When I first started meeting full-time travelers, I assumed they were all living off savings or some hidden inheritance. But after swapping stories over hostel breakfasts and beach bonfires, I realized something surprising many were working as they traveled, blending income with adventure in a way that felt both practical and exciting.
Whether you’re dreaming about leaving your desk job behind or simply want to extend your vacation budget, there are so many ways to make money on the road. In this guide, I’m sharing 12 opportunities I’ve personally tried or seen friends succeed with plus tips to get started, average pay expectations, and how to keep the lifestyle sustainable.
1. Becoming a Virtual Assistant
I’ve met VAs answering client emails from hammocks in Bali and updating spreadsheets from cozy cafés in Lisbon. Virtual assistants (VAs) provide administrative, creative, or technical support to businesses and entrepreneurs. Tasks can include email management, scheduling, booking travel, managing social media, preparing reports, or even handling customer service.
If you’re just starting out, general admin work pays around $20–$30 per hour, while specialized services like podcast editing, bookkeeping, or graphic design can push rates above $100/hour. The beauty is that you can choose your clients and set your own schedule.
How to get started:
- Identify your skill set and decide if you’ll be a general VA or niche specialist.
- Create a simple portfolio (even a one-page PDF) outlining your services and rates.
- Join platforms like Upwork, Belay, and Fiverr to get your first clients, but aim to transition to direct contracts for better pay.
- Network in digital nomad and entrepreneur Facebook groups referrals are gold.
Set clear working hours that fit your time zone differences with clients to avoid burnout.
2. Starting a Travel Blog
Blogging isn’t a quick cash machine it’s a long-term project that grows alongside your storytelling skills and audience. But once you’ve built steady traffic, you can diversify income through display ads, affiliate links, brand sponsorships, and even selling your own products or courses.
The bloggers I know who’ve “made it” typically post 2–4 high-quality articles per month, focus on SEO, and engage with readers on social media and Pinterest. Earnings range from a few hundred dollars per month in the first year to six figures for established sites.
How to get started:
- Choose a niche that excites you think “solo female travel in Europe” or “luxury eco-resorts” rather than broad “travel.”
- Learn the basics of SEO so your posts can be found on Google.
- Use Pinterest for traffic growth (it’s still one of the fastest platforms for travel bloggers).
- Post consistently and create evergreen content that stays relevant year-round.
Build an email list early. Social media algorithms change, but your subscribers will always get your updates.
3. Negotiating Remote Work in Your Current Career
One of the easiest ways to travel without losing financial stability is to adapt the job you already have. If your work is computer-based like marketing, project management, customer support, or design there’s a good chance it can be done remotely.
I’ve met engineers working from mountain towns in South America and accountants taking calls from beachfront cafés in Croatia. In many cases, they didn’t quit; they negotiated with their employer for location flexibility.
How to get started:
- Track your productivity and successes for a month as evidence that remote work won’t reduce performance.
- Propose a short trial (2–4 weeks) where you work remotely and report progress.
- Offer to overlap hours with the main office time zone to maintain communication.
Extra tip: Even if your company says no at first, remote-friendly roles are increasingly common don’t be afraid to apply elsewhere if flexibility is important to you.
4. Bartending Abroad
Bartending is more than just pouring drinks it’s about connection. I’ve seen travelers in Greece, Australia, and Thailand pick up seasonal bar shifts that gave them instant social circles and a local’s view of the nightlife.
Pay varies by location, but tourist-heavy areas often offer decent hourly wages plus tips. In some countries, bars may also provide staff meals and accommodation, making it easier to save money.
How to get started:
- Get basic bartending experience at home before applying abroad.
- Look for bars, hostels, and resorts in tourist hubs; they’re often open to hiring English-speaking staff during peak season.
- Learn the names of popular drinks in the local language, it helps connect with customers and coworkers.
Extra tip: Many places hire through word-of-mouth visit bars in person, be friendly, and ask if they’re hiring.
5. Teaching English (Online or Abroad)
Teaching English is one of the most accessible ways to earn while living abroad. With a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate, you can find positions in schools, language centers, and online platforms.
Online teaching platforms like VIPKid, Cambly, and iTalki allow you to work from anywhere with a stable internet connection, often paying $15–$25/hour. In-person roles, especially in countries like Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan, can offer salaries, housing, airfare, and bonuses.
How to get started:
- Complete a TEFL course (many are fully online and take 4–6 weeks).
- Decide if you want to teach kids, teens, or adults.
- Apply to both online platforms and language schools in your target countries.
Extra tip: If you go abroad, look into local work visas before accepting an offer some countries have strict rules for foreign teachers.
6. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is one of the most adaptable careers for travelers because you can work from anywhere with a laptop and Wi-Fi. Your writing can range from blog posts and travel guides to marketing copy, product descriptions, or ghostwriting books.
