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Home » Work and Travel » 35 BEST Travel Jobs to Make Money While Travelling

35 BEST Travel Jobs to Make Money While Travelling

Do you wish you could travel more but don’t have enough money?

Then this guide is for you! It will tell you all about the types of epic travel jobs that you can do. Ultimately, this post will help you find work and travel the world… FOREVER.

There are a surprising number of jobs that involve travelling, a few canny ways to make money travelling abroad, and even some jobs where you actually get paid to travel… (The best kind!)

From freelancing to affiliate marketing, travel blogging, tending the bar at a hip hostel–there are seriously all kinds of awesome – and some terrible – travel jobs you can get to make ends meet and prolong your travels.

The life of a working traveller is varied and complex: there are countless tools in your arsenal! In today’s post, I’m giving you the lowdown on some of the best travel jobs for backpackers, expats, and aspiring digital nomads. And realistically, for nearly all of them, you don’t need no tertiary education.

Ditch your desk, amigos: the world is waiting and the only thing you need to SUCCEED is  grit.

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• Making Money Travelling the World:Types of Travel Work

The 35 Best Travel Jobs in 2024

Did you find your dream travel job, making money travelling the world: types of travel work.

There are lots of different types of travel jobs out there, and they can roughly be broken down into three categories. Let’s take a look at them before we delve into the jobs themselves…

There are some jobs that will pay you to travel the world. This might sound very glamorous at first, but you have to bear in mind you may not get as much of a chance to actually explore as you will be working. These could be travel jobs or potentially even travel careers , but they still generally require the level of input from you that any regular ol’ boring job would.

Jobs that require travel and pay well, such as being an airline pilot or foreign service travel jobs, will offer you a chance to save up mega-cashola and to hopefully see parts of the world during your downtime. But to be honest (and in my opinion) these travel careers don’t have the same kind of freedom as being a digital nomad.

Personally, I’m a big believer in making money through a digital nomad job as these jobs allow you to work from literally anywhere in the world, on your own schedule, and often as your own boss.

It takes time to set up a career as a digital nomad career… But it’s easy to get started now and to begin your journey!

All you need is a laptop plus a few other of the digital nomad essentials , and idea of WHAT you want to do, and a place in the world that you’re content to get some work done from. Well, that and playlist that gets you in the zone!

Beccoming a digital nomad changes how you travel , so for backpackers that want to retain their backpacker-roots, you need a job for backpacker. These travel jobs are job-jobs.

They could be wicked jobs, they could be shitkicker jobs. They could, potentially, also progress into careers, but they wouldn’t be travel careers. You’d just be an expat with a regular ol’ job.

Many of the best travelling jobs for backpackers are super casual affairs – seasonal work or temporary labour gigs. I’ve found paying work on goat farms, behind bars, in hostels, on construction sites, on beaches, and in many other places whilst backpacking around the world. It’s usually very easy to find some casual work as a backpacker.

All you need is a good smile, good work ethic, and maybe the willingess to be paid under the table for less than minimum wage! (Oops, did I say that? You do you.) 😉

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Let’s look at how to work and travel like a BOSS (or self-employed hustler). Ideas range from online trading to teaching yoga to consulting. Don’t Work Another Day ; we have something for every CV!

1. Make Money Blogging

Starting a blog is one of the best travel jobs out there. You can travel whenever you want and make money out of your adventures to keep you going! However, blogging is not easy and it’s not one of those jobs to make money quickly.

Blogging offers a great introduction to many different digital nomad careers. You’ll learn more about SEO, copywriting, web design, social media management, marketing and PR… the list goes on! All you need to get started is a decent laptop for travel blogging and loads of patience!

If you want to get a taste of blogging before launching your own, you can look into becoming a virtual assistant or if writing is more your thing becoming a freelance service provider , like Sofie Couwenbergh is also a viable option. Working for a blogger is the best way to learn the tricks of the trade!

Full disclosure: The travel blogging industry is competitive, cutthroat, and, honestly, oversaturated. DO expect a long road to the top.

How Much Can You Earn?

• From $0 – $50,000 per month!

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Having a job is one thing, but being able to sit down and get some work in is a whole other story. Luckily there are amazing coworking spaces all over the globe. But what if you could combine working and a place to live? Say no more…

Introducing the best Coworking Hostel in the World – Tribal Bali!

A unique coworking and co-living hostel for those that want to travel the world while working from their laptops. Make use of the massive open-air coworking spaces and sip on delicious coffee. If you need a quick screen break, just take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool or grab a drink at the bar. Need more work inspiration?

Staying at a digital nomad-friendly hostel is a really smart way to get more done whilst still enjoying the social life of travelling… Mingle, share ideas, brainstorm, make connections and find your tribe at Tribal Bali!

2. Teach English Abroad

For backpackers looking to settle somewhere for a year or more to save up some serious cash, teaching English abroad is one of the best jobs for nomads.

These days, you can teach English in most countries in the world while seeing all the goods they got to offer at the same time! This is probably one of the best travel careers out there: there’s a low barrier to entry and most native speakers can get a travel job teaching English.

Being a native speaker gives you an obvious advantage, but it’s also possible for non-native speakers to get work teaching English too.  You don’t even really need a degree to teach English in many countries, however, nabbing a TEFL certificate through an online course first will help you hit the ground running. (And hopefully will mean you won’t be a crap teacher too ?)

It’s a small investment that will help you score more gigs AND better-paying gigs in the long run. Plus, think of the children! Won’t somebody think of the children!?!?

• $1500 – $3000 depending on the country.

3. Teach English Online

Thanks to the power of the internet, the world of teaching English online has opened doors to English speakers everywhere! You can work from anywhere! (Provided you have a solid internet connection.)

What’s the best part? Depending on the company you work for, you can choose your own schedule and commitment level. Whatever works for you!

Teaching English online is fast becoming one of the best ways for backpackers to make money online without a doubt. Online teaching platforms connect prospective teachers with keen students. Set your pricing, choose your hours, and market yourself to potential clients.

The money isn’t impressive, particularly in the early days, but this is a job that you can grow and literally do anywhere. Nothing beats a location independent gig!

• About $1500 per month.

4. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is when you ship products to customers, usually in Europe or the USA, from somewhere cheap (usually China). Essentially, you manage the online storefront while a third party handles the logistics of storing and shipping products. Why stay in Boston ?

Now, dropshipping CAN be profitable. It can also be a major headache: you have been warned.

5. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is very simple. It means that you recommend a product or service to your audience, and if someone on your website uses or buys that product or service, you get a commission!

Affiliate marketing is basically being a middle man and is one of the most popular, proven, and sustainable ways to create income online.

If you are interested in online jobs travellers can easily utilise, learning effective affiliate marketing strategies is the holy grail. Passive income is fucking POWERFUL.

• Oodles but you need the traffic to earn it. But then, it all flows in passively. 😉

6. Crytocurrency and Day Trading

The exciting world of cryptocurrency investment has come a long way. You can HODL, stake, mine, generate interest (yup – totally a thing now!), and, of course, trade.

Day trading is a really exciting – but very nerve-wracking – way to make money while travelling. I have no experience trading stocks, but a lot of people I know have been trading cryptocurrency for a while now and have seen rather delectables return on their investments (with some losses along the way).

If you have money that you can afford to lose (seriously, this shit carries risk), then day trading is one of the most exciting travel jobs out there right now.

• The sky’s the limit!

7. Volunteering

Okiedoke – volunteering! Now, clearly, volunteering ISN’T a travel job, however, it’s functionally the same. You work (hard), you greatly reduce your travel costs, plus you’ll have some life-changing experiences while you’re at it. So it fits the bill!

Now, while voluntourism has received some flak over the years (and the trade has only become stickier in the COVID-times ), volunteering still remains one of the most meaningful ways to travel. A free feed and bed is certainly a win, but it’s the experience and the knowledge that you’re actually making a difference is what makes it, honestly, one of the best travel jobs for backpackers.

You have a lot of good options for volunteering abroad:

• WWOOF – An organisation primarily concerned with connecting working travellers with volunteering gigs on organic farms and agricultural projects.
• Workaway (and its numerous alternatives ) – As well as agricultural projects, these guys tend to also connect you to volunteering gigs around the board. Hostel work, translation and copywriting, building skate ramps, building backyard dunnies: it’s a wide net.
• Worldpackers – Our personal fave platform for this bizz.

Worldpackers is a smashing organisation. They’ve got more of a community focus than many of the alternatives and they run a tight ship too!

We sent one of our tried and true broke backpackers on a volunteering mission to Vietnam and the results were stellar. So stellar, in fact, that we happily partnered with them to bring Broke Backpacker readers a discount on the signup fee!

Just enter the code BROKEBACKPACKER at the checkout when signing up or do the clicky-click below!

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

We’ve also got a review of Workaway you can peruse if Worldpackers doesn’t float your boat. They’re a bit more stuffy (a natural caveat for being the lead of the pack), but they have volunteering gigs coming out of the ears!

And as one brief little sidenote, it’s worth noting the skills you pick up volunteering can go a LONG way to aiding you in your career as a working traveller. The more you know, the more backpacker jobs open up to you.

8. Become A Freelance Travel Photographer

If you love taking pictures, why don’t you make the most of your skills and be paid for it? Breaking into freelance photography is no easy, feat but it’s totally possible if you have perseverance and work at honing your craft every day.

You can travel the world forever by snapping away… If you get really good at your craft, you can even land a job that pays you to travel as a professional photographer for either the media or, the dream, National Geographic.

• $0 – $5000
• BEST Cameras for Travellers
• GoPro Alternatives to Make You  Whoah
• Top Camera Bags – Buyer’s Guide!
• Essential Camera Accessories You NEED

9. Teach Yoga

Yoga continues to grow in popularity around the world, and yoga instructors are in high demand. While not the highest paying job for travellers, finding work as a yoga instructor is one of the more assured ways to work and travel.

Travellers love yoga and are keen on lessons just about anywhere in the world. Combine that with hostels, cafes, and community centres (among a million other venues) always being on the lookout

Getting a yoga certification CERTAINLY helps you stand out from the crowd but it necessarily isn’t needed. Talk to other guests at your hostel, or people around any beach, hippy, or traveller town and see what you can rustle up. Start off with a sesh at a world-class yoga retreat to learn a few Asanas and limber up first and the rest will be easy.

Alternatively, head over to Yoga Travel Jobs Directory and see if there are any worthwhile postings. The beauty of this one is that the informality allows you to find work on the road in most places without the added red tape.

• $5/hour or even less in developing nations. Bounce on over to the northern beaches of Sydney though, and activewear soccer mums eat that shit up for $50+ a pop!

10. Fitness Instructor

Similar to yoga, if you’re in shape and know how to break a sweat, you can get paid to help others do the same! I love finding creative ways to stay in shape while travelling and you’ll find plenty of other travellers who will share this interest.

See if your hostel wants to organise any activities or events which you can market by word of mouth or by putting a flyer up. Head to a park or the beach and BOOM! You’re a certified fitness instructor… sort of.

Certifications are for losers without glorious, rippling muscles.

11. Tour Director

Directors accompany a tour group for the entirety of the itinerary and basically make sure people are having a good time. If it’s a twenty-one-day culture tour through Central America, the tour director is there the entire time, leading the group, answering questions, communicating with the bus driver, and, most importantly, creating solutions when shit goes wrong.

This is one of the travel industry careers that require the most work, but if you think you possess the qualities, there are thousands of amazing adventure tour companies looking for new leaders worldwide.

This industry is very competitive, but once you get your foot in the door you’ll be offered work left and right. I’ve got some experience leading adventure tours myself and this is a solid choice of job that involves travelling… You just need to have endless amounts of energy.

These are maybe the best jobs for travel and adventure for those that seek the high life and the pay ain’t too shabby either!.

• $1000 – $3000

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12. Travel Tour Guide

As opposed to a tour director, a tour guide usually does shorter tours (think three-hour walking tours). Ideally, tour guides are experts in their niche, but sometimes just a bit more knowledge than the average Joe will suffice

If you have experience or certification, getting tour guide work will be easy. If you travelling in the EU , you can also find tour guide work within Europe relatively easy (free walking tours, etc.) without certification.

Otherwise, there are lots of people on the web tapping into their entrepreneurial spirit and starting their own tour jobs while on the road.

• $500 – $1500

13. Work on A Boat

Unfortunately, the days of being a pirate are kinda over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still work and live on a boat!

A traveller’s job on a boat is certainly easier to get with experience, but sometimes it’s as easy as just walking onto a dock and asking around. Teach yourself to tie knots first and you’ll be golden.

Want to significantly increase your chances of getting hired on a superyacht or boat? Consider taking a course at the Super Yacht School – an online training company that educates people on everything they need to know regarding how to land a job on a superyacht as a crew member.

Alternatively, become a cruise ship worker and live the party-working-travelling-life on the high seas. Drugs, booze, and nights of wanton hedonism – excellent!

• $1200 – $2500

14. Boat Delivery

More boats! This one is a bit difficult to get into as a newbie, but if you have some experience working on the high seas, boat delivery has some serious work and travel potential. Typically the pay won’t be very high (if at all) but you’ll get your experience up and get to sail the seven seas for free!

Getting into this travel career could lead to more lucrative gigs in the future too, so it’s worth considering if the goal is simply finding jobs that let you travel.

Head over to Crewseekers.net or cruisersforum.com for some killer job leads!

15. Making and Selling Jewellery

Screw travel jobs – be a travel entrepreneur! While you can make and sell anything, jewellery is certainly the backpacker artisans staple, and I’ve met lots of people who make and sell jewellery whilst travelling .

Some critics of budget backpacking might have a go at you for – ahem – “begpacking” , but to those critics I say… get a job, ya hippy! If you’re wheeling, dealing, and hustling on the road, you are the literal opposite of a begpacker. It’s fun too!

The materials can be cheap and light to carry, it’s an artsy and fun thing to do, and you can set up shop (busking-style) in most places in the world that are kind to street merchants (i.e. not Malaysia). Selling handmade jewellery on the street isn’t the path to becoming a billionaire, but if you can make a decent product, it’s a great way to bring in enough to cover a day of gallivanting.

It isn’t strictly one of the easiest travel jobs out there if you genuinely care about your craft. Sourcing ethical materials, making the jewellery, and haggling for a fair price can all be a real battle. But damn you’ll have some ten-outta-ten adventures along the way!

• $300 – $1000 per month

16. Importing Stuff to Sell

A personal favourite of mine, this is what I sometimes refer to as the ‘ stuff your backpack’ method. It’s an easy w ay to make some money back after quitting your job to travel .

When in exotic countries, you will find awesome trinkets and doodads that people back home will go crazy over! Think hippy stuff: chillums, trousers, jewellery, festival belts, etc. These items will be authentic and dirt cheap.

Then, when you are outside that country and back in the good ol’ inflationary West, you can sell the authentic handcrafted Indian peace pipe that you paid $.75 cents for in Mumbai for $15 at festivals or online! It’s a great way to make 1,000% or more on your investments.

To make the most money though, you’ll have to frequently hit the road and stuff your backpack (a big hiking backpack is good for this) as well as have a good eye for stuff to take back home. If you can somehow inject something about chakras into the marketing spiel you’ll give to sell it, it’s a winner.

• $500 – $2000 per month

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17. Busking

Another of the world’s oldest professions that now catches some flak from the world’s newest crybabies: busking. If you have a talent, you can flaunt it for some cash in the street AND – better yet – make a bunch of people smile too!

You doen’t have to be a wandering musician with a travel-sized guitar either; magic, acrobatics, juggling, flow, dance – anything that’s impressive enough to score a tip is worth the shot, and you can score some mean tips! (Believe it or not.)

If the artisti di strada chooses the right location and is talented (or smiley) enough, there’s a pretty good chance they are making some dough! Enough to cover a day’s cost at least… You just need to know how to busk !

Also, if you are a musician, you should look into giving lessons for work while travelling or even playing some low-key gigs at bars or hostels. It’s a good way to score a feed, and it’s certainly not a bad payoff for a few hours of jammin’!

The resident in-house dirtbag busker on The Broke Backpacker team had this to say:

“I’ve had $5/hour days, I’ve had $50/hour days; busking is large part luck, however, there is a hidden art and science to the craft.”

18. Scuba Diving Instructor

Get paid for adventure. Underwater adventures no less!

Becoming a certified scuba diver and instructor takes a bit of investment, but it can be one of the most fun ways to work and travel the world simultaneously. You need a handful of courses and certifications, as well as having logged in a certain amount of hours underwater yourself, and then the world is your… oyster. (Huehuehue.)

If you are already certified, get excited! If you aren’t, you can do it at home, or take advantage of many (significantly cheaper) programs that exist in countries like Thailand and the Philippines. Hands down this is one of the best ways to get paid to travel PLUS you can pick up paying work in lots of different countries around the world.

Plus, y’know, dive for a living. Not bad, ‘ey?

• $1000 – $4000 per month.

19. Surf Instructor

Similar to a scuba instructor but without all of the need for certifications. You just need to be a badass surfer! Surfing instructors can do well for themselves by travelling, surfing, meeting people who are interested and want to learn, and then offering their services.

Plus, let’s be real… you’ll get laid. A lot.

You won’t earn as much as a scuba instructor, but you’ll be getting paid to surf and travel at the same time which is probably the coolest thing ever! I’m a big fan of surfing and hoping to spend a year or two getting a hell of a lot better in the future. If you are looking for cool jobs you can do while travelling, this may be for you.

There are lots of resources for finding potential gigs. Surf Travel Jobs is an excellent starting point.

• $500 – $1500 per month.

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20. Buy A Place and Rent It

If you have been working for a while, you may have some savings. Rather than blowing it all on a couple of fast-paced years of travel, invest it into buying a property at home and renting it out whilst you travel (thus living off the rent money).

You can advertise your place on lots of different websites including Airbnb or one of the many excellent sites like Airbnb , and it can very easily turn into big bucks! Pretty soon, you’ll be making money while travelling; so much so that some of my friends don’t even stay at their own place when they return to their hometown.

• $600 – $2000 per month.

21. Housesitting

Sort of a work-exchange-meets-job, housesitting while travelling is HAWT right now. Typically you pet-sit for an extended amount of time, and in return, you are given free rein over an entire house. Housesitting gigs rarely pay, but you can’t really complain as their still jobs that allow you to travel near-indefinitely.

You’ll be getting free accommodation, a big ass kitchen, and the privacy of your own house! This is one of the best ways to travel!

As with all good things, it’s challenging to crack into, but once you gain experience and a resume, you’ll have your choice of gigs. As far as travel work goes, this one comes highly recommended – it barely counts as working!

• A free house!

22. Work as an Au Pair

Au-pairing is one of the oldest travel careers around and is still a great option to save some money and see the world. Personally, kids ain’t for me, but if you are bubbly, happy, smiley and don’t mind cleaning up the misdirected poopoos, then there are plenty of little ones who need a lovely person like you to help take care of them.

It doesn’t always pay… and if it does pay it’s not always much. But you can earn up to 5k a month if you’re happy to travel for work (which, you should be) to teach in some more far-flung lands.

You’ll get free lodging and food and likely some pocket change for the weekend if you’re volunteering in Europe. Being an au-pair is a pretty solid way to get paid to travel and live in a new country.

• $0 – $5000 per month.

23. Hostel Work

Hostel work is one of the best-kept not-so-secret-secrets of the budget backpacking trade . Once upon a time, it was hush-hush, but now not so much. So let me tell you – finding hostel gigs is SUPER simple and hostel work is one of the best travel jobs for backpackers.

Hostel work is one of the easiest travel jobs to get – just ask the hostels you are staying at if they are looking for any help. They will know exactly what this means. “Help” means manning the front desk graveyard shift, sweeping the floors, or most likely minding the bar, all in exchange for free accommodation.

If they are looking for any “help” , they miiight pay a bit of cash, but more likely, you’ll get a free bed and some food out of it. Hostels are one of the staples for travel work and are a phenomenal way to save money while travelling – not to mention free entry into the hostel life shenanigans is a pretty sweet dealer for a lone ranger looking for some buds.

…And bud. 😉

• Volunteering at a hostel usually means just a free stay. Maybe some weed money (or weed) if you’re lucky.

24. Bar Work

Similar to hostel work, bar jobs have kept the backpacker going since basically the dawn of time. Often the bar work will be in a hostel bar (mentioned above) but just as legit is finding work at standalone bars.

This is particularly true in seasonal European cities (but I’ve seen it in South America, Australia, Asia… basically everywhere). Alcoholics are everywhere and they need a charming face with a winning smile to pour their drinks dammit!

The best way to find a bar job is just to walk around and ask if the bars are looking for any help. Or, if you’re having a pint somewhere, strike up a conversation with the bartender and get the scoop. A simple inquisition can lead to a lot of opportunities.

Full disclosure though: the booze and babes of the graveyard shift are fun for a while, but a few too many staffies a few too many months later and you’ll find yourself stuck right in a classic backpacker trap. And hungover.

• $800 – $2000 per month

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25. Become a Party Promoter/Brand Ambassador

If you are a fun-loving party animal with some social media/writing/promoting skills, then you could be a candidate to score a job as a brand ambassador for a tour business specializing in party-based tours. I’ve met someone who did this for a period; while the money wasn’t always hella tight, the nights of debauchery sure were!

A good option to break into this field is Stoke Travel . Every year, Stoke Travel gives 100+ regular travellers the opportunity to work and travel by volunteering at events or doing internships in their Barcelona and Byron Bay Office.

That’s right. Three square meals per day and unlimited booze. You’re basically travelling for free !

For the right individual, this job promises to be helluva of a lot of fun. (Possibly, too much fun…? )

• Free drinks – $1200

26. Seasonal Jobs

This is a large category that encompasses many different travel jobs. Restaurants, construction, hotels, cruise ship jobs, ski resorts, mining, deep-sea Alaskan fishing gigs, the list goes on! While a lot of these jobs are covered elsewhere in this post, seasonal jobs are worth noting.

You can literally travel the world working, chasing the season (which by the way usually equates to amazingly beautiful weather) and making money when jobs are in demand and at their highest paying…

Depending on the industry, you can end up both in some pretty off the beaten path destinations as well as touristed ones. Or both! The ski resorts in the summer trekking season is usually a much more peaceful vibe once all the loquacious Aussies have packed up shop.

• $1000 – $5000 per month

27. Construction

You can find construction work basically anywhere in the world, however, the right destinations (eg. Australia and New Zealand) pay a mean wage. If you’re operating above board that is.

Otherwise, asking around for something more informal is usually the way to go. If you have construction experience, jump on those work exchange platforms for some cheap volunteering gigs .

Many hostels, farms, and everything in between will advertise their needs in hopes of finding a qualified working traveller. You’ll get food, lodging, and (depending on the project) a bit of money as well. It’ll get you networked too – word of mouth carries!

If you have experience as a plumber or electrician, you can make bank and even land a job where you are paid to travel to and from different world projects. Also, insider tip: traffic controllers Down Under get paid an ungodly amount for literally doing nothing. They usually pick the cutest girl to man the stop sign though – yay, sexism!

• $1200 – $3000 per month but hugely variable depending on your trade and skillset,

28. Transport a Car or RV

Car and RV dealerships or car rental companies sometimes hire people to drive cars to different destinations. Rental companies often find themselves with too many cars in one destination and want to move them to an area where rentals are more in demand. Car dealerships may need a specific car, with specific options or colours, that they arrange to get from another dealer.

While most companies work with full-time professional drivers, there may be some opportunities for one-time trips. The trick with these jobs is getting a car that’s going where you want to go at the right time. You’ll need a clean driver’s license and may need a specialty license to drive RVs, but it’s worth it for a free and rocking RV road trip !

Some transport companies that you may be able to score some delivery gigs with include:

• Imoova is one of the biggest search platforms for relocations.
• Jucy has some nice opportunities on RVs.
• Cars Arrive Auto Relocation is USA based and has some good options.
• HitTheRoad.ca is a well-known Canadian company that offers mostly long-distance, one way, one trip driving contracts for cars.
• A free road trip!

29. Professional Chef

If you have some cooking abilities or some legitimate kitchen experience, you can find a job by asking around at kitchens in hotels, cruise ships, boats, or retreats. Also, take a look into Worldpackers and Workaway as you can certainly find some cook-work opportunities for a free place to stay.

The downside is that you’ll have to work in close proximity to chefs. Chefs are primadonnas. Get in and out of the hospo industry as quick as possible, amigos.

If thou gaze too long into an abyss…

• $1500 – $3000 per month

30. Travel Nurse

Stop right now and listen to me. If you are a nurse, or if you are thinking about becoming a nurse, becoming a travel nurse is one of the single most amazing careers you can get into.

Travelling nurses are usually hired for thirteen to twenty-six weeks in whatever location they choose and all of your travel expenses are usually paid. Housing is usually covered, and due to the high demand and urgency, travelling nurses are paid more than regular nurses. It’s one of the best ways to travel, work and save a stupid amount of money.

Plus, you know, saving lives and all that jazz.

• $1500 – $4000 per month.

31. Flight Attendant

An oldie but a goodie, being a flight attendant isn’t as glamorous as it once was, but in terms of travel friendly jobs , this is a fantastic travel career. It’s really the OG travel job (right after busker AKA a wandering minstrel).

Free flights, long stopovers to explore, and the ability to tweak your schedule to have a few weeks off a month – there’s a lot to like! This is one of the best careers that involve travelling, and if you get hired by a quality airline, this is a job that not only requires travel but can also pay well.

• $1800 – $2500 per month

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

32. New Zealand/Australia Work Visa

Not strictly a top travel job so much as a top place to find a job. Yes, the rumours you’ve heard are true: Australia does have an obscenely high minimum wage (as does New Zealand, albeit not as high).

Depending on where you are from and if you are able, New Zealand and Australia are two excellent countries to get work visas for. The visa allows you to be employed in most industries, but you’ll most likely find jobs in the hospitality, tourism, and agricultural fields. Come Down Under where you can travel and work for a year or maybe two!

However, both New Zealand and Australia’s cost of living is high, so finding a job that provides you with both a room and food will net you some huge savings. The more remote you go, the better you will earn too. (Sheep shearers make BANK… and then blow it all on cocaine and meth…)

Watch out though: not all Ozzies and Kiwis subscribe to the “mateship and fair go for all” mentality they’re known for. It’s not uncommon to get paid a fraction of that obscenely high minimum wage.

• $1800 – $3500 per month
• Backpacking Australia Travel Guide
• Where to Stay in Australia
• Backpacking New Zealand Travel Guide
• Where to Stay in New Zealand

33. Ski Resort Jobs

While I mentioned resorts and seasonal gigs before, skiing deserves its own holler(back girl). Ski resorts are notorious for hiring travellers and often under the table. Ski resort gigs can be the best seasonal jobs for travelling.

As an “unofficial” ski resort worker, you won’t get paid much (and you will likely be overworked), but it’s a great way to work hard, play hard, and make some travel friends along the way! Plus, there will always be the skiing/snowboarding perks which are obviously EPIC.

You don’t have to be an instructor though. Many seasonal jobs in lodges or working the lifts are widely available. Oh, and the snowbum life is pretty hedonistic – it’s basically working, partying, and picking up Insta-brand vacayers between your shifts.

• $1000 – $2000 per month.

34. Tattoo Artist

Backpackers love to get tattoos on the road , so there is always a demand for talented artists. And I’ve met some amazing tattoo artists travelling the world and paying their way through freelance work in hostels and backpacker hangouts. Talk about a creative travel job!

The better you get at your craft, the more doors that will open up to you. You don’t even need a gun! I’ve met and befriended some phenomenal stick-and-poke artists who earn money working while they travel.

Plus getting paid by people to inflict large amounts of bodily harm on them really isn’t too bad either!

• $500 – $15000 per month (be prepared to adjust your rates to reflect the country you’re in – ain’t nobody stupid enough to pay $100+ an hour in Mexico).

35. Join the Peace Corps

This is certainly one of the noblest travel jobs on this list and it deserves a mention! Providing a different work and travel experience, the Peace Corps is no joke and essentially makes you an international aid worker in a foreign country.

It’s a two-year commitment, you have very little influence on where you are stationed, and you only get two days off per month.

You don’t get paid much but, hell, you will be earning and you will get paid to travel to somewhere new. And what’s more, is relevant work experience can take the place of a college degree.

Check out:  This Peace Corps volunteer’s blog all about her experiences volunteering in Vanuatu.

Do You Need Insurance as a Working Traveller?

If you are going to be living and working outside of your home country, you really do need to think about getting health insurance. If you have an accident or get sick, then those hospital bills are going to completely nullify any money you’ve earned and saved.

For long term cover, we recommend SafetyWing . They specialise in covering digital nomads and those working outside of their home country. It’s basically a subscription model – month to month payments – on international health insurance without the need to provide an itinerary.

Month to month payments, no lock-in contracts, and no itineraries required: that’s the exact kind of insurance digital nomads and long-term traveller types need. Cover yo’ pretty little self while you live the DREAM!

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to work! Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

There are so many ways to work and travel; sometimes you just gotta get a bit creative! As long as you are cutting the costs of travel and picking up a job where and when needed, you’ll find a way.

Not every traveling job needs to be a career. Covering your living costs is a fantastic start, and all the skills and confidence will take you soooo much further in life than one simple job ever could.

Taking a leap of faith on a new vocation on the road is fantastic. It’s a step outside of your comfort zone and right into the growth of travel. In many ways, that’s what it means to BE a broke backpacker .

You don’t have to be broke to be a broke backpacker. Nay, being resourceful, willing, and kind-hearted with a good work ethic – that makes you more of a broke backpacker than holes in your undies and lack of consistent showering ever will.

So get out there and work on the road! Start with a shit-kicker job. Then once you’ve levelled up appropriately (and with some ingenuity), you’ll find a job that involves travelling and where you get paid to travel and live in a new country. Maybe you’ll even live in a mini-campervan conversion and start rockin’ the super nomad life. Then, you’re not just hunting for the best travel jobs anymore.

No, that’s a travel career: a whole new adventure!

Made it this far? You get 15% OFF to book a place to stay ! Offer valid exclusively for Broke Backpackers 😉

Elina Mattila

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24 Best Travel Jobs to Make Money Traveling the World (2024)

Where have you always wanted to go? 

Perhaps Egypt? How about Peru? Or maybe Paris? Wherever it is, jobs that allow you to travel can take you there.

But which travel jobs are best for you?

If you’re wondering how to travel and work abroad, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explore 24 jobs for people who like to travel.

But first, let’s take a quick look at four types of travel jobs.

4 types of travel jobs

There are many different ways to travel while working. All of the travel jobs listed in this article fall into one of the following categories:

Digital nomad jobs

Jobs that pay to travel

• Expats working and traveling abroad

Backpacker jobs

Some types of travel jobs require a high level of expertise, and some aren’t as flexible as others. However, they all give you the means to cover some (or all) of your travel expenses.

So, what’s the difference, and which one’s best for you?

1. Digital nomad jobs

Digital nomads are people who travel while working online. As a result, digital nomad jobs provide an enormous amount of flexibility and independence when traveling.

Examples of digital nomads include freelance developers, graphic designers, and dropshippers .

With this type of travel job, all you need is a reliable internet connection and a laptop. You can travel to the best digital nomad cities and work from coffee shops, hotels, or coworking spaces. The jobs are often fully remote.

2. Jobs that pay to travel

This type of job encompasses traditional travel jobs, typically in the hospitality and tourism industries.

Examples of jobs that pay to travel include cruise ship workers, flight attendants, and tour guides.

These jobs often dictate when and where you get to travel and often provide free accommodation. So while there’s less freedom than in digital nomad jobs, these jobs may be easier to get if you have prior experience working in hospitality.

3. Expats working and traveling abroad

The term “expat” stands for “expatriate.” It refers to people who are citizens of one country but decide to live and work in another country.

Examples of expat travel jobs include English teachers, au pairs, or government workers.

Expats might live in other countries for just a few months or years at a time. So, if you’d prefer to work outside your home country and sink your teeth into a new culture or language, this may be the dream job for you.

4. Backpacker jobs

Let me give it to you straight: Backpacker jobs are probably the least glamorous, requiring you to work long hours for a minimal wage. 

Examples include bartenders, hostel workers, and surfing instructors.

Still, this type of travel job has a lot of benefits. These entry-level travel jobs don’t usually require a computer or college degree. 

They also provide plenty of flexibility so you can travel at your own pace. Plus, finding local work while traveling is one of the best ways to meet interesting people and experience different cultures.

24 best travel jobs to make money while traveling the world 

Now that you understand the types of travel jobs available, let’s dive a bit deeper. Here are 24 of the best jobs for people who like to travel. 

Let’s start with jobs that you can do with just a laptop and an internet connection.

1. Web design/development

A common job for digital nomads is web design and development. To start, learn how to create a website . Or try searching for jobs on sites like GitHub Jobs and Upwork . 

These days, it’s possible to make money writing about virtually anything. Look for jobs on sites like FreelanceWriting , Blogging Pro , and Problogger .

3. Graphic design

Do you love graphic design? Why not turn your passion into a job that covers your travel costs? You can find graphic design traveling jobs on sites like Freelancer and Dribbble .

4. Travel blogger

Many people make money with travel blogging. However, it can take time to build a sustainable income from this source. To find out more, check out How to Start a Travel Blog .

5. Dropshipper

Dropshipping might just be the best job to travel the world. It’s a hands-off approach to selling physical products online. You manage your store and promote products to your target market . Then, your supplier will ship the products to customers on your behalf. To get started and gain experience, read How to Start a Dropshipping Business .

6. Online teaching/tutor

Teaching online is one of the best travel jobs, thanks to its low barrier to entry. If you’re a native English speaker and love to teach, you can be up and running in no time. To learn more, check out our full-length guide, Online Teaching: Everything You Need to Know .

7. Online translator

If you’re fluent in more than one language, consider becoming an online translator. This job makes it easy to travel while working. Plus, there are plenty of websites out there to help you find potential clients, such as  Translators Base .

8. Digital marketer

Countless businesses need help with digital marketing. Like many of the best travel jobs, digital marketing isn’t something you can learn in a week or two. However, there are plenty of free resources online to help you become a digital marketer and make big bucks while traveling! Get started with this article: Digital Marketing Made Simple: The Complete Beginner’s Guide .

9. Programmer

If you know how to code—or you would love to learn—you could travel the world while working as a computer programmer. There are plenty of websites out there that teach programming, such as Free Code Camp , Code.org , and Code Academy .

10. Virtual assistant

Many businesses and individuals hire people to help them with administrative tasks, like scheduling and responding to customer inquiries. These people are known as virtual assistants. To learn more, check out How to Become a  Virtual Assistant .

11. Customer service agent

Are you great with people? Do you have plenty of patience and a genuine desire to help? Tons of businesses hire remote customer service agents. To find customer service jobs, check out remote job boards like FlexJobs , JustRemote , and We Work Remotely .

Do you want to travel for a living? Here are some jobs with travel opportunities.

12. Yacht worker

This travel job almost sounds too good to be true. You can travel for a living on some rich person’s luxury yacht—you just have to earn your keep as a deckhand or steward! The yacht is like a free house because you don’t pay rent. Look for yacht travel jobs on sites like Yacrew and Bluewater .

13. Cruise ship worker

If you’d rather sail on a bigger ship, consider working on a cruise ship. This type of travel job provides plenty of work opportunities. For example, you can work as a waiter, bartender, cleaner, lifeguard, or musician. Try searching for jobs on websites like All Cruise Jobs , Indeed , and Cruise Job Finder .

14. Flight attendant

Working as a flight attendant provides plenty of opportunities to travel different countries, with airline and hotel discounts to boot! However, the hours can be long, and jet lag is a common occurrence. You can find flight attendant opportunities on Indeed and  AirlineCareer .

15. Photographer

Photography could be your round-the-world ticket. It’s not easy to turn this hobby into a career, but many people achieve it every year. Make sure to specialize in a niche geared for travel, such as destination weddings or travel photography. To learn more, check out this guide on How to Start a Photography Business .

If you want to immerse yourself in a different culture, consider living abroad long term with these travel jobs.

16. English teacher

To become an English teacher, it’s likely you’ll need a TEFL (teach English as a foreign language) certification. Find out more on TEFL’s website or look for jobs on Go Overseas .

17. Scuba diving instructor

Do you love scuba diving? If you get qualified, you could teach scuba diving all over the world, from India to Iceland. To learn more, check out the Professional Association of Diving Instructors or look for jobs on Divezone and Go Abroad .

18. Au pair

Are you great with children? If so, why not become an au pair? Many families hire live-in babysitters from foreign countries because they want their children to grow up speaking a foreign language. You can search for au pair careers on Go Overseas , Go Abroad , and AuPairWorld .

19. Foreign service travel jobs

If you’re looking for a more serious travel career, consider working for the foreign service or an intergovernmental organization (IGO). These jobs are usually only open to people who have relevant degrees and experience. Here are some links to find out more for citizens of the United States , the United Kingdom , and Canada .

20. Peace corps/NGO work

If you want a unique and potentially life-changing trip, try volunteering with the Peace Corps or a non-governmental organization (NGO). The pay isn’t great, but these jobs can provide a rich travel experience.

Finally, let’s take a look at some entry-level travel jobs.

21. Hostel worker

Hostels often hire travelers for temporary positions in exchange for free food, accommodation, and sometimes a small wage. You could become a receptionist or housekeeper to make your travel dreams a reality. Visit sites like Hostel Jobs and HelpStay to find your first travel job as a hostel worker.

22. Bartender

Most countries have bars, clubs, and restaurants—and the work is pretty much the same wherever you are in the world. Still, it helps to speak the local language. Sites like HelpX and HelpStay are highly recommended for bartender work search.

23. Yoga/fitness instructor

If you have the experience, you could travel the world as a freelance yoga or fitness instructor. Many instructors find work with local gyms, hotels, and fitness studios. To find such travel jobs, visit Yoga Travel Jobs , Health and Fitness Travel , and Yoga Trade .

24. Ski instructor

If you’re a keen skier, you could fund your skiing adventures by working as an instructor. This travel job is similar to scuba instructing, but it can be easier to find short-term work. Some jobs involve training clients on ski resorts, which could be a fun way to explore new places while earning a living.

Start making money while traveling the world

If you want to start working and traveling, there are plenty of travel jobs out there. From digital nomad roles to entry-level positions, you have many ways to generate income. Consider getting a job that fits your experience, so you can excel and progress faster than people usually do.

In summary, here are 24 of the best travel jobs to make money while traveling the world:

• Website designer/developer
• Graphic designer
• Travel blogger
• Dropshipper
• Online teacher/tutor
• Online translator
• Digital marketer
• Virtual assistant
• Customer service agent
• Yacht worker
• Cruise ship worker
• Flight attendant
• Photographer
• English teacher
• Scuba diving instructor
• Foreign service travel jobs
• Peace Corps/NGO work
• Hostel worker
• Yoga/fitness instructor
• Ski instructor

What do you think is the best travel job? Have we missed any? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

Travel jobs FAQ

How do i get a job while traveling the world.

  Keep an eye on job boards and career websites where companies post travel-friendly jobs. These days, you can work as a digital nomad or do entry-level jobs in most countries worldwide while enjoying all they have to offer. 

What is the best job to have while traveling?

The best travel job for you is one that suits your experience and skills. If you’ve been working as a translator for a while, consider applying for online translation jobs. If you don’t have any prior work experience, you can consider entry-level positions such as hostel worker or bartender. 

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22 Ways to Get Paid to Travel in 2024

Marc Andre, Contributor

• Updated July 23, 2024
• Co-authored by: R.J. Weiss, CFP®

There are more opportunities to get paid to travel than most people realize. While many online jobs let you work from anywhere, this article focuses specifically on jobs where travel is integral.

Below you’ll find 22 options, broken down into the following categories to help you find the ideal travel job:

• Freelancer/digital nomad jobs : Work on your own terms, whenever and wherever you want.
• Short-term jobs : Get paid to travel for a few weeks or a season, although the long-term potential is minimal.
• Career track travel jobs : Make travel a key part of your professional development and long-term career goals.
• Free or nearly-free travel opportunitie s: These are temporary and volunteer jobs that offer compensation for travel, room and board, or some combination of the two.

You can also click the menu button below to see a list of all the opportunities in this article and jump to the ones that you’re most interested in.

Table of Contents

Freelancer/Digital Nomad Jobs

The jobs in this section aren’t traditional jobs that involve working for an employer. In most cases you’ll be freelancing or running your own online business. If you’re looking for adventure and you want some control over your schedule, these jobs could be perfect for you.

#1. Travel Writer

Summary : As a travel writer, you’ll write articles, reports and reviews related to travel and tourism. Naturally, your work will involve visiting a lot of different locations in order to gain the experience needed for your writing.

How much it pays : According to Glassdoor, the average travel writer makes $52,930 .

How to get started : We’ll look at two different options below. If you want to start your own blog, you can refer to our guide “ How to Start a Blog And Make Money .” If you want to get hired by other publications, refer to our guide on how to become a freelance writer .

Freelance Travel Writer

Freelance writers work for a variety of different publications. Travel writers are hired by websites, blogs, magazines, guidebooks and other publications to produce articles and reports helpful to travelers. 

You might be assigned to review a particular resort or hotel, verify details of things to do in a specific city, or any number of different things. 

In most cases, you’ll be assigned to specific tasks and destinations, so you probably won’t be able to choose your own itinerary. You may be hired for a one-off assignment to write a specific article, or you might be hired for an ongoing assignment, like writing a new article each month.

Travel Blogger

If you want the freedom to travel wherever you want, whenever you want, start a travel blog. Instead of writing for clients, you’ll be writing for your own website, so you get to make all of the decisions.

Having a profitable travel blog is a great way to earn a living, but it will take some time and effort to reach the point where your blog income is enough to sustain you. Most blogs don’t make very much money the first year, so you’ll need some patience to make it through those first few months without giving up.

Potential avenues for revenue include brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, public speaking  and creating your own digital products to sell to your audience.

Where to learn more : If you want to see what it’s like to work as a travel writer, these two articles provide a lot of insight:

• How We Get Paid to Travel the World (travel blogging)
• What It’s Really, Truly Like to Be a Travel Writer (freelance travel writing)

#2. Travel Influencer

Summary : A travel influencer is someone with a large social media following hired by brands to promote a product or service.

How much it pays : According to a study done by TourismTeacher.com , the average income of a travel influencer is about $1,500 per month. This shows that it’s a side hustle rather than a full-time job for many people.

How to get started : This first step is to choose the platform you’re going to use. Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are the most popular choices. Next, you’ll need to start growing your audience by regularly posting content that appeals to travelers, and also by actively engaging with other users.

Having success as an influencer is all about your following. Of course, having a lot of followers is helpful, but you also need to have loyal followers who genuinely care about you and your recommendations. Influencers with smaller audiences can still be extremely valuable to sponsors if their followers are highly receptive. 

Where to learn more : Check out our guides on making money on YouTube and making money on TikTok to learn more.

#3. Freelance Photographer

Summary : As a freelance photographer, you could get paid for photographs used by publications. You might be given an assignment to travel and photograph a specific location, or you could sell or license photos that you’ve already taken. Stock photography websites are a popular option for licensing photos.

How much it pays : According to PayScale, the average freelance photographer makes $44,219 per year.

How to get started : The easiest way to get started is by using the photos you already have. You can submit your travel photos to stock photography sites like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock , or you can work with a stock agency to get more exposure for your photos.

Getting assignments where a client will pay your travel expenses and hire you to photograph a location is pretty rare today. That’s not to say that these opportunities don’t exist, but most companies don’t go that route because there are cheaper alternatives.

Stock travel photography makes it much more affordable for publications to get the photos they need, so they’ll often choose to license stock photos rather than hire a photographer for an assignment. 

Most freelance photographers use a few different revenue streams to generate their income. It might involve licensing stock photos, private licensing deals with companies, selling prints, leading workshops or tour groups, and the occasional assignment from a client. You could also combine it with a few of the other options we’ve already covered, like becoming an influencer or starting a travel blog.

Where to learn more : To learn more, read “ How to Become a Freelance Travel Photographer ” by Ilaria Cazziol.

#4. Remote Jobs

Summary : A growing number of jobs can be done remotely. While these jobs may not incorporate travel into your work, they do give you the flexibility to add as much travel into your lifestyle as you want.

How much it pays : The salary from a remote job will vary depending on several factors like the type of role, requirements of the job, location of the employer and more.

How to get started : There are several job boards ideal for finding remote jobs, including FlexJobs , Remote OK , JustRemote and We Work Remotely .

Finding a remote job is one of the best and most realistic options for many people. You may be able to continue in a job that’s very much like the one you already have, but with the freedom and flexibility to work from anywhere. 

The downside to going this route is your travel expenses won’t be covered, so you’ll need to account for that in your budget. Most employees working full-time remotely outside the U.S. rent on Airbnb. A free option is a house sitting, though that restricts where you can stay.

Where to learn more : This article on Insider shares the stories and details of life as a digital nomad. After reading the article, you’ll have a better idea if this might be a good opportunity for you.

Short-Term & Limited Upside Jobs

If you’re interested in traveling for a short season of your life and not looking for anything to set you up for a long-term career, there are some additional options.

The jobs in this category can help you make some money or provide you a place to stay for a few months or even a few years. They don’t offer much in the way of long-term potential or career development, but they could be the perfect fit for someone who wants to travel for a while before moving on to a more career-oriented position.

#5. Play or Coach a Sport

Summary : If you have athletic abilities or the experience to work as a coach, you might want to consider using this as a way to travel. 

How much it pays : The income varies depending on the location, the level of league you play or coach in, and your skills. On the low end, your income might be enough to cover your living expenses or supplement other income. 

How to get started : Do some research to find opportunities in your sport. Find countries where your sport isn’t extremely popular and look for opportunities there. One World 365 is a good place to start.

The key to finding opportunities to play or coach in another country is to look for where your sport isn’t extremely popular. For example, your skills as a baseball player may not be enough to play professionally in the U.S., but you may be good enough to get paid to play in Europe. 

There are many lower-level pro teams or semi-pro leagues that are actively looking for players. The same can be said about various sports in other countries.

If your playing days are behind you, coaching might be an option. Or if you’re willing to do some coaching as well, you might be able to play and coach in order to make yourself more valuable. BaseballJobsOverseas.com shares the stories of several Americans who’ve found opportunities in European leagues.

Where to learn more : Six Star Pro offers some details for anyone interested in getting paid to play a sport abroad.

#6. Tour Guide/Trip Leader

Summary : If you enjoy being around people, leading tours or trips could be a great opportunity. You might be based in the U.S. and travel with groups, or you could live in a foreign country and lead tours for groups, families or individuals visiting the area.

