45+ BEST Travel Books Of All Time! [2024 Guide]

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Best Travel Books: Travel Classics

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a spiritual and heart-warming story, has become a classic modern-day fable about following your dreams and listening to the heard. Following the life of a young shepherd from Andalucia, the plot unveils the beautiful characters he meets on his travels. With themes of serendipity and folklore, The Alchemist has the power to inspire your next adventure. His other books such as The Pilgrimage and Eleven Minutes are also worth a read.

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

A much-loved story about the ultimate relocation. Peter Mayle’s revered memoir novel strips back the romantic notions of moving abroad. After buying an old farmhouse in the Lubéron Valley, Peter and his wife embarked on a journey which sees them adopt a new way of life, enjoying the food, the quirks and eccentricities of rural Provence.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Made popular by the 2012 release of the film of the same title, Jack Kerouac’s classic is definitely worth a read. Following the journey of Sal, who ventures back and forth across the United States, the plot unveils his coming of age experience with hedonistic debauchery, musical awakening and the discovery of personal freedom.

The book which has become known as a trailblazer of the Beat Generation depicts a wonderful portrayal of 1950s underground America.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

It’s difficult to pick just one book by the legendary travel writer, Bill Bryson, but this is one of his earlier works – full title: A Walk in the Woods, Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail – is a much-loved classic. Bill embarks on the epic Appalachian trail which spans the eastern coast of the USA with his friend Stephen at the age of forty-four.

They encounter interesting characters and critters along the way, making it a highly entertaining read and also a major film starring Robert Redford, Nick Nolte and, Emma Thompson.

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Venice by Jan Morris

Written in 1960, Venice is a young man’s vision and interpretation of the famous city following his visit as James during World War Two, and later as Jan when she was a roving reporter and foreign correspondent. Detailing the city’s interesting past, quirky characters and, stunning architecture.

It’s a testament to the beauty of the writing and the enduring descriptions of the multilayered city that despite multiple republications it has not been revised.

Beautiful Fact: As a transgender pioneer, Jan accomplished much and following her death in 2020 at the age of 94, her ashes were scattered over a slate gravestone which states: “Here lie two friends, at the end of one life“.

Best Travel Books: Coffee Table Books and Non-Fiction

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022

While this book may be last year’s vintage, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 still showcases some of the most sought-after experiences and destinations around the world. Covering some of the best value, most unforgettable and Instagramable countries, destinations and cities, this beautiful hardback is a great accompaniment for a sunny afternoon of wanderlust-worthy reading.

1001 Walks: You must experience before you die

Co-written by the famous hiking extraordinaire, Julia Bradbury, this book will quickly become the avid hiker’s bible. From the epic mountain hike of The Pitons in St Lucia to long-distance pilgrimages like The Camino de Santiago and UK coastal walks, the book is a compilation of stunning short walks, mountain hikes and long-distance adventures – the perfect book for walkers and hikers of all levels and those planning for their next big adventure – near or far.

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day

Perfect for the money-wise traveler, this book is a great one to flick through simply for inspiration and ideas or as a pocket-sized accompaniment on your backpacking adventures. Revealing the saving money and cheap hotel tips and tricks of long-time budget traveler – Nomadic Matt Kepnes, this book divulges the secret to comfortable travel on a budget – without sacrificing some of our favorite home comforts along the way.

The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton

The Art of Travel is a philosophical look at the activity of traveling ‘for pleasure.’ It includes thoughts on airports, landscapes, museums, holiday romances, photographs, exotic carpets and even the contents of hotel mini-bars. The book mixes personal thought with insights drawn from some of the great figures of the past, and dares to ask the question – ‘what is the point of travel?!’

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1000 Places To See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz

Originally published in 2003 (but revised a few times now), 1000 Places to See Before You Die is the perfect book to flip through if you just can’t decide where to go or need a little inspiration for your bucket list.

Or if you have already traveled a fair bit – it is great to have on hand to remind yourself of your adventures, or if you want to,  quickly show people where you’ve been.

Best Travel Books: Biographies & Memoir Novels

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Also featured in our 40 of the BEST Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust, the original book by writer Cheryl Strayed is worth reading first. Following the troubled life of a recent divorcee, the story starts as Cheryl begins an epic solo journey, setting out to hike 1100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, a hiking trail that flanks the west coast of the USA.

