Starting a travel blog can be a truly rewarding and wonderful experience, as it not only gives you the opportunity to travel, but also to share your trip, your journey, your story, and what you learned along the way. Many people find reading authentic and real travel experiences incredibly rewarding and helpful in planning their own trips.
When planning a trip, many people want to know what others have learned, seen, stayed, and experienced. People are truly curious to know what challenges and experiences they are going to face in the places they want to or are planning to visit, and how much fun they are going to experience there.
The most wonderful thing is that you don’t need to be a professional writer or even a full-time traveler to do this. All you have to do is to take a pen and a paper and jot down your travel experiences, that is, share online what you did during your trip, such as when you started, which route you took to get there, where you went, where you stayed, what you ate, what good or bad stuff happened with you, what adventures you had etc.
How to Start a Travel Blog and Make Money from Affiliate Marketing as Beginner
You just have to write down whatever you experienced during your real journey. Starting a travel blog is really fun and really amazing, as you’re going to relive those wonderful travel moments again while writing each and every single experience of your journey. Also, at the same time you’re going to help a lot of travelers to understand the dos and don’ts of the journey / trip they’re planning for.
Now, let’s discuss why travel blogging is so special: it can also make you money. Yes, friends, the most important thing about travel blogging is that you travel, enjoy yourself, have adventures, be happy, try new hotels, or whatever else you’re doing on your trip. By writing detailed accounts of your trip, you can earn money through affiliate marketing.
This means that you’ll recommend helpful products and services to your readers, like the hotels you liked, the people who organized your trip, your travel supplies, or anything else related to travel. When someone makes a purchase, book a trip, a hotel, or a flight through your link, you’ll earn a commission.
This means you don’t have to go door-to-door selling anything yourself or you don’t have to tell / ask / convince anyone to buy anything. And the best and most amazing thing is that your readers don’t have to pay anything extra if they buy anything, or book their travel through your link.
All you have to do is guide them on how and where to plan their trip, where to stay, what to eat, what not to eat, where to go, and that’s all. And when they book their hotel, travel, or anything else through your link, or make a purchase, or use a product or service, you earn a commission. Isn’t that amazing and wonderful?
Blogging may seem daunting at first, but once you take it step by step, it’s actually quite simple. You choose a niche, set up a website, and begin sharing your travel experiences in detailed articles. As your viewers and readers gradually increase, and your articles become more and more popular, trusting your advice, and clicking on your affiliate link to book travel or make purchases, your income begins to grow, and that too automatically.
This process may seem a little slow at first, but it’s really a very rewarding one. It takes a small step to embark on a journey to a long and long-term income. Just as any journey begins with a small one, starting a travel blog is your first step.
1. Choose Your Travel Niche
Before you start travel blogging, you should take some time to decide what kind of traveler you are and what kind of tips and travel tips and travel journeys you want to write about. It is called Niche. With its help, people can easily understand what your blog is going to be about and in which direction. You don’t need to overthink or think too much, just choose something that feels natural to you, given the kind of traveler you are.
For example, you might focus on whether you want to write about budget-related travel or solo adventures or eco-friendly travel or luxury trips or road trips or family vacations etc. You just have to choose some of these or some other niche about which you want to write and this will make your work very easy.
When you have found some ideas and you are absolutely ready to write with your ideas, then you have to check whether people are interested in reading about these topics. You can search on Google to see what people are searching for and what they are interested in reading.
And look and read other related blog articles about some other travel blogs like yours or on Reddit and Facebook you can also find questions about what people are asking about travel related. All these questions and research will help you a lot in choosing your niche and creating good articles for which the audience is already ready and wants to read.
This can also help you in choosing a niche from which you can generate good affiliate income. Because some travel topics are naturally such that people want to know and read about hotel booking and by clicking on the hotel booking link, they book their services or plan their travel or adopt some recommendations.
For example, if you find an article about the best hotel booking or travel service. Or write something like; which travel services made your trip beautiful. Choosing an area with strong earning potential can make it easier to increase your income later.
2. Pick a Blog Name & Set Up Your Domain
Choosing a name for your travel blog is a fun and creative step. Try to come up with a name that feels like “you” and matches the type of travel you want to write about. Keep it short, simple, and easy to remember. It also helps if people can guess what your blog is about just by hearing the name. Don’t rush it, don’t be in a hurry, think peacefully by taking your time, play around with different ideas until something feels right.
