The Best Travel Journal Prompts and Tips to Inspire
Intro
There is something so magnificent and memorable about travel, but unfortunately our mind occasionally glosses over some of the amazing travel memories. When I was in college I took a writing course in London for two weeks and a requirement was to keep a journal for the duration of our stay. I wouldn't have thought about it on my own, but this gave me not only memories of the places but the thoughts and feelings when I was there. There were no creative travel journal prompts given to use, we just had an open slate to write about experiencing new cultures, new people, and new places. It took me another 15-years to start journaling on a regular basis, but from that time on I made sure to journal every time I traveled. My journals have definitely evolved over the years to include more detail and how I convey things. It is a wonderful way to remember the amazing times you had, the areas for improvement, and details to help you plan your future trips. I do wish I could find that first journal from my time in England.
Where to Start
The best way to figure out where to start is to identify what works for you to make sure you keep up with those journal entries. For me, I am a big fan of the digital journal. I have a Google Doc for each year. It is just me and the blank pages. I put some journal prompts at the top of the document as well as the time and date for each entry. A fun way to keep it interactive is by adding some photos and videos throughout the journal. I prefer this as I guarantee I won't lose a journal I need to carry around and I can get Google Doc from any device attached to my account.
Other people prefer putting pen to paper. They like holding something in their hands and the act of writing. You can decide if you want to purchase a notebook with lines, blank pages, or even a themed journal like travel bullet journals that can prompt you along your travel journaling journey and keep you accountable with travel experiences to expenses. The latter is a creative way to journal because it also comes with some stickers and has an area to insert the little details. This journal would be great for international travel or even a road trip, it's for anyone seeing new things and places.
The important thing is to identify what is important for you to remember and any journal you choose will be a great option. For me, each journal entry is filled with my favorite places I visited each day, people I encountered, restaurants I tried, food I ate, and how much time I spent in each destination. I also write down what worked and what didn't to get some great inspiration for planning my next trip.
Starting Recap
Remembering details (pictures, notes, texts, social media)
Pick a journal that suits your style and needs
Setup your journal to hit the ground running
Locate and purchase accessories needed
Pick a journal location for ease of access
Type of Journaling
There are several types of journaling. My dad is into bullet journaling while traveling. He doesn't really go into the minutia, thoughts, or feelings but just where he went, what he saw, and where he ate. I am much more of the 'every detail' sort of journaling. I like to know the things my dad puts in his bullet journal; but I also like to remember the trivial details that made the experience. I will not only write down the restaurants I went to but what I ate, who I connected with, encounters with the local language and culture, smells, sights, tastes, sounds, etc. I don't just want to remember a particular place but also the good times I had there. I try to always travel to new places, so in my travels I am seeing many of these places for the first time.
Another type of journaling is a travel scrapbook; where you add ticket stubs, paper maps and brochures, pictures (can even kick it old school with some polaroid cameras), business cards, words or phrases, pieces of fabrics and a packing list or to-do list from your travel plans. Another form of journaling can be your social media if you are posting pictures with locations and context. For the artists out there, you can have a sketchbook journal to outline your travels. Lastly, I used to send my family post cards from each place with a little blurb on my trip. All you need is a postcard and some postage stamps. Make sure you ask the post office how much postage you will need to get the postcard to your destination.
With a little time, you can get yourself up and running with your travel diary.
Journaling Type Recap
Postcards
Social Media
Bullet Journaling
Detailed Journaling
Travel Scrapbooking
Sketchbook Journaling
Travel Journal Prompts
When I journal while traveling, I write a lot about what I mentioned above and it is ingrained in my mind. I want to remember everything so I touch on a lot of different topics. I journal about my experiences. I talk about what I did, where I visited, what I ate, time frames, who I met, funny stories, scary stories, and really anything that comes to mind when writing. Sometimes when I am writing about my travel day, a story from another place in time will pop into my mind and I will write about it.
Below is a list of some creative travel journal ideas to get you started on your travel journal. Whether you are doing a travel bullet journal or writing every detail, these prompts are a great way to get your pen to the page. For some, writing maybe out of your comfort zone. Really this is just for you and your purposes. No need to feel intimidated as you can share as much or as little of your journals as you would like. The first thing is to just start, obtain new experiences, have so much fun and let it snowball from there.
Basic Travel Journal Prompts Recap
Hotel
Meals
Dates
Times
People
Smells
Sounds
Weather
Activities
Travel Plan
Step Count
Restaurants
Transportation
Travel Companion
Advanced Travel Journal Prompts
What you liked in the day?
If not, what changed? Why?
What would you keep the same?
Did the day go according to plan?
Were there any sights you missed?
What didn't you like from the day?
How would you do things differently?
What made you pick this destination?
People or sights you observed while touring?
Did this destination live up to your expectations?
Would you visit this destination again? Why or why not?
What is different in your destination vs. your hometown?
What is similar between your destination and hometown?
What is one thing you will hold on the most from this day or trip?
Talk about people you encountered and the conversations you had?
Were there any sights you saw that you would have been okay missing?
Conclusion
The next time you are on a trip and need to get those creative juices flowing, take a look at some of these travel prompts. Pull it up on your smart phone or print it out and place it in your fanny pack with the lip balm and map. Journaling is such a creative outlet and a fantastic way for personal growth. I am able to look at my journals from when I am younger and see the kind of person I used to be, how I have grown, matured, changed, see the world differently with more experience under my belt.
Next on the Blog…
If you need help planning your next trip, check out my post on Planning a Trip Like a Travel Agent. Or if you were like me on my first trip to Europe and horrendously overpacked, check out my blog on 5 Tips for Packing Light.
Are you nervous about taking your next trip or need a little inspiration to get up early to catch that sunrise? If so, check out the 105 Travel Affirmations for Epic Adventures.
