Favourite Podcasts for Long Journeys
By Gillian Boyd Published 25 March 2026
Going on a long journey? Here are some of my favourite podcasts to educate and entertain you while you travel.
Whilst I often like to stare out the window and look at the passing scenery, it is still useful to have a few podcasts ready downloaded from BBC Sounds or Apple Podcasts.
Legacy
With over 100 episodes available there is plenty to keep you listening. Legacy examines the reputation of world famous historical figures such as Cleopatra, John F. Kennedy, Napoleon and Pablo Picasso. The 2 hosts frequently question the legitimacy of their accepted reputation and asks ‘how would they be viewed today?’ Episodes are about 45 minutes long and each series focuses on 1 person.
Logo of Legacy Podcast
This Thing of Darkness
Award-winning drama exploring the psychological impact of murder. Inspired by a real psychiatrist and psychotherapist and her work in secure prisons. 4 series, each episode being 45 minutes. It’s thoughtful and gripping stuff.
Unchartered with Hannah Fry
Behind every line on a graph lies an extraordinary human story. Over 2 series, Mathematician Professor Hannah Fry tells us the story in 15 minutes demonstrating how so many questions can be answered through maths, graphs and statistics.
Limelight
A fiction and drama series from BBC Radio 4. There are many stand alone series. Episodes are about 30 minutes each. Some series are science fiction set in the near future.
28ish Days Later
An award-winning podcast exploring the menstrual cycle, one day at a time. An absolute must for women and recommended for men. 28 episodes about 15 minutes long.
Great Audiobooks
Full length readings of 100 literary masterpieces. Great for when I want to read on buses and not get a headache or motion sickness. I like how the narrator‘s voice fits with the style of novel. Episodes are 1 hour plus and each book has over 7 hours listening time.
Life Lines
Al Smith’s award-winning drama series set in an ambulance control room. Each episode covers a different incident and there is a longer running story line about the main characters.
Why Do We Do That?
An anthropologist’s guide to the modern world. Ella Al-Shamahi investigates the origins of everyday human habits and behaviour such as why we blush, laugh, play and lie. 2 Series of 15 minutes episodes.
A Bit of a Stretch
Documentary by Chris Atkins after spending time in a British prison for tax fraud. Atkins read letters for fellow prisoners and earned their trust.
According to the Ministry of Justice 57% adults in prison in UK have a reading level below that of an average 11-year-old. I discovered this podcast while researching resources for my work in supporting children in speech therapy, social communication and literacy in primary school.
Series 1 is based on interviews with 20 ex-prisoners around a theme. Series 2 dips further into their stories. Each episode is around 30 minutes.
Logo of A Bit of a Stretch Podcast
Final Thoughts
Wonderful as travelling is, there are some times when your head just wants to be somewhere else. Podcasts are great way of passing the time while on the move. As with everything in life, variety is key. I hope you find something surprising here that you enjoy listening to.
Never miss an Adventure!