Top 10 ways to make money while traveling — Ranked from worst to best

Even in parts of the world with a very low cost of living, you can run out of money when travelling. You should therefore plan to make some kind of income while on the move.

Here is our ranking of the 10 best ways to make money while traveling. With each of them, you can at least make a few hundred dollars a month. 

Ranking the best to make money while traveling

In our rankings, we tried to combine the most important factors for the average person looking to make some money while traveling. We break down each of these ideas and explain how you can get started below. 

How to travel and make money 

1. Work remotely

The best way to earn money while traveling is by getting a job that allows you to work completely remote. This should cover your cost of living while traveling, and you won’t need to worry about coming back before you’re ready (if ever). The dream scenario. 

But it can be difficult to find such a job. Realistically, you need experience in an industry where remote work is common (developers, freelancers, translators, etc.) 

We still advise everyone planning on travelling to at least consider this option and go for a cursory job search. 

First steps...

2. Teach English

You can teach English online, or in-person at schools based in places you want to visit. 

The benefit of online teaching is that you will normally be doing fewer hours for better pay, and you can work wherever you want. However, it can be hard to find your first students and get started. 

Teaching in-person will require you to work more hours and stay in a fixed location, but it’s a far more sustainable source of income. And through a teach-abroad program you will normally also get housing assistance, as well as help with acquiring a working visa.

First steps...

3. GPT Sites (Surveys, Games)

For those who want to stay on the move and are looking for a more casual way to earn some extra money, we recommend completing online tasks on GPT (Get-paid-to) platforms. You can bring in a steady, moderate income with these platforms, and they don’t require any investment or training. 

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GPT platforms like Freecash will you pay to complete surveys, play new mobile games, and sign up for trial offers. All tasks can be completed directly from your phone, which is perfect for travelling, as it means you can make money while waiting for trains and planes. 

First steps...

4. Freelance

If you have skills in graphic design, web development, digital marketing or video editing, then you may be able to find decent work as a freelancer. It doesn’t have the security of normal employment, but it does mean you can take on as much or as little work as you want, when you want.  

Freelancing can certainly provide enough to sustain your travels, but it’s worth establishing your profile before travelling to make sure there will be steady work coming in.  

First steps...

5. Become a virtual assistant

A virtual assistant is effectively a new way to become a personal assistant. You will help a client make calls, schedule appointments, respond to emails, and so on, but you do it all remotely. 

This is a great way to make money while traveling, and very little prior experience is required. But be careful about accepting jobs that will require more hours than you are willing to give. Ideally, you want clients whose schedules align with your own. 

First steps...

6. House sitting

House sitting is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a new locale without the cost of accommodation. Homeowners around the world need trustworthy individuals to look after their homes and pets while they’re away. And by becoming a house sitter, you can stay in these homes for free, often in exchange for simple tasks like watering plants or feeding pets.

While you aren’t strictly earning, since you’re trading services for accommodation, the money saved on hotels can significantly stretch your travel budget. 

First steps...

7. Work on a cruise ship

If you love the sea and want to travel, working on a cruise ship might be perfect for you. But unlike the other suggestions, which are about making money while traveling, this idea is really more about traveling while making money; the job is hard, and you will be expected to work seven days a week. 

But while the work is tough, but you don’t need savings to begin, you will be paid well, and you will still get to see a lot of beautiful parts of the world. 

First steps...

8. Become an au pair

An au pair is like a live-in nanny; you will be responsible for waking the children up, getting them to school, and bringing them home, while the parents are at work. In exchange, you get a place to live with a local family, and usually a small amount of money each week.  

This is a good idea for younger travelers who don’t have savings, and are looking for more stable ways to travel. Though, the work is tough, and you will be in a fixed location for at least a few months. 

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9. Host free walking tours

If you are interested in history, and comfortable with public speaking, then you may want to consider walking tours. By giving free tours and relying on tips, you can earn money while traveling, while also learning more about the place you are visiting. 

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10. Make travel content

Starting a travel channel or blog has massive earnings potential, and could even become your career. But it’s a lot harder than simply downloading an app and filming your life. 

It takes a long time to build up enough followers to begin monetizing a channel or blog, and the brutal truth is that a lot of people who try and become content creators simply don’t ‘make it’. 

Cynicism aside, even trying this idea can be great; you get to share your experiences, and you learn a lot along the way.  

First steps...