90+ Travel Journal Prompts for Your Next Trip (No More Blank Pages!)
Travel journals are a wonderful way to capture the essence of your adventures, preserve memories, and reflect on your journeys. However, staring at a blank page can be daunting. To help you get started, we’ve compiled over 90 travel journal prompts that will add depth and variety to your entries.
Whether you’re planning your next trip, basking in the daily occurrences, or reflecting post-journey, these prompts are designed to inspire creativity and introspection.
Pre-trip travel journal prompts
Planning a trip is an exciting phase filled with anticipation and dreams. Use these prompts to document your thoughts and plans before you set off on your adventure:
1. What are your top three reasons for taking this trip?
2. What are you most excited about?
3. What are your biggest concerns?
4. What are the must-see attractions on your bucket list for this destination?
5. List five items on your packing list and explain why they’re essential.
6. Describe how you’re preparing for this trip, both mentally and physically.
7. What do you hope to learn or gain from this trip?
8. Who are you traveling with, and what are your expectations from them?
9. What weather conditions are you anticipating, and how are you preparing for them?
10. Write about any research you’ve done on your destination.
11. What books or movies have inspired you about this place?
12. What are three things you hope to photograph?
Daily travel journal prompts
Capturing daily experiences can turn ordinary moments into cherished memories. Use these prompts to document each day of your journey:
13. Describe your most memorable meal today.
14. What was the highlight of your day?
15. What did you learn about the local culture today?
16. Who did you meet today, and what did you talk about?
17. Write about an unexpected moment or surprise you encountered.
18. How did you spend your morning, afternoon, and evening?
19. What was the funniest thing that happened today?
20. Write about your accommodation and its surroundings.
21. Describe the mode of transportation you used today.
22. What music did you hear today, and how did it make you feel?
23. What piece of advice did someone give you today?
24. Write about a favorite local product or souvenir you discovered.
25. How did you relax or unwind today?
26. Write about an activity you did that was out of your comfort zone.
Sensory travel journal prompts
Engage your senses by documenting the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures you experience. These prompts will help you create a vivid picture of your surroundings:
27. Describe the most unique sound you heard today.
28. What was the most surprising taste you experienced?
29. How did the city/landscape make you feel?
30. What scents stood out to you the most?
31. Write about the textures you felt, whether it’s the fabric of local clothing or the roughness of ancient ruins.
32. Which colors dominated your surroundings, and how did they affect your mood?
33. Write about the feeling of the weather on your skin today.
34. Describe a memorable sight you encountered today.
35. What was the ambiance like at the places you visited?
36. How did the local environment smell compared to home?
37. Write about a tactile experience, such as walking barefoot on the beach or touching historical artifacts.
38. How did the food presentation add to your dining experience?
Reflective travel journal prompts
Reflection is key to personal growth and understanding different cultures. These prompts encourage deep thinking about your experiences and the lessons learned:
39. How has this trip changed your perspective?
40. What challenge did you overcome today?
41. How are you different now than when you started this journey?
42. Write about a cultural norm that intrigued or surprised you.
43. What have you learned about yourself during this trip?
44. How did you handle any uncomfortable situations you faced?
45. Reflect on a conversation that made a lasting impression.
46. How did your initial expectations compare to reality?
47. What would you do differently if you could start this trip over?
48. What aspect of the local way of life do you admire most?
49. Write about a moment of solitude and what you thought about.
50. How did this trip influence your future travel plans?
Creative travel journal prompts
Unleash your creativity with these prompts that go beyond traditional writing. Sketching, poetry, and collecting quotes can add a unique dimension to your journal:
51. Sketch a scene that captured your attention.
52. Write a haiku about a place you visited.
53. Collect quotes from locals or fellow travelers.
54. Doodle something inspired by your surroundings.
55. Write a short story based on an experience you had.
56. Create a mind map of your day’s activities and thoughts.
57. Write a poem about the emotions you felt today.
58. Illustrate a local legend or folklore you heard.
59. Compose a song or lyrics inspired by your travels.
60. Design a postcard depicting a memorable moment.
61. Create a collage using materials found on your trip.
62. Write a letter to your future self about this journey.
Post-trip travel journal prompts
Reflecting on your trip after returning home helps cement memories and plan future adventures. Use these prompts to wrap up your journal with meaningful insights:
63. What was the most unexpected thing that happened on your trip?
64. What will you miss most about this place?
65. Where do you want to travel next?
66. Describe a moment that you’ll remember forever.
67. What advice would you give someone traveling to this destination?
68. Write about a local dish you wish you could recreate at home.
69. How has this trip influenced your daily routine back home?
70. What new habits or practices do you want to incorporate into your life?
71. Reflect on your travel companions and the bond you shared.
72. Write about a specific item you brought back and its significance.
73. How did this trip compare to your previous travels?
74. What are three things you learned about the world?
Bonus prompts: for specific types of trips
Different types of trips offer unique experiences. Tailor these prompts to your specific travel style to capture the essence of your journey:
