writing prompts for travel

31 Travel Journal Prompts + Creative Travel Journal Ideas

Looking for travel journal prompts and creative travel journal ideas ?

Then you’re in the right place! 

Especially right now as travel is limited and people are searching for ways to travel at home, such as through relaxing staycations , keeping a travel journal can be a great way to relive your favorite trip memories. 

Moreover, it can keep travel alive, allow you to explore the world from home, and help you stay curious. 

Keep reading for a list of fun journal writing prompts related to travel as well as tips for creating something tangible that truly helps you feel inspired. 

Table of Contents

Downloadable Travel Journal PDF

Before we dive into the post, though, I want to offer you the chance to grab my free printable travel journal . 

The trip journal includes 56 prompts in total. 

This inspiring printable and fillable journal is great for exercising your creativity while traveling from home as you remember your favorite trips. 

Grab it, and then feel free to message me on Instagram ( @jessieonajourney ) to let me know which travel journal writing prompts were your favorite and why.

I plan to update the journal in the future — and you’ll get any revisions I make — so your feedback is appreciated!

What Is A Travel Journal?

A travel journal is a place where you can document your trip memories, whether you’re spending 7 days in Cancun , going on a solo USA road trip , off completing the world’s best hiking trails , or something else.

These can be paper or digital, bound or looseleaf, thin or thick. And— when it comes to how to write in a travel journal — it can include just text or a variety of mediums.

The point is, it offers a way to record what happens to you on the road — though you’re welcome to take your entries and give them a fictional twist for fun! 

Choosing Your Travel Journal

I may be a little biased, but if you’re looking for the best travel journal with prompts, I recommend grabbing my free printable journal here . 

Because I made it fillable, you can also use it as a travel journal online!

Additionally, there are loads of inspiring options online if you’d prefer to purchase one. A quick note that the below journal links are affiliate links. 

On Amazon, I love this vegan leather option as well as this mindful travel journal .

Additionally, I’m a huge fan of the travel journals at Modcloth. Click here and search “journals” to view their latest collection.

Creative Travel Journal Ideas

Wondering how to be creative in your journal?

First of all, remember that a journal doesn’t just have to be writing. Use markers, paints, stickers, glitter, and even momentos from your travels to really bring the text to life. 

Of course, don’t forget about travel-themed accents, too, like stamps, tickets, postcards, and maps — you can even cut out sections of a map to showcase your favorite destinations. 

If you’re artistic, you might also consider bullet journaling and other techniques to make your journal more visual. 

In terms of keeping your travel writing fresh, having details to pull from can be a huge help.

When possible, try to experience a place with all five senses so you have more to draw from later. I personally like to take notes right after any experience I think I may write about later. 

Keep in mind, being fully present in this way is also just an overall healthy practice. 

If you’re having trouble remembering details, try to sit in silence and do a visualization. Personally, when I do this exercise I aim to not only see myself in a place, but to put myself back in the place so that I am seeing the scene through my own eyes. 

Feeling writer’s block?

Sometimes all that it takes is a change of scenery to get inspired again. Try going for a walk or trying a new cafe to see if that helps.

If not, put the journal away, give yourself some mental space, and pick it back up tomorrow. 

And if you’re proud of what you’ve written, feel free to post it on social media, share it in an email with friends or, of course, keep it to yourself. 

How To Keep A Travel Journal: Quick Tips 

As an avid journaler myself, these are some of my personal tips for having fun, feeling creative, and staying inspired while writing.

As with travel tips and trip styles, everyone has their own process when it comes to journaling, and something that works for me may not work for you. Feel free to try out this advice, keep what works, and let go of what doesn’t.

Overall, the goal is that you get something beneficial out of these pages.

Tip #1: Journal when you feel most creative.

For instance, you might choose some mindful ways to start your day and have completing daily journal prompts be one of your morning rituals. 

However, if you find you feel more creative in the afternoon or evening, plan your writing for then.

Tip #2: Don’t edit as you write.

Allow your first draft to be all about getting your ideas and thoughts down onto the paper and getting into a creative flow state.

You can always tweak things later.

Tip #3: Remember the power of lists.

This is one of my favorite trip journal ideas!

Writing in lists can be helpful when you’re:

• having trouble getting started
• wondering what things to put in a travel journal
• feeling like your sentences just aren’t flowing together

This way, you can at least get your ideas down and edit them together in a cohesive manner later on.

Tip #4: Write stories.

While this isn’t mandatory, those who are curious how to write a travel journal that’s worth reading should consider writing your thoughts as stories instead of in a stream-of-conscious fashion. 

To write a story, make sure you have a beginning, middle, and end. Actually, if you really want to do it right, you should also consider character, plot, setting, and tension.

For a lesson in storytelling, make sure to check out this video on how to improve your creative storytelling skills for more engaging writing:

Tip #5: Go beyond text.

Wondering what to put in a travel journal?

Realize there is no right or wrong answer to this question!

Keep it text-based, or add paintings, drawings, stickers, momentos from your trip, and more. 

Personally, I’ve started writing out my journal entries and then drawing them to add some additional creativity and really bring the pages to life. 

The Best Travel Journal Apps

Prefer a digital journal option over paper? 

There is an app for that! 

I’ve talked about my favorite travel safety apps before, but here are a few of my favorite apps for keeping a travel journal:

Travel Diaries .  This free app allows you to create both public and private journals. The layouts are customizable, and you can easily add text, photos, and even maps. 

One really neat feature of this app:

You can turn your travel diary into a physical creation to be shipped to your home!

Day One Journal . This is another great travel journal app that makes it simple to record your memories using photos, videos, drawings, and even audio recordings. 

The “On This Day” feature allows you to go back in time to revisit your favorite trip moments, while automatic backups ensure your content never gets lost. 

Unique app feature:

You can handwrite in your journal using your finger or Apple Pencil. 

This travel app has both free and paid premium versions. 

Polarsteps . Dubbed “the personal travel log in your pocket,” Polarsteps is an app that helps you plan your trips as well as record them along the way in a visually-appealing manner.

In fact, this app puts an emphasis on adding experiences to maps and using video to document, so you can really bring your trips back to life later on. 

A feature I love:

You can turn your travel memories into a stunning hardcover book to keep!

Unique Travel Journal Examples

Looking for some travel journal inspiration?

Here are some mood boards with journal examples to help get your creative juices flowing.

These are also helpful if you’re wanting to learn how to make a travel journal.

By the way:

Check out the bottom right photo in the top collage if you’re looking for travel journal layout ideas.

Travel Writing Prompts – Quick Picker 

If you’re like me and often feel indecisive when choosing a prompt, I’ve got a fun little tool that can help:

The above video moves through the list of writing prompts quickly.

To use it as a quick picker, press play, turn your gaze down, and then stop the video at a random moment.

Then, voilà , you’ve got your travel writing prompt chosen for you! 

31 Travel Journal Prompts

Whether you’re physically traveling or at home dreaming of the road, use these travel prompts for your journal.

I love these prompts for when I’m feeling stuck and am searching for things to write in a travel journal:

1. Remember a time when you met people while traveling that felt like family. Describe your time with them in great detail.

2. Write a postcard to a friend from a place you’ve loved visiting.

3. Think about a problem that exists in travel. Now, invent a solution to the problem. Hey, could this journal help you come up with your next million-dollar idea?

4. If you could go on a trip with anyone, dead or alive, who would you go with? Where would you go and what would you do?

5. Share a time you were lost or that you lost something while traveling. 

6. How has travel changed or shaped you? Note: This is one of my favorite self-discovery journal prompts!

7. Start your travel story with the following: “It was a dark and stormy night…”

8. What is the first vacation memory that comes to mind? Come up with your memory in 10 seconds or less!

9. Think back to the most beautiful place you’ve ever been to. Now, describe it using all five senses.

10. Write about a multi-destination trip — from the perspective of your backpack.

11. What is a sticky situation you’ve gotten out of on the road? Hint: Allow this to also be a reminder of your strength!

12. What is a fear you’ve overcome while traveling? How?

13. Take your story from the previous prompt about overcoming a fear while traveling and rewrite it from the perspective of an onlooker.

14. What has been your craziest transportation experience?

15. Write a review of the best hotel you’ve ever stayed in.

16. Write a review of the worst hotel you’ve ever stayed in using humor.

17. Write a letter of gratitude to someone who showed you an act of kindness on the road .

18. Write about the last trip you took — from the perspective of yourself in the year 2600.

19. Write about a hike you loved doing using all five senses.

20. “Travel makes me feel _____.” Why?

21. Write about a trip you took last year from the perspective of your favorite book or movie character.

22. What is the biggest lesson that travel has taught you? Share a story that brings this to life.

23. Pretend that you were given an extra day on a trip you loved. What would that day have looked like?

24. Choose a trip you haven’t written about yet. Now choose a different time period, and write about the trip as if it happened in that time period.

25. In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception about travel?

26. Think back to an interesting conversation you’ve had while traveling and begin your story with that dialogue.

27. Transport yourself to a beautiful beach you’ve visited. Suddenly, a message in a bottle washes up onto the shore. What does it say? How do you react?

28. Here is a road trip journal idea! Write about a road trip you went on, but have someone else from the trip be the narrator. Hint: If you traveled solo, have the car or an onlooker be the narrator.

29. Think of a time you went on a trip that took you out of your comfort zone. Write the end of the story, then the middle, then the beginning.

30. What is one piece of advice you’ve been told by a local while traveling? Have you applied it to your life? Why/why not?

31. If you were to write a travel memoir, what would the first chapter look like?

Bonus: Pair Your Journal Prompts With Self-Care

In my opinion, the best way to enjoy time spent journaling is by pairing it with other self-care activities.

In the video above, I share my top 10 favorite self-care tips and rituals for travelers — though they can also be enjoyed at home!

My recommendation:

Make a day of it! Use the journal prompts and the self-care rituals to create your own DIY retreat .

Want more travel-themed prompts?

Don’t forget to grab my free downloadable Inspired Storyteller Travel Journal — featuring inspiring quotes, writing tips, and 56 fun prompts to help you recount your favorite trip memories and write creatively. 

Do you have any travel journal prompts to add?

What are your favorite creative travel journal ideas, related posts:.

Hi, I’m Jessie on a journey!

I'm a conscious solo traveler on a mission to take you beyond the guidebook to inspire you to live your best life through travel. Come join me!

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These prompts are just the inspiration I needed to capture my thoughts about travel. Not only do they tap into my travel memories, but they feed my creative spirit. Who says you have to actually go anywhere to be well-traveled? 😉

I have trouble keeping a journal, but have always want too – these are such good prompts ill have to give it another try!

Wow, what an incredible article! I’m so grateful to have come across this treasure trove of travel journal prompts and ideas. The suggestions provided here are truly inspiring and have sparked my wanderlust even more. From capturing the sensory details to reflecting on personal growth, these prompts cover every aspect of a fulfilling travel journal. The beautiful descriptions and practical tips have motivated me to start documenting my adventures with a renewed passion. Thank you for sharing such a valuable resource that will undoubtedly enhance my future travel experiences. Keep up the fantastic work!

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TRAVEL WITH MERAKI

Make Moments Matter

Get Inspired With These 50 Travel Journal Prompts

Travel Journal Writing Prompts

Struggling with ideas for your Travel Diary? Try these travel journal prompts to get you inspired and create amazing memories from your adventures and destinations!

There are so many reasons you should try writing a travel journal for your next vacation. Keeping a travel journal is a fantastic way to prepare for a trip, help you stay organized during a holiday and to keep those amazing travel memories alive long after your adventure has finished. 

Trying to come up with ideas on what to write about can be hard work though…especially if you are tired after a day of sightseeing! It can also be hard to know where to start as you have often seen and done so much in a day of travel !

Create a travel journal you are going to treasure for many years to come with the travel prompts below. They will help you capture all the sights, feelings and experiences you have that make your trip worth remembering.  

Table of Contents

Travel Journal Prompts

So, what do you write in a travel journal?

It’s normal to feel a little stuck with writing. Usually just starting is the hardest part and once you begin writing you will find the ideas flow easily.

Using journal prompts like the ones below is a great way to get stop the writing block. 

If you use your travel diary to help plan your adventure then it’s a great idea to get into the habit of journaling before you leave. 

Travel Prompts For Before The Trip

• What are your expectations of this destination or experience?
• What is on your destination bucket list? And why do you want to see or experience these things? 
• What part of this trip have you enjoyed planning for the most?
• Have there been any pre-trip disasters? 
• Why did you choose this adventure or destination?
• Are you worried about anything?
• What advice have you read or been given about your destination?
• What are you most excited about? ( it could be food to try or a tour you have booked).
• What has been your favorite vacation/adventure ever? 
• What  souvenir do you want to bring home?
• What do you want to learn on this adventure?
• How have you saved up for this trip?
• What are some interesting facts you have researched about your destination?

To really make the most of travel journaling it is a good idea to create a habit. Maybe get up half an hour early to write about your day before, or make sure you leave some time at the end of the day to journal. Try to journal every day as it is amazing how quickly you can forget all those small details.  Try the below journal prompts to inspire you while you are traveling. 

Journal Prompts While Traveling

• What was the first thing you noticed/felt when you reached your destination
• What was the most amazing thing you did today?
• What was the worst thing that happened today?
• Did you try something new?
• What made you smile, laugh, cry?
• What did you eat?
• What people did you meet today?
• Did something go wrong today? ( Travel disasters can sometimes end up as funny stories later on)
• What are clear things you remember feeling, seeing, touching, smelling or hearing? Evoking senses is a fantastic way to bring back memories when you reread your travel journal.
• What are you missing about home?
• What cultural experiences have you had today?
• How did you feel waking up in a new place?
• Describe the place you are in detail ( add smells, tastes, sounds, and feelings as well as what you see)
• Write down some interesting facts or history about your destination
• What makes this place similar or very different from where you are from?
• Did something put you outside of your comfort zone? Why? How did you feel?
• What is happening in the news at your destination? Are you seeing/feeling/being affected by this while you travel?
• How did an experience, person or site make you feel today?
• What music are you listening too?
• What books/magazines are you reading?
• Did you learn any new words or phrases today? How did you learn them? Where did you use them?

Writing in your travel journal at the end of your adventure is the perfect way to reflect. You could journal on the flight home, or wait until you are already home and unpacking to see what your lasting memories and emotions are about a vacation. Below are some holiday journal prompts to help. 

Post Vacation Writing Prompts

• Would you visit again? Or change something in your itinerary if you could go back?
• Did you learn anything?
• How would you describe what you did and saw to a friend or someone that was thinking of traveling to the same destination?
• What was your favorite…. ( could add food, tour, place to visit, experience, person you met.)
• Recall something funny that happened on your trip.
• What were the highlights of your adventure?
• What were some low points of your trip?
• How did your trip differ/live up to your expectations?
• Did your adventure change you or help you grow in any way?
• Where do you want to go next? Why?
• What  souvenir did you bring home?
• What item did you wish you had packed? Or things you realized you didn’t need to pack!
• What is one thing you didn’t get to do but wish you had?
• What is one thing you did do but wish you hadn’t?
• Is there a new food, or tradition from the trip that you are going to bring into your everyday life?
• How did you feel coming home from your adventure?

Want these as a printable to take with you on your adventure? Download your FREE travel Journal Prompts HERE

Travel Journal With Prompts

Want to make it even easier? Why not buy a travel diary that already has travel writing prompts?

Here are some travel journals with prompts we love!

Travel with Meraki – Remember, when you are wondering what to record in a travel journal to not just stick with the facts ( I went here, it was hot today). Add lots of descriptions using all your senses! As well as what you saw, you want to remember the smells, textures, and sounds of a destination. Be sure to also write how all these things made you FEEL !

Travel Quotes To Use In Your Travel Journal

Quotes About Journeys

Vacation Quotes For Families

The Best Travel Quotes

PIN FOR LATER!

Holiday Journal Prompts

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Team Wanderlust | 12 June 2020

13 travel writing prompts to inspire you.

Use these travel writing prompts, initially created as part of the Wanderlust Writing Challenge, to help inspire your writing, dream up new story ideas, or simply get your creative juices flowing...

Welcome! You've landed on Wanderlust 's travel writing prompts. Hopefully, you're sat at your laptop (or have your pen in hand) and are ready to write.

Originally created for the Wanderlust Writing Challenge, these prompts are designed to help you flex your writing muscles. All of them will help you to explore past travels as something to write about, and hopefully spark a few ideas for future stories, articles and journal entries.

Don't forget to let us know if you've used one of our writing prompts. Tell us  @wanderlustmag on Twitter , or on Facebook . To find about the Writing Challenge, and when the winners will be announced, head here . 

Explore your senses

Nothing like the sight - and sound - of a lion on safari (Shutterstock)

For your first prompt, let’s open up the senses. Write no more than three sentences about one of your favourite destinations. Include all five senses in your description.

What can you see, hear and smell? Was the sun shining, and did you smell crisp, clear fresh air? Were cars whizzing past in a bustling city centre, or were you struck by the wild roar of a lion on safari? What did you eat while you were there – how delicious (or not-so-delicious) did it taste? Did you touch anything – how did it feel?

