Traveling the world is a huge dream for many people, but often it goes unrealized.
After all, seeing the world is super expensive, especially on a long trip, from paying for flights and accommodation to activities and dining.
But, if you can work while on the road, you don’t need to save much money before setting off.
In this era of remote, gig and freelance work, you can fund your round-the-world trip as you travel.
Here are 30 jobs that allow you to travel while making money.
Jobs that allow you to travel
1. English teacher
Teaching English abroad is a tried and tested way for fluent English speakers to make money while they travel.
You’ll find English teacher roles across the world in public schools, private language schools, international schools, businesses, and universities. Families often hire private tutors too.
When choosing teaching roles to apply for, consider whether you’d rather teach children, teenagers or adults, and whether you want to stay in one location for a while or travel around.
If you opt to teach at a school on a permanent or long-term contract, you’ll gain the experience of living abroad, delving deeper into your host country’s culture.
Meanwhile, short-term roles allow you to move around more, but bear in mind that you’ll need to secure more teaching positions along the way.
Type of travel: Living abroad
Qualifications required: A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification is the main qualification required, but some employers may also require a bachelor’s degree and native-level fluency in English.
2. Freelance graphic designer
As a freelance graphic designer, you can work whenever you want and wherever you want — as long as you have an internet connection and consistently hit your deadlines.
Freelance graphic designers work with a roster of clients who require their services, either on an ongoing basis or for single one-off projects.
Typical graphic design projects include visual marketing content, brand and logo design, infographics, illustrations, animations, product packaging, web pages, book covers, brochures, and posters.
With the right graphic design software on your laptop you can complete these projects from anywhere.
Type of travel: Whatever type you like!
Qualifications required: Graphic designers often have a degree or diploma in a visually creative field such as fine art or graphic design. However, as a freelance graphic designer, a strong portfolio of your previous work is often the key to bringing in a new client.
3. Remote travel agent
The role of travel agents has changed dramatically over the past decade.
With the advent of flight and hotel comparison websites, and the ability to book trips easily online, budget travelers generally now choose to go it alone.
However, luxury travelers will often employ an independent travel agent to put together a world-class itinerary and book flights, hotels, activities, restaurants and more.
So, where to start?
Remote travel agents advertise their services online in order to attract clients, so build a website, social media presence, and add your profile to freelance job websites like UpWork and Fiverr.
Providing a high quality service should lead to repeat business, strong testimonials, and word of mouth referrals.
As an experienced traveler for whom booking exciting trips is second nature, you’re in a great position to offer expert advice and ensure your clients’ vacations go off without a hitch.
Type of travel: As long as you have an internet connection, you can travel whenever and wherever you like.
Qualifications required: No specific qualifications are required — just a deep knowledge of the travel industry and strong organisational and communication skills.
4. Tour guide
There are plenty of tour guide jobs available at popular destinations and tourist attractions across the world.
If you have an interest in history and culture, an outgoing personality, and (ideally) speak more than one language, this could be the perfect travel gig for you.
Simply choose a city you want to stay in for a while, and browse available tour guide roles in the languages you speak.
As you’ll need to learn the tour route and insider tips for each tour guide job, it’s worth sticking around for a while before moving onto your next destination.
Type of travel: Living abroad
Qualifications required: No specific qualifications necessary, but the ability to speak several languages is very attractive to employers.
5. Au pair
Working as an au pair has long been a popular way for young people to experience living abroad and immerse themselves in a different culture, while also funding their own trip.
In this role, you’d be caring for the children of a single family — and usually also living with them.
Living and working with one family means this can be quite an intense experience, but with the right employers it can also be super rewarding.
Your day-to-day duties will typically involve tasks like getting the children ready in the morning, cooking their meals, doing the school run, helping them with their homework, and putting them to bed.
In exchange for your childcare services, you’ll typically get free room and board, as well as a monthly stipend.
