50 Best Travel Shows Of All-Time

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Travel, both domestic and international, can be a daunting endeavor, prompting prospective tourists to check different resources for advice before embarking on their own journeys, with television programming generally being the most engaging. Travel shows have provided valuable tourism, shared a spotlight on overlooked destinations and cultures, and allowed audiences to experience travel vicariously by watching immersive programming. There is a proverbial multitude of travel shows available to watch, each led by charismatic hosts and a variety of premises to examine the world in their own respective ways.

With so many travel shows to choose from, here are the 50 greatest travel shows of all time, covering a number of different sub-genres and varying scopes, including driving, eating, and social commentary. With decades of travel programming, there truly is a show for everyone. Our goal at Explore is to sort through all of those shows and provide the very best.

CNN has steadily built up an impressive line-up of travel shows, often centered around the intersection of food and culture around the world. For two seasons, "Culinary Journeys" focused on different international chefs, world-renowned for the quality of the cuisine they regularly craft in the kitchen. The show's overarching premise has chefs embark on a trip, either abroad or to a different location within their own country, to learn more about technique and ingredients from outside of their usual digs.

With each episode featuring some of the most celebrated chefs in the contemporary culinary scene, the series demonstrates how food and flavor can unify and elevate itself beyond geopolitical borders. "Culinary Journeys" has since been delisted from CNN's programming on Discovery+ and is not currently available to stream on any platform or rent through any digital retailer, though some episode clips are on YouTube.

Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci reconnects with his ancestral roots in the CNN travel series "Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy." Premiering in 2021, the show has Tucci visit different regions in Italy to learn more about the local cuisine, culture, and history in a sun-soaked tour of the Mediterranean country. Though the major tourist centers of Italy are among the destinations in Tucci's tour, the host takes the time to explore restaurants and locations off the beaten track in order to reveal a more authentic Italian experience.

Buoyed by Tucci's understated, yet quietly charismatic presence, "Searching for Italy" has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, winning two for its achievement in nonfiction television. Available to purchase and rent through most digital retailers, "Searching for Italy" is also available to stream on Discovery+.

With its focus on automobiles and driving challenges, it's easy to forget that "Top Gear" has an impressive and recurring travel aspect to its motoring premise. Originally launched as a British program in 1977, the long-running franchise repositioned itself for American audiences in 2002 while inspiring a growing number of international spinoffs. "Top Gear" highlights some of the best driving locations around the world, often with local cars utilized for several of its high-profile destinations.

Hailed as one of the best British television series of the 2000s, "Top Gear" has become a bonafide cultural phenomenon, even for those that aren't hardcore auto aficionados. Admittedly placing a stronger emphasis on cars and drivers, "Top Gear" still showcases stunning destinations worldwide. "Top Gear" is currently available to stream on Netflix and HBO Max, as well as being available to purchase or rent on most online retailers.

Prolific chef, author, and television personality Andrew Zimmern delves into the off-kilter local cuisine from around the world that outsiders may view as strange in the Travel Channel series "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern." Running steadily since 2006, "Bizarre Foods" has become a large television franchise in and of itself, spawning spinoff series and specials, while the main series has undergone several rebrands. Now carrying the subtitle, "Delicious Destinations," Zimmern's unique perspective on local cuisine remains as effectively engaging as ever.

Traveling anywhere from remote settlements in the untamed wilderness to local gastronomy usually avoided by tourists, Zimmern doesn't just focus on the cuisine and preparation itself but where the key ingredients come from. A Travel Channel staple for over a decade and counting, "Bizarre Foods" is currently available to stream on Hulu and Discovery+.

Chef and author Anthony Bourdain's first foray into travel television was on the Food Network series "A Cook's Tour," filmed while Bourdain was simultaneously writing a book about his experiences. Running for two seasons from 2002-2003, the show took Bourdain around the globe to sample local cuisine and culture, with Asia being a prominent recurring destination on the show. In Variety's review of the first season, "A Cook's Tour" was praised for focusing on destinations less well-documented by other travel shows while still providing a man-on-the-street perspective.

"A Cook's Tour" offers a fascinating look at Bourdain discovering his own voice as a television host, while still possessing his acerbic wit. The series is currently available to stream in full on Prime Video and Vudu.

