This is an outdated post, check out My Travel Tattoos Page to see an updated list.
I find myself searching this tag a lot, “travel tattoos“, looking for inspiration and ideas for new tattoos.
My current tattoos are not ONLY travel related, but I have to admit… most of them are.
This is a post of not only my own travel related tattoos, but a number of images, from other people, that I really like.
My first travel tattoo was a map of the world on my left wrist. I got it in Vancouver, during the 2010 Winter Olympics. It is also my favourite tattoo.
Sometimes I regret getting it so small, because I would love to have a larger version somewhere else on my body. But, I love that I can easily see it.
My second one was a compass rose on my right wrist.
It was meant to tie together with the map, and started the whole travel theme. I got it in Keswick, ON.
My third were GPS coordinates. Cliché, right? Whatever, I was a geography major in University, and specialized in GIS. I live and breath maps and geography, so it made sense for me.
To make it more personal, I localized the coordinates as the house that I grew up in, and the first place that I ever traveled overseas (Italy). I got this one done in Niagara Falls, Canada.
Another one that I have, is a feather under my arm. It may not come off as travel related, but to me it does.
Originally, I was trying to decide between an airplane and a feather, with the same meaning behind them, and representation of my favourite quote. This probably sounds cheesy too, but I always have the urge to simply fly away (on an airplane–I know I’m not a bird) when I become bored of the place that I’m in.
There are also some other meanings for me, behind this one, but I’m not giving away all of my secrets. I got the feather done in Sydney, Australia.
My latest travel tattoo is the word Wanderlust, on my foot. I had always wanted the word tattooed on myself, somewhere, but it took me awhile to decide where. I chose my feet, because they are the things that often seem to be itchy with wanderlust.
Since I got this tattoo done in Helsinki, Finland.. I wanted to customize it a little, to represent where it was done. I had the “t” done in blue ink, to resemble the Finnish flag.
But now, I can’t wait to get more, and hopefully continue the travel theme. I also plan to get one in each new place that I travel.
Until then, here are a bunch of travel tattoos that I really like, that I found online. I wouldn’t necessarily get all of these done myself, they are just pieces that I find interesting.
Want to see where I found them? Just click through the images to find their sources. Enjoy.
More on Travel Tattoos:
My Travel Tattoos
Getting Tattooed While Travelling
Travelling With Tattoos
Getting Tattooed by a Buddhist Monk
I love the world map tattoos — yours is so pretty and I love the last one across that girl’s side, too. I’m getting my first travel-related tattoo on my foot this summer — or possibly way sooner, I am too impatient for this, hahah. Hopefully my pictures of it will be as lovely as yours!
Jackie D recently posted..Vintage Travel Photo [Murder?] Mystery
Not sure if you saw the post but Kirsten Alana and Dalene and Pete from Hecktic Travels just got new ones together in NYC.
Ayngelina recently posted..I’m so over hostels
@Ayngelina – No, I don’t think I did, but that’s cool. I think it’s fun to get tattoos with friends 😀
Cliche or not, I love the GPS coordinates! I am still looking for the perfect first tattoo for me, but these are some contenders.
Annette | Bucket List Journey recently posted..Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (Part 1)
@Annette – I hope you come up with the perfect idea–soon! :]
Tattoos are sometimes the best souvenir! I like to show them off to my friends and they also like the idea.
Lindsey recently posted..Kitchen island cart
Wow your tattoos are awesome! I love the feather and the map! Although the global map on the torso photo towards the end of your post is really great, that’s definitely one to think about getting…:)
@Gaby – yeah that one is pretty cool! Perhaps a future idea… :]
The tattoos are perfect.
Kamilla Lecher recently posted..celebrex 200 mg capsule
I don’t have any tattoos (my tattoo friends say they’re addicting and I’d rather spend my money on travel), but I do love tattoos on other people. I love that you got the coordinates of your childhood home tattooed, and the map is great. I think if I ever did decide to splurge on a tattoo it would probably be for something travel or writing related.
