Last Updated: April 29, 2022
Best Songs About Travel
Making a travel playlist for an upcoming trip? Then you’re definitely in the right place because we’ve got 25+ songs about travel that need to be on that playlist!
From iconic hits like Kokomo to some subtler tunes like Graceland, all the songs below have one thing in common – travel! Some will get you excited about other cities while others are just classic road trip anthems, they’re all tunes from different genres. Keep reading to see all the best songs about travel and find your favorite songs!
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Graceland by Paul Simon
I’m going to Graceland, Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee
I’m going to Graceland
Poor boys and pilgrims with families
And we are going to Graceland
Going on a cross-country road trip and planning to stop by Memphis? This tune will get you in the perfect mood, especially if you’re actually thinking of stopping by the Graceland mansion. The fabulous house where Elvis Presley lived is nowadays a museum open to the public, and playing this tune while actually driving there is just a picture-perfect road trip moment!
Kokomo By The Beach Boys
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I want to take ya
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego, baby, why don’t we go?
Kokomo isn’t just one of the best songs about travel, but it’s one of the greatest hits from this iconic band. It’s the perfect tune to get you excited about an upcoming vacation, especially if you happen to be traveling to Jamaica! The vibe is all about beach and cocktails, so be sure to add this to your travel playlist whenever it’s time for a beach vacation!
Havana By Camila Cabello
Havana, ooh na-na
Half of my heart is in Havana, ooh-na-na
He took me back to East Atlanta, na-na-na
Oh, but my heart is in Havana
Havana by Camila Cabello is one of the most fun songs you can add to your travel playlist. It’s a simple pop tune that’s fun to listen to, easy to sing along to, and that will quite quickly get stuck in your head. It’s particularly an exciting song if you’re actually traveling to Cuba, but even if you’re not, you’ll be humming Havana ooh na-na for days, I promise you that.
California Dreaming By The Mamas and Papas
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I’ve been for a walk (I’ve been for a walk)
On a winter’s day (on a winter’s day)
I’d be safe and warm (I’d be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)
California dreamin’ (California dreamin’)
On such a winter’s day
Heading to Los Angeles? You can’t be on the way to the city of angels without playing this classic tune at least once! California Dreaming By The Mamas and Papas is a song from the 1960s, and the one thing that hasn’t changed since then is that most of us are still very often California Dreaming, especially on cold and dreary days.
So, the next time you’re traveling to Cali, make sure that this catchy tune is on your travel playlist to get you in the California mood!
Take Me Home, Country Roads By John Denver
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
Whether you’re actually driving around on country lanes singing country roads, take me home at the top of your lungs, or just rushing through traffic on your way to the airport, this song is appropriate for the journey.
It’s one of the most iconic country songs of all time and people all over the world know it, even if they can’t pinpoint West Virginia on a map. Blast this on your car’s speakers and you’ll easily make friends while you’re on the road trip.
Rambling Man By The Allman Brothers Band
Well my father was a gambler down in Georgia,
He wound up on the wrong end of a gun.
And I was born in the back seat of a Greyhound bus
Rollin’ down highway 41
Rambling Man is a great tune to add to a travel playlist. It’s an upbeat song that’s very easy to sing along to and it’s great for road trips because it will instantly put everyone in a better mood. The song’s also about not staying in one place and having that urge to just pack your bags and go and explore new things, so it fits really well into road trip themes.
I’ve Been Everywhere Man By Johnny Cash
I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Crossed the desert’s bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere
Johnny Cash singing about how he’s been everywhere and then processing to list nearly every town in the States is a pretty iconic travel song. This is pretty much a road trip anthem, especially if you’re traveling to some of the cities he mentioned.
Johnny Cash isn’t exactly known for happy and upbeat tunes, so something’s fishy about I’ve Been Everywhere, right? That’s because he didn’t write the song – the original lyrics were composed by Geoff Mack, and he lists the many different towns in Australia. The song was adapted by artists from other countries and Johnny Cash’s adaptation is best-known in the US.
Istanbul Not Constantinople By They Might Be Giants
So, take me back to Constantinople
No, you can’t go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That’s nobody’s business but the Turks
Are you perhaps heading to Istanbul? Then this particular song is exactly what needs to go on your playlist. Get yourself hyped for one of the prettiest cities in Turkey by blasting Istanbul Not Constantinople on your headphones until you get tired of it, which might not come as soon as you think. It’s a really catchy tune with a quick and upbeat rhythm, so it’s bound to get you all hyped and excited!
