The 14 Best Travel Journals of 2023 | by Travel + Leisure

Whether you’re climbing some of the world’s tallest peaks, trying the top Michelin restaurants in a specific city, taking a road trip across the United States, or adventuring off the grid in remote locales, a travel journal is always a great item to use to record your journey. Travel journals come in many different forms, some of them basic with lined pages and nothing else, others complete with lined and dotted pages, maps, stickers, and more. Whatever type of traveler you are, there’s a travel journal out there for you.

We’ve chosen our favorite travel journals based on style and specifications, but our number one recommendation is the Voyager Refillable Notebook because of its versatility for writing, drawing, sketching, and more. It comes with lined, dotted, and blank pages, plus pockets for extras. Read on for all of the best varieties below, including those for kids, inclement weather, and more.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:Peter Pauper Press Voyager Refillable Notebook at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Hardcover:Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Dotted Notebook at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Accessories:Clever Fox Travel Journal at AmazonJump to ReviewMost Sustainable:Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Pocket-sized:Letterfolk Trip Passport Journal at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Prompts:Promptly Travel Journal at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Leather:Wanderings A5 Leather Travelers Notebook at AmazonJump to ReviewBest Maps:Mark and Graham Leather Bound World Travel Journal at Markandgraham.comJump to ReviewBest Customizable:AndSoTheyMade Personalized Notebook at EtsyJump to ReviewBest Refillable:Robrasim Refillable Travelers Notebook at AmazonJump to Review

Best Overall

Peter Pauper Press Voyager Refillable Notebook

View On AmazonView On Peterpauper.comWhy We Love It

You can use it for traveling, daily note-taking, or even drawing. Plus, it’s refillable.

What to Consider

This is a small journal.

Versatility is the name of the game with this timeless refillable notebook from Voyager, and the reason we’ve picked it as Best Overall. It’s not only great for journaling but also sketching, drawing, note-taking, and list-making. Whether you want to let the world’s most impactful artists inspire your sketches or pen a poem on the banks of your favorite lake, this journal is great to have on hand. The cover is made from faux leather, and on the inside, you’ll find three separate 60-page inserts: lined pages, dotted/grid pages, and blank pages. There’s a clear storage pocket inside the front cover and another clear zippered storage pouch inside the back cover. Interior stretch bands with an elastic closure keep the notebook together, and it’s compatible with most modular notebook refills. Multiple colors are available, including classic black and a muted light blue.

Price at time of publish: $13

The Details: Lined, dotted, blank | 180 pages | 4.75 x 7.75 inches

Best Hardcover

Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook

4.9

View On AmazonView On WalmartView On Leuchtturm1917.usWhy We Love It

Labels and numbered pages keep organization top of mind.

What to Consider

There’s no place to store a pen.

If you’re a rugged kind of traveler, safekeeping your memories with a hardcover may be the wisest choice. Made from a durable material to keep your pages protected, this Leuchtturm journal is a great choice to keep in a backpack, purse, carry-on bag, or even in your hiking daypack. The pages are made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper, and stickers are included for labeling. There’s a blank table of contents to help keep you organized, and eight detachable sheets make for easy note-taking. There are 251 numbered and dotted pages for your journaling. It’s made to open flat, which helps with reading the contents and writing. Two page markers are included, and it’s available in a whole rainbow of colors, including four shades of green like sage, bright lime, and an army-inspired shade.

Price at time of publish: $23

The Details: Dotted | 260 pages  | 5.75 x 8.25 inches

Best Accessories

Clever Fox Travel Journal

View On AmazonView On Cleverfoxplanner.comWhy We Love It

Stickers plus added sections for budgeting and trip reviews? Yes, please.

What to Consider

All of the added sections mean less space for actual journaling.

If you’re into decorating your journal with stickers or even adding on stickers to help you stay organized, you’ll love this journal from Clever Fox. It comes with more than 150 stickers plus a user guide full of examples to inspire you to create a one-of-a-kind journal that’s fun to look back on. It also includes a ribbon bookmark, back pocket, and a pen loop. The travel planner pages are great to help you plan your itinerary, and there’s a trip review section that allows you to reflect on your adventures. Added perks include the travel tips section, a glossary, a travel budget section, and an expense tracker spreadsheet.

Price at time of publish: $23

The Details: Blank, lined, dotted | 120 pages | ‎8.43 x 5.79 x 0.67 inches

Most Sustainable

Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook

View On AmazonView On WalmartView On TargetWhy We Love It

This smart journal uses QR codes to safely store your entries in an app.

What to Consider

Some users might be too attached to physical keepsakes to make this eco-friendly move.

