Fun Travel Journal Ideas for your Next Trip

by Whitney | Last Updated Jan 30, 2019 | Inspiration, Journaling Tips | 63 comments

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This post is sponsored by HotelTonight (pretty much the best way to book nice hotels when you’re planning a trip).

Ready to learn about my trip to Austin? All views are my own.

I could take a trip every single week and stay happy – there are SO many places on my bucket list, and I’m insanely excited to cross them off year after year.

This year, I want YOU to take the reins on your next trip and make it the best yet. All you need is a pen and paper and a little bit of preparation to get your plan in place.

I’ve been planning, tracking and reviewing trips in my journal for the past few years and I’ve learned some awesome ways to keep up with my travels.

I love looking back at my travel memories, and I want to share a few tips to help you keep up with everything before, during, & after your trip.

My boyfriend and I went to Austin TX a few weeks ago, and I kept up with ALL of the important trip details in my journal. It’s amazing how much a simple blank notebook can help keep us organized! It’s a little idea book when I’m actually on the trip, and it’s a great spot to keep my favorite memories once the trip is over.

I use affiliate links throughout this blog to make a tiny compensation on some of the products listed ~ this doesn’t cost you more if you buy, but it definitely helps support the blog! 😁

Research Recommendations & Make a Plan

Before your trip even begins, make a plan. Whether you’re a down-to-the-minute planner or you like to be spontaneous, you need to have a clue of why you’re taking the trip in the first place.

The best way to do this is to do some research on things to do or things to see on your trip. Where do you typically see recommendations?

You can search Pinterest, Google or even Facebook for the things to do, but shouldn’t you have them all in one spot?

Research restaurants & dishes if you’re a foodie like me. Search your interests in that city – think shopping spots, hiking trails, nightlife, or family activities. Also, tons of bigger cities have local bloggers who blog only about the city. Check their blogs and Instagram feeds for what’s going on around town. Also, try searching tags and location tags on Instagram – you may see some fun spots that are otherwise hidden.

While you’re researching, make a Recommendation list of things you actually WANT to do. Once the master list is finished, you can go through it and start scheduling things you WILL do.

The Recommendation list I made for Austin is separated by:

To Eat
To Drink
To Stay &
To Do

I got a lot of recommendations from Facebook groups, word of mouth and Google searching. I only wrote down things that I’m genuinely interested in seeing.

The very first thing on my To-Do list is check out the shops on South Congress, so I couldn’t NOT take this picture when we were actually there!

Even if we don’t do everything on the list, we can save others for next time 🙂

Pre-plan with a Packing List

Another fun pre-trip spread is a Packing list. This is a great way to narrow down what you need to take on your trip. There are so many fun packing list spread ideas on Instagram – just search #packinglist, and you can see some examples.

Separate your list by carryon & big bag items, make a master list for all of your future trips OR make a list for each of your family members (kids especially). Once your list is finished, you can pull it out when you’re actually packing, and make sure you have everything.

You can see my Austin packing list below. I split it up into clothes, bathroom & etc. but you can get as specific as you’d like or keep it super simple.

Track Your Trip During Your Trip

During your trip, I encourage you to jot some of your highlights down. I don’t expect you to write in your journal every single day, but I do want you to keep up with your trip while you’re on it. You can always come back and expand on the details later!

If you have time on your trip to actually rest, grab your journal. Find a quiet spot in your hotel and write down your favorite things you’ve done on the trip. Think about your favorite meal and things YOU would recommend to others. Also, go through your recommended list and add anything you may have seen or heard about during your trip so far. There’s so many ideas of how to track your trip – it’s just a matter of sitting down and reflecting a little.

I found a spot in the South Congress Hotel and spent some of my downtime adding some of my favorite trip moments to my journal.

You can also keep up with everything digitally. If you have a smartphone, keep a log of your places visited. You can simply take notes in a notes app or you can use a check-in type app like Swarm, Facebook or Instagram.

Add Keepsakes

I’ve always been a ticket keeper, and adding things like this to the journal doesn’t make me feel like a full-on hoarder. I like to add tickets and paper souvenirs/stickers in the journal itself. I not only keep my journal for planning, but I use it for tracking my life. It’s actually SO cool to come back and look at everything a year, two years or even five years down the road. It’s like frozen memories in a book – and I wish I had started doing it sooner, really!

