Travel Products Travel Accessories The 13 Best Travel Journals From leather-bound to Moleskine, here are the best travel journals to keep track of your adventures. By Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based freelance writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 27, 2024 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja Whether you’re staying close to home or embarking on a bucket-list trip, it’s no secret that travel helps enrich our minds and provides us with a better understanding of the world around us — all while creating lifelong memories. To document your adventures and preserve these precious memories, consider snagging a travel journal. As you shop, keep in mind that the best travel journals come in a slew of different forms — including some with all-blank pages for long-form freewriting and others with a mix of dotted pages and prompts to spark some inspiration. All in all, it’s safe to say that there’s a travel journal out there for everyone. Ahead, we’ve rounded up our favorites, including a handful with bonus features like illustrations, maps, stickers, detachable packing lists, and storage pockets. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Papier Joy Travel Journal at Papier.com ($38) Jump to Review Best Hardcover: Moleskine Voyageur Notebook at Amazon ($17) Jump to Review Best Accessories: Clever Fox Travel Journal at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Sustainable: Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Pocket Sized: Letterfolk Trip Passport Journal at Amazon ($10) Jump to Review Best Prompts: The Traveler's Playbook at Uncommon Goods ($35) Jump to Review Best Leather: Smythson "Travel and Experiences" Cross-Grain Leather Notebook at Bergdorfgoodman.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Maps: Mark and Graham Leather Bound World Travel Journal at Markandgraham.com ($70) Jump to Review Best Customizable: No Ordinary Emporium Personalised Travel Journal with Map Pages at Etsy ($59) Jump to Review Best Refillable: Robrasim Refillable Travelers Notebook at Amazon ($15) Jump to Review Best Overall Papier Joy Travel Journal Papier View On Papier.com $38 Why We Love It The journal is divided into six sections to help travelers stay organized while planning their vacations and documenting their memories. What to Consider There’s no place to store a pen. Divided into six distinct sections, the Papier Joy Travel Journal makes documenting your travels easy and fun. Use the wishlist and trip ideas sections to write down your top bucket list travel locales, while the journey planning and reflection sections provide plenty of space to document your escapades. Pass the time en route to your destination — be it by train, plane, or automobile — by filling out the travel games section of the notebook which includes fun activities like “I Spy,” airport bingo, word searches, and word scrambles. At the very back of the journal, you’ll find an illustrative world map to color in. You can, of course, use the journal to jot down packing must-haves, restaurant recommendations, and anything else to help you stay organized while on the go. The Details: 192 pages | 5.5 × 8.5 inches Best Hardcover Moleskine Voyageur Notebook Moleskine View On Amazon $17 View On Moleskine.com Why We Love It This journal features fun and functional bonus features like stickers, detachable packing lists, and to-do lists. What to Consider There are limited color options. Moleskine is renowned for its durable notebooks, and this travel-themed one is no exception. Featuring a clothbound hardcover, elastic closure, and an expandable inner back pocket, this 208-page travel notebook is unique in that it also comes complete with detachable packing lists, to-do lists, and, best of all, a sheet of themed stickers for decorating. The travel-planning section is excellent for — you guessed it — planning out your itinerary, while the budget pages come in especially helpful for jotting down and keeping track of expenses. And, since this is a travel journal, it should come as no surprise that there is also a dedicated section for writing down key memories to look back on. The Details: Lined, blank | 208 pages | 4.5 x 7 inches Best Accessories Clever Fox Travel Journal Amazon View On Amazon $20 View On Cleverfoxplanner.com Why We Love It It comes with fun themed stickers and offers specific sections for budgeting and trip reviews. What to Consider It’s made with faux leather, which is considered less durable than genuine leather. Creative types will especially appreciate this Clever Fox Travel Journal, which comes with over 150 stickers to decorate away. Need some inspo? Check out the included user guide with examples to help you create your own one-of-a-kind travel journal. The calendar page can be used to mark down important trip dates, while the illustrative map page can be used to plan out your route. There are also research and budgeting pages, along with a trip review section where travelers can look back on their favorite activities. Additional highlights include a ribbon bookmark, a back pocket, and a pen loop. The Details: Blank, lined, dotted | 120 pages | 5.8 x 8.4 inches The 13 Best Travel Pouches of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Sustainable Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook Amazon View On Amazon $30 View On Target $35 View On Walmart $33 Why We Love It This innovative journal utilizes QR code technology to scan and safely store your entries in a digital app on your smartphone. What to Consider Those who prefer a more traditional journaling