How much it pays : ZipRecruiter reports that the average international tour guide makes $38,411 per year, but this can vary significantly from job to job.

How to get started : Tour companies like Contiki and One Life Adventures hire tour guides and trip leaders. Of course, with some research, you can find other similar jobs as well.

Working as a tour guide or trip leader can be a lot of fun, but it also comes with plenty of responsibility. You’ll be dealing with people from all walks of life and with different personalities, and need plenty of organizational skills. 

Depending on the job, you may get to travel to many different places or you may be in the same locations repeatedly. Of course, this will have a big impact on your experience with the job and will impact whether it’s a good fit for you.

Where to learn more : To get a better idea of what it’s like to work as a trip leader, read this article on Erin Outdoors : So You Want to Be an Adventure Trip Leader .

#7. Work on a Cruise Ship

Summary : The cruise industry relies on thousands of workers in various roles, many of whom are in it primarily for the travel experiences. 

How much it pays : According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a U.S.-based cruise ship worker is $48,404 .

How to get started : Most cruise lines have a jobs or careers section on their website that lists openings. Some examples include Carnival , Royal Caribbean and Norwegian .

If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you know it takes hundreds or thousands of workers to be able to support all of those guests 24 hours a day. This includes entry-level jobs such as dishwashers, bartenders and servers, as well as more specialized jobs such as chefs, photographers and yoga instructors. 

Generally, your room and food will be completely covered and many ships offer things like employee-only bars and activities.

The downside to working on a cruise ship is that you’ll probably work long hours, which doesn’t leave a lot of time for exploring the amazing places you visit.

Where to learn more : The popular travel blog Nomadic Matt published an interview with Wandering Earl about life as a cruise ship employee. It’s a very interesting read and Earl shares an overwhelmingly positive experience of working on cruise ships for 4.5 years. 

#8. Get a Seasonal Job at a Resort

Summary : The travel industry includes millions of seasonal jobs that won’t support you year-round, but they may provide the perfect way for you to spend part of the year in a beautiful location.

How much it pays : The pay will vary depending on a few factors, but most importantly the location of the resort. In many countries the salary might seem very low, but the cost of living will generally be lower as well. 

How to get started : Websites like CoolWorks and Wander Jobs are great places to find seasonal jobs. Alternatively, you could choose a destination where you want to go and research resorts in the area to find opportunities.

Seasonal jobs aren’t going to offer the highest pay, but if you’re looking for a way to travel and a job that earns enough money to get by, this is a possibility you might want to consider. Many seasonal jobs at resorts also provide housing for staff, and meals may be included as well (depending on the resort).

There are opportunities at beach resorts, ski resorts, mountain lodges and more. Although these jobs are seasonal, openings exist in all seasons throughout the year at different locations. If you wanted to, you could work multiple seasonal jobs at different times of the year.

#9. Do Research for Travel Guides

Summary : A job as a researcher for a published travel guide like Lonely Planet involves plenty of travel. It’s a challenging job that involves verifying tedious details, but you’ll get to see a lot of new places.

How much it pays : Most companies hiring for this type of research pay a lump sum. You’ll use that money to cover your travel expenses and keep whatever is left. The less you spend on travel and accommodations, the more you’ll keep.

How to get started : Lonely Planet ’s website offers information for anyone looking to contribute to their guidebook. You could also check the websites of other companies that publish guidebooks .

Travel guides like Lonely Planet provide valuable information for travelers, and they hire researchers to compile new data and verify details from past publications. 

This job involves plenty of travel and you’ll get to see and experience places you would otherwise never visit, but it’s a lot of work.

Simon Sellars, who worked for Lonely Planet said , “I feel one of the biggest misconceptions about Lonely Planet is that the company pays its authors to swan around on holiday and then do a bit of writing as an afterthought. The reality is that you are on your feet for twelve hours a day, during torrential rain or baking heat or whatever testing conditions you’ve parachuted into: coups; insurgencies; dealing with the horror of warm beer in Britain. There’s very little time for actual sightseeing. It’s actually hard work.”

While this job is not for everyone, it could be an ideal fit for someone who wants to visit as many places as possible without spending money out of pocket.

Where to learn more : The New York Times published an interesting article titled “ A Job With Travel but No Vacation .” In the article, you’ll read stories from several people who have held this type of role, giving valuable insight into what it’s really like.

#10. Deliver Cars and Boats

Summary : While it’s not the first travel career that comes to mind, delivering cars or boats might be the right opportunity for you. You’ll get to spend your days on the road, or on the water, rather than sitting at a desk. 

How much it pays : According to Zippia, the average “driveaway” driver makes $43,313 per year.

How to get started : Check the websites of companies in the relocation industry for job opportunities. Auto Driveway is one of the leaders for vehicle relocations and CruiseJobFinder provides information on yacht deliveries. 

It’s a pretty straightforward job and your primary responsibility is simply making a safe delivery. Trips will vary in length, depending on where the car or boat is being delivered to.

One of the nice things about this job is the variety you’ll get. Each trip will be to a different location, so it’s possible to see many new places. On longer trips, you may have time in the evenings or when you’re not driving to see and experience the places you’re passing through.

Where to learn more : CNBC published an article about retirees working as relocation drivers as a way to travel and see the county with low expenses.

#11. Be an Au Pair

Au pairs work as live-in childcare providers for a host family, typically working between 25 and 45 hours per week in exchange for room, board and a weekly or monthly stipend. 

How much it pays: The U.S. government sets a minimum pay rate, which is currently $195.75 per week before taxes. Host families may choose to provide additional compensation to their au pair.

If you’re looking to work outside the U.S., you’ll want to narrow your search to more developed countries, where the pay will be better. Expect to receive free room and board, as well as a small sum of pocket money each week. 

How to get started : Most au pairs are hired through agencies, which both screen applicants and then place them with a family. It’s best to narrow down your search to the countries you’d like to stay in, then find an agency that works within that country. 

Where to learn more : View VeryWell’s guide to the best au pair agencies .

Career Track Travel Jobs

These travel job qualifications, descriptions, compensation packages and career paths might be very similar to traditional jobs in your local area. The difference is that these jobs are done either in another country or involve frequent travel.

By pursuing the opportunities in this section, you won’t sacrifice long-term career opportunities for the sake of a job that involves travel. You also won’t need to have an entrepreneurial outlook, as these are all traditional employment opportunities.

#12. Foreign Service Officer

Summary : Foreign Service Officers are diplomats working for the Department of State. They’re responsible for promoting peace and protecting American citizens in foreign countries. There are about 8,000 FSO positions available around the world.

How much it pays : According to PayScale, the average annual salary for a Foreign Service Officer is $88,544 . How much you’ll make depends on your tenure as well as where you’re stationed.

How to get started : You must be a U.S. citizen to work as a foreign service officer. But one thing to note is that the Department of State hires FSOs of many different ages and career backgrounds. And yes, in many cases, your family can come along with you to your destination.

To be considered, the first step is to register for the Foreign Service Officer Test , which is held periodically throughout the year. The test is notoriously difficult, with an 80% failure rate. If you do pass, there’s an extensive, multi-step interview process.

The Department of State offers five different career tracks for Foreign Service Officers :

• Consular Officers
• Economic Officers
• Management Officers
• Political Officers
• Public Diplomacy Offers

Your responsibility and role will vary greatly depending on which career track you choose. There’s an interactive questionnaire to help you to decide which track is right for you .

Where to learn more : Read through the Department of State’s FSO web page .

#13. Peace Corps Officer

Summary : The Peace Corps is a federal government agency that offers a variety of overseas positions (as well as volunteer opportunities). The career-track jobs are primarily in management or for medical officers, but volunteers — who carry out tasks like teaching and providing social services in some of the poorest nations on earth — are given living allowances as well as a lump-sum stipend after completion of the program (which is currently $10,000).

How much it pays : Peace Corps salaries are set by approved government-wide ranges and vary by position. Salary ranges are provided in each job listing. According to PayScale, the average Peace Corps employee makes $63,000 per year.

How to get started : Most of the opportunities available with the Peace Corps are for volunteer positions . If you’re looking to get paid a more regular salary, there are limited employment opportunities . Only U.S. citizens can be hired for overseas positions with the Peace Corps. 

Volunteer positions last for two years. Jobs with the Peace Corps are time-limited appointments and most employees are able to work a maximum of five years for the agency. As a result, working for the Peace Corps is more of a stepping stone than a long-term career move. 

However, a few years spent working for the Peace Corps will be valuable experience that’s likely to lead to other excellent opportunities in the future. For example, serving two years as a volunteer is a perfect choice if you want to become an FSO.

Where to learn more : The Peace Corps website provides information about positions, benefits, and more.

#14. Work for an NGO

Summary : Non-profit and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may provide travel opportunities for employees. Depending on the role and the organization you work for, you might be able to experience a lot of different cultures.

NGOs carry out many different tasks — from international economic development to democracy building and everything in between. Their name comes from the fact that they carry out many functions typically associated with government agencies, even though they’re independent organizations. 

How much it pays : The pay varies significantly depending on the position and the country you’re living in and the type of work you’re doing, but you should expect a salary that’s close to — but slightly below — the salary you would command in the private sector for similar work.

How to get started : Finding a job with a non-profit organization is much like any typical job search. You can use any of the major job search websites to find openings. Additionally, websites like DevEx and Idealist are excellent resources.

If you want to work for an NGO overseas, it will be helpful — and in many cases, necessary — for you to be fluent in a second language. 

Where to learn more : “ Put Your Skills to Work in Non-Profit Jobs ” shares some details about what it’s like to work with non-profits in foreign countries.

#15. Flight Attendant

Summary : Working as a flight attendant provides plenty of opportunity for travel. Unlike some other traveling jobs, you’ll also be able to enjoy many of the places you visit as a flight attendant.

How much it pays : According to PayScale, the average flight attendant makes $44,885 annually. 

How to get started : Airline websites are the best place to find job openings. Be aware that it’s extremely competitive and not easy to land a job in this field.

Of course, working as a flight attendant involves travel every day that you’re working. Although there’s plenty of work to be done during the flight, many trips will involve overnight stays — sometimes of more than one night — and you may have some extra time to enjoy the places you’re visiting.

In addition, most airlines allow flight attendants and other employees to fly for free on standby. That means you’ll need to have flexibility and you may not be able to get every flight you want, but when there’s room on the plane, you’ll be able to fly for free (or very cheap). 

One of the downsides to working as a flight attendant is the limited career upside that’s available. If you’re looking for a job that allows you to work your way up the corporate ladder, becoming a flight attendant is not the best fit. The skills and experience you build in the role aren’t directly transferable to other fields, and there’s no obvious “next step.”

Where to learn more : The article “ What it’s REALLY like to be a Delta Airlines flight attendant ” offers a glimpse into the life you might experience if you pursue this career.

#16. Traveling Nurse

Summary : As a traveling nurse, you’ll get the opportunity to travel to specific locations for a few weeks or a few months at a time. The education and requirements are the same as the requirements to be a nurse in hospitals and other settings.

How much it pays : ZipRecruiter reports that the average international travel nurse makes $85,075 per year.

How to get started : In order to work as a traveling nurse you’ll need to be a Registered Nurse (RN), a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Traveling nurses usually find jobs through agencies specializing in this field. The agency or employer will often provide housing or a stipend to cover your living expenses during the assignment.

Where to learn more : “ The Road to Becoming a Traveling Nurse ” from AllNursingSchools.com will give you all the information you need about this opportunity.

#17. English Teacher

Summary : There are positions available in many countries around the world to teach English. In general, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, but not a teaching certification.

How much it pays : According to GoOverseas , the top-paying countries for English teachers pay anywhere from $1,600 to $5,500 per month.

How to get started : The demand for English teachers in many parts of the world is greater than the supply. As a result, there are several businesses and organizations that place Americans in teaching jobs around the globe. Some of these organizations focus on a specific country and others offer placements in multiple countries. 

The best way to get started is to apply through an organization like:

• JET Program USA (Japan)
• Open Book (Thailand)
• English First (China, Russia and Indonesia)

Those are just a few examples, but there are others that focus on opportunities in different parts of the world. In addition, many companies hire remote tutors to teach English online. See our article on the best online tutoring jobs you can do from home to learn more.

Where to learn more : “ 10 Things to Know Before Teaching Abroad ” provides some insight that might be helpful if you’re considering this option.

#18. AmeriCorps Teacher

Summary : AmeriCorps is a government agency offering a wide range of services and programs, including some initiatives related to education. You could work as a teacher and benefit by getting assistance with student loans.

How much it pays : According to Indeed , most AmeriCorps teachers make about $1,400 to $1,500 per month. However, that does not include benefits related to student loan forbearance while you’re working, or assistance paying off your student loans.

How to get started : The Urban Teachers website provides additional information about the opportunity.

Working as an AmeriCorps teacher won’t allow you to travel internationally, but it will almost certainly involve living and working in a part of the U.S. that you’d never experience otherwise. For example, Urban Teachers is an AmeriCorps program that places teachers in urban schools throughout the country.

AmeriCorp teaching assignments usually last for 10 to 12 months and can be done as you’re completing your education. You’ll receive a stipend that’s intended to cover your living expenses, and you’ll get assistance with your student loan debt (more than $12,000 over two years). 

Where to learn more : Study.com offers information about the AmeriCorps Inspired Teacher Certification Program .

Bonus: Get Free (or Nearly Free) Travel

The opportunities in this section won’t come with a regular paycheck, but there can be some perks like free accommodations.

#19. Mystery Shop at Resorts

Summary : Free stays at luxury resorts might seem unrealistic, but it’s actually possible through some mystery shopping jobs . 

How much it pays : The details vary depending on the assignment and the company you’re working for. Typically, your expenses are reimbursed and you may receive modest additional pay for your time. The primary benefit is free travel and free stays at great resorts and locations.

How to get started : You can apply for work with companies like Coyle that offer mystery shopping in the travel and hospitality industry.

Mystery shopping is a popular way to earn a little bit of extra money. Gigs in your local area may be fun as a side hustle, but many people don’t realize there are opportunities to travel as a mystery shopper.

It’s important to note that these jobs are in high demand and they’re not easy to get. As you can imagine, it’s not hard for companies to find people interested in working as a traveling mystery shopper.

Your job will involve observing the conditions and service provided by the hotel or resort staff, and writing a detailed report. It doesn’t involve working around the clock, so you’ll have free time to enjoy the places you stay, but it is work and it does require some responsibility. 

Where to learn more : Be sure to check our guide: Mystery Shopper Jobs: A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Secret Shopping . The article provides an excellent introduction to the role of a mystery shopper and some specific companies in the industry, including Coyle.

#20. Work on Organic Farms

Summary : If you’re interested in experiencing life in another part of the world, you could work on an organic farm. Depending on the arrangement, you may or may not be paid.

How much it pays : With World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), no money is exchanged between the workers and hosts. You’ll get a place to stay and food to eat, but you won’t be paid and you’ll need to pay for your own transportation and personal expenses.

How to get started : The WWOOF website lists opportunities throughout the world. Transitions Abroad also provides information about similar roles.

Working on an organic farm could be the ideal way to learn something new while getting free room and board in another country. Farmers obviously need help, and organizations like WWOOF make it easy to find opportunities around the world.

Where to learn more : WWOOF’s website provides plenty of information about the program, how it works, and what to expect.

#21. Staff Festivals Across Europe

Summary : There are countless festivals across Europe, and they all need workers in order to function. Most of the opportunities in this category compensate in ways other than cash.

How much it pays : Typically, you’ll be compensated with a free place to stay (probably a tent), as well as free food and free drinks. You’re certainly not going to set yourself up for early retirement with this job, but for something short-term, you might be sold on the free drinks.

How to get started : Stoke Travel and Hotbox Events both provide details about some opportunities. Of course, you can find more possibilities by researching specific festivals or other companies that provide staffing.

If you love to meet new people and have fun, working at a festival may be a good choice. While free drinks might sound amazing, you’re not going to be able to pay bills (including the cost of traveling there) with them. Unfortunately, this isn’t the right opportunity for anything other than a short period of time, unless you’re able to land one of the paid jobs to work as a festival organizer. 

However, if you’re already traveling across Europe, you may want to look into opportunities to work at festivals as a way to get the perks. If you have an interest in attending festivals anyway, working can be the perfect way to get the experience at no cost.

Where to learn more : You can read more about what it’s really like to work at festivals in “ How to Get an Epic Job at Oktoberfest .”

#22. Volunteer

Summary : There are many opportunities to volunteer your services in order to see and experience new places. If you’re in a position where you can afford to have no income for a while, volunteering can be fun, educational and rewarding.

How much it pays : Nothing. You’ll be a volunteer, so you won’t be paid. However, in most cases you’ll have a host to provide you with a place to stay at no cost.

How to get started : Workaway.info is the perfect place to start, with over 50,000 opportunities listed. HelpX is another great site where you’ll find volunteer opportunities.

What do you love about traveling? If meeting new people and experiencing other cultures (in a way that tourists don’t) are at the top or your list, volunteering may be an ideal fit for you. Many volunteer opportunities are in places that tourists don’t usually see or experience.

You’ll provide some sort of work to the host in exchange for accommodations. The work will vary depending on the arrangement, but there are a wide variety of opportunities available.

These arrangements are typically short-term, which means you’ll get to experience a new place for a while, and then move on. 

Where to learn more : The Wokaway.info blog publishes traveler stories that can help you get a feel for what the experience of a volunteer is like.

Get Paid to Travel: Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a lot of different ways to make money while traveling. If you love to visit new places and meet people from other cultures, there are legit options available.

However, not all travel-related jobs offer the same perks and not all of them are appropriate for the same type of people.

Be sure to consider things like:

• Your long-term career goals.
• Your strengths and weaknesses.
• The level of flexibility that you want.
• The travel frequency that would be ideal for you .
• The amount of money you need to make.

Based on these details, you should be able to identify the options from this list that would be the best fit for you.

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45 Great Jobs You Can Do While Traveling The World And How To Get Them

Looking for the best travel jobs? If you think that you can’t afford to travel the world, finding a job on the road may be just the ticket. Travel’s wonderful, sure, but little things like food and a place to sleep are good too.

The Best Travel Jobs

We’ve found some of the best ideas to get paid as you travel the world , with some help on how to land each job.

Tip! While house sitting may not pay all of your travel bills, it can take a huge bite out of accommodation costs. Trusted Housesitters  is a great place to start.  Check Trusted H ousesitters job listings here.

You should know the basics of sailing for this gig, although some jobs only require a keen willingness to learn and a great attitude. Check out Find a Crew or Crew Seekers  online or ask directly at a local yacht club. Well known jumping off points include Darwin, Phuket, San Diego and Panama. We volunteered as yacht crew for evening cruises at the yacht club in Brisbane and found the club and captains to be friendly and open to our help.

Freelance Travel Writing

Traditional freelance travel writing is a tough gig. The competition is stiff, and the life of a freelance travel writer usually doesn’t pay well (or reliably). Even if you’ve got stellar contacts, don’t expect to get much pay in the first year or so. Even irritatingly talented writers struggle as travel writers.

One of the best places to start looking for freelance writing jobs, and that includes freelance travel writing, is FlexJobs .

FlexJobs screens employers for you. FlexJobs comes with a small, flat monthly fee, but they also vet all of the job opportunities, meaning that there’s a lot less spam to wade through.

FlexJobs is one of the top job boards for remote work, but there is a monthly fee (about $14.95 USD a month).

Check out FlexJobs here.

Check out Virtual Vocations job listings here for freelance writing and plenty of other online jobs. You can try it out for free, but there’s also a paid version.

Cruise Ship Work

Cruise ships hire all sorts of folks, from entertainers to waiters to cooks. This type of gig is best for those without kids or a spouse. It may also not be great long term for a digital nomad who needs reliable internet access, since WiFi at sea can be spotty.

Earl from Wandering Earl has used cruise ship work to fund a large part of his 12 years on the road, and wrote a book called How to Get a Job on a Cruise Ship .

Click here check out his book on getting a job on a cruise line .

Royal Caribbean even hires horticulturalists and cupcake supervisors (now that’s a job I could handle). Check out careers at Royal Caribbean  or Carnival Cruise Lines .

Travel Blogging

If you’re the enterprising sort, you can start your own travel blog. You’ll be putting in a lot of work (trust us on this) as you build your blog. Even if your blog becomes well known, you’ll need great business sense and a way to stand out from the crowd before you start bringing in any income. We’d estimate it takes about a year of hard work blogging before you can start to make any real income here (and by real, we mean around $1,000 per month).

Tip: To really enjoy the combination of work and travel, don’t forget about your safety. Here’s when a reliable VPN service may come in handy to protect your online presence and unlock geo-restricted content.

While volunteer jobs by nature don’t pay, some will provide (often very basic) accommodation or meals, or both. Conservation Volunteers  provides basic accommodation, but not meals, in exchange for help on conservation projects. Be careful with this strategy, as many voluntourism placements charge you a significant amount of money to volunteer. This helpful article from Wisebread will point you in the right direction.

If you’ve ever been interested in volunteering on an organic farm, this might be the gig for you. WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) brings together volunteers and farmers. You’ll work a set number of hours in exchange for room and board.

No previous farming experience is required, so all you need to do is check into visa requirements first an you could find yourself on a flight to Europe to work on an organic farm!

Flight Attendant

This is one of those jobs that require travel as part of the career. Flight attendants wages vary depending on the airline, and new employees don’t have a great choice of shifts or destinations. That said, you can still score some great flights while being paid. Airline employees often get substantial discounts on airfare for themselves and their family. Some airlines even allow you to pass on discounts to specified friends.

We always get travel insurance when we travel.

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance covers nearly every country on the planet.

While this is out of the reach of most of us, those with flight experience can score great flights. To become a pilot , you’ll need over 250 hours of flight experience, decent vision, a clear criminal record and good health.

Technical Writer or Editor

If you’re technically (or scientifically) inclined, and have great writing skills, technical writing and editing can be a great gig on the road. Technical writers write everything from website text to software user manuals to detailed computer hardware specifications. I’ve worked as technical writer for the past ten years, both remotely and in cubicle nation. I’d suggest getting a certificate in technical writing and a few clients under your belt before you hit the road. Starting pay is about $25/hour for North American gigs for native English speakers, but experienced writers and editors can earn $60 an hour or more.

Academic Editor or Writer

Academic editors and writers are often in big demand. English is a second language for plenty of students, so

Academic editors and writers are often in big demand. English is a second language for plenty of students, so getting an editor to proofread academic papers is common.

Editors can work on articles all the way from high school to PhD level, depending on their experience. Writers are also in demand with paper writing and editing services, which offer work in fields as diverse as English, biology, and physics.

Busking can be great if you have a skill in some sort of performance art, from singing to drumming or juggling. Pick a busy area to maximize your tips, and be careful not to run afoul of local city ordinances for street performers. Check out the video below of talented electric violinist Ed Alleyne-Johnson doing some busking work to get you motivated. Amazingly, all the music you hear is coming from his violin!

Bartender or Waiter

Depending on the country you’re visiting, you may be able to score a job waiting tables under the table. As you’ll be working illegally, you face a few risks, including being nabbed by the tax man, or even deported. That said, if you’re looking to work in a restaurant or bar, try to find a place where tips are good, as most of your income will come in the form of tips. There’s some helpful info here on traveling and working as a bartender .

Work for Your Accommodation

Many hostels will let you stay for free in exchange for light work around the hostel. While we were in Adelaide, Australia, we exchanged a couple of hours cleaning the hostel each day for a comfy double room with shared bath. All in all, it wasn’t a bad deal, as rooms were going for about $50. You research hostels before you leave on sites like Hostelworld.com .

Peace Corps Volunteer

The Peace Corps is serious business. Only apply if you’re able to commit to a long engagement in what might be a difficult environment. The application process is stringent, and usually includes an interview. The Peace Corps doesn’t pay a lot, but does cover health insurance and deferrals of student loans (for US Citizens), plus a bonus at the end of your term.

Run an Import/Export Business

The premise is simple: Find a product in one country, and sell it for a tidy profit somewhere else. This is perfect if you have a strong entrepreneurial bent, as you’ll have to dig up the product, the market and the suppliers all on your own.

Interpreter or Translator

You’ll need to be fluent in either written (a translator) or spoken (interpreter) two languages or more, and many employers want a university degree in linguistics.

If you can herd groups of confused people, and enjoy talking about the sights, this job might be for you. Tour guides don’t just schlep people around museums; you might even score a job as a wilderness guide. Speaking multiple languages isn’t a must but would be a definite asset.

Tour Organizer

If you can build trip itineraries, plan visas and stay arrangements, group tour organizing might be for you.

Seasonal Fruit or Vegetable Picker

The work is long and hard, but demand is often high for seasonal farm labor in Australia and many other countries in the world. If you’re staying in a New Zealand or Australian city with outlying farms, you should be able to find some work picking crops or shearing sheep.

Because the jobs depend on the harvest, timing can be a bit tricky. Here’s a tip from a backpacker we met in Cairns: Don’t pick watermelons, they weigh a ton and you’ll be exhausted within the first hour.  Anywork Anywhere is a good place to start looking for jobs.

Ethnomusicologist

I have to admit to being a little skeptical when I first ran across this job . Ethnomusicologists are involved in the anthropology of music and study how music and culture relate. The Society for Ethnomusicology  is a good place to start. Grant competition is fierce, and an academic background is highly recommended.

Online Poker Player

While this requires mad poker skills (obviously), the good news is that it’s open to anyone with a good internet connection and a small bankroll to start. According to the FBI, online gambling is illegal in the United States .

Day traders buy and sell stocks and other financial securities online, usually within the space of a day. A word of warning: You really need to know what you’re doing here, as this is a risky job for those without solid experience and knowledge. The large majority of day traders actually lose money .

Scuba Instructor

You’ll need a minimum of a PADI Open Water Scuba instructor course (or a similar accreditation). The more qualifications and specialized courses you take, the more marketable you’ll become. Instructors don’t make a lot of money, but the great perk of this job is that you get to teach in some of the world’s most beautiful locations.

Massage Therapist

While you don’t technically need an accreditation to be a massage therapist in certain countries, it may help you land clients and gigs. There are probably hundreds of styles of massage, ranging from deep tissue to Thai. Pay depends on the country you’re in, but the job can extremely flexible if you work as a freelance massage therapist.

Skiing Instructor

In most parts of the world, ski instructors must take courses and become accredited. Canadian ski instructors earn about $12 an hour to start.

Freelance Photographer

With the advent of digital cameras and the Internet, freelance photography has gotten a lot more competitive. That said, if you have great photography skills and a keen business sense, you may be able to sell some of your travel photos.

Travel Agent

Years ago, being a travel agent was one of the dream jobs for would-be travelers, who dreamed of perks and discounted fares. Today, travel agents are a rarer breed, as commissions have been cut and the internet has allowed consumers to book more of their own trips. You can work as a home based travel agent through a web-based travel agency. Successful travel agents today often offer specialized services that don’t compete with discounted web fares. Commissions and wages these days are low and perks are hard to come by.

An au pair is a nanny who may also be expected to do light housework. A large proportion of au pairs are female, and tend to work in Europe, the US and Canada, and Australia and New Zealand. If you’re looking to cover a lot of ground, this arrangement may not work well, as au pair contracts range from six months and up. Check out the  International Au Pair Organization  to start.

House Sitter

While house sitting may not pay all of your travel bills, it can take a huge bite out of accommodation costs. Trusted Housesitters  is a great places to start.

Check Trusted H ousesitters job listings here.

Also check for caretaking jobs, which generally involve a longer time commitment and increased responsibilities (like taking care of someone’s motel while they’re on vacation). Caretaking jobs often pay a stipend in addition to free accommodation. You can find caretaker jobs through the Caretaker Gazette . There’s a small membership fee for most sites.

Check Caretaker jobs listings here.

If you own an apartment or house, consider swapping for a place at your destination. You can save a fortune in accommodation costs, and often live much better than you would in a hotel.

International Resort Worker

International resorts like Club Med hire a wide variety of people, from electricians to bakers to activities coordinators. Check out Club Med jobs for information.

Time Share Salesperson

The bane of resort goers everywhere, time share salespeople make a commission by convincing vacationers to purchase a partial ownership of a vacation property (or multiple properties). For a set amount of money, the vacationer gets access to a vacation property for one or two weeks per year. Timeshares have taken a beating in the press for scamming vacationers out of their money. Even timeshares on the up and up are often sold with restrictive dates for access, hidden fees and taxes. Check out RCI.com  to get an idea of what kind of time shares are available worldwide.

Work at a Campsite

If you’re the outdoorsy type, you may be able to combine camping and work in Canada and the US. Work camping involves either hooking up your own RV or on-site housing and working as a camp host, desk clerk or even a tour guide. Private campgrounds and national parks like Yellowstone offer seasonal employees RV hookups or onsite housing.

Real Estate Agent

You’ll need to pick a specific area, become knowledgeable in the local real estate market, but many expats make good money as real estate agents, especially specializing in selling to other expats.

Location Independent Businesses

You can take many businesses with you on the road. These are usually computer-based business like website development or computer programming. All you’ll need is a laptop, internet connection, and a mad set of skills and you can work anywhere in the world. Sites like Freelancer.com  let you bid on jobs from all over the globe, while Fiverr gigs are set at a $5 (though you can add on extra services for extra $$).

Check out our article on the best online jobs for travelers for some ideas.

Deckhand on a Cargo Ship

While not as glamorous as working on a luxury cruise liner, working on a container ship can be a more leisurely way to see the world. Workers often acts as lookouts and perform maintenance like painting and maintaining containers. You’ll need a high school diploma and many deckhands have training through industry or labor union schools.

Back in the day, legit international businesses would pay couriers to fly packages as carry on between select destinations. Cheaper and faster international shipping, increased security and transporting docs electronically have made these jobs almost non-existent. Use a lot of caution with courier sites, as most seem to be trying to sell a membership, a supposedly discounted airfare or an outdated e-book written 10 years ago. Courier List, once one of the biggest names in the business, suspended subscriptions because of decreased opportunities.

Transport a Car or RV

Car and RV dealerships or car rental companies sometimes hire people to drive cars to a different destination. Car rental companies sometimes find themselves with too many cars in one destination and want to move them to an area where rentals are more in demand. Car dealerships may need a specific car, with specific options or colors that they arrange to get from another dealer. While most companies work with full time, professional drivers, there may be some opportunities for one time trips. The trick with these jobs is getting a car that’s going where you want to go at the right time. You’ll need a clean driver’s license and may need a specialty license to drive RVs. Transport companies like DAS Auto Shippers and RV Transport  hire drivers. HitTheRoad.ca  is a well known Canadian company that offers mostly long distance, one way, one trip driving contracts for cars, while AutoDriveAway  has listings for the USA.

Camp Counselor

Countries as diverse as Canada, the USA, Croatia and even Russia hire camp counselors. Check out Bitten By the Travel Bug’s helpful  articles on camp counseling .

ESL Teacher

Teaching English as a second language is a well worn staple for travelers, and for good reason. Some countries, like Japan, China and Korea are well traversed by ESL teachers, though there are opportunities around the world. Japan and Korea pay reasonably well, while countries in South and Central America generally pay less. Depending on the country, accommodation may be included in your pay. Many teachers also tutor after hours for extra cash. An English as a Second Language (ESL) Certificate  helps, as does a Bachelor’s degree, though with persistence it’s possible to get a job without either if you have the right connections. If you can figure out a way to break into the field, teaching business English to adults is reputed to pay better. There’s a helpful guide to teaching English abroad here .

Online Teacher or Tutor

Many universities and colleges are moving to online learning. While this is great for students, it’s also a fantastic perk for teachers or tutors, who can work from almost anywhere to teach their online students. An advanced degree is helpful for teaching, but it is possible to teach for a trade or technology school with experience and good connections.

Check out  Teaching Traveling  for a profile of a web and mobile design instructor who worked remotely for nine months while traveling from US to Argentina. The best part of this gig? You’re paid as well as if you were working at home. To find work, browse the teaching listings at university like the University of Phoenix , community colleges, and even technology and trade schools.

Geologists often travel as a requirement of their work. They can work in fields as diverse as oil and gas exploration, climate change and mining. You’ll need a minimum of a four year undergraduate degree .

Join the Military

Joining the military simply to travel seems like a bad idea, given the chance that you could be permanently stationed in your home town, or … well… killed. That said, military service can lead to opportunities to work overseas, though there may be little time for recreation.

Personal or Virtual Assistant

A personal assistant wears a thousand hats, depending on the needs of their employer. Personal connections seem to be critical.

Virtual Assistants offer administrative services to clients from a remote location. Virtual assistant services include scheduling appointments, managing email accounts, managing social media accounts, and more.

Marine or Wildlife Biologist

For nature lovers, the great perk of working as a marine or wildlife biologist can be location. Marine biologists can be stationed in fantastic locations like Hawaii and Costa Rica, while wildlife biologists can be found anywhere on the globe. Biologists need a minimum of a four year undergraduate degree, though researchers who work with universities usually require a PhD.

Internet Affiliate Marketer

Internet affiliate marketers create websites that sell other people’s products and then take a percentage of the sales. While the industry has a smarmy reputation, it is possible to make money through affiliate programs. No formal education is required, but a strong entrepreneurial bent and tech savvy is needed.

Working Holiday and other Visas

If you’re under 35, see if your destination country offers a youth working holiday visa. Many countries have agreements that allow youth to work on a working holiday visa for up to one year. Check out Wikipedia’s list of working holiday visa programs .

When planning to work in a foreign country, check into visa requirements first. In many countries it’s possible to work illegally (under the table), but be aware that there can be consequences that include immediate deportation. Receiving lodging or a stipend for volunteering may fall within the category of working under the table, depending on the country.

We hope we’ve inspired you that there are a lot of ways to make money on your travels . Now get out there and get one of these best travel jobs!

There’s always options if you really want to travel! 🙂

My boyfriend is a programmer on the go. He wrote a post to share some inspiration with other programmers, if anyone is interested or seeking an excuse to hit the road while still working as a programmer.

Hi Zara, Some helpful tips, there! Charles is a programmer, too, coincidentally enough. We’ve found that sites like oDesk and Guru tend to pay less than if we can manage to take our work for existing clients on the road.

Same here, a programmer… who is willing to be on the go….

Great list…hope to put some to use full time one day:)

Hi D.J., These days, I really favor jobs that I can take along with me – the whole digital nomad thing. It’s not quite as glamorous as everyone thinks, but honestly, it beats working in a cubicle 9-5 every day (been there!)

Fantastic list – very inspirational! I’ll send people this way – what a great resource!

Thanks! I know that we struggled with how to find a job when we were traveling, so I hope this can help someone out… 🙂

Quite an extensive list! I’ve looked into more than a few of these in the past (and am even considering a couple of them right now) and they’re all very viable options!

I tried to make a list of jobs that were possible for most folks. I honestly wouldn’t have thought working as yacht crew was viable if Charles and I hadn’t spent time at the yacht club and met a few people. Who knew? Now that we have kids, yacht crew may be out for a few years :), but then again, maybe we’ll get our own catamaran when they’re a bit older and be our own crew. 🙂

Anyone know if it’s necessary to have an ESL teaching certificate? I do not have a degree so thought maybe TESL cert might be helpful but many friends say not so much? Would love some feedback… Great article. Thanks!

Nice to see you here! I’m going to copy my answer from our chat on our Facebook page , in case someone else reading this would like to know.

“From what I’ve read, if you have a Bachelor’s degree, the TESL certificate isn’t necessary for most overseas teaching jobs (it depends very much on what the specific school you’re approaching wants, of course). Some schools will hire a teacher who doesn’t have a bachelors or TESL, but you need to have a connection (like knowing someone in the school who’ll vouch for you), or experience. Since you have experience, I’d say that trumps an TESL certificate for most schools. I’d try contacting one of the schools you’re interested in and asking – you never know, right? Hope that helps a bit… ”

Another good place to start is Nomadic Matt article on TESL certificates .

TEFL cert not that important, but you pretty much have to have a BA/BS in anything unless you have contacts and connections.

Many great ideas and a great single source of links! I can vouch that travel blogging requires a lot more time than the writing time! I would say that my preferred would be one job not mentioned: husband to a high-flying career (business, diplomat, etc.) spouse stationed in a well-located country 😉

Wow Raul, this was Micki’s post however I have to interject my thoughts on what you just wrote. I’m 100% in favor of that and will toss the idea to Micki. If she questions it I’m going to refer her back to you, okay. 😉

Nice article!

That’s a whole lotof jobs to consider! 🙂

Thanks, Tommy. Hopefully, the tips should keep someone well funded for a while 🙂

Fantastic Tips!

I never know we can exchange a hostel stay with cleaning and home Swap!

Opened my eyes really!

Hi Lex, Nice to see you here! I was surprised how many hostels were interested trading light housekeeping for a room. I haven’t tried it, but I’ve heard of people building a small website for a hostel in exchange for a short stay. I’d imagine any kind of barter might work, really, anything from cleaning to carpentry to gardening.

A terrific post jam-packed with great ideas! In short, there’s no reason to stay home.

Hi Terry, So true. I spent a lot of my 20’s working crappy jobs, and barely getting by. Honestly, I could have been traveling and working at the same time, and been just as far ahead financially.

This is a great list of ideas for people looking to travel long-term and work. Thanks very much for sharing!

Hi Emma, you’re welcome. Hope it provides some inspiration.

This is fantastic list and an inspiration for those who are considering travelling indefinitely but wondering how they can continue their journey. I know a lot of friends doing scuba dive instruction in Thailand and the Maldives.

Hi Samuel, Scuba diving in Thailand or the Maldives sounds like a great way to earn money on the road! We took our Open Water PADI course in Ko Tao. Thailand, and loved every second of it.

Great list! Very inspiring to those who may not have realized all the options out there. I’ve been going the digital nomad route myself, but I also love the idea of taking on seasonal jobs in different places. Especially things like campground host would be really fun, I think!

Great tips. But they really fall into two categories, don’t they? The jobs that you can do anywhere in the world which will fund your travels – and those which will also get you actively involved in the local community. I hope people will consider the latter and really see the world while they’re making some cash on the side!

That’s a really great way of thinking about work. Not only can it make you some cash, but working somewhere can help you connect with the local culture and people.

Great list! Some of these are really great suggestions, though some might not work out so well if the end goal is to travel. Getting a pilot’s license is extremely expensive, and it’s a very low paying job for several years when you first start. But picking up jobs along the way, teaching ESL and staring your own location independent business are solid choices. I always thought the different cruise types of jobs sounded interesting, but I don’t think I could handle the seasickness!

Yep, I won’t be taking up flying as a commercial pilot any time soon, either. I’ve had a couple of friends who put in some serious time flying in Northern Canada (mostly for oil and gas companies and flying firefighters up North). They really put in their dues for a lot of years, that’s for sure.

A lot of people are choosing the location independent work route, whether it’s working a regular job remotely, or starting their own business. The idea of sitting under a palm tree with a laptop while getting paid to work is a pretty powerful draw. Though it’s not all it’s made out to be – sand’s pretty tough on keyboards and there’s a lot of glare on the screen 🙂

Hi, What can i do for getting a job the above mentioned 45 list.I am interested to travel the worldwide.So please give the suggestion to get a job in the above mentioned list.

Don, some of these jobs require degrees or certifications. Some are as simple as showing up at the place you want to work. Others require that you apply for the position just as you would in your home country.

It really depends on the job you want, what you’re qualified to do, where in the world you happen to be and whether you want to work for cash only or after filling in the proper paperwork and getting a work visa.

The rest is up to you. Good luck!

Nice article also its nice to date airhostess so you keep getting cheap tickets…. Rest is everyone knows… 🙂

Ah, now that’s the SMART way to go about travel. Ren, I think you’ve got it all figured out 🙂

Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve truly loved surfing around your blog posts. After this I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I am hoping you write more often!

Roccia, we’re so glad you stopped by! If you every have any questions, or need any help, give us a shout!

Great list! The best job Ive seen someone have that allowed them to travel with ease was as a hairdresser. They would rock up into a city – put up a sign in the hostel saying $30 a cut and would have queues of people getting a trim – just how they liked it back home. Then they would cash out and move onto the next city.

Peter, now that’s a fantastic idea! Love how enterprising that is – and at $30 a cut, they could make some decent money!

I wrote this article really just to get people thinking about all the options that there are to make money traveling. In my 20’s I worked a LOT of crappy jobs trying to save money to travel, when it would have been just as easy to work on the road.

What a great list! I’ve done a Work & Holiday in Australia and was able to get a couple “real” jobs in marketing that paid well enough to fund my travels (in such an expensive country), but some of these sound really tempting!

Rachael, the working holiday visas are a fantastic way to travel.

Some countries are starting to increase the holiday visas age to 35 for specific visitors (for example, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand residents up to age 35 can visit Italy on a working holiday visa).

Most folks think that the working holiday visas are only for jobs like fruit picking and waiting tables, but you can actually end up with some good jobs (like your marketing jobs) that give some great work experience and pay reasonably well.

Really great list! Thank you, Micky

What an awesome resource for people looking to travel but worried about income! This a great page to bookmark and share around. Thanks for putting this together.

Thanks so much Aloyna and JRinAsia! Glad we helped out.

I took your advice and recently became on online tutor… I started sharing this as well with kids that I tutor who are looking for a job.

Ralph, That’s so wonderful to hear! I tutored for a couple of years as well (though not online), and think it would be a great travel job. Thanks for sharing!

Great list of jobs here. I’ve done / still do many of these. Writing, photography, tour guiding, car delivery, working for accommodation. The only negative experience I’ve had was with hittheroad.ca so I can not recommend that service, but the more skills you have, the better, right?? I’ve travelled with a few geologists…and they get to go to some remote, crazy places…wish I knew that when I was in school.

Some great ideas, travel blogging is a challenge but rewarding.

Great post, great site. We’re a travelling family so always great to read about others. Looking for inspiration to find a new travelling career ideas and help us stay on the road for longer so this is great! Thanks!

Great ideas. This is the dream of all of us to finance our travel with work during our trip.

If you’re a certified teacher, you can easily travel by working in an international school! They pay your flights each year, give you a house or housing allowance, and the salary is usually good enough to travel every glorious school holiday! I’ve been doing it for 6 years now, and I will never go back to Canada to teach… No jobs! I can live in paradise, or a couple hours flight to it. You can’t go wrong! 🙂

Meg – overseas lifer

What an awesome list! It just goes to show that you can do anything if you are creative enough to figure out a niche that aligns with your destination. This is a much harder lifestyle to maintain when you have kids so I always recommend younger travellers go far while they are single:)

Some of these ideas seem really great. The list really is extensive!

I would have never thought to work while traveling, usually that’s my vacation time away from work. Though that could greatly extend your vacation and/or allow you do more if you are constricted by money and expenses. Having some cash inflow allows you to do a lot more than otherwise. Though as an Austin mover I have been lucky enough to travel and see a lot of places while working.

Myself a pilot, I would love to see the entry regarding traveling on a pilot’s wages changed. There is no need to have perfect vision innately. It simply needs to be correctable to perfect. Most contacts and glasses have no problem with this issue.

Andrew, yes it is a common misconception about perfect eyesight and pilots. Contacts and glasses are fine for most airlines if you can see 20/20 with them on. Most fighter pilots need perfect vision (whether naturally or via lasik) however I’m guessing the average traveler doesn’t fall in that category. 😉

Thanks for the comment.

Charles/Micki,

Thank God, I stumbled upon this site, this list is a terrific resource guys, I love traveling and this will help tremedously! In fact, I am in Europe right now, lol. 😉

Always like to stumble blogs I read by accident! I’ve done so many of these – most noteably, teacing English and summer camp work, with a dabbling in blogging, translating, tour guiding, etc. Definitely helps ease the blow!

Great share and post!

Tour guide is a very good way to make extra money while traveling. There are even some people who actually travel TO a country, work as a guide for a few days and vacation a few days.

Ha. Pretty good list. I have actually had a fair few of these. Timeshares was definitely an interesting experience.

I have yet to bartend. Australia maybe on my horizon.

This is great! Thanks for writing it 🙂 I plan to go work and travel Europe in 2014!

easy in theory…..1st: for how many of those jobs do you require a specific specialization? and also the percentage of employer happy to give a job, even if small or temporary,to a stranger traveller and very often from another country?…I’d say not very high,I aqm italian and have constantly travelled for the last twentyfive years (travelling is my life), and my opinion is,that,if it wasn’t for busking,probably, I would’t have never gone all the way I did,nice your ideas though,inspiring.thanks

Amazing post. So far we have been working as English teachers in China and web designers in Cambodia, but there are more job opportunities, as you say, we would like to go for in the future. Greetings from Macau!

Very nice tips. Thank for this. Travel Blogging is the best for me!

Fantastic post! Very useful info! Gave me some ideas of jobs I didnt know you could do!

Excellent list! yardandgroom.com has taken me around the world (before responsibilities & a real job!) It’s great for horsey types who don’t mind serious hard work.

Complete List..but in 2013 and so on, I think Internet Marketing will be a great job. Just traveling worldwide and sit relax in front of your laptop

Wow … A lot of different opportunities listed. Making income from Blogging is tough, but if you have the time, one day it can pay off. I also like the idea of a campground host in the near future. Thanks for sharing!

Great article, so many job apportunities , who would have thought so?? dont stop writting 🙂

Thanks for sharing this wonderful list – so many jobs here I hadn’t even thought of! Ethnomusicologist ;-D

When I was in Australia a girl came into my hostel about every other week and would cut everyones hair and within a few hours would walk out with $200-$300. She didn’t charge much (maybe 10-15 for guys and 20-25 for girls) but most people needed one. She would then head out and party till she ran out of money and start over again. I on the other hand utilized my skills as an entertainment coordinator for hostels and got free accommodation from them and would put on tournaments for money where winner takes all except for the organizing fee i took.

Great list. The working online options are better for persons like myself who don’t travel on a US/Canada/UK passport. Working holiday visas and sometimes just tourist visas can be such a nightmare.

Nice article. There are lots of jobs to do while traveling, I like to work in camp site while traveling to Australia. My main concern is the working permit.

I love walking bare foot on the grass in winter morning.. ahh.. feels so awesome..

I’d love to have more than one of the jobs on the list. This is a comprehensive post!

I was really enjoying your article and stopped at the campground picture because it looked so much like home to me. Imagine my surprise to see it WAS! Paul Lake is basically the closest campground to my hometown of Kamloops, BC, Canada. It was really cool to stumble on this. I am a relatively new single at 42. I am hoping after a few more years of work in a steady well-paying job I will have some freedom to travel extensively. I think you have listed a lot of great ideas and resources. I wonder, do you think a lot of them will apply to me at this stage in my life with no real formal education beyond high school? I am going to send this to my young adult children too. I think travel when you are young is a great idea!

