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Free Printable Travel Log Templates [PDF, Excel, Word]

A travel log can quickly become an un-tracked mess if you don’t organize it. But you’ll soon realize that keeping a travel log is almost like a lifestyle for anyone who goes on many trips. There’s so much to write down, from flights to hotels and miscellaneous expenses.

Table of Contents

What is a travel log?

Travel Log

A travel log is a way of documenting your travels, whether personal or professional. A travel log can be beneficial in helping you recall memories of your trips and also act as an excellent guide to help you plan your next. It enables you to keep track of all the information you need on each trip so that when it comes to following up with it, you can do so.

The travel log only travels within the framework of a route. Rather than ordinary diaries, it is an object that tries to convey the ambiance of the places visited. People can keep a travel diary for themselves or share their journey with a community. The language to be preferred in travel diaries is entirely up to the individual, but if shared with a community, fluency in the language to be created and the chronological order of events are of great importance.

Travel Log Templates

ato travel log template

Document your adventures and keep track of your travel experiences with our comprehensive collection of Travel Log Templates . A travel log is a journal or diary where you can record details about your trips, including destinations, activities, accommodations, and memorable moments . Our customizable and printable templates provide a structured framework for organizing and preserving your travel memories. Whether you’re a globetrotter, an avid explorer, or a digital nomad, our templates offer various layouts and designs to suit your style.

By utilizing our Travel Log Templates , you can capture important details, reflect on your experiences, and create a personal keepsake of your journeys. With visually appealing designs and user-friendly layouts, our templates make it easy to document and share your travel stories. Enhance your travel documentation, relive your adventures, and create a lasting record of your wanderlust with our user-friendly templates. Download now and embark on a journey of preserving your travel memories with our Travel Log Templates .

How to write the perfect travel log?

“How to write a travel log?” It is the most logical option for travelers searching for an answer to the question to start by obtaining a notebook set first. One of the notebook sets should be divided into days directly with its pages or sections, and the travel notes for each day should be transferred to the relevant sections. Other essential features of the travel book are that it is easily portable, has a stylish structure, and is of high quality. The successful storage of the notes obtained during the trip will be possible with the travel book.

  • Flow is a significant detail in a travel diary to be created from scratch. To prepare the flow according to the route and to make the events consist of a pattern, the “chronological” order is of great importance. Just before the creation of the travel book or diary, there are various notes, photographs, sound recordings, etc., that individuals must do. It is to obtain records that will facilitate the recall of the moments put into the memory with the elements. Thanks to these records, creating the final version of a travel diary will become much more perfect.
  • Of course, every traveler takes a lot of photos during travels, and from time to time, he may not even be able to find a space to fit his photos. While preparing a travel diary, the inability to fit the images on the pages is a bigger problem than the pictures cannot be stored in the digital space. It is of great importance that the images of the days are chosen very well in the travel diaries. The most crucial photo of the day should be on the page related to that day, not to exceed a few.
  • What’s a good travel log be like? Individuals looking for an answer to the question should pay attention that photographs tell much more than words. On the other hand, it is a much better reminder of the details of that moment. Therefore, doing a little photography training before preparing a travel diary or even before traveling will improve your travel diary. Afterward, it will be straightforward to decide on the photos to be chosen while organizing a travel diary and the photos taken at critical moments and times during the trip. Then, the travel diary can obtain photographs that contain the most important and most profound meanings of the days or contain the most details and describe much more than words.
  • A street, a monument, a museum, a garden, a historical place, etc. You may have visited many places. Unfortunately, boring your diary with details while talking about these visited areas will make it difficult to read. It will disrupt the flow of the log and make it boring. Only the necessary details should be included in the travel diary to avoid such a situation.
  • Avoiding telling personal details will be one of the best moves when writing a travel journal. For example, I did my hair like this today, chose that color bag, etc. Instead of unnecessary details, more details should be given about the cultures of the places visited during the trip or the ambiance of the events at that moment. With accurate descriptions, one of the primary purposes should be to make the reader live that moment in his mind with the diary and feel himself in that journey.

To better convey the feelings or experiences you have experienced while traveling a place, you need to include the sense organs in writing. Details such as talking about the smell of the environment during the trip, indicating the condition of the air temperature, giving information about the taste of what you eat and drink, conveying the details that catch your eye, and being descriptive about the general sound of the environment are the elements that should be included in the diary when writing a travel log.

Have you learned how to write but haven’t gone anywhere yet? Then hit the road, travel, roam, and share your experience with us!

How do you write a trip log?

A trip log records details during travel, including dates, locations, transportation, accommodation, activities, food, costs, weather, and personal experiences. Write down notes each day in a journal or log template. Supplement with photos, ticket stubs, etc.

What is the travel log?

A travel log is a diary where travelers document details about their trips, often including where they went, what they did, who they met, how they felt, and more. It helps preserve memories from vacations and adventures.

How do I create a key log spreadsheet?

To create a key log spreadsheet, make columns for the date, employee name, key number, time checked out, time returned, purpose/area accessed, and notes. Use rows to log each instance a key is used. This tracks key usage.

What is a log template?

A log template is a pre-made document with fields to enter repetitive data over time, allowing the user to track details, patterns, and progress. Logs help organize information like project tasks, exercise routines, work hours, expenses, etc.

What are the benefits of keeping a detailed travel log?

Benefits include preserving memories, recording expenses, writing down tips for future travelers, reflecting on experiences, maintaining a catalog of places visited, and appreciating how much you accomplished.

Should you write in your travel log during or after your trip?

It’s best to write frequent, brief log entries during your trip so details are fresh, then expand on them afterwards. In-the-moment notes capture true thoughts.

What makes a good travel log?

A good log is consistent, personalized with stories and anecdotes, has fun mementos attached or inserted, highlights new discoveries about people/places/yourself, and evokes the feeling of the experiences.

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The Travel Log

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Travel Log: Everything You Need to Know (FAQs)

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9 Tips For Keeping a Perfect Travel Log

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How to Create a Travel Log (Tips and Examples)

Travel log: definition, essential elements, and examples.

Travel log

As the holiday season approaches, you may find yourself eagerly planning a getaway to that dream destination you’ve always longed to explore. Enhance your travel experience by utilizing a travel log, a versatile tool designed to help you organize and plan your journey, while also providing a space to record memorable moments, new knowledge, and interesting encounters.

Often referred to as a vacation journal, travel logs offer value for both short and long trips alike. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to embark on an epic voyage to benefit from a travel journal; even a brief excursion just an hour from home can yield memorable experiences worth documenting. Moreover, travel logs are not solely for personal use, as numerous companies and individuals maintain professional travel records for various purposes.

Dive deeper into the world of travel logs as we guide you through selecting the perfect journal, exploring diverse writing prompts, and offering tips on preserving your travel memories for years to come.

What Is a Travel Log?

A travel log is a record of your travels that can take many different forms. It can be a physical notebook or journal, a digital document or blog, or even a collection of photos and videos. At its core, a travel log is a way to organize and plan your trip, document your experiences, and capture the memories that you make along the way.

Some people use their travel logs to keep track of their itinerary, jot down notes about places they want to visit or things they want to do, and store important travel documents like passports and tickets. Others use their travel logs as a way to reflect on their experiences, write about what they learned, and share their stories with others.

While travel logs were originally used by travelers to record their experiences for personal reasons, they are now used by many companies and individuals for professional purposes as well. Travel agents, tour operators, and travel bloggers often keep detailed travel logs to document their trips and share their experiences with their clients or readers. Companies may also use travel logs to track employee travel expenses and ensure that their travel policies are being followed.

Why use a Travel Log?

Each person likes going on a trip because it gives you an adventure that you will leave to remember. There are five reasons for using a travel log. These reasons include:

In most cases, you are likely to take many photos during your trip, some of which you can add to your travel journal. Therefore, use your phone to take numerous pictures and carry alongside your phone an HP Sprocket, which is a portable printer. This machine might be smaller than your phone. And it prints wireless from whichever phone you are using.

