About Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet is the world's largest travel guidebook publisher, founded in Melbourne, Australia in 1972 by Tony and Maureen Wheeler with a single guidebook to Southeast Asia and growing into a globally recognized brand publishing hundreds of destination guides, phrase books, travel photography books, and digital travel content. Lonely Planet guides are the gold standard for independent travelers seeking detailed practical information about destinations worldwide.
Their guidebook lineup covers virtually every country and major city in the world, with specialized guides for budget travelers, families, adventure travelers, and specific activities like hiking, cycling, and food tourism. Beyond print guides, Lonely Planet offers digital guidebooks, travel articles, and their Guides app for offline destination information—essential for travelers in destinations with limited connectivity.
Lonely Planet's website and direct store offer the full guidebook catalog with periodic promotional discounts of 20–30% off, and Amazon frequently offers competitive or lower pricing on specific titles. Checking both platforms before purchasing ensures the best available price on specific destination guides.
Quick Savings Tips
- Amazon frequently matches or beats Lonely Planet's direct pricing on specific guidebooks
- Digital ebook editions are 30–50% less expensive and accessible immediately after purchase
- Lonely Planet Guides app includes free offline maps—add digital guide for full offline use
- Used guidebook editions that are 1–2 years old are often adequate and significantly cheaper
- Library systems often carry current Lonely Planet editions—free with library card