Thanks for the list.

Very useful tips. I wish to use few of these some day.

Great article . Very informative

Hey what about looking after Elephants, or other animals abroad? Is the pay good enough to feed and let you have accommodation? I would be very interested in this type of work…..Let me know….Someone!!

Hi Dianne. There are a lot of places in the world where you can work for room and board however I’m not sure about looking after elephants specifically. I suppose you could get a job abroad in a zoo or perhaps work for a lodge in Africa or India.

There are lots of animal sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers around the world as well so that’s always a possibility however there’s usually a fee involved so it will actually cost you money rather than the other way around. Here are a few sites of that nature: Globalteer , Go Eco or Conservation Volunteers

Most places operate on small grants and donations so being paid to do a job where thousands of people are willing to pay their own way makes it hard to find. That’s not to say it’s impossible however you would have an easier time tracking down a privately owned animal reserve or animal rehab center if you want to actually make money looking after animals abroad.

If you’re lucky enough to have a background in animal biology or animal behavior, you might be able to join an expedition on a grant that would cover your expenses however that level of detail lies far outside the scope of this article.

Dianne, we wish you good luck finding something of this nature and if you do, please come back here and share your findings!

This all sounds pretty amazing….I always wish I had all this info in my early 20’s! Now, I’m more interested in how you guys keep up the travelling with 2 kids! I know from experience that it’s really expensive to travel on poor currency as the Commonwealth countries are 10 – 12 times more expensive!!Currently my husband’s job takes him away from us for 2 months at a time…it would be really great to be able to be a family unit again and still see the world 🙂

It’s always a bit of fun juggling work and travel with our two little ones :).

Wow, and we were trying to think of things we could do when we hit the road. Great list this will come in very useful! Great blog by the way!

Great list! Hope to use that list some day 🙂 Thanks for your post 🙂

Thank you so much for the brilliant as well as comprehensive list !

Fantastic list! I just wish that there were more options eligible for members on non-EU states as for instance House Sitting and House Swamping request you to be from a certain country. Moreover, there’s always visa issues to solve.

WOw its a great combination of two sites including traveling and job information. love your this informative blog…

thanks to share!!!!

Wow, that list is great. I never realized how many different opportunities there were for travelers. I especially like the tour guides. Always thought that would be fun.

Thanks for putting this together, some great ideas I hadn’t thought of! We’ve done a fair bit of volunteering along the way, which saves us money but certainly doesn’t make us any. I’d soooooooo love to volunteer on a sailing yacht for a long trip!

What an awesome list! Thank you so much for sharing!

Are you aware of any online opportunities which require extensive excell/analytical skills which can be done from remote locations? I am fully qualified accountant and auditor but not a huge fan of working in the profession. I really want to travel and try use the skills I have from remote locations…just not sure if those opportunities exist?

Hi Ant. The best way to work online is to try to find a local company that is willing to let you work remotely before you even start traveling. It will be steadier income and if you’re from a wealthier nation then the pay will be more than you’d make in a lot of countries with lower living costs. If you know you’ll be staying someplace that costs less, you can also offer your services for lower than the going rate to help guarantee your position. Because you’re also a local, you speak the same language, have similar views and can meet them in person. A lot of companies have no problem hiring remote workers however a lot of them have trouble outsourcing to employees in foreign companies.

In terms of your skillset, I can think of tons of industries where it would be in demand. Of course anything financial like banks, accounting firms, tax preparers, market analysis experts or any large company’s payroll and HR department need people with analytical skills. You can also browse the jobs on Monster or Workopolis to give you some ideas.

Other than that, there are numerous sites where you can bid on jobs or offer your services on a smaller scale. Odesk, Elance, Guru and Fiverr are 4 that quickly come to mind. You likely won’t be making the same money you could earn with a dedicated position however there are plenty of people that do just as well taking on numerous small contracts and they can pick and choose as they go.

Good luck on your search!

“While you don’t technically need an accreditation to be a massage therapist, it may help you land clients and gigs. There are probably hundreds of styles of massage, ranging from deep tissue to Thai. Pay depends on the country you’re in, but the job can extremely flexible if you work as a freelance massage therapist.”

Please change this horrible piece of information. It’s called a Massage License, and it is absolutely required to legally practice massage therapy in most countries. Here in the US, a MINIMUM of 500 hours from an accredited massage school is required. Upon completion of school, you are then required to pass a state licensing examination. And every state has their own licensing requirements. You cannot just simply start massaging for the hell of it anywhere you want. It is against the law and fairly strictly enforced.

Hi Robbie. Yes, a message license is required in the US and in 3 provinces in Canada it actually falls under the governmental health care service so you are right that in these countries it is illegal to practice without a license. The same holds true for a good portion of Europe and scattered first world countries around the world.

That being said, it’s not governed in a good portion of Asia, South America, Africa and many tropical islands around the world. So like we said, a license helps however we’ve seen many people offering massages in hostels we’ve stayed around the world and I’m pretty sure they weren’t licensed in that country. They all seemed to be making money doing it so obviously it’s a viable business.

In regards to your comment I’ve modified the line to clarify it more. Thanks for pointing that out.

It seems very useful for everyone. Nice info

Great list Micki! As a pilot myself, I can attest to the amazing flight benefits! The sad part is that most pilots probably travel only slightly more on their personal time than non-pilots. Many of my colleges tell me that the last thing they feel like doing after flying at work for 4 or 5 days is hopping on another airplane. It’s sad to see them lose the love for travel. After all, I think that’s why we all got into it.

Add travel nursing to the list! My husband and I started traveling in 2011 and LOVE it. Traveling abroad is a little more difficult but possible. We have stayed in the states but there is plenty to see in this great country. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for adventure and excellent pay.

Flight Attendant…..I’m glad you listed this as people rarely realize how much “perk” travel is associated with being one. I took a “gap year” between my undergrad college & next one to pursue this. It was the best choice I ever made. In the span of one year, I had opportunities to explore US (home base), Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Carribbean (over 15 islands!, often more than 3’xs each!) and this position was held almost 20 years ago. I am now fully into another career but this is always the job employers ask me about first in my interviews. They are very curious about how I became one, where did I go, how did I live out of a suitcase, etc. It was really quite easy. I answered a newspaper ad (yes, I’m that old :-)) and showed up for an open call. From that, about 450+ people were eventually narrowed down to 25 selected for training. My best asset was having a outgoing personality and decent work ethic. After waiting tables in highschool and having a Associates degree, they were happy to have me join. On my days off, I’d jumpseat to other locations and split bills w/ fellow crew members to say, spend 4 days in the Keys to go snorkeling or take 3 days and go explore New Mexico. I think it sounds so daunting and courageous to follow travel dreams by reading blogs but truthfully, once you’re out there doing it, it’s so fun you forget why you had any fears holding you back. Cheers. Here’s to just going for it. We only *know* that we’ve got this 1 life. Right now.

WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for travel jobs

Everyone loves what you guys are up too. This kind of clever wokrk and reporting! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to our blogroll.

I’m a Freelance Photographer and capturing amazing sights to places where I spent my vacation. I even collect photos. Will probably sell my photos nest time. Thanks to your ideas.

That’s a very cool list. Love to explore the world. I am going to try this. Even-thought I have been traveling for the last 5 years with my wife. It helped me a lot since she is a travel nurse and willing to travel 3 months at a time.

Great article. Many choices. What this shows is that you can really put yourself in a no excuse position if travel is your main focus. I have a family of 5. We sold everything and went from a 4700 sq ft house to a 40 sq ft cargo trailer and SUV. For my revenue, I do consulting on 2 fronts: personal and professional. I do business strategy and tactics consulting for businesses and personal accountability and objective acquisition and completion consulting for individuals. Consulting is a great revenue stream as long as you actually know what you are talking about and can adequately relay advice. Anyway, great article. Thanks for sharing and have safe travels and a prosperous future!

Regarding the military option, I can tell you from experience that you would have time for recreational activities. I was stationed in Mannheim, Germany during my time in the Army and I got the chance to travel to surrounding countries during my time there. We had a lot of three or four day weekends that would come up plus all of the holidays. I had a great time during my time in Europe. Unless you’re a barracks rat or a natural homebody, you will more than likely go many places while stationed overseas. Deployment is about the only time you wouldn’t have much in recreation.

WOW! I pinned this for future reference! Very extensive and complete list and many I have never heard of or thought of!

The younger or older you are the more attractive this life style may be. As they say, where there’s a will there’s a way. Of course the more money you can make the better the travel (I’m for that). Thanks for the insight!

I love traveling and these are great ideas. We always stucked and can’t due to jobs issues but now i feel i really travel 🙂 thnx alot!!!

We no longer have any excuses…

Great list, really thorough! I know a lot of my friends think that you’ve gotta be some sort of millionaire to travel, but this serves as proof that it’s not so. There are so many ways to make money on the road. Great job.

Awesome post.

HI Micki, thank you for this extensive list. You provide great information and resources! There really are countless options when you want to finance your travels. When there’s a will, there’s a way!

Thanks to this site i got my job due to this sit i am enjoying

Great list ! And very Wise to recommend checking for the visa situation too…. been there done that and unfortunately it’s not that easy… 🙂

I want to travel the world. What kind of jobs should i take if i start. Can someone help me . I am from India and want to travel the world and get paid while i travel as travelling is my life.

Thanks for sharing such a detailed list!

Thank you so much for such a detailed article. It’s becoming easier and easier to work remotely while travelling and being able to pick up freelance work by advertising on websites like Elance and Upwork (formerly Odesk). If your dream is to travel and visit new places, you can find a way. There’s still plenty of places where it’s very cheap to live and get by, and half decent internet is available in most. It’s how I’ve been living my life for most of the last 15 years and hopefully will continue for many more 🙂

All the best

Working at a campsite, lol it reminds me of Regular Show even though they work at a park.

Well, it caught my interest and would definitely be one of the jobs that I would look for if I would travel the world. TV shows can be super inspiring :U

Thanks for sharing these jobs, these are very useful to me. When I go for travelling, I definitely try some of these.

I came across your website while searching for articles about tolls in Portugal (btw, thanks for sharing your experiences) which led me to continue reading your posts in your travel blogs and tips . I enjoyed reading them especially this one which gave me possibilities to travel without having 9-5 job.

Great stuff guys! Keep up the good work…

Web Design is a great idea too! Can do that sort of thing anywhere with a laptop and internet connection. You meet tones of people and potential clients while travelling meaning you could be doing work for people all over the world!

Hi Micki !! Great ideas, I admire your style of writing and can definitely feel the sense of adventure in each. Good reads !! 🙂

Great post – lots of jobs on there that don’t appear on most lists! You’ve given me a few great ideas!!! Thanks heaps!

Thats a great resource shared.

Wow great list, you thought of almost everything and I totally agree with you that blogging is not easy, it is a real job and you have to take it seriously!

Great list, as always…hope to put some to use full time one day:)

Thanks for sharing!

I really like your post. It’s a great resource for traveler that need extra income. May I suggest a company named VIPKid? VIPKid is a great place to work if you are looking for a job while traveling. I have been with the company for a year now and it’s so rewarding teaching English to students in China. You are able to make between $14 and $22 an hour as well as set your own work schedule. This job affords you the opportunity to earn extra income from anywhere with internet connection. All you need is a Bachelor’s degree, be a native speaker of English and have some teaching experience (formal or informal).

hi, I am currently 17 and a senior in high school, and I am confused I have no idea what I want to do with this life of mine after highschool I want to go to collage that’s for sure but I have no idea for what kind of career I want something that is a high salary and I like traveling a lot so I hope my future career would require that, but most of all I want a career that I like something I would have a passion for I want to do something I love, not just sit at a desk doing paperwork all day, no offence too anyone who does that but my point is I just need some advice here

Fantastic list! Thank you so much for the brilliant as well as comprehensive list !

Traveling with family is the best and most enjoyable

I started travelling by teaching English and that served me really for 5 years until I got into travel blogging! With the list you have though, you’re proving that there are a ton of ways to make your dreams come true these days <3 I recommend to just ask yourself what your passion is, and then work out how you can make money from it 🙂 Then you're laughing 😀

I really love the idea of work for accommodation. It offers an opportunity into the the lives of the locals. Got familiarized with the term recently on Hippohelp. Have you ever used it?

I do online marketing, with blog review, so it is very convenient to travel. I take advantage of these to make money and develop blogs stronger. The work you propose is also good, I will refer and try it!

Great list! Hope to use that list some day 🙂 Thanks for your post

If we enjoy working on cars and are looking for a new career path, consider enrolling in a career training program to become an automotive technician. There are many types of programs in the field.

Nice tips and work mention are really helpful. I definitely use some in my life.

Great tips for those who want to take advantage of their time even travel but I think he needs to have relations with the local people or know people there what do you think?

Such a beautiful blog. its really worthful. thanks for writing this.

Very helpful and motivating article. Thank you!

Great article! It really helps us think about our work opportunities on our 18 month around the world

I like your tip to work for your accommodation when you’re traveling abroad. My brother wants to travel to Canada to work while he’s taking a break from school. I wonder if there is a program that he could go through to get work.

This is such an informative article. Thanks for sharing 🙂

This is an outstanding post that’s filled with so many useful nuggets. Thank you for being so detailed on great Jobs you can do while travelling the world.

Ever since the covid 19 pandemics started, many people have lost their jobs. And just now I was thinking that what are those people doing now whose jobs have been lost. The importance of this post of yours has increased, even more, I have also read it, it is really very factual, that how we can move again along with travel.

Great list, really thorough! I know a lot of my friends think that you’ve gotta be some sort of millionaire to travel

You have post brilliant list of jobs.. I like this article.

Thank You! It’s actually a cool and useful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you simply shared this helpful information with us.

Thanks for these impressive ides. I have already chosen travel blogging to survive for a bike tour but after reading this, I am confident that I can do may other things to fulfill my worldwide bike tour dream

Working whilst travelling the world sounds like an absolute dream! I hope one day I have the guts to take a leap of faith and give it a go!

Thanks for providing these amazing suggestions about the great jobs in which we can travel the world such as pilot, travel blogging, trader, etc. as they will help a lot of people who like to travel and by reading this blog, they will get know about some fabulous opportunities.

Absolutely wonderful article!!! How I would love to travel the world while traveling, But alas I can’t. But I would definitely keep this article in mind, for future references. You never know when you might get the spark to leave all aside and live.

You posted a fantastic list of jobs. This article is good.

Amazing article! In my opinion, this is the best job in the world and everyone wants to travel and get paid for it. See the world without spending money on it and besides being free, this is something worth living for.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that there are a few jobs listed that don’t require a college degree, such as au pair and travel blogger. This is great news for people who might not have the financial resources to go to college but still want to travel and work at the same time.

Great post, thanks for the tips!

I can’t express how much I appreciate you for producing this list of fantastic employment for travellers! There are numerous opportunities. Have you or a loved one worked one of these occupations while on the road?

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Finding Work Overseas: 15 Ways to Earn Money While Traveling

How much money do you need to save for your trip?

$1,000? $2,000? $5,000? $50,000?

For most people, the thought of saving thousands of dollars to travel the world — or just travel at all — is a daunting prospect. While there are many ways to save money and travel on an ultra-tight budget , for some, there’s no amount of spending cuts or saving tips that will help them save enough.

But, contrary to popular belief, being broke is the best reason to go travel .

However, more often than not, you’ll see articles about how people saved [insert some crazy amount here] for travel — and how you can do it too!

Personally, I always find these articles frustrating. Many of you do too. They are very unrealistic.

“I could never do that,” they say. “Sure, those people saved tens of thousands, but I can’t even afford dinner out.”

If you can’t save [insert any dollar amount you want], who cares? It doesn’t matter how much money you can. Just do the best you can with what you have. Travel with the budget you have, not the budget you wish you had. It’s not all or nothing.

If you don’t have as much money to travel as you want, consider Option B: working overseas. Leave with what you have and find work along the way to keep your wallet flush with cash — and keep you traveling.

It’s an option not enough travelers consider. Many people know about it, but few actually do it.

And it’s not as hard to do as you might imagine.

Working abroad is a unique and wonderful experience. It provides deeper insights into a country, exposes you to a new culture, and allows you to learn a new language, meet new people, and get a new perspective on the world.

I worked in Thailand and Taiwan and it was life changing. I learned more about myself during that time than I did at any other point in my travels.

Finding work overseas is an informal process, and if you remember you are looking for a job rather than a career — and stay flexible — you’ll be able to find work pretty much anywhere. Whole economies and industries are built around employing travelers. (Heck, I don’t think the Australian economy would survive without the labor backpackers and travelers provide!)

Many of the jobs will be unglamorous and difficult, but they will allow you to earn enough money to keep you on the road.

Here are some examples of jobs that are easy for travelers to get and often don’t require a long commitment:  

1. Teaching English (or any language!)

Really, when in doubt, find a teaching job. They pay well, the hours are flexible, many countries offer huge bonuses, and some schools will pay for your flight over. Just be sure to treat it seriously because this is someone’s education. Don’t phone it in and make sure you get a TEFL certificate so you understand the basics of teaching. There are a lot of online resources for potential teachers, and finding an online TEFL course has never been easier.

Some of the best TEFL courses include:

• myTEFL (use the code “matt50” at check out for 50% off!)
• The TEFL Academy

Not a native English speaker? Teach your own language. There’s a language school out there for everyone, especially in big international cities. You can also use websites like italki or Preply to teach people your native language online. You can do this from anywhere in the world and you don’t need any special accreditation. Sign in, talk, and get paid! It’s a great way to teach without being tied to one destination.

Some other companies are:

I taught in Thailand and Taiwan. Not only did I have a fantastic time being an expat, but I also learned a lot about myself and living overseas, and made enough money to keep me on the road for years. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.  

2. Work in a Hostel

Moreover, these jobs can often be for as long as you want — a day, a week, a month. Hostels have a high turnover so there are often lots of opportunities available.

If you’re looking for something more temporary, many hostels will let you stay for free if you help clean the hostel each day. Even if you aren’t getting paid and are just getting free room, it’s still a way to save your travel fund.

While many hostels have signs announcing their work opportunities, most won’t. Don’t be afraid to ask about them. Additionally, if you have other skills (such as website design, photography, visual arts skills, etc.) you can also try to barter those for free accommodation.

Worldpackers is an incredible resource for finding this kind of work in hostels around the world.  

3. Do Volunteer Work

You don’t have to spend a lot of money with large global organizations in order to volunteer either. Those companies just end up keeping a large cut for themselves for “operations.”

Worldpackers , Workaway.com and WWOOFing are some helpful resources to find volunteer opportunities.

One important thing to keep in mind is that there are many unethical operations out there that mislead volunteers in order to make a profit. Orphanages and animal tourism are particularly infamous for this. Make sure you do your due diligence to find a reputable place to spend your time, otherwise you’ll risk doing more harm than good.

For more stationary and long-term volunteering, check out Trusted Housesitters . It’s a platform that connects people in need of pet sitters with travelers looking for free accommodation. In exchange for looking after their pets, you’ll get a free place to stay. It’s a fun, easy way to find long and short-term house sitting opportunities (and who doesn’t want to spend time with cute animals!).  

4. Get Seasonal Work

Make sure you get to your destination well before the season starts to secure a job — if you show up mid-season, all the high-paying jobs will be taken. Ask around at hostels in the area and they will be able to point you in the right direction!

Australia is a huge destination for seasonal work, as is Canada , New Zealand , Austria , and Norway .  

5. Do Freelance Work Online

There’s a lot of competition, but if you build up your portfolio you can accrue clients over time. I have a friend who gets all her freelance consulting jobs from Upwork and it pays her enough so she can keep traveling. It’s an especially perfect option if you just want short-term contracts or part-time work since you can pick and choose what jobs you apply for.

And don’t be afraid of all the competition. As someone who has used Upwork to hire people, I can tell you it’s really hard to find competent people. If you’re even remotely good, it’s very easy to get clients. So, while it may take some time to get your first clients, once the work starts to come in, it’s easy to maintain it.

If you don’t have tech skills, you can still start a profile and find clients for a variety of research-based and virtual assistant jobs. Editing, translation, writing, tutoring, graphic design, consulting — there are tons of opportunities here if you’re willing to seek them out.

TaskRabbit and Fiverr are two other sites for finding online work as well.  

6. Work on a Cruise Ship

Many of the low-wage jobs usually go to people from developing countries, but there are lots of other jobs available too. Cruise ships need wait staff, bartenders, tour guides, entertainers, youth counselors, and customer service staff just to name a few. Most ships have upwards of 1,000 crewmembers, which means there are ample opportunities.

This book by Wandering Earl (who worked on a cruise ship for years) is a great place to get started.  

7. Get a Working Holiday Visa

Most of the countries that offer these programs are English-speaking Commonwealth countries such as Canada , England , New Zealand , and Australia .

The visa application process is pretty simple (though it costs upward of $400 USD) and the visas are usually issued for one year. Typically, the visa comes with the stipulation that you can’t work in one place for more than six months (this is to encourage you to both work and travel).

Most of the working holiday jobs you can find are typically service or low-wage office jobs. Most people become office assistants, laborers, bartenders, farmers, or waiters. The pay is not always great, but it’s enough to live off of and usually will give you a little extra money to save for traveling.

For these jobs, you’ll need to bite the bullet, fly to these countries, and look for work when you land. While sites like Gumtree have some listings, you’ll find the majority of work when you land. Many companies specialize in placing travelers. And hostels usually have job boards and can offer a lot of assistance in finding work.

Having an up-to-date resume will help you secure an awesome position, so make sure that it’s polished before you arrive.

And while most are for people under 35, Australia is considering raising its age limit to 50!  

8. Be an Au Pair

These are some popular websites for finding au pair jobs:

• Au Pair World
• InterExchange

Being an au pair won’t be for everyone and it will take some research (and interviews) to find a family that you’ll work well with. However, if you love working with kids it can be a straightforward and rewarding way to extend your travels and make some spending money. It’s an especially good choice for anyone looking for an immersive language experience as well.  

9. Become a Scuba Diving Instructor

Checking the dive company’s website for openings is a good place to start, however, asking directly at their office is the best way to find out if there are any opportunities available. Also, keep in mind that cruise ships also often need dive instructors and that there are tons of dive centers in North America if you’re just getting started and looking for experience before you head abroad.  

10. Leverage Your Existing Skills

Websites like Craigslist and Gumtree are two places to advertise your abilities and find work. Where there’s a will, there is a way!

You can also check our Airbnb Experiences and offer your skills/experiences there if it makes sense (you can also do this before you leave to earn more money).

If you have an in-demand skill, creating your own job is one of the easiest ways to make money. Somewhere in the destination you’re at, there is a person who wants to learn the skill you have. Teach them. Get paid. The money might not be great, but as I said at the start, you’re not looking to get rich — you’re looking to keep traveling.

And depending on your skills, you can also go virtual. Teach music or language over Zoom, create an online course, film yoga videos, and upload them to YouTube. You don’t have to work in your destination these days, so think outside the box!  

11. Become a Bartender

In countries that have working holiday visas, these jobs often go to travelers. I’ve also seen bars in Southeast Asia and Europe hire travelers under the table to do work and pass out fliers. It’s not a lot of money but it’s enough to cover some meals and drinks.

If you don’t have any bartending skills, check to see if they need a dishwasher. It’s a less glamorous position, but the work is just as steady.  

12. Work in a Restaurant

Again, in countries that have working holiday visas, travelers become the backbone of the service economy and jobs can often be easy to get. Additionally, if you’re in a non-English-speaking country but can speak the local language, try applying to restaurants popular with expats. Your bilingual skills will come in handy.

Don’t be afraid to apply to work in the kitchen either. You won’t have to interact with customers so you’ll need less language competency. As long as you have some experience as a line cook you can likely find a position to get your foot in the door. Cooking is a universal language!  

13. Be a Tour Guide

The pay isn’t great, but you get your expenses paid while on the tour and get to meet people from all over the world. Companies that often hire travelers are Busabout , Kiwi Experience , New Europe Walking Tours , and Contiki .

These jobs usually require a longer commitment but are a good option for anyone who has permanently relocated to a new city and is looking for a steady gig while they get settled. Moreover, they’re perfect for travelers who are bilingual since tours are often operated in English as well as the local language (and often other common languages like German and Spanish).  

14. Work on a Yacht

You can find jobs on the following websites:

• The Crew Network

Note: Positions are long-term, and you’ll be required to get certified, which covers all basic yacht training, including fire and water safety training.  

15. Take Whatever You Can Find

Here are several incredible resources for finding jobs as a traveler:

• Worldpackers

For those who want to work abroad but aren’t interested in any of the above, finding work is a bit harder — but not impossible. For older travelers or travelers with a skill or master’s degree, you probably want a better-paying, more traditional job relating to your skillset. You can find them, but it takes a lot more time.

In the European Union, visa rules require companies to give job preference to people within the EU before they hire someone else. In Asia, most companies want a foreigner to be able to speak the local language.

Finding “good” jobs requires more work and a lot of networking. While there are some job boards (see below) that can help, getting a more traditional job overseas requires you to either get contacted by a company or build your network and pound the pavement when you get there!

Some steps you can take to find a job overseas:

• Search job boards before you leave
• Contact expat groups before you leave (and when you arrive). Attend their meetups
• Create a LinkedIn profile
• Bring copies of your résumé, recommendations, and any other professional certificates
• Make business cards
• Go to as many networking events as possible
• Apply for jobs from local job boards

You can find these jobs, but it is not easy. I’ve had many friends who have decided to stay in cities longer and, as they built up their social network, they’ve found traditional jobs.

Here are some resources for finding jobs overseas:

• Council on International Educational Exchange Work Abroad Program – It offers students and recent graduates short-term work permits for Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, China, Germany, Ireland, Canada, and several other destinations. The Council also offers advice and support, but it is your responsibility to find a job.
• Alliances Abroad – Guarantees paid work placement before your departure and organizes accommodations.
• BUNAC – Offers work-abroad programs in the UK, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada.
• Peace Corps – A US government program that places people around the world. Open only to US citizens. Volunteers get a stipend and money at the end of their contract. The program also helps pay off student loans.
• Go Abroad – This site also has a list of available jobs from around the world. It’s geared towards younger travelers.

Whether you are going to teach English, wait tables, bartend, sit in an office, work at a hostel, or land a high-paying job in your field, working overseas is something that will change you forever. Living in a different country is a unique experience not many people get to have.

It teaches you a lot about yourself and your perceptions of the world. At the end of the day, that is what travel is about.

Don’t let money woes get in the way of travel. If you are creative and flexible about what you want to do , you will find work.

Remember you aren’t looking for a career — you’re just looking for a job. When you are flexible in what you want to do, there will always be work available to help increase your travel funds and get you to the next destination. You can worry about a career when you come home!

Don’t worry about saving a lot of money for your trip. Just get out there, find a job, earn money, and go from there. I promise it’s much easier — and more rewarding — than you think!  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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• Jobs Abroad

7 Best Ways to Work Abroad

A recent University of Delaware graduate, Season is a freelance writer and editor. In her spare t...

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How does “working abroad” work?

So, you want to travel and live abroad but your bank account is totally killing your vibe? Consider looking at working abroad. Companies are global and there are opportunities everywhere! Not just teaching. Jobs are diverse and range across industries, so when it comes to finding the best ways to work abroad, there’s always a way. Whether you are looking for ways to work abroad after college, having a mid-career shift, or exploring jobs abroad for the over 50s; it’s never too late to make working abroad work for you!

This isn’t a typo, you CAN work abroad!

The term working abroad means a lot of different things. Depending on where you go, who you work for, and the length of time you plan to stay; working abroad is a process. As you determine the best way to work abroad it’s important to think of all the details involved. But don’t worry we got you!

Age considerations when working abroad

Usually, age is nothing but a number but when it comes to working abroad it can sometimes limit your options. Rule one in the world of working abroad is that you’ll always need a visa. Second to your passport, your visa is the key to working and staying in your country of choice legally. Now here is where age comes in. A snapshot:

• There are many ways to work abroad after college. Your college graduation date always seems so far, until it isn’t. When it finally arrives all you find yourself thinking about is finding a job and starting a career. It’s a lot of pressure to put your experience and degree to use (trust us, we’ve all been there.) But for first time job seekers like yourself, it’s also the perfect time to expand your opportunities and look abroad. Even if you’re not too sure about what you want to do, working abroad is a great idea. The best way to work abroad in this case is to snag a working holiday visa and use sites like LinkedIn or UK site Neuvoo. Check out this resource: The Busy Student’s Guide to Finding Work Abroad After College
• Find career break jobs abroad. Escaping from your regular 9-5 job will probably be on your wish list at one point or another, so why not take a career break abroad to really amp up your time away. While a career break is far from a vacation, working abroad is one of the best ways to spend it. You can gain a global experience and get a more refreshed look at what you want next in your life and career. It’s a total career booster! Kick Off Your Career Break Planning Here!
• Yes, there are absolutely jobs abroad for the over 50s. While you may not qualify for the working holiday visa, there’s still jobs after 50. Whether you are looking to relocate to a different country to continue your career, deciding to take a career break, or choosing the volunteer route for your retirement years; know that you have options everywhere. 

[Download our FREE eBook for even more tips & tales from first time workers abroad]

Imagine ditching the cubicle for an office with an open view

More info because you're not too old for a working holiday

The typical visa of choice to work abroad is the working holiday visa which typically serves those between the ages of 18-30 and sometimes 35 depending on the country you’re going to. You can stay up to two years and get to know your country and fund some extra travel stops. Holiday visas are great ways to work abroad after college since they require little to no experience and are simple to apply for. For the 18-35 age bracket, this is the way to go.

However, if you’re looking for the best way to work abroad after 35, being ineligible for a holiday visa isn’t the end of the road. Instead, you would just apply for a work visa. Unlike holiday visas, these are a little more difficult as they longer to get, so plan in advance. For these visas, be prepared to show off your qualifications and flaunt your professional skills, you will need these to be impressive in order for employees overseas to sponsor you. If you’re on a career break or more seasoned professional, your resume and experience level are a huge advantage. Once you nab a sponsorship its smooth travels from here.

When it comes to getting your dream life abroad, age won’t stop you from getting to your destination. Your journey there is just different.

[ Download the expert guide on how to get a visa for anywhere ]

7 best ways to work abroad, 1. through an agency / program provider.

Program providers, regardless of where they are based, offer a wide range of work, intern, and volunteer abroad opportunities around the world. Supporting you from when you first show interest to your return home agencies like these help you sort out everything you did and didn’t think of. For a fee that ranges from agency to agency you can get help with your visa, phone, and job placement among other things. It’s one of the best ways to work abroad if you find yourself needing an extra push or organizer through the process.

• Pros: These people are here to make your transition abroad super smooth. They’re going to help you get your visa, driver’s license, health insurance, even helping you set up an international bank account if you need it. If this is your first time working abroad these are your peeps!
• Cons: Depending on the support you need, the fees for these agencies can end up on the high side. Leaving you less money to spend once you arrive. However, budgeting ahead can make this big con a minor one.
• More info: How to find the perfect work abroad program provider

2. Work abroad as a teacher

You believe the children are the future, so teach them well and lead the way as a teacher abroad. If you have a TEFL certification , you can teach almost anywhere in the world to leave a lasting impact on the students you teach. Teach students English and maybe pick up a little bit of the local language in return. You will have flexible hours, and with your salary have time to explore other places in your chosen country. It’s a work abroad option anyone can do, young or old, experienced or not. The only requirement for these positions is that English is your native language. Not too shabby, eh?

• Pros: While it’s never about the money, your teaching salary combined with the low cost of living of the country you’ll be teaching in is a major pro! While you can always stash it away for your own travels, the money you have left over can always go towards beating those student loans. (super pro!)
• Cons: While temporary, culture shock is sooo real and will definitely be a challenge when it comes to adjusting to your new life overseas.
• More info: Get hired—browse teaching jobs abroad

BEST lunch break ever!

3. Move abroad, then find work

For all the explorers out there! You don’t always need a job before you reach your destination. If you have the means to get up and go, definitely do it. Don’t let people make you second guess your decision either; just because your decision isn’t conventional doesn’t mean your move is doomed. Our organized checklist is a must have if you choose this route and can also make your move go smoother. Start applying to positions before you land, network with recruiters, and hit the ground running.

• Pros: You make your own path. Being completely independent is a surefire way to not only get immersed in the ways of your new country but have complete control over your experience.
• Cons: Moving abroad this way is like having another full time job. Pressing the restart button on your life will be overwhelming especially with the heavy paperwork you’ll have to deal with. So if you like to avoid stressful situations at all time you might want to skip this way of moving abroad.  
• More info: How to find a job in another country  

4. Get a working holiday visa

If you don’t want to work abroad on a permanent basis snagging a working holiday visa is a great option. Travelers aged 18-35 are eligible and can stay for up to two years depending on the country they choose to stay in. While your working holiday visa determines where you can work and live legally for a period of time, this visa has no restrictions on any free travel you wish to do.

• Pros: One of the best things about a working holiday visa is the work experience you will get on your resume. Once you choose to start applying for jobs back home your time abroad will be a standout experience that will set you apart from other applicants. Your experiences here are also going to make some unique interview answers.
• Cons: There’s an age limit. While other visas aren’t as easy to obtain as working holiday visas thankfully there are other opportunities to work abroad after 35.
• More info: How to work abroad for a couple of months… or more

Make lifelong friends with your international co-workers

5. Do a work exchange

Ideal if you have a tight budget, completing a work exchange is the closest you can get to traveling abroad for free. Through a work exchange you can do a range of things from pretty much anywhere in the world. You can be a video production intern in Israel, a marketing intern in Bali, or work in a hostel in Argentina. As you work in exchange for your room and board all you have to worry about is securing a visa! So, if you’re into wanderlust with little financial pain, a work exchange is the perfect move.

• Pros: Your housing is free and depending on the program your meals will be free too. Not having to worry about food or where you’re going to stay is a huge relief. The only budgeting you’ll have to worry about is planning for trips of your own.
• Cons: While your housing will be free for the program, you can’t control where you stay. Most of the time, your accommodations will be far from the 5-star living you might be used to at home. While you certainly won’t be living in squalor be prepared to give up “luxuries” like privacy or convenience.
• More info: Check out work exchange programs here

6. Volunteer

The act of giving back isn’t just restricted to your community at home. Take your passion for a cause and help people from all over. In addition to traveling, you get to be a part of something that is important and meaningful. As a volunteer, these working experiences won’t be paid, but the work you put into aiding communities, problem-solving, and practicing cross-cultural communication are experiences that have more value than any paycheck you’ll receive. Since there is so much you can get out of this experience volunteering is definitely one of best ways to work abroad after college

• Pros: As a volunteer abroad, you can truly get to know the world around you. A destination is more than just its tourist brochure or visiting guide. Get to know the locals, culture and language outside the vacationer bubble. It’s only by immersing yourself in these communities that you can truly achieve an impact and aid in positive change.
• Cons: Problems just don’t solve themselves overnight. With this being the case, be ready for the unfortunate reality that you can’t help everyone. While your efforts will always be appreciated, real change takes time and can be a complicated journey itself.
• More info: Everything you need to know about service learning projects abroad

7. Freelance/digital nomad

Travel Writers, Web Designer, Photographers, and Vloggers are some of the many things you can do as a digital nomad. Earn your money and grow your clients while traveling the world. If you can’t stand the idea of having a 9-5 within a tiny cubicle, then becoming a digital nomad is one of the best ways to work abroad while pursuing your passions. This lifestyle is definitely ideal for self-starting entrepreneurs looking for a flexible schedule.  

• Pros: As a digital nomad you work your own hours and you can finally be your own boss! Taking your career into your own hands is a powerful statement and one you should be proud to make!
• Cons: The downside to this life is that your income won’t always be consistent. Before you jet off and become a digital nomad make sure you have enough savings in the bank to cover the days you won’t be making money.
• More info: The newbie guide on how to be a digital nomad  

[ Browse ALL available jobs abroad ]

Since were sitting here, let make our travel dreams a reality!

Next steps to finding the best way to work abroad for YOU

Before you jet off to your new life in the country of your dreams, check out our articles to make sure you get your life together before you go abroad. You can also get more into the planning stages by looking through all our resources below. Get your dream job and your dream life at the same time! Choosing a work abroad program isn't as hard as it sounds, especially if you follow these steps:

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where YOU should work abroad is paramount. Have a short list of locations that sound ideal for your goals. Don't let your experience (or lack thereof!) hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
• Pick your job. Do some reflection on what skills and knowledge you bring to the table, and which type of company or organization—and role within—would best benefit from your time and energy.
• Choose from the best work abroad programs in the world. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and how the project's needs match your skills. Some programs may even share contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right job program for you . Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge on travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Be sure to raise a little extra money to donate to the organization that you'll be working with. Learning how to save for jobs abroad is essential prior to your travels!
• Get prepared! Preparing to work and move abroad is as fun as it sounds. With the days til departure number dwindling and your excitement boiling, it can be easy to overlook the details. Lean on us to help guide you through your pre-departure process—that's what we're here for.

[ Prepare Early: Download This Planning Timeline We Made Just for You ]

You’re informed, so what’s stopping you.

When it comes to working abroad, there are plenty of opportunities. You just need to make sure you have organized all your paperwork and have a clear plan for what you want to do. Although the process can seem annoying, and never-ending there’s always going to be light at the end of the tunnel. So get organized for these visa applications and let’s get to work!

Get 5 FREE Job Recommendations Abroad

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Travel Jobs: The 60 Best Jobs for Travelers & How To Get Them (Secrets of a 10-Year Nomad)

Do you want to be a full-time traveler? Does the “real world” leave you running for the exit? Then it’s time to take a look at these travel jobs!

You can absolutely get travel jobs with no experience in travel and with only a little work history.

I myself was a modern nomad for around 10 years. I started getting seasonal travel jobs during college, with very little work experience. Along the way, I met people older and younger than me from all sorts of backgrounds. Most of us in this nomad circle find it very easy to find new travel jobs when we’re ready to move on to the next adventure.

You DON’T need to become a flight attendant, a traveling business executive, or even have a college degree to get exciting new travel jobs year after year. There’s no need to trap yourself in a stuffy, rigid career with a single company. Travel should come with the freedom to wander, and with these jobs, it does.

Here are 60 adventurous jobs for travelers of all ages and experience levels. You’ll also find examples and links to adventurous travel jobs you can apply for right now .

Keep in mind that all travel jobs on WanderJobs come with staff housing.

Part 1: Adventure Travel Jobs

1. international travel tour guide.

Lead tour groups on multi-city, multi-country cultural or adventure tours. Required Experience: High

As a travel tour guide, you may be traveling through quaint European cities to sample local wines and chocolates, attending cultural events, and meandering through bustling marketplaces. Or you may choose to lead a group of teens on an outdoor adventure tour, hiking the Himalayas, surfing in Hawai’i, and volunteering in Peru. With this travel job, you’ll have the same accommodations as the guests, which, for the more bougie tours, can mean some of the most luxurious accommodations of any job on this list. You may be put up in some stunning hotels. For some teen tour companies, you may be camping or staying in hostels. Your food will be the same as the guests, so it’s generally very good quality. While exciting, this is a very challenging role. There is little off time, as you’re living and traveling with the group you’re leading. Many tour groups put two guides in a group to break up the enormous work load. Though many companies offer multiple tours that go to many different destinations, it’s not always possible to choose where you get placed. Usually newer guides are given easier assignments, but many companies at least take your preferences into account.

How to Get a Travel Tour Guide Job:

These companies look for well-traveled applicants with high self-confidence and a very outgoing personality. You must be friendly, responsible, and highly organized. This is a job for people who are high-energy and have a good amount of work experience. You can browse Travel Tour Guide Jobs here.

2. Conservation Crew

Work to preserve trails with a small team in this manual-labor heavy outdoor job. Required Experience: Low

Trail teams usually consist of a handful of young people who are willing to put in a hard day’s work, face the elements, and survive off of peanut butter sandwiches. The locations are enviable; you could find yourself in a ponderosa forest in Flagstaff, the lush Pacific Northwest, or even in tropical American Samoa. It’s the sort of job where the challenge brings great rewards. A hard day’s work using your muscles, being immersed in nature, and bonding with your small team makes you feel proud, calm, and connected at the end of the day. Many trail crew positions require a few weeks on, a few weeks off, in a cycle of a few months. Some positions come with housing during your off time (you’ll be camping on the job), but sometimes you’ll need to find your own. Food is up to the team, and the goal tends to be survival calories and keeping pack weight down, not creating gourmet delicacies. Trail conservation positions are often volunteer-based, though not all are. The paid positions are usually for more supervisory roles after you’ve had some experience on a volunteer team. Volunteers may be paid in small stipends and small education grants.

How to Get a Conservation Crew Job:

The two best known sources of conservation crew positions in the US are the Student Conservation Association and the American Conservation Alliance . You won’t need much experience to get a volunteer position, but you’ll need some to be a paid team leader.

3. Travel Camp Leader

Guide youth and teens on multi-country cultural and outdoor adventure trips. Required Experience: High

Travel camps boast bucket-list worthy itineraries. As far as a travel job goes, it’s hard to beat one where you’re literally traveling from beautiful place to beautiful place. These companies usually sell expensive packages to the parents of school-aged kids, which means:

• You’ll be going to exiting places, some that would be hard to get to on your own
• There are many physical adventures, since the kids have the energy for them

A real itinerary from one company includes:

• Fly in to an island city in Guatemala
• Bike through a tropical rainforest environment to explore Mayan pyramids
• Roam ancient ceremonial caverns
• Enjoy a zipline tour
• Relax by the hotel pool
• Sample local chocolate

This is an adventure you can share with the kids. If they’re doing it, you can be sure you’ll be doing it too, as a participant and role model. But that also means there’s no time off. It’s a 24/7 job.

How to Get a Travel Camp Leader Job:

These companies are looking for a bit more leadership experience under your belt. They want employees who are well-traveled and culturally aware, and appreciate foreign language skills. You’ll also need to be a good communicator. The easiest way to find travel camp companies is to search google as if you’re a kid looking to sign up to attend one. Then find the employment page when you’re on the site. “International teen travel tours” is a good search term to start with. You’ll also find some travel camp tours on WanderJobs.

Care for children and preform light household duties while living abroad with a host family for a year. Required Experience: Low

This travel job is an old classic. To get the flavor of what it means to be an au pair, think of the movie The Sound of Music. While you are technically employed by the family, the idea is that in some sense, you are joining as part of the family and helping to raise the kids. In this US, Au pairs are paid with a stipend of a minimum of around $200/week. Au pairs seek employment in countries other than their own. One of the biggest benefits of this line of work is the cultural and language exchange between family and au pair.

You’ll go on vacations with your host family, meet their friends, attend recitals and barbecues and celebrate holidays. It all comes down to the match between au pair and family, which makes or breaks the experience.

I was very fortunate to grow up with au pairs from Norway. Each year, a new young woman came to care for me and my brothers, and most of them were very good matches. (A few left quickly.) Those who stayed are still, 20 and 30 years later, a loving part of our family. They visit us when they are in the states, we have stayed with them and their families in Norway, we exchanges letters and Christmas gifts and attend each other’s weddings.

However, there are some very bad stories of women coming from other countries and feeling completely trapped with families who verbally abuse them and make them work well beyond the hours indicated in their contracts. While there is usually a possibility of being placed with a different family if this happens, be very cautious and listen to your gut if a red flag comes up.

How to Get an Au Pair Job:

You’ll need to be able to demonstrate that you’re a good, reliable, and kind person who is good with children. Since au pairs are usually in their late teens, not much previous work experience is expected. Au pairs tend to be young women. Young men have a tough time being placed, as host families aren’t always comfortable leaving their kids with a man they’ve just met.

However, this is rapidly changing with the childcare crisis brought on by the Covid pandemic. Many families are now considering hiring young men for the first time, and it’s possible the perspective shift will be long-lasting. As of summer 2020, host families in the US are desperate for childcare, and au pairs are getting interview requests from up to fifty families, according to the 7/26/20 New York Times article, Au Pairs Get the Upper Hand. It seems likely that families will be willing to consider even domestic au pairs and forgo the benefit of an international cultural exchange.

There are many au pair matching sites where you can find a host family and make sure you feel comfortable with them before making a commitment.

5. Gap Year Program Leader

Lead older students on multi-country, adventure, and volunteering trips geared toward education and personal growth. Required Experience: High

Working as a gap year leader offers a slightly different experience than working as a travel tour leader. The people you’ll be leading are usually high school or college-aged youth who are actively looking to expand themselves as people and gain an education before heading off for their next year of college.

Many of the itineraries will resemble the highly adventurous itineraries of other travel camps. In addition, there may be more formal educational lectures, time for reflection and journaling, or preparing personal mission statements.

How to Get a Gap Year Leader Job:

You’ll need plenty of travel and leadership experience and at least a college degree.

Just like finding a travel camp company, the simplest plan is to search google as if you’re looking to attend a gap year program. Then find the employment page when you’re on the site.

6. SCUBA Instructor/Guide

Help tourists have safe, fun SCUBA diving adventures in warm tropical waters. Required Experience: High

Unlike other travel jobs on this list, SCUBA is more of a career commitment. It requires certification and experience in a very specific niche, so you need to have interest in committing to SCUBA long-term to make it worthwhile.

Those who I’ve met who are SCUBA instructors make it part of their personality. They love it, and it’s easy to understand why. Dive instructors usually live on islands and in tropical locations, where relaxed and laid-back attitudes are the norm. You get to spend time in the ocean, seeing beautiful reefs and sharks and fish, and tour groups max out at just a few people to keep it manageable. You’ll have to care for a lot of equipment, do regular checks, and be comfortable guiding tourists through potentially dangerous situations. An outgoing personality is much less important than generally good communication skills.

How to Get a SCUBA Job:

The most important thing you’ll need to do is become certified as a professional divemaster through PADI and log many hours SCUBA diving.

SCUBA instructors should be extremely responsible, organized, and safety-oriented people. SCUBA jobs can be a bit more challenging to find. Often job boards for SCUBA slowly turn into advertisements for certification courses. For now, you can try DiveJobs .

7. Zip Line Guide

Lead guests through a zip line course and tell them about the area. Required Experience: Medium

Zip line guides work in pairs to take small groups of tourists through areas of natural beauty in a thrilling way. Being a zip line guide (as I know from short personal experience) is physically challenging and mentally draining. But it can be a lot of fun. The guests are usually in a good mood and excited to be doing something from their bucket list. A good zip line company will provide a lot of safety training- weeks- which makes for great team bonding among coworkers. Zip lines are generally built in beautiful places, which means you’ll be working outdoors in a nature or even wilderness setting. Leading a group of guests means you’ll need to make a safety presentation, get them in harnesses, and hook and unhook them from the zip lines. Often you’ll be giving a general informational tour while up on the course. This means you’ll be doing some public speaking, but it’s an amount that even a shy person can get used to. Tips for zip line guides can be pretty darn good.