And if you’re lucky you may also get to travel to luxury destinations with the family!
Type of travel: Living abroad and cultural exchange
Qualifications required: Qualifications will differ depending on the country and family — although a childcare qualification certainly won’t hurt. Some competency in the language of your host country is usually required, as is an interest in childcare and a positive attitude towards cultural exchange.
6. Freelance web developer
As a web developer, you’re tasked with creating and maintaining websites.
This means writing code, creating visual designs and layouts, ensuring a positive user experience, and troubleshooting errors.
The good news is you don’t have to be in an office to do it.
While in-house web developers need to be on call nine to five, five days a week, freelance web developers typically work on a project-by-project basis.
Businesses that don’t have an in-house team often hire freelance web developers to build or revamp their websites on one-off contracts, giving you the freedom to travel and work on your own schedule.
Type of travel: Any type you fancy.
Qualifications required: As a freelance web developer, practical skills and a strong portfolio are key to securing the best jobs. Of course, developing a good portfolio requires a strong understanding of programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
7. Yacht steward/ess or deckhand
Want to work on a superyacht and live that ‘Below Deck’ life?
This can be a super fun — and lucrative — way to see the world, but it’s also a lot of hard work.
Yacht stewardesses deal with the interior of a yacht, cleaning, decorating, organizing events and parties, shaking up cocktails, and serving well-heeled guests world-class meals.
If you prefer to work outside in the sunshine, consider a role as a deckhand. You’ll be scrubbing the deck, cleaning the yacht’s fittings, dealing with water toys, ensuring guests’ safety in the water, and driving a tender — all with stunning views of the glittering sea.
Working on a yacht isn’t for everyone, however — the experience of living and working with a small crew can be overwhelming, not to mention dealing with demanding guests.
Another downside is that you’ll have to travel with the boat, so other than joining a boat in an appealing destination, you don’t have much freedom when it comes to exploring. But if you don’t want to be stuck in one destination for too long, you can always look for short term contracts.
All of that said, you’ll also get to live on a glamorous superyacht in a beautiful destination, party with your crewmates, and the tips are usually pretty amazing too.
Type of travel: Yachting
Qualifications required: To become a yacht stew or deckhand, you’ll need an ENG1 medical certificate and STCW Basic Safety Training. Experience in hospitality and additional qualifications like food safety and hygiene will help you bag stew roles, while deckhands keen to secure a job will benefit from powerboat certifications and boat handling skills.
8. Travel influencer/blogger
This is a dream job for many.
As a travel influencer or blogger, you get to travel the world and share your thrilling experiences with your audience.
Travel influencers typically share photo and video content on social media channels like Instagram, while bloggers have a website where they write about their trips and offer practical tips and advice.
To become a successful travel influencer or blogger, a large audience is a must,
This could mean attracting thousands of followers on social media or bringing in plenty of traffic to your website.
Carving out a niche — for example adventure travel, family vacations, budget trips, backpacking, wellness or luxury — is an effective way to start building this following.
So, how can you make this pay?
Travel influencers and bloggers often get flights, accommodation, and meals for free in exchange for posting about their experience.
They may also embark on brand deals where they advertise products or services on their channels in exchange for payment.
Travel bloggers can also make money through hosting adverts on their website, and offering paid links to other websites.
Remember — the bigger your audience, the more money you’ll make.
Type of travel: Whatever fits within your niche.
Qualifications required: No qualifications needed, just writing, editing, and photography skills, and — of course — a sizable following.
9. Interpreter or translator
Interpreters and translators act as the intermediary between two people or groups who speak different languages.
If you’re fluent in more than one language, this is a way to earn good money while living abroad.
A wide variety of organizations require interpreters and translators, from international organizations like the UN and government bodies to offices, hospitals, schools, and courts.
Many interpreters and translators operate in a freelance capacity, either working through agencies or directly with clients, rather than being tied to one organization. This is the way to go if you’re keen to travel from place to place more quickly.
