22 Best Travel Books
We analyzed 5+ expert sources, curated book lists, and recommendations from successful people to find the 22 best travel books according to the internet — not just one person's opinion. Each book on this list was mentioned by at least two independent sources, and the ranking is based on how frequently each title appears across all sources studied. This consensus-based approach ensures you get recommendations backed by multiple experts, not a single reviewer's bias.
Goal: Find the best Travel books according to the internet (not just one person's opinion).
Method:
- Search for "best travel books" and study the top 5+ pages.
- Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
- Rank the results neatly here.
22 Best Travel Books
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The Alchemist
Also recommended by
18 people
Aubrey Marcus recommended this bookAubrey Marcus
"One of the first books that profoundly changed my life for the better." - Aubrey Marcus
Aubrey Marcus's recommendation of this book 
Will Smith recommended this bookWill Smith
"One of my favorite books." - Will Smith
Will Smith's recommendation of this book 
LeBron James recommended this bookLeBron James
"The more and more that you dream and actually talk about something that you want to do, it can become true." - LeBron James
LeBron James's recommendation of this book 
Big Sean recommended this bookBig Sean
"A crazy story." - Big Sean
Big Sean's recommendation of this book 
Brené Brown recommended this bookBrené Brown
"There's a great quote in [this book]: When you're on the right path the universe conspires to help you!" - Brené Brown
Brené Brown's recommendation of this book 
Ryan Flaherty recommended this bookRyan Flaherty
"I’ve loved [this book] for a very long time." - Ryan Flaherty
Ryan Flaherty's recommendation of this book +12
More recommendations
- Lisa Ling
"This simple little book contains hugely profound meaning." - Lisa Ling
- Daniel Ek
"It was fascinating to talk to [the author] about how this book came to be such a hit—he never backed down, and he allowed people to read it for free in order to then boost sales." - Daniel Ek
- Eric Ripert
"Speaks of everyone having an ultimate goal in life, but most of us are too afraid to pursue it. The encouragement to fulfill your dreams is very inspirational!" - Eric Ripert
- Gabby Reece
"It’s that reminder that as you go out in the world and you’re looking for all these things, sometimes it is within us." - Gabby Reece
- Ryan Shea
One of Ryan Shea's 4 answers to "what is the book (or books) you’ve given most as a gift?"
- Garry Tan
"A remarkable book and I heartily recommend it." - Garry Tan
- Lewis Howes
"I've only probably read 4 books cover to cover. [This is one of them.]" - Lewis Howes
- Tony Robbins
"Great book." - Tony Robbins
- Jodie Cook
"The most important messages shared in the most beautiful story." - Jodie Cook
- Andy Frisella
"A wonderful book." - Andy Frisella
- James Clear
"[One of] the 10 best fiction books." - James Clear
- Patrick Bet-David
Patrick Bet-David recommended this book on his website.
- Lisa Ling
In a Sunburned Country
The Beach
On the Road
Also recommended by
6 people
Steve Jobs recommended this bookSteve Jobs
Daniel Kottke said he and Steve Jobs definitely read this book prior to the India trip.
Steve Jobs's recommendation of this book 
Walter Isaacson recommended this bookWalter Isaacson
"Read [this book]." - Walter Isaacson
Walter Isaacson's recommendation of this book 
Bob Dylan recommended this bookBob Dylan
"It changed my life like it changed everyone else’s." - Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan's recommendation of this book 
Josh Waitzkin recommended this bookJosh Waitzkin
"Opened up the ecstatic beauty of life’s little moments to me as a teenager." - Josh Waitzkin
Josh Waitzkin's recommendation of this book 
Ev Williams recommended this bookEv Williams
On the "books read" section of Ev Williams' GoodReads profile.
Ev Williams's recommendation of this book 
Lex Fridman recommended this bookLex Fridman
Lex Fridman mentioned this book on Instagram.
Lex Fridman's recommendation of this book
Wild
From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Also recommended by
5 people
Emma Watson recommended this bookEmma Watson
"I have devoured [this book]." - Emma Watson
Emma Watson's recommendation of this book 
Tim Ferriss recommended this bookTim Ferriss
"One of my favorites." - Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss's recommendation of this book 
Oprah Winfrey recommended this bookOprah Winfrey
"About the difference between deciding to do something and really having to do it." - Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey's recommendation of this book 
Liz Lambert recommended this bookLiz Lambert
Liz Lambert mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Liz Lambert's recommendation of this book 
Shane Parrish recommended this bookShane Parrish
"Ran me through the range of emotions from happy to crying." - Shane Parrish
Shane Parrish's recommendation of this book
Blue Highways
A Journey into America
Also recommended by
1 person
George Raveling recommended this bookGeorge Raveling
"One that I read twice." - George Raveling
George Raveling's recommendation of this book
Eat, Pray, Love
One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
Also recommended by
1 person
Taylor Swift recommended this bookTaylor Swift
One of Taylor Swift's favorite books picks for "You are What You Read."
Taylor Swift's recommendation of this book
Vagabonding
An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
Also recommended by
1 person- Tim Ferriss recommended this book
Tim Ferriss
"The book that got me to stop making excuses and pack for an extended hiatus trip overseas." - Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss's recommendation of this book
Dark Star Safari
Overland from Cairo to Capetown
Down and Out in Paris and London
Also recommended by
1 person
Alice Walker recommended this bookAlice Walker
"Hilarious, with a humor quite unexpected in the otherwise seemingly somber Brother Blair." - Alice Walker
Alice Walker's recommendation of this book
In Patagonia
Also recommended by
1 person
Richard Branson recommended this bookRichard Branson
Richard Branson recommended this book on his "70 must-read books" blog post.
Richard Branson's recommendation of this book
The Art of Travel
Also recommended by
1 person
Brian Chesky recommended this bookBrian Chesky
"Writes about the problem with modern tourism." - Brian Chesky
Brian Chesky's recommendation of this book
The Lost City of Z
A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon
Also recommended by
1 person
Saagar Enjeti recommended this bookSaagar Enjeti
"The RIVETING tale of Percy Fawcett’s obsession with the Amazon." - Saagar Enjeti
Saagar Enjeti's recommendation of this book
A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush
A Year in Provence
Arabian Sands
The Geography of Bliss
One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World
The Great Railway Bazaar
By Train Through Asia
The Rings of Saturn
The Road to Oxiana
Turn Right at Machu Picchu
Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time
Unlikely Destinations
The Lonely Planet Story
Sources
- 1
The Best Travel Books: 13 Books That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust
nomadicmatt.com
- 2
15 Travel Books That Will Change The Way You See The World
forbes.com
- 3
30 Amazing Travel Books by Black Authors You Need to Read
travelandleisure.com
- 4
50 Best Travel Books Of All Time - Road Affair
roadaffair.com
- 5
Stories2007 08 08the 86 greatest travel books of all time
cntraveler.com
Edited by
Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.
Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.
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