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Larissa Gonzales

26 min read

13 Oct 2023

The 50 best travel songs of all time 

• Travel tricks

Music can make or break a trip. The right travel tunes will energize and inspire you, setting the perfect mood for adventure on the open road or high in the skies. 

Here are our top 50 all-time road trip and travel songs guaranteed to be the soundtrack for unforgettable journeys near and far.

This travel playlist is made possible by the adventurous team at Volario. We love to travel. 

#1 Travel Song – Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver

With its sweeping choruses about “almost heaven” in West Virginia, John Denver’s iconic folk song evokes feelings of longing for home and connection to special places. The acoustic guitar pairs perfectly with lyrics reminiscing about “older times there,” making it a nostalgic road trip classic. This song was inspired by driving through the rural landscapes of West Virginia, Denver’s home state, and the songwriting process exemplifies how travel can spark creativity. With its warm, inviting lyrics and melody, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” will make any driver feel right at home on the open road.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrEljMfXYo

#2 Drive by Incubus 

Incubus’ mellow rock song celebrates the thrill of spontaneous road trips with no destination in sight. Lyrics like “Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there” capture the free spirit of driving off into the horizon for adventure and discovery. Its laidback vibe is ideal for cruising down the highway. The steady drumbeat mimics the pace of the pavement passing beneath the car, while lyrical references to finding inner peace on the open road make this track the perfect companion for a contemplative desert drive. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgT9zGkiLig

#3 Going Mobile by The Who

With its references to “trucking on through the night” and escaping city life, this Who classic encapsulates the appeal of RVing and van life. Its energetic rock melodies will keep you energized no matter how many miles you log. The counterculture spirit of the song’s lyrics taps into the freedom of living a mobile lifestyle, while the catchy chorus is easy to sing along to on any long haul. Though written in 1971, “Going Mobile” still rings true in the age of #vanlife and modern nomads.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5niDfvANik

#4 Road Trippin’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers

This mellow, psychedelic rock track by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is the perfect accompaniment for driving through the desert. With lyrics musing about beautiful skies and the open road, it captures the essence of what road trip daydreams are made of. The soft vocals paired with the melodic guitar make for a soothing yet energetic soundtrack to life on the move.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11GYvfYjyV0

#5 Truckin’ by Grateful Dead

A classic rock anthem celebrating life on the road, Truckin’ by the Grateful Dead will get your wheels spinning and give you the momentum to log as many miles as possible. Upbeat piano and guitar mimic the steady rhythm of driving, while the lyrics paint a vivid picture of roaming with no particular place to go. This 1970 hit makes any road trip feel like a carefree adventure.  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pafY6sZt0FE

#6 I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash

With its rapid-fire lyrics listing cities all across North America, this country music gem will make you want to hit the road and check your own travel map. Johnny Cash’s distinctive voice gives this song an infectious energy, while the lyrics inspire dreams of an epic cross-country road trip. Pair it with driving through sprawling rural landscapes. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw

#7 Drive My Car by The Beatles

Leave it to The Beatles to capture the pure joy and freedom of driving with this upbeat, infectious rock song. The playful lyrics and catchy melody will have you singing along as you cruise down the highway with the windows down. Paul McCartney’s lively bass line mimics the foot tapping accelerator while the lyrics parallel driving with journeying through life.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3NxaUHonJ8

#8 Ramblin’ Man by The Allman Brothers

With its southern rock rhythms and lyrics celebrating being born a “ramblin’ man,” this Allman Brothers hit encapsulates the restless spirit of road warriors. The infectious guitar solos and bluesy vocals will keep you cruising for miles down two-lane highways in search of new destinations and adventure. It’s the perfect pumping soundtrack for chasing freedom on the road.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–Xqh3zJD3o

#9 Leaving on a Jet Plane by Peter, Paul and Mary 

With its gentle acoustic guitar and lyrics about having to board a flight already, this folk classic by Peter, Paul and Mary evokes the bittersweet emotions that come with saying goodbye and is one of the most played travel songs of all time. Its melancholy yet comforting melody makes it the perfect soundtrack for staring out plane windows and contemplating life’s journeys.  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4hsC0nRvZM

#10 Highway to Hell by AC/DC

Turn up this hard rock anthem by AC/DC to get your pulse racing from wheels up to touchdown. The explosive guitar riffs and high energy vocals are the ideal airport playlist addition to set the mood for adventure before takeoff. With its lyrics alluding to breaking loose, this highway in the skies will take you somewhere thrilling.  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l482T0yNkeo

#11 Life Is A Highway by Tom Cochrane

With lyrics celebrating life as a speeding highway, Tom Cochrane’s early 90s road trip rock anthem will get your wheels spinning. Its feel-good chorus and mixture of piano and guitar make for an infectious soundtrack to synchronize with the stripes on the road. For driving with the windows down and volume up, this song is a go-to.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3sMjm9Eloo

#12 Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey

A driving playlist staple, Journey’s 1981 arena rock anthem is the perfect companion for long stretches of road. Its crescendoing melody mimics the momentum of travel, while lyrics about persisting through troubled times strike an uplifting chord. The familiar piano intro will kickstart dreams of seeking fortune and adventure outside suburbia.  Is there a better 80s travel song for the rock genre?

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k8craCGpgs

#13 Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf

With its pulsing guitar riffs and “heavy metal thunder” lyrics, this 1968 rock classic encapsulates the thrilling call of the open road. The hard edge guitar paired with lyrics about escaping to the wilderness creates an energetic ode to freedom and adventure. Crank it up for an adrenaline rush behind the wheel.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egMWlD3fLJ8

#14 Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

With its driving melody and lyrics celebrating escaping suburban life, Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 rock anthem is the perfect pump-up soundtrack for open highway. The energetic drums and guitar solo capture the adrenaline rush of running to something new and never looking back. It’s the ideal road trip song for feeling young and free on the move. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3t9SfrfDZM

#15 Homeward Bound by Simon & Garfunkel

Simon & Garfunkel’s mellow 1965 folk tune is filled with longing and revelation after time spent far from home. The gentle guitar and poetic lyrics like “I wish I was homeward bound” evoke sentimental feelings about returning to familiar comforts. Its melancholy yet soothing melody makes it the perfect flying home soundtrack. One of the most relaxing travel songs for those long and bumpy flights.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z9wd9bS1FM

#16 Take It Easy by Eagles

With its laidback vibe and lyrics about taking life slow, this Eagles’ 1972 classic encapsulates the carefree spirit of California road trips. Easy acoustic guitar combined with Glenn Frey’s mellow vocals make for a sunshine-soaked soundtrack perfect for cruising the Pacific Coast Highway.  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0ylSUsel3w

