The opportunity to explore new countries, try new foods, and take part in amazing experiences across the world is a dream for many. With that said, travel expenses can hold you back. But while some might be held back by their financial woes, it's now easier than ever to make money while traveling. Whether you want to become a digital nomad or just extend your holiday, some additional income is always helpful.
You don't need a special international job to make money while traveling, nor do you necessarily need a particular degree or certification. There are all kinds of ways to make money while traveling. Some could earn you a few hundred dollars a month whereas some could earn you a full-time living. Here are some of the best ways to make money while traveling, many of which you can set up from a laptop.
Table Of Contents
- Become A Travel Blogger
- Work At A Hotel Or Hostel
- Rent Out Your Home
- Sell Your Photography
- Teach English Worldwide
- Do An International Job Search
- Switch To Remote Working
- Start Freelancing
- Become An Influencer
- Find A Virtual Assistant Job
- Get A Job On A Cruise Ship
- Become A Flight Attendant
- Work As A Tour Guide
- Sell Products Online
- Fruit Picking
- Become A Deckhand
- Become An Au Pair
- Affiliate Marketing
- Sell Digital Products
- Work As A Translator
- Work As A Ski Instructor
- Become A Summer Camp Counselor
- Scuba Diving Instructor
- Learn Graphic Design
- Volunteer
- Teach People To Surf
- House Sitting
1. Become A Travel Blogger
One of the most rewarding and creative ways to make money while you travel is to become a travel blogger. Not only does this allow you to write all about your experiences while you travel, but you can also get paid handsomely for it.
There are a few routes to making money as a travel blogger. Many travel websites and brands will be happy to pay you if you can provide well-written, search engine friendly blog posts all about traveling. Alternatively, you can create your own travel blog yourself and make money via ads, sponsored links and guest posts. It can take a while to start generating significant traffic but companies like Google Adsense often allow new bloggers to start earning through display advertising.
2. Work At A Hotel Or Hostel
If you love exploring new destinations and meeting new people, you might want to work at a hotel or hostel. Many accommodations worldwide will give you a place to stay as well as a decent wage as long as you work for them.
Some people work as reception staff or even clean rooms while staying at a hostel. You could also become a cook or waiter at a hotel. You might want to look for international hotel and hostel jobs online or ask around to see which ones hire live-in staff.
3. Rent Out Your Home
Some people want to simply relax and enjoy their vacation without having to worry about work. However, you can still do this while earning some passive income. One of the best ways to make money while you're traveling is to rent out your house or apartment.
It's now easier than ever to do this thanks to platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. You can rent out your place for as long as you're traveling and potentially earn enough money to cover all your travel costs. You'll need a friend back home to help with any issues your guest might have, and you might want to store your valuables elsewhere, but this is an excellent way to make money while traveling.
4. Sell Your Photography
If you're one of the people who never leave home without your camera, then you might want to start earning money with it. If you're traveling around the world taking pictures of breathtaking sights and unique landscapes, you might want to sell them online.
Sites such as Adobe Stock and Shutterstock allow you to upload your images and sell them as stock photos. Your success will vary, and you might have to post specific images to make sales, but it's a great way to make some extra travel money. Alternatively, you could advertise your services as a traveling photographer to shoot weddings, events and even for tourism boards.
5. Teach English Worldwide
If you want a rewarding job that allows you to live in another part of the world, you might want to consider teaching. Many countries regularly hire regular people to become English teachers for young students.
You don't always need a language degree or experience with a teaching job, you just need a good grasp of English and the right attitude. There are accreditations such as the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification. These opportunities are particularly common in China, South America, and certain parts of Southeast Asia, and you can usually find them posted online.
6. Do An International Job Search
Another option you might want to consider is to search for a full-time or part-time job online. This is one of the toughest options as you'll have to deal with tricky visa requirements, and it can also be hard to get employment abroad, but it's also a great way to get a fresh start.
Many companies are willing to hire people from across the world as long as you have the skills and qualifications they need, and they'll even sponsor your visa. Alternatively, many countries offer work visas that allow you to travel there and find a job while you stay. Although this is more of a risk, it's a worthwhile experience for those who want to work somewhere new.
7. Switch To Remote Working
Even if you already have a full-time job, there might be a way for you to keep earning while you travel. Remote working is becoming increasingly common, and your company might have remote working opportunities.
