Exploring travel journal ideas?
There is a romance to travel journals. They invoke the same feelings as leather bound books filled with adventures. Ink and paper add a dimension to journaling that notes on a smartphone just don’t capture.
The act of writing down your aspirational travel plans is a powerful tool in making them happen.
So, if your heart is drawn to exploration, go ahead and start your travel journal. From recording bucket lists and packing lists to creating a forever keepsake of your journeys, travel journals are the perfect companion for satisfying wanderlust and making your travel dreams a reality.
Need travel journal ideas? This post dives deep into setting up a travel journal, the types of journals available, and portable journal supplies. It even includes a few links to tutorials, in case you’d like some video coaching.
And, because we know you have places to go and adventures to have… you can either download this post as a pdf or use the jump links below to skip to a section:
- How to set up your travel journal
- Which type of travel journal is right for you?
- Portable pens and art supplies
- Tutorials and courses on travel journaling
Let’s get started!
Ideas on how to set up your travel journal
Plan your itinerary
Whether you are brainstorming all the places you want to go, or making a specific plan for a single destination, your journal is a great tool for brainstorming ideas and capturing the details of what you’ve booked (or want to book).
Planning your trip out in a journal helps you “see” the structure of the trip–which can influence what you decide to do when. (After all, you don’t want to accidentally waste a day because you hadn’t realized one city was a day’s travel away from another and you can only get there by kayak!)
One of the advantages of travel journals is that they give you a spot to keep all the details for flights, hotels, and ground transportation in one place. (This can be a lifesaver when the alternative is digging through emails on your phone when you’re somewhere with sketchy wifi.) Scattered information can feel chaotic, but having a written overview of all the significant details easily available whenever you need them is a source of sanity when you travel. It also creates a great resource for planning future trips – or helping a friend plan theirs!
Travel journal ideas on planning via Instagram
Decide What to Pack
One of the most challenging dimensions of satisfying travel is deciding what to pack. It’s a Goldilocks situation: too much, too little, or just right.
Pack too much, and you are lugging unnecessary gear through airports, up stairs, and through train stations – which can cause that nagging pinch in your shoulder and neck. Pack too lightly, and you run the risk of not having the right clothes for the temperature, not meeting the dress code at a fancy restaurant, or getting blisters on your feet.
Well-planned packing is an art form. Your journal can support you in getting your personal mix just right. Check out the following layouts!
Travel journal ideas for packing lists via Instagram
Capture the experience
Your travel journal doesn’t just help you plan for your journey, it’s also the means by which you will capture the experience.
Whether you are writing, sketching, or pasting in ephemera like ticket stubs, receipts, or a label from a bottle of wine – whatever you put into your travel journal during your trip is what will bring you joy when you review it later.
Imagine a shelf of journals that detail all of your journeys. What would you want to read about ten years from now? What would spark your memory? What insight would you want to remember?
We highly encourage doing thing not just for big trips, but also for small ones. Use pages for your weekend in New York City. Capture the last minute run to the coast. Write about that jazz club in New Orleans. (We’ve been told that you should never document Vegas, but a travel journal is a travel journal. Go for it!)
If you plan to include photos in your travel journal, consider investing in a mini photo printer that will print photos via bluetooth from your smartphone. We like the Canon Ivy and the HP Sprocket.
Travel journal ideas for capturing your experience via Instagram
Which type of Travel Journal is right for you? Here are some ideas:
The Traveler’s Notebook
The Traveler’s Notebook (formerly known as the Midori Traveler’s Notebook) is a top-selling journal from a Japanese stationery company. The starter kit includes the leather bound cover, a blank notebook, a cotton bag for storage, and a band that is as decorative as it is practical. Multiple accessories are available for the notebook, including zipper pockets, stickers, a calendar, card and kraft file folders, and a choice of paper refills with lined, grid, or blank pages. It comes in 4 colors: black, brown, camel, and blue – and there is even a binder accessory that makes it easy to store your filled journal pages for easy reference. (There’s also a passport-sized version of the Traveler’s Notebook, which has all the same features.)