Many individuals prefer it over other printers because it is lightweight and offers you ink-free prints with the entire stickers backed to print and stick them straight away to your journal. This means you do not need tapes or glue to add photos to the travel journal. You can also add stamps, stickers, flowers, pressed plants or flowers, business cards, receipts, or ticket stubs to keep treasured memories. In addition, you can add other few mementos you are likely to find during your trip.

Many people love the travel log book because they can find time to go through their notes after the trip. Thus, when you revisit your travel journal, you can confidently recap how much your trip varied from the expectations you had jotted down earlier. During this time, you can state what you enjoyed, what you would love to do once more, and what you would love to alter. You can use this as your travel guide on your next trip or even a travel guide for others going for a vocation.

Mindfulness

A travel log helps you to be mindful and focus on your trip. It makes you take a break from your phone and focus on your conversation on your trip. This means you will be mindful of things you do, smell, taste, touch, hear and see while on your trip. These things might look simple, but you must note them to recount them later, especially after your trip. Never wait until you end your trip to make your notes. Take the initiative of making notes each day that passes to avoid missing out on crucial matters. Remember, the little things you are likely to assume are what make your entire trip exciting.

Anticipation

The notes you make in your travel log will leave you anticipating more details. On the other hand, you can even start anticipating before your trip since you will be asking yourself a lot of queries, such as what you expect to do, eat and see, and people’s culture being different from your culture when you record all these questions down. You can answer them later and compare them as you find answers after your trip.

Travel journals are used when you are on vacation. You can use them to establish a travel places wish list, or bucket list, alongside the things you would love to see. After choosing your destination, it is appropriate that you use your travel log to plan for your trip effectively, including details like what you would like to do, see, your trip cost, how you are likely to reach there, and where you will stay. Do not forget to include your expectations as well as the packing list. Most people find planning difficult, not knowing; they can change that conception using the travel journal. Below are a few ways you can use the travel log while planning for your vacation:

  • Packing list- Nothing is complicated like packing for a place you are going for the first time. But you can commence by examining the weather and choosing your outfits accordingly. Do not just focus on clothes but everything you will need on your trips, such as feminine hygiene, medicine, electric adaptors, and phone chargers. Ensure you add them to the list.
  • Travel prep list- You must jot down what needs to be cared for when you are away, which will help you not forget anything. This list includes child and pet care, plant care, a house sitter, and stopping the mail. These are things you must take of before leaving.
  • Things to buy- Whenever you arrange for a trip. You might need to purchase several items like a travel-sized lotion, luggage id tag, cosmetic case, and a new suitcase. Ensure that the list of these things is in your travel journal.
  • Travel itinerary- With the travel log, you will plan and fulfill everything as you have planned in it. It acts as a command center. Therefore, make sure that you stick to the plans you make on your travel journal, and you will not worry about anything on your trip.
  • Hotel reservations and travel plan- The travel log will assist you in keeping track of your entire hotel reservations, car rental, and all flights, among other travel plans you need to make in advance. Write down contact numbers, addresses, confirmation numbers, and flight numbers. Suppose your trip will not be within your country. Ensure you keep your contact info and passport number for your local embassy in your journal.
  • Saving budget- After some thorough research about your trip, you need to know how much the trip will cost you. You can achieve this by writing down the entire cost of everything, including items you need to purchase before your trip, transportation, meal budget, and hotel rates, among many more things.
  • Things to see- It is excellent to write what you would love to see during your trip. You must be sure of open hours and if reservations need to be done earlier plus the total cost.
  • Travel research- After choosing a place for your vacation, you need thorough research and write whatever you discover in your journal. It might be about the weather, what they produce, a figure of individuals visiting the area. And if this area is known.
  • Bucket list- Use your travel list to write down some of the places you would love to visit in the future.

Essential Elements of a Travel Log

By now, you probably understand a travel blog, but do you know its essential elements? Below are several elements of a travel log:

  • Business cards
  • Food labels
  • Postage stamps
  • Capital and exchange rates
  • Pressed flowers and leaves
  • Sketches and doodles
  • Place to visit
  • Travel itinerary
  • Packing list
  • Expectations

After your vacation, you can comfortably enjoy reading through your notes and going through everything you collected during your journey.

Travel Log Templates & Examples

travel logbook

Navigating the Journey: Overcoming Challenges and Limitations of Travel Logs

While travel logs offer numerous benefits for personal and professional use, maintaining a consistent and effective journal comes with its own set of challenges and limitations. In this section, we will explore the potential obstacles travelers may encounter when keeping a travel log and suggest ways to overcome them.

  • Time constraints : Busy travel schedules can make it difficult to carve out the time needed for regular journaling. To combat this issue, consider setting aside a specific time each day, even if it’s just a few minutes, to jot down your experiences and observations. Alternatively, try voice recording your thoughts and transcribing them later when you have more time.
  • Lack of inspiration : It’s not uncommon to experience writer’s block or feel unsure about what to include in your travel log. Overcome this by using prompts, taking photographs, or sketching scenes as a starting point for your entries. Remember that there’s no right or wrong way to document your journey – focus on capturing the moments that resonate with you.
  • Privacy concerns : Protecting the sensitive information in your travel log is crucial, especially for business travelers who may need to record confidential details. Ensure your log’s security by using password protection for digital journals or locks for physical ones. Additionally, be cautious when sharing your travel log with others to prevent unauthorized access to your private information.
  • Consistency : Staying consistent with journaling throughout your trip can be challenging, especially when dealing with factors such as jet lag or travel fatigue. To maintain momentum, consider setting reminders or alarms to prompt you to update your log. You can also try breaking your journaling sessions into smaller, manageable increments to make the task less daunting.
  • Organization : Keeping your travel log organized is essential for easy reference and navigation. However, this can be challenging when dealing with a wide range of content, such as photographs, sketches, and written entries. To maintain organization, establish a system for sorting your entries, whether it’s through color-coding, indexing, or dividing your log into sections based on your itinerary.
  • Preservation : Ensuring the longevity of your travel log can be challenging, particularly for physical journals that may be exposed to the elements, wear and tear, or damage. Invest in a durable, high-quality journal and use acid-free paper and pens to help preserve your memories. For digital journals, regularly back up your content to secure cloud storage or external drives.

Mastering the Art of Travel Logging for Personal and Professional Adventures

A travel log can serve as an invaluable tool for documenting and organizing your adventures, whether you’re traveling for leisure or conducting business. By following these tips, you can ensure that your travel log becomes an indispensable companion on your journey.

  • Choose the right format : Consider your preferences and needs when selecting a travel log. Options range from traditional paper journals and sketchbooks to digital apps and platforms. A physical journal is ideal for those who enjoy handwriting, while a digital log may be better suited for tech-savvy travelers or those seeking convenient access to their records.
  • Establish a routine : Set aside a dedicated time each day or week to update your travel log. Consistency is key in capturing your experiences and observations in a timely manner. Establishing a routine can help you to stay disciplined and make journaling an enjoyable habit.
  • Include pertinent details : For both personal and business travel, be sure to record essential information such as dates, locations, expenses, and contact details. This will help you keep track of your journey and make it easier to reference specific events or encounters later.
  • Embrace personalization : Customize your travel log to reflect your unique experiences and preferences. You can include sketches, photographs, ticket stubs, or any other memorabilia that captures the essence of your journey. Feel free to experiment with different writing styles, whether it’s prose, poetry, or bullet points.
  • Incorporate reflections : Use your travel log as an opportunity to reflect on your experiences. Consider jotting down your thoughts, feelings, and insights gained during your trip. For business travelers, this could involve evaluating the success of meetings, networking events, or conferences.
  • Organize your content : To make your travel log easy to navigate, create a system for organizing your entries. This can be as simple as dividing your log into sections based on your trip’s itinerary or using color-coded tabs to differentiate between personal and business content.
  • Ensure privacy and security : Protect the sensitive information in your travel log by keeping it in a secure location. For physical journals, consider using a lock or storing them in a safe place. For digital logs, use password protection and secure cloud storage services.
  • Review and share : Periodically review your travel log to relive memories, gain insights, and learn from your experiences. If you feel comfortable, consider sharing your travel stories with friends, family, or colleagues. This can foster connection, inspire others, and potentially lead to new opportunities.

