Being a Travel Blogger: Realities, Rewards, and the Road Ahead

For many digital nomads, becoming a travel blogger sounds like the ultimate dream – getting paid to explore the world, share stories, and inspire others through beautiful photos and compelling content. But behind the eye-catching Instagram posts and polished blog articles lies a world of planning, persistence, and creativity.

By “travel blogger,” we don’t just mean those with traditional blog websites. Today, many travel bloggers are primarily active on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube—creating content, building communities, and growing personal brands across various mediums.

Whether through words, visuals, or video, their core mission is the same: to share the world with others in an engaging, authentic way.

In this article, we explore what travel bloggers actually do, the skills involved, and how they build a life around storytelling and exploration. We also hear directly from experienced creators who share what it’s really like behind the scenes—the fun, the challenges, and the turning points along the way.

Voices from the Road: Interviews with Travel Bloggers

To offer a glimpse into the real world of travel blogging, we spoke with a few creators who have successfully built travel blogs and communities over the years. They share their inspirations, challenges, and insights for aspiring bloggers.

Sergio Sala
Globetrotting Youtuber
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NomadsTwoGo
Nomadic Creator Duo
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Timea Pintye
Nomadic Entrepreneur/
Muay Thai Fighter
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Sergio Sala – Globetrotting storyteller 🎥

Sergio Sala is a seasoned travel blogger/youtuber who has spent more than 10 years turning his digital nomad lifestyle into a source of inspiration for thousands. 

He began his journey in 2014, working as a web designer—a career that allowed him to travel the world while running a Spanish language travel blog where he shared personal stories from the road. In 2019, Sergio shifted gears and launched an English-language YouTube channel, creating practical city guides tailored to digital nomads. His videos offer an honest and inspiring look at what it really means to live and work around the world.

What makes Sergio’s content truly stand out is its depth, authenticity, and real-world value. Many of his city guides run over 30 minutes, offering viewers a comprehensive look into each destination – from accommodation and coworking spaces to cafés, nightlife, and the overall digital nomad scene. His background and knowledge in architecture give him a deeper perspective on cities, adding a distinct layer of insight to his contents.

While many travel creators focus on quick Instagram reels or TikTok highlights, Sergio takes the time to craft detailed, thoughtfully edited guides that are as informative as they are engaging. He does create Shorts too, but we feel his real strength lies in his longer-form videos that draw you in and make you feel like you’re walking through the city with him. 

Q: What inspired you to start travel blogging? 

“Ten years ago, when I was working and traveling at the same time, there weren’t many people doing it. I felt alone in the journey, but I knew I had an interesting life—one that I thought people would want to see and be inspired by to do the same.

That’s when I decided to start sharing my life, and I’m glad I did because the spanish blog was my start of the whole journey. I was invited to speak in different conferences, invited to many events and slowly created my own audience.”

Q: There are many travel bloggers on YouTube, what do you do to make your channel stand out? 

“Since the beginning I wanted to share authentic content, so I think I stand out because I truly share what’s to live in a city as a digital nomad. Meaning that it’s not all just travel, but i also shared the places to work, the connection with other digital nomads and how does it feel to be in a place for a month or more. Most travel bloggers are just taking “cool” shots but not really staying for long.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a travel blogger?

“Just start. Today we have phones with great cameras that there’s not much excuse to start. With time you’ll be better at recording yourself, and eventually you’ll find your style and most importantly, an clear niche that will attract the audience you need.

While it’s important to get inspired with other creators, what really matters if that you create your own.”

NomadsTwoGo – Roza & Yarden, Nomadic Creator Duo 👫

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A post shared by Roza gavrilov & Yarden Avirav | Digital Nomad Duo (@nomadstwogo)

Roza and Yarden, the couple behind NomadsTwoGo, have been on the road for over six years, sharing their journey as full-time travelers. Their Instagram feed is a visual delight—filled with stunning, artistic photos and cinematic videos from across the globe. In recent years, their travels have brought them through much of Asia, including Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand.

