Let’s be honest – who hasn’t scrolled through Instagram, seeing those perfect travel shots in Bali, and thought “I wish I could do that for a living”? I get it.
The dream of getting paid to travel seems almost too good to be true. But here’s the thing – it’s actually way more achievable than most people think.
Look, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. The travel industry is wild right now.
Gone are the days when you needed to beg hotels for free stays or spam your Instagram with basic sunset photos (thank goodness, because those were getting old).
Something way more interesting is happening.
Regular people – not influencers with perfect hair and professional photographers – are out there making serious money while traveling.
We’re talking $10,000+ monthly. And no, they’re not trust fund babies or social media prodigies. They’re just normal folks who figured out what actually works in 2024.
I mean, think about it. Every day, millions of people are desperately searching for real travel advice online.
Not those generic “Top 10 Things to Do in Paris” lists (seriously, how many times can people write about the Eiffel Tower?).
They want the good stuff – where to find that hidden ramen shop in Tokyo, how to skip the tourist traps in Bali, or which neighborhood in Mexico City actually has the best tacos.
Let’s Talk Real Money (No BS)
Here’s how people are actually making bank in the travel space (and no, it’s not by selling overpriced presets):
Blog Income: $4,000
God, remember when everyone said blogging was dead? Well, plot twist – travel blogs are making more money than ever.
Why? Because Google loves detailed, authentic content.
Those 3,000-word guides about “How to Actually Navigate the Tokyo Metro Without Looking Like a Tourist”? That’s the good stuff.
Social Media: $3,500
Okay, but not in the way you think. Forget those awkward posed shots in flowing dresses.
The real money’s in creating genuine, helpful content.
Like that guy who makes 30-second TikToks about airport hacks? Genius. Or the girl who shows hidden spots in every city she visits? That’s what brands are actually paying for now.
Digital Products: $2,500
And I’m not talking about those generic “How to Travel the World” courses (please, we’ve had enough of those).
Think super specific: “The Ultimate Guide to Street Food in Bangkok’s Chinatown” or “Hidden Photography Spots in Santorini That Aren’t Overrun with Tourists.”
The Truth About Travel Content (And Why Most People Get It So Wrong)
Look, let’s talk about what nobody wants to admit. Those perfectly curated Instagram feeds? They’re dying.
You know what’s actually killing it right now? Real, messy, authentic content.
Like that guy who shows how disgusting his “luxury” hotel room actually is, or that girl who documents everything going wrong on her trips.
That’s the content people can’t get enough of.
And don’t even get me started on TikTok. While everyone’s trying to recreate those same viral Santorini shots (you know the ones), the creators making real money are doing something completely different.
They’re showing the actual cost of living in Bali, exposing tourist scams in Paris, or revealing which “must-visit” spots are actually total tourist traps.
What’s Actually Working in 2025
Here’s what’s blowing up right now (and trust me, it’s not what most “travel influencers” are telling you):
Hidden Gem Content
- Those secret coffee shops that aren’t in any guidebook
- The restaurants where locals actually eat (not the ones with English menus)
- Those viewpoints that don’t have 200 people fighting for the same photo
Money Talk (Because Everyone’s Thinking About It)
- Real costs of traveling (none of that “I traveled Europe for $10 a day” nonsense)
- How much things actually cost in different cities
- Honest breakdowns of travel budgets, including all the stupid mistakes and tourist tax
Local Culture Deep Dives
- Not just “look at this cool temple” but explaining the traditions
- Street food tours with actual history and context
- Local festivals that tourists usually miss
The Platform Breakdown (Where to Actually Focus)
TikTok:
Holy moly, the engagement here is insane right now. Forget those perfectly edited travel montages.
The videos going viral are the quick, honest takes. Like that creator who does “Is It Actually Worth It?” series about tourist attractions? Pure gold.
@helloangelia Mistakes NOT to make in Italy – part 1 🇮🇹 #italytravel #italytraveltips #italyguide #traveltip
♬ original sound – Ang + Chris | Travel Creators
Instagram:
Hot take: Instagram isn’t dead, but you need to use it differently. Reels are still popping off, but only if you’re sharing actual useful info.
