How to Start a Travel Journal: The 2025 Guide

You’ve just returned from the trip of a lifetime. You have 1,400 photos in your camera roll, a pocket full of crumpled receipts, and a fading memory of that incredible pasta you ate in Rome.

Six months from now, you'll remember the big things—the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower. But you’ll forget the name of the street musician who played your favorite song, or exactly how the air smelled in that tiny café.

That is why you need a travel journal.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to start a travel journal that captures the feeling of your trip, not just the itinerary.

Why Most People Fail at Travel Journaling

"I'll write in it every night," you promise yourself.

Day 1: You write three pages. Day 2: You write one page. Day 3: You’re too tired. Day 10: You find the empty notebook in your suitcase.

The problem isn't you—it's your method. Trying to write a novel every night is exhausting. The best travel journals are visual, messy, and quick.

Method 1: The "Polaroid" Method (Best for Visual People)

If you hate writing long paragraphs, don't. Focus on capturing moments.

Take photos with intention: Don't just snap everything. Look for details—a texture, a sign, a face.
Print them out: Use a portable printer or an app like TripMemo that organizes your photos into a journal format automatically.
Add short captions: "Best gelato ever," is better than nothing. "Pistachio flavor, eaten on the Spanish Steps while raining," is better.

Pro Tip: TripMemo was built exactly for this. It turns your camera roll into a day-by-day book with zero effort.

Method 2: The "List" Method (Best for Busy Travelers)

If you don't have time to reflect, just list things.

What I ate:
Best thing I saw:
Funniest thing that happened:
Money spent:

It takes 2 minutes, and looking back at these lists triggers vivid memories.

Method 3: The "Scrapbook" Method (Best for Creatives)

This is for the glue-stick lovers.

Save train tickets.
Press flowers (check customs regulations first!).
Keep coasters from bars.
Draw maps of where you walked.

25 Travel Journal Prompts to Get You Started

Staring at a blank page? Try these:

What was the most surprising thing about this city?
Describe the view from your window right now.
What song will always remind you of this trip?
Who is the most interesting person you met today?
What went wrong today? (These often make the best stories later).
What is the best meal you've had so far? Describe the flavors.
Did you get lost today? How did you find your way back?
Write about a local custom or tradition you observed.
If you could move here, which neighborhood would you choose?
What is one thing you packed that you haven't used yet?
Describe the sounds of the city at night vs. the morning.
What is the most expensive thing you bought? Was it worth it?
Did you experience a language barrier moment?
Compare the coffee/tea here to back home.
What museum or site was overrated? Which was underrated?
Sketch a small detail (a ticket, a leaf, a coin).
How has this trip changed your perspective on your home country?
What are you most grateful for right now?
Describe the transportation today (train, bus, boat, feet).
What souvenir are you bringing back for your best friend?
If you could freeze one moment from today, which would it be?
What is the color palette of this place?
Did you feel safe? Why or why not?
What is one word that describes the vibe of this location?
What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

Digital vs. Paper: Which is Right for You?

Feature	Paper Journal	Digital App (TripMemo)
Vibe	Romantic, tactile	Modern, organized
Effort	High (printing, gluing)	Low (auto-sync)
Backups	None (don't lose it!)	Cloud-backed
Sharing	Hard (pass it around)	Easy (send a link)

Conclusion

There is no "wrong" way to keep a travel journal. The only failure is not keeping one at all.

Whether you choose a leather-bound notebook or a digital tool like TripMemo, the goal is the same: to freeze time. Because trips weren't meant to be forgotten.

Ready to start? Download the TripMemo App today and turn your next trip into a living book.