Learn how to start a travel blog, so you can work by the pool too!
How to Start a Travel Blog (And How to Make Money From It)
Ever thought about turning your travels into blog posts that inspire others—and maybe even make some money on the side? Starting a travel blog is one of the best ways to share your adventures with the world and make money from it.
If you’ve been wondering how to start a travel blog but aren’t sure where to begin, don’t worry—you’re in the right place.
There’s a lot of advice out there on how to start a travel blog, but this guide is beginner-friendly and walks you through the actual steps, without the overwhelm. We’ll go through every step of building your blog—from picking a niche to setting up your site and planning your content.
Blogging today is undoubtedly competitive. There are thousands of blogs out there, and just as many guides. But here’s the truth: mine’s the best! Ha, just kidding.
Seriously, though, if you stick with it, niche down, and continue learning, you will always have a chance at success.
I compare blogging to building a house. You lay the foundation (hosting), put up the walls (your blog layout), and design every room (your content). And you keep working on it, brick by brick.
And the best part? You get to decide what it looks like.
You won’t make money overnight. But with consistency, creativity, and smart strategy, you can turn your blog into something powerful—whether that’s income, influence, or just a place to share your travels with the world.
➡️ Pair remote work with this strategy—learn how to start house sitting and live rent-free while you travel.
Step 1: Choose Your Travel Niche
One of the first things you should do is decide what kind of travel blog you want to create. This is called your niche.
Before you dive into the technical steps of how to start a blog, figuring out your niche is an important step, especially in the travel world. Picking a focus helps you stand out and connect with readers who are searching for your exact kind of content.
Your niche is your blog’s focus—the unique angle that makes it stand out. It gives your readers (and Google!) a clear idea of what your blog is about, making it easier to grow.
Travel is a huge category, so narrowing your niche helps you connect with the right audience.
Why your niche matters:
Helps you stand out in a crowded space
Builds authority with a specific audience
Makes creating content easier
Travel niche ideas:
Budget travel (e.g., helping readers find what are the cheapest Asian countries to visit)
Van life or RV travel
Luxury travel
Digital nomad lifestyle
Slow travel (e.g. 100 Best Quotes on Solo Travel to Inspire You to Travel Alone)
Adventure travel
Solo female travel
Family or couples travel
Travel and remote work (e.g., reviewing the 10 best companies to teach English online)
Van life or RV travel
Food + travel
Eco or sustainable travel
- Travel Quotes and Captions [e.g. 150+ Travel With Best Friends Quotes: (Funny, Witty & Short)]
👉 Tip: Choose a niche you’re genuinely passionate about and can write about for years, not just something that’s trending now.
Step 2: Choose a Domain Name
Your domain name is your blog’s name and URL. It’s part of your brand, so take a little time to choose the right one.
Buy your domain name from NameCheap when you start your travel blog.
Tips for choosing a great domain name:
Make it easy to spell and remember
Avoid numbers and hyphens
Check if it’s available on Instagram, Pinterest, and other social platforms
Choose a .com if possible
Think long-term, you don’t want to outgrow it—will the name still fit in 5 years?
Add personality—your domain is your blog’s first impression
I use Namecheap to buy all my domain names—it’s affordable, beginner-friendly, and super easy to use.
Have an idea for your blog name? You can quickly check if it’s available using the Namecheap domain search tool. Just type it in and see what’s available.
Once you’ve chosen your domain, buying it is simple. Namecheap often has some of the best prices—usually around $10 USD/year for a .com, or as low as $6.49 USD if you’re a new customer.
They also make it easy to connect your domain to your blog hosting. You’ll get step-by-step instructions on how to point your domain to your host (like SiteGround), so your blog is ready to go in no time.
There are also heaps of other places you can buy domain names from, such as GoDaddy, CrazyDomains or your own hosting.
Step 3: Choose Hosting and Start a Self-Hosted WordPress Blog
To fully own your blog and be able to monetise it, you need a self-hosted WordPress site—not the free WordPress.com version. That means you pay for hosting and have full control over your blog.
Self-hosting means renting space on a server (via a host like SiteGround) and installing the WordPress software there. This gives you full control and ownership over your blog.
Why go Self-Hosted?
You fully own your content and site
You can install plugins + themes for more functionality
You can monetise your blog with ads, affiliate links, etc.
