Discover How You Can Get Paid to Travel the World

Getting paid to travel the world is possible, but it's not as simple as it might seem, and it depends heavily on the type of work or partnership you're willing to engage in. 

These are different ways you can get paid (or sponsored) to travel and how this approach can work for free or partially subsidized travel:

Travel Influencers / Social Media / Content Creators

What to do: Create content (photos, videos, blogs, reviews) for travel-related platforms, companies, or your own social media accounts.

You need a large following or a unique angle to gain attention.

Who will pay: Brands, hotels, tour companies, airlines, tourism boards, etc.

How to find them: Build your personal brand, reach out directly, or use platforms like Travelpayouts or Instagram for partnerships.

Payment/Sponsorship: May provide free stays, flights, or cash. Sometimes you'll receive a set itinerary, and other times, you can propose your own.

Cost to you: Usually, they cover the travel or stay, but food and personal expenses might not be fully covered.

Contact method: Email and social media direct messages. 

Many influencers have PR or brand contact forms on their profiles.

Example: National Geographic Expeditions, Airbnb Experiences.

Freelance Travel Writers / Photographers

What to do: Write articles or take photos for travel magazines, blogs, or websites.

Who will pay: Travel magazines, tourism websites, blogs, travel companies.

How to find them: Research publications that accept freelance work (Lonely Planet, Condé Nast Traveler), pitch ideas, or use freelance websites like Upwork or Fiverr.

Payment/Sponsorship: You'll get paid per article, photo set, or project. 

Sometimes they cover your travel costs, or you may receive a travel stipend.

Cost to you: Depends on the project; some cover all expenses, while others only pay a commission.

Contact method: Email or submission forms on their website.

Example: Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Lonely Planet.

Tour Guide / Travel Instructor

What to do: Work as a guide or instructor for adventure tours, teaching activities like diving, skiing, hiking, or cultural immersion.

Who will pay: Adventure companies, resorts, cruise lines.

How to find them: Check companies like Intrepid Travel, G Adventures, or volunteer programs.

Some tourism boards may also have such programs.

Payment/Sponsorship: Usually a set salary, plus perks like accommodation and food.

Cost to you: Most expenses are covered, but personal shopping is on you.

Contact method: Apply through company websites or agencies.

Example: G Adventures, REI Adventures, Intrepid Travel.

Working with National Tourism Boards [Recommended]

What to do: Partner with a country's tourism board to promote travel destinations. 

This could be writing, photography, video, or social media promotion.

Who will pay: Tourism boards or government organizations.

How to find them: Directly contact the tourism board of the country you're interested in. 

Some may have press trip opportunities for journalists or influencers.

Payment/Sponsorship: Often offer full sponsorship for flights, accommodation, and itinerary if you're accepted for press trips.

Cost to you: It can be fully sponsored or partially covered (i.e., some meals or personal expenses may not be included).

Contact method: Direct email to PR departments of tourism boards.

Example: Visit Norway, Tourism Australia, Tourism New Zealand.

Volunteering with Travel Perks

What to do: Volunteer for projects like teaching, conservation, or community development. 

In exchange, you may get free accommodation, meals, and local travel.

Who will pay: Non-profits, NGOs, or volunteer organizations.

How to find them: Websites like Workaway, WWOOF, or organizations like Habitat for Humanity.

Payment/Sponsorship: Accommodation and food are usually covered; some also cover travel costs.

Cost to you: You may need to cover international flights or personal expenses.

Contact method: Apply directly through volunteer program websites.

Example: WWOOF, Peace Corps, Projects Abroad.

Travel Companies Offering "Fam Trips" (Familiarization Trips)

What to do: Travel agents, tour operators, or travel writers often get invited on fam trips to promote specific destinations.

Who will pay: Tour companies, airlines, or destination marketing organizations.

How to find them: Sign up as a travel agent or freelance travel writer. 

Build relationships with companies and tourism boards to get invited.

Payment/Sponsorship: Often fully covered (accommodation, flights, etc.), but personal shopping isn’t included.

Cost to you: Some costs, like souvenirs or extra meals, might be out of pocket.

Contact method: Direct email to PR contacts at travel companies.

Example: Expedia, TripAdvisor, Viator.

How Much Can You Get Paid?

For most roles, you'll either get fully sponsored trips (accommodation, travel) or a payment range from $50 to $2,000+ per project. 

Content creators with large followings can command higher rates, while freelance writers may get paid per word or per project.

   

Is it Free Travel?

It can be free or close to free, depending on the type of arrangement:

Fully Free: Sponsored by brands, companies, or tourism boards.

Partially Free: You might need to cover meals, personal expenses, and optional excursions.

How to Contact?

 Best Method: Start with email. 

You can introduce yourself, include a portfolio or relevant work samples, and explain why you’d be a great fit. 

If you don’t hear back after a week, a follow-up call may help.

Essential Tips: Be professional, highlight your skills, and tailor each message for the recipient. 

Key Examples of Organizations You Can Contact:

Tourism Boards:

   - Visit Britain

   - Tourism New Zealand

   - Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

   - Tourism Ireland

   

Travel Companies:

   - G Adventures

   - Intrepid Travel

   - Contiki Tours

   - Lonely Planet

Volunteer Programs:

   - Workaway

   - WWOOF

   - Peace Corps

Traveling for free need you focus on building a portfolio, pitching your unique value, and choosing the right programs for your skills and interests.

Build a Portfolio

Creating a professional portfolio is essential to showcase your skills and experiences when seeking opportunities to get paid to travel.