Keep this notebook safe and you’ll never have to buy another one again. Simply scan the QR code printed on each page of the Rocketbook and your phone will automatically take a picture of your work and upload it to the corresponding app for infinite posterity. Just use the reusable pen that comes with the journal, add a drop of water, wipe with the included microfiber cloth and you’ll have a blank page ready to fill with travel memories again. It’s perfect if you love the experience of feeling pen on paper but don’t want to lug around or waste a ton of pages. Plus, according to T+L commerce editor Lydia Price, using this “magic” notebook is just a ton of fun — as is choosing between the variety of cover options it comes in. There’s also a host of different sizes available.

Price at time of publish: $20

The Details: Dotted | 36 pages | 6 x 8 inches

Best Pocket-sized

Letterfolk Trip Passport Journal

View On AmazonView On Letterfolk.comView On Madewell.comWhy We Love It

There are lots of different versions to choose from that fit different trip themes.

What to Consider

There are only 48 pages, so this isn’t really the type of journal for long entries.

At only 3.5  by 5.5 inches, this little journal fits easily in your pocket, backpack, fanny pack, or really anywhere with ease. Letterfolk makes these experience books for numerous occasions, including visiting national parks, states, countries, and even bucket-list trips. The journal has 48 pages, with 20 entry pages to record trip memories, plus eight bonus pages that include bucket lists, checklists, and other fun activities. Each entry page sits next to a blank page so you can draw the scene you’re writing about or attach a photo or memento. The entry logs also include prompts such as date, location, first impressions, sights, wildlife, and who you went with in order to help you remember all the details of your journey.

Price at time of publish: $10

The Details: Lined, blank | 48 pages | 3.5 x 5.5 inches

The 8 Best Travel Photo Book Makers of 2023

Best Prompts

Promptly Travel Journal

View On AmazonView On Promptlyjournals.comWhy We Love It

All of the questions and guided prompts help you remember the special details of your travels.

What to Consider

Each journal only covers one trip.

Sometimes you need a bit of prompting to get the creative juices flowing and to help you remember small details from your travels. Promptly journals are great for this, as they come with loads of prompts and questions to help you record your travels with as much detail as possible like “What did you love about the local culture?” and “What advice would you give others going here?” There are also specific sections such as memorable moments, transportation, food, mishaps, highlights, and travel companions. Plus, there’s room to add photos from your journey, too. Fill it out as you’re on the road, or complete the journal post-trip to take a walk down memory lane.

Price at time of publish: $30

The Details: Lined, blank | 88 pages | 5.5 x 8.25 inches

Best Leather

Wanderings A5 Leather Travelers Notebook

View On AmazonView On WalmartView On EtsyWhy We Love It

Naturally tanned leather gives this journal a vintage look that lasts for years.

What to Consider

The leather can crease over time in the middle due to bending and folding while journaling.

Made from naturally tanned leather, this travel journal has an old-school look and can be used for years to come thanks to refillable pages. Take it with you on a cross-country road trip, while climbing Kilimanjaro, or while visiting bucket-list destinations such as Machu Picchu. Wherever you go, this journal is a classic choice that ages beautifully through the years. The pages that come with the journal are blank, so you can write, draw, make lists, and more, and then you can buy refill pages that are lined if you wish. A strap keeps the journal closed while traveling.

Price at time of publish: $33

The Details: Blank | 240 pages | 8.5 x 6 inches

The 14 Best Coffee Table Books to Inspire Your Next Trip

Best Maps

Mark and Graham Leather Bound World Travel Journal

View On Markandgraham.comWhy We Love It

Full-color, extensive maps are great while wandering new territories.

What to Consider

Refills aren’t available.

For those exploring far and wide, a journal with some great maps is necessary. This one from Mark and Graham comes with full-color maps of major cities, plus world weather information, international dialing codes, and more. It’s leather-bound, a durable choice that helps keep your pages protected, and foil debossed monogramming is available.

Price at time of publish: $70

The Details: 320 pages | 6 x 4.5 inches

Best Customizable

AndSoTheyMade Personalized Notebook

View On EtsyWhy We Love It

The minimalist design coupled with custom words makes this a super special journal.

What to Consider

No symbols can be used in custom lettering.

This notebook is available with your chosen printed words on the cover and the spine in numerous colors (the emerald and lilac hues caught our eyes). On the cover, your words are encased within a hexagon shape for a minimalist look, and all words are done in capitalized letters. When ordering, simply send in what you’d like your notebook to say on the spine and cover, and you’ll receive a beautiful, custom notebook in the mail. The paper used is FSC-certified, the cover is soft and wipeable, and all materials are vegan. Use one for each adventure and line them up across a bookshelf or on a coffee table, and check the spines to remember just how far you’ve adventured around the world.

