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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
2 weeks 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

    #3

    200-Year-Old Wooden Bridge In Dagestan, Built Without The Use Of A Single Nail

    200-Year-Old Wooden Bridge In Dagestan, Built Without The Use Of A Single Nail

    Story Cafe 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
    2 weeks 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
    2 weeks 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

    #7

    A Bicycle For The Whole Family, 1949

    A Bicycle For The Whole Family, 1949

    Joyce Ward 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
    2 weeks 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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    #13

    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

    #14

    Boat Ride, 1920s

    Boat Ride, 1920s

    Elisa Elena Jiménez Emán Report

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    Data1001
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The woman with the dog is giving me Tony-Curtis-in-Some-Like-It-Hot vibes.

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    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.

    #15

    A Victorian Home Being Moved Via Horse Power In San Francisco, 1908

    A Victorian Home Being Moved Via Horse Power In San Francisco, 1908

    Ciarra Tavares-Girsback Report

    #16

    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

    #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
    2 weeks 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

    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
    2 weeks 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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    #20

    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

    #21

    Titanic Launch Into Belfast Harbour (1911)

    Titanic Launch Into Belfast Harbour (1911)

    Ciarra Tavares-Girsback Report

    #22

    Food Delivery In The Future

    Food Delivery In The Future

    Rosa Hemming Report

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    #24

    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

    #25

    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

    #27

    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

    #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

    #30

    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
    2 weeks 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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    #31

    Man Standing On Lap Of Colossal Figure Of Ramses, 1856

    Man Standing On Lap Of Colossal Figure Of Ramses, 1856

    Machine Lord Report

    #32

    Golden Gate Bridge Painter Walking To Work

    Golden Gate Bridge Painter Walking To Work

    Craig Meador Report

    #33

    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
    2 weeks 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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    #34

    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
    2 weeks 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

    A Barge Maneuvering Under The Michigan Ave Bridge, Chicago In 1953

    A Barge Maneuvering Under The Michigan Ave Bridge, Chicago In 1953

    𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙪𝙩 Report

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    S. E. in Indiana
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's a big barge to be on the Chicago River right there at that bend,

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    #36

    New York City After A Snowstorm In 1888

    New York City After A Snowstorm In 1888

    Vellore Eruthukattu Report

    #37

    Frozen Niagara Falls, 1911

    Frozen Niagara Falls, 1911

    History Defined Report

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    #38

    Titanic Compared To A Modern Cruise Ship

    Titanic Compared To A Modern Cruise Ship

    Elisa Elena Jiménez Emán Report

    #39

    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

    #40

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

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

    Monique Genoud Report

    #41

    Passengers On Board The Staten Island Ferry In 1895

    Passengers On Board The Staten Island Ferry In 1895

    Joyce Ward Report

    #44

    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
    2 weeks 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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    #46

    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

    #47

    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
    2 weeks 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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    #48

    1920s Passengers Waiting For A Thrill Of A Lifetime!

    1920s Passengers Waiting For A Thrill Of A Lifetime!

    Craig Meador Report

    #49

    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

    Queensboro Bridge (Aka 59th Street Bridge) Under Construction In 1905

    Queensboro Bridge (Aka 59th Street Bridge) Under Construction In 1905

    Joyce Ward Report

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