Wouldn’t it be grand to earn money while traveling the world? Sounds a bit far-fetched, but it’s totally possible. There are online travel jobs that can be completed on a freelance basis where you set your own rates and decide how much you want to make. Or you can pursue roles that require you to travel for work but guarantee you’ll get paid a certain amount over a set period of time.
Regardless of which route seems most ideal, this guide discusses eleven opportunities to make the dream of traveling while making money a reality.
Online Travel Jobs
1. Online English Teacher
There’s a high-demand for individuals that are willing to teach English to foreign students online. And while you technically won’t have to travel to teach your students, this opportunity grants you the ability to do your job from anywhere in the world. If you have a laptop and a strong internet connection, you’re all set.
Sounds like an interesting opportunity? Check out VIPKid and Qkids to learn more and determine if it’s right for you. You can earn up to $22 and $20 per hour with VIP Kids and QKids, respectively. Another bonus is that you can make your own hours, which means you can also take on other side jobs.
2. Travel Blogger
While you won’t earn much when first getting started, becoming a travel blogger is a fun way to earn money while traveling. It’s a career that affords you the opportunity to write about your experiences in different locations around the globe. You can pick exactly where you want to go and schedule trips when it’s convenient for you.
Even better, it’s up to you to decide how much you want to make. As mentioned earlier, you won’t make a fortune when you hit publish on your first post. But as you create more content and amass a decent following, you can beef up your earnings through affiliate marketing, which allows you to earn a percentage of the sales proceeds when your readers take advantage of a product or service you’re promoting.
Another lucrative opportunity may come through brand partnerships once you’re established a reputable financial opportunity. They may pay you to promote or give reviews of their products or services.
3. Travel Course Creators
Similar to bloggers, travel course creators can earn as little or as much money as they please while traveling around the globe. But what does this role entail? As a travel course creator, you’ll create online classes on topics that are most interesting to travelers. But if you really want to capitalize on the opportunity, you’ll focus on the key pain points faced by most travelers.
For example, are there common issues with lodging faced by many when traveling abroad? Or perhaps certain hacks could save travelers a fortune when booking flights or arranging transportation. The list goes on, but the idea is to create courses that are irresistible to your prospects.
You can host these courses on platforms, like Teachable or Kajabi, that gives users a seamless experience and handle all the tech and back-end stuff for you. Courses can be pre-recorded and accessed at any time by your students. In exchange, you’ll relinquish a percentage of your earnings to them. Another option is to teach courses through an online meet-up if you want to keep more money in your pocket.
4. Travel Photographer
If you enjoy snapping photos, landmarks, special events, and other scenic routes, grab your gear and hit the road as a travel photographer. Don’t quite have a clientele? Take a variety of shots, compile your best images into a portfolio, and promote your services online on your website and social media pages.
Emphasize in your profile and description of services or packages that you’re willing to travel. Or you can label yourself as a travel photographer so your potential clientele will know the moment they land on your webpage or social media profiles.
Not only is travel photography rewarding, but you get to see the world on someone else’s dime. That’s a win-win situation, and it’s up to you to decide how much work to take on.
5. Travel Freelance Writer
Not interested in starting a travel blog? You can still make money as a travel freelance writer. Instead of starting your own blog from scratch and writing away until people and brands start to take notice, you can accept a freelance opportunity and get paid top dollar for your work.
In most instances, the content manager will assign articles on travel-related topics and compensate you on a per word or flat-rate basis upon completion. Thanks to the internet, you won’t be required to travel to each location as adequate research will suffice. But you’ll be free to work from any location you please since the job is location-independent.
Curious about compensation rates? It depends on the publication and your level of experience, but you can expect to make anywhere between $50 and $250 per article. And if you’re able to get on with a major brand, you could earn even more.
International Travel Jobs
6. Cruise Ship Employee
By becoming a cruise ship employee, you’ll be guaranteed a paycheck for the role you play in keeping things running smoothly onboard. Positions available through cruise lines include janitorial and maintenance, food service, and housekeeping, just to name a few. And if you have a particular certification or license in a specialized industry, like massage therapy and cosmetology, you could rake in even more cash as a cruise ship employee.
Pay varies by position, but you could earn anywhere from $12 to $30, depending on the complexity of the position. Even better, you may be eligible for special discounts through the cruise line when you’re ready to hop aboard and set sail on your downtime.
7. International Pet Sitter
Why settle for a pet sitting job in your neck of the woods when you could land a gig in another city, state, or country? Thanks to online platforms, like Rover, this is a possibility if you looking after other people’s furry companions.
You can pick the dates and times you want to travel and only accept jobs that fit within those confines. Another added benefit is the ability to set your own rates, so it’s up to you to decide how much you want to earn. If you plan to stick around in the area for a while, an extended pet sitting gig could mean a nice influx of cash for your wallet. But if you’d prefer to be a bit more mobile, it’s also possible to pick up shorter gigs.
8. School English Teacher
Planning an extended stay abroad? If you have a knack for teaching English, consider a job at a brick-and-mortar school as an English teacher. In the role, you’ll be teaching foreign students English as a second language.
With regard to compensation, it depends on the country you’re planning to teach in. If the cost of living is extremely low, the rates will probably follow suit and vice-versa. So it’s a good idea to do your homework to see if the opportunities that are available in the country you’re planning to visit are worth your while.
9. Surfing or Scuba Diving Instructor
Do you envision yourself working in an area with beautiful bodies of water? If you’re particularly good at surfing or happen to be a certified scuba diving instructor, you may be in luck. The pay can be lucrative and you’ll have opportunities in multiple locations around the globe.
Interested but don’t yet have the proper certifications or licenses? No problem as there are programs out there that can lend a helping hand and get you on the path to traveling while earning money and having the time of your life.
10. Translator
Do you happen to be bilingual? If so, have you considered a job as a translator in another country? It may not be such a bad idea if you desire to live elsewhere. And the beauty of the opportunity is that unlike some roles that require you to travel, you may find an online translator so you can become location independent and travel the world while working from your laptop.
11. Travel Resort Employee
Similar to cruise ship employees, travel resort workers are responsible for making sure the needs of the guests are met. Since there are several resorts around the world, it’s hard to pinpoint a range of pay. However, opportunities are in abundance in just about every major tourist attraction, so keep this in mind when conducting your search.
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a travel resort employee, research properties in areas that pique your interest. Think of those bucket list locations that always come to mind when and start there. Be sure to view available positions to get a feel for the amount of money you can expect to earn. And if you are able to snag a job, you’ll get the opportunity to work hard and play harder in paradise.
The Bottom Line
Ready to grab life by the horns and finally pursue your dreams of traveling? Take advantage of a job that allows you to travel while making money and enjoy the journey every step of the way.
