35 Idioms for Travelling

Travelling is an adventure that often involves new experiences, different cultures, and unexpected encounters. Along the way, we use idioms to describe these exciting journeys, challenges, and discoveries. These idiomatic expressions add color and fun to our language, helping us convey deeper meanings or paint vivid pictures of our travel experiences. Let’s dive into 35 idioms related to travelling that can spice up your conversations!

Table of Contents

1. Off the Beaten Path

Meaning: Refers to a place or activity that is not commonly visited or explored, often hidden away from tourists.
In a Sentence: “We decided to explore some local villages off the beaten path, far away from the crowded tourist spots.”
Other Ways to Say: Hidden gem, lesser-known destination, away from the crowds.

2. Hit the Road

Meaning: To begin a journey, usually by car.
In a Sentence: “We packed our bags and hit the road early to avoid traffic.”
Other Ways to Say: Start the journey, set off, hit the trail.

3. Travel Light

Meaning: To travel with only a small amount of luggage or belongings.
In a Sentence: “I always try to travel light and only pack the essentials to avoid carrying heavy bags.”
Other Ways to Say: Pack minimally, travel with little baggage.

4. A Change of Scenery

Meaning: A break from your usual environment or routine, often by going on a trip.
In a Sentence: “I’ve been feeling stressed at work, so I’m planning a weekend getaway for a change of scenery.”
Other Ways to Say: Get away, refresh your surroundings, break from the norm.

5. Wanderlust

Meaning: A strong desire to travel and explore the world.
In a Sentence: “Her wanderlust has taken her to over 20 countries in just five years!”
Other Ways to Say: Travel bug, itchy feet, love for travel.

6. Take the Scenic Route

Meaning: To choose a longer path or journey in order to enjoy the view or experience something more pleasant.
In a Sentence: “We took the scenic route through the mountains, and the view was absolutely breathtaking.”
Other Ways to Say: Go the long way, enjoy the sights, take a detour.

7. In the Middle of Nowhere

Meaning: A very remote or isolated location.
In a Sentence: “We got lost and ended up in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal.”
Other Ways to Say: Out in the sticks, far off the grid, in the boonies.

8. Jump on the Bandwagon

Meaning: To join a popular activity or trend, often when it becomes widely accepted.
In a Sentence: “Everyone is visiting Paris this year, and I decided to jump on the bandwagon and book a trip too.”
Other Ways to Say: Follow the crowd, hop on the trend, go with the flow.

9. A World of Difference

Meaning: A big contrast or change in experience, often encountered when travelling.
In a Sentence: “The city’s skyline at night made a world of difference compared to the quiet countryside.”
Other Ways to Say: Night and day, a complete contrast, a huge shift.

10. On the Move

Meaning: Constantly traveling or going from one place to another.
In a Sentence: “We’ve been on the move for days, exploring one city after another.”
Other Ways to Say: Constantly traveling, always on the go, hopping around.

11. Road Less Traveled

Meaning: A path or choice that is not popular or commonly followed.
In a Sentence: “Choosing the road less traveled has given us some of the most unique experiences.”
Other Ways to Say: Unconventional path, alternative route, non-traditional choice.

12. Globe-Trotter

Meaning: A person who travels widely and often to many different countries.
In a Sentence: “He’s a real globe-trotter, having visited every continent by the age of 30!”
Other Ways to Say: World traveler, wanderer, international explorer.

13. Lost in Transit

Meaning: When something, like luggage, gets delayed or misplaced while traveling.
In a Sentence: “My suitcase was lost in transit, so I had to buy new clothes for the trip.”
Other Ways to Say: Missing in action, misplaced, delayed.

14. Hit the Ground Running

Meaning: To start a journey or a new adventure with energy and readiness.
In a Sentence: “We landed in Tokyo and hit the ground running with a full day of sightseeing.”
Other Ways to Say: Start off strong, dive right in, jump straight into action.

15. Pack Your Bags

Meaning: To prepare for a journey or an adventure, usually implying excitement.
In a Sentence: “I’m so excited for the weekend trip! Time to pack your bags and get ready!”
Other Ways to Say: Get ready, prepare for departure, make your travel plans.

16. Have a Ball

Meaning: To have a great time during an experience, often while traveling.
In a Sentence: “We had a ball during our road trip across the country, discovering new places and meeting people.”
Other Ways to Say: Have a blast, enjoy yourself, have fun.

