Round the World Magazine

62 Travel Tattoo Designs from Around The World

A list of wanderlust tattoo ideas that inspire.

Photo of Round The World Magazine

With global COVID-19 restrictions on travel affecting all of us in some way, it may be the perfect time to go through past travel experiences. Whether it’s browsing through photos on the hard drive or tidying up a memory box, the art of travel is very well proven to nourish our well being.

Reading articles on travel blogs and exploring tourist information sites is a wonderful way to reminisce and plan another trip once the global restrictions are over.

Revisiting happier memories during this time can be a tonic for the soul.

Planning the next trip may also be a great way to work through a lockdown. Here at Round The World Magazine, we’ve been catching up on old posts from the places we have visited as well as listing out travel images for sale and organizing a couple of new websites.

We find browsing through travel tattoos another fantastic way to fill up the heart cup.

It may even stir up inspiration to draw some tattoo designs .

We’ve found some of the most interesting and creative wanderlust tattoo designs across the internet and we’d love to share them with you in a bid to promote positive emotion and inspiration…

** Please respect the original work of the artists/designers/models and always ask permission before using any of the travel tattoo designs. If you like a particular design, please consider following the social media account of the artist/model via the link within the image credit as an appreciation of their work. **

best wanderlust tattoos plane ankle

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Wonderful blog. You really simplified what tattoo I am gonna have. I was searching for travel tattoos. I found this article. Thanks for sharing this amazing piece of content.

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46 Wanderlust Tattoos For Anyone Obsessed With Travel

Hostelworld Blog | Posted on January 20, 2022 |

Travellers all over the world are constantly collecting passport stamps, soul-stirring stories and often, stunning wanderlust tattoos. Each one tells a story, a tale of adventure, inspiration and often, personal achievement. They’re badges of honour, proudly emblazoned on the bodies of those whose hearts are stirred by travel. We asked YOU for your real travel ink stories (and pics), and as always, you did not disappoint. Brace yourself for an inspiration overload! #MeetMyInk

Here are 46 wanderlust tattoos for anyone obsessed with travel:

1. “The globe stands for Asia and the compass that ensure I will always know where my home is. The arrow stands for the jump into something new.”

wanderlust tattoos

📸: Tanja Gremmelmaier – Germany

2. “I’ve always wanted a palm tree tattoo, but I’m glad I waited to get this done on my trip to Bali as it has given it even more meaning and reminds me of my time there.”

wanderlust tattoos

📸:  Annina – Finland

3. “My life goal is to travel as much as I can, as often as possible, and that’s pretty much what the tattoo means to me!”

wanderlust tattoos

📸:  Vittoria – Brazil

4. “I got this wanderlust tattoo before I went on a backpacking trip to South America for six months. I work in travel and I grew up with travelling – that’s why I got this quote on my ribs.”

wanderlust tattoos

📸: Jana Shl – Germany

5. “I am a firm believer that tattoos should represent what you stand for and believe in. That is precisely the reason why I’ve tattooed the word ‘GO’ on my forearm. It’s a mantra, a moto, an inspiration – when life gets rough, when the day at work just doesn’t seem to be coming to an end. I try to remind myself I’m doing it for a reason: to be able to travel in the future, to have the luxury of experiencing a bunch of ‘firsts’ and to not take daily things for granted.”

wanderlust tattoos

📸: Pia – Slovenia (Tattoo by @fertattoo)

6. “I lived abroad for over 10 years, but home is always where the heart is.”

wanderlust tattoos

📸: Anmar Wilding – UK (Tattoo by Dolly at Black Sails, Brighton, UK)

7. “I made my tattoo on a trip in Thailand as is the Thai tradition, with bamboo. It is a Thai amulet that means luck and protection.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Thais Espildora – Brazil

8. “I’ve got the coordinates of Hawaii as a tattoo because I spent two wonderful months there. So if I’m lost, please send me back!”

wanderlust tattoos

📸: Judith Nora – Germany

9. “The latitude and longitude show where I come from, and the map shows where I’m going.”