Type of travel: Living abroad
Qualifications required: Typically you need to be fluent in at least two languages (the more the better) and have a bachelor’s degree.
10. Chef
As a professional chef, you’ll likely find job opportunities wherever you go.
After all, every restaurant, bar and hotel on the planet needs great chefs.
Your chef skills enable you to hop from place to place, staying in each destination for a few months before looking for the next opportunity.
And if you build up a reputation as a world-class chef, wealthy clients may ask you to travel to their home to cater glamorous parties.
Alternatively, you can take a job as a yacht chef or cruise ship chef and make traveling a part of your job.
Type of travel: Living abroad, long-term travel, or sea travel
Qualifications required: While no formal education is required, professional cookery courses and apprenticeships will help you catch the eye of employers.
11. Travel nurse
If you’re a qualified nurse living in the US, becoming a travel nurse empowers you to get out there and explore the country.
Travel nurses are tasked with taking care of patients in exactly the same way as other nurses, but rather than being employed by a hospital or healthcare company, they work for a staffing agency.
They are then contracted out to work at different hospitals and care facilities around the nation for specific periods of time.
Type of travel: US travel
Qualifications required: You must complete a degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become an RN, apply for state licensure, and have a specific amount of clinical experience.
Check out this online nurse community that can teach you how to make more money as a nurse.
12. Flight attendant
Flight attendants get to travel almost full time, while also getting a steady paycheck.
This isn’t the job to go for if you want the freedom and flexibility to tick off your bucket list, but it’s a great way to ensure your day-to-day life involves plenty of travel.
There are plenty of perks to choosing a job as a flight attendant — visiting exciting destinations, free stays in hotels, and discounted vacations.
However, flight attendants also need to be able to handle long shifts, stay calm under pressure, and deal with difficult passengers.
This means communication, professionalism, and customer service skills are a must.
Type of travel: Aviation
Qualifications required: A high school diploma is usually required. You’ll also need to complete a recognized cabin crew training program and undergo extensive safety training.
13. Cruise ship worker
Dreaming of a life at sea? It doesn’t have to break the bank.
Cruise ships require huge teams of staff in different departments, from entertainment, casinos, and restaurants and bars, to deck, laundry, and hotel services.
Simply choose which department best suits your skills, experience, and interest and look for jobs on large cruise liners that travel to your dream destinations.
Sure, it’s hard work, but you get paid to travel, have little-to-no living costs while at sea, and can take long vacations between contracts.
Type of travel: Cruise travel
Qualifications required: The qualifications you need will depend on the role, but there are a number of entry level positions that require minimal qualifications.
14. Freelance travel journalist
As a freelance travel journalist, you get to travel to exciting destinations and write about your experiences for newspapers and magazines.
This isn’t an easy industry to break into — you need contacts with travel editors at various publications, and a solid portfolio.
There are two ways to travel as a freelance journalist.
You can come up with an idea for a unique, exciting pitch about a destination you want to travel to.
Once you’ve secured your commission from the editor, you arrange flights, accommodation and activities yourself.
Offer to feature hotels, airlines, and restaurants in your article and — if the publication is prolific enough — you should get a lot of this for free.
Then, when you’ve returned, simply write up your article and send it to the editor for publication.
Another option is to embark on press trips.
These are typically group trips, run by PR agencies, to promote specific hotels or airlines — and they’re completely free and come with a packed itinerary.
However, to get a place on these trips, you first need to secure a commission, and it’s worth noting that many travel publications don’t accept articles from press trips.
While a single travel article won’t pay very well, becoming a successful travel journalist means you get plenty of free trips.
Type of travel: Press travel
Qualifications required: An accredited journalism degree
15. Bartender
Bartenders are in demand across the world — and many, many travelers have paid their way around the world by serving beer and mixing cocktails.
This is a great option if you’re backpacking and need to make some extra cash along the way.
