37 Travel Idioms With Their Meanings & Examples

Discover 37 popular travel idioms with their meanings and examples. Learn how to “hit the road” with these fun expressions!

Road trip

Idioms are phrases and expressions that convey meanings beyond the literal interpretation of the words. They can add depth and excitement to language and are frequently used in everyday English, including in conversations related to travel.

Travel idioms are particularly common and often reflect the experiences, challenges, and joys of exploring new places.

For example, saying “hit the road” means to start a journey, not literally hitting the road with force! Likewise, “catch the travel bug” refers to developing a strong desire to travel, not catching an actual insect.

Travel idioms make language more engaging by capturing the essence of travel and movement. Understanding them will help you communicate more naturally and confidently, especially if you’re planning a trip down the road!

With that in mind, let’s explore some of the most popular travel idioms.

Travel Idioms

Below, you’ll find popular travel idioms, their meanings, and examples of how to use them:

A mile a minute

Meaning: Very fast or quickly.
Example: He talks a mile a minute when he’s excited about his travels.

A rolling stone gathers no moss

Meaning: A person who is always moving or changing won’t settle down or grow stagnant.
Example: He’s lived in five different countries in the past two years; I guess a rolling stone gathers no moss.

A stone’s throw away

Meaning: A very short distance from something.
Example: Our hotel was just a stone’s throw away from the beach.

At a crossroads

Meaning: Facing a crucial decision or choice.
Example: After finishing college, I was at a crossroads about where to travel next.

Backseat driver

Meaning: Someone who gives unwanted advice about how to do something, especially driving.
Example: I love road trips, but my brother is such a backseat driver!

Beat the traffic

Meaning: To leave early to avoid heavy traffic.
Example: Let’s leave now to beat the traffic and reach the airport on time.

Catch the travel bug

Meaning: To develop a strong desire to travel.
Example: After my first trip abroad, I caught the travel bug and never stopped exploring.

Change of scenery

Meaning: A move to a different environment for a fresh experience.
Example: I needed a change of scenery, so I booked a trip to the mountains.

Don’t go there

Meaning: Avoid a topic or situation.
Example: When it comes to missed flights, don’t go there—it was a disaster!

Down the road

Meaning: In the future.
Example: I’ll visit Europe someday, but that’s a few years down the road.

Get away from it all

Meaning: To take a break from daily life and relax.
Example: We booked a quiet cabin to get away from it all.

Go the extra mile

Meaning: To put in extra effort to achieve something.
Example: The tour guide went the extra mile to make sure we had a great experience.

Have itchy feet

Meaning: To feel a strong desire to travel.
Example: After six months in one place, I have itchy feet again.

Hit the ground running

Meaning: To start something with energy and enthusiasm, especially after arriving or starting a new journey.
Example: After landing in Paris, we hit the ground running and explored the city right away.

Hit the road

Meaning: To start a journey or leave a place.
Example: We packed our bags and hit the road early in the morning.

Jump on the bandwagon

Meaning: To join a popular trend.
Example: Everyone’s going on solo trips, so I decided to jump on the bandwagon.

Live out of a suitcase

Meaning: To travel frequently, staying in different places for short periods.
Example: As a travel blogger, I’m used to living out of a suitcase.

Make tracks

Meaning: To leave quickly or start moving.
Example: We need to make tracks if we want to catch the train.

Off the beaten path

Meaning: A place that is not commonly visited.
Example: We prefer traveling off the beaten path to avoid crowds.

Off the beaten track

Meaning: A place that is not commonly visited.
Example: We love to visit destinations that are off the beaten track.

Off the grid

Meaning: To be in a remote place without modern technology or communication.
Example: They spent a week off the grid in a mountain cabin.

On a shoestring

Meaning: To travel or live with very little money.
Example: I managed to travel through Europe on a shoestring budget.

On the fly

Meaning: Without planning; spontaneously.
Example: I like to book my trips on the fly instead of planning everything.

On the right track

Meaning: Moving in the correct direction or making good progress.
Example: With my travel plans set, I feel like I’m on the right track.

Pack light

Meaning: To bring minimal luggage when traveling.
Example: For a weekend trip, it’s best to pack light and bring only essentials.

Packed like sardines

Meaning: To be in a very crowded space with little room to move.
Example: The train was packed like sardines during rush hour.

Pit stop

Meaning: A short break during a trip, usually for food or rest.
Example: Let’s make a pit stop before we continue driving to the coast.

Put the pedal to the metal

Meaning: To go as fast as possible.
Example: We were running late for our flight, so the taxi driver put the pedal to the metal.

Red-eye flight

Meaning: A late-night flight that arrives early in the morning.
Example: I took a red-eye flight to save time and maximize my trip.

Road less traveled

Meaning: An unconventional or unique choice, often in travel or life decisions.
Example: Instead of tourist hotspots, we took the road less traveled and explored hidden gems.

Road to nowhere

Meaning: A situation that leads to no real progress.
Example: That last-minute road trip turned into a road to nowhere—we got lost!

Round-the-world trip

Meaning: A journey that covers multiple countries or continents.
Example: She saved money for years to go on a round-the-world trip.

Take a road trip

Meaning: To travel long distances by car.
Example: This summer, we’re going to take a road trip across the country.

Take the scenic route

Meaning: To choose a longer but more beautiful way to travel.
Example: We took the scenic route through the mountains and enjoyed the stunning views.

Travel light

Meaning: To pack only the essentials when traveling.
Example: Backpackers usually travel light to move around easily.

When in Rome

Meaning: Adapt to the customs and behaviors of the place you are visiting.
Example: I tried the local cuisine because, you know, when in Rome!

Where the rubber meets the road

Meaning: When a plan or idea is put into action.
Example: Planning a trip is fun, but packing is where the rubber meets the road.

What next?

Feel like you’re on the right track with understanding these travel idioms? If you want to learn more before you hit the road, you can check out these other idioms:

James Prior

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