10 Best Travel Journals 2025 in the United States

The Moleskine Classic Notebook, Soft Cover, Large (5" x 8.25") is a popular choice for travelers and journal enthusiasts due to its compact and portable size. It features a soft cover with a leather-like finish, providing a durable and stylish look. The notebook includes an elastic closure band and inner storage folder, making it practical for keeping loose notes and cards secure.

The ruled pages are perfect for writing, whether you're jotting down travel experiences, daily diaries, or notes during meetings and classes. The A5-sized, thick ivory paper is designed to work well with various writing instruments, including ballpoint pens, fountain pens, and pencils, ensuring a pleasurable writing experience without ink bleed-through. The notebook also includes a bookmark, which is a helpful feature for quickly finding your place.

However, the soft cover may not be as protective as a hardcover option, and the paper cover material may not hold up as well against wear and tear over time. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Moleskine Classic Notebook remains a highly rated and beloved choice for its quality, design, and functionality, making it an excellent companion for those who enjoy writing on the go.

The Moleskine Passion Journal for travel is a large-sized journal measuring 5 x 8.25 inches, making it a convenient yet spacious option for documenting your adventures. The hard cover, in an attractive Elm Green color, is durable and has a leather-like texture, which gives it a premium feel and protects your entries. The binding is secure, ensuring the longevity of the journal, even with frequent use. Inside, the 400 pages of thick, ivory paper are high-quality and ideal for writing with various types of pens and pencils without much bleed-through.

The ruled page layout helps keep your writing neat and organized, perfect for detailed travel notes and reflections. One notable feature is the elastic closure, which helps keep the journal shut securely and your entries safe. Additionally, the journal is part of Moleskine's extensive range of themed notebooks, making it an excellent gift option for travel enthusiasts.

However, the journal is relatively heavy at 1.2 pounds, which might be a drawback for some travelers looking to pack light. Also, while the paper quality is good, some users might find the ruled pages limiting if they prefer a more flexible layout for sketching or freeform journaling. The Moleskine Passion Journal stands out for its durability, high-quality materials, and thoughtful design, making it a solid choice for anyone looking to document their travels in style.

The Pocket Travelers Notebook is a nicely compact and portable travel journal measuring about 4.2 x 5.8 inches, making it easy to carry around whether you're on the go or just want something small in your bag. Its cover is made from genuine full-grain leather, which is thick and soft, gaining character and a unique distressed look over time — great if you like a journal that feels personal and well-loved. The journal is refillable, which means when you fill up the 48 dotted pages, you can easily replace the insert without buying a whole new cover, helping you keep your notes organized long-term.

The dotted paper is good for writing, sketching, or planning, offering flexibility in how you use the pages. The elastic band closure keeps everything secure, and it even has a pen holder, so you won’t have to search for a pen when inspiration strikes. This size fits popular notebook types like Field Notes and Moleskine Cahier Pocket, so you have options for refills.

Some may find the 48 pages limited if you’re a heavy note-taker or want a longer-lasting journal before refills. The smaller size, while very portable, means less space to write on each page compared to larger journals. Also, some might prefer a different binding style, as this one focuses on a simple refillable system rather than a more traditional bound book. This travel journal is especially suited for travelers, business professionals, or anyone who appreciates a stylish, durable, and easy-to-carry notebook to jot down thoughts, plans, or sketches. Its handmade leather cover and refillable nature make it a thoughtful gift and a practical everyday companion.