Travel Journaling Made Easy: Comprehensive Reviews of My Top 7 Picks

Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or embarking on a road trip across the United States, keeping a travel journal can help you capture those moments and emotions that will stay with you forever. A travel journal is a personal record of your journey, where you can write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

When looking for a travel journal, there are a few things to consider. The first thing to think about is the size and weight of the journal. You want something that is small and lightweight enough to carry with you but also large enough to write in comfortably. The second thing to consider is the type of paper. You want something that is durable and can withstand the wear and tear of travel but also something easy to write on. Finally, you want a travel journal that is well-designed and aesthetically pleasing, as it is a symbol of your personality and will likely be a keepsake that you will cherish for years to come.

As a stationary aficionado, I spent hours researching and testing various travel journals to identify the ones that are worth your investment. I looked at factors such as size, paper quality, durability, and design to find the best options for travelers. In the next section, I will share my top picks for the best travel journals on the market.

Best Travel Journals

Travel Journal (Notebook, Diary) (Compact Journal Series)

If you’re looking for a travel journal to document your adventures, the Travel Journal (Notebook, Diary) (Compact Journal Series) is a great option.

Pros

• The journal has 144 lined pages, providing ample space for writing about your travels.
• The magnetic closure keeps the journal securely closed, protecting your writing and any mementos you may have collected.
• The inside back cover pocket provides a convenient place to store tickets, receipts, and other small items.

Cons

• Some customers have reported that the back pocket advertised in the product specifications was not included in their journal.
• The plastic bag the journal comes in may make it look a little cheap.
• The journal does not come with a pen.

Experience

I recently used this journal on a trip to Europe and found it a great way to document my experiences. The lined pages made it easy to write about each day’s adventures, and the magnetic closure kept the journal securely closed in my backpack. The inside back cover pocket was a convenient place to store my train tickets and other small items.

While the lack of a pen was not a major issue for us, it may be something to consider if you don’t want to carry a separate writing utensil. Additionally, some customers have reported that the back pocket advertised in the product specifications was not included in their journal, so be aware of that when making your purchase.

Overall, I highly recommend the Travel Journal (Notebook, Diary) (Compact Journal Series) to anyone looking for a compact and convenient way to document their travels.

JUBTIC Travel Planner

If you’re looking for a travel journal that can help you plan your itinerary, record your travel journal, and plan for your next travel, then the JUBTIC Travel Planner might be the perfect fit.

Pros

• The travel planner is made with high-quality materials and offers attractive PU leather and premium pages that are FSC-certified.
• It comes with over 150pcs colorful stickers to decorate your travel log journal and a pocket in the back to hold any necessary documents.
• The JUBTIC Travel Planner offers a guarantee and returns policy that promises quality and functionality.

Cons

• The travel planner might not be suitable for people who prefer a digital itinerary planner.
• The size might be smaller than some people prefer.
• The planner might not be suitable for people who don’t like the rose gold color.

The JUBTIC Travel Planner is a great travel organizer that can help you relax, enjoy your trip, and save time. It offers a lot of space for the daily adventures, flight and hotel reservations, packing list, budget, and trip itinerary. The planner also has a section where you can record your memorable moments and trip reviews.

The JUBTIC Travel Planner is a great gift option to give to family and friends who enjoy traveling. It comes complete with an elastic band and a pen loop, 3 ribbon bookmarks, and a pocket in the back to hold any necessary documents.

Overall, if you’re looking for a travel journal that can help you plan your itinerary, record your travel journal, and plan for your next travel, then the JUBTIC Travel Planner might be the perfect fit for you.

Duncan & Stone Travel Journal

I highly recommend the Duncan & Stone Travel Journal for anyone who loves to travel and wants to capture their adventures in a beautiful, high-quality journal.

Pros

• Personalized memory organizer for up to 15 trips
• Flat lay spine for easy journaling and photo attachment
• High-quality linen cloth hardcover with gold embossed title and spine

Cons

• Limited space for each trip
• Plain ruling may not be suitable for everyone
• Lock may not be necessary for some users

The Duncan & Stone Travel Journal is a perfect way to capture your memories and experiences while traveling. The journal includes space to attach photos and notes, and a back pocket for extra pics, making it a great keepsake for any traveler. The sage green linen cloth hardcover with gold embossed title and spine gives it a timeless and elegant look.

