Travelling opens doors to new experiences, cultures, and adventures. But did you know that English has many colorful idioms that are connected to travelling? Idioms are expressions whose meanings are different from the literal words.
They bring life and personality to your language, making conversations more natural and engaging. For people learning English, mastering idioms about travelling is especially useful because they are often used in daily conversations, stories, books, and even professional contexts.
Whether you are on a holiday, planning a business trip, or just describing life’s journey, these idioms can help you sound fluent and confident.
In this guide, we’ll explore more than 44 travelling idioms, organized into simple groups with clear meanings, examples, and notes. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to use them naturally in your speech and writing.
Did You Know?
The word travel comes from the Old French word travail, which actually meant “work” or “toil.” Travelling in the past was often difficult and tiring. That’s why many idioms related to travelling carry meanings of challenge, adventure, or personal growth.
Idioms About the Journey and Movement
Hit the road
Meaning: To start a journey or leave a place.
Example: We should hit the road early to avoid traffic.
Alternative: Get going.
Note: Informal, often used for road trips or casual leaving.
On the right track
Meaning: Making progress in the correct direction.
Example: Your new study method shows you’re on the right track.
Alternative: Heading the right way.
Note: Used both in daily life and professional settings.
Going the extra mile
Meaning: Putting in more effort than expected.
Example: The tour guide went the extra mile to make sure we enjoyed the trip.
Alternative: Beyond the call of duty.
Note: Common in business and customer service contexts.
At a crossroads
Meaning: Being at a point where an important decision must be made.
Example: After graduation, she was at a crossroads in life.
Alternative: Facing a turning point.
Note: Often used metaphorically for life decisions.
Smooth sailing
Meaning: A process without problems or difficulties.
Example: After fixing the visa issues, the trip was smooth sailing.
Alternative: Easy going.
Note: Informal, but also used in professional contexts.
In the same boat
Meaning: Facing the same problem or situation as others.
Example: All the tourists were in the same boat when the flight got delayed.
Alternative: All together.
Note: Used casually and in teamwork settings.
Off the beaten track
Meaning: Away from popular places, unique or less explored.
Example: We found a small café off the beaten track in Italy.
Alternative: Hidden gem.
Note: Common in travel blogs or informal sharing.
A long haul
Meaning: Something that takes a long time and effort.
Example: Flying to Australia is a long haul.
Alternative: Hard slog.
Note: Used in travel and life situations.
To miss the boat
Meaning: To miss an opportunity.
Example: He missed the boat by not applying early for the scholarship.
Alternative: Lost chance.
Note: Informal, but widely used.
Sail through
Meaning: To complete something easily.
Example: She sailed through the driving test.
Alternative: Breeze through.
Note: Informal, daily life usage.
Idioms About Exploration and Adventure
Wanderlust
Meaning: A strong desire to travel.
Example: Her wanderlust led her to backpack across Asia.
Alternative: Love of travel.
Note: Common in travel writing and social media.
Globe-trotter
Meaning: A person who travels a lot around the world.
Example: He’s a real globe-trotter with stamps from 50 countries.
Alternative: World traveler.
Note: Informal but descriptive.
Take the road less travelled
Meaning: Choosing a unique or less common path.
Example: She took the road less travelled by starting her own business.
Alternative: Think outside the box.
Note: Metaphorical, often inspirational.
Call it a day
Meaning: To stop doing something, usually after working or travelling.
Example: We walked for hours and decided to call it a day.
Alternative: Pack it in.
Note: Very common in casual speech.
Live out of a suitcase
Meaning: Travelling so much that you don’t settle in one place.
Example: Journalists often live out of a suitcase.
Alternative: Constantly on the move.
Note: Casual, but also used in work contexts.
Road to nowhere
Meaning: A plan or effort that leads to no result.
Example: That argument is a road to nowhere.
Alternative: Dead end.
Note: Used metaphorically.
Middle of nowhere
Meaning: A very remote place.
Example: The campsite was in the middle of nowhere.
Alternative: Back of beyond.
Note: Informal, often used in travel.
A full plate
Meaning: Having many tasks or responsibilities.
Example: She couldn’t join the trip; she had a full plate at work.
Alternative: Busy schedule.
Note: Casual and professional.
Red-eye flight
Meaning: A late-night flight that arrives early in the morning.
Example: I had to take the red-eye flight to New York.
Alternative: Night flight.
Note: Travel-specific term.
Break the journey
Meaning: Stop somewhere temporarily while travelling.
Example: We broke the journey in Dubai before heading to London.
Alternative: Stopover.
Note: Formal and informal.
Idioms About Challenges and Delays
Hit a bump in the road
Meaning: Face a small problem.
Example: We hit a bump in the road when the car broke down.
Alternative: Minor setback.
Note: Informal, metaphorical.