But their content goes beyond just beautiful imagery. Roza and Yarden are known for sharing honest impressions of the places they visit—often diving deeper to create thoughtful, practical guides that are both detailed and trustworthy. Whether you’re looking for hidden gems, cultural insights, or travel tips, their posts offer real value to fellow nomads and explorers.

What truly sets them apart is their creative storytelling and the quality of their content. From their creative visuals to thoughtful travel tips, NomadsTwoGo offers a mix of inspiration and practical insight that resonates with digital nomads and curious travelers alike.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being a travel blogger?

“The most rewarding part is one we didn’t anticipate, but has become one of our greatest drivers for keeping up with documenting and sharing our journey – it is the part that we get to meet a lot of interesting and amazing people. Some are involved in the projects that we participate in, and some are just people who reach out, or we reach out to them, and then we meet in real life and become friends.”

Q: What’s the hardest part of being a travel blogger that people don’t usually see?

“Not sure if the hardest one, but one that people probably don’t see much is the occasional backfire from posts. It doesn’t happen that often but for posts that we share an opinion, or controversial subjects, we will start getting messages or comments that are not always nice to read. We understand that it’s just part of social media, but still—it can be discouraging and take a toll if you’re not prepared for it.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a travel blogger?

If the priority is growth and starting a business from the blog – having a unique style, a narrow niche, target audience, content strategy, and all those things that people say, they are important. They are, and they will help new blogs to grow faster. alternatively, if the priority is just sharing your journey – just be real. What interests you, might just interest other people as well.

Timea Pintye – Entrepreneur Nomad, Muay Thai Fighter 🥊

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A post shared by Timea Pintye (@timea_pintye)

Timea is an entrepreneur, a digital nomad, and a Muay Thai fighter. Her social media is not only filled with beautiful images from the places she visits, but also with powerful, engaging content that delivers messages of strength, growth, and self-discovery through her travels and Muay Thai training.

Behind her posts lies a deeper purpose: a desire to make the world a better place by inspiring others. Through her personal journey and the challenges she’s overcome, Timea encourages people to tap into their inner warrior spirit—to face fears, embrace change, and pursue their goals with confidence.

She may not be a typical travel blogger—but that’s exactly what makes her so compelling. With a strong sense of purpose and a clear message behind everything she shares, her content engages, connects with people on a deeper level, and doesn’t just inspire – it empowers.

Q: What inspired you to start travel blogging?

“When I started my Instagram account, it wasn’t just about sharing beautiful destinations or beach photos—it was about something much bigger. I wanted to use travel as a tool to fight racism. I believed (and still believe) that by showing the richness of different cultures, the kindness of people I meet around the world, and the beauty in our differences, I could challenge stereotypes and prejudice.

For me, every post is an opportunity to break down barriers. I like to talk about the culture, the people, and the deeper stories behind a place—not just the picture-perfect views. My goal has always been to make the world a little more open, curious, and compassionate – one post at a time.”

Q: You’re not only a solo female digital nomad, but also a wandering Muay Thai warrior! How has this unique aspect of your lifestyle influenced your audience engagement and connection with your followers?

“Funny enough, I kept my Muay Thai practice a secret for years. My focus was so strongly on sharing cultural stories and fighting racism that I didn’t want to “dilute” my message by talking about other parts of my life.

But after training for more than six years, I finally decided to share a post about Muay Thai—and the response was overwhelming. People started reaching out, saying how inspired they were. That’s when I realized this too had the power to change lives.

I’m five feet tall and don’t exactly come across as “intimidating,” so when people see me throwing kicks and elbows, it surprises them. And more importantly, it inspires them—especially those who feel small, fragile, or underestimated. Now, I share my Muay Thai journey not to show off, but to remind people: you have a warrior inside you. You just need to give it space to rise.

Muay Thai even shapes the way I travel. I don’t pick destinations based on tourist attractions—I pick them based on where I can train. I choose my accommodation based on proximity to gyms, not landmarks. It’s a lifestyle that combines strength, discipline, and discovery—and I love every bit of it.”

Q: Have you ever wanted to give up? What kept you going?

“Absolutely. I’m actually in one of those moments right now, questioning whether content creation is something I want to keep doing. The world is still deeply racist, and I don’t think my posts are making much of a difference.

