You’ve decided to pack your bags and head off to travel the world. Great! But how are you going to afford it? Savings won’t last forever. Luckily, there are plenty of people out there making money whilst travelling and they have decided to share their tips with the rest of us. Impressively, some of these tips were provided by Wandering Earl, who left home in 1999 and hasn’t been back yet, so you know that they work!
Teach English
If you speak English, you already have a moneymaking opportunity in the bag. You can teach English almost anywhere in the world- Thailand, Africa, Japan or China. For the best opportunities, you should get a TEFL qualification, either through a 4 week intensive course or a 3 month online course. With this qualification, you’ll get better pay and access to careers guidance, but the qualification isn’t necessary.
Work in a resort
For more touristy places, you may be able to get a job working in a resort- on the front desk, hosting or as the entertainment. This is a fun way to spend a summer!
Work in a hostel
Hard work, but ask a hostel can you help them out with some cleaning or on reception and you may be rewarded with a free bed.
Online freelance work
With sites such as Udesk and Fiverr, you can offer your services online in exchange for payment. You can freelance in almost anything from writing to marketing and graphic design. This is good if you want to travel around a lot. Check out our digital nomad guide here.
Get a working holiday visa
In some countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore and France you can get a working holiday visa. This allows you to stay in the country for up to one year and work.
Fruit picking/ WWOOF
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you could tackle working on a farm either fruit picking or with the animals, in exchange for board and food.
Sell goods online
If you can make something that people would want to buy, be it jewellery or clothes, why not sell it?
Try your hand at Bartending
If you don’t mind staying in one place for a few months, many bars are happy to give you cash in hand.
Teach a musical instrument/language/dance class/yoga/sport
If you have a talent, utilise it! You could even teach over Skype.
Become an Au pair
Working with children isn’t for everyone, but you could bag yourself payment and board as well as some time to explore the area!
Travel writing
Have a look on guest blog networks to see if anyone’s looking for a destination guide for where you are, or where you’re going to.
Work on a cruise ship
Lots of travellers get started in this way. Long hours, average pay but a great way to meet likeminded people.
Edit English signs & menus for businesses
A bit ‘out there’ but one blogger said he witnessed this working for a fellow traveller. Simply visit businesses trying to target English speaking tourists and help them out in exchange for a small fee.
Volunteer
Not necessarily making money, but saving it! If you volunteer you could get free accommodation.
Tutoring
Work a few hours a week as a tutor, you can do this online with the likes of Udemy.com, regardless of what your expertise is.
Become a Tour guide
Don’t mind public speaking? You could get a job as a tour guide, taking people around your favourite areas of the place that you’re living.
Start a travel blog
Not the easiest way to make money, but if you blog about your travels, you could try and make money out of it! Look towards things like affiliate marketing, sponsored content and adverts.
Log on to Fiverr
Fiverr is a website where you can either purchase or provide services for $5. Think press releases, promotion, website/app testing, lyric writing, guest blogging, handwritten love letters- you name it.
Write Ebooks
If you enjoy writing, why not write an ebook. You can get it published on the Kindle store and earn around 70% royalties from each sale.
Go housesitting
Again, won’t make you a lot of money but will save it on accommodation.
Hopefully this post has given you some ideas about how you can make money whilst travelling. Let us know in the comments if you use any of the tips!
