Voyage vs. Journey — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
A voyage typically refers to a long journey involving travel by sea or in space, while a journey denotes traveling from one place to another, which can be short or long and can occur by any mode of transportation or even on foot.
Difference Between Voyage and Journey
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Key Differences
A voyage usually indicates a prolonged trip, primarily by sea or space. In contrast, a journey is a more generic term that encompasses the act of traveling between two or more points, irrespective of the medium or duration.
Historically, the word voyage was often linked with explorations across oceans, indicating adventures and discoveries. A journey, on the other hand, could be a simple act of going from home to work or a more profound, metaphorical journey of self-discovery.
In literature, a voyage might be painted with romantic and adventurous overtones, conjuring images of sailors and distant lands. A journey could signify both physical travel and internal, emotional, or psychological passages.
The method of travel also distinguishes the terms. While a voyage traditionally involves a ship or spacecraft, a journey can be made using cars, bikes, on foot, by air, or even symbolically, as in a person's journey through life.
Although both terms denote movement and progression, a voyage has a narrower scope, chiefly tied to naval or space expeditions. Conversely, a journey has a broader application, relevant to daily life and more profound experiences.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A long trip, typically by sea or space.
Travel from one place to another, regardless of distance or mode.
Associated Imagery
Ships, oceans, space exploration.
Roads, pathways, life experiences.
Duration
Often long-lasting.
Can be short or long.
Medium
Primarily sea vessels or spacecraft.
Any mode: walking, driving, flying, etc.
Usage in Literature
Romantic, adventurous undertakings.
Physical, emotional, or psychological transitions.
Compare with Definitions
Voyage
An extended trip through air or space.
The Mars voyage will be a landmark in space exploration.
Journey
The act of traveling from one place to another.
The journey from New York to Boston took four hours.
Voyage
A long journey involving travel by sea.
The voyage across the Atlantic took two weeks.
Journey
An expedition or trek, often involving challenges or discoveries.
Their journey through the Amazon rainforest was both enlightening and perilous.
Voyage
A passage through an unfamiliar or challenging environment.
Charting the deep-sea trenches was a daunting voyage.
Journey
An act of travelling from one place to another
An eight-hour train journey
Voyage
An adventurous expedition involving extensive travel.
The explorers set out on a voyage to discover uncharted islands.
Journey
Travel somewhere
They journeyed south
Voyage
A naval or space expedition, especially for exploration or discovery.
The historic voyage of the Mayflower is taught in schools.
Journey
The act of traveling from one place to another, especially when involving a considerable distance; a trip.
Voyage
A long journey to a foreign or distant place, especially by sea.
Journey
A distance to be traveled or the time required for a trip
A 2,000-mile journey to the Pacific.
The three-day journey home.
Voyage
Often voyages The events of a journey of exploration or discovery considered as material for a narrative.
Journey
A process or course likened to traveling, such as a series of trying experiences; a passage
The journey from addiction to recovery.
Voyage
Such a narrative.
Journey
To make a journey; travel.
Voyage
To make a voyage.
Journey
To travel over or through.
Voyage
To sail across; traverse
Voyaged the western ocean.
Journey
A set amount of travelling, seen as a single unit; a discrete trip, a voyage.
The journey to London takes two hours by train.
Voyage
A long journey, especially by ship.
Journey
(metaphorical) Any process or progression likened to a journey, especially one that involves difficulties or personal development.
The journey to political freedom
My journey of dealing with grief
Voyage
(archaic) A written account of a journey or travel.
Journey
(obsolete) A day.
Voyage
(obsolete) The act or practice of travelling.
Journey
(obsolete) A day's travelling; the distance travelled in a day.
Voyage
(intransitive) To go on a long journey.
Journey
(obsolete) A day's work.
Voyage
Formerly, a passage either by sea or land; a journey, in general; but not chiefly limited to a passing by sea or water from one place, port, or country, to another; especially, a passing or journey by water to a distant place or country.
