The 6 travel podcasts you need to listen to right now

Unless you've been hiding under a rock or had a very long digital detox (sans rock-hiding), you'll know that podcasts are all the rage. And why not? They're the perfect entertainment for our busy lives, accompanying us on our commutes, road trips, plane journeys and even as we wind down at night. Plus a pair of headphones (or AirPods) are readily portable. From inspiring your next trip to accompanying you as you explore a new destination, we've rounded up the best travel podcasts on the airwaves right now.

1. Zero to Travel

A healthy dose of inspiration and practical advice from host Jason Moore, the Zero to Travel podcast is a great listen for anyone who loves to travel. Jason covers a huge range of topics, ranging from why we travel to the effect travel has on us and how we can travel better. There are often episodes dedicated to answering listener questions, so whatever burning question you have about travel, there's a good chance you'll find the answer here.

Listen here.

2. Amateur Traveler

The Amateur Traveler podcast is all about destinations – from country guides covering the likes of Thailand and New Zealand to iconic drives likes Route 66 and uncovering cities, it gives listeners valuable information about each location. And it covers a lot; since its inception in 2005, the podcast has racked up over 650 episodes. If you're looking for an honest introduction to a destination you're thinking of visiting, this is a great place to start.

Listen to the Amateur Traveler Podcast here.

3. The Rough Guide to Everywhere

Excuse us while we recommend our own podcast, the Rough Guide to Everywhere! But we have to say, it's a good'un and it's back for another series starting May 7th. The concept of the new series is simple: to tell the travel stories a guidebook doesn't cover, featuring compelling, honest tales from around the world. Since launching we've interviewed travel legends Dervla Murphy and Hilary Bradt, Aboriginal story tellers, Kenyan rollerskaters and Sami reindeer herders in Finland. For the upcoming series expect episodes on destinations including Iceland and Shanghai and topics such as responsible photography and travelling in communication blackspots.

Listen to The Rough Guides to Everywhere here.

4. Wild Ideas Worth Living

Take a crazy idea like sailing across the Pacific or running from San Francisco to New York and turn it into a reality – that's exactly what the Wild Ideas Worth Living podcast is all about. Host and journalist Shelby Stanger interviews people who have done just that: throwing caution to the wind and breaking records, scaling mountains, or starting a business along the way. Listening to this is sure to inspire you start living your wildest ideas, too.

Listen here.

5. Travel Tales

Started by TV host and comedian Mike Siegel, Travel Tales is the perfect choice for those who like a good old chinwag and feeling as if they're listening to friends. He talks to a new person each episode, covering all sorts of topics but mostly focusing on individual stories - the good, the bad and the hilarious. It brings a great honesty to travel and you'll be chuckling along in no time.

Listen to the Travel Tales Podcast here.

6. Insight Guides Podcast

Our friends over at Insight Guides have started a brand new fortnightly podcast, and we can't wait to listen. If you're a history buff and fascinated by getting deeper under the skin and diving into the culture of a destination, this one's for you. Talking to local experts in each episode, it'll give you a more enriched idea than the mere basics, and will cover Morocco, Japan, India and much, much more. Another great thing about this podcast is that each episode is 15 minutes long, meaning whatever spare time you have, it's an easy listen.

Listen to the Insight Guides Podcast here.

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