Travel Trends to Leave Behind in 2025
2025 is here and it is, perhaps, the best time to reflect on the travel habits and trends that have overstayed their welcome. Don’t get me wrong, every trend starts with good intentions, but some have turned into overdone cliches or even counterproductive practices.
Let’s step into 2025 with a fresh perspective and leave these outdated travel habits behind. Ready? Let’s take a light-hearted look at what needs to go!
Travel Trends to Leave Behind in 2025
1. Overloading Your Itinerary
Raise your hand if you’ve ever tried to cram six activities into one day and ended up exhausted. (I’m guilty too!) In 2025, let’s embrace the joy of doing less.
Travel isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about soaking up experiences. So, wave goodbye to the “see-it-all” mindset and give yourself room to explore at your own pace.
For me, this comes as a natural next step – because of my age. I cannot do in one day as many things as I did in my 20s.
2. Instagram-Only Travel
We’ve all seen it: travelers crowding popular spots for that perfect “Insta-worthy” shot. Or people too much focused on taking the perfect picture than actually taking in that particular place or experience.
Let’s leave behind the obsession with curated feeds and focus on genuine moments instead. The best memories are often the ones you can’t capture with a camera—they’re felt in your heart.
My “relationship” with Instagram was brief. I created an account, and posted my photos – not picture-perfect, but really instant photos, as the platform intended. But then, it all became about posting at the right time – for maximum exposure – and about using the perfect hashtags. And then, there was new criteria: perfect picture – edited, profiles with specific colours, themes, etc.
No instant photos, but photos that required a lot of time, the perfect light, edits, etc. So I do not use the network, because of these reasons.
I am not against it, but I saw in my travels people so focused on taking a perfect picture without enjoying the scenery/place. Yes, I know, collabs, money, etc. I am a business coach and have a public relations agency for 20 years, so I know how things work. This mention is not about any judgment, everyone does as they please, it is just a reminder to also live in the present moment!
3. Over-Packing
When we travel by car, my son tends to pack the whole house. I am exaggerating a bit, but he really brings a lot of things. He uses them, but he could also do without them on trips.
So, do you really need five pairs of shoes for a weekend getaway? Over-packing adds stress, weight, and sometimes extra fees. In 2025, let’s master the art of packing light. Trust me, traveling with just what you need feels liberating.
4. Overusing Travel Comparison Sites
While travel comparison sites can be a helpful starting point, relying on them exclusively can sometimes lead to frustration.
Constantly comparing flights, hotels, and tours might leave you chasing deals instead of enjoying the planning process. In 2025, let’s prioritize direct bookings or curated recommendations for a more seamless and rewarding experience.
And make sure you are not going somewhere you do not want or it is not perfect for you just because there was a deal. Remember your destinations ideas when planning your trips and try to go to one of them – while also making the most of the offers.
5. Unrealistic Travel Expectations
Not every trip will be picture-perfect, and that’s okay!
Let’s ditch the pressure for perfection and embrace the hiccups—they often make the best stories anyway. Moreover, each place will have its ups and downs. It is also a matter on what you are focusing on – what you want to see, what you want to emphasize.
Also, when it is not perfect, try to learn something: why did a specific situation occur? What could you do differently next time?
Yes, I had such “failed” experiences myself – including a surprise birthday trip for my husband. But I took the good parts + lessons from that!
6. Ignoring Local Cultures
We’ve all seen tourists behaving badly, whether it’s inappropriate clothing or disregarding local customs. Let’s leave cultural ignorance behind and step into 2025 as more respectful and informed travelers. A little effort goes a long way in fostering positive connections.
Discovering the local customs, culture, talking to local people is actually someting that enriches us. It broadens our perspective, it gives meaning helps us get back from our travels with new knowledge and understanding.
7. Relying Too Much on Tech
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good travel app, but let’s not forget the beauty of spontaneity. Sometimes, getting lost in a new city or asking a local for recommendations leads to the best adventures.
In 2025, let’s balance technology with real-world exploration. For instance, while I always have a data connection on and Google Maps on my phone (plus, sometimes, apps specific to the city I am visiting), I do not stare all the time on my phone. And it is so good to just roam the streets!
8. The FOMO Travel Mentality
Fear of missing out (FOMO) has driven us to rush through destinations and chase trends. And this another item on this list of travel trends to avoid.
But here’s the thing: you’ll never see it all, and that’s okay. Travel is personal, and what matters most is what resonates with you, not what’s trending.
Sometimes what is trending is great for you, while in other ocassions it is exactly what you should stay away from. You know what resonates with you so, when choosing your next travel destination, you can see if it resonates with you, if it is the best time to visit for you (for example, if you like to avoid crowds, you won’t go there during the Olympics or a major event).
9. Excessive Souvenir Shopping
We’ve all been tempted to buy that “must-have” trinket, only to realize it collects dust at home.
In 2025, let’s focus on meaningful keepsakes—like a handwritten postcard or a locally made item that tells a story.
Obviously, I cannot be agains any souvenirs that you collect – I have many fridge magnets and souvenirs from all over the world. I also have mugs from different cities – not a collection I admire, but mugs that I use daily (even if this means that sometimes they break.)
I am not against travel souvenirs – I always buy some, I even bring back something for a few friends – but I am recommending being mindful when buying 🙂
10. Destination Overcrowding by Chasing Viral Spots
The rise of social media has turned hidden gems into overcrowded tourist traps almost overnight. While it’s tempting to visit every trending destination, this practice often leads to strain on local communities and the environment.
In 2025, let’s focus on spreading out our travels, exploring lesser-known places, and respecting the balance of nature and culture. Sometimes the most magical destinations are the ones off everyone else’s radar.
Plus, you may actually miss the viral element in the video. And I have a personal experience to share: this year, flamingo stopped in Constanta, Romania. I never saw flamingo so live, so, as the news was broadcasted on Thursday, on Saturday we took a trip to Constanta.
But the flamingo were long gone.
And there were others who came here too – for the same reason – and left without seeing the birds.
For us, it was not a wasted trip because we spent the day at the beach, but you get the point.
Conclusion
As we leave these trends in 2024, let’s look ahead to a new year of mindful, meaningful, and joyful travel. What habits or trends do you think we should leave behind? Share your thoughts—and let’s make 2025 the year of truly enriching adventures!