#17 Walkin’ After Midnight by Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline’s haunting 1957 country ballad taps into late night driving emotions, with lyrics about walking solo with the moon. Her smooth, lush vocals paired with steady percussion will keep you company cruising the loneliest highways long after dark.  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsRNCvHXHHU

#18 Wherever I May Roam by Metallica

Metallica’s heavy metal 1992 ode to wandering will fuel your inner outlier soul. This travel song evokes thundering drums and imagery of journeying across lands. “Wherever I may roam” capture the essence of footloose, uninhibited exploration by land, sea or air.  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMqNFAU0tOw

#19 – 500 Miles by The Hooters 

The Hooters’ upbeat, optimistic folk rock tune is about cherishing time spent traveling with loved ones. The twangy guitar and lyrics celebrating “500 miles” logged epitomize the shared joy and bonding that comes from road tripping together. It’s a feel-good classic for singing along with companions.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC67RQiJwzY

#20 Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon

In this atmospheric folk melody by William Least Heat-Moon, acoustic guitar blends seamlessly with natural sounds of frogs croaking and birds calling. Lyrics like “Can’t you feel it growing, everything so alive” capture the magic of exploring off-the-beaten path places. It’s the perfect tune for getting lost on backroads.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh3t49NsWBA

#21 California Dreamin’ by The Mamas & The Papas

As an ode to the Golden State’s sunny skies and laidback vibes, this 1960s hit by The Mamas & The Papas encapsulates the feeling of California dreamin’ from afar. Its folky harmonies and imagery of warm weather will transport you to the ultimate west coast road trip.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhZULM69DIw

#22 Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie by Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers deliver good times vibes with this funk rock song celebrating a free spirited, fun loving character. With its super energetic rhythm and lyrics about enjoying the ride, it’s the perfect get-psyched song for the start of any adventure.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtBbinpK5XI

#23 Keep On Truckin’ – Hot Tuna

Hot Tuna’s foot-stomping, fast-picked 1973 folk rock tune will keep you truckin’ down the highway. Songs celebrating the truck driver lifestyle pair perfectly with long hauls and road warrior mentality. The lively guitar and harmonica capture the restless motion of life on the move.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzbaHIel47M

#24 Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight – The Oak Ridge Boys 

This melancholy country song tells the story of a heartbroken man fleeing his Louisiana home in search of mending. The Oak Ridge Boys’ soaring harmonies give it an emotional weight that taps into complex feelings about leaving behind the familiar.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yHvwtqbGIU

#25 Window Seat – Erykah Badu

In this smooth R&B tune, Erykah Badu daydreams about destination-less travel while longing to get away. Her soulful voice paired with mellow beats is the perfect soundtrack for staring out airplane windows and contemplating life’s journey.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRXaXE1nQ8Q

#26 Cruise – Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line’s 2012 country pop anthem turned a small town summer love song into a cross-genre hit. Lyrics about cruising down backroads with that special someone pair perfectly with windows-down drives into the sunset. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PvebsWcpto

#27 Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes – George Jones

Country legend George Jones asks who will become the next generation of legends across Nashville, Detroit and Motown. The piano and Jones’ iconic voice give it an earnest, nostalgic tone perfect for contemplating the passage of eras.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1HeYNcWMwo

#28 California Stars – Billy Bragg & Wilco 

Take an epic musical journey with Wilco’s “California Stars” from their 1998 album Mermaid Avenue. This folksy foot-tapper sets Woody Guthrie’s timeless lyrics about the Golden State’s beauty to upbeat strumming and heavenly harmonies. Whimsical verses about orchards, canyons, and constellations evoke California’s scenic glories and starry nights in vivid detail. The official video features scenic tour visuals worthy of this ode’s lyrics, from rippling redwoods and sun-drenched valleys to surfer-dotted shores. Cue it up on your next Pacific Highway One road trip or as the soundtrack to West Coast wanderlust dreams. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxzMbAMO73k

#29 Paradise City by Guns N’ Roses

With its hard rock guitar riffs and axel Rose’s powerful vocals, this 1980s metal anthem is perfect for rolling down the highway at full speed chasing dreams. Lyrics about the “grass being green” and girls being pretty capture the hope for a bright future paradise ahead. Crank up this adrenaline-pumping song when you need motivation.  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbm6GXllBiw

#30 On The Road Again by Willie Nelson

Country legend Willie Nelson captures the appeal of life on the road in this relaxed 1980 hit. His smooth voice and steady rhythm guitar pair perfectly with images of can’t-wait-to-get-moving-again wanderlust. Upbeat yet mellow, it’s the quintessential soundtrack for anticipating the next journey around the bend.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBN86y30Ufc

#31 Drive All Night by Bruce Springsteen

In this epic rock ballad, Bruce Springsteen sings about persevering through the night for love. The full band sound turns this into an energizing late-night driving companion. For staying alert on long empty roads, this dramatic, heartfelt Springsteen song really hits the spot. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3eu1gW-bQ8

#32 Take The Long Way Home by Supertramp

With lyrics about avoiding the typical interstate route, Supertramp’s 1970s hit captures the appeal of meandering backroad drives. The mix of piano and guitars gives it a steady, uplifting rhythm perfect for prolonged scenic detours. It’s the ideal off-the-beaten-path road trip soundtrack.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVmVxvmAMBA

#33 Runnin’ Down a Dream by Tom Petty

The urgent guitar opening of this Tom Petty classic kicks off an adrenaline-filled rock ode to chasing ambitions without abandon. Anthemic melodies capture the momentum of running towards destiny before time runs out. Crank it up and “let the music take you there.”

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1D3a5eDJIs

#34 Breakfast in America by Supertramp 

This upbeat folk rock tune celebrates the optimism and prosperity of post-war America with tongue-in-cheek lyrics about dining on “bubble gum and ice cream.” The mix of piano, guitars and horns has an infectious energy perfect for cruising down sunny main streets.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzaW0E7uRwc

#35 Highwayman by The Highwaymen

Country supergroup The Highwaymen sing an epic tale of reincarnation through four different lives working on the open road and untamed frontier. Their stellar vocals blend seamlessly to give the song an old soul, making it the ideal soundtrack for traversing the vast beauty of the American landscape. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFkcAH-m9E0

#36 America by Simon & Garfunkel

Simon & Garfunkel pay homage to journeying across the country via Greyhound bus in this beloved folk song with colorful lyrics about the country’s natural splendor. The gentle harmonies and acoustic melody capture the writers’ optimism and youth.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo2ZsAOlvEM

