9 Best Travel Sketchbooks in 2020

It’s hard to underestimate the importance of a good travel sketchbook. It doesn’t matter what you use it for – sketching and doodling, full-on drawing away from home, or just taking notes (journaling or travel diaries). The quality and convenience of your sketchbook will influence the overall flow of your working process.

The choice of the perfect sketchbook will depend on your own preferences. It’s up to you, what would you use it for, how big do you want it, and which binding you like. But there are some general tips that you might like to follow if you’re new in choosing sketchbooks and don’t know what you like yet.

What Size Should You Get?

Size is probably the most important matter. It influences the weight of the sketchbook, space you’ll have for your creative ideas, and also space it’ll consume in the bag you carry it in. An A5 size sketchbook is the most versatile and popular option, but if you like even smaller formats, choose an A6.

If you need something bigger, you can choose among the A5 sketchbooks with the binding that allows you to lay them flat. This means that you’ll have A4-sized spreads.

If you still want something bigger and your luggage allows it, the hardcover or at least the underlay made of thick cardboard is a must. This will protect the sheets inside and help you draw on the go without needing a desk. A spiral-bound sketchbook can have a softcover because it can be folded over for extra hardness.

Paper Weight and Quantity

The thickness of the sketchbook depends on the number of pages and on the weight of the paper. The thicker the paper, the fewer sheets would fit into a single sketchbook without making it too thick and heavy to carry. So if your trip is going to be a long one, consider either taking more than one sketchbook or looking for the thinner paper (that would still be usable for your preferred media though).

Usually thicker paper is meant to absorb more water, so choose thicker one (from 120 gsm and more) for liquid mediums (except markers: they’ll dry too quickly on heavy paper). If the sketchbook is going to become a mixed media journal with glued-in tickets and photographs, the thicker paper would endure it much better. If you’re using your sketchbook simply for doodles, pencil sketches, or writing, then the regular thin printer paper would work well.

The color of the paper and the sketchbook orientation are purely the choices of your preference – whatever suits best for your drawing style. And when it comes to the price – don’t think that the cheaper ones are worse! We’ve made you a list of nice high-quality travel sketchbooks of all kinds that are very affordable and would make great travel companions for any artist.

9 Best Travel Sketchbooks in 2020

Moleskine Art Sketchbook

Moleskine Art Sketchbook, Hard Cover, Pocket (3.5" x 5.5") Plain/Blank, Black, 80 Pages

• MOLESKINE ART COLLECTION: From sketchbooks and sketchpads to watercolor notebooks with heavy paper, to music notebooks with plain and pentagram pages, to storyboard layout notebooks, Moleskine's art collection of notebooks offer the quality you need.

$15.97

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Moleskine is well-known for its stylish and high-quality sketchbooks and notebooks. This journal is hardcover with a rubber closure, that ensures the safety of your drawings. It also has a cute sewn-in ribbon bookmark.

A pocket in the back of the sketchbook can be really useful for travelers for storing tickets, postcards, tea labels, receipts, and any other valuables. You might glue them in later or just leave them in the pocket as a reminder about your trip. The 165 gsm paper would work well with glue.

• Pages: 72
• Weight: about 5 oz (142 g)
• Perfect for: pencils and other dry mediums, pens, markers, glue.

Pentalic Traveler Pocket Journal

Pentalic 6" x 8" Pocket Sketchbook Traveler Journal, 160 Pages, Black

• DURABLE COVER - Flexible, water-resistant cover with an heavy-duty sewn binding.
• ACID FREE - Our paper is made by using alkaline paper making technology which prevents papers from fading or discoloring. Acid-free paper addresses the problem of preserving documents or artwork!

$12.99

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This sketchbook has a flexible cover, but it doesn’t make it less durable at all. The rubber closure will prevent it from opening and damaging the paper, and the back page pocket will be perfect for storing anything you’ll want to add to your journal. It also features a ribbon bookmark.

