45 Best Songs About Traveling and Experiencing the World

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**1. Roads Go Ever On, Clamavi De Profundis**

“The Road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, and I must follow, if I can.”

Let’s begin with a song inspired by poems written by J. R. R. Tolkien for his Middle Earth stories.

According to Clamavi De Profundis, “This is a compilation of poems that J.R.R. Tolkein wrote throughout his books: the first stanza coming from The Fellowship of the Ring, the middle two stanzas from The Hobbit, and the last from the Return of the King. We took a creative approach to this, sort of weaving in the tale of Bilbo, since it is he around whom most of this text is centered.”

**2. Anywhere, Rita Ora**

“Over the hills and far away, a million miles from L.A. Just anywhere away with you. I know we've got to get away someplace where no one knows our name. We'll find the start of something new.”

First released in 2018, this upbeat song is an awesome addition to your travel playlist.

The narrator is tired of seeing the same old city and wishes to get away with her beloved. The destination isn’t important, she just wants them to be together, wherever they end up going.

**3. The City of New Orleans, Arlo Guthrie**

“Nighttime on the City of New Orleans. Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee. Halfway home, we'll be there by morning. Through the Mississippi darkness, rolling down to the sea.”

Here’s a song that evokes feelings nostalgia for the old times, when people weren’t always in a hurry and everything seemed simpler.

The song is an ode to train travel, which began to disappear from America toward the end of the 20^th century.

There was an actual train called City of New Orleans that made trips between Chicago and Louisiana. Steve Goodman, who composed the song, was a passenger on the train on its last journey before it was decommissioned.

**4. Roam, The B-52’s**

“Roam if you want to. Roam around the world. Roam if you want to. Without anything but the love we feel.”

Need a happy song to keep the vibe cheerful during your travels? Here’s a song that urges you to get out there and check out what the world has to offer.

**5. Traveling On, Kongos**

“So long, my flame, my warmth, my fear, my fight. The road's calling again tonight. Maybe I'll catch a train to Rome. See the world until I can't go on. Or maybe I'll come traveling home.”

Here’s a song about being unable to resist wanderlust. One must answer the call to travel and leave everything else behind.

**6. Wanderlust, Frank Turner**

“Darling, I'm leaving. The distance keeps calling me on. Darling, come morning, I'll be gone.”

Here’s another song that pays tribute to wanderlust. This song from Frank Turner is about a man who can’t resist the call of the road, saying goodbye in advance to his lover, telling her it’s most likely he’ll be gone by morning.

**7. Good Life, OneRepublic**

“To my friends in New York, I say hello. My friends in L.A., they don't know where I've been for the past few years or so. Paris to China to Colorado.”

This song is about meeting friends in different parts of the world. It’s a celebration of the freedom to constantly travel in order to grow and learn.

**8. On the Road Again, Willie Nelson**

“On the road again. Goin' places that I've never been. Seein' things that I may never see again. And I can't wait to get on the road again.”

Here’s a song about a touring musician who loves what he does. Performing and traveling to do it make him feel alive.

Play this song for good vibes on your own travels.

**9. I’ve Been Everywhere, Johnny Cash**

“…I've been everywhere, man. Crossed the deserts bare, man. I've breathed the mountain air, man. Of travel I've had my share, man. I've been everywhere.”

What places have you already visited? Which ones are your favorites?

Here’s a song about an intrepid traveler. A large portion of the song recounts all the places he’s been to.

**10. Leaving on a Jet Plane, Chantal Kreviazuk**

“All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go. I'm standing here outside your door. I hate to wake you up to say goodbye. But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn. The taxi's waiting, he's blowin' his horn. Already I'm so lonesome I could die.”

This song is a cover of John Denver’s iconic goodbye song, and it is part of the soundtrack for the movie Armageddon. In it, a lover bids farewell to their beloved, not sure when they’ll see each other again.

**11. Anywhere, Passenger**

“If you get up in a jet plane or down in a submarine. If you get onto the next train to somewhere you never been. If you wanna ride in a fast car and feel the wind in your hair. Darling, just look beside you. Oh, I'll go with you anywhere.”

