How to Make Money Writing Travel Guides
What Is a Travel Guide?
A travel guide is like a magic map for real-life adventures. It helps people know where to go, what to eat, and how not to get totally lost.
These guides can be books, blogs, podcasts, or even videos. If it helps someone plan a trip, it counts!
Some big-name guides are Lonely Planet, Rick Steves, and Fodor’s. Yep, those thick books in bookstores you flip through before a big trip.
But not all guides come as printed bricks. Many people just scroll through travel blogs or watch a quick TikTok before packing.
Travel guides offer more than just directions. They share fun facts, hidden gems, and secret spots only locals or clever tourists know.
Some focus on one city, like “Paris for Foodies,” while others cover whole countries. Some even go super niche—like guides to haunted castles or donut shops.
Even locals use travel guides to find cool places in their own backyard. Ever discover a new park just a mile away? Yep, thank a travel writer.
Writing a guide means you’re the fun, helpful friend giving advice before someone’s vacation. You’re like the human version of Google Maps—but cooler.
Plus, if you love sharing stories and helping people travel smarter, it’s an awesome gig. And guess what? People are making real money doing it.
Skills You Need to Write Travel Guides
First, you need to write clearly, like talking to a friend. If your grandma or a fifth grader can read it—you’re golden.
Telling fun stories makes your guide better. Readers want more than facts; they want adventures!
Let’s say you got lost in Venice and made five new friends while trying to find your hotel. That’s a story worth sharing.
Research is also super important. Double-check restaurant hours, ticket prices, and whether that “hidden waterfall” is still flowing.
Wrong info can lead to cranky travelers. No one wants to show up for tacos at a spot that closed three years ago.
If you’ve been to the place, awesome! But if not, read up using trusted websites, tourism boards, and recent reviews.
Take notes while you travel—like a travel detective. Jot down addresses, funny things people say, and how much that gelato really cost.
Photos help a ton! Snap pics of menus, signs, and cool spots—you’ll thank yourself later.
No fancy camera needed. Your phone works great, just don’t drop it in a fountain while taking a selfie. (Speaking from experience.)
Keep everything organized in folders or note apps. A messy desktop is not your friend.
And the best skill? Curiosity. If you love exploring and noticing the little things, you’re made for this.
Ways to Write Travel Guides
There’s more than one way to travel-write your heart out. Pick whatever suits your style—and attention span.
Starting a travel blog is easy and fun. It’s just your adventures plus your personality, all in one place.
Some travel writers create eBooks or PDFs. These can be short and sweet guides you sell online.
Printed books take more work but feel super fancy. Imagine seeing your name on the cover—hello, author vibes!
Magazines and newspapers also buy short travel stories. Think “Top Ice Cream Spots in Paris” or “Weekend in Nashville.”
Big websites like Travel + Leisure or Atlas Obscura love fresh content. They pay writers for unique travel ideas.
You can even write for travel apps. Ever read a quick city guide on your phone? Yep, someone wrote that!
Self-publishing lets you be the boss. You choose the design, the price, and when it’s done.
Different guides have different vibes. Some are calm and serious, others are like chatting with your hilarious cousin.
Try a few styles to see what fits. Mix blogs, videos, and eBooks if you’re feeling wild.
Short guides can be just as powerful as long ones. As long as they’re helpful, you’re golden.
And hey, helping people travel better while getting creative? That’s a win-win.
How to Find Places That Need Travel Guides
Start where you know. Maybe it’s your hometown or that little beach town you visit every summer.
Familiar places are easier to write about. You’ve got stories, secret spots, and maybe even a favorite taco truck.
Look for places people don’t write about much. These hidden gems are begging for a guide.
Little towns, quirky museums, or quiet hiking trails? They need love too!
Check Reddit’s r/travel or Lonely Planet forums. People ask questions there all the time—you could answer with a whole guide!
See what’s hot on Instagram or TikTok. If a place is blowing up online, it might need a fun, honest guide.
