Traveling or travelling?
The verb travel, which is to “go from one place to another, especially over a long distance”, uses different spellings based on UK English and US English:
We are traveling to California next summer.
She enjoys travelling by train across Europe.
We are travelling to California next summer.
She enjoys traveling by train across Europe.
- British English spells “travelling” with the double “L”.
- American English spells “traveling” with one “L”.
The same goes with other verb forms of “travel” in the past tense i.e., traveled and travelled; or as a noun, traveler and traveller.
Other words (like traveling or travelling)
| UK English | US English |
| travelling, travelled | traveling, travelled |
| modelling, modelled | modeling, modeled |
| labelling, labelled | labeling, labeled |
| cancelling, cancelled | canceling, canceled |
Word forms of travel
Other verb/noun forms also conform to the same spelling rules based on US/UK English:
| Part of speech | US English | UK English |
| verb | traveling, traveled | travelling, travelled |
| noun | traveler | traveller |
Sentences with traveling/traveling (present participle)
The travelling/traveling public have had enough of fare increases.
She grew up in a travelling/traveling family.
The birds are travelling/traveling south for the winter.
She enjoys travelling/traveling around Europe.
Sentences with traveled/travelled (past tense)
They travelled/traveled cross-country from New York to California.
The pain travelled/traveled down his back.
They travelled/traveled on the bus to and from work together.
Associate the double ‘L’ in ‘travelling’ with UK English. The US spelling ‘traveling’ uses a single ‘L’.
Synonyms of travel
- journey
- voyage
- tour
- trip
- pilgrimage
- sojourn
- passage
- peregrinate (to travel especially on foot)
Phrases with travel
- travel light
- travel-sick/travel sickness
- travel agent or agency
Origin of the word travel
Etymonline on travel:
Late 14c., “to journey,” from travailen (1300) “to make a journey,” originally “to toil, labor”. Replaced Old English faran. Related: Traveled; traveling. Traveled (adj.) “having made journeys, experienced in travel” is from early 15c. Traveling salesman is attested from 1885.
—Etymonline, travel.
Read more about US English vs. UK English
| Commonly misused words | UK English vs. US English |
|---|---|
| former vs. latter | burned or burnt? |
| bear with vs. bare with | canceled or cancelled? |
| breathe or breath | favorite vs. favourite |
| compliment vs. complement | smelled or smelt? |
| effect vs. affect | gray or grey? |
| elude or allude | favor vs. favour |
| it’s or its | analyze or analyse? |
Sources
- Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of humor.” Online Etymology Dictionary, Accessed 12 February, 2024.
- “Peregrinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peregrinate. Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.
Work Sheet
According to the blog post, which spelling of the present participle of ‘travel’ is used in US English?
Which variety of English, according to the post, typically uses the double ‘l’ in ‘travelling’, ‘travelled’, and ‘traveller’?
The blog post states that the past tense of ‘travel’ also has different spellings. Which spelling is used in US English?
Which spelling of the noun form is used in UK English?
The post mentions other words following the same spelling pattern. Which pair correctly lists the US spelling first and the UK spelling second?
We are ______ to California next summer. (Choose the correct US English spelling based on the post)
She enjoys ______ by train across Europe. (Choose the correct UK English spelling based on the post)
They ______ cross-country from New York to California. (Choose the correct UK English spelling based on the post)
The pain ______ down his back. (Choose the correct US English spelling based on the post)
A key tip from the post is to associate the double ‘L’ spelling, like in ______, with UK English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ‘traveling’ or ‘travelling’ correct?
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What’s the difference in spelling?
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Does this rule apply to other forms?
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How can I remember the spelling?
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Can I use either spelling interchangeably?
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Yash, D. "“Traveling” or “Travelling” (Which Spelling is Correct?)." Grammarflex, Jun 20, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/traveling-or-travelling-which-spelling-is-correct/.