Traveling is more fun when we’re with people we love. Here’s a song that serves as an invitation for you to travel with the person you love the most.

**12. Road Trippin’, Red Hot Chili Peppers**

“Road trippin' with my two favorite allies. Fully loaded, we got snacks and supplies. It's time to leave this town. It's time to steal away. Let's go get lost anywhere in the USA. Let's go get lost. Let's go get lost.”

Looking for a mellow road trip song? This song from RHCP fits the bill. It is about the band’s own road trip.

**13. Explore the World, Brainheart ft. Sis**

“Explore the world in your way. Create memories that you won't forget. You only live once, so don't waste your time. Please don't waste your time.”

Life is short, and this song understands that.

It appeals to the principle that you only live once (YOLO) and encourages you to experience everything the world has to offer, and explore as much as you can.

**14. The Open Road, Hollow Coves**

“It's been years since I've been gone. I miss the way it feels to roam. This urge that's grown inside my heart to pack my bags and hit the road.”

Sometimes, the urge to travel hits just when you’ve decided it’s time to settle down.

You may have established a good reputation for yourself in your community. Perhaps, you’re raising a family or flying high in a fulfilling career.

But suddenly, it’s as if the road calls you to go on new adventures.

This is the case for the narrator in this song. If you were in his shoes, what would you do?

**15. Traveler, Chris Stapleton**

“And I'm just a traveler on this earth. Sure as my heart's behind the pocket of my shirt, I'll just keep rollin' 'til I'm in the dirt. ‘Cause I'm a traveler. Oh, I'm a traveler.”

This song won a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance.

Chris Stapleton was inspired to write this song after his father passed away in 2013. According to him, this song is about the cycle of life we all go through.

**16. Little Wanderer, Death Cab For Cutie**

“You sent a photo out your window of Tokyo. Told me you were doing fine. You said the cherry blossoms were blooming. And that I was on your mind.”

This song depicts a situation where one of the partners has wanderlust. The other one insists on being the lighthouse to his wanderer.

**17. Barcelona, Ed Sheeran**

“And you and I we're flying on an airplane tonight. We're going somewhere where the sun is shining bright. Just close your eyes and let's pretend we're dancing in the street in Barcelona…”

Travel to foreign countries can elevate the feeling of romance. In this song, a couple dancing together imagines they’re in Barcelona.

The references to cultural landmarks in that city give the couple’s time together an exotic appeal. It also sets the mood for a very romantic evening for the two of them.

**18. Sleep on the Floor, The Lumineers**

“Pack yourself a toothbrush, dear. Pack yourself a favorite blouse. Take a withdrawal slip. Take all of your savings out. ‘Cause if we don't leave this town, we might never make it out.”

This song encourages listeners to embrace impulsivity. It tells you that adventure awaits those who are brave of heart.

**19. Hard Travelin’, Woody Guthrie**

“I've been havin' some hard travelin', I thought you knowed. I've been havin' some hard travelin', way down the road.”

Traveling is often associated with going to exotic places and experiencing local cultures. But this is typically only possible for those who can afford it.

This song is not about vacations or holidays overseas. It’s about workers who travel for their livelihood.

Although most people focus on the romantic side of the traveling life, this song highlights the struggles of the workers traveling to make a living.

**20. Malibu, Hole**

“Hey, hey, you know what to do. Oh, baby, drive away to Malibu.”

Travel can be a form of healing. This song is about going to a healing place, away from negativity. It makes you think of sunrise and being reborn.

**21. (Motor) Way of Life, Lower Than Atlantis**

“And we are miles away from the place where we're playing. We won't abide by the law. We are lads on tour.”

A lot of musicians are inspired to write songs about their life while touring. In this song, Lower Than Atlantis describes the gritty reality of the life of a touring band.

**22. California Bound, Carolina Liar**

“There's a southern bound train tomorrow. Takes us out of this dirty town. Chase the sun back to the west coast. In eight hours we're California bound. We're California bound.”

Sometimes, being stuck in a place where you feel limited can inspire you to travel. This song is about escaping a dead-end place to go to sun-drenched California.