One way around this is to ask your boss if they'll allow you to work remotely while you travel. Some companies also have opportunities that allow you to work internationally. If your job has no remote working opportunities, you might want to find another job in your field that supports your desire to travel.
8. Start Freelancing
Starting a freelance business and working remotely is one of the most freeing things you can do. Not only does it release you from the drudgery of a regular 9 to 5 job, but it can also give you much more flexibility to travel.
You might want to offer services such as web designing, video editing, or voice acting on a freelance basis. You could also offer professional consulting or tutoring services. Although it can be tricky to get your business off the ground, the ability to make money from anywhere in the world is worth it.
There are many different platforms that freelancers can use to find work, such as Upwork, Fiverr and People Per Hour. To get started, create a profile on one or more of these sites and start bidding on projects. Once you've built up a portfolio of work, it can help when approaching companies directly to offer your services.
9. Become An Influencer
Many people already post all about their latest travels via Instagram and YouTube, so why not make money from it? Many of those who build up a large following from their travel-related content from social media can monetize their hobby by becoming travel influencers.
If you have a large enough viewership on YouTube or a loyal following on Instagram, many brands will pay you to advertise their products or services. Some travel influencers even get free hotels and flights in exchange for showing off the goods on their YouTube channel or social media pages. It can be hard to build a following but, if you're dedicated, the rewards are worth it.
10. Find A Virtual Assistant Job
Another opportunity that's becoming increasingly common for digital nomads is becoming a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant is pretty much like an administrative assistant. They write emails, create spreadsheets, and help businesses with all kinds of daily tasks. The only difference is they do it remotely.
With the rise of remote working apps and tools like Google Docs and Slack, people can now handle all kinds of work tasks from anywhere in the world. As such, many companies now look for virtual assistants instead of office employees. This is a great opportunity for those who want to get paid while traveling.
11. Get A Job On A Cruise Ship
One way to combine your love of travel with making money is to get a job on a cruise ship. Cruise ships are always in need of staff, and there are many different types of positions available, including, cabin stewards/stewardesses, housekeeping staff, waiters/waitresses, bartenders, musicians, dancers, activity coordinators, gift shop workers and many more. In order to increase your chances of being hired, it's important to have a strong resume and to familiarize yourself with the hiring process.
12. Become A Flight Attendant
Airline crew get to travel the world while getting paid! These jobs do require a lot of training, but if you love to travel this might be the perfect job for you.
To become a flight attendant, you will need to complete a training program that is specific to the airline you want to work for. Some of these initial programs can be completed online, but most of them involve some classroom time as well. You will learn about safety procedures and how to deal with passengers in different situations. Some airlines might require you to speak another language, so if you know more than one language that could be helpful.
Airline stewards and stewardesses get to travel to all sorts of different places and often get free or discounted tickets for themselves and their families. Of course, the job isn't all fun and games. You'll have to deal with angry passengers and long hours, but the ability to see the world is a great perk.
13. Work As A Tour Guide
If you're knowledgeable about a particular city or region, then you could make money by working as a tour guide. Tour companies hire guides to lead their guests around certain areas while on holiday. They are always on the lookout for responsible, caring and sociable people.
You do not need to have studied a the regions the tour covers for too long. When I was in Australia, many of the tour guides were previously just regular travellers who had done the tour at the start of their trip.
14. Sell Products Online
If you're crafty, then you could make money by selling goods online. There are many different platforms where you can sell your products, such as Etsy, Amazon and Shopify.
You can sell anything from jewelry to clothes to home decor. This is a great way to make money while traveling. You could even create souvenirs and sell them to tourists, but be sure to check local government regulations and laws before you do.
15. Fruit Picking
Fruit picking is a great way to make some quick cash while you're traveling. It's also a great way to meet other travelers and get some exercise at the same time.
There are many different types of fruit picking jobs available, such as picking apples, bananas, oranges, and grapes. The pay is sometimes based on how much you pick, but on other farms you can receive an hourly pay. Make sure you compare a few locations to ensure you are receiving the best pay. It is often seasonal work so make sure you have something lined up for when peak season is over. I once worked on a banana farm in Australia while on a working holiday visa.
16. Become A Deckhand
If you love the water and don't mind long hours, then working on a yacht might be a good fit for you. Deckhand jobs are usually seasonal, so they're perfect for those who want to follow the sun and make money at the same time.