Going nowhere fast
Meaning: Making no progress.
Example: Their travel plans were going nowhere fast due to paperwork.
Alternative: Stuck.
Note: Informal, often used negatively.
All over the map
Meaning: Disorganized or spread out.
Example: His holiday plans were all over the map.
Alternative: Scattered.
Note: Informal, American English.
Travel light
Meaning: To carry very little while travelling.
Example: Backpackers usually travel light.
Alternative: Pack lightly.
Note: Common travel advice.
Run out of steam
Meaning: To lose energy or enthusiasm.
Example: After hours of sightseeing, we ran out of steam.
Alternative: Burn out.
Note: Daily use.
Put the brakes on
Meaning: To slow down or stop progress.
Example: The government put the brakes on the new travel policy.
Alternative: Put on hold.
Note: Professional and casual use.
Backseat driver
Meaning: A person who gives unwanted advice.
Example: Stop being a backseat driver and let me drive.
Alternative: Interferer.
Note: Informal, often funny.
Going off track
Meaning: Losing focus or direction.
Example: The meeting went off track.
Alternative: Lose direction.
Note: Used in both life and professional talks.
Hitting the wall
Meaning: Reaching a point of exhaustion.
Example: After walking 10 miles, I hit the wall.
Alternative: Dead tired.
Note: Informal, daily use.
Jet lag
Meaning: Tiredness after travelling across time zones.
Example: I felt jet lag after flying to Europe.
Alternative: Travel fatigue.
Note: Commonly used worldwide.
Idioms About Life as a Journey
Life is a journey
Meaning: Life is full of experiences, like travelling.
Example: Life is a journey, enjoy the ride.
Alternative: Life is a ride.
Note: Inspirational.
End of the road
Meaning: Reaching the end of something.
Example: Their business came to the end of the road.
Alternative: Finish line.
Note: Formal and informal.
Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning: Deal with a problem when it happens.
Example: Don’t worry about the flight delay now; we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Alternative: Worry later.
Note: Common in daily use.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Meaning: A sign of improvement after difficulties.
Example: After months of struggle, he saw light at the end of the tunnel.
Alternative: Hope ahead.
Note: Motivational and professional.
The home stretch
Meaning: Near the end of something.
Example: We’re in the home stretch of the long drive.
Alternative: Final leg.
Note: Used in sports, travel, and projects.
Road map to success
Meaning: A clear plan to achieve success.
Example: The teacher gave students a road map to success.
Alternative: Step-by-step plan.
Note: Professional and inspirational.
Bumpy ride
Meaning: A difficult period.
Example: The company faced a bumpy ride last year.
Alternative: Tough time.
Note: Metaphorical.
Driven by something
Meaning: Motivated strongly.
Example: She was driven by a desire to explore new places.
Alternative: Motivated by.
Note: Formal and daily life.
Go down a different path
Meaning: Choose a different way or option.
Example: He went down a different path and became an artist.
Alternative: Take another route.
Note: Common in life discussions.
Pack your bags
Meaning: To leave or prepare to leave.
Example: After the argument, she told him to pack his bags.
Alternative: Get ready to leave.
Note: Informal, sometimes harsh.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Use idioms to make conversations lively. For example, instead of saying “I’m very tired,” say “I hit the wall after work.”
- Writing: Add idioms in stories, blogs, or professional emails to show creativity. For instance, “Our project is finally in the home stretch.”
- Professional usage: Idioms like “on the right track” or “road map to success” fit well in meetings and presentations.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Wrong context
❌ I missed the boat at the bus stop.
✔️ I missed the boat when I didn’t apply for the job. - Too literal
❌ Life is a journey; I need a ticket.
✔️ Life is a journey; enjoy each step. - Mixing idioms
❌ I’ll cross that tunnel when I see the light.
✔️ I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
FAQs
1. Why should I learn idioms for travelling?
Because they make your English sound natural, help you understand natives better, and give you fun ways to express ideas.
2. Are idioms used in formal English?
Yes, but choose carefully. Idioms like “on the right track” are fine in business, while “hit the road” is more casual.
3. How can I remember idioms easily?
Connect them with pictures, stories, or real-life experiences. Practice using them in sentences.
4. Do native speakers use travelling idioms often?
Absolutely! Expressions like “smooth sailing” or “in the same boat” are very common in daily speech.
5. Can I use idioms in writing exams?
Yes, if they fit the context. Idioms can make essays or letters more engaging.
Conclusion
Travelling is not just about moving from one place to another—it’s also a journey of words and expressions. Learning idioms for travelling helps you describe adventures, challenges, and life experiences with more color and personality.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a passionate traveler, these idioms will make your English sound natural and confident.
So, next time you speak or write, pack your bags with a few of these idioms and set out on a smoother journey in language learning!
