27 Books That Are Perfect To Read While Travelling

"There is something really pleasant about reading the story of an epic journey while you travel. I felt like reading this made me more excited to travel every day on all adventures. It is also a really long book so you can be sure you won't run out of things to read right away."

–Lucy Delves, Facbook

"I have read and re-read this book over multiple travels and found that it is the perfect escape for me. The story is a psychological drama set at a small college in Vermont, where a close group of friends murder a member of their own and attempt to cover it up. Chapters don't end in cliffhangers, so you don't have to worry about stopping at any point to enjoy the real scenery around you."

–Mitchell Finlay, Facebook

"I'm a huge fan of Robert Macfarlane. His slow, philosophical style is perfect for long train journeys, which most of my holidays involve. The Wild Places, where he explores all different kinds of wilderness in the UK, is probably my favourite."

–Tom McAteer, Facebook

"I read The Magic Mountain during a transatlantic crossing. It's not about travel at all (it's actually quite the opposite) but I found it really comforting to return to a book that was so firmly grounded in one place. The protagonist builds his own world up around his room in a sanatorium on a mountain. And as the novel progresses, he keeps binding himself and his personal history more and more to the mountain around him."

–Annie Osborn, Facebook

"I read this book while I was in Sri Lanka, and it was such an eye-opening read. I live in Italy, and I loved the Italian part, but reading the Indian part was extraordinary, even if I technically wasn't in India."

–Lucia Biagini, Facebook

This novel follows the story of Mim Malone, and her Greyhound bus trip back home to her sick mother.

"I read it while in Peru and it's a lovely, heartwarming book. Definitely perfect for travelling!"

–Emma Demerath, Facebook

As Earth is demolished to make way for a freeway through the galaxy, Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect begin a journey through space, following instructions from The Hitchhiker's Guide.

"I read it while I was in London. The book and the city were equally fantastic."

–Kate Marks, Facebook

One night, Quentin's life-long crush Margo climbs through his window asking him to help her get revenge. After a night causing trouble together, Margo disappears, leaving behind a trail of clues for Quentin.

"I read most of Paper Towns on my way to Toronto two summers ago. I hated the ending but the journey to it was pretty decent."

–Zari Helena Miller , Facebook

The best of The Rumpus' Dear Sugar columns.

–arushi1309

Lin had fled Australia - and prison - for Bombay with a false passport. Shantaram is his story of navigating the slums, mafia, and so much more.

"I think I read Shantaram while returning from the beautiful place that is called Delhi, and it immediately became one of my all-time favorite books."

–apoorvs470e0c5e6

This book is about the kids that aren't The Chosen Ones. In this young adult fantasy novel, the main characters are those who aren't tasked with saving the world.

"While travelling I love reading books where the main character goes on a journey in the story. Especially books with relatable issues in them."

–ninjapiggy2

Amy Wilde's new boyfriend Leo is secretly a prince. This is the story of a girl getting wrapped up in a world of loyalty, wondering if she belongs there.

"It sounds really soppy but I swear it’s amazing. It will always hold a special place in my heart. There was a copy in a caravan that I stayed in. One day of the holiday it was raining so I began reading it and loved it so much that now, every time I go away I have to find a copy to bring with me."

–dragonrider14

This is a true story by Australian journalist Rusty Young. While travelling in South America Young heard about a convicted English drug trafficker, Thomas McFadden, who ran illegal tours inside Bolivia's San Pedro prison. This book is everything Young learned during three months inside the prison.

–taylorw479f3c1b2

"The comedian/author travels to unusual destinations with dark histories. He goes skiing in Iran, goes on tour in Chernobyl, and visits the temples and the killing fields in Cambodia. He also goes on a bus tour through North Korea. It’s a fascinating and funny read."

–drunkdingo

After a divorce and her mother's death, Cheryl Strayed decided to take on the Pacific Crest Trail. This memoir tells the story of her journey.

"The most inspiring and cathartic book I’ve ever read. I picked it up from a book swap in Italy as a random read and it was incredible. If you’re ever in a position of wanting to break free from a situation you don’t want to be in, whether it be a job or relationship, whatever, you need to give this book a read. You’ll laugh and cry and end it believing you can make any change you want to… and be okay! Honestly, the film didn’t do it any justice."

–alexandral4231a647b

Set in Barcelona in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, this novel follows the journey of a book dealer's son Daniel. After discovering a book, The Shadow of the Wind, Daniel tries to find other works by the author and discovers that someone is trying to destroy every book they've written.

"Especially if you’re in Spain or Barcelona. It’s so brilliant and beautiful and gothic."

–charlottew48a858847

"I read The God of Small Things whilst on holiday in Kerala, India. An amazing book about love and loss set in Varkala, Southern India. Beautifully written and a certain tear jerker."

–kathrynels

"I was away somewhere, sitting in my bed staring out the window with a hot chocolate, reading Jane Eyre, and it just made me smile. It’s still the best book I’ve ever read."

–m457a37b78

"I read it on my trip to Greece and it definitely enhanced my travelling experience. The tales of the dogs as they navigate their lives with a new consciousness was so riveting."

–carlyb4a6ab3524

The Doors of Perception and Heaven and Hell are both essays written by Huxley about human consciousness and mind-expanding drug use.

"I read this when I was travelling from DC to NYC solo. It contains some extremely poignant theories about life that have stuck with me for years. Travelling alone is always a good time to reflect, so it was very fitting. I actually found it at a bus stop on the trip, so it was obviously destiny for me to read it immediately."

–julietfessel

"The Rum Diary is an early novel from Hunter S. Thompson that tells the wild story of his days as a reporter in Puerto Rico. It’s a fun read while travelling because it essentially covers his travels. But if you end up in the Caribbean drinking rum it can be especially worthwhile. Not a long read, but an entertaining and enthralling one."

–mdh3rd

When 15-year-old Bee's mother, Bernadette, disappears she begins to collect emails, documents, and everything else she can to work out what the hell has happened.

–noellelecompte

"It’s witty, gritty, and full of fun. Kika learns there’s adventure wherever one might travel - even if it means staying in one place. All the description makes you taste adventure and want to experience one for yourself."

–geneviever458c8f373

This short book is about a shepherd, Santiago, who travels across the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure and the fulfillment of his destiny.

"So inspiring and perfect for the traveller."

–carleyv40e8972dc

"The Sex Lives of Cannibals is the best book I’ve ever read while traveling. The hilarious non-fiction adventure of a young man travelling around remote islands had me laughing so hard during a long overseas flight."

–krperegoy

"In this book you travel throughout the world and throughout time. There is romance and fighting, betrayals and friendship."

–rednosedgirl

"Over the summer, I read All The Light We Cannot See. Doerr creates unique character perspectives: one is a young aspiring engineer growing up in Germany and another is a blind French girl who is on the run with her father. This book causes you to look at the world in a whole new way by becoming more conscious of the different struggles people face all over the world. This is a book that gets better every time you read it."

–hannahr41a6dbb5a