When you land in a destination you love, look out for bar jobs going at hostels, hotels, bars and restaurants.
For many bars, you’ll need to be able to speak the local language fluently.
But in lots of hostels, speaking English is often enough to bag you the role, and often they’ll throw in free or discounted accommodation.
Type of travel: Backpacking
Qualifications required: No qualifications, but experience behind a bar definitely helps.
16. Scuba diving instructor
As a scuba instructor, you’ll teach local people and tourists how to dive in some of the world’s most beautiful coastal locations.
Perfect for travelers with an appetite for adventure, scuba diving instructor jobs are available around the world.
As well as the necessary qualifications, you’ll need strong communication skills, to be able to stay calm in stressful situations, and an outgoing, engaging personality.
Type of travel: Adventure travel
Qualifications required: You’ll need an advanced diver certification, a rescue diver certification, and a dive master or dive leader qualification from a recognized body like PADI. This role also requires proof of first aid and CPR training, and a specific number of logged dive hours.
17. Freelance SEO specialist
SEO (search engine optimization) specialists are the professionals who help businesses to rank highly on the results pages of search engines like Google and Bing.
They undertake tasks like keyword research, website audits, data analysis, link building, and content strategy, and work with content writers and web developers to ensure their website is performing well on search engine results pages.
This job requires proficiency in using SEO tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush, knowledge of HTML and website structure, and a deep understanding of search engine algorithms.
Many companies have in-house SEO specialists who work on their websites full time, but others employ freelance SEO professionals, who work remotely.
Working on a project-by-project basis as a SEO specialist gives you the freedom to travel the world, working whenever and from wherever you want (as long as you have an internet connection).
Type of travel: Any!
Qualifications required: No specific qualifications are required, but you can undertake SEO certifications (for example the Google Search Console Certification) to make yourself more appealing to employers. Many SEO specialists also have a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field.
18. Pilot
This career might take a while to achieve, but once you’re cruising at 30,000 feet, it’ll be worth it.
As a pilot, you could work for a commercial airline or private jet company, or transport cargo from A to B.
Not only do pilot roles allow you to travel for work, but they’re generally paid well, come with a great work-life balance, and you get plenty of perks.
Type of travel: Aviation
Qualifications required: Unsurprisingly, you need a wide range of qualifications to become a pilot — but the exact type varies from country to country. In the US, you generally need a private pilot license, commercial pilot license, airline transport pilot license, instrument rating, and multi-engine rating.
19. Freelance content writer
A freelance content writer provides editorial content for businesses’ websites.
This content comes in many forms, from articles, blogs and listicles, to whitepapers, web pages, and reports.
Freelance content writers typically choose a niche to work in — for example recruitment, finance, or healthcare — and then become an expert in their chosen subject.
They may work with clients on an ongoing basis, in which the client requests a set number of articles each month, or a one-off basis, where the scope of the project is defined from the offset.
In addition to being outstanding and versatile writers, freelance content writers also have to understand the intricacies of marketing, branding, and SEO.
As a freelance content writer, you can work from anywhere with an internet connection, and you can set your own schedule, as long as you meet your deadlines.
Type of travel: Any sort you like.
Qualifications required: To secure the best jobs, a portfolio of writing for high-profile brands is key. But most content writers have bachelor’s degrees in English, marketing, creative writing or a similar subject.
20. Virtual assistant
A virtual assistant is responsible for remotely completing tasks that aid in the running of a business.
Depending on the scope of the role, their duties can range from project management, customer support and social media to scheduling, data entry, and email management.
Virtual assistants must be highly organized, have strong communication skills, and be able to prioritize effectively.
The remote nature of this role makes it a great option for those who want to travel for a long period of time while also holding down a steady job.
However, unlike freelance roles, virtual assistants tend to have set hours and need to be contactable during the working day, which means that weekday travel and activities are more limited.
