Being at home while you want to be out exploring the world can leave you feeling stuck. When you’re TOLD to be home, it’s even worse. Everything in your body is telling you to get out of the house, get off the couch, and run to your nearest airport. But, rather than sitting here all day talking about the claustrophobic feeling that comes from cabin fever, I wanted to talk about a few ways you can get a small dose of wanderlust while staying home. For our first installation, I wanted to talk about podcasts to listen to at home.
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The Travel Diaries with Holly Rubenstein
Presenter Holly Rubenstein describes The Travel Diaries as the travel version of Desert Island Discs, where celebrity guests reveal the travel experiences that shaped them rather than songs.
It’s the UK’s number one travel podcast and has featured guests such as Poppy Delevingne, Dev Patel, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and Jo Malone.
Armchair Explorer
Each episode of the Armchair Explorer podcast sees one of the world’s greatest adventurers tell their best story from the road.
Hosted by award-winning travel writer Aaron Millar, every tale is action-packed and thrilling.
We Travel There
Go beyond the basic tourist attractions and discover the best things to do, eat, drink and see from a local’s perspective.
That’s the aim of host Lee Huffman’s audio series, which talks with locals from around the world to discover the hidden treasures of the cities they call home.
Extra Pack of Peanuts Travel Podcast
Host Travis Sherry aims to share his knowledge on everything for a life worth traveling more and spending less.
Listen in as he shares insider travel tips on how to go the extra mile with frequent flyer deals to packing like a pro, alongside fellow iconic travel podcasters and bloggers who also feature in the interviews.
Women Who Travel
Traveling women unite! “Because a woman’s place is wherever she chooses,” is a phrase we couldn’t agree more with. The Women Who Travel Podcast is hosted by Meredith Carey and Lale Arikoglu – both editors at Condé Nast Traveler Magazine. They’re passionate about tapping into the global community of women who travel. Each week they shine the spotlight on amazing female travelers around the world who are shaking up the industry, including feminist road trips and refugee experiences, which is why Women Who Travel had to make our list of the best travel podcasts to listen to right now. They discuss real issues around traveling as a woman and generally inspire us to keep exploring, so tune in female adventurers and allies!
Zero to Travel
With over 15 years of experience traveling the world, Jason Moore shares his passion for all things travel in his weekly hour-long podcasts.
Take a listen as he interviews fellow explorers on their epic journeys, from walking across America to visually impaired cyclists embarking on a 16,000-mile journey from Argentina to Alaska.
Other weekly posts include tips on how to budget, travel safety tips, as well as how to find work while on the road.
JUMP with Traveling Jackie
Formerly known as The Budget-Minded Traveler, Jackie has revamped her podcast to JUMP with Traveling Jackie – partly inspired by photos of her leaping mid-air at some of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Jackie’s podcast has a distinct focus on off-the-beaten-track travel and highlights insider tips, as well as hidden gems of travel across several continents.
Those with travel-related questions also have an opportunity to engage, as her regular ‘ask Jackie’ sessions aim to give in-depth answers to her online community.
Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet
Presenters Alex and Christine Schiefer scour the Internet for one-star reviews for travel-related services and read them out in dramatic voices.
The Big Travel Podcast
The Big Travel Podcast features politicians, Paralympians, philanthropists, and famous faces from TV, radio, music, books, journalism, sports, stage and screen.
Expect fascinating travel tales from SAS soldiers, adventurers, and ordinary people, too.
Travel With Rick Steves
Rick Steves is an American travel writer, guidebook author, television personality, and podcast presenter.
While Rick’s main podcast covers weekly one-hour conversations with guest experts about culture, travel, and people, his podcast collection extends to audio tours, European videos, and live recordings from the travel classics.
Indie Travel Podcast
Whether you’re looking for advice on the best things to do in New Zealand, the essentials to pack in your carry-on bag, or the cheapest way to get around on your next city break, tune in to Craig and Linda Martin who are the masterminds behind the Indie Travel Podcast.
