50 Songs About Travel and Adventure: A BMT Community Playlist

We asked the Budget-Minded Traveler Community on Facebook to share their favorite songs about travel and adventure with us. Members of the group were quick to come up with a long list of songs that we compiled into the BMT Community Ultimate Travel Playlist.

Our travel playlist has songs that range from mellow to upbeat and cross musical genres and travel styles. There’s sure to be something on this list for everyone and every type of trip.

Read on to see how you can listen to The BMT Community Ultimate Travel Playlist on your next trip.

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songs about adventure

Inspiring Songs About Travel and Adventure

Let’s start off with some travel inspiration. Songs about specific places can conjure up memories of past trips. Or incite the longing to explore new destinations. Whether it’s in the lyrics or the name itself, some songs ignite a desire to “pick up and go to an exotic place on a whim,” according to one BMT Community member.

Anywhere – Passenger

On Top Of The World – Imagine Dragons

When I’m Gone (Cups Song) – 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

Around The World – Daft Punk

Free – Donovan Frankenreiter

On My Way – Phil Collins

Wake Up In Paris – The Hot Sardines

I want to wake up in Paris.
As the city greets the day.
I want to wake up in Paris.
And watch the sun rise on the quais.

Mexico – James Taylor

I’ve Been Everywhere – Johnny Cash

Looking Down – Audiovent

Rio – Michael Nesmith

adventure songs

Songs for Relaxing on the Plane

One community member has an entire playlist she listens to the plane, whether on her way to a destination or on her way back. She says, these songs “make me feel like I’m in a movie because they stir up emotion in their melodies.” Although the lyrics to these songs are not travel-related, she feels inspired by them and they help spark memories of her travels. Here are her song picks for the travel playlist.

Starman – David Bowie

While My Guitar Gently Weeps – The Beatles

The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) – George Harrison

Crystals – Of Monsters and Men

Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) – The Beatles

I Woke Up In A Car – Something Corporate

Bruised – Jack’s Mannequin

Mountain Sound – Of Monsters and Men

Soul Sacrifice – Santana

“A little soft jazz, like Dave Brubeck or Miles Davis for overnight flights,” was also suggested by one community member. I did not include any single song from either artist on this playlist because it’s my personal opinion that jazz is best enjoyed by the album. I’m also fully aware that jazz is not everyone’s cup of tea. So, if you’re new to the genre, start off with Dave Brubeck’s Greatest Hits (you might recognize the song Take Five) and Kind of Blue by Miles Davis.

Related: How to Survive a Long Flight

Like what you see on the list so far? Give it a listen:

Songs for Chilling at the Beach

Is there anything better than laying in the warm sun, covered in salt and sand, listening to your favorite beach tunes? Here are some songs to add to your travel playlist for the next time you want to get in a beachy mindset.

Malibu – Miley Cyrus

(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding

Me Gustas Tu – Manu Chao

Kokomo – Beach Boys

Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes (one of my faves)

D’yer Mak’er – Led Zeppelin

Songs for Around the Campfire

Another BMT Community member says these Alexi Murdoch songs are “perfect for a camping trip in the woods or by the waterfall. Swinging on a hammock near a campfire sipping a hot steaming cup of tea with great company alongside. Ahh, simply amazing.” We enthusiastically agree!

Through The Dark, Orange Sky, and All My Days – Alexi Murdoch

Society – Eddie Vedder

Breakdown – Jack Johnson

Old Pine – Ben Howard

Southern Cross – Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (Jackie’s pick!)

best songs for road trips

Songs for Road Trips

No list of songs about travel and adventure is complete until it has road trip songs. Roll your windows down and turn the volume all the way up. These songs are perfect for the open road and pair well with no destination.

Are You Gonna Go My Way – Lenny Kravitz

Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty

Truckin’ – Grateful Dead

Road To Nowhere – Talking Heads

See the World – Gomez

Road Trippin’ – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Life is a Highway – Rascall Flatts

Related: How to Drive the Carretera Austral, Patagonia’s Ultimate Road Trip

Songs for Staying Awake On the Road

Making a long-haul drive late into the night? Blast these songs and you’ll be awake singing along in no time.

Electric Feel – MGMT

Midnight City – M83

Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root

Fly – Loudmouth

Related: 10 Unique Road Trip Gifts and Packing Ideas


Ways to Listen


Songs About Travel and Adventure for Expats

And finally, some songs for those adventurous spirits living in far-off places. These songs might help take the sting out of your homesickness and reaffirm that what you’re doing is incredible.

Wish You Were Here – Incubus

Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac

Renegades – X Ambassadors

Home – Phillip Phillips

These Are Days – 10,000 Maniacs

Listen to these podcast episodes about expat life:

How to Listen to the BMT Ultimate Travel Playlist

travel playlist with songs about travel and adventure
Click the image to open Spotify. Click “FOLLOW” to add the BMT Community Ultimate Travel Playlist to your Spotify lineup.

We want you to have easy access to all of these songs. So, we put them on a Spotify playlist that you can follow and share with your travel buddies. Click here to open the playlist in Spotify. Click the follow button to add the playlist to your lineup. Then listen to it via Spotify on any device.

If you have Spotify Premium, be sure to download this playlist so you can take it with you on your adventures, even when you don’t have cell service. Ensure you have enough data to listen on the go with a prepaid SIM card!

Related: A Complete Guide to Using Your iPhone Abroad: For Dummies

Let’s keep adding to this travel playlist! In the comments below, tell us your favorite songs about travel and adventure. Also, join the Budget-Minded Traveler Community Facebook group!

By Brittany Quaglieri with help from the Budget-Minded Traveler Community

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