Your Favorite Show Just Dropped a Location Pin: How to Plan a Set Jetting Trip
You’ve binged the series. You’ve screenshotted the scenery. You’ve whispered “I need to go there” at least a dozen times from your couch. And honestly? You’re far from alone. Set jetting — the act of traveling to destinations made famous by movies and TV shows — has become one of the fastest-growing travel trends of the streaming era, and it’s not some niche hobby for a handful of superfans.
Here’s the proof: Expedia’s Unpack ‘25 report found that 66% of travelers say their trips have been influenced by places they’ve seen in movies or TV shows. And according to TourismReview, the global film tourism market reached $66 billion in 2025. That $66 billion figure isn’t just a fun number — it’s validation that turning your streaming obsession into a plane ticket is a completely legitimate way to travel.
But here’s the thing: showing up to a filming location without a plan can mean missed spots, long lines, and disappointment. So if you’re ready to turn fandom energy into an actual, well-organized trip, here’s the practical framework you need.
Start With the Source Material (Yes, That Means a Rewatch)
Before you book a single thing, go back and rewatch key episodes or scenes with fresh eyes. This time, though, you’re not watching for plot — you’re watching for place. Note landscapes, architecture, street signs, and any geographic clues that flash across the screen. That distinctive bridge in the background of a two-second establishing shot? That’s your lead.
Once you’ve got your visual notes, it’s time to get specific. Fan wikis, Reddit threads, and dedicated location databases like MovieMaps or Atlas of Wonders are absolute goldmines for pinning down exact filming spots. These are the resources that separate a vague “I want to go where they filmed that” impulse from a pinpoint-accurate shot list. The more specific your list, the better your trip will be.
Think of MovieMaps and Atlas of Wonders as the planning tools that your fandom deserves. Instead of scrolling through dozens of forum posts trying to piece together conflicting information, these databases organize locations by production, giving you coordinates and context in one place. They’re essentially the trip-planning sidekick you didn’t know existed.
Check What’s Actually Open Before You Get Your Hopes Up
Here’s where the research gets real: not every filming location is open to the public. Some are on private property, others require advance booking, and a few have been closed entirely due to overtourism. Nothing kills a trip faster than showing up to a locked gate with a camera in hand.
Cross-reference your list against current visitor information. Check if guided tours are available, since they often grant access to spots that are otherwise off-limits, and a knowledgeable guide adds enormous context. A guided tour can transform a “cool, that’s the building” moment into a deep dive into how and why the production chose that specific location.
Build an Itinerary That Actually Makes Sense Geographically
Here’s something that catches a lot of first-time set jetters off guard: filming locations are rarely clustered in one tidy area, even if it may seem like it in the show or movie. A scene set in a single fictional neighborhood might actually pull from locations spread across an entire region.
Map out your must-see spots geographically and group them by proximity to avoid unnecessary backtracking. Factor in travel time between locations honestly — and leave buffer time for the unexpected discoveries that often end up being the highlight of the trip. You don’t want to spend your entire vacation in a rental car because you underestimated how far apart your top five spots really are.
Time It Right — This Is Where Strategy Pays Off
This is arguably the most underrated piece of set jetting advice, and it’s the one that can save you both time and money. Popular filming locations can draw massive crowds, especially after a hit series finale or a major theatrical release. That post-finale tourist surge is real, and it can turn a dreamy location into a shoulder-to-shoulder photo op.
Check when your destination typically peaks and consider visiting in shoulder season if possible. Early morning visits to iconic spots almost always reward you with better photos, smaller crowds, and a more immersive experience than midday. If you’ve ever wanted to stand in that spot and feel like you’re actually inside the world of your favorite show, 7 a.m. on a Tuesday in the off-season is your best friend.
Stay Close to Where the Magic Happens
Where you stay matters more on a set jetting trip than a typical vacation. Proximity to your top filming spots lets you get there early, return for golden-hour light, and explore without rushing. This isn’t a trip where a centrally located airport hotel is the best choice.
Some destinations even offer stays that are part of the experience themselves — accommodations that are woven into the fabric of the production’s world. Do your homework, because the right lodging choice can elevate the entire trip from “I visited the location” to “I lived in it.”
Be Cool — Seriously, Be a Respectful Visitor
This one matters more than you might think, and it’s worth talking about honestly. The influx of fans has strained relationships between locals and visitors in several high-profile destinations. Dubrovnik, Croatia, for example, has capped the number of daily visitors to manage the crowds drawn by Game of Thrones.
The backdrop of your favorite scene is also likely a regular person’s hometown. Stick to designated areas, support local businesses, follow posted guidelines, and remember that the community existed long before the cameras arrived. Being a considerate visitor helps ensure these places remain open and welcoming for future fans. The last thing any of us wants is for a beloved location to shut its doors to tourists entirely because visitors treated it like a theme park instead of someone’s neighborhood.
Go Beyond the Instagram Spots
The most-photographed filming locations are worth seeing — absolutely. But the best set jetting trips dig deeper. Look for background locations, lesser-known scenes, and nearby areas that share the same visual character as the production.
This is where your rewatching homework really pays off. Those establishing shots and blink-and-you-miss-it background details? They lead to places most casual visitors will never find. And those quieter, less crowded spots often deliver a more authentic, more personal connection to the world you fell in love with on screen.
Set jetting isn’t about checking a box at the most famous location and moving on. It’s about building a trip that reflects how deeply you know and love the source material. You’ve already done the hard part — you’ve watched, you’ve cared, you’ve memorized the details. Now it’s just about turning that passion into a plan.
Production of this article included the use of AI. It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
