The 20 best travel books you’ll be eager to read
We are grateful to books, with their magical ability to transport us to every corner of the world with the turn of a page. We may not always be able to travel as much as we’d like, but every avid reader knows that there’s more than one way to escape reality. If you’re looking for a read that takes you on a journey without limits, this list of the best travel books will satisfy your thirst for adventure.
1. Around the World in 80 Trains (2019) – Monisha Rajesh
This travelogue follows the author on a 45,000-mile train journey through destinations including Korea, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Whilst the descriptions of the landscapes will enchant you, it is the stories of the other passengers that really bring the book to life. We’ve all ended up sitting next to a particularly chatty neighbour on the train – the author recounts how some of them were almost irritating at first, but eventually they’ll captivate you and have you laughing out loud.
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2. Shantaram (2003) – Gregory David Roberts
Whilst this ‘true story’ has faced criticism for taking considerable poetic licence, it remains one of the best travel books ever written. The story follows an armed, drug-addicted robber who escapes from an Australian prison to make his way to Bombay. Read it and enjoy the great storytelling whilst giving your arms a workout… At 943 pages, it’s probably a book you’ll want to read on your Kindle.
3. Into the Wild (2007) – Jon Krakauer
In one of the best travel books of all time, Jon Krakauer reveals the extraordinary story of Chris McCandless, or Alexander Supertramp, as he later came to call himself. A man who, disillusioned with society, leaves behind everything he owns and knows and ventures into the Alaskan wilderness in 1992. This heart-wrenching yet inspiring read explores the motivations of those who leave civilisation behind and seek enlightenment through solitude and contact with nature.
4. *The Penguin Lessons* (2016) – Tom Mitchell
This uplifting memoir follows an expat teacher living the good life in Buenos Aires, who one day visits Uruguay, where he ends up rescuing a penguin from an oil slick. When Juan Salvador (the penguin) refuses to leave Tom’s side, he has no choice but to smuggle him into the country and return to school. This moving story will make you think about the unexpected friends you’ve met whilst travelling and all the lessons they’ve taught you.
5. The Kindness of Strangers (2018) – Fearghal O’Nullain
This collection of short stories is written by adventurous travellers such as Ed Stafford, Sarah Outen and Al Humphreys. The collection features daring journeys through challenging terrain – be it New Guinea, the Gobi Desert or the Calais jungle – during which, in moments of need, kind strangers manage to literally save the day. This book will ignite your sense of adventure and restore your faith in the world; what’s more, all royalties will go directly to Oxfam’s work supporting refugees.
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6. Miss-Adventures: A Tale of Ignoring Life Advice While Backpacking Around South America (2017) – Amy Baker
Have you ever been given ‘advice’ by someone you’d rather just mind their own business? In *Miss-Adventures*, exasperated by the fact that everyone seems to think they know her better than she knows herself, Amy decides to completely ignore all advice. After many amusing mishaps, she begins to wonder whether these people were actually trying to change something. Weighing up their advice against that of ‘smart people’ such as Mother Teresa and Tina Fey, she determines once and for all who is actually worth listening to.
7. Vagabonding (2002) – Rolf Potts
If, the next time you’re enjoying a sunset, you’d like it to last as long as possible, this classic guide to long-term travel is an absolute must-read. As well as offering advice on what to pack and how to fund your trip, it provides insights into what you can learn by taking time out from everyday life to explore the world. This is the perfect motivational read for those who want to see the world but are worried about a lack of time and money.
8. Seven Years in Tibet (1952) – Heinrich Harrer
Before it became a film starring Brad Pitt, it was a sensational adventure story written by the Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer. After an attempt to climb one of the Himalayan peaks was thwarted by the Second World War, Harrer found himself fleeing the British in India across the Himalayas to reach Tibet, where he remained from 1944 to 1951 and where he eventually befriended the Dalai Lama. Read it for a unique insight into the heart and mind of a true adventurer.
9. Wild (2015) – Cheryl Strayed
Following the death of her mother and the breakdown of her marriage, Cheryl Strayed decided to embark on a solo 1,100-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail in the United States. The book, often cited as one of the best travel books, traces Strayed’s grief over her mother and her marriage, and serves as a testament to human resilience, the power of solitude and the inner strength that comes from travelling alone.