You look more professional to readers, brands, and Google
Set up Hosting and Register Your Domain
This is often the first real tech step in how to start a blog, and yes, it can feel intimidating. But once your domain is live and hosting is sorted, you’re off to a strong start.
I use and recommend SiteGround for reliable web hosting. They’re fast, secure, and have amazing customer support. I use them for all my websites and have been with them for years.
Their ‘Startup’ web hosting plan is the cheapest and is perfect for beginner bloggers.
If you’re on a super tight budget, Bluehost is another popular option for beginners.
Both hosts let you register your domain name at the same time as signing up for hosting.
Use Siteground for reliable web hosting when you start your travel blog.
Install WordPress
Once you’ve signed up for hosting, you can install WordPress with one click—your hosting provider will guide you through it. Then you’ll get access to your WordPress dashboard (aka your blog’s backend).
You’re officially a blog owner now!
If you’re serious about learning how to start a travel blog the right way, going self-hosted from the beginning is one of the smartest moves you can make. Trust me.
Step 4: Design Your Blog Layout
Get one of these pre-made WordPress themes to design your own blog layout.
This is the fun part—choosing how your blog will look. Your blog design is the first thing visitors notice. You want it to look professional but still feel like you.
You can:
Use a free WordPress theme (good for getting started)
Buy a pre-made theme (easiest way and my top recommendation—browse travel blog themes here)
Hire a web designer (good if you have the budget and want something custom)
Make sure your theme:
Is mobile-friendly
Loads fast
Looks clean and easy to read
Matches your blog’s vibe (professional, minimalist, colourful, etc.)
I recommend browsing Envato for gorgeous, easy-to-use WordPress blog themes. Look for something clean, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate.
You can also try Creative Market for travel blog themes or Pinterest templates.
Step 5: Set Up Your Main Pages for Your Travel Blog
Your blog needs more than just posts—you’ll also want a few key pages that help readers (and brands) learn who you are and how to get in touch. These are the core pages every blog should have:
Important pages to include on your blog:
Home – an intro to you and your blog’s focus
About – share your story and what readers can expect
Blog – where your posts will live
Contact – include a form or email address
Privacy Policy – important for legal and Google reasons
Disclosure/Disclaimer – especially if you’re using affiliate links or writing sponsored content
Step 6: Install Helpful Plugins
The WordPress dashboard you’ll have when you start a travel blog.
Plugins are like apps for your WordPress blog—they add features without needing to know how to write code. Here are the top plugins I recommend for anyone starting a blog:
Must-have WordPress plugins:
Yoast SEO – helps you optimise your blog posts for search engines
Jetpack – for site stats, security, backups, and more
MonsterInsights – connects your blog to Google Analytics
Akismet – spam protection for your comments
jQuery Pin It Button – adds a Pinterest save button to your images
Updraft Plus – backs up your blog in case something goes wrong
WordFence Security – protects your site from hackers
XML Sitemap Generator – helps search engines index your site
WPCode Lite lets you safely add code snippets
Smash Balloon Instagram Feed – displays your Instagram feed on your site
Step 7: Start Social Media Accounts
Even if you’re not ready to post yet, claim your blog name on all major platforms now. This protects your brand and gives you room to grow.
When you’re learning how to start a travel blog, grabbing your social handles early helps keep your brand name consistent across platforms—and prevents someone else from snatching them up.
Must-have social media accounts:
Pinterest (super important for travel bloggers!)
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok (optional but great for video)
Twitter/X (if relevant to your style)
This helps build your brand and makes it easier for people to find and follow you. When you share your new blog posts on social media, you need engaging copy. Check out my list of 150 inspirational best travel captions for Instagram to save time writing your posts.
Step 8: Learn Basic SEO + Get Keysearch
Okay, this is a very important section, so please pay attention.
Although the landscape of SEO is changing all the time, especially with the rise of AI technology, this is a topic you must constantly stay on top of.
Use Keysearch to find SEO-friendly keywords for your blog posts.
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is how your blog ranks on Google and how people find you. SEO is one of the most important skills to learn when figuring out how to start a blog that actually gets readers.
Good SEO = more traffic = more chances to grow and earn money.
You don’t need to be an expert, but learning the basics will help a lot. I highly recommend using the keyword research tool Keysearch.co
It’s beginner-friendly and helps you:
Find keywords your blog can rank for
Analyse your competition
Plan blog posts based on real search data
I use Keysearch to help me find keywords I can rank for when I’m writing new blog posts. It makes blogging so much easier; I couldn’t blog without it.