Type of travel: Long-term travel
Qualifications required: A high school diploma is usually considered the minimum.
21. Video editor
If you’re handy with editing software, why not turn your skills into a career that could fund your travels?
A freelance video editor might be taken on by a business on an ongoing basis, with a set amount of editing to complete each month, or to complete a single project.
Video editors are given briefs and storyboards, and asked to turn raw footage into adverts, internal training videos, or content for social media.
To create great content, they need a deep understanding of storytelling, branding, color grading, and marketing, and to have a strong eye for detail.
All you need is an internet connection and the right video editing software on your laptop, and you can do the job from anywhere.
Type of travel: Any type you like
Qualifications required: While there are no mandatory qualifications here (a strong portfolio will get you further), many video editors have a bachelor’s degree in film studies, media production, broadcasting, or similar. You can also gain industry-recognized certifications for some video editing software.
22. Online tutor
If you’re considering a job teaching English abroad, but are concerned about the restrictions it would put on your ability to travel, consider becoming an online tutor.
When it comes to teaching careers, online tutoring jobs are the most flexible option, making them perfect for travelers who like the freedom to go where they want, when they want.
Online tutors often specialize — this could be in a certain subject, or to help students prepare for specific exams.
They typically have a client base of several students, who they may tutor once a week, or more, depending on their needs.
This allows tutors to build their work schedule around traveling, taking on as few or as many students as they want.
All they need is an internet connection!
Type of travel: Any!
Qualifications required: Generally you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in the subject you plan to specialize in, and a teaching certification may be required in some instances.
23. Social media manager
If you know everything there is to know about social media, then why not turn it into a career you can travel with?
A social media manager creates content strategies for a company’s social channels — and then implements them.
They have to have a thorough understanding of the business’ audience and tone of voice, and understand how to create content that will lead to higher levels of engagement and sales.
Duties typically include creating and uploading content, managing all social media channels, engaging with commenters, analyzing data, and creating reports.
Many full-time social media manager roles are remote, which would allow you to travel (if your company allows) within the confines of a nine-to-five job.
But you can also go freelance, working directly with several clients and setting your own hours.
Type of travel: Any type you like
Qualifications required: A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or PR is preferred, and there are plenty of social media qualifications you can complete to increase the chances of landing the best jobs.
24. Consultant
There are many types of consultants, from business, operations and marketing to HR, management, and finance.
A consultant provides expertise in their field to help a business solve problems or boost their performance.
This means that to become a consultant, you need to have a thorough grounding in your chosen field — for example, if you’ve spent ten years in a people management role, a management consultant job could be a great option for you.
Whether you work as an independent consultant or for a firm, consultancy typically offers plenty of travel.
When you launch a project with a business, you’ll typically need to travel to their offices, and often you’ll stay there for the duration of the project.
This isn’t a great option for people who want to travel at their leisure, but it allows you to experience new places while also enjoying a thriving and lucrative career.
Type of travel: Business travel
Qualifications required: You’ll typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in your chosen field.
25. Hospitality worker
If you’re looking for entry-level jobs that will help fund your traveling, hospitality jobs boards are a great place to start.
Hotels and restaurants typically have high staff turnover, and are frequently looking for new staff, from waiters and waitresses and hotel porters to housekeepers and baristas.
What’s more, securing these jobs doesn't always require a ton of experience.
Simply pick your destination, apply for some roles, and — once you’re ready to move onto your next location — be sure to get a reference.
Type of travel: Slow travel
Qualifications required: Varies depending on the establishment, but in some cases no qualifications are required.
26. Software developer
Software developers design, build, test, and maintain software for professionals and consumers.
This is a highly technical job that requires strong math skills, problem-solving capabilities, and plenty of analytical thinking.
Traditionally, software developers positions were full-time in-house roles, but thanks to the rapid advancement of tech, demand has increased significantly, and there are plenty of freelance roles too.
