The Most Overrated Travel Trends of 2025 (And What’s Actually Worth Trying)
Every year, the travel industry churns out new “must-try” trends—but let’s be real: not all of them are worth the hype.
From TikTok-driven viral destinations to absurdly expensive “exclusive experiences,” some 2025 travel trends sound great online but fail in reality. Meanwhile, underrated, practical travel trends are making trips cheaper, smoother, and more enjoyable—but aren’t getting the attention they deserve.
Here’s a brutally honest breakdown of the most overrated travel trends of 2025, and what’s actually worth your time and money.
1. Overrated: "Luxury Budget Travel" 🤡
What it claims: You can experience 5-star travel on a budget with "hacks" like booking ultra-cheap flights and staying in "affordable" luxury stays.
Reality: There’s no such thing as “luxury on a budget” anymore. The cheapest flights have brutal layovers, "budget luxury" hotels add hidden fees, and so-called VIP airport experiences are just overpriced lounge passes.
🔥 What to do instead: Book smarter, not cheaper. Instead of chasing fake “luxury deals,” use Mytrippl’s filtering system to find genuinely well-priced, high-quality hotels, aparthotels, and premium rentals.
2. Overrated: Digital Detox Retreats That Cost a Fortune 🛑
What it claims: “Unplug from technology” by paying £2,000+ for a retreat where you lock your phone away and do yoga in the mountains.
Reality: You don’t need to pay a fortune to turn off your phone. These retreats are just regular hotels that charge extra for forcing you to "disconnect."
🔥 What to do instead: Create your own digital detox. Book a nature-focused hotel or cabin on Mytrippl, turn on airplane mode, and actually relax—without the overpriced wellness branding.
3. Overrated: “Untouched” Viral Destinations That Are Already Overcrowded 🚶♂️🚶♀️🚶
What it claims: “Hidden gems” that are completely untouched by tourists.
Reality: If it’s all over Instagram, TikTok, and travel blogs, it’s not a hidden gem anymore. By the time you arrive, these “secret” places are crowded, overpriced, and full of influencers staging the same photo.
🔥 What to do instead: Look for real alternative destinations. Instead of Santorini, try Milos. Skip Amalfi, go for Tropea. Rather than Hallstatt, explore Lauterbrunnen.
4. Overrated: Travel NFTs & "Metaverse Destinations" 🖥️
What it claims: You can now “buy digital land in the metaverse” and “explore virtual travel experiences” as an alternative to real trips.
Reality: Travel isn’t about sitting at home with a VR headset. Most travel NFT projects have already collapsed, and no one actually wants to “visit Paris” as a pixelated avatar.
🔥 What to do instead: Spend your money on real experiences. Travel in 2025 is about authentic places, local culture, and personal experiences—not metaverse gimmicks.
5. Overrated: “Workcation” Hype That’s Just Overpriced Hotels with WiFi 💻
What it claims: You can work remotely from paradise, balancing “work and leisure” in scenic locations.
Reality: Most so-called “workcation” hotels just charge extra for decent WiFi and a desk. You’ll still be stuck on Zoom calls, and instead of relaxing on the beach, you’ll be inside working like always.
🔥 What to do instead: If you’re serious about working remotely, pick digital-nomad-friendly cities (Lisbon, Istanbul, Budapest) with affordable co-living spaces, strong WiFi, and real workspaces—not overpriced resort rooms with a laptop stand.
6. Overrated: Extreme Overlanding & “Survival Tourism” 🏕️
What it claims: Experience “true adventure” by driving across continents, living off the land, and sleeping in the wild.
Reality: Most people aren’t Bear Grylls. Overlanding sounds cool—until you’re stuck in a broken-down van in the middle of nowhere, or realize that wild camping in extreme conditions is actually miserable.
🔥 What to do instead: Choose real adventure travel—safaris, trekking trips, road trips with actual accommodations instead of car camping disasters.
7. Overrated: Overpriced “Exclusive” Airport Lounges & First-Class Upgrades ✈️
What it claims: Make economy class feel like first class by booking premium lounges or “affordable” business-class seats.
Reality: Most airport lounges are now overcrowded, with food that’s no better than what’s at the food court. Airlines rarely offer true upgrade deals, and first-class pricing is still insanely expensive.
🔥 What to do instead: Instead of spending £100 on an overcrowded lounge, book a higher-end economy seat or a direct flight for a better experience overall.
What’s Actually Worth Trying in 2025? 🔥
Now that we’ve cut through the overhyped trends, here are some real travel trends worth paying attention to:
✅ Smart Travel Planning: Use AI-driven platforms like Mytrippl to find better deals, hidden gems, and smarter routes.
✅ Subscription-Based Flight Services: Save money with flight subscriptions like TripplPass, which make frequent travel more affordable.
✅ Local & Sustainable Travel: Instead of crowded “hot spots,” explore lesser-known cities and real cultural experiences.
✅ Authentic Remote Work Experiences: Skip overpriced “workcations” and go where digital nomads actually live well and work efficiently.
✅ Travel for Personal Growth, Not Social Media: Book trips for yourself, not for Instagram clout.
Final Thoughts: What’s Your Take on 2025’s Travel Trends?
💬 Which travel trend do you think is the most overrated? What’s actually worth trying?