Once you have a few name ideas, check if the domain is available. A domain is just the address people type to find your blog. If possible, try to get the .com version because it looks more trusted and familiar. And people can remember it easily. That’s quite easy to remember. There are many websites where you can check this in seconds, and it’s okay to adjust your name a little if the one you want is already taken.
After you find a name and a domain you like, you can register it with a domain provider and choose a hosting service. Hosting is what keeps your blog online so people can visit it anytime. There are several beginner-friendly hosting companies like Hostinger, SiteGround, Bluehost, WPX, or Kinsta etc.
We have tried a lot of hosting services and after almost a decade, we can say that according to us and for us, Hostinger has been an amazing hosting service, with whom we have never seen any downtime or difficulties or issues. Moreover, the best part is their customer service team, which is always available to serve you, answer your queries and help you resolve any issue you might face.
Though, please feel free to pick any hosting service / hosting provider that feels easy to use and fits your budget. But if you ask for our recommendation, we would always recommend Hostinger. Firstly, the service and uptime is just simply amazing, secondly the pricing starts from as low as just $1.95 per month. Also, on top of that if you wish to cancel your hosting plan, they give you 30 days money back guarantee.
So, once you’ve set this up, your blog officially has a home on the internet.
3. Install WordPress & Essential Plugins
After you have your domain and hosting ready, the next step is to install WordPress. Most hosting companies make this very easy with a one-click setup, so you don’t need any tech skills at all. Same is with hostinger. If you go with hostinger, with only 1 click, you’ll be able to install WordPress.
And once WordPress is installed, you’ll have your basic blog ready, and you can start shaping it into something that feels more like your style. Choose your own theme, choose your own style, own colors, design it in whatever way you want it to look. I mean, just do anything, design it any way you want to, just feel free to play with it and sky is the limit.
To make your travel blog work better, you’ll want to add a few simple tools called plugins. Plugins help your site do things that WordPress doesn’t do on its own. For example, you can install SEO plugins like RankMath or Yoast SEO to help your posts show up on Google. For speed, you can add WP Super Cache or WP Rocket so your pages load faster. Faster blogs keep visitors happy.
You can also install plugins that help with affiliate marketing, such as PrettyLinks or Lasso, which make your affiliate links look clean and organized. For safety, Wordfence is a good security plugin that helps protect your site. And don’t forget backups UpdraftPlus can automatically save your blog in case something goes wrong. With these simple plugins in place, your blog will run much smoother and stay safer as you grow.
Plugins are very much needed for any website and it is the plugins that help you do a lot of things on your website, without any coding knowledge or do the coding yourself. Plugins do all the work very easily without coding. But we want to tell you one thing about which you have to take very special care: that if you add too many plugins on your website then it can create problems for you in the future.
Adding too many plugins can slow down your website and users may face problems in displaying content and reading it from time to time. That is why when it comes to plugins, we should take special care and ensure that we use only those plugins on our website which are absolutely necessary and essential.
Set up WordPress through your host
Most hosting companies make it very easy to install WordPress with just one click. You simply log into your hosting account, find the WordPress installer, and follow the basic steps. In a few minutes, your blog will be ready for you to customize. You don’t need any technical skills at all.
You can watch this video tutorial, and this will help you and guide you to install WordPress with Hostinger.
SEO: RankMath or Yoast
SEO plugins like RankMath or Yoast help your blog show up better on Google. They guide you on how to write your posts so people can find them more easily. These tools are simple to use and give you helpful suggestions as you write.
Speed & caching: WP Super Cache or WP Rocket
Speed plugins make your blog load faster, which keeps visitors happy and improves your Google ranking. WP Super Cache is a free option, while WP Rocket is a paid plugin with more features. Both help your site run smoothly and feel more professional.
Affiliate tools: PrettyLinks, Lasso
Plugins like PrettyLinks and Lasso help you manage your affiliate links in a clean and organized way. They make long, messy links look short and neat. They also help you track clicks so you can see which links your readers are using the most.
Security: Wordfence
Wordfence is a security plugin that protects your blog from hackers and online threats. It keeps an eye on your site and alerts you if anything unusual happens. This gives you peace of mind as your blog grows.
Backups: UpdraftPlus
UpdraftPlus automatically saves copies of your blog so you don’t lose your work if something goes wrong. You can back up your site with a single click and restore it just as easily. It’s one of the simplest and safest backup tools for beginners.