Save your sentences in a safe place, like a Notes folder or a Word Doc, so you can refer back to them.

Describing people

Practice writing about people (Shutterstock)

Often, our travels involve meeting kind strangers or quirky characters. Before you write about them, it might be easier to describe someone you know. Pick someone you’re close to – be it a travel companion, a friend at home, a family member, etc – and write out 10 words you’d use to describe them.

Think about their personality, the way they walk and talk, their laugh, not just their physical appearance. Now take two or three of those descriptors, and use them in a line or two about the person.

Reflect: Looking back, do you think you chose the best adjectives? Have any others popped into your head today, maybe that would be suited to describing the people you met on the road? Write them down and keep them somewhere you can look back on.

A picture tells 1,000 words

Today's prompt requires reflecting on travel photographs (Shutterstock)

Whether print or digital, pull out your last (pre-lockdown) travel photo. Take a good long look at it – what’s happening in the shot?

Write a short account of that experience, just before and just after you snapped the photo. As much as you like, but a few lines is more than enough. What was it like? What were you doing? How do you feel about that experience looking back now?

Don’t worry about trying to make it sound ‘fancy’ – instead, imagine you’re recounting the experience to a friend or fellow traveller.

Reflect: Did you find it easier to write when you imagined telling the story to someone? Or harder? It’s great to journal and record travel experiences for yourself, but your entry at the end of the challenge is about writing a story for other people – friends, and fellow travellers – read and enjoy.

Sentence starter

Not sure where to begin? Try this sentence starter (Shutterstock)

As  we've learned , an engaging first line and paragraph is important for hooking the reader's attention. Especially when it comes to travel writing. So, h ere's a sentence starter to get you going.

Try starting a piece of writing with the sentence:  Of all the things that could have gone wrong, this could only happen to me.  You'll need to revisit a trip that didn't quite go to plan to make it work.

Conversations

Inside a market in Fes, Morocco (Shutterstock)

When we're travelling for ourselves, we don't often think to make a note of the conversations we have, though professional travel journalists and authors will often take a notebook and note conversations, times, dates and places.

For the latest prompt, try to write up what you remember of an interaction with a local, or a fellow traveller, from any past adventure you've been on. Where were you: haggling in a market? Meeting at a restaurant? What do you remember them saying, exactly? Can you only remember the outline of what they said? If so, jot it down.

What was it about? How did they describe things? Did you learn something from the conversation, and if so, how would get that across subtly in your writing, without saying it outright? Imagine how you'd recall the conversation to a friend or colleague, and try to write it that way.

Write as much or as little as you like. Keep your writing somewhere safe, so you can refer back to it.

Highs and lows

Kayaking through Lan Ha Bay? Definitely a high point (Shutterstock)

On any trip, no matter how spectacular, there'll be high points and low points. You may be ticking off a bucket list adventure, or enjoying one of the world's great wonders, but nobody is immune to the annoyance of a delayed flight or missing suitcase.

Ups and downs are still part of our travel experience, whether we like it or not. So, decide which trip you'd like to write about (surely, when you think of a 'low point', one springs to mind?) and try to take your reader on a short journey, starting with the lowest point.

The purpose? To help you write a knockout ending - with the 'pay off' being the absolute highlight of the trip. What went wrong, and how did you get past it? Was it all worth it in the end?

What's the weather?

A rather angry-looking Sydney lightning storm (Shutterstock)

Picture the worst weather you’ve experienced on your travels: biting cold, stifling heat or endless flurries of rain. How did it feel? Did you get drenched? Maybe it was so severe you had to seek shelter, or find a water supply?

Write as much or as little you like for this prompt, but you must start with a straight-into-the-action description of the weather around you.  See where that takes you.

If describing the weather doesn't come naturally, make an attempt to one instance of pathetic fallacy. It's a writing technique where you attribute a human emotion or feeling to something in nature, like an animal or, indeed, the weather. Here's an example: The sandstorm raged on.  Often, it mirrors the narrator's own feelings.

Sentence starter #2

What's the kindest thing anyone's ever done for you? (Shutterstock)

No pressure to remember conversations or practice literary techniques for today’s prompt! Phew . Today, we just want to focus on the kindness of strangers, which was also our theme for the  Wanderlust Writing Challenge.

Simply begin a short (or long - up to you) piece of writing about your life, leading on from:   The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is…

Reflect: How did this prompt go down? And was your experience connected to travel, or was it something that happened in your home life? We'd love to know, tell us on Twitter , Instagram or Facebook

Pack your bags

Write about packing for a trip (Shutterstock)

Wherever you travel, however you travel, and no matter how long you travel for - packing for your trip is essential. Today's prompt is all about turning that unavoidable constant into something a bit more creative. It's simple: write as much or as little as you like about a packing for a recent trip. 

Ever packed for a long weekend the night before, and argued with your travel companion about a misplaced passport? Felt overwhelmed by a to-do list for a trek or three-month expedition, and forgotten most everything on it?

How do you feel when you pack: are you calm and excited for the adventure ahead, or do you feel wistful as you come across old plane tickets and paper maps, as you re-pack your trusty travel case? Perhaps you simply hate this part of travel, and want to (comedically) vent your frustration. Put it all down on paper, and see where that takes you.

Sentence starter #3

Where did you last land? Time to tell the story (Shutterstock)

Keeping it simple with another sentence starter. Write as much or as little as you like about a travel experience, following on from: As soon as I landed in... 

A seafood barbecue by the Mediterranean Sea (Shutterstock)

Foodie travellers, rejoice! This prompt is for you. Your challenge is to write a few lines, a short paragraph, about a particularly enjoyable foodie experience you've had.

A  region or country's cuisine is part of its culture, and for lots of us, a big part of our travel experience. So, aim for lots of vivid detail: what were your surroundings? Was it made by a local chef?  What did you eat? What ingredients could you taste?

Was when you ate it important (say, after a challenging hike), and how did it make you feel? And important, did you dare to try the national tipple after your meal? 

The Simien Mountains in Ethiopia (Shutterstock)

Describe the most breathtaking, awe-inspiring landscape you've ever witnessed, putting our travel writing tips into practice.

Don't fall into the trap of over-fluffing your descriptions, with fancy words you'd never use in daily life. At the same time, make a real effort to avoid these  all-too-common travel writing phrases . Time to stretch your vocabulary. Write as much or as little as you like, but aim for at least a few lines.

Reading your work

An Arctic village. Will you describe the people, the food, the landscape - or all three? (Shutterstock)

Your writing prompt today isn't about writing. It's about reading, which is incredibly important if you want to be a travel writer. Not just the work of others, but your own work, too.

Firstly, give yourself a pat on the back if you're here and you've used some of these prompts – challenging yourself to write when you're just starting out or are starved for inspiration isn’t easy! 

Secondly, read through what you've written based on these prompts. Choose your favourite piece of writing and continue it - write the full story, flesh it out and see where it takes you. Enjoy.

P.S. Do let us know if you would like us to keep updating this article with more prompts. W e always love to hear from you  at [email protected].

More travel writing inspiration to enjoy:, how to describe people in your travel writing, 10 classic (and expert) writing tips for travel articles, related articles, looking for inspiration.

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40 Creative Travel Journal Ideas & Writing Prompts to Save Your Best Travel Memories

Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by Michela

It’s so easy to let our travel photos get buried in our camera roll or to say “I’ll remember this night forever” and forget the details that made it so special just a few months later. That’s where keeping a travel journal becomes such an important part of your trip! These travel journal ideas & writing prompts will make you fall in love with trips all over again and keep your favorite memories alive.

Travel journaling is therapeutic, fun, and provokes self-reflection and creativity. While we travel, we can be pretty busy – exploring different places, sleeping on planes, meeting new people. But just because you’re busy during your trip doesn’t mean you can’t keep a travel journal!

Keeping a travel journal is even more rewarding when you can make it personal with mementos (and other travel journal ideas I’m sharing below!)

And if you’re just here for the prompts, you can jump to the bottom of the post or download the free ‘Where She Goes’ Travel Journal Prompts list from The Travel Library .

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Let’s get into everything there is to know about travel journaling and the creative ways you can go about your trip memory-keeping.

Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure !

All About Travel Journaling: What It Is, How To Do It, & Should You Keep A Travel Journal?

Keeping a travel journal is simply about recording memories from a trip. You can even keep track of and plan future trips in a travel journal (which I, as someone in love with lists, do often!)

There’s no one way to journal about travels. You could write during or after your trip, keep a travel bullet journal, track you running bucket list, save travel tips for your next trip – the important thing is to be creative and reflective!

Travel journaling is an amazing tool to see how travel has influenced us to grow as a person, from conquering fears to gaining self-confidence.

It can be used to beat the lonely times of solo travel or try to escape the post-trip blues by reliving those memories just made.

While we travel, there are so many highs, lows, emotions, funny moments and more that we say we will never forget. But to really never forget them, we have to reflect on them and document them! That’s where keeping a travel journal comes in handy.

The Best Travel Journals

There are lots of different options for travel journals. You could use a plain basic notebook or write in a travel diary with printed prompts and exercises. So, how do you know which one to choose?

The truth is, you can go through a lot of travel journals. Maybe you’ll get the chance to experience multiple different kinds! If you are naturally more creative, choose a mostly blank travel journal to which you can add personal touches.

If you struggle with what to write about, opt for journals with prompts built into them (or scroll down to the prompts below and download the list!)

Two travel journals that are both cute and interactive are the Wander Always Journal and the Page A Day Journal . These have prompts and activities within them, so there’s a bit less room for creativity. But, it also makes the process easier and faster with these bonuses.

Another travel journal that is perfect for those wanting a more sleek and clean look is the WNDRD Trip Planning Journal . As it says in the name, you can use this notebook for journaling and for trip planning with the specially printed planner pages.

Travel journals can also be great sentimental gifts for friends and family (or for yourself – I won’t tell!)

Travel Journal Apps

Everything has an app these days, right? Travel journaling can even be done on your phone! Some apps for travel journaling include:

• Travel Diaries

There’s also a sweet app called Journi, where you can create photo albums with diary entries and track your trip on a map. Then you can print or share these mini albums! You can group your photos while traveling or after so that they are easy to find. This way won’t be lost in your camera roll!

Creative Travel Journal Ideas

If you want to do more than just write in your travel journal, then there are many ways to make it special and personalized!

These unique travel journal ideas are meant to get you thinking about how to make your love for travel or the travels themselves come alive.

Look for inspiration everywhere. Maybe you have a ton of extra coins lying around from your trip to Italy . Or you saved those flowers you picked near the coast of France and they are now dried. These can all be accessories used to bring your travel memories back to life in your journal!

Photo Pocket

The first travel journal idea is to add a photo pocket to the back or front of your journal. This is a super simple way to create a little storage of your photos without having to spend time doing a complete album!

Simply take a piece of cardstock or stiff paper and cut it into a rectangle large enough to hold your photos. You can even create a scoop like mind so they peek out.

Then add adhesive to the bottom and sides and attach it to wherever there is a sturdy spot on your journal. Voila, you have a place to put all those photos instead of letting them get buried in your phone!

Scrapbook Layout

While the first idea to making your travel journal more creative was a simple way to include photos in your journal, this version takes a bit more time and creativity.

In your travel journal, you can either leave space on the pages as you write or write and layout photos at the same time to create a commemorative mini travel scrapbook.

You’ll need small adhesive, scissors, and some creative juices flowing to transform blank pages into something beautiful.

Decorating your travel journal is another way to give it more personality and bring out the fun of your trips.

You can opt for inexpensive sheets of stickers or find specific decals you fall in love with to tell the story of your trip!

Good places to buy unique stickers and decals are Etsy , Amazon , and Society6 .

Here are some of my favorites for an aesthetic travel journal cover and pages!

• Go Travel Decal
• Trip Planning Stickers
• Vintage Vinyl Stickers
• Gold & Black Aesthetic Travel Stickers

Add Your Own Art

Take the design of your travel journal to the next level by channeling your inner artist. Use paint to decorate the outside. Doodle your favorite places on the pages or the cover to bring you back to a place.

Whatever artistic addition you can make to your travel journal, the more personal to and reflective of you it will be.

Preserving Tickets, Passes, & Other Mundane Mementos

One of the best travel journal ideas is to preserve all of the extra bits from your trip – things like train tickets, museum passes, and local maps – to add to your writing entries.

They may seem useless after your trip, but these tokens of your travels are the real elements that bring your memories to life. Seeing a word can help you imagine a place, but physically touching your metro pass or gallery ticket takes you right back to the moment you used it.

Tape these small papers to page corners, stuff them in the photo pocket, or even use them as little bookmarks to organize your journal.

Choose Something to Collect

Make your travel journal completely unique by sticking with a theme. This idea for travel journals will take some time to execute throughout your travels, but it can be a special way to remember each place you’ve been to.

Whether it is stamps, postcards, or boarding passes, build up a consistent collection of them from wherever you travel.

Then when it comes time to assemble your journal, you have a cute consistent theme and a visually appealing diary to document every place you have been.

Travel Journal Prompts for Reflection & Memory-Keeping

Travel journal prompts are ways to combat writer’s block and inspire creativity. To make these prompts easier to reference, you can download the free printable of ‘Where She Goes’ Travel Journal Prompts from The Travel Library, where you’ll also have access to resources like my girl’s packing list and Lightroom photo presets.

The Journey

• What was the journey like to be here? What happened on the way to your destination?
• Did you learn anything new on the journey?
• Who did you meet while traveling to this place?
• What was your favorite part of the journey?
• Did you reach here by car, plane, train?
• Was it a long journey? How did you feel once you reached your destination?
• What songs did you listen to on the way that take you back to this trip?

The Destination

• Describe your current surroundings.
• How does this place make you feel?
• Why did you want to be here? Did you want to be here?
• What surprised you most about this place?
• Who are you traveling with?
• What have you learned about this place since arriving?
• What’s a funny story you would tell your friend about this trip?
• Where did you explore off-the-beaten-path?
• Did you try any unique foods?
• How would you describe this place to a friend or family member?
• Name one thing you never want to forget about this place.
• What is a memory you’ll cherish forever from this trip?
• Did you enjoy your trip? If not, why?
• What did you learn about yourself after visiting this place?
• What could have gone better?
• How do you feel after leaving? Would you return?
• Name three things you are grateful for from this trip.
• Describe your favorite photo from this trip.

General Memory-Keeping

• Write about the first travel memory that comes to mind.
• Doodle a monument or favorite place you have visited that made you want to pinch yourself.
• Describe your first travel experience. What were you feeling? Scared? Excited? Anxious?
• Make a list of all the people you’ve met while traveling.
• What’s one thing you would change about travel?
• What’s one thing you want to do better while traveling?
• Where’s your favorite place to travel with family? Describe it in vivid detail.
• Describe a place you’ve visited through using all five senses.
• If you could choose one place you’ve been to stay forever, which one would it be?

Final Tips for Travel Journaling

Hopefully with all these travel journal ideas and writing prompts, you feel more comfortable and excited to document your travels! Here are some extra tips to make travel journaling work for you:

• Keep your travel journal with you as you are on the go. This may seem obvious, but when you think about it, we don’t want to pause our day to go write about what’s happening that very second. Instead, have your journal with you to doodle your surroundings or write down specific feelings you have at the moment. You can elaborate later!
• Write down keywords to escape writer’s block. If you have trouble getting started, jot down a few words that come to mind when you are looking at a prompt. Often when writing, we get overwhelmed by what the finished product should look like that we can’t even start! Start as small as keywords and as your ideas come in the writing will flow.
• Use every sense for details. An easy way to get more creative and describe a moment well is to think about it from the perspective of all five senses you experienced with. What sounds did you hear, things do you see, flavors did you taste?

Let me know what you think of these travel journal ideas, prompts, & tips with a comment!

Save this guide to Pinterest for later reference!

The more memories we make, the more important it is to jot them down so we have them forever. Tell me if you’re excited about travel journaling like me!

Michela is a travel writer and photographer living in northern Italy. She is passionate about helping people make the most of their travels by sharing advice gained from her personal experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations and time-saving quick itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!

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101 Travel Journal Ideas & Creative Prompts to make journaling fun

My mother insisted we keep a journal on our childhood trips. I love looking through those travel logs, seeing my little girl handwriting and reading the entries. But even with Mom’s urging, my entries all grow shorter as the trip progressed. Fifty some years and many trips later, I’ve returned to keeping journals, but have come up with journal prompts and fun travel journal ideas to keep up my enthusiasm throughout the trip .

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A travel journal is one of the best souvenirs you can bring home. In it you capture feelings and travel memories as they happen. Opening that journal years later will transport you back to that trip and let you savor the experience all over again. But that is IF you are diligent in keeping your journal. Many of us begin with enthusiasm, only to drop off as the week goes on. It’s not easy to begin writing at the end of a long day of touring.

Table of Contents

Find a style and create a schedule to keep you on track.

Travel journal ideas: the medium.

Consider a format that works best for you. Some enjoy the traditional travel diary, but some are more comfortable using technology for their notes. A video diary might be the best travel journal for you!