Leaving on a Jet Plane By Peter Paul and Mary
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go
One of the perks of taking a vacation is that you get to rub it in the face of all your friends who are still at their jobs, preferably with a nice Instagram post. And that’s why Leaving on a Jet Plane is one of the top travel songs ever – it provides you with the perfect Instagram Music moment for the photo of the clouds seen from an airplane seat. It’s also a great song and it can quickly get you very excited about flying somewhere for a vacation.
Road To Nowhere By Talking Heads
We’re on a road to nowhere
Come on inside
Takin’ that ride to nowhere
We’ll take that ride
Hitting the road with your friends without a specific city in mind? Then this song really belongs on your travel playlist! The lyrics literally talk about just setting off without a clear goal in mind, and it’s the perfect song for a spontaneous trip.
On the other hand, the lyrics are not always meant to be taken quite so literally. The deeper meaning of the song is about an existential crisis, and how it’s okay if you’re still not certain what exactly is your path in life. That’s also extremely relatable, particularly for young adults.
Midnight Train to Georgia By Gladys Knight and the Pips
He’s leaving (leaving)
On that midnight train to Georgia (leaving on a midnight train)
Hmm, yeah
Said he’s going back (going back to find)
To a simpler place and time (and when he takes that ride)
Oh yes, he is (guess who’s gonna sit right by his side)
Midnight Train to Georgia is one of the most iconic soul singles of the 20th century. The outstanding vocals will give you chills every time you listen to the song, so it’s one of those tunes that belong on a travel playlist without question.
It’s particularly a fun song to listen to if you’re on a train journey or actually traveling to Georgia, but it’s perfectly fine to add it to your playlist even if you’re going backpacking through Europe.
On Top Of The World By Imagine Dragons
‘Cause I’m on top of the world, ‘ey
I’m on top of the world, ‘ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
On Top Of The World is one of those songs that’s so upbeat and positive that belongs on every single playlist and that includes a road trip playlist. It’s the perfect song to blast in a car full of people and it will quickly become the group’s favorite song out of the bunch, especially on longer road trips.
Although the lyrics aren’t literally about traveling to different cities and countries, the song does describe that amazing feeling that comes with exploring and discovering new things. Who doesn’t feel like they’re on top of the world when they finally go to a city they’ve been dreaming of visiting for ages?!
Road Trippin’ By Red Hot Chili Peppers
Road trippin’ with my two favorite allies
Fully loaded we got snacks and supplies
It’s time to leave this town, it’s time to steal away
Let’s go get lost anywhere in the U.S.A
What’s a road trip playlist without a song called Road Trippin’? I’ll admit I’m a bit biased here since the Chili Peppers are by far my favorite band ever, but they definitely deserve to be on the playlist. It’s more of a subdued than upbeat tune and there’s a more sinister meaning to the lyrics, but that can be said for most songs this band performs. In any case, if you’re Road Trippin’ with your favorite allies, be sure to add this classic tune to the playlist!
Sweet Home Alabama By Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord I’m comin’ home to you
I feel like this song is just so iconic that it doesn’t even require an explanation as to why it belongs on the list. A road trip playlist just isn’t complete without Sweet Home Alabama, whether you’re driving through the United States or on a dirt road somewhere in southern Europe. The iconic tune is one of the best travel songs ever, plus it’s a fun and famous tune that everyone in the car can sing along to.
Wonderful Life By Black
Look at me standing here on my own again, up straight in the sunshine
No need to run and hide, it’s a wonderful, wonderful life
No need to laugh or cry, it’s a wonderful, wonderful life
Wonderful Life is one of those iconic all-time hits that can find its way into any playlist, so why not add it to a travel playlist. Life is much more wonderful when you’re traveling, and this iconic tune reminds you of that. It’s a much slower song, so it’s not the right song to get you all hyped and excited about a trip, but rather something to listen to when you’re just feeling happy and grateful.
God Blessed Texas By Little Texas
‘Cause God blessed Texas with His own hand
Brought down angels from the Promised Land
He gave them a place where they could dance
If you wanna see Heaven, brother, here’s your chance
I’ve been sent to spread the message
‘God blessed Texas’
If you’re traveling to Texas, this better be your anthem while you’re on the road! The song is just so much fun that it has to be on your ultimate travel playlist, especially if you like country music. It’s a fun, upbeat tune that’s very catchy, and it’s almost guaranteed you’ll be singing about Texas for a couple of days after your trip.