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**23. Carolina in My Mind, James Taylor**

“In my mind, I'm gone to Carolina. Can't you see the sunshine? Now can't you just feel the moonshine? And ain't it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind? Yes, I'm gone to Carolina in my mind.”

Homesickness can sometimes encourage a person to travel and go back home. In this song, the narrator dreams of going back to his home state and experiencing the things that he misses the most while he’s away.

**24. I Have Been Around the World, Dar Williams**

“I have been around the world. There's so much there to see. And the story never ends. You're all the world to me.”

There are people who travel from place to place because they’re searching for something. Perhaps it’s a place they can call home, or a person who they think will complete their life.

In this song, a person with wanderlust travels all over the world and experiences many wonders. However, she’s not satisfied. Only after meeting someone does she realize where home truly is.

**25. Travel the World Song, Spookiz**

“Let's go to Rio, Paris, Tokyo. Paris, Tokyo, Berlin, New York and Mexico. We see Ibiza, Seoul, Beijing and Rome. Travel 'round the world, come on, let's go.”

Here’s an upbeat song about travel that will give you good vibes during your trip. Its joyful melody encourages you to travel to the places you want to see.

If you need a cheerful song that leads you out of your comfort zone into exciting experiences, this song’s for you!

**26. Happy Trails, Roy Rogers**

“Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Happy trails to you. Keep smiling until then.”

This is a blessing for those on the road. With so many things that could go wrong during your travels, it’s nice to know that there are those who wish you well.

**27. White Line Fever, Merle Haggard**

“I wonder just what makes a man keep pushing on. What makes me keep on hummin' this old highway song. I've been from coast to coast a hundred times or more. And I ain't found one single place where I ain't been before.”

Do you ever wonder what it feels like to live your entire life on the road, answering the call of wanderlust and never settling anywhere?

“White line fever” is a term for the state of mind many car drivers have after traveling for an extended period of time. While in the grip of white line fever, a driver may manage to drive safely without remembering that they’ve done so.

**28. Africa, Toto**

“I bless the rains down in Africa. Gonna take some time to do the things we never had.”

Here’s a classic song to remind you that when you travel, it’s more than just seeing exotic places and learning about new cultures. It helps you develop a deep love and appreciation for the diversity around you.

**29. Every Day Is a Winding Road, Sheryl Crow**

“Every day is a winding road. I get a little bit closer. Every day is a faded sign. I get a little bit closer to feeling fine.”

This song teaches us to cherish every second of our lives—to live mindfully. In it, a hitchhiker’s trip aboard a guy’s truck is a metaphor for life—full of twists and turns. Sometimes, it has unexpected stops and detours.

**30. Marrakesh Express, Crosby, Stills, and Nash**

“Looking at the world through the sunset in your eyes. Travelling the train through clear Moroccan skies.”

If you’re stuck in a rut, traveling can help you gain a fresh perspective. A trip, especially to a foreign place, encourages you to get out of your comfort zone

This song is about what happens when you step out of your comfort zone. You start noticing interesting things that add richness to your travel experience.

**31. Paris, Texas, Lana Del Rey**

“I went to Paris (Texas) with a suitcase in my hand. I had to leave. Knew they wouldn't understand.”

Sometimes, we take a trip to get away from painful memories or experiences. Here’s a song that describes this type of healing journey.

The song also plays on the names of the American cities mentioned in the lyrics. When you hear the names, you might think of their European namesakes. At first, it seems like the narrator is traveling overseas. But as it turns out, the narrator didn’t have to travel that far.

**32. Mountain Trip to Japan, 1959, The Trachtenburg Family Sideshow Players**

“Mountain trip to Japan. Going to see the mountains on a mountain trip. He's a very fine man. He is so well rounded and he'd like to see the world before it ever started.”

Here’s a cheery, quirky, catchy song you can play on a road trip. I can almost guarantee that you’ll find this song stuck in your head for days!

**33. Paris Nights/New York Mornings, Corinne Bailey Rae**

“Ooh, we crash into love-filled nights (Paris nights and New York mornings).”

This song describes the exhilaration of traveling to new places. It also highlights the romance and excitement of experiencing what these new places have to offer.