I love a sea voyage and a blustering tempest.
So steers the prudent craneHer annual voyage, borne on winds.
All the voyage of their lifeIs bound in shallows and in miseries.
Journey
The weight of finished coins delivered at one time to the Master of the Mint.
Voyage
The act or practice of traveling.
Nations have interknowledge of one another by voyage into foreign parts, or strangers that come to them.
Journey
A group of giraffes.
Voyage
Course; way.
Journey
To travel, to make a trip or voyage.
Voyage
To take a voyage; especially, to sail or pass by water.
A mind foreverVoyaging through strange seas of thought alone.
Journey
The travel or work of a day.
We have yet large day, for scarce the sunHath finished half his journey.
Voyage
To travel; to pass over; to traverse.
With what pain[I] voyaged the unreal, vast, unbounded deep.
Journey
Travel or passage from one place to another, especially one covering a large distance or taking a long time.
The good man . . . is gone a long journey.
Voyage
An act of traveling by water
Journey
A passage through life, or a passage through any significant experience, or from one state to another.
We must all have the same journey's end.
Voyage
A journey to some distant place
Journey
The distance that is traveled in a journey{2}, or the time taken to complete a journey{2}; as, it's a two-day journey from the oasis into Cairo by camel; from Mecca to Samarkand is quite a journey.
Voyage
Travel by boat on a boat propelled by wind or by other means;
The QE2 will sail to Southampton tomorrow
Journey
To travel from place to place; to go from home to a distance.
Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
Journey
To traverse; to travel over or through.
Journey
The act of traveling from one place to another
Journey
Undertake a journey or trip
Journey
Travel upon or across;
Travel the oceans
Journey
A distance covered by traveling.
The Silk Road was a famous journey taken by many traders.
Journey
A personal progression or development.
Writing her memoir was a cathartic journey.
Journey
A segment of travel or life experienced as distinct.
The last leg of their European journey was the most memorable.
Common Curiosities
Is a voyage always longer than a journey?
Not always, but voyages often imply a longer duration than typical journeys.
Can you describe a trip by plane as a voyage?
Traditionally, "voyage" pertains to sea or space, but in poetic or dramatic contexts, it could describe air travel.
Is a "life journey" a common way to describe one's life experiences?
Yes, referring to life as a "journey" is a common metaphor to describe personal growth and experiences.
Can a journey be a short trip?
Absolutely, a journey can be as short as a walk to the store or as long as a cross-country trek.
What primarily differentiates a voyage from a journey?
A voyage is typically a long trip by sea or space, while a journey denotes traveling from one place to another by any means.
Can a journey be considered a voyage if it's by sea?
Not necessarily; while all voyages by sea are journeys, not all sea journeys are long or challenging enough to be termed voyages.
Is every voyage a journey?
Yes, every voyage is a type of journey, but not every journey qualifies as a voyage.
Is the term "voyage" exclusive to travel on water?
No, while commonly associated with sea travel, "voyage" can also refer to space travel.
Can "journey" refer to personal or emotional transitions?
Yes, journey can signify both physical travels and metaphorical or emotional passages.
Is "voyage" used figuratively?
While less common, "voyage" can be used figuratively, often implying a challenging or profound experience.
Would a road trip be termed a voyage?
Generally, a road trip is referred to as a journey; calling it a voyage might be overly dramatic.
How is "journey" used in a spiritual context?
In spirituality, "journey" often describes personal growth, quest for meaning, or a path towards enlightenment.
Can "voyage" and "journey" be used interchangeably?
In some contexts they can, but "voyage" has a narrower scope typically tied to sea or space travel.
How are these terms adapted in modern contexts?
With advancements in travel and technology, "voyage" now encompasses space exploration, and "journey" can even refer to digital or virtual experiences.
Are voyages always planned or can they be spontaneous?
While voyages often involve planning due to their duration and challenges, spontaneous voyages are possible.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