Starting from the Mojave Desert, she ventures through California and Oregon, and into Washington state as she reaches the lesser trodden corners of her memory, reaching redemption and forgiveness along the way. It’s a life-affirming book with a theme of the healing powers of hiking.

Walking the Nile by Levison Wood

Adventurer and heartthrob Levison Wood put pen to paper to document his journey from the source of the great Nile to where it meets the sea. Following vicariously in his footsteps and the great river’s current- the reader is transported through 7 different countries, challenging terrain and several encounters with dangerous animals on this 4,250-mile heroic journey. This one is highly recommended. A truly humbling and enriching story of real adventure.

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

A must-read for anyone who loves the West Country (and not just according to author!). After an unprecedented, almost unbelievable spate of misfortune, Welsh couple Raynor and Moth decide to embark on a 630-mile trek following the UK’s coast path from Somerset to Dorset. (It is a great account of real-life couples travel – and everything that goes with it – too!)

This is a heart-wrenching but life-affirming true story which highlights the restorative powers of walking, the importance of unwavering hope in the face of adversity and the incredible magnitude of human resilience.

Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road by Kate Harris

The entertaining and popular travelogue of the writer Kate Harris is well worth a read. Setting off on two wheels to follow the iconic Silk Road from East to West, the story pursues Kate and her cycling buddy Mel on this epic journey. Picking up awards including the Banff Adventure Travel Award and a Nautilus Award, this one is set to be a well-established classic.

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner

The New York Times bestselling humorous travel memoir by longtime National Public Radio foreign correspondent Eric Weiner.

A fascinating tale of psychology, geopolitics, science, travel and humor, The Geography of Bliss takes the reader across the globe to investigate not what happiness is, but WHERE it is – asking questions about whether their geographic position and therefore lifestyles and political bias intrinsically affect their happiness levels.

The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron

In 1933 and 1934 Robert Byron spent ten months traveling around Persia and Afghanistan. The Road to Oxiana is his account of that trip. Taking the form of a diary, it weaves descriptions of people and places and the mechanics of travel together with architectural and historical digressions.

First published in 1937, it is considered by many to be the first example of great travel writing and the start of travel literature.

The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain

Published in 1869, The Innocents Abroad chronicles what Twain called his “Great Pleasure Excursion” on board the chartered vessel Quaker City through Europe, Egypt, the Middle East & the Holy Land with a group of American travelers in 1867.

For Twain, the trip turns out to be a microscopic study into the nature of human beings, his remarks on which are both insightful and humorous.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

The Mount Everest disaster in 1997, as told by a survivor, tells of the harrowing events of that fateful climb, the heroic actions of guides and, the weather that caused so many deaths.

Holy Cow: An India Adventure by Sarah Macdonald

This may not be the romanticized version of travel in India – as for a good portion of the book, the author hates the country with a passion.

But in a circular fashion, over 10 years after her first visit, she returns and again toils with the religious and spiritual offerings of India as she experiences the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, visits the Our Lady of Health Basilica at Velangani in Tamil Nadu, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, resides at Mata Amritanandamayi’s Ashram in Kerala (and many more) in an attempt to search for her soul, save her love life and find some sanity.

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step At A Time by Mark Adams

An adventure travel writer and editor who has never actually been on an adventure decided to recreate the original Machu Pichu expedition – can you imagine the stories that would result? Well, no need to. Turn Right at Machu Picchu does that and more.

Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrers

This vivid memoir of Austrian hiker, Henrich Harrer recounts his journey as one of the first Europeans to visit Tibet, after escaping a POW camp in India and trekking over the Himalayas, where in the village of  Lhasa, he encountered and later tutored, the Dalai Lama.

The stirring tale of the bond that grows between Harrer and the Dalai Lama, known as Kundun (His Holiness) has been read by millions of people, and was turned into a movie starring Brad Pitt which allowed the story to reach an even wider audience.

It is an incredible story, although Harrer became the subject of criticism when shortly after filming, it was discovered that he has been a Nazi. (From 1933 on he was a member of Hitler’s SA (storm troopers) and from 1938 on, was in the SS (the elite guard)).

Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks

Have you ever made a drunken bet? Worse, still, have you eveer tried to win one? In attempting to hitchhike round Ireland wich a fridge, Tony Hawks did both, and his foolhardiness led him to one of the best experiences of his life. It has to be read to be believed!

Desert Solitare: A Season in the Wilderness by Edward Abbey

Edward Abbey vividly captures the essence of his life during three seasons as a park ranger in southeastern Utah in Desert Solitare: A Season in the Wilderness.

