There’s nothing quite like travelling to new and exciting destinations. Whether you’re soaring through the clouds, gazing at the world below, or waiting in the terminal with a flutter of anticipation, the right playlist can transform your journey into an unforgettable adventure.
I love hearing a particular song years later, and it transports me back to a place where I listened to it. Like a time machine, that fills my heart with joy, and a touch of bittersweetness as I’ld love to be in that place again.
If you’re looking for some new tunes to add to your playlist, then look no further! Here are some of my favourite travelling tunes:
* Pumpin’ Blood – NONONO
So I get a wee bit nervous when the plane is about to take off. This song helps keep me more chilled and happy, rather than sending another silent barter to God!
I’ve listened to it for almost every takeoff in the last 7 years! I feel very uncomfortable if I ever start to forget to play it! It’s part of my travel rituals now lol 😂
It has a great peppiness about it, that makes me feel more excited about the trip to start. I think it’s also a “great start to the day” feeling song – must be all the whistling!
* On Top of the World – IMAGINE DRAGONS
Pretty self explanatory why I’ve picked this as such a great travelling tune:
“I’ve had the highest mountains,
I’ve had the deepest rivers,
You can have it all but life keeps moving”
* City of Blinding Lights – U2
Originally I loved this song as it featured in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ soundtrack.
But now I love it more, as I’ve listened to this song in different cities while they were showing off their lights.
It has also featured predominately in travel slideshows I have put together!
For a while there, I had to have a long break from hearing it, as I overplayed it so much!
* Pure Shores – ALL SAINTS
The first 20 seconds of this song is another wonderful start to a song, and makes you feel as though you’re at an idyllic beach. Although that could be in thanks to ‘The Beach’ movie! Love these lyrics:
“Take me somewhere I can breathe,
I’ve got so much to see,
This is where I want to be,
In a place I can call mine”
* Our Time Now – PLAIN WHITE T’S
Back in 2008, on a Contiki coach, I recall screaming, not singing, this song out loud with 41 other people. It was our theme song of our ‘European Escapade’ tour, and it was known off by heart for us all, by the end of it!!
Even now, it can haunt me in a good way; I almost burst out in tears when I heard it on the radio the other week, because of all the good times this song saw us through, as we all travelled around Europe.
* Home – WESTLIFE
Finally, this is what I listen to when I am heading, you guessed it, home:
“Another winter day, has come and gone away,
in either Paris and Rome,
and I want to go home,
I miss you, you know, let me go home”
What are your favourite tunes to listen to when travelling?
I’m always keen to add more songs to my playlist, so feel free to comment below with your recommendations.
I’ve made my ‘Up in the Air’ playlist public on Apple Music if you want to listen. It has the songs listed above and a heap more.
Click here, or on the photo on the left, to go to the playlist. Enjoy!
Lore & Tempo is where motherhood meets adventure. I’m Ren – storyteller, explorer, and single mum in Wellington, New Zealand. I’ve been lucky enough to wander through 45 countries. 15 of them with my +1, Kaydes, either strapped to my front, on my hip, or running ahead on her own adventures. I created this space to share single parent life, travel tips, and the joy of exploring the world.
