bitten by the travel bug

Meaning

To be 'bitten by the travel bug' means to suddenly develop a strong, almost obsessive desire to travel and explore new places. It is a lighthearted, informal idiom used to describe someone who has caught the 'travel fever' and cannot stop planning their next trip.

Examples

• Ever since her trip to Japan last summer, Sarah has been completely bitten by the travel bug.

  Ever since her trip to Japan last summer, Sarah has been completely bitten by the travel bug.

• Once you get bitten by the travel bug, it is very hard to stay in one place for too long.

  Once you get bitten by the travel bug, it is very hard to stay in one place for too long.

• I think I was bitten by the travel bug during my college study abroad program.

  I think I was bitten by the travel bug during my college study abroad program.

• He sold his car and bought a backpack after being bitten by the travel bug.

  He sold his car and bought a backpack after being bitten by the travel bug.

• My parents were bitten by the travel bug after they retired, and now they are rarely home.

  My parents were bitten by the travel bug after they retired, and now they are rarely home.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I bit the travel bug last year, so I went to Italy.

  ✓ I was bitten by the travel bug last year, so I went to Italy.

  The idiom is passive ('to be bitten by'). You do not bite the bug; the bug bites you.

• ✗ She is very bitten by the travel bug.

  ✓ She has been bitten by the travel bug. / She was bitten by the travel bug.

  We use 'has been' or 'was' rather than 'is very' to describe the state of catching the travel urge.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After spending a month backpacking through Europe, he was completely ___.

  💡 An idiom meaning to catch a strong desire to travel.

  Show answer

  bitten by the travel bug

• If you've been ___, you're probably already planning your next vacation.

  💡 Describes the moment you became obsessed with traveling.

  Show answer

  bitten by the travel bug