Writing a travel journal is an incredible way to record your travels and experiences. A moleskine travel journal has long been a favourite way to record because of their high quality paper, bindings and huge array of configurations.
Travelling journalling is a really personal process. Some love bullet journalling, others writing list and for the creative folk, a moleskine sketch book is the perfect place to sketch their experiences.
If you’re looking for a travel journal, moleskine makes for a long lasting, beautiful journal and also a great gift. The when it comes to finding a travel journal Amazon is the perfect place to look. All of the options are on hand and they are so quick to deliver.
The endless choice can be daunting though, so we’ll let you know what’s so great about moleskine notebooks and help you pick the right one for you.
This post may contain compensated links, which means at no cost to you, I earn a commission. Read our disclaimer and privacy policy.
Table of Contents
What to look for in a moleskine travel journal
It quite often gets asked, is a moleskine journal vegan? Well, unless you select a leather backed book or cover – yes! Usually cloth or paper bound, a moleskine book was historically a small pocket sized journal used to take notes. These days, Moleskine is also an Italian brand that makes journals of the same name.
If you’ve got a passion for travel, a moleskine pocket journal is perfect for you. They come in a huge range of sizes, cover types and page layouts.
If you enjoy note taking, a lined journal may be the best for you. A moleskine bullet journal is great for typography and plain notebooks fantastic for those who love to sketch or story map.
Moleskine journals are designed to hold a lifetimes worth of memories and to last a lifetime!
The best travel journals are well bound with great stitching, high quality paper and attractive colours. Travel can be quite hard on a notebook, so it needs to be able to travel with you and stand the test of time.
So, if you’re wondering is a high end paper notebook such as Moleskine worth it? Our answer is yes! The high quality workmanship on the Moleskine range means that the book will stay securely bound and display your thoughts beautifully until its time to fill a new journal.
The high quality paper is also exceptional to write on with markets, pens, textas and some of the journals are also perfect for calligraphy ink.
Best moleskine travel journal comparison chart
Name | Image | Our Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Moleskin XL classic cover | 4 | SHOP IT | |
Moleskine L cahier cover | 4.5 | SHOP IT HERE | |
Moleskine Art Cahier sketch album | 4.5 | SHOP IT HERE | |
Moleskine L Classic lined hardcover with pocket | 4 | SHOP IT HERE | |
Scribbles that Matter bullet dot hardcover notebook | 5 | SHOP IT HERE | |
Moleskine Classic pocket dotted | 4 | SHOP IT HERE | |
Moleskine Traveller's Journal | 5 | SHOP IT HERE | |
Moleskine Travel gift box | 4.5 | SHOP IT HERE | |
Moleskine Voyager hardcover travel notebook | 4 | SHOP IT HERE | |
Moleskine Pen and Ellipse digital journal | 4.5 | SHOP IT NOW |
How to use moleskine travel journals
The beauty of Moleskine journals is that the different paper types (lined, dotted, plain) allow for your creativity.
So, what do people use their Moleskine for? The sky is the limit really, but if you’re just getting started in journalling, you may love to read Barbra M Stecher’s book on Sketchbooking which is full of creative prompts and ideas.
Travel notebook ideas can be found in the buildings, signs and food around you. They can be more traditional diary entries, quick sketches or pasted in travel photos.
A Moleskine traveler’s journal provides prompts to get you started. You may prefer a Moleskine plain journal to write and draw or prefer the structure of ruled lines – order a couple and see what works best for you.
How to pick the right moleskine travel journal for you
You love taking notes and diary writing
If you love taking notes, writing lists and diary writing, then a lined moleskine notebook is for you.
Moleskine journal sizes range from pocket sized up to extra large, so you’ve got plenty of choice. Pick a larger size if you diary writing, or the pocket size is perfect for jotting down ideas on the run.
If you like prompts or need some ideas, then a Moleskine passions travel journal would be perfect for you. It’s designed with travel in mind and is full of prompts and ideas to help you record your experiences and memories.
You may also like to invest in a moleskine journal cover. A moleskine leather cover will protect your notebook which is handy if you’re someone who will journal every day.
A good leather cover will also include pockets and storage to pop in important momentos like tickets or itineraries. Our favourite cover is a beautiful coffee leather with a contrasting stitch. Check it out here.
You love typography, quotes and lettering
If you love typography (fancy lettering), then the moleskine dotted notebook is perfect for you. The dots help to guide the size of your lettering whilst providing enough structure for you to write memories. The moleskine dot grid notebook is also great for sketching alongside the typography.
If you love sketching and drawing
Art journals, plain journals and dotted journals are all fantastic for sketching. Soft cover books are easy to carry around but require a little more care. Try a hard cover journal if you’re worried about dog ears or damaging your work.
