Here’s a list of publishers that pay professional rates for travel writing. Keep in mind that we’ve done our best to research pay rates, bu they’re not set in stone. Think of our research as a basic guideline, so you can focus your efforts on publishers that match the pay rates you are looking for.

If you don’t know the best way to approach publishers, and want to know how to get started, then please watch this free webinar.

Backpacker publishes articles that target the backpacking and hiking communities. Their pieces cover foot-based travel, backcountry experience, North American destinations, and other topics that they highlight. They pay up to $1 per word depending on complexity and experience. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

Travel + Leisure Magazine pays $1 a word. The vast majority of their writing is from freelance writers. They have a very large audience, with a circulation of 950,00. The editors “are looking for a compelling reason to assign an article: a specific angle, news that makes the subject fresh, a writer’s enthusiasm for and familiarity with the topic.” To learn more, read their contributor guidelines.

Air Canada’s enRoute Magazine. Air Canada’s magazine reaches over 1 million readers a month. They have an international audience, and high expectations. They accept submissions in a variety of categories. They aim to respond to submissions within 30 days. According to our sources, they pay $1 CDN per word. Be sure to read their full submission guidelines.

Journey is AAA’s magazine for their members in Washington and Northern Idaho. They reach over 600,000 readers a month. Payment reports indicate $1 a word for payment. They aim to “present readers with lively and informative stories on lifestyle, travel and automotive topics that encourage them to discover and explore the Northwest and beyond.” To learn more, read their submission guidelines. When visiting the page, type in the Zip Code 98225 so you can access the right page.

Southwest: The Magazine is the official inflight magazine of Southwest Airlines. They usually publish two works of narrative nonfiction (3,000 to 3,500 words) each issue. They also assign special advertising sections. For features, their rate is typically $1.00 per word. For details, read their writer’s guidelines.

AFAR is the ‘experiential travel guide.’ They cover travel stories from a more personal perspective, telling their “stories through people, allowing readers to explore authentic local cultures from the inside out.” Payment reports indicate $1 a word as a common payment rate. Keep in mind that pay will need to be negotiated. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.

American Way is a free, inflight magazine of American Airlines. They publish on a monthly basis. According to one payment report, they paid $1.00 per word. To contact them, refer to this page.

Cowboys & Indians is an international magazine that is a source for Western art, photography, music, travel, history, food, ranch life, and more. According to one payment report, they paid $1.25 for a 600-word profile or interview. To contact them, refer to this page.

Texas Monthly is a magazine and website that covers Texas news, politics, culture, food, travel, history, music, crime, and more. According to payment reports, they pay $1.00 per word. To contact them, refer to this page.

Atlanta Magazine is a general interest publication based in Atlanta, Georgia. They cover news, culture, food, travel, entertainment, style, and all things Atlanta. They are interested in stories focused on Atlanta and the metro region. According to payment reports, they pay up to $1.00 per word. To submit a pitch, visit this page.

Roads & Kingdoms uses “talented local journalists, deep storytelling, and the good things in life—food, music, booze—to inform and inspire about destinations around the globe.” According to a previous version of their submission guidelines, they pay $25 for a breakfast post, $150 for a basic feature and $1,000 and up for an in-depth longform for their Dispatched series. Unfortunately, it is not clear if they are still accepting pitches. You can find their editors here.

Seattle Magazine wants news-related stories about the city and region, civic and social issues, local travel, food news, home, interiors, and other lifestyle stories, arts and culture, home and garden, and front-of-book features. Query first. Word count: 1,500-3,500 for features; 1,200 for departments; 200-300 for very short pieces. Pay: $400-$1,000 for features; $350 for departments; $50-100 for very short pieces. Details here.

Texas Co-op Power Magazine is a monthly magazine by Texas Electric Cooperatives. They publish stories about Texas history, culture, food, travel, and destinations, with particular interest in areas served by the electric cooperatives. They pay $300 to $1,200 per article, depending on its length and quality. They pay a kill fee of one-third of the contracted amount. For details, read their writer’s guidelines.

Honolulu Magazine is a regional magazine for the city of Honolulu. They’re not a travel magazine, they’re a magazine for the residents of the city. They pay up to $1,800 for feature stories. They pay $100 to $600 for departments. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.