Case Studies and Examples: Travel Logs in Action

To better understand the impact and value of travel logs, let’s explore some case studies and examples that showcase their effectiveness and versatility in various contexts.

Case Study 1: Personal Growth through Solo Travel

Samantha, a graphic designer from New York, decided to embark on a solo trip across Europe for six months. As a creative professional, she chose to keep a travel log, which included not only her written experiences but also sketches, watercolor paintings, and photographs. Throughout her journey, Samantha found that her travel log served as an outlet for self-expression and a source of inspiration for her work. Upon returning home, Samantha transformed her travel log into a successful art exhibition, showcasing her personal growth and artistic development through her European adventure.

Case Study 2: Strengthening Family Bonds

The Johnson family, avid travelers from California, took a year-long sabbatical to travel around the world. To document their experiences, each family member maintained a personal travel log. In addition to recording their individual observations and reflections, they also set aside a weekly family meeting to share their favorite entries. By doing so, the Johnsons found that their travel logs facilitated deeper connections and understanding among family members, fostering stronger bonds and lasting memories.

Case Study 3: Enhancing Business Travel

David, a sales executive from London, frequently traveled for work to attend conferences, trade shows, and client meetings. He began using a travel log to keep track of his professional experiences, contacts, and insights gained during his trips. Over time, David found that his travel log helped him stay organized, follow up on leads more effectively, and develop new strategies for his company. By sharing his travel log with colleagues, David’s insights also contributed to the company’s overall growth and success in expanding into new markets.

Example 4: A Travel Blogger’s Journey

Sophia, a travel blogger from Australia, utilized her travel log as a source of inspiration for her blog. By documenting her experiences, thoughts, and emotions in her log, she was able to create engaging and authentic content for her audience. Additionally, her travel log served as a valuable reference when writing detailed guides, reviews, and recommendations for her readers. As a result, Sophia’s travel blog gained a significant following and became a trusted resource for fellow travelers.

These case studies and examples demonstrate the diverse applications and benefits of travel logs, ranging from personal growth and family connections to professional development and creative inspiration. By incorporating a travel log into your journey, you too can unlock the potential of this versatile tool to enrich your travel experiences.

A Brief History of Travel Logs: Tracing the Evolution of Travel Narratives

The history of travel logs spans millennia, taking various forms and adapting to different eras and cultural contexts. From the ancient travel tales found in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey to the modern travel blogs and vlogs that populate the internet, travel logs have always been a powerful medium for sharing experiences, insights, and knowledge. This section of the article delves into the evolution of travel logs over time, exploring their transformation from ancient writings and pilgrimage accounts to the digital narratives of the present day.

Ancient Travel Writings

  • Earliest records dating back to the 2nd millennium BCE
  • The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey as examples of early travel tales
  • Egyptian, Greek, and Roman explorers documented their journeys

The Rise of Pilgrimage Accounts

  • Christian, Islamic, and Buddhist pilgrimages during the Middle Ages
  • Prominent examples: Egeria’s Travels, The Journey of Benjamin of Tudela, and Xuanzang’s Great Tang Records on the Western Regions

Age of Exploration and Navigation

  • 15th to 17th centuries marked by European voyages and discoveries
  • Key figures: Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, and Ferdinand Magellan
  • Detailed travel logs and navigational charts became invaluable tools

The Grand Tour and the Birth of Modern Travel Writing

  • 17th to 18th centuries saw wealthy European youths embarking on cultural tours
  • Focused on art, architecture, and historical sites
  • Pioneers of modern travel writing: Richard Lassels, Thomas Coryate, and Tobias Smollett

Romanticism and Exoticism in Travel Writing

  • 18th and 19th centuries witnessed a surge in travel narratives focused on the exotic
  • Famous works: Robert Louis Stevenson’s Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes, Charles Darwin’s The Voyage of the Beagle, and Mark Twain’s The Innocents Abroad

Emergence of Travel Journalism

  • Late 19th to early 20th centuries saw the growth of newspapers and magazines
  • Travel articles became a popular genre, appealing to a broad audience
  • Notable travel journalists: Nellie Bly, Ernest Hemingway, and Evelyn Waugh

Post-War Travel Literature Boom

  • Post-World War II era marked by increased mobility and leisure time
  • Travel writing flourished, focusing on both popular destinations and remote locations
  • Leading figures: Bruce Chatwin, Paul Theroux, and Pico Iyer

Advent of Digital Travel Logs

  • Late 20th and early 21st centuries revolutionized by the internet and digital media
  • Travel blogs, vlogs, and social media platforms democratized travel writing
  • Prominent travel bloggers and vloggers: Nomadic Matt, The Blonde Abroad, and FunForLouis

The Future of Travel Logs

  • Increased focus on sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and responsible travel
  • Emphasis on immersive experiences and hyperlocal insights
  • Continued evolution with new technologies, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, enhancing travel narratives

Final Thoughts

Suppose you plan for a vacation during the holidays, ensure your grab a travel journal and make your trip outstanding. Furthermore, excellent travel logs entail travel journals for kids, RV- ing and camping, and general travel. If you are a fan of Erin Condren’s planner, you can also opt for her journal. Her journal entails everything, such as meals, travel itineraries, outfits, and packing lists. It also features page flags, banners, and travel stickers. Make your vacation remarkable by buying an excellent travel log.

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The Travel Tester

How to Make a Travel Journal? DIY Tips and Must-Have Supplies

Posted on Last updated: January 24, 2024

During my travels, I’ve always kept a travel journal – but they always have been different in style. If you ask me how to make a travel journal , I’d say that the only limit is your own imagination .

You can organise your journals by destination (country, or city), by itinerary or for by date, for example in weekly or daily logs, the possibilities are endless.

There are some tips and supplies that might help you get started on your first travel journal. Today I share them with you!

TIP: For a complete list of our favourite travel journals, have a look at the bottom of this article!

1. TRAVEL SKETCHBOOK

2. travel scrapbook, 3. travel notebook, 4. travel logbook, 5. friends travel journals, 6. themed travel journals, 7. local travel journals, 8. city travel journals, 9. travel photo album, journal sizes, binding types, paper thickness, extra journal features, what should a travel journal include, travel writing tips, prompts for travel journaling, travel journals with prompts, travel journal examples, how do you start a beginner travel journal, travel journaling supplies, travel without leaving home, want to be a travel blogger, which book to read, our favourite travel journals, our favourite travel notebook covers, travel journals for kids, discover unique travel gear & gifts.

How to Make a Travel Journal? DIY Tips and Must-Have Supplies || The Travel Tester

HOW DO I MAKE A TRAVEL JOURNAL?

OUR TOP 6 TRAVEL JOURNALS The Adventure Book (prompts + scrapbook per country) Moleskine Passion Journal Travel (blank paper) Duncan & Stone Travel Journal (prompts + scrapbook) Promptly Journals X Kelli Murray (prompts + scrapbook) Clever Fox Travel Journal (prompts + stickers) Wayfaren Travel Journal (lined paper)

What is a Travel Journal?

Let’s start at the beginning and go over what makes a travel journal. There are just so many different types! It really depends on how you would like to use your own journal to decide the best one for you!

Perhaps you first think of a simple lined notebook where you write down your travel stories, but there are so many other ways to keep your memories from on the road.

Just to name a few:

You don’t have to be a master artist to have fun with a travel sketchbook . Just take a notebook with blank pages and start drawing (or painting!) what you see. You can use pen, pencil, markers, crayons, watercolours or other paint, whatever you like!

There are some great travel journals specifically made for making watercolour drawings, such as the Tumuarta journal and the Seawhite journal .

