If a picture is worth a thousand words, the emoji is worth double.
During a time when entire scenarios, sentences and emotions can be conveyed simply through these teeny little pictures, it’s crucial to know just what they all mean—and how to use ’em on vacation!
If you’re stuck in an emoji-rut and can’t fathom using another basic smiley-face to convey your jubilation of lounging in paradise, we’ve got your back.
Here’s our guide to the best travel emojis out there!
Smileys & People
Nothing is better than an emoji that describes your life at the moment. Use these perfect smileys to let everybody know what you’re up to:
This is a go-to sunglasses emoji for all the sunshine you’re going to enjoy on your vacay. You’ll need it at least a couple of times, but don’t overdo it. You’ve got more creativity than this.
Use this emoji when you post an image of something so absolutely breathtaking that your eyes are overcome with love and joy. Again, this one can be overdone—only use when needed.
The perfect emoji to use when that elephant you got to pet in Thailand just relieved himself near your sandals.
This is the “oh no!” symbol you can use if the airline loses your suitcase.
Had an amazing meal? HALLELUIA! Praise that food!
This is the one to let everybody know that you are going to boogie down tonight. Super perfect if you’re doing some salsa, but it really can be used to celebrate all dance styles.
Let everybody know what you’ll be wearing all week while they’re locked up in their cubicles. No hard feelings—it’s your vacation wardrobe!
Animals & Nature
Now’s the time to rock those animal emojis you think are so adorable but never have the right post to use them in. African Safari? Emojis got you covered.
You hung out with an adorable monkey today. No big deal.
You’re having the best time at the zoo and here’s a tiger face to prove it.
You finally went horseback-riding! Here’s the perfect symbol for you.
Emoji lesson: There are two camel symbols. Here is the more common camel found in Africa and India known as the dromedary camel. Notice it has one hump, unlike—
—the two-humped bactrian camel, found in Central Asia. Don’t be an emoji chump: count the humps!
Did you score a dream trip to Botswana? This elephant emoji will do the trick.
Scuba diving in the Bahamas? Use this tropical fish emoji to describe your plans!
Quintessential for your tropical vacation, use the palm tree to symbolize just how bright and colorful your week ahead is!
Star-gazing on a camping trip? This is the perfect emoji to depict the blanket of stars you’ll be sleeping under.
Food & Drink
Food is so culture-oriented and we love being able to get creative with our emojis AND our palates!
There’s no better way to say “vacation” quite like this tropical drink emoji. We feel very strongly here – this one can never be too overused. Throw that emoji on everything.
Isn’t it exciting when you can use an emoji that you may not use all the time? This Japanese bento box is the perfect symbol for when you travel to Japan.
Though you probably have your fair share of delicious tacos back home, it’s even more fun to use this emoji when you’re having the real thing down in Mexico!
Cheers to vacay! Just like the tropical drink emoji, you can’t overuse some clinking beers to show that you’re having a great time. And, what’s better, no spills!
Activity
If you lead an active lifestyle, odds are you won’t be lounging around all vacation long. Here are some active emojis to express exactly how you’re getting down!
Did somebody say Vegas?
Snowboarding in Colorado? This is the perfect emoji for you!
If golf is more your speed, use this emoji to let your friends back home know you’re spending your day on the fairway and hoping for a hole in one!
Travel & Places
Use this emoji to let your friends and family know when you’ll be flying home. If you want to get more specific, you have three other airplane emojis to choose from: a small plane, a departing plane and an arriving plane.
Hopefully you can avoid this emoji—but you never know when you might need it. #wildnight
Visiting some landmarks? Here’s the Tokyo Tower…
… and the Statue of Liberty.
Here’s a cityscape for you.
Visiting the mountains? You have four emojis to choose from! Here’s the basic mountain.
Here’s a snow-capped one.
Here’s an erupting mountain, just in case.
And Mount Fuji, if you’re in Japan and having a peak experience.
This is your beach day emoji…
And this widely underused sports stadium!
Objects & Symbols
This alarm clock lets everybody know how early you had to wake up to go to the beach again.
Here’s the party popper, because we love the party popper! Not the same as the party pooper.
When you’re really exhausted from your awesome trip, use this emoji.