Last Updated: 8/18/23 | August 18th, 2023
I love podcasts. As someone who travels often, they’re a great way to stay informed and entertained while you’re on the go. To help me highlight some of the best podcasts in the industry, I’ve invited Debbie from The Offbeat Life to share her favorites. She’s a podcaster herself and knows what it takes to run a great travel podcast!
Podcasts have exploded in popularity in recent years, especially in the travel niche. After all, who doesn’t love to travel?
Unique travel stories, helpful tips, information on creating a nomadic lifestyle, and inspiration on the go — there are podcasts for them all!
I started my own podcast, The Offbeat Life, to discuss the stories of the people I met during my travels who were able to become location independent and create their ideal lifestyle. I was in awe of their adventurous nature and wanted to inspire myself and others to follow in their footsteps, take more chances, and learn what it takes to create a balanced life.
As a podcaster and traveler, I often look to other podcasts for inspiration. To help you get inspired for your next trip or your foray into nomadic life, here are the best travel podcasts!
1. The Thought Card
Hosted by Danielle Desir, this podcast focuses on world travel, paying off debt, and building wealth. Danielle gives her audience the confidence to make smart financial decisions that will allow them to accomplish both their travel and financial goals.
Where to Start: Give the episode with Denis O’Brien a listen. He is the founder of Chain of Wealth and shares his tips on how to create passive income.
2. JUMP
Formerly known as the Budget-Minded Traveler, Traveling Jackie inspires others to get out and see the world through travel and adventure. She provides valuable, actionable information that will allow you to take the leap and explore.
Where to Start: Check out her interview with the Bensons, a family of five who were able to travel the world after they sold all their belongings. They explain the impact of travel on their lives and how it changed them upon returning home.
3. Extra Pack of Peanuts
This is a great podcast for travelers who want to stay on a budget while on the road. Travis, who hosts the show, interviews nomads, bloggers, and entrepreneurs who give insight and firsthand tips on how to embark on your own affordable adventures.
Where to Start: Give the “7 Lessons Learned” episode with Travis and Heather a listen. They share what they have learned from living a location independent life for seven years.
4. As Told by Nomads
Host Tayo Rockson features incredible stories from individuals who are nomads and entrepreneurs, with a focus on leaders in business, culture, travel, and global affairs.
Where to Start: Check out the episode with Zahra Rasool, who discusses authenticity, diversity, and collaborative journalism in storytelling.
5. Ticket 2 Anywhere
This podcast is hosted by Leah and Trizzy, two female travelers with full-time jobs who love to get out and see the world as often as they can. Their podcast is bursting with tips, advice, and anecdotes to help you make the most of your travels, live your life to the fullest, use all your vacation days and get the most out of your weekends!
Where to Start: Start with their first episode, which covers a lot of ground. They talk about the places they’ve been, how they travel, and destinations that didn’t live up to the hype.
6. The Offbeat Life
Hosted by me, this podcast highlights the stories of digital nomads and location-independent entrepreneurs. It digs deep into the realities of starting a remote business and how to create a sustainable nomadic lifestyle.
Where to Start: To get started, jump into my episode with Joni Sweet. She is a remote writer and gives valuable insights on surviving as a freelancer. She also discusses how to build a portfolio that will land you writing gigs that can take you all over the world!
7. Everyday Badassery
Recorded and filmed on location from wherever dynamic host Christine happens to be on her current epic adventures, Everyday Badassery aims to help you be “1% more badass than yesterday.” Each episode features a different badass traveler and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. The episodes are also posted on YouTube too.
Where to Start: Start with Nomadic Matt team member Erica (Virvo) Hackman’s very own episode, where she shares her experiences living in Qatar, a hut in Africa, a commune, and how following her curiosity and saying YES has never led her astray.
8. Amateur Traveler
Started in 2005 by veteran travel journalist Chris Christensen, Amateur Traveler is closing in on 1,000 episodes. In each episode, Chris interviews a destination expert who shares local tips and insights to inspire and help others visit their beloved city, state, or country.
Where to Start : Pick the destination that you’re headed to next (or one you’d like to visit) and start listening!
9. The Atlas Obscura Podcast
Atlas Obscura finds and showcases the world’s weirdest, bizarre, and most interesting places and foods through their website, app, books, and podcast. Learn more about the world’s hidden wonders in these short (around 15-minute) episodes that dive deep into one peculiar place.
Where to Start : The Last Big Mac in Iceland encompasses everything that Atlas Obscura is all about: discovering something strange while traveling, learning its history and background, and coming away with a deeper understanding of another culture in the process.
10. Zero to Travel
With over 10 million downloads, Zero to Travel is one of the most popular travel podcasts — and for good reason. Host Jason interviews adventurous travelers, expats, digital nomads, and wanderers of all kinds to deliver practical advice and motivation to start living and traveling on your own terms.
Where to Start: Learn the story behind cheap flight membership website Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), how to find cheap flights yourself, and much more in this interview with the illustrious Scott himself.
11. Radio Vagabond
In 2016 and at the age of 50, Palle Bo sold everything and uprooted his life in Denmark in order to hit the road full time. Since then, he’s traveled to 118 UN nations and 48 states – and counting! The Radio Vagabond chronicles his adventures with both solo episodes as well as interviews with locals and fellow travelers he encounters. As an award-winning Danish radio producer, the production quality of this podcast is top-notch and worth a listen for that alone!
Where to Start: Check out the episode Advice for Wannabe Digital Nomads, part of his miniseries interviewing seven digital nomads at Bansko Nomad Fest in Bulgaria.
Now that you have the list of the best travel podcasts, go ahead: download them and satiate your wanderlust! You may even feel inspired to book a ticket and leap into the unknown!
Debbie Arcangeles is the host of The Offbeat Life, a podcast that highlights individuals who are location independent and nomadic entrepreneurs. Her podcast has been featured on Refinery 29 and Mic, among other sites. When Debbie is not writing or interviewing guests for her show, you can find her hiking and exploring new destinations.
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