Read: How to Start a Blog in Easy Steps – A 2025 Guide
4. Build Your Blog Structure
About Page
Your About Page is where you tell people who you are and what your blog is all about. Keep it simple and friendly, and share a little bit about your travel style and why you started the blog. This helps readers feel connected to you and builds trust from the very beginning.
Contact Page
Your Contact Page makes it easy for people to reach you. You can add a simple contact form or even just an email address. This page is helpful for readers who want to ask questions, brands that may want to work with you, or anyone who needs to get in touch. It shows that you’re open and available.
Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure (required by FTC)
A Privacy Policy and Affiliate Disclosure are important pages that keep your blog safe and transparent. The Privacy Policy explains how your site collects and uses information, even if it’s just basic data. The Affiliate Disclosure tells readers that you earn a small commission when they use your affiliate links, and it’s required by the FTC. These pages help you stay honest and protect your blog legally.
Set up categories based on your niche (e.g., Destinations, Travel Tips, Gear)
Categories help you organize your blog so readers can easily find what they’re looking for. Choose simple categories that fit your niche, like Destinations, Travel Tips, or Gear Reviews. Clear categories make your blog feel neat and make it easier for visitors to explore your content. They also help Google understand your site better.
5. Learn SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Conduct keyword research using tools (Keysearch, Ahrefs, Semrush)
Keyword research helps you understand what people are searching for on Google. Tools like Keysearch, Ahrefs, or Semrush show you popular topics and the exact words people use. This makes it easier to create blog posts that readers are already looking for. It’s one of the best ways to plan content that brings in steady traffic.
Whenever you want to write any article or blog post, it is very important to do keyword research first. Because it is obvious that you would like to write an article which the world is looking for or wants to read. Because if you write anything that no one wants to read or does not want to search or does not have any interest then what benefit will you get by writing that article.
That is why keyword research is a very important topic for bloggers who want to write articles. That is why you will have to do travel related keyword research very carefully to find out which topics related to travel, people are searching and how many people are searching for that particular keyword on Google every month.
And you can get all this information from the keyword research tools that we have just mentioned above. All this information helps your article to rank well on Google.
Target keywords with high search volume, low–medium competition, and clear search intent
When picking keywords, look for ones lots of people search for, but not too many big websites are competing for. These are easier to rank for. Also make sure the keyword has clear intent meaning you understand exactly what the reader wants. This helps you write content that answers their questions directly.
Optimize posts (headings, meta description, internal links, alt text)
SEO isn’t just about keywords—it’s also about how you structure your post. Use clear headings, write a simple meta description, and add internal links to your other posts. Also add alt text to your images so Google knows what they’re about. These small steps help search engines understand your content better.
Aim for long-form, helpful content
Google tends to favor detailed and helpful posts, so don’t be afraid to write longer articles. Just make sure the content stays easy to read and truly helps your readers. The more useful information you provide, the more likely people and search engines will trust your blog.
6. Start Creating High-Value Content
Creating high-value content is the heart of your travel blog. This means writing posts that are helpful, interesting, and useful to your readers. The more value you give, the more people will visit your blog, trust your advice, and click on your affiliate links. High-value content doesn’t have to be complicated, it just needs to solve problems, answer questions, or inspire your audience.
Focus on articles with affiliate potential
Write posts that naturally allow you to include products or services. For example:
- “Best travel backpacks” – Recommend backpacks you’ve tried or researched, and link to them using your affiliate links.
- “Where to stay in ___” – Suggest best / top / budget hotels, hostels, or rentals in a city or destination, linking to booking sites.
- “Best carry-on suitcases” – Compare suitcases and give pros and cons to help readers choose.
- “Travel insurance comparison” – Explain different travel insurance options and link to providers.
- “What to pack for ___” – Create packing lists for specific trips or destinations, including gear recommendations.
Try to share as much information as possible with the reader, that you think will be helpful for the reader to plan their trip. The most important point to remember is to be helpful and create valuable content while being helpful.
Mix in storytelling and guides to build brand voice
Don’t just list products, share your personal experiences, tips, adventures or stories from your trips. Every small or little thing you did and every small experience you had with every step of the way. This helps readers connect with you and makes your blog more memorable. Guides, step-by-step tutorials, or travel stories combined with useful recommendations make your content stand out.
Publish consistently (1–2 posts/week) Consistency is the Key to Success
Consistency is key to growing your blog and to get success. Aim to post at least once or twice a week so readers know when to expect new content. Regular posting also helps Google notice your site and improves your chances of ranking higher in search results. Even simple posts are better than nothing, what matters is staying consistent.
