How to Make Money While Traveling
Have your trip and fund it too.
Ready to join the growing band of digital nomads that are ditching their desk jobs to travel and work remotely? Paying for constant travel abroad may seem like an impossible task, but with a little planning, you can make it happen. In this article, we’ll cover off-the-beaten-path ways to earn money while you fulfill your dream of traveling the world, including a few tips on managing your time to ensure you can fund all the fun you’re having.
Stable, long-terms jobs you can do from anywhere
If you’re planning to travel the world for a year or more, or if you’re just the type of person who likes to plan ahead, you’ll probably want to find steady work that will guarantee income during your world travels. If you have a creative eye, there are lot of ways you can put your travels to good use. Try taking videos or photos of your adventures and selling them on stock photo websites. You’ll earn money for every download, and you’re already taking the photos anyway! 1
Are you better with words than with pictures? Consider writing for a travel website. Websites like Boots n All and Matador Network pay $25–$50 per article, depending on the quality and number of words.1 The more you write, the better you’ll get, which can up your earning potential.
If you have a specific skill set, like graphic design or web development, put your talents to work by picking up freelance jobs on the road. If you don’t already have a network of clients built up, you can sign up for websites like Upwork and Fiverr that help you find freelance gigs based on your skill set and experience. These websites also handle payment and transactions for you, so you can feel secure about receiving money for work you’ve completed.
Finally, consider using a skill set you probably take for granted: the English language. Countries around the world are in need of English teachers, and you can hop from job to job as you travel the world. To get better jobs and better pay, try taking a course that will help you learn how to be an English teacher, not just an English speaker.2 Programs like TEFL even offer courses and certification online, so you can get a head start on your travels.
Odd jobs to pick up around the world
If you don’t have one of the skills listed above, don’t worry! There are lots of odd jobs you can find abroad that can give you the funding you need while you travel and work remotely. Think about making travel part of your job. Resorts are often in need of seasonal help, and cruise ships are always looking for staff members. These schedules can be restricting, but you can build up serious cash for your free travel time later on.3
Though it may seem counterintuitive, volunteering can also be a great way to help fund your travels abroad. Through organizations like WorkAway and WWOOF, you can find volunteer work for a few hours a day, often in exchange for food and lodging.4 Plus, you can meet other travelers looking for the same opportunities and make friends along the way. Volunteering can give your day structure and allow you to experience other cultures in ways you’d never imagine.
Finally, consider house-sitting to help pay for your adventures abroad. Believe it or not, people will ask strangers to watch their homes, pets and plants while they’re away on vacation in exchange for a free place to stay. Bonus? You can end up in some very luxurious accommodations for no money and get to take a break from hotels and hostels.4 Try sites like TrustedHousesitters and HouseSitMatch to find opportunities in your next destination.
Tips to stay on track during your travels
You may be having a blast abroad, but it’s important to stay focused to make sure you get the income you need to truly enjoy your adventure around the world. Between the sightseeing, delicious food and new friends, it can be easy to get distracted, but these tips will help you focus on the task at hand.
The first tip? Make a schedule and stick to it. It can be tempting to stay out late and sleep in while traveling abroad, but that can lead to procrastination and make it difficult to complete tasks. Instead, stick to the same schedule you would at home and set aside time every day to complete your work. Secondly, use your time wisely. Between tours, lunches and exploring, you probably have a few minutes of downtime here and there. Instead of using that time to browse social media, bring your work with you and set up shop in a café to be productive while you await your next activity.5
You can also stay on track by surrounding yourself with other people who are also taking their work on the road. Programs like Remote Year pair you with a group of professionals to travel the world for 4 to 12 months. These programs are also a one-stop shop: they make the itinerary, travel and lodging plans, giving you more time to focus on your work (and on having fun).6 Plus, everyone in the group will need to set aside time to make a little money, so you can work on being productive together.
With these ideas and tips at hand, you’ll be ready to travel and work remotely. When choosing between jobs you can do from anywhere, you can also look at how much it costs to travel the world for a year to make sure you have an income that will support all of your adventures abroad.