Looking to start a travel journal? Here’s everything you need to know.
If you dream of exploring new horizons, tasting exotic cuisines, and immersing yourself in different cultures, you should start a travel journal.
By keeping a journal of your travel adventures, you capture the entirety of your experience.
In this guide, I share everything you need to know about keeping a travel journal.
Table of Contents:
What Is a Travel Journal?
A travel journal is a documentation or diary of the experiences, feelings, and memories of your adventures.
It’s sometimes referred to as a road journal or travel diary and serves as a written record of the places you visit, the people you meet, and the cultures you encounter.
Unlike a daily journal that records the routine of everyday life, a travel diary is a dedicated space to capture the extraordinary moments that occur when you step out of your comfort zone and into the world.
Types of Travel Journals
Let’s talk about the various types of travel journals and their unique features. This way, you can find the perfect match for your travel style and personality:
Guided Travel Journal
This type of travel diary is perfect for those who need a little structure. They are travel bullet journals that come with prompts, questions, and sometimes even maps to help guide your entries and ensure they get all the important details.
Features:
- Travel journal prompts and questions
- Structured layouts for each trip
- Often includes space for basic travel information (such as dates, locations, etc.)
- May include maps, packing lists, or other travel-related content
Potential Drawbacks:
- May feel restrictive if you prefer a free-form approach
- Might not cater to travel experiences outside the “typical” narrative
Scrapbook Travel Journal
This travel journal type is best for visual thinkers, craft enthusiasts, and those who love to collect physical mementos from their travels.
Features:
- Typically uses a larger, sturdier journal to accommodate added items
- Often includes blank pages for flexibility in layout
- You can add airline ticket stubs, postcards, colorful stickers, ribbon bookmarks, or pressed flowers to your journals
Potential Drawbacks:
- Can be bulky to carry around
- Requires additional supplies (glue, tape, etc.)
- May take more time to create entries
Digital Travel Journal
A digital journal is helpful for tech-savvy people and travel bloggers. You can document your journey through a travel journal app or a website platform.
Features:
- Allows for multimedia content like text, photos, videos, and audio recordings
- Often cloud-based for easy access across devices
- May integrate with other apps like city maps and weather reports
Potential Drawbacks:
- Requires access to technology and possibly the internet
- May feel less personal than handwritten journals
Sketchbook Travel Journal
For those who believe that a sketch captures the essence of a moment better than words ever could, the sketchbook travel journal is for you. You can use a blank sketchbook to capture your journey through drawings, watercolors, or quick sketches.
Features:
- Blank or lightly guided pages suitable for artwork
- Often uses paper that can handle various media (pencil, ink, watercolor)
- May include pockets for storing art supplies
Potential Drawbacks:
- Can be time-consuming
- Requires carrying art supplies
Paper Blank / Free-Form Travel Journal
The classic choice for experienced journalers and creative types who enjoy the freedom of a blank page. It’s also known as a handwritten travel journal.
It’s a blank notebook where you can freely write, draw, or create however you like. It’s versatile, personal, and has a charm that other formats can’t quite replicate.
Features:
- Completely blank pages
- No predefined structure or prompts
- Comes in various sizes and paper types
- Encourages free-form thoughts and creativity
Potential Drawbacks:
- Blank pages can sometimes be intimidating
- Requires self-discipline to maintain regular entries
- No built-in guidance or structure
What to Write in a Travel Journal
You might be wondering, “What on earth do I write about?” Here are some ideas on what to write about in your travel journal notebook.
Daily Entries and Reflections
Jot down what you did each day, but don’t stop at the facts. Reflect on every moment and feeling.
- How did you feel?
- What surprised you?
- What made you laugh or cry?
Sensory Details
Close your eyes, breathe in, and capture your sensory details.
- What do you smell?
- What sounds do you hear?
- Describe the taste of that street food or the feeling of sand between your toes.
These details will transport you back in time when you reread your journal.
Sketches and Photos
Quick doodles, stick figures, or cut-outs can be just as evocative as art masterpieces.
So, paste photos in your travel journal and write about the stories behind them.
