Top Travel Hashtags Instagram Creators Are Using to Go Viral in 2025

instagram Jul 13, 2025

After a decade of running my travel blog and spending way too much time testing content on Instagram (seriously, I’ve posted from snowy cabins, sweaty desert hikes, and even while soaking in cedar Airbnb tubs), I can confidently say this:

If you want to go viral on Instagram in 2025, using the right travel hashtags is still one of the most effective ways to get your content in front of fresh eyes.

But you can’t just copy and paste a giant block of #wanderlust-style hashtags and hope for the best. That’s 2017 behavior. Instagram has changed. And so has how hashtags work.

Here’s everything you need to know about using the top travel hashtags for Instagram in 2025 to actually grow your account, reach new people, and (fingers crossed) land your content on the Explore Page.

Why You Still Need Hashtags On Instagram (Even In 2025)

Let’s clear this up. Yes, hashtags still matter.

Especially for Reels. This is thanks to the new 2025 Google x Instagram SEO update.

Instagram’s algorithm now indexes content for Google Search. That means your Reel with the right combo of searchable keywords and relevant hashtags can now show up on both Instagram and Google. Wild (and fantastic for extra reach and new followers!)

But beyond SEO, hashtags help you:

Get discovered by travelers and tourism brands who want to hire you
Land on trending pages for niche audiences
Signal to Instagram what your content is about so it pushes it out to more people
Connect with tourism boards using branded campaigns (hello, re-shares)

My Go-To Formula For Travel Hashtags That Actually Work

This is the hashtag formula I personally use on most of my travel Reels and photo dumps. It’s worked for everything from snowy cabins in Lake Tahoe to street food in Lisbon.

#[general travel] + #[country or city] + #[specific place or airport] + #[activity] + #[vibe] + #[niche travel type] + #[Instagram-specific or branded]

Example:

#travelgram + #japan + #kyoto + #templehopping + #autumnleaves + #solofemaletravel + #reeltravel

This gives you a mix of broad reach and specific niche discovery. It also makes your post more searchable.

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Most Popular Travel Hashtags (Use Sparingly)

These are the mega-hashtags. Use two or three max in a post to avoid looking spammy, but they’re helpful for reach.

#travelgram
#travelholic
#instatravel
#wanderlust
#traveladdict
#travellingram
#exploretheworld
#globetrotter
#traveltheworld
#traveljunkie
#travel

These won’t necessarily make you go viral, but they can give your post a little extra boost if you use them strategically. I like to add 1 of these general hashtags to help the Algorithm understand this is about travel, especially if my video is more nice.

Niche Travel Hashtags By Category

Let’s break it down so you can mix and match based on what kind of travel content you’re posting.

1. Luxury Travel Hashtags

Perfect for five-star hotels, bougie pool days, or Amalfi Coast villa moments.

#LuxuryTravel
#DreamDestination
#LuxuryEscape
#TravelInStyle
#BespokeTravel
#VacayGoals
#LuxuryWorldTraveller

2. Adventure Travel Hashtags

Think hiking, road trips, or sleeping under the stars. I love to explore the world but especially California and am always looking for Instagram hashtags for my adventure Reels in places like Yosemite or Arnold.

#AdventureTime
#SeekAdventure
#NeverStopExploring
#GoneOutdoors
#ChooseAdventure
#EarthOutdoors
#HikingAdventures

3. Beach and Coastal Travel Hashtags

Sandy toes and ocean breeze? These are your go-tos.

#BeachVibes
#SaltInTheAir
#BeachEscape
#OceanView
#RestingBeachFace
#SeasTheDay
#BeachTherapy

4. City Travel Hashtags

Use when you’re brunching in Paris or mural hunting in LA.

#CityBreak
#UrbanExplorer
#CityViews
#ExploreTheCity
#Cityscape
#CobbledStreets
#LoveThisCity

5. Solo Female Travel Hashtags

If you’re out here traveling alone (like I often do), these help connect you with the community.

#SoloFemaleTravel
#SheIsNotLost
#DameTraveler
#GirlsTravelDiary
#WomenWhoExplore
#Travelette
#TravelGirlsGo

6. Family and Kid-Friendly Travel Hashtags

Traveling with your crew? These help you reach parents and family travelers.

#FamilyTravels
#TravelWithKids
#ParentsWhoWander
#FamilyAdventure
#LittleTravelers
#TravelBrood

Best Hashtags for Travel Reels in 2025

Since Reels are now the king of reach on Instagram, it’s important to tag them with high-performing, algorithm-friendly hashtags.

Try these:

#TravelReels
#ReelTravel
#TravelInspo
#WanderlustReel
#MyTravelDiary
#ViralTravelReel
#ExplorePageTravel

Pro tip: Always include hashtags in the caption, not the first comment. Instagram’s indexing picks up caption text for SEO more reliably now.

Destination-Specific Hashtags To Watch

Most tourism boards are running campaigns with branded hashtags. Tag them to increase your chances of being re-shared. Every tourism board uses different hashtags on their social so you do have to look them up prior to posting your videos.

Here are a few examples so you can see how they work:

#SeeAustralia
#VisitCalifornia
#OnlyInSF
#DiscoverLA
#ThisIsWA
#VisitScotland
#IAmAmsterdam
#NYCgo

Hashtag Etiquette So You Don’t Get Shadowbanned

Use 10 to 20 hashtags max per post
Don’t copy and paste the same set every time
Keep hashtags relevant to the content
Rotate your hashtag groups often
Avoid hiding your hashtags in caption gaps. Instagram sees that as spammy now

FAQ: Travel Hashtags for Instagram in 2025

How many hashtags should I use on Instagram posts or Reels?

Aim for 5 to 10 relevant hashtags per post. I know it's tempting to use more, I fall in this trap a lot, too. Using fewer focused hashtags is better than stuffing your caption with 30 unrelated ones. Quality over quantity always wins in 2025.

Where should I put hashtags: in the caption or in the first comment?

Instagram’s new indexing system favors hashtags in the caption for both in-app search and Google SEO. Add them at the bottom of your caption in a group or sprinkle them naturally throughout your copy.

Do hashtags actually help Reels go viral?

Yes, especially when paired with trending audio and engaging storytelling. Hashtags help the algorithm understand what your Reel is about and surface it to users searching for that content.

What’s the best way to find travel hashtags for a specific destination?

Check what local tourism boards, creators, and photographers are tagging by looking at their Instagram profiles. I always start by creeping on about 5-10 of their posts so I can see what hashtags they like to use. Look at destination Reels, search location tags, or use a tool like Flick or Later to discover niche hashtags with healthy engagement rates.

Can I reuse the same hashtag set for every post?

Nope. Repeating the same exact hashtag block over and over can hurt your reach and even get your account flagged as spammy. Rotate your sets and tailor hashtags to each post’s location and vibe.

Final Tips For Hashtag Success

Use a mix of big and niche tags
Prioritize hashtags that describe the place, activity, and mood
Always include location-based tags and geotags
Make them part of your story when you can
Use scheduling tools like Later or Hopper HQ to rotate and test different hashtag groups

TL;DR: Best Hashtag Strategy for Travel Content in 2025

Use a custom mix of broad and niche tags
Prioritize location and activity-based keywords
Tag destination-specific hashtags from tourism boards and check to make sure you are using recent / updated tags
Keep it clean and relevant
Focus on Reels with strong storytelling and hashtags

Got a destination in mind and want help picking your hashtags? DM me on Instagram @whims y_school and I’ll help you build the perfect list.

Or join my Whimsy School for Creators if you're ready to start growing as a travel creator in 2025. We talk about hashtag strategies all the time inside the community.