Here are some other journals with blank pages perfect for sketching: the Moleskine Passion Journal and this personalized monogrammed leather journal .

Bookishly sells cute A5 (6×8″/15x21cm) travel journals with vintage world map covers featuring an inspirational quote on Etsy. The books have 244 blank pages, you can choose gift wrap, they have free UK delivery AND even upgrade to a “Journal for Life”, where you can send them a photo of a full travel journal and they send you a new one free of charge!

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

You don’t always need to be physically on the road to enjoy the beauty of destinations from all around the world!

From vintage travel posters to beautifully displayed souvenirs and home decor items inspired by your favourite places and from travel journals and crafts to exploring world recipes, music and dance.

With our creative articles you’ll get some fresh ideas on how to bring the world closer to the comforts of your own home.

If you aren’t a fan of drawing or painting, then perhaps making collages in a travel scrapbook is more your thing.

Nothing calms me down faster than ripping inspiring images and words out of magazines and flyers, or collecting little scrapbook items such as ticket stubs, napkins, packaging, etc. Simply arrange them in a nice way, add some text or embellishments like washi tape and you’ve got a great page!

I love using Project Life as a scrapbook , this is a system by Becky Higgins where you slide cards and photos into plastic pockets. It’s not widely available anymore, but I still love it.

Another great book to use for scrapbooking is The Adventure Book , which comes in two sizes.

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

Ok, I kind of already mentioned it in the intro, but some traditional travel notebook ideas / travel diary examples couldn’t miss in this first roundup.

You can choose lined, dotted or blank paper and write down anything you want to remember from your trip.

Of course you can combine it with elements of the above, for example by adding little doodles, papers, perhaps flowers or feathers, or any other flat trinkets you collect.

The Robrasim refillable leather travelers notebook has a mix of different paper types (and also a handy pocket)

Wayfaren on Etsy sells Weekender travel journals , which measure 6×8.5″ (about 15×21.5cm) and feature 28 lined pages (56 front and back) with a pre-printed box for location and date. The covers come in ivory and navy.

My favourite dotted journal is the Leuchtturm1917 .

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

If you love to write, but don’t feel like you have the time or energy to fill entire pages with text whilst on the road, a travel logbook might be something for you.

Just write down short little things that stood out about your day, so you won’t forget them. Think about what you did and who you met, what the weather was like, what you saw, heard, smelled, felt or tasted. Use all your senses!

The Everywhere You Go journal by Compendium let’s you take a quick snapshot of a place.

The Trip Passport by Letterfolk is a small, 48-page pocket-sized journal. Each entry page is accompanied by a blank page and there is space to record the date, location, who you went with, first impressions, sights, wildlife and more! It measures 3.5×5.5″ (about 9x14cm), roughly the size of a travel passport.

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

There is a lot that goes into running a profitable blog and there’s so much that goes on behind the scenes than you might not realize at first.

I’ve been blogging since 2006 and have a ton of tips to share! From brainstorming ideas to creating content all year round and from posting on social media to maintaining your website, tracking what’s working, networking at events and eventually working with brands…

Another cool idea might be to start a friends journal . What is a travel journal for friends? Let me tell you!

I actually did this on my first solo world trip, where friends gifted me a journal to take with me. Instead of writing in it myself (I already kept up a digital journal in the form of a blog) – I let everyone that I met on the road write a message in the book for me!

That made the journal super unique and personalized. And it’s still amazing to read back and remember all these people.

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

I also own a road trip journal , which I think is also such a fun idea! Usually on a road trip, you don’t have much time to keep up an extensive diary, so this pre-printed book is an easy way to keep track of all everything along the way you would like to remember.

Here you can find Axel & Ash Life’s a Road Trip Journal >

The Brand Clever Fox has a few fun themed journals, such as the Camping Journal and the Bucket List Journal >

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

You can really add a personal touch by choosing a journal that has a relation to the kind of trip that you are taking.

For example, you can buy a travel journal locally (like I did with the albums below, that I bought in Nepal and India from the market).

On markets across the world, you can also find amazing leather bound journals that right away give a whole explorer-vibe to your journal. You can also turn them into a personalized journal by having your name or the date engraved in the cover.

Here is a beautiful refillable handmade leather travelers notebook by the brand Robrasim >

Some great customizable travel notebooks are these from bamboo by Ruben & Jule of CamperVanStore on Etsy, this beautiful leather travel diary with a compass monogram by TealsPrairie on Etsy and the leather notebook covers by family-run business Galen Leather (their journal covers are compatible with Moleskine , Leuchtturm1917 , Field Notes and Traveler’s Notebook – and they also sell refills )

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

I found these fun city journals by Moleskine that also make for a great travel journal if you’re visiting these specific places.

I haven’t found many of these, but here is one for London , Paris , Hong Kong and New York >

Moleskine also has a great general travel journal and traveller’s journal in collaboration with National Geographic >

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

Any finally, the good old photo album . When I grew up, the albums that could stack all the images from one film canister (*ugh*grandma*ugh*) were very popular – you would usually bring the album to parties for people to flip through! Nowadays, they come in all different shapes and sizes.

Here you can find all kinds of albums for those little Instax photos .

Did I already mention I’m a huge Project Life fan ?

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

How to choose a travel journal?

After choosing your type of journal, there are a few other things to consider when selecting your perfect paper trip companion, such as:

What size is a travel journal? Well, that depends on what you use it for! Personally, I am most happy with an A5 size when it comes to travel journals. The smaller ones I find hard to write in and don’t fit all my keepsakes, the bigger ones just take up too much space in my backpack .

Perhaps you only want to take quick notes, or want to travel real lightweight, then an A6 travel journal (with pockets) might be best for you. And if you only create your final travel notebook at home and want to go all-out, a bigger size, such as A4 , or even larger, makes you happiest!

If you’re only creating a photo album of your trip, then you could for example also look into 1:1 sized albums, like the typical scrapbooks that are 12″ (30,48 cm) x 12″ or the 1.33:1 albums, for example 6″ (15,24 cm) x 8″ (20,32 cm).

I love this A5 Bullet Journal , also perfect for travel.

Incredible A4 travel journal .

Here are some cute Field Notes books – National Parks-themed!

This leather cover fits a 6″ Field Notes notebook perfectly .

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

The type of binding of a notebook is the material that is used to make the upper (front) and lower (back) covers of the journal, also taking into consideration how the pages are attached to the covers/back of the notebook.

For example, a saddle-stitch bind is when paper is folded with a staple or thread through the fold. PUR binding uses a paperboard or heavy cover stock to attach pages to the spine with glue (like in a paperback book). With spiral binding , there is a loop wire going through holes in the cover and pages (Nick hates these, as he’s left-handed and somehow always finds the wire in his way when writing), and with section sewn binding or coptic stitch binding , you get a flexible spine so you can lay the pages flat to work on.

As for the cover, you can choose between a hardcover or a more flexible, soft cover .

There are so many more types of binding that the ones I’ve just mentioned. Which do you prefer?

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

I mentioned them already briefly: are you most comfortable to work on lined/ruled paper (and how close do you like the rules to be?), blank paper, dotted paper, or perhaps paper with a grid or pre-printed boxes or prompts to fill in?

What type of page type for a travel journal you choose all depends on how you’re going to use the notebook. Are you going to write in it with pen or perhaps print typed text? Would you like to use markers or paint? Make drawings? The possibilities are endless.

This is a great example of a travel journal with prompts .

The Promptly journals are filled with custom prompts and also have plenty of space for mementos & photos.

Super handy pre-printed pages in this Camping Notebook by Clever Fox. And they also do a cool Travel Bucket List journal that’s fun to fill out!

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

Paper thickness is measured in weight, which varies from country to country. In the United States for example, you have “ U.S. basis weight ” (in pounds), where they look at a 500-sheet stack of the paper at its original, uncut “basic” size. But this can be confusing as a consumer, because different paper grades have different basic sizes, so even when the weight in pounds is higher, it doesn’t automatically mean the paper is thicker, because the basis size can be different.

