Quick heads-up: affiliate links included
Hey friends! Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Introduction: the myth and the reality

You’ve probably seen glossy Instagram feeds of travel bloggers sipping coconuts on white-sand beaches, thinking, “That must be a full-time gig, right?” Spoiler alert: it’s not all pina coladas and permanent sunshine. Most travel bloggers juggle multiple income streams—and yes, they do get paid for posting pictures of themselves in ridiculously photogenic locations. But how exactly do travel bloggers make money? Pull up a chair, grab your cuppa, and let’s chat.

The foundation: build your blog and set up hosting

Before you can monetise anything, you need a home base. A self-hosted blog gives you full control over design, plugins and, importantly, where you place ads and affiliate links. I started my blog on Bluehost, which is affordable, newbie-friendly and comes with one-click WordPress installation. Hosting plans start at just a few dollars a month and include a free domain for the first year. Having a reliable host means your pages load quickly, your visitors stick around longer, and Google gives you some extra brownie points in search rankings.

Display ads: pennies now, pounds eventually

Remember those banner ads that pop up on websites? That’s display advertising. Platforms like Google AdSense or Mediavine match ads to your audience. Every time someone views an ad (impression) or clicks it, you earn a fraction of a cent or a few cents. At first, it feels like pocket change—especially if you’re pulling in a few hundred visitors a month. But as your traffic grows to tens of thousands, those pennies add up. Pro tip: don’t overwhelm your readers with ads. A cluttered site looks spammy and can drive visitors away.

Affiliate marketing: your trusty sidekick

Affiliate marketing is where income really can take off. You recommend a product or service you genuinely use and earn a slice of the purchase price when someone buys via your link. Here are a few typical travel-blogger affiliates:

• Accommodation: Share your favourite hotels or hostels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.

• Tours and activities: Offer guided experiences through GetYourGuide or Viator.

• Travel insurance: Such as World Nomads or SafetyWing.

The trick is to weave these recommendations into genuine stories—“I stayed at this amazing hostel and here’s why you’ll love it” feels far less salesy than a hardcore product pitch. When done right, your readers appreciate the tip and you get paid for helping them out.

Sponsored posts: when brands slide into your DMs

Once your blog gains traction and your audience trusts you, brands will start reaching out. They might offer free stays, tours, or cash payments in exchange for a blog post or Instagram shout-out. Sponsored content can be very lucrative—some established travel bloggers charge anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per post. It all depends on your traffic, social-media following and niche. Always ask for a brief or contract, set clear deliverables and ensure you disclose sponsorships. For example, Australian rules require you to be transparent, so your readers know it’s sponsored.

Sell your own products and services

Want to go beyond ads and affiliate commissions? Create something of your own. Many travel bloggers develop:

• E-books and guides – itineraries sell like hotcakes.

• Online courses – teach photography, blogging basics or destination-specific planning.

• Coaching or consulting – one-on-one sessions for aspiring travellers or bloggers.

Digital products often have high profit margins—once you’ve done the work, you can sell the same guide or course hundreds of times without extra effort. Just make sure it solves a real problem for your audience: how to budget backpacking across Europe, how to find hidden gems in Thailand, that kind of thing.

Other gigs: freelance writing, stock photos and more

If you fancy mixing things up, consider these side hustles:

• Freelance writing for other sites or magazines.

• Selling stock photos – travel shots can be in high demand.

• Public speaking or hosting workshops at travel events.

• Brand ambassadorships – long-term partnerships with travel gear companies or tourism boards.

These gigs often start small but grow as your reputation builds. You might write a guest article for a travel magazine one month and cruise around the world on a press trip the next.

Key to success: grow your audience and keep them engaged

All revenue streams rely on a steady audience. A few tips for attracting readers:

• SEO basics – use relevant keywords (like “how travel bloggers make money”), optimise meta descriptions and build internal links.

• Consistent posting – pick a schedule you can stick to.

• Email list – build a tribe of regular readers who’ll click your affiliate links and buy your products.

Social media can help, but don’t chase every new platform. Focus on where your audience hangs out—Instagram, Pinterest or even TikTok can be gold mines for travel content.

Conclusion: it’s a numbers game, but also a passion

There you have it: a peek behind the curtain at how travel bloggers actually make money. From display ads and affiliate partnerships to sponsored posts and your own digital products, it’s all about diversifying income streams. If you love sharing tips, exploring new places and can handle a bit of admin work, travel blogging can be a rewarding path. And if you’re ready to launch your own blog, Bluehost is waiting to get you online in minutes. Safe travels and happy blogging!