Search online for “best travel quotes short enough for Insta,” and many results will pop up, but not all Instagram travel captions are created equal! As an Instagram lover, I’m always searching for interesting and short travel quotes for Instagram to share my photos. If you’re searching for short unique travel quotes and Instagram captions for traveling, you’ve come to the right place. Each of these travel Instagram captions is on a pinnable image, so share and save for later!
Before diving into the best travel captions for Instagram, I want to share one of my favorite not-so-short travel quotes that always inspires me:
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”
Anthony Bourdain
Best Travel and Vacation Quotes Instagram
I have so many Instagram captions for traveling I want to share that I’ve divided this post into subcategories to make it easier to navigate. First, let’s check out the best short unique travel quotes for for Instagram photos.
Unique Travel Short Captions for Instagram
“Don’t listen to what they say, go see.”
Chinese Proverb
Stories are great, and I love nothing more than reading about travel adventures or watching films set in exotic locations. However, nothing can beat seeing a destination with your own eyes. This is one of my favorite short travel quotes for Instagram because it reminds me to visit those places I’ve heard so much about.
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
This is consistently among the best travel quotes short enough for Instagram! J.R.R. Tolkien’s words are some of the most famous travel short captions for Instagram and the subject of many wanderlust-inspired tattoos. This quote is short, to the point, and a classic for a reason.
“Take only memories, leave only footprints.”
Chief Seattle
The only thing better than short unique travel quotes are Instagram captions for traveling that leave a positive impact. Our world constantly changes, and globetrotters must intentionally promote responsible travel to minimize their environmental footprint.
“You don’t have to be rich to travel well.”
Eugene Fodor
This is one of the most underrated short vacation captions for Instagram. While it could be interpreted as coming from a place of privilege, since not everyone can afford to go on vacation, I like its message about how you travel. For example, someone living with a host family will have a completely different experience from someone staying in a 5-star resort. You don’t need to splurge on the most expensive hotels or activities for an incredibly impactful travel experience.
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”
Susan Sontag
I couldn’t create a list of the best Instagram captions for traveling without featuring Susan Sontag’s iconic quote! Despite being short and concise, this quote is fun and a bit cheeky—it’s a classic choice for your travel photos.
“Oh, the places you’ll go.”
Dr. Seuss
If you grew up reading Dr. Seuss, you’ll probably recognize this quote. While only five words long, it conjures up many emotions about traveling and seeing the world.
“The journey not the arrival matters.”
T.S. Eliot
T.S. Eliot is another figure featured on many lists of short travel quotes for Instagram. This quote is simple but so accurate! It’s all about the journey and the people I’ve met along the way. It’s one of the reasons I travel slowly and take my time to enjoy the experience. I don’t rush through sightseeing because I’m all about creating lasting memories.
“To travel is to live.”
Hans Christian Andersen
If, like me, you feel most alive when traveling, this is one of the most impactful short vacation captions for Instagram. Travel is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, experience foreign cultures, and reframe your worldview. Everyone should do it if given the chance!
“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”
David Mitchell
I can 100% support the message of this travel quote. Only after spending the last few years traveling full-time as a digital nomad have I felt like I’m honestly finding myself. You realize how tough and resilient you are after facing challenging travel situations. I’m a better person for all the obstacles I’ve had to overcome.
“Live your life by a compass, not a clock.”
Stephen Covey
This is the one if you’re searching for inspiring travel quotes short enough for Instagram. The longer I’ve been on the road, the more my relationship with time has dissolved. I rarely know the day of the week, let alone the time or calendar date!
“Wherever you go, go with all your heart!”
Confucius
Sometimes, short travel quotes hold the most significant messages. If you aren’t putting your heart into travel, you might as well go home because you won’t fully enjoy the experience. Travel burnout is real—the only way to deal with it is to return home for a while or slow down. You must travel with your entire heart!
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.”
Anita Desai
This is a famous pick for short unique travel quotes for Instagram. Each country and place I’ve visited has shaped who I am and holds a special place in my heart—even the places I didn’t enjoy traveling to have positively impacted me in one way or another.
“Travel is glamorous only in retrospect.”
Paul Theroux
While some travel Instagram captions sugarcoat the experience, this one rings incredibly true. 99% of the time, travel is anything but glamorous. However, the stories and memories we return home with rarely include moments of stress or chaos. Many travel experiences seem more glamorous in retrospect after you’re distanced from the situation and have some clarity.
“Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets.”
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde’s classic travel caption has a clear message: travel often and enjoy your life. The only things I regret are those I didn’t do because of fear. Let this quote remind you never to hold back from an adventurous life full of travel.