Described as rude and sensitive, thought-provoking and mystical, and angry and loving, it gained a cult-like following after its publication in 1968, and its messages – and challenges – remain as relevant today as they were then.

Read this for a gripping account of a man trying to embrace nature in its purest form: it’s the silence, the natural beauty juxtaposed against the growing exploitation of the wilderness by two destructive industries: mining and tourism.

Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World by Rita Golden Gelman

Tales of a Female Nomad is the story of Rita Golden Gelman – an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary existence.

At the age of 48, on the verge of a divorce, Rita left an elegant life in Los Angeles to follow her dream of connecting with people in cultures all over the world. In 1986, she sold her possessions and became a nomad, living in a Zapotec village in Mexico, sleeping with sea lions on the Galapagos Islands, and residing everywhere from thatched huts to regal palaces (and so much more!)

Not content with just observing the cultures she encountered, she immersed herself in them, and inspires readers to do exactly the same.

Best Travel Books for Wanderlust-Worthy Escapism

Finding Henry Applebee by Celia Reynolds

This is a heart-warming tale of an elderly man who boards a train from London to Edinburgh on a quest to find an old love. Depicting an unlikely friendship, between two people from different generations and different worlds, this sweet story is the perfect tonic for quarantine gloominess.

Love With a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche

Love can make a person do crazy things. A city girl with a morbid fear of deep water, Torre DeRoche is not someone you would ordinarily find adrift in the middle of the stormy Pacific aboard a leaky sailboat – total crew of two – struggling to keep an old boat, a new relationship and her floundering sanity afloat.

The Summer House in Santorini by Samantha Parks

The perfect read for anyone dreaming the Greek Isles- The Summer House in Santorini features in Amazon’s Best Seller List and has scooped some rave reviews. The ideal escapism, the book tells the tale of Anna who inherits a slightly ramshackle abode on the island of Santorini. Rebuilding the house and a new life for herself, Anna uncovers intriguing family secrets along the way.

It’s on the Meter by Paul Archer & Johno Ellison

The perfect way to vicariously embark on an ambitious and fun adventure around the world- this book follows the journey of Paul, Johno and Leigh who purchase a London cab and set off on an incredible adventure- end destination- Sydney. Encountering some dangerous destinations and with a number of close-shave experiences, it’s an entertaining read for budding adventurers and road-trip fans.

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Now a cult classic movie, Liz Gilbert (played by Julia Roberts) became every woman’s favorite traveler after Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia first hit the screen. Based on the 2006 memoir by American author Elizabeth Gilbert, the memoir chronicles the author’s trip around the world after her divorce and what she discovered during her travels.

The Beach by Alex Garland

Now this famous travel book by Alex Garland may inspire you to visit Thailand to experience the exotic East and idyllic beaches – but you’ll probably hope for a different outcome than the one in the book (and movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio)!

With rave reviews across the board, The Beach by Alex Garland is undoubtedly a page-turner. Expertly crafted to have you thinking, ‘just one more chapter’ as you become invested in Thailand, the beach and its visitors.

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Best Travel Books To Transport You to Far-Off Lands

RWANDA: We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families by Philip Gourevitch

An inspirational book containing an unforgettable firsthand account of a people’s response to genocide and what it tells us about humanity. With curated dramatic intensity, Gourevitch frames the genesis and horror of Rwanda’s ‘genocidal logic’ in the anguish of its aftermath: the mass displacements, the temptations of revenge and the quest for justice, the impossibly crowded prisons and refugee camps and subsequent war in the Congo.

PERU: Death in the Andes by Mario Vargas Llosa

In an isolated community in the Peruvian Andes, a series of mysterious disappearances has occurred. Army corporal Lituma and his deputy Tom believe the Shining Path guerrillas are responsible, but the townspeople have their own ideas about the forces that claimed the bodies of the missing men.

MOROCCO: The Caliph’s House by Tahir Shah

Inspired by the Moroccan vacations of his childhood, Tahir Shah dreamed of making a home in that astonishing country. At age thirty-six he got his chance. Investing what money he and his wife, Rachana, had, Tahir packed up his growing family and bought Dar Khalifa, a crumbling ruin of a mansion by the sea in Casablanca that once belonged to the city’s caliph (spiritual leader). 