Below, you’ll see how I added my boarding pass in my journal with some simple round colored labels I got from the dollar store. I also added some flair with washi tape down the edge of the ticket. I love how it turned out 🙂

Take pictures during your trip, and don’t just share them on Snapchat! Add your favorite pictures to your journal pages. This is the ultimate keepsake! Send your smartphone pictures to get them developed or print some out yourself with your computer or portable printer. I just got a Sprocket that prints pictures as stickers, so I can add pictures in my journal instantly!

Also, look through brochures and any print media you got on your trip and see if you can salvage any for your book. Cut-out logos from menus or receipts may take your journal to the next level and add a unique twist to your pages.

I went a little overboard when making my ‘Trip in Review’ spread below, but I wanted to see how it would turn out… I made stickers with my printer and Silhouette and added them to an ATX memories spread. I can see this becoming a new trend in my book! 🤓

Remember Your trip

The spread above is a little review of my trip – including all the restaurants and spots we shopped. I love how it ended up turning out, but you can also make a sort of timeline spread that shows what you were doing and when. I made this spread to track all five days we were away.

You can add everything to this layout by reviewing your check-ins, notes, and pictures to see when they’re timestamped. I always go back through my phone to make sure I didn’t miss anything when rounding up my spread.

I love this recap spread below, but wish I wouldn’t have added the horizontal lines until AFTER I added the text – Oh well! 🤷‍♀️

Review Your Trip

After you get home and you’re ready to unpack, check your packing list and see if there’s anything that was completely unused on your trip. I’m world’s worst when it comes to overpacking, but a quick review of your packing list when you get home may help you NOT overpack for your next trip! You can even start your next trip’s list ASAP with your new insight.

Once you’re home, ask yourself the following:

What did I not see that I wanted to?
What was my favorite part of the trip?
What was the weather like?
Did I pack too little or too much?
Would I like to revisit this place?

Look through your pictures and souvenirs and see if there’s anything else worth adding to your journal. Remember your trip however you’d like, it’s always fun looking back on the highlights of your life, and many of mine happen when traveling.

I hope you’re inspired to start planning your future trips on paper or in a new journal. You’ll have everything in one place PLUS an incredible souvenir and you’ll never forget your trip! When you’re ready to book your next trip, check out the HotelTonight app to find your hotel. They’ll book up to 100 nights out, but you can get quality hotel rooms at the last minute too!

Have you starting journaling in 2019? I am definitely beginning a new book, and I’m looking forward to seeing how my planning process evolves throughout the year. I have some big goals set for 2019, and I can’t wait to get started! I hope you’ll join me and get the year started right! 🙂

If you’re thinking about journaling in 2019, I hope you’ll join me in the #journalyou52 challenge. This is a fun, year-long journal challenge with a different prompt every week ~ subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated!

I use affiliate links throughout this blog to make a tiny compensation on some of the products listed ~ this doesn’t cost you more if you buy, but it definitely helps support the blog! 😁

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63 Comments

Nita Mann on April 26, 2019 at 9:19 pm

Great info! We’re going to Orlando later in the year and this will come in handy
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:38 pm
  
  Awesome! I’m heading there in June, and will definitely make some sort of travel plans in the journal. Have fun on your trip 🙂
  Reply
Brandon Sparks on April 26, 2019 at 11:59 am

Thanks so much for the amazing tips. They are going to help more then you know..
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:37 pm
  
  Awesome Brandon! I hope you get to travel somewhere you love soon!
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Lori on April 24, 2019 at 10:03 pm

Whitney, I never thought about writing down my plans for trips in a journal. It’s such a great idea!! From writing down my packing list to what we want to do. An excellent way to record memories!!
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:36 pm
  
  Definitely ~ you can keep the travel plans and recommendations forever – then when you actually make the trip, you’ll have some awesome ideas already!
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Angela on April 24, 2019 at 7:51 pm

Thanks for the information. I’ve always wanted to do a Travel Journal but never had the nerve to actually do it. This year I’m going to start one for our trip around Lake Superior and with some of your ideas and the travel challenge for this week, I have actually started the Journal. Thanks Whitney!
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:35 pm
  
  That’s awesome! The travel memories you save are so worth the time (and it really doesn’t have to take that long!)
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Rachel on April 24, 2019 at 12:06 pm

I’ve had 2 trips planned for at least a couple years.