How to Get a Zipline Guide Job:

Search zip line guide jobs on WanderJobs or on any major job board.

8. Small Vessel/River Cruise Staff

Live and work aboard a smaller and more luxurious cruise vessel catering to older and wealthier guests. Required Experience: High

Sometimes the allure of being aboard a boat and exploring different ports is too strong to ignore. Luckily, working aboard a massive cruise liner is not the only option. River cruises are smaller and more intimate, and offer guests a higher level of service. For this reason, the job competition is a bit tougher. Small cruise itineraries include off-the-beaten-path locations, such as:

• The Puget Sound
• Small, less-trafficked tropical islands
• European river tours
• Custom itineraries
• & lots more

In addition, charter cruises often have a more environmentally or culturally-friendly slant. They may be opportunities for guests to participate in hands-on education, and “excursions” off the ship are significantly more thrilling and less touristy. To get an idea, National Geographic has a few passenger ships, and offers a breathtaking Journey to Antarctica cruise with a $16,000 price tag. You’ll still be in close quarters with your coworkers pretty much constantly, but all in all, staff life on a small cruise is less of a party atmosphere than on a cruise liner.

How to Get a Small Vessel/Charter Cruise Job:

A google search is best. Again, do the search as if you’re looking to pay to be a guest on the cruise. Once you find a company you like, look for its employment page. You will need to be well traveled and have excellent customer service skills to get one of these jobs.

9. Scenic River Float Guide

Safely row guests through currents on guided river raft tours.

Required Experience: High

As a scenic river tour guide, you’ll steer a raft full of tourists down a large, slower-moving river, while giving them a guided tour along the way. It’s a highly physically and mentally demanding job. It takes an all-around strong and confident person to excel as a river guide. Unlike whitewater, the current is fairly calm. Tourists come for the scenery and a relaxing adventure rather than an extreme thrill. Imagine floating down the Snake River famously photographed by Ansel Adams, while watching for eddies and dangers and pointing out eagles and beavers along the forested shoreline. There is still a high amount of danger inherent in scenic river guiding. Rafts have been overturned by logs, rocks, and surprising currents. If a raft is overturns, things can become chaotic and unsafe, sometimes to the point of fatality. There is an art to mastering the river, and because of this, river rafting is a commitment and more of a career choice than some other jobs on this list. A good company will provide a huge amount of safety training, and will likely also require applicants to be trained and certified before even applying for a job. If you can handle the responsibility, working as a river guide can be a very rewarding experience. There may also be opportunities for crossover into whitewater rafting jobs. It’s an excellent job for outdoor enthusiasts.

How to Get a Scenic Float Guide Job:

I haven’t yet found any reliable source of leads for this type of job. Try searching google for any combination of “scenic river float guide jobs” and “river rafting jobs”.

10. Kayak Guide

Lead a caravan of kayaks through calm and beautiful waters. Required Experience: Low

Kayak guides lead tourists on lake tours or coastal ocean tours, weaving out of narrow, magical tree-lined inlets. It’s one of the simpler ways to get out on the water for work. You’ll need enough people skills to kindly introduce yourself and teach kayaking safety basics, but it’s an easy choice for introverts. Once you’re out on the water, it’s just a game of follow the leader and making sure nobody falls behind. You will need strength and stamina for paddling, but that will build over time.

You’ll usually be leading people of many different ages, and often families, on a single tour. Kayak guides are needed in many different types of environments. From small lodges on cold Alaskan waters and while migration routes, to Mediterranean environments with rocky, scrubby shorelines, you’ll be able to seek out a location that fits your preferences. There are even night kayak tours in bioluminescent bays. Each stroke of the paddle through the water causes bacteria to glow an etherial blue. It’s quite beautiful and relaxing.

How to Get a Kayak Guide Job:

Find Kayak Guide jobs on WanderJobs .

11. Ski/Snowboard Instructor 

Help vacationers (often groups of kids) improve their skiing and snowboarding skills. Required Experience: Medium

Ski instructing is one of the best known seasonal jobs for young people. There are abundant positions available every ski season across the globe, so if you want a ski job and you know how to ski (and are decent at interviewing), you will probably be hired.

The culture on mountains and among seasonal ski employees is very specific. This, in my opinion, is the most important thing to consider before accepting a ski job, even more important than your love of the sport. You’ll be around lots of young people who like to party, to “work hard, play hard,” who aren’t yet settled in life and want to “go big or go home.” Duuuuuddddeeee!

This is a job absolutely best left to extroverts, and ideally young extroverts. You’ll of course also need to be fit and comfortable with lots of public speaking.

Ski and snowboard instructor jobs come with mountain passes so you can spend as much of your free time on the slopes as you want. This, of course, is one of the main reasons people commit to a season on a mountain. If there’s fresh snow, it’s yours to shred, and there will be lots of coworkers around to join you.

There is a hierarchy of ski jobs, and if you stay in the game for a while you can move from a bunny slope youth group instructor to giving private adult lessons, or even work your way to a ski patrol position.

Not all mountains offer housing for their ski instructors, but many do. Those that don’t may at least have resources to help you find your own housing before you arrive.

How to Get a Ski Instructor Job:

While it’s possible to get certified as a ski instructor before applying for your job, I don’t recommend this. Your home mountain will train you, and if they require further certifications for teaching at higher levels, you can earn those after you start working. I wouldn’t pay to be certified before actually starting work.

Find ski and snowboard jobs on WanderJobs or any major job board.

12. High Ropes/Aerial Course Guide

Teach tourists to safely navigate ropes courses, preform safety checks, and be present to help if needed. Required Experience: Low

Aerial high ropes courses can be found near many wilderness lodges, as they’re often a draw for they same type of outdoorsy tourist. They’re also found near cruise ship ports, which brings a whole ‘nother type of guest. So while you’ll have a beautiful view and access to fun recreational activities, the job itself is genuinely pretty dull.

Aside from a thorough daily safety check of the course and all gear, there isn’t all that much to the job. You’ll spend a lot of time staring up at guests as they go through the course, walkie-talkie in hand, making sure nothing dangerous happens. Occasionally you’ll have to shout up encouraging tips from the ground, or “rescue” someone from an obstacle they can’t solve.

High ropes guides often cross over into rock wall and zip line territory.

It’s an easy, low-responsibility job for a first time seasonal worker. The title “guide” is a bit of an exaggeration; it may feel like more of a babysitter position.

It’s a good job for young people.

How to Get a High Ropes Guide Job:

Search for jobs here on WanderJobs or on any major job board.

13. Horse Wrangler

Care for and train horses and lead guided horseback tours.

Horse wrangling requires early mornings, long hours, and intense physical labor. Most available jobs are on ranches in the western US. 

If you have experience with horses, love being outside, and don’t mind getting dirty, then this could be an exciting job. In addition to herding animals, wranglers are responsible for feeding, saddling, grooming, and training the horses, leading trail rides, and cleaning the stalls. 

Horse wrangling requires working around the clock and is best for people without many commitments. Your responsibilities will depend a lot on your prior experience, training, and seniority. As a beginner, you probably won’t be doing much wrangling – you can expect to start out shoveling manure and grooming the horses. 

There are various horse wrangler jobs available on public land as well as privately owned ranches. Each ranch has its own set of rules, requirements, and exclusions that you’ll want to review carefully before deciding where to apply.

Once hired, you’ll likely attend wrangler school for four to six weeks. You will learn essential skills, including trail riding and horseshoeing, and cover topics such as horse behavior and anatomy. 

Ranches cultivate a close community where employees are treated like family. Personal life and work often blend together. While permanent positions include paid time off, many of the seasonal ranch jobs require you to work straight through the season with no weekends or vacation days. 

Due to the remote location, there are few activities available off of the ranch. Workers typically spend the little downtime they have exploring the countryside or relaxing by a campfire.  

Most ranches provide employees with family-style meals and dormitory lodging. Depending on your attitude going into the job, horse wrangling could be one of the most rewarding or most miserable experiences of your life. If you’re willing to trade sleep and time off for riding horses and watching the sunrise over the mountains, then you’ll likely find a lot of personal growth and fulfillment in working on a ranch. 

How to Get a Wrangler Job:

Browse through ranches on WanderJobs and check individual company websites to see if they are currently hiring for wrangler staff. The competition is high, so it’s worth reaching out to companies to establish a relationship even if there are no positions open.

14. Backcountry Guide

Lead overnight backpacking trips into the wilderness.

If you love the mountains and are always seeking out wilderness adventures, becoming a backcountry guide could be a good employment option. In addition to guiding groups safely in remote areas, guides are responsible for coaching clients through physically and mentally demanding situations, teaching them the technical skills needed to navigate tough terrain, and managing risk. 

To land a job as a backcountry guide, you’ll need advanced certifications in wilderness safety and first aid, a backcountry food handlers permit, and proven expertise in disciplines like rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, ice climbing, mountaineering, and ski touring. The position entails a large amount of responsibility – backcountry guides must have sound decision-making in risky situations, excellent interpersonal skills, and passion for adventure. 

As a beginner, it’s best to join a local alpinist club and explore training options with a mountain guide association. Depending on your location and what field you’re hoping to work in, you may need a certification from the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), one of the industry’s most recognized and respected organizations. 

Getting the necessary certifications can be a long process, but if you’re prepared for the rigors required, you will join a close international community of intrepid explorers. Backcountry guiding affords ample opportunity to travel to some of the world’s most amazing wilderness areas. When you’re not camping in the backcountry, you’ll likely have free housing at a mountain hut or remote resort. 

How to Get a Backcountry Guide Job:

Browse Backdoorjobs for available backcountry guiding positions.

15. Fruit Picking Abroad

Harvest, sort, & pack fruit on farms with other travelers in Australia.

Required Experience: Low

Picking fruit is a physically demanding job that requires early mornings and long hours in the sun. You’ll likely have aches and pains – particularly at the beginning – from the repetitive motions and hard labor. 

Fruit picking jobs exist in any agricultural area, but different regions have varying levels of open positions based on the availability of migrant labor. The most interesting opportunities for young people are located in Australia, where it’s possible to extend your visa by a year in exchange for three months of fruit picking, and in New Zealand.

While most jobs are seasonal, fruit-picking work is available in Australia year-round. Positions down under typically attract students and backpackers, so you’ll likely work with an eclectic group of travelers from around the world. 

There are no particular skills or previous experience required to get a job picking fruit. As long as you are willing to work hard and show up on time each day, you shouldn’t have a problem holding onto your job throughout the season. 

Many farms offer workers accommodation for free or at a reduced price. The type and quality of housing vary substantially from one farm to the next. You could be placed in a crowded caravan with six other people, or get a small bungalow all to yourself. 

How to Get a Fruit Picking Job:

On the Australian Work Travel Visa, you can work and play your way through the country and apply for many different jobs. Fruit picking seems to be one of the lower hanging fruits- pun intended. The job search and application process is a little more messy and requires more spontaneity and flexibility. Here is a handy guide .

16. Yacht Crew

Work for an individual employer or traveling family aboard a private yacht or sailing vessel.

Required Experience: Medium

While yachting is associated with luxury, working on a private yacht is rarely glamorous. The experience is highly dependent on the owners of the yacht, the captain, and the guests on each voyage. Some clients are relaxed and down to earth, while others can be demanding and even rude. 

In general, being part of a yacht crew is tiring work with long hours – on a typical day, you should plan to wake up before dawn and work well past sunset. Responsibilities include cleaning the yacht, assisting with food and beverage service, and fulfilling clients’ various requests. 

If you love the sea and are ready for the service industry’s demands, working on a yacht crew can be a great way to sail for free while also earning some income. Crew positions are available on private yachts worldwide. As long as you have exceptional customer service and at least some knowledge of boats, you have a good chance of being hired. 

Crew cabins tend to be cramped and lack the luxurious feel of the rest of the yacht. Since you’ll spend a lot of time with the other staff members in close quarters, the group’s personality can make or break your experience. 

How to Get a Yacht Crew Job:

One of the best known yacht job boards is Find a Crew . Since you’ll be talking to individuals rather than incorporated companies, the process can be a little sketchier. Use your judgement.

17. Bicycle Trip Leader

Lead guided travel tour trips through picturesque cities and adventurous locations.

Traveling by bike is an amazing way to see the world. If you enjoy cycling and love working with people, then guiding bike tours could be an exciting and enriching experience. 

Becoming a cycling trip leader requires a high level of physical fitness, positivity, and dependability. Tours range from single-day trips to month-long adventures and are available in stunning locations worldwide. 

As a guide, you’re responsible for guests’ safety and are on call 24/7. You should be prepared for long hours and ready to handle medical emergencies like illness or bike accidents. You’ll also need to know how to service bicycles since guests on the tours are likely to experience issues such as flat tires and broken chains along the way. 

In addition to ensuring everyone’s safety, guides are responsible for immersing guests in the local culture and customs. You’ll need to be very familiar with the area and have excellent navigation skills in case you need to make any unexpected detours due to weather conditions or guest preferences. 

Bike guides tend to be a fun, extroverted group with lots of opportunities to socialize and explore the local area when you’re not working. 

When you’re on a trip, you’ll receive free accommodation in the same hotels the guests are staying (although it’s usually in a lower quality room). Not all companies cover accommodation costs when you’re not with clients, so you’ll want to consider this when applying to these travel jobs. 

How to Get a Bicycle Trip Leader Job:

Search Google as if you’re looking to pay to attend an international bicycle tour. When you find a company you like, search for its employment page.

18. Whitewater Raft Guide

Safely guide guests through physically challenging white water rapids. Required Experience: High

If you are passionate about adventure, love the water, and handle risk and unpredictability with grace, then whitewater raft guiding could be a good option. Raft guides depend on one another to safely make it out of the rapids each day, which fosters a type of trust and bond that can be hard to find in other jobs. In general, you can expect to work with a fun group of people who spend their free time enjoying the outdoors and drinking around a campfire.  The travel job is best for young extroverts who love working with people and are ready for long hours and physically demanding work. Positive energy is critical – guides must keep the stoke high even when their extremities are numb, and the guests are miserable. 

Becoming a raft guide takes hard work. There is a steep learning curve, with intensive training and various certifications required or recommended.

The first step is to attend a 7-10 day guide school with a rafting company, followed by another 2-6 weeks of unpaid training once hired. The training is intense and seeks to weed out those who can’t handle the physical and mental demands of whitewater raft guiding. 

Many guides also complete courses in or become certified as:

• advanced wilderness first aid
• wilderness first responders
• swift water rescue certifications
• CPR & first aid

While not all of these are required, the more certifications and experience you have, the more you can expect to earn.  NOLS is a well-known outdoor adventure certification school. On the other side of this rigorous process, there is a close-knit international community of guides with many opportunities to travel. Keep in mind that requirements may vary across borders and from state to state within the US. 

Many rafting companies offer basic housing, often in the form of guide camps near the river. Amenities are sparse, with guides living out of tents, their cars, or old RVs. Raft guiding is not a lucrative travel job – even with the free housing, it’s unlikely that you’ll come out of your first season with more than a few hundred dollars saved. 

How to Get a White Water Guide Job:

Search for white water jobs on WanderJobs and Backdoorjobs .

19. Wilderness Therapist

Help youth overcome mental health issues with nature and counseling. Required Experience: High

Wilderness therapy combines nature and counseling to help at-risk youth cope with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, ADHD, technology addiction, and other mental health issues. 

It’s helpful to have outdoor experience and a background in social work or psychology. But if you enjoy nature and working with youth and are willing to work hard, it’s possible to overcome a lack of experience. 

Wilderness therapy is gaining popularity worldwide, but many programs remain concentrated in the US, the UK, and New Zealand and run seasonally. You’ll be with students 24-7, teaching a variety of outdoor and survival skills that can be transferred into everyday situations.

Students will need help coping with new physical and mental challenges and mentorship as they seek self-improvement. The job certainly has its difficulties, but it is also incredibly rewarding. You can have a profound impact on others’ lives and experience significant personal growth.

People who choose to work as wilderness therapists find supportive communities and build lasting friendships with their colleagues. 

The structure of wilderness therapy programs varies by company. Sometimes students spend a week in the classroom with a licensed clinician, then a week in the wilderness with a guide. Sometimes the two are combined and require guides to have more extensive clinical training.

Many programs follow a rotating schedule with one or two weeks on, and the next one or two weeks off. When you’re working, you’ll be camping in the backcountry with your group. Not all companies cover accommodation during your time off. 

How to Get a Wilderness Therapist Job:

Backdoorjobs has lots of wilderness therapy jobs to browse.

Part 2: Hospitality Travel Jobs

20. cruise ship jobs.

Work in a customer service role or behind-the-scenes aboard a mighty international cruise liner. Required Experience: Medium

Cruise ship jobs seem to hold the allure of adventure. While they do allow you to see new places, the adventures tend to be a bit more surface-level, hedonistic, and rife with difficulties than other options. There are so many jobs available on cruise ships to match different experience levels and interests. They truly are like floating cities, and will need staff to help with cooking, cleaning, entertaining, sailing, styling hair, serving, retail, maintaining the ship, childcare, and much, much more.

The benefits of working on a cruise ship are:

• visiting a handful of new countries in a short period of time
• making new friends from around the world
• saving a good amount of money you earn

But the downsides are substantial. These include:

• an extremely long workweek and little free time
• a social life heavily dependent on drinking at the staff cantina
• little time off the ship
• lack of internet/cell coverage
• tiny, shared living quarters
• apathetic management

It must be said that cruise liners and their guests very actively harm the “tourist towns” in which they dock and make life in these places significantly more depressing for locals.

Despite all this, some people LOVE working on a cruise ship. In fact, my friend Marissa shared an in-depth experience of her time working aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship on my Once Upon a Wander podcast .

Some people though, including a few I met who worked on Carnival ships, found cruise ship life stressful and unpleasant. Do some research and make sure it feels right to before applying to work on a cruise ship. Or just take my recommendation and stay away altogether. There are so many better options.

How to Get a Cruise Ship Job:

It’s important to research the companies you are interested in applying to. Not all cruise jobs are equal. Some are more… notorious than others. It’s probably best if introverts steer clear of cruise ship jobs, as you will get little alone time. However, the jobs themselves are so varied that you may still find something that suits you if you don’t want to interact directly with guests. The required experience level varies greatly by job, with the easiest jobs to get generally being in the housekeeping department. It can end up being many months after you’re hired before you’re actually placed on a ship. You can browse Cruise Ship Jobs here or on any major job site, including Indeed .

21. Lift Operator (Liftie)

Safely operate ski lifts and check guest passes during the winter season. Required Experience: Low

A liftie job is the easiest entry point to working on the ski slopes. A common choice for younger people, operating the ski lifts requires a lot more standing around and a lot less responsibility than the more coveted positions of ski/snowboard instructors or ski patrol. It is expected that ski resort employees working on the mountain will receive a free season lift pass, which is one of the biggest draws. Some, but not all, mountain resorts will provide employee housing and/or meals. The culture of a ski job is not for everyone. If skiing or snowboarding every day brings you a genuine thrill, and you enjoy bonding with others over beers and drinking, it’s probably a good fit. But if hearing “gonna go shred some sick gnar” or “get that fresh pow, man” on the regular isn’t your cup of tea, maybe look elsewhere.

How to Get a Liftie Job:

Look for lift operator positions anywhere you’d find ski instructor jobs. You can start here .

22. Housekeeping

Clean guest rooms & common areas and fold laundry. Required Experience: Low

Housekeeping is one of the easiest entry points into the travel job arena, period. Just about any company you’ll find on WanderJobs needs housekeepers. Lodges, resorts, retreat centers, ranches… they all need to be cleaned. It’s one of the largest employee departments in tourism. Because of the ease of entry, housekeepers usually make up the youngest department in seasonal travel companies. Many of them are teenagers and early 20s. The work itself is surprisingly physical and it helps to be in good shape. It’s a good choice for someone who doesn’t want to interact with the customers.

Usually you’ll be put into pairs or small teams to clean guest rooms, so you’ll be able to chat with your partner or listen to music. It’s genuinely a lot of fun.

When you’re cleaning alone it’s nice to just listen to a podcast or enjoy the peace and quiet. I consider it to be kind of relaxing and even meditative.

How to Get a Housekeeping Job:

Housekeeping is the #1 easiest travel job to be hired for. After getting your foot in the door at your preferred company, it’s easier to get a new position (or become a housekeeping supervisor) the next season.

There are many housekeeping positions on WanderJobs .

23. Wilderness Lodge Staff

Hospitality positions in wilderness locations include everything from housekeeping to kitchen crews. Required Experience: Low

Wilderness lodges come in all sorts of locations and sizes. I’ve worked for a wilderness lodge with a staff size of 160, and another with a staff size of 4.

Both experiences offered an incredibly peaceful slice of life, where you could step outside your door and be right in nature. You’ll be able experience real quiet; nothing but the rustling leaves and soothing waves on the lake. Wilderness lodges seem to attract a good type of person, and also a wide variety. I’ve met a lot of artists, thinkers, and adventurers in these places. There are SO many types of travel jobs to chose from at a lodge that it’s likely you’ll be able to find something that suits you.

Jobs often include:

• Housekeeping
• Front desk & customer service
• Activities staff
• Office staff
• & many more

Larger lodges may offer three hot meals per day in addition to housing. Lodges in National Parks, designated as official National Park concessioners, often have Employee Dining Rooms (EDRs) with fresh, tasty food for staff. Hanging out with friends is a wonderful experience when you’re so close to nature. Expect lots of stargazing, camp fires, porch parties and hiking. Listen to my Once Upon a Wander podcast interview with coworker Nita . She describes what working at a wilderness lodge in the Grand Teton National Park meant to her.

Read my review of life at a wilderness lodge in Minnesota .

How to Get a Wilderness Lodge Job:

For google searches, it’s helpful to search wilderness lodge + location + staff housing. For example, “wilderness lodge Alaska staff housing.” Many wilderness lodges are so far from the nearest town that they need to offer staff housing or they wouldn’t have staff. Find Wilderness Lodge Jobs on WanderJobs .

24. Front Desk/Reception

Check in guests, make sales, answer the phone, and preform other customer service duties. Required Experience: Medium

Front desk positions are a good choice for people who want to live and work in beautiful places but who don’t necessarily consider themselves “outdoorsy” or don’t want the adventure to come from the job itself. These positions are usually a bit cushier, and as with any office job, there’s more opportunity to sit down, have a slow cup of coffee, and be in a climate-controlled environment. Each day will have a rush and a lull, but you do have to be prepared to deal with many customers wanting attention at once. The downtime tends to balance it out, though. In one of my front desk positions, I was on the night shift in a gorgeous wilderness lodge. Most guests had already hunkered down for the night by the time I clocked in, so I liked to sit in the office, stare off at the lake, or read a nice book. In another of my front desk positions, this one at a zip line, the day was much more fast-paced. I had to stand outside in the sun and check in hundreds of guests each day. Both positions required learning a somewhat confusing point-of-sale system and knowing how to answer detailed questions about the business, but there were never any huge challenges.

How to Get a Front Desk Job:

Look for any job on WanderJobs marked as resort, hotel, hostel, lodge, or retreat center. Any place that operates as a place for guests to spend the night will need front desk staff.

25. Activities Leader

Keep guests entertained and engaged. Required Experience: Medium

This is a travel job for people who truly love meeting and engaging with new people. An activities leader should be friendly, warm, and outgoing. She should not be afraid of looking silly or acting like a goof to make others happy. Ideally, making others happy should be a driving force for her own happiness. Companies that hire activity leaders do so for many reasons. Each company will have a very different schedule of events. Some sample activities include:

• guest picnics and bonfires
• guided nature walks
• art classes
• tournaments
• & much more

You’ll need a lot of mental stamina to be successful in this position. Public speaking skills are important.

How to Get an Activities Leader Job:

Find activities lead jobs with room and board on WanderJobs by searching for companies with at any resort, retreat, ranch, or hotel. Summer camps and year-round camps (like YMCAs) are also a great place to find Activity positions if you’re interested in working with youth.

26. Retreat Center Staff

Work and live on a campus geared toward the peaceful spiritual growth of its guests and employees.

Working at a retreat center is an experience unlike any other I’ve had. When you consider what a person really, truly needs to be happy and fulfilled in life, you have to admit that living in a strong community with other people and being in nature are very near the top. Retreat centers give you these.

Both retreat centers where I’ve worked and lived were places for people of many different backgrounds, ages, and nationalities to come together and live a more natural way of life. Beautiful facilities in nature and fresh healthy meals fostered a calm, creative way of life.

Part of the draw of a retreat center is the location. They tend to be more remote: in the mountains, tucked in a forested valley, by a cliff on the sea. I’ve found nothing yet to match the feeling of peace and connection I’ve found at these places.

Retreat and conference centers require employees in many different areas: kitchen, housekeeping, front desk and customer service, spa, events, management, etc. It’s just like a resort, but specifically for people who want to rest and restore, or learn, or create.

Groups of guests come to learn yoga, martial arts, meditation, art, writing, communication, dance, etc. Many retreat centers allow employees to participate in many of the events on campus, so it’s usually a fun environment.

It’s easy to make friends at retreat center jobs. You’ll find lots of kind, open-minded liberals and people trying to better themselves or take a break from the rat race.

Some retreat centers (like those listed on WanderJobs) offer paid positions, but many more are work-exchange/volunteer only. Some will actually charge the volunteers a monthly fee for room and board, and while this may sound ridiculous, it can lead to some of the best experiences of your life. Still, no need to pay when you can just find a travel job that pays you.

How to Get a Retreat Center Job:

Search for retreat center jobs on WanderJobs.

You can also browse Find the Divine and Retreat Finder , but as these aren’t job sites, you have to click on individual retreat center web sites to see if they do have employment or volunteer positions available.

27. Lifeguard

Because you’re responsible for everyone’s safety at the pool or on the beach, being a lifeguard requires constant vigilance and an ability to handle medical emergencies. 

From rescuing children who are panicking to dealing with drunk adults, you must be prepared to handle a wide range of dangerous situations in the water. You must be a physically fit and strong swimmer, have a lifeguard certification, and complete CPR and first aid training.

Lifeguards may also teach swimming or water aerobics classes and clean and maintain the swimming area. 

Expect a party culture with a lot of socializing. After work, there are often friendly competitions between lifeguards, such as swimming, paddle boarding, and boat races. 

Lifeguarding culture remains somewhat male-dominated. Women working as lifeguards often report feeling like they need to prove themselves and say men are given more responsibility and promoted faster.

You’ll also need to be able to deal with boredom. Lifeguards can’t read or look at their phones while working and need to find alternative ways to entertain themselves when the pool or beach is deserted. 

Many classic lakeside sleep-away camps recruit lifeguards to keep the swimming campers safe.

How to Get a Lifeguard Job:

Overnight summer camps are one of the best places to find lifeguarding positions with housing. You can usually earn a lifeguarding certificate at your local YMCA or swimming pool.

28. Restaurant Host

Greet guests, take some orders, and help keep the floor running smoothly.

Restaurants worldwide are social, fast-paced environments where the atmosphere can change quickly. The culture you’ll find depends on what kind of restaurant you work in and where it’s located. 

Restaurant staff in the US tend to be on the younger side, but many countries have hosts, waiters, and chefs of differing ages. Some restaurants have strict rules and dress codes, while others are more casual and allow for greater self-expression.

It’s possible to get a travel job as a restaurant host with minimal experience, but positions with the best perks (and housing) will be awarded to those with previous training in hospitality. You also may benefit from speaking a foreign language or two.

Restaurant hosts are responsible for a guest’s first impression and must have excellent customer service skills. In addition to showing guests to their table, answering the phone, and taking reservations, you help clear tables and assist the waiters as needed. 

The restaurant industry certainly isn’t for everyone. Before taking a position as a host, you should prepare for long and unusual hours with many spent standing up. You’ll need to maintain composure in an ever-changing, high-stress environment. If that sounds exciting, working as a restaurant host could be a fun and worthwhile experience. 

How to Get a Restaurant Host Job:

Search WanderJobs for lodges, hotel jobs, restaurants, and resorts. Most places with overnight accommodations for guests have a restaurant.

29. Spa Attendant

Help youth overcome mental health issues with nature and counseling.

Spa attendants are responsible for fostering an environment that helps others relax. Working alongside massage therapists and aestheticians, attendants support clients in seeking out self-care and making healthy changes in their lives. 

There are no specific requirements to become a spa attendant. Still, it works in your favor if you have prior customer service experience, have worked in the hospitality or wellness industry, or have cosmetology certifications. As long as you are organized and professional and have excellent interpersonal skills, it’s possible to get a travel job as a spa attendant. 

If hired, your duties will include assisting customers, selling treatment packages, cleaning the facilities, and helping aestheticians and therapists prepare for clients. You’ll also be responsible for administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and managing inventory. 

Spas and wellness centers worldwide tend to have a team-oriented environment that attracts young, health-conscious employees. Working in this type of setting can be incredibly calming and enjoyable. 

Like all jobs, working in a spa is stressful at times. Customer service roles are known for being mentally and emotionally draining, and you’ll need to spend many hours a day on your feet. Depending on the spa’s operating hours, you may have long shifts and be required to work nights, holidays, and weekends. 

You’re most likely to find housing included at spas in large or remote resorts and on cruise ships. If you work at a spa in one of these settings, you can expect to meet interesting people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world. Resorts often have perks like free access to facilities and fun events. Through these activities and those you discover on your own in your free time, you’ll get to know other employees within the wellness center and throughout the entire resort or ship. 

How to Get a Spa Attendant Job:

After searching for resort, hotel, and lodge jobs with housing, find out which of those have spas. Or try a keyword search on WanderJobs for “spa”.

30. YMCA Camp Counselor/Leader

YMCA camps offer a range of counselor and leadership jobs with different requirements. You can find anything from junior counselor positions geared towards high schoolers to activity specialist roles intended for those with professional teaching experience. 

Depending on your skill set, there may be an opportunity to specialize in areas like sports, swimming, or arts and crafts. 

Working at a YMCA camp tends to be a seasonal job. While some camps offer year-round programs, most operate primarily in the summer when kids are out of school. 

A majority of YMCA camps are located in the US and Canada, so if you’re looking for a travel job overseas, this may not be the right fit. Even without traveling abroad, you’ll have the opportunity to meet people from around the world, since YMCA camps attract a diverse bunch of international campers and counselors. Camp communities offer fantastic opportunities to make lasting friendships, but they can be a bit cliquey. 

To get a job as a YMCA camp counselor, you must have excellent leadership and enjoy working with children. If hired, you’ll likely need to undergo additional training focusing on communication skills, conflict resolution, leadership, child safety, first aid, and CPR. 

Working for a summer or two as a YMCA counselor can be a very enriching experience. However, you must remain positive, energetic, and bubbly even when you’re covered in mosquito bites and haven’t had dry socks in two weeks. As a result, camp counselors often report feeling drained by the end of the summer. 

Typically staff members spend the summer living in cabins with the campers. Different camps have varying levels of sophistication in their accommodations for counselors. Depending on your level of comfort with camping, you’ll want to consider a particular camp’s facilities before applying.  

How to Get a YMCA Leader Job:

Search major job boards (like Indeed) for “YMCA camp residential”.

31. Hostel Jobs

Preform various guest service duties in a highly social traveler environment.

Hostels are abundant worldwide and are among the classic places people turn when looking for a travel job that includes housing. There is a lot of flexibility depending on your desired environment. You can find hostels in urban centers, around national parks, and next to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

With opportunities to work at reception, as a housekeeper, in the kitchen, and more, it’s easy to find work in this sector. 

Working at a hostel rarely requires any specific prior experience and is a great way to gain some additional skills, such as bartending, event planning, or waiting tables. One thing you do need is a love of meeting new people. 

Hostels are very social spaces with little privacy, so if you’re an introvert looking for peace and quiet, a hostel job is probably not for you. The culture is perfect for extroverts who thrive in new situations, as the vibe of a hostel is constantly changing with the fluctuation of guests and employees. If you take a travel job at a hostel, you’ll join an eclectic group of people who were attracted by the opportunity to live abroad for free. 

In addition to interesting coworkers, you’ll also get to know guests from far corners of the globe. At any given hostel, you’re likely to find a diverse collection of individuals, including artists, digital nomads, backpackers, and other free spirits. In general, the crowd tends to be young and will be up for partying any day of the week. 

Since hostel employees live and work in the same space, work-life and downtime can be hard to separate. Many hostels operate on a work exchange basis, but some will pay you a small wage in addition to providing free or reduced-price housing. Regardless of which option you end up with, you’ll probably share a room with at least one other staff member. 

How to Get a Hostel Job:

Search the major job boards. Not all hostel jobs come with housing- especially those in cities- but if not, it’s worth it to contact the manager to see if they would be able to work something out with you.

Many hostel workers do unpaid work-exchanges. There are many of these types of experiences on Workaway.info .

32. Retail & Gift Shop Staff

Stock and sell trinkets and snacks to tourists.

Retail jobs are your standard shop experience. You’ll spend much of your time standing in one spot (behind the register) and checking people out.

There are lulls and rushes, but the work isn’t known to be exciting. It’s extremely repetitive.

On the bright side, you’ll probably get to know a small number of coworkers well, and there can be some good people watching.

How to Get a Retail/Gift Shop Job:

Many national park concessioners (#34 travel job on this list) hire retail staff specifically for their shops. At other companies, retail is often a job integrated with positions like front desk and check-in.

33. Marina Attendant

Help customers with boats, pump gas, do basic maintenance checks.

This is one of the many travel jobs on the list that I’ve done personally- that’s me in the picture! Marina work is a cool gig. One of the best things about working at a marina is the view. Few workplaces are more beautiful than the shores around a lake or ocean, and it’s exciting to be able to watch storms rolling in from the distance.

The position requires being on your feet most of the time and interacting with many people on a daily basis. Marinas can get very busy, and when they do, it can feel a bit stressful. People who rent boats at marinas or own boats generally have a good amount of money, and sometimes the sorts of attitudes can come with that. You’ll have to be able to field customer questions while making sure you do everything in a very safe way. Some marinas are more relaxed than others. Personally I would recommend finding one that only serves as a place for people to keep their own private boats rather then renting out boats to customers. There’s a good amount of time to chat with your coworkers and appreciate the view. If your marina does rent out boats, it will be your job to teach the customers to use them. For people with their own boats, you’ll be expected to ferry them out to their buoys. There’s no question that driving boats around all day is a lot of fun. The customer rushes are mitigated by periods of downtime, especially in the early mornings, when you’ll have the whole beautiful, quiet lake to yourself as the sun comes up. I used to love playing music on my phone and drinking coffee in the marina office at twilight, looking out at the mountains and lake. At this point you’ll have to prepare for the day, maybe do some paperwork, and check on the boats and dock.

Whatever your skill level is with boats (mine was near zero when I was hired), it isn’t that challenging to learn to drive them well enough to dock them and tow them safely and skillfully.

How to Get a Marina Job:

Search WanderJobs for marina positions , or browse TripAdvisor for wilderness lodges on your lake of choice.

34. National Park Concessioner Staff

Perform customer service & hospitality duties while living with other travelers in a national park.

Many private companies help provide additional services to visitors within each national park, including lodging, tours, and retail. In the US, National Park Service concessioners employ more than 25,000 people during peak seasons at places like restaurants, hotels, concession stands, and gift shops. 

Because concessioners are hired by private companies rather than the federal government, many say the hiring process is more straightforward and flexible than getting a job as a park ranger. Since many rangers start out working concessions, this is a great way to get your foot in the door and open up additional opportunities with the National Park Service. 

While the concessioner jobs are often indoors, you’ll get to spend the season living in one of the nation’s most beautiful places. Many employees at national parks are outdoor-minded folks who love adventure. You’ll be able to spend your days off exploring the park and surrounding area with coworkers and will likely have the chance to try some fun outdoor activities like rafting, rock climbing, or snorkeling. 

Not all concessioner staff positions include housing, but it’s not uncommon to receive subsidized room and board. Don’t expect anything luxurious – most park employees live in basic dormitory-style lodging or RVs. But it’s a wonderful way to live in a community of people with similar interests, and employees in these places often feel like families.

How to Get a National Park Concessioner Job:

The two major National Park concessioners are Xanterra and Delware North, and searching the sites of those two companies will provide most of the travel job opportunities. However …

Those are huge companies and are infamous, like Vail Resorts, for treating their employees like numbers and not like people. In traveler circles, it’s called Xanterrible.

It’s harder to find the smaller companies because most websites are in disguise, and it’s not till you reach the employment page that you’re redirected to the automated Xanterra or DN database. But smaller companies exist!

The official National Park list of Authorized Concessioners can be found on their website .

35. Overnight Summer Camp Counselor

Lead groups of kids through traditional summer camp activities.

Working as an overnight camp counselor is a great summer travel job for young extroverts who love working with kids. You can choose from a wide selection of camps throughout the US and Canada, as well as some international ones. 

Options range from classic YMCA-style summer camps to specialty programs focusing on music, theater, or sports. General overnight camps expect employees to enjoy working with youth and have a positive attitude, while specialty camps require additional expertise in that particular field. 

Each camp has a different vibe and traditions, so you’ll want to do some research and select one that is a good fit. No matter which location you choose, you’ll find a unique environment with countless learning experiences. Camp culture fosters life-long friendships among both campers and counselors. Kids carry summer camp memories well into adulthood, so it can be very fulfilling to be a part of campers’ life-changing experiences. 

Although working as a camp counselor is fun and rewarding, it doesn’t come without challenges. The job rarely includes any alone time, which can be tough even for the most extroverted individuals. Counselors stay in the same cabins as campers, and supervising a group of children 24 hours a day is exhausting by the end of the summer. 

How to Get a Camp Counselor Job:

There are many sites dedicated to camp listings, including Camp Resource and Camp Channel . But since there are so many hundreds of camps not listed on these sites, it’s easier just to pick the area you want to go and do a google search for overnight camps in that location.

Drive guests, haul gear, act as a tour guide.

There are possibilities to work as a tour group driver on trips ranging from classic sightseeing tours to multisport adventures worldwide. Some tour companies employ drivers for the entire season, while others hire them as external contractors for a week or two at a time. 

To get one of these jobs, you’ll need a valid commercial driver’s license in the countries visited, excellent customer service skills, and a proven commitment to passenger safety. The vehicle’s size may vary from group to group, but you should be comfortable maneuvering large vehicles with a trailer full of equipment in tow. 

While most of the job is spent sitting, you will also get some exercise through the frequent loading and unloading of luggage and gear, such as bikes and kayaks. The position includes a lot of downtime when the guests are out sightseeing or staying in the same spot for a few days. You’ll therefore have the chance to explore many different places along the route. However, if you’re hired as an external contractor, the job could be a bit lonely. 

In addition to wages, drivers typically receive free lodging in a hotel for the tour duration. Sometimes they’ll stay in the same location as guests, while others they’ll be placed in a different hotel nearby. 

How to Get a Driver Job:

Whitewater rafting and other gear-based outdoor companies sometimes have dedicated drivers to haul the gear from one place to another, and to meet the guests once they go down river.

For coach-bus tour driver jobs, the best way to find a company is to search google as if you’re trying to pay to join a tour as a guest. “Coach bus tours national parks” or “europe coach bus tours” would be good searches, for example.

Contiki is an example of a coach bus tour company in Europe, though they only hire people with European passports.

37. Hotel & Resort Jobs

Work in guest services, desk jobs, or support positions at hotels & resorts.

Hotels and resorts offer tons of different employment opportunities all over the globe. There are openings for bartenders, chefs, waiters, restaurant hosts, housekeepers, concierges, event coordinators, entertainers, fitness instructors, massage therapists, lifeguards, and more. 

In addition to living in a desirable destination, you’ll receive perks like free or discounted access to the resort’s facilities. One of the other benefits is meeting interesting guests and working with people from around the world. Since many hotel and resort employees are far from “home,” coworkers can become like family.  

Most upscale hotels and resorts include housing for employees, especially those located in remote areas. The accommodation itself is rarely luxurious – no matter how fancy the resort, you’ll probably live in shared housing with 4-5 other people. 

Working at a hotel or resort offers flexible hours; however, shifts can be long with few breaks and little downtime, and the pay is not always sufficient for the hours required. Like other hospitality industry jobs, employees at hotels and resorts regularly report feeling drained by the end of the tourist season. 

But for many, the ability to wake up with a swim at a world-renowned beach or hit the slopes after your shift at a famous ski resort makes the long hours worth it. 

How to Get a Hotel/Resort Job:

WanderJobs lists lodge & resort jobs and hostel & inn jobs . If you’re searching in google, choose more remote or even island destinations, as they are more likely to offer staff housing.

38. Workamping Campground Host

Register campers, keep campgrounds safe and clean.

Workamping is an option for couples or individuals who love to camp and are looking for ways to do so cheaply. It’s a position often filled by seniors and people.

You’ll need your own RV to live in.

Campground host positions are available at privately owned parks as well as state and national parks in the US and Canada. While uncommon, it is possible to find workamping openings in other parts of the world, especially in Europe, Central America, and the Caribbean. 

Working as a host involves various duties around the campground, such as cleaning, maintenance, landscaping, registering campers, answering visitors’ questions, reporting any rule violations to management, and working in the campground shop. In exchange for your work, you’ll receive a free RV campsite complete with water and electricity hookups. 

Hosting contracts usually extend for 3-6 months. The requirements, hours, and expected time commitment will depend on the campground. Regardless of your schedule, you should plan to work throughout the peak season and on weekends and holidays. 

Workamping has numerous benefits, including spending time in beautiful natural areas for free and meeting folks who also love the outdoors. But there are downsides as well. You’ll likely have to deal with unruly campers and take care of less desirable tasks like picking up trash.  

It’s also my belief- from research, and from talking to people when I attended the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous in 2020 as a speaker- that workamping can get pretty exploitive. It seems that many employers treat their employees badly, overwork them, underpay them, and do not honor contracts in ways that seem illegal. I’m not sure why this particular travel job was so popular with the retired population, but it was. I personally would avoid it at all costs.

Many, but not all, workamping jobs include a salary. Volunteer positions typically require about 20 hours of work a week, while those that come with additional wages involve around 40 hours a week. So they say; in practice, overworking seems to be common.

How to Get a Campground Host Job:

Most Workampers I spoke to at RTR found their jobs through Workamper News .

Part 3: Career Travel Jobs

39. english teacher abroad.

Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) to students at a high school abroad. Required Experience: Medium

A native English speaker with a good command of the language can become an English teacher abroad far more easily than becoming a teacher within the US. The certification process for a TEFL certificate is relatively quick, cheap, and easy. I myself earned the 100-hour online certificate and a 50-hour younger learner certificate in about half the suggested time.

That said, for some reason actually finding a travel job as an English teacher (as of 2020) requires sifting through an absolutely baffling quagmire of scams and misinformation. Does this school want to hire me or is this a company trying to sell me a course? Why won’t the man who I just paid to get my results after taking my certification test respond to any of my emails? Why do I have to go to the country and look for a job after I get there? Theses questions and more plagued me and my ex, and I’m sure many others. Eventually, after moving to Japan to get a travel job teaching English, failing to do so, moving back to the US, and getting scammed, my ex managed to find a job teaching in a good school in Japan and is going on his second year-long contract. I’ve known many people who have taught English abroad (I volunteered with some permanent teachers in Thailand), but as far as “how to get a job teaching english abroad” goes, you’re rather on your own.

How to Get a TEFL Job:

First, become TEFL certified. Most companies require a minimum 120-hour certification and a bachelors degree, though there are companies that do not require a degree.

There are many companies that offer certification, with a median price of about $300 for 120 hours. The cheapest I’ve found is Global TEFL , which was $90/120 hours at the time I wrote this article. Then, do tons and tons of research to find current job openings for English teachers. You may find jobs in China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and other locations.

There are also TONS of online opportunities if you’re looking to continue to travel while you teach. Here’s a quick guide by Goats on the Road.

40. Maintenance 

Repair, build, and haul things as needed. Required Experience: Medium

Most any company, especially those that include guest lodging, requires skilled maintenance staff. In the on season, you’ll be doing general repairs and will often have access to a truck or golf cart, and a workshop or shed. You may find yourself painting, chopping wood, and responding to guests’ request for lightbulb changes in addition to more skilled labor. The maintenance team tends to be one of the smaller operations of a seasonal company and the teams are given more power and freedom to make their own decisions and schedules. It’s often a good gig for introverted types. Sometimes in the off-season, a more remote wilderness lodge will shut down but will still require a skeleton crew consisting of a maintenance worker or two. It’s an unusual way to experience a quiet winter of solitude.

How to Get a Maintenance Job:

Even when maintenance is not listed as an open position on the employment section of a company’s website, it may be worth it to email the company and ask them if they could use some more help.

Maintenance is one of the travel job categories in which it pays to become an expert in your field. An experienced, highly skilled maintenance worker will always be valuable. Find live-in maintenance travel jobs at any resort, retreat, ranch, or hotel listed on WanderJobs.

41. Chefs & Cooks

Prepare and cook meals for guests and staff.

Every kitchen requires a team of cooks of different experience levels and with different amounts of responsibility in order to run properly. A chef at a seasonal company (I’ve worked with many) absolutely doesn’t require a culinary degree, but does require a high level of confidence and skill.

However, head chefs and sous chefs often handle a stressful level of responsibility. Even if your skill is high, you may prefer to be a line cook or even a prep cook (my favorite), where it’s easier to zone out into your task or chat with the other cooks through the workday.

The jobs, from least to most responsibility are:

• Prep Cook (chopping, grating, juicing, repetitive tasks)
• Line Cook (cooking a few specific things, preparing salads)
• Sous Chef (cooking, menu prep, covering in the chef’s absence)
• Chef (ordering ingredients, cooking, menu prep, managing the kitchen)

There are two massively different types of kitchens: made to order, and buffets.

Made-to-order kitchens (which are by far the most common) are almost always more fast paced. This brings an extra level of stress, and sometimes the notoriously angry and narcissistic head chef who thinks he’s god’s gift to man. (I met one of these types at a restaurant in a seasonal travel job I left very quickly). Most places with seasonal jobs will only have this type of kitchen.

Buffet-style kitchens are usually found in two environments: retreat centers and staff dining rooms. Retreat centers usually have constantly changing menus of fresh, healthy, delicious foods.

