1. Set your app to “Travel Mode” in the settings.

Setting the app to Travel Mode reduces the amount of precious cellular data that is used. This is especially helpful if you are traveling somewhere away from wireless internet access, or abroad where it may cost extra. In the app you will click on your bitmoji (the little cartoon character or ghost in the top left corner) icon and then click on the settings gear in the right hand corner. Once in settings, you will go to Additional Services > Manage> Travel Mode and make sure the switch is turned blue. This will help not only conserve your cellular data, but your battery as well.

2. Make sure your location is enabled.

Enabling your location in your phone settings gives you access to a special new snapchat filter, which is their map. The map lets you see where your snapchat friends are, and allows your friends to see where you are. This is helpful if you are somehow separated from your group (as long as they have snapchat), but also allow your followers to see where your travels are taking you! Another cool feature of the map is the ability to see snapchat stories from your friends in the area!

3. Take advantage of the custom geofilters at each location!

A popular trend among travel destinations is having a geofilter to apply to your picture so your followers know where you are. This may not only attract interest from your followers, but is also helpful to the destination you are visiting.

4. Spice up your pictures.

Snapchat offers a variety of customizations that your camera app does not. You can use filters, text, handwriting, custom bitmojis, stickers, etc. When using the front facing camera, if you hold down in the center of the screen, more filters will pop up. You can scroll through and apply them to your face. These filters can do anything from make it look like you are wearing make-up, give you puppy ears and a tongue when your mouth is open, and even make you look like a hot dog!

5. Post to your story!

The best way to get your pictures to majority of your followers, without picture-bombing them, is to post them on your story! This way, all of your friends can see them and they will be visible for 24 hours!

6. Save your pictures and videos to your memories!

Saving your pictures and videos in your memories saves them in the app for later use. You are able to save them to your camera roll from there too, but you are able to keep the pictures on your phone without taking up room in your photo album! They are accessible from the main screen, just tap on the small dot underneath the button used to take the photos.

7. If you enjoyed your time, make sure to showcase the destination.

One of the nice things about the new snapchat update is that it allows you to record videos for longer than ten seconds. Make sure to get all of the exciting views and events on video, not only for the venues’ sake, but for your own memories as well!

8. Make use of your bitmoji.

Snapchat has teamed up with the bitmoji app to bring users their own cartoon alter ego. Bitmojis are customizable so you are able to make them look exactly like you, just in cartoon form! Make snaps interesting by throwing them in there. You can even combine bitmojis with the person you are sending the picture to!

9. Adjust the size of your text to show people how excited you are.

Snapchat allows you to adjust the size of your text, so you do not always have to have a dark bar going through the middle of your picture. Adjust the size of the font to show people how excited you are to be at your destination!

10. DO NOT add a name that is unfamiliar to you.

Because of snapchat’s new map feature, once your location is enabled, anyone on your friends list can see where you are. Remember to be safe and make sure you are only friends with people that you know.

11. HAVE FUN WITH IT!

Snapchat is a great way to express yourself and show your friends all of the cool things you are doing. Don’t worry about being embarrassed or weird, embrace it! That is what makes snapchat so fun, there are so many different ways to showcase yourself and all of your adventures!