Electromagnetic waves travel in a transverse direction. This means that the electric and magnetic fields that make up the wave oscillate perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling.

Here's a visual breakdown:

* Imagine a rope: If you shake a rope up and down, the wave travels along the rope (horizontally), but the rope itself moves up and down (vertically).

* Electromagnetic waves: The electric field oscillates up and down, and the magnetic field oscillates side to side, both perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling.

Therefore, the direction of travel of an electromagnetic wave is perpendicular to the direction of the oscillating electric and magnetic fields.