Here’s how you can build an effective portfolio tailored to the travel and tourism industry:

Personal Information & Introduction

This is your chance to introduce yourself briefly and establish a professional identity.

Name: Include your full name at the top.

Title/Profession: Travel Writer, Photographer, Social Media Influencer, Tour Guide, etc.

Contact Information: Provide your email, phone number, and professional social media links (Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.).

Location: Optional, but you can include your home base or state that you’re a “Digital Nomad” or “Based Worldwide.”

Example:

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John Doe

Travel Writer & Content Creator  

📧 johndoe@freetraveltours.com | 🌍 @johndoe_travels  

📍 Digital Nomad, Based Worldwide  

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About Me Section

This is where you introduce yourself in a few paragraphs. Describe your passion for travel, your skills, and what makes you unique. 

Be sure to tailor it to the types of opportunities you're seeking.

Key Points to Include:

Your experience in travel or related fields (writing, photography, social media).

Your unique selling point (what makes you different?).

Types of travel you enjoy or specialize in (adventure travel, luxury travel, cultural experiences, etc.).

Your goals or what you're seeking (collaborations with tourism boards, freelance writing gigs, etc.).

Example:

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About Me

I'm a passionate travel writer and photographer with over five years of experience exploring unique destinations around the globe. Specializing in adventure travel and cultural experiences, I’ve worked with brands like Visit Norway, G Adventures, and Condé Nast Traveler to create engaging content that inspires readers and travelers alike. My goal is to discover the hidden gems of each destination and share stories that showcase the beauty, diversity, and wonder of our world. Whether writing blog posts, creating stunning travel photography, or engaging audiences on social media, I love connecting with fellow travelers and working with companies to create meaningful travel experiences.

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Skills & Expertise

List the key skills that make you a strong candidate for the travel opportunities you’re seeking.

Example:

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Skills

- Travel Writing & Blogging  

- Social Media Management (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube)  

- Photography & Videography (DSLR, Drone)  

- SEO & Digital Marketing  

- Brand Collaborations  

- Content Creation (Blogs, Instagram Stories, YouTube)  

- Travel Planning & Itineraries  

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Portfolio Highlights / Work Experience

This section showcases the actual work you’ve done in the travel industry or related fields. 

Include a combination of projects, collaborations, or any other relevant experience.

Key Points:

Project Name: (Include a title like "Blog Collaboration with Visit Norway.")

Client: (The company or organization you worked with.)

Description: (Explain what you did: travel writing, photoshoots, video content, social media promotion, etc.)

Dates: (When the project took place.)

Results/Impact: (Highlight any significant outcomes: increased engagement, successful campaigns, etc.)

Example:

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Portfolio Highlights

Destination Marketing Campaign – Visit Norway

- Client: Visit Norway  

- Description: Created a 10-part blog series showcasing Norway’s off-the-beaten-path destinations, including photo essays, travel tips, and itinerary suggestions. The content was promoted on Visit Norway’s social media platforms and received over 50,000 views.  

- Date: February 2023 – March 2023  

- Results: Increased Visit Norway’s blog traffic by 30% during the campaign period.  

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2. Social Media Campaign – G Adventures

- Client: G Adventures  

- Description: Collaborated with G Adventures to promote their “Active Adventures” tours via Instagram Stories, posts, and reels. Documented the journey with photos and videos, which were shared across both my Instagram and G Adventures' official accounts.  

- Date: June 2023  

- Results: Achieved over 10,000 impressions on Instagram and generated inquiries from potential customers.  

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Testimonials or Recommendations (Optional)

If you have testimonials from clients, tourism boards, or anyone you’ve worked with, include them here. 

This adds credibility and trustworthiness to your portfolio.

Example:

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Testimonials

"John's photography skills and eye for detail were crucial in capturing the essence of our destination. We saw a significant increase in engagement and positive feedback from travelers after his content was published."

Sarah Thompson, Marketing Manager, Visit Norway  

"John's social media campaign for our Active Adventures tour series was a massive hit. His ability to capture exciting moments and engage our audience was exactly what we needed to promote the tours."

– Laura Evans, Social Media Coordinator, G Adventures  

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Contact Information

Make sure your contact details are easily accessible, so potential collaborators can get in touch with you.

Example:

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Contact Me

Interested in working together or learning more about my travel experiences? Feel free to reach out via email or follow my adventures on social media!  

📧 johndoe@freetraveltours.com  

📱 +1 (123) 456-78xx  

Instagram: [@johndoe_travels](https://www.instagram.com)  

LinkedIn: [John Doe](https://www.linkedin.com)  

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Links to Published Work (If Applicable)

Provide links to articles, blog posts, or social media profiles showcasing your work. 

This section is key if you’re pitching yourself to potential clients.

Example:

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Published Work

- "Discovering Norway’s Hidden Treasures" on Visit Norway (link)  

- "The Best Hiking Trails in Patagonia" on G Adventures Blog (link)  

- "Exploring Italy Through Food" on Condé Nast Traveler (link)  

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Professional Design

To make your portfolio stand out, consider using a visually appealing template. 

You can create an online version using:

Portfolio Websites: WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or Adobe Portfolio.

PDF Version: Create a PDF version with professional design templates using tools like Canva or Adobe InDesign.

Optional Sections

Press Mentions: If any of your work has been mentioned in the media, include a section for these.

Certifications: If you have certifications relevant to travel, photography, social media, or tourism, list them (e.g., travel guide certification, SEO certificates, etc.).

By combining all these elements, you’ll have a complete portfolio that highlights your skills, experience, and value to potential clients and travel-related companies.