Do your travel stories feel uninspired when recounting adventures, from smooth journeys to unexpected detours? Beyond basic “traveling” terms, truly capturing the spirit of exploration calls for richer language.
This article delves into Idioms for Traveling, uncovering vibrant expressions that paint vivid pictures of literal and metaphorical expeditions. Broaden your vocabulary and confidently share your adventures, making your narratives truly resonate with native flair.
Best Idioms for Traveling
1. Hit the road
Meaning: To start a journey; to leave a place.
In a Sentence: We need to hit the road early tomorrow morning to avoid traffic. It’s getting late; I think it’s time for us to hit the road.
Other Ways to Say: Depart, Set off, Leave, Start driving
2. Off the beaten path
Meaning: In a remote or unusual place; not commonly visited or done. (Also “off the beaten track”).
In a Sentence: We prefer to explore small towns that are off the beaten path. Their restaurant is a hidden gem, really off the beaten path.
Other Ways to Say: Secluded, Remote, Unconventional, Unpopular route
3. Travel light
Meaning: To travel with very little luggage.
In a Sentence: For a weekend trip, it’s always best to travel light. I try to travel light so I don’t have to check a bag.
Other Ways to Say: Pack minimally, Carry little luggage, Unencumbered travel
4. Backseat driver
Meaning: A passenger who gives unwanted advice to the driver; figuratively, someone who gives unwanted advice about something they are not in charge of.
In a Sentence: My brother is such a backseat driver, always telling me how to park. I wish my supervisor would stop being a backseat driver and let me do my job.
Other Ways to Say: Meddler, Unsolicited adviser, Interfering person, Control freak
5. Itchy feet
Meaning: A strong desire to travel or go to new places.
In a Sentence: After two years in the same job, she started getting itchy feet. Spring always gives me itchy feet; I just want to explore somewhere new.
Other Ways to Say: Wanderlust, Desire to travel, Restless, Longing for adventure
6. In the same boat
Meaning: In the same difficult or unfortunate situation as someone else.
In a Sentence: We’re all in the same boat when it comes to dealing with these budget cuts. Don’t worry, you’re not alone; we’re all in the same boat.
Other Ways to Say: In the same predicament, Facing the same difficulties, Sharing a common problem
7. Smooth sailing
Meaning: A situation where everything goes easily and without problems.
In a Sentence: After we finished the difficult part, it was smooth sailing to complete the project. I hope the rest of your trip is smooth sailing.
Other Ways to Say: Easy-going, Effortless, Trouble-free, Unproblematic
8. Live out of a suitcase
Meaning: To travel frequently and live in various places, unpacking only essential items.
In a Sentence: As a consultant, he’s always living out of a suitcase. I’m tired of living out of a suitcase; I want to settle down.
Other Ways to Say: Constantly traveling, Nomadic lifestyle, On the go, Without a fixed home
9. At a crossroads
Meaning: At a point in one’s life or a situation where a very important decision must be made.
In a Sentence: After graduation, she felt she was at a crossroads regarding her career. The company is at a crossroads, needing to decide its future direction.
Other Ways to Say: At a turning point, Facing a crucial decision, Point of no return, Pivotal moment
10. Get away from it all
Meaning: To go somewhere different to relax, usually to escape the daily routine or stress.
In a Sentence: I just need to get away from it all for a few days in the mountains. Sometimes a short break is all you need to get away from it all.
Other Ways to Say: Escape, Take a break, Go on vacation, Seek respite
11. Highways and byways
Meaning: All the main roads and smaller, less direct roads; every route possible.
In a Sentence: They explored the highways and byways of the entire region. The travel documentary showed us the hidden gems along the highways and byways.
Other Ways to Say: All roads, Main and secondary routes, Every possible route
12. Road less traveled
Meaning: A less common, more unconventional, or more difficult path or choice in life.
In a Sentence: She decided to take the road less traveled and start her own unique business. Choosing a creative career can often feel like taking the road less traveled.
Other Ways to Say: Unconventional path, Unique choice, Difficult path, Alternative route
13. Asleep at the wheel
Meaning: Not paying attention to one’s responsibilities; failing to be alert.