Beginner rates are often around $0.10/word, which means ten 1,000-word articles could bring in $1,000. Experienced writers who specialize say, in technical content or SEO can command much higher fees.
How to get started:
- Create a small portfolio of sample articles (you can post them on Medium or your own site).
- Pitch to niche websites, online magazines, or travel publications.
- Join writing job boards like ProBlogger, Contena, or Freelance Writing Jobs.
Extra tip: The fastest way to raise your rates is to specialize in a profitable niche, like finance, technology, or healthcare content.
7. Selling Travel Photography
If photography is your passion, your images can be more than just memories they can be an income source. I’ve met travelers who sell their photos as stock images, license them to travel companies, or even get paid by tourism boards for content campaigns.
Income from stock sites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock is modest per image, but over time a large portfolio can bring steady passive income. Direct commissions from brands or hotels can be far more lucrative.
How to get started:
- Build a small, high-quality portfolio showcasing your best work.
- Upload to multiple stock photo platforms to increase visibility.
- Reach out to hotels, tour companies, and tourism boards, offering to provide destination photos in exchange for payment or collaboration.
Extra tip: Always shoot in high resolution and keep model/location release forms handy if your photos include people or recognizable landmarks.
8. Working on a Cruise Ship
Cruise ship contracts are unique because they often include accommodation, meals, and travel between ports, which means most of your earnings can be saved. Jobs range from hospitality and housekeeping to entertainment, childcare, or technical roles.
Contracts usually last 4–9 months, and the work schedule can be demanding but the chance to explore multiple destinations during your days off makes it worthwhile.
How to get started:
- Apply directly through cruise line career pages like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Disney Cruise Line.
- Be honest about your skills and adaptability life at sea is different from life on land.
- Expect a probation period where you’ll be trained and evaluated.
Learn basic phrases in the languages of your cruise routes it’s a great way to connect with passengers.
9. Becoming a Flight Attendant
Flight attendants enjoy a mix of travel perks, adventure, and a steady salary. Median annual pay is around $80,000 according to industry sources, and the job comes with hotel layovers in different cities.
Schedules can be irregular, and new attendants often work weekends and holidays. Over time, you can bid for routes and schedules that suit your lifestyle.
How to get started:
- Check airline websites for open positions and requirements.
- Be prepared for a multi-stage hiring process that includes interviews, background checks, and safety training.
- Strong customer service skills are essential most airlines prioritize personality and adaptability over prior experience.
Join flight attendant forums or Facebook groups to learn about hiring waves and application tips.
10. Working as a Travel Agent
Modern travel agents often specialize in niches like luxury cruises, group tours, or bespoke honeymoon itineraries. The role can be home-based, and income usually comes from commissions on bookings, plus perks like discounted travel and FAM (familiarization) trips.
How to get started:
- Consider joining a host agency to get access to booking systems, training, and supplier relationships.
- Decide on a specialty so your marketing stands out.
- Build a client list through word-of-mouth, social media, and networking events.
Many clients still value personal service, remember birthdays, anniversaries, and special preferences to encourage repeat bookings.
11. Travel Nursing
Travel nursing is a high-earning option for licensed nurses willing to relocate for short-term contracts. Assignments usually last 8–13 weeks and may include furnished housing, travel reimbursements, and bonuses.
Popular destinations for travel nurses include high-demand urban hospitals and rural clinics in need of temporary staff. Pay varies but can exceed $2,000/week in certain specialties.
How to get started:
- Work with a reputable travel nurse agency that handles housing and logistics.
- Keep your licenses and certifications up to date.
- Decide if you want to work in your home country or abroad; requirements differ significantly.
Use assignment breaks for personal travel; you’re already halfway around the world.
12. Seasonal Resort or Tour Work
From ski resorts in the Alps to summer lodges in national parks, seasonal jobs are perfect for travelers who like variety. Roles range from guiding tours and working in gift shops to running activities or helping in kitchens.
Employers often provide staff housing, meals, and discounted activities, which means you can save more of your paycheck.
How to get started:
- Search seasonal job boards like CoolWorks or ResortJobs.com.
- Apply well in advance, positions in popular destinations fill quickly.
- Be flexible, sometimes taking a less glamorous role gets you into a dream location.
Seasonal jobs are great for building an international network of friends who may invite you to work or travel together in the future.
Traveling while earning isn’t just a dream for the lucky few it’s a lifestyle that more people are embracing every year. Whether you go for a digital role, a seasonal gig, or a creative hustle, the key is finding work that fits your skills, energy levels, and travel style. Start small, build a routine that works for you, and you might be surprised at how sustainable and rewarding this path can be.