Popular British actor and comedian Richard Ayoade launched the breakneck travel series "Travel Man," blending comedy with hectic itineraries. Paired with a celebrity guest, Ayoade and his travel companion have 48 hours to take in the sights and cuisine in different international cities. Starting with the show's tenth season, Ayoade was replaced by British comedian Joe Lycett, but the overall formula remains largely the same.

Buoyed by Ayoade and Lycett's hilarious personalities and its limited-time premise, "Travel Man" is as freewheeling and fun as travelogs get. "Travel Man: 48 Hours In..." is currently available to stream on Peacock and Hulu.

With a country as richly vast and varied as the United States, there are plenty of interesting travel spots without ever having to go abroad. This underlying truth provides the basic premise to the PBS travel series "No Passport Required," focused on exploring the legacy of immigrant traditions and cuisines within the country. Hosted by noted chef Marcus Samuelsson, six major American cities are showcased as Samuelsson examines the immigrant legacy and food that lovingly define each locale.

Going beyond the typical fare that colors each city's perception, Samuelsson meets with everyone from the Armenian community in Los Angeles to the Chinese legacy behind Las Vegas, showcasing some of the cultures that help to make each city great. "No Passport Required" is currently available to stream on Prime Video and PBS.

After helming the long-running sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond," prolific television writer and producer Phil Rosenthal turned to travelog hosting, starting with the 2015 series "I'll Have What Phil Is Having." Running on PBS for six episodes, the show follows Rosenthal as he travels around the world to check out the local food scenes. Joined by celebrity guests like Martin Short and Ray Romano, Rosenthal's comedic perspective helps give the usual travel show proceedings a more engaging approach.

Though short-lived, "I'll Have What Phil Is Having" provides an early look at the type of travel programming Rosenthal would host to greater success on Netflix. "I'll Have What Phil's Having" is currently available to stream on Roku, Prime Video, and PBS.

Chef and author David Chang takes a look at the cultural history and deeper meaning behind popular cuisine in the Netflix original series "Ugly Delicious." Premiering in 2018, Chang and a group of celebrity guests explore the origins of different food through extensive interviews and traveling to informative points from the cuisine's origins. A thoughtful discussion about food and its inextricable links to societal identity, "Ugly Delicious" blends serious insight with Chang's quick wit to great effect.

Widely acclaimed for its approach to asking the hard questions about cuisine's impact on culture and cultural perception, "Ugly Delicious" was nominated for an Emmy Award. The series is currently available to stream on Netflix.

A lot can be learned about a culture through its gastronomy, and host Jack Maxwell is determined to get to the bottom of this search for identity – and the bottom of many bottles – in the Travel Channel show "Booze Traveler." Exploring both domestic and international destinations, Maxwell reveals how drinking culture informs daily life in places like Seoul and Dublin while partaking in local spirits himself. With Maxwell's easygoing personality at the forefront, "Booze Traveler" is a look at how communities bond together over their love of drink.

As a former South Boston bartender, Maxwell lends an everyman perspective to his global travels, more interested in looking for a good time than asking the hard questions as the show breezily chugs along. A fittingly rambunctious travelog, "Booze Traveler" is currently available to stream on Discovery+ and to rent and purchase through most digital retailers.

Survivalist Bear Grylls travels around the world to showcase some of the harshest conditions on Earth and how to survive them in the Discovery Channel series "Man vs. Wild." Though the show faced controversy over how authentic its depicted experiences for Grylls were (via BBC), the series popularized the wilderness survival genre. From placing Grylls in the European Alps to the African savannah, "Man vs. Wild" juxtaposes the beauty of the untamed wilderness worldwide with Grylls' survival tips.

Anchored by the supremely charismatic and informative Grylls, "Man vs. Wild" remains a thrilling watch over a decade after its conclusion. "Man vs. Wild" is currently available to purchase or rent through most digital platforms and available to stream on Discovery+.

Actors and longtime motorcycle aficionados Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman reunited for another international motorcycle voyage with the British travel series "Long Way Down." A follow-up to their 2004 series "Long Way Round," the 2007 follow-up had the two bikers travel from Scotland all the way to Cape Town, South Africa. Along the way, the two bikers rode through 18 countries in all as they traversed Europe and the length of Africa by motorcycle.

Even for those not particularly enamored by motorcycles and life on the road, "Long Way Down" is a fascinating look at life on the open road across two continents anchored by two charismatic leads. "Long Way Down" is currently available to stream on Apple TV+.

