When it comes to travel photography, your lens choice can make or break your shot.
A good lens isn’t just a tool; it’s your passport to capturing the world in stunning detail. As someone who’s spent countless hours wandering through historic cities, chasing light across epic landscapes, and hunting for candid street moments, I know first-hand how crucial it is to have the right lenses in your kit.
In this guide, I’ll break down my top lens recommendations for travel photography - covering everything from sweeping landscapes to intimate street portraits.
Whether you’re an amateur looking to expand your kit or a seasoned pro refining your arsenal, these lenses are worth considering.
All lenses also come with at least one trade-off - so I'll also mention a few of the cons so you can consider whether the trade-off's are worth it for the benefits.
Table of Contents
Why Your Lens Choices Matter in Travel Photography
Your lens dictates how you see the world.
It’s not just about what’s in front of you - it’s about how you frame, capture, and interpret the scene.
For travel photography, versatility is key. You need gear that performs well across multiple genres: landscapes, architecture, street photography, and even the occasional wildlife shot.
That’s why I always recommend striking a balance between:
Focal length versatility: To handle different scenarios.
Portability: Because nobody wants to lug a 15kg camera bag through Rome in 35°C heat.
Image quality: Travel moments are fleeting, and you’ll want your shots to be as sharp as your memories.
With that in mind, let’s dive into the four lenses I think every travel photographer should consider packing.
The 50mm Prime Lens: The Lightweight Storyteller
If you only want to pack one single super small, affordable and light-weight lens, make it a 50mm prime.
This little gem, often called the "nifty fifty", is an absolute powerhouse for travel photography.
This lens ticks all the boxes when it comes to weight, price, fast apertures, and quality - the one thing it misses out on is zoom capability, so the trade-off is instant focal-length versatility.
However, with a 50mm lens on your camera it means you can make the vast majority of things work when it comes to travel photography as the focal length is in a bit of a middle spot between landscapes and portraits - which lends itself well to a range of travel or street style photography.
Why It’s Perfect for Travel
Lightweight and Compact:Â A 50mm lens is small enough to slip into a coat pocket. When you're roaming city streets or hiking trails, you'll be thankful for how light it is.
Natural Focal Length:Â 50mm sits close to the natural perspective of the human eye, making it ideal for street photography, portraits, and general travel scenes.
Fast Aperture:Â With f/1.8 or f/1.4 options, a 50mm excels in low-light situations, like evening markets or dimly lit interiors. Plus, that wide aperture creates dreamy bokeh for street portraits.
The Trade-Off's
No Zoom:Â Being unable to zoom in and out on the spot means you'll have to get used to distances which could mean a lot of walking to position yourself closer or further away from subjects and scenes for better shot compositions.
Pro Tips for Using a 50mm Lens While Traveling
Portraits with Impact:Â Step closer to your subject to fill the frame and create an intimate connection.
Low-Light Mastery: Don’t be afraid to shoot handheld at dusk or indoors. The fast aperture will keep your shots sharp.
Simplify Your Setup:Â The fixed focal length forces you to move your feet and think creatively about composition.
The 24-70mm Lens: The All-in-One Workhorse
If versatility is your top priority, the 24-70mm lens is quite possibly the holy grail. It’s a zoom lens that covers wide-angle to short telephoto, making it ideal for nearly every travel situation.
This lens is typically available in a heavier and pricier f/2.8 version if you'd prefer the wider aperture, or a lighter and less expensive f/4 version if you won't need such lower light capabilities.
Why It’s Perfect for Travel
Wide to Mid-Telephoto Range:Â Capture everything from sprawling cityscapes to tight street portraits without changing lenses.
Sharpness Across the Frame:Â Premium 24-70mm lenses (like those with constant f/2.8 apertures) deliver incredible sharpness, even in challenging light.
Build Quality: Many 24-70mm lenses are weather-sealed, meaning they’ll survive sudden rain showers or dusty environments.
The Trade-Off's
Price:Â It could be considered quite a pricey lens (especially the f/2.8 version) for amateur travel photographers who are working to a budget.
