How to Become a Travel Writer (& Get Paid For It)
Itching to become a travel writer and tell the world about the cool places you love?
Travel writing is still one of the most asked-about niches for new freelance writers. There’s a certain amount of $ex appeal (thanks, Instagram and TikTok) that makes it look like the dream job.
Here’s the real talk for 2025: The world of travel writing has changed. Readers, editors, and even Google care more than ever about real experience. It’s not just about pretty photos or clever captions—it’s about sharing stories from places you’ve truly explored and know inside out.
Luckily for you, I’ve been a travel writer. No luxury TikTok reels here—because not all travel writers get the influencer life (and that’s okay!).
If you’re ready to get into travel writing, you’re in the right place. I’ll share my best nuggets of advice so you can start strong, stand out, and maybe even make some money while you’re at it.
Travel Writing Today
Let’s get real. In 2025, the online world is not the wild west it was a decade ago. If you want to become a successful travel writer and actually get paid for it, you need more than a WiFi connection and a love of late-night Google research.
With all the big changes to Google and how search engines work, readers and editors are looking for writers who really know their stuff. They want authentic voices with real, lived experience. That means the best way to stand out is by writing about places you actually know.
If you live in a city, spend lots of time somewhere, or explore off the beaten path, that’s what counts. Your own photos, local tips, and personal stories make a huge difference. For example, if you call New York City home, your insider knowledge is gold.
Gone are the days when you could write about a place from far away and just hope Google wouldn’t notice. Travel writing in 2025 is all about actually being there and doing the thing. As you get started, focus on your real experiences—where you live, where you travel, and the stories only you can tell.
I’m not saying this to discourage you. I believe there’s still a future in travel writing, and if you want to be a travel blogger and make money from it, there are some great opportunities out there. Just know that the reality of today is a little different than it used to be. Lean into your real stories and let your own adventures shine.
Tae the Travel Writer (AKA My Story)
I have to admit, I stumbled into it.
While I always thought travel writing sounded cool, I really didn’t have a ton of travel experience—just a handful of flights and two short trips outside the country. Honestly, I figured I didn’t fit the bill.
Travel writing felt like a far-off dream, and when I started freelance writing, it wasn’t even on my radar.
Then, out of the blue, I got an email from a travel editor.
Apparently, I’d applied for a writing job with them (I swear I didn’t remember doing this), and they were interested in working together.
I know, total scam alert, right?
But nope—the company was real, the editor was legit, and her email was official. They wanted me to do a paid SEO test rewrite on one of their articles and would pay me via PayPal.
Cha-ching!
At the time, I was brand new to freelancing, with no one banging down my door with cash offers. So, naturally, I went for it.
Fast forward eight years…
I’ve now written hundreds of travel-related pieces, from fun destination guides to packing lists and everything in between. I’ve worked with some huge websites and plenty of smaller ones. And honestly? I love travel writing.
Here’s the thing: I am living proof that you can make money as a travel writer, even if you start with zero experience. These days, it’s more important than ever to have real experiences to share—but you don’t have to be a full-time jetsetter or have a passport full of stamps. You just need to start where you are and build from there. Eventually, you can get paid to write about your adventures—maybe even while you’re traveling!
What is travel writing?
Before we get too far into it, let’s talk about what travel writing is. In 2025, it’s more about sharing authentic stories and firsthand knowledge than ever before.
Travel writing is the art of telling stories about people, places, and experiences. Writers in the travel space can pen a variety of things, such as:
- Best of and recommendations
- Guide books
- First-person narratives
- Tailored travel advice
- Social media content
- Reviews
- Original photography and video
Writers can specialize in places where they live or spend significant time, or they may write about many places they visit.
The former is probably the most lucrative if you live in a unique destination and don’t have the bank account to fund regular travel adventures. But the latter is what most people picture when they think flashy travel writer.
My experience as a travel writer has been focused on the hows, whats, and wheres of travel. That is, I write practical travel advice.
This is the most lucrative route in my experience. It’s also where my skills lie.
You’re unlikely to find me crafting a feature about taking an African safari fit with gorgeous photographs. But if you’re looking for a gal that can tell you the technical ins and outs of the best time to purchase a cheap plane ticket, that’s me.
Travel writing, like every other niche, is filled with sub-niches. It’s your job to carve out your own.
But travel writing is NOT…
So with all that in mind, let’s get into what travel writing definitely isn’t.
Let’s get serious for a second: travel writing is not what Instagram makes it out to be, and algorithms and editors are quick to spot generic or recycled stories now.
I would love to be sipping bellinis beachside with my laptop in a pair of designer sunglasses, a comped bikini, at a fully-paid-for hotel. But that’s simply not the reality.
