35 Best Travel Jobs to Make Money Traveling the World

The best travel jobs fall into two groups: remote work you can do from a laptop anywhere, like freelance writing, web design, social media management, and teaching English online, and location-based jobs that move you around the world, like working on a cruise ship or yacht, flight attending, travel nursing, and seasonal resort work. Below are 35 options, many explained by people who actually fund their travels this way.

Have you ever wondered how to make money on the road or what types of digital nomad jobs you can do while traveling?

For this post, we asked travelers who work on the road how they travel for a living. Their answers come first, in their own words, followed by more remote and offline jobs worth considering.

Read also:

• How to use a VPN for travel
• The greatest adventures around the world

Travel Jobs at a Glance

The Best Travel Jobs, in Travelers’ Own Words

1. Instagram Agency

The many digital nomads and long-term travelers that you see and follow online are usually still working and making money on the road as they travel.

We all have found a way to channel our passion for continuous travel and use it as a source of income and business.

And for us, Gamintraveler, it is the Instagram Agency that we run while travel that has let us travel continuously and the growing Instagram collaborations that we are having.

While we travel to develop our travel brand continuously, the Instagram Agency is where we provide Instagram Management Services to various Instagram accounts for other personal brands and small to medium-sized businesses and solopreneurs (SMBs).

This is how we earn thru blogging.

We act as Instagram Account Managers by creating curating content, growing their followers and engagement, and getting leads to their businesses using the Instagram platform.

We primarily offer full-time Instagram services.

We need to structure our days, and yes, even the hardcore traveling days, to always have time set up for work.

We work insane hours usually, from 8-hour days to 12-16-hour days, especially when traveling.

We also have a team of assistants working with us to support our work. We easily earn a solid 4-figure monthly income from our Instagram agency.

Rachel & Ruben from Gamintraveler

2. Travel Coaching

I opened the travel coaching sessions hoping that I would get income from it and become closer to the people reading the blog.

I do private sessions for different categories like how to become a Digital Nomad, finding volunteering gigs, teaching English abroad, and long-term travel. Since it’s a private session, it starts at USD 50 per hour.

28% of my readers are from the Philippines, and I never expected the weekly sessions would be fully booked.

Upon inquiry, I tell them the session won’t make sense if they don’t have the willingness to do what they want yet – it’s a total waste of money, so I put them through some mini-tests before approving the booking.

More and more people started booking through third-party referrals because they knew that the session would focus on the type of individual they were.

It’s not about the money I will be earning.

In this business, trust is one of the powerful words that got me through.

I think we, as bloggers, should value our services for a personal benefit to the other party as opposed to thinking about the amount of money we will earn.

Trisha from P.S. I’m On My Way

Learn how Michelle went from $0 in affiliate income to over $50,000 per month. Get the step-by-step affiliate marketing strategy course that shows you how to increase your affiliate income and make more money blogging.

3. Virtual Travel Assistant

These days, more and more people worldwide are deciding to pursue an independent location lifestyle.

I decided to take advantage of that and started working remotely as a virtual travel assistant for digital nomads alongside my main freelancing work.

Many digital nomads find booking their travel annoying and time-consuming. 

That’s where a virtual travel assistant comes in. Rather than sit and compare flight prices or look for the perfect Airbnb, they can outsource this to someone else and concentrate on doing what makes them money!

I love booking travel and sometimes look at flights for places I have no plans to visit just for fun.

This is the perfect side-hustle for me! I also work as a freelance writer, so the logistical side of my travel planning job is a nice contrast to this.

I have a few travel clients I help with all aspects of their travel: I find them cheap flights and car rentals, book their accommodation, research visas, and even make them custom itineraries.

I got my first client on a Facebook group and have gotten more from word of mouth.

I charge my clients an hourly rate and invoice them at the end of the month.

I wouldn’t rely on this type of work as a primary source of income unless you can find yourself a vast client base.

But, for some extra pocket money, it’s an easy way to make money on the road and work from anywhere in the world.

Nicole from Wee Gypsy Girl

4. Managing Social Media for Companies

One of the easiest ways to travel and work remotely is by offering social media management services for companies in your field.

Let’s say you love to travel – who doesn’t! You can look for companies in the travel business that aren’t doing excellent or that could quickly improve their social media game and pitch them your services.