Sign up for Keysearch now and get a 7-day free trial.
Step 9: Set Up Google Analytics GA4
Google Analytics lets you track how many people visit your blog, where they come from, and what they read.
It’s free and easy to set up. You can follow this guide to connect GA4 to your blog.
Then use the MonsterInsights plugin to see traffic stats right in your WordPress dashboard.
Step 10: Create a Blog Post Content Plan
Once your site is live, it’s time to plan your blog content.
A content plan keeps you consistent and organised. Instead of wondering what to write each week, you’ll already have a list of ideas.
Easy travel blog post ideas:
How to plan a trip to [City/Country]
My favourite free things to do in [City] (e.g. All of the FREE Things to Do in Sydney (And How to Get There)
A 3-day itinerary for [Destination]
How I travel on $50 a day in [Country]
Destination guides (e.g. Ultimate Australia Travel Guide)
Travel itineraries
Budget tips (e.g. How to Get Rent Free Accommodation by House Sitting)
Packing lists
Travel gear reviews
Personal travel stories (e.g. My First Time Travelling Alone: Solo Travel)
These types of posts not only attract readers but also help you build authority in your niche, which is super important when you’re learning how to start a travel blog that actually gets seen on Google.
Step 11: Start Writing Blog Posts
This is where the magic happens!
When you’re learning how to start a blog, it’s easy to overthink that very first post. But don’t stress—your writing will evolve. What matters most is that you start and stay consistent. Keep publishing new blog posts to gain traction.
Many people give up after figuring out how to start a blog because they get stuck at the writing stage. Just remember: your first post doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be published.
Don’t overthink it—just start writing.
Tips for writing your first blog post:
- Start with something helpful (not just “hi, I have a blog”)
- Focus on solving a problem or answering a question
- Write in a conversational tone, like you’re talking to a friend
- Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs
- Add your own voice and experience—readers want you!
- Always include useful info—not just personal stories
- Add 2–3 good-quality photos
- End with a call to action (comment, share, or sign up for your email list)
Step 12: Monetise Your Travel Blog
Once you’ve figured out how to start a travel blog, publish great content consistently and have steady traffic, you can start to monetise your blog. And there are a bunch of ways you can start earning from it.
Affiliate marketing
Add affiliate links to gear, tours, accommodation, and tools you use
Sign up for Amazon, Booking.com, GetYourGuide, or other programs
Ads
Start with Google AdSense
Aim for Mediavine once you hit 50k sessions/month
Sponsored posts + partnerships
Work with travel brands that want exposure
They may pay you or offer free experiences
Influencer income
If you grow a social following, you can partner with brands on Instagram or TikTok
Digital products
Create ebooks, printables, itineraries, or Lightroom presets
Freelance writing
Use your blog as a writing portfolio to pitch travel publications
Press trips
Many bloggers eventually get invited on comped trips or hotel stays
Is Starting a Travel Blog Worth It?
Absolutely—but only if you’re in it for the long game.
Blogging won’t make you rich overnight. It takes time, strategy, and a lot of content.
But it’s also creative, flexible, and a brilliant way to document your adventures and build something of your own.
Think of your blog like a house you’re building brick by brick. You design it. You grow it. You own it.
So if you’ve been wondering how to start a blog—or more specifically, how to start a travel blog that grows into something meaningful—now is the perfect time to begin.
📌 Start with signing up to Siteground or BlueHost, grab the domain name you’ve been thinking about, and get going.
And remember: blogging consistently, learning SEO, and using Pinterest are the top ways to grow your blog traffic today.
Final Thoughts on How to Start a Travel Blog
Starting a blog isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but if you’ve made it through this guide, you now know exactly how to start a travel blog—from niche to monetisation.
Starting a travel blog might feel overwhelming at first, but it’s totally doable—one step at a time. If you’re serious about it and you’re ready to put in the work, you can create something that’s truly yours.
Remember your “why.” Maybe it’s to inspire others, share your travels, or create a location-independent income. Whatever it is—keep it front of mind.
Blogging takes time. You won’t see instant results. But if you’re consistent, keep showing up, and learn the ropes (especially SEO and Pinterest), you’ll start to see real progress.
So go on—take that first step and start your blog today. Your future self (and your readers!) will thank you.
You’ve got this.
Happy & Safe Travels 🙂
Alial