“The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.”
Paul Coelho
While this quote isn’t directly travel-related, I love it and think it is important to remember wherever you are. Your actions affect change—keep that in mind as you explore and travel.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Gandhi
Gandhi has many inspiring sayings that can be used as Instagram captions for traveling. This quote reminds me that you must take action to enact change. Let your actions speak and help make the world a better place.
“Those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it.”
Rick Watson
If I followed the crowd, I’d still be miserable in the UK now! I’m thankful I decided to break free from the norm and live this life full of travel and new experiences.
“Paris is always a good idea.”
Audrey Hepburn
Did you know Audrey Hepburn is responsible for one of the best short travel quotes ever? This quote makes me want to visit Paris ASAP—I can’t believe I haven’t gone yet!
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
Mae West
Honestly, this might be my life motto. If I die tomorrow, I want to know that I did everything possible to have the best life. Thankfully, I feel wholeheartedly that I am living the dream! How about you?
“It is better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.”
Asian Proverb
This is true for many places I’ve visited. It’s impossible to describe the magic of scuba diving, standing on an erupting volcano, or trekking through the jungle to a Lost City.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
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Short Vacation Captions for Instagram Pics With Friends
These are my favorite travel Instagram captions for adventurous pictures with friends.
“A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles.”
Tim Cahill
Of course, I had to use a picture of me and my Instagram BFF @by.karinabravo for this one. I have met the most incredible friends during my travels. They are so deeply ingrained in my memories and feelings toward that place!
“The more I traveled, the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.”
Shirley MacLaine
This quote is short but incredibly true. Many wonderful people I’ve met traveling are now my closest friends. You should be open to making new friends by overcoming superficial differences—you never know what will happen!
“I’m in love with cities I’ve never been to and people I’ve never met.”
Melody Truong
If you’re interested in the best travel captions for Instagram, Melody’s quote is an excellent option. I always look forward to meeting friends while traveling because it’s a big part of the fun.
“Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.”
Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway got it right! Maybe it’s because I’m a solo traveler, but I have been on too many vacations with people I’ve wanted to run away from after a few days! Be careful of who you travel with, folks.
Adventure and Love Instagram Travel Captions
Next, I’m sharing my favorite Instagram travel captions about adventure and love. They all go hand-in-hand!
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
Anonymous
I’m unsure where this quote comes from, but it’s one of my top picks. Life is all about adventure and seizing the moment!
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Neale Donald Walsch
If you’re nervous about traveling, this quote reminds you that challenging yourself is healthy and essential for a long, happy life.
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Saint Augustine
Book (and travel) lovers, this quote is for you!
“Remember that happiness is a way of travel – not a destination.”
Roy M. Goodman
I love this quote because it highlights the importance of the journey rather than the destination. You could visit the most beautiful places on earth and feel unfulfilled if you have the wrong mindset.
“Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by.”
Robert Frost
This is one of the best travel quotes short enough for Instagram. It’s instantly recognizable and never goes out of style.
“There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it.”
Charles Dudley Warner
If you’re beginning your trip, this is the perfect Instagram caption.
“We travel for romance, we travel for architecture, and we travel to be lost.”
Ray Bradbury
That about sums it up, right?
“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal.”
Paul Coelho
I couldn’t pick one Paul Coelho quote—this is a favorite because it’s cheeky and pokes fun at mundane daily life.
“Great things never came from comfort zones.”
Anonymous
This quote is similar to another one, but the sentiment can’t be overstated.
“Fear is only temporary. Regrets last forever.”
Anonymous
There’s no wrong time to jump-start your travel bucket list!
“Travel doesn’t become adventure until you leave yourself behind.”
Marty Rubin
I love short unique travel quotes that remind you to escape your head and live spontaneously.
“Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.”
David McCullough
Travel shouldn’t be a self-centered activity—it’s all about exposing yourself to new things to grow and improve as a human.
“Jobs fill your pocket but adventures fill your soul.”
Jamie Lyn Beatty
Money isn’t the only important thing in life. If you have the opportunity, I highly suggest traveling worldwide.
“When was the last time you did something for the first time?”
Anonymous
This is one of the catchiest and most clever travel short captions for Instagram, and it applies to all aspects of life.
“It is not the destination where you end up but the mishaps and memories you create along the way.”
Penelope Riley
Even if things don’t go perfectly while traveling, you’ll always cherish the adventures.
Instagram Captions for Traveling Solo
Are you looking for travel-alone quotes for Instagram? These are my favorites to pair with epic solo travel pictures.