wanderlust tattoos

📸: Washington Rosthayni – Brazil

10. “I went on a contiki trip to Europe in 2013 and met my amazing friend/Australian soul sister Eden. I went to visit her in Australia a year later and we decided to mark our friendship for life with this tattoo! Since I live in Canada, it’s my sun when it’s her moon, so we drew this one up and got it tatted. Then of course, we went to the beach.”

wanderlust tattoos

📸: Madison Baillie – Canada

11. “The world is about people and the moments you live with them.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Maria Eduarda Lacerda – Brazil

12. “My heart is in the mountains and never being tied down, so I got ‘wild’ to symbolize who I am! The tree is the Colorado state tree.”

wanderlust tattoos

📸: Vicky Petrauskas – USA

13. “Got my wanderlust tattoo compass done back in Latvia when I realised how much I want to go to places I’ve never been to.”

wanderlust tattoos

📸: Victoria Zarecneva – Latvia

14. “Got it after having lived near the ocean (Australia & Spain) and learning how to surf”

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Anneline Akkersdijk – Netherlands

15. “Tomorrow I’ll be going with a backpack all by myself to the Chapada Diamantina! Go, go!”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Maysa Santos – Brazil

16. “Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” – Anita Desai

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Martina Anliker – Switzerland

17. “I LOVE palm trees! This is my first tattoo and I got it in Sri Lanka from a French guy who was living in Thailand. Plus, I got it for free!”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Melina Trovatello – Germany

18. “My rose of the winds Daniele Duarte, who guides me to the most crazy and amusing ways of Brazil with our eternal friendship.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Lucas Sorreano – Brazil

19. “Got this one done by Coen Mitchell in New Zealand during my working holiday adventure”

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Julie Van Oosterwyck – Belgium

20. “’Not all those who wander are lost’ is my life phrase. Photo taken during the crossing of the Serra Fina Mountain, on top of Capim Amarelo.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Gabriel Oliveira – Brazil

21. “I just had to have my itchy feet eternalized with a palm tree.”

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Sandra de Groot

22. “’We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.’ – Anais Nin

world traveller tattoo

📸: Carina Katharina – Germany

23. “I discovered a few years ago (since the age of 18 I have travelled without my parents) that I love travelling and ever since then, I prepare every year to discover a destination. It is amazing to learn about other cultures, including exploring my own country! I feel that my heart gains part of every place I have ever visited.”

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Ana Carolina Dias – Brazil

24. “I’ve been to over 30 countries before the age 23. I worked for an airline in the States. Traveling has been a huge part of my life and has made me to who I am. I’m a more global thinker, more empathizing towards others, and it has made me more curious about other cultures. If I don’t get on a plane for couple of months, I start getting jittery! I know my love for travelling will never leave me, so that’s why I got a tattoo! (Pic taken on the beaches of Tamarindo in Costa Rica!)”

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Olivia Dwan

25. “I’m the captain of my soul!”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Camila Fernanda

26. “After breaking my neck in New Zealand I had this tattooed with a Maori pattern (given to me on a kiwi river stone from my nurse) in the ‘P’ and ‘C’ to remind me how lucky I was.”

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Kinging-It – UK (Full story here if you want to know more: How I Broke My Neck) 

27. “I won this in a competition haha! I decided to mark the places I liked the most and to register a year that was unforgettable.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Luana Borges – Brazil

28. “A tattoo in the jungle of Thailand. A representation of an elephant for my best friend who passed away years ago, because an elephant never forgets.”

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Ryan Mitchell

29. “After the ascent to Mt Rinjani (3726m) in Lombok, Bali, I got this tattoo with the outlines of the mountain with my two friends.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Tina Specowius – Germany

30. “It represents all directions under the horizon, symbols of change and new paths.”

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Thaís Machado – Brazil

31. “All it takes is a backpack to travel the world.”

