Types of Travel Journals: How to Choose the Right One for Your Adventures

When we travel, we make memories — and what better way to keep those memories alive than by writing them down? A travel journal is your personal space where you can note your experiences, paste pictures or tickets, and most importantly, reflect on the places you’ve been to. But with so many options in the market, how do you pick the right one? Whether you’re a meticulous planner or a spontaneous scribbler, choosing the right notebook can make all the difference.

Here’s a guide to the types of travel journals, notebook sizes, paper styles, and practical tips for picking the perfect journal for your next journey.

Table of Contents

Types of Travel Journals Based on Size

Choosing the right size is important. Here are the most common notebook sizes used by travelers:

1. A5 Size Journal

Size: About 5.8 x 8.3 inches (close to a paperback book).
Best For: Most people. I personally recommend this as well. More specifically, it is ideal for travelers who want a comprehensive journal without the bulk of larger notebooks. That is, everything that happens to you can find space in this journal by way of writing, itineraries, tickets, stickers etc. whether you go to Italy or to your local monument.
Why Choose It: The A5 journal is the most versatile and widely recommended size. Not too big, not too small — it fits perfectly in backpacks and handbags. You get enough space to do both write and stick things.

2. B6 Size Journal

Size: Slightly smaller than A5. The designing and layout of the spreads in this size of journal will be similar to that in an A5 notebook, only compact.
Best For: Minimalist travelers or those who carry small bags. A B6 size notebook is also great for people who just like to quickly jot things down or paste a picture here and there, without focusing their time on detailed travel journal spreads or creative layouts.
Why Choose It: Light, compact, and easy to hold in hand while traveling.

Tip: Choose this if you are not into creating elaborate travel journal spreads at all. Otherwise, you might find the space getting filled up quickly and you’ll end up creating a huge bunch of these smaller notebooks- without feeling satisfied.

3. Memo-Style “Long” Notebooks

What Are They: At first glance they might seem similar to old phonebooks. Slim, lightweight notebooks with fewer pages. However, in the market these days, stylish versions are available, which can be seamlessly used as a travel journal.

Best For: Minimalist travelers or those who carry small bags.

Why Choose Them: Honestly, it is a matter of choice. The function of a memo-style “long” notebook will be similar to that of a B6 size one, the only difference is in its physical appearance- and the fact that your travel journal ideas and spreads will look horizontal, according to the notebook’s horizontal shape. So, it becomes a matter of choice. Consider a B6 notebook similar in layout to A5, and the memo-style “long” notebook similar in function to the B6.

4. One Notebook= One Trip

What Are They: Consider getting notebooks that are thinner, with fewer pages than your classical diaries, journals or notebooks. These could be of any size as mentioned before- the only difference here is that one notebook=one trip. You can dedicate each notebook to each trip. This keeps things organized and special.
Best For: Frequent travelers. For those of you who travel frequently, and that to different regions/ cities/ countries and stay there for longer durations, this one notebook=one trip idea is perfect for you.
Why choose it: When you visit multiple regions or countries and stay in one place for an extended period, a dedicated notebook helps you document daily life, local experiences, and evolving impressions without mixing them with other travels. You’ll end up creating your personal archive of adventures.

Tip: Since the thin notebook travels with you, opt for a sturdy cover and good binding to withstand the rigors of travel. Avoid spiral binding notebooks here.