#37 Should’ve Been a Cowboy by Toby Keith

Toby Keith laments everyday struggles in this 1990s country song, believing life would be simpler living as a cowboy riding the range out west. The driving percussion and Keith’s signature vocals make it an energetic ode to escaping into wide open spaces.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldQrapQ4d0Y

#38 Map of the World – Telepopmusik

This mellow, jazzy electronic tune has a global feel with French vocals over relaxing trip-hop beats. It’s the perfect soundtrack for staring out plane windows and contemplating how we’re all connected citizens of the world. The atmospheric vibe matches high-flying perspective.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRzsEO6UWr0

#39 Truckin’ – Dead & Company

In this live version, Dead & Company revisit the Grateful Dead’s classic ode to life on the road with an extended 17-minute jam. Twangy blues guitars capture the restless motion of westward wanderin’ trucking culture. It’s a road warrior’s delight.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6G53BPX6Ow

#40 Take the A Train – Duke Ellington

Jazz standard “Take the A Train” musically mimics the rhythmic clatter of a subway ride uptown to Harlem in NYC. Uptempo swing horns transport listeners to the bustling sounds of the big city. Pair it with any transit-centric travel for big metro energy. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGFqSkNjHk

#41 Against the Wind by Bob Seger

In this roots rock classic, Bob Seger soulfully sings about persisting through life’s challenges. The melancholy tone captures complicated feelings about moving forward. With imagery of standing against the wind, it’s perfect for introspective drives into the unknown.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm4wtvr1tEw

#42 Time to Move On by Tom Petty

Tom Petty celebrates leaving small town life behind in this upbeat rock tune with a driving beat. Energetic guitars and Petty’s signature vocals capture the triumphant excitement of moving on to bigger dreams and freedom. It’ll get your wheels spinning faster down the highway. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT96v3-4I9Q

#43 Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty

Tom Petty paints a poetic picture of a restless romantic living life without strings attached in this beloved 1989 hit. The steady, driving rhythm and Petty’s clipped vocals capture the essence of an endless summer road trip with the highway to freedom stretched out ahead.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lWJXDG2i0A

#44 Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz

In this mellow rock song with psychedelic grooves, Lenny Kravitz sings sweetly about escaping with a loved one and flying away together. The laidback vibe captures the carefree bliss of road trips with that special someone. Kravitz’s smooth vocals paired with the steady drum beats and mellow guitar create a soothing sonic landscape perfect for cruising into the sunset, feeling completely content and at peace.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t-iFr9q1I8

#45 Southbound by Allman Brothers Band

With improvisational guitar jams and lyrics about heading south, this 1976 blues rock song by the Allman Brothers Band turns any drive into an epic adventure. The uptempo, foot-tapping rhythm mimics the excitement of the open road ahead. Duane Allman’s legendary guitar work shines in this tune.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j02m-EK-vI

#46 Naive Melody (This Must Be The Place) by Talking Heads 

This art pop song features David Byrne’s signature eccentric vocals over gorgeous melodies singing quirkily about finding the perfect place to call home. The atmospheric vibe evokes the comforting feeling of returning home after travels to unfamiliar lands. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HldHtBxNK6k

#47 Kokomo by The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys bring laidback tropical vibes with this 1960s surf pop ode to a fictional island getaway named Kokomo. Upbeat steel drums will transport you to white sand beaches and blue seas. It captures fantasies of island escapes we all long for.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNZVzIfJlY4

#48 I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash 

With its rapid-fire lyrics listing cities all across North America, this country music gem will make you want to hit the road and check your own travel map. Johnny Cash’s distinctive voice gives this song an infectious energy, while the lyrics inspire dreams of an epic cross-country road trip. Pair it with driving through sprawling rural landscapes.

#49 Let’s Go Crazy by Prince

The opening rock guitar riff to this 1984 Purple Rain single launches into a funky ode to reckless abandon on the dance floor by Prince. Anthemic energy paired with lyrics to “give in to the call of the wild” make it the perfect pump-up soundtrack before embarking on any big adventure.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXJhDltzYVQ

#50 Open Road Song by Eve6

Energetic power pop guitars kick off this ode to leaving worries behind and reveling in the freedom of the wide open road ahead. Eve6’s driving rock rhythms capture the carefree spirit of road trips with no particular destination in sight. An upbeat, youthful celebration of exploration.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgrj_IXuEGY

The top 50 travel songs of all time – the complete list

1. Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver

2. Drive – Incubus  

3. Going Mobile – The Who

4. Road Trippin’ – Red Hot Chili Peppers

5. Truckin’ – Grateful Dead  

6. I’ve Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash

7. Drive My Car – The Beatles

8. Ramblin’ Man – The Allman Brothers

9. Leaving on a Jet Plane – Peter, Paul and Mary

10. Highway to Hell – AC/DC

11. Life Is A Highway – Tom Cochrane 

12. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

13. Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf

14. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen

15. Homeward Bound – Simon & Garfunkel   

16. Take It Easy – Eagles

17. Walkin’ After Midnight – Patsy Cline

18. Wherever I May Roam – Metallica

19. 500 Miles – The Hooters

20. Blue Highways – William Least Heat-Moon

21. California Dreamin’ – The Mamas & The Papas

22. Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie – Red Hot Chili Peppers

23. Keep On Truckin’ – Hot Tuna

24. Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight – The Oak Ridge Boys

25. Window Seat – Erykah Badu

26. Cruise – Florida Georgia Line

27. Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes – George Jones

28. Road Trippin’ – Gwen Stefani

29. Paradise City – Guns N’ Roses

30. On The Road Again – Willie Nelson

31. Drive All Night – Bruce Springsteen   

32. Take The Long Way Home – Supertramp

33. Runnin’ Down a Dream – Tom Petty

34. Breakfast in America – Supertramp

35. Highwayman – The Highwaymen

36. America – Simon & Garfunkel

37. Should’ve Been a Cowboy – Toby Keith

38. Map of the World – Telepopmusik

39. Truckin’ – Dead & Company 

40. Take the A Train – Duke Ellington

41. Against the Wind – Bob Seger

42. Time to Move On – Tom Petty

43. Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty

44. Fly Away – Lenny Kravitz

45. Southbound – Allman Brothers Band 

46. Naive Melody (This Must Be The Place) – Talking Heads

47. Kokomo – The Beach Boys

48. I’ve Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash

49. Let’s Go Crazy – Prince

50. Open Road Song – Eve6

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The Slow Traveler

O happy souls, how fast you go

Representative text.

1 Oh! happy soul how fast you go, And leave me here behind; Don't stop for me for now I see, The Lord is just and kind.

2 Go on, go on, my soul says go, And I'll come after you; Tho' left behind, yet I can find, I'll sing Hosannah too.

3 God give you strength that you may run, And keep your foot-steps right; Tho' fast you go, and I so slow, You are not out of sight.

