A world traveler, by definition, is traveling to multiple countries and going from continent to continent. Sometimes they have a full cash fund and don’t need to worry about paying the travel bills. However, many need to maintain their lifestyle while traveling and on the road. Traveling is expensive. Many travelers need to find ways to earn money on the road to continue their travels. That makes me wonder, how do world travelers make enough cash to sustain their travels?
To make ends meet, world travelers often end up as teachers, guides, tour operators, or becoming digital nomads with their own freelance businesses. The most common way to make money on the road is through teaching English or finding local paying jobs.
World travelers are usually people who love to explore new places. They are also very curious and like to learn about different cultures and customs. There are many different ways for world travelers to make money.
There are so many that it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why I put together this list of the best ways to make money while traveling. I’ll cover everything, from finding work on the road to making money online to becoming a digital nomad. So, whether you’re just starting your travels or a nomad looking for new ways to earn income, read on for the best tips and advice!
Ways that World Travelers Make Money
The following is a quick list of ways world travelers can earn while on the move:
- Look for short-term jobs in the areas you are visiting – It could be anything from bartending to house sitting.
- Start a blog or online business – You can do it from anywhere in the world, and it can be a great way to make money while traveling
- Become a digital nomad – It’s a great option if you’d like to travel full-time while still making money. There are many ways to do this, from freelancing to selling products online.
- Look into teaching English as a second language – Teaching English is on-demand globally, and you do it remotely.
- Look out for seasonal jobs – There are many opportunities for seasonal work in different parts of the world, giving you opportunities to travel while earning.
- Participate in WWOOFing or other volunteer programs -Volunteering is an excellent trick. You get to see new places and meet interesting people, all while earning some money.
There are many more ways to make money while traveling, but these are some of the most popular and easiest options. Let’s take a closer look at each one now that you have an idea of what’s out there.
What Jobs Pay You to Travel around the World?
Many different jobs pay you to travel the world. The best way to find such opportunities is by doing some research and asking around. Here are a few of the most common ones:
Bartending
One of the most popular ways for travelers to make money is by bartending in bars and clubs. Bartending is a tempting option because it often entails short-term work, and you can often find gigs in the areas you are visiting. It also doesn’t require much experience or training.
Hospitality Work
Another common way to make money while traveling is by working in the hospitality industry. The opportunities span from anything like waiting tables to working in a hotel. On the plus side, hospitality work is often available in most tourist destinations, and the hours are usually flexible.
Teaching English
One of the most popular ways to make money while traveling long-term is teaching English as a second language. There are many opportunities for this type of work globally, and it doesn’t usually require any previous teaching experience.
Freelancing
If you have some professional skills, then go the freelance way and free yourself from that 8-5 job. Becoming a digital nomad is the most surreal way of traveling the world while making an income.
Many online platforms make it easy for freelancers to find work in their area of expertise. You can become a digital nomad with skills like:
- Writing
- Design
- Web development
- Programming
- Marketing
Seasonal Work
A great way to travel the world while earning money is by doing seasonal work. This type of work can be found in many tourist destinations around the globe and usually doesn’t require any specific skills or experience. The most common types of seasonal work are:
- Waiting tables
- Substitute teaching
- Tour guide
- Park ranger
- Receptionist
- Fruit picking
- Farm handy work
WWOOFing and Volunteering
If you’re not interested in working for money, another great option is to volunteer your time instead. You’ll get to see new places while helping out with something that interests you. There are many different ways to volunteer and enjoy the cathartic effect of traveling while empowering the lives of vulnerable people.
Some of the most popular volunteer programs include:
- International development work
- Teaching English
- Organizing and running camps for children
- Mentoring marginalized youth etc.
There are many more ways to make money while traveling, but these are some of the most popular and easiest options.
Ways to Travel the World and Make Money
If you travel the world, once or twice, or often, you should make some money out of it. There are unique opportunities open only for people who travel a lot, and you can’t leverage them if you never travel. Here are some of the best ways to make money while traveling:
- Sell Photos of Exotic Travel Destinations
One way to make money while traveling is by taking amazing photos and selling them online. There are many stock photo websites buying images like yours. Some even offer a commission if someone buys the photo through their website.
If you have an eye for photography and love capturing stunning landscapes, this could be a great way to make some money while traveling. Plus, photography keeps memories of your amazing trips!
- Do Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a process where you promote someone else’s product or service and receive a commission on any sales that you generate. It’s attractive as you can do it passively while traveling anywhere in the world, and there are countless affiliate programs available.
You just need to find a product or service you believe in, create a website or blog to promote it and drive traffic to the site. You earn a commission whenever someone buys the product through your affiliate link.
- Leverage Traveling to Become a Social Media Influencer
If you’re passionate about travel and have a large social media following, you could leverage your hobby to make money. Platforms like Instagram are always looking for new content, and if you can provide them with amazing photos and stories from your travels, they may be willing to pay you for it.
Many social media influencers rake in the dream income from promoting brands on their platforms. If you have the skills, start pitching yourself to travel companies and see if they’re interested in working with you.
- Get Into Product Endorsement
Another neat trick to make money while traveling is by endorsing products. If you have a large social media following or are an expert on a particular topic, companies may be interested in paying you to promote their products. It could involve:
- Writing blog posts
- Recording videos
- Attending events
- Become a Flight Attendant.
One of the best jobs for world travelers is to become a flight attendant. You get to travel the world while also receiving a salary and benefits. Plus, lots of airlines are always looking for new crew members, so it’s a great way to get your foot in the door.
To become a flight attendant, you usually need to be at least 18 years old and have some customer service experience. There are also many different training programs available.
If it interests you, start researching airlines in your area and see if they’re hiring.
- Become a Global Opportunity Scout for Venture Capitalists
If you’re interested in business and entrepreneurship, you could become a global opportunity scout for venture capitalists. Opportunity scouting entails traveling the world looking for new and exciting investment opportunities.
You would need to have the strong business acumen to spot potential opportunities that competitors would fail to appreciate.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, world travelers earn money by working while traveling. They work as waiters or bartenders, sell goods, or even teach English. They also do freelance writing, photography, or other jobs online. Many of these jobs pay well enough to allow travelers to live comfortably while traveling.
I’m the owner of Digital Nomad Explorer. I’ve traveled to over 50 countries and been an expat in Scotland, Finland, and China. I was a digital nomad while having my own robotics company and traveled throughout Europe and China working remotely. Currently, I’m location independent with a home base in Kirkkonummi, Finland.