If you’re like me, looking at Instagram can make you feel like you’re in a world where every sunset is perfect, every street is perfect, and every traveller is having the best time of their life. I remember the first time I drove alone on the Pacific Coast Highway. I took pictures of the waves crashing against the cliffs and the golden sun setting on the horizon. I used the hashtags I thought would work when I posted them. Spoiler alert: they didn’t get many likes.
That’s when I understood that travel pictures need more than just great lighting and amazing views. They need the right tags. Hashtags are like secret highways that can get your content in front of hundreds or even thousands of travel fans who really want to know about your trip.
In this blog post, I’ll show you the best travel hashtags for Instagram, give you some tips on how to use them like a pro, and even suggest some tools and products that can make your travel photos look great.
Why hashtags for travel are important
Instagram is more than just a place to post pictures; it’s a community. People use hashtags to find their way around that community. You can do the following with the right hashtags:
Make it easier for people who love to travel in the U.S. and around the world to find you.
Put you in touch with other travellers who have similar interests
Help you get people to interact with you naturally
Hashtags are like little maps. The more people who see your content, the better the map.
My Favourite Travel Tags
After trying out hundreds of hashtags on different trips, these are the ones that always work best:
TravelUSA, #Wanderlust, and #AdventureAwaits are some general travel hashtags.
InstaTravel #TravelGram
Nature and Adventure: #BeachVibes #MountainViews #SunsetLovers #HikingAdventures #NatureLovers
City Travel: #UrbanExplorer #CityVibes #StreetPhotography #TravelingThrough #HiddenGems
Use both broad hashtags (#TravelGram) and specific ones (#PacificCoastHighway or #SedonaHikes) to get the best results. This way, your post will reach a lot of people as well as niche travellers who are really interested in your destination.
How I Got More People Interested in My Travels
I went to Sedona, Arizona last summer. The red rocks were glowing in the sunset, and I wanted to get the moment just right. I used a mix of my favourite hashtags, but I also bought a few tools that helped my photos stand out:
Peak Design Travel Tripod: This small tripod is light, easy to carry, and great for taking pictures at sunset or in low light.
Canon EOS Rebel T8i Camera: A good DSLR camera makes a big difference for people who want to take great travel photos.
Never run out of space while taking amazing pictures with the SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card.
These tools made my photos look like they were taken by a pro, and when I added the right hashtags, my Instagram engagement went through the roof. I started talking to other travellers, getting DMs asking for advice, and even getting people to visit the places I posted about.
Extra Tips for Using Travel Hashtags
Use between 15 and 20 hashtags in each post.
Make note of different groups of hashtags for different kinds of trips.
Stay away from spammy hashtags; Instagram may hide your posts if they look like they were made by a bot.
Use hashtags that are specific to your area to get people in your area to pay attention.
Questions and Answers About Travel Hashtags
Q: How many hashtags should I put on my Instagram posts?
A: About 15 to 20 per post is best. Not enough limits can make you look spammy.
Q: Is it okay to use the same hashtags for all of my posts?
A: No, you should change them up based on your content and where you’re going to reach new people.
Q: Do hashtags really make people more interested?
A: Yes, if you use it right. Using both broad and niche hashtags together can greatly increase the number of likes, comments, and followers you get.
Q: Are there tools that can help you find popular hashtags?
A: Yes, for sure. Hashtagify and RiteTag are two tools that can help you find popular travel hashtags quickly.
Last Thoughts
Travelling is all about the things you do, the memories you make, and the stories you tell. Instagram hashtags are only a way to get your story in front of the right people. You can make your travel posts a source of inspiration for thousands of people if you use the right mix of hashtags, get a little creative, and use some tools to improve your photography.
So the next time you’re in Arizona on a secret trail, New York City with a cup of coffee, or California watching the sunset, don’t forget to bring your camera, your favourite travel tripod, and, of course, the right hashtags.