Price at time of publish: $21

The Details: Dotted, lined, or blank | 160 pages | 5 x 8 inches

Best Refillable

Robrasim Refillable Travelers Notebook

View On AmazonWhy We Love It

Three different paper refills are available.

What to Consider

It doesn’t lay flat when opened.

Three different refillable inserts are available for this notebook: lined, blank, and kraft paper, which is great for those wanting to journal, draw, sketch, and attach mementos. The cover is made from naturally tanned leather and includes an elastic and leather closure to keep the contents safe. The paper is acid-free, resists light and air damage, and is suitable for most pen types. One PVC cardholder pouch is attached for all of your cards, receipts, and other small items, and the small journal size means you can take it anywhere.

Price at time of publish: $15

The Details: Lined, blank, kraft | 64 pages | 5.2 x 4 inches

Best Moleskine

Moleskine City Notebook

View On AmazonView On WalmartWhy We Love It

Added features like maps and tracing paper make this an enriching journal.

What to Consider

Maps here are extensive, leaving a bit less room for journaling.

If you’re exploring large cities such as Paris, Rome, Hong Kong, New York, or London, a sleek, classic Moleskine notebook is the way to go, and the City Notebooks are excellent. The notebooks come with a map of the city, a street index, and tracing paper so you can note different areas. Mark your favorite restaurants, attractions, or newfound discoveries throughout. There are personalized stickers to use as well, plus tabbed sections and blank pages for drawing, sketching, and list-making. The smaller size of this journal makes it great to stick in your backpack, pocket, or purse, and numerous cities are available.

Price at time of publish: $25

The Details: Lined | 220 pages | 3.5 x 5.5 inches

Best Weatherproof

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Side-Spiral Notebook

View On AmazonWhy We Love It

The tough cover comes in nine colors.

What to Consider

You can’t use water-based ink pens with this journal.

If you’re going to be out in rainy, snowy, muddy, or any kind of wet conditions, consider going with a weatherproof journal like this one from Rite in the Rain. It comes with all-weather paper that repels water, mud, and grease and can even survive a spin through the washing machine. The cover is also tough, weatherproof, and flexible to keep your notes free from scratches and stains. The wire binding is impact-resistant unlike standard spiral notebooks, so don’t worry about the journal getting messed up in your hiking bag. It’s recommended to use a standard number two pencil or an all-weather pen with this notebook, but standard ballpoint pens will work when the paper is dry. (Water-based inks will bead off the paper, so steer clear of those.)

Price at time of publish: $14

The Details: Lined | 64 pages | 6×9 inches

The 31 Best Subscription Boxes to Gift

Best for Kids

Peter Pauper Kids’ Travel Journal

View On AmazonView On Peterpauper.comWhy We Love It

Maps, prompts, illustrations, and games make this the ultimate kid-friendly travel journal.

What to Consider

It’s most suited for international travel.

Kids love remembering their early travel experiences, and this journal from Peter Pauper makes it to chronicle them, as it’s full of prompts, photos, illustrations, maps, puzzles, games, and more. There’s room to paste in photos and mementos, plus lined pages to write down daily wanderings, packing lists, and experiences. There’s also blank pages for drawing and sketching as well as helpful words and phrases in foreign languages and metric information for easy conversions. Kids will also love the included travel-related quotes from children’s books and interesting world facts listed throughout. A back pocket gives extra room for keepsakes, and an elastic band keeps the journal closed when not in use. It’s recommended for ages 7-12.

Price at time of publish: $13

The Details: Lined, blank | 96 pages | 6.25 x 8.25 inches

Best Travel Journal App

Day One App

View On AppleView On Google.comWhy We Love It

The app is compatible with all iOS and Android devices, so you can journal wherever you go.

What to Consider

Digital journaling may not be for everyone.

If you’re not a fan of shorthand writing, but still want to document all of your memories in a fun journal, consider going digital with this app. Not only is the Day One app compatible with all Android and Apple phones, but you can also get to your account using a tablet or Mac computer, so you can truly make sure you always have access to your notes. This may be a journal — technically — but the app helps you build a digital scrapbook with notes, photos, and even audio clips placed right onto your page. You can also type or handwrite depending on your preference. If you want to share your memories or eventually keep a physical journal, you can even print out the book to look back on again and again.

Price at time of publish: $3 per month for premium subscription

The Details: Customizable | Unlimited pages | Your screen size

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 QuestionsHow 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 Amanda Ogle used research and her personal expertise as a travel writer to craft the perfect list of journals for your next adventure. While researching travel journals, we spoke with T+L commerce editor Lydia Price.

The 52 Best Gifts for Travelers of 2023

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Updated byTravel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over seven years.” tabindex=”0″ data-inline-tooltip=”true”>Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is a Commerce Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over seven years.learn more