Pocket Guide: 7 Most Inspirational Travel & Adventure Books

The pace of the modern world doesn’t always lend itself to taking time out with a good book - getting lost in the pages, letting your mind wander in faraway lands and epic tales of adventure. But it’s always worth it. It’s worth taking time out from ‘life’ and burying your head in the pages, and pictures.

If it’s made the list, it’s been read by one of the Passenger crew. Some on comfortable seats, others on less comfortable seats. Some on sand under the sun and others in the flickering haze of those terrible lights you get on trains. 

We’ve picked a mix of coffee table “yes, I’m well-travelled. What about it?” books, best-selling and heart-wrenching personal accounts of long walks, a few pocket-sized ‘how-to’ guides and one that definitely isn’t pocket-sized but we’d like to see you try. All are available in physical copies, ebooks are also available for most of those recommended.

As with the rest of our Pocket Guide series, the list is based on personal opinions from team members and friends of Passenger. We did ask AI—terrible idea—blurting out titles exclusively written by men in the early 1900s. Classics? Yes. Tedious? Also, yes.

We hope you find meaningful escapism in our list of the 7 Most Inspirational Travel & Adventure Books.

• BEST BOOK FOR VANLIFE: Living The Vanlife | On the Road Toward Sustainability, Community, and Joy by Noami Grevemberg: £18.38

• BEST TRAVEL MAGAZINE: Advanture Mag Issue 13 (or any other issue) edited by Alexander Brown: £9.95

• BEST COFFEE TABLE BOOK: Slow Escapes | Rural Retreats for Conscious Travelers edited by Clara Le Fort, Robert Klanten, Rosie Flanagan: £39.95

• BEST POCKET-SIZED GUIDE: Vagabonding | An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts: £13.99

• BEST SMALL-TIME ADVENTURE GUIDE: Micro Adventures by Alastair Humphreys: £18.99

• BEST UK-SPECIFIC READ: Landlines by Raynor Winn: £10.99

• BEST US-SPECIFIC READ: Wild | A Journey From Lost to Found by Cheryl Strayed: £8.99

BEST BOOK FOR VANLIFE

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WHY WE LOVE IT: A harmless plug for friend of Passenger Noami Grevemberg’s book: Living The Vanlife | On the Road Toward Sustainability, Community, and Joy. It’s a story of fierce independence, the breakdowns and simple pleasures of life on four wheels. But it’s also a practical guide to getting it done, backed by solid advice and a unique perspective.

ROAMER’S REVIEW: “ I once heard the phrase “to trade four walls for four wheels” and this is the place to discover what that truly means. At Passenger, we first worked with Noami during our Pride campaign in 2024. We were inspired by her 10 years of life on the road, shedding light on her many intersections in the outdoors, and of course her adorable four-legged friends along the way. In this book, expect stunning full-colour imagery, practical vanlife tips (but without the generic ‘how-to’ nonsense), and a realistic insight into the important topic of diversity in the outdoors.” - Nell, Community Manager 

FOOTNOTES: A note from the author: “ My hope is that my story serves as a reminder that it's never too late to embark on a new adventure, to chase after a long-held dream, or to discover something new about oneself. Life is a journey, and it's up to us to make the most of it. So, let's embrace the unknown, take risks, and live our lives to the fullest.”

MORE LIKE THIS: How to Live in a Van and Travel, by Mike Hudson - a comprehensive guide with cost breakdowns and a clear start-to-finish narrative. The Van Conversion Bible is another—bigger—book on all things van travel, we especially love the detailed illustrations and layout sketches. If you’re wanting to build out a camper without touching YouTube, this one’s a good’n. Finally, Nowhere for Very Long | The Unexpected Road to an Unconventional Life by Brianna Madia - a beautifully written book and a crowd favourite here at Passenger HQ.

BEST TRAVEL MAGAZINE

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WHY WE LOVE IT: Advanture Magazine—past and present—isn’t just for those behind the wheel, it’s an inspiring read for anyone who gets their kicks from stories of the road. Released quarterly, each issue buckles into a seasonal dose of four-wheeled adventure and good fun. It’s a timeless coffee table classic. We’re good mates with Alex (editor) and he’s thrown us the keys to sell direct via the Passenger site. Well appreciated.

ROAMER’S REVIEW: “I keep my copies of Advanture close by, it’s the perfect magazine to flick through with a coffee. Editor Alex Brown does an awesome job of curating the most interesting stories and beautiful film and digital photography that paint a full and honest picture of life on the road. His personal Instagram is worth a follow too, you’ll find him tinkering on his 1990 T3 ‘Snickers’ and sharing snippets of his life in the beautiful Pyrenees.” - Sarah, Communications Manager

FOOTNOTES: Yep, that’s our runabout on the cover. Little Firs made it to Issue 13, all cosy and warm looking. A good read for anyone with a case of cabin-fever this winter, get lost in road stories from the less than warm half of the year. Thumb through for a double-pager on Little Firs and a few lines on the why, where and when.

