Think of this list as your curated bar crawl through the world of travel podcasts. We’ve had a drink with the good ones, suffered through the boring ones, and poured our own into the mix. These are the best travel podcasts to listen to—served neat, no garnish.
Protips:
- Bookmark this post for when you’re ready to listen to a travel podcast.
- Don’t feel like reading? Skip straight to the best travel podcast—French People Arr. Rude.
Travel Podcasts to Listen to This Year
We’ve all messed up travel planning—booked the wrong place, followed the crowds, ate somewhere because it had pictures on the menu. Travel podcasts fix that. They’re packed with real advice, local voices, and just enough wisdom to keep you from blowing it. Below, we’ve listed the ones we actually listen to at The Tour Guy.
#1: French People Arr. Rude
Unfiltered Travel Talk | European Destinations
Of course, we’re putting our pride and joy in the number one spot, because French People Arr. Rude is everything we think a travel podcast should be: fun, opinionated, and real. The Tour Guy co-founders Sean and Brandon interview guides and locals who’ve seen it all, and they don’t hold back when talking about the overrated attractions, local pet peeves, and where you should actually be going. Plus, with show notes for each episode, it’s easy to refer back to the restaurants, bars, hotels, and tours mentioned.
- Best for: Travelers seeking local advice and travel tips for specific destinations.
- Topics covered: Where to stay, what to skip, local food picks, travel etiquette, and underrated things to do.
#2: Zero to Travel
Travel Insights | Digital Nomad Life
If AI were told to create the voice of travel wisdom with the vibe of your friendliest neighbor, it’d probably sound a lot like Jason Moore. With over 15 years of personal travel and guests who’ve lived every version of life on the road, the topics here are both deep and useful. The episodes lean more into digital nomad life, community-driven travel, and bold adventures than step-by-step trip planning. But if you want to travel more and spend less doing it, this is a great podcast to have in your rotation.
- Best for: Budget travelers, digital nomads, and anyone dreaming of a lifestyle reboot.
- Topics covered: Budget travel, digital nomad life, online income, career breaks, gap years, slow travel, and unique adventures.
#3: You Should Have Been There
Insightful Banter | Travel Stories
Hosted by travel journalist Simon Calder and former BBC producer Mick Webb, this podcast exudes the kind of wisdom you get from countless miles on the road. From trekking in Nepal to train travel and from language slip-ups to overtourism, each episode is as informational as it is humorous. You won’t hear about packing lists and influencer hotspots, but you will be gracefully reminded that travel is so much more than just going somewhere.
- Best for: Armchair travelers and those intrigued by different cultures.
- Topics covered: Travel history, ethical dilemmas, quirky traditions, and behind-the-scenes insights.
#4: The School of Travels
Travel Philosophy | Digital Nomad Life
As the name suggests, this podcast is less about the nitty-gritty details of planning and more about the emotions and lessons learned while traveling. Host Becky Gillespie, a long-time digital nomad, interviews guests who talk about things like buying property abroad, surviving long-term travel, and figuring out your finances while living out of a backpack. It’s not heavy on destination tips, but well worth a listen if you’re curious what it takes to live a life on the move.
- Best for: Aspiring long-term travelers and digital nomads looking for honest insight.
- Topics covered: Working remotely, living abroad, travel finances, language learning, and building community overseas.
#5: We Travel There
Travel Advice | Practical City Guides
For practical travel advice, We Travel There takes the cake. Host Lee Huffman keeps it quick and structured, with 30-minute episodes featuring one city and one guest. Throughout each, you’ll get easy-to-use intel on how to get around, which tourist traps to skip, and what locals actually do on a Saturday afternoon. It may not be flashy, but it’s definitely informative.
- Best for: Travelers with a destination in mind looking for local advice.
- Topics covered: Neighborhood tips, tourist traps to avoid, local food recs, and cultural etiquette.
#6: Curious Tourism
Responsible Travel | Ethical Questions
Unfortunately, travel isn’t always pretty, and Curious Tourism tackles this head-on. Erin Hynes and Kattie Laur dig into everything from unethical wildlife experiences and overtourism to how social media is quietly reshaping how we explore. It’s thoughtful and informative without being preachy, and while you may not walk away with a list of must-do experiences, it’s a great listen if you want to be a better traveler.
- Best for: Travelers who want to explore the world without contributing to its problems.
- Topics covered: Overtourism, social media’s impact, responsible travel, ethical tourism, and cultural sensitivity.
Best Travel Podcasts of 2025: Honorable Mentions
Travel with Rick Steves – A classic radio-style travel podcast where guidebook guru Rick Steves shares expert advice.
Amateur Traveler – One of the longest-running travel podcasts, Chris Christensen’s weekly show focuses on the best things to do in destinations across the world.
More Resources for Your Next Adventure
That’s your playlist sorted, now all you need is a destination and an excuse to leave town. Speaking of, check out our Guide Book for more inspiration.
