Travel really does open your mind. It allows us to experience new cultures, learn interesting history, create lifelong memories, and test our comfort zones.
But unfortunately, life sometimes gets in the way of our travel aspirations.
Between money issues, limited time, and day-to-day responsibilities, it can be hard to feel motivated to plan your dream trips.
But what if you could turn those vague ideas into achievable travel goals that you can visualize and actually accomplish?
Enter…the travel vision board.
Not only will a travel vision board help you clarify your travel goals, but it will also help you stay motivated and confident to book those trips.
In this article you will learn:
What is a travel vision board?
Why vision boards work
Step-by-step instructions on how to create your travel vision board
(and how to use it to actually plan and book your trips)
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Quick Navigation
What Is a Travel Vision Board?
Why Vision Boards Actually Work
How to Create a Travel Vision Board in 6 Steps
How to Use Your Travel Vision Board Daily
Turning Your Vision Board Into a Travel Plan
Travel Vision Board Ideas
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Printable Travel Vision Board
How Often Should You Update Your Vision Board?
Can vision boards help you travel more?
Combining Vision Boards With Travel Journaling
Final Thoughts
What Is a Travel Vision Board?
A travel vision board is a visual representation of your travel goals. It includes destinations you want to visit, experiences you hope to have, and any words, quotes, or images that inspire you.
Vision boards can be physical or digital. A physical vision board is made with poster board, magazines, photos, glitter glue, etc. Digital vision boards can be made using online design apps or simply saved Pinterest boards.
Essentially, it’s a one-of-a-kind collage that represents where you want to travel and how you want to travel.
Instead of saying something generic like “I want to travel more this year.”
A travel vision board can help you visualize:
Specific places you want to go
Detailed experiences you want while you’re there
How you want to feel when you travel
Types of trips you want to experience
For example, your travel vision board may include tropical beaches, camping adventures, bike rentals in Tuscany, bustling streets of Tokyo, or chef-kiss desserts in France.
You may also add words like “freedom,” “sunshine,” and “health.”
Purposefully creating a travel vision board will keep you motivated to travel more and become a better traveler.
[cali beach travel vision board]
Why Vision Boards Actually Work
Vision boards are often confused as simply aesthetic collages.
But there is actual psychology behind why they work.
01 Clarify your travel goals
Once you begin clarifying your dreams, your brain will automatically search for ways to make it happen.
You will notice travel deals you would have otherwise ignored. Or new side hustles to earn extra travel money.
02 Visual motivation
Who doesn’t love browsing through Instagram and seeing pretty travel photos? Now imagine seeing your dream travel destinations every time you look at your vision board.
It will subconsciously motivate you to take action.
03 Goal visualization
Consistently seeing yourself travel will shift your beliefs from “I wish I could travel” to “I CAN travel.”
It will increase your confidence that you can actually achieve these goals.
04 You’ll prioritize travel more financially
When you visually prioritize traveling, you will be more careful about your spending habits.
You will start saving more and say no to random shopping purchases.
Types of Travel Vision Boards
There are three types of travel vision boards:
Physical Vision Board
These boards are made by hand with poster boards, magazine cutouts, colored pencils, etc.
Digital Vision Board
Digital vision boards are made with online programs such as Canva, Pinterest, or Notion.
Hybrid Vision Board
This is a combination of physical and digital. For example, you may have a digital vision board on your computer and a physical vision board at home.
Step-by-Step: How to Create Your Travel Vision Board
Step 1: Identify what you want from travel
Before you go searching for magazine clippings, ask yourself these questions:
Do you want relaxation? Adventure? Cultural experiences?
Are you looking to travel solo? With friends? Couples trips?
Do you prefer budget travel or luxury travel?
Which countries do you want to visit the most?
What feels meaningful to you about traveling?
Write down your answers. This will help you decide what to include on your vision board.
Step 2: Decide on your vision board format
Will you create:
A poster board vision board?
Cork board?
Journal style vision board?
Pinterest travel vision board?
Digital collage with Canva?
Or even phone wallpaper vision board?
It doesn’t matter what you use, as long as you will see it often.
Step 3: Collect materials
Search for:
Destination photos
Travel quotes
Flight tickets (if you have any booked)
Maps
Hotels you dream of staying at
Cultural symbols
Cool food
Words that describe how you want to feel when traveling
Search through travel blogs, Pinterest, magazines, Instagram, and anywhere else you like to get travel inspiration.
Step 4: Create travel categories
On your vision board, you will want to create sections. Some ideas include:
Dream Destinations
Trips that you want to go to someday.
Upcoming Trips
Maybe you’ve already booked something or are actively planning a trip.
Experiences
This could include experiences like scuba diving, hiking an active volcano, or eating street food.
Travel Lifestyle Goals
For example:
Travel while working remotely
Digital nomad life
Weekend trips only
International trips once a year
Step 5: Build your vision board
Place images and words on your board in a way that makes you get excited.