The first is at least somewhat realistic. It’s not the prettiest, but I love the beach and it’s the closest I can get to, even drive there and back in a day if I had to. Right now I can’t afford to do that, but at least I am thinking rational about it.

The second is definitely more expensive, but another beach. Don’t have an exact location but it has to be somewhere I could swim with dolphins (the whole package…not stand in the water). Clear water, all inclusive, and safe are my biggest requirements. Would check something off my bucked list!
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:34 pm
  
  Ahhh I’d love a little all inclusive trip myself! Would definitely be in the far out future though too! I hope you find your way to the beach soon!
  Reply
Dana on April 23, 2019 at 8:37 pm

Wow-this is a thorough travel journal. I’ve never kept a journal before but I should. It’s a really good idea.
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:33 pm
  
  You can definitely add some of these ideas to any notebook or bullet journal! It’s a fun way to keep memories of everything!
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Casandra Galindo on April 23, 2019 at 10:35 am

Thank you so much for all these great ideas
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:32 pm
  
  You’re so welcome Casandra! I hope you got some travel journal inspo 🙂
  Reply
Denise on April 22, 2019 at 9:15 pm

Great ideas here! I have a travel BuJo with travel planning, but still picked up some creative and useful ideas here. Thanks!
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:31 pm
  
  Awesome Denise! I may have to make a separate travel journal eventually, but for now I keep it all in the bullet journal!
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Stacey on April 22, 2019 at 6:00 pm

I love journaling about my travels! Thank you for all of the inspiration!!
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:31 pm
  
  You’re so welcome! I hope you found some fun travel journal ideas 🙂
  Reply
Bette Dillon on April 22, 2019 at 4:56 pm

I love your blogs and how I get so many ideas from you! Thanks!
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:30 pm
  
  Thanks Bette! I do my best to keep up with the latest journaling ideas! 😉
  Reply
Kayley on April 22, 2019 at 3:49 pm

Your travel journal looks so cute! You do a great job with it. I get stressed when I try to journal because I have bad hand writing and it ends up looking poorly. However, I understand that is partially my fault for not practicing and keeping up the habit.
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:29 pm
  
  Oh its all good, handwriting doesn’t matter as much as the memories do 🙂
  Reply
Stephanie Clawson on April 22, 2019 at 1:17 pm

I love this post! Who doesn’t LOVE to travel? I think some of the ideas here can be extended to local places of interest that you want to visit (i.e. museums, art exhibits, parks, etc.).
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:29 pm
  
  Yes, I definitely need a section of fun local spots – maybe a “When I’m Bored in my City” spread!
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Renee Gallo on April 22, 2019 at 11:11 am

This is such great timing. Preparing for a trip right now and working on “brain dump” ideas in my main journal while also preparing my travel journal for the trip.
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:27 pm
  
  Yes, travel journals are so fun. I would start one if I traveled more, but for now I just keep it all in the bullet journal 🙂
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Barb Miles on April 22, 2019 at 7:11 am

Great post
Now I want to get away more
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- Whitney on April 29, 2019 at 11:06 am
  
  Haha. Don’t we all Barb!
  Reply
NCJill Hamilton on April 22, 2019 at 7:04 am

How fun, Whitney! Glad you were able to spend an exciting weekend away and enjoy.
If I won this contest, I would go visit my son who is living in MT.
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:27 pm
  
  Ohhh fun! I love visiting Austin, its a lot different than where I’m used to!
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Sabrina Pietila on April 22, 2019 at 6:00 am

The snapchat commentary is SO ME. I take some snaps and don’t even save them to my phone 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ then I look back at my trips and go “oh” I didn’t take any photos.
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:25 pm
  
  Isn’t that funny!! Those are the Snapchat stories you should save!
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Kim Dehaven on April 22, 2019 at 5:48 am

I always scratch together a packing list and print out pages of details, but I never thought of putting them in my Biko! Going to practice with a work trip I’m taking this week!
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- Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:24 pm
  