It probably makes more sense to look at GSM (“ grams per square meter “). The weight is now determined by one sheet of paper at a size of 1 meter by 1 meter, measured in grams. All different grades of paper are measured at the same size. So a higher GSM always means heavier paper.

For reference, the standard weight of most A4 copy paper for your printer is 20 lb. / 75 gsm.

If you don’t want your pens, markers or paint to bleed through the pages, the thickness of your paper definitely matters, so make sure to test this!

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

Are there any other features you need when choosing your perfect travel journal? For example, I love notebooks with little pockets to keep my receipts and tickets. Or when they have a bookmark or pocket for a pe n!

Tips for extra features in a travel journal could also be page numbers , dividers or dedicated room to write dates . What extra features can you think of that you might need?

TIP ! Unique is The Travelogue by Luckies . This 64 page notepad journal also has check lists, travel tips and 8 miniature scratch maps, each representing different regions of the world. You can simply scratch off where you’ve been!

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

I believe there should not be a hard rule on what a travel journal should include, as the beauty lies in the fact that you can so easily customize it to your specific taste and type of trip!

Besides the obvious elements such as date , location , some highlights of the day and perhaps additional information about the weather, people you’ve met, things you ate and activities you did, you can add anything to your travel journal or scrapbook that’s important to you.

If you are looking for some inspiring examples of things to add to your travel journal, make sure to check out our blog about creative travel journal ideas >

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

How do I write a travel journal that is worth reading?

Travel writing can quickly become repetitive if you just list things you did in chronological order. So what can you do to make a story more interesting?

In a separate blog, I’ll give you my best tips on how to write a travel journal .

For more writing tips, check out “ The Soul of Place: A Creative Writing Workbook ” by Linda Lappin, “ Lonely Planet Travel Writing ” by Don George and “ On Writing ” by Stephen King.

If you’re looking for a bit of travel journal inspiration, then check out this blog in which I’ve handpicked some fun travel journal prompts for you.

There are also several travel notebooks out there that already have printed prompts in them. You can find the best travel journals with prompts at the bottom of our blog about travel writing prompts.

Spoiler : Some of our favourites are “ The Adventure Book ” by Nicole Nagelgast, “ Life’s a Road Trip ” and “ Swept Away by Wanderlust ” journals by Axel & Ash and the “ Travel Journal “, “ Bucket List Journal ” and “ Camping Journal ” by Clever Fox.

Other travel journals with prompts we encourage you to check out is this one by Compendium , this one by Promptly , this one by Moleskine , this one by OneLineVoyage and this one by Duncan & Stone .

These Are the Best Creative Travel Journal Ideas to Try this Year || The Travel Tester

Perhaps you’re not so fond of writing – but you love to craft, draw or paint. That’s amazing! With the following inspirational accounts on Instagram, you’ll get plenty of travel journaling ideas that don’t involve writing:

  • Here are some creative travel project life scrapbook pages >
  • Writer & sketch artist Candace Rose Rardon makes amazing (travel-related) sketches >
  • Same goes for artist Kathrin Jebsen-Marwedel a.k.a. ( Illustrated Journal ), Andrea Muñoz , Alicia Aradilla and Meera Krishnadas ( The Little Black Journal ) on Instagram >

How to Make a Travel Journal? DIY Tips and Must-Have Supplies || The Travel Tester

So far, we’ve looked at: all the different types of travel journals (sketchbook, scrapbook, notebook, logbook, friends travel journal, themed journals, local journals, city journals and travel photo albums), how to choose a travel journal (by looking at size, binding types, page types, paper thickness and additional features such as pockets and bookmarks) and what to include in your travel journal .

I also shared writing tips , journalling prompts , and creative examples of travel journals without a strong focus on text.

Ideas enough, but how do you get started?

It depends a bit what type of travel journal you’re keeping, but my system for creating a (travel) scrapbook is as follows:

  • I collect photos, notes and items while on the road (I keep them on a separate hard disk for the photos, my notes in a simple lined notebook or in my phone and the items in a plastic folder I can zip closed)
  • At home, I organise my photos on my computer in folders by date and location, and I keep all loose items (brochures, ticket stubs, etc.) in a plastic folder in a box – for when I’m ready to start the scrapbook.
  • Before I get started on the journal, I plan where all photos and notes are going to go in the album. If I’m working with project life , I already slide the loose items into the pockets they’re going to go and also write on little papers (that also slide into the pockets) which photos I want to put where – I keep these in a separate folder on my phone.
  • When the planning is done, I print all the photos I want to use in the album.
  • Then I write all the notes that go with the photos.
  • If that’s all done, I collect all scrapbooking supplies (list follows below) and I cut, glue or write where necessary.
  • And FINALLY – I embellish the pages with extra stickers , stamps or other decorations.

travel logbook

We’ve written an extensive article on all the travel journaling supplies we recommend, but here are a few that shouldn’t miss in your own travel journal kit:

  • colouring pencils
  • felt tip pens (love these from Stabilo and Paper Mate )
  • pens (love this Fisher space pen , the PILOT Rolling Ball Gel Pens and the Stabilo sensor pens )
  • highlighters
  • sharpie markers and pens
  • hole puncher
  • cutting mat and ruler
  • glue stick or glue roller
  • project life album , pocket pages ( type 1 / type 2 ), lined cards and more items …

Travel Journal Decoration Ideas

If you’re wondering ‘how can I decorate my travel journal?’ then I’ve got a handy list for you with some ideas for travel journal embellishments:

  • travel photos / vintage photos
  • polaroids ( fujifilm instax mini camera, film and printer here )
  • travel journal stickers (for example: travel sticker set , planner stickers , world landmark stickers , passport stamp stickers , US state stickers , travel around the world stickers , US national park stickers , outdoor stickers )
  • stamps (big fan of these wooden travel stamps and silicone travel stamps )
  • magnetic page markers
  • some fun digital printables: travel stationary and country flags
  • origami paper or scrapbook paper
  • coins, sand, pressed flowers , pressed leaves or feathers
  • paper ideas: drawings, rubbings, food / product packaging, food / product labels, menus, ticket stubs, postal stamps, receipts, maps, postcards, boarding passes, business cards , letters or notes from friends, written/printed local language, cuttings from (travel) magazines , brochures
  • …what else can you come up with?

How to Make a Travel Journal? DIY Tips and Must-Have Supplies || The Travel Tester

And there you have it! This is how I make a travel journal from scratch. I hope you found these DIY tips and inspiration helpful. For our favourite travel journals, please look below. And for a full list of travel scrapbooking supplies, check out this post !

The Travel Tester || Creative & Cultural Travel Blog || Work With Us

The Travel Tester loves to review books that teach you something about yourself or the world around us.

From travel guides and stories to books about business and self-development and from cultural stories to cook books from kitchens around the world… if it looks interesting to us, we’ll test it!

No matter where you’re going, with our reviews you’ll know exactly what to read next!