7. Join Affiliate Programs
Affiliate programs are what let you earn money from your blog by recommending products or services. When someone clicks your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a small commission. Joining these programs is free, and you don’t need to sell anything yourself, you just share products and services your readers might find useful.
General travel affiliates
These programs cover things like hotels, tours, and activities:
- Amazon Associates – Great for travel gear and accessories.
- Booking.com – Earn commissions on hotel bookings.
- Expedia – Hotels, flights, and vacation packages.
- Agoda – Popular for international hotel bookings.
- TripAdvisor – Tours, hotels, and experiences.
- GetYourGuide – Bookings for tours and attractions.
- Viator – Activities, tours, and experiences worldwide.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is an important topic for travelers, and you can earn commissions by recommending trusted providers:
- SafetyWing – Great for long-term travelers and digital nomads.
- World Nomads – Popular for adventure travelers and backpackers.
Gear/tech
Travel gear and tech products are perfect for affiliate income because people love buying what they need for their trips:
- REI – Backpacks, tents, and outdoor gear.
- Backcountry – Outdoor and travel gear.
- B&H Photo/Video – Cameras, drones, and travel tech equipment.
Use affiliate tools (PrettyLinks, Lasso) to manage links and track clicks
Once you join programs, use tools like PrettyLinks or Lasso to organize your affiliate links. They make long, messy links clean and easy to use. You can also track clicks to see which links perform best, so you know what your readers like and can improve your earnings.
8. Add Affiliate Links Strategically
Adding affiliate links is how your travel blog starts making money, but it’s important to do it in a smart and natural way. Don’t just scatter links everywhere, only add them where they make sense and actually help your readers. When used strategically, affiliate links can feel like helpful advice instead of salesy promotions.
Insert affiliate links only where relevant
Always place links in posts where the product or service fits the topic. For example, if you’re writing about “What to Pack for a Beach Trip,” include links to recommended beach bags or sunscreen. Irrelevant links can annoy readers and hurt your credibility.
Use comparison tables, pros/cons lists, and in-depth reviews
Comparison tables and pros/cons lists make it easy for readers to see the differences between products. In-depth reviews show that you know what you’re talking about and help readers make confident decisions. These formats naturally encourage clicks on your affiliate links.
- Product roundups – Lists like “Top 10 Travel Backpacks” or “Best Travel Cameras” are perfect for affiliate links.
- Destination-specific gear lists – Example: “What to Pack for Iceland” or “Essential Gear for a Safari.”
- Tutorials that naturally include affiliate recommendations – Step-by-step guides, like “How to Plan a 7-Day Trip to Paris,” can include gear, apps, or services you use.
By placing links naturally in useful content, readers get value and you increase your chances of earning commissions.
9. Build an Email List
Building an email list is one of the smartest ways to grow your blog and earn money. It lets you stay in touch with your readers even after they leave your site. An email list also helps you promote new posts, affiliate products, or any special offers in a friendly, personal way.
Offer a freebie (packing list, travel checklist, itinerary planner)
People love free resources, and offering one is a great way to get them to join your email list. Examples include a packing list, travel checklist, or a ready-made itinerary. It’s something helpful that your readers will value, and it encourages them to sign up.
Use tools like MailerLite, ConvertKit, or Mailchimp
These email tools make it easy to collect emails, send newsletters, and automate messages. They are beginner-friendly and often have free plans to start with. You don’t need to be a tech expert to use them.
Send valuable updates, new posts, and recommendations
Once people subscribe, keep them engaged by sending helpful content, new blog posts, or travel tips. You can also include affiliate recommendations naturally in your emails. The key is to always provide value so your subscribers trust you and stay connected.
10. Promote Your Blog
Creating great content is just the first step, now you need to share it so people can find your blog. Promotion helps more readers see your posts, follow your advice, and click on your affiliate links. There are many ways to get traffic, both fast and long-term.
Pinterest (huge for travel traffic)
Pinterest is one of the best platforms for travel blogs. People use it to search for travel tips, destinations, and itineraries. Create eye-catching pins for each blog post and link them to your site. Over time, Pinterest can send a steady stream of visitors to your blog.
Instagram/TikTok (build brand & trust)
Social media helps you connect with readers personally. Share your trips, tips, or behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram or TikTok. Short videos, reels, and stories can attract followers and make your blog feel trustworthy and relatable.
