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Pack Your Bags
Hosted by comedian Russell Kane, Pack Your Bags is the podcast that gets to the bottom of famous faces' travel plans.
It’s a show with countless comedy moments. From celebrity chef Marcus Wareing taking his entire professional knife set on a casual holiday to Rob Beckett, whose actual degree in tourism management apparently gives him the expertise to herd his small children onto an aeroplane.
There’s also plenty of remarkably touching tales, including swimmer Ellie Simmonds speaking about travelling with a disability and relationship coach Paul C. Brunson on travelling as a black family.
Routes
In Routes, Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo speaks to a wide range of celebrities including Spice Girl Mel B, magician Dynamo and comedian Masie Adam. Made by train operator LNER, this series looks at train travel and the stories that come from it.
Clara asks her guests about the travel experiences that have shaped them. They discuss their biggest travel moments, childhood memories, career influences, their biggest ‘icks,’ and the weird and wonderful encounters they’ve had along the way.
Plus every fortnight there’s The Quiet Coach, a mini episode with a more mindful, relaxing feel. Series one just ended but a new one is already on the horizon.
The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
The Thoughtful Travel Podcast is a long-running independent show that aims to encourage listeners to reflect on their travel experiences and consider how travel can be both enriching and responsible. This is the basis of the show’s dual meaning; it’s a show that helps listeners to have a thoughtful time on their journeys and advises on the best way to be a polite guest wherever you find yourself and leave a positive impression on the locals.
They put an equal amount of thought into the podcast too, with engaging and entertaining episodes that come highly recommended by travel aficionados.
Armchair Explorer
This is one for fans of atmospheric audio. Armchair explorer sees a renowned adventurer narrating their most captivating story. Simply put, it’s an adventure in your headphones that tries to really place you into the journey in question.
With adventures including living with wolves in Idaho to exploring the deserts of Arabia, this is the show on this list that gets you closest to the feeling of actual travel - without the expense of a plane ticket.
Abroad in Japan
Abroad in Japan offers a British insight into the fascinating world of Japanese culture, cuisine and news. With over 590 episodes it’s become a fantastic resource for those looking for an answer to almost any specific question they might have about the land of the rising sun.
And it’s not just for reference. It’s a show that actively entertains and engages its audience, meaning you might tune in for a lesson on etiquette and stay for the nonsense tangents.