There are other types of positions available on yachts too, such as chef, and waiting staff. The pay is usually good and you get to travel to some amazing places on a boat!
17. Be An Au Pair
If you love children and want to experience a new culture, then being an au pair might be the perfect job for you. As an au pair you would be responsible for taking care of children in another country. Sometimes background checks are required for this type of role, so make sure get the required documents sorted before heading off.
There are often jobs where you get free room and board. Plus, you get to experience life in another country and learn about a new culture.
18. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is where you promote products or services for other companies and earn a small commission on each sale that you generate.
There are many different ways to do affiliate marketing, such as through a blog, YouTube channel, or social media account. If you're able to generate a lot of sales, then you can make a decent amount of money while on the move.
19. Sell Digital Products
If you're creative, then you could make money by selling digital products. This could include anything from lightroom presets to courses.
There are many different platforms where you can sell digital products, such as Etsy and Gumroad. Once you are up and running and have a good flow of traffic to your products it is possible to make money while you sleep.
20. Work As A Translator
If you're bilingual, then you could make money by working as a translator. Local companies that operate in multiple languages often need translators to help them communicate with their clients. It can also be done via email or video chat services like Skype or Zoom. You can do this work from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a good internet connection.
21. Work As A Ski Instructor
If you love skiing and snowboarding, then you could make money by working as a ski instructor. It is not a simple as some of the other jobs we have talked about but it is probably one of the most fun once you have gotten through the training.
Many ski instructors will spend October - March in the Northern Hemisphere in places like Switzerland, USA, Canada, France, Austria. The ski season then switches to the southern hemisphere to they often spend May-September in the Southern Hemisphere in places like New Zealand, Australia or South America.
22. Become A Summer Camp Counselor
If you love working with children and want to experience a new culture, then becoming a summer camp counselor might be the perfect job for you. As a summer camp counselor, you'll be responsible for leading activities and supervising kids at a summer camp. You'll also need to be able to manage a group of children and keep them safe.
It is possible to become a summer camp counselor both domestically and internationally. You'll also need to pass a background check. Some camps may require you to have prior experience working with children, while others will provide training.
23. Scuba Diving Instructor
If you're a certified scuba diver and love the ocean, then you could make money by working as a scuba diving instructor. To become a scuba diving instructor, you'll need to be certified by an accredited organization such as the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).
You also need to be able to work with people of all ages and abilities, as scuba diving is a popular activity for both children and adults. If you love marine animals and want to share that passion with others, then working as a scuba diving instructor could be the perfect job for you!
24. Learn Graphic Design
If you're creative and have an eye for detail, then learning graphic design might be a good option for you. As a graphic designer you can work remotely for companies social posts, branding, web design and other artistic work.
Photoshop, After Effects and Canva designers are always in demand. Learning graphic design can be done through online courses, traditional colleges, or simply through self-teaching and experimentation.
25. Volunteer
If you're looking for a more altruistic way to make money while traveling, then you could consider doing volunteer work. Volunteer work can be anything from working with animals to helping out at a local orphanage. No matter what your skills or talents may be, there's almost certainly a way that you can help out and make a difference while you're on the road.
The positions are not always paid but often offer things like free accommodation on site, which can save you a lot of money while you're traveling. And of course, the satisfaction of knowing that you're making a positive impact on the world is priceless.
26. Teach People To Surf
If you love the ocean and want to share your passion for surfing with others, teaching people to surf can be an incredibly rewarding job. Not only will you get to spend your days outside in the sun and salt water, but you'll also get to see the joy on your students' faces as they catch their first waves.
Of course, becoming a surf instructor takes more than just being a great surfer. You'll need to be able to effectively communicate your knowledge of the sport, as well as have the patience to deal with beginners. But if you're up for the challenge, teaching people to surf can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
27. House Sitting
When people are out of town, they need someone to take care of their home and pets. That's where you come in! As a house sitter, you would be responsible for tasks like feeding and walking the pets, collecting the mail, and taking out the trash. You might even be asked to water the plants or do some light landscaping.
Conclusion
Whether you're looking for a way to make extra cash on your vacation or want to generate an income stream for long term travel, these are some of the best ways to make money while you travel. There's a suitable opportunity for every kind of person so if traveling is your dream and you need some extra money, do your research and have a go!