Honestly, I have a beach in my literal backyard, and while working on it is really cool – it’s not glamorous, and there’s a TON of sand involved.
So, before you get too far into planning your dream travel writing career, it’s important to know that travel writing is not:
- Getting paid to travel—you might experience paid-for trips and experiences, but it’s never as simple as jetting off into the sunset and snapping a few photos for your blog or Instagram. For most of us, no one is going to hand us a check and say, “book a flight to Turkey on us!” Instead, the majority of travel writers get paid for telling their stories after the fact, with the benefit of expensing parts of their trip. It might not be the full dream, but it still counts. (The exception here is press trip writing, but this isn’t my area of expertise.)
- Writing about your family vacation—unless it was unique, super useful, or offers a fresh take, most editors won’t bite. (Of course, you can always share these things on your own blog.)
- Always a stable industry—If you asked me about job security last year I would have told you that people always travel so there’s always an appetite for content on it—2020 decided to prove that hypothesis wrong.
These realities are not meant to sway you from going down this path.
If you want it and you’re willing to work for it, you can get there. Just don’t quit your day job tomorrow to freelance in travel.
How to become a travel writer and get paid
Now that the formalities are out of the way, let’s dig into the meat of why you’re here: you’ve got at least some interest in becoming a travel writer, and you’ve got no idea how to get there.
No problem.
If you’ve got a little patience, time, and passion, I can teach you how I became a travel writer and started making money. But first, you’re going to need to do a few things…
1. Proof You Can Write (AKA a Portfolio)
My initial magical story aside, you do actually need some examples if you want to get hired—especially in 2025, when editors and brands want proof that you really know your stuff. Today, it’s not just about writing well, but about showing genuine experience and expertise in the places or topics you cover. (Bonus points for including your own photos or video!)
I left a little bit out of my story at the beginning…
I’ve been a writer my entire career, mostly working in legal, accounting, energy, and government sectors, all well before I started freelancing. And while I didn’t have travel-specific experience, I did have a portfolio and demonstrable knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO).
The original travel gig I got was updating articles from an SEO perspective. After I completed that, I was moved to their regular pool of freelancers and started taking on more niche work from there.
All this is to say: if you want to become a travel writer, you need to show them that you can do the job—and you can do it with real experience. You do that by producing travel clips for your portfolio.
Clips, for those of us just starting out, are examples.
If possible, you want these clips published on someone else’s site—the bigger the better. But for those starting out, that might not be an option. With that in mind, here are the two places I recommend testing out your skills:
- A shared revenue site where you can possibly earn a little side cash (Medium is my choice)
- Your own blog
I recommend doing both. Long-term, having your own travel blog is going to be important—not only does it showcase your writing, but it also highlights your unique experiences and personal brand.
Self-Editing Your Samples
There are some REALLY important things to keep in mind if you want to make money with your pen (AKA keyboard, since it’s 2025). You want to make sure that your content:
- Has no errors
- Has a beginning, middle, and end
- Has a genuine point
- Is unique
- Is built with SEO in mind (even writers who don’t specialize in marketing content NEED to know how to optimize articles)
- Includes original photos or video, if possible—this adds trust and authenticity
- Has a killer headline. (Check out my list of freelance tools for my favorite headline analyzer and other tools!)
2. Get feedback on your writing
When I first started reaching out to prospective clients, it never occurred to me to get feedback. As someone who’s been writing for my entire career, I should have known better. But, alas, I didn’t.
I wish I did.
I’ve learned a ton of things over the years, but there are a few that I could have learned faster had I just asked. So, I humbly suggest that you get someone to give you feedback on your first few BEFORE you start shipping them off to potentially paying customers.
You don’t have to ask an actual editor to read your work for feedback (though you certainly can). Anyone you trust will do. Bonus points if you can ask someone who has experience in the place or topic you’re writing about, or who fits your target audience—fresh eyes from the “real world” can catch things you might not notice. The point is to (a) double-check that you don’t have any wild grammar or spelling mistakes (no matter how many times you look over something, things still get missed), and (b) make sure the piece is actually engaging and clear.
Don’t be afraid to tap into free writing communities online, like Facebook groups, writing Discords, or forums. There are tons of people out there willing to trade feedback, especially for beginners.
This process sounds A LOT scarier than it really is. I totally understand not wanting to show people your work before you’re ready (or before you get the money in your account)—but as someone who does this for a living, I can tell you this never goes away. So, slash that idea right now.
Eventually, people are going to pore over your work. They’ll cut it to bits and deliver you the pieces in blood-colored text, so you may as well start practicing receiving that feedback sooner rather than later.
3. Set up a writing business
I’m not going to dig too deep into this topic here, but it’s super important to touch on—especially in 2025, when more travel writers are working remotely or internationally than ever before. BEFORE you start making money, make sure you look into the requirements of running a sole proprietorship (or freelance business) in your own country and any countries you plan to work from.
When you make an income from anything, you need to pay taxes. If you’re traveling or working internationally, check if there are any special rules for digital nomads or expats. When your income is self-reported, there are extra responsibilities. And honestly? Simply not paying taxes (even if you think they’re dumb) is a bad idea, because it usually ends up costing more later.
Just to be clear: I’m not a lawyer or accountant. You should talk to one if you have specific questions, and look into the rules wherever you live (or travel).
You’ll also want to have:
- Some way to accept payments
- Some way to make and send invoices
- Some way to record your income and expenses
If you’re just starting out, I recommend Bonsai. I used it for years and loved how easy it made freelancing. These days, I use a mix of Honeybook and Wave—they’re equally good options.
One more thing: Writers usually also need insurance in most jurisdictions. It’s not talked about much, but it’s important. In Canada, this is called errors and omissions insurance, but check what’s required where you live.
4. Create a Pitch List
Most websites with any kind of lifestyle section publish travel-related articles. That doesn’t always mean they hire freelance writers—some have in-house staff for those niches—but it never hurts to ask.
Once you have a few clips under your belt, it’s time to start looking for travel-related opportunities. In 2025, editors and content managers are extra picky—they want pitches from people who have real experience or a unique point of view, not just generic ideas. So, make sure to highlight your personal connection to the destination or topic in your pitch.
If you’re not sure where to start your search, I’ve put together a guide to the best freelance job boards where you can find all kinds of writing gigs, including travel.
When you’re ready to pitch articles, you’ll want to target publications that actually pay for travel content. Instead of a huge list here, I keep an updated list of travel publications that pay writers on the site—so you can always find the most up-to-date info.
Pro tip: Make sure you always check each publication’s submission guidelines—they can change often. And remember, unless a publication specifically asks for something already written, always send a pitch first, not a finished piece.
Bonus: Keep an organized list or spreadsheet of where you’ve pitched, what you sent, and any replies. Trust me, it’ll save you a ton of headaches down the line.
5. Write a Thoughtful Pitch and Send It
Once you’ve found a few places you want to pitch, it’s time to start crafting your ideas. Pitches are more than just dropping a headline in an email and saying, “I want to write for you.” They’re thoughtful proposals for articles that are a great fit for the outlet.
When you pitch, you want to clearly define:
- A suggested title
- What you want to talk about
- The unique angle or perspective you’ll bring
- Who you are
- Why you should be the one to write this piece and not just anyone else (editors care about your real-life experience or expertise, especially in 2025!)
- Links to your best sample work
Pitching sucks. I STILL hate doing it. But it’s part of working for yourself as a writer, so it’s something you’ll want to start on (and keep getting better at).
You’ll make mistakes when you pitch—seriously, I STILL do. So, write your pitch. Double-check it. Run it by someone you trust and see if there are any quick fixes. Then send it and move on.
If you haven’t heard anything back in a week or two, it’s totally fair game to follow up. A simple, “Just following up to see if you’re interested in this” will do.
One last thing: Do not submit the same pitch to multiple outlets at once. It’s very bad practice, unless you have a super timely story and absolutely have to get it out fast. (If you’re just starting out, this probably isn’t you yet.)
Don’t feel bad if you get a rejection or, even worse, hear nothing back. It happens to all of us.
Stick to one pitch per outlet. If you don’t hear from them after a while, move on to the next. Usually, give it at least 14 days (or check their guidelines for a specific time frame).
6. Rinse and Repeat
This is the part of the article where I tell you that becoming a travel writer can really suck at times. Most pitches you send will be rejected or ignored.
This is not a reflection on you or your work—unless your work sucks, then maybe it is. (Kidding… sort of!) But in most cases, editors’ inboxes are stacked with pitches, and they only have so much room (and budget) to hire contractors. In 2025, the competition is even fiercer, but editors are always on the lookout for authentic voices and fresh perspectives.
So, if you don’t get a yes right away, that doesn’t mean you’ll never become a travel writer. It just means you need to give it some time.
Keep creating sample work, keep building your real-world experience, and keep reaching out. If you try enough times, someone will eventually say yes.
And when they do, you’ll be ready.
What Do Travel Writer’s Get Paid?
Unless you’re a staff writer for a publication, you likely won’t get a salary as a travel writer. Most of us work on a per-word or per-piece basis, and for those writing for bigger publications, you’ll be at the mercy of whatever rate they’re offering.