Eating challenges can say a lot about a culture, from the type of cuisine challengers are tasked with consuming, to the quantity consumed in order to succeed. Actor and television personality Adam Richman took it upon himself to travel all over the United States to face all manner of eating challenges in the Travel Channel series "Man v. Food." Traveling to a different destination each episode, Richman singlehandedly subjects himself to various regional eating challenges, from eating massive steaks to an entire platter of chili dogs in a limited amount of time.

"Man v. Food" gave the Travel Channel its highest-rated debut upon its premiere in 2008 (per the Los Angeles Times), with the show revived in 2017 and Richman replaced by current host Casey Webb. An amusing look at different American regions by the eating challenges that help define it, "Man v. Food" is available to purchase and rent through most online retailers and is available to stream on Discovery+.

As an extension of his popular talk show on TBS, veteran talk show host Conan O'Brien took his show on the road on multiple occasions to experience different cultures around the world. These special episodes have been compiled together in the online series "Conan Without Borders," as O'Brien eschewed his typical talk show format. Traveling everywhere from Cuba to South Korea, O'Brien explores the societal morays of each of these destinations with his usual comedic antics and insight.

A welcome change of pace from the talk show formula, O'Brien blends biting political commentary with a genuine appreciation for local cultures, with "Conan Without Borders" winning an Emmy for its efforts. The complete series is currently available to stream on HBO Max.

The first of a trilogy of documentary series, 2004's "Long Way Round" put Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman in the driver's seat as they rode motorcycles from London to New York City eastward. The 19,000-mile journey was undertaken to promote the international humanitarian causes spearheaded by UNICEF, while McGregor and Boorman endured pitfalls and injuries in their journies around the globe. Inspired by the experience, McGregor and Boorman wrote a book detailing their journey, including McGregor adopting an orphan encountered along the way.

The kind of celebrity road trip that doesn't feel overly pretentious or self-indulgent, McGregor and Boorman provide a unique perspective as they embark on a truly epic journey. "Long Way Round" is currently available to stream on Apple TV+.

The popular Buzzfeed series "Worth It" offers three different and simultaneous perspectives on the worldwide dining scene in each episode. The show has the three hosts Steven Lim, Andrew Ilnyckyj, and Adam Bianchi as they order three different dishes from a range of price points at varying destinations. This can entail from a cheap cup of coffee to designer espresso costing hundreds of dollars while on a visit to Tokyo. The underlying question is whether or not the dishes are worth the price. 

Winning multiple awards, "Worth It" has been credited with changing the way people approach food criticism online, actively comparing quality with price points around the world (per SBS). Currently available to stream on Hulu and YouTube, "Worth It" helps viewers know how best to check out the food scenes in a number of countries and types of cuisine.

Popular British comedian Jack Whitehall and his longtime television producer father, Michael, take their paternal dynamic on the road for the Netflix original series "Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father." With a decided focus on familial comedy, the Whitehalls find themselves in countless awkward and hilarious situations around the world as they bond together over their international trips. The two men learn about the cultures that they visit, from Cambodia to Turkey, with the final season bringing the father-son duo back to the United Kingdom.

Though Jack and Michael Whitehall's antics are played for laughs, the societies that they visit are largely treated with the utmost respect as they travel through the jungle and desert together. All five seasons of "Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father" are currently available to stream on Netflix.

Restauranteur and television host Guy Fieri has become something of a cultural icon himself, and Fieri's flagship series is the enormously popular "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Premiering in 2006 on the Food Network, the show has Fieri travel across North America visiting diners, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and dive bars to sample their signature cuisine. Occasionally joined by an impressive set of celebrity guest stars, Fieri has visited hundreds of locations as part of his cross-country odyssey.

Due to the sheer popularity of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," many locations visited by Fieri have seen a noticeable increase in business following episode airings. As the gold standard among Fieri's travel and food reality shows, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" is available to rent and purchase via most online retailers and currently available to stream on Discovery+.

When comedian Karl Pilkington's friends and frequent collaborators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant learned he had no interest in world travel, the two created the series "An Idiot Abroad" in response. Capitalizing on Pilkington's often innocently naive worldview, the British travel show is largely played for laughs as Pilkington makes wry observations about the destinations he visits. Not content to simply let Pilkington take in the picturesque sights, sounds, and cuisine, Gervais and Merchant have Pilkington endure several challenges, including bungee-jumping in New Zealand and swimming with sharks in Australia.