Journaling with technology – platforms and apps

A plus for using technology for journaling is luggage space. You already have your phone, so there’s nothing more to pack!

Mobile device apps for journaling

• note taking apps . Tried and true apps like Evernote , OneNote, or Google Keep , are easy to use for your personal journal entries. If you use these at home, you’ll feel comfortable using them on the road.
• We recommend: Polarsteps – tracks your trip on a map with images and brief captions. This app has a private option which is great. Travel photo books can be created after your trip. (We haven’t tried the photo books so cannot comment on quality.)
• another popular and well-reviewed app is Journi’s Travel Blog which also allows for a printed book after the trip.
• itinerary based apps . These allow you to upload information ahead of time re. flights, hotels, etc. and you’ll get notifications if there’s a change in plans. These are great for staying organized on a long trip . Some of these will allow you to add notes, eg., journal-like comments as you travel.

Blogging platforms for journaling

• Set up a simple blog – WordPress.com, blogger, etc. offer free blog options. It’s easier than you might think to set up your blog, and you can easily share with friends and family. Again, try this at home before you go. (Be forewarned… this website started as a way to keep in touch with family on a trip to Egypt in 2012 …)

I try to write on my WordPress itinerary blog at the end of each day. If I’m really tired, I dictate my thoughts from my phone. Fortunately, these late-night ramblings go into the private blog until I’ve had a chance to review and correct any mistakes. (The transcription of the dictation is often strange, so enjoy a laugh, but remember to edit.) I also carry a notebook, for quick entries and information. The important thing is to try to preserve those memories. More on that later!

Paper travel journals

Some people just prefer the feel of paper and pen. And most of us know it’s smart to carry paper documentation in case phone batteries die, or there’s no internet available.

There are many options for buying a travel diary . The benefits of a printed journal is that the pages are preformatted and often include pages for contact info, itinerary, etc.. It’s easy to just pick up the journal and begin to write.

But consider designing your own travel journal. Creating a trip journal is a great option for filling those exciting weeks before your trip. Your journal can be as detailed or as freewheeling as you like it. With your own self-created book, you will not end up with empty pages reminding you when you hadn’t the time or inclination to write every day.

How to set up your own travel journal

• Choose a notebook. Use one you have at home or buy something special. To save space I use either a Field Notes book for a short trip, or a Leuchtturm 1917 A6 notebook for a longer, more important adventure. Both of these are small enough to fit easily into my bag. But if space isn’t a problem, choose a larger traveler’s notebook or similar.
• Outline the pages you’d like to include. Suggestions: index page, itinerary, contact info, a world map, etc.
• If you plan to keep a travel diary in your book, designate blank pages ahead of time. Note any travel prompts you think you’d like to write about on a back page to refer to as you go. Leave space for travel photos you can add later.
• Decorate as much or as little as you choose! I’m not artistic, so I personalize my journal with washi tape and 1-2 stickers before the trip and add any cute stamps or stickers I come across while traveling.

Keep going: strategies to encourage journaling

Ok. So, you’ve got the journal. Now how to stay motivated to write in it?

Add some lists, prompts, and fun activity pages to your book. Some of these ideas only require checkmarks or quick dashed off notes. But knowing you need to check off that place, or write what you had for supper, will keep you coming back to the journal.

If you’re artistic, bring sketching materials, use paint, and fill your pages with images. No room for colored pencils and paints? A multi-colored pen takes up little space and will brighten your pages.

If you’re a collector, adding ticket stubs or postcards is a great way to preserve a memory. Bring along a glue stick if there’s room in your luggage. These little details will be fun to see in years to come.

101 Travel Journal Prompts

Some people are naturally creative. They need no suggestions for their evening journaling. But for most of us, it’s helpful to have some writing prompts to get us started. Here are some of my favorites:

Important information for your journal’s front pages

Be sure to share your travel plans with a family member before leaving home!

• Your travel itinerary
• Transportation and Flight details
• Accommodations with address and contact information
• Booked tours and guides with contact information

Travel Planning and Brainstorming Lists

• Your packing list and pre-trip to-do list
• Your destination bucket list? What are you most excited about doing or seeing?
• Foods and drinks you want to try
• Travel budget & ongoing expenses
• Souvenirs you plan to buy and for who (leave room for spontaneous purchases)
• Books (or movies) about your destination.
• Some basic words in the language – please, thank you, etc.
• Cultural customs to understand and respect.
• What advice have you read or been given about your destination?
• Inspirational quotes: your favorites or something you hear and want to remember.
• Plan a playlist for your trip.

Travel journal prompts: on your way

These are great prompts to work on during those never-ending days before the trip, or on the flight.

• Facts about your destination
• What are your expectations of the destination or experience?
• What made you choose this destination?
• What part of this trip have you enjoyed planning for the most?
• Have there been any pre-trip disasters? 
• Is there anything about the trip that worries you or makes you anxious?
• What do you want to learn on this adventure?
• How will you prioritize your health while you are traveling?
• Make a list of things you can do for self-care while on the trip.
• What an essential thing you pack that you will never travel without?

Daily prompts for your travel journal

• Gratitude pages (or add a bit of gratitude to every day’s entry)
• How did you travel to your destination?
• What was your first reaction upon arrival in this new place- joy, surprise, disappointment?
• What did you do today?
• What will be your favorite memory of this day?
• What was the most amazing thing you did today?
• Did anything embarrassing happen today?
• What made you laugh today? Or was there something that made you cry?
• Was there an uncomfortable or difficult moment today? How did you handle it? 
• Did you try something new today? If you’re on a big trip, you could designate a whole page in the journal for new experiences!
• What’s the biggest challenge about being in this destination?
• What did you eat today? Did you try a local delicacy?
• Are you maintaining a balanced diet? How does it make you feel?
• Did you meet some interesting people today? What did you talk about? If you think you’d like to keep up with them, make a note of their contact information or tuck business cards into your journal.
• Did anything go wrong today? How was it resolved and how did you react?
• What cultural experience did you experience today? How did it impact you?
• What makes this place similar or different from your home?
• Is your destination being affected by any current events? How is it impacting your trip
• Do a self-check. Are you feeling relaxed and happy or tired and stressed?
• What exercise did you get today? How many steps have you logged? 
• Did you take time for self-care today? How will you prioritize yourself tomorrow?
• What did you do today that energized you? What drained your energy?
• What did you wear today? Make a list of what you packed and check items off as you wear them. See what can be left at home next trip.
• Make a timeline of your day.
• What local traditions might you like to adopt at home.
• Consider the environment at your destination? Is there a problem with litter or smog? What is being done to fix this.
• What challenges are the local people facing?
• How do the locals live? What’s the top industry?
• Make a prompt based on your hobbies, e.g. Wines you’ve tasted, art museums you’re visiting…
• What’s working for you on this trip? Do you like the pace of travel? The people you’re with?
• Describe your hotel/accommodation as if you were reviewing it for Travel and Leisure
• Make a list of the interesting animals and wildlife you see on the trip. This is one of my favorite things to keep track of in my journal.
• Travel stats: distance traveled, weather, etc.
• What can’t you wait to share with your friends back home?
• What music have you listened to today?

Some creative travel journal ideas to keep things fun

• Describe where you are in right now using as many of your senses as you can.
• Draw a famous landmark you saw today.
• Sketch the inside of your hotel room or the view out the window.
• Share a story or legend about your destination.
• If you were to write a book about this trip, what would the title be?
• Draw a map of your travels.
• Make a rainbow or an ABC page – (these is a fun travel journal ideas if you’re traveling with kids!) Note things you see of every color in the rainbow (or every color of the alphabet), take pictures, or sketch what you saw.
• Make a photography (or wildlife) BINGO game .

Travel reflections

• What advice do you have for others who visit here?
• What is something special to do here that isn’t in the tour guide?
• What was the most memorable meal from the trip?
• What were the favorite places you visited during the trip?
• Make a list of all the places you stayed.
• Words you’ve learned in the local language. Or regional expressions!
• What is the biggest lesson that this trip taught you? 
• Am you any different when you travel? Do you have more or less – energy, creativity, irritability, etc.?
• What is something you did that you are proud of?
• What local traditions resonated with you most?
• What about life here is better than life at home?
• What are you most grateful for about this trip?
• Was there a moment that impacted you more than you expected?
• What do you miss most from home?
• Do you think this trip will change your life for the better? Will tourism help the community you’re visiting? 
• Could you live in this foreign country? Would you like to?
• What advice have you been told by a local while on this trip? Can you apply it to your life?

Travel journal prompts: after the trip

Some ideas to reflect on during your flight home.

• What is something new you learned from this trip?
• Is there anything about this trip that didn’t meet your expectations?
• What was the highlight of your trip?
• What was the worst thing that happened on your trip?
• Would you visit here again?
• Is there anything you would do differently next time you visit? Experiences you missed or style of travel?
• Has your perception of the destination changed because of this trip?
• Has this trip inspired you to make changes in your life at home?
• What did you wish you’d pack and what could have been left at home?
• What has been the most rewarding travel experience of your life?
• If you could go on a trip with anyone, who would you go with and where would you go? 
• What is a fear you’ve overcome while traveling? How?
• What have you learned about travel that will impact how you travel next and how?
• How has your travel (past and present) changed you? 
• Did this trip challenge your limits physically or put you out of your comfort zone? Will you make changes on your next vacation?
• Where do you plan to go next?

BINGO – A fun idea for your travel journal – photography, wildlife sightings, etc.

One of our favorite travel journal pages is the bingo page. You’ll probably remember this from the road trips we took as kids where we checked off signs or other roadside things to make BINGO.

As we love to take pictures when we travel, I make a photography game. This can be an individual challenge or a competition among traveling companions. Though in my travel I’m usually doing this solo, the benefit of the photography game is that it encourages me to look at my surroundings in a deeper way. As my game ‘card’ get filled up, I find myself focusing on finding that elusive image. This is a creative and fun idea to include in your own journal.

Create your own photography challenge

• simple things – sunsets, hotel room, or food
• artistic ideas – black & white, close-ups, or low light
• things that elicits a feeling – funny signs or something scary.
• randomize the list (we have our list in excel which has a randomize option but you can do it manually just by mixing up your list)
• create ‘bingo’ cards in your journal, with 5 or 6 squares across and down.
• write the list, as randomized, on as many ‘cards’ as there are participants. (everyone’s card should be different)
• at the end of each day, or when you’ve got some downtime, fill in the boxes where you’ve captured images. See who gets bingo first!

If you’re not a photographer, you can do this with highway sightings or whatever. On our recent safari we made grids of animals and birds we hoped to see.

Travel Journal Ideas – make it easy, make it personal

Whatever medium you choose, make it something that you’ll enjoy, that will add to the trip, and not become a burden. Keep it close, so you can note things in it when there’s quiet time. Air travel is a great time to work on it.

I hope I’ve given you suggestions that will make keeping a travel journal easy and relevant. Remember, this journal is for you. Have fun!

For more suggestions, Megan from Cullessense has a great list of travel journal ideas .

Do you keep a travel log when you travel? What do you do to keep your interest from flagging? We’d love to add your suggestions into our next travel diary!

This post is part of our Travel 101 series of posts that will prepare you for your trip.

Amy Tull and Team

• Amy Tull and Team https://travelingtulls.com/author/gramma2chance/ Nature and Birding in Costa Rica: a World of Strange & Wonderful Beauty
• Amy Tull and Team https://travelingtulls.com/author/gramma2chance/ How to Survive a Long Flight: be comfortable even in Economy Seats (2024)
• Amy Tull and Team https://travelingtulls.com/author/gramma2chance/ Best Time to Travel to Machu Picchu, Peru: a traveler’s guide (2024)
• Amy Tull and Team https://travelingtulls.com/author/gramma2chance/ Undercover Birding: how to enjoy birdwatching while traveling with friends

Amy, a writer on responsible bucket list travel, is your reliable source for insightful travel advice. With a career background in libraries, and a degree in biology and mathematics, Amy's approach to travel is rooted in meticulous research and planning, and her commitment to eco-conscious adventures.

Amy’s dedication to sustainable travel practices, including efficient packing techniques, ensures that every adventure leaves a positive impact on both the environment and the traveler's well-being. Trust Amy to guide you towards meaningful and eco-friendly travel, making the most of your retirement years.

A lifelong New England resident, Amy is also the source for insider tips on travel in the Northeastern U.S.

• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ 25 Tips to Conquer Travel Anxiety: How to Make Travel Easier (and almost stress-free!)
• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ Easy Elegance: 3 Capsule Wardrobe Templates for Travel Planning
• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ Navigating the Amazon and Caribbean with Viking: An Honest Review (2024)
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28 thoughts on “ 101 Travel Journal Ideas & Creative Prompts to make journaling fun ”

Love the Photo Bingo Challenge! I’ll definitely be adding this to my own travel journals

Wrote a similar post not long time ago. Wish I was more organized when writing my journal

I’ve never been successful at keeping a regular journal. But I so enjoy making my own travel journal that I keep at it.

I need to do more of this! If only to remember for when I come to writing blog posts and knowing what the heck that photo is of! Inspired! Alison

Yes!! I use excerpts from my journal if we make a photo book after the trip. It’s interesting sometimes to read things that we’d completely forgotten.

Great post! I made a paper journal last year but got addicted to putting so much into it that it got too heavy to carry!

Ha ha! I love that! We do tend to accumulate as we travel, don’t we?

Yes it’s terrible!!

I do a mix of several things (paper notebook, notes on phone, journaling on my tablet with keyboard) and yet, I am not always successful at getting it all down so I can write about it later. The best laid plans… One thing I do that helps me is that I take more photos than you might think necessary of things like signs explaining the site we are seeing or of menus in restaurants. This helps with reference later.

I am going to start doing this! Will come in very useful when I am trying to recall details of when I was “there”!

I do keep a paper travel notebook, but it’s very basic, more my thoughts and impressions on the road rather than a journal. You have given me some great ideas to make more of my on the road notes – thank you.

Great! Let me know if you come up with other good ideas!

Wow! a lot of interesting ideas. Thanks for sharing!

This is something I majorly struggle with when traveling. I like that you included the various mediums because sometimes I feel like “journaling” is more paper. Thank you. I am going to try some of these strategies during my next big trip.

I struggle too. I really, really try to get down thoughts at the end of each day, but sometimes I’m just too tired. That’s why I like having easy options in my journal to just jot something down quick.

I really love journaling. But with no success. I would follow yours. Thanks a lot!

I think as travel bloggers we are all biased by the fact that we enjoy writing. I finished a full notebook on my last trip, while for some people in my group, keeping a journal ment only to write what they ate and what they saw. And… I am a classy journalist (?), only paper, and then once I am back I write on the blog a less chaotic version of it. Love this type of posts! Thanks for sharing =)

That’s amazing! I do a great job most days but there are times when I lag behind and just jot down a few things. I wish I wrote down what I ate!

Some great ideas here Amy. We take a lot of photos and videos but I am afraid I have never bee ngreat about taking detailed notes. I like your idea of dictating them. Even though mine would likely be rambling musings it would help sort things out later on.

I love this post – I really struggle with journalling, I always go on and off. Lots of great ideas – I am going to try some out for my NY resolutions next year 🙂

When I first started travelling I kept paper journals. But the photos were in a separate place. I finally decided I wanted to bring the words and pics together and created a blog to do that. We still create a planning journal that capture all of our travel plans, things to see and do, photo ideas, contacts and more. Some good ideas here for blog topics.

That’s how this blog got started too! But, like you, I still carry a small notebook.

I do love to have a travel journal and it has to be a new one for every trip. I love that photo bingo idea, thats cool!

I create a travel journal as a planning guide before we travel listing what we must do and what is optional. Then comes the photos. I download the pics at the end of every day under the rightly named folder. That makes it easier later when we are writing blogs. I also tried the voice recording in our Australia trip at every destination. Thanks for the tips. 🙂

I love, love, love this post! I always bring a journal with me and recently spent about 2 hours journaling in the Rodin sculpture garden in Paris. One of my favorite prompts is “Has this trip inspired you to make changes in your life at home?” which, to me, is sort of the essence of traveling. I’ll definitely use some of these on my next trip.

Thanks Amber! What a wonderful place to journal!

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52 Travel Journal Prompts That Will Inspire You

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52 Creative Travel Journal Prompts

Are wondering what to write in a travel journal? Here are 52 travel journal prompts to inspire you!

I used to keep SUPER detailed travel journals, which are great to look back on, but time-consuming to actually keep up with. Now I make shorter bullet-point lists at the end of every day when I’m traveling, and make notes on my phone throughout the day to capture my thoughts.

No matter how you decide to document your trip, you will be glad you did it! It’s so fun to be able to look back on your memories and re-live your memories.

You also never know who else will enjoy your travel journals one day… I loved reading my grandmother’s travel journals decades later and I’m so glad I have them!

So here are 52 travel journal ideas to get your creativity flowing.

Related:  15 Creative Travel Bullet Journal Ideas

Best Travel Journals

While you can use any notebook for travel journaling (or even use your phone!) there are a lot of cool dedicated travel journals/planners out there which I love!