4 When you get to those worlds above, And all their glories see; When you get home your journey's done, Then look you out for me.

5 For I will come fast as I can, Along the way I'll steer; Lord give me strength, I shall at length Be one among you there.

6 There altogether we shall be, Together we shall sing; Together shall we praise our God And everlasting king.

7 When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining like the sun; We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we'd first begun.

Author: Samson Occom

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Insider’s Guide to the 100+ Best Songs about Travel

By: Author Girl with the Passport

Posted on Last updated: July 7, 2022

Categories Travel Tips

Looking for an expertly curated, super comprehensive selection of the all-time best songs about travel ?

If so then this list of 100+ best songs about travel is DEFFO for you. I mean, not only have I been traveling the world for the past 15+ years but I also love music.

So, when I’m not traveling, you can find me rocking out to some of the best songs about travel on this list.

Yeah, you may or may not find me hardcore lip-synching to some of these best travel songs while I dance around my room like Elaine from Seinfeld .

Heck, I even listen to a lot of these sick beats when I’m on the road and jamming to my very own travel songs playlist .

Therefore, if you’re in need of a bit of musical inspiration then give this list of the best songs about travel a read.

Because whether you’re traveling to New York, San Francisco, or somewhere in between, you’re sure to find the top travel songs for you!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

1. Alaska by Maggie Rogers

“I was walking through icy streams

That took my breath away

Moving slowly through westward water

Over glacial plains

And I walked off you

And I walked off an old me

Oh me, oh my, I thought it was a dream

So it seemed”

2. Taj Mahal by Sam Roberts Band

“Sitting with you on the banks of the Ganges

Stealing a kiss on the streets of Bombay

Caressing your hair like the wind through the palm trees

I never dreamed that anyone could take you away

Keep on keep on keep on singing

I’m building a beautiful statue

To make sure that no one forgets you”

3. Carolina in My Mind by James Taylor

“In my mind I’m gone to Carolina

Can’t you see the sunshine?

Can’t you just feel the moonshine?

And, ain’t it just like a friend of mine

To hit me from behind?

Yes, I’m gone to Carolina in my mind”

4. New York State of Mind by Billy Joel

Some folks like to get away

Take a holiday from the neighborhood

Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood

But I’m takin’ a Greyhound on the Hudson River line

I’m in a New York state of mind”

Pro Tip: Be sure to check out some of the other best songs about NYC . This is also just one of my personal picks for best travel songs since I’m from New York.

5. Hello Seattle by Owl City

“Hello Seattle, I am a manta ray

Deep beneath the blue waves

I’ll crawl the sandy bottom of Puget Sound

And construct my summer home”

6. Miles from Minnesota by The Lower 48

“Yes next year we’ll go traveling

Our escapades so baffling

Our sovereign love returning to the sea

We’ll be miles from Minnesota then

Writing letters we won’t send

For no words shall contain what will be

Well your sweet voice and my rough hands

When darkness prowls we will dance

Through bluffs and fields and orchards with the moon

Yes next year we will leave this place summer’s kiss is just a taste

Fall’s warm embrace is coming to us soon

Oh! We’ve got everywhere to go

You should sleep, I’ll see you in the morning”

7. God Blessed Texas by Little Texas

“God blessed Texas

With His own hand

Brought down angels from the promised land

Gave ’em a place where they could dance

If you want to see heaven, brother, here’s you chance

I’ve been sent to spread the message

God blessed Texas”

8. Graceland by Paul Simon

“The Mississippi Delta was shining

Like a National guitar

I am following the river

Down the highway

Through the cradle of the civil war

I’m going to Graceland”

9. Miles Away by The Maine

“I took a trip up the west coast

Was searching for a temp so low

And a summer high

The Sun swayed and set slow

Made waves with some friends I know

Got lost in the ebb and flow

Of the drifting tide

I didn’t ever want to come down

From that west coast rush and summer high

And easy, peaceful sense of time”

10. I’m Shipping Up To Boston by Dropkick Murphys

“I’m a sailor peg

And I’ve lost my leg

Climbing up the top sails

I’ve lost my leg!

I’m shipping up to Boston, whoa

I’m shipping off to find my wooden leg”

11. Lovers in Japan by Coldplay

“Tonight, maybe we’re gonna run

Dreamin’ of the Osaka sun

Ohh, ohh, ohhh

Dreamin’ of when the morning comes”

12. Aux Champs-Élysées by Joe Dassin

“Aux Champs-Elysées, aux Champs-Elysées

Au soleil, sous la pluie, à midi ou à minuit

Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Elysées”

And in English:

“Champs-Elysees, Champs-Elysees

In the sun, in the rain, at noon or midnight

There is everything you want on the Champs-Elysées”

I’m Shipping Up To Boston – Dropkick Murphys

I’m a sailor peg

13. Rock the Casbah by The Clash

“Sharif don’t like it

Rockin’ the Casbah

Rock the Casbah

Sharif don’t like it

Rock the Casbah”

14. Brazil by Declan McKenna

“I wanna play the beautiful game while I’m in Brazil

‘Cause everybody plays the beautiful game while out in Brazil

‘Cause it’s all you’ve ever wanted, and it’s all that you want still

Don’t you wanna play the beautiful game out in Brazil?”

15. Surfin’ USA by The Beach Boys

“Haggerties and Swamies

Pacific Palisades

San Anofree and Sunset

Redondo Beach L. A.

All over La Jolla

At Waimea Bay

Everybody’s gone surfin’

Surfin’ U.S. A.”

16. California by Phantom Planet

“Hustlers grab your guns

Your shadow weighs a ton

Driving down the 101

California here we come

Right back where we started from

California, here we come.”

17. Mexico by James Taylor

“Way down here you need a reason to move

Feel a fool running your stateside games

Lose your load, leave your mind behind Baby Jane

It sounds so simple I just got to go

The sun’s so hot I forgot to go home

Guess I’ll have to go now”

18. Beverly Hills by Weezer

“Beverly Hills

That’s where I want to be (gimme, gimme)

Livin’ in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills

Rollin’ like a celebrity (gimme, gimme)

Livin’ in Beverly Hills”

19. Barcelona by George Ezra

“Every time you have to go

Shut my eyes and you know

I’ll be lying right by your side

In Barcelona”

20. Rocky Road to Dublin by The Irish Descendants

Well in Dublin next arrived, I thought it’d be a pity

To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city

So then I took a stroll down among the quality

Me bundle it was stolen in a neat locality

Something crossed me mind, then I looked behind

No bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin’

Inquiring for the rogue, said me connaught brogue wasn’t much in vogue

On the rocky road to Dublin”

21. America by Simon & Garfunkel

“Cathy, I said as we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh

Michigan seems like a dream to me now

It took me four days to hitchhike from Saginaw

I’ve gone to look for America”

22. Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn

“Saw the ghost of Elvis

On Union Avenue

Followed him up to the gates of Graceland

Then I watched him walk right through

Now security they did not see him

They just hovered ’round his tomb

But there’s a pretty little thing

Waiting for the King

Down in the Jungle Room

When I was walking in Memphis

I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

Walking in Memphis

But do I really feel the way I feel?”

