Travel Journalism: How to Turn Your Wanderlust into a Career

Love to travel? Love to write? Travel journalism lets you do both—if you know how to pitch, report, and land paid assignments. Here’s how to get started.

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Getting paid to travel sounds like a dream job—hopping from beach resorts to bustling cities, writing about your adventures, and racking up airline miles while everyone else is stuck in a cubicle. But here’s the reality: travel journalism isn’t just sipping cocktails in Bali and calling it research. It’s tight deadlines, endless pitching, and the ability to tell compelling, insightful stories about places beyond your own experience.

Unlike travel bloggers, who focus on personal narratives and influencer-style content, travel journalists report on tourism trends, culture, and global issues. They write for major magazines, newspapers, and digital publications, crafting pieces that inform and inspire, not just collect likes.

Still, for those who love storytelling, adventure, and uncovering hidden narratives, this career is worth every red-eye flight and deadline panic attack. Ready to dive in? Let’s go.

What is travel journalism, really?

If you think travel journalism is just documenting your latest vacation, think again. Travel editors don’t need another “Top 10 Things to Do in Paris” list—they want fresh angles, in-depth reporting, and stories that go beyond your own experience. Travel journalism isn’t about you; it’s about uncovering compelling narratives that make readers see a place in a new light.

The best travel journalists don’t just explore destinations—they investigate trends, interview locals, and dive deep into the impact of tourism. Whether you’re writing for The New York Times, Forbes, or an indie travel magazine, the key is to find a unique perspective that goes beyond the obvious.

So, what kind of stories are editors actually commissioning?

• Destination pieces: Not just “Here’s a cool place,” but “Here’s why this place matters.”
• Trend reporting: Covering shifts in the travel industry, from sustainability to luxury travel.
• Investigative stories: Examining how tourism affects local communities, economies, and the environment.
• Personal essays: Thoughtful reflections on travel experiences, not just a diary of your trip.
• Service journalism: Actionable, expert-driven pieces (think “How to Score the Best Press Trips” or “A Travel Journalist’s Guide to Surviving Airport Chaos”).

Travel journalism can be a full-time job or a freelance gig, but the best in the business know how to turn travel expenses into travel opportunities. The perks? Unmatched access, on-the-road adventures, and the occasional five-star press trip. The catch? It takes hustle, strong story ideas, and relentless pitching to make it work.

How to break into travel journalism

The best way to become a travel journalist? Start writing—immediately. You don’t need an assignment from National Geographic to begin. Set up a blog, launch a Substack, or start publishing on Medium. The more well-crafted travel stories you put out there, the easier it is to build credibility.

But here’s the secret: a travel journalist isn’t just someone who writes about places; it’s someone who knows how to pitch, sell, and position their stories in the right publications.

• Find your niche. Are you obsessed with food tourism in Japan? An expert on luxury hotels in Europe? Do you know more about budget backpacking in India than anyone else? A clear focus makes you stand out to editors in the competitive world of travel media.

• Study publications. Read AFAR, Lonely Planet, Travel + Leisure, and indie travel magazines. Pay attention to their tone, structure, and the types of stories they commission. Travel journalism is as much about how you tell a story as it is about what you cover.

• Start small before aiming big. National Geographic and The New York Times aren’t handing out all-expenses-paid assignments to first-time writers. Pitch smaller, independent travel magazines, niche blogs, and trade publications to build up clips and experience.

Travel journalism is a mix of storytelling, industry knowledge, and business savvy. Award-winning travel writers didn’t wait for permission—they started writing, pitching, and learning from rejection. If you want to get published, the first step is simple: put your work out there.

Writing pitches that land assignments

A strong pitch isn’t just “I want to write about Italy.” It’s a sharp, irresistible hook that makes an editor need to say yes.

The formula for a great pitch

• A compelling subject line. (Inside the Hidden Temples of Cambodia Tourists Never See)
• A sharp opening hook. (Most tourists see only Angkor Wat, but beyond the crowds, there’s a secret world of forgotten temples and hidden shrines.)
• Why it matters and why now? Tie it to current travel trends, emerging tourism shifts, or newsworthy angles.
• Why you’re the right person. Have you been there? Do you have exclusive access, deep research, or a fresh perspective?

Where to pitch?

Freelance travel writers have more options than ever—digital magazines, print publications, and even tourism boards pay for quality travel stories. Top outlets include The Guardian Travel, AFAR, BBC Travel, and Condé Nast Traveler.

The real challenge? Finding the ones that actually pay well.

Instead of spending hours scouring the internet, why not start with a ready-made list of 200+ publications that pay $1 per word or more? We’ve already done the digging so you can skip straight to pitching. Get the list and land your next assignment faster.

What editors hate

• Generic pitches. “I want to write about Italy” tells them nothing.
• Mass emails. Personalize your pitch and show you understand their publication.
• Self-centered pitches. If your pitch is all about you instead of the story, it’s getting deleted.

Editors at The New York Times and BBC Travel aren’t looking for another “10 Best Beaches in Thailand” list. They want unique, well-researched narratives that only you can tell. Nail that, and you’ll land the assignment.

Where travel journalists make money

Travel journalism is a dream job—but even the best writers need more than just magazine assignments to keep the income flowing. A single feature in The New York Times won’t cover a year of flights, and most publications don’t hand out unlimited press trips like candy. The real secret? Successful travel journalists diversify.

From freelancing and guidebooks to content marketing and photography, here’s how to actually make money as a travel journalist.

• Freelance travel articles: Rates range from $50 to $2,000 per piece, depending on the publication. (Afar pays $1 a word. That tiny travel blog? Probably not.)

• Guidebooks and travel eBooks: A steady income stream if you’re an expert in a region or niche. Writing the go-to guide on Japan’s hidden izakayas? That’s money.

• Brand collaborations and sponsored content: This works if you’ve built an audience, but it leans more toward travel influencer territory.

• SEO content for travel companies: Pays well, but writing “The 10 Best Hotels in Bali” for an airline blog isn’t exactly groundbreaking journalism.

• Content marketing for tourism brands: Hotels, airlines, and travel apps hire freelance writers to craft blog posts, newsletters, and destination guides.

• Photography and video work: Many travel journalists sell their photos and videos alongside their writing to boost their income.

• Teaching travel writing: If you’ve made it, why not help others? Some travel journalists host workshops, run online courses, or offer 1:1 coaching.

Freelance travel writing alone can be a full-time career, but diversifying your income gives you financial stability—so you’re not living off hostel breakfasts and hoping an editor responds to your pitch.

How to find stories (hint: travel like a journalist)

The best travel journalists don’t just visit places—they uncover the stories hidden beneath the surface. Anyone can write about the Eiffel Tower, but not everyone finds the century-old bookshop tucked away in a Parisian alley or the last traditional boatmaker on a remote island.

• Go where tourists don’t. Instead of covering the obvious, seek out overlooked places, niche communities, and untold histories.

• Talk to locals, not just tour guides. Taxi drivers, market vendors, and artisans often have the best stories—ones you won’t find in any press release.

• Use travel as an investigative tool. Dig into how climate change is reshaping tourism, the rise of digital nomad hubs, or the cultural revival of nearly forgotten traditions.

• Photography and video give you an edge. Many travel editors prefer pitches with visuals, so strong images and short clips can make your work more marketable.

Great travel journalism isn’t about ticking off famous landmarks—it’s about finding the story no one else is telling.

The future of travel journalism

Travel journalism is evolving, and the most successful writers are those who embrace change while staying true to the craft of storytelling.

• Digital-first storytelling is now the norm. Print travel magazines are shrinking, while web-based travel content dominates. Writers who understand SEO, multimedia storytelling, and digital publishing will have more opportunities.

• Social media is a tool, not a replacement. Travel journalists don’t need to be influencers, but having an online presence—whether through LinkedIn, Instagram, or a newsletter—helps build credibility and attract editors.

• Sustainable and responsible tourism is in demand. More editors want stories on eco-conscious travel, ethical tourism, and community-led initiatives—travel coverage that goes beyond luxury resorts and Instagrammable destinations.

• AI can’t replace great storytelling. AI tools can generate generic travel guides, but they can’t capture the human experience, deep reporting, or the emotion that makes travel journalism compelling.

For those who can adapt, the future of travel journalism is wide open—one that values originality, strong reporting, and a deep understanding of the world.

Is travel journalism right for you?

Some people travel for leisure. Others travel with a notebook in one hand, a recorder in the other, and a looming deadline in their inbox. If that sounds thrilling rather than exhausting, you might just have what it takes to be a travel journalist.

This is for you if:

• You love storytelling as much as traveling.
• You can handle rejection, tight deadlines, and a fluctuating income.
• You’re willing to pitch, network, and build multiple income streams.
• You enjoy digging deeper—beyond the tourist hotspots—to find the real story.

This is not for you if:

• You just want free trips and press junkets.
• You hate writing under pressure.
• You’d rather experience travel than report on it.
• You’re looking for a stable, predictable 9-to-5.

If you’re serious about turning your travel experiences into published work, there’s only one way to start—write (and travel).

Worth it or just a jeglagged hassle?

Travel journalism isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle. A sometimes chaotic, deadline-driven, coffee-fueled lifestyle that happens to come with the occasional breathtaking view. If you’re willing to embrace the uncertainty, chase the stories no one else is telling, and write even when you’re jet-lagged beyond recognition, then yes—this career is absolutely worth it.

The key to making it work? Landing great assignments. And for that, you need editors who pay well.

That’s where we come in.

We’ve compiled a list of 200+ publications that pay $1 per word or more, including top-tier travel magazines, global news outlets, and niche publications that are always looking for fresh voices. It’s free, updated, and saves you from hours of scouring the internet for places to pitch.

Want to skip the guesswork and start pitching the right editors? Grab the list now and get your next byline in travel journalism.