These days, more travelers are ditching heavy cameras and just taking their phones on trips. These modern smartphones capture stunning photos and videos, handling low light, rain, and even underwater shooting with ease.
So, how to make a travel video with a phone? This article will show you seven simple steps:
- Plan your video before the trip
- Get your phone and travel video gear ready
- Set up your filming equipment
- Adjust your phone camera settings
- Adjust lighting
- Play with different angles
- Edit your travel video
Follow these steps, and you’ll be ready to capture your adventures like a pro!
Step 1: Plan out how to make a travel video with your phone
Before using a phone to record a travel video, it’s important to plan ahead. Proper preparation ensures your footage tells the story you want and makes editing much easier. Here’s how to get started:
1.Research your travel locations and gather inspiration to make a video
How you create a travel video with your phone starts with knowing where you’ll go. It’s important to gather ideas and plan your shooting spots. Here are some steps to get started:
✅Check the weather and daylight: Knowing the forecast and daylight hours helps you plan your shoots for the best lighting.
✅Identify key spots: Decide which landmarks, streets, or hidden gems you want to feature in your video.
✅Collect visual inspiration: Browse Pinterest, travel blogs, or professional videos to define the style and mood of your footage.
2.Decide on the type of your travel video
Then, think about what kind of travel video you want to create with your phone. There’s no right or wrong choice, and you can switch it up depending on your trip. Here are some common styles:
🔵Traveling vlog: Feature yourself as the main subject, narrating your experience either fully or alongside travel footage.
🔵Cultural immersive video: Focus entirely on the destination without talking to the camera, letting viewers explore through your perspective.
🔵Adventure / Action video: Highlight activities or experiences on the trip, capturing movement and excitement.
🔵Food / Culinary video: Showcase local dishes, street food, or cooking experiences.
3. Plan the shots you need to tell your travel story
Before filming, think about the types of shots that will best capture your travel story. Mixing different shot styles keeps your video dynamic and visually engaging.
Here are some shot ideas to include in your storyboard:
💡Establishing shots: Wide views that set the scene and show your location.
💡Wide landscape shots: Capture the environment and scenery.
💡Epic views: Dramatic angles or panoramas that impress the viewer.
💡Action shots: Show movement or activities, like trying food, pouring a drink, or splashing in water.
💡The in-between: Footage of walking, traveling between locations, or casual moments.
💡Tight shots of details: Focus on small objects or textures to add depth.
💡Slow-motion clips: Highlight key moments or create dramatic effects.
💡Commentary/reaction: Capture your personal reactions or short voice-over clips.
4. Consider where to upload your phone travel video
Plan your shots based on where you’ll share your travel video. For example, filming once in portrait and once in landscape gives you options for both Stories and YouTube, but if most of your content goes on Instagram, focus on the format that works best there.
It may seem like a lot of work before filming, but the more detailed and well-thought-out your planning is, the easier shooting and editing your travel video will be.
Step 2: Prepare your phone video equipment before travelling
Good travel videos start with the right gear. Make sure your phone and accessories are ready so you can capture every moment on the go. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need:
Phone
The phone is the core of your travel video gear, responsible for capturing all your footage. A good phone ensures sharp, high-quality shots and can handle different travel conditions.
When choosing one, look for adjustable resolution options like 1080p or 4K. A water-resistant model is also helpful for shooting in rain or near water.
Whether you have an iPhone or Android, take some time to learn the camera features. Watching a tutorial can help you make the most of your device and get the best results for your videos.
Gimbal / Selfie Stick / Phone tripod
Gimbals, selfie sticks, and tripods are all used to keep your phone stable while recording travel videos. They prevent shaky footage and help you capture smooth, professional-looking shots.
Choose the one that fits your budget, and it’s recommended to pick a model with an extendable pole for more flexible angles while filming.
Phone vlog selfie monitor screen
Using a phone selfie monitor screen can greatly improve your travel video quality. This small display lets you see exactly what your phone camera is capturing, ensuring you stay in frame, check focus, and adjust composition in real time.
We recommend using a magnetic selfie monitor screen for solo travel videos. Simply attach it to the back of your phone and you can use your back camera to record sharp, high-quality travel videos on your own.