How The Journal Shop describes the Traveler’s Notebook:
“The Midori Traveler’s Notebook is the type of leather notebook that will stay with you for the rest of your life. From the moment you receive your Traveler’s Notebook, you’ll know you have something special on your hands. Every aspect of the Traveler’s Notebook evinces incredible care and attention to detail, from the packaging to the range of refills and accessories available to help you get the most out of it.” (source)
Features we love:
- The Traveler’s Notebook has a cover with bands that you use to anchor the journal inserts. It’s like having multiple thin journals in one, creating the option to use one section for more tactical things like itineraries and packing lists, and another for actual journaling.
- The high quality leather cover makes this journal durable – an important feature when traveling!
- The number of accessories available make it possible to really make this journal your own. (The pocket accessory is wonderful for keeping receipts, ticket stubs, and other ephemera!)
- The journal is easily refillable, which means it will last for years.
- The passport-sized version of the Traveler’s Notebook fits nicely into a small purse or your pocket, which is handy on day trips when you don’t want to carry a larger bag.
Check it out:
Regular size Travelers Notebook on Amazon.
Passport size Travelers Notebook on Amazon
Also check out our “deep dive” article on this journal: The Traveler’s Notebook | Everything You Need to Know
Wandrd Travel Journal
The Wandrd Travel Journal is a great tool for not just recording your memories, but also for planning your trips.
It includes world maps, space to record itineraries and reservation details, checklists for packing, and pages for creating a bucket list as you research your options. It even has a handy slot for a pen, so you can always record your memories on the go.
How the Wandrd Travel Journal describes itself:
“With space for 12 dedicated trips, The Travel Journal includes planning, itineraries, pre-trip checklists, maps and travel logs. It is the ultimate tool for planning, enjoying, and remembering all of your adventures.” (source)
Features we love:
- Not all journeys are the same; this journal includes dedicated space to record journeys of multiple lengths.
- The packing lists are incredibly helpful in planning for your next adventure.
- The tear out notecards are a fun idea, and there are lots of creative uses for them: leave a thank you note for a waitress, or share contact info with a new friend!
Check it out:
Shop the Wandrd Notebook on Amazon
Erin Condren PetitePlanner Travel Journal
The Erin Condren PetitePlanner Travel Journal reminds you from the moment you pick it up to “always take the scenic route.” It includes space to plan your trip and record reservation information, and has a nice combination of blank pages and writing prompts.
How Erin Condren describes the PetitePlanner Travel Journal:
“Celebrate and commemorate all of your adventures with this beautiful PetitePlanner! Track up to four weeks of stylish travel with 28 daily spreads to log activities, meals, memories, spending and more! Add detail with stunning gold stickers, included in each Travel Journal!” (source)
Features we love:
- It comes with stickers! That’s just fun.
- The cover is absolutely beautiful and inspiring.
- There’s a dedicated space in each daily spread to record what you ate and where, which makes it easy to offer recommendations later.
Check it out:
Check out Erin Condren’s PetitePlanner Travel Journal at ErinCondren.com
Swept Away by Wanderlust
Swept Away by Wanderlust is a delightful coffee-table style book, full of inspirational quotes, photos, and ideas, as well as space to document your travels. Created by travel enthusiasts Axel and Ash, it’s one of a collection of travel journals designed to help you create space for reflection and fun as you travel.
How Axel and Ash describe their journal:
“Beautifully bound in an earthy latte-colored cloth, this charming travel journal creates a chic vintage feel suitable for every traveller – from the stylish jetsetter to the novice explorer. With quirky questions, fun writing prompts, witty ‘To-Do’ notes, list pages to remember the favourites and a bucket list to fill out along the way, it’s the ultimate way to capture your travel memories in style!” (source)
Features we love:
- The writing prompts and questions not only help you reflect on your day, but also inspire you to try new things.
- The layout is absolutely lovely.
- Inspirational quotes sprinkled throughout the book encourage a spirit of adventure and curiosity.
Check it out:
Shop Swept Away by Wanderlust on Amazon
Travelogue Travel Journal
The Travelogue Travel Journal, created by Scratch Map by Luckies, is a unique product.
Designed to support the planning and recording of just one journey, this journal comes with a lot of great features, including the company’s trademark scratch maps.
How Scratch Map by Luckies describes the Travelogue Travel Journal:
“If you’re off on the trip of a lifetime, the Travelogue is just what you need. A sumptuously designed travel journal, with an extremely useful 64 page notepad, plus 8 miniature Scratch Map™ maps, each representing different regions of the world for locking in your locations. Using the Travelogue, you can record every step of your adventure in writing AND by removing the foil from the places you’ve been, you lucky thing.” (source)
Features we love:
- The Scratch Map™ maps are a really fun way to track your travels, and a great keepsake at the end of your trip.
- The planning checklists are comprehensive, and customizable.
- The diary pages offer space to record your thoughts in a way that works for you; you can write out long form reflections, or enter notes in more of a bullet journal style.
Check it out:
Shop the Travelogue Travel Journal on Amazon
Field Notes Original Kraft Memo Book
While Field Notes has expanded their product line to include multiple variations on their original travel journal, the Original Kraft Memo book is one of the most uncomplicated travel journals on the market. It’s a simple, compact notebook, available with graph, ruled, or plain paper.
How Field Notes describes their journal:
“To make a long story short. When Aaron Draplin made the very first Field Notes by hand, as a holiday gift for friends, they looked pretty much like these notebooks. When we started the company we had only one product, a 3-Pack of Kraft Memo Books with graph paper inside. And we expect, we’ll always have those as the heart of our product line. Our original 48-page notebooks are available in three variations – graph, ruled, or plain paper – or as a mixed 3-pack that includes one of each paper type. Each Original Kraft memo book measures 3-1/2″ wide by 5-1/2″ tall and is bound by a rugged three-staple saddle-stitch process.” (source)
Features we love:
- With three styles of paper to choose from, these journals are versatile. No matter what style of journaling you prefer, one of those paper types will be perfect for you.
- The cover can be customized with a logo or your name – to make it more personal, and easily identifiable.
- The sheer simplicity of this journal creates space for your own creativity to bloom.
Check it out:
Moleskine’s Voyageur
Mokeskine’s Voyageur travel journal comes with a durable canvas cover in four very classy (and beautifully named) colors: ocean blue, coffee brown, hibiscus orange, and elm green. The three ribbon bookmarks make it easy for you to find different sections in your journal quickly, and it has a handy expandable inner pocket.
How Moleskine describes their journal:
“From the moment you book your once-in-a-lifetime tickets until you head back home, the Voyageur Notebook is the ideal travel partner. Packed with essential journey information, it includes handy detachable packing and to-do lists, as well as a planning section that allows you to map out each day in detail before you set off into the sunset. Structured budget pages focus your mind on all-important economic issues, so you aren’t caught out by too many unexpected expenses along the way. Once you are on the road, the journaling section provides bags of space to record each day’s adventures, inviting you to add tickets, snippets of conversation, sketches and mementoes.” (source)
Features we love:
- The detachable packing and to-do lists allow you to do your most inspired planning in your journal, and then take just the lists with you while you’re shopping and packing.
- The budget pages help ensure that you’ve planned well for your expenses, so you’re not caught off-guard in the middle of your trip.
- Also, it comes with stickers! Which we still think is just fun.
Check it out:
Shop Moleskine Voyageur on Amazon
50 States Traveled Journal
Inspired by the idea of traveling to new places together every year, Taylor Moore began brainstorming ideas for a travel journal for her sister Tanner’s upcoming birthday gift, and they decided to share that gift with the rest of the world. This hand-crafted journal allows you to record memories as you travel to all fifty states in the USA.
How the Moore Collection describes their 50 States Traveled Journal:
“Our 50 States Traveled is a handmade journal to record your memories as you travel through each of the 50 states. Some questions will ask simple things such as your date of arrival while others will ask for a deeper reflection of your journey. The questions are open for you to take them in any direction as you please. Each travel journal comes with a protective package to keep it safe as you travel. We hope you make some incredible memories that you will never forget!” (source)
Features we love:
- The fonts! We always love a good type-writer font, and the fonts used in this journal pair nicely with its overall look.
- Sometimes a blank page can feel intimidating, so the questions provide some nice prompts for writing.
- There’s also plenty of blank space for personal reflection!
Check it out:
Shop the 50 States Traveled Journal on Amazon
Rite in the Rain
REI has a nice collection of Rite in the Rain journals designed specifically for outdoor travel. These journals are perfect for camping and backpacking trips and other outdoor adventures – even if it’s raining! We particularly like the small yellow Rite in the Rain journal; it’s pocket-sized, and with only 50 pages of all-weather paper, it’s also lightweight, making it easy to carry.