Payment of $150 to $500 per article isn’t uncommon for a seasoned travel writer. As a newer writer, expect more in the $50 to $100 per article range. Honestly, rates haven’t always kept up with inflation, so don’t be surprised if some outlets pay less than you hoped. Travel writing isn’t always the most lucrative niche—but if you get good and bring a unique perspective or real expertise, you should see your pay rise over time.
Pro tip for 2025: Editors are looking for writers with something special—original photography, lived experience, or a unique angle can help you command better rates. You can sometimes negotiate a package deal if you offer extras like photos or short videos.
I always recommend providing your own freelance rates when you approach a new client (after you’ve had some back and forth, of course). Even if they don’t pay your rate right away, it helps you know what you want to make, versus just taking whatever’s on offer. Remember, you don’t have to accept every job—value your work, and don’t be afraid to say no.
If you want to see what others are making, check out sites like Who Pays Writers or crowdsourced rate sheets to get a sense of current pay across the industry.
What Other Niches Go Well with Travel Writing?
I’m a firm believer that when you’re starting out, you should explore multiple writing niches. If you’ve only ever considered travel writing, you might not know what else you could write about without straying too far.
No problem—I’ve got you.
In most cases, travel is considered a lifestyle topic. If you want to stretch your writing legs, practice, or boost your pay, try exploring another lifestyle niche. In 2025, editors and readers love writers who can weave real-life experience into different topics. Here are some ideas that pair naturally with travel:
- Fashion and beauty (think: best travel makeup or airport outfits)
- Relationships and dating (like romantic getaways)
- Product reviews (travel gear, tech, luggage, etc.)
- Personal finance (saving for travel, budget trips)
- Food and drink (local cuisine, food tours, restaurant guides)
- Wellness (fitness on the go, mental health and travel)
- Sustainability (eco-friendly travel tips)
- Remote work/digital nomad life
Writing in other niches is a great way to back-door some bylined work with a travel angle and still get paid while you build your portfolio.
Almost any lifestyle niche can have a travel spin—for example, pitching “the best cities for remote workers” or “the top-rated skincare products for long flights.” If you already write in another area (or get a gig there before landing travel work), look for ways to pitch a piece or two with a travel twist. You might be surprised how often editors say yes.
What About Writing Guest Posts?
A lot of people talk about using guest posts to boost your street cred in the beginning—whether or not you’re aiming to become a travel writer. And while there’s nothing wrong with guest posting, it’s just not really my thing.
Personally, if I’m going to create something for free, I’d rather do it for myself—on my own blogs, my Medium profile, or somewhere I have the potential to benefit from it directly (like earning from ads or affiliates).
I’m not saying guest posting can’t be worthwhile. There may be strategic reasons to do it, especially if it helps you connect with a dream publication or build a portfolio in a specific niche. But for new writers especially, I’m a firm believer that your time and talent are valuable—and it’s okay to prioritize projects that benefit you directly.
If my view ever changes, I’ll let you know.
Is Travel Writing For Me?
Becoming a travel writer is just like starting out in any other writing niche. It’s not right for everyone—even people who are passionate about travel sometimes discover it’s not a fulfilling job for them.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
If you get into travel writing and decide it’s simply not the niche for you, then move on to the next. It’s totally OK to change your mind, even if you’ve already put in time and effort.
I did a lot of personal and commercial finance writing earlier in my career, only to realize it wasn’t my favorite thing. There were parts I enjoyed, but a lot of the work just didn’t light me up.
I didn’t completely drop finance writing, but I did cut back—choosing projects I actually cared about.
The truth is, the “dream” of travel writing can look very different from the reality, especially as the freelance world keeps evolving. That’s completely normal. Give yourself permission to experiment, pivot, and focus on what you really love.
It’s OK to change your mind. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Final thoughts: How to Become a Travel Writer
Travel writing isn’t for everyone, and because it’s such a fun niche, there’s a ton of competition. But if you’ve been daydreaming about becoming a travel writer, there’s no time like the present to give it a try.
I stumbled into travel writing myself, and even after all these years, I still take on travel assignments. I’ll be honest—it’s not the most lucrative writing niche, but freelancing has taught me there’s more to a good career than just the money.
If you want my best advice: pair your travel writing with another, slightly more lucrative niche—like technology, business, or personal finance. This way, you get a balance of fun assignments and steady paychecks.
Most of all, focus on building real experience, telling your unique stories, and adapting as the industry evolves. If you’re willing to do the work, there’s a place for your voice in travel writing.
Just start—you never know where it might take you.