23. Africa by Toto

“The wild dogs cry out in the night

As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company

I know that I must do what’s right

As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti

I seek to cure what’s deep inside, frightened of this thing that I’ve become

It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you

There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

I bless the rains down in Africa

Gonna take some time to do the things we never have”

Pro Tip: Weezer also did a fantastic cover of this song in 2018 that you should DEFFO add to your list of best travel songs today.

24. Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) by Shakira

“Today’s your day

You paved the way

If you get down get up oh oh

When you get down get up eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa

This time for Africa”

25. Marrakech Express by Crosby, Stills, & Nash

“Take the train from Casablanca going south

Blowing smoke rings from the corners of my my, my, my, my mouth

Colored cottons hang in air

Charming cobras in the square

Striped jellabas we can wear at home

Don’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express”

26. Blue Hawaii by Elvis Presley

“Come with me

While the moon is on the sea

The night is young

And so are we, so are we

Dreams come true

In blue Hawaii”

27. I’ve Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash

“I’ve been everywhere, man

I’ve been everywhere, man

Crossed the deserts bare, man

I’ve breathed the mountain air, man

Travel, I’ve had my share, man

I’ve been everywhere

I’ve been to

Winslow”

28. Rio by Netsky and featuring Macklemore

“It’s the “Rio” remix, you should see us

Swimming in the ocean like the pool is hella heated

Expedited Visa and I’m posted with my feet up

Parasailing over beaches, got my girl from Ipanema”

29. Back in the U.S.S.R. by The Beatles

“Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out

They leave the West behind

And Moscow girls make me sing and shout

That Georgia’s always on my mind

Aw come on!

Yeah I’m back in the U.S.S.R.

You don’t know how lucky you are boys

Back in the U.S.S.R.”

30. April in Paris by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

“I never knew the charm of spring

I never met it face to face

I never knew my heart could sing

I never missed a warm embrace

Till April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom

Holiday tables under the trees

April in Paris, this is a feeling”

31. Budapest by George Ezra

“My house in Budapest

My hidden treasure chest

Golden grand piano

My beautiful Castillo

I’d leave it all

My acres of a land

I have achieved

It may be hard for you to

Stop and believe

But for you

I’d Leave it all

Give me one good reason

Why I should never make a change

And baby if you hold me

Then all of this will go away.”

32. Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley

Bright light city gonna set my soul

Gonna set my soul on fire

Got a whole lot of money that’s ready to burn

So get those stakes up higher

There’s a thousand pretty women waitin’ out there

And they’re all livin’ devil may care

And I’m just the devil with love to spare

Viva Las Vegas, viva Las Vegas”

33. Vienna by Ultravox

“The music is weaving

Haunting notes, pizzicato strings

The rhythm is calling

Alone in the night as the daylight brings

A cool empty silence

The warmth of your hand and a cold grey sky

It fades to the distance

The image has gone only you and I

It means nothing to me

This means nothing to me

Oh, Vienna”

34. Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight & the Pips

“He’s leaving (leaving)

On that midnight train to Georgia (leaving on a midnight train)

Said he’s going back (going back to find)

To a simpler place and time (and when he takes that ride)

Oh yes, he is (guess who’s gonna sit right by his side)”

35. Malibu by Miley Cyrus

“But here I am

Next to you

The sky is so blue

Next to you”

36. New York Groove by Ace Frehley

“Many years since I was here

On the street I was passin’ my time away

To the left and to the right,

Buildings towering to the sky

It’s outta sight in the dead of night

Here I am, and in this city, with a fistful of dollars

And baby, you’d better believe

I’m back, back in the New York groove”

37. Road to Nowhere by the Talking Heads

“We’re on a road to nowhere

Come on inside

Takin’ that ride to nowhere

We’ll take that ride”

38. California Love by Tupac and Dr. Dre

“Say what you say, but give me that bomb beat from Dre

Let me serenade the streets of L.A

From Oakland to Sacktown

The Bay Area and back down

Cali is where they put they mack down give me love!

California, knows how to party

In the city of L.A.

In the city of good ol’ Watts

In the city, the city of Compton

We keep it rocking”

39. Renegades by X Ambassadors

“Run away-ay with me

Lost souls in revelry

Running wild and running free

Two kids, you and me

Hey, hey-hey-hey

Livin’ like we’re renegades

Hey-hey-hey

Renegades.”

Pro Tip: This is a fantastic song that is highly underrated IMHO. So, be sure to add it to your playlist filled with the best songs about travel.

40. Miami by Will Smith

“Party in the city where the heat is on

All night, on the beach till the break of dawn

‘Welcome to Miami’

‘Bienvenidos a Miami’

Bouncin’ in the club where the heat is on

I’m goin to Miami

‘Welcome to Miami'”

41. The Wanderer by Dion DiMucci

“I’m the type of guy that likes to roam around

I’m never in one place I roam from town to town

And when I find myself a-fallin’ for some girl, yeah

I hop right into that car of mine and ride around the world

Yeah I’m the wanderer, yeah the wanderer

I roam around around around, let’s go”

42. Hotel California by The Eagles

“Welcome to the Hotel California

Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)

Such a lovely face

Plenty of room at the Hotel California

Any time of year (Any time of year)

You can find it here.”

43. Where the Streets Have No Name by U2

“Where the streets have no name

Where the streets have no name

We’re still building then burning down love

Burning down love

And when I go there, I go there with you

It’s all I can do.”

44. Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and featuring Alicia Keys

“In New York (Ay, aha) (Uh, yeah)

Concrete jungle (Yeah) where dreams are made of

There’s nothing you can’t do (Yeah) (OK)

Now you’re in New York (Aha, aha, aha) (Uh, yeah)

These streets will make you feel brand-new (New)

Big lights will inspire you (Come on) (OK)

Let’s hear it for New York (You welcome, OG) (Uh)

New York (Yeah), New York (Uh)”

45. Around the World by Daft Punk

“Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world”

46. Down Under by Men at Work

“Buying bread from a man in Brussels

He was six foot four and full of muscle

I said, “Do you speak-a my language?”