Itinerary Pages & Accommodation Reviews
Keep track of where you’ve been and where you’re going.
- Which areas will you visit when you reach your destination?
- Are there any cool activities you’d like to partake in?
- How many days will you stay?
Write honest reviews of places you’ve stayed. These reviews might come in handy for you, fellow traveler friends, or future generations.
Travel Goals & Expectations
Before you set off, write about what you hope to gain from your trip.
Reflect on whether your travel goals are being met or how your expectations are changing.
Pre-Trip Research & Plans
It’s important to research a destination before you get there. Find answers to questions such as:
- How accommodating it is for tourists
- How accessible it is to transportation
- Whether there’s internet and if you’ll actually need it
You can plan your books, clothes, and journal accessories, such as themed stickers, bookmark ribbons, waterproof covers, book darts, and full-color maps. Creating detachable packing lists could also help.
This preparation will make your adventure so much smoother and fun to look back on.
Highlights and Lessons Learned
Document the biggest highlights of each of your trips and the lessons learned.
- What was the best thing that happened today?
- What did you learn about the culture, the people, or yourself?
- Are there any interesting language phrases you learned?
Favorite Travel Memories
Create lists of all the exciting experiences you have.
- Top 10 foreign meals of all time
- Most beautiful sunsets
- Funniest language mix-ups
Your Travel Bucket Lists
Write down places you want to visit next or things you want to try.
Or you could create an adventure bucket list of all the places you want to go within a timeframe—a year, two years, or in your lifetime.
10 Tips for Keeping a Travel Journal
Want to effectively document your adventures? Here are 10 practical tips to help you make the most of your travel journaling experience.
1. Choose the Right Travel Journal
Remember those travel journal types we talked about earlier? Well, picking the right one for you is crucial.
Think about your travel style, your creative inclinations, its portability, and what you hope to get out of your journaling.
- Are you a minimalist backpacker who needs something light?
- Or maybe you’re an artist who needs thick paper for watercolors?
Choose a travel journal that fits your needs and inspires you to write about your travel experiences.
2. Decide Your Writing Style
There’s no right or wrong answer here. The vital thing is to find a style that feels natural to you.
- Are you a “just the facts” kind of person?
- Or, do you lean toward poetic prose?
- Or maybe you’re somewhere in between
Don’t force yourself to write flowery descriptions if that’s not your thing. Your authentic voice is what will make a journal feel like you.
3. Plan Your Trip Itineraries
Before you start your trip, write down your planned itineraries in your journal.
This gives you a framework to build on and helps you remember to write about each place you visit. Moreso, it’s fun to look back and see how your actual trip compared to your plans.
4. Set Aside Time for Journaling
I know, I know—when you’re traveling, every minute feels precious.
But setting aside even 15 minutes a day for journaling about your travels will be worth it. The time doesn’t have to be special. It could be when you’re enjoying your morning coffee, on the road, or just before bed.
Find a time that works for you and try to stick to it.
5. Structure Your Entries with Journal Prompts
Feeling stuck on what to write about? Travel journal prompts can be a great way to kickstart your writing.
I’ll share some specific journaling prompts later in this guide, but even simple questions like “What surprised me today?” or “What was the best thing I ate?” can help structure your entries.
6. Write During Your Trips
Like I said earlier, your journaling time can be whenever is convenient for you. But don’t always wait until you get home to write something.
Memories fade faster than you think! The best way to capture some experiences is while you’re living it—that is, during your adventurous trip.
Jot down notes and take lots of pictures or videos throughout the day. Then, you can do a quick recap each evening. You’ll capture so many more details this way.
7. Add Images for Context
Whether it’s photos, sketches, or even just ticket stubs, visual elements add depth to your travel journal.
They help illustrate your words and can jog your memory about your favorite moments and specific experiences.
8. Be Personal with Your Stories
Don’t just write what happened. Write how a trip made you feel, what it made you think about, and how it changed you. These personal reflections are what will make your journal truly meaningful.
Share your tales in a way that someone who reads your journal can feel the experience like they were there too.