In a Sentence: The manager was asleep at the wheel, and sales dropped significantly. You can’t afford to be asleep at the wheel in such a competitive market.
Other Ways to Say: Inattentive, Negligent, Unaware, Complacent
14. At the crack of dawn
Meaning: Very early in the morning; at sunrise.
In a Sentence: We had to get up at the crack of dawn to catch our flight. They started their hike at the crack of dawn to beat the heat.
Other Ways to Say: At sunrise, Very early, At daybreak, First thing in the morning
15. Break the journey
Meaning: To stop for a short time during a long journey.
In a Sentence: We decided to break the journey in a small town for lunch. It’s important to break the journey on long drives to rest.
Other Ways to Say: Stop along the way, Take a break, Make a stopover, Pause
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Culture Exploring Traditions
16. Catch the sun
Meaning: To get some sunshine; to get a suntan.
In a Sentence: I’m going to the beach to catch the sun and relax. After a long winter, everyone wants to catch the sun.
Other Ways to Say: Sunbathe, Get a tan, Soak up the sun
17. Circle the wagons
Meaning: To unite in defense, typically against an attack or external threat. (Originally from wagon trains forming a circle for defense).
In a Sentence: When the competition launched a new product, the team had to circle the wagons. It’s time for us to circle the wagons and protect our market share.
Other Ways to Say: Unite for defense, Rally together, Prepare for an attack, Protect oneself
18. Country mile
Meaning: A very long distance (informal).
In a Sentence: The new store is a country mile from my house. He won the race by a country mile.
Other Ways to Say: Long way, Far distance, Great distance, Mile (emphasizing length)
19. Take the scenic route
Meaning: To choose a longer, more picturesque route instead of the fastest one; figuratively, to take a less direct approach to achieve something.
In a Sentence: Let’s take the scenic route home and enjoy the views. Sometimes, in problem-solving, it’s better to take the scenic route to find a creative solution.
Other Ways to Say: Picturesque route, Longer route, Indirect approach, Meandering path
20. A redeye flight
Meaning: An overnight flight that arrives early in the morning, making passengers tired and with “red eyes.”
In a Sentence: I took a redeye flight from LA to New York and arrived exhausted. Avoid booking a redeye flight if you have an important meeting the next day.
Other Ways to Say: Overnight flight, Early morning arrival flight
21. Bad news travels fast
Meaning: Unpleasant news or rumors spread quickly.
In a Sentence: As soon as the company announced layoffs, bad news travels fast throughout the office. You always hear about problems quickly because bad news travels fast.
Other Ways to Say: News spreads quickly, Rumors fly, Negative information disseminates rapidly
22. Call it a night
Meaning: To decide to stop what one is doing for the rest of the evening.
In a Sentence: It’s getting late; let’s call it a night and pick this up tomorrow. After hours of studying, I decided to call it a night.
Other Ways to Say: Stop for the evening, End the day, Go to bed, Finish for tonight
23. Clear the decks
Meaning: To remove obstacles or prepare for action; to get ready for a new task or situation.
In a Sentence: Before starting the new project, we need to clear the decks of all pending tasks. He needed to clear the decks before he could focus on his personal life.
Other Ways to Say: Prepare, Organize, Get ready, Remove impediments
24. Far and wide
Meaning: Over a very large area; everywhere.
In a Sentence: People traveled from far and wide to attend the festival. The news of his heroism spread far and wide.
Other Ways to Say: Everywhere, Extensively, Widely, All over the place
25. On the road again
Meaning: Traveling again, typically after a period of being settled. (Often implies a return to travel).
In a Sentence: After a short break, the band is on the road again for their new tour. I love my home, but sometimes I just want to be on the road again.
Other Ways to Say: Traveling again, Resuming travel, Back to touring
26. Blaze a trail
Meaning: To be the first to do something or discover something new, making it easier for others to follow.
In a Sentence: Marie Curie blazed a trail for women in science. The startup hopes to blaze a trail with its innovative technology.
Other Ways to Say: Pioneer, Innovate, Lead the way, Set an example
27. Get the show on the road
Meaning: To start something; to get an activity or project underway.
In a Sentence: We’ve been planning long enough; let’s get the show on the road! Come on, everyone, it’s time to get the show on the road.