Those “walking away from camera” shots in pretty dresses? So 2020.
YouTube:
This is where the serious money is, but not how you think. Those cinematic travel videos with drone shots? Oversaturated.
The real opportunity is in super specific, helpful content. Think “Complete Guide to Using Japan’s Vending Machines” or “What $30 Gets You in Street Food Around Asia.”
The Money Part (Let’s Get Real About Numbers)
Here’s how real people are actually making money:
Affiliate Marketing (But Not Like Everyone Else)
You know what’s hilarious? Everyone’s pushing those same generic Booking.com links, while smart creators are making bank recommending things people actually need:
- That perfect power bank for long flights ($20-30 commission per sale)
- The only packing cubes that actually last ($15-25 per sale)
- Local tour companies that aren’t on GetYourGuide ($50-100 per booking)
Brand Deals (The Non-Cheesy Way)
Nobody wants to watch another awkward hotel room tour.
Here’s what’s actually working:
- Testing travel gear in real situations (brands love authenticity)
- Honest reviews about what sucks and what doesn’t
- Creative ways to use products (like that guy who tested 5 different travel jackets in a Norwegian winter)
Digital Products That Actually Sell
For the love of everything, please don’t create another “how to become a travel influencer” course.
Instead, think:
- “The Ultimate Tokyo Metro Survival Guide” ($17)
- “Hidden Bali: 50 Spots Your Phone Can’t Find on Google Maps” ($27)
- “Street Food Safety: How Not to Get Sick While Eating Your Way Through Asia” ($37)
The Content Strategy That Actually Works
Here’s the fun part – creating content that doesn’t make you cringe when you post it.
What’s Working:
- “Things Nobody Tells You About (Destination)” series
- Real-time cost breakdowns
- Travel hack videos that actually work (not those useless “free upgrade” tips)
- Cultural deep-dives that aren’t offensive or surface-level
What’s Dead (Thank God):
- Hot dog legs by the pool
- Heart hands in front of monuments
- “Follow me to” poses
- Generic sunset photos with inspirational quotes
Starting From Zero (Without Looking Like a Total Newbie)
First Two Weeks:
- Pick your thing (please, not just “travel” – be specific)
- Start documenting what you actually know
- Create 3-5 pieces of content that help solve real problems
First Month:
- Focus on one platform (I’d pick TikTok right now, the organic reach is still bonkers)
- Create 15-20 pieces of content
- Engage with people who actually need your help
First Three Months:
- Branch out to a second platform
- Start building your email list (yes, email – it’s not dead, it’s where the money is)
- Create your first digital product (something small but super helpful)
The Brutal Truth About Going Viral
Here’s something funny – going viral usually happens with the content you least expect.
Like that creator who blew up by showing how gross Maldives beaches actually are behind the Instagram shots, or the girl who went viral showing how to use a Japanese toilet (we’ve all been there, right?).
The secret? Stop trying to make “viral” content and start making helpful content. The algorithm gods are mysterious, but they love authenticity (and apparently, toilet content).
@inlightemma The reality of Bali.. if youre coming on vacation, don’t just come and go with the idea that the waste here isn’t your problem. It’s all of our problem. If youre coming to Bali, please do everything you can to eliminate the amount of #plastic you use, never litter and if you can, #cleanup where you are are 🤍 – #balitravel #waste #overconsumption #sustainability #canggu #uluwatu #gilitrawangan #nusapenida #reducewaste #makeadifference #sustainabilitytiktok #travel #sustainabletravel
♬ original sound – Inlightemma
The Tools You Actually Need (And The Ones You Don’t)
Let’s save you some money here. While those “pro travel creators” are telling you to buy $5,000 camera setups,
here’s what you actually need:
The Essentials:
- A decent phone (anything from the last 3 years is fine)
- CapCut (it’s free, and let’s be real – it’s all anyone needs)
- Canva (free version works great, stop overthinking it)
That’s it. Seriously. Anyone telling you that you need more is probably trying to sell you something.
