The 8 Travel Books You Should Read In Your Lifetime

While time travel may still be out of reach, the best travel stories can transport you to any corner of the world, offering a taste of its culture, landscapes, and people. Whether you're dreaming up your next adventure, craving inspiration, or love soaking up fascinating insights, these timeless travel books are the perfect gateway to the world. Here’s a curated list of iconic reads every traveler should explore, plus a few bonus recommendations to inspire your next destination.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Known for his spontaneous method of penning, this American novelist is renowned for his contributions to travel writing. This particular read was written after he went on many adventures with fellow writer Neal Cassady. The plot is one you might expect: two friends who decide to cross the country, in search of something they can’t pinpoint, and end up learning more about themselves (and humanity) along the way. Many call this the epitome of the American quest for freedom—and you won’t be able to stop reading it once you pick it up.

Like this? Read Blue Highways: A Journey into America by William Least Heat-Moon next. Dive into an exploration of America’s hidden backroads and the towns, people, and surprises along the way.

The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country by Helen Russell

This nonfiction piece is a memoir of sorts, detailing the life of a journalist who was given the chance to recreate her life in the rural town of Jutland in Denmark. Her husband was offered a position at Legoland, so together, they made the move from London. Since this country is touted as the happiest—with strong work/life balance and policies, among other factors—Russell details what she took away from her year of being Danish. From childcare and food to education, sexism, taxes, and dangerously depressing winters, she makes readers feels as if they actually lived the 365-day experiment alongside her.

Like this? Read The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking next. Discover the cozy Danish art of hygge, a perfect introduction to the happiness-driven lifestyle of Denmark, from warm gatherings and candlelit evenings to a unique approach to community and well-being.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

As a common gift to many graduates or to those who are struggling through a difficult period, if there is any theme to Paulo Coelho’s masterpiece, it’s hope. Part fable but mostly inspirational, Coelho beautifully crafts the story of an Andalusian shepherd boy who wants nothing more to travel so he can find a magnificent treasure (sound familiar?). What he actually stumbles upon, of course, are the meaningful lessons life—and the world—have to offer. This quick read is a must-have for any travel library.

Like this? Read Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse next. Follow another young man’s spiritual journey, this time in ancient India, as he searches for enlightenment in a world full of distractions.

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Also a revered American writer, Bill Bryson is known for both A Walk in the Woods and this page-turning book that takes readers out of the states and into the outback of Australia. HIs personal reporting discusses everything from hot, dry weather and scary wildlife to the cultural gimmicks of the locals, their beaches, and their food. You’ll laugh along with him, especially if you’ve ever spent a period of time in the land down under. 

Like this? Read Tracks: A Woman’s Solo Trek Across 1,700 Miles of Australian Outback by Robyn Davidson next. Read a firsthand perspective on Australia’s wilderness in Davidson’s memoir of her trek across the outback with only camels for company in this thrilling adventure.

In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin

This English travel book has a well-deserved reputation as one of the masterpieces of the genre. Chatwin experiments with the book's structure, jumping around from long to short sections, as he recounts his experiences crisscrossing through Patagonia. His brilliant language brings into sharp relief the people he encounters and his meditations on place, history, and wanderlust will make you look at the world with new eyes.

Like this? Read The Old Patagonian Express by Paul Theroux next. Travel with Theroux by train from Boston all the way to Patagonia, as he offers witty and often profound observations along the way.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

After her mother passed away, her marriage fell apart and her family parted ways, this 22-year-old author didn’t know what to do with herself. Not only did she become a sex addict and dabbled in alcoholism and drugs, but Strayed was lost in more ways than she would admit. Seeking—and needing—a change, she decided to make an impulsive decision that would change the course of her life. Without training or any real hiking experience, she decided to hike a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert, scaling California, Oregon and Washington State. Since its publication—and the production of the movie—a new generation of solo female hikes has been born. 

Like this? Read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson next. Bryson’s humorous recounting of his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail is a fitting follow-up to Wild, blending the challenges of the wilderness with wit and reflection.

The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton

Part philosophy, part history and mostly realism, this easy read doesn’t just dazzle with smart language and details—but plenty of humor. In fact, de Botton gets to the heart of those parts of traveling that no one talks about: delays, fears, the desire to get home even though you’re somewhere great, and so on. He quotes everyone from Van Gogh to Baudelaire as he weaves together the all-to-familiar sensations of nomadic life.

Like this? Read Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts next. For anyone seeking a lifestyle of travel, Potts provides practical and philosophical insights that encourage you to embrace life on the road.

Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer

Can you imagine being the very first westerner to meet the Dalai Lama? In this legendary memoir that’s sold millions of copies globally, this writer details the experience he shared as one of the first Europeans to visit Tibet. Powerful, gripping and enriching, you’ll be inspired to step out of your comfort zone—and see more of the parts of the world that aren’t exactly lined with beaches or cobblestone streets.

Like this? Read Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan by Jamie Zeppa next. Like Harrer, Zeppa brings readers into the Himalayas, chronicling her own journey as a teacher in Bhutan and her growing love for the people and landscapes.