The Moleskine large planner size is perfect for bigger sketches whereas the pocket size may be better for doodling and smaller graphics.
The best Moleskine soft cover notebooks
Moleskine soft cover notebooks come in a range of sizes from pocket sized all the way up to extra large (around A4 size).
Soft cover notebooks either come in thick card or a cahier cover which is also cardstock but can be written on and customised.
Soft cover notebooks are a great option if you’re conserving weight, wish to carry more than one notebook or love to sketch on the cover.
Moleskine extra large classic soft cover journal
This Moleskine XL journal is 7.5″x 9.5″ in size. Like the name says, the Classic journal is the original styling with a sturdy elastic closure, solid colouring and small pocket in the rear inner cover.
These quality notebooks come in a range of block colours such as black, red and teal. These classic notebooks are a firm favourite due to their simple styling, high quality workmanship and beautifully textured paper.
Whether you’re writing in pen, ink, marker or fine liner, it will be a pleasure recording your ideas in this quality notebook.
We love the Moleskine extra large classic journal because there is plenty of space to record your ideas.
PROS| Comes in dotted, plain, ruled and square paper types.
CONS| This is a larger journal so you’ll need a bit of space in your luggage.
Moleskine large cahier cover journal
The Moleskine cahier cover journal is perfect for those whole love to personalise! The cahier covering can be sketched and drawn on, making this journal truly your own.
The Moleskine large size is 5″ x 8.25″ in size making it a perfect in between size for anyone who loves to sketch and mind map. If you’re looking for a moleskine A5 notebook, then the large size is the closest comparatively.
The cahier cover is a strong and durable card available in a range of block covers. They often come in sets of 2 or 3, so they’re perfect for those who journal frequently or like to separate their ideas into different books.
A handy card pocket features at the back for tidbits and notes. Additionally the last 16 pages are perforated if you need to take a note and then remove a page. Its an extremely flexible journal!
We love the Cahier cover journals because of the tear out pages. You’ll never be short a piece of paper again!
PROS| The customisable covers are a hit with us!
CONS| Lighter colours like tan may get a little grubby in your bag. Consider storing them in a pouch or buying a cover.
Moleskine art cahier sketch album
The art cahier sketch album is perfect for the artists amongst us. We love the cahier art small notebook which comes in at 3.5″ x 5.5″ in size. Its perfect for keeping in your backpack and sketching as you become inspired (think facades, signs, artistic pot hole covers and more)
The flexibility of this range also means this style comes in large, extra large and square dimensions too. We think this Moleskine small notebook is perfect for creating your own travel postcards. The pocket size literally fits in your pocket – bonus!
Featuring a kraft paper cover, the internal pages are filled with beautiful ivory sheets in the quality you’ve come to love from Moleskine. Each page is perforated so you can share your art or simply retain it as a book of your memories.
We love that cahier art journal has the ability to easily tear out and share your art.
PROS| There’s a range of sizes to suit all types of art journalling.
CONS| Soft cover books can become more easily damaged. If you’re not planning on removing your sketches, a hard cover art journal may better suit you.
The best hard cover Moleskine notebooks
Moleskine hard cover notebooks are durable, high quality notebooks that stand the test of time.
They come in the same range of block colours as their soft cover counterparts with the added bonus of being that little bit more durable.
Their oil cloth covers are rigid which means they won’t bend or become damaged in your bag – perfect if you’re a little rough on your possessions like me!
Hard cover journals are perfect for those who want to bring their journal home and keep it on the bookshelf or coffee table as a memento. These journals are just that beautiful you’ll want to show them off.
Moleskine Classic large classic hard cover journal
The Moleskine large classic hard cover journal is hard bound and features a sturdy elastic closing.
Its classic design mean its been a favourite for hundreds of years and there’s good reason why. Your memories will be well preserved in this beautiful book.
The large size (close to A4) or the extra large size (close to A5) are both well sized to be brought home and displayed once your trip is over.
We love the Moleskine classic hard cover journal because it will keep our memories safe and sound long after you’ve returned home.
PROS| The beautiful high quality cover will be right at home on your bookshelf.
CONS| Bound books, especially in the larger sizes can be heavier. If you’re travelling light try a smaller size journal.
Scribbles That Matter bullet dot hardcover notebook
Ok, this on is not a Moleskine brand journal, but it is a high quality journal in the moleskine styling.
This bullet dot hardcover notebook is the ultimate bullet journal. It comes in a gorgeous bright green and yellow and best of all has bleed proof pages. That means you can journal in marker without worrying that it will bleed through to the page behind it. It even comes with a test page just so you can be sure.
