16 Forgotten ’90s Travel Trends That Feel Outdated
These once-popular ’90s travel trends were everywhere, but now they just feel out of place.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Travel in the ’90s had its own set of quirks, habits, and must-dos that shaped how people explored the world. Today, many of these feel either clunky or completely unnecessary. Here are 16 travel habits from the ’90s that we’ve mostly left behind, and probably for good reason.
1. Printing Out MapQuest Directions
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Before GPS was in every pocket, printing out turn-by-turn directions from MapQuest was a must. Travelers would fumble through pages at every intersection, hoping not to miss a turn. One wrong move meant pulling over and re-checking the entire route.
2. Wearing Matching Family Vacation Shirts
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Coordinated t-shirts with the family name and vacation year were all the rage. It was part memory-maker, part way to avoid losing each other in a crowd. Today, it feels more like a fashion faux pas than a fun tradition.
3. Using Travelers’ Checks
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Travelers’ checks once felt like the safest way to carry money abroad. You’d stash them in a hidden pouch, hoping no one spotted the signature line. Now, digital wallets and debit cards have taken over completely.
4. Buying Disposable Cameras for the Trip
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A disposable camera was a vacation staple, complete with flash and the mystery of not knowing how your photos turned out. You had to wait until after the trip to relive the memories. Now, everything is instant and editable.
5. Calling the Hotel to Make a Reservation
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Back then, booking a room meant picking up the phone and speaking to the front desk. There were no apps, just crossed fingers and confirmation numbers written in ink. It was personal, but far less convenient.
6. Packing a Travel Guidebook
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Every traveler had a Lonely Planet or Fodor’s tucked into their bag, highlighted and bookmarked. It was the key to finding restaurants, hotels, and hidden spots. These days, apps do the heavy lifting.
7. Bringing a CD Case for Road Trips
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A fat zip-up CD binder lived in the car’s back seat, full of burned mixes and favorite albums. You had to pick the right soundtrack before the trip started. Streaming was not even a dream yet.
8. Mailing Postcards to Friends and Family
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Sending a postcard was proof you were thinking of someone during your trip. You’d pick one with the prettiest sunset and scribble a short message. Today, a quick selfie in the group chat does the trick.
9. Renting a VHS at the Hotel Front Desk
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Some hotels let you borrow movies on VHS to watch in the room. You’d flip through the laminated list and pick a family classic. Now, hotel TVs have Netflix built in.
10. Asking Strangers to Take Your Photo
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Before selfies, you’d hand your camera to a passerby and hope they didn’t crop out your head. It felt awkward, but it was the only way to get everyone in the shot. Now, a selfie stick or timer does the job.
11. Buying Souvenir Spoons or Shot Glasses
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Collecting tiny spoons or branded shot glasses was a big deal. You’d display them proudly at home like trophies from your travels. Today, they feel more like clutter than memories.
12. Calling Home from a Payphone
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You’d load coins or use a calling card, then dial home from a payphone at the airport or roadside stop. The connection was bad, but it was the only lifeline to family. Now, everyone expects a daily text or video call.
13. Watching the In-Flight Movie on a Shared Screen
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One tiny screen up front, and everyone watched the same movie, whether you liked it or not. Sometimes you couldn’t even hear the dialogue clearly. Today’s seatback entertainment feels like a luxury.
14. Booking Through a Travel Agent
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Travel agents handled every detail, from flights to excursions, using massive catalogs and phone calls. You’d walk out with a paper itinerary and a little envelope of confirmations. Online bookings made that feel ancient.
15. Wearing a Money Belt Under Your Clothes
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The idea of keeping your cash safe by hiding it in a money belt seemed smart. But it was bulky, sweaty, and awkward to use in public. Now, contactless payment has replaced the need to stash bills in your pants.
16. Lugging Around a Camcorder
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A bulky camcorder was your only shot at capturing home movies. You’d carry it everywhere, even if it barely fit in your bag. Now, your phone does it better and fits in your pocket.