Each 20 to 30-minute episode brings insightful and entertaining stories from backpackers, expats, and digital nomads who share a passion for travel.
Amateur Traveler
Host Chris Christensen hones in on specific travel destinations and why they appeal to visitors.
Each 40 to 60-minute clip centers around a particular country or experience, such as a safari in Botswana, or traveling Hawaii’s Big Island, and is joined in conversation by people who have lived in or are well-traveled in the tropical destination.
The Skift Podcast
Editors from American travel media company Skift speak with creatives, executives, and entrepreneurs to gain their understanding of change in travel behaviors and how the industry is developing alongside.
Their 30 to 40-minute sessions focus on the latest travel trends, such as challenges for low-cost airlines, solutions for overtourism, as well as trends for the new year.
Escape
Presented by one of the most respected voices in travel, Simon Calder’s podcast is a mix of up-to-the-moment travel news and entertaining chats with travel’s biggest names, including Wanderlust’s own Lyn Hughes.
There’s a travel masterclass in each episode too, covering everything from wildlife photography to solo travel.
Taste Trekkers’ Find Dining Podcast
Foodies unite as host Seth Resler chats with culinary experts and food bloggers from cities around the world on their local dining scene and where communities eat out.
Whether you’re in search of the most mouthwatering dim sum in Asia or traditional recipes along the Silk Road, The Find Dining Podcast provides an inside scoop on national dishes and the best places to eat.
Explicitly ‘for foodies who love travel and travelers who love food.’
The Rough Guide to Everywhere
From artful Vodou in Haiti to the extraordinary life of an 81-year-old cowboy and pirate, The Rough Guide to Everywhere features the kind of stories you share with friends in the pub, rather than the sort you’d find published in a guidebook.
Seasons one and two are hosted by Greg Dickinson, while season three is hosted by Rebecca Hallett and Neil McQuillian. Season four began in 2019.
Travel Genius
Everyone loves a good travel hack, and Travel Genius is all hacks, all the time. Hosts Mark Ellwood and Nikki Ekstein chat to other travel experts to expose the biggest and best hacks for all aspects of traveling, from getting into business class to minimalist packing, and everything in between.
On She Goes
On She Goes is a digital platform created by women of color, “to encourage and empower other women of color to travel more confidently.” The podcast started in the summer of 2018 and there’s now a whole team of awesome women hosting the show. If you’re looking for a fresh perspective, this is the place to tune into. The team chats to everyone from comedians to pro snowboarders, touching on topics such as immigration, safety, ancestry, and active adventures, which makes it the ideal contender for the best travel podcast title.
Out of Office Podcast
As the originals in travel, it only makes sense that Contiki’s podcast, Out of Office is top here on our list of best travel podcasts. With a new season coming in early 2020. Travel creates stories and Out of Office seeks to share these incredible stories, SIMPLE. Focused on young people who love to travel, this Contiki-powered podcast focuses on traveling as an LGBTQ couple, indigenous cultures, men’s mental health, and sustainable travel. There’s no shortage of fresh and inspiring content on OOO.
Overheard at National Geographic
This podcast from National Geographic will take you on an adventure to the corners of the earth. Discover the world’s magic by taking a trip back in time — from the Pyramids in Egypt to the graffiti at Pompeii. Our advice? Grab a blanket and cozy up on the couch. This is one podcast you’re not going to be able to turn off.
Airplane Mode
Though it only ran for one season, we loved Airplane Mode. The podcast was started by the founders of suitcase brand Away and explored what motivates people to travel. From navigating the road to becoming an expat — and even how to find love while traveling — you’ll discover an abundance of inspiring stores that will motivate you to hit the road.
If you ever find yourself in need of a bit of a pick-me-up at this time, make sure to look over our list of podcasts to listen to at home. If there are any that I didn’t mention, make sure to send them my way so I can check them out to include them for others to enjoy.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at you extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links. You can also see my full Disclosure and Terms and Conditions (you know, the real boring stuff).
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