75. Solo travel: What did you learn about yourself while traveling alone?
76. Family vacations: What was the best activity you did as a family?
77. Adventure trips: Describe the thrill of an adventurous activity you tried.
78. City breaks: Write about the architecture and vibe of the city.
79. Road trips: What was the most scenic route you drove on?
80. Beach vacations: How did spending time by the water make you feel?
81. Cultural trips: What local tradition fascinated you the most?
82. Eco-travel: How did you contribute to sustainability during your trip?
83. Luxury travel: Describe the most luxurious experience you had.
84. Backpacking: What was the most challenging part of backpacking?
85. Group travel: How did you bond with your travel companions?
86. Wellness retreats: How did this trip improve your well-being?
87. Historical tours: What historical site impacted you the most?
88. Food tours: Describe the best dish you tasted on your food tour.
89. Cruise trips: What was your favorite onboard activity?
90. Festival trips: Write about a cultural festival you attended.
91. Wildlife safaris: Describe an encounter with wildlife.
92. Mountain treks: What was the most breathtaking view you saw?
93. Volunteer trips: How did you contribute to the community?
Tips for using these travel prompts
These travel prompts can inspire reflection and help you articulate your unique travel experiences.
Choose prompts that resonate with you
Not all prompts will resonate with everyone, as each person’s experiences and emotions are unique. When selecting prompts, pay attention to those that speak to you on a personal level and ignite your passion for writing.
For instance, if you traveled to South Korea, you may want to choose a prompt that asks about your favorite food or cultural experience in the country. If you traveled for volunteer work, a prompt about giving back or making a positive impact could be fitting.
Mix and match prompts
Mix and match prompts from different sections to create a more dynamic journaling experience. For example, combine a sensory prompt, which encourages you to describe the sights, sounds, and smells around you, with a daily travel prompt that asks about the places you visited.
This blending can add depth and richness to your entries, helping you capture a more nuanced picture of your experiences while highlighting the connections between different aspects of your life.
Be flexible with your writing
It’s important not to feel pressured to answer every prompt in strict order or to adhere rigidly to the questions provided. Instead, use the prompts as a launching point for your thoughts.
Allow your writing to flow naturally, exploring tangents or diving into related topics that arise. This flexibility can lead to unexpected insights and discoveries about your experiences and feelings, making journaling more organic and fulfilling.
Use visuals to enhance your entries
Incorporating visuals into your journal can significantly enhance your written entries. Consider adding drawings, sketches, photographs, and collages that complement your reflections and stories.
Visual elements bring your travel journal to life and provide a richer representation of your experiences. They allow you to capture the essence of moments that words alone may not fully convey. This artistic addition can be a wonderful way to remember the emotions associated with your adventures.
Consider your travels
While journaling about your daily experiences can be insightful, it’s also valuable to take a step back and reflect on your travels as a whole. Consider incorporating prompts that encourage you to think about the bigger picture, such as how this trip has impacted you personally or what lessons you’ve learned.
For instance, if you not only traveled but also lived in Greece, you may want to reflect on how immersing yourself in a new culture has broadened your perspective or challenged your beliefs. These prompts can provide a more holistic view of your travels and help you better understand their significance.
Final thoughts
With these 90+ travel journal prompts, you’ll never face a blank page again. Each prompt is designed to help you dive deeper into your travel experiences, capturing the essence of your adventures and the emotions they evoke. Happy journaling, and may your travels be filled with unforgettable moments!
Make Your Trip Easier
I’m all about planning trips on your own and figuring your way around the local scene. But still, I don’t want to leave you like a fish out of water!
Here are some resources I regularly use whenever I travel (on my own or with other people):
- Find fun things to do with Get Your Guide.
- Need accommodations? Find the best hotel deals on Booking.com!
- Get around like a local by booking a car rental on Discover Cars.
- Don’t sink or swim! Make ferry bookings easier on Ferryscanner.
- Looking to teach ASL or find work as you settle into your new life? This ITTT TEFL course is exactly what you need.
- Plane tickets can be pricey. Find the best deals on Oneflyaway and Faredrop.
- You know what they say, safety is the best policy. Keep yourself protected with travel insurance from Safetywing.
- Need to send or receive money overseas? It’s be unwise not to use Wise.
xo, Alice
Loved the sensory travel journal prompts, really adds a whole new layer to documenting trips. Gonna try it out on my next adventure. Keep these ideas coming, Alice!
Creative prompts are a game-changer! Finally, something different.
For the sensory prompts, do you have tips on how to effectively capture smells and tastes in writing? They’re always the trickiest for me.
mix and match prompts could be cool, never thought of that before
Reflective prompts are a great idea to deeply engage with the historical context of the places we visit. It adds so much value to the experience.
With these prompts, my travel diary is gonna be thicker than a dictionary, lol.
Great tips for the adventure junkies. Spot on, Alice!
Not sure I agree with all the creative prompts. Sometimes simpler is better when it comes to journaling.
Totally with you on simpler is better. Too much fluff can ruin the essence.
I appreciate the bonus prompts for specific types of trips. It’s a thoughtful addition for those of us who like to blend in with the locals.
How often do you recommend reflecting on these prompts? Should it be a daily thing or more spontaneous?