If your social media algorithms have figured out that you like travel, you’re likely bombarded with a lot of very similar-looking content. Videos about finding the best panini in Florence, carefully curated aesthetic photo dumps of croissants and hot chocolate in Paris, step-by-step guides for finding ‘hidden’ beaches in Bali.
Yes, all this content is genuinely helpful when planning a trip. But after just a few scrolls, you realise it all looks pretty much the same. Perhaps this is why more and more tourists seeking ‘authentic’ or ‘off-the-beaten-path’ experiences are turning to Reddit for holiday inspiration.
While TikTok and Instagram recommendations tend to be influenced by how certain places look on camera, Reddit users eagerly share tips for tried and tested gems. They’re driven by community, not a desire for likes and shares.
Why Reddit?
For the uninitiated, Reddit is a user-moderated forum divided into subreddits for every topic you could possibly imagine. While first-timers might migrate toward the general travel subreddit (r/travel), you can get really niche: r/solotravel, r/hitchhiking, r/vandwellers, or even location-specific like r/VisitingIceland.
It’s pretty straightforward, like a slightly more modern version of the discussion boards of the early internet. But where Reddit really shines is in its upvote system. Users can ‘upvote’ comments they agree with, pushing them to the top of the thread. In the context of travel planning, this makes it easy to see, at a glance, which recommendations are legit and worth adding to your list.
Who Can You Trust for Travel Recommendations?
Sure, anyone can lie on the internet. But the comments on Reddit feel far more genuine and authentic than recommendations found in other online spaces.
Bloggers could be getting a kickback from certain companies, popular TikTok users may get free meals in exchange for sharing a video. ChatGPT blatantly makes stuff up, and girlies on Instagram are more likely to post about the aesthetic beachside meals than a dingy basement restaurant — even if the latter’s food is far better.
Even journalists writing reviews for ‘trustworthy’ media are heavily influenced by free press trips and brands sending info to their inboxes.
But over on Reddit, there aren’t hidden agendas, just travellers sharing their genuine feedback.
How to Get the Most Out of Reddit as a Travel Resource
I’ve used Reddit as a source of info not just for planning my own trips, but also as a journalist, for compiling articles and destination guides over the years. At times it can be overwhelming to navigate the site, and it’s easy to fall into rabbit holes full of incels.
Here are some things to keep in mind.
Start Out Broad
Some bigger subreddits have great resources under the ‘community bookmarks’ section that offer a ton of info.
The r/travel subreddit should be your first port of call — their Topic of the Week threads contain a surprising amount of very valuable info.
From hostelling 101 to safety for women, and dedicated destination guides for over a hundred specific destinations, you can spend hours scrolling through these bookmarked threads and probably find answers to all your questions.
Get Specific
When you’re looking for specific answers, head to the niche subreddits. Here, you’ll find comments from people who know what they’re talking about and are more passionate about sharing it.
Travelling on a budget? Try r/shoestring and r/BudgetTravel. R/SoloTravel is great if you’re on your own, r/EuropeTravel has tons of resources, or look up city-specific subreddits like r/ParisTravelGuide.
Use the Search Function
Usually, the information you’re looking for is already there — you don’t need to clog up the Paris travel subreddit by asking where to find the best croissants. Use the search bar to look up keywords, then you can filter by date, relevance, or popularity.
I find Google a great way to instantly find information across subreddits. Simply type your question, like “what’s the best neighbourhood in Budapest for a digital nomad” + Reddit, and you’ll be directed to a bunch of relevant threads.
See What the Locals Are Doing
Join or scroll through region- or city-specific subreddits before your trip — these are more geared toward locals than tourists. You might stumble upon a discussion thread about a new restaurant opening, or an event that isn’t necessarily on typical ‘must-do’ lists.
If You Do Post, Be Specific
An uninspired post like “where is the best beer hall in Berlin” might not get you much traction. But something like “my friend told me to visit this bar, is there anywhere better that you’d recommend” will probably elicit more responses.
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