Let’s be honest: These travel magazines pay very well, but they are also highly competitive. That’s not to say it is impossible to be published in these magazines. However, they often demand work from established writers, with proven experience.
If you’re looking to become a travel writer, I highly recommend reading Case Study #4 in the The Case Study Guide to Freelance Writing.
You may find it highly-illuminating!
–– Jacob
1. Air Canada’s enRoute Magazine reaches over 1 million readers a month. They have an international audience, and high expectations. They accept submissions in a variety of categories. According to our sources, they pay $1 CDN per word. They aim to respond to submissions within 30 days. Be sure to read their full submission guidelines.
2. 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.
3. The Sierra is the magazine of the Sierra club, the non-profit environmental activist organization. Their readers are “are environmentally concerned, politically diverse, and actively enjoy the outdoors.” They pay up to $1.50 a word for feature articles, including “adventure travel” articles. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.
4. National Parks is an award-winning, quarterly magazine known for high-quality photography and writing. The magazine is published by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), a non-profit group dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the National Park System. Reports indicate they pay $1 per word. To learn more, read their submission guidelines. Be sure to click “Downloads” on their guidelines page to access the file.
5. The Robb Report is all about luxury goods and experiences for the affluent. They focus on high-end luxury around the world. They don’t have a submission guidelines page, but they can be contacted here.
6. 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.
7. AARP: The Magazine accepts submission from freelance writers on a variety of topics, including travel. They want “thoughtful, timely, new takes on matters of importance to people over 50.” According to our sources, they pay up to $1 a word. To learn more, read their submission guidelines.
8. 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.
