Long-haul flights are notoriously draining, with hours spent in cramped seats and lackluster air quality. Premium cabins and airlines like Norwegian Air's 787 Premium can offer some comfort, with hot meals and four and a half feet of legroom. However, the journey can still feel endless for most travelers. To make the experience more enjoyable, many often turn to in-flight entertainment like movies. On some airlines, passengers can also take part in simple games.
However, there's another engaging option that's perfect for long-haul trips: audiobooks. Unlike screen-based entertainment, audiobooks allow you to rest your eyes and immerse yourself in a story while staying relaxed throughout your flight. Because they're more private, you don't have to worry about strangers looking in on your business.
Audiobooks are also more economical. As seen on Everand, you can download inspiring travel audiobooks and memoirs in advance, whether it's new favorites such as A Walk in the Park or trending titles such as Nowhere for Very Long. This will help you avoid additional charges for using the plane's Wi-Fi while offering entertainment and inspiration as you journey toward your next destination.
If you travel often, an affordable monthly subscription to a digital library—costing about the same as a single physical book or movie ticket—is a wise investment that won't strain your vacation budget. With that in mind, we've selected four travel audiobooks to inspire your future adventures while you relax and pass the time on your current journey.
A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko
This 14.5-hour audiobook, narrated by the author, Kevin Fedarko himself, recounts his grueling 750-mile trek across the Grand Canyon. Listeners experience the highs and lows of traversing one of the most unforgiving landscapes in America, making it perfect for long flights like those from New York to Tokyo or beyond.
The audiobook is particularly immersive due to Fedarko's engaging narration. Some readers wish Fedarko were less gifted in his descriptive powers, having explained how the intense heat of the canyon can cause the proteins in human cells to “denature and congeal as if one were boiling an egg.” Nevertheless, this breathes authenticity into the tale, resulting in a mesmerizing blend of adventure, nature writing, and personal reflection.
Nowhere for Very Long: The Unexpected Road to an Unconventional Life by Brianna Madia
For those dreaming of solo adventures, Nowhere for Very Long is a captivating listen. This six-hour audiobook explores Madia's decision to leave behind societal norms and live on the road in her van. Her raw, authentic voice adds a deeply personal touch that's rare in many travel memoirs, making it easy to feel you're along for the ride.
“All my life, I'd assumed it was only brave people who did brave things. I'd never once considered how many of them were absolutely terrified,” she claims. If you're one of these people sitting alone on a long-haul flight en route to a new adventure, this audiobook is for you.
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze by Peter Hessler
This classic travel memoir from 2001 takes listeners on a journey through Fuling as Hessler chronicles his time teaching in the small town by the Yangtze River. With a runtime of over 14 hours, it's perfect for those long flights from the U.S. to East Asia, and especially to China.
Berkrot's narration brings out the cultural nuances and challenges Hessler faced, making it an educational listen that pairs perfectly with a flight heading towards any destination in the region. As Hessler expressed in an interview, everything in China moves quickly, so his deep dive into Chinese culture and history can help provide a thoughtful prelude to your arrival.
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
For those bound for Paris or any European cultural hub, A Moveable Feast is a literary gem that brings 1920s Paris to life. Experience The City of Light through Hemingway's eyes, visiting his favorite parts of the city like Jardin du Luxembourg, La Closerie des Lilas, or even Place de la Contrescarpe.
Learn about the drinking habits of Irish writer James Joyce, who “only drank Swiss white wine,” or explore the culture along the banks of the Seine, where Hemingway claimed, “I could never be lonely along the river.” This will surely offer a blend of nostalgia and timeless wisdom that transports you to the heart of Parisian cafés and boulevards.
Whether you're navigating the harsh terrains of a canyon, reflecting on life's twists while traversing the globe, or soaking in cultural narratives, there's a travel-themed audiobook that perfectly matches your journey. Happy listening!
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours.
- Hostelworld for booking hostels.
