Keeping a Travel Journal is one of the simplest yet most meaningful ways to turn a holiday into something that lasts long after your suitcase is unpacked. Photos show you what a place looked like. A journal reminds you how it felt to be there.
Whether you’re sipping coffee on a Parisian street, watching the sun rise over a Greek island, or navigating a bustling souk for the first time, Keeping a Travel Journal helps you slow down, reflect, and truly absorb the journey.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to start and maintain a travel journal, even if you’ve never written one before. You’ll learn what to include, how to stay consistent, and how to make it personal rather than perfect. By the end, you’ll see why Keeping a Travel Journal is one of the most rewarding travel habits you can form.
Why Keeping a Travel Journal Makes Every Trip Better
Keeping a Travel Journal isn’t about being a writer. It’s about being present.
When you travel, your senses are on overload. New sounds. New smells. New routines. A journal helps you process all of it. Writing things down anchors memories in a way photos alone never can.
Here’s what Keeping a Travel Journal gives you:
- Stronger memories – details stay vivid for years
- Mindful travel – you notice more when you pause to write
- A personal keepsake – far more meaningful than souvenirs
- A stress release – especially on busy itineraries
Many travellers find that writing things down helps them recognise
how travelling shapes your life perspective long after the journey ends.
And there’s a bonus. Many travellers say Keeping a Travel Journal helps them travel better next time. You remember what you loved, what you’d skip, and what you’d do differently.
Have you ever looked back at old photos and struggled to remember the story behind them? A journal fills in those gaps.
Even experienced explorers at National Geographic agree that
keeping a travel journal is one of the most powerful ways to deepen memories and reflect on meaningful journeys.
Choosing the Right Type of Travel Journal
There’s no single “correct” way of Keeping a Travel Journal. The best journal is the one you’ll actually use.
Classic Notebook Journals
A simple notebook is still the most popular choice for Keeping a Travel Journal.
Why people love them:
- No batteries or Wi-Fi needed
- Easy to personalise with sketches or tickets
- Feels tangible and timeless
Many travellers swear by brands like Moleskine, but any notebook you enjoy opening will do.
Digital Travel Journals
If you already travel with a tablet or phone, digital journaling may suit you better.
Benefits of digital journaling:
- Easy to back up
- Searchable entries
- Simple to add photos instantly
Apps like Day One make Keeping a Travel Journal effortless, especially on fast-paced trips.
Scrapbook-Style Journals
For creative travellers, Keeping a Travel Journal can be visual as well as written.
Think:
- Boarding passes
- Museum tickets
- Dried flowers
- Polaroids
This style takes more time, but the result is a deeply personal travel artefact.
What to Write When Keeping a Travel Journal
The biggest worry people have about Keeping a Travel Journal is not knowing what to write. The secret? You don’t need to write much.
Start With the Basics
On each day, note:
- Where you are
- Who you’re with
- What you did
That alone creates a strong memory anchor.
Focus on the Small Moments
The magic of Keeping a Travel Journal lives in the details:
- A conversation with a local
- A meal you didn’t expect to love
- The smell of the sea at night
- A wrong turn that led somewhere special
These are the things photos rarely capture.
Use Prompts When You’re Stuck
If the page feels intimidating, try prompts like:
- “Today surprised me because…”
- “My favourite sound today was…”
- “I felt most alive when…”
Prompts turn Keeping a Travel Journal into reflection rather than reporting.
Writing daily reflections can deepen
learning about other cultures, allowing you to process conversations, customs, and moments you might otherwise forget.
How Often Should You Write?
Consistency matters more than length.
When Keeping a Travel Journal, aim for:
- 5–10 minutes a day on longer trips
- One entry per location on shorter breaks
Some days you’ll write more. Some days less. Both are fine.
If you miss a day, don’t abandon the journal. Simply pick up where you are. A journal with gaps is still infinitely better than an empty one.
Making Time for Travel Journaling
The biggest challenge with Keeping a Travel Journal isn’t motivation. It’s time.
Here’s how travellers make it work:
- Write with your morning coffee
- Journal while waiting for dinner
- Reflect before bed instead of scrolling
Many find journaling becomes a grounding ritual, especially on busy itineraries.
Using Photos to Enhance Your Travel Journal
Photos and journaling work beautifully together.
You might:
- Print a favourite photo and write around it
- Note why you took a certain picture
- Record what happened just before or after the shot
Even if you share images on Instagram, Keeping a Travel Journal lets you tell the deeper story behind the highlight reel.
Keeping a Travel Journal on Family or Group Trips
When travelling with others, Keeping a Travel Journal becomes even more powerful.
Try:
- Writing down funny quotes from children
- Recording shared challenges
- Noting how everyone experienced the same day differently
Some families create a shared journal, passing it around each evening. It becomes a treasured record of growing up and travelling together.