Here are two great options for travel planners that also have a lot of space for journaling:

This Erin Condren travel planner is small and easily fits in your purse, but contains tons of pages for planning AND journaling! Document every aspect of your trip with this travel journal.

This spiral-bound travel planner and journal is another great option for both keeping the details of your trip organized, and journaling all your travel memories as you go. 

If you’re just looking for a blank notebook to use as a travel journal, you can’t go wrong with a classic Moleskine notebook which is what I personally use for my travels!

And without further ado, here are the 52 travel journal prompts for you to use!

Pre-Trip Travel Journal Prompts

Before your trip and even on the way to your destination, writing about these travel journal prompts will allow you to document your anticipation for your adventure.

• What are you most excited about?
• Is there anything you are nervous or worried about?
• Why did you choose this particular destination?
• How much did you pack for this trip?
• What is the first thing you’ll do when you arrive?
• What’s on the itinerary for your trip?
• Have you had any pre-trip disasters?
• What are some interesting facts about your destination?
• How are you feeling on the way there?

Journal Prompts While Traveling

Capture your feelings and experiences while traveling forever with these journal prompts to be answered during your trip. I recommend setting aside a small amount of time every morning or evening to write about your day while it’s still fresh on your mind! 

• What were your first impressions of your destination?
• How did you feel when you first arrived?
• Was anything different from how you expected it to be?
• Make a list of what you did today..
• What has surprised you so far?
• What were the highlights of today?
• What about the lowlights of today?
• Is there anything you’re missing from home?
• What’s a conversation you overheard today?
• How do you feel about where you’re staying?
• What was the best thing you ate today?
• Did anything go wrong today?
• Make a list of the scents, sounds, and sights you experience.
• What have you learned about your destination?
• Did anything funny happen today?
• What are you reading/listening to?
• What emotions are you currently feeling?

Post-Trip Travel Journal Prompts

Reflect on your trip and share your memories with these post-travel journal ideas.

• Would you visit this destination again?
• What would you change if you could re-do your trip?
• What are some lessons you learned from your trip?
• Did you have any travel disasters?
• What were the funniest moments from your trip?
• What was the best meal you ate on your trip?
• Did you bring home any souvenirs?
• What were your favorite things about the destination?
• What are some things you wish you had packed?
• Did you feel let down by anything?
• Make a list of the best and worst moments from your trip.
• What is one thing you wish you had gotten to do but didn’t?
• What is one thing you did but wish you hadn’t?
• How do you feel about being home?

General Travel Journal Prompts

Even when you aren’t traveling, you can always write about past trips, or dream about future trips! Here are some general travel prompts to get your creativity flowing.

• What’s on your travel bucket list?
• What are your favorite travel memories?
• Make a list of the best and worst trips you’ve ever taken.
• Who are the most interesting people you’ve met while traveling?
• What is one time you got lost while traveling?
• If money was no concern, where would you go?
• What is a time you went out of your comfort zone while traveling?
• What are the funniest travel moments you’ve had?
• What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?
• Are there any places you have no interest in traveling to?
• What are the best meals you’ve ever had while traveling?
• What are the best and worst places you’ve stayed while traveling?

Related: 37 January Bullet Journal Ideas to Inspire You

More Ways to Document Your Travels

These are the best travel journal prompts to inspire your creativity!

In addition to keeping a travel journal, you might also consider starting a travel blog to document your travels. (You can even make money from travel blogging!)

I have a whole series on starting a travel blog, which you can navigate through below:

• How to Start a Travel Blog for Beginners
• Travel Blog Names: How to Choose One + Ideas
• How to Make Money with a Travel Blog
• 6 Best WordPress Themes for Travel Blogs
• 50 Travel Blog Post Ideas
• Travel Blog Income Report Roundup

Hopefully you found these travel journal prompts helpful. Happy travels! 🙂

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About Denise Cruz

Denise is a marketing executive who escaped corporate to travel the world… twice. A Brazilian native living in the U.S., she’s lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After side-hustling her way to financial independence, she curates solo destination guides, slow travel tips, and travel blogging advice on Wander Her Way. When she’s not on the road, you can find her in Miami with her dog Finnegan.

Traveling Party of Four

The ultimate list of thoughtful travel journal prompts from a to z.

• January 6, 2020
• Family Travel
• 54 Comments
• by Jenny Bhatia

Are you ready to rock your travel journal? I have over fifty travel journal prompts and ideas, literally from A to Z, plus eleven bonus tips on getting started. And a comprehensive list of thought-provoking questions to get the creative juices flowing.

📌 Pin It For Your Traveling Friends 📌.

Affiliate Disclosure: There are affiliate links throughout this post. This means if you click on a link and purchase a product through that link, then I will receive a small commission for the referral. And that is kinda cool.

Travel is picking up again, at last. What are your vacation plans? Start writing now.

Even a quick weekender is a good enough reason to document your thoughts and experiences in your travel journal.

If you need a little help with travel journal ideas, or maybe a buzzword for inspiration, I am here for you today with a FREE printable of over fifty travel journal prompts from the planning stage to post-vacation, and even from A to Z.

Sign up below and I will send it to you ASAP.

What is a travel journal?

A travel journal is a collection of your adventures, starting with the  planning stage  of your holiday. 

Travel journaling starts when you are deciding on where to go on your next vacation. If you know me at all, you are aware that I love the planning process of a vacation.

Researching different destinations, activities, food, figuring out how to get there, where to stay, how to get around. The anticipation of traveling the world is so exciting, and these days (2021) means even more.

The planning stage excites me almost as much as the travel experience itself.

So, where do you want to go? What do you want to do? Eat? Drink?

How do you plan on getting there and where do you wish to stay?

Go grab your journal and start writing.

We will travel the world someday, but for now, we can research and plan and dream.

Your travel journal is yours. There are no rules to follow; just write what you think. And if you are artsy in any way, sketch it out. Your experiences are unique to you, so your journal should follow.

AND you don’t have to hike Mount Everest, visit the Taj Majal, or bike down a volcano in Maui to justify creating a travel journal. Go on a local hike, a weekender out of town, kayaking in the springs, or visiting family.

It is your travel journal; you do you.

Reasons to Keep a Travel Journal.

• For journaling your experiences while they are fresh on your mind. You don’t want to miss important details.
• Document what you learn while in a new place.
• Reflect on your adventure daily.
• Keep track of what you want to do next, so you don’t miss anything.
• Create a “soft” Itinerary because, with family travel, itineraries are ever-changing.
• My favorite reason is so you can keep reading your travel journal for years to come and reminisce about the happiness and excitement you felt while traveling.

Tips to Rock Your Travel Journal.

1) Decide what type of journal you want to keep.

I am old school. I love to write by hand and have everything in front of me, so I use a journal I can write in, one that has a folder to keep things in, and has daily prompts for me to follow. It is not super elaborate, but it is beautiful. I will leave a link below with my favorite journals (I have tried a few).

2) Start during the travel planning stage.

Plan your flights, accommodations, car rental, scheduled tours, and dinner reservations. Also, write down all of the activities and sights that you don’t want to miss while traveling. Create your “soft” itinerary and keep it in your travel journal.

3) Journal every day.

Write in your journal every day to keep the momentum going. Don’t forget to date your entries. Lie down in bed after the family is settled in for the night and write what you did, what you saw, how it made you feel.

How did the bakery smell? How did the veggies and fresh fish at the market look? If you bought food from the market, how did you prepare it, and how did it taste? Was the view from the top of the mountain as fantastic as you dreamed? Was it worth the hour hike to that waterfall in the rainforest? Were the people kind to you?

Another tip to get that entry in every day is to bring your journal with you wherever you go. You never know when you will have some downtime to document your experience — waiting in line at the theatre, restaurant, attraction, or just some time to sit in a lounge chair facing the ocean and reflect.

4) Write down what you learned.

Make it a point to learn something new every day, and write it in your journal. What did you learn about the culture, the food, the geography, the people, the traffic? And what did you learn about yourself?

5) Illustrate.

If you are artistic, or even if you are not, use this opportunity to sketch your views, in addition to writing, OR in place of writing.

6) Stash your memorabilia.

Keep receipts, boarding passes, postcards, business cards, brochures, tickets stubs in the folder in the back of the journal. My journal has a pocket to stash all of these goodies safely.

7) Make it fun.

Your daily entry does not have to be a dissertation. It can be something quick, a sentence, a paragraph or two. Don’t make it a chore. Keep it light and fun.

8) Engage in all of your senses.

How did the local brew taste? How did the sun feel on your face? And the smell of the salty air. It’s not all about what you get to see while traveling, it’s how it made you feel. So don’t forget to document the feels.

9) Involve the kids.

Did they say or do anything funny? Ask them what their favorite activity of the day was and include their point of view in your journal. Or better yet, get them a journal and teach them how to use it.

10) Gratitude.

Always end the day with gratitude. You have had an adventure with people you love in a beautiful destination. Life is good. Write down what you are grateful for in that moment.

11) Continue to journal after the trip is over.

On the flight home, or when you get home, continue to write about your adventure. Look at your uploaded pictures, paste a hard copy into your journal. Remember when I said to write down the expectations of your journey? Now is the time to share in your travel diary if your expectations were met, how and why?

Include how you thought the food would be vs. how it actually was.

Document your favorite experience of the trip. And if you have one, your least favorite experience.

Use this time to put the finishing touches on your journal and make it look pretty, but only if you want to.

Travel Journal Ideas to Get You Started.

Pre-travel journal prompts..

• Where are you going and why?
• How are you getting there and where are you staying?
• Your inspiration in choosing this particular destination?
• What do you expect to find when you arrive?
• List your plans for activities?
• Your reading list? Playlist? Podcast list?
• Create a packing list for you and your family.
• Construct a “soft” daily itinerary.

Travel Journal Ideas During Vacation.

• What was your first impression?
• A favorite moment of the day.
• Write about the people, the markets, the drivers and the traffic.
• Favorite activity, food, and drink.
• Is there a food you tried for the first time? Did you love it or hate it?
• What is different about the culture?
• What is the view from your room?
• Write about how you dressed to stay comfortable while exploring.
• Did you go shopping? See the show? Go on a hike? Snorkel?
• Did you do anything outside of your comfort zone?

Writing Prompts for When you Return Home.

• Did your travels meet your expectations or not?
• Did you experience culture shock?
• What would you do differently?
• Would you go back?
• Create a “travel guide” full of practical travel tips for your friends.
• What did you learn? About your destination? About yourself?
• Gratitude. What were you grateful for most during your vacation?
• Where are you off to next?

Random, Yet Thoughtful Travel Journal Ideas.

Post-Pandemic Travel

• How did you feel while preparing for your first big trip post-pandemic?
• Did the experience of the pandemic change the way you planned your vacation?
• Once you set off on your trip, what were your thoughts and concerns?
• What would you do differently next time you travel?
• What advice would you give to someone who is anxious about post COVID travel?

Thought-Provoking Travel Journal Prompts and Ideas.

• Who is your favorite travel companion and why?
• If you could travel with anyone in the world, who would it be? Why? And where would you go?
• Where is your favorite place to travel? Now describe precisely how this place makes you feel.
• Interview one of your kiddos about their travel feels.
• What is the most embarrassing travel moment you have ever had?  
• Have you ever been in a scary situation and made your way out?
• If money and time were not an issue, what would be your next vacation destination? And why?
• I love this one. Don’t write, but draw .

Travel Journal Prompts from A to Z.

A ~ Anticipation — How excited are you for your upcoming adventure?

B ~ Best Experience — Journal about the BEST thing that happened to you on vacation.

C ~ Culture — What was cool about your cultural experience?

D ~ Destination — Why did you choose the destination?

E ~ Expectations — Did your experience meet your expectations? Or not?

F ~ Food — What was your favorite and least favorite foods you tried?

G ~ Gratitude — What are you grateful for? Practice gratitude daily.

H ~ History — What did you learn about the history of the destination?

I ~ Itinerary — What is on your itinerary? And why?

J ~ Journal Prompts — Add a unique journal prompt every day?

K ~ Kangaroos or Koalas — Talk about the animals you met while on the road?

L ~ Locals — Did you meet any locals? What are your thoughts?

M ~ Missed from Home — Is there anything you missed from home? Or something you did NOT miss from home?

N ~ News — Fascinating news events that occurred while you were traveling.

O ~ Oatmeal — What did you put in your oatmeal? OK…O was a tough one.

P ~ Packing List — Create a packing list. What do you have to bring? And what can you leave at home?

Q ~ Question — What is your biggest questions about your destination?

R ~ Reading List — Create a reading list for travel day.

S ~ Surprising — The most surprising finding of the local culture.

T ~ Tradition — Do they have a fun or interesting tradition?

U ~ Unique Words — What were the unique words or lingo you learned?

V ~ Vino — Did you taste the local and delicious wine?

X ~ Xenophile — Are you a xenophile?

Y ~ Young — Travel is not just for the young.

Z ~ Zone — Did you step out of your comfort zone? Or cross a time zone?

For Printable Travel Journal Prompts from A to Z, sign up here.

Do you have a travel journal?

What are some of the essential things that you document on your travels?

And where are you off to next?

54 Comments on The Ultimate List Of Thoughtful Travel Journal Prompts from A to Z

Love this idea and I agree I love planning the trip just as much as going on it. I also make a list of all the activities that I’m interested in and some that we can do on a rainy day. It doesn’t mean we need to see it all but I have a direction to start when we get there.

I love that idea. Jot down things to do if it’s raining, or if you have some extra time. This can be done during the planning stage.

I love this. This would be a great thing to do together as a family on trips to remember all the fun details. Thanks for the inspiration!

Yes, and get the kids started on journaling. I bought my kids a Barcelona travel journal for our Spring Break trip. They are teens, so I am not sure how that is going to go. I keep trying.

I never thought of starting my travel journal before my trip! What a great idea to remember the entire experience and improve on it the next time.

Yes, and the planning stage is almost as fun as the trip itself.

This is a really great idea! I’m terrible with all things journaling, but I am going to try this for our next family trip!

I don’t do well with other types of journaling, but not for lack of trying. But, I keep it going with travel journals.

I need to start keeping a travel journal when we go on vacation. I finally did a great job of organizing our pictures from our summer vacation and it makes such a difference. It’s great looking back knowing exactly where we were and what we were experiencing.

And to reminisce about your adventure. I love looking back at all of my travels, it keeps the memories alive.

Love this! I’ll have to start keeping a travel journal.

Yes, you should. All of the travel you do, even those quick weekenders. I love it, as you can see.

This is brilliant! I love to journal but I’ve been so busy traveling this past year that I have barely wrote in mine. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of using a travel journal before!

Thanks for the great idea!

You are welcome. I love it. I keep trying to get my kids involved, but they are teens and so far not happening.

Great tips and read! Everything you mentioned here is spot on. I love the planning process and I agree with you in getting the kids involved even in the planning process.

Thanks for sharing.

Agree. They definitely like to have their input in our itinerary. I bought them both a Barcelona specific travel journal for our upcoming trip, we’ll see how it goes.

Perfectly timed post. I was given a beautiful journal that has a space for a photo a day which I thought was great for mt upcoming adventure.

Yes, that is perfect. I am so excited to hear all about your adventure and see pictures.

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I always love writing but never thought of maintaining travel journals. Thank you for writing about such a beautiful idea. All the best.

Same to you. I never did much either when I was younger. It has been evolving over the years. And I love it.

A Travel Journal….. this is a great idea!! It’s almost like a bucket list for traveling!! My husband and I travel all over in our RV and I will definitely start an “RV” Travel Journal!!! Thanks, Jenny for such a fun idea!! 😍

That is a great idea. Every day, write something down about your adventure.

This is such a great idea! It literally makes my heart happy. And the funny thing is…it never even occurred to me to journal my experiences. I am going to Orange Beach this summer and am going to do this.

Yes, I have a friend who has a home in Orange Beach. It looks like a blast. Send me some pictures, and you can start journaling now.

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I love this idea. I have a bucket list journal but haven’t even thought about doing a pre travel one! Awesome suggestions.

Yes, use it for travel planning, too. And everything is right there for you in one place.

I’ve never heard about a travel journal until this post and whoa, this sounds like such a great idea! Especially involving my son in the process, i already know the first on his list would be Disney 🤣

Of course, you know they have Disney travel planners on Amazon? Super cute. And it is fun to get them started on a journal when they are young. I wish I did.

This is such a fun post! I love journaling. I can’t wait to start my own travel journal in August when I go on vacation!

You can always start now:)

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I forget to write down my travel experiences when they’re fresh in my mind, I love this idea. I definitely need to get one for my kids too, thanks for the suggestion.

Yes, my kids aren’t the best these days, but I keep trying.

Insightful, thanks for the travel journal ideas. I was not sure how to make one or even how important it would turn out to be.

Yes, try it out. It’s fun.

I love journaling, especially when I’m traveling! It’s such a great way to remember all of the little things you would otherwise forget!

Exactly, and It’s kind of stress relief at the end of a day of exploring.

Love this idea! I have a bucket list journal and I journal while on trips but the prints are amazing.

I will definitely be using them on my next trip.

Thank you. I hope you love using them. I miss traveling so much, I have been journaling about planning a road trip. I hope it happens.

