Every year the travel podcast world explodes with new voices, but which ones are actually worth your time? In this episode, I'm sharing my handpicked list of the 15 best travel podcasts to follow in 2026—shows that consistently deliver authentic stories, practical advice, and that feeling of being transported somewhere new.

Whether you're into budget backpacking, cultural deep dives, responsible tourism, or just want an audio escape for your commute, I've got you covered. From podcasts recorded entirely on the road to shows diving into sustainable travel practices, cinematic audio storytelling to quick 10-minute travel tips—this list spans every travel style and interest.

I'll break down what makes each podcast stand out, who it's perfect for, and where to start if you're new to the show. Expect Canadian travel vibes, Japanese cultural insights, wild historical stories, women-led perspectives, European expertise from a legend, and even some Aussie banter about wine and coastal escapes.

A few highlights from the list include:

• The Armchair Explorer's immersive storytelling with incredible sound design
• Curious Tourism's deep dives into responsible and sustainable travel
• Travel with Rick Steves for that classic European cultural wisdom
• Tripology Travel Podcast for real-time adventures from the road
• And a few surprises that might just become your new favorites

Important note: These are all active podcasts that have released episodes in the last two months—no dormant shows here, just fresh content ready for your 2026 travels.

Want the full written list with links to every show? Head to winginittravelpodcast.com for the companion blog post.

Let's dive in and find your next podcast obsession.

Want to travel with me to El Salvador?

Click this link to hear more - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000734952340

Click here to book - https://intrepid.wetravel.com/i/68fa168c8d157da799033142

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on your favourite podcast app — it helps new listeners discover the show. And share this episode with a friend who loves adventure, travel and big ideas.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Travel Podcasts for 2026

02:27 Exploring the Globetrotters Podcast

03:56 Diving into Japan

05:23 Meaningful Travel

06:47 Casual Conversations on Travel

08:14 Insights from Marilyn Ball

09:39 Real-Life Travel Tips

11:01 Women Who Travel

12:28 Deep Insights with Rick Steves

14:55 Wild Stories and History

16:53 Responsible Travel

18:49 Immersive Storytelling

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Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

Please leave a review and a 5-star rating wherever you get your podcasts!

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Winging It Travel Podcast...

Ep 191 w/ Mark Phipps (Lost In Paradise Travel) – Off-Grid Mongolia & Southwest Africa: Reindeer Tribes, Wild Roads & Namibia Safaris

In this week's episode, I'm rejoined by Mark Phipps—author, avid traveller and owner of Lost in Paradise Travel—who returns with stories from two incredible journeys: a solo winter adventure to Mongolia and an epic three-week road trip through Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. This conversation is packed with logistics, unforgettable moments and plenty of wanderlust-inducing content that should seriously inspire your next big trip.

We start with Mongolia, where Mark travelled completely solo during peak winter, experiencing minus eight degree temperatures and some of the most remote, off-grid travel you can imagine. He walks us through the entire journey—from a twelve-hour overnight bus from Ulaanbaatar to the northern town of Moron, then an eight-hour bone-rattling ride in a Soviet-era four-by-four across frozen rivers and dirt tracks with no signposts, before finally reaching the Dukha reindeer herders on the back of a reindeer itself. Mark spent two nights living with this semi-nomadic tribe just sixty-five kilometres from the Russian border, sleeping in traditional Gers, observing their daily life and experiencing one of the last truly authentic travel adventures left in the world. He shares what it's like to communicate with zero shared language, the food they eat, the spiritual connection to their reindeer, and why this trip requires permits, patience and a serious sense of adventure.

From there, Mark takes us through central Mongolia—visiting Karakorum, the ancient capital under Genghis Khan, hiking in Khustai National Park to see wild horses roaming the steppes, and exploring the Mini Gobi with its massive sand dunes and shaggy Bactrian camels. He breaks down the logistics too: how to book buses when systems are old-school, why you need to work with local guesthouses, what it costs to hire a guide, and why Mongolia is one of those rare places where independent travel still feels properly wild.

