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Let’s face it: a good travel show is a thing of beauty. It gives us a vicarious thrill and the feeling of being far away from home while still on the couch, even for just an hour or two. We’re aware it will never be the same as getting deep into planning, traveling, and exploring a new place with your own eyes, but one can always dream of remote islands and backpacking through less touristy countries, right? 

Due to their popularity, there are more options than ever before — so many that choosing one can feel impossible, especially if you’re a newbie fan of the genre. But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. We chose the best of the best when it comes to travel shows: Our picks are fun, exciting, and most importantly — they’ll make you want to book a flight ASAP.

Here are tons of recommendations, carefully hand-picked by us, for some of the best travel shows you can watch on television or enjoy from your favorite streaming platforms.

#1

Long Way Round

Long Way Round

2004 | 1 season

This travel series is a classic, and it’s easy to see why. Long Way Round documents Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s journey as they travel from Europe to New York — on motorcycles! Starting from London, their trip takes them eastwards through Europe, Asia, and North America. Rest assured, there’s plenty of entertainment if you’re in need of a good dose of adventure!

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joannboyd avatar
Joann Boyd
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved this series and the two that followed it. Ewan and Charlie are hilarious and they get themselves in some crazy situations. I highly recommend!

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    #2

    Long Way Down

    Long Way Down

    2007 | 1 season
     

    Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are back with another adventure on two wheels! This time their journey takes them from John o’ Groats in Scotland to Cape Town in South Africa, through a total of eighteen countries. The episodes are filled with challenges, mishaps, and some incredible scenery. You’ll enjoy every second of it!

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    #3

    Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown

    Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown

    2013 | 12 seasons

    If you’re a fan of traveling shows, chances are you’ve seen at least one episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown. And if you haven’t, we’re sorry to report that your life is incomplete until you do. Late chef Anthony Bourdain is like a culinary Indiana Jones, searching out lesser-known locations and introducing us to their culture and local cuisine.

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    #4

    Departures

    Departures

    2008 | 3 seasons

    Have you ever dreamed of traveling the world with your dearest friends? You’re not the only one! Departures is a Canadian travel TV show starring high school best friends Scott Wilson and Justin Lukach, who are looking to add that pinch of excitement to their lives. Through the course of three seasons, they visit every continent in the world, even some less explored countries like North Korea and Antarctica! Ready to jump in?

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    #5

    Rick Steves' Travel Series

    Rick Steves' Travel Series

    There’s a lot to learn from Rick Steves’ traveling shows. His philosophy? Encouraging people to visit less touristy destinations and immerse themselves in the local lifestyle. He’s the creator and host of Rick Steves’ Europe, a travel show where he documents his experiences through Europe, the continent with which he totally fell in love.

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    #6

    Michael Palin's (Various Adventures Around The World)

    Michael Palin's (Various Adventures Around The World)

    Michael Palin is undoubtedly a veteran when it comes to showing millions of people how many remarkable places there are to see on our planet. He’s written and presented travel documentaries since 1980, and guess what? He never stopped! His journeys have taken him to some of the most unexplored locations on Earth, from the North and South Poles to the Himalayas and North Korea.

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    #7

    Simon Reeve Travel Series

    Simon Reeve Travel Series

    Few can make you fall in love with a place with such intensity as Simon Reeve. This British adventurer and reporter is not only renowned for his contribution to documenting international terrorism: Since 2003, he has given people the chance to explore the world with new eyes through dozens of travel documentaries, like the Holidays In The Danger Zone series, Tropic of Cancer, and Equator.

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    #8

    An Idiot Abroad

    An Idiot Abroad

    2010 | 3 seasons
     

    Just from the title, you know this one is gonna be hilarious. An Idiot Abroad is a travel comedy series created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. The premise is simple: we follow Karl Pilkington, who never really explored anywhere too different from his native Manchester, as he travels to faraway destinations to broaden his horizons, while the two creators follow his progress from home.

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    #9

    Top Gear

    Top Gear

    2002 | 32 seasons
     

    Not exactly a travel TV show, Top Gear is one of the leading series for all the car lovers out there and a staple in British popular culture. Each episode follows the hosts as they examine and review motor vehicles while also taking viewers down some crazy on-the-road adventures. Some of the special edition episodes released over the years follow the crew around the world to places including Botswana, Vietnam, Patagonia and the Middle East.

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    #10

    Travel Man With Richard Ayoade

    Travel Man With Richard Ayoade

    2015 | 10 seasons
     

    Travel Man is a travel show hosted by actor and comedian Richard Ayoade. In each episode, he and his crew travel to a popular destination in the world accompanied by a celebrity guest and explore its culture, food, people, and history. The program aims to provide viewers with a potential itinerary for a two-day trip for tourists who might be visiting soon.

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    #11

    Dark Tourist

    Dark Tourist

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    #12

    Conan Without Borders

    Conan Without Borders

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    #13

    Street Food

    Street Food

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    #14

    Tales By Light

    Tales By Light

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    #16

    Joanna Lumley's Travel Shows

    Joanna Lumley's Travel Shows

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    #17

    The Kindness Diaries

    The Kindness Diaries

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    #18

    Ugly Delicious

    Ugly Delicious

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    #19

    The National Parks: America's Best Idea

    The National Parks: America's Best Idea

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    #20

    Passport To Europe With Samantha Brown

    Passport To Europe With Samantha Brown

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    #22

    The Grand Tour

    The Grand Tour

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    #23

    Expedition Unknown

    Expedition Unknown

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    #24

    House Hunters International

    House Hunters International

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    #25

    Down To Earth With Zac Efron

    Down To Earth With Zac Efron

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    #26

    14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible

    14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible

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    #27

    Magical Andes

    Magical Andes

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    #28

    My Greek Odyssey

    My Greek Odyssey

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    #29

    Pole To Pole

    Pole To Pole

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    #30

    The Hairy Bikers

    The Hairy Bikers

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    amoebas_barbed0z avatar
    The Milk In Your Fridge
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    love these guys :( not the ones who got me into cooking, but definitely the ones who have expanded my horizons :)

    #31

    Billy Connolly: Journey To The Edge Of The World

    Billy Connolly: Journey To The Edge Of The World

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    #32

    Gordon Ramsay's Uncharted

    Gordon Ramsay's Uncharted

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    #34

    Earth's Sacred Wonders

    Earth's Sacred Wonders

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    #35

    Lost Cities With Albert Lin

    Lost Cities With Albert Lin

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    #37

    Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad

    Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad

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    #38

    Race Across The World

    Race Across The World

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    #39

    James May: Our Man In Japan

    James May: Our Man In Japan

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    #41

    Miriam Margolyes: Almost Australian

    Miriam Margolyes: Almost Australian

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    #42

    The Amazing Race

    The Amazing Race

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    #43

    Stephen Fry In America

    Stephen Fry In America

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    #44

    Running Wild With Bear Grylls

    Running Wild With Bear Grylls

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    #46

    Gordon Ramsay's Great Escape

    Gordon Ramsay's Great Escape

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    #47

    The Misadventures Of Romesh Ranganathan

    The Misadventures Of Romesh Ranganathan

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    #48

    Great Railway Journeys

    Great Railway Journeys

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    amoebas_barbed0z avatar
    The Milk In Your Fridge
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    brings me fond memories :) aunt and uncle Pepperjack used to watch this when they were looking after me if my parents were out

    #49

    Gordon, Gino And Fred's Road Trip

    Gordon, Gino And Fred's Road Trip

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    #50

    Men In Kilts

    Men In Kilts

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    Note: this post originally had 110 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.