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Joe Nic-Smith

32. “Free hand wanderlust tattoo in a little hut on a beautiful island in Fiji.”

wanderlust tattoo

📸: Tessa Jerman

33. “A reminder that, wherever my soul wants to be, my feet will take me. Travel is, and always will be, one of the most amazing, spiritual journeys we could ever experience. Much love to my fellow free spirited travellers.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Toni-Lea Shin

34. “Quote means: ‘Travelling is the longing for life.’ by Kurt Tucholsky”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Silvana So – Germany

35. “This is my first wanderlust tattoo. I got it last Friday and I took this pic today!”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Tiago Wallace Barros

36. “I did a road trip with a camper/caravan in the western USA, and during a stopover in Las Vegas I got this tattoo.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Joke Blankenstein. Germany

37. “She’s mine. Besides signifying my passion for travel, it marked a uni exchange and my graduation in fashion.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Pamela Nardino – Brazil

38. “This stands for adventure, off-the-beaten-track. To experience things you can’t find in a brochure. It stands for my time in Spain when I volunteered as a juvenile tour guide, without even knowing the language and living with strangers, giving everything every day.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Vanessa Wepunkt

39. “My little feet will take me to the most wonderful and enchanting places in this world!”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Simoni Celis – Brazil

40. “Adventure! The tree is a cedar and is standing for my Celtic birth date. The paper plane stands for serenity and freedom during adventures.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Theresa Fuxjäger – Germany

41. “I had our ‘Kinging-It’ crown and a map of Bali tattooed on my shin on my 27th birthday in Bali to signify a new beginning. Kinging-It forevz. As clichĂŠ and straight forward as this tattoo is, it’s one of my favourites.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Kinging-It – UK

42. “I got my wanderlust tattoo during my year abroad in Estonia. It reminds me every day how beautiful this year was and how much there is to see in the world.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Jasmina Meyer

43. “Light house in Warnemünd.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Käthy Nuarb – Germany

44. “To overcome the fear of my first trip alone and show me that I can go wherever I want.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Thábita Ojana – Brazil

45.”My tattoo is a reminder to never stop seeing the world, no matter whether that’s in a faraway land, or an adventure in my own country.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Mari – USA

46. “Every time I look at my tattoo, it reminds me to keep travelling, learning and following my dreams around the globe.”

world traveller tattoo

📸: Eduardo – Brazil

Thanks to everyone who submitted photos, and to the amazing @thetraveltellers for the banner image!

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Our Mindful Life

39 Travel Tattoos For Adventurers

What are the symbols for travel and adventure? Wear your passion on the sleeve with these unique and meaningful travel tattoos.

Traveling is not just something we do for leisure. It’s a way of living. Be it hiking in the Grand Canyon or snowboarding in Aspen, traveling is both educating and fun.

Saint Augustine said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” For many, traveling is a way to learn about the world as it is. A new language, new people, cuisines, and customs, the things we get to know on our journey stick with us for a lifetime.

And there are many symbols that travelers and adventurers relate to. For example, a compass symbolizes orientation. Back in the days when GPS was not available, a compass is a must-have for sailing and hiking.

So what are some classic symbols of travel? Check out these travel tattoos and adventure tattoos to wear your passion on the sleeve.

Disclaimer:  This tattoo collection is for inspiration only. Please do not copy the artwork. If you love these tattoos, follow artists and show them some support.

Exhilarating travel tattoos and meaning 

Mountain tattoo.

Landscape tattoo for traveler by @janapadar

If you love nature, consider the mountains as the design of your travel tattoo. It can be an abstract landscape. Or it can be an exact illustration of your dream destination. Whichever it is, a mountain tattoo will be a motivation to continue to explore and rise.

HIghway tattoo

Hit the road triangle tattoo by @pejczi

Start, and you are halfway there. The moment you hit the road, the best part of the adventure begins. As a symbol of travel, the highway is a reminder to enjoy every moment of the journey. The path is as beautiful as the destination.

The adventurer tattoo for women

Girl with an adventure spirit by @yan_san.art

@yan_san.art

Floral plane tattoo on the ribcage

Floral pattern plane tattoo on the ribcage by @bunami.ink

@bunami.ink

Airplanes carry us to different places in the world. To some, the plane means departure and separation. Thus it represents long-distance friendships or relationships.

