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Ready To Take Off And Press Play?
In the world of travel, the age-old saying “you are what you listen to” opens a whole new chapter. As travellers, we’re not necessarily aimless wanderers — we’re explorers seeking meaning, answers, adventures, and good times.
The question arises: can we capture the feeling, the message, and the vibe of our journeys in a playlist? Absolutely!
Here is a thoughtfully curated playlist of my favourite travel soundtracks. This collection is meant to be cranked up during every phase of your trip – from the planning stages, through the packing process, while strolling down unfamiliar streets, cruising down unexplored roads, and even while returning home from an unforgettable journey. Each song brings a different theme to the playlist; some capture a particular vibe, others convey a powerful message about losing yourself in the world, and a few speak to the experience of being far away from home.
So shall we unpack the songs we have in store for you today? Let's set out on a musical journey with each of these songs, one by one!
Though, if you prefer to dive straight into the Spotify playlist, here's the link:
🎧 Listen to 'Globetrotter: Travel Jams' on Spotify
1. Touch The Sky - Kanye West
Let's start the playlist with a high-energy classic, perfect for takeoff! This hit is ideal for blasting through your earphones as your feet lift off the ground.
2. On Top Of The World - Imagine Dragons
We can all relate to this sensation. When you're far, far away from home, embracing the thrill of adventure, there's a genuine sense of being on top of the world!
3. Destination - Crash Adams
In just three minutes, this pop hit takes you on a global journey across Rome, Mexico, Jamaica, Saint Tropez, and more. Crash Adams nails this globetrotting song with fun lyrics and a dance-worthy tune.
4. Room Service - Bryan Adams
Every solo hotel check-in, I crank up "Room Service" for the nostalgic vibes. The song resonates with the nomadic lifestyle, living out of a suitcase, one hotel room to another.
5. Dreaming - Smallpools
“Please god tell me we're dreaming!” is something I often say when I'm travelling. This pop-rock anthem with its high-energy beat is perfect for those moments when life feels like a dream.
6. Infinity - Guru Josh Project
Tropical vibes that make you feel boundless! When I'm at a beachy spot with neon lights and this song kicks in, it transports me to a whole new place.
7. The Ocean (feat. Shy Martin) - Mike Perry
A summer anthem from the last decade, "The Ocean" brings tropical vibes, flying you back to sandy shores and the sound of salty waves.
8. Pineapple Skies - Miguel
This song captures a dreamy, carefree vibe where everything feels larger than life, just like a fever dream.
9. Waves (feat. Travis Scott) - Miguel
Another hit from Miguel on this playlist - my go to surf song! This hip-hop track sets the vibe before catching some waves on a surf vacation bringing me back to Porto and Essaouira.
10. Good To Be Alive - PVRIS
Often when you’re travelling, you need to pause, breathe, and take everything in. In moments like those, I try to remind myself how good it is to be alive.
11. Drive - Halsey
Cruising down an open road often feels like home. Halsey's "Drive" captures these emotions and more.
12. Head In The Clouds - Hayd
A slow, sad song about feeling distant and drifting away, like a plane in space. It's about missing the times when you could dream big with your head in the clouds. It’s a soulful addition to this travel playlist, serving as a deep soundtrack for journeys.
13. Leaving On A Jet Plane - John Denver
Can't forget this travel anthem now can I? This country hit has crossed generations to be a staple in everyone's travel playlist.
14. Galway Girl - Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings a song about meeting a girl from Galway in the heart of Dublin. This song brings back fond memories of the fantastic two weeks I enjoyed in Ireland!
15. wanderlust - blackbear
This track is aimed at all the people with "wanderlust" in their bio who do nothing about it exposing a fake lifestyle. Instead of doing it just for the 'gram, do it for yourself and actually catch that flight. Explore the world for the journey!
16. Airplanes, Pt. 2 (feat. Hayley Williams and Eminem) - B.o.B.
If a shooting star flew by, I’d totally be wishing for an airplane right now. As travellers, airplanes are our shooting star, aren’t they?
17. K-POP (feat. Bad Bunny and the Weeknd) - Travis Scott
Canadian and American hip-hop vibes blend with Bad Bunny's Latin charm in this cross-cultural track, referencing Miami, France, Korea, and Japan. This song brings back memories of wild parties under the Mexican moonlight in Tulum.
