With an Audible membership, the adventure doesn’t hit pause when en route to your destination.
You can enjoy the fun of traveling while listening to the latest audiobook bestseller. Many TPG staffers make the most of their time in the air lost in a good story. Some great titles really can be enjoyed in nearly the exact length of your flight (more on that shortly)!
From takeoff to landing, an Audible membership unlocks hours of gripping stories, with an array of lengths suitable for long-haul treks to your far-off dream getaway and even short hops for a business trip.
When you join Audible, your membership comes with access to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals. Whether you love listening to a juicy celebrity memoir or a spine-tingling true crime podcast, Audible has something for you to enjoy and help the hours — and miles — fly by.
Audible members get to choose one bestseller or new release every month, so you can listen to just-released audiobooks as you taxi to the runway. (Just don’t forget to have that phone in airplane mode!) Plus, Audible even has a Sleep Collection featuring stories and soundscapes created to help you rest and relax.
If you have a trip coming up and want to give this a try with no commitment, Audible has a free 30-day trial that includes one bestseller or new release for your permanent collection, plus access to all the included titles that you can listen to all you want. If you enjoy your Audible trial, do nothing and your membership will automatically continue at a paid rate after 30 days.
Audible will email you a reminder before your trial ends, but we think you’ll be hooked on this great way to make the most of your time in the air as soon as you start listening to your first audiobook. It’s the perfect companion for your next getaway.
Here are some top picks for your next flight chosen from our own Audible libraries, along with some recommended by Audible based on what members have really enjoyed.
What to enjoy on a 2-hour flight
“The Grownup” by Gillian Flynn: Clocking in at just 77 minutes, this story is perfect for those short flights for work. Leave the spreadsheets behind and enter a world of psychics, con artists and eerie Victorian homes with this modern take on a classic ghost story.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
“A Short Account of the History of Mathematics” by W. W. Rouse Ball: What better way to catch some quick z’s on your next flight than with a calming bedtime story narrated by award-winning actor Tony Shalhoub? He calmly tells the tale of how the ancient Greeks formalized the study of mathematics based on Phoenician teachings. This is part of Audible’s Sleep Collection, which features stories with no beginning, middle or end, so you aren’t tempted to stay up to hear what happens next.
“Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan: No matter your destination, this two-hour read will transport you to the heart of a small Irish town during the holidays of 1985. Listen to the captivating story of Bill Furlong, a coal merchant whose recent discovery forces him to confront his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church. It’s a captivating tale that will make your flight pass by in no time.
What to enjoy on a 4-hour flight
“Six-Figure Side Hustle” by Rachel Rodgers: Who doesn’t want to turn spare time into a $100,000-per-year side hustle in a few months? This Audible Original will show you how to turn free time into financial freedom … which obviously could lead to more free time, flights and vacations, so we’re all in.
“Happiness by the Signs” by Valerie Tejeda: Yes, the vacation you might be flying to could give you happiness, but in case it doesn’t last forever, this title could help. It digs into what each astrological sign has to teach us and how astrology can help guide you toward a happy, fulfilling life.
“Animal Farm” by George Orwell: OK, you might have read this one in school because you had to, but we’re betting this classic satire of the Russian Revolution takes on a whole new light when you listen to it on your next flight. Some animals are more equal than others, and the odds are high that your flight will be over before you know it as you revisit this classic.
What to enjoy on a 6-hour flight
“We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay (tips, tales, travels)” by Gary Janetti: What better to enjoy on a six-hour flight than some funny and entertaining travel tales? Janetti shares stories from his trips around the world, such as taking the Orient Express to Venice and even a voyage on the iconic Queen Mary 2. Whether you want tips on upgrades and packing or just want to know what happened in Janetti’s journeys abroad, this pick is a winner.
“How to Achieve Financial Independence and Retire Early” by J.D. Roth: Tune into a first-class ticket to financial freedom with J.D. Roth. Roth is your personal finance guru, sharing from his heart (and wallet) how he flipped his debt disaster into financial freedom. This isn’t your typical inflight entertainment; this is your ultimate master class in money management.
“The Woman in Me” by Britney Spears: We’ve watched Britney grow up on TV and on stage and seen the headlines, but this time we get to hear her version of events. It’s honest and raw but with the right amount of humor sprinkled in to make your flight fly by as Britney tells her story on her terms.
What to enjoy on an 8-hour-plus flight
“World Travel: An Irreverent Guide” by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever: I think we can all agree that Anthony Bourdain was one of the most well-traveled celebrities, and this 12-hour Audible listen will immerse you in exotic locales and cultural vignettes. His iconic, vivid and unapologetic tone is sure to keep you occupied while you embark on your own adventure.
“Round Here and Over Yonder: A Front Porch Travel Guide by Two Progressive Hillbillies (Yes, That’s a Thing.)” by Trae Crowder and Corey Ryan Forrester: Whether you’re looking for spot-on travel recommendations or just need some company to keep the inflight boredom at bay, Southern comedy duo Trae Crowder and Corey Ryan Forrester will guide you through small-town hot spots and even international locales in a way that will have you laughing from takeoff to landing. (Just try not to snort-laugh your beverage!)
“Greenlights” by Matthew McConaughey: If you’re like me, you may have wondered what it would be like to be seated next to Matthew McConaughey on a plane. Like a conversation with a longtime friend, McConaughey’s reflections will turn that long-haul flight into moments of deep connection and entertainment as he shares his personal anecdotes and life experiences.
Bottom line
Audible membership lets you pick one bestselling or newly released audiobook each month from the best selection anywhere, and it’s yours to keep. Plus, with the 30-day free trial, you can have your first one free and already downloaded to the app before you even finish reading this article — ready and waiting for you to press play as you head off to your next destination. Just download the free Audible app to start listening on your iOS or Android device. You can also listen on any Alexa-enabled device, compatible Fire tablets, Kindles, Sonos devices and more.
There are also no commitments and no cancellation fees, and all titles purchased are yours to keep forever — meaning you can return to your favorite audiobook anytime you like.
Whether you’re looking to pass the time in the sky or lounging at the beach catching some rays, there’s more to imagine when you listen, and Audible is one of our favorite ways to be entertained and inspired all the way to paradise and beyond.