10. The Art of Travel (2003) – Alain de Botton
This book by the renowned British philosopher focuses less on an exploration of where we go and more on an explanation of why we go. By eloquently exploring the overlooked and less glamorous aspects of travel, the author makes you reconsider your inner motivations for seeing the world. Read it to relive long-forgotten travel memories and to understand more about your desire to visit new lands.
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11. *Departures: A Guide to Letting Go, One Adventure at a Time* (2018) – Anna Hart
*Departures* is an account of travel journalist Anna Hart’s experiences, drawn from her travels around the world over the last ten years. The book celebrates the unexpected – and sometimes terrible – things that happen along the way, and explains why it is often these moments that shape our fondest memories. When you travel, you can’t plan everything: this book serves as a reminder that the best things often happen when you leave things to chance.
12. Alone Together (2017) – Victoria Kellaway, Karen Attman, Emma Newbery
This anthology features 36 essays by women who have explored Latin America, a region feared by many. These honest, heartfelt and often hilarious accounts of women’s solo travel adventures capture the best of travelling alone, and are essential reading for anyone looking to challenge themselves.
13. Three Cups of Tea (2008) – Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
After a harrowing attempt to climb K2, Greg Mortenson finds himself dehydrated and frozen in an impoverished village in Pakistan. After being nursed back to health by the villagers, he promises to return to build a school. This goal quickly grew to encompass 55 schools, mainly for girls, across Pakistan and Afghanistan, and is set against the backdrop of the Taliban’s rise to power. Read it to remind yourself of the impact we can have in the countries we visit.
14. The Pants of Perspective: One woman’s 3,000-kilometre running adventure through the wilds of New Zealand (2017) – Anna McNuff
In this coming-of-age memoir, adventure queen Anna McNuff runs 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand along the Te Araroa Trail. She tackles mountains and mighty rivers, covering up to 52 km a day and sleeping in the woods. You’ll feel as though you’re accompanying Anna as she pushes herself to the limits of what she believes she’s capable of. A must-read if adventure comes your way and you need a nudge in the right direction.
15. Alone on the Wall: The Ultimate Limits of Adventure (2016) – Alex Honnold with David Roberts
This gripping insight into the mind of Alex Honnold – the world’s best ‘free solo’ climber (without ropes) – is a breathtaking read that might just make your head spin. Alex recalls his seven most extraordinary climbing achievements, including Yosemite’s Half Dome and El Sendero Luminoso in Mexico. The book explores the gritty spirit behind how and why Alex does what he does, making it the ideal choice for those who feel a natural urge to pursue their passions, no matter how unrealistic they may seem.
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16. Revolutionary Ride: On the Road in Search of the Real Iran (2018) – Lois Pryce
At the height of tensions between the British and Iranian governments, Lois Pryce decides to hop on her motorbike and set off alone on a 3,000-mile journey from Tabriz to Shiraz in Iran. Lois discovers the heart of the country through candid accounts and interactions with the Iranian people. The perfect read for intrepid travellers keen to forge their own paths.
17. Blood River: A Journey into Africa’s Broken Heart (2008) – Tim Butcher
This book is a gripping account by Daily Telegraph correspondent Tim Butcher, who retraces the famous expedition of H.M. Stanley, a great Victorian adventurer, through the Congo. Tim’s account of his journey, the people who help him along the way and the country’s history will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. Read it to learn about a lesser-known part of the world.
18. Love with a Chance of Drowning (2013) – Torre DeRoche
Written by travel blogger Torre DeRoche, *Love with a Chance of Drowning* is a detailed diary of a woman who overcomes her fears to sail across the Pacific Ocean. Her descriptions of the journey, the scenery and her experience will make you want to set sail yourself. Read it if it’s fear that’s stopping you from booking that ticket you’ve been thinking about for so long.
19. The Caliph’s House – A Year in Casablanca (2007) – Tahir Shah
This book follows the protagonist, Shah, as he moves with his family from London to Morocco for a year. We follow them as they settle into a new culture and watch them grapple with bureaucracy, gangsters and even jinn – spirits intent on causing chaos. A must-read if you’re thinking of moving to an exotic location.
20. Down Under: Travels in a Sunburned Country (2015) – Bill Bryson
Frankly, if you love travel (and a good laugh), you should read Bill’s entire body of work, but this is nonetheless one of his most beloved books and frequently tops lists of the best travel books of all time. Down Under follows Bill’s travels in Australia, through many hilarious encounters with extreme weather, local wildlife and a cast of Australian police officers. If you’re waiting for your Australian work visa to arrive in your postbox, this is the book for you.
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