17. Take a Breather

Meaning: To take a short break, especially during a long journey or tiring travel.
In a Sentence: “We stopped for a coffee and took a breather before continuing our hike.”
Other Ways to Say: Catch your breath, rest for a moment, pause for a while.

18. Under the Radar

Meaning: Something done without attracting attention, often while exploring offbeat destinations.
In a Sentence: “We stayed in a small village that flew under the radar, away from the typical tourist traps.”
Other Ways to Say: Low-key, unnoticed, without fanfare.

19. Go the Extra Mile

Meaning: To put in more effort than expected, especially while making travel arrangements or planning a trip.
In a Sentence: “Our guide went the extra mile to make sure we visited the best hidden gems in the city.”
Other Ways to Say: Put in extra effort, go beyond expectations, exceed the norm.

20. The World Is Your Oyster

Meaning: The world is full of opportunities, and you can go anywhere or do anything.
In a Sentence: “After finishing university, it felt like the world was my oyster, with endless travel possibilities ahead.”
Other Ways to Say: The world’s your playground, limitless opportunities, endless adventure.

21. Pack a Punch

Meaning: Something that has a significant impact or effect, often referring to a destination or experience that leaves a lasting impression.
In a Sentence: “The city’s nightlife really packed a punch, with vibrant clubs and music everywhere.”
Other Ways to Say: Make a strong impression, leave an impact, have a big effect.

22. Off the Grid

Meaning: Refers to being in a remote or isolated place, often without modern conveniences like electricity or internet.
In a Sentence: “We spent the weekend off the grid, camping in the wilderness with no phone signal.”
Other Ways to Say: In the middle of nowhere, away from it all, unplugged.

23. By the Book

Meaning: To follow the rules or instructions exactly as they are written, often referring to a well-planned, traditional travel itinerary.
In a Sentence: “Our trip to Europe was planned by the book, with every day organized in advance.”
Other Ways to Say: Stick to the plan, follow the itinerary, adhere to the rules.

24. Catch Some Rays

Meaning: To enjoy the sunshine, often while relaxing on a beach or outdoor location.
In a Sentence: “We spent the afternoon catching some rays by the pool, soaking up the sun.”
Other Ways to Say: Sunbathe, enjoy the sun, soak up the sunshine.

25. Go Off the Beaten Path

Meaning: To venture into unfamiliar, less-travelled areas, discovering unique spots far from typical tourist attractions.
In a Sentence: “We decided to go off the beaten path and explore some lesser-known towns in Italy.”
Other Ways to Say: Explore hidden spots, take a detour, avoid the tourist trail.

26. Hit the Sack

Meaning: To go to bed or get some sleep, especially after a long journey.
In a Sentence: “After the long flight, I was exhausted and couldn’t wait to hit the sack.”
Other Ways to Say: Hit the hay, get some rest, crash out.

27. Under Your Belt

Meaning: To have gained experience or accomplished something, often used when referring to travel achievements.
In a Sentence: “After backpacking through Southeast Asia, she had a wealth of travel experience under her belt.”
Other Ways to Say: Under your wing, in your pocket, as part of your repertoire.

28. On the Horizon

Meaning: Something that is about to happen soon, like an upcoming trip or travel opportunity.
In a Sentence: “A trip to Japan is on the horizon, and I can’t wait to experience the culture!”
Other Ways to Say: Coming up soon, just around the corner, on the way.

29. At a Crossroads

Meaning: A point in your journey where you have to make an important decision, such as choosing between travel destinations.
In a Sentence: “We were at a crossroads, deciding whether to visit the mountains or explore the coast.”
Other Ways to Say: At a turning point, facing a decision, on the brink of change.

30. Be in Hot Water

Meaning: To be in trouble, often due to a mistake made during travel or while on a trip.
In a Sentence: “I forgot to renew my passport, and now I’m in hot water because I can’t leave the country.”
Other Ways to Say: In trouble, facing consequences, in a sticky situation.

31. Call It a Day

Meaning: To stop what you’re doing and finish for the day, often used when you’re too tired during travel activities.
In a Sentence: “After a full day of sightseeing, we decided to call it a day and relax in the hotel.”
Other Ways to Say: Wrap it up, end the day, pack it in.

