Jetting off on an exciting adventure abroad? Whether it’s solo travel, family travel or your honeymoon, music should be an important part of your journey.
The right type of music has a wonderful ability to transport you into a completely different mindset. And if you weren’t already excited about your travels, a good playlist should do the trick.
Here are 10 of the best songs to add to your playlist for good background music while you travel.
Music and Travel
Let’s face facts- long-haul travel can be tiring and tedious. Airport layovers, long flights, taxi, bus and train rides make for plenty of spare time to kill. Sure, the end destination is always worth it, but how do you keep yourself occupied in-between? There is where a good playlist is key.
To add to this, many people struggle with travel anxiety caused by small spaces, crowds of people, unusual sights and sounds. Music offers you the chance to zone out, escape, and find solace in your own little bubble of sound.
Another added bonus? Block out the irritating sounds of others (i.e. chewing, snoring, and snorting) while crammed into an airplane, bus, train or taxi. Yes, please!
How to Stream Music While Traveling
If you don’t already use it, one of the best ways to stream music in today’s day and age is via Spotify.
The music streaming app has over 200 million active users across the globe and is available in most countries. It also has a database of hundreds of thousands of songs and playlists to suit all tastes of music.
Looking for something similar to Spotify, but suitable for your Mac laptop or PC? Check out this website: https://setapp.com/lifestyle/guide-to-the-new-pandora-app-for-mac
What’s important for travelers to remember is that using Spotify in your home country is not quite the same as using the app abroad…
Using Spotify Along Your Travels
Spotify allows you to stream music for a 14-day window when you’re outside of your home country – so long as the country is compatible with Spotify. The service remains free for all users, even if you’re a paying subscriber.
However, this 14-day window is pretty regimented and will cut-off free users after this period is up. For paid subscribers, this isn’t a problem.
If you’re traveling for longer than 14-days, there’s a simple way to solve this problem as a free Spotify user. Simply login to your Spotify account or visit the Spotify website and update your location. You’ll need to edit your profile and select the country you’re in from the drop-down menu.
After this, you should be all set. But remember, Spotify is not compatible with certain countries, and there may some songs unavailable in certain regions, too.
Good Background Music to Keep You Inspired Along Your Travels
Looking to create your own travel playlist? Here are 10 must-have songs:
1. Porcelain, Moby
This is undoubtedly a cult classic when it comes to travel inspiration. It was made famous by none other than the ultimate adventure/travel movie, The Beach.
Starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Tilda Swinson (and a few others), The Beach is the perfect film to inspire off-the-beaten-track travels.
Porcelain, by Moby, is integral to the atmosphere of this movie and is great at transporting you to a whole new place- even if it’s just in your head.
2. Samba Da Bencao, Bebel Gilberto
If you’re a fan of Brazillian-inspired Samba music, this song is truly wonderful, and perfect if you’re traveling to the tropics.
With its smooth, slow, groovy sound and husky vocals, this track will transport you to a perfect, white-sand beach backed by tall swaying palms.
You may also recognize it from yet another cult classic movie starring Hollywood royalty, Julia Roberts- Eat Pray Love. In fact, we can guarantee you’ll be packing your bags and booking a trip to Bali after the first opening beats.
3. Times Like These, Foo Fighters
With lyrics like these, how can you not feel inspired to live your life to the fullest?
”It’s times like these you learn to live again
It’s times like these you give and give again
It’s times like these you learn to love again
It’s times like these time and time again”
This is the ultimate song to inspire you to throw caution to the wind, embrace change, new experiences, and new people who come into your life along your travels.
4. Africa, Toto
As an ode to the 80s, Africa by Toto could not be more synonymous with feel-good music that has truly stood the test of time. It’s a great song to add to your playlist for a good-old sing-along and to inspire new adventure.
Check out these motivational lyrics:
”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 have”
5. Road Trippin’, Red Hot Chilli Peppers
If there was any song that truly encapsulates that chilled out, road tripping feeling, it has to be this classic, created by Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Perfect for long days on the road in-between your destinations, the slow, pleasant tempo and guitar sounds should help to relax tired or anxious minds.
6. Step Out, Jose Gonzalez
Inspired by yet another incredible adventure movie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, this song is the soundtrack for escapism. If you’re wary of change, perhaps traveling solo for the first time, Step Out is the song for you.
These lyrics say it all, really:
”House on fire, leave it all behind you.
Living life, feeding appetites.
Stayed through every hard stop, every go.
Being bland
Breathing half the time.
House on fire, leave it all behind you.
Dark as night, let the lightning guide you”
7. Follow the Sun – Xavier Rudd
If you’re a well-seasoned traveler or just a fan of Xavier Rudd, you should know this song pretty well by now. The beautiful melody, lyrics and overall vibe of this song make it the ultimate traveler’s friend. It’s relaxing, inspiring, and so true to a traveler’s heart.
Handy Travel Hacks Just a Click Away
We hope this list of good background music for your travels has inspired you to buildup your playlist. Music choice is a very personal decision, but we believe these feel-good classics should suit all music tastes.
If you’re looking for travel tips and inspiration, travel trends or advice, be sure to explore the rest of our website for more!
