What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedLong Way Round
Ewan McGregor · Series · 2004
If you loved Long Way Round, start with The Way Back (2010) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Long Way Round across media.
What hooked you in Long Way Round was the way grand, global scale becomes an intimate test of human endurance.
Books on the same thread
Round the World in Eighty Days
Jules Verne · Book · 2010
Explores: Travel, Wagers, Ingenuity.
Just as the protagonists of Long Way Round face logistical hurdles on their bikes, Phileas Fogg relies on his own ingenuity to overcome a rigid, unforgiving global deadline.
Free Ride
Noraly Schoenmaker · Book
Explores: Solo travel, Self-discovery, Life transition.
If the motorcycle culture of Long Way Round captivated you, this memoir captures the same spirit of personal growth and discovery found on two wheels across vast landscapes.
Long Walk to Freedom
Nelson Mandela · Book · 1994
Explores: Racial Justice, Political Imprisonment, Forgiveness.
While Long Way Round tracks a physical journey, this memoir mirrors that sense of resilience and the profound internal transformation that occurs when facing immense, life-altering obstacles.
The Far Side of the World
Patrick O'Brian · Book · 1994
Shares a thread with Long Way Round: Friendship.
The deep bond of friendship tested by the harsh elements in Long Way Round finds a historical counterpart here, where camaraderie is essential for survival during long voyages.
Films on the same thread
Easy Rider
Film · 1969
Explores: Freedom, Existentialism, 1960s counterculture.
This film shares the open-road ethos of Long Way Round, focusing on the search for meaning and freedom that often drives travelers to leave their comfort zones behind.
The Way Back
Film · 2010
Explores: Survival, Human Endurance, Escape.
Mirroring the grueling endurance required in Long Way Round, this story follows a group relying on human willpower to survive a treacherous journey across multiple international borders.
Around the World in 80 Days
Michael Anderson · Film · 1956
Explores: Race Against Time, Global Adventure, Culture Clash.
Much like the race against time in Long Way Round, this classic film highlights the tension and excitement of attempting a monumental journey across the globe.
The Straight Story
David Lynch · Film · 1999
Explores: Brotherhood, Reconciliation, Redemption.
The slow-burn, meditative road trip found in Long Way Round is echoed here, as a man embarks on a humble, heartfelt journey to reconcile with his estranged brother.
Podcasts on the same thread
The MashtagBrady Show!
Podcast
Shares a thread with Long Way Round: cultural exploration.
This podcast captures the same adventurous curiosity that fueled the cultural exploration in Long Way Round, bringing listeners along for an immersive ride into diverse, global experiences.
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.
Like the storytelling interludes within Long Way Round, this podcast satisfies the hunger for obscure life stories and history that keeps the spirit of discovery alive for travelers.
Keep exploring
Common questions
How long is the journey documented in Long Way Round?
The journey documented in Long Way Round spans 20,000 miles. Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman completed this trip across 12 countries and 19 time zones over a total period of 115 days.
Is Long Way Round based on a true story?
Yes, Long Way Round is a documentary series that captures the real-life 2004 challenge undertaken by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman. The footage documents their actual attempt to bike around the world together to realize their shared dream.
What is the premise of Long Way Round?
Long Way Round follows friends Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman as they embark on an epic 20,000-mile motorcycle journey. The series tracks their progress across 12 countries and 19 time zones as they attempt to ride around the world in 115 days.
How many countries do they visit in Long Way Round?
In the 2004 series Long Way Round, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman travel through a total of 12 countries. Their 20,000-mile route covers 19 time zones and is completed over the course of 115 days.