Planning a trip guarantees fun and watching travel movies is by far the most pleasant preparation. I’ve watched plenty of movies, perhaps even too many for my own good. But I can’t help it, because they always give me tons of energy, inspiration and motivation.
It sounds silly that travel movies can inspire you to travel. But when you’re not so sure to make that one trip or you need some persuasion to act on your dreams, they can be quite helpful. Travel movies can be used as a tool to give you that final push that you may need to go on your own adventures.
In this post you’ll find 10 travel movies to inspire you, these 10 are the ones that made the biggest impression on yours truly.

1| Into the wild
While his parents were planning his future, Chris had other things in mind. Just as me, Chris was looking for something else than just a classic life. He transferred all of his life savings to a charity and began to wander through the United States.
I know how hard it is to break free from dogma to chase your dreams, and therefore Chris has my deepest respect.
2| The Bucket List
Because of their different personality, they don’t get along at first. But when Carter & Edward embrace their cancer diagnose, they help each other to fulfill all of their life goals before they kick the bucket.
Nowadays, I come across such lists once a day at least. I guess Jack and Morgan are the founders of this hype. I can’t write for anyone else, but I created my bucket list directly after this movie. While the main point of the movie seems very simplistic, it is a lot harder to actually fulfill it.
We procrastinate our dreams all the time. And when it’s too late to live our dreams, we regret it. So, watch this movie and let it remember you that life is too short to have regrets.
3| eat, pray, love
When she figured out that her marriage isn’t what she was expecting, she got divorced. Not sure about anything anymore, not even herself, she takes a life changing decision. In search of balance and happiness she goes on a trip around-the-world for a year.
I understand that ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ isn’t for everyone. But I don’t get all the negativity about this movie. There were a lot of stunning locations in it. The environment was well filmed, and I personally liked the meditation and spiritual parts in it. James Franco as rebound guy was a bad casting choice though.
4| THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
This journey was the foundation of his incredible life. This film should be put in an own specific genre, as I never seen anything quite like this. I do remember that I put the DVD in the player and didn’t moved the following 2 hours. I had no idea what to expect from this movie, but it sure captivated me the entire playtime.
The movie highlighted the fact that traveling will broaden up your horizon. Nothing is so confrontational as traveling and relying on yourself.
When you travel a long time this way, your whole perspective about life can & will change.
5| Tracks
While the movie was pretty good, it didn’t blow me away. Not surprising though, as it’s hard to film only deserts and sand. No one could ever be a better fit than Mia Wasikowska to play Robyn’s character. It was the first movie where I saw Mia in it, and I must say, she is a pretty solid actress.
All of the sacrifices, frustrations and disappointments. But she always kept pushing & believing, even when the rest of the world said she wasn’t capable to complete this journey. And don’t forget the worst part, the camel training. (ieuw!)
If ‘Tracks’ won’t convince you that you’re able to achieve your travel dreams, nothing will.
6| I Dreamed Of Africa
Anyhow, after a car crash where Kuki lost some friends in it, she decided to change her life dramatically. She marries Paolo, a man she hardly even knows. Together with her son, the fresh married couple moves to Kenya to live the dream and to face the problems that come along with the dream.
Mainly because I was in love with the landscape settings and the wildlife in it. So, the script itself didn’t had all of my attention. I do remember that the family adapted perfectly into the culture. Which is the only way to make it worthwhile to emigrate to another country.
I never understood why you would move or go on a vacation to a country that you’re not interested in at all.
7| Under The Tuscan Sun
I can’t remember any other movie that teased my senses so much as ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’. I was more alive during this movie than I was before and after. Apart from the cheesy love story this was a big hit for me. I could feel the kindness, happiness, freedom and joy.
BTW: Diane Lane is such a lovely lady to watch!
Nothing beats an environment where everyone knows each other and get along. Instead of living aside each other, living with each other will give you so much more joy.
Do not forget, the best memories come from the most spontaneously & unexpected adventures.
8| The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty
‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ must be praised for the outstanding beautiful landscape settings. No other movie comes even remotely close to the environments of Iceland & Greenland. It’s at the same level of some of the best National Geographic documentaries.
Iceland itself is a reference for the ‘perfect’ country. Protecting the wildlife, respecting nature and creating small towns for people who knows each other and get along. A safe heaven where there is little to no crime at all.
The fantasy scenes did not bother me, as I have plenty of daydreams myself. Not as much and fanatic as Mitty, but still. It’s good to daydream, as daydreams are the start of everything.
But in the end, you need to wake up and live the dream. Because those daydreams are nothing compared to the real deal.
9| The Beach
I’ve never been to the filming location of ‘The Beach’ but it surely does look like a paradise. The problem with a discovered paradise, is that it doesn’t stay a paradise for long because of mass tourism. Mass tourism won’t let you absorb the impressions as much as when you’re alone.
‘The beach’ is perfect to watch and dream at the same time. Especially the first part. The second part felt like another movie. And for the fans among us, Leonardo Di Caprio is acting quite a lot without a t-shirt 😉
10| Seven Years In Tibet
On the run, he ends up in Lhasa. In this holy city lives the Dalai Lama which he eventually meets, not knowing it will both change their lives.
I always get angry when I think about Tibet. Why the hell is this country with an own culture and leader still not independent? It even has more culture than most European countries nowadays.
The End
Believe you me, you won’t regret it! And perhaps Hollywood will make a movie about your life story in the future.