MSN's review of "An Idiot Abroad" praised the mishaps for Pilkington's voyages orchestrated by Gervais and Merchant, with Pilkington's odd perspective and observations elevating the entire show. A humorous look at the most gorgeous international locales, "An Idiot Abroad" is available to purchase and rent on most digital retailers, including Prime Video and Vudu.

After exploring and experiencing culinary traditions in Southeast Asia firsthand in his first travel series, chef Gordon Ramsay expanded the scope of his follow-up show "Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted" to encompass the whole world. Premiering on National Geographic in 2019, "Uncharted" has Ramsay visit different countries not just to learn about their cuisine and cooking techniques, but to take advantage of local thrills. From white water rafting through Laos to climbing up Alaskan mountains and glaciers, Ramsay showcases a more outdoorsy side of himself beyond the world of restaurants and kitchens.

In Forbes' review of the series, Ramsay's genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter and destinations he visits was praised for elevating the premise and showing a new side to the temperamental chef. "Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted" is currently available to stream through Disney+.

In contrast to "Survivor," which keeps its contestants in a single remote location for an entire season, CBS' long-running reality series "The Amazing Race" takes full advantage of its global scope. Teams of two speed through different legs around the world, following clues and completing challenges to gain an edge. On the air since 2001, "The Amazing Race" has showcased some of the most stunning locales on the planet while pitting its teams in genuinely thrilling competitions each season.

With many seasons of "The Amazing Race" offering a journey that has contestants circumnavigate the globe, the travel element to the reality competition series is unmistakably at the forefront. "The Amazing Race" is currently available to stream on Hulu and Paramount+.

Not every tourist is going to check out conventional art museums or major family-friendly attractions in their voyages around the world. The Netflix original series "Dark Tourist" offers travelers a chance to check out the more off-beat elements of local cultures, sometimes venturing into the outright macabre. Hosted by journalist David Farrier, "Dark Tourist" visits the purportedly haunted areas of major cities and tourism sites capitalizing on local tragedies and notorious figures around the world.

From exploring irradiated sites to touring museums dedicated to infamous serial killers, "Dark Tourist" certainly isn't every traveler's cup of tea by the way it provides a morbid twist on the genre. The series is currently available to stream on Netflix.

After being ousted from hosting "Top Gear," Jeremy Clarkson and his co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May took their globe-trotting automobile expertise to Prime Video for "The Grand Tour" (via Variety). Retaining much of the format from their previous work together on "Top Gear," "The Grand Tour" has participants travel to different destinations using an impressive array of cars. From Cambodia to Madagascar, "The Grand Tour" showcases thrilling routes and cars, backed by the hosts' irascible wit.

The Independent's positive review of "The Grand Tour" praised the show as distilling the best elements from "Top Gear" while boasting a significantly larger production budget. With jaw-dropping destinations and high-octane action, "The Grand Tour" is currently available to stream on Prime Video.

As someone who hosted travel shows since 2002, Anthony Bourdain has experienced a lot of extended layovers and quick detours between trips to larger destinations. This premise of enjoying a locale on a tight turnaround time drives the core premise behind his Travel Channel series "The Layover." With only 24-48 hours in each location, Bourdain enjoys as much of the tourist-oriented and locally authentic experiences as he can before departing once more.

A more tightly paced approach to Bourdain's usual travel fare, "The Layover" still finds the time to provide an informative look at different city cultures all over the globe. Invaluable for those looking to make the most of their time on a tight schedule, "The Layover" is available to stream on Discovery+ and the Travel Channel website, along with purchase and rent options on most digital platforms.

Television personality Anthony Bourdain's final travel show was "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown," which ran for 12 seasons on CNN from 2013-2018. Though "Parts Unknown" certainly retained the focus on local cuisine prominent in Bourdain's past travel shows, the CNN series wove in more sociopolitical commentary in examining its locales. The series came to an abrupt end following Bourdain's tragic death, with the remaining episodes becoming a tribute to the late host and his unique worldview.

Led by Bourdain's insightful and incisive perspective on the places he visited around the world, "Parts Unknown” was widely acclaimed and won numerous Emmy Awards across its run. More than just a show about food and culture, "Parts Unknown" examined the overlooked qualities of its destinations and what brings people together on a universal level. Available to purchase on most digital retailers, "Parts Unknown" is also available to stream on HBO Max and Discovery+.