Travel vs. Trip vs. Journey

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Trip (n.)

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.

• Learn more confusing words:
  • Then and Than
  • Affect and Effect
  • To and Too