Travel vs. Trip vs. Journey

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Travel vs. Trip vs. Journey Espresso EnglishThis is a free sample from the e-book  600+ Confusing English Words Explained. It will help clear up your doubts about how to use English words correctly, so that you can speak and write more confidently. Click here for more information!

Trip (n.)

Travel vs. Trip vs. Journey Espresso English

The act of going to another place (often for a short period of time) and returning.

  • We took a five-day trip to the Amazon.
  • You’re back from vacation! How was your trip?
  • I went on business trips to Switzerland and Germany last month.

Use the verbs “take” and “go on” with trip.

  • A round-trip ticket is a ticket for going and coming back.
  • A one-way ticket is only for going.

Travel (v.)

Going to another place (in general).

  • I really like to travel.
  • He travels frequently for work.
  • My sister is currently traveling through South America.

Travel (n.) can be used to describe the act of traveling in general:

  • Travel in that region of the country is dangerous.
  • World travel gives you a new perspective.

Incorrect uses of travel:

  • I bought this shirt on my travel to Thailand.
    I bought this shirt on my trip to Thailand.
  • I’m planning a travel to the U.S. next year.
    I’m planning to travel to the U.S. next year.
    I’m planning a trip to the U.S. next year.

Journey (n.)

One piece of travel (going from one place to another) – usually a long distance.

  • The journey takes 3 hours by plane or 28 hours by bus.
  • He made the 200-mile journey by bike.
  • “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step” – Lao-tze, Tao Te Ching

We can also use journey in a more “metaphorical” way to talk about progress in life:

  • He has overcome a lot of problems on his spiritual journey.
  • My uncle is an alcoholic, but he’s beginning the journey of recovery.


Quiz: Travel, Trip, or Journey

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Travel vs. Trip vs. Journey Espresso English

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