Travel writing seems like a dream job. Getting paid to explore exotic locations and share stories? What student wouldn’t want that? But turning this fantasy into a real career takes more than just a passion for adventure. The path to becoming a successful freelance travel writer isn’t straight or easy, but it’s definitely possible.
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Starting Your Journey Into Travel Writing
Many successful travel writers didn’t plan their careers—they kind of stumbled into them. How to start travel writing career? Well, students should begin by reading extensively. Read Anthony Bourdain’s work. Read Pico Iyer. Study National Geographic and Lonely Planet pieces. Notice how they structure stories and capture places through words. Then start small—maybe with a travel blog or Instagram account. According to a 2023 survey by the Freelance Writers Guild, 68% of professional travel writers began their careers through personal blogs.
Write about your campus. Your hometown. That weekend trip to a nearby city. You don’t need to visit Bali to start writing about places and experiences. Local knowledge often leads to the most authentic content anyway.
College newspapers and local publications usually need content. These gigs won’t make anyone rich or famous. Honestly, they might not pay at all sometimes, but they’re super important first steps. Many students struggle with structure and formatting when they first try to write for publications. Sometimes it helps to use a custom writing service to look over their early stuff before sending it out. The easy-to-use interface simplifies placing orders, tracking progress, and communicating effectively. Not saying everyone needs to, but yeah… having someone else read the work can be eye-opening. Writers think their writing is clear until someone else is like “wait, what are you trying to say here?” Everyone has blind spots in their writing that they can’t see themselves.
Mastering Essential Writing Skills
Nobody talks about this enough, but skills needed to be travel writer go way beyond just describing pretty beaches. Nobody talks about this enough, but skills needed to be a travel writer go way beyond just describing pretty beaches. While some beginners might be tempted to “pay for an essay online” to see how professional writers craft engaging narratives, true improvement comes from practicing authentic storytelling. Using such examples as learning tools rather than shortcuts can help aspiring writers understand tone, structure, and creativity in travel writing. Writers need to master:
- Observation skills – noticing details others miss
- Research abilities – finding stories beneath the surface
- Interview techniques – connecting with locals
- Photography basics – complementing words with images
- Self-editing – cutting fluff mercilessly
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” spent years working as a journalist before her breakout success. She once said in a 2019 workshop that “the difference between amateur and professional writers is that professionals know how to edit themselves.”
Where To Find Your First Travel Writing Jobs
The internet changed everything for freelancers. Best websites for travel writing jobs include platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, but they’re often low-paying. More serious opportunities come from places like MediaBistro, ProBlogger Job Board, and Freelance Writing Gigs.
The secret most established writers won’t tell you? Pitch directly to publications you want to write for. Study their guidelines. Read what they’ve published recently. Then pitch something different but aligned with their style.
Travel magazines like AFAR pay between $0.50-$1 per word, while smaller online publications might offer $50-200 per article. Some student writers start with content agencies that specialize in travel content—they pay less but provide steady work while building a portfolio.
Building A Compelling Portfolio
Nobody’s first articles are amazing. That’s just reality. Early work might make writers cringe later, but everyone starts somewhere.
Create a simple website showcasing the best work. Include:
- 5-7 varied writing samples
- A professional bio emphasizing a unique perspective
- Contact information and social media links
- Testimonials (once they’re available)
Tim Leffel, author of “Travel Writing 2.0,” suggests that new writers should focus on developing a specific angle. “General travel writers struggle the most,” he noted at the 2024 Travel Media Conference. “The ones who specialize in food travel, adventure travel, budget travel, or luxury travel find their audience faster.”
Making Money Through Your Words
Let’s be honest—this career isn’t usually lucrative at first. How to get paid for travel writing remains a challenge, especially for newcomers. The 2024 Writer’s Market Survey shows that beginning travel writers earn an average of $24,000 annually, while those with 5+ years of experience average around $45,000.
Revenue typically comes from multiple streams:
- Publication fees for articles
- Affiliate marketing on blogs
- Sponsored content
- Photography sales
- Tours or workshops
- Books and guides
Many travel writers supplement their income with related work like social media management, translation, or tour guiding. This isn’t failure—it’s smart business.
Expanding Your Freelance Business
The difference between hobby writers and professionals? Treating writing like a business. Tips for becoming freelance travel writer often overlook this crucial aspect. Writers need to handle taxes, contracts, insurance, and marketing.
Writers who succeed long-term usually:
- Network consistently with editors and other writers
- Attend industry events like the New York Times Travel Show
- Develop multiple specialties to weather market changes
- Build an email list of readers and potential clients
- Follow up persistently (but politely) on pitches
Nomadic Matt (Matthew Kepnes), whose travel blog reaches millions, spent three years building his audience before it became profitable. “Everyone sees the destination,” he said in a 2023 interview, “but nobody sees the journey.”
Creating Your Unique Path
The travel writing landscape keeps evolving. Publications come and go. Rates fluctuate. Smart phones and AI are changing how people consume travel content.
Students entering this field need adaptability more than anything. The writers who succeed aren’t necessarily the most talented—they’re the most persistent. They pitch even after rejections. They improve with each article. They find stories others miss.
So start today. Write something about a place you know well. Submit it somewhere. Get feedback. Revise it. Submit again. The journey of becoming a travel writer is a lot like travel itself—unpredictable, challenging, occasionally frustrating, but ultimately worth it for those who love it.