18. International Love - Pitbull
While Pitbull may be clichéd and comical, no travel playlist is truly whole without a global party anthem from Mr. Worldwide that we can all loudly dance and sing along to!
19. Paris - Ingratax
Mexican singer Ingratax comes to us with this Spanish track that takes you on a journey around the world, dreaming about Paris and recalling moments in Miami. Perfect song for a cross cultural globetrotter, right?
20. Oh, Mexico - Jeremy Zucker
Sometimes you just want to leave everything behind and go to a new place alone. Imagine going to warmer and more comfortable place instead of staying in the cold — so why not Mexico?
21. South Street - Nivla
Nivla's music hits the spot perfectly. Her impressive lo-fi tracks serve as ideal background music for exploring new neighbourhoods or trekking through the wilderness.
22. Cruisin’ - Pacific
Similar to Nivla, Pacific embraces a lo-fi theme with jazz overtones and outstanding electric guitar work. It's the perfect soundtrack for a sunset by the coast.
23. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
Got the keys? Let's roll! Regardless of where you find yourself in life, the dream of escaping and grabbing a ticket to anywhere keeps us moving forward.
24. Island In The Sun - Weezer
The island vibes linger on endlessly. Weezer's rock classic, "Island In The Sun," is a must for any travel playlist seeking that early 2000s classic touch.
25. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
We're all familiar with this one! As travellers, we'll be way more than 500 miles away, chasing our dreams.
26. Danza Kuduro - Don Omar, Lucenzo
Spanish and Portuguese hit Danza Kuduro lights up any room that's filled with people from all over the globe. I've partied with countless international strangers to this hit across Latin America and in the bars of Lisbon. This one binds us all together!
27. Best Day Of My Life - American Authors
Hey, any day travelling is the best day ever. The upbeat track is an epic mood lifter for travellers who are ready to explore the unknown!
28. Jet Lag (feat. Natasha Bedingfield) - Simple Plan
For all you 90s kids, here's a pop-punk anthem that's on point. Because, let's be honest, a little jet lag never hurt anybody!
29. Tokyo Nights - Digital Farm Animals
Feel the dreamy vibes of partying in foreign lands with an electrifying digital beat. Even if I haven't been to Tokyo, this song paints the perfect picture of what it might feel like.
30. I Took A Pill In Ibiza (Seeb Remix) - Mike Posner
Mike Posner’s song is an absolute club banger that starts with partying in glamourous Ibiza. Though the beat is energetic and carefree, the lyrics go in the opposite direction about messing up big time after a taste of fame. Nevertheless, despite the ups and downs, don't we all crave to party wildly overseas?
31. Indian Summer - Jai Wolf
Let’s head east with this nostalgia filled electronic song. Though the tune takes you to India, the hypnotic lyrics talk about going straight to moon, traveling far far beyond our world.
32. Paris - The Chainsmokers
Another track centred on the romantic city of Paris. It echoes the same metaphor of escaping reality, with the mind yearning to be somewhere else – a craving we all share.
33. Spain - Between The Trees
“Can we sail to Spain? Just me and you. Open ocean and bright blue skies above.” Now if that doesn’t make you want to escape to Spain, what else would?
34. Gypsy - Shakira
Shakira's "Gypsy" is all about living freely on a tight budget, grooving to a hippie beat. It's a simple, fun, and wanderlust-filled tune.
35. Ramblin’ Man - Allman Brothers Band
This 1973 country hit tells the tale of a free-spirited wanderer, celebrating the thrill of a life on the move and the freedom that comes with being a perpetual traveler in true nomad fashion.
36. Around The World - Daft Punk
The French Europop duo Daft Punk brings you this global hit. Infuse your playlist with techno beats through "Around The World” while literally going around the world.
And That’s A Wrap!
To wrap things up, here’s the Spotify playlist for you to save and listen to:
I hope you find a couple of tracks you like and add them to your collection. That way, my music can tag along on your adventures worldwide.
Are there any songs you would add to this playlist? Feel free to reach out on my socials and share your suggestions. I'd love to hear your travel music recommendations!