Other Ways to Say: Get started, Begin, Initiate, Commence
28. Take a hike
Meaning: To go for a long walk; (informal, dismissive) to leave or go away, often rudely.
In a Sentence: Let’s take a hike in the mountains this weekend. (Informal) When he started complaining, I told him to take a hike.
Other Ways to Say: Go for a walk, Go away, Leave, Begone
29. Wanderlust
Meaning: A strong desire to travel. (Same as ‘itchy feet’).
In a Sentence: His wanderlust led him to explore every continent. She’s always had a sense of wanderlust, preferring new experiences to stability.
Other Ways to Say: Desire to travel, Itchy feet, Urge to explore, Roaming impulse
30. Off the map
Meaning: In a very remote, isolated, or unexplored place; figuratively, completely unknown or irrelevant.
In a Sentence: They found a tiny village nestled deep in the jungle, almost off the map. His ideas are so unconventional, they’re practically off the map.
Other Ways to Say: Remote, Isolated, Unexplored, Unknown, Obscure
31. Chart the course
Meaning: To plan the direction or strategy for future actions.
In a Sentence: The new committee was formed to chart the course for the company’s next five years. It’s time to chart the course for our vacation; where should we go?
Other Ways to Say: Plan, Strategize, Lay out a plan, Determine direction
32. Hit the ground running
Meaning: To start a new job or project with great energy and enthusiasm, immediately performing effectively.
In a Sentence: The new hire really hit the ground running and quickly became productive. We need a team that can hit the ground running on this urgent project.
Other Ways to Say: Start effectively, Begin with momentum, Be immediately productive, Get to work quickly
33. Go the extra mile
Meaning: To make a special additional effort; to do more than what is expected.
In a Sentence: She always goes the extra mile for her clients. To succeed, you often have to go the extra mile.
Other Ways to Say: Exert extra effort, Do more than required, Overachieve, Go above and beyond
34. On a wing and a prayer
Meaning: With very little chance of success; relying on hope or luck.
In a Sentence: The old plane took off on a wing and a prayer, barely making it. We’re going into this negotiation on a wing and a prayer, hoping for the best.
Other Ways to Say: With minimal resources, By sheer luck, With little hope, Desperate attempt
35. Burn rubber
Meaning: To accelerate a vehicle very quickly, causing the tires to spin and smoke (informal); to drive very fast.
In a Sentence: The sports car burned rubber as it sped away from the traffic light. He loves to burn rubber on the open highway.
Other Ways to Say: Accelerate rapidly, Drive fast, Speed off, Spin tires
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Nature That Spark Imagination
36. Take the high road
Meaning: To choose the morally superior or more ethical course of action, especially in a conflict.
In a Sentence: Even when provoked, he decided to take the high road and remain civil. It’s always better to take the high road than to stoop to their level.
Other Ways to Say: Act ethically, Be virtuous, Choose morality, Avoid pettiness
37. Lost in transit
Meaning: (For goods) lost or misdirected during transportation; (figuratively) feeling confused or disoriented during a transition.
In a Sentence: My luggage was lost in transit on the connecting flight. After moving to a new country, I felt a bit lost in transit, adjusting to the culture.
Other Ways to Say: Misplaced, Misrouted, Disoriented, Confused during transition
38. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: To join an activity or movement that is suddenly popular or successful, often opportunistically.
In a Sentence: Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon of healthy eating these days. He only supported the winning team after they started winning; he jumped on the bandwagon.
Other Ways to Say: Join a trend, Follow the crowd, Opportunistic participation, Conform
39. Full speed ahead
Meaning: To proceed with maximum speed or effort.
In a Sentence: With the deadline approaching, it’s full speed ahead on the project. The captain ordered full speed ahead into the storm.
Other Ways to Say: At full throttle, With maximum effort, Go all out, Move quickly
40. Run out of steam
Meaning: To lose energy or enthusiasm; to become tired or exhausted.
In a Sentence: He started the marathon strong but ran out of steam in the last few miles. The project lost momentum and ran out of steam.
Other Ways to Say: Lose energy, Tire out, Exhausted, Lose momentum
41. Off the rails
Meaning: Out of control; behaving in a wild or unacceptable way.