  • The Adventure Book – Original Edition (prompts + scrapbook per country)
  • The Adventure Book – Europe Edition (prompts + scrapbook per country)
  • The Adventure Book – Ultimate Traveler’s Edition (prompts + scrapbook per country)
  • Moleskine Passion Journal Travel (blank paper)
  • Moleskine National Geographic Traveller’s Journal (tabbed sections + prompts)
  • Moleskine Journey City Notebook – London (pocket)
  • Moleskine Journey City Notebook – Paris (pocket)
  • Moleskine Journey City Notebook – New York (pocket)
  • Moleskine Journey City Notebook – Hong Kong (pocket)
  • Duncan & Stone Travel Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
  • Everywhere You Go: Guided Travel Journal (prompts)
  • Promptly Journals X Kelli Murray (prompts + scrapbook)
  • Robrasim Refillable Leather Travelers Notebook (mixed papers + pockets)
  • Clever Fox Bucket List Journal (prompts + stickers)
  • Clever Fox Camping Journal (prompts + stickers)
  • Clever Fox Travel Journal (prompts + stickers)
  • Axel & Ash Life’s a Road Trip Journal (prompts)
  • Axel & Ash Swept Away by Wanderlust (prompts)
  • Field Notes: National Parks Series (pocket, graph paper)
  • Bookishly Travel Journals (blank pages)
  • Wayfaren Travel Journal (lined paper)
  • Oakdene Designs Personalised Motorhome Travel Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
  • Oakdene Designs Personalised Travel Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
  • Oakdene Designs Personalised Caravan Travel Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
  • Oakdene Designs Personalised Wooden Journal (lined pages)
  • Oakdene Designs Personalised Hiking Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
  • Oakdene Designs Personalised Road Bike Journal (prompts)
  • Oakdene Designs Personalised Wooden Adventure Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
  • Oakdene Designs Personalised Camping Journal (prompts + scrapbook)
  • CamperVanStore Bamboo Travel Journal (lined paper + pen)
  • Personalized Monogrammed Leather Travel Journal (blank pages)
  • OneLineVoyage Faux Leather Travel Journal (prompts)
  • Luckies Scratch Off Travelogue (prompts + scratch maps)
  • Letterfolk Trip Passport (pocket + prompts)
  • Galen Leather – Leuchtturm1917 Notebook Covers
  • Galen Leather – Moleskine Covers
  • Galen Leather – Field Notes Covers
  • Galen Leather – Traveler’s Notebook Covers
  • I Was Here: A Travel Journal for the Curious Minded
  • Go!: A Kids’ Interactive Travel Diary and Journal – RED
  • Go!: A Kids’ Interactive Travel Diary and Journal – BLUE
  • Go!: A Kids’ Interactive Travel Diary and Journal – YELLOW
  • Kids’ Travel Specialty Journal
  • Lonely Planet Kids My Travel Journal
  • Lonely Planet Kids The Travel Activity Book
  • The Ultimate Travel Journal For Kids
  • Road Trip Activities and Travel Journal for Kids
  • Travel Journal for Kids
  • Here I Go!: A Kid’s Travel Journal

MORE ABOUT TRAVEL JOURNALLING

  • How to Make a Travel Journal ? Tips and Supplies
  • How to Write a Travel Journal ? Best Writing Tips
  • 65+ Travel Journal Prompts to inspire you
  • 10+ Travel Bullet Journal Ideas you’ll love
  • Best Bullet Journal Tips
  • These Travel Journal Covers will amaze you
  • Explorers’ Sketchbooks Review
  • A Short History of Travel Writing
  • 15 Signs you are born for Travel Writing
  • Our Okinawa (Japan) Project Life Album
  • Must-Have Travel Scrapbooking Supplies

The Travel Tester || Creatief & Cultureel Reisblog

In The Travel Tester shop, you will find our favourite travel products and original gift ideas.

Whether you’re looking for the best travel gear, gadgets, electronics, packing solutions, clothing, shoes, travel books, health- or beauty products… we’ve made a personal selection for you!

We’ve also included our favourite tech items used to create this blog, as well as material that can help you in your self-development, such as interesting books and courses.

How to Make a Travel Journal? DIY Tips and Must-Have Supplies || The Travel Tester

Friday 21st of July 2023

Creating a travel journal is such a delightful and personal way to preserve the memories of our adventures. I love how the article emphasizes that there are no rules when it comes to making a travel journal, only the limits of our imagination. It's true; each travel journal can be as unique as the journey itself!

The tips and supplies shared here are truly helpful for anyone looking to start their first travel journal. I particularly resonate with the idea of incorporating various embellishments into the journal. Adding travel photos, stamps, and even pressed flowers can truly bring the memories to life and make the journal visually captivating.

Cheers, Femi.

Join our Adventure: Get all my insider tips for motorhoming & road trips

Wandering Bird Motorhome travel vanlife & road trip logo

21 BEST road trip travel Log Books (Motorhome/ Caravan Journals)

travel logbooks, motorhome journals, camper diaries and road trip logs

If you enjoy recording or journalling your road trips, you will LOVE these road trip journals/ travel log books- perfect for motorhome, campervan, RV, caravan or any other road tripper. Create beautiful memories of your journeys to enjoy for years to come.

*We work hard to make this the best motorhome travel blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own .

If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!)

JUMP AHEAD TO...

Travel Log Books

I’m not a scrapbooker. Or a diary-writer.

I try SO HARD and I dutifully buy a new diary every single year… and then forget to write in it until August. Heck, I’ve even tried one of those ‘one line a day’ diaries… still nada.

But a road trip travel logbook is something else…

Why Write a Road Trip Log Book?

Before motorhomes, we lived on boats for 15 years. Writing a log book every time we went sailing was essential.

It was part legal document, part way of making sure we’d checked the tides. Writing the journal was just one of the tasks we had to do, both before we set off and during the trip. It became habit.

And those logbooks are GOLD.

Even now, years later, we love reading through them, remembering the funny/ foolish/ embarrassing things we did. It’s the best keepsake we could ever have , (especially the mini arguments we had, where one of us wrote a silly comment in the log, so the other replied… and we filled up 3 pages with utter nonsense!)

That’s EXACTLY why a motorhome/ caravan logbook is so essential- it’s a living record of your adventures, created AS they happen… not 5 years later when you’re trying to remember.

If you travel ANYWHERE by road (for adventures, not just the morning commute), then we highly recommend you treat yourself to a travel log book or road trip journal and start recording the trips.

It doesn’t matter whether you travel by motorhome, campervan, RV, caravan or anything else- you’ll really appreciate these travel journals (or diaries, if you prefer) in years to come.

Don’t forget, even if you’re not planning a motorhome, RV or road trip yourself, these make the BEST presents.

The BEST Road Trip Journal & Travel Logbook

We travel a LOT with our motorhome. But we struggled to find a decent road trip journal/ logbook which would help us record our trips.

So we created one!

This is perfect for motorhome, campervan & caravan owners, but also anyone who enjoys road trips. Inside, there are pages for recording your trips, where you stayed and what the journey was like, but also checklists, things to remember and useful guides for cleaning and winter shutdown.

It’s a one-stop guide for motorhome and van life owners everywhere.

You can find out more about our exclusive Road Trip logbook HERE

road trip journal logbooks- motorhome, RV, camper, car road trip

Travel Log Books & Journals for Any Adventure

These beautiful travel logbooks and journals make wonderful gifts for couples, or a perfect gift for a friend going travelling.

They work for UK, USA, Canada or anywhere else you’re planning to go!

travel logbooks, motorhome journals, camper diaries and road trip logs

Want more travel gift ideas? These might help:

  • 29 useful Small travel gifts they will LOVE
  • Perfect Gifts for practical, outdoors-loving men

Road Trip Log Books & Motorhome Journals

Here are some of our very favourite road trip travel logbooks and motorhome journals. They make wonderful gifts for motorhome owners , or a little treat for yourself. (Sssshh, I won’t tell!)

Some of them are formatted pages inside, and some are blank notebooks for you to add your own personality too, so please do check carefully to make sure you get the type you want.

Motorhome RV log books and travel diaries

Travel Journal: Motorhome, Camper, Caravan and RV Road Trip...

Campervan logbooks & travel journals

travel logbooks, motorhome journals, camper diaries and road trip logs

Want more motorhome and campervan gift ideas? These might help:

  • 40 perfect (and useful) gifts for motorhome owners
  • 35 campervan gift ideas (they actually WANT)
  • 20 best motorhome mugs

Caravan Log Books and Camping Journals

Got a caravan? Love camping? Here are some travel logbooks you’ll LOVE to complete:

Camping Journal & RV Travel Logbook, Blue Vintage Camper Journey...

Best Children’s Road Trip Logbooks

Helping a child to record their trip is a wonderful idea. It helps them to express themselves, be more thoughtful and try to remember things which happened. Keep it simple and fun, and it will be an exercise they enjoy for many years to come.

