5 Things Nobody Tells You About Being a Travel Writer

Becoming a travel writer is a dream — but there are a few key things you need to know.

Becoming a travel writer is a dream for many. And I won’t lie to you — it’s a pretty damn cool job. However, you should know a few things before diving into the complex world of travel and lifestyle writing.

Managing your time as a travel writer can be tricky

Working as a travel writer — or any kind of writer, really — requires a lot of balance. There are many working parts to being a writer, including researching ideas, conducting interviews, emailing pitch ideas, writing stories, taking back edits, invoicing for projects, and, oh yeah, actually traveling to destinations to experience them well enough to write about.  

Learning how to manage your own time is critical to your success. Figure out what kind of schedule works for you — maybe it’s working hour by hour each day or bundling days into “writing days,” “research days,” and “email days.” The key is finding what works for your personal style, so you stick with it. And here’s the good news in this tip — if you’re a freelance writer, you get to make your schedule, meaning if you want to only work mornings, you can, or you only want to work four days a week (whichever days you’d like), only want to work while you’re kids are at school, or something in between, the decision is up to you.

A lot of your work happens from home 

Yes, being a travel writer, by its very nature, involves travel. However, the unsexy truth is that a lot of the work is done from your couch at home by yourself. That can mean long days of solitude and, again, requires a good deal of will to get work done (rather than choosing to catch up on the latest streaming TV show). Unless you’re traveling 24/7, 365 days a year (which some writers really do try to accomplish), know that there will be lots of downtime between trips, so get comfortable with being your own boss — good, bad, and ugly included.

Finding unique angles can be tough — especially on press trips

For many new writers, the goal is getting a coveted invite on a press trip to a dream destination. And when you get one, you should absolutely take it. But know, on a press trip, you’re likely traveling with three to five (and sometimes more) travel writers all experiencing the same thing. And that can be a very good thing as you can wind up making lifelong friends on some of these trips. However, with all those other writers around, it can be tough to find an angle all your own that makes your story unique. Before setting off on a press trip, ask for a detailed itinerary. Then, do your research outside of the planned activities and explore during the downtime, or conduct one-on-one interviews you want to include in your piece. This will give you some extra insight into a destination and a few tidbits that may make your pitch shine above the rest.  

Speaking of which, competition can be tight

Yes, becoming a travel writer may be your dream, but it’s also the dream of thousands of others (at least, if our DMs and emails are any indication of people seeking advice). The competition can be tight, but there is again a glimmer of good news. For the most part, the travel and lifestyle writing community is a supportive place. There are plenty of Facebook groups to join, professional organizations, and regional meet-ups so travel, and lifestyle journalists can meet and help one another as they can. Have a story that sounds great but isn’t a fit for you? Let the community know it’s up for grabs. Hear about a pitching opportunity? Share it. A rising tide lifts all boats, and a helpful and kind reputation goes a long way in this industry.

You can make money as a travel writer — but the experiences are the priceless part

We don’t want to lie to you. Being a writer, in general, across beats, isn’t exactly known for being a millionaire maker. Sure, if you hustle hard enough, you can earn a six-figure salary as a freelancer or go staff and work your way up the masthead to earn a little more each year. But the real perk of being a travel writer is getting to experience things most people only dream of. Stay on private islands, get the first look at new attractions, and call up your favorite celebrity or business owner for an interview just because you can. This career is as rewarding as they get and will leave you with a lifetime of stories in no time at all. You just have to want it hard enough and work every angle (no pun intended) to make it. Need more help? Try taking one of our classes (or go for the full suite) to learn all of our advice on becoming a travel writer today.