Then we shift continents entirely. Mark recounts an unforgettable three-week road trip with five friends across Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe—all done independently with rented four-by-fours and rooftop tents. He describes climbing the massive sand dunes of Sossusvlei, staying in open-air treehouses perched over rivers with hippos audible from bed, and driving deep into the Okavango Delta to witness Botswana's incredible elephant population up close. But the real highlight? Camping on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans—a vast, otherworldly expanse where they drove wherever they wanted, watched the sun go down, cracked open beers around a fire and experienced the clearest view of the Milky Way Mark has ever seen. It's one of those moments he describes as truly once-in-a-lifetime.

Mark also shares practical advice throughout: the best time of year to visit for wildlife (September to October), what to expect from border crossings, why you should let your tyre pressure down on the salt flats, and the mantra their safari guide lived by—"What nature provides, you will receive." It's a reminder that patience and flexibility are just as important as planning when it comes to African travel.

Finally, we dive into Lost in Paradise Travel, Mark's new venture. After his friend had her passport stolen in Budapest on New Year's Day—completely disrupting their trip—Mark created a GPS-enabled passport wallet that connects to your iPhone's Find My app. It's trackable, has an audible alarm, protects your passport cover and holds all your travel documents in one place. He explains why passport loss is such a recurring problem in the travel industry, how much disruption it causes, and why this simple solution could save your next trip. Pre-orders are live now at lostinparadisetravel.com, with the first shipment arriving in time for Christmas.

This episode

Exploring Queensland, Australia: Brisbane Highlights, Hiking In The Glass House Mountains & Noosa Paradise

In this episode, I take you through my eight-day adventure across Queensland after flying in from Vancouver—so expect heat, humidity, stories, and plenty of tips. I start off in Brisbane, where I break down how I navigated the city, the unbelievable 50-cent public transport system, the places I stayed, and all the cafés, restaurants and viewpoints that made the trip so memorable.

I share my favourite Brisbane moments, from wandering along South Bank and relaxing at the city beach to heading up the Skydeck for those incredible 360° views. I also talk about my day trip to the Glass House Mountains—how to get there cheaply, what the Mount Ngungun hike was like, and why I nearly abseiled off a 40-metre cliff (but absolutely bottled it at the last second!).

Then I head up the Sunshine Coast to revisit Noosa more than a decade after I first saw it—this time with money in my pocket. I chat through the coastal walk to Hell’s Gates, spotting dolphins, hanging out on those stunning beaches, exploring Noosaville’s cafés, and soaking up that paradise vibe that Noosa does so well.

And of course, I couldn’t be in Brisbane without going to the Ashes. I dive into the experience of watching England get absolutely battered at the Gabba, what it’s like attending a day–night Test, and the special moment of seeing Joe Root finally score a hundred in Australia.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Brisbane, thinking about exploring Noosa, or just love hearing travel stories from the road, this episode is packed with tips, experiences and a few classic mishaps along the way.

What I cover:

• Where I stayed in Brisbane & why it was great value
• My favourite cafés, restaurants and rooftop spots
• What to do around South Bank & the CBD
• How I reached the Glasshouse Mountains for only 50 cents
• Hiking Mount Ngungun & my failed abseiling attempt
• My full breakdown of Noosa: beaches, walks, cafés & transport
• What it’s like attending an Ashes match at the Gabba
• Daily budgeting, weather tips & what to expect in summer

Want to watch my Ashes Series on YouTube? Then head to my channel here to watch Day 1 (then watch the rest through to Day 4) - https://youtu.be/wfi1npmY0Vg?si=7mAW9GpKHmiaC4ck

Want to travel with me to El Salvador?

Click this link to hear more - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000734952340

Click here to book - https://intrepid.wetravel.com/i/68fa168c8d157da799033142

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on your favourite podcast app — it helps new listeners discover the show. And share this episode with a friend who loves adventure, travel and big ideas.

00:00 – Intro

02:00 – Flying to Brisbane

04:00 – Accommodation in Brisbane

06:00 – Public Transport Hack

08:00 – Brisbane CBD & Skydeck

10:00 – South Bank

13:00 – Food & Coffee Spots

15:00 – Glasshouse Mountains

18:00 – Abseil Attempt

20:30 – Noosa Overview

23:30 – Hell’s Gates Walk

25:30 – Noosaville

28:00 – Getting Around

30:00 – The Ashes at the Gabba

34:00 – Budget & Costs

37:00 – Final...