Travel Writing Jobs
14 writing opportunities — paid commissions, retainer roles, and press trips from publications, brands, and editors.
What kinds of travel writing jobs are listed here?
Four types of opportunity — each clearly labelled on every listing.
Paid article commissions
One-off pieces for publications and branded content teams. Rates listed upfront — no chasing for a number after you've pitched.
Retainer roles
Ongoing relationships with publications or brands. Typically 4–12 pieces per month, with a fixed monthly fee. Stability over the freelance feast-or-famine.
Press trip invitations
FAM trips and press programmes from tourism boards, hotels, and operators. No payment, but covers travel, accommodation, and meals. Clearly flagged on every listing.
Unpaid — byline and exposure
We list these, clearly marked. Worth considering for Tier 1 publications where the byline itself opens doors — Conde Nast, National Geographic, The Guardian Travel. Make that call yourself.
Live opportunities
Latest listings from the board — updated as new opportunities come in.
Travel Writers & Local Experts Wanted – DiscoverYourTour
DiscoverYourTour
DiscoverYourTour is a growing travel marketplace connecting travelers with local guides, tours and authentic experiences. We are looking for experienced travel writers, bloggers, local experts and content creators who would like to contribute original, destination-focused articles to our platform. At this stage, we are currently accepting pitches only for the following destinations: Barcelona, Amsterdam, Florence, London, Paris, Prague, Lisbon, Porto, Rome, Kraków, Bucharest and Quito. Please do not pitch articles about other destinations for now, as our current editorial focus is limited to the cities listed above. We are particularly interested in writers with genuine first-hand knowledge of the destinations they cover. Suitable topics may include local travel guides, neighbourhood guides, itineraries, cultural insights, hidden gems, food and drink, practical travel advice and unique local experiences. You can view our existing travel content here: https://discoveryourtour.com/en/blog Selected contributors receive a published author byline, contributor profile and the opportunity to include a relevant link to their own website, travel blog or social profile. We are looking for original, useful and genuinely experience-based content rather than generic or AI-generated travel articles. When applying, please include: * A short introduction * Which of the listed destinations you know first-hand * Links to previous published articles * A link to your own travel blog or website, if applicable * Relevant social media profiles * 2–3 article ideas you would like to contribute We review every application individually and select contributors based on writing quality, destination expertise, originality and relevance to the DiscoverYourTour audience. More information about our contributor programme: https://discoveryourtour.com/en/contributors
800–1,500 wordsUnpaid / Exposure
Paid narrative nonfiction — Longreads ($500/essay, AI-free)
Longreads
Longreads commissions original narrative nonfiction — personal essays, reported features and reading lists, typically 2,000–6,000 words — and regularly runs travel and place-based work (not a travel-exclusive market). Essays and personal essays start at $500, reported features at $0.50/word, reading lists $350; paid Net-60. Generative-AI-written or -edited submissions are explicitly refused. Pitch to hello@longreads.com.
2,000–6,000 wordsUSD 500 flat fee
Paid travel-writing contributions — International Living
International Living
International Living buys first-hand stories on living, retiring, working and travelling overseas across three routes — the print magazine, Daily Postcards (minimum ~600 words) and the website. Payment is upon publication, a one-time rate based on word count; they do not publish specific figures. Submit by email: magazine to submissions@internationalliving.com, postcards to postcards@internationalliving.com, website to digitaleditor@internationalliving.com.
600+ wordsPaid travel-writing contributions — Wander With Wonder
Wander With Wonder
Wander With Wonder publishes destination, food and experience travel stories (1,200–3,000 words, length assigned on acceptance). It is a paid contributor model — the page states it pays within 30 days of publication, with byline, photo and bio — but it does not publish a specific rate. Pitch (not a full draft) to editorial@wanderwithwonder.com with the subject 'WANDER PITCH: [TOPIC]'.
1,200–3,000 wordsPaid travel-writing submissions — Go World Travel ($30–40/story)
Go World Travel Magazine
Go World Travel commissions first-person destination stories (850–1,600 words) — the people, customs and local spots behind a place, not service listicles. Pays $30–40 per published story or photo essay, upon publication, for non-exclusive online rights. Pitch by email to submissions@goworldtravel.com with the story title and destination in the subject line.
850–1,600 wordsUSD 30–40 flat fee
Always-open freelance travel-writer roster — Sustainable Travel International
Sustainable Travel International
A rolling application to Sustainable Travel International's freelance-writer roster for future assignments. They assign blog topics (they don't take guest-post pitches); pieces typically 1,000+ words, paid per article via a brief. Apply via the on-page form.
How it works for writers
No account required to browse. No middlemen.
Browse the board
Filter by content type, pay, and destination. Every listing shows who's asking, what they want, and what they're paying — before you spend time on a pitch.
Apply directly
No middleman, no platform cut. Your pitch goes straight to the editor or buyer. Contact details are on each listing — you handle the relationship from there.
Build your profile
Claim your profile on travelwriters.org to be discoverable when buyers search for writers with your experience and destinations. Free forever.
What do travel writing jobs pay?
Rates vary significantly depending on the outlet, the format, and whether it's editorial or branded work. These are market benchmarks — not guarantees. Actual rates on this platform are posted by the buyers themselves.
| Type | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Magazine article (1,000–2,000 words) | $0.10–$1.00 per word |
| Digital publication | $0.05–$0.50 per word |
| Branded / content marketing | $0.25–$2.00 per word |
| Guidebook chapter | $500–$3,000 flat |
| Retainer (monthly) | $500–$5,000 per month |
| Press trip | Travel covered (no payment) |
These are market ranges based on industry benchmarks. Filter by “Paid only” on the board to see listings with stated rates. See the full rate breakdown →
Frequently asked questions
Are travel writing jobs still viable in 2026?
Yes. Demand for authentic, first-person travel content has increased as AI-generated articles flood the web. Publications and brands now actively seek writers who've been on the ground — not just writers who can prompt a language model. The filtering is harsher but the writers who clear it are earning more per piece, not less.
Do I need experience to apply for travel writing jobs?
Most paid listings require some published bylines. If you're starting out, use your own blog, a local newspaper, or a niche publication to build three to five clips — then use those to pitch the outlets on this board. Buyers want evidence you can finish a piece and that someone has published it before.
What's the difference between a freelance travel writer and a staff travel writer?
Freelancers pitch or apply per piece, work for multiple outlets simultaneously, and set their own schedule. Staff travel writer roles exist — primarily at major newspapers, airlines, or large digital publishers — but they are rare and highly competitive. The majority of working travel writers, including many with recognisable bylines, are freelance.
How do I find travel writing jobs that pay well?
Filter by 'Paid only' on the board. Branded content and guidebook work typically pay more per word than editorial. Retainer roles offer predictable income. The rate table on this page gives you a benchmark — if a listing is below market, you'll know before you spend time pitching.
Join the directory to be discoverable
Buyers search the directory when they have a brief — be findable when they do.
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