Alouise recently posted..Around Edmonton – Rutherford House
@Alouise – They are definitely addicting. I always toil between travel and tattoos, but luckily I seem to be able to do both these days. I’m planning some bigger pieces soon though, so that may stunt my travel budget 😐
I want a travel tattoo so bad! Im in-between a map of the world or a paper airplane i think…
Danielle recently posted..And so it begins in Orlando…
@Danielle – A paper airplane would be cool!
Wow. Amazing tattoos. Stumbled across this post when I was searching for my own travel tat inspiration.
Happy wandering from a fellow torontonian travel blogger!
I don’t have a tattoo yet, but if/when I ever get one, I definitely want it to be travel related. Always kind of wanted ‘Explore. Dream. Discover.’ somewhere. I LOVE the world map, but I don’t know if I want it to be that big. I also love the word ‘Fernweh’ and would love to get it somewhere on me. If you don’t know what it means you should definitely look it up. I think you’d like it, too 🙂
Oh man, now you got me thinking about tattoos… Distracted….:)
Kristen – A Gypsy’s Love recently posted..Powerscourt Gardens 101
@Kristen – Ah yes, I love both of those ideas! If you do end up getting one.. just be warned, they are addictive :p
Your tattoos are beautiful!
I found your site while searching for a “travelers compass” – I’m about to get a vintage-y feeling travelers compass with “not all who wander are lost” beneath the west/south side. 🙂
@Aly – Thanks! That sounds like a great tattoo idea! I love compass tattoos 😀
I searched for years for exemplars or even examples of world map tattoos before I got mine- there weren’t very many. Now they are all over. But I did design my own and it’s more personalized as the places I’ve been have been coloured in. I’ve just returned from 10 months of travel and have to fill in more Europe, lots of Africa, and India. Tell me how and I’ll send you a picture.
I love the idea of getting the T done in blue. So clever!
I am not a fan of getting myself tattooed (i don’t mind it on others) but I do like the world map. If I were to get one it would be a world map, with little pictures pin pointed on each location of where I had awesome adventures around the globe so I could reminisce.
Hi!
What is the handwriting font of your tattoo “Wanderlust” ?
It’s really nice !
Pauline from Belgium 😉
I got a tattoo the day I turned 18. I love tattoos because they can help you express yourself. I plan on getting lots of other tattoos in the future. Hopefully I can get my second one soon.
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Just realized you had your sleeve done at Seven Crowns Tattoo in Toronto. Excellent choice, I’ve been flying from Winnipeg to see Matt Ellis (co-owner) for several years. The artists in their shop to amazing work.
Hi Seattle!
I was thinking about what kind of tattoo I should get next, and all of a sudden, thought that it would be amazing to use my passport stamps as a tattoo. I googled the idea, to see how popular it was, and that’s how I found your blog.
What a great blog, and what an interesting person you are! Inspiring travels 🙂
Aaaanyway, I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I am indeed planning my very own travel stamp tattoo! I don’t have a regular tattoo artist since I move around so much, and since you mentioned Morgan from Toronto as your current favourite, I thought that I’d hit her up when I’m in Toronto in January.
Great to see that great minds, and great travellers, think alike 🙂
Hah! As per my comment above, apparently I was here before! Oops, how quickly we forget 🙂
I like the GPS tattoo, who cares if it’s a cliche? Nobody knows the location except you.
There’s nothing like getting a tattoo to remember a good experience. I like your world map and compass tattoos. I think both are a good reminder of your passion for travelling. Great post, BTW!
wowwwwww,,Simply awesome these tattoos are really great , I would also like to have one for myself ,, The collection are superb
Thanks!
I don’t think you have need to get travel tattoo on the body..If you are loving to travelling then depends it your likes.
Don’t need to, but I love to.
yea world tattoos are cool i have a couple of american states tattooed on the left side of my chest
Like your blog. I got my first Tattoo in Turkey, Alanya and I have my second one planned in Prague. this is my rd thime visting Prague, because I just love this city. Hope the tattoo will turn out great´.
And already thinking about getting my 3rd tattoo in the Netherlands