Last Updated on November 9, 2018

There’s nothing worse than waiting in transit or travelling long-distance with nothing to do. A great book can solve this, and with the holiday season fast approaching, we’ve gathered a selection of favourite travel reads from the Jayride.com team to help inspire you.

A good book is an essential travel companion, and as the holiday season approaches it’s important to be well-equipped for your travels, lest you be lying on a beach, on a long-distance flight, wrapped up warm in front of the fire or stuck in a departure lounge with nothing to read.

It’s no surprise that travel has inspired so much literature, but it can be overwhelming to try and find the perfect book to take on your trip. As passionate travellers ourselves here at Jayride.com, we love to pass on our tips for a seamless and enjoyable trip. Here are some of our favourite reads whenever we go travelling. Enjoy!

 1. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

‘Shantaram follows the story of an Australian criminal after he escapes prison in broad daylight and becomes Australia’s Most Wanted man. He flees to India where he meets all sorts of interesting people who teach him about life and help shape his new identity. It’s a real page-turner and is influenced by true events experienced in the author’s own life. Roberts’ next book, The Mountain Shadow, is a sequel to Shantaram and is just as good. I’d definitely recommend both these to anyone travelling, especially on long-haul flights where you just need to escape into a really good book.’

Aron Lewin, Head of Customer Service

 2. Collected Stories by Roald Dahl

‘After an announcement advising that my flight home from Nepal had been delayed by two hours, I sighed, unsure how to pass the time, and meandered into the airport book shop where I found Roald Dahl’s Collected Stories. While famous as a children’s author, Dahl’s stories for adults are often overlooked, and shouldn’t be. This book is a collection of his short stories intended for a grown-up audience, each one a page-turner – I devoured them all straight away. I was almost a bit miffed when I heard the announcement (hours later) to start boarding, as I was right in the middle of a particularly captivating tale. I couldn’t believe how fast the time had passed. Dahl is the king of unexpected plot twists that leave you wanting more, and I always recommend this book to anyone who is travelling – it will make transit time not only bearable, but really enjoyable.’

Kate Reynolds, Content Marketing Executive

 3. Secrets of the Talking Jaguar by Martin Prechtel

‘I read this book while travelling through Guatemala, and it totally made me fall in love with the place, its people and its soul. Secrets of the Talking Jaguar is a personal account from the author himself about his experiences becoming a Mayan shaman in Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Beautifully written, it’s somewhat poetic and hard to tell if it’s fiction or not, but it was a wonderful foray into the magic of life itself and indigenous cultures. This book totally changed my world, so do yourself a favour and read it.’

Vinko Grgic, Head of Operations

 4. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

‘Okay, so it’s a bit of a travel cliché but Eat Pray Love is the best book to read while travelling! It’s a memoir following Gilbert’s travels through Italy, Indonesia and India after a her divorce left her feeling lost and alone. She meets so many incredible people along the way and rediscovers her passions in life. This book will make you want to quit your job, buy a one-way ticket around the world and do a yoga retreat in India, eat loads of pasta in Italy, or fall in love in Bali. It’s definitely an ideal book for some travel inspiration – it reminds you of the power of travel and how good it is for the soul. It’s also an easy read, so it’s great for long haul flights or waiting in the departure lounge.’

Jessie Ng, Marketing Intern

5. Cooking Magazines

‘I don’t go on holidays without my cooking magazines, either my Delicious magazine, or when I want to feel extra inspired, Donna Hay, a feast for the eyes! I finally have the time to cook and be creative in my kitchen when on holidays, so when I travel I take these magazines in my carry-on luggage and read them back to front for cooking inspiration, especially around Christmas time when I need think about what I’m going to prepare for Christmas lunch.’

Milly Colahan, Strategic Growth Manager

 6. Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer

‘I was forced to watch the movie version of Into the Wild for Year 12 English, and am so glad I did. I soon bought the book and loved reading it, and I bring it on trips with me whenever I need a dose of wanderlust. Based on a true story, Christopher McCandless leaves his suburban life behind and embarks on a journey across America under the alias of Alexander Supertramp, with no money and no possessions. His new life leads him to the wilderness of Alaska where he attempts to live off the land. The book looks at themes of solitude, humanity and happiness, and is great for hikers, or anyone who’s ever been tempted to leave their life behind and venture… into the wild.’

Cameron Foskett, Inbound Marketing Manager

7. The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux

‘Acclaimed travel writer Paul Theroux’s The Great Railway Bazaar will make you want to get a ticket for the longest possible train journey and simply watch the world go by through the rickety windows of your carriage as the gentle huff-puff sounds of the train serenade you… His writing is so engaging that you feel like you’re right there with Theroux, traversing the globe as he encounters hairy situations crossing borders, buys local food from station hawkers and meets so many interesting people on the trains he travels on through Europe and Asia.

Also, here’s a fun fact for you, Paul Theroux is the father of popular documentary-maker Louis Theroux and the uncle of actor Justin Theroux. Talented family!’

Gavin Dunn, Talent Manager

Going away for the Christmas holidays? Don’t leave it to the last minute to organise how you’re getting to and from the airport. This is the busiest time of year for travelling, so beat the rush. Book an airport transfer on Jayride.com and spend less time waiting around in taxi queues and more time, say, reading a good book. Search and compare thousands of transfer options today.