Motorhome journal kids travel logbook

If you want more gift ideas for children, these might help:

  • 14 quiet activity ideas for kids (that their parents will LOVE)
  • 21 best children’s car games
  • Van life with kids- 15 essential things to know

More ideas you might find useful:

I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at these travel logbooks and road trip journals. If you’d like more gift ideas, these might help:

  • 35 useful vanlife campervan gifts (that they actually WANT)
  • The BEST motorhome and campervan t-shirts for men and women
  • 33 Thoughtful gift ideas for motorhome owners
  • Awesome campervan and motorhome stickers

Browse ALL of our motorhome & road trip gift ideas here

And don’t forget to check out our exclusive Wandering Bird road trip/ motorhoming logbook HERE

Kathryn Bird

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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How to Fill SARS Travel Logbook

If you use your private car for business purposes and receive a travel allowance from your employer, you can claim a deduction on your annual income tax return. To do this, you must have a SARS travel logbook where you record your vehicle’s odometer reading and details of your business travel. This article explains how you fill out your SARS travel logbook. 

How Do I Fill SARS Travel Logbook?

First and foremost, you should download the SARS eLogbook for the tax year, which starts on 1st March and ends on 28th February of the following year. Your 2022 – 23 SARS elogbook assessment must-have business travel details from 1st March to 28th February 2024. The tax filing season starts on 1st July 2024. 

You must first record your motor vehicle odometer reading on 1st March and record the odometer reading on 28 or 29 February, the last day of the tax year. The logbook has fields you should fill in related to your business travel. You can calculate your total kilometres for the tax year by subtracting opening kilometres from opening kilometres. 

When you fill out the SARS travel logbook, only include the kilometres covered when you travel for business. There are fields in the logbook where you enter your destination and kilometres travelled. Remember that you cannot claim the travel between your home and workplace for business purposes. 

You must have a separate logbook for each car if you have more than one vehicle used for business during a particular tax year. You must record the following details for every business trip in your SARS travel logbook.

  • Date of travel 
  • Business travel information (Starting point of the destination, places visited, and reasons for the business trip)  
  • Kilometres travelled 

Make sure you keep your logbook for about five years from the date you submit your return because you may be asked to submit it to SARS to support your claim . 

Do You Have to Use SARS Logbook?

Without a travel logbook, you cannot claim any cost of business travel against the travel allowance allocated to you. In other words, without a logbook, you cannot claim for travel deduction. With a travel logbook, it becomes easier to calculate the amount you can travel. SARS can also use the logbook to verify your claim if the need arises. Therefore, you should retain your logbook with other material for five years from the submission date. 

How Does SARS Calculate Travel Allowance?

SARS uses two methods to calculate your travel allowance. The first method involves using a cost scale table supplied by SARS and found in the introduction section of your travel logbook.

The simplified way utilizes the fixed rate per kilometre, as illustrated in the table below. With this method, there should be no other advance, no allowance, or other compensation paid by the employer. 

SARS can also calculate your claim using actual costs incurred during your business travels. It is essential to keep a record of your expenses during the tax year on top of keeping a logbook. The expenses include repairs and maintenance, oil, fuel, insurance, car license, finance charges, wear-and-tear, and lease costs. 

If the employer provides a fixed allowance to the employee for business travel, the amount will appear under code 3701 on the IRP5. If a petrol card is issued, the money used for fuel will be added to the total amount. 

A valid log book with all the necessary information about business trips covered must be maintained to support your claim. If some of the relevant details are missing, SARS may dismiss the logbook, which may lead to additional assessment.

To succeed in your claim for business travel costs, you should take the following measures: 

  • Ensure your opening kilometres on the odometer matches the previous year’s closing kilometre. Any mismatch can lead to the dismissal of your claim by SARS. If you have a good reason for the mismatch, ensure you write a letter to SARS. 
  • Check the correctness of the kilometres covered during private and business travel. If there is an error, SARS may decline your claim. 
  • The car’s service history must correspond with your logbook, or else your claim is dismissed. 
  • Ensure that you provide reasonable private and business kilometres to get the best result. If your claim is biased toward business travel, your claim can be rejected. There is no way you can use your vehicle for private business. For instance, the distance from your home to your workstation is private, not a business. 

Therefore, keeping an accurate travel logbook is a good idea to make it easier for SARS to calculate your travel allowance.   

What Is the SARS Rate per Kilometre?

The tables published in the government gazette and SARS’s travel logbooks are used to determine the allowable rate per kilometre for business travel deductions. If the employer pays no other compensation to the employee, the rate is 418 cents or R4.18 per kilometre. 

If the reimbursed travel costs exceed the prescribed rate of R4.18 per kilometre, the full amount will be subject to PAYE. With fixed travel insurance, only 80% of the travel allowance will be subject to PAYE. If the employee has not met the full cost of fuel used in the car or maintenance costs, no claim can be made against these two. 

If you use your private vehicle for business purposes, you are eligible to claim a travel allowance. You must keep an accurate travel logbook to make it easier for SARS to calculate and process your claim. Without a travel logbook, your claim will be rejected.  

Keep Reading

Are School Fees A Claimable Expense At SARS?

Are School Fees A Claimable Expense At SARS?

Today, we’re here with all the answers! Keep reading for some fascinating facts about school fees, expenses, and SARS. 

How Do You Know If You Owe SARS Money?

How Do You Know If You Owe SARS Money?

This blog post will answer all your questions about owing SARS money, including how to check how much you owe & what happens when you owe money

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Travel Logs - Vehicle Logbook 4+

Automated gps vehicle logbook, sockii pty ltd.

  • 4.2 • 17 Ratings
  • Offers In-App Purchases

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Description.

Travel Logs is an extremely easy and effective way to track your trips for all of your vehicles. With a streamlined information-entry user interface and, the added option of using GPS to auto-fill in location information - you don't need the paper version any more! Also track vehicle maintenance/service records and expenses. Logging information for a trip has never been so easy thanks to the GPS auto-fill feature that will automatically fill in your location, with a press of a button, and calculates the distance traveled using the GPS of your device. KEY FEATURES - ATO Compliant. - Cloud sync (iCloud, Dropbox). - Local Sync. - Bluetooth hands-free support for auto start/stop. - Location aware for auto start/stop. - NFC tag support. - Multiple Vehicles. - Contacts integration. - Log trip details (odometer, date, purpose, type, location, vehicle). - Exporting of log reports in CSV & PDF format. - Location auto-fill and distance calculation. - Import calendar entries to use as trip purpose. - Route recording and exporting (GPX file). - Vehicle expense tracking. - Vehicle maintenance/service logs. Sync Support Sync and store your data on cloud services such as iCloud or Dropbox. Alternatively, sync using 365 Direct Sync without using a cloud service. 365 Direct Sync will transmit directly to your other device over your local network. GPS - Location Auto-fill and Tracking Travel Logs has the option to allow you to use the GPS feature in your device to determine your current and/or end location. This will give you the option to auto-fill in the location details for your logs and also track the distance traveled so you won't have to fill in the end odometer values! Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Places Automatically start and end trips when your depart or arrive at specified locations. Bluetooth Hands-Free Support Automatically start and stop trips when connected to your vehicles hands-free device. NFC Tags Assign and use NFC tags to automatically start and stop trips. Route Recording Realtime GPS tracking can record the route you took for that trip. Viewing past trips will be plot the route on the map so you can see where you went, down to each individual street. Contacts & Calendar Integration Select your addresses from your contacts from right within the application. Import calendar entries to use as your trip purpose. Log Exporting The log reports are in PDF and CSV format. This app complies with the Australian Tax Office (ATO) logbook format. It will calculate the percentage of business use for each vehicle and total business distance in the exported log reports. The log reports include total distance traveled, the starting and ending odometer values, date/time, purpose of trip, trip type, location from start to finish, driver name, vehicle and registration number. Vehicle Expense Tracking Track the expenses and credits for each of your vehicles. Vehicle Maintenance/Service Logs Keep track of the maintenance and service records for your vehicles. An active subscription is required to use the application. *The subscription will have options between 1-month (AUD$0.99) and 1-year (AUD$11.49) durations, with 1-month subscription providing a 1-week trial period (one time use only). Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Privacy Policy - http://travellogsapp.com/privacy.html Terms of Use - http://travellogsapp.com/terms.html SUPPORT [email protected]

Version 4.6.4

Ratings and Reviews

Functionally abandoned.