The amount and size of high-quality 120 gsm pages would be enough for a long time. The paper is acid-free and bright white for perfect interaction with any color you might use. If you want, you can also choose the paper to be ruled or grid for any kind of notes.

• Pages: 160
• Weight: about 13.4 oz (380 g)
• Perfect for: pencil sketches and drawings, inks, pens.

ARTEZA Sketchbook, Pack of 2

Arteza Sketch Book 2-Pack, 9x12 Inches, 200 Sheets, 100 Sheets Each Drawing Book, 68 lb, 100gsm Paper, Spiral Bound Artist Sketch Pad, Durable Acid Free Drawing Pad, for Adults and Teens, Bright White

• More Art Paper, More Possibilities: You get 2 thick, large 100-sheet art books for drawing – 200 sheets in all – so you can draw, sketch, doodle and color to your heart's content.

$25.43

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If you want a lot, you want it all now, and for a reasonable price, this pack of two ARTEZA a4 sketchbooks is for you. They are thick, spiral-bound, with a hard back cover, which makes them convenient for drawing and sketching anywhere. They may take up some space in your bag, but they’ll be absolutely worth it.

The high-quality acid-free 100 gsm paper will endure your notes, sketches, dry media drawings, and even markers. It will also be easy to remove the pages if you want because they’re micro-perforated, but they can stay together as a bound sketchbook without any problems.

• Pages: 2 x 100
• Weight: about 4 pounds (1800 g) for both
• Perfect for: pencils, pens, pastels, markers.

MALEDEN Leather Writing Journal Notebook

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MALEDEN Leather Writing Journal Notebook, Classic Spiral Bound Notebook Refillable Diary Sketchbook Gifts with Unlined Travel Journals to Write in for Girls and Boys (Sky Blue)

• Blank Paper: No lined feature, you can draw mind maps, sketch ideas or write notes freely on the page.Perfectly work as writing journal, drawing pad, scetch book, travelers notebook, diary planner, coupon organizer, photo album and so on.

$15.99 $9.97

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This a6-sized notebook isn’t just a really aesthetic travel journal; it would also make a great gift. The cover is made of high-quality PU leather with embossing and retro pendants. A leather string will help you keep the journal closed.

Its binding allows the journal to be refillable, so you can just take an extra pack of paper with you on the road, which doesn’t consume too much space. You’ll also be able to remove the page neatly if you mess it up and replace it with a clean one. You can buy white or toned paper and create an exquisite diary of your travels.

• Pages: 80 (refillable)
• Weight: about 7 oz (200 g)
• Perfect for: writing with pens and inks, pencil sketches, stickers, and collages.

Unruled/Blank/Plain/Unlined Notebook by Lemome

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Lemome Blank Notebook Sketchbook with Premium Thick Paper - Dividers Gift - Hardcover Plain, A5, 8.4 x 5.7 inch

• DURABLE HARDCOVER JOURNAL & PEN HOLDER -This blank notebook touched comfortably, cleanable, sturdy hard cover, protects your art for years. The elastic pen loop is always available for your pen and kept well.

$16.99 $14.99

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This hardcover journal with blank sheets is everything you could dream of. It’s durable, safely closed with a rubber band, and contains the premium quality paper that goes well with pens, inks, and pencils. So, if you want a good sketchbook for taking notes and sketching on the go – this is for you.

It has a minimalistic, yet very stylish cover design. It also offers you a safe pen holder on its spine so that you won’t lose your pen inside your traveling bag.

• Pages: 90
• Weight: about 15 oz (425 g)
• Perfect for: taking notes with pens and inks, pencil sketching.

Soft Cover Spiral Notebook Journal, Pack of 2 by DSTELIN

Soft Cover Spiral Notebook Journal 2-Pack, Blank Sketch Book Pad, Wirebound Memo Notepads Diary Notebook Planner with Unlined Paper, 100 Pages/ 50 Sheets, 7.5 inch x 5.1 inch (Brown)

• Perfect size: 19cm x 13cm/ 7.5 "x 5.1", perfect size for handbag, schoolbag or backpack, easy Blank take pages for running.

