Searching for a Book About Travel? These Are the 25 Best Backpacking Books

Whether planning your next vacation or an epic backpacking trip worldwide, this list will help you find a book about travel that’ll inspire you. I consider these backpacking travel books the best books to read while traveling. Ready to jump into this list of the best travel reads?

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?

The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing

Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.

Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

Best Travel Novels to Help You Find a Book About Travel

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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There are very few tales in the world as universally loved and cherished by people of all ages like this one. Richard Howard’s translation did an excellent job showcasing the author’s unique writing style. Regarding good books to read while traveling, The Little Prince is one of the best. It transports you to the Sahara Desert and introduces you to the prince of a planet where he’s the only human inhabitant. It’s a children’s book but just as relevant for grownups interested in backpacking travel.

The Beach by Alex Garland

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backpacking books,book,travel,a book about travel,backpacking travelThis is an irresistible novel about a man named Richard who receives a map that has been meticulously illustrated and leads to “The Beach.” As Richard soon learns, this beach is a famous legend among young Asian travelers. According to rumors, very few people have been chosen to find and settle into this communal Eden. This hallucinogenic and spellbinding tale is the perfect backpacking book for those who love to travel. If you like the film, then you will love the book! It’s a must-read for anyone traveling to Thailand.

The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream by Paulo Coelho

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Paulo Coelho’s extraordinary tale ranks among the best books about traveling the world, thanks to its excellent combination of wisdom, mysticism, and magic. It is a story of self-discovery that will inspire people of all ages. The Alchemist is a modern classic that has transformed the lives of countless people across the globe. There is a reason this is one of the best books to read while traveling. Of all of the backpacking books on this list, this is probably the most universally loved—reading it is a rite of passage for all travelers.  

The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

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This contains a volume of Douglas Adams’s classic novels from his well-loved Hitchhiker series. The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a book about travel through space and time and includes the following titles:

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

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Search for good books to read while traveling, and you’ll see Eat, Pray, Love at the top of most lists. This inspiring tale has touched the lives of countless people all over the world. It’s the perfect backpacking book for those wishing to travel to find their best version. This book is so iconic that it was even made into a movie. But as any avid reader knows, there’s nothing like reading a book to experience the tale completely.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

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Into the Wild is often considered one of the best travel novels ever. It follows the story of Christopher McCandless, who hitchhiked to Alaska and then took a solitary journey into the wilderness. After letting go of all his worldly possessions, Christopher created a new life in the wild. Sadly, the story doesn’t end well, but the book is beautifully written, poignant, and unforgettable.

How to Travel Without Seeing by Andrés Neuman

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This is a book about travel through fast-paced Latin America by author Andrés Neuman, who wrote it while on the move. As Neuman traveled through 19 different countries, he realized that traveling mostly consisted of “not seeing,” hence the title. This book is poetic and puckish, and it brims with curiosity. It’s one of the best books about backpacking to experience travels through reading before you take a trip. It’s a must-read travel book for Mexico, Central America, and South America.

A Bike Ride: 12,000 Miles Around the World by Anne Mustoe

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When Anne Mustoe, an ex-mistress, quit her job and took a solitary bike ride, she couldn’t even mend punctures. Fifteen months and 12,000 miles later, Anne was back at home. She had taken an epic journey around the world, facing different people and challenges along the way… and she told her incredible story through this inspiring travelogue. If you are a solo female about to embark on your adventure, this is one of the best books about backpacking to read.

Vagabonding by Rolf Potts

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This is one of the most life-changing backpacking books out there. As described by Rolf Potts, one incredible, long-term trip has the potential to change your life for the better. This book will help you learn how to think and travel no matter where you plan to go. By nature, vagabonding means taking time off from your routine, and there is no better book to learn more about the art of vagabonding than this one. It’s a must for any backpacker searching for a book about travel.

Tracks by Robyn Davidson

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In this book, Robyn Davidson shares the tale of her perilous journey across the hostile desert of Australia and into the sea, accompanied by only a dog and four camels. According to Davidson, there was a point where she experienced a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach because she knew that she had convinced herself to do something challenging, and there was no way to go back. Still, she survived the journey and shared her compelling story of transformation and self-discovery—another excellent backpacking book for women wanting good books to read while traveling solo.

True Spirit by Jessica Watson

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This is a story about Jessica Watson, a 16-year-old who triumphantly sailed her 33-foot boat for over 22,000 nautical miles at sea for 210 days. After this life-changing journey, Jessica was the youngest person to sail on her own around the world, unassisted and without making any stops. In this epic book, Jessica shared her incredible story. While it’s a book about travel on the sea, I consider it one of the top books to read while traveling.

One River by Wade Davis

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This is an epic story of scientific explorers from South Africa coming from two generations. Professor Richard Evan Schultes embarked on an adventure with Wade Davis, his protégé, to explore natural history. After taking a leave from Harvard, Schultes went into the Amazon, where he spent 12 years living among the natives while mapping uncharted rivers.

This story of destruction, betrayal, discovery, and adventure will surely keep you on the edge of your seat. If you plan on going anywhere in the Amazon (Peru, Colombia, or Brazil), you must read this backpacking travel book first.

Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey

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According to The New York Times, this book is profoundly poetic and passionately felt, and I’d have to agree! It is an inspiring autobiographical book about the life of Edward Abbey in the wilderness. Abbey’s descriptions of the desert bring it to life, thanks to his unique position as a conservationist and park ranger. He talks about his unique conflicts and adventures in detail, presenting it as a collection of stories and a philosophical memoir. This isn’t one of the most traditional backpacking books, but it is one of my favorites.

One Year Lived by Adam Shepard

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When Adam Shepard was 29, he traveled to 17 countries on four continents, spending less than $20,000. Through this journey, he was able to experience some incredible adventures. This journey also showed him how different life is in different countries compared to the US. This story is about different cultures, places, and identity development—it’s one of the best travel novels in history.

First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

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This story comes from a survivor of the Cambodian genocide under the Pol Pot’s regime. It’s a compelling and gut-wrenching narrative describing desperate actions, war crimes, the astounding strength of Loung Ung and her family, and how they triumphed over everything. Ung shares a powerful story of survival as she had to endure unspeakable brutality growing up. Read this if you’re shopping for good books to read while traveling to Cambodia to expand your knowledge of Cambodian history.

Shantaram: A Novel by Gregory David Roberts

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This is a breathtaking first novel by David Roberts set in modern-day Bombay’s underworld. The story is narrated by an escaped convict named Lin, who escaped from a maximum-security prison using a false passport. He headed to the teeming underworld of Bombay in hopes of disappearing amidst the society of gangsters, beggars, holy men, prostitutes, and other exiled individuals. It is a compelling story told using a unique perspective. You should read it if you are searching for a book about travel to India.

Spark Your Dream by Herman Zapp

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This is one of the best books about traveling the world to inspire you. It is a true story that presents the challenges so many face when they start chasing their dream and how to overcome them. Through this book, you will experience the risk, passion, frustration, success, and a sense of freedom that comes with the fulfillment of any dream.

Learning to Breathe by Janice Lynn Mather

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This bittersweet story is raw, unforgettable, vibrant, and hopeful. It’s so powerful that those who have read it describe the tale as poetic. This story by Janice Lynn Mather is all about resilience, healing, and the struggles of Indira Ferguson, a 16-year-old girl who struggles to hide her pregnancy while trying to deal with her life. It’s an excellent choice for a thought-provoking piece that deals with complex topics.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

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Wild is one of the best books on backpacking, made famous by the film version. But trust me, the book is better. For those who don’t know the plot, when Cheryl reached the age of twenty-two, she thought she had lost everything. Her mother died, her marriage ended, and her family was scattered. Since she felt like she had nothing more to lose, she impulsively chose to hike alone on a quest over one thousand miles long. This backpacking book sparkles with humor and warmth while having style and suspense. It’s all about a journey that healed and made a broken woman stronger. 

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

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A roundup of the best books about backpacking would be incomplete without On the Road, one of the best travel novels of all time. This legendary novel follows the story of a pair of friends who travel across the country to find true meaning and experiences. It is told with a blend of wild ambitions and just enough naiveté to intrigue you. Here, you will feel the author’s love for America, his compassion for humanity, and his vision for hope and freedom.

The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara

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This is the vibrant travel diary of the young Ernesto Che Guevara, and it’s wildly entertaining. The new edition of The Motorcycle Diaries features unpublished photos taken by Guevara when he was 23 years old, traveling across the continent. He spontaneously tells his story, and whether you’re a fan of Guevara or not, you’re sure to fall in love with him after reading about his travels.

The Answer Is YOU by Joseph P. Kauffman

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We always search for answers—to happiness, health, love, life, freedom, and success. While most people search for the answers outside themselves, they can be found within. The answers lie within yourself, no matter who you are or where you came from. And you can learn more in this inspiring and enlightening book. It’s one of the best backpacking books to read on your travel journey and helps to put things into perspective. 

Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux

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In this book, Paul Theroux is endearing, observant, and witty as he takes you across Africa by different means of transportation. This is another epic tale and enlightening adventure filled with dismay, dangers, and delays. Theroux describes his interactions with the people in Africa, the country’s beauty, and a series of dramatic events that will unfold right before you.

The Longest Way Home by Andrew McCarthy

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If you’re looking for a soulful backpacking book to read, this is the one to choose. It’s elegant and vibrant, and it shines with intelligence. Here, Andrew McCarthy will take you on his journey among some of the most evocative locales in the world. As McCarthy embarked on a journey to self-discovery, he bared his soul in the pages of this book, making for a wonderfully intimate memoir.

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan

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This is a coming-of-age story told with complex enchantment. While surfing is nothing but a sport to most people, it is a way of life to William Finnegan. Surfing was a beautiful addiction, something he learned to do as a child. In this book, Finnegan shares the backpacking travel adventures he experienced while surfing through the most challenging waves.

Solo Travel Guide Planning

🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m traveling?

I strongly recommend using Bookaway. You can book almost all transport in the major tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.

🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours?

I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!

👩‍⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?

I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.

I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here

✈️ Any flight recommendations?

WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.

📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?

I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.

With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.

🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?

The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.comHotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.

🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?

I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack. 

Best Books About Traveling the World: Final Thoughts

I hope this guide to the best books to read while traveling has helped you find a book about travel to bring on your next adventure. This list has a little of everything, from some of the best travel novels in history to modern backpacking books. Drop a comment with your picks for the best books on backpacking!

25 Of The Best Books To Read While Traveling In 2020


View my entire list of backpacking books on Amazon.