Staff dining rooms (known as Employee Dining Rooms or EDRs at national park concessioners) vary by location. The food is generally good but not great, and it feels nice to help feed your coworkers.

Working in mess hall or a retreat center environment is much lower-pressure, and in my opinion, much more enjoyable than cooking in a ritzy made-to-order restaurant.

How to Get a Cook Job:

Most any resort, lodge, hotel, retreat center, summer camp, or hostel on WanderJobs will require cooks.

While it isn’t especially hard to start off as a prep cook, there are plenty of places to volunteer as a cook to get more experience before applying for a job. Retreat centers often need volunteer cooks, as do many families on the Workaway site.

42. Antarctica Research Station Staff

Help keep the remote research station running to support scientific discovery.

Getting a travel job in Antarctica is very competitive and requires a particular skill set. Apart from the scientists, research stations have various support staff such as:

• electricians
• firefighters
• boat handlers
• and more… 

Many employment contracts are limited to the summer (around November to February). Others extend through the winter (around March to October). There is a high cost associated with transporting staff to and from the bases, so preference is given to those willing to commit to longer contracts. Even in the summer, be prepared to cope with extreme and unpredictable weather. 

The culture differs from one research station to the next. Most communities have a small-town feel to them. There are movie theaters, bars, and coffee shops that host various events, such as pub quizzes, open mic nights, and karaoke. 

While each research station is stocked with medical supplies and has at least one on-site physician, advanced medical care for life-threatening conditions is often days away. Before heading to Antarctica, research station staff must pass a comprehensive medical exam, including blood tests, chest x-rays, and an EKG. Those hoping to stay throughout the winter must undergo additional medical and psychological tests to ensure they are fit to withstand the physical and mental challenges associated with isolation, frigid temperatures, and 24 hours of darkness for months on end. 

If alone time and privacy are important to you, this travel job is probably not the right fit. Despite being isolated, research station employees rarely get any time to themselves. The stations vary in size, but on average, you can expect around 40-50 staff during the summer and 10-20 in the winter. 

Accommodation, while free, is rustic and crowded – most workers reside in cramped tents or bunks on a ship, and getting off the base for some privacy is not an option. Except for those employed in transportation, support staff seldom travel away from their research stations. 

Before applying for a this travel job, I highly recommend reading the book South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby. Though fictional, it gives an incredibly realistic view into seasonal life in Antarctica.

How to Get an Antarctica Job:

The best place to start looking for a job is with your country’s Antarctica Program . There are around 70 different research stations run by programs from about 30 countries.

43. National Park Ranger (entry level seasonal)

Help educate guests and keep the park safe and clean.

One of the perks of working as a national park ranger is spending time in some of the world’s most stunning natural areas. This travel job is best for those who love nature, are passionate about conservation, and enjoy working with others. You must be willing to work outdoors in any kind of conditions, including extreme temperatures and stormy weather. 

Since park rangers are employees of the federal government, they tend to work a maximum of 40 hours a week. However, rangers must be prepared to work holidays and weekends when parks experience an influx of visitors. 

The culture among national park rangers depends on the geographic location of that particular park. In remote areas, there is a significant overlap in work life and social life, while parks located near towns or cities offer a better work-life balance and more non-park-related activities. Park communities typically resemble isolated small towns where everyone knows each other. 

The path to becoming a park ranger is a competitive one, with many people finding their way in the door through volunteer positions or internships. You’re more likely to be hired if you have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, geology, forestry, history, law enforcement, or a similar field. 

In most parks, seasonal workers are hired only for the summer. These contracts last from 4-6 months and do not include benefits afforded to permanent employees, such as health insurance and retirement contributions. 

Entry-level rangers typically start out collecting fees from visitors at park entrances or maintaining hiking trails. Over time, it’s possible to work your way up to a more desirable position, such as leading tours, researching wildlife, or working in the backcountry. 

Some parks provide free housing, while others deduct rent from your paycheck based on the cost of living in the surrounding area. Accommodation in the parks varies significantly and can range from newer apartments to run-down trailers. Seasonal employees are provided fully furnished rooms and can expect to have at least one roommate or housemate. 

How to Get a National Park Ranger Job:

Find park jobs with the National Park Service or the US Forest Service . If it seems like those official sites don’t have many listings, there may be more posted on a major job board like indeed.

44. Massage Therapist

Relax and help heal clients through bodywork.

Massage therapy is a job that requires a lot of endurance. It isn’t easy to use your muscles in that way for long periods of time.

Part of the fun is that there are so many different types of massage to choose from. When you take the first step to become certified, spend time to figure out what type of massage is most interesting to you and works best with your own body.

You need to be very good at first impressions and making someone feel comfortable as soon as they meet you. You need to look tidy and clean.

Massage therapy is an incredibly personal job. You’ll usually be in a room alone with another person for an hour or more, and in many forms of massage, the other person won’t be wearing clothes. Some clients won’t talk at all, and others will reveal all their traumas. You’re genuinely a therapist and should treat the role and the client with respect. When you have repeat customers, you’ll come to care about them and their well being.

A massage therapist will walk a way with a lot of money, and that is usually one of the biggest draws. It’s one of the few certifications left that doesn’t require a college degree but that can still provide a great payoff. Most clients will tip you as well.

How to Get a Massage Therapist Job:

First, of course, you’ll need to become a licensed massage therapist. The requirements for this vary by state so it can be a little tricky and will require some research and planning.

Massage travel jobs with housing are harder to find than most other travel jobs on this list. Most massage therapists are local, but companies with housing are sometimes hiring.

A roundabout technique to find massage travel jobs with housing is to look for spa jobs with housing (at resorts, lodges, retreat centers, etc), and then apply for any other job at the place. Once you are there and management knows you, it can be easier to suggest offering your services to the spa on the side. (This is how the massage therapist in the photo got much of his work at a retreat center).

Another workaround that many massage therapists I know personally have used is to do off-the-books massages for the staff while they work a different day job. When they are licensed in one state but not another (bureaucratic insurance nonsense!) it’s easier to just have friends pay you in cash. My friends have earned an impressive amount of extra income this way.

45. Accountant

Keep the books.

Nearly every organization requires some accounting work. Many companies hire full-time, in-house accountants, while others outsource the work to freelancers, consultancies, or accounting firms. 

The job requires excellent attention to detail and superior analytical, math, and computer skills. As an accountant, you’ll take care of various finance-related tasks, such as recording transactions, advising on financial decisions, and ensuring compliance with local laws. Those entering the field should expect some stressful situations and prepare to work overtime during tax season. 

The universal business need for bookkeeping services allows accountants a lot of flexibility in choosing where they want to work. Accountant positions are most likely to include housing at places mentioned in this post, including retreat centers, hotels and resorts, and national parks.

Minimum requirements to become an accountant in the US vary by state. If you want to do accounting or bookkeeping work abroad, you may need to obtain additional certifications and become familiar with the local tax laws and financial policies. 

This kind of work can be tedious and repetitive, but also very fulfilling for the right person. Accountants can contribute immense value to businesses and play a crucial role in an organization’s success. If you are financially savvy and like working with numbers, you will likely find the work rewarding. 

How to Get an Accountant Job:

These jobs aren’t always listed, so you may have to go through the companies on sites like WanderJobs one by one and contact them to ask if they are looking for an accountant.

These travel jobs are harder to get and there may be a lot of internal promotion, so a better bet might be to work your way up in a company after you prove yourself in a different position.

46. Lighthouse Keeper

Maintain the light and the property.

Lighthouse keepers historically played a crucial role in helping ships navigate safely to shore, but their place in modern society has dwindled. Today, lighthouses in many parts of the world are fully automated.

Those that still have keepers are usually managed by national parks or non-profits seeking to preserve these historic structures and their associated traditions. 

Current lighthouse keeper jobs are perfect for history buffs who love the sea or for those seeking solitude and an uncommon career opportunity. While available positions are scarce, they are possible to find in coastal areas worldwide. 

Keepers are responsible for tasks like cleaning and maintaining the lighthouse grounds, managing the gift shop, and providing information to visitors. Since many lighthouses are historical landmarks, they are popular field trip destinations for schoolchildren and unique venues for small weddings, reunions, or birthday parties. Prospective keepers should expect to assist with these types of events when necessary. 

Some lighthouses offer keepers free RV camping sites, a sleeping area inside the lighthouse, or private cottages on the grounds. Most lighthouse attendant roles are for volunteers only, but some do pay. One historic lighthouse in San Francisco, for example, offered a couple $130,000 a year, provided they continued running it as a bed and breakfast. 

I recommend the memoir Light Years by Caroline Woodward as a beautiful way to learn what it really means to live as a lighthouse keeper.

How to Get a Lightkeeper Job:

There very few manned lighthouses left; most are automated. Finding a job will take a lot of research into the light stations of various countries. Google search is the way to go.

From a modern day lighthouse keeper (in British Columbia) on Reddit : “the application is super hard to find actually so it does not get a lot of applicants. Also the process is insane as it is a government job. My application took over 4 months…”

47. Farmer/ Gardener

Plant, harvest, weed, build structures, and care for plants.

There are a variety of farming and gardening travel jobs available around the world at places like organic farms and retreat and conference centers. These settings usually offer a fun environment with young coworkers and an ability to connect with nature. 

Many eco-retreat centers have gardens that provide the ingredients for healthy meals. By working as a gardener, you’ll contribute to the center’s ability to provide sustainable, locally sourced food and experience the feeling of accomplishment that comes with eating food you grew yourself. 

Any farming or gardening role requires manual labor outdoors, so you should be ready to work hard and spend your days tending to the fields, orchards, or gardens. You’ll learn how to grow different fruits and vegetables and enjoy the perk of freshly picked, in-season produce. It’s an incredibly satisfying travel job, working with your hands and tending to the land. You’ll be tired and fulfilled at the end of a day.

Many of these positions are available for volunteers only, but finding a paid farming or gardening job is possible. The housing included tends to be dormitory-style and will likely involve one or more roommates. If you’re lucky, you may get a cabin or bungalow to yourself. To get a better paid position you may have to stick with one company long enough to take over when manager leaves.

How to Get a Farm/Garden Job:

Find farm and garden travel jobs on BackdoorJobs , or as unpaid positions through WWOOF . Also read #15 on this list to learn about fruit picking in Australia.

48. Human Resources

Hire staff, coordinate housing, activities and payroll, and deal with staff issues.

From mountain lodges to adventure tour operators, nearly every type of workplace on this list requires Human Resources staff. As a result, there are plenty of HR opportunities at interesting locales around the world. 

The type and quality of housing included with HR travel jobs (if any) and your responsibilities will depend on your workplace. Smaller businesses most often employ HR generalists who do a little bit of everything. Larger companies, on the other hand, may require employees to specialize in particular areas, such as onboarding and training, payroll and benefits, or employee relations. 

HR positions are focused on helping others and create many opportunities to build lasting relationships with coworkers. Since HR workers organize staff events and activities and oversee recruitment and hiring processes, they have a lot of power to shape the company culture. This ability to foster a positive work environment is one of the things many HR employees say they like most about their jobs.

Working in HR is a fun and fulfilling job, but it involves juggling many different responsibilities at once and can be stressful. If you want to work in HR, you’ll need excellent conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, as well as lots of patience. HR people continually have to address things that aren’t running smoothly within the company and may have to resolve disputes that arise between coworkers.

How to Get an Human Resources Job:

HR is a career-ladder decision, so you’ll need to prove experience before moving into the role. Often you’ll eyeball the role from inside a company before applying internally for the position when it eventually opens up.

Search one of the major job boards and get very specific with your keywords. Obviously include “human resources”, but also cycle through the types of places that would have housing included, like wilderness lodges and wilderness resorts, tour companies, cruises, and national park concessioners.

49. Managers & Supervisors 

Lead a department, create schedules, coordinate inventory, communicate with other departments.

Many of the travel jobs on this list have at least one related managerial or supervisor role. From managing a restaurant or housekeeping staff in a resort to supervising a group of rangers in a national park, there are numerous manager and supervisor positions available worldwide that include free housing. 

Becoming a manager requires extensive experience in your chosen industry and a proven track record of success. You’ll also need superior communication, excellent interpersonal skills, sound leadership, and an ability to resolve conflict effectively. Depending on your workplace, you may also need good customer service skills and patience for dealing with disgruntled clients who are always asking to speak with the manager. 

While you’ll still have the chance to meet and work with interesting people, it’s hard to become friends with coworkers when you’re the boss. Being a manager holds significant responsibility and can be more stressful than other travel jobs. You’ll need to make difficult decisions that are in the organization’s best interest even if they are unpopular among employees. 

The job also has its advantages – managers and supervisors often receive nicer accommodation than regular staff and are more likely to get private rooms or entire apartments. As a result, these roles are better than others for people with families or partners traveling or working alongside them. 

How to Get a Manager/Supervisor Job:

Becoming a supervisor or manager can range from extremely easy (such as moving up from a housekeeper to a housekeeping supervisor position within a single season) to very difficult (becoming a kitchen manager at bustling tropical resort).

Basically, if you want a supervisor job, stick with any company for a little bit longer than the other seasonal staff and you can pretty easily get one.

Many companies on WanderJobs will advertise manager and supervisor positions, but it’s also worth finding companies you like and emailing directly to ask if they have open positions. Some are only posted internally to current staff, but if you’re qualified, go for it.

50. Youth Educator

Teach youth about the outdoors, ecology, and natural sciences.

If you’re passionate about the outdoors, teaching others about the natural world can be a gratifying travel job. Outdoor education centers across the US and Canada hire educators to teach youth about wilderness survival, ecology, conservation, geology, and more. Educators may also be involved in activities like local conservation efforts or trail maintenance. 

Each center will have different requirements for employment. Generally, it’s preferable if you have a bachelor’s degree, a background in environmental science or a related field, knowledge of the outdoors, and some experience with teaching. Because outdoor education centers are popular field trip destinations for schoolchildren, you must enjoy working with kids. Some youth educator travel jobs are open to applicants of all ages, while others give priority to recent college graduates. 

Outdoor education centers typically attract adventurous, eco-conscious individuals. If that sounds like you, then you can expect to work with a fun group of like-minded people. Educators often get the weekends off, allowing them to explore local trails or relax in nature with coworkers. 

Many of these travel jobs are full-time, residential positions and include dormitory-style housing onsite. Contracts are mostly seasonal, but it is possible to find year-round roles, especially in warmer climates. 

How to Get a Youth Educator Job:

There are some youth education positions on WanderJobs , and more on BackdoorJobs .

51. Travel Nurse

Work in clinical settings in smaller towns around the US.

Travel nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who fill vacancies at various US healthcare facilities, including clinics and hospitals. Becoming a travel nurse offers a unique opportunity to work in any US state or even the Virgin Islands while also fulfilling an essential need in the healthcare industry.

Typically, travel nurses work for independent staffing agencies that assign them to open positions for a short-term contract. You’ll be able to tell the agency what kind of environment you’re looking for, and they will find you an assignment that matches your skills and preferences.

Contracts usually last around 13 weeks but can be longer or shorter depending on the facility. RNs who are enjoying their existing assignments may be able to renew the contract and stay longer in that role. 

Responsibilities of a travel nursing job are essentially the same as a typical RN position. To become a travel nurse, you’ll need a nursing degree from either a two or four-year university, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam, and at least one year of experience working as a nurse. 

Getting a job as a travel nurse offers many perks, including free housing, competitive compensation, and the ability to work in diverse clinical settings. Traveling positions tend to pay entry-level nurses a higher salary than permanent roles, making these jobs particularly appealing for younger people.

How to Get a Travel Nurse Job:

In the Covid age, there is now more than ever a need for travel nurses. There are many good job placement companies that will come up in a simple google search, like Nomad .

Of course, you’ll already need to be a registered nurse. This is a genuine career choice with high pay, long hours, and benefits.

Part 4: Travel Jobs for Digital Nomads

52. online freelancer.

Seek out clients and meet their needs remotely through individual contract jobs.

Online freelance opportunities are abundant for a wide range of professionals with varying levels of expertise. Some of the jobs are short-term projects, like designing a logo or writing a blog post, while others become long-term partnerships. 

Freelancers are much in need in the areas of:

• graphic design
• content writing
• ui/ux design
• virtual assistance
• translation

Working as an online freelancer requires a great deal of independence, self-motivation, and organization. If you like working with others and are looking for a fun group of coworkers, then freelancing is probably not the best fit. 

Many freelancers find that the benefits outweigh the lack of social life at work. Online freelancing has many advantages, including flexible hours, location independence, and control over your own schedule.

Jobs are available at every level – whether you’re a beginner in your field or an expert, you’re sure to find something that interests you. However, competition for freelance jobs is intense .

With more and more people ditching their nine-to-fives in favor of a flexible and nomadic lifestyle, the pool of freelancers looking for online work continues to grow. This competition can be especially frustrating for new freelancers trying to break into the industry.

Because of the location freedom that freelance work offers, it’s possible to find very affordable housing if you’re flexible about where you live. It’s a solid career option for digital nomads.

How to Get a Freelance Job:

The easiest way for most people to begin freelancing is to start with Upwork , where you can bid on the thousands of jobs posted. In order to get your first job (and therefore your first positive review), you’ll need to underbid everybody else and write a personalized cover letter. Even then, you’ll get a lot of rejections. If you have a friend on the site, it’s easier to get them to hire you for a quick gig and review.

Once you start gaining reviews, you can charge more money and get repeat clients. When those clients trust you (which they should if you consistently do a good job) you can start talking and getting paid outside of Upwork so they don’t take a cut of the profit.

Freelancing is essentially creating a small business for yourself. Ultimately the best thing to do is tell everybody you know what your skill is and that you are looking for clients, and build yourself up through word of mouth within your actual, real-life circle of friends, family, and community.

53. Teach English Online

Teach English as a second language to children or adults in other countries.

Teaching English online is a popular job among young travelers. As long as you have a reliable internet connection, you can essentially work from anywhere. 

There are loads of companies hiring online English teachers, each of which has its own requirements, preferred teaching style, and expected time commitment. Some companies are looking for previous teaching experience, while others only require employees to be native English speakers. 

Like most online jobs, teaching English remotely is best for self-starters who prefer working independently. To get a teaching job, you’ll probably need a certification such as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Both of these are relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain online. 

Most beginners start with part-time teaching jobs until they gain enough experience to compete for a full-time role. Many teachers say the job is best as a supplement to other work, so it could be combined with another job on this list that does include lodging. 

One of the most interesting aspects of this job is talking with people from diverse places and learning about other cultures. However, if you and your students live in different time zones, you may have to work strange hours. 

While teaching English can be a gratifying job, doing so online can get lonely after a while – especially if you’re a solo traveler. 

How to Get a Teach English Online Job:

Teaching English online requires the same preparation as finding a TEFL job aboard (#39 on this list). Most, but not all, companies will ask applicants to have a bachelor’s degree.

Begin by becoming TEFL certified with a minimum 120-hour course. Online courses run for about $300/120 hours. At the time of writing, Global TEFL is $90/120.

There are many companies hiring online TEFL teachers. Again, here’s a quick guide by Goats on the Road.

54. Telecommuter

Work a regular desk job from home.

COVID-19 has drastically reshaped the work landscape, and more companies are allowing telecommuting than ever before.

Unless your profession necessitates in-person work, you’ll likely be able to find a remote job posting in your industry. Whether you’re looking for a full-time role or a part-time position, there are all sorts of opportunities available now for telecommuters.

Since remote jobs are long-term contracts with a single company, they typically offer more stability than freelance work while providing some of the same flexibility.

In addition to saving money and time on commuting, remote work allows employees to have more freedom over their schedule and location. Telecommuting means you can live anywhere you’d like (as long as the time zone is compatible with your hours) and find a place that suits your budget. 

Like all jobs, remote work also has its downsides. Off-site employees miss out on the benefits of working at the office, such as free breakfast and socializing with coworkers. For some, working from home makes it difficult to unplug and can also be isolating.

Telecommuting jobs are therefore best for those who enjoy being alone or who already have a supportive community outside of work. 

How to Get a Telecommuter Job:

There are tons of job boards for people who want traditional careers but who also want to work from home. Flexjobs is just one of many. You can also search traditional large job boards.

55. Online Tutor

Help students with coursework in specific subject areas.

The need for online tutoring is on the rise – demand increased significantly this year since the pandemic has shuttered many schools’ doors around the world. 

Online tutoring offers a lot of flexibility and customization based on your preferences. It can be a full-time job or a side gig, and you can work for yourself or for a company that hires online tutors. 

As a tutor, you’ll provide one-on-one support for students in your chosen areas of expertise. You can select a particular subject, such as math or English, or focus on helping students prepare for standardized tests like the SAT. 

There are no specific requirements to become an online tutor, but you’ll need demonstrated excellence in your chosen field and good communication skills. If you’re hoping to get a job with a tutoring company, it helps if you have previous tutoring or teaching experience. 

Similar to other online jobs, working as a tutor can be lonely if you don’t have a supportive in-person community. But you’ll have the freedom to live and work from anywhere you choose. 

How to Get an Online Tutor Job:

The Balance Careers has a quick introductory guide to online tutoring.

Part 5: Work-Exchange & Volunteering Travel Jobs

56. housesitting.

Act as caretaker for people’s homes, pets, and plants while they are away.

With a vast selection of homes and environments to choose from, housesitting offers something for every taste. Whether you’re looking for a small cabin in the woods or a luxury villa on the coast, you’ll probably be able to find it on various housesitting sites. 

In addition to taking care of the house, you may also care for homeowners’ pets. You’ll often encounter dogs and cats, but there are also options to housesit on a small farm or at homes with animals like horses, chickens, or even llamas.  

There are many online resources for anyone looking to get started housesitting, as well as a supportive global community. While taking care of someone’s home, you will feel more like a local than a tourist. The homeowners may introduce you to the neighbors and share their favorite restaurants and hangouts, which will quickly immerse you in the local culture and community. 

Housesitting is best for those with other sources of income. While it is possible to find positions that pay, most housesitting jobs offer free accommodation instead of a wage. As a result, it’s a good option for digital nomads, remote workers, slow travelers, retirees, and professionals on sabbatical. Housesitting is also an excellent choice for individuals who are considering moving abroad and want to see if a particular place is a good fit. 

How to Get a Housesitting gig:

There are so many housesitting websites. A google search will bring up those that are most current. Try Trusted House Sitters to start.

Work-trade on organic farms around the world.

WWOOFing, short for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is one of the most popular ways to volunteer abroad. In exchange for room and board, WWOOFers typically work 4-6 hours a day on different farms, including vineyards, dairy farms, and apiaries. Duties include assisting with daily tasks such as caring for animals, weeding, picking vegetables, or making cheese. 

The workload, requirements, and overall experience vary significantly from one host to the next. All of the positions require manual labor, so you should be prepared to work hard outdoors regardless of where you end up. While no specific experience is needed, it helps if you have some background in agriculture or farming. Most countries require WWOOFers to be 18 years or older, but there are some exceptions.

The amount of time you work on each farm is up to you and your host. Generally, volunteers work for about 2-3 weeks, but in some cases will stay as long as 6 months. Positions are available in more than 50 countries and attract a diverse group of people. As a WWOOFer, you’ll meet volunteers from around the world, gain practical farming skills, and learn about sustainable agriculture in varied environments.

As a whole, WWOOFing is a unique way to travel cheaply, enjoy nature, live sustainably, and experience the local rural culture. 

How to Get a WWOOF gig:

Sign up for WWOOF (link is to the USA site), which costs around $40/year for a single account or $65 for a double.

Then create a profile and search and contact hosts.

58. Workaway

Work-exchange ~20 hrs/week with locals around the world in exchange for room & board.

I’m not being hyperbolic when I say Workaway may be the ultimate way to see the world.

These unpaid work-exchanges go like this: you give about 20 hours of your week to help your host with some job you’ve agreed on, and in exchange you receive free room and board for the duration of your stay.

That’s the basic principle. The real benefit beyond not paying for a hostel or eating out is the cultural exchange and the absolutely incredible opportunities for adventure. I’m not quite sure how to capture the allure of what Workaway has to offer without just giving you a sample of the available experiences:

• Join a family on a sailboat in an around-the-world trip and cook the meals
• Help build a treehouse on a honeybee farm in Japan
• Teach computer skills and build a playground for a forest school in Vietnam
• Rehabilitate puppies at an animal rescue shelter in St Lucia
• Guide guests at an ecolodge in Madagascar

There are opportunities for any sort of work you can think of, from child care, guest service, and language exchange to art, carpentry, gardening, and computer skills.

It’s so much better than a vacation because you’re living right with the locals and can learn about a new culture, and make a new “family” in each place you go. Nothing else can match that, and the feeling of having a way to contribute to your new community right from the get go. You could set up an entire round-the-world trip through workaway and only ever pay for transportation logistics.

How to Get a Workaway Gig:

Sign up for an account on Workaway .info . It costs about $45 per year but the quantity of amazing opportunities is almost unbelievable. You can browse the hosts without paying but won’t be able to contact them.

You’ll need to set up your profile, choose hosts, and reach out to them to set up each individual work exchange. Make sure your hosts have very positive reviews so that you stay safe in a new place. You can also link accounts with a buddy if you’ll be traveling with a friend or partner. Each of you will be required to have your own account.

59. Yoga, Meditation, & Spirituality

Lead classes and workshops in mind, body, and spiritual arts.

Yoga, meditation, and spirituality centers worldwide hire volunteers to teach classes and guide guests on their spiritual journeys. Although many positions are unpaid, they offer the chance to spend time in a very tranquil setting and help others on their paths to self-realization. 

These studios and retreat centers are usually located in scenic and peaceful locations, making this an excellent choice for anyone looking to relax in nature. The time commitment will depend on your contract. You’ll rarely work more than 30 hours a week, leaving plenty of time to explore the area. You could even combine this kind of position with an online job that pays. 

Getting a job as a teacher generally requires a background or certification in yoga instruction, meditation, or spiritual teachings. Some studios and centers also hire general volunteers who help with cooking and serving food, cleaning, grocery shopping, and gardening. 

Volunteering is a great way to connect with and learn from other yoga and meditation practitioners and offers enormous potential for personal growth. Most people will share a room with at least one other volunteer, but some positions offer teachers private rooms in exchange for their services. 

How to Get a Yoga, Meditation, or Spirituality Gig:

The Workaway website is a good way to find work-exchanges in the spiritual and movement arts. Paid positions with housing are much rarer and require clever online searching, though some can occasionally be found on Yoga Trade .

60. Fire Lookout

Watch for smoke and wildfires from a lookout station.

If you love the wilderness, are physically fit, and don’t mind being isolated, then working as a fire lookout could be a unique and rewarding travel job that also has a positive environmental impact.

A fire lookout is just what the name suggests: keeping a close eye on the forest for signs of smoke and fire, from a lookout perch in the wilderness. Catching a fire early is important in preventing wildfires before they become dangerous.

The US used to have more than 10,000 people working as fire lookouts, but that number has declined due to advancements in technology. There are only around 300 fire towers in the US today that are still manned, so getting one of these travel jobs is likely to be challenging. However, as wildfires become more frequent and widespread in the US and many other parts of the world, demand for fire lookouts is expected to grow in the coming years. 

The job requires excellent communication, attention to detail, and critical thinking skills. Many employers prefer at least an associate’s degree, with some requiring more advanced education. Prospective lookouts are more likely to be hired if they have experience in forestry or have worked as field technicians. 

Fire lookouts typically work for government organizations, such as the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service. Many of the positions are reserved for volunteers only and include lodging and a small stipend. 

How to Get a Fire Lookout Job:

Many of the few remaining fire lookout jobs are volunteer based. Most are in the US, Canada, and Australia. You’ll need to apply well in advance of fire season. The jobs are challenging to find.

Here are some tips from a professional fire lookout on Reddit .

My Top Travel Job Search Tips :

• Search for travel jobs by location on a map
• Use a location keyword in your own google searches, plus jobs with employee housing, ie “alaska resort jobs with employee housing”
• Use these sites to find hundreds of travel jobs, volunteer positions, and free ways to stay
• When in doubt, search google as if you’re a traveling tourist and not a travel job seeker. Find a company you like and then look for its employment page.
• If none of the jobs you are finding include housing, look in more remote locations. Search for wilderness lodges, islands (not only tropical!), retreat centers, jungles, mountains, and the like.

About the author

55 Best Travel Jobs to Make Money and See the World (2023)

Travel jobs are a great way to see the world and experience different cultures while earning a living. With the rise of remote work and the gig economy, there are more opportunities than ever to combine work and travel.

Many travel jobs require specific skills or qualifications, such as teaching English as a foreign language, working as a tour guide, or becoming a travel writer. However, there are also many jobs that simply require a willingness to work hard and a sense of adventure.

Some popular travel jobs include working as a flight attendant, working on a cruise ship, or working as a digital nomad. Each of these jobs offers unique opportunities and challenges, but all provide the chance to explore new places and meet new people.

Table of Contents

Are you passionate about travel and love to share your experiences with others? Then becoming a blogger might be the perfect job for you! 

You can even become a travel blogger if you like, giving you the opportunity to explore new destinations, meet interesting people, and share your stories and insights with your followers.

But whatever you choose to write about, one of the best things about being a blogger is that you can work from anywhere in the world. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection. 

Thinking about starting a blog to make extra money?

Great choice! After all, it’s one of the cheapest online businesses to start at under $3 per month – less than a cup of coffee! In fact, that’s the price you’ll get if you launch your site with Bluehost , which is easily my top pick for the best website host for beginners to use.

Not only will you get a free domain name , but you definitely don’t need any tech experience to get started.

To find out more, check out my simple step-by-step guide on how to start a blog as I show you the exact steps I took to start on the path to earning thousands of dollars every month – on the side of my full-time job!

Other than that, though, you can set your own schedule, work at your own pace, and choose the destinations and topics that interest you the most.

This can definitely be a fun and rewarding career choice for those who have a passion for travel and a talent for storytelling. With hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck, you can build a successful career as a travel blogger and share your love of travel with the world!

Related: 9 Simple Strategies to Blog Anonymously and Make Money

2. Freelance Writer

Writing is a great way to share your travel experiences with others and get paid for it. Freelance writing jobs can range from writing articles for travel magazines to creating content for travel websites. 

This means that if you have a passion for travel and a talent for writing, then freelance writing may be the perfect travel job for you.

One of the best things about freelance writing is the flexibility it offers. As a freelance writer, you can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection, making this a great option for those who want to travel and work at the same time.

That said, while freelance writing can be a great way to make money while traveling, it’s important to remember that it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes time and effort to build up a portfolio and establish yourself as a freelance writer even if you don’t have any experience .

However, if you’re willing to put in the work, freelance writing can be a rewarding and lucrative travel job.

3. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are becoming increasingly popular in the travel industry. As a virtual assistant, you can work from anywhere in the world, making it a great job for those who love to travel. 

The job involves handling administrative tasks for clients, such as responding to emails, managing schedules, and making travel arrangements.

Want basically unlimited inspiration for which services you can offer as a VA?

Take a look at this list of 275+ services that a virtual assistant can provide from Gina Horkey – one of the best in the VA business! 

Like many of the others on this list, being a VA definitely has the benefit of being super flexible. You can work on your own schedule, and you can take on as many or as few clients as you like. This makes it a great job for those who want to travel and work at the same time.

There are many resources available online to help you get started as a virtual assistant, like these sites to find virtual assistant jobs for beginners . With the right skills and experience, you can build a successful career as a virtual assistant in the travel industry.

4. Proofreader

Do you have an eye for detail? Do you enjoy reading and correcting mistakes? If so, a travel proofreader job could be the perfect fit for you. 

As a proofreader, you’ll be responsible for reviewing and correcting travel-related content, such as travel guides, brochures, and website copy. Or you can even expand to non-travel-related content and just work on it while you’re traveling!

Want to know how much money you can make doing this?

Just ask Caitlin Pyle, who’s proven just how successful this can be by making more than $70,000 per year as a proofreader.

To help you do the same, Caitlin‘s created a free workshop to show you just how to get started as a proofreader . Her workshop goes through:

• Why proofreading could be the perfect fit for you to make money
• How she used proofreading to get lifestyle freedom
• Her strategies for attracting your ideal clients

Click here to sign up for Caitlin’s free proofreading workshop.

Proofreading is a great travel job for those who enjoy reading and have a passion for accuracy. It’s also a job that can be done remotely, which means that you can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have a computer and an internet connection.

You may also be interested in: 9 Best Proofreading Jobs for Beginners to Work From Home – No Experience Needed

5. Transcriptionist

If you have excellent typing skills and can transcribe audio recordings accurately, then you may want to consider a career as a transcriptionist. 

Transcriptionists listen to audio recordings and convert them into written documents. This job is often remote and flexible, making it a great option for those who love to travel.

As a transcriptionist, you may work with a variety of industries, including medical, legal, and general transcription. Some companies may require specific experience or knowledge in a particular field, while others may offer training to help you develop the necessary skills.

So if you enjoy typing and have great attention to detail, then a transcription job may be a great fit for your travel lifestyle.

To get started with making money as a legal transcriptionist ASAP , take a look at this all-inclusive course on legal transcription .

It’s incredibly in depth and includes:

• 14 training modules covering everything you’ll need to know, including hours of practical, hands-on lessons so you hit the ground running
• The exact terminology, formatting and templates be able to use from day 1 to get your work done faster (read: earn more money!)
• The best tricks and hacks to get through transcriptions quicker , including ways for your computer to help do some of the work for you

6. Web Designer

Web design is a crucial aspect of basically every industry these days (including travel!). It’s the first thing that a potential customer sees when they visit a website, meaning that a web designer is responsible for creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites that attract and retain customers. That is why it is one of the highest paying online jobs .

As a web designer, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of web development technologies, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll also likely need to have experience with design software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. 

But if you have those skills, then there’s no reason why you couldn’t do this remotely as you travel! Many companies hiring web designers don’t actually care where you’re based. This means that you’ll be able to travel and work at the same time.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a web designer, there are a few things that you’ll need to do. First, you’ll need to have a strong portfolio of work that showcases your design skills. 

You’ll also need to have a strong understanding of web development technologies and design software. Finally, you’ll need to be able to work independently and manage your time effectively.

7. Graphic Designer

As a graphic designer, you can work remotely or travel to different locations to meet clients and work on projects. After all, many companies and individuals need graphic designers to create logos, websites, marketing materials, and other visual content. 

Working as a freelance graphic designer allows you to have flexibility in your schedule and choose the projects you want to work on. You can also work from anywhere in the world as long as you have a computer and internet connection. 

If you prefer a more stable job, many companies in the travel industry, such as airlines, hotels, and travel agencies, need graphic designers to create promotional materials, advertisements, and other visual content. 

To become a graphic designer, you will need to have a strong portfolio of your work and be proficient in design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. A degree in graphic design or a related field can also be helpful. 

Overall, being a graphic designer can be a rewarding career choice for those who have a passion for design and creativity. With the ability to work remotely or travel to different locations for work, it can also provide a sense of freedom and adventure.

8. Social Media Manager

As social media platforms continue to grow in popularity, businesses are increasingly looking for individuals who can manage their online presence. This is where a social media manager comes in. 

So as a social media manager, your job will be to create and manage content for a company’s social media channels.

You will be responsible for creating engaging content that resonates with the company’s target audience. This may include writing blog posts, creating graphics and videos, and managing the company’s social media accounts. 

Specialized training always helps – and if you want to learn everything you need to know to be a successful Pinterest manager, the  Become a Pinterest VA  course is easily my pick for the best online training in this field.

• How exactly to find clients  and land a Pinterest manager position
• The  best strategies for onboarding  and working with clients
• The  fees you should charge  so you’re not being underpaid
• Carefully refined templates you can use to launch your services  with clients, invoice them and more

And if you just want a taster, click here for a FREE webinar on what being a Pinterest VA is really about – including how much money you can really make!

You will also be responsible for monitoring social media conversations and responding to customer inquiries and complaints.

But if you have a passion for social media and enjoy creating engaging content, a career as a social media manager may be a great fit for you. With the right skills and experience, you can build a successful career in this exciting field.

9. SEO Specialist

If you’re passionate about digital marketing and have a talent for search engine optimization (SEO), then becoming an SEO specialist could be the perfect travel job for you. As an SEO specialist, you’ll be responsible for optimizing websites to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Most companies have websites these days, and many of them want to rank higher in Google and other search engines to attract more traffic to their site. 

That’s where you come in. As an SEO specialist, you’ll be responsible for analyzing websites, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes to improve their ranking in SERPs.

One of the best things about being an SEO specialist is that you can do it from anywhere in the world. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection. You can work for a company remotely, or you can start your own SEO agency and work as a freelancer.

If you’re interested in becoming an SEO specialist, there are plenty of resources available to help you learn the skills you need. You can take online courses, read books and blogs, and even attend conferences and workshops to learn from industry experts.

10. Online Tutor

Online tutoring is a great option for those who have a passion for teaching and want to help students succeed.

After all, as technology continues to advance, so does the demand for online tutors. This job allows you to work from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a stable internet connection. 

One of the best things about online tutoring is the flexibility it provides. You can choose your own hours and work as much or as little as you want. This makes it a great option for those who want to travel and work at the same time.

There are many different subjects you can tutor online, from math and science to languages and music. You can also choose to work with students of all ages, from elementary school to college.

To become an online tutor, you will need to have a strong knowledge of the subject you want to teach and some teaching experience. You will also need to have a computer and reliable internet access.

Overall, an online tutoring job is a great way to travel and work at the same time. It provides a lot of flexibility and allows you to make a difference in the lives of students around the world.

11. Digital Product Creator

If you have a talent for creating digital products, such as e-books or printables, then you can turn your skills into a lucrative travel job. As a digital product creator, you can work from anywhere in the world and sell your products to a global audience.

One of the biggest advantages of being a digital product creator is the ability to earn passive income. Once you create and launch your product, you can continue to earn money from it for years to come. This means that you can take time off to travel without worrying about losing income.

To be successful as a digital product creator, you need to have a deep understanding of your target audience and their needs. You also need to be able to create high-quality products that provide value to your customers. This requires a combination of creativity, technical skills, and marketing savvy.

But, overall, being a digital product creator is a great travel job for anyone with a talent for creating digital products and a passion for travel. With the right skills and mindset, you can turn your creativity into a profitable career that allows you to work from anywhere in the world.

Related: 10 Easy Steps to Sell Digital Downloads on Etsy

12. Online Retailer

If you love travel and have a knack for sales, then an online retailer job might be the perfect fit for you. As an online retailer, you can sell anything from travel gear to travel insurance, and everything in between – including things that have absolutely nothing to do with travel!

You can work for a specific company or start your own online store. With the rise of e-commerce, the opportunities are endless. You can even work from anywhere in the world and sell to customers all over the globe.

One of the benefits of working as an online retailer is that you can set your own hours and work at your own pace. You can also choose the products you want to sell and create your own marketing strategies.

If you’re interested in starting your own online store, there are many platforms available that can help you get started. Some popular options include Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.

13. Online Course Creator

As the world becomes more digital, so does the way we learn. Online courses have become increasingly popular, offering students the flexibility to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. 

This has created a huge demand for online course creators. And as an online course creator, you would be responsible for developing and creating courses on a variety of topics. 

This could include anything from cooking classes to coding bootcamps. That said, you would need to have expertise in the subject matter and be able to communicate it effectively to your students. 

One of the biggest advantages of being an online course creator is the flexibility it offers. You can work from anywhere in the world and set your own schedule. You can also create courses on a variety of topics, allowing you to explore your interests and passions. 

So if you have expertise in a particular subject and a passion for teaching, then becoming an online course creator could be the perfect travel job for you. With the ability to work from anywhere in the world and create courses on a variety of topics, you can turn your passion into a profitable career.

14. Affiliate Marketer

If you have an existing audience (like a website or a social media channel) and a knack for marketing, then becoming an affiliate marketer could be the perfect job for you. As an affiliate marketer, you promote products and services on behalf of a company and earn a commission for every sale that you generate.

One of the biggest advantages of being an affiliate marketer is that you can work from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. This makes it an ideal job for those who love to travel and want to earn money while on the go.

Just ask Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, who makes more than $50,000 a month just from affiliate marketing through her site.  And her course,  Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing , shows you how to do exactly the same thing yourself. She teaches things like:

• The exact steps she took to  earn over $300,000 from a single blog post
• How to pick the right affiliate products to promote
• How to increase conversions
• How to build trust and not lose followers  (so you don’t sound too sales-y)

…and a ton more. 

Grab here FREE affiliate marketing e-book here as an easy starting point – it’s packed with tips for bloggers to start earning major money!

One of the keys to success as an affiliate marketer is to choose products and services that you are passionate about and that align with your values. This will make it easier for you to promote them authentically and build trust with your audience.

15. Virtual Event Planner

As the world becomes more connected, virtual events are becoming increasingly popular. This is where virtual event planners come in. 

They are responsible for organizing and executing virtual events, such as conferences, webinars, and trade shows. And one of the benefits of being a virtual event planner is that you can work from anywhere in the world – as that’s where the event participants are located too! 

All you need is a computer, internet connection, and the right software. This means you can work from the comfort of your own home, or even while traveling. 

One important skill for virtual event planners is communication. You will be working with a variety of people, including clients, vendors, and attendees. To make things go smoothly, you need to be able to communicate effectively and professionally, both in writing and verbally. 

Overall, virtual event planning is a rewarding and exciting career path for those who enjoy organizing and coordinating events. With the right skills and experience, you can build a successful career as a virtual event planner.

16. Online Community Moderator

As social media platforms continue to grow, so does the need for online community moderators. These professionals are responsible for monitoring online forums, social media groups, and other online communities to ensure that users are following the rules and guidelines. 

One of the main duties of an online community moderator is to keep the community engaged and active. This involves creating and posting content, responding to comments and questions, and facilitating discussions. 

Moderators must also be able to identify and remove any inappropriate or offensive content, as well as deal with any conflicts or issues that arise within the community. 

To get a paid moderator job , you typically need a strong understanding of social media platforms and online communities. It’s fine though if you don’t have any experience as many companies and organizations offer training programs for their moderators. 

If you enjoy engaging with people online and have a passion for creating and maintaining online communities, then a career as an online community moderator may be the perfect fit for you.

17. App Developer

While this is one travel job where you will need specific experience, if you have that background, then this is going to be perfect for you.

As an app developer, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining mobile applications that help travelers plan their trips, book accommodations and activities, and navigate new destinations.

With the rise of mobile technology, the demand for app developers has never been higher. For instance, you will have the opportunity to work for major travel companies, such as Expedia or Airbnb, or for smaller startups that specialize in travel technology. 

18. Remote Project Manager

Being a remote project manager is a great travel job that allows you to work from anywhere in the world. As a project manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and tracking of a specific project. 

You will work closely with the team members and stakeholders to ensure that the project is completed within the given timeline and budget.

One of the biggest advantages of being a remote project manager is that you can work from anywhere in the world. You can travel to different countries and work from cafes, co-working spaces, or even from the beach. All you need is a laptop and a reliable internet connection.

Another advantage is that you can work on different projects with different clients. This allows you to gain experience in different industries and work with different teams. 

You can also set your own schedule and work at your own pace, as long as you meet the project deadlines.

If you want to become a remote project manager, you will need to have excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills. You should also have experience in project management and be familiar with project management tools such as Asana, Trello, or Jira.

19. Online Business Coach

As an online business coach, you will help entrepreneurs and small business owners grow and scale their businesses. You will work with clients to help them develop business plans, create marketing strategies, and improve their overall operations. 

This is a great job for those who have a background in business and a passion for helping others succeed.

And one of the best things about being an online business coach is the flexibility it offers. You can work from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. 

This means that you can travel while you work, which is perfect for those who love to explore new places.

To be successful as an online business coach, you need to have excellent communication skills. You will be working with clients remotely, so you need to be able to clearly explain concepts and strategies over the phone or through video conferencing. 

If you are interested in becoming an online business coach, there are many courses and certifications available that can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need. You can also gain experience by working with small businesses or volunteering your services to non-profit organizations.

20. Podcast Producer

If you have a passion for audio storytelling and love to travel, then becoming a podcast producer might be the perfect job for you. With the rise of podcasting, there are many opportunities for producers to create travel-related content (or even on other topics!) that captures the imagination of listeners.

As a podcast producer, you will be responsible for creating, recording, and editing audio content for your show. You will also need to research and write scripts, book guests, and manage the technical aspects of recording and publishing your episodes.

But part of this is that you can travel to different locations and record episodes on the go, giving your listeners a unique perspective on the places you visit.

If you’re interested in becoming a podcast producer, there are many resources available online to help you get started. You can learn the technical skills you need by taking online courses or watching tutorials on YouTube. You can also join online communities of podcasters to network and learn from others in the industry.

21. Bookkeeper

Bookkeeping is an essential part of any business, and it’s no different for travel companies. As a bookkeeper, you’ll be responsible for keeping track of financial transactions, recording expenses, and managing budgets. 

You’ll need to be detail-oriented, organized, and have strong analytical skills to excel in this role.

And if you choose to become a bookkeeper in the travel industry, you’ll have a unique set of challenges to navigate. You’ll need to be familiar with travel-specific expenses, such as airfare, hotel accommodations, and rental cars. You may also need to manage multiple currencies and work with international clients.

Want to start earning great money as a bookkeeper ASAP?

Check out   this free course on how to start your own bookkeeping business from Ben Robinson, who’s sold TWO seven-figure bookkeeping businesses, so really knows his stuff.

Its focus is on teaching you the actual, practical things you need to know to start profiting immediately…and with former students earning $10k+ per month from this, there’s definitely profit to be made here.

Overall, a career as a bookkeeper while traveling can be rewarding and challenging. It’s a great option for those who love numbers and want to work in a dynamic and exciting industry.

22. Virtual Recruiter

Are you good at networking and finding the right person for the job? If so, a virtual recruiter job might be the perfect fit for you. 

As a virtual recruiter, you’ll be responsible for finding and hiring top talent for companies without ever having to leave your home. Virtual recruiters work with companies to understand their hiring needs and then use various methods to find and screen potential candidates.

This may include posting job openings on job boards, searching resumes on LinkedIn, and conducting virtual interviews. Once a candidate is selected, the virtual recruiter will help negotiate salaries and benefits and ensure a smooth onboarding process.

One of the biggest advantages of a virtual recruiter job is the flexibility it offers. You can work from anywhere as long as you have a computer and internet connection. This makes it a great option for those who love to travel or want to work from home.

23. Video Editor

Video editors are in high demand these days, including in the travel industry. Whether it’s creating promotional videos for resorts, editing travel documentaries, or creating content for travel bloggers, video editors play a crucial role in bringing the beauty and excitement of travel to life.