9. Make Travel Journaling a Routine
Like any habit, journaling gets easier the more you do it.
Try to write a little bit every day, even if it’s just a few sentences. Before you know it, it’ll become a natural part of your travel routine.
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10. Have Fun with It
This is your journal, and there are no rules.
If you want to write a silly poem about the weird fruit you tried, go for it. If you want to rant about how many times you missed your steps while trying Salsa for the first time, do it.
Let your journal be a place of joy and creativity.
15 Best Travel Journaling Ideas
Looking to spice up your entries? Here are some creative travel journal ideas to make your writing as unique and exciting as your adventures:
Create a sensory map: Draw a simple map of a place you visited and annotate it with sensory details—smells, sounds, textures, etc.
Write a letter to your dream self: Describe your current travels and adventures as if you’re writing to yourself 10 years in the future.
Local language section: Keep a running list of local words and phrases you learn, along with their meanings.
Food diary: Document every new dish you try, complete with descriptions, ratings, and maybe even a sketch.
People watching: Describe interesting characters you observe, or imagine backstories for them.
Overheard conversations: Jot down snippets of conversations you overhear—they can be funny, insightful, or just plain weird!
Daily gratitude: Each day, write down three things you’re grateful for about your travel experience.
Travel playlist: Keep a list of songs that remind you of specific moments or places during your trip.
Weird and wonderful vibes: Make a collection of the strangest things you’ve seen or experienced.
Local legends: Write down any local myths, legends, or stories you hear during your travels.
Packing list review: Note what items were essential, what you wished you’d brought, and what you could have left behind.
Travel haiku: Challenge yourself to write a haiku about each place you visit.
Pocket pages: Create little pockets in your journal to store small mementos like tickets, coins, or pressed flowers.
Color palette: For each location, create a color palette that represents the place to you.
Future adventure list: As you travel, jot down ideas for future trips inspired by your current experiences.
30 Creative Travel Journaling Prompts
The blank pages of your travel journal can seem intimidating at times. Here are 30 interesting travel journal writing prompt examples to try.
- As you look out your window, describe the view.
- What’s the most interesting local custom you’ve encountered so far?
- If you could bottle up a scent to remember this place by, what would it be?
- Write about a conversation you had with an indigene. What did you learn?
- Describe your perfect day in this location.
- What’s the most challenging thing you’ve experienced on this trip so far?
- Write a short story inspired by a person you saw today.
- If this place were a color, what would it be and why?
- What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself on this trip?
- Describe your favorite meal so far in elaborate detail.
- Write about a moment when you felt completely out of your comfort zone.
- If you could bring one thing or person from home to experience this with you, what or who would it be?
- What sound will always remind you of this place?
- Describe a misunderstanding or funny moment caused by language barriers.
- Write about something you saw that made you smile today.
- If your trip were a movie, what would its title be and why?
- Describe the most interesting mode of transportation you’ve used on this trip.
- What’s one thing you’ll definitely do differently on your next trip?
- Write a thank-you note to someone who has positively impacted your journey.
- Describe the night sky in your current location.
- What’s a local dish you’d love to learn how to make when you get home?
- Write about a small act of kindness you witnessed or experienced today.
- If you could live in this place, what would your daily routine look like?
- Describe the most interesting building or architectural feature you’ve seen.
- What’s a story or fact about this place that you want to remember to tell others?
- Write about a fear you’ve overcome or a personal growth moment on this trip.
- Describe the local fashion. How does it differ from what you’re used to?
- What’s something you’ve learned about this culture that has changed your perspective?
- If you could take only one photo to remember this trip, what would it be and why?
- Write a letter to this place, thanking it for the experiences you’ve had.
In Summary: Starting a Travel Journal
Journaling about your travels can be done in any way you like. It’s a personal space to record your life’s adventures, after all. So, get your camera, pack your bags, and capture memories you’ll treasure for years to come.
Other interesting guides on journaling:
- How to Start a Daily Journal Practice
- 43 Mental Health Prompts You Absolutely Need to Try
- 31 Morning Journal Prompts to Say Every Day