The job is straightforward and one of the online Digital Nomad Jobs that pay well.

You just need to find interesting stuff to post on their google+ page three times per week and answer any comments their followers leave.

It only takes to be connected three times per week and understand what the company is about and what its audience requires.

Thanks to that, and many other little jobs here and there, I can afford to live a life of travel.

And I promise you; it is a fascinating one! Check out what we were up to in 2016 here to get an idea.

Inma from A World to Travel

Editor’s note (October 2026): Google shut down the consumer version of Google+ in 2019. The same approach now applies to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

5. Publish a Book

These days, it’s relatively easy to publish a book either in e-book format or as a paperback.

I recently published a tongue-in-cheek guidebook to German culture: German Men Sit Down To Pee And Other Insights Into German Culture.

It hasn’t made me rich, but it does provide a monthly income.

Publishing a book is very time-consuming.

First, you have to research the book. Then, you have to write the thing. Then, there’s proofreading, corrections, and re-writes.

And that’s all before you get into marketing the book and finding people to review it.

However, if you have an idea for a book that you think will sell, it could be a very rewarding passive income.

Making it available in print or on Kindle is pretty simple thanks to Amazon’s KDP and Createspace Publishing Programs – with Kindle, for example, it’s as simple as uploading the manuscript and a cover.

You have a massive advantage over most writers if you have a blog. A blog gives you a direct line to your readers, allowing you to understand what they want to see in the book (for non-fiction).

It also allows you to find beta readers who can provide feedback on early drafts or who might be interested in a review copy (a copy in exchange for a review).

Got an idea for a book? Get writing, and add book royalties to your income stream.

James from Portugalist

Editor’s note (October 2026): Amazon merged CreateSpace into Kindle Direct Publishing in 2018, so both e-books and paperbacks now run through KDP.

6. Teach English Online

One of the most common questions I am asked about my vagabond lifestyle is how I manage to support it financially!

Flights, hotels, Airbnb stays – they all add up, and although I am very much on the thrifty side of nomadism, putting in semi-regular work hours is an absolute must to keep my journey always moving.

After teaching English in Thailand and Mexico, one of the best places to teach English abroad, for a combined three years, my yearning for nonstop travel compelled me to jump from the classroom to cyberspace and start to teach English online.

Overall, teaching English online has been one of the best travel Jobs for me as the scheduling is really (really) flexible, classes are only 25 minutes, there is no lesson preparation, testing, or exams whatsoever, and the majority of the students are eager and happy to learn.

Nearly all of my lessons are with children ages 5-10, making for fun and enthusiastic lessons.

Lots of jokes, drawings, and games fill my lessons, and I even use my ukulele to sing songs!

After working for my current company for a year and a half, I have built up a solid student base that will book me exclusively, even with only 24 hours’ notice.

As long as I have fast enough internet, a quiet room, and a manageable time zone, I can work – from anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in online English teaching jobs, all you need is a newer laptop with a webcam, a good headset, a Bachelor’s Degree (in any field – it does not have to be in English or education!), and you are good to go!

Check out how you can get started and learn.

Craig from Vagabond Disposition

7. Affiliate Marketing

Considering you’ve raised your blog’s traffic to a decent number, affiliate marketing can become one of the best ways to make money from your blog and one of the best travel Jobs to work remotely.

No matter your niche, there are plenty of companies that offer an affiliate partner program.

Do your research, register for their affiliate program, and after their approval, you’ll be able to use their affiliate links in your blog posts.

Every time a reader clicks or buys a product through your link, you will receive a commission.

Not all affiliate programs pay well; some pay on a percentage of the sale, some on leads (how many people clicked on your link), and some on a fixed rate that can increase according to sales.

A good affiliate website you can start with is Awin and, of course, Amazon.

The other way to make money from affiliate marketing is to sell your product and create a unique partner program.

The other fellow bloggers can register for it and insert the links to your product in their blogs. This is a win-win!

Naturally, the more products you create and the more partners will use your program, the higher your passive income will be.

Ivana & Gianni from Nomad is Beautiful

Want a structured course? Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing walks through a step-by-step strategy for growing affiliate income from a blog.

Learn how Michelle went from $0 in affiliate income to over $50,000 per month. Get the step-by-step affiliate marketing strategy course that shows you how to increase your affiliate income and make more money blogging.

8. Freelance Writing

I’ve found freelance writing to be the best way to make money while traveling and working remotely.

I love the ability to have clients around the globe where I can write about various topics while basing myself out of anywhere that has wifi.

I mostly write about topics that interest me – food and travel but I also occasionally take on topics for clients that I’m not as familiar with, and I love that challenge.

It allows me to learn about new topics, some of which even help me improve my site.

For example, I was recently hired to write a piece about the best plugins for websites. In researching this article, I found valuable new plugins for my site.

Getting established as a freelance writer can be difficult at first. In the beginning, I was writing articles for free or for as little as $10.

Once you have bylines in several publications, pitching larger, better-paying publications will be more accessible.

If you consistently deliver high-quality material on time, editors are happy to work with you.

And if that particular editor doesn’t have current work for you, they will often refer you to a colleague.

Most of these people in the industry understand the hustle of being a freelancer!

Nathan from Foodie Flashpacker

9. Creating Websites for Clients

Web design has changed a lot in the last decade, and to get a fully functional website done within a few days, is not “rocket science” anymore.

You can build a website without coding skills, thanks to various tools, content management systems, or page builders.

There are also pre-designed themes that you can easily install with just by few clicks.

They will save you plenty of time and cover almost all your graphic design efforts.

All you need to do these days is fill up the content, information, and pictures and learn how to use one of the tools.

When it comes to small businesses, most websites are done this way, whether it’s a PRO agency, freelancer, or “freelance traveler.”

Template websites meet the required quality for design, user experience, and SEO, and they are affordable.

Since many traditional “older” businesses are just getting their websites done, re-designing for a modern look, or catching up with mobile & tablet growth, web designers have a huge demand.

Therefore, finding clients willing to hire people for remote web design jobs is quite easy.

Few examples: WordPress (CMS), WIX (Page Builder), Magento (eShop CMS)

Viktor Vincej from Traveling Lifestyle

10. Stock Trading

Lots of people save up before taking a big trip. Instead of spending that money, make it work for you. Let’s say you save up $20,000 for your big trip.

Don’t put that money in a savings account, earning 1% interest a year.

You should consider trading stocks, specifically covered calls to make 1% on your money a week.

Let’s say you own a stock. You can sell someone the option to buy that stock from you at a specific price on a certain date.

So, our stock is currently trading at $20 / share.

And you sell the option for this Friday at $21 for $.30 / share. Options are always traded in contracts of 100 shares.

If you invested all of your money in this stock, you would have 1000 shares or ten contracts.

When you sold the option, you would get 1000*.30 = $300 immediately.

If the stock goes up to 21, you will lose it on that Friday. But you would have made the $1 / share in cost different, plus the $.30 option fee that you were paid.

That would be a profit of $1300 for the week or $1300 / $20000 = 6.5% for the week.

If the stock went up or down but didn’t hit $21, keep your stock and the $300, or 1.5% for the week.

If the stock goes down a bit, no big deal. You have insured yourself against that loss to the turn of $.30 per share.

Your cost basis of that stock is now $20-.30 = $19.70.

The best part about these methods is that you can do it weekly, earning money to fund your travels without touching your savings.

Nicole from Family with Latitude

Editor’s note (October 2026): Options trading carries real risk, including losses if the stock falls sharply, and the returns in this example are neither typical nor guaranteed. Universal Traveller is not a financial advisor, so speak to a licensed professional before trading.

11. Making Drone Videos

Last year, we invested in a DJI Mavic Drone, and let me say, it’s been a real game-changer for us.

Until that point, my husband and I offered content creation as part of our freelance services, which usually included a word and pictures package.

We started dabbling with video but never really got into it, mainly because we felt that our video quality was still low and not good enough to be offered professionally.

With the drone, we can capture incredible footage that makes our travel videos so much better.

We have also noticed an increasing demand for drone videos, and we have managed to score a few jobs because we can offer drone footage/edited drone videos.

Our advice to someone who wants to get into drone video making is to practice flying before offering their services for pay – flying drones is pretty simple.

