5 Travel Challenges That Are Trending on TikTok

Social media has radically transformed the way we travel. Especially TikTok—with its fun videos and creative content—has become a driving force for young travelers in discovering new ways to explore. It’s no longer just the views that go viral, but the experiences themselves. Walking an unknown route for a day, traveling only in one color, or choosing a destination with eyes closed… Travel today is less about packing and more about playful interaction.

Behind the rise of these trends lies a desire to live in the moment—and to create shareable content. TikTok’s algorithm fuels exactly this: what’s interesting, unexpected, and out of the ordinary reaches more people. As a result, travelers no longer just share where they are, but also how they feel, how far they push their limits, and how original their journey becomes.

If you want to add a creative twist to your next trip and pack a little bit of TikTok spirit in your suitcase, here are 5 trending travel challenges on the platform—plus tips on how to try them yourself:

1. 24 Hours with 50 Dollars

Spending 24 hours in a city with only $50 has become a TikTok phenomenon that pushes the limits of budget travel while sparking creativity. This challenge leads to clever solutions—finding affordable food, using public transport, and uncovering free attractions. Popular cities for this challenge include Istanbul, Bangkok, Mexico City, and Lisbon, all known for being budget-friendly.

Participants usually try to fit an entire day—breakfast to bedtime—within the $50 limit. This might mean staying in a hostel or even spending a night on the go. Street food, local markets, free museums, and impromptu performances become highlights of the journey. Connecting with locals also makes the day not only more manageable but deeply memorable.

But this trend is more than just a budget hack—it’s a lesson in perspective. It shows that you don’t need fancy restaurants to discover a city’s essence. Sometimes, the soul of a place is found through the eyes of its people, not its price tags.

2. Blind Travel Destination Challenge

For those who love spontaneous decisions in travel planning, this challenge is a perfect match. A paper map, a spinning globe, or a Google Maps screen… Participants close their eyes and point to a random location. The rule is simple: wherever you land, you have to go. Whether it’s Paris or a small village in Bolu, the adventure begins.

What makes this challenge exciting is the sense of the unknown. No planning, no prior research. It invites you to let go of control and open yourself up to surprise. On TikTok, those who try this often document both their pre-trip excitement and their first reactions upon arrival. The mishaps on the road, the people they meet, and the unexpected beauty they encounter make the experience feel raw and authentic.

This trend is inspiring for travelers who want to push boundaries and break free from predictable itineraries. Sure, it takes some courage—but that’s exactly why the journey becomes a story worth telling

3. “No Plan” Day

This trend invites travelers to explore a city for an entire day without making a single plan. There’s no itinerary, no booked tickets, no lunch reservations. From the moment they wake up, participants let the streets decide their next move—flipping coins, following signs, or simply turning whichever way feels right.

The beauty of this challenge is in seeing the city like a wanderer rather than a tourist. Turning into an alleyway you’ve never noticed, following graffiti to a side street, or pausing at a cozy café just because someone smiled at you. Especially in big cities, this trend is full of surprises—pop-up art shows, street musicians, or even a neighborhood fair.

4. Spending the Day in One Color

In this challenge, travelers dedicate their day to a single color. From their outfit and breakfast plate to the places they visit and the photos they take—everything aligns with the chosen color. For example, someone who chooses blue might wear a blue shirt, visit a café with blue tones, and pose in front of a blue-painted wall.

This color-themed trend is both a visual memory test and a fun creative exercise. It’s a playground for content creators obsessed with aesthetic harmony. TikTok videos like “pink day in Paris” or “yellow moments in Lisbon” rack up millions of views, because audiences love the consistency and vibe.

5. “Let TikTok Guide Me” Challenge

In this challenge, travelers hand over their itinerary entirely to TikTok’s algorithm. They type in something like “things to do in Istanbul,” watch the first five videos that come up, and follow each suggestion exactly.

This trend offers the chance to experience both famous and lesser-known spots in a city. One video might lead you to an iconic view, while another takes you to a local market or an art show you’ve never heard of. At the end of the day, participants reflect: was TikTok a good guide? Some find amazing new places, while others end up somewhere they’d never normally choose.