The Ultimate List Of Travel Movies

Quick answer: My ultimate list of travel movies includes Into The Wild, Wild, The Way, Art Of Travel, Darjeeling Limited, The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty, Eurotrip and the documentary A Map for Saturday. I watch a lot of movies on flights, and many of you have asked for my all-time favourites, so here are the ones that will inspire you to get off the couch, pack your bag and head to unknown lands.

Best Travel Movies at a Glance

Movie	Journey
Into The Wild	Road trip across the USA to Alaska
Wild	Solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail
The Way	The Way of St. James pilgrimage
Art Of Travel	Central America and the Darien Gap
Darjeeling Limited	Train journey across India
The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty	From office daydreams to real adventure
Eurotrip	Backpacking comedy across Europe
A Map for Saturday	Documentary of a year-long trip around the world

1. Into The Wild

Based on a true story, this movie follows Christopher McCandless as he sheds his material life to get in touch with real life and nature. After graduating from college, he sets out on a road trip through the USA that ends in Alaska.

Much of the story relies on second-hand accounts, yet the film is a poignant reminder that we could all simplify our lives a little and just enjoy living. It shows that travel is not about what we carry with us but about what we carry inside.

2. Wild

After years of reckless behaviour, a heroin addiction and the end of her marriage, Cheryl Strayed makes a rash decision. Haunted by memories of her mother Bobbi, and with no experience at all, she sets out to hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail on her own.

The film powerfully reveals her fears and joys on a journey that maddens, strengthens and ultimately heals her.

3. The Way

The Way is a powerful, inspirational story about family, friendship and the challenges of navigating an ever-changing, complicated world. Tom, an irascible American doctor, travels to France to deal with the tragic loss of his son.

Rather than returning home, Tom decides to walk the historic pilgrimage “The Way of St. James” to honour his son’s wish to finish the journey. He doesn’t expect the profound impact the trip will have on him, and through unexpected and often amusing experiences along the way, he discovers the difference between “the life we live and the life we choose”.

4. Art Of Travel

High school graduate Conner Layne is about to marry his first love, but when the wedding plans fall apart, he goes on his honeymoon to Central America alone. There he finds adventure with a ragtag group of foreigners attempting to cross the Darien Gap in record time.

5. Darjeeling Limited

One year after their father’s death, three estranged American brothers, Francis, Peter and Jack, reunite for a meticulously planned, soul-searching train journey across India. They come armed with eleven suitcases, a laminated itinerary, a can of pepper spray, a stash of painkillers and plenty of family conflicts ready to erupt.

When they end up stranded in the middle of the desert, an unexpected new chapter of their journey begins.

6. The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty

Walter Mitty spends monotonous day after day developing photos at Life magazine. To escape the tedium, he lives in a world of exciting daydreams where he is always the hero.

He would love to date his colleague Cheryl Melhof but feels unworthy. His chance at real adventure comes when Life’s new owners send him on a mission to find the perfect photo for the final print issue.

7. Eurotrip

This comedy about backpacking in Europe will still leave you wanting to see all the places it shows. It whisks you across the continent in a whirlwind of stereotypes, but it is pretty funny, and anyone who has roamed Europe will relate to a few of the situations.

The script isn’t deep and some scenes are goofy, but it does a good job of sending you across Europe and features a very memorable appearance by Matt Damon.

8. A Map for Saturday

This documentary follows Brook Silva-Braga as he prepares for and films his year-long trip around the world. For me it is the best movie about long-term travel.

Like no other film, it captures the anxiety before you leave, the worry of friends and family, the ups and downs, the fleeting romances, the deep friendships and the stresses of the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie about long-term travel?

A Map for Saturday, a documentary about Brook Silva-Braga’s year-long trip around the world.

Which travel movies are based on true stories?

Into The Wild follows the real Christopher McCandless, and Wild is based on Cheryl Strayed’s solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail.

What is a good travel movie about a pilgrimage?

The Way, in which a father walks the Way of St. James to honour his son.

Conclusion

From the Alaskan wilderness to the trains of India and the trails of the Camino, these travel movies capture why we go. Queue a few up for your next long flight, and you might just find yourself planning your next adventure.