He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich

And he said:

I come from a land down under

Where beer does flow and men chunder

Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the thunder

You better run, you better take cover.”

47. Traveling On by The Decemberists

“Cause we’re traveling on

Sold for a song

We’re traveling on

And it won’t be long

‘Til we’re traveling on”

48. Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford & Sons

“But hold me fast, hold me fast

‘Cause I’m a hopeless wanderer

And hold me fast, hold me fast

‘Cause I’m a hopeless wanderer”

49. When I’m Gone (The Cups Song) by Anna Kendrick

“I’ve got my ticket for the long way ‘round

The one with the prettiest of views

It’s got mountains, it’s got rivers, it’s got sights to give you shivers

But it sure would be prettier with you

When I’m gone

You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone

You’re gonna miss me by my walk

You’re gonna miss me by my talk, oh

You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone”

50. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

“Someday girl I don’t know when

We’re gonna get to that place

Where we really wanna go

And we’ll walk in the sun

But till then tramps like us

Baby we were born to run”

51. Moon River by Audrey Hepburn

“Two drifters, off to see the world

There’s such a lot of world to see

We’re after the same rainbow’s end, waitin’ ’round the bend

My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me”

52. Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts

“Life is a highway

I wanna ride it all night long

If you’re going my way

I wanna drive it all night long”

53. Kathmandu by Bob Seger

“I think I’m going to Katmandu

‍That’s really, really where I’m going to

If I ever get out of here

That’s what I’m gonna do

I know my plane is due

The one that’s going to Katmandu

Up to the mountain’s where I’m going to

K-k-k-k-k-k Kathmandu‍”

54. The Passenger by Iggy Pop

“I am a passenger

And I ride and I ride

I ride through the city’s backside

I see the stars come out of the sky

Yeah, they’re bright in a hollow sky

You know it looks so good tonight

I am a passenger

I stay under glass

I look through my window so bright

I see the stars come out tonight

I see the bright and hollow sky

Over the city’s ripped-back sky

And everything looks good tonight”

55. Havana by Camila Cabello

“Havana, ooh na-na

Half of my heart is in Havana, ooh na-na

He took me back to East Atlanta, na-na-na, ah

Oh, but my heart is in Havana” ‍

56. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman

“You got a fast car

Is it fast enough so we can fly away?

We gotta make a decision

Leave tonight or live and die this way”

57. Paris by The Chainsmokers

“We were staying in Paris

To get away from your parents

You look so proud

Standing there with a frown and a cigarette

Posting pictures of yourself on the internet”

58. Hotel Walls by Smith & Thell

“So I stand back and I watch us fall

As we break everything inside these hotel walls

Life’s for rent and it called us out

So I hand back the key as the door man bows”

Pro Tip: This is a really great Swedish band and you should listen to some of their other best travel songs too, like Forgive Me, Friend .

59. Vacation by The Go-Go’s

“Vacation

All I ever wanted

Had to get away

Meant to be spent alone”

60. On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons

‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ey

I’m on top of the world, ‘ey

Waiting on this for a while now

Paying my dues to the dirt

I’ve been waiting to smile, ‘ey

Been holding it in for a while, ‘ey

Take it with me if I can

Been dreaming of this since a child

I’m on top of the world”

61. No Sleep Till Brooklyn by The Beastie Boys

“No sleep ’till

No sleep ’till Brooklyn

No sleep till Brooklyn”

62. Barcelona by Ed Sheeran

“And you and I we’re flying on an airplane tonight

We’re going somewhere where the sun is shining bright

Just close your eyes

And let’s pretend we’re dancing in the street

In Barcelona

Barcelona”

63. Homeward Bound by Simon & Garfunkel

“Every day’s an endless stream

Of cigarettes and magazines

And each town looks the same to me, the movies and the factories

And every stranger’s face I see reminds me that I long to be

Homeward bound

I wish I was

Home where my thought’s escaping

Home where my music’s playing

Home where my love lies waiting

Silently for me”

64. Tennessee by Arrested Development

“They tell me my ears are so young

Go back, from whence you came

My family tree, my family name

For some strange reason it had to be

He guided me to Tennessee

Take me to another place, take me to another land

Make me forget all that hurts me, let me understand your plan”

65. In America by Neil Diamond

“Everywhere around the world

They’re coming to America

Every time that flag’s unfurled

Got a dream to take them there

Got a dream they’ve come to share

They’re coming to America”

66. No Roots by Alice Merton

“I like standing still, but that’s just a wishful plan

Ask me where I come from, I’ll say a different land

But I’ve got memories and travel like gypsies in the night

I count gates and numbers, then play the guessing game

It’s just the place that changes, the rest is still the same

And a thousand times I’ve seen this road

A thousand times

I’ve got no roots, but my home was never on the ground”

67. California Dreamin’ by the Mamas and the Papas

“All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)

And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)

I’ve been for a walk (I’ve been for a walk)

On a winter’s day (on a winter’s day)

I’d be safe and warm (I’d be safe and warm)

If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)

California dreamin’ (California dreamin’)

On such a winter’s day”

68. Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus

“I hopped off the plane at LAX

With a dream and my cardigan

Welcome to the land of fame excess (Whoa)

Am I gonna fit in?

Jumped in the cab, here I am for the first time

Look to my right, and I see the Hollywood sign

This is all so crazy

Everybody seems so famous

My tummy’s turnin’ and I’m feelin’ kinda homesick

Too much pressure and I’m nervous

That’s when the taxi man turned on the radio

And a JAY-Z song was on

So I put my hands up

They’re playin’ my song, the butterflies fly away

I’m noddin’ my head like, “Yeah”

Movin’ my hips like, “Yeah”

Got my hands up, they’re playing my song

You know I’m gonna be okay

Yeah, it’s a party in the U.S.A.

Yeah, it’s a party in the U.S.A.”

69. Galway Girl by Ed Sheeran

“You know, she played the fiddle in an Irish band

But she fell in love with an Englishman

Kissed her on the neck and then I took her by the hand

Said, “Baby, I just wanna dance”

With my pretty little Galway girl

You’re my pretty little Galway girl”

70. Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz

I want to get away

I want to fly away

Yeah, yeah, yeah‍”

71. Kokomo by The Beach Boys

“Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I want to take you to

Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama

Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go?

Ooh, I want to take you down to Kokomo

We’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow

That’s where we want to go, way down in Kokomo”

72. Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett

“Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville

Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt

Salt, salt, salt

Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame

I agree with that

And I know it’s all you women’s fault”

73. Have Love Will Travel by The Sonics

Yeah, I travel from Maine to Mexico

Just to find a little girl that loves me so

No matter when, no matter where I’ll be

I’m looking for a woman that’ll satisfy me

Whoa, baby, will travel

I said, yeah, yeah, have love

Woah, baby, will travel

I said, if you need loving then

Mm, hmm, I’ll travel

Woah!”

