The 2010s were a wild time to be a traveler. Instagram was new-ish, budgets were… flexible, and we all collectively believed a wide-brim hat and a sunset could fix everything. Looking back, some travel trends we swore by now feel chaotic, impractical, or straight-up baffling.
From questionable fashion choices to peak social media brain, here are travel trends from the 2010s that once felt iconic, and now feel a little unhinged.
The Airport Outfit That Was Definitely Not Comfortable
Somewhere along the line, we decided airports were fashion runways. Skinny jeans, leather jackets, ankle boots, no thought given to security lines, swollen feet, or the fact that planes are aggressively climate-controlled. Cozy travel sets have since humbled us all.
“Wanderlust” as a Personality
In the 2010s, loving travel wasn’t enough, it had to be your entire identity. Bios were filled with airplane emojis, and owning a passport somehow became a personality trait. We’ve since learned that liking trips is… normal.
Chasing the Same Five Instagram Photo Spots
Remember when everyone went to Bali, Santorini, Iceland, and Machu Picchu at the exact same time? Entire trips were planned around recreating photos we’d already seen a thousand times, often involving lines just to take the same shot.
Voluntourism That Was More About Photos Than Impact
The era of building a school for a week, despite having zero construction skills, was peak 2010s. The good intentions were there, but the execution often centered more on Instagram content than sustainable help.
Packing Ten Outfits for Three Days
Overpacking was practically a competitive sport. We packed for every possible scenario, weather condition, and outfit vibe, only to wear the same two items on repeat. Now we worship at the altar of carry-on-only travel.
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Travel Hashtags That Meant Nothing
WanderOften #TravelGram #PassportReady, these captions told us nothing and everything at the same time. The more hashtags, the better, apparently. Now they feel like relics from Instagram’s prehistoric era.
Booking Trips Entirely Based on Aesthetic
If it looked good in photos, we went, regardless of cost, crowds, or common sense. Cliffside infinity pools and floating breakfasts were prioritized over sleep, comfort, and sometimes safety.
Extreme Budget Travel Bragging
Sleeping in airports, surviving on instant noodles, and taking 14-hour bus rides were weirdly worn as badges of honor. These days, travelers are far more open about paying for comfort and calling it self-care.
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Over-Scheduled, Minute-by-Minute Itineraries
Google Docs itineraries with color coding, time blocks, and zero room for joy. Every moment had to be maximized. Now? We’re leaving room for wandering, naps, and accidentally spending three hours in a café.
The Era of the GoPro on a Stick
Nothing says “2010s travel” like someone vlogging themselves snorkeling, walking, and eating pasta, simultaneously. Bonus points if they almost knocked someone out in the process.
Romanticizing Constant Motion
Back-to-back flights, countries every few days, zero downtime. We glamorized exhaustion and called it adventure. In hindsight, we were just very tired.
Buying Souvenirs That Made No Sense
Shot glasses. Random magnets. A decorative spoon you’ve never used. The 2010s were peak souvenir chaos. Now we’re more into meaningful keepsakes, or nothing at all.
Trusting Every “Hidden Gem” Blog Post
If a blog said it was a secret spot, we believed it, along with thousands of other readers. Turns out “hidden gem” often just meant “crowded but not famous yet.”
Travel Influencers Pretending Trips Were Effortless
Perfect hair, flawless outfits, zero jet lag. The illusion was strong. Today, creators are (thankfully) more honest about missed flights, bad weather, and travel meltdowns.
Ignoring Local Culture for the Aesthetic
Some trips felt less like cultural experiences and more like themed photo shoots. Matching outfits, staged poses, and little interaction beyond the lens. We’ve since learned travel hits harder when you actually engage.
Taking Overnight Buses Like It Was a Rite of Passage
Sure, they were cheap, but at what cost? No sleep, questionable safety, and a stiff neck for days. We respect the hustle, but we’re choosing trains or flights now.
The Over-Filtered Travel Photo Era
Orange skies, neon oceans, and faces smoothed beyond recognition. Presets were aggressive, and subtlety was nowhere to be found. Thankfully, natural lighting made a comeback.
Pretending Jet Lag Wasn’t Real
We lied to ourselves. We lied to others. Jet lag was very real, and we were very unwell. Today, we plan rest days, and admit when we need them.
Treating Travel Like an Escape From Life
In the 2010s, travel was often framed as running away, from jobs, routines, and responsibilities. Now, it’s more about balance and enrichment, not total disappearance.
Thinking Travel Would “Fix Everything”
We believed a plane ticket could solve burnout, heartbreak, or an existential crisis. While travel is powerful, it turns out you still bring yourself, and your problems, with you.
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The 2010s gave us some incredible travel memories, and some deeply questionable habits. While we might cringe at a few of these trends now, they shaped how we travel today: more thoughtfully, more comfortably, and with a little less need to prove something online. If you loved this content, check out 15 Surprisingly Expensive Things You Probably Own (and Didn’t Realize Were Valuable), or 20 Surprisingly Common Foods That Used to Be Considered “Luxury” in the 80s.