To become a video editor, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of video editing software, such as Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, or Avid Media Composer. You’ll also need to have an eye for detail, excellent time management skills, and the ability to work under tight deadlines.

When it comes to salary, video editors in the travel industry can earn anywhere from $18 to $56 per hour, depending on their experience and skills. Some travel video editor jobs may also offer additional benefits, such as travel opportunities, flexible schedules, and the chance to work with exciting clients.

As a video editor in the travel industry, you’ll have the opportunity to work on exciting projects that showcase some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Whether you’re editing footage of a tropical beach, a bustling city, or a breathtaking mountain range, you’ll be able to use your skills to make money editing videos that inspire and delight viewers around the world.

24. Online Researcher

As an online researcher, your job is to find and analyze information on the internet. This can involve anything from market research to academic studies, with many companies hiring online researchers to gather data and insights that can help them make better decisions. 

One of the great things about being an online researcher is that you can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. This makes it a popular choice for people who love to travel and want to work remotely. 

So if you have a curious mind, then a career as an online researcher might be right for you. With the flexibility to work from anywhere, you can combine your love of travel with your passion for learning and discovery.

25. Remote Customer Support Specialist

Are you a people person who loves to help others? Do you have experience in customer service and enjoy working remotely? If so, a career as a remote customer support specialist might be perfect for you. 

As a remote customer support specialist, you will be responsible for assisting customers with…well, whatever they need! For example, if you work for a travel company, you could find yourself helping with people’s travel needs, such as booking flights, hotels, and rental cars. You will also help customers with any issues they may encounter during their travels, such as flight cancellations or lost luggage. 

Fortunately, this travel job can be done from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing you to travel while you work. Additionally, many companies offer flexible schedules, allowing you to work around other commitments you may have. 

To be successful in this role, you should have excellent communication and problem-solving skills. You should also be able to work independently and manage your time effectively. 

Find out more about: 36 Legit Work at Home Jobs That Provide Equipment

26. Online Legal Assistant

Many law firms and attorneys are now offering remote positions for legal assistants, making it an excellent opportunity for those who want to work from home or while traveling. 

Working as an online legal assistant involves helping a law firm or attorney with various tasks, including legal research, document preparation, and basic office work. You may also be responsible for managing workflow, deadlines, and documents to ensure that the lawyers are supported. 

There’s also a ton of flexibility here in that you can work from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. This makes it an excellent opportunity for those who want to travel while working. 

If you’re interested in becoming an online legal assistant, there are several websites where you can find job listings, such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter for job postings near you. 

Just note that, to become an online legal assistant, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may ask for a degree in legal studies or a related field, but it’s usually not a strict requirement.

27. Travel Agent

While some travel agents work in traditional office settings, many are able to work from home or remotely. This can provide greater flexibility in terms of scheduling and work-life balance. 

To become a travel agent, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and may benefit from completing a travel agent training program or obtaining a certification from a professional organization such as the American Society of Travel Agents.

But if you jump over a few hoops, you’re going to find yourself with the ultimate travel job here by being able to help people plan and book their trips. You can even use your own travel experience to work with clients to determine their travel preferences, budget, and other requirements, and then research and book flights, hotels, rental cars, tours, and other travel arrangements. 

Travel agents can work for travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, or as independent contractors, so check Indeed as a great starting point for jobs in this field.

Related: 7 Easy Steps to Become a Disney Travel Agent

28. Virtual Receptionist

Virtual receptionist jobs are becoming more popular as businesses seek to reduce costs by outsourcing their receptionist duties. As a result, there are many job opportunities available in this field, with a variety of companies and industries to choose from.

So if you have excellent communication skills and enjoy interacting with people, a virtual receptionist job may be a perfect fit for you. As a virtual receptionist, your primary job duties include answering and transferring client telephone calls and greeting clients in person for scheduled and unscheduled appointments.

Many companies offer part-time and full-time positions, as well as flexible schedules that allow you to work from home. This makes it an ideal job for those who need to balance work with all the fun involved in seeing the world.

Some virtual receptionist jobs require previous experience in customer service or a related field, while others may provide on-the-job training. In addition to strong communication skills, virtual receptionists should be organized, detail-oriented, and able to multitask effectively.

If you’re interested in a virtual receptionist job, be sure to research the companies and industries that interest you. Look for job openings on job search websites, such as Indeed or SimplyHired, and read reviews from current and former employees to get a sense of what it’s like to work for a particular company.

29. Online Therapist

With the rise of telehealth services, online therapy has become a popular option for both therapists and clients. As an online therapist, you can work from anywhere with an internet connection and provide therapy to clients all over the world. 

There are many benefits to working as an online therapist – including for your clients. In particular, online therapy is a convenient and accessible option for those who may have difficulty accessing traditional in-person therapy.

And for your own sake, you have the flexibility here to set your own schedule and work from the comfort of your own home. Additionally, you can work with a wide range of clients and specialize in different areas of therapy.

However, it’s very likely that you’ll need relevant qualifications to do this. It also requires a strong internet connection and a private, quiet space to conduct sessions. 

But, overall, online therapy is a growing field with many opportunities for therapists who are looking for a flexible and accessible way to provide therapy to clients. While it may not be for everyone, it is important to consider the benefits and limitations of online therapy and to make an informed decision about whether it is the right choice for you.

30. Flight Attendant

Being a flight attendant is one of the most glamorous and exciting travel jobs out there. It’s a job that allows you to travel the world, meet new people, and experience different cultures.

And while, for a long time, this was considered one of the best traveling jobs for females, there’s absolutely no reason these days why everyone can’t get on board with this.

To become a flight attendant, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and some customer service experience. Many airlines also require flight attendants to be at least 18 years old, have a valid passport, and be able to pass a background check and drug test.

Flight attendants also need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to remain calm under pressure. They must be able to work long hours, often on their feet, and be able to lift heavy objects, such as luggage.

While the pay for flight attendants can vary depending on the airline and experience level, it can be a lucrative career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for flight attendants was $56,000 in 2020. 

That said, in some parts of the world, wages for this job are higher than that. Plus, you get things like all your accommodation provided, especially some of the major Middle Eastern airlines.

Overall, being a flight attendant is a rewarding and exciting travel job that allows you to see the world while helping others. If you’re interested in pursuing this career path, be sure to research different airlines and their requirements to find the best fit for you.

31. Travel Photographer

Travel photography is a dream job for many people. It involves traveling to different locations and taking photos of the scenery, people, and culture. 

Travel photographers capture the essence of a place and tell a story through their photos. They work for magazines, newspapers, travel companies, and other clients who require high-quality travel photos.

Understandably, travel photographers need to have excellent photography skills and knowledge of different camera equipment. They also need to be able to work in different lighting conditions and be familiar with photo editing software. 

These jobs can be freelance or full-time. Freelance travel photographers have the flexibility to choose their assignments and work on their own schedule. Full-time travel photographers work for a company or organization and may have a regular schedule and salary.

If you are interested in becoming a travel photographer, it is important to build a strong portfolio of your work and network with clients and other photographers in the industry. You can also attend workshops and conferences to learn more about the field and improve your skills.

Overall, travel photography is a competitive field, but it offers the opportunity to see the world and capture it in a unique and creative way. If you have a passion for photography and travel, it could be the perfect career for you.

32. Cruise Ship Worker

If you are passionate about travel and love to work in a dynamic environment, a job on a cruise ship could be the perfect fit for you. 

Cruise ship workers are responsible for providing high-quality customer service to guests onboard. There are a variety of different roles that you could take on, from working as a steward to managing the ship’s operations.

But whichever position you choose, working on a cruise ship can be a challenging but rewarding experience. You’ll get to travel to exciting destinations while working alongside a diverse and talented team. Some of the benefits of working on a cruise ship include:

• Free accommodation and meals
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Access to onboard amenities and entertainment
• The chance to meet people from all over the world

However, it’s important to note that working on a cruise ship can also be demanding. You’ll be working long hours and may be away from home for extended periods of time. It’s important to have a strong work ethic and be able to adapt to new environments quickly.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career on a cruise ship, be sure to do your research and find a role that aligns with your skills and interests. 

33. Tour Guide

Being a tour guide is an excellent travel job that lets you share your passion for travel and adventure with others. You get to meet new people, explore new places, and learn about different cultures while getting paid. 

As a tour guide, you are responsible for leading groups of tourists on sightseeing tours, adventure tours, and other types of tours.

One of the best things about being a tour guide is that you get to work in a variety of different settings. You can work in cities, national parks, or even on cruise ships. 

You can also choose to specialize in adventure tours, cultural tours, or historical tours. There are so many different types of tours that you can lead, which means that you can find a niche that suits your interests and skills.

As a tour guide, you need to be knowledgeable about the places you are visiting. You need to be able to provide interesting and informative commentary about the history, culture, and geography of the area. You also need to be able to answer questions from the tourists in your group and ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable experience.

But if you love to travel, have a passion for learning, and enjoy meeting new people, then becoming a tour guide could be the perfect travel job for you. It’s a rewarding and exciting career that lets you share your love of travel with others while getting paid to do what you love.

Find out more about: 30 Legit Ways to Make Money in Grad School

34. English Teacher

Are you a native English speaker with a passion for teaching? If so, becoming an English teacher abroad might be the perfect travel job for you! 

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is a popular option for those who want to immerse themselves in a new culture while making a difference in the lives of others. And one of the main benefits of teaching English abroad is the opportunity to live and work in a foreign country. 

As an English teacher, you will not only have the chance to explore a new place, but you will also be able to experience the local customs and traditions firsthand. Additionally, teaching English abroad can provide a sense of fulfillment as you help others learn a valuable skill. 

To become an English teacher abroad, you will typically need a TEFL certification. This certification can be obtained through a variety of programs, both online and in-person. Some programs even offer job placement assistance, making it easier to find a teaching job once you have completed your certification. 

FYI: Getting your TEFL certification is much easier than you probably think and can really help to maximize your earnings here.

Check out Premier TEFL for this – it’s fully government accredited, is recognized worldwide and you can even be certified within four weeks!

Once you have your certification, the world is your oyster! English teachers are in high demand in many countries around the world, including China, South Korea, and Spain. 

Salaries and benefits can vary depending on the location and the employer, but many English teachers are able to live comfortably and even save money while abroad. 

35. Freelancer

Being a freelancer is one of the best travel jobs out there. With the freedom to work from anywhere, freelancing allows you to travel the world while still earning a living. 

It goes without being said that one of the biggest benefits of freelancing is the flexibility it offers. You can work as much or as little as you want, and take breaks whenever you need them. You can also choose which projects to work on, and set your own rates.

However, freelancing can also be challenging. You need to be self-motivated and disciplined to succeed. You also need to be comfortable with the uncertainty that comes with not having a steady paycheck.

If you’re interested in freelancing, there are many websites where you can find freelance jobs. Some of the most popular include Upwork , Freelancer , and Fiverr where you can start an easy freelance job for beginners . You can also reach out to potential clients directly, or network with other freelancers in your industry.

36. Volunteer Work Abroad

If you’re looking for a way to give back while exploring the world, volunteer work abroad could be the perfect fit. Not only will you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others, but you’ll also gain valuable experience and cultural insights that can enhance your resume and personal growth.

There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available, ranging from healthcare and education to wildlife conservation and community development. Many organizations offer structured programs that provide housing, meals, and support throughout your volunteer experience.

One popular option is Worldpackers, a platform that connects volunteers with hosts in over 140 countries. With over 9 years of history and more than 130,000 reviews exchanged, Worldpackers is a trusted resource for finding meaningful volunteer opportunities abroad.

If you’re interested in combining travel with volunteer work, Projects Abroad offers a range of programs that allow you to give back while exploring new destinations. From teaching English in Thailand to working with sea turtles in Costa Rica, there’s a program to suit every interest and skillset.

Another option is to find paid volunteer work abroad, which can provide a source of income while allowing you to make a difference. Resources like GoAbroad.com offer listings for paid volunteer opportunities, as well as tips for finding and applying for these positions.

Before embarking on a volunteer experience, it’s important to research the organization and program thoroughly to ensure that it aligns with your values and goals. Additionally, be prepared for the challenges and rewards that come with volunteering abroad, including cultural differences and language barriers.

Overall, volunteer work abroad is a fulfilling and impactful way to travel the world and make a difference. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, education, or conservation, there’s a program out there that can help you achieve your goals while giving back to others.

37. Travel Nurse or Doctor

If you are a medical professional and are looking for the best travel job for your skillset, then becoming a travel nurse or doctor could be the perfect job for you. As a travel nurse or doctor, you will have the opportunity to work in different healthcare facilities across the country or even internationally. 

Not only will you get to experience new places and cultures, but you will also be able to advance your medical skills and knowledge. Plus, travel nurses and doctors are in high demand and can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. 

They are typically hired on a temporary basis to fill staffing shortages or to cover for employees who are on leave. As a travel nurse or doctor, you can work for a few weeks, months, or even years at a time.

Many travel nursing and doctor agencies offer competitive pay, housing, and travel expenses, making it an attractive career option for those who love to travel.

However, it’s important to note that being a travel nurse or doctor can be challenging. You will need to be adaptable and able to work in different healthcare settings.

If you are interested in becoming a travel nurse or doctor, it’s important to have the necessary qualifications and experience. Most travel nursing and doctor agencies require a minimum of one year of experience in your specialty area, as well as a current nursing or medical license. Some agencies may also require additional certifications or training.

38. Foreign Correspondent/Journalist

Being a foreign correspondent or journalist is one of the most exciting and adventurous travel jobs out there. It involves traveling to different countries and reporting on the news, culture, and events happening there. 

As a foreign correspondent or journalist, you will be responsible for gathering information, conducting interviews, and writing stories that are relevant to your audience. You may work for a news organization or as a freelancer, and you may cover a wide range of topics, from politics and economics to sports and entertainment. 

One of the biggest advantages of being a foreign correspondent or journalist is the opportunity to travel to new and interesting places. You will get to experience different cultures, meet new people, and learn about the world in a way that few other jobs can offer. 

However, being a foreign correspondent or journalist can also be challenging. You may face language barriers, cultural differences, and even danger in some parts of the world. It requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance to succeed in this field. 

But if you have a passion for writing, a curious mind, and a sense of adventure, then a career as a foreign correspondent or journalist may be the perfect travel job for you. Just be prepared for the unexpected and be willing to take risks in order to get the story!

39. Travel Videographer

Being a travel videographer is a dream job for many people who love to travel and capture stunning visuals of different cultures, landscapes, and people. As a travel videographer, your job is to create engaging and informative videos that showcase different travel destinations, attractions, and experiences.

Travel videographers work for travel companies, tourism boards, media outlets, and individual clients. They travel to different locations, set up their equipment, and capture footage that tells a story and captures the essence of the place. 

They also often edit and produce the final video, adding music, sound effects, and narration to create a compelling and informative piece of content.

To become a travel videographer, you need to have a strong portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills in capturing and editing video footage. You also need to have a good understanding of different camera equipment, lighting, and sound recording techniques. 

Overall, though, with the rise of social media and online video content, there’s a growing demand for high-quality travel videos that showcase different destinations and experiences. So, if you have the skills and the passion, there’s no better time to pursue your dream job as a travel videographer.

40. Hotel Manager

As a hotel manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a hotel, ensuring that guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay. This role requires excellent communication and leadership skills, as well as the ability to manage budgets and work with a variety of stakeholders. 

To be successful in this role, you will need to have a strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask. You will also need to be able to work well under pressure and be comfortable making decisions quickly. 

One of the benefits of working as a hotel manager is the opportunity to work in a variety of locations. Many hotels are part of larger chains, which means that you may have the opportunity to travel and work in different cities or even different countries. 

For this same reason, checking with these chains can be a good starting point for finding your dream travel job in this field.

41. Destination Wedding Planner

Are you looking for a career that combines your love of travel with your passion for event planning? Consider becoming a destination wedding planner! 

As a destination wedding planner, you’ll work with couples to plan and coordinate their dream wedding in a stunning location. One of the most exciting aspects of being a destination wedding planner is the opportunity to travel to exotic locations. 

You’ll work closely with couples to choose the perfect destination, whether it’s a beach in Bali or a vineyard in Tuscany. You’ll also be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the wedding, from booking vendors to arranging transportation for guests. 

Many wedding planners start out working for a wedding planning company or as an assistant to an experienced planner. You’ll also need to have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work well under pressure. 

In terms of salary, destination wedding planners can earn a comfortable living. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a destination wedding planner in the United States is $41,000 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on your level of experience and the location of the weddings you plan. 

If you’re interested in becoming a destination wedding planner, start by gaining experience in event planning and the travel industry. Attend industry events and conferences to network with other professionals and learn about the latest trends and technologies. 

With hard work and dedication, you could be planning dream weddings in exotic locations in no time!

42. Scuba Diving Instructor

If you love scuba diving and want to share your passion with others, becoming a scuba diving instructor could be the perfect travel job for you! As a scuba diving instructor, you’ll teach people of all ages and skill levels how to safely explore the underwater world.

To become a certified scuba diving instructor, you’ll need to complete a training program and gain experience diving in a variety of environments. Once you’re certified, you can work for dive shops, resorts, or even start your own business offering scuba diving lessons and tours.

Scuba diving instructors can find work all over the world, from tropical resorts to cold-water destinations. Some of the top places to work as a scuba diving instructor include:

• The Caribbean
• The Maldives

As a scuba diving instructor, you’ll have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and share your love of the ocean. You’ll also get to explore some of the most beautiful and remote places on the planet.

So if you’re up for the challenge, becoming a scuba diving instructor can be an incredibly fulfilling travel job that allows you to combine your love of adventure with your passion for teaching others.

43. Worker at Music Tours/Festivals

If you love music and enjoy traveling, then working at music tours and festivals could be the perfect job for you. There are numerous positions available in this industry, from music directors to tour managers to publicists. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the jobs available in the music tours and festivals industry: 

• Tour managers are responsible for coordinating and managing all aspects of a music tour, from booking venues to arranging transportation to handling logistics. They work closely with the artists and their teams to ensure that everything runs smoothly during the tour. 
• Publicists are responsible for promoting the tour or festival and generating buzz around the event. They work with the media to secure interviews and coverage of the event, and they also work with the artists’ teams to coordinate press appearances and other promotional activities. 
• Festival coordinators are responsible for organizing and managing all aspects of a music festival, from booking artists to arranging logistics to coordinating with vendors and sponsors. 
• Other jobs in the music tours and festivals industry include sound engineers, lighting technicians, stagehands, and security personnel. Each of these positions plays a critical role in ensuring that the tour or festival runs smoothly and that everyone involved has a great experience. 

In conclusion, working in the music tours and festivals industry can be a rewarding and exciting career choice for those who love music and enjoy traveling. There are many different positions available in this industry, and each offers its own unique challenges and rewards.

44. Bartender/Waiter

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to travel while making money, becoming a bartender or waiter on a cruise ship or at a resort could be the perfect job for you. These jobs allow you to see the world while earning a living and meeting new people. 

Given how basically everywhere in the world has a hospitality scene where you could work, you’ll have the chance to visit exotic locations and experience different cultures, all while earning a paycheck. Plus, you’ll meet people from all over the world, which can be a great way to expand your social circle and learn about different ways of life. 

Another advantage of working as a bartender or waiter while traveling is the flexibility of the job. Many cruise lines and resorts offer flexible schedules, which means you can work as much or as little as you want. This can be especially helpful if you’re looking to take time off to explore a new city or country. 

You don’t necessarily need to have experience in the hospitality industry, although it can help, as can having a friendly and outgoing personality. You’ll also need to be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and be able to handle long hours on your feet. 

It’s also worth mentioning that it’s going to be easier to find a job in this field as a foreigner in some parts of the world than others. In most major western European cities, as well as places like Australia, you’ll regularly find backpackers working behind the bar, so do some research and make your plans accordingly.

45. Au Pair

Being an au pair is a fantastic opportunity for those who love children and want to travel the world. As an au pair, you will live with a host family and take care of their children while they work or travel. In exchange, you will receive free accommodation, meals, and a weekly stipend.

Most au pair jobs require a minimum commitment of six months, and some can last up to a year or more. To be an au pair, you must be at least 18 years old, have some experience working with children, and be able to speak the language of the host country at a conversational level.

One of the great things about being an au pair is that you get to experience a new culture and way of life firsthand. You will have the opportunity to learn the language, try new foods, and make lifelong connections with your host family and other au pairs in the area.

If you’re interested in becoming an au pair, there are many resources available to help you find a host family. Websites like AuPair.com and Go Overseas offer job listings and advice for finding the perfect au pair position.

Before accepting an au pair job, be sure to do your research and ask plenty of questions. Make sure you understand the expectations and responsibilities of the job, as well as the cultural norms of the host country. 

With the right preparation and a positive attitude, being an au pair can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

Find out more about: 7 People Who Make $10,000 a Month Just From Their Side Hustle

46. Boarding School Support Staff

Working in a boarding school can be a unique and rewarding experience. As a support staff member, you will have the opportunity to work with students and staff members in a variety of roles. 

In particular, many boarding schools in the UK, France and the UK offer positions to young travelers in exchange for free board. The roles vary, but generally involve helping students through tasks like supervising homework time, providing supervision on day trips out of the school and things like that.

The pay often isn’t fantastic, although the free food and accommodation helps. But it’s a great opportunity to be based somewhere while traveling in the wider region.

47. Yoga Instructor

Did you know that, if you are a certified yoga instructor, you can find travel jobs that allow you to teach yoga to people all over the world?

One way to find yoga instructor jobs is to search for them on websites like Yogatraveljobs, Yoga Trade, and Aya Healthcare. These websites connect yoga instructors with opportunities to teach yoga at resorts, retreats, surf camps, hostels, studios, and even aboard cruise ships and yachts.

Another way to find yoga instructor jobs is to network with other yoga instructors and wellness professionals. Attend yoga retreats, workshops, and conferences to meet other people in the industry and learn about new opportunities.

As a yoga instructor, you can expect to earn anywhere from $20 to $100 per hour, depending on your experience and the location of the job. Some jobs may also provide free accommodations and meals in addition to your salary.

If you are passionate about yoga and love to travel, becoming a yoga instructor can be a great way to combine your two interests. With a little bit of networking and persistence, you can find travel jobs that allow you to share your love of yoga with people all over the world.

You may also be interested in: 28 Best Summer Jobs for Teachers to Earn Extra Money

48. Ski Instructor

Are you an avid skier who loves to teach others how to hit the slopes? Consider becoming a ski instructor! 

Ski resorts around the world are always looking for qualified instructors to teach skiing and snowboarding to guests of all ages and skill levels. As a ski instructor, you’ll spend your days on the mountain, teaching students how to ski or snowboard. 

You’ll work with individuals or groups, helping them to improve their technique and build their confidence on the slopes. You’ll need to be patient, outgoing, and able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. 

To become a ski instructor, you’ll need to have strong skiing or snowboarding skills and many ski resorts also require instructors to have first aid and CPR certification. 

But there’s no question that working as a ski instructor can be a great way to spend your winter months. Not only do you get to ski every day, but you also get to share your passion for the sport with others. Plus, many ski resorts offer perks such as free lift tickets, discounted gear, and access to employee housing. 

If you’re interested in becoming a ski instructor, start by researching ski resorts in your area or in other parts of the world. Look for job postings on their websites or on job boards such as Indeed or Glassdoor. 

You can also reach out to ski schools or instructors in your network to see if they have any leads or advice. 

When it comes to jobs that require travel and pay well, working as a pilot is one of the best. After all, as a pilot, you’ll have the opportunity to visit destinations all over the world and see things that most people only dream of. 

First of all, the travel perks are unbeatable. As a pilot, you’ll have access to discounted or free travel for yourself and often for family and friends as well. You’ll also have layovers in different cities and countries, giving you the chance to explore new places and cultures.

Not only that, but the job itself is incredibly fulfilling. You’ll be responsible for the safety and comfort of your passengers, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping people get to where they need to go. 

There’s also a sense of camaraderie among pilots and other aviation professionals, which can make for a supportive and rewarding work environment.

Becoming a pilot does require some pretty extensive training and education, but it’s an achievable goal for anyone who’s willing to put in the work. You’ll need to obtain a pilot’s license and complete flight training, which can be done through flight schools or universities. 

Once you have your license, you can start building flight hours and working towards higher-level certifications.

Of course, working as a pilot isn’t all glamor and adventure. It can be a demanding and stressful job, and it requires a lot of responsibility and attention to detail. 

But for those who love to travel and are passionate about aviation, it can be an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding career choice.

50. Yacht Crew

If you’re looking for a travel job that allows you to see the world while living a luxurious life, then becoming a yacht crew member might be the perfect job for you.

Working on a yacht can be a very unique and exciting experience. Not only do you get to travel to some of the most beautiful and exotic locations in the world, but you also get to work alongside some of the most interesting and diverse people you’ll ever meet.

There are a variety of different roles available on a yacht crew, each with their own set of responsibilities and requirements. Some of the most common positions include:

• Steward/Stewardess

As a member of the yacht crew, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that the yacht is running smoothly and that the guests are well taken care of. This might include tasks such as cleaning and maintenance, cooking and serving meals, and providing exceptional customer service.

In order to become a member of a yacht crew, you’ll typically need to have some previous experience in the hospitality or maritime industry. You’ll also need to be physically fit and able to work long hours in sometimes challenging conditions.

However, for those who are willing to put in the work, the rewards can be truly amazing. Not only will you get to see some of the most stunning locations in the world, but you’ll also get to live a life of luxury and adventure that few people ever get to experience.

51. Peace Corps

If you’re looking for a travel job that allows you to make a difference in the world, the Peace Corps might be the perfect fit for you. As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a variety of fields, including education, health, agriculture, and the environment. 

The Peace Corps sends volunteers to over 60 countries around the world, so you’ll have plenty of places to choose from!

One of the great things about the Peace Corps is that you don’t need any specific skills or experience to apply. The organization provides training in the language and culture of the country where you’ll be working, as well as the skills you’ll need to do your job. This means that anyone with a desire to help others and a sense of adventure can apply.

As a Peace Corps volunteer, you’ll receive a living stipend that will cover your basic needs, such as housing, food, and transportation. You’ll also receive medical and dental care, and the organization will cover your travel expenses to and from your country of service. 

And after you complete your service, you’ll receive a readjustment allowance to help you transition back to life in the United States.

Keep in mind that the Peace Corps is a serious commitment. Volunteers typically serve for two years, and the work can be challenging. 

However, many former Peace Corps volunteers say that the experience was life-changing and helped them develop skills and perspectives that they use in their personal and professional lives today.

52. Humanitarian Aid Worker

If you have a passion for helping others and a desire to travel the world, then becoming a humanitarian aid worker might be the perfect job for you. 

As an aid worker, you’ll be responsible for providing assistance to those in need during times of crisis or disaster. This can involve everything from delivering food and water to setting up temporary shelters and medical clinics.

While the work can be challenging and often involves working in difficult conditions, it can also be incredibly rewarding. You’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives and help to alleviate suffering in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

There are many different types of roles available within the field of humanitarian aid work, including:

• Emergency Response Manager
• Logistics Coordinator
• Healthcare Worker
• Community Development Specialist
• Water and Sanitation Engineer

To become an aid worker, you’ll typically need a relevant degree or professional qualification, as well as some previous experience in a related field. You’ll also need to be willing to travel frequently and work in challenging conditions.

While the pay for aid workers can vary depending on the organization and the role, it’s important to remember that this is a job that offers more than just financial rewards. The opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives and to help those in need is something that many people find incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.

53. Foreign Service

Another exciting travel job is working for the Foreign Service. This is a career in the United States Department of State, where you can represent your country in various diplomatic missions abroad. 

The Foreign Service has different specialties, including consular, economic, political, public diplomacy, and management.

To become a Foreign Service Officer, you need to pass a rigorous selection process that includes a written exam, an oral assessment, and a security clearance. It’s also essential to have a bachelor’s degree and work experience.

Foreign Service Officers can work in different parts of the world, from Europe to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They can serve in embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions, where they are responsible for promoting U.S. interests, facilitating trade and investment, providing consular services to U.S. citizens, and engaging with local communities.

Working for the Foreign Service can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. You can learn new languages, cultures, and skills, and make a difference in people’s lives. You can also enjoy many benefits, such as a competitive salary, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacation.

If you’re interested in the Foreign Service, you can visit the careers website of the U.S. Department of State and learn more about the application process, the job requirements, and the available positions. You can also attend career fairs, networking events, and informational sessions to meet current and former Foreign Service Officers and get their insights and advice.

54. Masseur

Working as a masseur can be a great travel job for people who love to explore new places. As a masseur, you have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, from luxury resorts to cruise ships, and provide your services to clients all over the world.

Not to mention that working as a masseur can also be a flexible and independent career choice. You can work as a freelancer, offering your services to clients in different locations, or work for a specific employer in the travel or hospitality industry. This can allow you to set your own schedule and work on your own terms.

To become a masseur, you’ll need to obtain the necessary training and certification. This can be done through massage therapy schools or programs, which typically require several hundred hours of training and practical experience. 

Once you have your certification, you can start looking for job opportunities in the travel and hospitality industry in the countries that you’re interested in visiting.

Of course, working as a masseur requires physical stamina and the ability to work with different clients and their unique needs. But for those who are passionate about wellness and enjoy traveling, it can be an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding career choice.

As a Chef, there are a variety of opportunities to travel and work in different locations. Whether you are a Sous Chef, Executive Chef, or just starting out in your culinary career, there are many options available to you. 

One option is to work as a traveling Chef. This type of job involves working for a company that provides catering services or food for events. You may be required to travel to different locations for events, such as weddings, corporate events, or private parties. 

Another option is to work as a Chef on a cruise ship. This type of job allows you to travel to different destinations while working in a professional kitchen. You will be responsible for preparing meals for guests on the ship, and may have the opportunity to explore different ports of call during your downtime. 

Working as a Chef in a foreign country is also an option for those who love to travel. Many resorts and hotels in popular tourist destinations hire Chefs from around the world to provide guests with unique culinary experiences. This can be a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture while honing your culinary skills. 

No matter what type of travel job you choose as a Chef, it is important to have a passion for food and a willingness to learn and adapt to new environments. With hard work and dedication, a career as a traveling Chef can be both rewarding and exciting.

What is the highest paying travel job? 

It’s worth noting that salary can vary greatly depending on the job, experience, and location, but there are definitely some jobs that require travel and pay well out there that can bring in some serious cash.

One of the highest paying travel jobs is being a pilot. Not only do pilots get to travel to various destinations around the world, but they also earn a very respectable salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for airline and commercial pilots is over $121,000, with some earning well over $200,000 per year.

Another high-paying travel job is that of a consultant. Depending on the field you’re in and the company you work for, this can definitely be one of the best corporate jobs that require travel and pay well. 

Consultants often travel to various locations to provide advice and guidance to clients. They can work in a variety of fields, including business, technology, and healthcare, and can earn a median annual salary of around $85,000, with some earning much more than that.

If you’re interested in healthcare, being a traveling nurse or doctor can also be a lucrative career path. Traveling nurses and doctors can earn very high hourly rates, especially if they work in areas that are in high demand. 

Some travel nurses and doctors can earn over $100 per hour, and with the added benefit of travel and accommodations being covered, it can be a very attractive option.

Related: 7 Income Streams of Millionaires (That You Need Too)

What jobs allow you to travel a lot?

There are plenty of jobs that offer the opportunity to travel frequently, whether it’s for work-related purposes or because the job itself requires travel. Here are some examples:

• Flight attendant: This is probably one of the most well-known travel jobs, as flight attendants travel frequently as part of their job duties.
• Travel writer/blogger: If you’re a talented writer and love to explore new places, becoming a travel writer or blogger can be a dream job that allows you to travel to different destinations and share your experiences with the world.
• Tour guide: Tour guides typically work in the travel industry and lead groups of people on tours of various destinations, which means they get to travel frequently.
• Sales representative: If you work in sales, you may have the opportunity to travel frequently to meet with clients or attend conferences and trade shows.

• Event planner: Event planners are often required to travel to various locations to organize and oversee events, such as conferences, weddings, and festivals.
• Cruise ship worker: Working on a cruise ship can be a great way to travel to multiple destinations while earning a living.
• Foreign correspondent/journalist: Journalists and correspondents often travel to different locations to report on news and events happening around the world.
• Peace Corps volunteer: The Peace Corps offers the opportunity to travel to different countries and make a difference in communities around the world.

These are just a few examples of jobs that allow you to travel frequently, but there are plenty of other options out there depending on your skills and interests.

How much money can I make in a travel job?

The amount of money you can make in a travel job varies greatly depending on the industry, the position, and your level of experience. Some travel jobs, like flight attendants and pilots, can pay quite well, while others may have lower salaries but offer other benefits like travel perks or the ability to work remotely.

And if you freelance, the sky’s basically the limit in terms of how much you can earn. There are plenty of bloggers, for example, earning five- and even six-figures a month – including while they travel! So why can’t you do the same?

How do I start traveling the world?

Starting to travel the world can seem daunting at first, but with a bit of planning and preparation, it’s definitely achievable. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Set a goal: Decide what you want to get out of traveling, whether it’s to experience new cultures, learn a language, or simply relax and recharge. Setting a goal will help you stay focused and motivated.
• Plan your budget: Determine how much money you can afford to spend on your travels and create a budget that accounts for transportation, accommodations, food, and activities.
• Choose a destination: There are so many amazing destinations to choose from, so start by doing some research to find a place that interests you. Consider factors like weather, culture, language, and affordability.
• Decide on the length of your trip: Determine how long you can afford to be away and plan your itinerary accordingly. Keep in mind that longer trips will require more planning and budgeting.

• Make travel arrangements: Book your flights, accommodations, and transportation in advance to ensure you get the best deals and avoid any last-minute stress.
• Prepare for your trip: Make sure you have all the necessary travel documents, like your passport and any visas, and take care of any vaccinations or medications you may need. Pack appropriate clothing and gear for your destination and ensure you have a plan for communication and money management.
• Be open to new experiences: Traveling is all about stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing new experiences. Be open to trying new foods, meeting new people, and exploring new places.

Remember, everyone’s travel style and preferences are different, so it’s important to find what works best for you. With some careful planning and an open mind, you can start your journey to seeing the world.

How do I start a travel job?

Starting a travel job requires a bit of research and preparation, but it can be an exciting and rewarding career path. Here are some steps to get started:

• Determine your skills and interests: Take stock of your skills and interests and consider how they can be applied to the travel industry. For example, if you love writing and photography, a career as a travel blogger or photographer might be a good fit.
• Research job opportunities: Look for job postings that seem to offer the flexibility you need (and allow remote work, if that’s the kind of travel job you’re going for) and research the requirements and qualifications for each position. Reach out to professionals in the industry and ask for advice on how to get started.
• Get the necessary education and training: Depending on the job you’re interested in, you may need to get a degree or certification in a specific field. For example, becoming a travel agent may require training and certification from a travel school.
• Gain experience: Look for internships, entry-level positions, or freelance opportunities that can help you gain experience and build your portfolio. That said, you can even turn this into a travel job in itself given that volunteering or working abroad can also be a great way to gain relevant experience.
• Build your network: Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with professionals in the relevant industry to build your network and learn about travel job opportunities.
• Be persistent: It’s not always easy to find a job or launch your own thing that will allow you to travel the world, so don’t be discouraged if everything doesn’t fall into place right away. Keep working on building your skills and experience, and stay open to opportunities as they arise.

How do I become a full time traveler?

Becoming a full-time traveler is a dream for many people, but it can also be a challenging lifestyle to maintain. Here are some steps to help you become a full-time traveler:

• Determine your budget: Before you can become a full-time traveler, it’s important to determine your budget and how much you can afford to spend on travel. Consider your current expenses and how they can be reduced or eliminated to make room for travel expenses.
• Create a plan: Determine your itinerary and how you will get from one destination to another. Consider the cost of transportation, accommodations, food, and activities.
• Find ways to make money on the road: Consider ways to make money while traveling, such as freelancing, starting your own business, or working remotely. There are many different types of jobs that can be done from anywhere in the world, so do some research to find the right fit for you.
• Downsize your possessions: To become a full-time traveler, you’ll need to downsize your possessions and only bring the essentials. Consider selling or donating items that you don’t need and invest in high-quality travel gear that will last.
• Be flexible: Traveling full-time requires a certain level of flexibility, as plans can change and unexpected expenses can arise. Be prepared to adjust your itinerary and budget as needed.
• Build a support network: Surround yourself with people who support your travel lifestyle and can provide advice and assistance along the way. Connect with other full-time travelers and join travel communities online to stay connected.

Becoming a full-time traveler definitely requires a bit of planning and preparation, but it can also be a rewarding and life-changing experience. Stay focused on your goals and be open to new opportunities and experiences along the way.

How do full time travelers make money?

Full-time travelers make money in a variety of ways, depending on their skills and interests. Here are some common ways full-time travelers make money:

• Freelancing: Many full-time travelers work as freelancers, offering their services in areas such as writing, graphic design, web development, or digital marketing. This allows them to work from anywhere in the world and set their own hours.
• Remote work: Some full-time travelers work for companies that allow them to work remotely. This can include jobs in areas such as customer service, IT, or project management.
• Starting a business: Full-time travelers can start their own businesses, such as online stores or consulting services, that can be operated from anywhere in the world.
• Blogging or vlogging: Full-time travelers can make money by sharing their travel experiences through blogging or vlogging. This can include earning revenue through advertising, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing.

• Teaching or tutoring: Full-time travelers can teach English or other subjects online, or provide tutoring services in their areas of expertise.
• Seasonal work: Some full-time travelers work seasonal jobs, such as working at a ski resort during the winter or working at a national park during the summer.
• Work exchanges: Full-time travelers can participate in work exchanges, where they provide their labor in exchange for free accommodations and sometimes meals.

There are a ton of different ways to make money as a full-time traveler. It’s important to find a source of income that aligns with your skills and interests, and that allows you to maintain your travel lifestyle.

What are some traveling jobs that pay well with no experience?

While many high-paying travel jobs require a certain level of education or experience, there are some opportunities available that may not require previous experience. Here are a few examples of traveling jobs that can pay well and may not require experience:

• Au pair: An au pair is a domestic assistant who is hired to care for children in a family’s home. While experience with children can be helpful, it’s not always required, and some families may provide training. Pay varies depending on the location and specific job duties.
• House sitter: House sitting involves staying in someone else’s home while they are away, usually to take care of pets or plants. While experience can be helpful, it’s not always required, and some homeowners may provide training. Pay can vary depending on the location and specific job duties.
• Travel blogger or influencer: While it can take time to build an audience and start earning money as a travel blogger or influencer, it is possible to make a good income through sponsorships, advertising, and other revenue streams.
• Cruise ship worker: Some cruise ship jobs, such as housekeeping or food service, may not require previous experience, and many cruise lines provide training. Pay varies depending on the specific job and experience level.
• Tour guide: While some tour guide jobs may require previous experience or education, others may provide on-the-job training. Pay can vary depending on the location and specific job duties.
• Language teacher: Many people around the world are interested in learning English, and some language schools may hire native English speakers without prior teaching experience. Pay varies depending on the location and specific job duties.

So while experience can be helpful in many jobs, there are opportunities available for those who are willing to learn and work hard. 

What are some jobs that pay for travel and housing?

There are some jobs that not only offer the opportunity to travel but also provide travel and housing expenses as part of the job. Here are a few examples of such jobs:

• Flight attendant: Airlines typically provide their flight attendants with travel and housing expenses while on the job.
• Cruise ship worker: Cruise lines provide their workers with travel and accommodations while on board the ship.
• Peace Corps volunteer: The Peace Corps provides its volunteers with travel, housing, and a living stipend while they are serving in another country.
• Travel nurse: Travel nurses are often offered housing and travel expenses, in addition to their salary, to work in different locations for short periods of time.
• International aid worker: Some organizations that provide humanitarian aid around the world offer their workers with travel and housing expenses.
• English teacher abroad: Some programs that place English teachers abroad provide their teachers with travel and housing expenses, in addition to their salary.

These jobs can be competitive and often require specific qualifications and experience, but if you do your research and consider what type of job and location would be the best fit for you, there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t snag one for yourself!

Anna is the founder of LogicalDollar and a personal finance expert, having been featured in Forbes, HuffPost, Reader’s Digest, Bankrate, MSN Money, Yahoo! Finance, CreditCards.com and many more. With more than 10 years of experience in the financial and legal industries, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in these fields, as well as her own journey in turning $60,000 in debt into a thriving investment portfolio, she’s committed to helping others get on the path to financial freedom.

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Moving and working abroad was the best decision I made for myself back in 2013.

Since that time, I've worked as a volunteer, a tour guide, a yacht stew, an English teacher, and a few more short term gigs in between.

I still live abroad but now I work remotely in digital marketing and running this site to help get you all abroad as well. This article is focused on jobs where you'd work in-person abroad, if you're more interested in working online, these remote job guides are for you.

My journey has taken me around the world and working in more industries than I honestly thought possible. And to be blunt, it's been fucking incredible.

But, more about me and my story below if you're interested.

For now though, I want to focus on the real reason you're here: highlighting the 11 best jobs to work abroad and how you can land one of them.

Short on time? Here's the cheat sheet:

🌏With so many different industries and opportunities out there, if you want to move abroad, you can find a way. 📚Just be honest with yourself about which of these jobs you're best suited for and what qualifications you're missing to become a great applicant. 👩‍🏫Here's a quick look at the 11 best jobs abroad:

• Working an International Companies
• Medical Industry
• Scuba Dive Instructor
• Yoga Instructor
• Working Holiday Visas
• Digital Nomad

We’re not a regular travel blog; we’re a collection of women living around the world, all with different backgrounds, jobs, desires, & nationalities. What do we have in common? A passion for life abroad. Each article is written from the 1st-hand perspective of a woman who has actually done or experienced what she writes about. Learn more about the author by clicking her bio pic at the start or end of each article.

Dream of moving abroad but need a helping hand? I got you. This e-book isn't a regular book, it's also a workbook geared to helping you make some big decisions regarding the life abroad you want to build. Everyone's way abroad is different. This book is all about helping you find yours.

Being a teacher abroad is by far one of the most common expat jobs out there.

Why? Because this industry is open to a big pool of applicants and is something you can do in a large number of countries around the world.

Typically, people immediately think of an English teacher but they're forgetting a pretty amazing gig as an international school teacher.

Aside from both being teachers and typically both coming with a work visa, there aren't many other commonalities between the jobs. In general, being an international school teacher pays a lot more but being an English teacher is typically an easier job to nab.

‍Let me specify.

International School Teacher

‍The easiest way to understand what it looks like being an international school teacher is to think about a teacher in your home country. Pick that teacher up and put him or her in a foreign country and you've got it.

In most cases, the responsibilities and classroom will look the same. You'll teach math, science, literature, etc., just as you would at home.

These teachers tend to also teach in their native language to students who also speak that language. Most are foreign students whose parents have come to said country for business or as expats themselves. You might also have local students but with high or fluent levels of the language you teach in.

For example, if you're hired at the American International School in Ho Chi Minh City , you'll teach in English and your students are expected to already English speakers as well. Likewise, if you're hired to teach at a Dutch International School in St. Maarten , you'll teach in Dutch and your students will be expected to already know Dutch.

The requirements to teach an international school will vary but, in general, you're expected to be a certified teacher in your home country.

These opportunities are available in pretty much every country around around the world. A few popular places to work abroad as an international school teacher are:

• Cayman Islands

English Teacher

‍On the contrary, as an English teacher, you're teaching your students English.

Keep in mind that teaching English is the most common language to teach abroad but this opportunity could also be possible in your native language.

Personally, I prefer to teach young students, so if you also go that route you'll be focused on teaching them the basics, like how to follow directions in English, numbers, colors, and basic sentence patterns. For older students, you'd focus more on grammar and how to have conversations in English.

In some cases, you might also teach math, science, and other subjects but with the goal of teaching English vocabulary to your students.

The requirements to teach English vary from country to country but, in general, you're expected to:

• Either be from a native English speaking country or prove you have a near native level. Some countries are more lenient on this, especially in Asia.
• Have your Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate

Head here to browse country-specific guides to learn how you can teach English around the world .

2. Working at International Companies

Now, before you ask, I do know that "working at international companies'' encompasses a whole lot of jobs and skill sets. But, I do have a reason to lump it together.

And that's because the hiring process for a designer is going to be pretty similar for an engineer or an accountant.

Currently, I live in Trieste, Italy with my husband. We've been able to live here (as a US and Colombian couple) because he was hired at an international company that's based here. He's a product designer with a focus on UI/UX and prototyping but he did not speak Italian before getting the job nor did either of us have EU residency.

So, how'd he do it?

Qualifications to Work Abroad

These are some things you can rinse and repeat based on your industry.

Just be honest with yourself when working through this checklist and see where you maybe need to scale up before you start applying.

• You have to be able to prove you have a skill that many locals won't have. Visa paperwork is messy so if you're not highly skilled, why would the company go through that if they can hire a local?
• You need to speak the language. This is why I recommend international companies - because they most likely will be doing work in English, preventing you from dealing with a language barrier on a day-to-day basis. If you speak the local language, you can open up some more doors.
• You likely need a degree or certifications in your field. This isn't always the case but a lot of times governments require this as one of the requirements to get a work visa.

How to Find Job Openings

This is the tricky part about working at an international company abroad. There's a lot of competition so how do you find the opportunities and make yourself stand out?

As a starting point, I highly recommend doing your research about which companies you'd like to work for and setting notifications on LinkedIn about when jobs open up.

But, to really stand out, you need to find a way in. This is best done through networking. I know we all grew up being told networking was the key to success and I myself found myself rolling my eyes constantly at this but for these kinds of opportunities, it really is the best way to get your foot in the door.

Another quick route is to start working for said company in your home country, making it clear from day one that you're open for international transfers.

3. Volunteer

‍Being a volunteer is a great opportunity and way to move abroad for many, especially if your goal is to live abroad for free . If though your main goal is to make a steady income, this is obviously not the choice for you.

While some volunteer organizations will pay you, the pay will always be minimal. This is a better opportunity if you'd rather just not spend money or as a way to test the waters to see if moving abroad is right for you before you really go for it.

This title also encompasses a wide variety of jobs.

Generally, as a volunteer, you'd commit to living and working somewhere for a short period of time, usually 1-3 months. This is simply because most countries allow tourists to be in the country for up to 3 months without having to leave and re-enter or apply for a long-term visa.

The Volunteer Pitfall

Volunteering abroad can be amazing or it can be harmful. My biggest tip is before you apply for any type of volunteer work, you're realistic with yourself if you have the necessary qualifications to do the work well.