74. Chicago by Sufjan Stevens

“I fell in love again

All things go, all things go

Drove to Chicago

All things know, all things know”

75. One Night in Bangkok by Murray Head

“One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster

The bars are temples but the pearls ain’t free

You’ll find a god in every golden cloister

A little flesh, a little history

I can feel an angel sliding up to me”

76. Leaving on a Jetplane by John Denver

“So kiss me and smile for me

Tell me that you’ll wait for me

Hold me like you’ll never let me go

‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane

Don’t know when I’ll be back again

Oh babe, I hate to go”

77. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers

“But I would roll 500 miles

And I would roll 500 more

Just to be the man who roles a thousand miles

To fall down at your door”

78. Ramblin’ Man by The Allman Brothers Band

“I’m on my way to New Orleans this mornin’

I’m leavin’ out of Nashville, Tennessee

They’re always having a good time down on the bayou

Lord, them Delta women think the world of me

Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man

Tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the best I can

And when it’s time for leavin’

I hope you’ll understand

That I was born a ramblin’ man”

79. Istanbul (Not Constantinople) by They Might Be Giants

“Every gal in Constantinople

Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople

So if you’ve a date in Constantinople

She’ll be waiting in Istanbul

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam

Why they changed it I can’t say

People just liked it better that way”

80. Vertigo by FM Belfast

“We are going far away

We are going far away

Don’t you look down

You are high above ground

We are driving with our friends

We are driving to a faraway place”

81. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Sweet home Alabama

Where the skies are so blue

Sweet home Alabama

Lord, I’m comin’ home to you”

82. On the Road Again by Willie Nelson

“On the road again

Like a band of gypsies, we go down the highway

We’re the best of friends

Insisting that the world keep turning our way

And our way

Is on the road again”

83. Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf

“Born to be wild

Born to be wild

Get your motor runnin’

Head out on the highway

Looking for adventure

In whatever comes our way”

84. Roam by The B-52’s

“Roam if you want to

Roam around the world

Roam if you want to

Without wings, without wheels

Without anything but the love we feel”

85. Send Me on My Way by Rusted Root

Well, I would like to hold my little hand

And we will run, we will, we will crawl, we will

I would like to hold my little hand

And we will run, we will, we will crawl

Send me on my way (on my way)”

86. Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver

“Country roads, take me home

To the place I belong

West Virginia, mountain mama

Take me home, country roads”

87. San Francisco by Scott McKenzie

“If you’re going to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

If you’re going to San Francisco

You’re gonna meet some gentle people there.”

88. London Calling by The Clash

“The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in

Engines stop running, the wheat is growin’ thin

A nuclear era, but I have no fear

‘Cause London is drowning, and I, I live by the river”

89. Wonderwall by Oasis (Popular amongst guitar players in hostels the world over)

“And all the roads we have to walk are winding

And all the lights that lead us there are blinding

There are many things that I would like to say to you, but I don’t know how

Because maybe

You’re gonna be the one that saves me

And after all

You’re my wonderwall”

Random Aside : Honestly, if you haven’t heard someone play this pick for one of the best travel songs on their guitar in a hostel, have you really traveled? And the correct answer is, probably not!

90. Come Fly With Me by Frank Sinatra

“Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away

If you can use some exotic booze

There’s a bar in far Bombay

Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away.”

91. Truckin’ by the Grateful Dead

“Truckin’, like the do-dah man

Once told me, ‘You’ve got to play your hand’

Sometimes the cards ain’t worth a dime

If you don’t lay ’em down.”

92. What We Live For by American Authors

“We’re taking off, woo

We’re taking off, woo

This is what I live for

Baby, you’re my open road.”

93. Holiday by Madonna

“If we took a holiday

Took some time to celebrate

Just one day out of life

It would be, it would be so nice.”

94. Gravity by Cold Play

“Baby

It’s been a long time coming

Such a long, long time

And I can’t stop running

Can you hear my heart beating?

Can you hear that sound?

‘Cause I can’t help thinking

And I won’t stop now“

95. Leaving Las Vegas by Cheryl Crow

“I’m leaving Las Vegas

Lights so bright, palm sweat, blackjack on a Saturday night

Leaving Las Vegas

Leaving for good, for good

I’m leaving for good

I’m leaving for good”

96. Free by Donovan Frankenreiter

“Here comes corner winds and the changin’ tide

We better drop them sails and get inside

When will the weather ever let us go

I guess we’ll have to wait until the trade winds blow”

97. Come Away with Me by Norah Jones

“Come away with me and we’ll kiss

On a mountain top

Come away with me

And I’ll never stop lovin’ you”

98. American Boy by Estelle and featuring Kanye West

“Take me on a trip, I’d like to go some day

Take me to New York, I’d love to see LA

I really want to come kick it with you

You’ll be my American boy.”

99. Destination Calabria by Alex Gaudino featuring Crystal Waters

“I left my job, my boss, my car and my home

I’m leaving for a destination I still don’t know”

100. Toes by the Zac Brown Band

“I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand

Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand

Life is good today”

101. Last Train Home by John Mayer

“I’m on the last train runnin’

I’m on the last train runnin’

And I surrender

And I surrender”

102. Two Tickets To Paradise by Eddie Money

“I’m gonna take you on a trip so far from here,

I’ve got two tickets in my pocket, now baby, we’re gonna disappear.

We’ve waited so long, waited so long.

We’ve waited so long, waited so long.“

103. Do You Want to See the World by the Kooks

“Do you want to see the world?

In a different way, yeah”

104. A Million Miles Away by David Byrne

“Oh oh

A million miles away from here”

105. Space Oddity by David Bowie

“This is Major Tom to Ground Control

I’m stepping through the door

And I’m floating in a most peculiar way

And the stars look very different today

Am I sitting in a tin can

Far above the world

Planet Earth is blue

And there’s nothing I can do”

Additional Travel Resources You’ll Love

• Best Travel Quotes
• Best Travel Captions for Instagram
• Best Songs About West Virginia

There you have it! That just about wraps up this list of the best travel songs of all time!

Tell me, did your favorite road trip songs make the list if not then let. me know in the comments below, and if you found this post about the best travel songs useful, don’t forget to pin this post now so that you can read it again later.

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The power of slow traveling

Table of contents

The beauty of slow traveling

What is meant by slow travel?

More on traveling sustainably during your trip.

Exploring Panama by bike

Where does slow travel come from?

