You’re not alone if you’ve seen an uptick in the number of people ditching their routine lives to travel full-time. In fact, it seems as though this trend of free spirits forgoing the picket fence American Dream in favour of a life on the road is only set to grow. This lifestyle comes with its own set of challenges, but for many, these are far outweighed by the benefits, which begs the question, how are they doing it?
Learning about the different ways to earn money while travelling may seem intimidating. But, it’s easier than you might think! From freelance work to short-term contracts, we’ve put together a list of 10 ways to do just that. So read on and start planning your next big trip!
Table of Contents
1. Teach English classes
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One of the best ways to make money on the road is to teach English classes in your destination country. This can be a great way to earn some extra cash, and you’ll also get to meet new people and learn about the local culture. There are plenty of online resources that can help you find work as an English teacher, so be sure to do your research before you head off on your trip.
Naturally, you may be expected to have native-level or near-native proficiency in English, most institutions globally will accept a TEFL certificationas evidence of this, and the good news is that TEFL certificates can be obtained through various online and in-person programs and organisations such as the official TEFL website.
But that’s not the only skill you will require. You must also be able to effectively communicate with students from a variety of cultural backgrounds. And, of course, you’ll need to have a passion for teaching and helping others learn.
Once you feel well equipped to step into the classroom, websites like Go Abroad, ESL Base, and Teach Away post regular jobs from schools across the globe that you can apply for depending on which destination catches your eye.
2. Work as a waiter
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For those looking for a more traditional job, working as a waiter or waitress could be the perfect fit for you . This type of work is often easy to find in tourist destinations, and it’s a great way to earn some extra cash whilst enjoying the local cuisine. But make sure to brush up on your language skills before you start applying for jobs as proficiency in the local language may be a requirement in some destinations.
If you’ve never worked as a waiter before, consider reading a few online resources and Youtube videos to help you prepare for the interview and first couple of days in the role such as this great article by Toast Tab. In restaurants in particular, there’s a lot more to the job than just carrying plates of food! You need to be able to keep your cool under pressure, multitask like a pro, and deal with customers who can be tricky to please.
3. Do some freelance work
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Thanks to the internet, there are now plenty of ways to make money online whilst travelling. If you’ve got skills in web design, graphic design, or even just writing, then you can easily find work as a freelancer. In fact, the global freelancing market is expected to grow from $2.35 billion in 2018 to $6.7 billion by the end of 2025 with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) over the last five years around 29%.
So there’s never been a better time to get involved in this space. There are many online platforms that connect freelancers with clients, examples include Upwork and Fiverr but there are many others out there where you could sell your skills on.
4. Become a Petsitter
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There are people all over the world looking for trustworthy housesitters to watch their pets in exchange for staying at their homes for free.
This can be a great option for budget-minded travellers who don’t mind spending a little time taking care of furry (or not-so-furry) friends. Not only will you get free accommodation, but you’ll also have the opportunity to explore a new destination from a local’s perspective.
There are plenty of websites that connect petsitters with pet owners, such as TrustedHousesitters and HouseSitMatch. Before you apply for any positions, make sure you read through the requirements carefully and familiarise yourself with the duties involved.
Some petsitting gigs may require you to take care of other tasks around the house, such as watering plants or collecting mail, so be sure you’re comfortable with everything that will be expected of you before committing to anything. Also, make sure to familiarise yourself with the local laws and regulations regarding pet ownership.
5. Work on a Farm
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Working abroad on a farm can be a valuable life experience.These jobs are normally seasonal and follow the harvest schedule. Farm jobs will offer you the opportunity to learn about different cultures and lifestyles, as well as give you a chance to work outdoors and get some exercise. Many farms offer accommodation and food in addition to your salary, so this can be a great way to save money whilst travelling.
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There are many websites that list opportunities for people looking to work on farms such as WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) and HelpX.net. These websites usually require you to pay a small fee in order to access their database of listings, but they provide a great way to connect with potential employers and find out about available positions.
Before applying for any farm job, make sure you research the employer carefully and read through the reviews from other workers to get an idea of what the working environment is like. It’s also important to be honest about your skills and abilities, as most farms are looking for workers with specific experience or qualifications.
6. Give tours
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Giving tours could be the ideal travelling job for you if you’re passionate about your chosen destination and enjoy sharing it with others. You can either apply to work for a tour company or start your own business by creating and marketing tours to visitors. Depending on your interests, there are many different types of tours you can give, such as walking tours, food tours, or even ghost tours to put some fear in your tourists!
If you’re interested in working for an established tour company, take a look at websites like Viator and ToursByLocals. These companies will usually require you to have experience leading tours, as well as knowledge of the area you’ll be giving tours in. If you’re looking to start your own tour business, do some research into the competition and make sure you create a unique selling point that sets you apart from others in the area.
7. Work in a hostel
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Working in a hostel is always a popular option with backpackers and budget-minded travellers. Hostels are always in need of staff to help with cleaning, reception, and other general duties. In exchange for your work, you’ll usually get free accommodation and sometimes even meals. This can be a great way to save money whilst travelling and will offer plenty of opportunities to meet other like-minded travellers from all over the world.
If you’re already abroad, the best way to get a hostel job is to stay in the hostel where you wish to work and inquire about any positions that may be available, Sometimes, you might even see signs or posters that indicate they might be looking for staff.
Alternatively, you can also find many hostel jobs advertised online on websites such as HostelJobs.net and HostelsClub.com. Depending on the hostel, you could be doing different jobs such as cleaning, reception work, or even cooking and serving food. We recommend you ask the owner what to expect before applying for a job.
8. Be a street performer
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If you’re a musician or an artist, then performing in the streets could be an option for you. It’s a great way to share your talent with the world and earn some money in the process. Just be sure to get permission from the local authorities before you start setting up shop!
In popular tourist destinations like London, street performers can make hundreds of dollars per day in tips. Some buskers even report earning up to $1000 in a space of a few hours! Although instances like this are more the exception than the rule, it does demonstrate how much money you could make depending on your location and performance.
9. Work as a travelling photographer
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Photography is another excellent way to generate income while travelling. This type of work is often in demand in tourist destinations, as many businesses and organisations are looking for someone to capture the perfect shots of their products or services. Just be sure to market your skills before you head off on your trip!
You may also want to consider selling your images on websites like 123RF or Shutterstock These are both major stock image websites that allow photographers to sell their photos as royalty-free stock photography. You earn money each time one of your photos is purchased, and it’s a great way to get your work noticed by a wider audience.
10. Sell souvenirs
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Selling souvenirs is a great way to make money on the road, and it’s also a great way to share your love of travel with others. You can sell souvenirs that you’ve bought yourself, or you can create your own products to sell. Just be sure to price your products competitively so that you can make a profit!
Websites like Etsy make selling much easier nowadays too. With a few clicks of a button, you can create an online shop and sell to people from all over the world. So depending on what level of effort you wish to put into it, your souvenir-selling side hustle could very quickly turn into a successful business that covers all your travel expenses.
Bottom Line
As you can see, you can make money while traveling the world and it is not as daunting as it might appear on the surface, so be sure to do your research before you head off on your trip. Ultimately, the best ways to earn money while travelling will depend on your skills, interests, and where you’re visiting. But with a bit of creativity and hard work, you should be able to find a way to earn a modest income on the road. Just remember to have fun and stay safe!