So if you’re a full-time software developer who would like to travel the world, try giving freelance life a shot.
Type of travel: Any
Qualifications required: Software developers usually have a bachelor’s degree in software development, computer science, engineering, or mathematics. There are also specific training programs and certifications you can gain to make yourself more attractive to potential clients.
27. Ski instructor
If you can’t think of anything better than spending all day every day gliding down powdery slopes against a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery, why not become a ski instructor?
This is a super fun job: you get to live in a pretty mountain town, socialise with your fellow instructors, and improve your own ski skills.
During the day, you’ll be teaching individuals or groups of learners how to ski or get better at skiing, including basic techniques like turning, stopping, and controlling speed.
Become a ski instructor, and you can work on some of the best slopes in the world — from France and Switzerland to the US — but it’s admittedly not the best choice if you prefer hot weather destinations.
Type of travel: Adventure travel
Qualifications required: The Level 1 Ski Instructor qualification, which allows you to teach beginners, is the entry-level certification. Higher levels enable you to teach more advanced skiers and in a wider range of terrain.
28. Stagehand
Want to hit the open road and live out your rock and roll dreams?
As a stagehand, you’d work behind the scenes at live events such as festivals, gigs, theatre performances, and concerts.
Stagehands are tasked with all the manual behind-the-scenes labor that goes into these events, such as setting up and dismantling lighting, scenery, props, and rigging — and they also assist stage management during shows.
So how does this involve travel?
Become a stagehand for a band or a theatre company, and when they go on tour — so will you!
Type of travel: Road trip
Qualifications required: There are no set qualifications, but a background in DIY and practical crafts like painting and decorating definitely helps.
29. Massage therapist
High-end hotels around the world boast luxury spas to help their guests relax — and those spas need outstanding massage therapists.
This is perfect if you want to spend a few months living in each destination you visit, before moving onto the next.
Alternatively, becoming a mobile massage therapist, traveling to customers’ homes gives you plenty of flexibility for travel.
Complete a massage therapy course, and you’ve got one of the most transferable jobs around.
Type of travel: Slow travel
Qualifications required: A recognized massage therapy course from an accredited institution.
30. Remote customer service representative
When you think of a customer service rep, you probably imagine someone sat in a cubicle in a busy office, wearing a headset.
But in the era of remote work, there are plenty of virtual customer service roles available.
In this role, you’re typically the first point of contact for customer queries — these could surround orders, deliveries, products, payment and more — so strong communication skills are a must.
As you’d be employed by a company, you’d have to ensure they were happy for you to be based outside of your home country.
You’d also have to stick to specific shifts they dictate, ensuring you can always be online between those hours.
Other than that, you’re free to travel wherever you like!
Type of travel: Any type you like
Qualifications required: A high school diploma is usually the minimum qualification required
Get inspired to travel: Online travel communities
If you’re gearing up for the trip of a lifetime, consider joining a travel community on Whop.
In these communities, you’ll meet other travel enthusiasts and experts, who will be able to offer further advice on the best jobs to fund your dream trip.
Join in conversations and ask questions to gain first-hand experience of other peoples’ travels and find out how they made it work.
Many travel community creators also offer excellent resources designed to help you plan your trip.
Here are four useful Whop travel communities to take a look at:
- TravelEasely — Money-saving tips, destination guides, and safety resources
- Mile Hacker Free Community — Unlock the secrets to luxury travel with expert resources and guides
- Wander on a Dime — Learn how to explore the world on a budget
- Girl Boss Abroad - Join a community of digital nomads
Work from anywhere with Whop
The best way to earn money while traveling is to run your own online business.
Now, that may sound complicated - but with Whop it doesn't have to be.
Create your own whop and you can start selling in minutes. With Whop you can launch an online community and make money from memberships, courses, ebooks, and more, that can go straight into your personal vacation fund.
Check out Whop today and see what we can do for you.