  Definitely! It’s always fun to look back at travel memories! Especially if they’re all in one spot!
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Sarah Allen on April 21, 2019 at 7:40 pm

The review section is great. Not many people include that when make lists for their travel. It’s a good way to focus on the positives of your trip and make sure you didn’t forget something.
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- Whitney on April 29, 2019 at 11:05 am
  
  Exactly right Sarah! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Cheryl McGown on April 21, 2019 at 4:33 pm

This is a great idea for traveling. We don’t go very far right now but hope to in the future. We do camp locally for a couple weeks each month so a packing list is a great idea for me. Thanks for your review!
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- Whitney on April 29, 2019 at 11:04 am
  
  Sounds great Cheryl. I miss my camping days from when I was younger. 😊
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Virginia giniabell918@gmail.com on April 21, 2019 at 4:06 pm

Great ideas. Thanks Whitney. You’re awesome!
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- Whitney on April 29, 2019 at 11:03 am
  
  You’re awesome Virginia. Thanks for the comment.
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Cheryl Waterman on April 21, 2019 at 3:33 pm

I love using a packing list when I go places. Can’t wait to get to this layout!
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- Whitney on April 29, 2019 at 11:03 am
  
  They’re the best! Make sure to share your layout with everyone!
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Pat Hensley on April 21, 2019 at 2:26 pm

This was a great post! We are preparing for a big trip in May and this really helped us plan for one of the cities we are visiting.
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- Whitney on April 24, 2019 at 11:56 am
  
  Thanks Pat! Have fun in the big city.
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- Haley on April 27, 2019 at 1:11 pm
  
  I love this post! It has so many great ideas to help incorporate all aspects of s trip in your journal! I’m excited to try these ideas!
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  - Whitney on May 1, 2019 at 8:39 pm
    
    Glad you could find some travel bujo ideas! I hope you get to travel to somewhere fabulous soon 🙂
    Reply
MFR on April 21, 2019 at 2:17 pm

need to carve out some more private time – would so enjoy journaling like this – btw work, family, the side gig, and house work and errands I barely have time for more than a to-do list and grocery list! Time, a rare commodity.
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- Whitney on April 24, 2019 at 11:50 am
  
  I hear ya. I try and stick to a simple routine at night to keep up with my journal. Focus on making it a habit.
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Jan Jennings on April 21, 2019 at 2:14 pm

Great information! Thank you for including lists and questions that will make it easier to make my own Travel Journal. Yours looks great!!!
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- Whitney on April 24, 2019 at 11:44 am
  
  Thank Jan, and you’re very welcome. 😉
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Linda May Duly on April 21, 2019 at 1:56 pm

I’m going to the south of Spain for the most of May and I’ll be using your tips for a travelling journal😊
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- Whitney on April 24, 2019 at 11:43 am
  
  WOW Linda! I’m sooooo jealous. Have so much fun!
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Pam Reyno on April 21, 2019 at 1:29 pm

Thanks for all the pointers Whitney! Some of my favourite and well-used spreads are for trip planning and travel memories. 😊
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- Whitney on April 24, 2019 at 11:42 am
  
  Thanks for the comment Pam! Trip spreads are my favorite too to reflect back on.
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Janeen DeGeorge on April 21, 2019 at 1:13 pm

This is great, thanks!
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Jen C on April 21, 2019 at 12:37 pm

Perfect for helping me plan for an upcoming big trip!
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- Whitney on April 24, 2019 at 11:40 am
  
  Glad it was helpful Jen! ✋
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carolyn clifton on April 21, 2019 at 12:22 pm

Great contest! Thanks
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- Whitney on April 24, 2019 at 11:39 am
  
  Thanks Carolyn.
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Janey on April 21, 2019 at 12:19 pm

Working on my packing list now! Aimed specifically at Karting Races that Hubby flags at. 😊
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- Whitney on April 24, 2019 at 11:39 am
  
  Awe, love it. 😊 Have a great trip.
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Renee Frachioni on April 21, 2019 at 12:13 pm

I love these ideas, and cannot wait to put them to use to plan our upcoming trip North for our family reunion and my nieces wedding!
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- Whitney on April 24, 2019 at 11:37 am
  
  Thanks Renee! Have a wonderful time at the wedding!
  Reply