experience may not feel so connected to this smart journal. Travelers looking for a more sustainable approach to journaling (read: one that doesn’t require excessive amounts of paper) should consider snagging the Rocketbook Core Reusable Smart Notebook. Simply scan the QR code printed on each page, and your smartphone will automatically snap a photo of your work before subsequently updating it to the corresponding app where your entry will live on forever. You don’t need to worry about accidentally losing the journal, and your memories, along with it!). To “write,” use the included reusable pen, add a drop of water, and wipe with the included microfiber cloth to reveal a blank page ready to fill once more. The Details: Dotted | 36 pages | 6 x 8.8 inches Best Pocket Sized Letterfolk Trip Passport Journal Amazon View On Amazon $10 View On Letterfolk.com $10 View On Madewell.com Why We Love It This compact travel journal can be easily stashed away in your backpack or pocket while on the move. What to Consider With just 48 pages, this journal is not ideal for longform entries. As the name suggests, the Letterfolk Trip Passport Journal is about the size of a passport, which means it can easily fit in your carry-on, tote bag, backpack, or everyday purse. Despite its small size, it contains a total of 20 entry logs for travelers to jot down key details of each trip. Each entry page is also accompanied by a blank page that can be used to record thoughts, photos, illustrations, and even keepsakes like ticket stubs and museum tickets. The back pages of the journal offer checklists, flight logs, bucket lists, and other fun activities. The Details: Lined, blank | 48 pages | 3.5 x 5.5 inches Best Prompts The Traveler's Playbook Uncommon Goods View On Uncommon Goods $35 View On Thetravelersplaybook.com View On Etsy $35 Why We Love It The specific prompts will help inspire travelers to record small but memorable details of their vacations. What to Consider Conversely, the creative, hyper-focused pages and prompts may feel overwhelming to some. Document each and every one of your adventures with this beautiful journal, which was created by an avid traveler. Inside, you’ll find a slew of illustrations and prompts to help get those creative juices flowing and inspire travelers to record seemingly small but unique details of their journeys that will live on for decades. There’s even a dedicated page for each country, a master tracker to help plan the ultimate itinerary, a travel bucket list, checklists, and pages where travelers can record the names and details of new friends made while globetrotting. Finally, for each country visited, color it in on the world map page. The Details: 256 pages | 5.8 x 8.3 inches The Ultimate Carry-on Packing List Best Leather Smythson "Travel and Experiences" Cross-Grain Leather Notebook Bergdorf Goodman View On Bergdorfgoodman.com View On Smythson.com Why We Love It This timeless travel notebook features a chic albeit durable cross-grain calf leather construction. What to Consider There are no specific prompts or unlined pages. This portable, pocket-sized travel journal is both functional and fashionable thanks to its cross-grain leather construction, which is known for its excellent ability to withstand wear and tear. As such, you can expect it to stay intact for years on end while serving as your trusty travel companion. Plus, it can even be personalized with your initials for an extra-special touch. Choose from four fun color options: Nile Blue, Orange, Scarlet Red, and Bright Emerald. The Details: Lined | 64 pages | 3.5 x 5.5 inches Best Maps Mark and Graham Leather Bound World Travel Journal Mark and Graham View On Markandgraham.com $70 Why We Love It This leather-bound travel journal includes colored maps of cities around the world. What to Consider It’s not refillable, meaning that you’ll need to purchase an entirely new journal when you run out. World travelers may opt for a travel journal with multiple maps to 1) plan their upcoming trips, 2) map out future itineraries, and 3) know where they’re going when wandering through new-to-them locales. This one from Mark and Graham includes full-color maps of major cities, as well as world weather information and international dialing codes. The leather-bound book is a sleek and functional choice. For extra-luxe flair, consider adding foil-debossed monogramming for just $12.50. The Details: 320 pages | 6 x 4.5 inches Best Customizable No Ordinary Emporium Personalised Travel Journal with Map Pages Etsy View On Etsy $59 Why We Love It This fully customizable journal makes an excellent gift for friends or family, or a keepsake for yourself! What to Consider Since it ships from the United Kingdom, it can take several weeks to arrive. Whether shopping for yourself or a lucky giftee, this travel journal can be fully personalized based on specific preferences and travels. Shoppers can customize the cover with a title, subtitle, name, date, and message. There’s also the option to select the number of pages, along with the page design. Choose between blank or lined pages, and between colored or gray maps. Lastly, the journal boasts a sleek matte finish and sturdy hardcover construction to ensure it’ll stand the test of time. The Details: Blank, lined | 50-150 pages | 5.9 x 8.2 inches The 8 Best Personalized Luggage Brands of 2024 Best Refillable Robrasim Refillable Travelers Notebook Amazon View On Amazon $15 View On Robrasim.com Why We Love It Three different paper refills are available. What to Consider It’s a small notebook. This versatile leather travel journal has not one, not two, but three different 64-page refill inserts — lined, blank, and kraft paper — based on personal preference. When one notepad is full, simply remove it and replace it with a new one. The included pouch is also great for storing receipts, ticket stubs, and other small travel mementos. And while this is technically classified as a travel journal, it can also be used for general note-taking, sketching, or daily planning. Take your pick of two colors: coffee and wine. The Details: Lined, blank | 64 pages | 4 x 5.2 inches Best with Stickers Legend Travel Planner Amazon View On Amazon $19 View On Legendplanner.com Why We Love It It has three sheets of stickers, plus dedicated pages for safety tips and checklists. What to Consider It only holds info for a maximum of five trips. This fun travel journal-slash-itinerary planner has three sheets of themed stickers to decorate. With dedicated pages for emergency contacts, safety tips, pre-trip checklists, and even translation to commonly spoken languages, think of this journal as the ultimate travel companion. Globetrotters also have the opportunity to add photos and mementos while simultaneously jotting down notes, ideas, and expenses. The attached pen loop, three ribbon bookmarks, elastic closure, and pocket for loose notes and documents are all added bonuses. Travelers can take their pick of six fun color and pattern options, as well. The Details: Ruled, dotted | 5.8 x 8.3 inches Best for Kids Peter Pauper Kids’ Travel Journal Amazon View On Amazon $10 View On Peterpauper.com $13 View On Abebooks.com Why We Love It A combination of maps, prompts, illustrations, and games make this the ultimate kid-friendly travel journal. What to Consider It's most suited for international travel. Surprise and delight your child(ren) with this kids’ travel journal ahead of your next family trip. Suitable for those ages seven through 12, this journal is filled with prompts, photos, illustrations, maps, puzzles, and games to keep little ones entertained for hours on end. Kids can use the blank pages to paste photos and mementos, while the lined pages are great for jotting down memorable experiences, reflections, and drawings. The travel journal is also chock full of travel-centric quotes and fascinating world facts. The back pocket is great for stashing keepsakes. The Details: Blank, lined | 96 pages | 6.2 x 8.2 inches Best App Journo Travel Journal & Trip Tracker Apple App Store View On Apple Why We Love It This is a great option if you plan to transfer your digital travel memories to a glossy photo book. What to Consider Digital journaling may not be for everyone. Travelers looking for a non-traditional journaling option should download Journo, a travel journal app and trip tracker that’s Android and Apple smartphones — along with tablets and Macs. Think of this app as a digital travel scrapbook complete with notes, photos, and — get this — audio clips. Travelers can choose to type or handwrite their entries, and the digital journal can be completely customized with specific text styles and colors. It can also be printed out into a gorgeous coffee table book. The Details: Customizable | Unlimited pages Tips for Buying a Travel Journal Consider your needs Are you going on a road trip? Backcountry hiking? On a month-long ship journey across the ocean? Consider where you’re going and for how long when picking a journal. If you’re going to be in some extreme weather, you might want to pick a journal that has some weather protection. Short on suitcase space? Or maybe you’re only bringing minimal gear? Consider a pocket-sized journal to maximize precious packing room. Pick the right page format and style Be sure to look at what types of pages come with your journal, and if it is refillable, what types of page refills are available. If you’re used to writing on lined paper, you’ll want to make sure your journal has that. But if you’re looking for some blank pages so you can sketch or add photos, make sure the journal includes them, too. Frequently Asked Questions How do I start travel journaling? There is no right or wrong way to journal. Simply start and just let the words flow onto the pages. Talk about what you’re doing, how you’re feeling, who you're traveling with, the itinerary, what you ate, etc. If you’re not quite sure how to journal, choose a journal with prompts that will help you get started. What is a bullet journal? A bullet journal is more for to-do lists, scheduling, organizing, and jotting down ideas. Usually, bullet journals include dotted pages instead of lined pages, but you could simply add in your own bullet points to a lined journal if you wish. Bullet journals are great for quick notes while on the go, or for organization in between long journaling sessions. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this article, T+L contributor Lauren Dana Ellman utilized a combination of research and personal expertise as a travel commerce writer to compile a list of the best travel journals on the market. She also combed through dozens — if not hundreds — of product reviews and ratings to narrow down the specific product picks mentioned above. The 13 Best Compact Cameras of 2024 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Jasmine Grant Jasmine Grant Jasmine is a senior commerce editor at Travel + Leisure, specializing in luggage and travel accessories. Jasmine has over a decade of experience as a writer and editor in lifestyle and travel media. In her spare time, she's probably planning her next voyage to a nearby Caribbean island. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit