Do you dream of traveling the world but instantly dismiss the idea just because you think your current paycheck won’t allow it? Well, maybe it’s time to reconsider. Thanks to technological advances and innovative companies popping up worldwide, making money while traveling has never been easier.
Whether you choose to work remotely or teach English abroad, there’s something for everyone who wants to explore new cultures and earn money along the way. Read on to discover how to make money while traveling and what steps to take for a well-deserved break from the 9-5 grind.
7 Ways to Make Money While Traveling
The digital age has made it possible for people to make money in an hour, moms to earn from the comfort of their homes, and for wanderlusters to travel the world with a steady source of income.
Based on your goals and the type of trips you want to make, we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to make money while traveling. Below are the details:
Become a Freelancer
One way to travel and make money is to join the freelance community. Digital nomads have been taking advantage of this for years, and it’s becoming more popular among the general population. Actually, freelance statistics say that more than one-third of the US workforce are now freelancers.
Whether you’re a freelance writer, virtual assistant, graphic designer, or programmer, there is no shortage of freelance opportunities. What’s more, as a freelancer, you are not connected to a particular place; all you need is a stable internet connection to access popular freelancing websites. But you can also use your network of contacts to find clients who need your services.
Start a Travel Blog
To make the most of your dream of making money while traveling, you can leverage your travel experiences by sharing them with others and earning through advertising or affiliate marketing. This can involve promoting services, recommending hotels, and writing about what you did during your visit to a specific location.
To do this, you’d need to have your website, create content, and find a way to monetize your traffic. It sounds complex, but it’s not. Apart from the basic travel website, which can cost around $200, all you need to invest is your time and research skills.
However, building a successful travel blog and generating income takes time. You need to focus on creating content that draws people to your blog, and it takes time for search engines like Google to recognize the quality of your content and promote it to potential readers.
Try Remote Work
Remote work statistics reveal that 98% of workers would work remotely for the rest of their careers. And since you’re here, we’re guessing you’re looking for ways to find the freedom to travel the world and make money. And why shouldn’t you? The pandemic has shown that with services like Zoom, Skype, and Slack, no one has to be tied down to one physical location anymore.
To make money while traveling, you only need to find a company that hires remote workers, get your laptop, and ensure your internet connection is stable. There are plenty of companies worldwide where you can work as a salesperson, customer service representative, or even a web developer.
Sell Your Travel Photos on Photo Stocks
For experienced travelers and those who want to make money on the road, one of the best ways to do it is by selling travel photos. You can easily set up a basic portfolio and upload some of your best shots worldwide on photo stock platforms like Unsplash, Pixabay, Shutterstock, and others.
Generating a reliable income by selling photos requires time, just like with travel blogging. You must first build a portfolio, optimize your offers by filling in all the necessary details, and consider alternative promotion methods.
It’s also worth noting that you don’t need to be a professional photographer to make money in this field.
Earn Passive Income Online
From making money in the metaverse to renting your stuff and dropshipping, there are many ways to make passive income while traveling. True, generating passive income can be challenging, but it is certainly achievable.
If you already own an apartment, you’re all set up to make some extra money by renting it out on Airbnb. You can also rent out your car, a storage unit, or even items such as camping gear and camera equipment.
Another option to make money and travel is to start a dropshipping business which, as a model, allows you to sell products without having to handle stock, storage, shipping, or customer service.
Teach English Online or In-Person
Teaching English abroad can be a great way to earn money while traveling. With a TEFL certification, you can apply for jobs in countries like South Korea, Japan, China, or Thailand. You’ll get to experience different cultures and earn a living while teaching English.
But even if these countries are off your bucket list, or if in-person teaching is not your thing, you can still do it remotely. You only need a laptop, microphone and headset, a webcam, and an internet connection. With these tools, you can work with companies worldwide as an online English teacher or join platforms that require online language instructors.
Find a Job at a Local Company
We all have that one country or place that we would love to live in for a few months, and why not make money while doing it? You can find a job locally as a bartender, shop assistant, or even work at a hostel. It’ll allow you to experience the local culture and meet new people.
The next best thing is that lots of jobs don’t require any qualifications – just the right attitude and willingness to learn. Plus, depending on your location, you may be able to negotiate a flexible timetable to still have plenty of free time for sightseeing.
How to Get Paid to Travel
If making money on the road seems too challenging for you, or if none of the options we’ve considered above fit your lifestyle, keep going. There are a few paid travel opportunities that will still allow you to explore the world and make money.
Become a Flight Attendant
If you want to travel for a living, joining one of the top airlines in the world may be just what you’re looking for. Naturally, you’d have to meet some requirements and pass initial interviews and training, but once you’re officially a qualified flight attendant, you’ll be getting paid to travel the world. Awesome right?
The pay is another great plus, as reports show senior flight attendants make nearly $80,000 a year, which is more than the national average salary for all occupations. Plus, flight attendants can often stay in hotels for free during layovers and land nice discounts on flights for themselves or family members.
Become a Tour Guide
Becoming a tour guide is the perfect option if you want to travel for money. This way, you’ll combine your love for travel with making money, but you’ll also get to meet new people from all around the world. And you’ll be able to explore new places and share fascinating stories about them.
Being a tour guide can be incredibly rewarding as you show the world to others and share your knowledge and experiences with your guests. Depending on the type of tours you offer, you could make as much as $50 an hour or even more if you offer specialized tours such as food or wine tastings.
Get a Job on a Cruise Ship
Possibly the best way to travel full-time and make money is to apply for work on a cruise ship. Working on a cruise ship may not be the most glamorous of jobs, but it does offer you the opportunity to see many different destinations in a short period of time. Most cruise ships provide onboard accommodation and meals, so you don’t have to worry about travel logistics.
There are various roles available, from bartenders and housekeeping staff to tour guides and shore excursion operators. Plus, many ships offer flexible contracts, making it much easier to fit into the role and make a living traveling.
Become an Online Travel Consultant
This is one of those jobs that will enable you to get paid to travel the world. Plus it’s a fantastic way to combine your love for seeing new places with a fulfilling career. As an online travel consultant, you can provide expert advice, plan itineraries, and book accommodations for clients seeking unforgettable travel experiences.
With the rise of digital platforms and remote work opportunities, you can work from anywhere in the world while earning an income. Whether you specialize in a specific region or niche, or offer general travel consulting services, this role is much more than just one of those “get paid to travel jobs” as it allows you to immerse yourself in different cultures, explore new destinations, and share your passion for travel with others.
Work as a Travel Agent
Working as a travel agent offers the perfect blend of earning a living and satisfying your wanderlust. The role will require you to become the go-to person for clients seeking personalized travel experiences, enabling you to get paid to travel.
Depending on whether you’re selling vacation, cruise trips, or niche travel, you can make money from multiple streams working as a travel agent. Another great perk is that you will build relationships with airlines, hotels, and tour operators, enabling you to secure discounted or complimentary travel benefits for yourself. Familiarization trips, also known as “FAM trips,” allow travel agents to experience firsthand the destinations they promote. These trips enhance your knowledge and provide invaluable experiences that can be shared with clients, making you a trusted and well-informed advisor.
The Takeaway
The world is a book waiting to be read, and knowing how to make money while traveling will help you get the most out of your adventures. Whether you want to become a freelancer, teach English abroad, work on a cruise ship, or start your own business – there are plenty of opportunities out there for travel enthusiasts who want to earn money traveling.
And even if none of them work for you, you can always look for jobs where you get paid to travel like cabin or cruise crew. Regardless of which approach you choose, the great news is that there are plenty of opportunities that will allow you to fulfill your dream of traveling the world and make money while you’re at it.