The best travel podcasts to listen to on holiday

Our desire to travel often comes from images we see online, adverts on the TV, books we read and also what we listen to. While music can stimulate feelings and emotions, podcasts can speak to your inner traveller and even have the power to influence where you book your next holiday.

Created by seasoned travellers who have definitely lived through the main travel-related concerns you have; podcasts are a brilliant resource that everyone should be listening to.

Whether you’re planning a festive markets cruise or Iceland cruise, travel podcasts help to inspire and also answer your questions. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning a trip or if you’re in need of something to listen to during your travels, our list of the top travel podcasts will cover every detail you need to know.

Top travel podcasts for your holiday:

• Extra Pack of Peanuts

• The Dirtbag Diaries

• Zero To Travel

• Tips For Travellers

• Desert Island Discs

Extra Pack of Peanuts

Produced by podcast host Travis Sherry, Extra Pack of Peanuts is regularly sitting pretty at the top of the iTunes podcast charts. The project began back in 2012, with Travis setting out to help people explore the world for less and even for free.

With hundreds of episodes under his belt, Travis explains the confusing jargon and detail around travelling, how to save money abroad, how to travel cheaper and much more. Episodes include interviews with travellers, and each is packed full of invaluable tips.

The Dirtbag Diaries

Funny, bright, and honest, The Dirtbag Diaries is a well-known and well-loved podcast amongst the travel and adventure community with over 300 episodes under its belt. The journey began in 2007, when rock climber Fitz Cahall, the co-founder of Duct Tape and Beer, began narrating stories from famous athletes and amateurs.

Each of the episodes is a recreational story, touching on everything from backpacking to skiing and road trips. What was once a small, individual project has become a large collaboration between several listeners, writers, photographers, and artists to create a podcast that shares stories and experiences that you just can’t find in travel magazines.

“Early episodes were short and tip heavy, but now we aim for 20-30 minutes with a conversational feel,” said Linda. “Imagine you're having a glass of wine or a coffee with your friends who love to travel, and you'll get an idea of the feeling of the show.

“If you're planning a trip somewhere, or just want to experience some vicarious travel, the Indie Travel Podcast is a great show to listen to.”

Zero To Travel

Zero to Travel, similarly to Extra Pack of Peanuts, the podcast profiles a series of lucky people living amazing, adventurous lives on the go through interviews. Each episode is fresh and gives an insight into people who have been willing to give up everything to follow their passion. Interviewees include Micheal Wigge – a man who began with partially eaten apple and ended up trading his way up to a house in Hawaii. There is also an episode with Wandering Earl, who has spent 5,000 consecutive days travelling.

Zero To Travel covers the bread and butter of travelling including helpful guides and advice, but also discusses real-life issues and examples of people who are going out into the world to make a life of travelling.

Tips for Travellers

“I started the podcast in September 2005 to help travellers make more of their precious travel time and money by providing my first-hand tips and advice on the must-see sights and attractions in destinations around the world.” Gary Bembridge, creator of the Tips for Travellers, shares all of the advice you need to ensure that you have a luxurious travel experience, whether that be with your feet firmly planted on land or at sea.

Tips for Travellers is broken up into four main types of episodes, you can expect listener Q&As where Gary answers any questions you may have. There are also destinations episodes that discuss the history of popular travel destinations and cruise tip episodes offering Gary’s tips for those looking to book a cruise holiday.

Desert Island Discs

The grandfather of podcasts and a British broadcasting institution; Desert Island Discs is a legendary Radio 4 feature and podcast. It was one evening back in 1941 when Roy Plomley, a freelance journalist, came up with the idea to produce a programme that a well-known person would choose eight gramophone records to take with them on a desert island. In January 1942, the first instalment was recorded in the BBC’s iconic Maida Vale studios and it’s still going strong over 75 years later.

Everyone from Tom Hanks and Michael Caine to David Beckham and Ed Sheeran have chosen their eight tracks to be deserted with. This powerful podcast is widely considered one of the finest available and offers the listeners an insight into the personal life and thought processes of some of the biggest names on the planet. No, it may not be completely travel-related, but it will get you thinking about your favourite music.

Whether you are listening on-route to your holiday, relaxing on your cruise ship or at your destination, this list of the best travel podcasts has you covered.

For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.