MORE LIKE THIS: Sidetracked for all your travel and BIG exploration reads, it’s well worth stocking up and lining the shelf. Wildsam is an awesome mag based over in the US with accompanying travel guides. For our friends that side of the pond, they make a great companion for future travel plans and always go down well wrapped and gifted. Outside is a little more mainstream but it’s cover-to-cover adventure goodness; lots of ‘Top 10s’ and ‘Best of’ articles.

BEST COFFEE TABLE BOOK

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WHY WE LOVE IT: A thoughtful guide to thoughtful travel. Its weighty, photo-first exterior sits pretty on a coffee table, sideboard or bookshelf - doubling as a great gift for adventurous types. Slow Escapes explores hotels, guesthouses, and hospitality venues that are reestablishing the strands of deep connection between people and the natural world. Drawing upon principles of the slow movement—yes please—plus ideas of community, culture, sustainability and seasonality.

ROAMER’S REVIEW: “This has been on my list for a while now, and I keep meaning to add it to my next Passenger order. The cabin interiors and wild landscapes create a real sense of awe and inspiration - it makes me want to see more of the world, in the right way.” - Pip, Graphic Designer

FOOTNOTES: We’ve had a restock of hardback adventure fodder, found here. Slow Escapes made the cut as it’s a little slower—as the title suggests—than the others on the list. If you’re more into weekend trips and short-term travel around a busy schedule, it’s a great inspo read. If you’re renovating a house or building a cabin, it’s also great for ‘borrowing’ ideas.

MORE LIKE THIS: More from the Passenger library; The Getaways and Parklife Hideaways are worth a flick through. For an increase in pace and pedals, Grand Bikepacking Journeys is a mix of ‘how-to’ guide, trail diary and inspo montage - similar to On The Run. 

BEST POCKET-SIZED GUIDE

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WHY WE LOVE IT: Its content-to-size ratio is unmatched. There are little indents and quotes littered throughout a considered layout that’s easily digestible. You’ll want to keep this one handy. The further reading lists plus Q&A cheatsheets are a nice touch - they don’t make you feel like you’re not a certified ‘vagabond’ - there’s loads on travelling with kids, taking trips later in your life and shorter roams. Vagabonding | An Uncommon Guide is a good 10+ years old now, but it still stands as one of the—if not the—best pocket-sized guide for travel.

ROAMER’S REVIEW: “My copy has a good few scribbles, coffee stains and corners folded. It’s an awesome little book that’s light, funny and full of practical advice. A book for anyone with pent-up wanderlust seeking a BIG adventure: Read it, write in it, take it with you and pass it on to the next person.” - Theo, Copywriter

FOOTNOTES: “This book is not for daredevils and thrill seekers but for anyone willing to make an uncommon choice that allows you to travel the world for weeks and months at a time, improvising (and saving money) as you go.” - We couldn’t have worded it better ourselves.

MORE LIKE THIS: Flick to any one of the ‘Resource’ pages and you’ll have a wishlist as long as your arm. Whilst a Rough Guide, Lonely Planet or DK can tell you a lot about one spot, it’s worth a trip to your local indie bookstore for a good rummage. Charity shops are usually well-stocked with City / Country-wide guides, so don’t count them out. 

BEST SMALL-TIME ADVENTURE GUIDE

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WHY WE LOVE IT: We love a local roam. Close to home, minimal kit and a f*ck it attitude. This book embodies that, with simple prompts like ‘travel from the highest point in your area to the lowest’, a list of wild places and even a micro-adventure calendar: NY swim, wild garlic season, Spring Equinox etc. It’s 5-to-9 escapism bound by big imaginations and small-time pursuits. The author chimes in with advice, but it’s never too much. A ‘how-to’ for new experiences, open mind and (micro) meaningful escapism. A great gift, also.

ROAMER’S REVIEW: “It was gifted to me by my partner a few years back and it’s now full of post-its and scribbles. It’s very easy to take one of the adventures and tweak it to suit your ability, time available and the gear you’ve already got. The pages are full of ideas that seem so simple but really push you to explore your local area and beyond.” - Matt, Community Coordinator

FOOTNOTES: A great read to reconnect with an old adventure buddy or to go solo close to home comforts. Cabin fever from working at home? Plan an adventure and see if you can’t break new ground before your 9am roll call. It’s not pocket-sized, but we think that’s part of the fun - pick your adventure, close the book and get out there…

MORE LIKE THIS: The loveable Aussie oddball Beau Miles has written a fantastic book The Backyard Adventure , retelling adventures and establishing a wacky-side-of-centre attitude to most things. Equal parts ‘meaningful and pointless expeditions’. Achievable Adventures: A Practical Guide by Charlie Wild and Jessica Last (@the.travel.project) is another cracker, showcasing 52 handpicked UK adventures. We’d expect nothing else from a name like ‘Wild’.