The journal includes a table of contents with space for 15 trips, prompted trip overview questions, “Favorite Things” pages, a bucket list for future travel ideas, and blank pages designated for notes and photos. It also comes with a back pocket to store extra pictures and notes. The flat lay spine makes it easy to write and attach photos.

The journal is made with high-quality materials and measures 9.25” x 7.75” inches with 110 pages. It is wrapped in a cellophane bag for protection. The Duncan & Stone Paper Co. is a stationery company that combines timeless design with effortless journaling. Their mission is to connect generations by preserving the life experiences of each person through simple, guided prompts. I believe in capturing the moments that matter most through the beauty of handwritten storytelling.

In summary, the Duncan & Stone Travel Journal is a great investment for anyone who wants to capture their travel memories in a beautiful, high-quality journal. The journal is well-designed, easy to use, and made with high-quality materials. It is an excellent gift for anyone who loves to travel.

Biuwory Lined Journal Notebook

I highly recommend the Biuwory Lined Journal Notebook for anyone who loves to write and travel.

Pros

• The Tree of Life symbol on the cover adds a touch of elegance and meaning to the journal.
• The hardcover leather provides a comfortable and durable writing surface.
• The 256 pages of thick, acid-free paper can handle most pens and markers without bleeding through.

Cons

• The journal is a bit heavy to carry around.
• The cover may not be as waterproof as advertised.
• The pages may not lay completely flat when opened.

This was one of my favorites. I recently took the Biuwory Lined Journal Notebook on a trip, and it was the perfect journal for my travels. The Tree of Life symbol on the cover added a touch of elegance and meaning to the journaling experience. The hardcover leather provided a comfortable and durable writing surface, and the 256 pages of thick, acid-free paper allowed me to write without worrying about bleed-through.

However, I did find that the journal was a bit heavy to carry around with me all day, and the cover may not be as waterproof as advertised. I also noticed that the pages did not lay completely flat when opened, which made it a bit difficult to write on the inner margins.

Overall, I highly recommend the Biuwory Lined Journal Notebook for anyone who loves to write and travel. It would make a great gift for anyone who enjoys journaling, taking notes, or sketching on the go.

Travel Journal: 6″ x 9″ Lined Blank Softcover 150 Page Notebook

If you are looking for a simple and portable notebook to document your travels, the Travel Journal: 6″ x 9″ Lined Blank Softcover 150 Page Notebook is a great option.

Pros

• The journal is compact and easy to carry around during your travels.
• The cover is sturdy and cute, making it a great addition to your travel gear.
• Each page is thick enough that your writing won’t bleed through to the other side.

Cons

• The journal may not have enough pages for longer trips.
• The lined pages may not be suitable for those who prefer unlined or dotted pages.
• The product description may be misleading as the first half of the book is a handbook on hacking the case interview.

The Travel Journal: 6″ x 9″ Lined Blank Softcover 150 Page Notebook is a great way to document your travels. The compact size makes it easy to carry around, and the sturdy cover ensures that it will hold up during your adventures. The thick pages are a bonus as you can write without worrying about your pen bleeding through to the other side.

One downside is that the journal may not have enough pages for longer trips. If you are planning on traveling for an extended period, you may need to purchase additional journals. Additionally, the lined pages may not be suitable for those who prefer unlined or dotted pages.

It is worth noting that the product description may be misleading as the first half of the book is a handbook on hacking the case interview. If you are looking for a travel journal, be aware that only the second half of the book is dedicated to lined pages for notes.

Overall, I recommend the Travel Journal: 6″ x 9″ Lined Blank Softcover 150 Page Notebook for those who want a simple and portable notebook to document their travels.

Compendium Everywhere You Go: A Guided Travel Journal with Prompts

If you’re looking for a unique and creative way to capture your travel memories, Compendium Everywhere You Go: A Guided Travel Journal with Prompts is worth considering.

Pros

• The reflective spaces and creative prompts help you fully immerse yourself in the travel experience.
• The breakout spreads with uplifting quotes help frame your thoughts and experiences.
• The travel journal is printed with soy and metallic inks, and features foil stamping on a softcover and a ribbon marker.

Cons

• The travel journal has only 112 pages, which may not be enough for longer trips.
• Some of the prompts may not be relevant or interesting to everyone.
• The softcover may not be as durable as a hardcover.

I recently ordered Compendium Everywhere You Go: A Guided Travel Journal with Prompts and found it to be a fun and engaging way to document my future adventures. The prompts are thought-provoking and will help me to reflect on my experiences in a deeper way. The travel journal also has space for packing lists, notes, addresses, and things you want to remember, which was helpful for keeping track of important information.

One thing to keep in mind is that the travel journal has only 112 pages, which may not be enough for longer trips. Additionally, some of the prompts may not be relevant or interesting to everyone, so it may not be the best fit for those who prefer a more open-ended journaling experience. Finally, while the softcover is lightweight and easy to pack, it may not be as durable as a hardcover.

Overall, I would recommend Compendium Everywhere You Go: A Guided Travel Journal with Prompts for anyone looking for a fun and creative way to document their travel adventures. It would also make a great gift for a friend or family member who loves to travel.

MALEDEN Refillable Spiral Daily Notepad Classic Embossed Travel Journal Diary Brown

If you are looking for a travel journal that is compact and easy to carry, the MALEDEN Refillable Spiral Daily Notepad Classic Embossed Travel Journal Diary Brown is a great option.

Pros

• The 160 blank pages are perfect for writing, drawing, or sticking photos or articles. Without lines, you can design your pages in any way you like.
• The craft paper is of high quality and will keep your writing and drawing the same as the beginning, making it easy to read in the future.
• The refillable feature allows you to take out or add paper easily, so you can record any instant memory, no matter where or when you are.

Cons

• The journal cover is made of high-quality PU leather, which is durable for travel or outdoor adventures, but may not be suitable for those who prefer a more eco-friendly option.
• The journal does not come with lined paper, which may be a drawback for those who prefer to have guidelines when writing or drawing.
• The size of the journal may be too small for those who like to write or draw in larger formats.

I recently used the MALEDEN Refillable Spiral Daily Notepad Classic Embossed Travel Journal Diary Brown on one of my business trips and found it to be a great way to keep track of my memories. The blank pages allowed me to be creative in how I documented my trip, and the refillable feature made it easy to add or remove pages as needed. The journal is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry in a backpack or purse. The craft paper is of high quality and kept my writing and drawing looking great throughout the trip. The only downside was that the cover is made of PU leather, which may not be suitable for those who prefer a more eco-friendly option. Overall, I would recommend the MALEDEN Refillable Spiral Daily Notepad Classic Embossed Travel Journal Diary Brown to anyone looking for a compact and versatile travel journal.

Buying Guide

When it comes to buying a travel journal, there are a few key features to consider to ensure you choose the best product for your needs.

Firstly, consider the size and weight of the journal. If you plan on carrying it with you on your travels, you’ll want something that is compact and lightweight. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a journal to keep at home to document your travels, a larger and more substantial journal may be a better option.

Another important feature to consider is the paper quality. Look for a journal with high-quality paper that is thick enough to prevent bleed-through from pens or markers. Additionally, consider whether the paper is lined or blank, as this can impact the way you use the journal.

If you plan on using your travel journal to document your daily activities and experiences, look for a journal with plenty of space for writing. Some journals even include prompts or questions to help guide your writing and ensure you don’t miss any important details.

Other features to consider include the cover material and design, the binding (spiral-bound vs. glued), and any additional features such as pockets or bookmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some features of a good travel journal?

A good travel journal should be durable, compact, and easy to carry. It should have enough space for writing, drawing, and pasting pictures. It should also have a sturdy cover to protect the pages from damage.

How can I personalize my travel journal?

You can personalize your travel journal by adding stickers, washi tape, or other decorations. You can also write your name, destination, and travel dates on the cover. Another way to personalize your journal is to use different colored pens or markers to highlight important events or emotions.

What are some creative ways to use a travel journal?

You can use your travel journal to write about your experiences, draw pictures of the places you visit, or paste souvenirs such as ticket stubs or postcards. You can also use it to make lists of things to do or places to see, or to write letters to yourself or loved ones.

What should I consider when choosing a travel journal?

When choosing a travel journal, consider the size, weight, and durability of the journal. Also, consider the type of paper and whether it is suitable for your preferred writing or drawing materials. You may also want to consider the design and style of the journal to make sure it fits your personal taste.

What are some tips for keeping a travel journal?

Some tips for keeping a travel journal include writing regularly, even if it’s just a few sentences a day, using different mediums such as writing, drawing, and pasting pictures, and taking time to reflect on your experiences. It’s also helpful to use descriptive language and include sensory details to bring your experiences to life.