Sample Travel Magazine and Webzine Travel Writers' Guidelines

There are hundreds of outlets for travel stories, so this list of guidelines is only a sampling. Follow the standard advice: find a compelling story angle, study the publications to find a good match for your idea, and send a brief query.

These are broken into categories. Tier 1 publications have a high circulation, pay well, and are highly competitive. Feature stories go to writers they have worked with in the past, so query on shorter pieces to break in. In most cases, editors will expect an impressive array of published clips to see your writing background. As the Wanderlust guidelines say, “Realistically, you have a one in 800 chance of a manuscript or photograph being accepted for publication.”

Transitions Abroad is not endorsing any publication on this list, only providing guidelines as a springboard for your own research. —Tim Leffel

Backpacker
www.backpacker.com/guidelines/

British Columbia (Canada)
www.bcmag.ca/guidelines/

Caribbean Travel & Life
www.caribbeantravelmag.com/article/Writers-Guidelines

National Geographic Traveler
travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/about-us/writer-guidelines/

Outside Magazine
www.outsideonline.com/contributors-guidelines/contributors-guidelines.html

Sierra
www.sierraclub.org/sierra/guidelines/writers.aspx

Travel & Leisure
www.travelandleisure.com/contact

Wanderlust (UK)
www.wanderlust.co.uk/aboutus/writers

Tier 2 publications have a lower circulation and often pay less, but are easier publishing targets for those without stacks of clippings already, provided you follow their guidelines carefully.

Outpost Magazine (Canada)
www.outpostmagazine.com/contributor-guidelines/

South American Explorers
www.saexplorers.org

Sunset (Australia)
www.sunset.com

Things Asian
www.thingsasian.com/writers-guidelines

Transitions Abroad
www.transitionsabroad.com/information/writers/index.shtml

Travelers Tales
www.travelerstales.com/guidelines

Tier 3 publications listed here are usually web-only and either pay a token sum or nothing at all—usually no more than $100 for an article. This is the best place for beginning writers trying to build up a published clips history. These are also good spots for authors who want to publicize their book or drive traffic to a specific website. There are hundreds of such sites on the web, but here are some of the most established ones.

Big World Magazine
www.bigworldmagazine.com/submit/

BootsnAll
www.bootsnall.com/writers

JourneyWoman
www.journeywoman.com/writers_guidelines.html

Matador Network
matadornetwork.com/content/contributors-and-job-applicants/

Oriental Tales
www.orientaltales.com/guidelines.html

TravelMag
www.travelmag.co.uk

Trips and Journeys
www.tripsandjourneys.com

Wanderlust and Lipstick
wanderlustandlipstick.com/wander-tales/wander-tales-writers-guidelines/

Many large city newspapers still also accept freelance travel stories, even as many newspapers are closing their print business in favor of an online presence. Dig around in the library to find contact names.