Truckin’ By Grateful Dead
Truckin’, up to Buffalo
Been thinkin’, you got to mellow slow
It takes time, you pick a place to go
And just keep truckin’ on
Truckin’ is a 70s song by one of the most iconic bands of all time. The music of the Grateful Dead is famous for mixing elements of various genres, most notably blues, rock and roll, folk, jazz, and country music. Truckin’ is about truckin’ on from one US city to another, which makes it just the right song for any road trip through the US. It’s also about being on the run from the law, but that’s a slightly subtler element of the song.
Mexico By James Taylor
Oh, Mexico
It sounds so simple, I just got to go
The sun’s so hot I forgot to go home
Guess I’ll have to go now
Heading on a vacation to Mexico? The James Taylor song is the best one to add to your travel songs playlist! It’s all about the South American country, and it’s the perfect tune to get you hyped about the trip. It’s also such a light and easy beat (if you manage to ignore the drearier lyrics) that pairs perfectly with a lounger on a beach and some tequila sunrise cocktails.
Miles Away By The Maine
When the buzz ain’t like it was
Well then it’s time for a change
Just a subtle change
A tongue full of only tomorrow’s
Will never quench your thirst for today
So what do you say we take a trip miles away
If you’re looking for pop-rock songs for travel, Miles Away by The Maine is a great addition to your playlist. It’s a classic pop-rock tune with lyrics about just wanting to be miles away. Whether you’re running away from something or you’re just yearning for some change of scenery, Miles Away is just perfect for that mood. Just take a trip say the vocals in the background and we couldn’t agree more that that’s the best thing to do in any scenario!
A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton
Making my way downtown
Walking fast, faces pass and I’m homebound
Staring blankly ahead, just making my way
Making a way through the crowd
A Thousand Miles is another upbeat tune that’s perfect for a travel song playlist. It’s just the right song to play when your trip is coming to an end and you’re returning home. Instead of feeling sad that the trip is over, play this tune and you’ll be a bit more hyped about coming back home and seeing all your loved ones that you missed while you were away.
Africa by Toto
It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Africa by Toto is one of those songs from the 80s that doesn’t seem to lose its popularity. It’s been voted the greatest song of all time, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it belongs on every single travel playlist. The vocals are impeccable, the beat is amazing, and it’s just a fantastic song all around.
It’s the perfect travel song if you’re actually traveling to Africa, but it’s so upbeat and amazing that it fits well into any road trip playlist. It will boost the atmosphere in the car within the first couple of verses, and you’ll all be blessing the rains down in Africa!
On The Road Again By Willie Nelson
And I can’t wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin’ places that I’ve never been
Seein’ things that I may never see again
And I can’t wait to get on the road again
Are you always excited about traveling to new places? So is Willie Nelson, and he just can’t wait to get back on the road again! If you feel the same way, then blasting this tune while you’re traveling to a new city (or country) is more than fitting. It’s also a country song, so it’s very catchy and upbeat, which is just perfect for road trips.
London Calling By The Clash
London calling, yes, I was there, too
And you know what they said? Well, some of it was true
London calling at the top of the dial
And after all this, won’t you give me a smile?
London Calling is often the anthem for people who are traveling to London. It’s all about that photo of the Big Ben or the London Eye with the “London Calling” caption that’s supposed to imply that their wanderlust has taken them there. The only problem is that the song’s more about global warming and ecological catastrophes than anything else, but it’s still an extremely popular song that will get you hyped about London.
Come Fly With Me By Frank Sinatra
Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away
If you can use some exotic booze
There’s a bar in far Bombay
Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away
There’s hardly anything more classic than Frank Sinatra, and if you’re in the mood for some old-school pop/jazz, Come Fly With Me is the perfect song to add to your travel playlist. Sinatra’s also singing about flying to different countries in the Americas and Asia, making this tune perfectly appropriate for any trip to a distant country. Whether you’re heading to Bombay or Peru, Sinatra’s amazing voice will keep you happy and excited for the upcoming trip.
I Left My Heart In San Francisco By Tony Bennet
I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
The morning fog may chill the air, I don’t care
Any trip to San Francisco requires a playlist with this song so in case you’re heading to SF, don’t forget Tony Bennet. The renowned pop and jazz singer is known for his incredible voice, and I Left My Heart In San Francisco just reaffirms all the reasons why. This was also the performer’s first top-10 record and it’s one of the most famous songs about SF.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