Microphone
To improve sound quality in your travel video, consider using an external phone microphone. Your phone’s built-in mic works, but it may not always capture clear, focused audio.
When choosing a phone microphone for travel videos, consider key factors such as a wide frequency range, effective noise reduction, and a plug-and-play design for easy setup on the go.
Battery
When filming an all-day travel video, your phone’s battery can drain quickly, so it’s worth investing in a portable power bank.
When choosing a power source for travel video recording, consider high capacity, portability, and compatibility with your devices. You can opt for a portable power bank or a more professional V-mount battery for longer shoots.
Selfie light for phone (Optional)
Although natural light is the best choice for travel videos, a small portable light can help brighten your subject and improve video quality when needed.
For filming on your phone, consider mini lights that are clip-on, attach directly to your phone, or mount on a small tripod or selfie stick. These options are compact, easy to carry for travel vlogging.
Storage (Optional)
Proper storage helps protect your travel video footage in case your phone is lost or damaged.
You can use cloud storage for automatic backup, save files to an external hard drive, or use memory cards for extra space. These options make it easier to keep your recordings safe and accessible while traveling.
Step 3: Set up your travel video gear
Before filming a travel video on your phone, make sure all your equipment is properly set up. Here are the key steps to check:
✅Mount your phone securely on a tripod, selfie stick, or gimbal.
✅Attach your selfie monitor screen and confirm the display works properly.
✅Connect your microphone and test the audio for clear sound.
✅Position your light if needed, and adjust brightness or angle.
✅Charge your phone and accessories so they last through the day.
✅Check your storage space to avoid running out while filming.
Taking the time to set up carefully helps reduce technical issues and keeps you focused on capturing your story.
Step 4: Adjust your phone camera setting for travel videos
To make high-quality travel videos with your phone, you should adjust the camera settings properly. Here are some steps you can follow.
1. Change the video resolution on your phone
The video resolution of your phone affects how sharp and detailed your travel footage looks.
Go into your phone’s camera settings and select the highest resolution available.
👉For standard video, aim for 4K or 1080p at 24–60 frames per second for cinematic results.
👉For slow-motion clips, choose 60 FPS or higher so you can edit smoothly.
👉If your phone supports super slow motion, choose 120/240 FPS.
Keep in mind that higher resolution takes more storage, but the improved image quality is worth it.
2. Choose the right shooting mode on your phone
Your shooting mode determines the look and feel of your travel video. Selecting the right mode helps capture action, scenery, or details more effectively. Here are some options to consider:
👉Regular video: Ideal for most scenes, including landscapes, portraits, interviews, indoor and outdoor shots. You can switch back and forth between regular and other modes as needed.
👉SLO-MO: Great for action shots like diving or splashing water, but less effective for slow or subtle movements. Use higher FPS (120–240) for slower motion.
👉Time-lapse: Perfect for capturing slow-moving subjects like clouds, sunrises, or bustling city streets. Requires a stable setup and longer recording time for a few seconds of footage.
👉Cinematic mode: Keeps your subject in focus while blurring the background for a movie-like effect. It can also automatically shift focus between subjects, adding a professional touch to your travel video.
3. Enable the composition grid to frame your travel video
A composition grid helps you apply the Rule of Thirds and keeps horizons level, making your travel video look balanced and professional.
✅On iPhone: Go to Settings > Camera > Composition > Grid and turn it on.
✅On Android: Go to Camera > Settings > Grid Lines and turn it on.
4. Lock exposure and focus (AE/ AF)
Properly setting exposure and focus ensures your travel video looks clear and well-lit, even when moving between different scenes.
Set focus and exposure before recording: Tap and hold on your subject until a yellow focus/exposure square appears. This locks the focus and exposure at that point.
Adjust exposure if needed: Slide your finger up or down on the brightness icon to fine-tune the lighting. Reduce exposure if your subject appears too bright.
5. Avoid digital zoom when recording travel videos on a phone
Zooming on your phone can ruin the quality of your travel video, making scenes blurry or pixelated.
Instead, physically move closer to your subject to maintain sharpness.
If you need to reposition while recording, consider pausing the video and resuming once you’re in place to prevent shaky footage.
