How to Earn Money While Traveling?
Getting paid while traveling the world and make a living from it may sound like an impossible dream, but with some effort, time, and investment, it can become your everyday life.
Nikhil Schmitt
Yes, it sounds like a dream come true - That's because it is. You can travel around the world, visit beautiful cities and places, and get paid while traveling.
Fortunately, influencers aren't the only ones who can earn money while traveling. Whether from the comfort of your own home or in a new, unexplored country, you have a chance too!
[1] Influencer Marketing & Affiliates
Although it was just mentioned that you don't need to be an influencer to earn money while traveling, affiliate marketing is a good way to start. With this calculator, you can estimate how much you'd make a month with your current stats.
If you manage to build a decent community around your social media or blog, companies related to traveling will pay you to access that audience. You can collaborate with them and promote products, brands, flights, etc.
Of course, you should only work with companies you trust. You're selling something to your audience - If it's bad, your reputation will be damaged.
[2] Freelance Travel Photography
More than one company is interested in purchasing your gorgeous trip images. It may not be your primary source of income, but it is a viable alternative.
These companies generally are marketing companies, book publishers and editors, tourism brands, etc. They need good-quality photographs from around the globe, and you're here to deliver.
If you have a decent community around your blog, travel companies will pay you to access that audience.
The best well-known companies to earn money with your travel pictures are Foap, iStock, and PhotoMoolah. But the Internet is flooded with other websites, so make sure to do your research!
[3] Travel Writing
If you are an enthusiast of the written word, descriptions of breathtaking landscapes, exotic foods that transport you to another world, and meeting people from other cultures, this is for you.
Travel writing allows you to earn money while traveling and bring together two of your passions: Writing and traveling. But don't worry - You can engage in this activity even if you don't plan on becoming the next Shakespeare.
Some travel agencies or blogs need writers that provide regular content for their websites. If you have traveled to a certain country or place, they might want you to write a story for them.
- How were the people in that country?
- Was the weather cold or warm?
- What were your thoughts as you walked through the most emblematic tourism attractions?
- How was the food? Was it very different from your country?
These and many other questions can be answered gracefully in a storytelling post. If you don't want to write for others as a way to get paid while traveling, you can start your own blog and make a profit off it. You can combine creating a blog with affiliate marketing to see your income grow.
[4] Tours & Workshops
You can host your own group tour or photography course at your favorite spots across the world once you've gained enough expertise!
Let's say you fall in love with Italy and start exploring its most beautiful corners and stories. You'll reach a point where you're ready to educate others.
Don't worry, it doesn't have to be about taking the best photos. There's so much more to discuss. You can talk about other topics such as the history of the place, how to manage a travel budget, or how to find yourself during a personal trip.
Most people want to learn something from others. You have something they appreciate or value, share it with them and start earning money while traveling!
[5] Language Tuition
If you're competent in English, teaching English as a foreign language is a terrific way to earn money while traveling - there's a large need for English tutors all over the world!
You're in particular luck if you are a native English speaker. Employers and schools always prefer to hire native teachers. But don't get discouraged if English is your second language. As long as you're good at what you do, you hold a chance.
Universities and libraries are also great venues to look for language tutoring opportunities. If that doesn't work out, you can register on sites like Verbling and begin online teaching in your trip's free time.
[6] Seasonal Work
If you plan to travel long-term and stay in one place for a few months, you may get paid while traveling by finding seasonal work. Some seasonal jobs also cover your lodging and at least one meal, allowing you to save even more money.
Seasonal work is a great source of income, if you plan to travel long-term and stay in one place for a few months.
Fruit picking, working at youth summer camps, being a ski instructor in the winter, or a dive instructor in warm destinations... These are just a few options to earn money while traveling, depending on where you end up living and the time of year.
Note that once the season ends, you might have to go back home if you don't have other plans. But it can be a phenomenal short or mid-term experience.
[7] Become a Pilot or Flight Attendant
The benefits of flight attendant life are unrivaled if you enjoy traveling. Becoming a crew member, while physically demanding at times, is the closest thing to getting paid while traveling full-time.
As a flight attendant, you have nearly unlimited free access to the rest of the world as long as you fly standby. And flight attendants usually have extremely flexible schedules: They can swap, drop, and pick up trips, work extra hours to pay bills, or drop hours if they need time off.
On the other hand, becoming a pilot requires greater responsibility and education. At the end of the day, you're quite responsible for the lives of many people onboard. Besides that pressure, the satisfying feeling of leading a plane to its destination must be amazing.
Last but not least, it's worth mentioning that if you work on an airplane, you most likely get discounts to travel. Just as retailers enjoy clothing discounts, you and your family get to enjoy a trip here and there at an affordable price.
[8] Earn Passive Income
Passive income has become one of the most popular ways to save and earn money while traveling. A good passive income stream is a smart way to pay for your journeys.
But making a good side income isn't easy. You must invest time, and maybe some money, to establish your business. It can be a blog, selling online courses, writing and selling books, freelancing online, handcrafting and distributing products, etc.
You can try sites like Etsy to sell digital products, KDP Amazon to self-publish, or WordPress to build an eCommerce from scratch. Dropshipping may also be a good business opportunity that comes with little to no risk.
Even if it takes time and effort, once you've established a consistent second income, you'll notice you're able to travel more frequently and to more luxurious destinations.
[9] Translate
Do you speak a second or third language? Then you can find translation positions that fit your travel schedule. If you're constantly on the go, consider starting a translation business or working on freelance platforms to get paid while traveling.
Taking on translations of documents or written works allows you to work on your own schedule, without worrying about time zone differences.
If you plan on staying in the same location for an extended period, look for real-time translation positions, which are frequently better paid. If you can specialize in a particular field (such as medical translation or technical documents), your earning potential will significantly increase!
[10] Become a Social Media Manager
Social media is a powerful tool and resource these days. If you have great social media skills, you can become an assistant, consultant, or even a manager.
When well done, social media advertising and managing can be a great revenue stream.
These positions can often be carried remotely, so you can lie in the Bahamas while you update that profile and post a new picture. And guess what - Social media managers, when well-established, earn a lot of money.
When well done, social media advertising and managing can get hundreds and thousands of conversions for any company. You can imagine why these professionals are a catch.
Consider working for a travel agency or travel-related company to make the most out of your trips. The more specialized you are in your niche, the more demanded you'll be - And what's better than living to do the same thing you are paid for?
Takeaway
Earning money while traveling may be a challenge, but it's not impossible. Luckily for you, everyone is on the Internet these days - you can leverage that in several ways.
- Become a social media manager.
- Start a blog about traveling.
- Engage in affiliate marketing and influencing.
- Sell your travel photographs online.
- Become a freelance writer or translator.
But there are also in-person opportunities for you, such as:
- Becoming a pilot or flight attendant.
- Finding seasonal work.
- Teaching English or other languages.
- Real-time translating.