$5.88

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These small minimalistic sketchbooks can easily accompany you on a trip with the limited luggage space. Even though the cover is blank, you can easily decorate it however you like, since it’s made of cardboard.

The paper inside of the notebooks is cream white, adding a lovely warm hue to your drawings and making your writing look more aesthetic. It’s also acid-free, so don’t worry about your inks fading over time. The pages aren’t perforated, but it’s okay if you’re planning to leave the sketchbook completed.

• Pages: 2 x 50
• Weight: about 8.8 oz (250 g) for both
• Perfect for: pencil sketches and doodles, pens, markers.

Travelogue Square Drawing Book by Speedball

Speedball Art Products Travelogue Drawing Book, Square 5-1/2 x 5-1/2, Vermilion Red Artist Journal

• 128 acid-free sheets of heavyweight buff drawing paper

$12.99

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Sketchbooks like this are available in different shapes, but this particular one is remarkable because it’s square. This format is dearly loved by illustrators and travel journal keepers, and it’s good for a change even if you’re used to classic rectangle format.

The sketchbook itself is hardcover with a secure rubber closure and looks really lovely with its rounded edges. The paper is 130 gsm thick, which makes it good for both wet and dry mediums, and you can also use glue in it. A bookmark is added for your convenience, and the inside pocket makes it an even more perfect travel journal.

• Pages: 64
• Weight: about 8 oz (227 g)
• Perfect for: light watercolor washes, gouache, and acrylic paint, markers, inks, pens, pencils and other dry mediums, glue.

Field Artist Rectangle Watercolor Journal

Field Artist 4 in. x 6.5 in. Rectangle Watercolor Journal, Hardbound with 80 pgs. 200 GSM, Cold Press Paper

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This beautiful in its simplicity sketchbook has a hardcover bound in thermo-PU leather. It also features such cool things as elastic closure, a ribbon bookmark, and a 4-panel panorama fold-out sheet in its back cover.

The paper inside of it is simply amazing, 200 gsm thick and textured, so it would be a wonderful watercolor journal. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to this, and it can easily be used with other mediums as well. The format is ideal for plein-air landscape paintings.

• Pages: 80
• Weight: about 6.4 oz (180 g)
• Perfect for: watercolors, acrylics, and gouache, dry mediums, inks, pens and pencils, glue.

Field Artist Masters Series Square Watercolor Journal

Field Artist Masters Series 5 in. x 5 in. Square Watercolor Journal, Hardbound with 48 pags. 300 GSM Cold Press Paper

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If you need a watercolor sketchbook with heavyweight paper for your travels, this one is for you. The paper inside is 300 gsm and will survive watercolor washes and wet mediums. The texture of the paper will also make it good for soft dry mediums, but consider taking spray fixative on your trip in that case.

The sketchbook also features a bookmark, a rubber band for closing it, and a fold-out panorama sheet. Its size is ideal for traveling or urban sketching.

• Pages: 48
• Weight: about 6.4 oz (180 g)
• Perfect for: watercolors and other wet mediums (except markers), pastels, soft pencils.

Now that you’ve scrolled through all of these options, you might know better which travel sketchbook is best for you! Big or small, with heavyweight or thin paper – they all have their own perks for different purposes, so you have to define your purpose first. After that, making a choice would become so much easier.

And remember: no matter where you go and what kind of art (or journal) you create, don’t forget to take your inspiration with you! 😉

Looking for other sketchbook ideas?

• 12 Best Sketchbooks for Markers that don’t bleed!
• 8 Awesome Watercolor Sketchbooks
• 6 Dark Sketchbooks With Black Pages
• 10 Sketchbooks Perfect For Mixed Media Art
• Pen And Ink Drawing Sketchbooks
• 5 Sick Personalized Leather Sketchbooks