“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.”
Mary Anne Radmacher
What a beautiful way to express how travel can change and improve us as humans.
“To awaken alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.”
Freya Stark
Everyone should embark on one solo journey in their life. Even if the idea scares you, being independent and getting comfortable pushing yourself to try new things is essential.
“The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have.”
Anna Quindlen
I came across this quote when researching the best short vacation captions for Instagram, and it made an impression. Your past doesn’t define you, and the future is full of possibilities (and trips)!
“With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding.”
Sandra Lake
Traveling worldwide will expand your understanding of our earth and everyone who occupies it. I think travel is an essential part of self-development and improvement.
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
Ibn Battuta
As a full-time travel blogger, I can attest to this one! There are many times I’m awestruck while traveling and then reflect on my experiences to create a new guide, packing list, itinerary, or blog for you to enjoy. Sharing my travels brings me such joy, and hopefully, it inspires you, too.
“I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.”
Carl Sandburg
The point of this quote is that it’s okay to be unsure of what direction your life is headed as long as you’re progressing and moving forward.
“I want to make memories all over the world.”
Anonymous
Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.”
Walt Whitman
Whitman’s quote is a beautiful reminder to seek joy and happiness, even during dark times.
“You go away for a long time and return a different person – you never come all the way back.”
Paul Theroux
I’ve left tiny pieces of my heart in many countries worldwide. While traveling can be challenging, stressful, and exhausting, it’s always impactful in some aspects.
“Travel…the best way to be lost and found at the same time.”
Brenna Smith
This is one of my favorite classic travel quotes for Instagram!
“You can shake the sand from your shoes, but not from your soul.”
Anonymous
I recommend using this anonymous quote for your beach travel photos.
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.”
Oprah Winfrey
I’m a big fan of what Oprah says about living your best life. For me, that involves solo traveling t
“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.”
Dalai Lama
Even if you can’t embark on a jetsetting adventure every year, it’s still worth exploring your area to find a new-to-you destination. Visiting a place for the first time is exciting and presents fun opportunities.
“Traveling allows you to become so many different versions of yourself.”
Anonymous
Do you dream of strolling the streets of Paris with a baguette under your arm? Or trekking through the jungle to ancient Mayan ruins? Traveling lets you try and experience so many things you wouldn’t otherwise!
“Traveling is not something you’re good at. It’s something you do, like breathing.”
Gayle Foreman
Foreman makes a fantastic point about travel being a natural part of our lives. Even if you’re inexperienced or scared, we should all tackle the challenge.
Epic Journey Travel Instagram Captions
Use one of these epic Instagram travel captions to share your next journey.
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”
James Michener
To fully immerse yourself in travel, you must be open to trying new things. James sums it up perfectly!
“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”
Aldous Huxley
This quote made me laugh because it is so true. Everyone has misconceptions about other countries—visiting them is the best way to challenge your assumptions.
“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.”
Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac has written some of the most famous short travel quotes, including this one. I especially love the last sentence!
“I travel because it makes me realize how much I haven’t seen, how much I’m not going to see, and how much I still need to see.”
Carew Papritz
Travel is a humbling experience—there’s always something new to see and do worldwide.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.”
Mark Twain
Twain is one of my favorite writers, and I couldn’t agree more with this quote about the importance of travel.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
Marcel Proust
There’s no denying it’s fun to see beautiful places, but gaining a new perspective on life is the ultimate reward.
“Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
Gustave Flaubert
I suggest visiting new countries to focus less on your worries. Seeing how other people live worldwide can offer a refreshing perspective on your own situation.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”
H. Jackson Brown Junior
A few quotes on this list have mentioned the importance of pursuing your travel dreams, and this is another top pick.
“Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember and remember more than I have seen.”
Benjamin Disraeli
I think this is one of the best Instagram captions for traveling. Traveling is so rewarding that you’ll have endless unforgettable memories!
“The only people who ever get anyplace interesting are the people who get lost.”
Henry David Thoreau
I’m finishing this list of top travel quotes short enough for Instagram with a classic from Henry David Thoreau.
Solo Travel Guide Planning
🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m traveling?
I strongly recommend using Bookaway. You can book almost all transport in the major tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.
I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Short Travel Captions for Instagram: Final Thoughts
Phew, I hope you’ve enjoyed all these epic short travel quotes for Instagram! There are many short unique travel quotes ranging from famous classics to hidden gems. If you take one thing away from this post, travel is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. Now, start sharing those gorgeous travel photos with the world!