Both hilarious and harrowing at different points, The Caliph’s House is the story of his family’s move from the gray skies of London to the sun-drenched city of Casablanca, where Islamic tradition and African folklore converge – and nothing is as easy as it seems.

AFRICA: Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Capetown by Paul Theroux

Although I may not have personally done the full epic Cairo to Cape Town journey (just Nairobi to Cape Town), this book resonates with me in a way not many other travel books do.

Traveling by bus, dugout canoe, cattle truck, armed convoy, ferry, and train, Paul’s story about life on the road on this incredible content is engaging, eye-opening (to the Africa novice), laugh out loud funny (in various places) and insightful from start to finish – with multiple moments being the embodiment of the mantra, TIA. (This is Africa – used as an excuse for everything!) And every page just makes me want to be back there.

CAMBODIA: First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

Loung Ung is 5 years old when the Khmer Rouge assumes power over Cambodia in 1975. They soon begin a four-year reign of terror and genocide in which nearly 2 million Cambodians die. Forced from her family’s home in Phnom Penh, Ung is trained as a child soldier while her six siblings are sent to labor camps. This book is her personal account of her life under the Khmer Rouge.

USA: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

I’m sure every traveler already knows this story, if not from the book then the film starring Johnny Depp, but just in case: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas follows its protagonist, Raoul Duke, and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo, as they descend on Las Vegas to chase the American Dream through a drug-induced haze, all the while ruminating on the failure of the 1960s countercultural movement.

ITALY: The Name of The Rose by Umberto Eco

Published in 1980, The Name of the Rose is a contemporary classic which takes you through a world of intrigue, mystery and crime during the Middle Ages. The mystery itself grips you from the start and holds you tight throughout the revealing whodunnit process and the accompanying Philosophical discussions that are at the heart of the book.

LEBANON: The Hakawati by Rabih Alameddine

An inventive, exuberant novel that takes us from the shimmering dunes of ancient Egypt to the war-torn streets of twenty-first-century Lebanon. In 2003, Osama al-Kharrat returns to Beirut after many years in America to stand vigil at his father’s deathbed.

As family stories start to be told, Alameddine spins a honeycomb of fable, family history, and Lebanese lore which is one of the most insightful accounts of life and culture in Lebanon available today.

IRAN: Land of the Turquoise Mountains by Cyrus Massoudi

Land of the Turquoise Mountains reveals a world beyond the propaganda-driven, media-fuelled image of fractious, flag-burning fundamentalism and provides a compelling glimpse both into the heart of the deeply misunderstood nation that is Iran and into what it is to seek out and discover one’s history and heritage.

CONGO: The Catastrophist by Ronan Bennett

Set around a defining moment in modern African history; the 1961 death of Patrice Lumumba, the man many Congolese view as their Nelson Mandela. Unlike the South African leader, Lumumba was not jailed but murdered. He was half beaten to death before being shot against a termite mound, buried, disinterred and dissolved in barrels of mining acid.

Washington’s fingerprints were all over a political assassination that condemned the Congo to decades of dictatorship.

BOLIVIA: Marching Powder by Rusty Young

This is one of my favorite travel books – and one that I’ve read countless times. Based on the true story of Small-time drug smuggler Thomas McFadden, who found himself inside one of the most notorious prisons in South America after trying to take 5kg of cocaine out of Bolivia.

Marching Powder is the story of how he navigated this dark world of gangs, drugs and corruption to come out on top – even running prison tours in the late 90s, making it one of the most unusual and unlikely destinations for tourists in the world!

CUBA: The Old Man & The Sea by Ernest Hemingway

The Old Man and the Sea is Ernest Hemingway’s only book written in and inspired by his life in Cuba. After reading the book you’ll be able to see many of the elements described in Havana: the fishing village in Cojimar, its people, the local restaurant and the sea where everything happens.

With books now flying off the virtual shelves- its time to jump on the bookish bandwagon, set up a reading corner in your home, balcony or garden, live vicariously through some of the greatest adventurers of all time or simply get lost in some of the best, indulgent escapism with best travel books of all time!

Hopefully reading any of the best travel books of all time will inspire you to explore the world or ignite a desire for world travel – or maybe a bit of both.

And if you know of someone who needs more literature in their lives or could do with new books about traveling for their Amazon book club – or just needs to start reading in general(!), please be sure to share this article with them or on social media: Facebook, Flipboard, Twitter or grab one of the images from below for Pinterest. And remember – sharing is charing (and we thank you in advance!)