ADVERTISEMENT

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!

#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

ADVERTISEMENT

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

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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

#10

Alweg Monorail Train In Cologne, Germany, 1952

Alweg Monorail Train In Cologne, Germany, 1952

The Historian's Denn 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

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

ADVERTISEMENT
#14

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

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

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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

Titanic Launch Into Belfast Harbour (1911)

Titanic Launch Into Belfast Harbour (1911)

Ciarra Tavares-Girsback Report

#21

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

#22

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

ADVERTISEMENT
#24

1949 Nash Airflyte. First Sleeper Car

1949 Nash Airflyte. First Sleeper Car

Walter Hasler Report

#25

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

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

#29

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

Man Standing On Lap Of Colossal Figure Of Ramses, 1856

Man Standing On Lap Of Colossal Figure Of Ramses, 1856

Machine Lord Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

Interior Of Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

Interior Of Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation

Elisa Elena Jiménez Emán Report

#32

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

#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

#34

Golden Gate Bridge Painter Walking To Work

Golden Gate Bridge Painter Walking To Work

Craig Meador Report

#36

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

Frozen Niagara Falls, 1911

Frozen Niagara Falls, 1911

History Defined Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

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

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

Monique Genoud Report

#40

New York City After A Snowstorm In 1888

New York City After A Snowstorm In 1888

Vellore Eruthukattu Report

#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

#43

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

#44

Passengers On Board The Staten Island Ferry In 1895

Passengers On Board The Staten Island Ferry In 1895

Joyce Ward Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#45

Times Square, New York City 1936

Times Square, New York City 1936

Royal World Report

#46

1920s Passengers Waiting For A Thrill Of A Lifetime!

1920s Passengers Waiting For A Thrill Of A Lifetime!

Craig Meador 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

#48

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

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

Joyce Ward 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

Subway Car In Manhattan In The 1950s

Subway Car In Manhattan In The 1950s

Joyce Ward Report

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