**34. No Roots, Alice Merton**

“I build a home and wait for someone to tear it down. Then pack it up in boxes, head for the next town running. ‘Cause I've got memories and travel like gypsies in the night. And a thousand times I've seen this road…”

This catchy, upbeat song actually belies the sad origin of the lyrics. This song is about someone who does not feel they have a place to call home, as she’s constantly moving from place to place.

Alice Merton drew inspiration for her hit single from her personal experience of having a nomadic lifestyle. By the time she was 24, she had moved 12 times.

**35. The Longest Road, Morgan Page**

“Giddy up and gold mine. Different place, different time. All the stars are in their prime. Pastel trailer park, stars so bright to hide the dark. All is quiet in the yard.”

The primary concept of this song is the desert. It evokes images of long trips and being surrounded by a desolate landscape.

**36. Vienna, Billy Joel**

“When will you realize Vienna waits for you?”

In this song, Vienna serves as a metaphor for the rest of your life. The song asks listeners, “When are you going to start living your life?”

**37. Midnight Memories, One Direction**

“Straight off the plane to a new hotel. Just touched down, you could never tell.”

This song describes a group of young jetsetters ready to party wherever they land. It highlights making memories and living life to the fullest.

**38. On the Road to Find Out, Yusuf/Cat Stevens**

“Well, I hit the rowdy road and many kinds I met there. Many stories told me of the way to get there. So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out. There’s so much left to know, and I’m on the road to find out.”

This song is about traveling “in search of freedom and purity.” The narrator is spurred forward by his hunger for spiritual balance.

**39. New Horizons (Ultima Thule Mix), Brian May**

“New horizons to explore. New horizons no one's ever seen before. Limitless wonders in a never ending sky. We may never, never reach them. That's why we have to try.”

So far, the songs in this collection have been about traveling in different places within the planet. But here’s a song about traveling beyond our world.

It is about traveling to and exploring new places in outer space. It might not be long before commercial space travel is available to humans!

**40. Highway Song, Blackfoot**

“It's a highway song. You sing it on and on. On and on. Highway song is as lonely as the road I'm on.”

This song is about a musician on tour. He feels lonely and homesick.

However, the exhilaration of performing and being on the road prevents him from going home.

**41. Hotel California, Eagles**

“On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair. Warm smell of colitas rising up through the air. Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light. My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim. I had to stop for the night.”

Many travelers report having at least one strange experience during their travels. Have you had one?

In this iconic song, a wayward traveler discovers dark secrets in a hotel set in the desert.

**42. Trains, Boats, and Planes, Dionne Warwick**

“Trains and boats and planes are passing by. They mean a trip to Paris or Rome for someone else, but not for me. The trains and the boats and planes took you away, away from me.”

What’s your favorite mode of transportation when going on long trips?

In this song, almost all modes of transportation are seen in a negative light by a woman who was left by a man eager to see the world.

**43. The Love Boat Theme, Jack Jones**

“The Love Boat soon will be making another run. The Love Boat promises something for everyone. Set a course for adventure. Your mind on a new romance.”

The Love Boat is a TV show that aired from 1977 to 1986. It is about the hilarious romantic experiences of the crew and passengers of the cruise ship MS Pacific Princess.

The show has a theme song that highlights the possibilities of romance and adventure while on board the love boat.

**44. Lost in Japan, Shawn Mendes**

“Do you got plans tonight? I'm a couple hundred miles from Japan, and I, I was thinking I could fly to your hotel tonight 'cause I-I-I can't get you off my mind.”

This song is about traveling for the sake of love. In it, Mendes shows his commitment to his beloved by offering to fly to Japan so that they can be together.

**45. Hitch Hike, Marvin Gaye**

“I've got to find that girl if I have to hitchhike 'round the world.”

In the same vein as the previous song, a guy hitchhikes all across the country, determined to find his girlfriend, even though the girl’s been unfaithful to him.

Final Thoughts on Songs About Traveling

Each time you pack your bags and head to new places, you become a new person.

Traveling is one of the best ways for you to grow in wisdom and experience. It helps you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, the world, and life in general.

Hopefully, you’ve found a favorite or two among the songs about traveling featured in this collection.

If you enjoyed this article, you might want to check out the following articles of song collections for specific topics: