If there is one thing we learned from living through – *gestures broadly at everything* – the last couple of years, it’s that travel is a privilege that should never be taken for granted. All those fun memories you collect on a trip really do stay with you forever and become an important source of joy when you most need it.
Instead of flipping through the back of your camera roll every now and then, documenting your trip in a travel journal is a much more tangible and personal way to preserve your favorite moments on the road. Seeing photos and vignettes laid down on a page — along with your own handwritten stories — is a much better way to relive that post-graduation holiday or big family vacay. These notebooks also make an excellent travel gift idea for anyone with a similar passion for exploring the world.
A good travel planner is packed with details that will help you look back and plan ahead. Whether you’re shopping for a trip planner for upcoming adventures in 2023 or a scrapbook to display tokens from previous journeys, the 15 travel journals ahead will spark that sense of wanderlust in you.
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The Travelers Playbook World Travel Journal
If your dream is to travel the world, this is the ultimate journal you need to keep track of all the special memories you’ve made along the way. It comes with specific pages dedicated to every country and a round-the-globe checklist. There’s also plenty of room for the fun stuff, like prompts to trace foreign coins and places to jot down funny anecdotes from the new friends you’ve made.
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The Travelers Playbook World Travel Journal, $, available at Etsy
Stitch Where You’ve Been World Travel Notebook
This notebook is like your very own portable scratch map: Needle and thread are provided for you to stitch across all the spots you’ve visited on the perforated cover, which depicts a world map. If you have a crafty best friend who is also obsessed with checking new countries off their list, this will make the perfect gift.
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We Are Chasing Threads Stitch Where You’ve Been Notebook, $, available at Etsy
Oakdene Designs Personalized Travel Journal
We love a good personalized gift, and this colorful one – with the option to include a special message inside the front cover – is all the motivation a loved one will need to book that next flight.
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Oakdene Designs Personalized Travel Journal, $, available at Etsy
Letterfolk Bucket List Passport
This pint-sized notebook is solely dedicated to documenting bucket list experiences: if you’ve conquered a super impressive hike or finally went on that scuba-diving trip you’ve always dreamed of, here’s where you can dump all your memories.
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Letterfolk Bucket List Passport, $, available at Letterfolk
Mark & Graham Leather Bound World Travel Journal
Nothing says “sophisticated globetrotter” like a leatherbound notebook with gold foil monogramming. The front and back pages contain useful travel information, like colored maps of major capitals, international dialing codes, and weather facts.
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Mark & Graham Leather Bound World Travel Journal, $, available at Mark & Graham
Free Range Bookbinding Map Travel Journal With Pockets
Have you been hoarding random keepsakes from every trip, like boarding passes and museum ticket stubs, but have nowhere to put them? Because same. Grab this fold-out journal, with generous envelopes and pockets, and turn your collection into a personal travel scrapbook.
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Free Range Bookbinding Personalized Map Travel Journal, $, available at Etsy
Papier Travel Stamps Journal
You can always count on Papier for chic stationery, and the travel journal designs do not disappoint. The stamps print is so adorable, and we love what’s inside even more. Expect pretty pages for your next trip ideas, useful packing guides, and a color-in world map to indicate all the ground you’ve covered.
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Papier Travel Stamps Journal, $, available at Papier
Duncan & Stone Travel Journal And Photo Album
If you have tons of polaroids or photos from a special trip, this journal-slash-album is the ideal place to keep your stash. There’s plenty of real estate for photos and notes, with useful writing prompts to get your memories flowing. This will also be a great gift for someone about to embark on a honeymoon, graduation trip, or retirement celebration.
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Duncan and Stone Travel Journal And Photo Album, $, available at Etsy
Smythson Travels And Experiences Panama Notebook
For the best travel journal in terms of quality, you really can’t go wrong with Smythson. We think of this brand as the “Hermès of stationery”, and its British-made travel notebooks, covered in cross-grain lambskin leather, will last you for years to come.
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Smythson Travels And Experiences Panama Notebook, $, available at Smythson
The Bucket List Book Travel Journal
This bucket list-themed notebook is a great way to collate all your travel accomplishments. Every page is dedicated to a memorable experience, with space to attach photos and mementos from that trip.
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The Bucket List Book Journal, $, available at Etsy
The Gift Studio Company Personalized Photo Travel Journal
If you’re planning the trip of a lifetime, having a dedicated notebook for the planning process is a great idea. It will be a souvenir that you will always look back fondly on. This one comes in an array of colors, and you have the option of printing a customized picture and title on the cover.
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The Gift Studio Company Personalized Photo Travel Journal, $, available at Etsy
Poketo Colorblock Travel Journal
For something handy and affordable, this colorful trip planner should be your go-to. The practical contents include packing checklists, sections for departure/ arrival info, and itinerary pages with dedicated sections to fill in restaurants, shopping, and hotel recs. Get the Petite Folio, which serves as a leather cover for the notebook, if you want to level up.
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Poketo Colorblock Travel Journal, $, available at Poketo
Justin Ryan Books Day Trip Notebook
When you’re going on vacay, a lot can happen over the course of a day. This simple notepad can help keep a straightforward log of all the sights you’ve enjoyed – and all the ice creams savored along the way.
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Justin Ryan Books Day Trip Notebook, $, available at Etsy
Sloane Stationery World Travels Pocket Notebook
This sumptuous croc-effect leather journal with gold lettering is giving “I travel business class only”.
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Sloane Stationery World Travels Pocket Notebook, $, available at Wolf & Badger
Pine And Embers Road Trip Travel Log
This road trip travel log is a great present for the outdoorsy person in your life who loves the minimalist aesthetic.
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Pine And Embers Road Trip Travel Log, $, available at Etsy
Erin Condren PetitePlanner Travel Journal
Best for an on-the-go professional planner.
Erin Condren PETITEPLANNER TRAVEL JOURNAL, $, available at Erin Condren
Chronicle Books Travel Stub Diary
Best for the activity-loving tourist.
Chronicle Books Travel Stub Diary, $, available at Amazon
Urban Outfitters Daily Planner Journal
Best for the “let’s see where the day takes us” wanderluster.
Urban Outfitters Patterned Daily Planner Journal, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Easy, Tiger Highway to the Nature Zone Road Trip Journal
Best for the tree-hugging road tripper.
Easy Tiger Goods Highway to the Nature Zone Road Trip Journal, $, available at Uncommon Goods
Designphil Midori Traveler’s Notebook Starter Kit
Best for beginners.
Designphil Midori Traveler’s Notebook – Passport Size Starter Kit, $, available at Amazon
Taylor & Tanner Barkin 50 States Traveled Journal
Best for the nationwide nomad.
Taylor & Tanner Barkin 50 States Traveled Journal, $, available at Uncommon Goods
Ban.do Best Time Travel Planner
Best for the overly enthusiastic scheduler.
Bando Travel Planner – Best Time, $, available at Bando
Chronicle Books Travel Listography: Exploring the World in Lists
Best for the list-maker.
Chronicle Books Travel Listography: Exploring the World in Lists, $, available at Amazon
Luckies of London Ltd Scratch Travel Journal
Best for anyone looking to keep tabs on their travels.
Luckies of London Ltd Scratch Travel Journal, $, available at Uncommon Goods
Chronicle Books I Was Here: A Travel Journal for the Curious Minded
Best for the goal-oriented explorer.
Chronicle Books I Was Here: A Travel Journal for the Curious Minded, $, available at Amazon
Moleskine Passion Journal, Travel
Best for the refined roamer.
Moleskine Passion Journal, Travel, Hard Cover, Large (5″ x 8.25″, $, available at Amazon
Sit. Breathe. Love. You Are Here: A Mindful Travel Journal
Best for the mindful traveler.
Sit. Breathe. Love. You Are Here: A Mindful Travel Journal, $, available at Amazon
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