But airplane tattoos can also symbolize adventures. You don’t need to be a pilot to wear one. If you love traveling across the globe, plane tattoos may speak to you.

Pack your bags

Pack your bags travel tattoo by @camomilletattoo

@camomilletattoo

Path to unknown

Path to unknown - travel tattoo by @klax.tattooer

@klax.tattooer

You never know what will happen on the way and where a small path will lead you to. But it’s the uncertainty that makes each journey special.

The moon, the ocean and the mountains

Moon sea and mountain symbol tattoo for travelers by @bunami.ink

If you don’t have a specific place in mind to tattoo on your skin, consider these minimalist nature symbols. You can never go wrong with these symbolic tattoos. Go big or go small; it’s all up to you.

Small airplane collarbone tattoo

Minimalist plane tattoo by @bodycanvastattooart

@bodycanvastattooart

Airplane window

Looking out from the plane window by @inkpplcom

Who loves to sit by the window on a plane? I do. Gazing out from the window is both soothing and exciting. You get a birds-eye view of the world, and the experience is unforgettable. Sounds like you? Then this unique wrist tattoo may resonate with you.

Hot balloons tattoo for adventurers

Hot balloons tattoo for adventurers by @march.tattoo

@march.tattoo

If you have been to many different cities or countries, you might not remember every one of them. But breathtaking scenery like the hot balloons in this tattoo is unforgettable. A realistic and vibrant tattoo like this one not only shows your love for traveling. It’s also a conversation piece that has everyone talk about it.

Hit the road

On the road tattoo by @nevilleandco

@nevilleandco

Keep flying, keep exploring

Hot ballon tattoo on the nape by @unpointsept

@unpointsept

Paper planes and balloons are popular elements in travel tattoos. They represent the pursuit of freedom and adventure. This nape tattoo combines both of them and will speak to passionate explorers.

Matching campervan tattoos

Matching van tattoos for traveler couple by @thepalmvan

@thepalmvan

When I was a kid, it was my dream to travel in a campervan. It’s like taking your home while going to different places. If you and your partner share the same enthusiasm, these matching couple tattoos will be proof of your bond and passion.

Traveler lizard

Traveler lizard by @buoythefishlover

@buoythefishlover

Travel tattoos aren’t always about meaningful symbols or quotes. Instead, they can be light-hearted and fun, just like this one. This cute traveler lizard tattoo will be perfect for those who love spontaneous trips and enjoy the fun of going into the unknown.

Around the globe – a girly tattoo for travelers

A flower globe tattoo by @mapzmapas

Architecture nape tattoo for travelers

Architecture nape tattoo for travelers by @cagridurmaz

@cagridurmaz

If you love traveling, chances are you have a special place at heart. It can be a city, a street, a park, or any place you’ve been to. If so, why not get a tattoo to honor the trip and the memories? This simple architecture tattoo sets a good example.

Camera tattoo for nature lovers

A camera tattoo by @mr.ok_tattoo

@mr.ok_tattoo

Are you a fan of snapping shots on the way? This unique blackwork tattoo combines a camera and natural landscape. It will be an expression of identity and passion for travel photographers.

Break the window

Break the windows tattoo for adventurers by @ciotka_zu_tattoo

@ciotka_zu_tattoo

The pandemic has taken the joy of traveling away from many of us. And this dramatic tattoo expresses the desire to go outside and travel again. It also reminds us to be grateful for adventures and life.

Coordinate tattoo

coordinate tattoo by @tattoosbyina

@tattoosbyina

Coordinates are strings of numbers that represent a location. Usually, when people get coordinate tattoos, they want to remember a special place. For example, it may be a place they have visited or where their home is located. Also, because coordinates are easier and less painful to tattoo, they can be a good fit for tattoo virgins.

Door to the new world

Door to the new world by @saegeemtattoo

@saegeemtattoo

Dokodemo Door, or the Anywhere Door, is a magical gadget in the Japanese cartoon Doraemon. It’s a door that leads to any place you want. Traveling is a lot like opening a Dokodemo Door. You know where you are going. What you don’t know is what awaits at the other side of the door. And that uncertainty makes every trip interesting.

A forearm tattoo for travel lovers

Home is where the journey is at by @cuongle.tattoo

@cuongle.tattoo

Camping tattoo

Camping tattoo by @kellyneedles

@kellyneedles

Some say camping is the real way of exploring the world. Imagine spending time outdoors, sleeping under the starry night. It’s even better if you are with a loved one. So if you love spending time in nature, this small camping tattoo can be your next ink.

Wine and plane tattoo

Plane and wine tattoo by @thais.foxtattoo

@thais.foxtattoo

Sailboat tattoo

Sailing boat tattoo by @kelseyknown

@kelseyknown

This tattoo is not only for sailors. Ships and sailboats are often associated with courage. Without those who put their lives at risk and sailed to the unknown, the world might not as connected as it is today. So if you are a free-spirit and a brave traveler, consider sailboats to be your next ink.

Rocket tattoo

Rocket tattoo by @thommesen_ink

@thommesen_ink

Why stay on the ground while you can soar to the moon?

Wanderlust one word tattoo by @stefano__mazza

@stefano__mazza

Wanderlust, by word, refers to a lust to wander. Those who have wanderlust refuse to stay put or to be stuck in a rut. They are relentless explorers. New places and adventures fuel their souls.

Read also: 60 Meaningful one-word tattoos to wear your heart on the sleeve

Matching world map tattoos for besties

World map tattoo for best friends by @vladabenson

@vladabenson

Read also: 85 Hearty matching tattoos for best friends

Minimalist boat and world tattoo

Minimalist boat and world tattoo for travelers by @cagridurmaz

Simple shapes and lines never go out of time. And this small tattoo is a good example. The tattoo consists of a boat on the earth. What’s amazing about it is that the entire tattoo is one single line. It showcases both the creativity and technique of the artist.

Yosemite landscape tattoo

Yosemite landscape tattoo by @nycyla

If you have spent an unforgettable time in a place, it may be a good idea to tattoo it on the skin and make the memories permanent. And this Yosemite tattoo is a good example.

Tattoo for island-hoppers

Sunshine and beach tattoo by @tattoo_artist_olive

@tattoo_artist_olive

So even when you are at home, you can still relive the time sunbathing in on the beach.

Telescope tattoo

Telescope tattoo by @my_michelle_tattoo

@my_michelle_tattoo

We use telescopes to observe from afar. And as a tattoo, it symbolizes curiosity and the urge to explore.

Flying around the world

Travel around the world arm tattoo by @japassou_tattoo

@japassou_tattoo

To the sea_small tattoo for travelers by @tes.travelss

@tes.travelss

The ocean represents freedom. If you are a beach person and love staying by the sea, this simple quote tattoo may speak to you.

Road trip tattoo

Road trip tattoo by @marujostudio

@marujostudio

Ready to go

Ready to go by @tattoosbyina

Sleeve tattoo for hikers

Ready to go sleeve tattoo by @jikatattoo

@jikatattoo

Tiny suitcase tattoos

Suitcase tattoo by @sarakori

Passport stamps tattoo

postmark tattoo by @laissntattoo

@laissntattoo

Each passport stamp tells a story about a country. And that’s what makes stamps tattoos so personal. As an ink, they are a conversation piece.

Stamps tattoo

Stamps tattoo for adventurers by @tattooist_sigak

@tattooist_sigak

Stamps are considered to be collectibles for a reason – they represent a period, a special event, or a location. For people who relate to those elements, stamps can be a unique token of their memory.

This cute stamps tattoo is no exception. With the landmarks of different cities, the design says a lot about the wearer’s journeys and passion.

Which of these travel tattoos is your favorite?

Do you have a travel tattoo? What’s the story behind it? Share in the comments!

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