This app has a range of odd bugs and behaviors which are never repaired, and seems to decline over time. It has recently stopped automatically completing trips despite having access to location data and background app refresh. Find something current to invest money on. If the developer cannot be bothered to actually support their app, they should be clear about that, instead of leaving a degrading app in the App Store requesting a subscription fee.

Lost all my data with last update

Have been using this app all year. Great interface. But the latest update lost all my data. So hope that it can be restored from the cloud.

I will not purchase any app that requires a subscription.

I use both Calendar 365 and Pocket Cash. Pocket Cash is no longer supported. The company policy to change their apps to subscription based is a bad decision. Good apps but I was spending over $300.00 a month for subscriptions, dropped them all and won’t do it again. I’d rather pay more for an app and own it outright! Bad move guys!

Subscriptions

App privacy.

The developer, Sockii Pty Ltd , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

  • Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

  • Monthly Subscription $0.99
  • Annual Subscription $10.99
  • Vehicle Expense Tracking $2.99
  • Watch Integration $0.99
  • Developer Website
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Best RV Logbook (Our 5 Top Picks)

Published on August 24th, 2020 by Ray & Tammy Roman This post was updated on July 21st, 2023

Ever wish you could go back in time and relive a camping trip? Do you want to remember notable parts of your trips and can’t rely on memory alone?

Consider investing in a travel journal or RV logbook! Then you can simply relax in a nice RV camping chair and write about your awesome adventures.

The best RV logbook is the Ultimate RV Logbook . We choose it because not only does it have plenty of space for journaling your RV adventures, but it also has pages for logging your RV maintenance.

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With this, you’ll be able to record each journey with the details of the location of the campsite, activities, discoveries, and even notes of what you wish you would have brought or known to prepare for the next trip.

Record the pros and cons of each, including whether it was a full or partial hookup or the amenities included at the site.

Also, you’ll want to leave a description of your overall experience, especially for looking back to remember which was the most fun or fitting to what you want to expect on the next trip.

Whether for the enjoyment of journaling or for the necessity of logging for maintenance or accessibility reasons, logbooks are a great idea for those who travel through camping.

If you are looking for the best RV logbook, the ones below are my recommended picks.

The Ultimate RV Logbook

The Ultimate RV Logbook: The best RVer travel logbook for logging RV

  • Gear & Apparel, Nomadic Souls (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

Last update on 2024-04-24 / Paid Affiliate Link / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Having the ultimate in the name describes the amount of research that went into this journal. The detailed guides inside have more than the usual prompts seen in these types of logs.

Similar to the competition, this paperback book will include areas to log your stay and other campsite information. What makes it unique is also having a section to record all of the maintenance services, including mileage and dates for when you need to refer back to, and it also allows you to sort the book by region or state.

As you travel, this 7.4” x 9.7” journal will be easy to pack and carry along. You’ll find 120 pages in this version, which may be filled up faster since most logbooks usually have a bit more.

Since this logbook is so detailed, the fill-in pages will be lengthy, making the text quite small.

Adventure is Calling RV Logbook

Camping Journal & RV Travel Logbook, Red Vintage Camper Adventure:

  • Willow, Enchanted (Author)

This paperback journal includes 160 pages for logging and features detailed forms throughout to record campground information and routes taken.

In addition, the forms have prompts for noting the weather and even the starting and ending mileage of the trip. You’ll notice this book is a great size, being 7” x 10” and easy to keep track of and throw in your bag.

Many buyers not only purchase this for themselves but mention what a great gift idea it is as well. The design is simple and suitable for anyone and everyone.

A painting of a vintage-styled camper in the mountains will be found on the cover with the quote, “Adventure is Calling.” This seller also has other cover designs if you want to browse other options with the same interior aspects.

Being a best seller compared to its competitors, most reviews show no issues with their purchase, other than the occasional concern of it being paperback and having a page flapping upward instead of remaining in the original condition.

The Camping Logbook

The Camping Logbook (Camping Journal): Record Your Adventures

  • Hardcover Book
  • Inc. Peter Pauper Press (Author)

The Camping Log Book is perfect for recording your adventures; it even says it on the cover! This cover has great appeal, with a flannel-type design, which incorporates the camping vibe.

Something that makes this journal different is a back cover pocket to store business cards, maps, receipts, or other miscellaneous items. Also featured is an elastic band attached to the back cover to hold the journal in place, which is handy since there will be loose items in the pocket.

Within this 6 ¼” x 8 ¼” hardcover journal, you’ll have 160 pages with fill-ins to jot down amenities, attractions, and other notable campsite information.

This logbook, in particular, has several sections for different trips, so if you need more than just a few pages to record your adventure, this may not be a suitable purchase. However, a few pages can be used well if you don’t plan on using many for picture

Family Camping Journal

Family Camping Journal: Perfect RV Journal/Camping Diary or Gift for

  • Notebooks, Cute (Author)

The Family Camping Journal will differ from the usual “logging” type. This journal will be more like actual journaling, with its prompts being exactly that: prompts. For example, one prompt may start with something like, “Today we did…” or “Next time, I’ll be sure to…”.

The 8.5” x 11” softcover book is a bit on the larger side but has just as much writing room as others within the 126 pages. It will still include a few lines to record campsite information but is more focussed on recording the memories.

The design on the cover features words commonly used while traveling in an RV, such as campfire, nature, and the phrase, “gone fishing.”

Although many customers reviewed it with positive feedback, some did wish the prewritten prompts either weren’t included or just had less to include more of their ideas.

RV Logbook Camping Journal

RV Log Book Camping Journal: Road Trip Planner, Caravan Travel Journal

  • Co, Happy Eden (Author)

The RV Logbook Camping Journal is going to be great for having a checklist to remember important information for when you travel.

This style will suit anyone since it showcases a simple flannel vibe or buffalo check cover. It is similar to a composition notebook with its 6” x 9” premium matte soft cover. One hundred and one pages are included, with several checklist pages for each trip taken and the extra pages in between for notes.

The checklist will incorporate the campsite information section similar to the competitions. However, the checklist will list many things you may not initially think of to record.

Some examples are hiking trails, being pet friendly, and the type of pavement. Although this may be the perfect camping journal, keep in mind that it doesn’t have nearly as many pages as others, so it may be more suitable for those who don’t dedicate as much time to travel.

RV Logbook Template

If you would rather not buy a journal and just want to print out individual maintenance pages when needed, you can download a template here . It is a simple template, but it does the job just fine to help keep track of your RV maintenance .

Summary of Best RV Logbook

Being able to reflect on your RV adventures is a great feeling. Sharing them with family and friends will surely bring back awesome memories. A quality RV logbook to document your RV travels makes it easy to pass on these adventures to your children and grandkids.

I also write an article on the top gifts for RVers which I think you’ll enjoy.

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Take control of your own Tax returns

Our FREE digital Logbook App makes logging travel expenses for tax purposes easy

Get our SARS Logbook App on your phone today

  • Built-in intelligence saves you time
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  • Open Chrome on your Android device and navigate to the app you want to add.
  • Tap the three-dot icon at the top right corner of the screen to open the Chrome menu.
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  • Tap “Add” in the lower right corner to add the app to your home screen.
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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

travel logbook

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

travel logbook

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

travel logbook

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

travel logbook

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

travel logbook

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

travel logbook

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

IMG_5767

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

IMG_5859

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Screen Shot 2015-04-01 at 5.17.53 PM

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

travel logbook

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

IMG_5826

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

Mayakovskaya station

Mayakovskaya metro station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

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10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

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January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

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December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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