The Most Popular Travel Guide, Ranked

Choose the travel guide you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:53
When planning a trip, there's nothing quite like having a reliable travel guide to lead the way. The choices can be overwhelming, as each guide offers a distinct perspective, some highlighting local cuisines, others diving into historical lore, and still others sharing those hidden gems off the beaten path. Having a clear, crowd-sourced ranking of top travel guides helps streamline this selection, ensuring you get the most suitable companion for your adventures. Here on this site, users from all around the globe contribute their votes to determine which travel guides rise to the top. Each vote brings real-time dynamics into the rankings, reflecting current preferences and trends in travel guidance. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first getaway, your votes and views help shape the list to better serve the community of explorers.

What Is the Most Popular Travel Guide?

  1. 1
    95
    votes

    Lonely Planet

    Tony and Maureen Wheeler
    Lonely Planet is one of the most popular travel guidebooks in the world. It is known for its comprehensive coverage of destinations and its practical travel advice. It is available in different formats including print and digital versions.
    Lonely Planet is a popular travel guide that offers comprehensive information and recommendations for travelers. It provides detailed insights into various destinations, including attractions, accommodations, local culture, transportation, and more. With its extensive coverage and practical advice, Lonely Planet has become a trusted resource for travelers worldwide.
    • Publication Date: 1973
    • Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia
    • Books Published: Over 500 titles
    • Languages: Available in multiple languages
    • Digital Resources: Online guides, eBooks, apps
  2. 2
    28
    votes
    Fodor's is another popular travel guidebook that provides in-depth information on destinations around the world. It is known for its reliable and up-to-date content and is available in print and digital formats.
    Fodor's is a renowned travel guide series that provides comprehensive information and recommendations for travelers. It has been a trusted resource in the travel industry for over 80 years, helping travelers make informed decisions for their trips.
    • First Edition: 1936
    • Geographical Coverage: Global
    • In-Depth Destination Information: Yes
    • User-Friendly Format: Yes
    • Detailed Maps: Yes
  3. 3
    10
    votes

    Rick Steves

    Rick Steves
    Rick Steves is a popular travel writer and guidebook author who specializes in European destinations. His guidebooks are known for their detailed information on local culture, history, and cuisine.
    Rick Steves is a widely recognized travel guide brand that offers comprehensive and practical information for travelers looking to explore various destinations around the world. The guides provide detailed insights into local culture, history, attractions, and practical travel advice.
    • Geographic Coverage: Covers Europe primarily, with some guides for other regions.
    • Detailed Itineraries: Provides suggested itineraries for planned trips.
    • Budget Travel Tips: Offers cost-saving strategies and recommendations for budget travelers.
    • Local Insights: Provides in-depth knowledge about local customs, traditions, and lesser-known attractions.
    • Accommodation Recommendations: Suggests a range of accommodation options, from budget to luxury.
    Rick Steves in other rankings
  4. 4
    6
    votes
    Frommer's is a travel guidebook series that provides practical advice on destinations around the world. It is known for its budget-friendly recommendations and insider tips.
    Frommer's is a well-known and trusted travel guide series that provides comprehensive and in-depth information about destinations around the world. It covers a wide range of travel topics, including accommodation, attractions, dining, shopping, and local customs. Frommer's guides are known for their detailed recommendations, practical tips, and insider advice, making them a reliable companion for both experienced and first-time travelers.
    • Publication Date: Frommer's guides are regularly updated to provide the most current information.
    • Coverage: Frommer's covers destinations worldwide, including popular tourist spots and off-the-beaten-path locations.
    • Language: Frommer's guides are primarily available in English, with some editions translated into other languages.
    • Format: Frommer's guides are available in print, e-book, and online formats.
    • User-Friendly Layout: The guides feature easy-to-read maps, indexes, and categorized sections for quick reference.
  5. 5
    19
    votes

    Rough Guides

    Rough Guides Ltd.
    Rough Guides is a travel guidebook series that provides in-depth coverage of destinations around the world. It is known for its detailed cultural and historical information, as well as its practical travel advice.
    Rough Guides is a popular travel guide series known for its comprehensive coverage and practical advice on destinations worldwide. It provides up-to-date information on attractions, accommodation options, dining, and transportation, making it a valuable resource for travelers. The guidebooks also delve into the cultural and historical aspects of each destination, offering readers a deeper understanding of the places they visit.
    • Comprehensive Coverage: Provides extensive information on various destinations worldwide.
    • Practical Advice: Offers useful tips and recommendations for travelers, including accommodation and transportation options.
    • Up-to-date Information: Provides current details on attractions, dining, and other travel-related aspects.
    • Cultural and Historical Insights: Explores the cultural and historical significance of destinations, enhancing readers' travel experiences.
    • Detailed Maps: Offers detailed maps to help travelers navigate their way around each destination.
  6. 6
    9
    votes

