This is such a hard category to make recommendations because there are so many good journals out there. It all depends on your preference and what you’re looking for. Here I have tried to capture my favorites and categorize them by type. Hopefully you find one that works for you!
I would suggest keeping an open mind and trying many different kinds: cheap, expensive, big and small, all kinds of paper qualities, etc. till you find the one that works right for you and the trip. You can find more information about what to look for in a travel journal in the articles section.
Start with these:
The Ideal Paper for Your Travel Journal
How Much Should Your Travel Journal Weigh?
Best Travel Journals Overall
Midori Traveler’s Notebook Black Leather: The classic, refillable notebook, loved by so many, including me. It’s so versatile and easy to add sections and change it to suit each trip.
Hahnemuhle Travel Journal Portrait: Instead of using a moleskine, I like this less expensive version that is just as good quality, in my opinion. It has beautiful paper that I can write on, draw or paint on and it stays in beautiful condition. The size is 5.27″x8.19″ and it comes with 62 sheets.
Best Bullet Travel Journal
Leuchttrum 1917: The original bullet journal. This beautiful, soft cover notebook comes in a ton of vibrant shades. The quality is amazing. It won’t break on you!
Art Materials Blank Dot Journal: This is the best value dot journal I’ve found. It’s from Michaels and it’s $5! It’s a hard cover notebook with 250 pages and two ribbon bookmarks. Mine have been very durable. My only complaint with them is that the paper is pretty thin for me, which only matters if you want to do a lot of drawing, painting or hand lettering. If thin paper doesn’t bother you, get this notebook. It’s a great value.
Best Travel Journal for Artists
Moleskine Art Plus Watercolor Journal This journal has beautiful, thick paper that will hold whatever medium you put on it. Glue, or watercolor or acrylic ink. The paper won’t warp or bleed. It’s awesome!
Strathmore 500 Series Mixed Media Journal My favorite choice for mixed media. The paper is a bit thiner than the watercolor paper, but can still hold wet medium well. Great if you like to collage a lot, this paper will hold (almost) anything you want to glue inside.
Best Interactive Travel Journal
Moleskine Voyageur: Clothbound with hard cover 4”x7” Designed to store itineraries and maps. Sheet of stickers Sections marked by color tabs. This is a great, interactive option!
Travel Listography: This is a great journal for a traveler who loves to make lists. There are so many great prompts included. Like, “countries I’ve visited/hope to visit” and “animals I’ve seen/hope to see in the wild.”
I Was Here: A Travel Journal for the Curious Minded Quench your curiosity with this fun journal that includes a lot of great prompts to get you into the curious mind of the traveler.
Moleskine Passion Journal Capture your passion for travel in this journal! It has Moleskine quality with fun, interactive elements.
Best Leather Travel Journal
Sovereign Gear Leather Antique Travel Journal: This beautiful journal comes in two sizes:7×5 or 8×6. The beautiful antiqued leather, refillable pages and a pen holder.
Abundance Gifts Genuine Leather Journal: This beautiful journal has four different paper options to choose from. It’s 8.5 X 6” and has easily refillable pages.
Lemome Classic Leather Journal: The Lemome journal has the styling of a Moleskine, with a beautiful tan leather cover, and three paper options, that is less expensive than the original Moleskine, but just as good of a product.
Best Vegan Leather Travel Journal
SphoSpark Faux Leather Journal: If you love the look of leather, this is a great option. It has the option for many different embossed covers that are lovely. It’s very durable with A5 paper that’s refillable.
Tree Tribe Leaf Leather Notebook: This super durable notebook is made from leaves, cotton. It’s waterproof and tear proof and has a vintage look thats actually the pressed leaves. It’s beautiful and unique.
Lemome Cork Hardcover Journal: If you want a durable notebook that isn’t leather, this cork journal is a great option. It comes with a pen loop and thick paper. Great for any type of travel journaler.
Best Small Travel Journal
Moleskine Cahiers, Set of 3: (3.5 x 5.5)
Hahnemühle Sketch & Note Booklet Bundles: 20 pages each, A6. This paper is beautiful!
Best Travel Journals for Kids
Peter Pauper Press Travel Diary
Uncommon Goods Scratch Travel Journal:
Mudpuppy Kids’ Travel Journal:
For more ideas and supplies for travel journals for kids, check out my supplies list here and my ideas list here.