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Nowadays, traveling is not only a favored hobby, but a necessity, too, for some people, who can probably no longer remember their life without it. But whether it’s vacation time or a business trip, they have plenty of options to choose from to get themselves from point A to point B. Even if the destination is on the other end of the world, they can get there in roughly a day, which was once a thing difficult to imagine.

Clearly, many things seemed impossible at a certain point in time; but, thanks to the development in technology and engineering, quite a few have become reality. If you’re curious to take a step back in time and see what travel looked like back in the 19-20th centuries, you’re in luck, as today we’re focusing on the period between 1830-1955.

On the list below you will find some fascinating pictures, as shared by the ‘Golden Age Of Travel 1830-1955’ Facebook group that depict everything from the first subway ride in New York, to German monorails, and much more. You will also find Bored Panda’s interview with the founder of the group, Bill, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions about it. So wait no longer, scroll down to browse the pictures and make sure to upvote your favorites!

#1

1905 Woods Electric Car

1905 Woods Electric Car

See Twise Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine where we could be with EVs if they just had continued with this!

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#2

Jefferson County Mobile Library, Texas' First Mobile Library

Jefferson County Mobile Library, Texas' First Mobile Library

Elisa Elena Jiménez Emán Report

“The Golden Age of Travel” is the group’s name for a reason; its description states that the phrase is often used to describe the period between the 1830s and the early 1950s (excluding the two world wars).

The description also states that the posts should relate to where vacationers went, what they saw, or how they got there, and they can include “posters, old photos (or modern, if they depict interesting passenger transportation or beautiful old buildings, such as castles), advertisements” and similar formats.

#4

Bmw Isetta Bubble Car Custom Conversion, 1950s. And, Of Course, A Picnic Basket

Bmw Isetta Bubble Car Custom Conversion, 1950s. And, Of Course, A Picnic Basket

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙪𝙩 Report

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Aileen Grist
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandad got knocked down by someone in a bubble car. He sprained his ankle - and the car was a write-off. He wasn't a big man

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#5

Native Americans In 1908

Native Americans In 1908

Changling Mandrake Report

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Javelina Poppers
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I slept in teepee for a week in the dead of winter in Colorado some years back. They are amazingly comfortable with a small fire in the middle of the floor hence the opening at the top to let smoke out.

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Currently boasting close to 630k members, the group was created back in 2018. Talking about how it all started, its founder Bill told Bored Panda that as a world traveler and author, he always enjoyed reading about early travelers.

“I thought it would be fun to join such a group, but I was surprised to find that none existed. When I started it, I published many vintage posters and old travel photos,” he said, adding that after creating the group, his sister joined the endeavor.

#6

New York Central “Mercury” 1936

New York Central “Mercury” 1936

Story Cafe Report

#8

London In The 1920s. A Policeman In A London Street Giving Directions To The Three Children On A Bicycle. The Bicycle Is Specially Made For Three Persons

London In The 1920s. A Policeman In A London Street Giving Directions To The Three Children On A Bicycle. The Bicycle Is Specially Made For Three Persons

Endri Logos Report

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Bill shared that in order to be posted on the group’s page, the pictures have to be from within the time frame of the 1830s to the 1950s. But other than that, members are quite welcome to expand the limits of the group’s field of interest.

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“Members have caused the group to evolve and grow. They introduced archeological finds, vintage cars, modern pics of vintage buildings,” the founder noted.

#9

The First Subway Ride In New York City History, 120 Years Ago. Original, 1904

The First Subway Ride In New York City History, 120 Years Ago. Original, 1904

Hussein Saleh Report

#11

1931 The German Schienenzeppelin Hits Max Speed Of 120 Mph (230 Kmh)

1931 The German Schienenzeppelin Hits Max Speed Of 120 Mph (230 Kmh)

Kenny Callei Report

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Glix Drap
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's a train. P.S. - the Kmp is correct. Mph should be 143 as BP poster General Anaestgesia specifies.

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Research into the golden age of travel suggests that while the roots of travel go back to the 18th century, back then it was still a novelty for the general masses. However, the situation started changing from the 1930s onwards, as the growing availability of the motor car—and later the development of the aircraft—made traveling increasingly available to certain classes of people, reportedly especially in Europe.