Such a great idea combining my two favourite things, writing and new stationary!

I agree. I love it.

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Superb, what a website it is! This web site gives valuable information to us, keep it up.

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Inspiring Family Travel With Teens

Travel Journal · April 8, 2019

70 Writing Prompts That Will Inspire Your Travel Journal

Travel journaling is a great way to capture all of those special moments and memories from your vacation. All while letting your creative side go wild!

So you want to start a travel journal. You bought a beautiful travel journal, got some great new pens , and a cute bag to hold it all in ! You’re super excited to get started but soon start to think twice. What the heck do people write in travel journals?

Don’t worry, 98% of the rest of us are thinking the same thing.

I’ve been there!

• Your feeling stuck for ideas
• get home from an incredible vacation only to stare at blank pages
• you then convince yourself you’ll come back to it later.

And it never happens.

But don’t worry! With these seventy writing prompts you’ll never run out of ideas.

You might be interested in our post about  getting started with travel journaling .

This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission. (At no cost to you.) Please see our full disclosure for more details.

One of the best things about creating travel journals is that there are no rules.

You can do whatever you want. Draw, paint, add stickers, washi tape, and of course, photographs. Write as much or little as you’d like.

Create a unique journal that tells your stories in any way you’d like.

And if you feel a bit stuck (like I have) writing prompts will help so much!

Tips For Travel Journal Writing Success

But before we get to the writing prompts, here are a few tips to help make your travel journal even better! They will be quick (I promise!)

1. Be Descriptive. 

This is a great time to be funny, cheesy or let your inner best-selling author out. Don’t worry about sounding silly! It’s just for your eyes; make it fun!

Which of these sounds more memorable to you?

“I watched the most beautiful sunset tonight.”

“We sat together on a tiny wooden bench overlooking the ocean. As the sun sank into the horizon, the sky was painted with shades of pinks, purples, and blues.”

Now combine this with a photo, and you have travel journal gold!

2. Don’t Forget The Small Stuff!

It’s so important to remember your first impression and how you felt seeing that famous landmark or checking something extraordinary off your bucket list. But don’t forget those small everyday moments.

I will never forget how I felt seeing Stonehenge in real life for the first time. It was mesmerizing. ( Read my post here )

But it’s also the little things that made the trip so. much. fun !

Like how my husband and I giggled like schoolgirls while secretly woofing down sausage rolls on the “no food allowed” tour bus as it made its way to Bath. Oh, it was so much fun!

3. Don’t Just Look. 

It’s so easy to write down what we see. But don’t forget to use your other senses as well.

What are you smelling? How did that fancy dinner taste? Do you hear unique music? How does the sun feel on your skin?

I’ll never forget the smell of our hotel in London. I have a whole page in my travel journal dedicated to trying to dissect what exactly the scent was. (In case you’re wondering, I narrowed it down to something herby… I think basil. 🌿)

4.  Don’t Forget Before And After

Start your travel journal when you are planning and prepping your trip and after when you are unpacking everything (literally and figuratively)!

• Talk about your itinerary,
• what you want to pack,
• what you need to do before you leave,
• make yourself a to-do list. There are so many pre-travel pages you can create!

And after your amazing trip, talk about how you’re feeling since you’ve been home.

• Are you glad to be home?
• What do you miss about your holiday?
• What do you regret not doing?
• How do you feel physically and mentally?

5. Talk A bout Not-So-Great Stuff.

Not all holidays are perfect. Write down the crappy stuff too. Sometimes the worst experiences turn into the best stories and it’s so fun to laugh about them later.

I could go on and on about crappy stuff that’s happened to us when travelling, but I won’t bore you with my negative nelly stories. But I will say one thing… you won’t find any articles on ocean cruises on our site for a reason.

6. Take pictures, but step out from behind the lens.

I love taking pictures but sometimes it drives my family nuts. My husband says stuff to me like, “just remember.”

Seriously dude?

But there is some wisdom in his terrible advice.

Don’t get consumed with taking photos. Take in your surroundings and what’s going on around you. 

Get out your  little notebook , jot down a few notes, or if time (and your family has enough patience), do a sketch, collect flowers to press (if allowed) or talk to locals, shop keepers or other tourists.

Andrea Bartz has written an interesting article on Psychology Today, all about how we remember moments less when we focus on taking pictures. Weird huh!  Read more here.

 “Our lazy brains lean on technology to do the remembering for them; we figure the smartphone will capture the event, so we don’t need to really attend to it ourselves.” ANDREA BARTZ

Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook

Leather Journal Travelers Notebook

Moleskine Passion Journal- Travel

Travel Writing Prompts

Writing prompts can come in so handy when you feel a bit uninspired or maybe want some fresh ideas to spice up your pages. 

So with no further ado. Here is a HUGE list of seventy writing prompts that will help inspire you to create a personalized memento of your travels!

Download your printable copy of our travel journal writing prompts checklist –> get yours here.

Before Your Trip

Ideas for “pre-travel” writing, first impressions, you’ve arrived what are your first thoughts, during your trip, so much to remember write it all down..

Toss a  small notebook  into your bag before you head out on your adventures. So when you are out and about, you can jot down all the little details you may forget later.

This is a great time to record your emotions and things your senses are picking up. Then when you get time to work on your journal later, you can reference your little notebook.

Keep It Up After Your Trip

Tombow MONO Drawing Pens

Tombow MONO Multi Liquid Glue

Washi Tape- Travel Planner

Travel journals are such a fun and artistic way to record memories from your holidays. There is lots of freedom in what you can put inside of a travel journal. And it’s such a great way to get creative!

Whether you are just getting started or an avid journaler, sometimes you can feel a bit stuck. You’re not sure what to write, where to start or feel a bit stuck can be frustrating. Travel journal writing prompts will help you get unstuck and journaling your travels like a pro!

Want more information? Here is an excellent  article on travel journaling  by Bullet Journal.

Want a printable copy of this list of travel journal prompts?

Simply fill out the form below and receive a free printable pdf copy of the travel journal writing prompts checklist.

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33 Terrific Travel Journal Ideas, Tips + Prompts!

Looking for the best travel journal ideas to help you remember your next trip–plus some prompts to help you think of what to write?

You’ve come to the right place!

As a lifelong lover of both journaling and travel, I have experimented with all kinds of travel journals over the years, ranging from the time-consuming to the simple, from the unique to the very basic.

I absolutely love the travel journaling system that I use now (more on that below), but depending on your habits and writing style, there is no limit to the number of ways to preserve your travel memories on the written page.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

This guide to travel journal ideas and prompts covers everything from the physical kind of travel diary to use, to tips on journaling effectively, to travel journaling prompts to help you get your writing started.

Remember, though, that the #1 rule of travel journaling is that there are no rules!

Anything that helps you preserve the intense memories of your travel experiences counts.

That being said: here are some of the best travel journal ideas out there!

Table of Contents

Terrific Travel Journal Ideas

Travel journaling tips, inspiring travel journal prompts, planning a trip.

While there are plenty of beautiful travel journals on the market, don’t feel like you need one to keep a memorable travel diary!

I’ve kept travel journals in everything from a $0.99 composition notebook to elaborate leather-bound notebooks to the Notes app in my phone, and I can confidently say that the best travel journals come from the heart–the physical place you put them is the least important function.

That being said, if you are looking for beautiful travel journal examples, I highly recommend these!

One Line a Day Journal

This is my current favorite travel journaling system, and I’ve been using it for nearly 5 years now!

Here’s the format: each page in this diary has a date at the top (say, August 17), and 5 small sections to write 1-2 sentences below it.

For 5 years, keep a daily journal of a memorable moment, and at the end, you’ll be able to look back and, on a single page, see what you did on all your August 17ths.

While this isn’t specifically a travel journal, I absolutely adore using it as one: the tracking of time through both days and years simultaneously is incredible, and the short time commitment is perfect for my lifestyle that already includes lots of writing.

I do still try to keep a long-form travel journal once a week or so, too, but I love my One Line a Day Journal so much that I recently bought two more, just to ensure I have the next decade covered if they stop making them!

Page A Day Travel Journal

Looking for something formatted for you, but with more of a travel theme and more of a long-form approach?

The Page A Day Travel Journal is perfect for that!

In addition to space to write about your day, there are spaces to note your destination and event the weather.

Classic Leather-Bound Journal

What reading-and-writing nerd among us hasn’t dreamed of owning a leather-bound journal to track their travels in?

I have always enjoyed this journal style and have owned a few in my life!

There are tons of similar ones on the market these days, given how popular they are, but I love the compass detail and great reviews on this one .

Postcards To Yourself

Looking for more unique travel journal ideas?

Consider sending postcards to yourself from the road!

In many destinations, you can mail yourself (or someone else) a postcard right from the souvenir shop where you purchase it–so bring a pen along, write some quick thoughts about your day, and drop it in the mail.

By the time you get home, you’ll have a collection of memories delivered right to your front door that you can save forever.

Travel Checklist Journal

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to make sure they don’t forget a thing, the Travel Checklist Journal is the perfect choice!

With daily prompts covering everything from the restaurants you ate at that day to your most memorable moment of the day, it’s an in-depth log of your adventures.

I’ll be honest: I could never keep up with this much travel journaling on a daily basis.

But, some people absolutely can!

If you find yourself not sure what to put in some sections, though, don’t worry about it–better to skip a prompt than make your journal feel like work instead of fun.

Bullet Journal

A classic bullet journal like this makes a fantastic travel journal idea!

In addition to writing, consider including drawings, hand-drawn maps, charts, and more.

Standard Notebook

You don’t need anything fancy to keep a beautiful, memorable travel journal!

Anything from a simple composition notebook to the back of a receipt will do in a pinch, and I would never recommend putting off writing because you don’t have the “perfect” vessel to store your memories in.

If you’re looking for a fairly standard, lined notebook that is durable without including much formatting to get in the way of your creativity, though, I love these notebooks .

I’ve owned them in various colors and designs for years, going out of my way to replace my old ones with the same brand when they get full.

Buy one on the road!

While I definitely recommend keeping a travel journal from hour one (airports and train stations are great places to write!), there’s also something special about buying a diary on the road.

If you find a journal you love while you’re traveling, consider picking it up and journaling there from then on.

On Your Computer or Phone

I’ll admit, I’m very biased toward analog travel diary ideas–it’s just my style!

But if you prefer typing to writing, or you just don’t want the hassle of carrying a physical journal on the road, you can easily keep a detailed travel journal on your phone or laptop!

Evernote is a fantastic app for journaling on your phone, though a basic Notes app works fine too.

A Word document or Google Doc can work as well.

Alternatively, you can type and send emails to yourself and store them in a certain folder in your inbox!

There is no wrong way to keep a travel journal–whatever works for you, is more than fine.

That being said, based on my personal experience of keeping travel journals over the years, here’s my best advice for preserving your memories!

Try to write as often as possible.

Here’s the sad truth: you will forget much of your vacation.

Even if you remember the basics such as where you went, what you did, and who you were with, the passing years will steal the sensory details from your memory, jumble the order of events, and soften the edges of your stories, making it hard to recapture the emotions of your travel experience.

While some of that is the inevitable result of living a full, exciting life packed with beautiful memories, a travel journal can absolutely help preserve those experiences for you for decades to come.

The period of time that I was worst at keeping a travel journal– the first year of our full-time travels –is also the one where memories have faded the most.

It’s my #1 travel regret that I didn’t keep a detailed travel journal that year!

Imperfection is better than procrastination.

Don’t have time to write pages and pages?

Can’t find the right words to capture exactly how you felt seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time?

Don’t worry about it: a couple of sentences jotted down that afternoon while waiting for your coffee to arrive will capture your emotions far better than waiting weeks to find the right words.

Write what you can’t see.

Photographs and videos can do a lot to preserve visual and even auditory memory–but they can’t capture scents, or the feeling of the humidity lingering in the air, or how soft the dog you stopped to pet was, or the expression on the waiter’s face as you managed to order lunch in a language that you barely speak.

These kinds of recollections, paired with photos and videos, are invaluable for helping place you back in that moment of travel, even years after it has passed.

You don’t have to be a “good” writer.

Forget the English essays of your youth: whether you consider yourself a skilled writer or not, you can absolutely keep the world’s most perfect travel journal for yourself.

Because travel journaling is nothing but a conversation with your memory, and you know exactly how to talk to yourself!

It doesn’t matter if you wouldn’t want to publish it as a memoir or that other people wouldn’t understand what you’re trying to say, because you’re the only audience!

Trust me, as a professional writer of sorts, the things that I write publicly–even in more personal blog posts like this –are not nearly as unguarded as the conversations I have with myself when preserving my own travel memories.

Don’t edit yourself.

This goes somewhat with what I wrote about being a “good” writer, but it’s a solid tip for travel journaling even if you’re a very confident one.

Each of us sees the world in a completely unique way and will use entirely different experiences and criteria to jog our memories.

If none of the travel journal prompts in this blog post speak to you, ignore them.

Write about literally anything you like–anything that speaks to how you experienced your day.

The uniqueness of how we each see the world is never more obvious to me than when I compare the things that Jeremy writes in his travel journal to what I write in mine–many times, we each remember things that the other person didn’t even notice!

Save more than words.

Ticket stubs, brochures, boarding passes, postcards, even foreign currency–anything small and tactile that you can tuck into your travel journal is a fantastic addition.

If you print out any photos along the way or purchase any of the cheesy-but-fun souvenir photos for sale around the world, those can be great components of a travel diary, too.

Full maps are often too big to save in a traditional travel journal, but you can save them separately–or cut out your favorite section(s) and place them in your journal!

Sadly, the ink on receipts tends to fade within a couple of years, but you can try storing a few memorable ones for a while as well.

Depending on your travel journaling style and how much you collect, you may want to tape these extra items to individual pages or keep them tucked into a separate pouch (cheap and fun cloth zip pouches can be found at souvenir markets across the world–maybe you can buy one along the way!).

For something more fun than basic tape, buy a few souvenir stickers along the way and use those to secure your mementos to the page!

Avoid spiral notebooks.

If you want a very inexpensive place to save your memories, opt for a composition notebook over a spiral one–trust me.

Between the spirals being pulled out of place from being moved around so much during your adventures to the fact that they’ll scratch up anything they’re stored near (like your laptop, for example), they’re just not worth the trouble.

I learned this lesson the hard way and will never use a spiral notebook (without a cover, that is) for anything while traveling again!

Always keep your travel journal in your carry-on.

I’ll admit, I’ve broken this rule before, but it’s terrifying checking your travel journal–especially when, like my current one, it contains years worth of irreplaceable memories.

Much better to keep careful watch over it in your carry-on/hand luggage!

Wondering what exactly to write down in your travel diary?

These travel journal writing prompts will get you started!

Choose any of these travel journal topic examples from below and expand upon it in detail, and before you know it, you’ll find yourself jotting down details of memories that would otherwise be lost to time.

As always, the point of travel writing prompts like this isn’t to limit what you write–it’s to provide a jumping-off point.

If you find yourself veering off in a different direction after a few sentences, just roll with it!

What did you do today that you’ve never done before?

Make a list of everything you bought today, from food items to metro tickets.

Describe the most memorable person you interacted with today.

What was your favorite thing you ate today?

What new thing did you learn today? How did you learn it?

Describe your morning routine in detail: what was different from home?

What was your most memorable form of transport today?

What animals did you see or interact with today?

What was the weather like? How did it impact your day?

What were you wearing today? How did it impact your day?

Did you use any words in a language you don’t speak today? What were they?

What’s the big news where you are right now? Is it the same as at home?

What’s the funniest thing that happened today?

What’s the most memorable thing that you physically touched today?

What did you eat for breakfast?

Look up, and describe everything that you see in detail.

If you took a tour: describe your tour guide, including their name!

What did you do today that you didn’t expect to do before your trip?

What’s an interesting story or legend from your destination?

Describe your route from where you’re staying to your first destination of the day.

What’s your favorite word to say in the language of your destination?

What was your least favorite moment of the day?

What was the most surprising thing you saw today?

What interesting conversation did you overhear today?

None of these travel journal ideas or prompts speak to you?

Have something different in mind?

There’s no wrong way to keep a travel diary–whatever feels right when you’re on the road, that’s the best travel journal for you.

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

1 thought on “33 Terrific Travel Journal Ideas, Tips + Prompts!”

Thanks for posting this up , this is a very informative article surely.

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55 Travel Journal Prompts

55 travel journal prompts.

Lately, I’ve been getting back into travel journaling. I used to love to journal when I was younger, but at some point, Passport To Eden became my online travel journal and I scrapped traditional journaling.

There is nothing I love more than seeing words on a page. So for the past week, I’ve challenged myself to free write for thirty minutes each day ( first thing in the morning ) based on a series of travel journal prompts I created. And the process has been cathartic.

You don’t have to try all 55 of these travel journal prompts ( or any for that matter ). I created this list of prompts for rainy days when you feel stuck and aren’t sure what to write about.

I’ll also quickly list my journal supplies below.

P.S. You don’t need any supplies apart from a writing tool and a notebook but I’m a stationery nut so here we go .

