traveller

A traveller is a person who moves from one location to another, often over long distances or for extended periods. Travel can be undertaken for leisure, work, study, pilgrimage, migration, or exploration.

The spelling traveller is common in British English; traveler is American English. The word derives from the verb travel, with the agent suffix -er, and historically has referred to anyone who makes journeys, regular or occasional.

Travellers are often categorized by purpose. Leisure travellers, also called tourists, seek experiences such as sightseeing or outdoor activities. Business travellers travel for employment or corporate reasons. Migrants, refugees, and seasonal workers move primarily for economic or safety reasons. Nomadic groups and long-term explorers also fit within the broad sense of the term.

Travel occurs by various modes, including walking, driving, rail, air, and sea. In the late 20th and 21st centuries, backpackers, long-term backpacking, and digital nomads—people who work remotely while travelling—became notable subcultures.

Travel influences economies, cultures, and environments. It supports services such as accommodation, food, transport, and guides, but can also contribute to environmental impact and overtourism. Travelers must consider visa requirements, safety, health, and local customs.

In literature and media, travellers appear as protagonists and symbols of discovery, transformation, and the constant movement of life. The concept remains relevant in tourism, migration studies, and transport planning.