Facebook travel groups
Join Facebook groups where travelers hang out. Share your posts only when they’re helpful to the group. This builds credibility and brings targeted readers who are genuinely interested in your niche.
Use SEO for long-term passive traffic
Optimizing your posts for search engines takes time, but it brings consistent visitors for months or years. Focus on keywords, helpful content, and good site structure so Google can easily show your posts to people searching for travel tips.
Guest post on other travel blogs for backlinks
Writing guest posts on established travel blogs helps you get backlinks, which improve your SEO. It also introduces your blog to a wider audience. Choose blogs related to your niche and offer helpful content that links naturally back to your site.
11. Track Your Performance
Tracking your blog’s performance is key to growing and earning more from affiliate marketing. It helps you see what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus your efforts. Without tracking, it’s hard to know which posts are bringing traffic or income.
Use Google Analytics and Search Console
These free tools give you detailed information about your visitors. Google Analytics shows who’s visiting, how long they stay, and which pages are most popular. Search Console helps you see which keywords bring people to your site and if there are any issues affecting your rankings.
Monitor:
- Top-performing posts – See which blog posts get the most traffic and engagement.
- Click-through rates – Check how many people are clicking on your affiliate links.
- Affiliate earnings – Keep track of which programs and products make the most money.
Update older articles regularly for better rankings
Google loves fresh content, so updating old posts can improve your search rankings. Add new tips, refresh information, or include updated affiliate links. This helps your blog stay relevant and keeps traffic coming in consistently.
12. Scale Your Travel Blog
Once your blog is running smoothly and bringing in traffic, it’s time to think about scaling it. Scaling means growing your blog so it earns more money while saving you time. You can do this by getting help, creating new products, or exploring other ways to reach your audience.
Outsource writing or editing
As your blog grows, writing every post yourself can become overwhelming. Hiring freelance writers or editors can save time and keep your content consistent. This allows you to focus on strategy, promotion, and growing your affiliate income.
Create digital products (ebooks, presets, itineraries)
Digital products are a great way to earn extra money. You could sell travel ebooks, packing checklists, photo presets, or detailed itineraries. These products can be sold directly on your blog or through email to your subscribers.
Add display ads (Mediavine, Raptive) when traffic grows
Once your blog reaches enough visitors, adding display ads can bring in passive income. Networks like Mediavine or Raptive pay you for showing ads to your readers. This works well alongside affiliate marketing to increase overall earnings.
Expand into YouTube or a podcast for more affiliate opportunities
Video and audio content can reach a whole new audience. You can create travel videos or podcasts and include affiliate links in descriptions or show notes. This not only diversifies your income but also strengthens your brand and visibility across multiple platforms.
Starting a Travel Blog and Making Money from Affiliate Marketing as Beginner
Starting a travel blog and making money from affiliate marketing is easier than it might seem at first. It takes some planning, patience, and consistent effort, but anyone can do it. By choosing the right niche, creating helpful content, and sharing it with the right audience, you can build a blog that attracts readers and earns income over time. The best part is that you’re sharing your passion for travel while helping others plan their adventures.
Affiliate marketing is a simple and effective way to make money from your blog. By recommending products, services, or experiences that you truly use and trust, you can earn commissions without being pushy. The key is to focus on providing value first, help your readers, solve their problems, and your affiliate earnings will follow naturally. Along the way, using tools like SEO, email lists, and social media will help your blog reach more people and grow steadily.
To be honest, in our view, a travel blog is a very promising way for any blogger who wants to start blogging and especially if you travel and want to become a travel blogger, then it is going to be a great experience for you. Because you do not have to work very hard to earn money by blogging because if you travel, then you have to do what you are already doing, that is travelling.
Read: List of Best Cafes to Study in London (2025 Guide)
The only difference is that whatever you have done in travel, you have to write it online by creating a blog post on your website with complete detailed information. So that it can help others to read it and understand that if someone else wants to do his own journey then what things he can keep in mind and how he can make his journey even better.
This means that if you are a traveler and you write or want to write a travel blog, then you are also having adventures, helping the world, and also earning money and that too while traveling, this is going to be a very fun activity for you.
We hope that now you know how to start a travel blog and make money from affiliate marketing. If you have any questions or queries about starting your blog, choosing affiliate programs, or creating content, please feel free to comment below. We will be happy to answer and guide you every step of the way!