know you only have yourself to talk to for 20 hours – or wait is that crazy…
🙂 No, it’s not crazy! Some people would love the chance NOT to have to talk to other people for a while. I have 2 kids and rarely find time to just listen to something or read a good book!
That made me laugh out loud, I love mothers who are honest.
Great list – thanks! I also really enjoy This American Life, I can totally get lost in the stories on this show.
I love that this post inspired such a strong recommendation.
New things to click. Yay. 🙂
For head-expandery and general thinkiness, I absolutely adore:
1) RadioLab (http://www.radiolab.org/)
2) Big Ideas
Listen to these, and you will think better and wider. Big believer.
On your recommendation alone I’m downloading these!
Oh! Well in that case, let me recommend my amazing ebook that I just wrote, called…
[commend deleted by Bacon Is Magic admin ]
Comment, I mean. DAMN. JOKE. IT RUINED! &%*£*”£*!¬!
Ha! I love this. I’m in total agreement. Not because I’ve been listening while traveling, but because I’ve been listening while saving money to travel…
Love The Moth, love The Splendid Table…love The Dave Ramsey Show (morale-boosting straight talk on financial management). The Relevant Podcast. Deconstructing Dinner. The American Planning Association.
Yes, Erin! This American Life is fantastic…
I’m such a nerd! Most other friends and family don’t understand the podcast lure… I’m glad to find some fellow listeners 🙂
I think I need to start listening to American life, even though I am Canadian, because so many people love it.
Just came back from a not so long bus ride back to Granada. As I am not technologically up to date, I spend my time people watching in the bus and on the roadside. ON shorter rides, I am usually just trying to breathe as it is a game of lets see how many people, animals and object we can fit on a bus made for 20 riders!
If you write about a 20 hour bus ride, I’m afraid you have just scratched the surface of traveling.
You get a pass because you’re from Canada.
Well I’m not sure you would describe my experience as scratching the surface but I don’t believe in competing about travel experiences. I have done plenty of trips that were more than 20 hours including a 72-hour jaunt from Cartagena Colombia to Quito Ecuador but most of the trips in South America begin at 20 hours due to the size of the continent.
Great list, i’ll have to check some of these out. I use podcasts mianly for quickly gathering information such as blogging and marketing tips. You know for the stuff that is someitmes fairly boring to read!
When will we get to hear one from you???
Thanks for sharing this awesome list, Ayngelina! We just subscribed to some 6-7 podcasts that catch our interests most and yes including This American life, even though we are Filipinos. Yaay! 😀
It was worth writing this post just to find out so many people recommend The American Life.
First off, I STILL don’t know how you deal with a 20 hour bus ride. I’d go insane 🙂
Having said that… love these suggestions. Big fan of Slate.
I love Slate too but I teeter between them being a bunch of pretentious hipsters to loving the way they can disagree and not be screaming at each other. Regardless of how I feel I always listen to it.
Podcasts have gotten me through the long and bumpy bus rides of southeast Asia for the past 3 months.
For news, I love PRI’s The World – they’re heavy on the cultural aspects of current events and usually have cool music at the end.
For travel, I like Travel with Rick Steves. He has often has regional/country experts on and many times interviews travel book writers as well.
For fun, I like WNYC’s Radiolab – always interesting Sciency-type stuff.
Ooh I have a new podcast to download.
I can’t get into Rick Steeves, I find he’s a wussy traveler that warns people about things they really don’t need to worry about.
Hi Ayngelina, those are some great ways to kill a 20 hour bus ride. When I traveled in South America in 2010 they were certainly the norm. The longest continuous journey I ever had on the continent was from Quito, Ecuador to Puno, Peru. It was 68 hours (total transit time) and it nearly did me in 😛 Anyhow, I just returned home from a one year trip across Asia. Happy Canada day from Fredericton!
Thank you so much for these great suggestions.
I also love podcasts, but usually I listen to those from my home country (Portugal).
In English, I also enjoy the TED Talks, The Do, and Travel with Rick Steves (http://www.ricksteves.com/radio/podcast.htm).
Cheers
I’ve actually never listened to a podcast on my iPod. I usually listen to a lot of them on my MacBook but other then that its just music. Some great links here will check some of these out soon. Thanks for the list.
This is cool. I have never heard of any of them. I do love Podcasts
Thanks for including us on your list!
I love this. Didn’t know so many travel podcasts exist. I see a few here that are right up my alley, especially when it comes to diving in with the locals and traveling on a budget. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your list, Ayngelina. It is so nice of you. Hope you can share more of this. Always keep up!
So many great travel podcasts to check out. I must confess, I’ve never been very drawn to podcasts as I think I take information in best by reading, with my second choice video or TV for the visuals. Even on long bus trips, I’m better with a book, if possible, though sometimes that can make one a bit coach sick so it’s not always possible. I know the future of web content is video and audio though, so I need to get with the times!
As if I didn’t already have a long enough list of podcasts to listen to! 🙂
I love listening to stuff like this when I’m in the car. You’ve given me a great list to listen to. Thanks. GG
You always share good stuff. I really like your tips. Thanks for sharing with us.
Tropical MBA Podcast..
This is my #1 favorite podcast. Every week Dan and Ian tell stories and give advice on running a business while traveling. They always have some ridiculous stories as well as actionable advice and travel tips.
Hello, The Terrestrial Nomad Podcast is another amazing travel podcast
Thanks for collecting this list of travel podcasts, very helpful. Some of them are new to me; I am glad I know them now and let me go to check them out.