#12

Baby Strollers Strapped To The Front Of The Bus In Opawa, New Zealand (1950s)

Baby Strollers Strapped To The Front Of The Bus In Opawa, New Zealand (1950s)

Joyce Ward Report

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#14

An Amazing Capture Of Changing Times In Transportation By Photographer O. Winston Link

An Amazing Capture Of Changing Times In Transportation By Photographer O. Winston Link

Troy C. Werner Report

Nowadays, many people can’t imagine their lives without traveling. Though the pandemic had brought it to a halt for a moment there, it seems to be picking up speed again, at least based on the leisure tourism spending worldwide, which was consistently rising between 2019 and 2023. Last year, such spending worldwide added up to over $5,100 billion US dollars.

#16

Car Seats Were Not Equipped With Any Straps To Keep Baby Seat On The Seat. Instead, These Seats Depended On The Mother Extending Her Arm To Prevent The Baby From Toppling Forward. 1958

Car Seats Were Not Equipped With Any Straps To Keep Baby Seat On The Seat. Instead, These Seats Depended On The Mother Extending Her Arm To Prevent The Baby From Toppling Forward. 1958

ShutterBulky Report

#17

A Sleeping Berth On An Imperial Airways Aircraft In 1937

A Sleeping Berth On An Imperial Airways Aircraft In 1937

Elisa Elena Jiménez Emán Report

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HTakeover
Community Member
5 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This was a press photo of one of their last plane models they made (before being bought out by another airline) - the Short Empire aka Flying Boat. With features like a couple of sleeping berths, adjustable leather seats, cigar lounge, champagne of course, etc. These ran passenger service from Southampton England to Cape Town South Africa, with stops in France, Italy, Greece, Sudan, Uganda, and several others. Which took about 6 days ish with 5 overnight stops. A year later they would expand to go from England to Australia. Those took about 10 days, with 9 overnight stops. Cost of the flight from England to Australia was equivalent to about $20,000 give or take. Which was a steal considering other planes/routes cost upwards $40k and didn't have lounges.

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When asked how he felt about the response the group receives from the online community, Bill admitted feeling surprised and delighted. In his opinion, “The Golden Age of Travel” and similar groups provide people with entertainment and allow them to delve deeper into history and art, which can benefit quite a few curious minds out there.

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If you’re one of such curious minds, looking to delve deeper into all things travel or history, browse Bored Panda’s list of lesser-known travel destinations next, or check out these fascinating pictures from the past for more similar content.

#18

Chief Iron Tail, Cranking An Early Automobile, 1915

Chief Iron Tail, Cranking An Early Automobile, 1915

Royal World Report

#19

Salvador Héctor Sarida, Little 6-Year-Old Motorcyclist. Buenos Aires, 1936

Salvador Héctor Sarida, Little 6-Year-Old Motorcyclist. Buenos Aires, 1936

Endri Logos Report

#20

Traditional Cod Fishing In Lofoten ( Nordland, Norway) In 1928

Traditional Cod Fishing In Lofoten ( Nordland, Norway) In 1928

hese "åttring" boats with four (sometimes five) pairs of oars represent a continuous boat building tradition from the pre-Viking Age.

My restoration and digital hand colorization of Anders Beer Wilse´s
photo in the Norsk Folkemuseum archive.

Frank Hellsten Report

#22

1950s, “Flying Cars” Amusement Park Ride. The Drum Rotated And You Controlled A Brake In The Car. The Cars Would Go Completely Up And Over The Loop

1950s, “Flying Cars” Amusement Park Ride. The Drum Rotated And You Controlled A Brake In The Car. The Cars Would Go Completely Up And Over The Loop

Duck & Cover, Growing Up in the Atomic Age Report

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Jrog
Community Member
5 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was closed and went out of fashion as a ride style over safety concerns, but if properly done it's not even that dangerous, no more than a rollercoaster. The cars are retained to a rail (visible in the photo), and the passengers have seatbelts. There is no risk of collision and the speed is moderate, barely 50 km/h. The accidents happened due to shoddy installation -the embankment built for leveling the ground failed- and from lack of surveillance (passengers not fastening the belts). All of these could be prevented my modern safety mechanisms.

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#23

Food Delivery In The Future

Food Delivery In The Future

Rosa Hemming Report

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Susical
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg yes! Hey everybody, taco truck's at my house tonight!

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#24

Georges Tairraz II ( 1900 - 1975 ). Two Climbers Traversing The Aiguille Du Midi And Aiguille Du Plan, Chamonix, France 1932

Georges Tairraz II ( 1900 - 1975 ). Two Climbers Traversing The Aiguille Du Midi And Aiguille Du Plan, Chamonix, France 1932

Gren Nation Report

#25

1949 Nash Airflyte. First Sleeper Car

1949 Nash Airflyte. First Sleeper Car

Walter Hasler Report

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Verbalocity
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a '55 Rambler Farina whose front seatback folded down to make a bed with the back seat. It saved my life when I was rear-ended by a drunk driver. The seat collapsed on impact and I was pushed for three blocks flat on my back. Had I stayed upright, I'd have broken my neck.

