Whether you’re planning a trip for the summer or really any time of the year, there are a number of great podcasts that can help you make the most of out your next trip. Here are seven podcasts that provide inspiration, recommendations, tips for budget travel, and much more.

Travel with Rick Steves:  Rick Steves seems to have his toe dipped into every possible media pool, and for good reason. Steves, who has written countless books and articles on travel and hosts his own public television and radio programs, is one of the foremost European travel experts in the U.S. Lucky for podcast listeners, he’s spread his vast experience into the podcast medium. Steves has a number of podcasts available for download, including Travel with Rick Steves, the podcast version of his weekly radio show of the same name which he began in 2005. Typically, each show includes an in depth look at a specific travel destination with an expert who gives their recommendations for the area. Steves also takes calls from his radio listeners who ask questions and talk about their own travels. Though the show covers travel destinations across the globe, the majority of episodes focus on travel in the United States and, of course, Europe. Whether you’re looking for destination ideas or already know where you’re going and are looking for expert advice for your trip, check out Travel with Rick Steves. It might have just what you need to plan your trip.

Amateur Traveler:  This podcast hosted by long-time travel podcaster and blogger Chris Christensen has a similar format to Travel with Rick Steves. Christensen focuses on a specific location for each episode, interviewing a travel expert who either lives in or is otherwise very familiar with the location. The guest provides their recommendations, including the best time to visit, what to see, where to eat, what makes the place unique and what may be a little overhyped. The travel destinations covered in the podcast are truly global, ranging from Wisconsin and Philadelphia to Cambodia and Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. Like Rick Steves, Christensen has been recording his show for over 10 years so listeners have a library of over 470 episodes to browse for specific advice or new travel destinations.

Extra Pack of Peanuts:  Budget-minded travelers will want to check out the Extra Pack of Peanuts podcast, the self-stated goal of which is to help you “travel more while spending less.” Host Travis Sherry, often joined by his wife Heather Sherry, has recorded close to 200 episodes of the podcast covering money-saving topics from how to find cheap airfare to finding destinations where you can get the most bang for your buck. The podcast also has regular features like success stories in which people talk about how they’ve used EPoP tips for their own travels, destination diaries in which Travis and Heather talk about some of the great places they’ve traveled while at the location, and travel lists like “16 Summer Road Trips Around the U.S.A.” and “15 Travel Websites We Love.”

Taste Trekkers’ Find Dining Podcast:  Do you find yourself wanting more than a Yelp review to help you choose a good local restaurant while traveling? If so, then the Find Dining Podcast may be your answer. Host Seth Resler, founder of the food and travel website Taste Trekkers, talks with local food and dining experts to get an insider’s view of the food scene and best restaurants their area has to offer. Past episodes have covered most major cities in the U.S., as well as areas from France to the Peruvian jungle. More recently, Resler has devoted some of his podcasts to broader food topics like forecasting food trends and the rules of kosher dining, but the heart of the podcast remains the same. If you want to eat like a local while you travel, I’d recommend checking out Taste Trekkers’ Find Dining Podcast.

2 Girls Trippin’:  If you’re simply looking for some inspiration to hit the road this summer, 2 Girls Trippin’ is a fantastic place to start. Hosts Lena Starbird and Kristina Kindred are a couple who live in the Los Angeles area and enjoy travelling, especially road trips. They readily admit they’re not luxury travelers, but they enjoy taking their FJ Cruiser on the road, even if for a short day or weekend trip. Starbird is a cancer survivor, and the couple tells the story on their podcast of turning to travel after the diagnosis as a way of connecting with each other and making the most of their time together. Starbird’s cancer treatment was a success, and she and Kindred vowed to continue their travels and bring their stories to people via the podcast. Over 13 episodes thus far Starbird and Kindred have discussed some of the sites they’ve taken in, mostly in the Southwest U.S., as well as their practical travel suggestions on things like traveling with pets and staying entertained on a long road trip. Most importantly, though, Starbird and Kindred provide a fun and lively podcast that could inspire even the homiest of homebody to get off the couch and out the door for a weekend adventure.

Coaster Radio:  Summertime often means theme park time, especially for families. If you’re planning a trip to a theme park this summer, it’s worth checking out Coaster Radio before you go. Hosts Mike Collins and Eric Bolstridge (E.B.) review rides, provide tips and even reflect on the history and future of theme parks and theme park rides. Collins and Bolstridge bill Coaster Radio as “The Original Theme Park Podcast,” having been recording shows since 2005. Needless to say, they’ve logged a ton of episodes, so there is an extensive archive covering a lot of parks and rides as well as general tips for getting the best out of your theme park visit.  Collins and Bolstridge have a true passion for theme parks and rides, which shines through their podcast and makes each episode a fun listen.

WEDWay Radio:  There are theme parks and then there’s the vast universe of Disney. If you’re looking for a podcast that focuses specifically on the Disney parks, there’s good news and bad news. Good news: there may be no more popular genre in podcasting than Disney travel. Bad news: because of the huge number of Disney travel podcasts, it can be difficult to find just the right one. WEDWay Radio stands out amongst the crowd of Disney theme park podcasts because the hosts are funny and knowledgeable, the topics are interesting and useful, and the scope of the podcast includes all the Disney parks, including Disneyland and Disneyworld. Brothers Nate and Matt Parrish host this podcast, which looks at Disney and its theme parks both from a current and historical view.  Since starting the podcast, the brothers have also added WEDWay NOW! episodes, which cover current news and events at Disney and the Disney parks. Whether you’re interested in hearing about the latest attractions, shows and events at the parks, or just want to soak in the long, storied history of Disney theme parks before visiting, WEDWay Radio has a little bit of everything for you.

Do you have different podcasts you like to turn to for help with your travel planning? I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Good luck on your next trip and happy traveling!