Disclosure:   Heads up, this post contains affiliate links, which means Passport To Eden may get a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make an online purchase. Don’t feel pressured to buy anything. We still love that you’re here, reading our content (side note: we suggest getting a coffee or tea first because our blog posts tend to be long). You can read our full affiliate disclosure here to find out more.

Best Travel Journal Supplies

En-Route Travel Journal

I’m obsessed with this travel journal! I picked up a copy from Gift Horse, a small boutique in Nashville , and love it (the journal’s interior has a mix of blank pages, dotted pages, grid pages, and lined pages). There are also cute travel illustrations (some full-page) throughout, which is a cute little touch. Unfortunately, the journal isn’t available on Gift Horse’s online store but you can find it here .

Travel Stickers

All hell went loose when I discovered Etsy ( stationery addicts, beware. This website is trouble ). I have lots of cute stickers from them ( like this orange-and-blue pastel travel sticker set by Audrey Okeya ). I also have a set of printable stickers ( cute graphics that I cut out for scrapbooking ), namely everything from Eva’s store, Tralala Stickers.

I use very minimal Washi Tape in my travel journal, but there is one roll I can’t get enough of – the Wayfarer Washi Tape by Nicole from PaperGamesCo . It’s absolutely stunning and brilliantly detailed . The design is adventure-focused and it goes perfectly with any travel notebook.

Table of Contents

Reflective Travel Journal Prompts

• Why do you travel? What motivates you to travel? ( Example )
• What is the biggest lesson travel has taught you?
• What is the biggest fear travel has helped you overcome? Do you still have fears that you wish you could overcome when traveling?
• How did your worst travel experience shape you? How did your best travel experience shape you?
• What is your mindset about travel expectations? Where do your destination expectations/perceptions stem from?
• What is your biggest regret when it comes to travel?
• What is your favorite childhood travel memory? ( Example )
• Do you have a “type” when it comes to traveling? Is there a certain style of travel that you regard as your comfort zone?
• If you had unlimited travel days, how often would you travel?
• Has travel changed your values?
• What are some travel experiences you’re grateful for?

Trip Planning Travel Journal Prompts

• How do you choose your next destination? Do you pick a place that’s always been on your bucket list? Do you pick a place you feel a personal connection to?
• To what extent does social media influence your itinerary?
• Make a packing list. Cross off anything you feel isn’t essential. ( Example )
• Packing introspection exercise: sketch out your thoughts on the 10×10 capsule wardrobe challenge .
• What are your favorite resources for trip planning?
• Your luggage got lost. You’re given $300 to buy the essentials. What do you buy?
• You’re challenged to spend one month in a cold-weather country with carry-on only. What do you bring?
• Plan a staycation.

Creative Travel Journal Prompts

• It’s open mic night at a local comedy club. You’re asked to share your funniest travel experience. What do you say?
• Write a song you’d love to hear on the radio during a road trip.
• What are the most beautiful words you learned while traveling?

Travel Journal Field Notes

• What was the weather like today? Did it affect your travel plans? ( Example )
• What foods did you eat? Did you try any local cuisine? What was your first reaction to the food? ( Example )
• Describe your accommodations for the night. Where are you staying? What does your room look like? ( Example )
• Did you buy any souvenirs? What inspired your purchases?
• What transportation did you use? How did you get from one area to another?
• Rate any attractions you visited. ( Example )
• What are some facts you learned? Did they change your perception of the destination? ( Example )

Travel Journal Prompts: Character Sketches

• Describe your travel partner.
• Describe the crowd at a local cafe. How are they dressed? How are they behaving? ( Example )
• Record a conversation. ( Example )
• Did you meet anyone while traveling? Sketch them.
• Is there anyone you met who stood out to you? Why? ( Example )
• People watch in a local spot. Write down what people are doing. ( I feel like character sketching occasionally borders on creepy but I promise it’s a great writing exercise ).

Travel Journal Prompts: Landscape Sketches

• What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to? What made it beautiful?
• Pick a place. What are the sounds you hear when you recall the location?
• Describe a dish from a restaurant you’ve visited. What did it smell like? What did it taste like?
• Describe your travel experience from the perspective of an inanimate object in the area ( like a Parisian coffee cup or even the Mona Lisa ).
• Imagine you stepped back in time and took a trip with a historical figure. What did the place look like then versus now? ( Example )

Travel Journal Prompts For Inspiration

• What books inspire you to travel? ( Example )
• What movies inspire you to travel?
• What are your favorite travel quotes? ( Example )
• What are your favorite travel podcasts?
• Who are your favorite fictional travelers?

Travel Journal Prompts For Dreamers

• Money is not an object. Where would you go right now?
• Make a bucket list. ( Example )
• What fictional world would you like to step into?
• What is your dream travel job?
• If you could wake up to any view right now, what would the scene outside look like?

Save Money For Travel Prompts

• What is the most amount of money you’ve spent on a trip? Is there any way you could have saved money without sacrificing trip quality?
• Plan a budget trip.
• What are some free attractions you’ve visited in the past that you’ve absolutely loved? ( Example )
• Come up with a list of ten ways to save money for travel. ( Example )
• What are your limiting beliefs on travel and money? Cross them off and flip the way they are worded. Words have power. ( Instead of I can’t afford to travel, think I CAN save money to travel ).

Editor-In-Chief

Anshula grew up with a love of stories and places. Thirty-five states and 100 bookstores later, she's made her hobbit home in Middle Tennessee. Her Tookish side still takes over and leaves her chasing window seats, literary destinations, adventure books, sunrise coffee, and indie bookshops. She's appeared as a travel source on HuffPost, Reader's Digest, and MSN.

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Very inspiring! I really had some struggles finding good content for my next post on my traveling blog. I mean, how should you tell your readers about your travel experiences if you don’t travel recently? Now, after reading your post I’ll definitely be able to surprise my readers with some very new and creative content. Thank you so much!

Thank you Sofie! I’m glad you found it useful! I never thought of the post as a blog post ideas list. What a creative way to use the prompts! xx – Anshula

I love this and is very inspiring to get back into journaling! I’m definitely pinning this as a reminder 🙂

Thank you Cathers! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. xx – Anshula

Thank you so much! xx – Anshula

You have some very interesting prompts here. I have a 5 year journal where I write a couple of sentences, thoughts or ideas, each day of the year, repeated for 5 years. It’s a really interesting way to journal as each day you see what you were doing at the same time over previous years. It’s great looking back on the different places I was visiting and how I was feeling about things. I have gotten a bit out of the habit since Covid but your post has inspired me to get back into it. Thanks!

Hi Andrea. Sorry for the late response. Thank you so much for your comment! I think it’s amazing that you have a five-year journal (I don’t think I could ever achieve that consistency with journaling so props to you for that). I’m so glad you found you a bit of inspiration from this post. xx – Anshula

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65+ Travel Journal Prompts to Inspire Your Wanderlust

Posted on Last updated: January 22, 2024

When writing a travel story, following some travel journal prompts can be helpful to get the creative juices flowing. Here is a list with journal prompt ideas I compiled to get you started.

There are also quite a few journals you can buy that already have travel writing prompts in them. You can see all journals with prompts further down in this article.

Bucket List Journal Prompts

Travel experience writing prompts, inspirational journal prompts, holiday journal prompts, hiking journal prompts, travel journal prompts for kids, top travel journals for kids, the adventure book travel journal, clever fox travel journals, oakdene personalised travel journals, moleskine travel journal, duncan & stone travel journal, everywhere you go travel journal, promptly travel journal, axel & ash travel journals, onelinevoyage travel journal, luckies travel journal, travel without leaving home, which book to read, our favourite travel journals, our favourite travel notebook covers, travel journals for kids, discover unique travel gear & gifts.

LIST OF TRAVEL JOURNAL WRITING PROMPTS

OUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL JOURNALS WITH PROMPTS Full list at the bottom of this post! The Adventure Book ( Original , Ultimate and Europe Edition) Moleskine National Geographic Traveller’s Journal Duncan & Stone Travel Journal Compendium Everywhere You Go: Guided Travel Journal Promptly Journals X Kelli Murray Clever Fox Travel Journal Axel & Ash Life’s a Road Trip Journal Luckies Scratch Off Travelogue

• What are the Top 100 destinations you would like to visit?
• What are the destinations you would like to visit in your own country?
• What are the destinations you would like to visit in your own town/city?
• What is your ultimate travel dream?
• What are some destinations you would once like to return to?

You don’t always need to be physically on the road to enjoy the beauty of destinations from all around the world!

From vintage travel posters to beautifully displayed souvenirs and home decor items inspired by your favourite places and from travel journals and crafts to exploring world recipes, music and dance.

With our creative articles you’ll get some fresh ideas on how to bring the world closer to the comforts of your own home.

• Which amazing world dishes did you try across the globe?
• Create a “6-word story”: write down a single travel experience in just 6 words
• (When visiting a country) What is similar and what is different to home?
• What is a memorable conversation you had with a local?
• What is a memorable conversation you had with another traveller?
• Did anything go wrong on your trip? What did you learn from that?
• What were things you were grateful for on your trip?
• What is a phrase you learned in a foreign language?
• What were local people wearing in the place you visited? Draw it!
• What was the strangest transportation device on your trip?
• What was unique about the accommodation you stayed at?

• What calls you to adventure?
• What memorable insights did you have on your trip?
• What are your favourite travel quotes?
• What makes you happy on the road?
• What did you most miss from home?
• If your trip would be turned into a book or movie, what would the title be?

• What is your favourite travel playlist / song?
• What was the most useful item you’ve packed? why?
• What was the most useless item you’ve packed? why?
• Which books did you read on your holiday?
• What souvenir(s) did you bring home from the trip?
• What is a dish from your trip that you will try to recreate at home?

• Which colours stood out to you during your hike?
• What elements of landscape did you encounter (hill, rocks, waterfall, etc.)
• (if you stayed overnight) Which constellations did you spot? Can you draw them?
• Which flowers did you see? Can you draw them or can you add a pressed flower? (of course only if it’s allowed to pick flowers in the area you hiked, and there were plenty of them)
• What smells did you come across on your hike?
• Did you recognize any trees, plants or wild herbs on your hike?
• What noises did you hear on your hike?
• What did the clouds look like on your hike? Can you draw it?
• Could you recognize any bird sounds on your hike?
• Did you find any animal tracks on your hike?
• What did walking in silence do to you?
• Did you come up with any interesting thoughts or ideas during your hike?
• What were you most grateful for on your hike?
• Did you have any mental or physical challenges on your hike?
• If you had to describe your hike to someone who’s never been out in nature, what would you write?
• How did being outdoors make you feel?

• Where have you been?
• Who did you travel with?
• What were your top 3 activities? Why?
• What was your least favourite activity? Why?
• What is one weird thing you ate?
• What is one weird thing you smelled?
• What is one weird thing you saw?
• What is one weird thing you touched?
• What is one weird thing you heard?
• What kind of transportation did you ride?
• Did you make any friends? Who?
• Which stuffed animal did you bring?
• Which books did you read?
• Did you bring a souvenir home? What is it?
• Which animals did you see?
• Did you try any new food? What was it and did you like it?
• What was the funniest thing that happened on the trip?
• What is one thing you learned on your trip?
• Can you name 3 facts of the place you visited?
• Design a sticker/postcard/t-shirt of the place you visited
• Did you see any art on your trip? Can you describe/draw it?
• Would you like to visit this place again or not? Why?
• Where would you like to travel next?

Full list at the bottom of this post!

• Go!: A Kids’ Interactive Travel Diary and Journal ( RED / BLUE / YELLOW )
• Lonely Planet Kids My Travel Journal
• The Ultimate Travel Journal For Kids
• Road Trip Activities and Travel Journal for Kids
• Here I Go!: A Kid’s Travel Journal

The Travel Tester loves to review books that teach you something about yourself or the world around us.

From travel guides and stories to books about business and self-development and from cultural stories to cook books from kitchens around the world… if it looks interesting to us, we’ll test it!

No matter where you’re going, with our reviews you’ll know exactly what to read next!

TRAVEL JOURNAL WITH PROMPTS

I believe that the best travel journal with prompts is The Adventure Book by fellow Dutchie Nicole Nagelgast. These stunning and high-quality journals have a spot for every independent country in the world for you to fill, plus a bunch of cool prompts for you to do, collect, or experience while traveling.

You can get the Adventure Book in the 288-page, 8×9.5″ (20.5×24,5cm) Ultimate Traveler’s Edition , the 220-page, 4.9×7.8″ (19.7×12.5cm) Original Edition and the 200-page, 4.9×7.8″ (19.7×12.5cm) Europe Edition .

I’m also a big fan of the journals from Clever Fox. They come with prompts, stickers, checklists, a pocket, pen loop, ribbon bookmarks and elastic closure. You can choose between a 100+ page Travel Journal , Bucket List Journal and Camping Journal . They measure 5.8×8.3″ (14.7x21cm).

Oakdene Designs has a whole bunch of travel journals with prompts that you can also personalize. Check out their 80-page (40 double-sided printed) Travel Journal , Motorhome Journal , Caravan Journal , Hiking Journal , Road Bike Journal , Camping Journal and this special Wooden Adventure Journal . They measure 5.9×8.3″ (15x21cm)

Beside the general travel journal by Moleskine, they also have a 400-page traveller’s journal in collaboration with National Geographic ! This hardcover, high-quality travel diary comes in a decorative box and includes a 12 month subscription to National Geographic, 2 ribbon bookmarks, themed stickers and tabbed sections to guide your note taking. There is space for travel planning and inspiration plus pages that can be transformed into a scrapbook of your trips. It measures 5×8.25″ (12.7x21cm).

I love the aesthetic of the 100-page Duncan & Stone Travel Journal ! You can personalize this travel organizer by writing down your bucket list & special memories from 15 trips. Fill out basic details, favorite memories, & photos from each trip to remember the specifics that made the trip unforgettable. The journal is linen-bound hardcover with an embossed title. It measures 7.75×9.25″ (19.7×23.5cm).

Compendium has the 112-page Everywhere You Go: Guided Travel Journal . This guided journal holds unexpected prompts to help inspire thoughtful reflections from any travel adventure. It includes breakout spreads with uplifting quotes to help frame your thoughts and experiences, along with space for packing lists, notes, addresses, and things you want to remember. Features foil stamping on a soft cover and a ribbon marker. Printed with soy and metallic inks. It measures 5.75×8.5″ (14.6×21.6cm).

The 88-page Promptly journal is filled with custom prompts and also has plenty of space for your own additions. This minimalist notebook comes has a linen hardcover with gold embossing and comes in deep blue, powdered blue and solid grey. Some of the sections included in the journal are: a brief itinerary, memorable moments, highlights, transportation, accommodations, food, mishaps, travel companions, and a place to paste in mementoes & photos. It measures 5.5×8.25″ (14x21cm).

The beautifully designed “ Life’s a Road Trip ” and “ Swept Away by Wanderlust ” journals by Axel & Ash both feature quirky questions, fun writing prompts, ‘to-do’ notes, list pages to remember the favourites and a bucket list to fill out along the way. They measure 7.1×8.1″ (18×20.5cm).

The 72-page faux leather travel journal from OneLineVoyage on Etsy features customizable content on recycled paper, document storing space and an elastic diary band strap. This diary has pre-printed prompts that make it extra fun to fill out. It measures 6.5×8.6″ inches) (17x22cm)

The 64-page Travelogue by Luckies of London is a travel journal with notepad pages, as well as 8 miniature scratch maps, each representing different regions of the world. Simply scratch off where you’ve been! This journal also includes a checklist and travel tips. It measures 6.7×8.8″ (17×22.4cm)

Letterfolk Travel Journal

In the 48-page Trip Passport by Letterfolk, you can easily collect your travel experiences. This small, pocket-sized journal includes 20 entry pages to record details from each trip taken, as well as 8 bonus pages that include checklists, bucket lists, and other fun activities and information. Each entry page is accompanied by a blank page for notes, memories, or affixing mementos like photos or receipts and there is space to record the date, location, who you went with, first impressions, sights, wildlife and more! It measures 3.5×5.5″ (8.9x14cm) – roughly the size of a travel passport.