Dusty's mom
Community Member
3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Happened to me in a brand new Ford Escort (1981). Didn't get pushed too far, but it was weird to end up on my back.

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Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would make long road trips so much safer....If we could just make the seats into flat out beds at the rest stops.

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#28

A Family Getting Ready To Cruise In Their 1903 Cadillac Model A Tonneau

A Family Getting Ready To Cruise In Their 1903 Cadillac Model A Tonneau

ShutterBulky Report

#29

New York, USA - 1960: French Cellist Maurice Baquet Trying To Open His Car Covered With Snow During A Snow Storm

New York, USA - 1960: French Cellist Maurice Baquet Trying To Open His Car Covered With Snow During A Snow Storm

www.facebook.com Report

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#31

An Austin 7 Driven By B. Sparrow Loses Control At Donington Park On May 13, 1933

An Austin 7 Driven By B. Sparrow Loses Control At Donington Park On May 13, 1933

Endri Logos Report

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Richard Graham
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Austin 7 was nicknamed "The Chummy" because it was so small, passengers were squeezed together.

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#32

Interior Of Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

Interior Of Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

Elisa Elena Jiménez Emán Report

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Data1001
Community Member
4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally, an accurate photo of aircraft interiors from that era. Most of what you see these days are not actually taken inside an airplane but were promotional photos on a specially-designed soundstage of sorts. That's why they always looked like they had space for days. (I mean, they did have more space than today's flights, but not quite as crazy as is often depicted.)

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#33

A Coca Cola Delivery Van In Oslo In 1938

A Coca Cola Delivery Van In Oslo In 1938

Norway was, in addition to Australia, Austria and South Africa, one of the countries where Coca Cola was introduced in that year. (Neighboring country Sweden had to wait until 1953.) My partial colorization of Anders B. Wilse´s photo in the Norsk Folkemuseum archive

Frank Hellsten Report

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David
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine the marketing / publicity bump you get by being the only full color vehicle in the city! /J

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#35

1946 Hey Mister, I Can Fix That Tire For A Coke,a Cap Gun,five Army Men And A Hula Hoop

1946 Hey Mister, I Can Fix That Tire For A Coke,a Cap Gun,five Army Men And A Hula Hoop

Craig Meador Report

#37

A Photograph Taken Infront Of Rome's Colosseum, Circa 1897

A Photograph Taken Infront Of Rome's Colosseum, Circa 1897

Monique Genoud Report

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#39

Passengers On Eastern Airlines In 1935

Passengers On Eastern Airlines In 1935

Planes were so loud back in the day that the cabin crew had to use megaphones so the passengers could hear them. Flights from the UK to Australia took 11 days. The plane could drop 100's of feet randomly thus motion sickness bowls were placed beneath the seats.

Elisa Elena Jiménez Emán Report

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Susical
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Real question: How did the flights take 11 days? Did they stop every night & stay somewhere?

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#42

A Train Passes Through Densely Packed Housing Along Kensal Rise, London, England. March 1921

A Train Passes Through Densely Packed Housing Along Kensal Rise, London, England. March 1921

Monique Genoud Report

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Glix Drap
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has become a very trendy area. One of these terrace houses will set you back about £1.8 million.

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#44

Cycle Engineer Riding The World’s Smallest Bicycle Through The City, London, August 1937

Cycle Engineer Riding The World’s Smallest Bicycle Through The City, London, August 1937

Royal World Report

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WindySwede
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stuff made here, made his own version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqywL9PkM2s

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#45

1920s Passengers Waiting For A Thrill Of A Lifetime!

1920s Passengers Waiting For A Thrill Of A Lifetime!

Craig Meador Report

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Susical
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These 1920s women's fashions are refreshing compared to clothing of previous generations. Turn of the Century dresses were beautiful, but binding and uncomfortable. Then after WWI, it's all grace, elegance, & *no more corsets*! (Partly because in 1917, the U.S. War Industries Board asked women to stop buying corsets because the military needed the metal stays for the war effort.)

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#48

Camp Of Scientists In The Sands Of The Karakum Desert. Turkmen Ssr, 1953

Camp Of Scientists In The Sands Of The Karakum Desert. Turkmen Ssr, 1953

Tomi Vaalisto Report

#50

Titanic Compared To A Modern Cruise Ship

Titanic Compared To A Modern Cruise Ship

Elisa Elena Jiménez Emán Report

Note: this post originally had 85 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.