In a Sentence: After the scandal, his career went completely off the rails. The meeting went off the rails when people started yelling.
Other Ways to Say: Out of control, Derail, Uncontrolled, Chaotic
42. Make tracks
Meaning: To leave a place quickly.
In a Sentence: It’s late, so we’d better make tracks if we want to get home before dark. As soon as the alarm went off, they made tracks.
Other Ways to Say: Leave quickly, Depart rapidly, Hurry away, Flee
43. Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning: To deal with a problem only when it actually happens or when it becomes necessary, rather than worrying about it in advance.
In a Sentence: “Should we worry about the funding for phase two now?” “No, let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.” Don’t stress about potential issues; we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Other Ways to Say: Deal with it later, Address it when necessary, Don’t worry prematurely
44. Set sail
Meaning: To begin a journey by boat; figuratively, to begin any journey or endeavor.
In a Sentence: The explorers set sail for uncharted waters. It’s time for us to set sail on this new business venture.
Other Ways to Say: Depart by boat, Begin a voyage, Embark, Start a journey
45. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: In control of a situation.
In a Sentence: After the promotion, he was finally in the driver’s seat of the project. She likes to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to planning events.
Other Ways to Say: In control, In charge, At the helm, Leading
46. Down the road
Meaning: In the future.
In a Sentence: We might consider expanding the business down the road. That problem is something we’ll have to deal with down the road.
Other Ways to Say: In the future, Later on, Eventually, Sometime ahead
47. Pave the way
Meaning: To create the conditions or circumstances for something to happen; to make progress or development easier.
In a Sentence: His research helped pave the way for new medical treatments. The early pioneers paved the way for future settlers.
Other Ways to Say: Facilitate, Enable, Open the door, Clear the path
48. Catch a ride
Meaning: To get a lift or transportation from someone else.
In a Sentence: I missed my bus, so I had to catch a ride with a friend. Can I catch a ride with you to the concert?
Other Ways to Say: Get a lift, Get a ride, Hitchhike, Be given a lift
49. Travel in style
Meaning: To travel in a luxurious and comfortable way.
In a Sentence: They traveled in style, flying first class and staying in five-star hotels. If I win the lottery, I’ll definitely travel in style.
Other Ways to Say: Travel luxuriously, In comfort, Lavishly, Elegantly
50. Globe-trotter
Meaning: A person who travels widely and frequently around the world.
In a Sentence: She’s a real globe-trotter, having visited over 50 countries. His job requires him to be a globe-trotter, constantly flying to new destinations.
Other Ways to Say: World traveler, Jet-setter, Nomad, Explorer
Exercise to Practice – Idioms for Traveling
- After six months working abroad, she’s got _________________________ and is already planning her next adventure.
- We packed only backpacks for our trip; we always try to _________________________.
- The road trip started rough, but once we got past the construction, it was _________________________ for the rest of the way.
- If you want to see untouched nature, you’ll have to go _________________________.
- He’s a true _________________________, having visited nearly every country on the planet.
- The new team member really _________________________, quickly understanding the project and contributing effectively.
- I’m tired of working so much; I just need to _________________________ to a quiet beach.
- With new competitors entering the market, our company has to _________________________ a new strategy for growth.
- We set our alarms for _________________________ to ensure we caught the early train.
- The conference was a huge success, attracting visitors from _________________________.
Answer Key
- itchy feet (or wanderlust)
- travel light
- smooth sailing
- off the beaten path
- globe-trotter
- hit the ground running
- get away from it all
- chart the course
- at the crack of dawn
- far and wide
Conclusion
So, ensure your travel tales truly soar! By mastering these Idioms for Traveling, you’re now equipped to share every adventure, challenge, and discovery with a vibrant, native flair. These phrases are the perfect tools to help you paint a more vivid picture of your experiences. Pack your linguistic bags and start using them today to make your stories unforgettable and truly transport your audience!
Danny Weber is a language enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for unpacking the beauty of idioms and metaphors. Through years of research and creative exploration, Danny helps readers understand the deeper meanings behind familiar phrases—making figurative language feel accessible, engaging, and alive. Whether he’s decoding classic sayings or crafting new twists on old expressions, Danny’s work invites you to see language with fresh eyes.