    National Geographic Traveler

    National Geographic Society
    National Geographic Traveler is a travel magazine and guidebook series that focuses on responsible and sustainable travel. It is known for its stunning photography and insightful travel stories.
    The National Geographic Traveler is a widely recognized and highly regarded travel guide. It is known for its comprehensive coverage of various destinations around the world, providing travelers with in-depth information, stunning photography, and practical tips.
    • Publication Frequency: Bimonthly
    • Number of Destinations Covered: Hundreds
    • Language: English
    • Focus: Culture, nature, adventure, and sustainable travel
    • Sections: Highlights, insider tips, suggested itineraries, maps, and more
  7. 7
    8
    votes
    Michelin Green Guides
    Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
    Michelin Green Guides are travel guidebooks that provide information on destinations in Europe and North America. They are known for their focus on cultural and historical attractions, as well as their recommendations for scenic drives and walks.
    The Michelin Green Guides is a series of travel guidebooks that provide detailed information and recommendations for popular tourist destinations worldwide. The guides are renowned for their comprehensive coverage of attractions, historical and cultural backgrounds, as well as practical travel tips.
    • Content: Detailed information on popular tourist destinations.
    • Coverage: Comprehensive coverage of attractions, landmarks, and points of interest.
    • History and Culture: In-depth exploration of historical and cultural backgrounds of destinations.
    • Practical Information: Includes essential travel tips, transportation options, accommodation recommendations, and restaurant suggestions.
    • Maps and Illustrations: Includes detailed maps and illustrations to aid in navigation and understanding.
  8. 8
    11
    votes
    DK Eyewitness Travel Guides are known for their visual appeal and easy-to-read format. They provide practical information on destinations around the world, as well as detailed illustrations and photographs.
    DK Eyewitness Travel Guides is a series of comprehensive travel guidebooks known for their visual appeal and detailed information. Created by DK Publishing, these guides offer a wealth of practical advice and insider tips for travelers.
    • Visual appeal: Richly illustrated with photographs, maps, and illustrations
    • Detailed information: In-depth coverage of destinations, attractions, history, and culture
    • Practical advice: Useful recommendations on accommodation, dining, transportation, and activities
    • Insider tips: Local insights and hidden gems suggested by experts
    • Multilingual: Available in multiple languages for international travelers
  9. 9
    5
    votes

    Moon Travel Guides

    Moon Travel Guides
    Moon Travel Guides provide comprehensive coverage of destinations around the world, with a focus on off-the-beaten-path attractions and experiences. They are known for their insider tips and recommendations for unique cultural experiences.
    Moon Travel Guides is a popular travel guide brand that provides comprehensive and up-to-date information about various destinations around the world. It offers detailed insights and recommendations for travelers, including tips on attractions, accommodations, dining, transportation, and more. With its user-friendly format and in-depth coverage, Moon Travel Guides are highly regarded by both novice and experienced travelers.
    • Extensive Coverage: Provides detailed information on a wide range of destinations globally.
    • Up-to-date Information: Regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.
    • Insider Tips: Offers valuable insights and recommendations from local experts.
    • User-friendly Format: Easy-to-navigate layout and organized sections for quick reference.
    • Accommodation Recommendations: Suggests various lodging options to suit different budgets and preferences.
  10. 10
    7
    votes

    Bradt Travel Guides

    Hilary Bradt
    Bradt Travel Guides are known for their focus on sustainable and responsible travel. They provide detailed information on destinations around the world, with a focus on local culture and wildlife.
    Bradt Travel Guides is a popular travel guide series that provides comprehensive and detailed information about various destinations around the world. It is known for its in-depth coverage of off-the-beaten-path locations and its focus on responsible and sustainable travel. The guides are written by local experts and offer a wealth of cultural insights, practical tips, and essential information for travelers.
    • Editions: Over 200 titles covering destinations worldwide
    • Detailed Information: Comprehensive coverage of destinations and attractions
    • Responsible Travel: Emphasis on responsible and sustainable travel practices
    • Off-the-Beaten-Path: Focus on lesser-known destinations and hidden gems
    • Cultural Insights: Insightful information about local customs, traditions, and history

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular travel guide. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or guide is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2157 views
  • 197 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each guide once every 24 hours. The rank of each guide is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular travel guide

Travel guides have been a staple in the travel industry for decades. They provide valuable information about a destination, including recommendations on where to stay, eat, and what to see and do. With so many travel guides to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most popular. In recent years, online travel guides have become increasingly popular due to their convenience and accessibility. Websites like TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet offer comprehensive travel guides for destinations all around the world. These online guides are often free to access and provide up-to-date information on local attractions and accommodations. However, traditional print travel guides still have a loyal following. Guides such as Fodor's, Rick Steves, and Frommer's have been trusted sources for travelers for decades. These guides offer in-depth information and are often written by experts in the travel industry. Ultimately, the most popular travel guide will vary depending on personal preference and travel style. Some travelers may prefer the convenience of online guides, while others may enjoy the tactile experience of flipping through a traditional guidebook. Regardless of which guide is chosen, the important thing is to have reliable and informative information to enhance the travel experience.

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