For example, it was a really popular thing when I was in high school for students to go abroad for a week or so and do construction work. Sure, I grew up in a small town and some of the students did have experience working construction but a vast majority of the people who went did not.

I begged to go on these trips but my parents always turned me down. I now realize that was definitely for the best. I can hardly nail 2 boards together, let alone be of any assistance building a structure that's meant to be safe for people to be inside.

Not only do these types of volunteer programs sometimes attract the wrong people for the job but they can also take away a salary from someone in country that can better do the job.

On the other hand, volunteering to help out at a hotel in exchange for free accommodation or teaching specific skills that locals might not have access to (i.e. teaching English in smaller towns) can be great cultural experiences for the places that host you and also for yourself.

Volunteer Opportunities Abroad

If you're from the U.S. and are interested in volunteering abroad long-term, I'd highly suggest the Peace Corps .

For any nationality looking for short-term gigs around the world in a variety of industries, Workaway and Worldpackers are my go-to platforms.

You might also consider getting involved with Nomads Giving Back! They're a great community of nomads providing volunteer support around the world.

4. Medical Industry

If you're a trained veterinarian, doctor, or nurse, did you know you can take your experience around the world?

These job opportunities seem to range from permanent positions to contracts where you'd stay for only one or two months so it really depends on what you're looking for.

The most important key to getting hired abroad as a vet, nurse, or doctor is that you have relevant training, degrees and/or documents to prove you can do the job you're applying for.

Think about it this way: if you can get a job in your home country as a vet, nurse, or doctor, there's a good chance you can get a job overseas. If you don't meet the requirements back home, get them before you start applying to work abroad.

It's also important that you speak the native language or a common international language, depending on the region.

Learn more about how to work abroad as a veterinary nurse here or find out how to get hired as a registered nurse abroad here.

5. Tour Guide

Being a tour guide is a great job, especially for an outgoing person that enjoys being surrounded by new people. Tour guides typically have high energy levels and are good at getting the party started.

My time as a tour guide in the San Blas Islands was by far the most fun job I have had. Although, to be honest, after 8 months of it, I was absolutely exhausted.

The type of tour I worked on was fast paced with a high turn over of guests, meaning, I was always meeting people at height of their excitement. By the time the guests were worn out, they were going back home but I was receiving a new, excited group.

If that sounds like fun to you, most popular touristic destinations have a lot of job opportunities for tour guides but from my experience, they're usually filled in-person. A lot of times, these jobs won't come with a work visa but instead would expect you to do visa runs every few months and work under the table.

For a more slow paced but incredible experience, being an overland tour guide sounds like a dream job. As an overland tour guide, you'd travel with the same group of tourists over multiple countries or even throughout entire continents. Tours range from a month to 6 months. Since it's all overland, that means you or your co-guide drive the bus that everyone travels in.

Sound like a job for you? Learn more about how to become an overland tour guide .

6. Yachting

‍While I was guiding, I kept meeting great guests who all worked on yachts. Working on a yacht had never occurred to me before and I was very intrigued.

Once I decided to get out of guiding, I headed to France to give yachting a chance.

There's a lot of work opportunities on a yacht, especially a mega yacht. The yacht I worked on was about the size of a football field and I'd guess had at least 30 people working on it.

Jobs on a Yacht

Most people new to the industry would start off as a stewardess, deckhand, or sous chef.

A stewardess takes care of everything on the interior, think housekeeping and service.

A deckhand takes care of everything on the exterior, keeping the boat sparkling clean to the public and making sure you sail and dock smoothly.

The yachting world is a great one to dive into if you have a keen eye for detail and follow directions well.

In my experience, it's a strict industry, based a lot on outward appearances, but you get paid well and have all your living expenses covered while you're onboard. You also get to travel to a lot of amazing places, although the amount of time you'd be able to explore these places varies greatly based on your boat owners and captain.

Check out this detailed guide to learn how to get hired as a yacht stewardess .

Other Hospitality Opportunities

Other types of hospitality jobs that you might enjoy are working on a cruise ship or flying around the world as a flight attendant or pilot.

It's possible with both of these jobs your home base is abroad but it's also possible you'll only be in other countries for a short amount of time on layovers or on cruise stops.

‍By definition, an au pair is a nanny or live-in sitter who comes from a foreign country. Typically as an au pair, you live with the family you work for, giving you a great chance at fully immersing yourself into the local culture.

Most au pairs are hired to not only look after the children but to also teach the children something. For example, another language, a sport, or music.

Your responsibilities, salary, and the amount of time you're expected to work varies greatly from country to country and even family to family.

If you're interested in becoming an au pair in Europe, check out our guides about working as an au pair in France and an au pair in the Netherlands .

8. Scuba Dive Instructor

This one has always been a not so secret dream of mine. I absolutely love the idea of taking my job to beautiful tropical locations and getting paid to scuba dive.

Before you get too excited, this is one of the hardest jobs abroad to get, as it takes a while to accumulate all of the training it takes to become a certified instructor. A lot of people choose to work in exchange for free dives to knock out two birds with one stone.

A key tip to getting hired abroad as a dive instructor is by having a wide range of experience. Meaning, you've dived in a variety of conditions giving you the expertise to lead with confidence.

While working abroad as a scuba instructor might be a dream come true, know that it's not a very lucrative field. In this case, the passion would be higher than the paycheck (in most cases).

Read the complete guide about becoming a PADI Certified Scuba Dive Instructor here.

9. Yoga Instructor

‍There are actually a few different avenues you can go about to teach yoga abroad. First things first though, make sure you have some sort of certification to back you up, unless you plan to teach only informally to friends.

To work abroad as a yoga instructor, you could teach at a studio, at a hotel or resort, or host workshops on-the-go as you travel.

The last option would be the most informal and require the least amount of set-up, although it would require you to consistently market yourself to your peers and find spaces to host your classes.

By working at a studio or resort, you would need to have at least a basic certification and be fluent in a language or two that most locals might not know, thus making you more appealing as a hire.

To learn more about getting hired abroad as a yoga instructor abroad , read our guide.

10. Working Holiday Visas

While not a job per say, these visas allow you to legally find work in a variety of industries within the country you got the visa for.

Some countries have requirements as to what type of work is required or more likely, what type of work you're not allowed to do but for the most part, it's a pretty open agreement for you to come and work a year or so.

A variety of countries offer Work & Holiday, or sometimes called Working Holiday Visas, but the most popular options are Australia , New Zealand , and Japan .

They each have different requirements but for the most part the visa process is up front and done online unlike many other visa applications that require a lot of back and forth at embassies.

Moving abroad in this way might give you the best work life balance since your visa isn't tied to one job.

It's very possible that you move abroad on a working holiday visa and get one job the entire time you're abroad but on the other side of the spectrum, you might decide to take a gap year instead and enjoy your visa while simply traveling the country.

In reality, most people will fall somewhere in the middle of this range while living abroad on Working Holiday Visas.

‍11. Working Online as a Digital Nomad

Alright, this one is a big cheat as it's not really a job opportunity but is a fantastic option to consider.

By working online, you'll be able to take your job on the go with you, regardless of where you live (so long as your job is a flexible one). This'll give you the chance to travel the world as a digital nomad, hopping from country to country.

Or, you can choose 1 place to settle down, while still working online legally thanks to the big rise in digital nomad visas (also called freelance visas or remote worker visas).

These are visas that more and more countries are offering to remote workers to entice them to bring their remote job abroad with them. You'll get the legal rights to stay and live in said country, without needing to worry about a work visa.

Each country has set requirements in order to apply for the visa but most of them ask that:

• You can prove you work remotely, either as an employee or business owner.
• You don't have clients in the country you want to reside in.
• You meet a certain income threshold (this varies greatly from country to country).

The type of job you do online really is limitless these days. If you dream of starting a website like this one and working for yourself, I can't recommend Scale Your Travel Blog as the perfect training to make those dreams happen. I've seen a huge shift in traffic and earnings since implementing what I've learned for that course.

Browse through all the countries that offer digital nomad visas to find your perfect fit.

Which of These Jobs Abroad Will You Apply For?

And there you have it, a cheat sheet to some of the best jobs abroad! The only question left to ask yourself is which will you apply for?

With so many opportunities out there for digital nomads and those seeking a full-time job abroad, you're bound to find the perfect job abroad for you.

Just know, it might take some work to get the qualifications asked but if you're motivated, I'm sure you can make it happen.

A lot of effort went into making this amazing piece of journalistic genius. If it helped you out, send us a quick thanks by buying us a coffee. All the money donated through Ko-Fi goes towards keeping A Way Abroad awesome. Big thanks!

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How to Move Abroad

Dream of moving abroad but have some hurdles in your way? Whether it's the fear, logistics, or not knowing where to even start, I've got you. This isn't a regular book, it's also a workbook designed to help you make some big decisions to get yourself set up for a successful life abroad. Everyone's way abroad is different. Let's find yours.

48 of the Best Work Abroad Programs Around the World

Earn money from the road by enrolling in work abroad programs. Whether you choose to teach, work as a ski instructor, au pair, or something else entirely, you can see the world while making money at the same time.

What if you could make money, or at least not spend too much of it, traveling the world. What if you could call a farm in South America or a campground in some wooded oasis home around the world, and build your resume while you lived there?

The fact is, you can. One of the best ways to see the world is to work abroad. Rather than just spending a weekend somewhere checking out the sights, you get to fully immerse yourself in the place.

It’s a dream come true for people interested in long-term travel. So, how do you turn that dream into a reality?

People often shy away from the idea of working and traveling because it sounds difficult. Images of expensive visas and painfully slow bureaucracy are conjured up. But, it’s much easier than you think—especially if you go abroad with an established program—because many let you work abroad without experience .

Some will pay you, some won’t, and some will make you pay them—so make sure you exhaust all your options and know what you can afford before you start applying.

Teaching English Programs Abroad

Teaching English abroad is the most popular and one of the best travel jobs for people who want to work abroad. All you need to be is a native English speaker and you already qualify for a bunch of jobs around the world.

Got a degree or a TEFL qualification ? Or both? Even better, you’ll be qualified to get the top-tier jobs that pay the best and have sweet perks. Even if you have no experience teaching English abroad, there are still plenty of places around the world that will take you on.

Maximo Nivel (Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru)

Maximo Nivel offers a range of different TEFL programs for people who want to work abroad. If you get a job teaching with Maximo Nivel you will be paid to teach English and you’ll get the chance to learn or improve your Spanish.

You won’t be making buckets of cash with this job, but it’s a great way to immerse yourself in a foreign culture as you will be teaching English alongside working with a local project and mingling with native volunteers and staff members.

JET (Japan)

JET presents an amazing opportunity for young professionals to spend a year living and teaching English abroad in Japan . The vast majority of participants will work as Assistant Language Teachers in Japanese schools teaching children from elementary school up to high school.

Be aware that as a JET participant, you will be expected to work hard—35 hours a week, plus lesson-planning time. However, first-year teachers make a starting salary of around $30,000 and your flights out to Japan are covered.

TEFL.org (International)

This is not technically a work abroad program in and of itself, but TEFL.org has an amazing job board with a huge number of teaching opportunities around the world. Think teaching english in China , Colombia, Russia, India and more.

In order to use the TEFL job board, you will need to have a TEFL qualification . Fortunately, this can be done really easily either online or in person. Once you’re armed with a TEFL you’ll be ready to go.

All of the positions are paid but some are better remunerated than others. The general rule is that the fancier the school, the bigger the paychecks.

If you find that you’re not making enough from your TEFL job, consider doing some private tutoring on the side.

Language House TEFL (Czech Republic)

Situated in the heart of gorgeous Prague, the Language House is a one-stop shop for people who want to work abroad. The first thing you will do upon arrival is get trained up by one of the house’s TEFL teachers. Once you’ve completed the course you’re all ready to go and the Language House will set you up with a local, paid job.

For those looking to discover Europe, Prague is a fantastic springboard for exploring the rest of the continent. It is right in the heart of the continent and has trains to all of the bordering countries as well as flights to those a little further afield. Plus, it’s super cheap to live there if you’re coming from the USA.

Seriously, beer is a dollar.

Hearts for Change (Colombia)

Hearts for Change welcomes anyone who can speak English to come and teach in Colombia. Individuals are selected after a (very easy) Skype interview and are then placed in a city or town in Colombia that fits, as far as possible, within the preferences they laid out in their application form.

This means you could be in Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, Cali or one of Colombia’s other amazing regions.

Hearts for Change recruits volunteers but offers each of its teachers a stipend towards living costs.

Disney English (China)

Is there anything Disney can’t do?

Its huge network of English schools across China shows a side of Disney I bet you didn’t even know existed. Disney English in China allows individuals to work abroad with the safety net of such a distinguished brand underneath them.

The positions are well compensated, with teachers making between $1,500 and $2,000 per month. The age range is two-to-12 years old, so this is ideal for people looking to work with younger children.

The classes take place in Disney’s special language learning centers and teachers adhere to a specially designed Disney curriculum—this means lots of Disney songs and story times!

Berlitz Language School (International)

The Berlitz Language School focuses on teaching English and other languages to business professionals around the world. The school is always on the lookout for talented language instructors to work in their offices spread across 70 different countries, including Paraguay, Qatar, Gabon, Philippines, Pakistan, Finland, and Greece.

Corporate teaching is very different to teaching young people in a classroom though. Some people love interacting with children whereas others prefer the calm and discipline that comes with a room full of professional adults. Make sure you know what you want to do before applying.

Greenheart Travel (International)

The major thing that makes Greenheart Travel stand out is the fact that participants live in a homestay. This gives you the chance to have a truly authentic and immersive experience while you are teaching abroad.

If you don’t want to teach, the organization also has a number of volunteer experiences on offer, including environmental conservation, community development, and animal rescue.

InterExchange (International)

Among the various opportunities available with InterExchange are several options to teach English or be a conversation coach abroad. Those interested in working abroad can choose from 12 different countries, including France, Italy, and Thailand.

In addition to English teaching positions, there are au-pairing positions available.

US-China Educational Exchange: Teach in China (China)

The Teach in China program offered by the US-China Educational Exchange facilitates the transfer of young people to China to teach English. The working week is around 15 hours and participants benefit from free housing and health care and a salary of around $800 per month.

You can choose between teaching for a whole year or for just a semester. Previous teaching experience is great but not essential.

Summer Camp Work Abroad Programs

If you love kids and being outdoors then a summer camp is the dream job. You spend your days doing activities with the campers, singing around the campfire and making s’mores. It’s a great way to relive your childhood and make some life-long friends.

Of course, it’s not all fun and games 24/7. Camp leaders will be responsible for the safety and well-being of their campers. This means making sure everyone comes back to the cabins in one piece at the end of the day.

The following are work abroad programs that place individuals into summer camps around the world.

AmeriCamp (International)

AmeriCamp has been a huge hit with young Brits who want to travel to the United States. However, campers are now no longer confined to traveling to the US.

AmeriCamp is part of the Invasion family, which has branched out and now offers camps all over the world. The following countries are are now also available:

• South Africa

Although Invasion Travel is UK based, these cam

ACLE (Italy)

ACLE is an incredible opportunity for native English speakers to get a real taste of Italy.

Camp leaders spend their day teaching English and playing games with Italian campers before heading home to their Italian host families or out for drinks with their fellow tutors.

Tutors receive between 200€ and 300€ per week depending on experience and are given free accommodation, three meals a day and have their travel expenses covered.

CCUSA (Russia, Croatia and Canada)

This organization has a number of work abroad programs, but its main focus is on international summer camps. It currently offers camp positions in Russia, Croatia and Canada.

The camps require a one-off payment of between $1,525 and $1,695, depending on the duration of your camp. This payment covers flights, full board accommodation, airport transfers, pocket money and more.

Note that the CCUSA camps are only for American and Canadian citizens.

TECS (Spain)

TECS runs summer camps in Spain and is available for people with either first or second EU nationality. The jobs range from hands-on work in the camps to office-based admin roles.

You don’t need to speak any Spanish and, if you don’t want to teach English in the camp, then you camp apply for a number of other different roles including driver, caterer and manager.

iCamp Thailand

iCamp Thailand is an American-style camp in Thailand for young people between eight and 16 years old. The camps are the very definition of fun with day after day spent in the sunshine playing games and doing sports. The camp leaders also come from all over the world, including Russia, Italy, Australia, Hungary, Mexico and the USA

The camp provides transportation from Bangkok to the camp and back again, room and board, and a salary dependent upon experience.

Abbey Road (International)

Abbey Road offers qualified individuals the chance to help run their summer language camps. The recruitment process is pretty rigorous and applicants will be expected to have a working proficiency in the language of their chosen destination. Previous experience working, studying or traveling in that destination is also required.

It’s not an easy gig to get because they set the bar pretty high. You will need qualifications, experience and language skills. But, if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll reap the benefits.

Business & Internship Work Abroad Programs

One fantastic benefit of working abroad is the chance to spice up your resume. Showing you are capable of working with people from different backgrounds and navigating cultural differences are impressive and make you stand out from that pile of other resumes.

If you’re interested in developing your career while you travel, you might want to consider an internship abroad. Whether it is in business, hospitality, tourism or some other industry, the experience will be invaluable.

China Internship Placements (China)

The internships available with China Internship Placements (CIP) don’t come cheap. The packages can run up in the thousands of dollars. However, if you’ve got some cash to burn and want to seriously enhance your resume then you might want to consider doing one.

Many of the packages include visas, accommodation, mentoring, Chinese language lessons and other benefits.

IAESTE Internship Placement Program (International)

Strictly for U.S. citizens, the IAESTE Internship Placement Program pairs up science and engineering students with paid work placements abroad. The network spans 80 different countries and is a great way for students in the technical field to develop their skills and get a taste of working abroad.

Competition for these placements is fierce, but those who manage to land one are in for one incredible experience.

Fulbright Program (International)

One of the best-known work abroad programs in the United States, Fulbright , is open to students, graduates, professionals, and artists. The aim is to promote positive relations between the U.S. and other countries.

Successful applicants to Fulbright will be given a grant, which permits them to conduct research, teach or work abroad.

United Nations Internships (International)

This is the golden goose of international internships. An internship with the United Nations will not only give you an insight into the world of global politics but it will set you up for life. Choose from one of the numerous programs on offer, including the Children’s Fund, Refugee Agency, and Environmental Program, and make sure your application is airtight.

These internships are highly coveted so they aren’t easy to get. Also, bear in mind that the internships are unpaid, so you will need to cover all of your own costs.

Masa Israel (Israel)

Masa Israel sets up young people from all over the world with internships in Israel. From tech startups in Tel Aviv to fancy hotels in Eilat, there are loads of options available. The internships come with Hebrew lessons, accommodation, and some other perks and are moderately priced for what you get.

You also get a discount if you’re Jewish.

IES Abroad (International)

Not the best option for those looking to make money, IES offers internships all over the world in almost any industry, but they come with a pretty hefty price tag. Fortunately, the organization has a number of financial aid and scholarship schemes to help those who might not have the budget to afford one of its internships.

The internships usually last one semester and the program provides language tuition, homestay accommodation and valuable work experience.

Leave UR Mark (India)

India is one of the most prominent emerging markets and an internship here can really boost your career development. Leave UR Mark places individuals in companies all over the country.

Fancy trying out an internship in journalism? What about finance? Or marketing? Or event management? Leave UR Mark offers internships in all of these industries and more.

NGO & Volunteering Programs Abroad

Looking for a way to give back to the communities you visit while you travel? Volunteering opportunities are prolific all over the world—NGOs can never have too many hands on deck. While you won’t get paid for volunteering, you will learn a lot about your destination country and be able to make a valuable contribution to it.

Volunteering opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. You might do one day a week in a dog shelter, or you might spend Monday to Friday analyzing spreadsheets in an office. Whether you want to work hands-on or in management, indoors or outside, as part of a team or solo, there are thousands of options available.

If you’re on the fence about volunteering abroad, it might help to know that employers love seeing some volunteering on a resume. It shows that you are a self-starter and are motivated (because you worked on something important for free). Throw in the fact that it’s excellent exposure to stark cultural differences and is good for the soul, and that should be enough to convince you to give it a go.

Below are some excellent organizations that can help you get set up with an NGO so you can volunteer abroad. However, if you are looking for free volunteering opportunities then you may need to contact charities and organizations directly rather than applying through one of these established programs. The benefit of a program, however, is the assistance and support you are provided with, as well as a secure position within the project.

Worldpackers

Worldpackers has more than 10,000 volunteering opportunities available all over the world at hostels, farms, homestays, eco-lodges, NGOs, schools, and plenty more.

Since their inception in 2014, they’ve helped to facilitate over 100,000 volunteer and work exchange trips across the globe. As a member of this global community of hosts and travelers, you can connect with both travelers and locals, and find free accommodation options around the globe (in exchange for a few hours of work, of course!).

It’s true that some work exchange experiences can be…less than satisfactory. But all the hosts on Worldpackers go through a screening process and are highly vetted. This means it’s a great option for both long-term and short-term travelers alike.

Click here to snag a $10 discount when you become a Worldpackers member!

Workaway (International)

By far one of the most popular work abroad programs and a great place to find volunteer opportunities, Workaway has revolutionized the way young people travel. The way it works is simple: you search on the website either by location or by type of work you’re interested in. Once you find something you like, you apply for the position. That’s it.

If you are accepted you are usually offered board in exchange for your time. This means you can live for virtually nothing while you’re volunteering, making it an excellent way to see the world on a budget. Workaway is by far the easiest way to work abroad.

Popular Workaways include eco-lodges, orphanages, farms, yoga retreats and conservation projects.

GVI (International)

GVI is an established company that sends volunteers off to all corners of the globe to work abroad on meaningful projects. There are programs with a focus on just about everything, from female empowerment to elephant conservation . The volunteer projects are offered as packages, which can be quite pricey and don’t include flights, visas, or insurance.

Globalteer (Peru & Cambodia)

With dozens of projects in Peru, Cambodia and a handful of other countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia, Globalteer is a fantastic organization that works with loads of international NGOs. Projects include teaching English, working with disadvantaged children, helping in elephant sanctuaries and community development.

IVHQ (International)

The work abroad programs and volunteer placements with IVHQ are diverse and, even better, affordable. Whatever your interest, you will undoubtedly find a program that is in line with what you’re after.

IVHQ has partnerships with programs all over the world from Ghana to Romania so there’s very little geographic limitation.

VolSol (International)

VolSol (Volunteer Solutions) has over 100 projects in 20 different countries. While they have the standard volunteer projects available, such as teaching and community work, there are also some more specialized options.

Medical internships, sports coaching, women’s empowerment curriculums and work with disabled children are just some of the worthwhile projects on VolSol’s roster.

Love Volunteers (International)

If you are looking for quality volunteer and work abroad opportunities with delightfully low program fees, check out Love Volunteers (LV). Smaller than some of the other organizations in this list, but no less worthy of your time, LV has projects all over Africa, Asia and Latin America as well as a couple in Europe and the Middle East.

One thing that really stands out about LV is how simple the application process is—it’s great for those who hate lengthy bureaucracy (a.k.a. everyone in the world).

Fronteering (International)

The main focus of Fronteering is sending volunteers out to remote places in the world. Volunteers get the chance to help out with indigenous communities, wildlife conservation projectsfound a and food banks among other options.

The volunteer experiences aren’t the cheapest on offer but the company offers guidance and assistance with fundraising.

ICS (UK citizens only)

The International Citizen Service (ICS) is an organization that pairs young Brits with projects in the developing world. The company works with a number of social enterprise and community development programs in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Volunteer placements are open to 18- to 25-year-olds, and team leader positions are available for those aged 23 to 35.

Fundraising is required before departure and the amount you need to raise is dependent upon your financial position.

A Broader View (International)

A Broader View offers 245 placements in 25 different countries. Volunteers can choose from medical, teaching, and conservation programs as well as numerous others.

The price of the program varies depending on the length of time you wish to spend with the project, where you decide to go, and which program you want to do.

Farm & Agricultural Work Abroad Programs

If you’ve spent your adult life so far cooped up in an office then you might want to get involved with a work abroad program that allows you to work outdoors. Fortunately, farm and agricultural work is usually in high demand around the world.

For many positions, it is enough to simply walk over to a farm one day and ask if they have any work available. However, if you’d rather do something with a little more job security, then you should consider using one of the following.

These programs offer you a comforting level of job security, which in turn will quash any worries you might have about packing up and jetting off.

Be aware that working outside usually means manual labor, and while this is good for the soul, it can be tough on your body. Make sure you know what you are capable of before you commit to work that you might not actually be able to do.

WWOOFing (International)

This is the go-to website for most people seeing farm work abroad. WWOOF stands for a number of different things, but the acronym normally translates as Worldwide Working Opportunities on Organic Farms.

The way it works is reasonably simple. People can apply to live and work on organic farms all over the world and in exchange for four to six hours of labor per day, they are given meals and accommodation. WWOOFers don’t work every day so on your days off you will be able to explore the surrounding area.

WWOOFing is a fantastic way to see the world and the manual labor is great exercise. Just pick where you want to go and then start exploring which opportunities are available.

Picking Jobs (International)

Picking Jobs is a neat little website that recruits seasonal workers for farms in 18 different countries. You could end up picking grapes on a vineyard in France or helping with the harvest in Australia. If you’re looking for work abroad, this is an easy way to find a job that doesn’t require any experience.

Those interested in a picking job have two options—either email one of the farms that have a profile on the website; or create your own profile and let the farms come to you. Pay and benefits depend on where you go so check with the farm when you are negotiating your place.

Au Pair Programs Abroad

Working abroad as an au pair is one of the most comfortable jobs you can get. For the most part, you spend your days doing arts and crafts and playing games with the children for whom you are caring.

Occasionally, you will find host families that want an au pair who can also cook and clean. If you are happy to do this then you will have more jobs to choose from. If you only want to look after children and nothing else, there are still plenty of jobs available.

Au pairs generally receive ‘pocket money’ from the families they work for. This isn’t usually buckets of money but it is more than enough to fund a weekend excursion every now and then and a few evenings out on the town.

Working hours for au pairs are usually whenever the host parents are at work. This means you will normally be expected to be on hand Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Of course, every family will have its own needs and requirements, and these should be discussed before you are expected to confirm your position.

If you’re looking for complete cultural immersion while you work abroad, then being an au pair will be right up your street. You will be spending all of your time with a local family and will undoubtedly learn a lot about their customs and language.

Agent Au Pair (International)

As an accredited member of IAPA (International Au Pair Association), Agent Au Pair is an organization you know you can trust. This organization pairs au pairs from all over the world with host families in the United States.

Every au pair is guaranteed a working week of no more than 45 hours, almost $200 per week pocket money, three meals a day and their own private room. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone hoping to spend time living in the U.S.

AuPair.com (International)

AuPair.com has a huge network of au pairs and families looking for an au pair all over the world. Both families and au pairs can list adverts on the site, which means the recruitment can work both ways.

The website is free to use and there is an option to upgrade regular membership to premium membership to improve your chances of getting hired.

Once you have found a family for whom you’d like to work, simply drop them a message and, if they like you, seal the deal and book your flights!

Seasonal Jobs Abroad

Work abroad programs are not just for the holidays But some of them are! Or spring break, or summer, or fall. There are loads of jobs on offer all over the world that are only available at certain times of the year. Beach resorts tend to hire extra staff to help in the busy summer period, while ski resorts only really need workers during winter.

Taking a seasonal job can be a good way to save money for traveling in the off-season. Lots of people who work abroad adopt a six month on/six month off policy, which means they can spend half of every year traveling or working somewhere else.

Check out the following work abroad programs and see if they can help you land a highly coveted seasonal job somewhere beautiful.

Club Med (Europe, Africa and the Middle East)

French-owned Club Med has positions in resorts all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Jobs fall into four categories: hospitality & catering, sports & leisure, sales & support and the luxury area.

The recruitment process emphasizes the importance of language skills because of the international clientele that visit the resorts. French is a requirement for a lot of jobs, but other languages will also stand out on an application.

Work a Season (International)

Work a Season is the recruitment platform for Inghams, Esprit Ski, and Ski Total—three specialist ski companies. The website recruits both summer and winter workers to work in front of house, catering and rep roles at their various chalets and hotels.

There are loads of different jobs advertised on the website so take a look and see what stands out for you.

Ski Japan (Japan)

Ski Japan has resorts all over Japan, many of which have some of the best snow on the planet. Every year the company recruits workers from all over the world to take up roles as instructors, sales consultants, housekeepers and more.

Perks of working for Ski Japan include a free ski pass and gear rental, free transport, discounted tours and other perks and benefits.

Via Monde (Switzerland)

Based in Switzerland, Via Monde runs exciting ski initiatives for schools and, of course, needs an array of international helpers to assist it. Jobs include ski and snowboard instructors, catering staff, and medical professionals, such as paramedics and physiotherapists.

Applicants will need to be good with children and willing to work hard and in return, they will return a decent salary and some great perks.This is one of the better snow-related work abroad programs on offer.

EA Ski & Snowboard (International)

EA Ski & Snowboard train up young people to become ski and snowboard instructors before sending them on their merry way to work in the world’s top resorts. Every individual who takes part in one of the school’s training courses is guaranteed a job afterwards—how’s that for job security?

Training and employment opportunities are available in the USA, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Switzerland.

Tour Leader Work Abroad Programs

Tour leader jobs are the ultimate jackpot for travel aficionados who want to work abroad. Not only do you get to travel as your job and go on adventures on a daily basis, but you also get to share your passion with others.

Leading a tour group means spending lots of time outdoors and seeing some of the most exciting parts of the world. You will also develop an in-depth knowledge of whichever area in which you decide to work.

If you enjoy being active, meeting new people and traveling then being a tour leader will be one of the most fun and enjoyable jobs on offer. However, there are certain challenges associated with this job, such as dealing with picky customers or navigating cultural differences. So, bear them in mind!

Tucan Travel (International)

Tucan Travel is a well-established tour company that operates all over the world. They periodically look for tour guides and driver to assist with their tours but take not that this is a long-term commitment.

Generally, tour guides are expected to commit to 18 months of tours—usually in the same region. This is brilliant for those looking for stability, less ideal for people who only want to work abroad in little stints while they travel.

G Adventures (International)

There’s never any shortage of jobs available with G Adventures . This company has a huge roster of positions all over the world, which include skippers in Greece, trekking assistants in Peru and naturalists in the Galapagos

The tours are pretty incredible and you get paid to do them. It seems like a win-win situation as far as I’m concerned.

Intrepid Travel (International)

A global company with a vast number of opportunities, Intrepid Travel is well worth checking out if you want to go down the tour guide route.

The company has positions all over the world and adventures range from cycling trips in the mountains to cultural excursions in remote communities. There are also travel specialist roles, which are office-based positions that involve advising people on travel and planning itineraries.

Wildlife Programs Abroad

Not everyone wants to work with people—and I don’t blame you. People can suck. If you’d rather avoid other humans then may I suggest a work abroad program with a focus on animals?

There are work and volunteer opportunities in sanctuaries, rescue programs and conservation projects in some of the world’s most beautiful regions.

Naturally, being partial to animals is a prerequisite if you want to work abroad with a wildlife program. Some curriculums will also require a certain level of expertise or knowledge about animals.

This doesn’t mean that every job will require a degree in veterinary science; there are plenty of positions that simply want you to have a positive attitude.

Project Biodiversity (Cape Verde)

This project is based in Cape Verde, also known as Cabo Verde, and focuses on rescuing the Loggerhead turtles that live there. Project Biodiversity enlists field assistants, interns and volunteers to help protect the dwindling number of turtles on the island.

Volunteers can either help out during the nesting season or the hatchling season. Duties include beach patrolling, data collection and monitoring the turtles.

Go Eco (International)

Go Eco offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most impressive creatures on earth. Whether you want to work with lemurs in Madagascar or sharks in South Africa, you’re bound to find a program that catches your eye.

The experiences aren’t cheap but are well worth it for the chance to do something worthwhile and out of the ordinary.

Greenforce (International)

Greenforce has all kinds of different conservation projects on offer, but the spotlight tends to be on its marine expeditions.

Fancy spending some time studying and protecting the coral reef in the Bahamas? Greenforce could be the answer. This program is also great for budding wildlife experts looking to get some experience on their resume.

New work abroad programs crop up all the time, left and right. That’s because new experiences are created and developed every day, giving you more opportunity than ever.

A work abroad program will not only earn you money to fund your travels, it will also be one of the most enriching experiences of your life—I guarantee it.

Do any of these work abroad programs speak to you? Which one would you do? Let us know in the comments!

Work Abroad Program FAQs

What is the best way to get a job overseas.

Getting a TEFL certification and teaching English is one of the best ways to get a job overseas.

Which is the best country to work abroad?

New Zealand, Australia, China, and South Korea are some of the best countries for working abroad.

How can I get a chance to work abroad?

Some of the best ways to get a chance to work abroad are to teach English, work at summer camps, or look for internship opportunities.

Which country is easiest to get a job?

New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore are all relatively easy countries to find a job and get a working visa.

Is it easy to teach English abroad?

If you have a 4-year degree, earning a TEFL certification is an easy way to teach English abroad.

Jeremy Scott Foster

Not to mention the teaching programs in Spain – both private and thru the government. There are something like 5K positions for English speakers in the public government system, and the private have 60-hundreds depending on which. I did the North American Language Assistants program from 2007-10.

WOW. There is so much opportunity out there—it’s almost hard to believe!

I am happy to provide links if you’d like to add them.

Cracking list. Another couple of teaching options are Chile’s English Open Doors and Speak Italy. Speak also have a teen programmer. I guess from your point of view working in the USA isn’t abroad but Brits and other nationals can use CCUSA to be placed in summer camps in the USA, as well as the other destinations you mention (those from outside the US are given the option of selecting country specific websites when visiting the url you give).

Another idea for Brits, and a few other commonwealth countries, is the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

And, lastly, I edit the Jobs Abroad Bulletin which lists new vacancies around the world very week (or two): https://www.jobsabroadbulletin.co.uk/latestjobs/

Great resources here. One correction I might add is that Club Med is Chinese owned now as of 2019. Fosum finally managed to take them over which should be a positive inflow of cash. Fosum also recently bought defunct Thomas Cook.

How do I find these opportunities?

Thank you SO much for all the links here! It’s amazing and truly inspiring – knowing that we have a choice and a chance to get out of the shell and explore our beautiful world, helping society as well.

Anyone can give me advice how to get work in Cuba?

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How to Work and Travel Around the World | The ULTIMATE Guide

A complete guide on how to work and travel around the world, from a California girl and UCLA Alumna who has done it all!

I worked and traveled around the world to twenty-four countries before I started my blog or opened up an Instagram account. With so many double-taps and click-bait headlines, it seems like everyone wants to quit their job to start a blog and travel the world.

You probably don’t want to start a travel blog. You don’t need to be “Instafamous” to travel the world.

I can get into that later, but ask yourself, what are you  really  trying to do? Get free travel? Nothing is free.

When it comes to work and travel around the world, you have two options:

Save some money, and then take a break from work to travel.

Travel while working. Aka get a job overseas, or a career that will send you overseas.

Personally, I lived option two and in different formats.

In 2012, I bought a one-way ticket to Australia to take a gap year. I then traveled around the world while working remotely in marketing and in 2014, I started my own business .  Through my lifestyle of work and travel, I’ve met so many people with unique career paths. I’m happy to share these with you in hopes that you find a journey that works for you.

In this post:

– What is a gap year? – What is expat life? – Top cities for living abroad – What are the perks of working while traveling? – What are some of the challenges of working while traveling? – What to do before moving abroad to work? – What is remote work? – Resources to find remote work online. – What are the benefits of studying abroad? – What are college degrees and careers that allow you to travel? – What are jobs you can do while traveling that don’t require a college degree? – Examples of real people that have worked while traveling.

What is a gap year?

A gap year is a choice. It’s a decision to put your career or education on hold to focus on other things in your life — including travel. Travel isn’t just for fun (although that’s important too … life is short!); travel is an investment in bettering yourself. You meet people of other cultures, you put yourself in enlightening positions and sharpen your problem-solving skills in a whole new way.

Traditionally, the gap year was a break between high school and college taken by people in foreign countries. Many people in countries where English is the second language, will take a gap year in Australia, the UK, the US or Canada to practice their English.

A gap year to work and travel around the world, is not something that happens often in American culture, however, living one after college or as a young professional is becoming increasingly popular.

When should you take a gap year?

You can take a gap year at 19, 22 or 35. It’s up to you!

My friend Emilio studied accounting at UCLA and took a gap year after college to travel through South East Asia. He worked as a tour guide and explored Vietnam and more, before moving back to Newport Beach, California to work in finance.

I mean look at how beautiful Vietnam is… can you blame him?

My German girl friends worked as Au Pairs the year between high school and university to practice their English. The point is that plenty of people put their long-term career on hold.

What is the difference between a gap year and expat life?

Expat life is often associated to a gap year as many people will do some work during their gap year, however you could save enough money to not work while traveling — again popular in German, English, Australian and Canadian cultures.

What is expat life?

Expat stands for expatriate which is a person temporarily (or permanently) living in another country. To live as an expat:

• Work for a global company that can send you overseas. OR
• Find a job overseas. OR
• Work remotely overseas.

What are the benefits of expat life, or rather living overseas?

When you’re living in another country (or continent), it becomes easier to travel in that region. Now, a weekender might not just be in another city, but in another country!

This is particularly easy in popular expat cities like London, Dubai, Barcelona, Paris, Singapore, Bueno Aires and Bangkok. New York and Miami are actually popular expat cities for non-Americans too.

Because of proximity, traveling while working becomes more timely and more affordable.

Coming to a different country with an existing career in a global company:

Living abroad is a ton of fun! Many American corporations that put you overseas will not only cover your living and travel expenses, but also provide a raise in wage since you volunteered to make the sacrifice of living abroad.

You’ll literally be making more money and spending less money if you are a US employee for a global company abroad. This route is more common for people working for businesses in finance, consulting, sports, law and technology.

My friend Laurie Satran worked in Marketing for IKEA from the USA, and was sent to their global offices in The Netherlands and Sweden. Any international brand has positions around the world — just look up the language requirements for their other offices before going into the company thinking about your big move to Paris or Rio.

American Laurie Satran worked while traveling around Europe.

What are the challenges in working abroad?

In most countries, you’ll need to get a visa that allows you to work while you’re there. These requirements vary across your own nationality, age and education levels.

When I moved to Australia, I had no issue getting a work and holiday visa to get job as a bar-tender. Technically — legally — I could work for a corporation. However, under the work and holiday visa , I was allowed to work for each employer for a maximum of six months. This condition isn’t attractive to employers who don’t want a turn around in human resources so quickly. Most corporations aren’t going to hire you for a six month period.

Getting a job in a different country:

Working abroad proved for some interesting challenges — understanding each other’s accents on business calls, the differences in spelling and conversational phrases, counting money in a different currency, and if anything — having an employer that knows that it is more difficult for you to get work. You have less leverage and agency, which makes it easier for them to take advantage of you.

You have to remember that at the end of the day, as soon as you’re living in another country, you’re not just an expat — you’re an immigrant. You have to research and adhere to the immigration laws of the country you’re residing in.

What should you do before moving abroad to work?

• Look for careers with global corporations that may place you overseas. Express interest in being moved — with so many people in relationships, with families or fears of moving abroad, the person that is willing to move for their job is often celebrated (if not promoted).
• Look up visa details for the top countries you are interested in.
• Speak to people who lived and worked in that destination.
• If you’re hoping to find a job when you get there, save money before your trip as it may take some time to find work.
• Research the different neighborhoods you could live in, and the cost of living vs. your likely salary/ wage.
• Consider cultural differences/ norms.

What is remote work?

It is easier to work remotely for someone who you’ve previously worked with. This is because remote work takes EXCELLENT communication, self-discipline and trust. You can’t work remotely with people that don’t know how to work remotely.

However, remote work is also becoming increasingly popular.

Popular remote jobs:

–  Graphic design – Web and app development – Customer Service – Social Media Marketing – Copywriting – Digital Advertising – Public Relations

I recently created an app for finding the best places, BUENA, with an entire remote team. They’re all a bunch of rock-stars experienced in working remotely… so working together works. .

Where to find remote work:

• Angelist.co
• We Work Remotely
• Working Nomads
• Skip the Drive
• Virtual Vocations
• Power to Fly (women in tech)
• Authentic Jobs
• Skill Bridge (former consultants/ contract jobs)

Some sites that may not offer competitive rates:

• Freelancer.com

Alternatively, consider study abroad.

I have friends who got their MBA overseas or that took internships in law while living abroad. During my undergraduate studies, I studied abroad twice.

If you’re anything like my friends and I, school really is work. A study abroad program is a lot of fun — but also provides resources accommodating your transition to another country… and it looks great on your resume!

College degrees and careers that are great for global companies.

Careers paths in the U.S. are very different than those around the world where professions are often laid out in college. We have many liberal and ambiguous degrees in America.

The top professional careers that will send you overseas are in finance, consulting, and engineering. You’d want to major in accounting, mechanical engineering,  or business.

My friend Zach Kerchman studied Engineering and ended up moving from Disneyland in California, to working a couple years in Shanghai, China — building the new Disneyland there!

However, you really can major in anything. I studied Sociology and Global Studie s and worked in marketing, and now technology (don’t forget about my app!)

In many other countries, you can study hospitality and tourism marketing. Publicists and sales reps get to travel frequently for work too. There are entire firms that specialize in travel/lifestyle PR and destination marketing.

Many journalists get to travel for work. You can pave a career in-house at a magazine, or free-lance/ work remotely for yourself.

Other careers to do while traveling.

My friend Kimmie Connor, now a travel blogger, became a tour guide while sailing the Dalmatian Islands of Croatia. Matt Teague is a Sydney based wedding photographer that specializes in destination weddings — allowing him to travel for work too. Bar-tending, hostel and hotel industries, working on a cruise ship, and Au Pairs are great for travel and holiday.

I’d also suggest looking into being a flight attendant or pilot!

Teaching English while traveling.

If you have checked out The Blog Abroad , Drew Binsky , Oneika the Traveller , and Two Monkeys Travel , you should learn more about teaching English abroad. Check out this website out for more information on teaching english abroad. 

Starting your own business.

You can of course, work from anywhere when you start your own business. After years of living abroad and working as a free-lancer, I was ready to more formally start and lead people in my own company.

This isn’t a casual commitment and takes a lot work experience. However, it’s very very do-able too!

What would you add to these tips for work and travel around the world?

Posts you might like.

Gap Year: 14 Ways to Work While Traveling How to Save Money While Traveling Expat Life: the Difference Between Traveling and Moving Abroad

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Hi Stephanie, very inspiring read. I love how you managed to go from being a freelancer to starting your own business.

I’m a freelance writer. I love to travel. So it works out perfectly, being able to work from anywhere in the world.

But I’m sure one day I will test the waters and start some sort of business. Provided I still get to travel!

Thanks! I absolutely love writing and choosing to pursue writing was part-passion project, part giving myself agency in a world where we don’t always have a voice! However, writing doesn’t really pay. It’s enjoyable and gives back to people, it can also establish credibility — but it doesn’t necessarily pay the bills stand-alone. It was important to take my drive for writing and learn other skills to create a more comprehensive business. Best wishes and thanks for reading!

Nice Blog and this one is really amazing.

Great one.. thanks for sharing this. Get to know many new pots through your articles.

Really enjoyed reading this! I’ve been doing a lot of freelance travel jobs all over the world and have been making a go at traveling and working, this article is great!!

I totally agree with Barcelona being a great expat city, I’ve been living here for 11 years and it’s a fantastic city to live in! So international, you meet people from everywhere! And there’s always so much going on, and it’s so easy to meet new people even if you move here alone. Big thumbs up for Barcelona!

Thanks for reading and enjoy one of my favorite cities!

You bring up the point that working remotely can help you travel. I know of a company that hires freelance writers so if anyone is looking for such an opportunity you can check it out here: https://www.ultius.com/careers/writers.html

Hi Stephanie Please do let us know when you ever wish to visit Dubai Happy to host you in of of our holiday homes right in front of Dubai Fountains and Burj Khalifa please browse http://keysplease.ae View our Dubai Holiday Homes

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How to Travel With a Full-Time Job: 6 Creative Ways

Posted on Last updated: May 15, 2024

I’ve been living and working abroad since 2013 and I can confirm there are MULTIPLE WAYS to travel with a full-tome job. No, you don’t need to give up your career. Yes, people will actually pay you!

The pandemic truly made us re-evaluate our priorities and I’m 100% here to help. If you’re dreaming of a more flexible work environment that will allow you to travel while working full-time, I have 5 creative ways to make that happen for you.

In this article, I’m going to discuss:

• Choosing the right travel/work balance for you
• 6 ways to travel while working full-time
• My favorite apps to make working while traveling easier
• Important tax considerations when you’re on the road
• Ways to get sh*t done at work while away from your normal set-up

If you think this path is right for you and you want to pick my brain about your specific circumstances, book a one-time 45-minute private coaching session with me.

Is Traveling with a Full-Time Job Right for You?

Not everyone is meant to be on the road 24/7 so you’ll want to figure out what’s the right path for you and your work style. There are a few important questions to consider

• Will I be traveling alone? Or do I have a partner or family members to consider?
• What countries can I currently work in easily? Do I need a work visa?
• What’s my budget for traveling while working full-time? Can I make less in exchange for greater flexibility?
• What are my career goals? Is there a specific timeline I need to be conscious of?

After evaluating these questions, your strategy should become clearer about what sort of circumstances are right for you when it comes to blending your career-travel ambitions.

For example, when it comes to traveling while working full-time, I have a partner I need to consider – but no children – so it’s easy to take off whenever I want to for up to a month without feeling guilty.

For anything longer than a month, I would need to have a conversation with my partners to ensure we’re on the same page.

However, backpacking for a year while being a digital nomad is not really conducive to my professional or personal aspirations.

I don’t want to be apart from my family that long and this becomes a tax nightmare for me.

You’ll need to decide what type of travel you want to do while working full-time (long-term backpacking vs shorter trips) before moving on to my 5 recommended ways.

6 Creative Ways to Travel while Working Full-Time

If you want to work full-time and travel easily in your spare time, here are your best options! I’ve done nearly every single method so you can trust me when I say – it’s totally doable.

1. Transition Your 9-5 Abroad (Indefinite)

No one ever tells us this in America, but if you’re a skilled person, you can take your career overseas!

Whether you’re a teacher or a Product Manager (like me!), there are international companies who are eager to bring you to their offices abroad!

