How to Make Travel Reels on Instagram

Creating travel Reels on Instagram that people actually want to watch is simpler than you might think. A scroll-stopping Reel isn’t about having the most expensive camera or visiting the most exotic location, it's about telling a compelling short story. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from planning your shots and editing on beat to writing captions that spark conversation.

Plan Your Travel Reel Before You Even Go

The best travel Reels start with an idea, not just a collection of random clips. Before your trip (or even during a quiet moment at your hotel), take a few minutes to think about the story you want to tell. A little planning goes a long way and saves you from the frustration of a chaotic camera roll later on.

Brainstorm a Concept or Angle

Your Reel needs a hook - a reason for someone to stop scrolling and watch. Your concept doesn't need to be complex, it just needs to be clear. Here are a few popular angles travelers use:

• A "Top 5" List: "5 Things You Can't Miss in Rome"
• A How-To Guide: "How to Spend 48 Hours in Lisbon"
• A Unique Experience: "What It’s Like to Scuba Dive with Manta Rays"
• A Before-and-After: Showcasing the raw reality of travel vs. the beautiful result.
• A Mood or Vibe: Focus on a feeling, like "Slow Mornings in the Italian Countryside."

Having a simple theme helps you decide what clips to film, making the recording process much more focused and intentional.

Create a Simple Shot List

A "shot list" sounds professional, but it can be as simple as a list in your phone's notes app. Based on your concept, jot down the essential clips you'll need to capture. For a "Top 5" Reel about cafes in Paris, your shot list might look like this:

• Wide shot of the storefront
• Pouring the coffee (slow-motion?)
• Close-up of a pastry
• People laughing at the table
• Shot of my feet walking into the cafe

This list reminds you to capture the details that will bring your story to life, rather than just having ten very similar clips of the same thing.

Capturing Footage That Doesn't Look Amateur

You don’t need a professional camera, your smartphone is more than capable of capturing stunning video. The difference between average and excellent footage comes down to a few basic techniques.

Always Shoot Vertically

This is the golden rule of Reels. Instagram is a vertical platform, so film all your clips holding your phone upright (in portrait mode). This ensures your video fills the entire screen without awkward black bars on the sides. It seems obvious, but it's the most common mistake people make.

Mix Up Your Shots

Variety is what makes a Reel visually interesting. Think like a filmmaker and capture a collection of different shots to create a dynamic pace. Aim to include a mix of the following:

• Establishing Shots: Wide shots that show the whole scene, like a panoramic view of a mountain range or a bustling city street.
• Action Shots: Clips that show movement, like you walking down a beach, jumping into a pool, or a train pulling into a station. Movement keeps the viewer engaged.
• Detailed Shots: Close-ups of small details, such as the texture of a cobblestone street, steam rising from a cup of coffee, or the pages of a map. These shots add atmosphere.
• People Shots: Including people (yourself or others) adds a human element that helps viewers connect emotionally with your video. A simple shot of you smiling or looking out at a view can make a huge difference.

Check Your Phone’s Camera Settings

Take a quick look at your settings. For crisp, professional-looking video, film in 1080p HD at 30 fps (frames per second). If you have the storage space and a newer phone, 4K is even better. Also, make sure your camera lens is clean! A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth can drastically improve your video quality.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Editing a Viral-Worthy Reel

Once you have your clips, it’s time to bring them together. The entire editing process can happen right inside the Instagram app, and its tools are surprisingly powerful.

1. Find Your Audio First

Music is the heartbeat of a Reel. A trending sound can significantly boost your visibility. Don’t wait until the end to choose your audio - pick it first so you can edit your clips to match the beat and tone of the song.

How to Find Trending Audio:

• Scroll the Reels Tab: Pay attention to the music used in popular Reels. If you see a small arrow symbol next to the artist’s name, it means the audio is currently trending.
• Save Sounds You Like: When you hear audio you might want to use later, tap the sound at the bottom of the screen and hit "Save Audio." It will be stored in your saved folder for easy access when you're ready to create.