Here are a few quick tips:
Place your number one dream destination in the center.
Use colors that you find motivating.
Leave blank spaces so you can add more goals later on.
If you already travel, include photos you took on your trips.
Step 6: Add emotional anchors
This step is what will make your vision board so powerful.
Include words like:
confidence
freedom
growth
you can also add travel quotes that inspire you to travel
Or create your own affirmations such as:
“I make time to travel and explore new places.”
“I easily book travel experiences that enrich my life.”
How to Use Your Travel Vision Board Daily
Simply creating a vision board will not magically get you traveling more.
But there are ways you can use your travel vision board to plan out and actually BOOK your trips.
Look at it daily
Place it on your bedroom wall or somewhere you will see it often.
Hang it on your workspace
Keep a copy as your phone’s wallpaper
Connect each destination to real-life actions
Look at one destination on your vision board and ask yourself:
How much will this trip cost me?
When is the best time to go?
How much should I put into savings each month to book this trip?
Continue asking these types of questions for each destination on your vision board.
Update your vision board
Add new dreams you acquire
Take pictures off your board once you’ve traveled to that destination
A vision board should evolve with you as you reach new travel goals.
Turning Your Vision Board Into a Travel Plan
A vision board should inspire you to take action.
Here is one strategy you can do to start turning those dreams into reality.
Step 1: Choose one travel location to prioritize
Look at your vision board and choose one place you want to travel to most. Place that destination at the forefront of your vision board.
Step 2: Open a travel savings account
If you don’t already have a savings account for travel, now is the time.
Step 3: Set monthly travel savings goals
It doesn’t have to be a lot. Even if you can only afford $25 a month, that will slowly start adding up.
Step 4: Start researching
Search up:
Flight price trends
Visa requirements
Where to stay
Best time to visit
Digital Travel Vision Board Resources
If you want to create a digital vision board, here are some tools to check out:
Perfect for finding pretty destinations to add to your vision board.
Canva
Canva is an awesome design tool to create the aesthetics dream vision board.
Notion
If you want to combine a vision board with your travel plans and budget, Notion is great.
[glamping travel vision board]
Phone Lock Screen Vision Boards
This is another great way to keep your travel goalsfront and center. You will look at your phone dozens of times a day – might as well look at your goals too!
Travel Vision Board Ideas
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Adventure Travel Vision Board
Include things like:
Hiking
Skydiving
Africa safari
Snorkeling
Luxury Travel Vision Board
Include destinations like:
Luxury Resorts
Business class flights
Spas
Private islands
Cultural Travel Vision Board
Include experiences such as:
Museums
Historic cities
City festivals
Food markets
Budget Travel Vision Board
Include experiences such as:
Backpacking
Hostels
Train rides
Street food
Common Mistakes When Creating a Vision Board
Being too vague
Goals like “I want to travel more” are not specific enough.
Make sure you include real destinations and experiences.
Making it look pretty but not taking action
Vision boards are not just to look nice on your wall.
They should inspire you to take action.
Not being realistic with your budget
Sure, go ahead and include that $5,000 per night luxury suite in Malibu. But also include some trips that you KNOW you can book.
Hiding your vision board away
A vision board won’t help you if you don’t look at it often. Hang it up on your wall or keep it as your phone wallpaper.
How Often Should You Update Your Vision Board?
Every few months you should update your vision board.
Move things around
Add new goals
Take pictures off your board that you’ve traveled to
Many people like to create a new vision board at the beginning of each year.
Can Vision Boards Help You Travel More?
Definitely. Vision boards work by shifting the way you think about something.
Rather than saying “I wish I could travel more”, you’ll start saying things like:
“I’m going to book my next trip soon.”
“I can’t wait to start planning my next vacation.”
These subtle shifts in language can change your spending habits and priorities.
Combine Travel Vision Boards With Travel Journaling
Incorporate vision boards with a travel journal.
Use your journal to:
Track your travel savings
Map out your itineraries
Record your travel memories
Journaling about your travel experiences will round out your new travel mindset.
Final Thoughts
Travel vision boards aren’t magic, but they are powerful.
They allow you to give your travel dreams clarity, structure, and emotional fuel.
They will help you stay motivated to travel when life gets busy. And reminds you why traveling the world is important to you.
Travel isn’t about checking boxes on a list. Travel is about expanding your mind, growing your comfort zone, connecting with new people, and collecting stories you’ll treasure forever.
A travel vision board allows you to design your journey with intention.
You don’t need to be wealthy to travel. You just need to travel with clarity and direction.
And a good travel vision board can provide all of that.
Start simple by choosing a vision board template. Pick a few destinations you’re dying to visit. Add a few experiences that will push your comfort zone. Include words that will inspire you to travel more.
And there you have it. Your first step towards your next travel adventure.
Save pin for later
