28 Idioms for Travelling

Travel idioms enrich our conversations and add flair to our stories about adventures. Whether planning a road trip or reminiscing about a journey, these expressions can help paint vivid pictures of your experiences. Dive into this list of travel-related idioms and let your language take flight!

When you’re on the go, these idioms about travel and adventure will not only help you express yourself but also add fun to your storytelling. From road trips to exploring new horizons, there’s an idiom for every experience.

1. Hit the Road

Meaning: To begin a journey or leave a place.
In a Sentence: After breakfast, we hit the road to start our weekend getaway.
Other Ways to Say: Set off, Start out.

2. On the Go

Meaning: To be busy or active, especially while traveling.
In a Sentence: The packed itinerary kept us on the go from morning till night.
Other Ways to Say: Active, Busy.

3. Off the Beaten Path

Meaning: Away from popular or frequently traveled places.
In a Sentence: Our guide took us off the beaten path to discover a hidden waterfall.
Other Ways to Say: Away from the crowd, Unconventional.

4. Catch Some Z’s

Meaning: To get some sleep or take a nap.
In a Sentence: After the long flight, I just wanted to catch some Z’s in my hotel room.
Other Ways to Say: Take a nap, Get some shut-eye.

5. Full Steam Ahead

Meaning: To proceed with energy and determination.
In a Sentence: Once we set our route, it was full steam ahead toward the mountains.
Other Ways to Say: With full force, With enthusiasm.

6. On Cloud Nine

Meaning: Extremely happy or euphoric.
In a Sentence: Standing on the Eiffel Tower put me on cloud nine.
Other Ways to Say: Over the moon, In seventh heaven.

7. A Stone’s Throw Away

Meaning: Very close in distance.
In a Sentence: The café was just a stone’s throw away from the train station.
Other Ways to Say: Nearby, Close by.

8. Take the Scenic Route

Meaning: To choose a longer route to enjoy the scenery.
In a Sentence: Instead of rushing home, we took the scenic route along the coast.
Other Ways to Say: Enjoy the view, Go the long way.

9. Off to a Flying Start

Meaning: To begin something successfully or with great enthusiasm.
In a Sentence: Our road trip was off to a flying start with perfect weather and good company.
Other Ways to Say: A good beginning, A strong start.

10. Make Tracks

Meaning: To leave or start a journey.
In a Sentence: As the sun began to set, we decided to make tracks toward our campsite.
Other Ways to Say: Hit the road, Start out.

11. Go the Extra Mile

Meaning: To make an extra effort.
In a Sentence: Our host went the extra mile to ensure we felt at home during our stay.
Other Ways to Say: Put in extra work, Go above and beyond.

12. Burn the Midnight Oil

Meaning: To work late into the night.
In a Sentence: I burned the midnight oil planning our travel itinerary.
Other Ways to Say: Work late, Stay up late.

13. Travel Light

Meaning: To carry minimal luggage.
In a Sentence: Backpacking across Europe is easier if you travel light.
Other Ways to Say: Pack lightly, Minimal packing.

14. Get Cold Feet

Meaning: To become nervous or hesitant about doing something.
In a Sentence: I was excited to try bungee jumping, but I got cold feet at the last minute.
Other Ways to Say: Feel hesitant, Get nervous.

15. In the Same Boat

Meaning: To share the same situation or predicament.
In a Sentence: We missed the bus, but at least we’re all in the same boat.
Other Ways to Say: In the same situation, Facing the same challenge.

16. Hit the Sack

Meaning: To go to bed or sleep.
In a Sentence: After the long hike, we were ready to hit the sack early.
Other Ways to Say: Go to bed, Catch some Z’s.

17. Break the Ice

Meaning: To initiate conversation in a new or awkward situation.
In a Sentence: Playing trivia games helped break the ice on the group tour.
Other Ways to Say: Start a conversation, Ease tension.

18. Home Away from Home

Meaning: A place as comfortable as one’s own home.
In a Sentence: The cozy inn felt like a home away from home during our vacation.
Other Ways to Say: Second home, Familiar place.

19. Roll Out the Red Carpet

Meaning: To welcome someone in a grand or special way.
In a Sentence: The cruise ship rolled out the red carpet for its guests.
Other Ways to Say: Give a warm welcome, Extend special treatment.

20. The Trip of a Lifetime

Meaning: A unique and memorable travel experience.
In a Sentence: The safari was truly the trip of a lifetime.
Other Ways to Say: Once-in-a-lifetime experience, Unforgettable journey.

21. Put the Pedal to the Metal

Meaning: To go faster, especially while driving.
In a Sentence: Running late for the concert, we put the pedal to the metal.
Other Ways to Say: Accelerate, Speed up.