Oh, and about those “must-have” tools everyone promotes:
- Expensive presets? Nah, CapCut filters are fire
- Fancy scheduling tools? The free version of Later works just fine
- Premium editing software? Unless you’re making National Geographic documentaries, your phone’s fine
The Daily Reality (What Nobody Shows on Instagram)
Want to know what successful travel content actually looks like behind the scenes? It’s way less glamorous than you think:
Morning:
- Check trending sounds on TikTok (while still in bed, let’s be honest)
- Answer actual helpful comments (not just dropping heart emojis)
- Film random things that might be useful later
Afternoon:
- Edit content in batches (usually in some random cafe with decent wifi)
- Actually explore and experience things (shocking, I know)
- Take notes about real experiences (the good AND the bad)
Evening:
- Quick edits of the day’s content
- Schedule posts for optimal times
- Engage with audience (real conversations, not just “great pic!” comments)
Scaling Up (Without Selling Your Soul)
Once you start getting traction, here’s how to turn it into real money:
The Smart Way:
- Create templates for your most popular content types
- Build a content calendar that doesn’t make you want to cry
- Focus on series that can become products later
Example? That girl who started with “Street Food Under $5” videos in Bangkok? She now sells city-specific food guides and makes bank. Or that guy who did “Hidden Tokyo” content? His local tours are booked months in advance.
The Truth About Growth
Let’s talk numbers (because dancing around it is annoying):
First 3 Months:
- Expect crickets (seriously, it’s normal)
- Focus on finding your voice
- Test different content types
Months 3-6:
- Start seeing patterns in what works
- Build actual relationships with followers
- First brand deals (usually small but exciting)
Months 6-12:
- Multiple revenue streams kicking in
- Clear content strategy that works
- Actual predictable income
Common Questions (That People Actually Ask)
“Do I need to travel full-time?”
Nope. Some of the best travel content creators focus on their own city or region. That person showing hidden spots in their hometown? They’re killing it.
“What if I’m not comfortable on camera?”
Join the club. Some of the most successful creators never show their face. POV content, voiceovers, and text-based videos work great.
“Isn’t it too saturated?”
Look, while everyone’s creating generic content about Paris and Bali, there are literally thousands creators not covering them well. Be the person who shows the real side of these cities.
The Next Steps (Like, Actually)
If you’re still reading this, you’re probably thinking “okay, but what do I do RIGHT NOW?”
Here’s your homework for this week:
- Film 3 pieces of content about your local area
- Share something actually useful (not just pretty)
- Start engaging with people in your niche
Let’s Wrap This Up
Look, here’s the deal. Getting paid to travel isn’t some mysterious, magical thing reserved for the chosen few with perfect hair and trust funds. It’s a real opportunity that’s actually bigger now than ever before. But – and this is a big but – it only works if you’re willing to do it differently than the crowd.
Remember:
- The person sharing honest hotel reviews is beating the luxury travel influencer
- The creator showing real food prices is outperforming the fancy restaurant photographer
- The one explaining local transport is making more than the infinity pool model
Think about it this way: Every single day, thousands of people are planning their trips. They’re not looking for another perfect sunset shot or inspirational quote. They’re looking for real help, authentic experiences, and honest advice. That could be you.
You don’t need:
- An expensive camera
- A massive following
- A trust fund
- Perfect anything
You just need to:
- Start creating helpful content
- Share real experiences
- Be consistently genuine
- Actually help people
Here’s what happens next. Most people will:
- Keep dreaming about travel
- Never start creating
- Wait for the “perfect time”
- Stay in the same place
But some people (maybe you?) will:
- Open their phone
- Film something useful
- Share real experiences
- Actually make it happen
The travel content world doesn’t need another perfect influencer. It needs real people sharing real experiences and actually helpful information.
So, what’s it going to be?
Are you going to keep scrolling through other people’s travel content, or are you ready to start creating your own?
The choice is yours. But just remember – a year from now, you’ll wish you started today.
Now go create something real.