Still, some things like learning to go around corners smoothly take a little practice, not to mention you don’t want to be crashing your drone in the middle of a job!

Margherita from The Crowded Planet

Editor’s note (October 2026): Many countries now require drone registration or a permit for commercial flying, and some ban drones entirely. Check local rules before you pack one.

12. Busking

If you had the privilege as a child to learn how to play an instrument or an entertaining skill, it might be time to pick that up again as a traveler.

Busking or street performing is still one of the favorite low-tech ways to make your travels work for you.

While the income is tip-based and will always vary, you can make a living if you have the determination.

Of course, having talent helps, but it’s not as much a requirement as persistence.

Even if the internet has been destroyed and the world is on fire, people will want to be entertained, and people will be willing to pay for entertainment.

You can perform anywhere in the world where people live, especially those stuck in the daily grind and could use some entertainment.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a small town or a big city.

One best practice is always to let your audience know why you’re here doing that thing you do.

Writing up a message like “making music to eat a famous local dish” or “juggling for early retirement” can give people a good laugh and make you less suspicious to them.

Busking comes with all kinds of side perks: people will want to know more about you, invite you for a drink, give you a place to stay, or even offer you other jobs.

There’s no downside to doing something you like, and the size of your comfort zone will never be the same again.

Iris from Mind of a Hitchhiker

Learn how Michelle went from $0 in affiliate income to over $50,000 per month. Get the step-by-step affiliate marketing strategy course that shows you how to increase your affiliate income and make more money blogging.

More Remote Jobs You Can Do While Traveling

13. Provide Virtual Assistant Services

If you have administration skills, providing virtual assistant services is one of the most accessible ways to work remotely.

A virtual assistant usually handles admin work, typing, transcription, scheduling, and other clerical tasks.

You can start by listing your skills on platforms like Upwork or in Facebook groups for virtual assistants.

14. Sell Articles Online

If you enjoy writing, there are several ways to write for others online.

Platforms like Upwork let clients post content projects, and writers of all experience levels can apply.

Rates for first-time writers can be low. The more experience and positive reviews you collect, the more and better-paid projects you will win.

15. Work Remotely as a Graphic Designer

If you have a flair for design, working online as a graphic designer is another way to earn while you travel.

Typical projects include Pinterest pins, media kits, e-books, logos, invitations, and business cards.

Platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr connect clients with freelance designers. As with writing, early projects pay less, but experience and reviews raise your rates.

16. Start a Travel Blog

Many travelers now plan trips around advice from independent travel writers rather than large organizations.

Anyone can start a travel blog, but only the most determined earn a steady income from one. As the contributors above show, most bloggers combine it with affiliate marketing, social media work, or freelance writing.

Tip: Nomadic Matt’s Superstar Blogging course teaches the writing, photography, and business skills behind a travel blog.

17. Online Survey Jobs

Large companies pay market research firms to run online surveys, and those firms pay participants.

Payment usually comes as vouchers and occasionally cash. It won’t fund a trip, but it can cover a few coffees along the way.

18. Work Remotely as an Employee

Many employers now allow staff to work remotely, at least part of the time.

If you already have an office job, ask whether your employer is open to remote work before you resign. Some companies restrict working from abroad for tax or legal reasons, so check the policy, not just the manager’s goodwill.

You can also search job sites with the keyword “remote” to find openings in your field.

Learn how Michelle went from $0 in affiliate income to over $50,000 per month. Get the step-by-step affiliate marketing strategy course that shows you how to increase your affiliate income and make more money blogging.

19. Translator

If you speak two or more languages fluently, translation is a well-paid skill you can often do remotely.

Many organizations need documents translated to and from English. Others hire on-site translators, which suits travelers who want to work in different cities.

20. Working Holiday Visas

A working holiday visa lets you live and work in another country, usually for up to 12 months and sometimes longer.

Most programs are open to travelers aged 18 to 30, and some extend to 35 depending on your nationality. The rules come from agreements between individual countries, so eligibility depends on your passport.

Popular destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, France, and the UK. Check the official immigration site of your chosen country for current age limits and quotas.

21. Rent Your Apartment Through Airbnb

If your home sits empty while you travel, renting it out on Airbnb can cover part of your costs.