Notebook Sizes Explained

Journal Type	Size & Description	Best For	Why Choose It	Tips
1. A5 Size Journal	About 5.8 x 8.3 inches (close to a paperback book)	Most travelers; those wanting a comprehensive journal to write, paste tickets, stickers, itineraries, etc.	Versatile size; fits perfectly in backpacks and handbags; enough space for writing and sticking memorabilia	Ideal for both short and long trips; balances portability and space
2. B6 Size Journal	Slightly smaller than A5; compact layout similar to A5	Minimalist travelers; those with small bags; people who prefer quick jotting or simple pasting	Light, compact, easy to hold; great for brief notes and quick entries	Not ideal for elaborate journaling; space fills quickly, may require multiple notebooks
3. Memo-Style “Long” Notebook	Slim, lightweight, fewer pages; horizontal layout resembling old phonebooks	Minimalist travelers; small bag carriers	Similar function to B6 but with horizontal orientation; stylish and portable	Choice depends on preference for horizontal layout; similar use as B6 notebooks
4. One Notebook = One Trip	Thin notebooks with fewer pages; can be any size (A5, B5, B6)	Frequent travelers visiting multiple regions/countries; longer stays	Keeps each trip organized and special; helps document daily life and evolving impressions without mixing trips	Choose sturdy cover and binding (avoid spiral); creates a personal archive of adventures

How to Check Paper Quality for Travel Journals?

What is GSM?

GSM stands for grams per square meter and measures paper thickness and quality. It’s an important part of printing and making paper. GSM shows how heavy or thick a sheet of paper is. The higher the GSM number, the thicker and heavier the paper will feel.

Checking Paper Quality

You can check paper quality by looking at the GSM number and by feeling the paper — if it feels too thin or flimsy, it may not be good for writing or drawing.

For travel journals, 75 to 80 GSM paper is recommended. This range is thick enough to prevent ink bleed-through but keeps the notebook light and portable.
Heavier paper (above 100 GSM) is better for watercolors or heavy sketching but adds bulk.

Quality also depends on the type of material, smoothness, and strength of the paper. GSM and quality are related because usually, thicker paper feels stronger and better.

***How to Check Paper Quality for Travel Journals – HistorywithDivya***

Tip 1: Test your pens on a sample page if possible. If you use fine-tip pens or pencils, 75–80 GSM should suffice. For wetter inks or heavier sketching, opt for higher GSM, preferably 90 or 100.

Tip 2: When shopping for journals online, keep scrolling on the product page till you find details like size measurements, GSM, ruled or plain. Sometimes, just the weight of the paper is mentioned instead of ‘GSM’. If you’re shopping from a retail store, try to ‘feel’ the thickness or thinness of the paper inside the notebook.

Budget-Friendly Options in India

Good quality travel journals matching these parameters typically cost ₹200–₹300 in Indian markets. Brands like Pinaken, Doodle Collection, and Mr. DIY offer stylish and functional options in this range.

For online shopping, you can check out Doodle Collection, Factor Notes, Adriti’s Home, Amazon Basics, Paperkraft and Purpulp to shop for journals within this range. You can also check out sites like Odd Giraffe if it suits your budget.

You could visit wholesale markets like Daryaganj near Delhi Gate and Nai Sarak at Chandni Chowk in Delhi (you can even explore books and stationery markets in your own city- comment below if you know them!) where you can find sets of notebooks at similar or slightly higher prices, perfect for creating a collection of notebooks to use as volumes of your travel journals.

Types of Travel Journals based on layout: Ruled, Plain, or Dotted?

Ruled: Great for those who primarily write and want neat, organized entries.
Plain: Ideal for sketching, doodling, or sticking in tickets and photos.
Dotted: Offers flexibility—guides your writing but doesn’t restrict sketches or layouts.

Personal preference is key here. Many people have their own preferences, but if you’re comfortable with all three, you can choose based on the trip’s needs or simply… your mood.

**Ruled Travel Journals – HistorywithDivya**

**Plain Travel Journals – HistorywithDivya**

**Dotted Travel Journals – HistorywithDivya**

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Final Thoughts

Choosing a travel journal is a personal decision. Consider your travel style, how much you write, and what you want to remember. Whether you prefer a slim memo notebook for each trip or a classic A5 journal for all your adventures, focus on paper quality, size, and format that suit your needs and budget. Happy journaling—and may your next trip be filled with stories worth writing down!