BEST UK-SPECIFIC READ

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WHY WE LOVE IT: An intimate look at big themes and small details. A hopeful journey accompanied by strangers and friends, the author’s beloved husband Moth and musings on the freedom gained from walking in wild lands. You don’t have to read her two previous books to get lost in the pages… but still do, they’re also great. Perfectly re-readable in the greatest sense of the word and hard to put down when first picked up.

ROAMER’S REVIEW: “Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the honesty and resilience depicted in The Salt Path, I can't wait to get stuck into Raynor's other books; Landlines and The Wild Silence. A comfort author that speaks from the heart about the trials and tribulations of life.” - Ayla, Events & Marketing Coordinator

FOOTNOTES: In Landlines, Winn and co walk—amongst others—the Cape Wrath Trail; a 320km stretch of wild path in the north of Scotland. It’s considered one of the most challenging long-distance walks in Britain and it’s about as remote as you can get on home shores. For more hikes like this, read our Pocket Guide: 10 Best National Parks for Hiking in the UK & Ireland.

MORE LIKE THIS: For a lighter touch, go no further than the heavily humoured back catalogue of the one, the only: Mr Bill Bryson. A Walk In The Woods - a Passenger favourite. If it’s lyrical writing on the British landscape you’re after, we’d recommend Robert Macfarlane’s The Wild Places and for swimmers, Roger Deakin’s Waterlog. Keep eyes open for The Salt Path and The Wild Silence when browsing under ‘W’. Rumours of a 4th booking coming later in 2025…

BEST US-SPECIFIC READ

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WHY WE LOVE IT: Now, not everyone loves this book. It can feel self-indulgent at times, unprepared and plain weird. But we love the honesty and unique take on the well-worn Pacific Crest Trail. Her struggles feel real, she tells it how it is and doesn’t stray from the gritty details. The travel writing genre is incredibly diverse with Wild a testament to it. If it’s not for you, fine… but we think it’s worth a read.

ROAMER’S REVIEW: “I’ve seen the film and have yet to pick up the book, but I’m excited to get stuck into it. I don’t want the reviews to taint my experience, I plan to go into it with an open mind. Maybe one for the train?” - Annabel, Social Media Manager

FOOTNOTES: There are stacks of female travel writers out there. Yes, there’s a place for the classics but 99% are written by middle-class men whom use words like ‘whom’, ‘exotic’ and ‘savage’. Some female authors to note are Noo Saro-Wiwa, Rebecca Solnit, Jan Morris and Helen Russell to name a few.

MORE LIKE THIS: A Walk In The Woods , by Bill Bryson - it follows the same path with a very different take on the PNW. For something more vintage, A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins or something by Paul Theroux, Bruce Chatwin and co will do. Travels with Charley: In Search of America is a Steinbeck classic, if a little less known. For a light romp, try Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucía and One More Croissant for the Road. Not US-based but we thought they deserved some word count.

• Follow your path: Pick up books that truly ignite meaningful escapism in you.

• Find a voice: Seek authors who share your style of talking or feel relatable.

• Fiction, not fact: A novel or short story can add a new perspective to people and place.

• Make a meal of it: Read cookbooks to get a feel for local cuisine and foodie spots.

• Secondhand first: Hunting for lesser-known, well-read titles is an adventure in itself.

• Keep a reading list: Give ‘em a score and note down how they spoke to you.

• Get personal: Memoirs and biographies shed some truth on the grittier side of travel.

• Widen your gaze: Seek books by diverse authors for unique viewpoints and untold stories.

• Pass it on: Read, scribble down ideas and then pass the book to a friend - who knows what it’ll inspire…

How were the books selected?

All of the books listed were hand-picked by Passenger crew members, either read or on the reading list. We tried to select a good mix, some lesser-known and others we thought would really resonate with our roamer. If you have any other suggestions or titles we should stick in the Passenger library, please let us know on Instagram.

Are these books suitable for all readers?

These travel books are suited to all readers and we’ve tried to add similar titles under each. Some are more classic guides to travel, others are more personal and some are pocket-sized. It’s a good mix of reads, we promise.

Can I find these books in different formats?

All of the books listed are available in print, eBook and a good few can be found as audiobooks - Roamer’s / reader’s choice.

Can I buy any of these travel books from Passenger?

You can pick up Slow Escapes, Rural Retreats For Conscious Travelers and Advanture Magazine on the Passenger site. Plus a wide selection of coffee table reads on travel, conscious living, outdoor cooking, running, bikepacking and more - books.

What are the best travel books?

A big question… here’s a rundown of our selects:

• Living The Vanlife, by Noami Grevemberg
• Advanture Mag Issue 13, by Alexander Brown
• Slow Escapes, Rural Retreats For Conscious Travelers
• Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts
• Micro Adventures, by Alastair Humphreys
• Landlines, by Raynor Winn
• Wild, by Cheryl Strayed

If we’ve missed any books on travel that you think should make the list, we’re sorry okay… We know the team would love to hear about ‘em. Instagram is the place, we’ll meet you there for a bookswap.

#MyEscapism