Many cities now regulate or restrict short-term rentals. Check local rules, your lease, and your building’s policy before you list.

22. Sell Your Photographs

If you are a skilled photographer, you can sell your travel photos to magazines, hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

Pitch with a tight portfolio. Some properties will trade accommodation or meals for images, though cash should be the goal.

Travel Jobs You Can Do Without a Computer

23. Work on a Cruise Ship

Cruise ships hire for hundreds of roles, from hospitality and entertainment to engineering and medical staff.

Whether you have a profession or no experience at all, there is likely a role on board that fits. Contracts are usually several months long with long working days.

24. Tour Guide

Working as a tour guide combines work and travel directly. Tour operators worldwide hire guides for local day tours and multi-week international trips.

Some countries require a guiding license, so check before you apply.

25. Bartending

Bartending is one of the most portable jobs there is. Bars in tourist hubs hire travelers regularly.

If you don’t have experience, a short bartending course and a few months behind a bar at home will make you far easier to hire abroad.

26. Au Pair

If you love working with children, being an au pair lets you live abroad with a host family.

Families in Europe, the US, and Australia commonly host au pairs in exchange for room, board, and a weekly allowance. Some even travel with their au pair, so you see more of the world for free.

27. Yoga Teacher

Resorts, hotels, and retreat centers, especially across Asia, hire yoga instructors to run classes for guests.

You’ll need a recognized teaching certification and experience. Some resorts pay a wage, while others offer board in exchange for classes.

28. Surf Instructor

Surf schools, resorts, and tour operators in coastal destinations hire certified instructors to teach visitors.

If you’re an experienced surfer with an instructor qualification, it’s a way to follow the swell around the world.

29. Work in a Hostel

Many hostels offer free accommodation, and sometimes meals, in exchange for a few hours of work a day at reception, the bar, or organizing tours.

It isn’t a way to earn money, but it cuts your biggest travel cost to zero.

30. House-Sitting

House-sitting has become common as more families travel, especially those with pets who need care at home.

TrustedHousesitters connects pet owners with verified sitters. One annual membership gives you access to sits worldwide, from city apartments to country houses.

House-sitting isn’t paid, but it replaces your accommodation cost. Sits run from a few days to several months, and many give you a quiet home base to work from.

Plan your route around sits and you can cut accommodation costs for much of a long trip. Browse current house sits on TrustedHousesitters.

31. Work as a Flight Attendant

Becoming a flight attendant has been a classic career for travel lovers for decades. Layovers in cities around the world come without the cost of airfares or hotels.

Universal Traveller founder Tim Kroeger worked as a flight attendant for Lufthansa. Expect a competitive selection process, several weeks of airline training, and a schedule built around rosters rather than weekends.

32. Yacht Crew

Private and charter superyachts hire deckhands, stewards and stewardesses, chefs, and engineers, following the seasons between regions like the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

Most entry-level roles require STCW basic safety training and a seafarer medical certificate. Hours are long, but accommodation and food on board are usually covered.

33. Seasonal Resort Work

Ski resorts in winter and beach or lake resorts in summer hire large seasonal teams, from lift operators and instructors to chalet hosts and restaurant staff.

Many seasonal jobs include staff housing. Hiring often starts months before the season opens, so apply early.

34. Travel Nurse

Travel nurses take short-term contracts at hospitals that need extra staff, moving between cities or countries every few months.

You’ll need a nursing license valid where you work, plus clinical experience. Agencies usually help with housing and paperwork.

35. Hotel and Resort Jobs

International hotel groups operate in dozens of countries and often move staff between properties.

Roles range from front office and food and beverage to guest experience and management. Experience in one property can open transfers to others abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Jobs

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• About the Author
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Tim Kroeger( International Tourism Management Expert )

Tim Kroeger is the founder and editor of Universal Traveller, covering luxury stays and active travel. Based in Bangkok, he draws on 15+ years of travel across 112+ countries, from reviewing luxury hotels to bikepacking through Southeast Asia. He also writes about luxury wellness and longevity travel at tim-kroeger.com, where he developed the Restorative Index.

universal-traveller.com/

Expertises: International Tourism Management, Luxury Travel, Adventure travel, Luxury Bikepacking