How REI describes their journal:
“The small Rite in the Rain outdoor journal features unique, all-weather paper that sheds water and preserves the written image, even when wet.” (source)
Features we love:
- Even if this journal gets wet, both ink and pencil stay legible; the weather-proof cover and paper protect your notes.
- The spiral binding makes it easy to pull out and jot things down quickly.
- It’s recyclable! While you’ll definitely want to keep your memories for posterity, one benefit of this journal is that you can take notes in the rain, and then transfer them to another journal later.
Check it out:
Shop Rite-in-the-Rain on Amazon
If you aren’t crazy about carrying an analog journal and prefer a digital solution, check out this review of 23 Digital Journaling Apps.
Portable Pens & Art Supplies
Winsor and Newton Cotman Watercolors. Not only does the size make this watercolor palette portable, but it also closes tightly so you don’t have to worry about paint spilling onto anything in your bag. The brush holds water, too, so you are able to paint whenever you have an inspired moment.
Paper Mate’s Ink Joy Pens. These colored ink pens create thin colored lines effortlessly and are simply fun to play with. If you need a no fuss pen to throw in a bag, this is a good one. The best part? They are extremely affordable!
Crayola Crayons. Remember the joy of opening a new box of crayons? You can experience it again. They are cheap, small, and lay color on paper just as well as you remember. Of course, they also break easily and the cardboard box they come doesn’t fare well in a messenger bag – so we suggest storing them in a cigarette case. As it turns out, they fit really well!
Kaweco Sport Fountain Pen. Journaling with a fountain pen feels amazing. It captures the romance of all the travelers with old time journals that have gone before you.
Unfortunately, a very real problem for travel journalers is that fountain pens are incredibly awkward to take on airplanes. Air pressure changes and ink hold potential for a messy disaster.
However, the Kaweco Sport has a screw top that makes it easy to throw in your bag and go anywhere, without even thinking about it. (Want to know more about writing with fountain pens? Check out our beginner’s guide.)
Tutorials and courses with even more travel journal ideas
Watercolor Travel Journal Course (Alicia Aradilla on Domestika) – This beautiful course is one of our favorites and is very affordable.
How I Setup My Traveler’s Notebook: (Midori) Journal Guide 2019 – Part 1 (Seaweed Kisses)
How I Set Up My Traveler’s Notebook (Part 2) (Seaweed Kisses)
How To Set Up Your Traveler’s Notebook | Beginner’s Guide (Shayda Campbell)
Ideas for Your Travel Journal (Merel Djamila)
Travel Bullet Journal Ideas (Travel Channel)
3 Easy Travel Journal Ideas (Travel Journal)
Ideas for filling up an entire travel journal (Caylee Grey)
Travel Diary How-To (Jordan Clark)
Ideas For Your Travel Journal | Prompts & Tips (Snazzy Avery)
DIY Travel Journal Ideas (Alesia’s Adventures)
Travel Journal Kit (Nicole Zarate)
A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Travel Journaling (Michelle Tabares on Skillshare)
Travel Journaling: How to Write Extraordinary Travel Diaries (Dave Fox on Udemy)
Travel Writing: Explore the World & Publish Your Stories! (Dave Fox on Udemy)
Want more? Check out Travel Journal ideas on Pinterest
If Pinterest is your go-to for inspiration, we have you covered. Follow this board: https://www.pinterest.com/yourvisualjournal/travel-journals/
Now that you have all of these travel journal ideas, it’s time to fire up your inner nomad and get started!
With all of this inspiration, you are probably dying to pack your bags and get out of here, but even if you aren’t able to leave right this minute, your travel journal can help satisfy your craving for adventure as you spend time planning your next trip.
So, grab a travel journal, set it up, and have fun making your dreams a reality!
There really is something to the power of writing things down. One day you’ll be looking back through those pages with the knowledge that you’ve had some wonderful adventures!
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PS. Looking for a fun travel blog to follow? We are big fans of ProjectUnthethered.com.
I just love all your illustrations – you really do find the best ones! They make it so interesting – a true visual journal.