22. All Roads Lead to Rome

Meaning: Many different ways to achieve the same goal.
In a Sentence: We may take different paths, but all roads lead to Rome.
Other Ways to Say: Multiple paths, Same destination.

23. Go with the Flow

Meaning: To adapt to circumstances or take things as they come.
In a Sentence: Traveling with a group requires you to go with the flow sometimes.
Other Ways to Say: Be flexible, Adapt easily.

24. In High Spirits

Meaning: To feel happy or cheerful.
In a Sentence: Everyone was in high spirits as we approached the theme park.
Other Ways to Say: Cheerful, Excited.

25. Jump on the Bandwagon

Meaning: To join a popular activity or trend.
In a Sentence: I jumped on the bandwagon and started using travel blogs for trip planning.
Other Ways to Say: Follow the crowd, Join the trend.

26. Drop Someone Off

Meaning: To leave someone at a destination, usually by car.
In a Sentence: My friend dropped me off at the airport before heading to work.
Other Ways to Say: Leave someone, Give someone a ride.

27. Travel Far and Wide

Meaning: To explore many places.
In a Sentence: She has traveled far and wide, experiencing different cultures.
Other Ways to Say: Explore extensively, Journey across.

28. Take a Rain Check

Meaning: To postpone or reschedule.
In a Sentence: We had to take a rain check on the boat tour due to bad weather.
Other Ways to Say: Postpone, Reschedule.

MCQs Quiz

1. What does the idiom “Hit the Road” mean?

A) To finish a journey
B) To begin a journey or leave a place
C) To plan a trip
D) To go on a shopping spree

Answer: B) To begin a journey or leave a place

2. Which idiom means “to sleep or take a nap”?

A) Burn the midnight oil
B) Hit the sack
C) Catch some Z’s
D) Travel light

Answer: C) Catch some Z’s

3. What does “Off the beaten path” refer to?

A) Sticking to popular tourist spots
B) Being lost during a trip
C) Exploring less-traveled or unconventional places
D) Traveling with minimal luggage

Answer: C) Exploring less-traveled or unconventional places

4. If someone is “On cloud nine,” how do they feel?

A) Nervous
B) Excited and euphoric
C) Exhausted
D) Curious

Answer: B) Excited and euphoric

5. What does the idiom “Take the scenic route” suggest?

A) To get lost on a road trip
B) To choose a longer route for the beauty of the scenery
C) To avoid main highways
D) To plan your trip in advance

6. What is the meaning of “In the same boat”?

A) Traveling on the same ship
B) Being in the same situation or predicament
C) Going on a fishing trip
D) Competing in a race

Answer: B) Being in the same situation or predicament

7. “Go the extra mile” means:

A) To walk a long distance
B) To make an extra effort
C) To change travel plans
D) To travel far

Answer: B) To make an extra effort

8. Which idiom means “to reschedule or postpone”?

A) Roll out the red carpet
B) Put the pedal to the metal
C) Take a rain check
D) Make tracks

Answer: C) Take a rain check

9. If you “Travel light,” what are you doing?

A) Traveling only during the day
B) Carrying minimal luggage
C) Taking a short trip
D) Flying instead of driving

Answer: B) Carrying minimal luggage

10. Which idiom suggests welcoming someone lavishly?

A) Jump on the bandwagon
B) Roll out the red carpet
C) Full steam ahead
D) A stone’s throw away

Answer: B) Roll out the red carpet

11. “Put the pedal to the metal” means:

A) To slow down
B) To drive faster or increase speed
C) To take a longer route
D) To stop for a break

Answer: B) To drive faster or increase speed

12. Which idiom is about feeling cheerful and excited?

A) In high spirits
B) Burn the midnight oil
C) Take a rain check
D) Get cold feet

Answer: A) In high spirits

13. “Break the ice” is used to mean

A) Starting a journey
B) Initiating conversation or easing social tension
C) Ending a friendship
D) Making a difficult decision

Answer: B) Initiating conversation or easing social tension

14. What does “Home away from home” imply?

A) A house far from your city
B) A place as comfortable as your own home
C) A temporary shelter
D) A vacation home

Answer: B) A place as comfortable as your own home

15. Which idiom means “to explore many places”?

A) Travel far and wide
B) Take the scenic route
C) In the same boat
D) Drop someone off

Answer: A) Travel far and wide

Conclusion

From road trip idioms like “Take the scenic route” to adventure expressions like “Travel far and wide,” these idioms bring life to your travel stories. Use them to communicate with flair and make your next journey as memorable as your words!