• The Adventure Book – Original Edition (prompts + scrapbook per country)
• The Adventure Book – Europe Edition (prompts + scrapbook per country)
• The Adventure Book – Ultimate Traveler’s Edition (prompts + scrapbook per country)
• Moleskine Passion Journal Travel (blank paper)
• Moleskine National Geographic Traveller’s Journal (tabbed sections + prompts)
• Moleskine Journey City Notebook – London (pocket)
• Moleskine Journey City Notebook – Paris (pocket)
• Moleskine Journey City Notebook – New York (pocket)
• Moleskine Journey City Notebook – Hong Kong (pocket)
• Duncan & Stone Travel Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
• Everywhere You Go: Guided Travel Journal (prompts)
• Promptly Journals X Kelli Murray (prompts + scrapbook)
• Robrasim Refillable Leather Travelers Notebook (mixed papers + pockets)
• Clever Fox Bucket List Journal (prompts + stickers)
• Clever Fox Camping Journal (prompts + stickers)
• Clever Fox Travel Journal (prompts + stickers)
• Axel & Ash Life’s a Road Trip Journal (prompts)
• Axel & Ash Swept Away by Wanderlust (prompts)
• Field Notes: National Parks Series (pocket, graph paper)
• Bookishly Travel Journals (blank pages)
• Wayfaren Travel Journal (lined paper)
• Oakdene Designs Personalised Motorhome Travel Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
• Oakdene Designs Personalised Travel Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
• Oakdene Designs Personalised Caravan Travel Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
• Oakdene Designs Personalised Wooden Journal (lined pages)
• Oakdene Designs Personalised Hiking Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
• Oakdene Designs Personalised Road Bike Journal (prompts)
• Oakdene Designs Personalised Wooden Adventure Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
• Oakdene Designs Personalised Camping Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
• CamperVanStore Bamboo Travel Journal (lined paper + pen)
• Personalized Monogrammed Leather Travel Journal (blank pages)
• OneLineVoyage Faux Leather Travel Journal (prompts)
• Luckies Scratch Off Travelogue (prompts + scratch maps)
• Letterfolk Trip Passport (pocket + prompts)
• Galen Leather – Leuchtturm1917 Notebook Covers
• Galen Leather – Moleskine Covers
• Galen Leather – Field Notes Covers
• Galen Leather – Traveler’s Notebook Covers
• I Was Here: A Travel Journal for the Curious Minded
• Go!: A Kids’ Interactive Travel Diary and Journal – RED
• Go!: A Kids’ Interactive Travel Diary and Journal – BLUE
• Go!: A Kids’ Interactive Travel Diary and Journal – YELLOW
• Kids’ Travel Specialty Journal
• Lonely Planet Kids The Travel Activity Book
• Travel Journal for Kids

GET YOUR JOURNALING SUPPLIES

Compile your own travel journal kit with these items:

• colouring pencils
• felt tip pens (love these from Stabilo and Paper Mate )
• pens (love this Fisher space pen , the PILOT Rolling Ball Gel Pens and the Stabilo sensor pens )
• highlighters
• sharpie markers and pens
• hole puncher
• cutting mat
• glue stick / glue roller
• stamps ( wooden travel stamps or silicone travel stamps )
• stickers (for example: travel sticker set , planner stickers , world landmark stickers , passport stamp stickers , US state stickers , travel around the world stickers , US national park stickers , outdoor stickers )
• magnetic page markers
• origami paper
• scrapbook paper
• pressed flowers
• pressed leaves
• scrapbook feathers
• polaroids ( fujifilm instax mini camera, film and printer here )
• digital printables ( travel stationary and country flags )
• project life album
• project life pocket pages ( type 1 / type 2 )
• project life lined cards
• more project life items

In The Travel Tester shop, you will find our favourite travel products and original gift ideas.

Whether you’re looking for the best travel gear, gadgets, electronics, packing solutions, clothing, shoes, travel books, health- or beauty products… we’ve made a personal selection for you!

We’ve also included our favourite tech items used to create this blog, as well as material that can help you in your self-development, such as interesting books and courses.

21 Creative Travel Journal Ideas & Prompts for Your Next Trip

February 29, 2024

Journaling is a great way to make the most of any trip. Here are some of our favourite creative travel journal ideas.

Travel Journal Ideas

Photos and videos aren’t the only ways to capture your travels. A travel diary can help you enjoy the trip you’re on and help you relive all those memories once you’re home. After all, how often do you look back through your phone’s photos?

I’ll be honest. Completing a travel bullet journal is something I often dream about more than I manage to complete, particularly when travelling with young children. But over the years, the travel journals I have managed to complete have brought me great joy and prompted my ageing brain to remember sights, smells and tastes more vividly than ever.

So, don’t get hung up on making it pretty and perfect. Just concentrate on enjoying your trip and use these travel journal ideas to deepen that enjoyment. Don’t let them turn into one more burden or chore to complete!

What is a Travel Journal?

A travel journal is whatever you want it to be, baby! Or in more standard talk:

A travel journal is a personal, written account that documents an individual’s experiences, observations, and emotions during their journeys. It serves as a dedicated space for recording details such as daily activities, cultural encounters, and reflections on the places visited.

Typically, travel journals include a mix of narratives, anecdotes, and practical information. Whether handwritten or digital, a travel journal is a valuable tool for preserving travel memories, fostering self-reflection, and creating a tangible record of one’s explorations and discoveries around the world.

Although, don’t think you need to write reams. We’ve plenty of creative travel journal ideas if writing doesn’t happen to be your thing. We’re all about the easy way to fill those travel journal pages.

Where to Find the Perfect Travel Journal

The romantic in me says that the best travel journal is found on the road. But the practical side of me knows that it’s easier if you pick one up before you go.

In my experience, you want a book that will stay flat when you fold it open and ideally have a tie or piece of elastic to hold it together again, to stop things falling out.

I also like travel journals with a space for a pen as that makes it more likely that you will actually have a pen with you when the time comes to write. In my experience, the best way to make sure that something happens is to remove as many obstacles as possible.

Personally, I prefer blank pages but I know that many prefer grids or lines. And I’ve never got to grips with a digital journal but if they work for you, then great!

A hard cover can protect from the bumps and bruises of life on the road but, then again, a soft cover is lighter to carry around.

Here are some lovely travel journal examples you can find on Amazon:

• Vegan Leather Beechmore Travel Journal
• Adventure Travel Journal with Prompts
• Moleskine Hardcover Travel Journal

Note: if you buy through any of the links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Why Bother Keeping a Travel Journal in the First Place?

Firstly, because it’s fun! However, keeping a travel journal also has a number of other benefits.

Such as…

Memory Enhancement:

• According to a study published in the journal Memory, the act of writing helps to consolidate and enhance memory. By documenting your experiences, in your own travel journal, you’re more likely to remember details of your journey. And that fits with what I learned when I was studying Neuroscience at Cambridge.

Stress Reduction:

• A study by the American Psychological Association suggests that expressive writing can help reduce stress and promote overall well-being. Journaling about your travel experiences allows you to process emotions and relive positive moments.

Increased Cultural Awareness:

• Research conducted by the Cultural Intelligence Center indicates that keeping a travel journal can contribute to the development of cultural intelligence. Writing about local customs, traditions, and interactions with residents fosters a deeper understanding of different cultures.

Reflection and Personal Growth:

• Psychologist James W. Pennebaker’s research on expressive writing reveals that reflecting on experiences through writing can lead to personal growth and self-discovery. A travel journal provides a space for introspection and learning.

Enhanced Creativity:

• Again, the busy American Psychological Association suggests that engaging in creative activities, such as writing, can boost cognitive function and creativity. Documenting your travels in a journal encourages creative expression.

Capturing Details:

• Studies on eyewitness testimony indicate that people tend to forget details over time. Keeping a travel journal helps in preserving the specifics of your experiences, ensuring a more accurate recollection later on. Not that we hope you’ll end up in court. More, that we hope you’ll remember the highlights of your trip.

Improved Communication Skills:

• Journaling encourages the practice of effective communication. Documenting your thoughts and experiences helps refine your ability to articulate ideas and stories.

Digital Detox and Mindfulness:

• A study by the Pew Research Center found that 85% of adults in the United States use the internet. Keeping a physical travel journal offers a break from screens, fostering mindfulness and a deeper connection with your surroundings. Little details can bring about a big sense of calm.

Goal Setting and Achievement:

• Again, the good old American Psychological Association notes that setting and achieving small goals, such as completing a journal entry each day, can boost motivation and self-esteem. A travel journal provides a structured way to set and accomplish writing goals.

Legacy and Sharing:

• According to a study by Ancestry.com, 77% of adults believe it’s important to preserve their family history. A travel journal can serve as a legacy, allowing future generations to gain insights into your experiences and perspectives.

So, how about that? Not just a pretty page after all.

21 Gorgeous and Creative Travel Journal Ideas

OK, let’s get to the fun part! Creative travel journal ideas!

Collect Ticket Stubs

Ticket stubs may not seem so glamorous at the time but they’re one of those travel journal ideas that’s quick and easy to do, with great rewards later on. If you find yourself too busy on the trip, just shove (ahem, collect) them as you go along in one envelope. Once you’re home, you can then arrange them in a scrapbook or bullet journal along with notes and photos.

Carry Some Lightweight Supplies

It’s easier to keep up with your travel diary if you have the right tools with you. No-one needs to carry about an entire artist’s briefcase but a few pens, pencils and a roll or two of washi tape can help make it manageable.

Not sure what washi tape is? It’s like sellotape only comes with a pattern and is much more forgiving when unrolling and using it. You can pick up some washi tape here . It’s a great option to make sure things don’t always fall out along the way.

Brush up on Some Writing Tips

A travel diary shouldn’t feel like homework. But it will be more rewarding to write and definitely more pleasurable to read if you brush up on some writing techniques before you go.

We run a range of writing courses to get you started, including:

• Freelance Writing Masterclass
• Write Better, Write Now
• The Writing Boost

So, whether it’s a quick weekend away or a road trip journal that spans several months, you’ll feel more confident about what goes into your own travel log.

Pick up Some Postcards

This is one of my favourite creative travel journal ideas.

Now, we’re not talking about standard tourist postcards here (although, obviously, that’s fine if that’s what you want to do. It’s your travel diary, right?!)

We’re talking about flyers and postcards for art galleries, live music, exhibitions and special events. Business cards from cafes. Anything you saw and enjoyed and which gave you a taste of the place.

Collect the Cash

Spend more than a few days in a destination and the local money soon becomes a background event that you stop noticing. But when you’re back home, it’s a connection to the place.

So, if you can spare some of the lower denomination notes, it’s a great idea to tape a few into your travel journal.

Keep the Maps

You know those maps that are folded back and forth, torn, soggy and scribbled over? Keep them! It’s amazing how quickly you forget the detail of a place but a scribbled note and the white fluff along a folded map seam brings it back right away. New places, new maps.

Make the Food to Go

At the risk of sounding like a hoarder, look out for sweet wrapper, chopstick wrappers, beer labels and more that really fit the local food you had in a destination.

I always look out for local flavours in particular, so this method of scrapbooking (sounds better than hoarding) works well for me.

Flower Press Stress

Sometimes, pressing flowers or leaves works wonders. And, sometimes, it just makes a mess. This is one of those travel journal ideas that you need to do just right: ideally with a big patch of sellophane rather than just a strip of washi tape.

Be careful, though. Some countries, most notably New Zealand and Australia, are very strict about flowers and seeds crossing their borders. Probably best to avoid this if you plan on heading there.

Sketch Skills

Small sketches and beautiful drawings can really bring a travel diary to life. If you can draw, that is.

If not, never fear. While we can’t all be the best at everything, we can all master a few basic techniques.

It’s a good idea to just relax and have a go.

Learn the Lingo

As everyone knows, with a few local phrases, you’ll get a better reception wherever you go. Yet, with age, it’s alarming how quickly that knowledge fades.

Write down those phrases while they’re fresh! It’s a fun way to nurture those brain cells.

Stick in Those Lists

Have you used a packing list? A leaving the house checklist? A bucket list? To-do list? If so, stick them in! They’ll be surprisingly interesting to look at come the end of your trip. Don’t let your trip planning go to waste!

And if you don’t? Check out our collection of packing lists and pre-travel checklists here .

Use Some Travel Journal Writing Prompts

When inspiration fails, fall back on these. Don’t worry if you feel cheesy. No-one has to read this but you.

Travel Journal Prompts Before You Go

• Outline your expectations and goals for the upcoming journey. What do you hope to achieve or experience during this trip?
• Share your pre-trip excitement and any pre-travel rituals or preparations you engage in before embarking on a new adventure.
• Detail the research you’ve conducted about the destination, including its culture, history, and notable attractions. What aspects are you most eager to explore?
• Reflect on any pre-trip concerns or uncertainties. How do you plan to address them or prepare for potential challenges?
• Describe the anticipation you feel about trying the local cuisine. Are there specific dishes you’re looking forward to sampling?
• Outline your itinerary and the key activities you have planned for each day. What landmarks or attractions are a must-see for you?
• Consider the local customs and etiquette of the destination. How do you plan to respect and engage with the local culture?
• Share your thoughts on the packing process. What essentials are you making sure to bring, and what strategies are you using to pack efficiently?
• Reflect on any language barriers you might encounter. Have you learned a few basic phrases or expressions in the local language to enhance your experience?
• Write about your overall mindset and emotions as you approach the trip. What are your hopes, fears, and anticipations for the upcoming adventure?

Travel Journal Prompts For on the Road

1. Describe your initial impressions upon arriving at your destination. 2. What local cuisine or dish did you sample, and how would you rate your experience? 3. Reflect on a memorable encounter with a local resident or fellow traveller. 4. Share a moment when you stepped out of your comfort zone during your journey. 5. Detail the sights, sounds, and scents of a particular place that left a lasting impression on you. 6. Write about a unique cultural tradition or festival you experienced during your travels. 7. Describe a hidden gem or off-the-beaten-track location you discovered. 8. Share a humorous or unexpected anecdote from your trip. 9. Reflect on a challenging situation you encountered and how you overcame it. 10. Write about a place that surpassed your expectations and why. 11. Document a day spent exploring nature, whether it’s a hike, day at the beach, or wildlife encounter. 12. Discuss the impact of local art, music, or architecture on your overall experience. 13. Capture the essence of a local market or shopping district you visited. 14. Reflect on how the local history and heritage influenced your perception of the destination. 15. Write about a moment of tranquillity or relaxation during your journey. 16. Share your thoughts on the transportation methods you used and any interesting experiences. 17. Describe a sunrise or sunset that left you in awe. 18. Document a day focused on immersive cultural experiences, such as workshops or language classes. 19. Write about a place you’d love to revisit and explore further in the future. 20. Reflect on the personal growth or insights gained from your travel experiences.

Travel Journal Prompts for Once You Get Back

• Reflect on the overall experience of your journey. Did it meet, exceed, or differ from your initial expectations?
• Capture the emotions you feel upon returning home. What aspects of your routine are you excited to resume, and what do you miss from your travels?
• Share your favourite moments from the trip and how they contributed to your overall satisfaction.
• Write about any unexpected discoveries or surprises that occurred during your travels.
• Reflect on the impact of the journey on your perspective and personal growth. In what ways do you feel changed or enriched?
• Describe the local cuisine that left a lasting impression on you. Are there any dishes you wish you could recreate at home?
• Outline any challenges you faced during the trip and how you successfully navigated them.
• Consider how the cultural experiences have influenced your worldview. What lessons or insights will you carry forward from your travels?
• Share your thoughts on the souvenirs or mementoes you brought back. Do they hold special meaning or memories?
• Write about your plans for future travels. Are there destinations you’re now eager to explore based on this recent experience?

We hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of creative ways to catalogue different places and, more importantly, what they meant to you.

For all we’ve talked about the benefits of travel journaling, the important thing is that it’s fun. Don’t let your travel journal become a chore. Like all goals and tools, it’s just a way to help you fall even more in love with life.

Journal entries should make you think or make you smile. And that’s enough.

Why not bookmark this article on creative travel journal ideas on Pinterest for later?

More on Preparing for Your Next Trip

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• The 21 Best Souvenir Ideas for 2024
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• The Best Flight Booking Hacks For Savvy Travellers
• The 10 Travel Skills Every One of Us Should Know
• The 50 Best Travel Websites and Travel Resources

Why not pin these creative travel journal ideas on Pinterest for later?

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Travel Deeper: 15 Thought-Provoking Travel Journal Prompts

Note: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. More details are  here .

I kept a journal pretty religiously when I was in high school and college. (Chalk it up to all that teen angst I needed to process.) Unfortunately in my adult life, the consistency of my journaling habit has dropped off.

And while I hope to redevelop that daily muscle in my life, there is one time when I’m pretty good about it: travel.

I saw the incredible benefits that travel journaling brings while I was studying abroad in 2004—I wouldn’t have survived that semester without the ability to process all that I was experiencing emotionally, culturally, and spiritually. (And that time I thought I lost my study abroad journal in my 20s? I was crushed . Having my travel journal to look back on is the most profound keepsake I have of that semester.)

A really beneficial travel journal goes beyond noting what you did each day, though. It challenges you to dig deep, to process through your experiences, and reflect on your reactions to them .

Even if you’re not traveling cross-culturally and it’s just a fun vacation with friends, there’s opportunity for self-reflection when you’re out of your normal environment and spending all your time with new daily companions. It’s a chance to consider how you respond to challenging moments, or to spend time sitting still and thinking about what you want your daily life to look like back home.

Whether you’re looking for study abroad journal prompts for students or some simple journaling ideas for your next vacation, I’ve compiled this short list of travel journal writing prompts for self-reflection to get you thinking more deeply about various aspects of travel and yourself.

I don’t think you need a lot—in fact, you might choose just one (see the second list) and use it daily. I’ve included 15 so that you have enough to choose from without it being overwhelming. Print it out, take a screen shot on your phone, or better yet, physically write the list in the back of your journal so you always have them available (sans technology).

These trip reflection questions will hopefully prompt you to write through the challenging and frustrating moments that travel sometimes brings, as well as dig deeper to reflect on the joyful and life-changing moments.