But every time I think about stopping I get a message that changes everything. Someone says, “Hey Timea, I did something that scared me today because of something you said.” That brings tears to my eyes. It reminds me that even if I can’t change the whole world, I can change someone’s world. And that’s enough.

So I’m learning to let go of the pressure to create global impact and instead focus on meaningful, personal change. It’s the small wins—the quiet, heartfelt messages—that keep me going.”

Q:What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a travel blogger?

“Travel blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes so much more time and energy than people realize. If you’re doing it just to get rich or famous, you’ll burn out quickly.

The key is to love the process. You have to enjoy the writing, the editing, the storytelling—the late nights and the trial-and-error. Because the results won’t come overnight. But if you love the journey, not just the destination, then it’s absolutely worth it.”

What Do Travel Bloggers Actually Do?

While the title “travel blogger” might sound like it’s all about jet-setting and sharing pretty pictures, the reality is far more multifaceted. Today’s travel bloggers wear many hats – videographer, editor, marketer, business development, customer support, web designer and developer, and of course, their own boss.

Behind the scenes, there’s a lot of work that goes into building and sustaining a content-driven lifestyle. Here’s a closer look at what the job really involves.

🗺️ Research & Itinerary Planning

Before any content can be created, bloggers have to immerse themselves in the places they visit. That means planning trips, researching lesser-known experiences, testing accommodations, scouting photo spots, and gathering practical details for future guides. Much of this work is done in real time, while navigating the challenges of life on the road.

📹 Content Creation

At the heart of travel blogging is storytelling—through writing, photography, and video. Bloggers spend countless hours crafting blog posts, editing reels or YouTube videos, and capturing images that reflect the mood and culture of each place they visit. Many also maintain email newsletters or create downloadable resources for their audience.

️️️️❤ Social Media Management

With the rise of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, many travel bloggers now focus heavily on building communities through social media. This includes planning and scheduling posts, engaging with followers, hopping on trends, and maintaining an active online presence. Social platforms are often the main way bloggers connect with their audience—and grow their visibility.

🤝 Partnerships & Collaborations

As their audience grows, travel bloggers often collaborate with brands, tourism boards, hotels, or gear companies – much like influencers do. These partnerships can involve sponsored posts, affiliate links, product placements, or press trips—and require negotiation, content creation, and clear deliverables. For many successful travel bloggers, these collaborations become a major source of income.

Building and maintaining these relationships also calls for strong business development skills—from pitching and proposal writing to pricing, contracts, and follow-up reporting. Bloggers need to balance creativity with professionalism, acting not only as content creators but also as business partners in a competitive and fast-moving industry.

🛍 Marketing & Selling Products or Services

Many travel bloggers expand their income by selling their own offerings—such as consulting and coaching sessions, e-books, online courses, or other digital products. These are often based on their niche expertise, like how to travel full-time, build a following, or photograph destinations. Managing these offerings involves not only content creation but also marketing, customer support, and sometimes tech setup.

💻 SEO, Website Maintenance & Analytics

For those who maintain a dedicated blog website (rather than focusing only on social media), there’s additional layer of optimizing content for search engines (SEO), monitoring analytics, and improving site performance. A blog that ranks well on Google can provide consistent, long-term traffic and income—but it requires ongoing technical know-how and strategy.

💼 Side Hustles (or a full time job) to Support the Journey

Especially in the early stages, many travel bloggers juggle side hustles (or often a full time job) to help fund their travels and passion projects. Common roles include freelance design, programming, video editing, writing, or teaching online. These flexible, remote-jobs allow bloggers to keep traveling while building up their brand and income streams.

Challenges of Being a Travel Blogger Today (And How to Overcome Them)

While travel blogging may look like a dream job from the outside, it comes with its own set of real-world challenges. From inconsistent income to creative burnout, here are five common struggles travel bloggers face—and how they manage to push through.

1. Slow Growth and the Need for Long-Term Consistency

The Challenge:
Growing a successful blog or social following doesn’t happen overnight. Whether you’re trying to increase your reach on Instagram, get listed higher on Google, or build a newsletter audience, it takes time—and a lot of behind-the-scenes effort. Many bloggers feel discouraged when they don’t see quick results, especially in the early months (or even years).