This moleskine dotted journal includes key code page, index pages, dotted numbered pages and 2 colour coded bookmarks for optimal organization and stress-free set up. Its perfect for those just starting who need some guidance or for the seasoned pro.
We love the Scribbles that matter journal because its perfect for those who love to use markers and finel iners.
PROS| Bleed and ghost free paper means you can colour, outline and design to your heart’s content without ruining your work.
CONS| This moleskine hard cover book is a little pricier but it is beautiful gift giving quality and gorgeous to write on, so you get what you pay for in this case!
Moleskine classic pocket dotted journal
The Moleskine classic pocket dotted journal has all of the features of its larger counterpart but with smaller sizing.
Its pocket sized (like literally) so its easy to transport. The hard cover means it will wear well and it comes in classic colours as well as a brighter range including pink, magenta and sage.
The dotted interior is perfect for bullet journalling and if dotted is not your style, you can select from ruled, plain or squared.
We love the Moleskine classic pocket dotted journal for its bright coloured covers.
PROS| A colourful hard cover notebook that’s easy to keep on hand
CONS| It’s small size may be a tad little for the artists out there. Size up if this is you.
The best travel journal for a gift
If you know someone who has a passion to travel then a travel journal is an incredible gift. Whether its a stand alone present, or part of a care pack, you can never have too many travel journals!
Moleskine make for a fantastic gift because they are top quality, beautifully bound, come in a range of styles and there’s also journals specifically for travel on the market.
A travel journey is so easy to slip in to a suitcase or backpack and can house precious memories for years to come.
Moleskine Passion Journal Travel
The Moleskine Passion journal for travel is the ultimate travel journal. It’s been created with gifting in mind and is specifically designed for travel.
The Moleskine passion book journal comes in a matching chartreuse cardboard shell to keep it safe. It’s a hard cover journal that includes features such as two ribbon book marks, indented tabs to record different trips and travel based prompts to guide you.
There is space for writing and drawing in this beautiful journal has a sturdy double pocket in the back and also comes with travel icon stickers to enhance your journalling.
It’s refined and beautifully designed, meaning that it’s suitable for the young and old. Its classic green cover and quality presentation will make it an heirloom gift that can be journaled in and stored as a precious keepsake.
We love the Moleskine Passion journal for travel because its an timeless gift that is perfect for both men and women.
PROS| The quality boxing and design makes it the perfect gift.
CONS| This journal only comes in one colour.
Moleskine Travel gift box
The Moleskine travel gift box is an all inclusive travel gift, perfect for a first big trip or gap year vacation.
The kit includes a travel journal, and two luggage tags with the moleskine look to mark your luggage, presented in a stylish blue box.
The travel journal has five themed sections, space for loyalty cards, calendars, travel information, budget and trip planners, memorable moments, travel themed stickers to personalise your journal and a double expandable pocket.
The stylish blue is perfect for both genders, the young and the old.
We love the Moleskine travel gift box because its an all inclusive travel journal perfect for a big trip.
PROS| It even includes luggage tags so your bags can look as stylish as your journal.
CONS| The journal only comes in blue.
Moleskine Voyageur hard cover travel notebook
If you’re looking for a less flashy but practical travel journal, then the Moleskine voyageur is a great option for you.
It comes in green, red and black and is a mix with a hard cover and elastic closure. This book is built for travel. Externally its extremely sturdy. Internally in contains everything you need to plan and record your trip.
This incredible journal includes detachable packing lists, to do lists, a planning section to map out your days, structured budget pages and a journalling section to record your memories.
We love the Moleskine voyageur hard cover travel notebook because its the ultimate travel planner and journal in one.
PROS| Its got the freedom of the moleskine ruled journals with the structure of the planning pages.
CONS| We’d love to see this journal in some brighter colours!
Moleskine Pen and Ellipse smart writing set (digital)
If you love the joy of writing and recording on paper, but the techie inside of you wants to record digitally then the Moleskine pen and Ellipse smart writing set is perfect for you!
The tablet component of the set looks, feels and writes just like a quality Moleskine notebook. The clever part is that it is digitally enabled so in conjunction with the Moleskin pen and app, everything that you record in your journal is also saved electronically.
This journal is perfect for those who love to diary write, doodle and record in black ink. It also allows the journal to be shared electronically with those at home.
Additionally, once your smart paper journal is full, you can simply purchase another smart journal and keep writing. Additional journals are incredibly affordable and not prohibitive to the process.
We love the Moleskine pen and Ellipse smart writing set because if you lose your journal (we’ve all been there) your work is still saved digitally (yay!)
PROS| This set has the benefits of traditional journalling with a digit back up.
CONS| It’s a little more pricy than traditional journalling but oh so cool.
Passport Collective is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.