Self-Reflection Journal Prompts

• What are my initial feelings about being here: curiosity, frustration, joy, awe, sadness?
• What smell(s) have stuck out to me?
• What was a challenging experience I had? Why did I respond the way I did? What did I learn about my personality, values, or home culture through this?
• What has sparked my curiosity? What has fascinated me here?
• Describe a memorable interaction or conversation I’ve had with someone who lives here. (What were they like? What did I learn about this place or culture? Why did the interaction stand out to me? What do I want to remember about them?)
• What sound(s) have stuck out to me?
• What is something that has surprised me about this place/culture?
• What is different about me while on this trip (positive or negative—am I more adaptable, irritable, spontaneous, disorganized, peaceful)? Why do I think that is?
• What were my expectations about this place? How is the trip comparing with my expectations?
• One quality I really appreciate about someone I’m traveling with is….
• What will I be glad to leave behind from this trip?
• Is there anything I want to do more or less of when I get home?

Recommended Reading: How to Deal with Frustrating Travel Experiences

Daily Travel Journal Prompt

• What’s my Kodak Moment from today—that experience, image, or feeling I don’t want to forget?
• If I had to describe today in one word, what would it be? Why?
• If I had to tell a 5-minute story about one thing that happened today, what would it be about? (Credit for this idea goes to storyteller Matthew Dicks. I highly recommend his TEDx Talk on this topic—check it out below.)

Travel Photographer | FAA Certified Drone Pilot

Naomi is the coffee-loving, crazy-about-Latin-America writer and photographer behind everything here. She's guided by curiosity and a belief that every place has a story to tell–whether it’s through the intricate details of nature, history that has shaped a culture, or the people who call a place home. Learn More

Creative Travel Journal Prompts

E levate your travel memories with our curated Travel Journal prompts. Capture the essence of your adventures and enrich your storytelling.

Capture Your Epic RV Odyssey

Embarking on full-time RVing and outdoor adventures is a journey filled with unforgettable moments and breathtaking experiences. 

As travelers traverse new landscapes and immerse themselves in different cultures, the desire to capture these cherished memories becomes paramount. 

Enter the art of travel journaling.

More Posts from the Working On The Road Segment

• 18 Top Paying Remote Jobs For RV Living
• How to Document Your RV Travels and Make Money

Why Keep a Travel Journal

It gets the creative juices flowing and is a gateway to preserving the essence of each adventure through the power of words filling blank pages with your travel experience.

In the realm of full-time RVing and outdoor exploration, every journal entry in the travel diary serves as a companion, a confidant, and a storyteller. 

It encapsulates your road trip with places visited and the emotions felt, lessons learned, and soul-stirring encounters that shape the traveler’s narrative. 

A treasure trove of personal reflections, new experiences, and a testament to a life lived fully on the road.

To aid in this creative endeavor, journal prompts become invaluable tools, igniting the spark of inspiration and guiding the pen to capture the essence of the journey. 

These travel journal writing prompts serve as catalysts for introspection, encouraging travelers to delve deeper into their experiences, unravel the layers of each moment, and craft vivid narratives that resonate with their hearts.

About Travel Journal Prompts

In this post, we delve into the world of travel journal prompts tailored specifically for those embracing the nomadic lifestyle of full-time RVing and outdoor escapades. 

From prompts that evoke nostalgia for a quaint campfire under the starlit sky to those that inspire wanderlust for uncharted territories.

Each suggestion aims to enrich the travel journaling experience and empower subscribers to document their adventures creatively and passionately. 

Let’s embark on this literary voyage together, where every word penned in your trip journal is a testament to a well-traveled life.

Benefits of Keeping a Travel Journal

Travel journaling is a great way to put your thoughts on paper.

It offers a myriad of benefits that enrich your full-time RVing and outdoor adventures and new places. 

Travel Journal with Pockets for Keepsakes.

Grab the blogging foundations freebie now.

Let’s delve into how your travel journal can positively impact your travel experiences.

Emotional Benefits

Embarking on travel journeys can evoke a whirlwind of emotions. 

By jotting down important information about your thoughts and feelings in a travel journal , you can effectively process these emotions. 

Whether it’s the exhilaration of exploring new landscapes, a travel destination, or the challenges faced along the way, journaling serves as a therapeutic outlet. 

It helps in relieving stress by allowing you to unload your concerns onto paper, creating a sense of emotional release. 

Moreover, keeping a gratitude journal during your travels can cultivate a mindset of appreciation for the present moment, enhancing your overall well-being.

Mental Clarity and Reflection

Journal prompts play a vital role in fostering mental clarity and self-reflection while on the road. 

By engaging with thought-provoking prompts in your travel journal, you stimulate mindfulness and introspection. 

Reflecting on your experiences enables you to gain deeper insights into your journey, facilitating personal growth and self-discovery. 

It serves as a meditative practice and travel companion that allows you to slow down and ponder the significance of each moment, creating a profound connection with your surroundings.

Practical Uses

Beyond its emotional and mental benefits, a travel journal serves as a practical tool during your adventures. 

It can function as a logbook of past travels where you document travel details, memorable encounters, and daily activities. 

By organizing key information in your journal, such as itineraries , maps, and recommendations, you create a valuable reference guide for future trips. 

It can also be the start of a blog to generate income while on the road.

Utilizing categories, bullet points, and lists can help you effectively structure your travel story and access information.

It ensures that your travel bullet journal remains a useful resource for all your travel endeavors.

Tips for a Mindful Travel Journal

Travel journaling is a fantastic way to document your adventures and create lasting memories. 

Here are some practical tips to help you maximize your travel journaling experience:

Create a Routine

Establishing a journaling routine that aligns with your travel schedule is key to consistent journal entries. 

Whether it’s jotting down notes in the morning with a cup of coffee or reflecting on the day’s events before bed, find a time that works best for you. 

Consistency will help you capture daily experiences and emotions more effectively.

Use Visual Elements

Enhance your travel journal by incorporating visual elements such as sketches, a photo book, ticket stubs, and maps. 

Adding visuals to your written entries not only adds a personal touch but also provides context and enhances the overall storytelling experience. 

Visual elements can bring your adventures to life on the pages of your journal.

Experiment with Different Travel Journal Ideas

Keep your journal entries diverse and engaging by experimenting with various types of prompts. 

Mix storytelling prompts that capture the narrative of your experiences with reflective questions that encourage introspection. 

Trying different prompts can help you stay inspired and gain new perspectives on your travels. 

Let your creativity flow and make your journal a reflection of your unique journey.

By following these tips, you can make the most of your travel journaling experience.

You create a meaningful keepsake of your full-time RVing and outdoor adventures. 

Start your first travel journal with your first trip. 

Embrace the journey of journaling and enjoy capturing the essence of your travel stories in a way that is personal and authentic.

Embrace the Journey

Reflecting on the places we’ve visited, the people we’ve met, and the feelings we’ve experienced adds depth and meaning to our travel narratives.

Each prompt serves as a gateway to unlocking the essence of your adventures, guiding you to delve deeper into the essence of your journey.

They also serve the purpose of ideas for starting a travel blog.

Not sure how to start a blog? My affiliate link to the FREE Blogging Foundations course will help you get started.

Enhancing Self-Expression

Travel journal prompts ignite your creativity and encourage self-expression. 

They prompt us to articulate your thoughts, aspirations, and observations in a way that resonates with your unique voice. 

By engaging with these prompts, you cultivate a reflective practice that refines your storytelling skills and unveils new perspectives.

Start Your Adventure

Now that you are equipped with a myriad of prompts to fuel your travel journaling endeavors, it’s time to embark on your storytelling odyssey. 

Let your journal be a canvas where you paint vivid memories. Weave captivating tales, and preserve the magic of your travels. 

Embrace each prompt as an invitation to dive into the heart of your journeys, capturing the essence of every moment on the road.

Embrace the Power of Prompts

As you set out to explore new horizons and traverse unfamiliar landscapes.

Remember the power of creative travel journal prompts in enhancing your journaling experience. 

These travel writing prompts are not mere words on paper. They are gateways to reliving your adventures, sparking your imagination, and preserving the essence of your travels. 

Let them guide you on a voyage of self-discovery and storytelling prowess as you craft your unique travel journal.

Capture Unforgettable Moments with Travel Journal Ideas

Through the art of journaling and the guidance of prompts, you have the opportunity to encapsulate the essence of your travel experiences. 

Each entry is a snapshot of your journey, a testament to your adventures, and a reminder of the beauty that surrounds you. 

So, pick up your pen, let your words flow.

Savor every moment as you document the tapestry of memories that define your life on the road.

Embarking on a journey filled with adventures and discoveries is a remarkable experience worth documenting. 

As we’ve explored an array of travel journal prompts tailored for full-time RVing and outdoor escapades, it’s evident that keeping a journal enriches our travels in profound ways. 

It is also one way to create income with RV remote work.

The most important thing to remember is to capture details, emotions, and memories through writing.

We create a treasure trove of experiences that can be cherished for years to come and are worth reading.

My Final Thoughts on Travel Journal Prompts

After returning from my recent trip, I realized the importance of a thorough packing list with a list of little things I would need for our next vacation. 

Stepping out of my comfort zone for the first time, I made sure to note down even the little details of a particular place that enhanced my experience. 

Equipped with the best travel journal, I documented every adventure, making it easier to reminisce and plan for next time. 

The first thing I did upon arrival was to jot down a to-do list.

It ensured I wouldn’t miss out on any local food , trail maps, or business cards in my first journal. 

It was a great idea to have a soft cover journal.

I felt it was easy to carry and write in during the day. 

One of the worst things about traveling can be the extra cost. But with careful planning and hard work, I managed to minimize expenses. 

Throughout my period away, I made sure to stay off social media.

Focusing instead on creating amazing travel memories and immersing myself in new cultures. 

One of my favorite things to do at the end of the day was to sit down with my travel logs and glue stick.

I would piece together a travel scrapbook filled with creative entry pages and prompt ideas.

The hardest part about returning home was realizing that the adventure had come to an end. 

But with the post office nearby. I knew I could send off my creative ways to share the experience with friends and a family member or two. 

My piece of advice for anyone embarking on their first solo trip is to embrace the little moments.

Find inspiration in the new people and cultures you encounter along the way. 

Traveling isn’t just about ticking items off a bucket list.

It’s about experiencing the world in a fun and meaningful way. 

And with my best friend by my side or in my thoughts, every journey is filled with much fun and endless possibilities for new adventures.

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The post Creative Travel Journal Prompts appeared first on Life in The RV .

38 Travel Writing Prompts for Travel Writers

Whether you’re experiencing writer’s block or stressing about the headline for your next travel writing pitch, we’ve got your back!

You should always check out the publication’s you’re pitching to get a feel for the style of their headlines for your best chance at success (and do some SEO research if it’s your own site), but here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing…

Itineraries

[3] Days in [City] for [Nature] Lovers

The Perfect Long Weekend for a Romantic Trip to [City]

Itineraries for Kids of Every Age in [City]

How to See the Best of [City] in [2] Days

[7] [Movie] Filming Locations to Visit in [City]

1st Person Narratives

How I [Found Myself Again After Divorce] in [City]

How I [Explored My Roots] in [City]

Exploring my Hometown as a Travel Writer

My Search for [the Perfect Beach] in [City]

The Quest to Save [the Oneida Language] in [City]

Searching for [The Wolves of Nearly Extinct Fruit Dove]

Off the Beaten Path

[7] Restaurants Only Locals Know in [City]

Live Like a Local in [City]

Get Lost: Why I Ditched the Map in [City]

The Longest-Operating [Hotel] in [City]

Packing Lists

[12] Must-Pack Items for a Trip to [City]

The Carry-On Capsule Wardrobe for [City]

Packing for [3] Climates in One Carry-on

[9] Summertime Packing Must-Haves

Where to Find Black History in [City/State]

Where to Find the Best Coffee in [City]

Summer Arts Guide to [City/State]

The 5 Best Things to do in [City] When It’s Snowing

Anniversaries/Debuts

New [Art]-Themed Hotel Opens in [City]

See the [Exhibit Name] at [Museum Name] Before it Closes

[City] Celebrates It’s Centennial with Fun-Packed Weekend

Annual Festivals/Events

Don’t Miss This Year’s [Festival/Event Name] in [City]

How to Attend the [Festival/Event Name] on a Budget

5 Hotels That Put You Near the Action at the [Festival/Event Name]

Holidays/Seasonal

Travel Hacks for Making the Most of Christmas in [City]

Experience [Holiday] in [City]

Celebrate New Year’s in Style in [City]

A Black History Road Trip Across [State]

It’s Leaf-Peeping Season in [State]! Where to Find the Best Colors

Summer Fun in [City]

An Inside Look at [City/Resort/Activity]

Live Like [a Celebrity] at [Resort]

[7] Cities Where Vegans Eat Like Kings

Ready to take your travel writing to the next level? Join our Travel Writers Café for weekly calls-for-submission from editors, trainings, travel writing retreats , networking with other writers and more.

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10 Writing Prompts about Travel

Whether we are travelling across country, or to far off lands filled with totally foreign sights, sounds and smells, these experiences play a powerful role in shaping who we are, and how we think about life.

So today we’re going to tap into this, and get some thoughts and writing happening on the topic of travel.

We’ve got some prompts which you can use for journaling, and others well suited for creative writing – but as usual, it’s all about inspiration to get writing, right now!

Let’s get into it…

How to use:

You might like to pick one random prompt per week for a month, and write about the topic of travel from several different angles.

Or, just read through the list until one triggers an immediate opinion, reaction or memory. Pick that one, and let the words flow like water!

Alternatively you could try to combine two of the prompts for a more complex writing challenge.

There are no hard and fast rules, have fun with them!

The Prompts:

• Travel can be an adventure that you remember for a lifetime. Write about an interesting travel experience you’ve had, or want to have one day.
• Many people find that travelling to different countries allows them to understand different people’s beliefs and points of view better. Why do you think that is?
• How does traveling to another city differ from traveling to another country?
• Where on Earth would you travel to if money was not an issue? Why?
• What is your preferred mode of transport to travel cross country? Car, plane, train, bus, or something else? Why?
• Write a story about travel in the olden days, from the perspective of the person travelling.
• How will travel in the future be different to travel now?
• Would you like to travel with a pet? Why?
• How does travel change you as a person?
• Write about the aspects of traveling you find exciting.

Looking for more prompts?

Well stay calm folks, there are plenty more for you to use!

We’ve created thousands of writing and picture prompts, teaching resources, printables and more for you to use.

Take a look around the site using the top menu to look at all the sections we have here, or use the site search box to find something specific that you’re looking for.

And as always, if you have a suggestion on what we make next for you, get in touch! We love to hear from our wonderful positive community.

Stay tuned for more, we are making lots of new resources for you as we speak!

Yours, Matt & Hayley

16 Travel-Writing Prompts

SHARON’S BLOG Are you a homebody or do you love to gallivant? To gallivant is to travel, wander, or globetrot. Does that sound like you?

Whatever you happen to be, you can use these 16 writing prompts to become an armchair traveler and see the world right from where you are. You might even be inspired to plan a real-life trip!

Suitable for 5th – 12th graders.

1. You’ve just landed in exotic Bora Bora . Send a postcard home to your family. What do you say? 2. Around the world in 180 days? You’ll need a packing list. What will you bring? 3. You’re backpacking across mountainous Nepal . What’s in your backpack? 4. You and your mission team just landed in Haiti. Make a list of all the items lost between America and Haiti and what you hope to find there. 5. You’re going on a 5-country tour of Europe: France, Italy, England, Germany, and Austria. What do you eat? What’s in your food journal? 6. You’re traveling to Mexico, but you don’t speak any Spanish. Describe your interaction with locals. How will you ask about food and other necessities? 7. Write a letter home to your best friend describing what you miss about home. 8. You’re getting ready to take historic Route 66 cross-country (USA). What advice does your mom or dad give you? 9. You’re going to be on a long flight. What books will you load on your Kindle or bring with you? What music will you load on your music player? 10. You want one kind of a vacation and your family wants another. Make a list of things to say to them to convince them to go where you want to go. 11. You are taking a cruise to Alaska and the Arctic Circle. List the things you hope to see there and what you hope you do not see. 12. You’re taking a cruise with your best friend, but when you arrive at the ship you find it’s a senior citizen cruise. Describe your first day. 13. Describe getting lost while visiting the island of Buton . 14. You just got home. Make a list of all the things you’ll miss from your trip. 15. You’re traveling to see you grandma. You’re a new driver and your mom is letting you do the driving. Describe your anticipation. 16. En route to your destination, your flight is cancelled and you are stuck in the airport for 34 hours. Write a journal entry describing the situation.

Something extra for moms and teachers: If you or your family are planning a trip this summer, use this fun printable travel journal ! Find an entire list of fun travel printables HERE .

Explore our fun writing prompts for your middle school students here. >>

Your teens will enjoy these engaging prompts. >>

Find more prompts geared for both age groups here. >>

Prompt by Gina Glenn. Copyright © 2017 by Sharon Watson

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