Currently, I work for a global travel tech company as a product manager. I started working for them in London (in 2017) and I was able to negotiate a transfer to their Germany offices in 2020. I’ve been in Germany ever since.

You don’t need to abandon your career ambitions to move abroad if you’re a competitive person. Visa, Facebook, and all the other international companies have global locations that you can transfer to with enough effort.

Read my article about finding a job abroad here.

Once you’re outside of America, travel becomes naturally easier. As I’m writing this blog post, I’m currently waiting in the Berlin Brandenburg business lounge on my way to Rome.

I’m taking my laptop and I’ll be remotely working from Italy for the next week!

When I was living and working in Beijing, I was able to take off to Hong Kong and the Philippines without much money or planning.

Frequent travel while working full-time is much easier once you get out of the United States; trust me.

As Americans, we have an additional tax reporting responsibility when we work abroad, but don’t let that deter you.

You need to understand that it’s really just a reporting responsibility and only under extreme circumstances will you be double taxed.

Read my article about American expat tax requirements here.

2. Negotiate a Remote Contract (1+ year)

If you’re lucky enough to negotiate a remote contract, congratulations! You’ve truly secured a golden ticket that most people would kill for!!

I was able to negotiate a German remote contract in Aug 2021 and that’s how I have so much flexibility.

So what is a remote contract?

Essentially, a remote contract specifically removes any location-dependent clauses from your work contract. However, remote contracts will likely include a country-specific reference because they need to abide by some sort of legal framework.

With a remote contract, you can easily travel while working full-time because there’s no expectation for you to come into a specific office. You only need to get the work done wherever you are in the world.

For example, my remote contract is specifically a German contract. This means I pay tax to the German government and I get to enjoy the social security and healthcare benefits of living in the European Union.

If you’re able to negotiate a remote contract and want to move outside of the country that your contract specifically references, you’ll need to consider how that will affect your tax liability and immigration status.

A good rule of thumb is: if you’ve been in a country longer than 3 months, you should start exploring if that country expects you to pay tax locally and if you’re in violation of your tourist visa.

Some countries and regions (like the UK) have super generous tourist visa allowances, but tourist visas are not work visas so tread carefully.

Furthermore, if you’re paying taxes in the United States, but haven’t been in the country for more than 35 days, you might be entitled to a massive tax refund since you’re not technically a full-time resident.

Set up a consultation with my trusted tax partner – My Expat Taxes – to find out more about tax and reporting responsibilities as a remote US worker.

3. Volunteer Abroad (2-6 months)

If you’re just starting your career or are less concerned about bringing your 9-5 abroad, you should seriously consider volunteering abroad.

There are a variety of websites that match volunteers with hosts in different countries to do a ‘work-exchange.’ In a ‘work-exchange,’ you’d exchange your labor and skills for food, room, and board.

A few things that you can do when volunteering abroad include:

• Organic Farming (WOOFing)
• Working at the front desk of a hostel
• Becoming an Au Pair (in the EU or America)
• Work as a camp counselor (I did this in Morocco!)
• and so much more!

There are endless opportunities if you want to volunteer abroad, but you’ll need to bring some savings with you as you won’t be paid for this work.

My favorite websites are:

• workaway.info
• Worldpackers.com

It’s also important to know that since this is a volunteer opportunity, you’ll need to be extra careful with your tourist visa allowance because there are always time limitations. You cannot get a work visa through a volunteer opportunity.

I‘ve lived abroad for many years and love helping others find work abroad and figure out their “Move Abroad Plan.” Check out my class below to get you started ASAP!

4. Become a Digital Nomad (1 month-2 years)

Becoming a digital nomad can be super exciting!…. but it can be tiring toward the end lol.

Moving from place to place every 30 days to make sure you’re not in violation of your tourist visa gets to you after the 2nd year, but I would still encourage everyone to do this if they have the opportunity.

So what’s the difference between being a digital nomad and having a remote contract?

Not much actually. I think the real difference between the two classifications is probably how stable the income is. A remote worker still has a traditional 9-5 whereas a digital nomad is often an entrepreneur or freelancer.

As a digital nomad, you have two options when it comes to creating a home base.

First, you can choose to bounce across countries every 1-2 months to ensure you can take advantage of all the financial benefits that come with not being tied down to a single location.

Your second option is to take advantage of a digital nomad visa in a foreign country, which will allow you to establish your tax residency there for 1 to 2 years.

There are benefits with both options; it just depends on how comfortable you are with uncertainty and constant movement.

If you choose option 1, not only are you going to need to find clients and establish a consistent cash flow, but you’ll also need to change countries every few months. This might feel overwhelming to some people; I know it was overwhelming for me.

Read this article about easy countries to move to for Americans to start your digital nomad research.

5. Short-Term Contract (2-6 months)

Contract work is often a great way to gain international experience and travel while maintaining a 9 to 5.

Essentially this means that your company sends you to a different country for a brief amount of time to complete a specific project.

These temporary contracts will likely send you abroad for 2-6 months and your company will provide you with an ‘Expat Package.’

This means that they will pay for everything; which includes housing, flights, a food stipend, and more!

I was sent on a short-term contract to Turkey for less than 2 months and it was a wild experience!

I was able to work as an emergency aid worker and was given a company apartment with a spending stipend. I saved every penny of my paycheck!

If you’re interested in doing a short-term contract, it’s important that you focus on getting the best package possible because you are uprooting your entire life to pursue this opportunity.

For example, these are the things that I would absolutely require if I was going to a new country on a short-term contract.

• My accommodation to be found and paid for in full
• Private health insurance and international medical facilities
• A food and living stipend for everyday costs
• My flights to and from paid for

Obviously, if you are volunteering to work on a short-term contract these things are not going to be guaranteed. However, any company that is reputable will likely provide all if not the majority of the following things in addition to your normal salary.

6. Travel Scholarship (3 months -2 years)

Did you know that there are travel scholarships that will pay for you to study and volunteer abroad for a certain amount of time? These are often called paid travel opportunities.

My favorite way of discovering paid travel opportunities is through my friend’s website packslight.com.

Gabby is an absolute master when it comes to applying and finding paid travel opportunities that will get you across the world at no additional cost to you.

What you’ll need to do is send in an application for the various opportunities.

Then, someone will contact you as a finalist or if you are successful in the application you can expect the company to organize and pay for your travel abroad.

My Favorite Digital Nomad Apps for Employees on the Go!

When you’re traveling and working abroad, there are certain apps that will make your life more bearable as you jet-set across the world!

Here are my favorite apps and websites for digital nomads:

If you’re ever wondering how you’re going to watch your favorite American Netflix shows while you’re abroad, then look no further than Nord VPN!

They will help you keep in contact with all of your country’s pop culture references no matter where you are in the world.

TransferWise

Because I have multiple clients that are international and have outstanding student loans to pay, I need to send money in different currencies back and forth across the world.

The most affordable way to do that is via TransferWise . You can load all sorts of currencies into your account and then exchange them into different currencies for a fraction of the cost that your bank will charge you.

If you’re interested in setting up a coaching business, look no further than Teachable .

Teachable is an online platform that helps me keep in contact with my customers all over the world and they make taking payments easy with the Stripe integration.

Fiverr or Upwork

Whenever I’m looking for freelancers, I always start on Fiverr or Upwork.

Upwork allows me to hire people from all over the world and their payment protection plan gives me the confidence I need about the quality of work my freelancers will perform.

I believe in Upwork so much, that I’ve been using it for the last eight years.

When I first moved abroad, I don’t think I truly understood how much emotional stress the move was going to cause me.

That’s why I really enjoy using online therapy services, like BetterHelp , because no matter where I am in the world I can always stay with the therapist I trust and I can do my sessions in my native language.

Opening a bank account as a foreigner abroad is incredibly difficult. I’m so grateful that N26 allows me to spend local money in Europe despite having an American passport.

The flexibility of N26 made it possible for me to sign an apartment lease and start my life in Germany properly.

Important Tax Considerations for Traveling while Working

Something I wish someone would’ve told me before I moved abroad was the fact that there is no way to avoid taxes, no matter where you are in the world.

Even if you have a company registered outside of the country you’re living in currently.

If you are American or a green card holder, you are expected to report and file taxes every single year no matter where you are in the world.

But reporting and Filene doesn’t necessarily mean paying additional taxes to the United States if you don’t currently live there.

If you stay out of the US for at least 330 days in a full calendar year, you will potentially not need to pay taxes to the United States government.

However, it is likely that you are a tax resident in another country and will owe taxes there instead.

If you are a digital nomad from the United States, and you don’t take up residency in any one country then you could potentially receive a large tax refund from the US government come tax season.

Use Form 2555 to claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.

For more specific information on what forms to file and how to file correctly, head on over to my trusted partner My Expat Taxes .

My Expat Taxes is a wonderful resource and software to ensure you get the maximum refund possible while still remaining budget-friendly.

Ways to Get Sh*t Done while Working and Traveling

It’s definitely not easy to stay focused while traveling and working full-time. Somehow corporate meetings just aren’t as interesting as cenote dives and adventures across the ocean. [LOL]

Here are a few ways I stay focused while working full-time and traveling.

First, be sure you have a good set-up in your new home to do your work. There’s nothing worse than trying to get work done in an awkward sitting position or just on your bed.

Next, some countries are not known for their strong Wi-Fi signal, be sure to inquire before you arrive with your Airbnb host that the Wi-Fi is suitable to conduct meetings and streaming.

Third, check to see if there are any low-cost co-working stations in the city that you’re traveling in.

They often have day passes or short-term agreements so people just like you can come in and work in a normal environment every so often.

Finally, make sure to adjust your work calendar based on the different time zones that you’ll be traveling through.

This is an automatic feature but you have to enable it in order for your meetings to be expressed correctly.

Now You’re Ready to Start Traveling while Working Full-Time

I hope you found this article to be helpful in giving you ideas regarding how to balance a full work schedule with your ambitions to travel.

There are so many opportunities to travel and work full-time, you just need to find the right option for you.

If you want my direct support and feedback on your specific circumstances, schedule a private coaching session with me here.

If you’re interested in learning more about working while traveling abroad, read these additional articles that might be of some help:

• This is how you can find a job in another country
• Here I go into more detail about how to find affordable travel opportunities
• Consider doing a master’s abroad, because you can also work while you study
• Here’s information about how I was able to put it into the tech industry in London

If you want additional support in your move abroad, consider taking my Move Abroad Master Class for everything you might need to know regarding your international relocation.

Thanks so much for reading this post and I hope to see you on Instagram!

Vanessa Wachtmeister is a travel tech professional and the creator of the wealth & wanderlust platform, Wander Onwards. Vanessa is originally from Los Angeles, California, she is a proud Chicana, and she has been living abroad for the last 9 years. Today, she helps people pursue financial and location independence through her ‘Move Abroad’ Master Class, financial literacy digital products, and career workshops.

Your Guide To Working Remotely While Traveling

A re your dreams of an exhilarating, freeing, and rewarding new life on the road pushing you to finally take the leap toward working remotely and from anywhere in the world? You're not the only one — the number of digital nomads around the globe increased from 10.9 million in 2020 to 35 million in 2023 (up 220%), with a whopping 16.9 million coming from the U.S. alone. Working remotely while traveling offers ample opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life, explore breathtaking new landscapes, and embrace a flexible work-life balance. 

But before your plans take shape, it's super important to do the groundwork first. From internet connectivity to finding your community and picking the right destinations to work from, this lifestyle isn't without its unique set of tests and considerations. And that's where we come in. Our handy guide (full of tips and tricks) can support you with all the tools needed to troubleshoot future challenges and help you set the stage for a truly unforgettable adventure. All that's left is to make sure you stay open-minded, adaptable, and willing to learn from your experiences along the way, and we guarantee you'll have the time of your life.

Read more: How To Create Your Own Travel Capsule Wardrobe To Make Packing Easier

Bag The Right Remote Job

To squeeze all the best bits out of this lifestyle, you need to get yourself the right job. But how? Thankfully, there are a bunch of roles ideally suited to remote workers. We're talking about tech jobs, or those in the arts and creative space, such as computer engineers, software developers, recruiters, writers, editors, graphic designers, web designers, transcriptionists, translators, data entry clerks, and accountants. 

What most of these roles have in common is the ability to work 100% remotely and without much contact time in the form of meetings. This gives you real flexibility in terms of the hours you work but doesn't pigeonhole you into one specific time zone. As a digital nomad, this is imperative for the life you're looking to lead — remember, you want to have the freedom to work from and travel to any destination your heart desires, if possible.

The majority of these jobs are also project-led, meaning that once you've finished your tasks, you can usually clock off for the day. As you can imagine, this works wonders for motivation and productivity levels! Finally, it helps to find a job that's not overly demanding. After all, one of the biggest selling points of digital nomadism is the chance to experience new cultures and places. But without a healthy work-life balance, you'll surely miss out on this.

Pick Your Destination Wisely

The digital age allows us to work from anywhere, but picking the right "anywhere" can make all the difference. Before researching the best international destinations for remote workers , think about the environment you need to thrive in. Do you love art? Maybe Buenos Aires or Florence is calling. The weather can have a significant bearing on proceedings, too. So, if you love the tropics, perhaps a remote Indonesian island is your best bet. Is mountain air more your thing? Consider India's Dharamshala or Bansko in the Pirin Mountains of Bulgaria. Speaking of the elements, keep an eye on weather patterns when it comes to the risk of thunderstorms, hurricanes, and typhoons.

Wi-Fi is up next — you might be on the other side of the world with the most idyllic view of snowy mountain ranges, but if your internet connection keeps dropping out, good luck getting any work done. Avoid this nightmare by looking into online reviews from other travelers or ask the host or receptionist to send you an internet speed test before booking. 

Perhaps the biggest consideration, though, is the cost of living. Singapore, Tokyo, and any of the Scandinavian countries, as well as Switzerland and U.S. cities like San Francisco, are notorious for being expensive. But many stops in Southeast Asia, like Hanoi, Bali, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok, are much more affordable, alongside countless cities in Latin America like Antigua, Medellin, and Mexico City.

Assemble Your Tech

You can't set yourself up as a serious remote worker without having a reliable computer or a laptop. It should be light enough to carry around on your travels but have all the features and functionality needed to perform well. You might be tempted to save as much money as possible here, but don't be afraid to fork out a little more for quality and a model you can trust to deliver the goods. Remember, it's an investment and will be worth the extra bucks in the long run. The alternative? Ringing your insurance provider every other week because your laptop is malfunctioning again. We know which scenario we'd prefer.

If you have more of a creative role like running a podcast, are a graphic designer, or someone who shoots videos, extra equipment will be in order. This could look like microphones, lights, video cameras, a special mouse, expert software, and noise-canceling headphones, among other things. As you'll be carrying it around from place to place, focus on getting hold of the lightest models available, but not if this means losing out on quality. That reminds us. An up-to-date smartphone can be a lifesaver, too. The two-factor authentication for your phone and computer can stop you from getting locked out of your accounts. It also provides a useful internet hotspot if you are scrambling for a connection one day.

Be Picky About Accomodation

Co-working spaces, co-living communities, open-plan hostels, or rental apartments with working areas are great for balancing work and play. It means you can get your projects done while making the most of socializing with like-minded people — and this is vital. While there are plenty of upsides to the digital nomad life, you might feel a bit lonely at times, especially if you like to move around frequently. 

Do you prefer to stay in a private bungalow or apartment for added privacy but are worried about isolating yourself? Go to cafés and local libraries for your working days instead — both often provide free WiFi and a unique chance to engage with others. Our last tip for scouting out the perfect living quarters is to read through other travelers' experiences on accommodation websites. You'll find everything you need to know about a place in the reviews section on Booking.com, Hostelworld, or sites like Airbnb. The latter also has a unique filter you can select when it comes to dedicated working spaces.

Select Your Budget Style And Track Your Expenses

It's not the sexiest aspect of life as a remote worker, but setting and tracking your budgets daily is one of the most important. The first thing you need to do is choose your budgeting style — maybe the 50/30/20 method appeals to you, which means dividing your monthly income after tax into three clear areas. For this, 50% is used for needs, 30% is spent on any wants, and 20% goes to your savings. The zero-sum method is a slightly different style and is popular among other nomads. It means putting every ounce of your paycheck toward something — such as a portion into your savings accounts and investments, with the rest allocated to things like Airbnb stays, transport, food, sightseeing, and other expenses like visas.

And when it comes to keeping tabs on your spending, wave goodbye to those drab Excel spreadsheets and say hello to the world of budgeting apps. One of the best is TravelSpend , which even has a free version. It's perfect for setting your budget, monitoring your spending, and giving you an average daily output. It also breaks down each expense into categories like accommodation, transport, and groceries, so you can see where most of your money is going at a glance. What's more, you can set up a separate budget sheet for each location you visit, meaning you can compare overall costs wherever you go.

Get Comfortable With The Unknown

If the remote worker lifestyle appeals to you, you're likely open about where your journey might take you. The best advice is to fully embrace this freedom and relax about your ever-changing schedule. After all, it's what keeps things interesting. So, if you know you like to be super organized and have everything all mapped out, give yourself a little wiggle room in the flexibility department. 

You could try planning your work and social life weekly instead of months in advance. That way, if you come down with an illness, there's a power cut, or your flight gets canceled, you can be nimble, agile, and go with the flow a little bit. This might look like having a rough idea about what days you'll work in the week but being flexible and adaptable if plans change. Above all, you want to feel like you can deliver on all your work projects while making the most of the incredible new digs you find yourself in.

Try to establish a routine amid all this instability, though, no matter how small. Why not make a point of cooking your favorite breakfast every morning, setting a regular slot each week to have FaceTime calls with friends and family back home, or meditating before you sleep every night? It'll look different to everyone, but the important thing here is to find little ways to keep yourself grounded.

Learn About Local Cultures, Customs, And Languages

If you're planning to live and work in a new spot for a while, it makes sense to keep the local people onside. Besides, immersing yourself in a new culture can be hugely rewarding. You can do this by looking into specific rules and customs before you arrive. For example, eating with your hands in India, knowing the types of gifts you should avoid giving someone in China, and steering clear of certain topics of conversation in Rio de Janeiro are all super important things to be aware of. Oh, and don't assume everyone can speak English, either. Instead, make sure you can say a few phrases in the local language like "hello" and "thank you" — this will go a long way with locals. Feeling shy? Ease yourself into things by practicing these words when you go in and out of convenience stores or cafés.

The same can be said for dress codes — you'll want to wear modest clothing in most of Asia, especially in and around mosque or temple areas, to show your respect. So, pack items like trousers or longer-sleeved tops ahead of time. It's best to avoid drawing attention to yourself in countries with high crime rates like Brazil. This means leaving expensive apparel and jewelry at home and embracing your casual wardrobe.

Prioritize Your Health And Safety

It's your responsibility to understand all the medical risks before you leave your home country. Still, a nurse can give you a heads-up about any vaccinations you should receive or medication (like malaria tablets) you should take. It's a good idea to pack a stash of oral rehydration salts, paracetamol, and other first-aid supplies, too. These are usually available to buy abroad, but if you need them urgently, it's great to have an emergency kit in your bag.

Next up, don't go anywhere without a solid travel insurance policy. It's true that digital nomad options can be more expensive, but they cover you for most issues you might come up against while working abroad, including a broken or stolen computer. Sure, you can follow all the  tips for keeping your laptop safe when traveling , but taking out an insurance policy from the likes of World Nomads or SafetyWing will give you absolute peace of mind.

From a security point of view, consider using a dependable and efficient virtual private network (VPN) as well — something like NordVPN . It encrypts your data, bolsters security, and can grant you access to content and websites that may be blocked wherever you are, such as internal work portals you need for your projects. Not to mention streaming platforms for watching your favorite shows and social media channels for keeping up to date with friends.

Find Your Work-Life Balance

The joy of this lifestyle is the balance between work hours and wanderlust moments, so make it work for you. That means creating a schedule that allows you to explore your surroundings while meeting your work responsibilities. After all, what's the point of being in a beautiful place if you don't have the time to enjoy it? This is where finding the right role benefits you in spades — ideally, you should pick something that's fulfilling, pays the bills, and isn't too demanding. But even if you've got the work part right, it's still possible to overstretch yourself by playing or exploring too hard, especially when there are so many new people to meet and gorgeous spots to explore. 

With this in mind, try to travel slowly or slower than you would if you were backpacking or on a city break. A good rule of thumb is to spend at least a few weeks in one place. Another way to balance things out is to take the occasional Friday off and enjoy a long weekend exploring nearby sights. For this, work out what's on your hit list when you get to each new destination and accept that you probably won't be able to see or do everything — unless you're planning on staying for months on end.

Network To Find Your Community

The unique combination of freedom and adventure is the biggest appeal of digital nomadism, but maintaining this lifestyle means spending most of your time away from family and friends back home. For this reason, it can sometimes feel like a solitary journey ( remote work loneliness is real), especially when you first arrive at a new place. But that's why it's essential to build a network of good people around you as quickly as possible.

First, do your homework and look into online resources for where you plan to settle next. Are there digital nomad or remote worker communities and forums you can check out? Look to social media groups on Facebook, hashtags, or lists on X, formerly known as Twitter, WhatsApp groups, or even Instagram. Each of these examples is a great facilitator for local meetups with other digital nomads and spaces for advising about what's good to do in the area. Or you could choose to stay in a co-working space, allowing you to work and socialize with others in the same boat as you. Aside from this, it's never a bad idea to chat with locals in cafés, bars, restaurants, and shops to build even more of those all-important connections.

Don't Forget The Legal Bit

As a digital nomad, you'll want to make sure you dig into each prospective location well before you arrive. Get into the habit of checking government websites for any legal considerations you need to factor into your plans. Some of the questions you should seek answers to include: How long are you allowed to stay in the country? Do you need to provide proof of onward travel? Do you require a visa to enter the country? And if you're planning to work remotely, do you need a work permit to earn money as a digital nomad? Then, there are vaccination and passport requirements.

Some countries have restrictions on remote work, for example, and you need to make sure you comply with these to stop yourself from getting into trouble. On the other hand, plenty of others now offer specific programs for digital nomads, like Canada's new remote work visa , as well as similar options up for grabs in Croatia, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Spain, and Dubai.

Have Multiple Backup Plans

Digital nomadism has its many ups and a few downs. We hope things run as smoothly as can be for you, but at some point along your journey, there's bound to be at least one situation that leaves you a bit worse for wear. That's why it's so important to have a series of backup plans — instead of being completely floored by a freak accident or a blunder on your part, you can troubleshoot your way through these issues without too much difficulty.

For starters, keep one debit or credit card separate from the rest. If your wallet or cardholder goes missing, you always have access to your money when abroad. Get yourself an Apple AirTag (or two) for your luggage, as well. As a nomad, you'll be transporting the equipment needed to do your job often, whether on flights, buses, taxis, or trains, and these lifesavers can help you keep tabs on all of your belongings. Having a portable WiFi device isn't a bad idea, either. It means you can always get online and carry out your duties, no matter where you are. 

Plus, it's a good idea to print off two paper photocopies of your passport just in case the real one goes missing. Make sure you're constantly backing up your work devices, too. Many use Google Suite, which automatically saves documents, photos, slides, and spreadsheets, but investing in your external storage device wouldn't hurt. 

Read the original article on Explore .

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Money blog: Couples reveal how they split finances when one earns more than other

Welcome to the Money, your place for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Read our weekend feature on relationship finances below and let us know how you and your partner divide money in the comments box. We'll be back with live updates on Monday.

Saturday 17 August 2024 12:43, UK

Essential reads

• Couples on how they split finances when one earns more than other
• What's gone wrong at Asda?
• The week in money
• Best of the Money blog - an archive of features

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Ask a question or make a comment

By Emily Mee , news reporter

Openly discussing how you split your finances with your partner feels pretty taboo - even among friends.

As a consequence, it can be difficult to know how to approach these conversations with our partner or what is largely considered fair - especially if there's a big imbalance salary-wise. 

Research by Hargreaves Lansdown suggests in an average household with a couple, three-quarters of the income is earned by one person. 

Even when there is a large disparity, some couples will want to pay the same amount on bills as they want to contribute equally. 

But for others, one partner can feel resentful if they are spending all of their money on bills while the other has much more to spend and is living a different lifestyle as a result. 

At what stage of the relationship can you talk about money?

"We've kind of formally agreed there is some point in a relationship you start talking about kids - there is no generally agreed time that we start talking about money," says Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown. 

Some couples may never get around to mentioning it, leading to "lopsided finances". 

Ms Coles says if you want to keep on top of finances with your partner, you could set a specific date in the year that you go through it all. 

"If it's in the diary and it's not emotional and it's not personal then you can properly go through it," she says.

"It's not a question of 'you need to pull more weight'.  It's purely just this is what we've agreed, this is the maths and this is how we need to do that."

While many people start talking about finances around Christmas, Ms Coles suggests this can be a "trying time" for couples so February might be a "less emotional time to sit down". 

How do you have the conversation if you feel the current arrangement is unfair?

Relationship counsellor at Relate , Peter Saddington, says that setting out the balance as "unfair" shouldn't be your starting point. 

You need to be honest about your position, he says, but your conversation should be negotiating as a couple what works for both of you. 

Before you have to jump into the conversation, think about: 

• Letting your partner know in advance rather than springing it on them;
• Making sure you and your partner haven't drunk alcohol before having the conversation, as this can make it easy for it to spiral;
• Having all the facts to hand, so you know exactly how much you are spending;
• Using 'I' statements rather than 'you'. For example, you could say to your partner: "I'm really worried about my finances and I would like to sit down and talk about how we manage it. Can we plan a time when we can sit down and do it?"

Mr Saddington says if your partner is not willing to help, you should look at the reasons or question if there are other things in the relationship that need sorting out. 

If you're having repeated arguments about money, he says you might have opposite communication styles causing you to "keep headbutting". 

Another reason could be there is a "big resentment" lurking in the background - and it may be that you need a third party such as a counsellor, therapist or mediator to help resolve it. 

Mr Saddington says there needs to be a "safe space" to have these conversations, and that a third party can help untangle resentments from what is happening now. 

He also suggests considering both of your attitudes to money, which he says can be formed by your early life and your family. 

"If you grew up in a family where there wasn't any money, or it wasn't talked about, or it was pushed that you save instead of spend, and the other person had the opposite, you can see where those conversations go horribly wrong. 

"Understanding what influences each of you when it comes to money is important to do before you have significant conversations about it."

What are the different ways you can split your finances?

There's no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are several ways you can do it - with Money blog readers getting in touch to let us know their approach...

1. Separate personal accounts - both pay the same amount into a joint account regardless of income

Paul Fuller, 40, earns approximately £40,000 a year while his wife earns about £70,000. 

They each have separate accounts, including savings accounts, but they pay the same amount (£900) each a month into a joint account to pay for their bills. 

Paul says this pays for the things they both benefit from or have a responsibility for, but when it comes to other spending his wife should be able to spend as she likes. 

"It's not for me to turn around to my wife and expect her to justify why she thinks it's appropriate to spend £150 in a hairdresser. She works her backside off and she has a very stressful job," he says. 

However, their arrangement is still flexible. Their mortgage is going up by £350 a month soon, so his wife has agreed to pay £200 of that. 

And if his wife wants a takeaway but he can't afford to pay for it, she'll say it's on her.

"Where a lot of people go wrong is being unable to have those conversations," says Paul.

2. Separate personal accounts - whoever earns the most puts more into a joint account

This is a more formal arrangement than the hybrid approach Paul and his wife use, and many Money blog readers seem to do this in one form or another judging by our inbox.

There's no right or wrong way to do the maths - you could both put in the same percentage of your individual salaries, or come up with a figure you think is fair, or ensure you're both left with the same amount of spending money after each payday.

3. Everything is shared

Gordon Hurd and his wife Brenda live by their spreadsheet. 

Brenda earns about £800 more a month as she is working full-time while Gordon is freelance. Previously Gordon had been the breadwinner - so it's a big turnaround.

They each have separate accounts with different banks, but they can both access the two accounts. 

How much is left in each account - and their incomings and outgoings - is all detailed in the spreadsheet, which is managed weekly. 

Whenever they need to buy something, they can see how much is left in each account and pay from either one. 

Gordon says this means "everyone knows how much is available" and "each person's money belongs to the other". 

"We have never in the last decade had a single disagreement about money and that is because of this strategy," he says.

Money blog reader Shredder79 got in touch to say he takes a similar approach. 

"I earn £50k and my wife earns just under £150k. We have one joint bank account that our wages go into and all our outgoings come out of. Some friends can't get their head around that but it's normal for us."

Another reader, Curtis, also puts his wages into a joint account with his wife. 

"After all, when you have a family (three kids) it shouldn't matter who earns more or less!" he says. 

Reader Alec goes further and says he questions "the authenticity of any long-term relationship or the certainly of a marriage if a couple does not completely share a bank account for all earnings and all outgoings". 

"As for earning significantly more than the other, so what? If you are one couple or long-term partnership you are one team and you simply communicate and share everything," he says. 

"Personally I couldn't imagine doing it any other way and I do instinctively wonder what issues or insecurities, whether it be in trust or something else, sit beneath the need to feel like you need to keep your finances separate from one another, especially if you are a married couple." 

A reader going by the name lljdc agrees, saying: "I earn half of what my husband does because I work part-time. Neither of us has a solo account. We have one joint account and everything goes into this and we just spend it however we like. All bills come out of this too. Sometimes I spend more, sometimes he spends more."

4. Separate accounts - but the higher earner pays their partner an 'allowance'

If one partner is earning much more than the other, or one partner isn't earning for whatever reason, they could keep separate accounts and have the higher earner pay their partner an allowance. 

This would see them transfer an agreed amount each week or month to their partner's account.

Let us know how you and your partner talk about and split finances in the comments box - we'll feature some of the best next week

By Jimmy Rice, Money blog editor

The centre-point of a significant week in the economy was inflation data, released first thing on Wednesday, that showed price rises accelerated in July to 2.2%.

Economists attributed part of the rise to energy prices - which have fallen this year, but at a much slower rate than they did last year. 

As our business correspondent Paul Kelso pointed out, it felt like the kind of mild fluctuation we can probably expect month to month now that sky high price hikes are behind us, though analysts do expect inflation to tick up further through the remainder of the year...

Underneath the bonnet, service inflation, taking in restaurants and hotels, dropped from 5.7% to 5.2%.

This is important because a large part of this is wages - and they've been a concern for the Bank of England as they plot a route for interest rates.

On Tuesday we learned average weekly earnings had also fallen - from 5.7% to 5.4% in the latest statistics.

High wages can be inflationary (1/ people have more to spend, 2/ employers might raise prices to cover staff costs), so any easing will only aid the case for a less restrictive monetary policy. Or, to put it in words most people use, the case for interest rate cuts.

Markets think there'll be two more cuts this year - nothing has changed there.

Away from the economy, official data also illustrated the pain being felt by renters across the UK.

The ONS said:

• Average UK private rents increased by 8.6% in the 12 months to July 2024, unchanged from in the 12 months to June 2024;
• Average rents increased to £1,319 (8.6%) in England, £748 (7.9%) in Wales, and £965 (8.2%) in Scotland;
• In Northern Ireland, average rents increased by 10% in the 12 months to May 2024;
• In England, rents inflation was highest in London (9.7%) and lowest in the North East (6.1%).

Yesterday, we found the UK economy grew 0.6% over three months to the end of June. 

That growth rate was the second highest among the G7 group of industrialised nations - only the United States performed better with 0.7%, though Japan and Germany have yet to released their latest data.

Interestingly, there was no growth at all in June, the Office for National Statistics said, as businesses delayed purchases until after the general election.

"In a range of industries across the economy, businesses stated that customers were delaying placing orders until the outcome of the election was known," the ONS said.

Finally, a shout for this analysis from business presenter Ian King examining what's gone wrong at Asda. It's been one of our most read articles this week and is well worth five minutes of your Friday commute or weekend...

We're signing out of regular updates now until Monday - but do check out our weekend read from 8am on Saturday. This week we're examining how couples who earn different amounts split their finances.

Each week we feature comments from Money blog readers on the story or stories that elicited most correspondence.

Our weekend probe into the myriad reasons for pub closures in the UK prompted hundreds of comments.

Landlords and campaigners, researchers and residents revealed to Sky News the "thousand cuts" killing Britain's boozers - and what it takes to survive the assault.

Here was your take on the subject...

I've been a publican for 19 years. This article is bang on! It's like you've overheard my conversations with my customers - COVID, cost of living, wages - the traditional British boozer going out of fashion. (My place: no food, no small children). Hey Jood

I own a small craft ale bar or micropub as some say. The current climate is sickening for the whole hospitality sector. This summer has been ridiculously quiet compared to previous ones. Micropubs were on the rise pre-COVID, but not now even we're struggling to survive… Lauren

I am an ex-landlord. It's ridiculous you can buy 10 cans for £10 or one pint for £5 now. It's not rocket science, it's a no-brainer: reverse the situation. Make supermarket beer more expensive than pub beer, then people will start to go out and mix again rather than getting drunk at home. Ivanlordpeers

Bought four pints of my regular drink at a supermarket for less than one pint in our local pub. It's becoming a luxury to go to a pub these days. Torquay David

Traditional pubs are being taken over by conglomerates who don't sell traditional beer, only very expensive lager, usually foreign, and other similar gassy drinks. How can they be called traditional pubs? Bronzestraw

The main reason for pubs closing is twofold! 1: The out-of-reach rents that the big groups charge landlords. 2: Landlords are told what stock they can hold and restrict where they can purchase it from. Strange, but most pubs belonged to the same groups! A pub-goer

Less pubs are managed now, pub companies are changing them to managed partnerships, putting the pressure onto inexperienced young ex-managers. Locals complain that their local pub has gone. but they don't use them enough. Can government regulate rents and beer prices for business owners? John Darkins

I was a brewery tenant in Scotland for many years and sequestrated because of the constant grabbing at my money by greedy brewers who wanted more and more. I made my pub very successful and was penalised by the brewery. James MacQuarrie 

The only reason pubs are closing is locals only use them on Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, and one Sunday a year. Plus breweries don't need pubs, they sell enough through supermarkets! Use them or lose them. Peter Smith

The closing of pubs is a terrible shame. I still go to my local and have great memories of getting drunk in many in my hometown. They are important places in society. As someone once said: "No good story ever started with a salad." Kev K

It's the taxman killing pubs. £1 of every £3 sold. Utter disgrace. Stef

I go with my girlfriend, Prue, every day to my local. It's a shame what's happening to prices. It used to be full of people and joy but now it's a ghost town in the pub since prices are too high now. I wish we could turn back time and find out what went wrong. Niall Benson

Minimum wage is around £11 and the tax threshold is £12,600 per year. How can you possibly afford a night in a pub out when a pint costs between £3 and £8 a pint on those wages? Allan7777blue

Unfortunately, the very people who have kept these establishments going over the years (the working man) have been priced out, and they're paying the price. Dandexter

The pubs are too expensive for people to go out regularly as we once did a decade or so ago. People's priorities are on survival, not recreation. Until the living wage increases beyond an inflation that wages haven't risen above in years, then we will see shops, pubs, etc. close JD

Who wants to spend hard-earned money going into a pub that's nearly always empty. It takes away one of the main attractions - socialising. Michael

Monzo has been named the best bank in the UK for customer satisfaction, according to a major survey. 

More than 17,000 personal current account customers rated their bank on the quality of its services and how likely they would be to recommend to friends or family. 

Digital banks made up the top three, with Monzo coming out on top, followed by Starling Bank and then Chase. 

Some 80% of Monzo customers said they would recommend the bank. 

The digital banking app said topping the tables "time and time again" was not something it would "ever take for granted". 

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was bottom of the ranking for another year. 

The banks with the best services in branches were Nationwide, Lloyds Bank and Metro Bank. 

Gail's bakery chain has come under fire for repurposing unsold pastries into croissants and selling them for almost £4 the next day.

The retailer lists the "twice baked" chocolate almond croissants as part of its "Waste Not" range, which means it is made using leftover croissants that are then "topped with almond frangipane and flaked almonds".

The scheme has been hit with criticism online, with many pointing out the £3.90 price tag is 95p more than the original croissant.

One X user said: "The audacity of bragging about it being part of their 'Waste Not' range like we should be grateful to them and proud of ourselves for contributing to reducing food waste when they could just sell it for less money – not one pound more than yesterday.

"Unsure whether to be impressed or horrified that someone has come up with a concept to capitalise on yellow sticker goods to make more profit."

It should be added, however, that the practice was not invented by Gail's - and almond croissants were originally created by French boulangeries to reuse day-old croissants and stop them going stale.

When factoring in the extra ingredients (almond frangipane and flaked almonds) and baking time, the bakery chain would likely defend the increased price by pointing to the additional costs incurred.

It comes as locals in a trendy London neighbourhood signed a petition against a Gail's bakery setting up shop in their area.

After (unconfirmed) rumours began circulating that the chain was looking to open a site in Walthamstow village, more than 600 have signed a petition opposing the plans.

The petition says the village "faces a threat to its uniqueness" should Gail's move into the area (see yesterday's 11.54am post for more).

Gail's has been contacted for comment.

British retailers saw a rise in sales last month after a boost from Euro 2024 and summer discounting, according to official figures.

High street retailers said sales of football shirts, electronics such as TVs, and alcoholic drinks were all stronger amid the Three Lions' journey to the final.

Total retail sales volumes rose by 0.5% in July, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. It was, however, slightly below predictions, with economists forecasting a 0.7% increase.

It followed a 0.9% slump in volumes in June as retail firms blamed uncertainty ahead of the general election and poor weather.

ONS director of economic statistics, Liz McKeown, said: "Retail sales grew in July led by increases in department stores and sports equipment shops, with both the Euros and discounting across many stores boosting sales.

"These increases were offset by a poor month for clothing and furniture shops, and falling fuel sales, despite prices at the pump falling."

The data showed that non-food stores saw a 1.4% rise, driven by a strong performance from department stores, where sales grew by 4% for the month as summer sales helped to stoke demand.

However, clothing and footwear shops saw a 0.6% dip, whilst homeware retailers also saw volumes fall 0.6%. Food stores, meanwhile, saw sales remain flat for the month.

There are fears that the £2-cap on single bus fares could be scrapped after the government declined to say whether the policy would continue past December.

Bus companies said it was vital the cost of using their services is kept low for young people to "enhance their access to education and jobs".

Alison Edwards, director of policy and external relations at industry body the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: "Bus operators are working closely with the government so that together we can find a way to avoid a cliff edge return to commercial fares.

"Analysis has shown that supporting fares, which can be done in a range of different ways, is great value for money and can support many other government objectives.

"For example, keeping fares low for young people would enhance their access to education and jobs, while also encouraging them to develop sustainable travel habits to last a lifetime."

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said in a recent interview with the PA news agency that her officials were "looking at various options" in relation to the cap, including whether they could "target it better".

It's been a busy week on the economic front.

There was no major shift in the overall outlook - since Monday we've had it confirmed that the UK economy has lower inflation and more growth than the last two years, while wages have grown faster than the overall pace of price rises.

On the back of all that news the pound is at the highest rate since early this month against the dollar, worth $1.2882, and the highest since July when it comes to buying euro with one pound equal to €1.1733. 

Signs of a recovery from the global market sell-off of Monday last week can be seen in the share prices of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Share prices have grown among the most valuable companies on the stock exchange, those that comprise the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 list of most valuable companies.

Today though, this benchmark UK index fell 0.19% but finishes the week higher than the start.

Also finishing the week higher than the start are the more UK-based companies of the FTSE 250 (the 101st to the 250th most valuable firms on the London Stock Exchange).

On Friday morning that index was up 0.08%. 

With tensions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe high as Iran mulled a retaliatory strike on Israel and Ukraine made incursions into Russian territory, there had been concern about energy price spikes.

But the benchmark oil price has remained steady at $80.13 dollars for a barrel of Brent crude oil.

Gas prices have remained below the Monday high of 100 pence a therm (the measurement for heat) and now are 94.50 pence a therm. 

A Cabinet Office minister has said it is "unfair" to suggest other public sector workers will be queuing up for a pay rise after the government's offer of a 15% increase for train drivers and junior doctors.

"I think that's an unfair characterisation as well," paymaster general Nick Thomas-Symonds told Times Radio.

"I think what is absolutely crucial here is we are a Government again that is sticking to the promises we made in opposition.

"We promised we would sit down and find solutions, and people expressed scepticism about that, but actually that is precisely what we have done in Government."

Last month, the government and the British Medical Association struck an improved pay deal for junior doctors in England worth 22% on average over two years.

Meanwhile, train drivers will vote on a new pay deal following talks between representatives of drivers' union ASLEF and the Department for Transport.

The new offer is for a 5% backdated pay rise for 2022/23, a 4.75% rise for 23/24, and 4.5% increase for 24/25.

The Dartford Crossing is the highest-earning toll road in the UK, new data shows. 

The Kent to Essex route raked in £215.9m in the last year - 2,159 times more than the Whitney toll bridge in Hereford. 

The crossing, which was supposed to stop charging customers in 2003, costs between £2 and £6 to use (depending on the vehicle you're driving) between 10am and 6pm every day. 

Car finance company Moneybarn found it earned just over £209m in 2022. 

It topped the chart of 13 toll roads in the country, making over £100m more than the second highest-earning road in 2023 - the M6 Toll in the West Midlands. 

In third place was the Mersey Gateway Bridge between Halton and Cheshire, which made £48.9m. 

You can see how the other toll roads fared below... 

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5 Ways to Improve Your Fitness on Vacation

Fitness experts share their tips for managing your workout routine while traveling.

By Anna Maltby

The next time you’re trying to fit in a workout on a trip, it might be comforting to know that even fitness experts don’t necessarily recommend a “no excuses” attitude.

Cedric Bryant, the president and chief executive of the American Council on Exercise, said you should prioritize balance and your well-being when deciding whether — or how much — to exercise on vacation. “The key is to be smart enough to listen to your body and your mind, and do what feels right for you,” he said.

Still, making a little time to move has clear benefits: Physical activity helps reduce stress and lower cortisol, which can enhance how relaxed you feel, Dr. Bryant said. Plus, staying active can help regulate your sleep, which could make it easier for you to adjust to a new time zone.

Here are a few ideas from fitness trainers and coaches for how to approach your exercise routine while traveling.

Use exercise to explore the area

Most people walk a lot more on vacation than at home without realizing it, said D’Annette Stephens, a personal trainer and the fitness programs coordinator at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Walking, running and biking are all excellent ways to experience a new place — and get some cardiovascular exercise while you’re at it. Walking just 4,000 steps per day can reduce the risk of dying from any cause, according to one study from last year.

A hotel, resort or studio in another city can be a good place to try a new fitness class, said Jamie Carbaugh, a weight-inclusive online personal trainer: “It’s a great chance to explore something outside your comfort zone without the worry that your co-worker might show up right next to you,” she said.

If you’re visiting somewhere with outdoor recreation access, activities like hiking or kayaking can also be great options. Paul Valukas, a strength and conditioning coach in Madison, Wis., likes to mountain bike on trips to Colorado with his wife. That way, they can get outside while challenging themselves physically.

“I’m not going to go sit in a squat rack in Crested Butte,” he said.

Pack light equipment — if you’ll use it

Resistance bands are easy to pack and can be used for a variety of strength training exercises, Dr. Bryant said. A looped band can go just above your knees for hip strengthening exercises like clamshells and monster walks, and you can use a longer band with handles for overhead presses and rows, Ms. Stephens said. Resistance training can improve both muscle strength and cardiovascular health .

Then again, if you can’t realistically see yourself doing a banded workout in your hotel room or on the beach, don’t bother packing them, Mr. Valukas said. Bring what you’ll actually use.

In case you need extra motivation: Strength training can help reduce the aches and pains of travel, Ms. Stephens said, whether from walking, sitting on airplanes or sleeping on hotel mattresses.

Embrace bite-size routines

If sightseeing or that juicy airport paperback is demanding most of your time, don’t stress about finding the hours for a long, involved workout. Focus on what you can get done in a few minutes — ideally in the morning, before the fun of the day pulls you away, Ms. Carbaugh said. Numerous studies suggest that even short bursts of exercise offer real health benefits .

A short walk or dynamic stretching can help you warm up quickly. Then, try a few sets of simple body weight exercises. Ms. Carbaugh suggested 10 to 15 reps of things like squats with heel raises, push-ups with hands on a park bench (or sturdy table) and a dynamic stretch like downward dog with alternating bent knees. Cool down with some chest openers and lower-body stretches.

For something higher intensity that you can easily do in a hotel room, Mr. Valukas said to consider an AMRAP workout, short for “as many rounds as possible.” Set a timer for 15 or 20 minutes and cycle through four reverse lunges on each leg and six dead bugs on each side as many times as you can before the timer goes off.

Focus on recovery and supplemental work

If you often think about stretching or mobility work but never actually make time to do it, vacation can be a great opportunity to practice — especially if you can pack a small massage ball or borrow a foam roller, Ms. Stephens said.

The same applies to lower-intensity — but still challenging — workouts like Pilates and yoga , or even just squeezing in some core exercises . These are the things people tend to skip at home, Ms. Stephens said, but they’re a great way to keep your body feeling good.

Or … give yourself permission to rest

Rest and recovery are an important part of a well-rounded exercise regimen, Mr. Valukas said. “We don’t get stronger when we’re lifting; we get stronger while we’re recovering,” he said. “Even athletes have breaks built into their year.”

If you’re anxious about losing the fitness progress you’ve made by taking time off, don’t be, Dr. Bryant said. While the effects of a rest from exercise varies based on your age, activity level and overall health, research suggests that it takes longer than a week or two off to see a significant impact on cardiovascular health and muscle strength . “For a lot of people, that time off can be just what the body needed,” Dr. Bryant said.

Let Us Help You Pick Your Next Workout

Looking for a new way to get moving we have plenty of options..

This summer, find a new fitness routine that can help you build a habit for the rest of the year. Here are a few of our favorite workouts so far .

Here are a few ideas  from fitness trainers and coaches for how to approach your exercise routine while traveling.

Whether you work out regularly, play golf on the weekends or just like to garden, it’s worthwhile to practice a few exercises to help you engage your core .

If you hate exercise, here’s an easy 10-minute routine to get you started that  requires no equipment.

Physical activity can brighten your outlook and calm your nerves — if you do it strategically. Here’s how to exercise to boost your mood .

Is your workout really working for you? Take our quiz to find out .

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Transform your upper-body workouts with a simple pull-up bar  and an adjustable dumbbell set .

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A comfortable sports bra can improve your overall workout experience. These are the best on the market .

Few things are more annoying than ill-fitting, hard-to-use headphones. Here are the best ones for the gym  and for runners .