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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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19 travel books to read now to inspire your next trip
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Quick summary
The article highlights a curated list of travel books spanning memoirs, fiction and children's literature, ideal for fueling wanderlust from home.
Recommendations cover diverse themes, including food, wildlife, adventure, self-discovery and historical fiction, appealing to a wide range of readers.
Suggestions are included for both purchasing and borrowing books, with tips for maximizing value when shopping online or using digital libraries.
The article also features travel-themed books for children, designed to inspire young readers and introduce them to global cultures.
What to consider
Some book recommendations may not be immediately available for purchase or pre-order, and certain offers mentioned in the article are no longer current.
Readers interested in digital borrowing can access extensive e-book collections through public libraries, which may require a library account.
Online shopping platforms and digital subscriptions may offer periodic deals or bonus rewards, but eligibility and terms can change.
What you'll miss from the article
A comprehensive guide to travel literature across genres, including detailed book descriptions and advice on sourcing books for both adults and children.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
With travel still largely at a standstill around the world, you may still be stuck at home for the foreseeable future. But just because you're trapped at home doesn't mean all your wanderlust has suddenly disappeared. Whether you're on government-mandated quarantine or simply practicing social distancing, here are some of the best travel books out there -- from classics to new debuts, memoirs to fiction, and even a few of our favorite books that will keep your kids excited about all the future travels to come.
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Ready to be transported to exotic destinations, or take an emotional or spiritual journeys? Add these books to your shopping list.
Best credit cards for buying books
If you're buying books on Amazon — whether through Kindle, Audible or ordering physical books — consider using the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card, which offers 5% cash back on Amazon purchases (though you must be a Prime member to qualify) and an Amazon gift card automatically loaded into your account.
It's also worth checking your Amex or Chase offers, which often have deals for Kindle Unlimited subscriptions or bonus points (think: 5x points on your Amazon purchases, up to 2,000 points, through the summer, when you pay with an eligible Amex card).
The information for the Chase Freedom, Amazon Prime Rewards Signature card, Amex EveryDay Preferred card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you'd prefer to rent instead of purchase books, consider borrowing an e-book from the New York Public Library's collection -- there are more than 300,000 e-books to choose from.
If you love Fresh cuisine and the romance of Paris, Julie Child's account of her adventures learning to cook (and live) like a Parisian is sure to delight. Read as she navigates the stark contrast between French and American cultures with her famous positivity and charm.
OK, this book isn't available until Oct. 13, 2020, but you can preorder it now to receive a delightful travel surprise in the fall. And who couldn't use one of those right now? The book will feature some of Bourdain's favorite destinations and, of course, advice on where to eat once you've arrived.
You've probably seen the movie, and who hasn't dreamed of moving to Italy and renovating a dilapidated mansion? But the book is even better and includes recipes that will help you channel the Italian countryside from your kitchen.
This book inspired me to plan my first African safari last year as I read about how the author worked tirelessly to save animals such as elephants, zebras and rhinoceroses, and fought to end poaching in Kenya. Jenkins Sheldrick's friendship with Eleanor (an African elephant, of course) is particularly heartwarming.
Accompany the author — and her dog and four camels — on her 1,700-mile journey from the desert of Alice Springs, across the Australian Outback to the Indian Ocean. And there are no FaceTimes with family members or uploading filtered Instagram photos here, because Davidson's journey took place in 1977. She had no cellphone, just a suitcase full of "inappropriate clothes."
Solo women travelers will love the firsthand account of Mahoney's trip alone on the Nile in a small fishing boat. Though she'll face challenging obstacles, such as stifling heat, civil unrest, conservative social norms and even crocodiles, she still manages to enchant you with Egypt's mystical beauty.
Hop on the back of La Poderosa, a single-cylinder motorcycle, to explore Latin America with two 20-somethings (one of them is Che Guevara) in the 1950s. From the Andes to the Amazon, the two men discover a whole new world filled with social injustice but also kindness and hope. Warning: You may be inspired to sell your car.
Although Machu Picchu is something of a tourist circus today, you'll be dying to visit after reading about the author's attempt to mimic Hiram Bingham's original expedition through the Sacred Valley and the lost Inca lands.
The perfect book to enjoy from the comfort of your sofa, Fletcher details the wild and nerve-racking adventures he's had in places you're probably very curious about — but may not actually want to visit. From North Korea to Chernobyl and little-known Transnistria, you can't help but laugh as the author injects his distinct sense of humor into his insane experiences in strange places.
Grieving from the death of his sister, a young Vietnamese American struggles to understand where he belongs and embarks on a bicycle journey through Vietnam, Mexico and Japan. Undeterred by obstacles such as dysentery, scammers and his own conflicted emotions, Pham bikes thousands of miles over five months. This book is as much about the emotional journey as the physical one.
First-generation immigrant Noé Álvarez struggles to fit in at university, so he decides to change course after hearing about Peace and Dignity Journeys running events, dedicated to reinforcing cultural unity and diversity. The book follows his four-month-long run from Canada to Guatemala.
Although it's hard not to imagine Julie Roberts gallivanting across the globe, the book is just as good, if not better, than the film. Daydream of Italy's lively cobblestone streets, discover India's soulful spirit and imagine yourself surrounded by Bali's verdant rice fields as you follow Gilbert's quest to discover the meaning of life. (And yes, you can also file this under best travel books for foodies.)
Reeling from the death of her mother, drug use and divorce, Strayed impulsively decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Alone. From losing her hiking boots to seriously overstuffing her pack, the author details the good, the bad and the life-changing during her 1,100-mile journey on foot.
Few books have fueled my wanderlust the way this one did. Set in 14th-century Barcelona, this work of historical fiction blends adventure with romance and, somehow, the Spanish Inquisition. Follow Arnau Estanyol and his fellow stoneworkers as they construct the city's famous Santa Maria del Mar cathedral, which still stands today.
The title pretty much sums it up, but the author -- flight attendant Heather Poole -- explains how the friendly skies are not always so friendly. Expect plenty of drama and tales of passengers behaving badly. For more up-in-the-air action, you can always dig into some flight attendant gossip from TPG's very own Carrie A. Tray.
Show your children the world within a single city block. Madlenka, an endearing child with a loose tooth, experiences the world while stopping into spots like the French bakery, the Latin-American grocery store and the Asian shop on her city block.
Follow along as two young sisters explore Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The book not only appeals to a child's sense of adventure, but also explains the practicalities of travel, such as flights and passport stamps. Hambrick delves into Brazil's culture and landmarks in a relatable, kid-friendly manner.
Older kids reading chapter books will be enthralled as siblings Peggy, Mike and Nora run away from an evil aunt and uncle to discover a secret island. Along with their orphaned friend, Jack, they build a home from a willow tree and live life in their very own paradise.
For those dreaming of a family trip far, far away, "Scarlett's Passport: Australia" is first in a series of children's books about Scarlett, who heads to the land Down Under to have adventures with animals, food, language and more. Next in the series will be "Scarlett's Passport: Hawaii."
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