Nothing better than local food!

Benefits of Slow Travel – Why is slow traveling important?

You prevent exhaustion.

Time to calm down

You have a deeper travel experience

Central American bus rides are always fun

It helps to get connected

Slow traveling helps to save money

Strolling through Vietnamese markets

You leave your comfort zone with slow traveling

Have you ever done a boat trip that left you on a tiny island?

You support local businesses

Shopping where the locals go

Slow traveling treats the environment with care

Who is slow travel for?

On the way to the local bus in Costa Rica

How do I start slow traveling?

Take more time at one destination.

Take some time for yourself

Our wonderful Guesthouse Casa Papaki in Ometepe ( Nicaragua )

Immerse yourself into the local way of living

Be mindful of transportation.

Isn’t the bike one of the loveliest modes of transport?

Stay flexible with your travel plans

Sunset drinks in Utila

Avoid touristy places

More about reducing waste during your trip.

Copan Ruinas in Honduras

Travel off-season & off the beaten track

Alone at the beach in Paros

Be open to new experiences

Hiking around Lake Como (probably not the first thing you’d think of at this chic Lake, right?)

Examples of slow travel

• Road trips – Let the road be your destination and take you to places you wouldn’t have imagined before. Stop wherever you feel like, no matter if it’s a cute roadside café, a hidden campsite, or an unknown waterfall of which you’ve just read the sign.
• Traveling by local means of transport – Look out for the slow coach or regional train that takes you through totally untouristy villages and landscapes. And why not get off in a cute town you’ve never heard of before to check out their farmers market or to have a looong lunch break?
• Homestays – Why is it that so many people crave fancy hotels? Some of my best travel memories are from times that I’ve stayed with locals. This usually leads to unforeseen highlights such as a rustic family dinner with garden-grown veggies, homemade ice cream, a private traditional cooking class, or lots of cuddle time with their dogs.
• Long strolls – Instead of just hopping in between sights, put away your phone and map apps and just follow your nose. Take whatever alley looks cute and allow yourself to get lost. I’ve found the cutest corners in London this way, even after I had visited the city almost ten times. Walking tours with locals are also a great experience!
• Bike tours – How about skipping the tourist bus and either renting bikes and exploring by yourself or booking a bike tour? You’ll see the place from a completely different angle!
• Farm stays – Staying right where the local food grows is the best way to try a country’s real taste. Here you can also learn about traditional production methods, original recipes, and enjoy fresh food “zero km” or “farm to fork”. This could be a vineyard in Tuscany , a rural farm in the Alps, or a small lodge right next to a rice field in Vietnam.
• Sailing trips – Why always stay at a hotel? You can also stay on a sailing boat to explore different parts of a Mediterranean island or take the unique 5-day sailing adventure from Panama to Colombia. This is for sure a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
• Cooking with locals – You’ve never truly experienced a culture if you haven’t tried the local food. And even better, if you’ve cooked them. So book a local cooking class, and you can even take the taste home with you and cook for your family and friends. That’s better than any souvenir!
• Volunteering – Yep, volunteering is probably the best way to not only get to know the locals and their culture, but to also support the disadvantaged. So help out in a local organization, support building projects, or try wwoofing (working on organic farms).
• Freighter travel – You may have never heard of it, and it’s only an option for those who have a lot of time and are willing to refrain from any comfort and civilization. But freighter travel is a way to inexpensively travel around the world without airplanes or commercial cruise ships.

Volunteering in Guatemala

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19 comments.

Great read. I need to do some slow travel because I tend to do too much and sometimes come back from leave even more exhausted.

Hey Mayi, thanks for your feedback! Yes, that’s exactly what slow travel can prevent :) Try it out next time and see how you feel after leave.

I used to try to cram as much into my trips as possible, but that had to stop after I started traveling full-time. I think it just isn’t possible to do any other type of travel for an extended period of time! And honestly, I love slow travel so much more! I feel like I’m actually getting the most out of my travel experiences this way :) Awesome post, thanks for sharing this!

Hi Natalie, thanks for sharing your positive experiences with slow traveling! Especially when traveling full-time, there’s definitely no other way!

These are all brilliant ideas for slow travel…I noticed on our last trip we stayed in one area more and travelled around and our next is planned along the same way…when we travel in Europe, once we get their its trains and buses…I love this article thank you

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences, Jeanine! I especially love that you travel around Europe mostly in trains and buses. I also love this kind of transport. You just see so much more!

This is so brilliant to read: I’m a slow traveller myself more now than a decade or so ago as well as putting sustainability at the forefront of my travels. So so important and I also do many social responsibility projects when abroad. A wonderful post articulated beautifully.

That’s awesome! I love that you support responsibility projects when you’re traveling! This is so important not only in terms of slow traveling but also in traveling more sustainably. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the topic.

Lovely post! It was inspiring to read it. Slow travel is far more meaningful than we imagine it is.

Thanks for your feedback. So true! I think it will shape the future of the travel industry.

Wish I could slow travel more often but I can’t leave my dog for that long :(

The magic about slow travel is that you don’t have to travel for weeks or months. It’s a mindset that you can follow even during a long weekend or other short trip. The most important part is not traveling longer, but spending more time in one place instead of rushing through a destination. And I’m sure your dog would also love more relaxed time instead of transportation time :)

Lovely article Jill. There is so much more joy in slow travel and taking time to really soak up a destination. Great advice.

Thanks for your lovely words. You’re correct in everything you say! Happy travels :)

Lovely article. Slow travel has definitely changed my view of how to holiday, or see a place. A huge slow travel convert here. Planning some sailing trips this year and can’t wait!

Sailing trips sound like an amazing way of slow travel. I’d love to try it one day! So happy to hear that you’ve also fallen in love with slow traveling!

This article beautifully encapsulates the essence of slow travel, emphasizing the importance of savoring every moment and immersing oneself in the journey. The author’s insights truly resonate, reminding us to embrace the journey as much as the destination. WildKamp is an excellent resource for those seeking to enhance their slow travel experiences by connecting with nature at campsites across the globe.

I wish this great concept was called a bit more attractive than “slow travel”. I have skipped posts with this title for a long time, because it sounded so … not motivating. However, your post is trully helpful and inspiring! I tried this idea one time and did a couple of months in 1 city, it felt not like tourism but more like immersion and connection, as you say.

Thanks, Sasha! You’re making such a good point indeed. While I do see where the term comes from (thinking about slow food – which is so much more joyful (& stustainable) than fast food), I also get that it’s not clear to many. Staying several months in a foreign city is such an amazing experience. I also love thinking back to my short insights into life in Madrid, Chester (UK) or Koh Tao where I each stayed several months.

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