One is the general activity of traveling, the other is a specific, countable journey.
Noun or verb. The activity of traveling in general, or the act of moving from place to place. Does not count individual journeys.
She loves travel. She has been to 40 countries.
Ella ama viajar. Ha estado en 40 países.
Travel broadens the mind.
Viajar amplía la mente.
Business travel is exhausting.
El viaje de negocios es agotador.
Noun. A specific journey with a defined start and end. Countable: one trip, two trips.
We took a trip to Paris last summer.
Hicimos un viaje a París el verano pasado.
How was your trip?
¿Cómo estuvo tu viaje?
This is my third trip to Japan.
Este es mi tercer viaje a Japón.
Common mistake
Saying "I made a travel to Paris" instead of "I took a trip to Paris". As a noun, "travel" cannot be used like "trip" when referring to a specific journey.
Trick to remember it
"Travel" = the activity of traveling (uncountable or general). "Trip" = a specific journey (countable: "a trip", "two trips"). For a specific journey with a start and end, use "trip". For traveling in general, use "travel".
Quick rule
Talking about traveling in general or as an activity? Use "travel". Talking about a specific journey you can count? Use "trip".
Did you know?
English has three words for "viaje": "trip" (specific, often short), "journey" (longer or more meaningful), "voyage" (by sea or space, very formal). Fixed expressions: "road trip", "business trip", "round trip", "day trip". All use "trip", never "travel" or "journey".
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
How was your _____ to New York?
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She loves _____. She has visited more than 30 countries.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Talking about traveling in general or as an activity? Use "travel". Talking about a specific journey you can count? Use "trip".
Saying "I made a travel to Paris" instead of "I took a trip to Paris". As a noun, "travel" cannot be used like "trip" when referring to a specific journey.
"Travel" = the activity of traveling (uncountable or general). "Trip" = a specific journey (countable: "a trip", "two trips"). For a specific journey with a start and end, use "trip". For traveling in general, use "travel".
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy