How to Get Paid to Travel

Co-authored by Lorenzo Garriga

Updated: August 8, 2019

If your dream job is adventurous, always changing, and beyond the average 9-5 work schedule, finding a traveling job may be the perfect option for you. Depending on how much time you can commit, try seasonal work on cruise ships, creative jobs such as photography or travel blogging, and long-term commitments like a career as a flight attendant to fulfill your love of travel and support yourself at the same time.

Method One of Three:
Finding Seasonal and Instructive Work

  1. 1
    Find a job on a cruise line. Working on a cruise ship usually means long hours and poor pay, but it also means all-expense paid trips to beautiful places, plus some extra pocket money. Some cruise ship jobs include clergy, bartender, casino dealer, entertainment director, retail clerk, dance host, hairdresser, lecturer, and cook.[1]
    • A normal work schedule is 10-14 hours a day, seven days a week, and the salary is generally $1,400-$1,800 per month.[2]
    • Some popular cruise destinations that you could visit include Alaska, the Bahamas, the Mediterranean, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Northern Europe.[3]
    Lorenzo Garriga

    Lorenzo Garriga

    World Traveler & Backpacker
    Lorenzo Garriga
    Lorenzo Garriga
    World Traveler & Backpacker

    Try looking for odd jobs if you just need short-term work. Experienced traveler Lorenzo Garriga says: "If you're traveling and you don't have any money, look for a restaurant that will hire you to wash dishes. In one evening, you can make enough money to live for 2 or 3 days. You can also find jobs in bars, especially if you're near a beach, and if you have a strong constitution, you may be able to find work in construction."

  2. 2
    Work as a tour guide in an area that you love. This is a great way to explore and learn more about regions that you’re interested in. In this line of work it’s important to be a “people person,” as you will be interacting with tourists often. A knack for public speaking is also necessary for leading a fun and engaging tour, whether adventure, historical, or sight-seeing.[4]
    • Because tour guides are given training on the job, you don't have to feel stuck in one area. You can travel around to different places and work as a tour guide wherever you go.
    • Consider the benefits of the tour type and its location, such as the language you could learn there and any specialized training you could receive on the job.[5]
    • Salaries vary depending on location, but tour guides in the U.S. are generally paid $10-15 an hour.[6] Tipping is also a great way to earn a little extra money.
  3. 3
    Practice English with German and Spanish speakers. Companies like 'Diverbo' will pay for your trip to come speak English with German and Spanish speakers while enjoying dinners, parties, and free entertainment. While you won’t get a lot of downtime or chances to explore the area on your own, this is a great way to meet new friends and enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Frankfurt, Madrid, or Munich.[7]
    • Diverbo also offers a similar experience specifically for teens.
  4. 4
    Teach yoga internationally. If you’re interested in teaching yoga and traveling, this is an amazing option. After training and getting certified as a yoga teacher, look for opportunities to travel to different studios. With experience and connections with other students and teachers, you can start to teach at festivals and conferences, lead workshops, and train other aspiring yoga teachers.[8]
    • This is not a high-paying job, so it’s important to be fueled by a love of yoga and teaching rather than a desire to get famous or make lots of money.[9]
    • Writing a blog can be a great way to share your love for yoga and make a name for yourself.[10]
  5. 5
    Lead a trip as an instructor or guide. Whether you're experienced and certified in scuba, kayaking, skiing, rafting, or rock-climbing, you can turn that into a traveling job and lead expeditions or teach classes around the world. These jobs often don't pay well, unless you're involved with a resort.

Method Two of Three:
Finding Creative Work

  1. 1
    Book international photography jobs. If you’re a photographer, try offering and booking international jobs. This will allow you to travel, build your portfolio, and earn money at the same time. Clients are generally expected to pay for your travel expenses and accommodations, so anything you earn from the photography job is money straight into your pocket.
    • Destination marketing can be arranged through a country’s tourist board. The country will invite you to travel there and share about your experience in a campaign, which usually includes blog posts, social media posts, photography, and some video footage.[11]
    • Destination wedding photographers, for example, can charge $10,000 for photographing a wedding, as well as travel and living expenses while there.[12]
    • You can also license your work to other companies and publications, such as magazines, book publishers, and various commercial marketing campaigns.[13]
  2. 2
    Start a travel blog. Travel blogging has become a popular job over the past several years, and while it can appear fun and easy, it actually requires a great deal of work and skill. Whether you start on Instagram, Facebook, or your own blog, you’ll need to build a following, a brand, and some online authority before you start earning money.
    • Your first few months or more will likely be self-funded while you develop your platform and your following.
    • Once you build up an audience and credibility, you can start reaching out and working with other brands and companies. Many companies pay for bloggers and social media influencers to take sponsored trips and, in turn, post about the experience or products involved.
    • Continue to build your brand and supplement your monthly income with partnerships, ambassadorships, and affiliate links.[14]
  3. 3
    Look for work as a freelance writer. Whether this means writing travel-specific articles for your blog, contributing to a travel guidebook, or general freelance writing, this job is a great option for established writers and bloggers.
    • Look online to find some freelance jobs--online freelance marketplaces can help connect you with clients.
  4. 4
    Speak about your experiences at travel-related events. After establishing themselves, many bloggers and social media gurus take public speaking jobs at conferences and travel-related events around the world. Companies will pay for shared experiences and inspirational speeches that teach others how to gain the same kind of success.[15]
    • Speaking at events like these can earn you around $1,000-$3,000 per event.[16]

Method Three of Three:
Making a Longer-Term Commitment

  1. 1
    Teach English in a foreign country. This job is in high demand and can pay quite well, depending on the area you teach in. For example, you can make up to $45,000 a year teaching in the United Arab Emirates.[17] Though not all locations require certification, having a TEFL teaching certification will give you far more options as well as higher pay, and make you a more desirable candidate.[18]You can obtain this certificate online.
    • The length of your stay varies with this job. Schools will ask you to stay anywhere from a few months to a year or longer.[19]
    • When it comes to the length of your stay, some schools require you to sign contract, while others only ask for a verbal agreement.[20]
  2. 2
    Sign up for the Peace Corps. Joining the Peace Corps involves a 27-month commitment and a lot of hard work, but if you’re looking for a way to travel, work, and serve, this is a great option. The Peace Corps pays for your lodging as well as travel and living expenses, and they even help with student loans and offer a readjustment allowance when you complete your time commitment.[21]
    • Experience in the Peace Corps also makes a great addition to resumes and applications.
  3. 3
    Apply to be an au pair. Becoming an au pair is a wonderful way to experience a new culture. This job involves being a live-in nanny for the children, sometimes doing some light housework, and learning about a new culture in an immersive setting.
    • While living with the host family, you should have opportunities to explore the area around you and take language classes when you're not caring for the kids.
    • This job provides free room and board, but it doesn't give you much pocket money. Many families provide only a small allowance each week.
    • One of the perks of being an au pair is that when the family travels during their vacation time, you get to come with them and explore more new places.
  4. 4
    Choose a long-term career in aviation. Jobs such as flight attendant and commercial airline pilot are great options if you want a career that gives you travel benefits and a solid salary.
    • Working as a flight attendant gives you a work schedule of about 65-80 hours month on average, a salary of $13-50 per flight hour, and free travel benefits that extend to your and your family members.[22]
    • Commercial airline pilots make about $102,520 a year. After completing your private license, logging your hours, passing the required tests, and pursuing some additional certification, you can start working and traveling at the same time.
  5. 5
    Work as a travel nurse. With a nursing degree, you can become a travel nurse and spend around every 8-26 weeks in a different location. This is a great way to explore different regions, such as Hawaii and Florida, with the additional opportunity for extension at the end of your stay if you love it there. The salary for a traveling nurse can be up to $10,000 a month, depending on experience, with food and housing accommodations usually covered as well.[23]
    • The pay for a travel nurse is higher than a regular nurse, and the money you make is tax-free as long as you're 50 miles (80.5 km) from home.[24]

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About This Article

World Traveler & Backpacker
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Co-authors: 18
Updated: August 8, 2019
Views: 64,869
Article Summary

If you’d like to get paid to travel, try finding a job on a cruise ship, which is a great way to travel to exotic locations all over the world. You can also look into becoming a tour guide if you’re a “people person” with a knack for public speaking. Alternatively, if you communicate better in writing, look for work as a freelance travel writer, like writing articles for a travel guidebook. If you’re ready for a longer-term commitment, consider teaching English in a foreign country, which can pay quite well depending on the country you’re teaching in. Keep in mind, however, that you may need a TEFL teaching certification, and be able to commit to the job for a year or longer.

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