2. Start a New Reel and Add Your Clips

Tap the "+" icon on Instagram and select "Reel." In the bottom left corner, tap the small blue plus square to open your camera roll. Select all the clips you want to use for your project and tap "Next."

3. Sync Your Clips to the Beat

This is the most important part of editing. Adding your chosen audio will show a waveform at the top of the editing screen. Play the music and listen for the major beats or transitions. Then, trim and arrange your clips so that the scene changes on each of those beats.

To do this:

1. Tap "Edit Video" in the bottom left corner.
2. Tap on an individual clip in your timeline. You can now drag the ends to trim it or drag the entire clip to reorder it.
3. Arrange short, quick clips (1-2 seconds) so they cut perfectly with the rhythm of the music. A well-synced Reel is incredibly satisfying to watch and keeps viewers hooked.

Don't be afraid to use very short clips. A quick succession of 0.5-second shots on beat can create a high-energy, exciting feel.

4. Add Strategic Text Overlays

Text provides context and hooks the viewer from the first second. Use text to introduce the location ("Must-See Temple in Kyoto"), ask a question, or highlight a key point. To add text, tap the "Txt" at the bottom. You can change the font, color, and add a background highlight. Most importantly, you can set the timing. After typing your text, tap on its bubble in the timeline at the bottom of the screen and drag the handles to set exactly when it appears and disappears in your video.

Craft a Great Caption and Hashtag Strategy

Your video might be done, but a weak caption can stop your Reel's reach in its tracks. A great caption encourages views, saves, and comments.

Write an Engaging Caption

Don’t just state the obvious ("Here's a video from our trip to Greece."). Use your caption to add value or start a conversation. Here are a few ideas:

• Share a Quick Story: "We almost missed our ferry to this island, but the view was worth the panic! Here's what we found..."
• Provide a Helpful Tip: "Pro tip for visiting the Colosseum: buy your tickets online at least two weeks in advance to skip the massive queues."
• Ask a Question: "Of all the places in this Reel, which one would you visit first? Let me know in the comments!"

Choose the Right Hashtags

Hashtags help Instagram categorize your content and show it to people interested in your topic. Use a mix of general and specific hashtags to maximize your reach. Aim for around 10-15 well-chosen tags.

A good strategy for a Reel about Santorini might be:

• Broad Tags: #travelreels #travelgram #europetravel
• Niche Tags: #greecetravel #greekislands #visitinggreece
• Specific Tags: #santorini #oiasantorini #santorinisunset

The Final Touch: Nail the Publishing Step

Before you hit "Share," make a couple of final checks.

Select a Compelling Cover Image

The cover is the thumbnail image people see on your profile grid and in the explore feed. Don't leave it to chance. Tap "Edit cover" and either select the best frame from your video or upload a separate, high-quality photo from your camera roll. Choose an image that is bright, eye-catching, and clearly represents the topic of the Reel.

Share it Far and Wide

Make sure the "Also share to Feed" option is toggled on. This gives your Reel the best chance of being seen by your existing followers. Once it's published, share it to your Instagram Story for an extra visibility boost. Finally, spend the first hour after posting actively responding to any comments that come in. This burst of engagement signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable, and it will be more likely to push it to a wider audience.

Final Thoughts

Creating beautiful travel Reels is a skill you build over time, but it comes down to a simple formula: plan your story, capture a variety of dynamic shots, and edit thoughtfully to the beat of a great song. With a little practice, you can turn your travel memories into compelling content that grows your audience and brings your adventures to life.

Once you’ve put in the work to create stunning Reels, staying consistent with posting is what builds momentum. To keep up, we lean heavily on a solid content plan, and that’s where Postbase has been a game-changer for our workflow. Using its visual calendar, we can map out our entire content strategy in one place, seeing any gaps in our schedule at a glance. Since it’s built specifically for how social media works today, scheduling Reels is incredibly intuitive and, most importantly, rock-solid reliable.