For example, blog posts can take months to rank on search engines, and building an engaged Instagram audience often requires consistent content, engagement, and trial-and-error with changing algorithms. It can feel like shouting into the void at first.

How to Overcome It:
The key is patience and persistence. Understand that slow growth is normal—and part of the process. Keep publishing content consistently, and focus on authenticity over perfection. Show up regularly, even when it feels like no one is watching yet.

It also helps to maintain side-hustle jobs to reduce pressure and stay financially secure. Many successful bloggers kept freelancing, or doing creative gigs until their blog became sustainable. By giving yourself space to grow gradually, you’re far more likely to stick with it and succeed long-term.

2. Standing Out in a Crowded Space

The Challenge:
There are more travel bloggers, vloggers, and influencers than ever before. Standing out in a sea of content can feel overwhelming. The competition for attention is fierce, and algorithms can be unpredictable – making it harder to grow organically. For example, a beautifully shot post about Bali might get lost among hundreds of similar ones.

How to Overcome It:
Bloggers who thrive often have a distinct voice and a clearly defined niche—not just broad categories like “digital nomad life,” but more personal and specific angles that reflect who they are.

People follow blogs and social accounts because they resonate with the person behind the content. When people see a bit of themselves in your story, they’re more likely to stick around, engage, and trust your recommendations. In the long run, it’s better to have one post that offers something unique or speaks directly to a niche audience than ten beautiful posts that are forgotten with a swipe.

3. Inconsistent or Unpredictable Income

The Challenge:
One of the biggest hurdles for travel bloggers is financial instability. Especially in the early stages, income is often patchy and unpredictable. Sponsored posts may be seasonal, affiliate earnings may fluctuate depending on traffic. For example, a blogger might earn $3,000 one month from a campaign with a hotel brand, and only $500 the next month from affiliate links and ad revenue.

How to Overcome It:
Diversifying income streams is key. Many experienced bloggers generate revenue through a mix of sponsored content and brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, selling their own products, display advertising via networks like Mediavine or Google AdSense.

4. Burnout and Creative Fatigue

The Challenge:
Constantly creating while traveling is more demanding than it appears. You’re not just exploring – you’re planning, shooting, editing, writing, posting, and engaging with followers, all while on the move. Over time, this workload can lead to burnout and creative fatigue. When every meal becomes a photo op and every hike a potential reel, it’s easy to lose sight of why you travel in the first place.

How to Overcome It:
Finding balance starts with intention. Adopt a “slow travel” approach, staying longer in one place to reduce stress and create more thoughtfully. Some bloggers set designated “work days” and “off days” to separate content creation from pure exploration.

It’s okay not to post everything. Many creators have learned that quality and authenticity resonate more than quantity. You don’t need to capture every sunset—just the ones that move you.

5. Wearing Many Hats Without Formal Training

The Challenge:
Travel bloggers aren’t just travelers—they often take on many roles: photographer, writer, social media manager, marketer, SEO learner, and sometimes even negotiator and website builder. Most start without formal training in any of these areas, and trying to do it all at once can feel overwhelming.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to master every platform, skill, and tool from day one—especially when comparing yourself to bloggers who have been building their brand for years.

How to Overcome It:
Start small, and give yourself permission to learn as you go. Focus on building one skill at a time – maybe short-form video, how to use a generative AI too, or learning how to fly a drone.

And as you gain momentum, you can begin outsourcing tasks like web design, SEO optimization, or video editing to free up time and focus on the parts of the process you enjoy most.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Pretty Feed

Being a travel blogger is more than chasing sunsets and sipping coffee in Bali. It’s about documenting life on the road, building something of your own, and connecting with people across the globe through stories. It requires commitment, creativity, and resilience—but it also offers incredible freedom, personal growth, and the chance to turn your passion into something meaningful.

Whether you’re dreaming of starting your own blog or simply curious about what goes into the lifestyle, one thing is clear: it’s a journey filled with creativity, challenges, constant learning, and rewarding experiences. For those who stick with it, the impact – both personally and professionally – can be truly life-changing.