32. The Road Ahead

Meaning: Refers to the journey or path that lies in the future, often implying uncertainty or excitement about what’s to come.
In a Sentence: “The road ahead is filled with adventures as we prepare for our trip to South America.”
Other Ways to Say: The journey ahead, the path forward, what lies ahead.

33. Burn the Midnight Oil

Meaning: To stay up late, often working or planning, such as preparing for a trip or organizing travel details.
In a Sentence: “I had to burn the midnight oil to finalize the itinerary for our European vacation.”
Other Ways to Say: Stay up late, work into the night, pull an all-nighter.

34. Have Your Head in the Clouds

Meaning: To be daydreaming or thinking about your trip or travel plans, often when you should be focusing on something else.
In a Sentence: “She had her head in the clouds, imagining the beautiful beaches she would visit in Bali.”
Other Ways to Say: Daydream, be lost in thought, have your mind elsewhere.

35. On a Whim

Meaning: To make a decision impulsively, often related to spontaneous travel or sudden changes in plans.
In a Sentence: “We decided to book a flight to Barcelona on a whim, without any prior planning.”
Other Ways to Say: On the spur of the moment, without thinking, spontaneously.

MCQs Quiz: Idioms for Travelling

1. What does the idiom “Pack a Punch” mean?

a) To pack a suitcase quickly
b) To leave a strong impact or impression
c) To be confused about a destination
Answer: b) To leave a strong impact or impression

2. Which idiom refers to being in a remote or isolated place?

a) By the Book
b) Catch Some Rays
c) Off the Grid
Answer: c) Off the Grid

3. What does “By the Book” imply?

a) Taking risks while traveling
b) Following rules or instructions strictly
c) Traveling off the beaten path
Answer: b) Following rules or instructions strictly

4. What is the meaning of “Catch Some Rays”?

a) To catch a flight
b) To enjoy the sunshine or sunbathe
c) To catch a bus to a new city
Answer: b) To enjoy the sunshine or sunbathe

5. Which idiom means to explore less-travelled destinations?

a) On the Horizon
b) Hit the Sack
c) Go Off the Beaten Path
Answer: c) Go Off the Beaten Path

6. “Hit the Sack” refers to what?

a) Starting a road trip
b) Going to bed to rest
c) Exploring new cities
Answer: b) Going to bed to rest

7. What does “Under Your Belt” mean?

a) To have experience or accomplishment
b) To be well-dressed for a journey
c) To pack light for a trip
Answer: a) To have experience or accomplishment

8. If something is “On the Horizon,” it means it is:

a) Happening in the distant future
b) About to happen soon
c) Very far away
Answer: b) About to happen soon

9. Which idiom means facing an important decision or choice?

a) At a Crossroads
b) Under Your Belt
c) Go Off the Beaten Path
Answer: a) At a Crossroads

10. If someone is “In Hot Water,” they are:

a) Exploring a new city
b) In trouble or facing consequences
c) Enjoying a relaxing trip
Answer: b) In trouble or facing consequences

11. “Call It a Day” means:

a) To finish the day’s activities
b) To begin a new journey
c) To plan a vacation
Answer: a) To finish the day’s activities

12. The phrase “The Road Ahead” refers to:

a) A path with many obstacles
b) The upcoming journey or experiences
c) A difficult travel decision
Answer: b) The upcoming journey or experiences

13. “Burn the Midnight Oil” means:

a) To wake up early for a trip
b) To stay up late working or planning
c) To travel overnight
Answer: b) To stay up late working or planning

14. If someone has their “Head in the Clouds,” they are:

a) Focused on their travel plans
b) Daydreaming or lost in thought
c) Planning a strict travel schedule
Answer: b) Daydreaming or lost in thought

15. What does the idiom “On a Whim” mean?

a) Making a travel decision impulsively
b) Planning a trip for months
c) Traveling based on research and planning
Answer: a) Making a travel decision impulsively

Summary

Idioms for travelling can enrich your vocabulary. They provide colorful and creative ways to express travel experiences. Using idioms like “off the beaten path” or “pack a punch” can make your conversations more engaging. These expressions help convey emotions and insights during your journey.

Incorporating idioms for travelling into your speech adds flair. They make your storytelling sound more natural and vivid. By using these expressions, you can connect better with fellow travelers. Embrace these phrases to make your travel experiences unforgettable.

James tony