Think about how you like to travel. Are you all about budget trips, fancy hotels, or family vacations?
You can write niche guides too—like “Best Coffee Shops in NYC” or “Quiet Spots in Yellowstone.”
Keep a running list of ideas. Your Notes app can be a treasure chest.
Ask friends what places they love. Their faves might become your next writing project.
When you’re pumped about a place, your guide will shine. Excitement is contagious.
Making Money from Travel Guides
So, how do travel guides turn into cash? Let’s talk money magic.
First, you can get paid by travel websites or magazines. Some pay per article, some per word.
Sell your own guides too! eBooks, PDFs, even city walking tours—people love them.
Use Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. It’s free and lets you sell your book to the world.
Got a blog? You can earn ad money. More visitors = more clicks = more income.
Affiliate links are another sneaky-smart trick. Link to hotels or gear, and you earn a cut when someone buys.
Offer travel planning services. Charge a fee to help others plan their perfect trip.
Or teach! Create a course or host a webinar about smart travel. People love learning from real travelers.
Companies also hire travel writers. If you land a gig with a travel brand, boom—steady money.
The more guides you write, the bigger your audience grows. That means more eyes (and wallets) on your work.
Mix it up! Try different money streams. It’s like a smoothie—tastier with more ingredients.
You really can turn travel writing into a job. It just takes time, hustle, and a bit of wanderlust.
Where to Share and Sell Your Travel Guides
Medium.com is a cool spot to post stories. It’s free, easy, and full of readers who love a good travel tale.
Starting your own blog is smart, too. You control everything—colors, posts, even the name!
Sell guides on Amazon, Etsy, or Gumroad. They’re great for digital downloads and have big audiences.
You can also try Upwork or Fiverr. Lots of people need travel content, and they’ll pay for it.
Having your own website helps a lot. You can share tips, sell guides, and collect email fans.
Use strong titles and keywords so people find you on Google. It’s called SEO, and it’s like giving your content a megaphone.
Post fun photos and tips on Instagram and Facebook. Link to your guide in your bio!
TikTok is great for short, snappy travel videos. Add your blog or guide link to your profile.
Try a few platforms and see what clicks. Every guide has its perfect audience out there.
Always make it easy to find your guide. No one wants to hunt for a link.
The more you share, the more people you reach. And more readers = more sales.
Tips to Grow Your Travel Writing Business
Social media is your best friend here. Share pics, behind-the-scenes moments, and tips from every trip.
Use hashtags to find your people. #TravelTuesday, anyone?
Collect emails from readers and send cute newsletters. Throw in bonus tips, sales, or sneak peeks.
Work with other travel bloggers. Teamwork makes the dream work (and gets you new readers).
Post often so your blog stays fresh. Outdated info? Not cute.
Update your guides when stuff changes. That closed café from 2019? Time to let it go.
Ask readers what they want. Their feedback can spark your next big guide.
Join writer groups online. They share jobs, ideas, and lots of helpful advice.
Offer free samples of your guides. Give a taste, and people might come back hungry for more!
Your audience grows when you show up, stay helpful, and keep learning. Be the travel buddy everyone wants.
It’s a long game, but you’ve got this. Just keep writing and stay curious!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Never copy someone else’s guide. That’s not cool—and it can get you in big trouble.
Use your voice, your tips, your weird snack stories. Be you!
Check your facts—twice. Wrong info can ruin someone’s vacation (and your rep).
Only write about places you’ve seen or researched well. Guessing never ends well.
Not been there? Use blogs, videos, and reviews from trusted sources. Play detective.
Bad grammar makes your guide hard to read. Use a spell checker or ask a friend for help.
Don’t write a novel unless it’s helpful. Keep it clear and useful.
Avoid fancy words. “Charming” beats “quintessentially picturesque” any day.
Keep your guide fresh. Update things often—prices change, places close, tides roll in.
Don’t quit if you don’t make money right away. It takes time to grow.
Keep writing, keep sharing, and enjoy every step. Travel writing should be fun, not stressful.