6. Choose the right shooting orientation and aspect ratio
Based on your travel video plan and where you intend to share it, decide the phone’s orientation and aspect ratio before filming.
👉For YouTube and traditional screens, hold your phone horizontally and shoot in a 16:9 aspect ratio to avoid black bars on the sides.
👉For TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, film vertically in a 9:16 aspect ratio to fit mobile-first platforms.
Considering your audience and posting platform ensures your travel footage looks professional and displays correctly.
Step 5: Adjust lighting for your travel video
Natural light is always the best choice for recording travel videos on your phone, as it helps reduce shadows, blur, and graininess.
Please pay attention to the direction of the light and position your subject so it falls on them naturally. Avoid pointing your phone directly at the light unless you want a silhouette. Also, watch for shadows from yourself or nearby objects that may block the light.
If natural light is insufficient, consider using a small portable light that clips onto your phone.
If you don’t have an external light for travel phone video, you can also ask a friend to shine their phone’s flashlight on your subject.
Step 6: Try different angles to film a travel video with your phone
Experimenting with camera angles makes your travel footage more dynamic and engaging.
👉Vary your perspective: Shoot from low angles, climb to higher vantage points, or use walls and railings as leading lines to guide the viewer’s eye.
👉Get creative: Don’t hesitate to lie on the ground, lean over a railing, or balance carefully to capture unique shots.
👉Use your phone’s features: Try wide-angle mode or other camera options to add variety and depth to your footage.
Step 7: Edit your travel video
Editing is where your travel video filmed on a phone really comes to life. This step can be challenging, but carefully splicing and arranging your clips will turn your raw footage into a smooth, engaging story that showcases your trip.
1. Pick an editing app that fits your skill level and workflow
The key is to select a tool that lets you arrange clips, trim footage, and add effects without slowing you down.
👉If you edit the travel video on an iPhone, the built-in iMovie app is a solid choice for basic edits.
👉On Android or desktop, explore different apps or software and choose the one you feel most comfortable with.
2. Choose the right background music for your travel videos
Adding music brings your travel video to life and helps viewers connect with it on another level.
Choose a track that fits the mood and pacing of your footage, and align your edits with the beat for a more engaging result.
To avoid copyright issues, use royalty-free music or platforms with pre-cleared tracks. TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and many other social media apps offer built-in music libraries that are safe to use.
3. Add missing clip and smooth out transitions
While editing, you may notice missing moments or abrupt changes in your travel video. Add extra clips or stock footage to complete the story and keep the flow consistent.
After placing all clips, adjust transitions using crossfades, speed changes, or simple effects to make the video feel smooth and polished.
4. Correct color
Adjusting color makes your travel video more engaging and helps viewers experience the atmosphere of each scene. You can tweak brightness, hue, and saturation or apply filters to set the mood for landscapes, city scenes, portraits, or food shots.
5. Add text and subtitles to engage viewers
Using text or subtitles makes your travel video easier to follow, especially if there is background noise or different languages.
You can label locations, highlight key moments, or add short captions to give context to your phone footage.
6. Keep your phone travel video short and engaging
Aim for a total video length of 2–4 minutes. This gives viewers a good sense of the location while keeping their attention. Hook your audience in the first few seconds to make them stay.
Keep individual clips brief, around 2–4 seconds each. Shoot slightly longer clips if needed, then trim them in editing. Short clips make your video visually dynamic and easier to manage while filming.
Conclusion
Now you know the 7 essential steps to make a travel video with your phone.
Follow these steps to plan, shoot, and edit your footage for the best results.
The most memorable travel videos capture both stunning landscapes and the small, everyday moments of your journey.
👉To make filming easier and more professional, check out SYNCO’s phone travel video gear - high-quality, reliable, and affordable for every traveler.
FAQ
Here are answers to the most common questions about how to make a travel video with phone.
What makes a good travel video?
A good travel video combines stunning visuals with a story. Clear audio, smooth footage, proper lighting, and thoughtful editing all help make the experience immersive and enjoyable.
How long should a phone travel video be?
Keep your travel video short and engaging, ideally between 2 to 4 minutes. This length captures the key moments without losing viewers’ attention. Use editing tools to trim longer clips and highlight the most important parts of your trip.