Pro Tips for Using a 24-70mm Lens While Traveling
Zoom with Intention:Â Use the wide end for environmental storytelling and the telephoto end to isolate details like intricate architecture.
Keep It Handy: The 24-70mm is a lens that rarely needs to leave the camera during a day of travel photography - it’s that versatile.
Pair It with a Tripod:Â For sunrise or sunset shots, use the wide end of this lens with a tripod for perfectly framed compositions.
The 70-200mm Lens: For Epic Details and Distant Subjects
When you need to reach out and grab a distant subject - whether it’s a soaring church spire or a candid moment from across the street - the 70-200mm lens is your go-to.
This is a big, bulky, and pricey lens so it may be overkill for many amateur photographers who are simply looking for something simple and versatile to capture some nice shots on their journeys - but it's capable of true magic and can really help capture a location in ways that many other lenses can't - so I have to include it for the more serious travel photographer.
Like the 24-70mm, this 70-200mm lens is also typically available in both an f/2.8 and f/4 version to suit your preference. There are also multiple generations of the lens, such as in the Canon line up, so you could even consider purchasing one of the older generations second-hand at a much cheaper price - all of the generations are very capable lenses.
Why It’s Perfect for Travel
Compression for Drama:Â The telephoto focal length compresses the background, making mountains appear even more majestic or cityscapes feel more layered.
Stunning Portraits: At 200mm, you’ll get creamy bokeh and flattering perspective for portrait shots.
Great for Wildlife: Whether it’s puffins in Iceland or deer in a European park, the 70-200mm lets you capture wildlife from a safe distance.
The Trade-Off's
Cost:Â The newer generations are incredibly expensive lenses - especially for someone who may only make use of it a couple of times a year during vacations.
Weight: The heavy weight on this lens means it can prove cumbersome to carry it around all day.
Pro Tips for Using a 70-200mm Lens While Traveling
Use It for Details:Â Zoom in on architectural details, like gargoyles or intricate carvings, that would be lost in a wide shot.
Find High Vantage Points:Â Pair this lens with an elevated viewpoint to compress sprawling cityscapes for dramatic effect.
Stabilise Your Shots:Â A tripod or lens with image stabilisation is essential for sharp photos at the telephoto end.
The 16-35mm Lens: The Landscape Specialist
For capturing wide-open landscapes, dramatic interiors, or tight spaces, a 16-35mm lens is indispensable.
Why It’s Perfect for Travel
Ultra-Wide Perspective:Â Perfect for landscapes, architecture, and even astrophotography.
Lightweight Build:Â Most 16-35mm lenses are relatively compact, making them easy to carry for those early-morning hikes.
Creative Compositions:Â The wide focal length lets you experiment with leading lines and exaggerated perspectives.
The Trade-Off's
Limited Focal Length:Â This is a wide-angle lens, so even zoomed into 35mm, you may still find that it's best limited to landscapes and shots with creative perspectives. It's not suited to close-and-personal street photography.
Pro Tips for Using a 16-35mm Lens While Traveling
Foreground Interest:Â Include elements like rocks, flowers, or pavement at the edge of the frame to draw the viewer into the scene.
Watch for Distortion:Â At 16mm, you might notice distortion at the edges. Use this creatively, or correct it in post-processing.
Astrophotography Ready:Â Combine this lens with a tripod to capture stunning night skies in remote locations.
How to Build the Perfect Travel Kit
If you’re not keen on carrying three or four lenses, you could consider adapting your kit by selecting just two:
Minimalist Setup:Â 50mm + 24-70mm. Great for versatility without too much bulk.
Landscape Focused:Â 16-35mm + 24-70mm. Perfect for wide shots and mid-range details.
Wildlife-Ready:Â 24-70mm + 70-200mm. Ideal for general travel and distant subjects.
My Final Thoughts
Choosing the right lens for travel photography is about balancing versatility, weight, and image quality.
Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins in Rome or chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, the lenses above will help you capture the essence of your journey.
Remember, the best lens is the one that gets you excited to shoot. So pack your favourites, charge your batteries, and get out there to create something amazing.
Happy travels - and even happier shooting!
