It’s How I YouTube Travel: My Honest Take on Travel Vloggers
Key Takeaways
- The article lists 10 travel YouTubers similar to Simon Wilson, highlighting their unique styles and values in traveling.
- Creators like DownieLive and Mike Okay focus on authentic experiences and local culture, aligning with the author’s travel values.
- Each YouTuber receives ratings based on alignment with travel values, entertainment factor, educational value, and rewatchability.
- The author invites readers to share their favorite travel YouTubers in the comments, fostering community engagement.
- Recommendations include Matt and Julia for off-the-beaten-path adventures and Yes Theory for authentic human connections.
Looking for travel YouTubers like Simon Wilson or Yes Theory? You’re in the right place.
The ability to open an app or laptop and within seconds watch real people travel the world is remarkable. I’m a storyteller, but my canvas is a MacBook keyboard. I express myself through words on the page and photos my iPhone lens captures. But I also consume content in many ways, especially through video.
I watch many different content creators travel the world and tell stories along the way. Some follow the values I hold close when traveling, others don’t quite align but are still worth watching. My travel values are:
- Respecting, learning, and embracing the culture where I’m visiting
- Enjoying local cuisine
- Keeping the environment top of mind
- Having fun!
Below, I’ll share the 10 travel YouTubers I watch most. I’ll score each with up to four emojis based on:
- 🎯 Alignment with my travel values
- 🍿 Entertainment factor
- 🎓 Educational value
- 📺 Rewatchability
Now, in alphabetical order, here they are!
YouTube Channels
DownieLive
The “guy from Canada who loves trains.” Creator Michael Downie brings us along on his adventures from point A to B, mostly by train. Friends join him often and the videos are upbeat and fun. He doesn’t always spend much time in each place, but he’s always after local “must haves” when he does.
Rating: 🎯 🍿 🎓 📺
Link: https://www.youtube.com/c/DownieLive
Jeb Brooks (Greenergrass.com)
Suzanne and Jeb Brooks travel the world showing us how they made it happen. Their focus is on transportation methods and honest reviews. They compare apples to apples and get detailed where others skip over the specifics.
Rating: 🍿 🎓 📺
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenerGrass
Kara and Nate
This Nashville husband and wife bring us to every corner of the globe. Sometimes they’re roughing it, other times enjoying luxury resorts. They always treat everyone with kindness and respect along the way. They take more cruises than I’d like, but you’ll learn a lot from them.
Rating: 🍿 🎓 📺
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@karaandnate
Matt and Julia
Their YouTube description says it all: “Travel adventures somewhere we probably shouldn’t be.” They travel smart but without fear, bringing us to places the media doesn’t show the full story about. You’ll learn things you didn’t even know you wanted to know.
Rating: 🎯 🍿 🎓 📺
Link: https://www.youtube.com/c/mattandjulia
Mike Okay
British traveler Mike brings us to places most don’t visit. His interactions with locals are eye-opening, and he shows us destinations often misrepresented by media.
Rating: 🎯 🍿 🎓 📺
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeokay
My Layover Life
United Airlines Captain Paul combines the interesting behind-the-scenes pilot life with being a tourist during layovers. He maximizes short trips and shows you how to do the same.
Rating: 🎯 🍿 🎓
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@MyLayoverLife
Peter Santenello
Peter is unique—he travels with the mindset of an independent journalist, giving us real insights into places and stories from locals. It can get political at times, but it’s straight from the source.
Rating: 🎓 📺
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@petersantenello
Quin Gable
Solo female van life vlogger documenting her life on the road with her cat. She travels the country and leads women’s group trips around the world. Her focus is on the outdoors and enjoying nature—all with incredible energy.
Rating: 🎯 🍿 🎓 📺
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@quingable
Simon Wilson
A very popular creator I’ve followed for years and love when new videos drops. He’s highly entertaining and isn’t afraid to break a few rules or chat with anyone. You’ll learn and have fun along the way. (Simon, if you’re reading this: please open your mind about food a bit more!)
Rating: 🍿 🎓 📺
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@SimonWilson
Yes Theory
Their motto is “seek discomfort.” They travel the world meeting new people, trying new foods, and pushing boundaries. Their mission aligns perfectly with authentic exploration and human connection.
Rating: 🎯 🍿 🎓 📺
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@yestheory
Who do you watch?
Drop your favorite travel YouTubers in the comments below!
Shhhh, I have a list of my favorites here
FAQ
If you enjoy Simon Wilson’s budget travel challenges and adventurous spirit, check out Mike Okay (off-the-beaten-path destinations), Matt and Julia (going places most don’t), and DownieLive (unique transportation adventures). Each brings a similar energy while exploring in their own way.
Peter Santenello leads with unbiased, journalistic storytelling. Mike Okay and Matt and Julia showcase authentic cultural interactions in lesser-known destinations. My Layover Life demonstrates how to maximize authentic experiences even on short trips.
Yes! Mike Okay, Peter Santenello, Matt and Julia, My Layover Life, and Yes Theory rarely or never feature cruise content. They focus on land-based travel, trains, planes, van life, and authentic cultural experiences.
Peter Santenello provides deep cultural insights with his journalistic approach. Mike Okay and Matt and Julia both excel at showing authentic cultural interactions in misunderstood destinations. Yes Theory focuses on human connection across cultures.
Yes! Quin Gable specializes in solo female van life and leads women’s group trips around the world. She provides great tips for women traveling alone and embracing outdoor adventures.
OH WOW