26 Different Jobs You Can Do to Earn Money While Traveling Around the World

Money, money, money. This is a pressing concern for most travelers and would-be travelers. While you don't have to be rich to travel, you certainly have to possess a travel fund to get going.

Photo by Crew

Photo by Crew

Previously, we have discussed ways how to save up. The key is to make your travel a priority. Pour all your efforts into building a fund and there is no way you will end up without enough money to travel. Remember, all you need is a starting point. Gather an initial nest egg then do your best to sustain it. How? By taking jobs on the road.



There is certainly no shortage of people and establishments looking for help overseas. If you are not picky, a world of opportunities awaits you. And why should you be? It is not like you are starting a new career. You are only picking up these jobs to foot the bills racked up by your traveling addiction.

Ready to get started? Below are the top 10 practical travel jobs to consider. We have done it ourselves, and if we can do it, so can you! Some of these we will discuss further in the following chapters but this list should get you off to a great start:

10 Practical Travel Jobs

1. Hostel Staff - Receptionist, Cleaner, or All-around Staff

There are many countries where you can work in hostels and hotels in exchange for a bed and one or more meals a day. We spent a whole month living and working in a hostel in the historic Incan town of Ollantaytambo, Cusco, Peru. Sure, you may have to clean a couple of toilets a day, but a little humility never hurt anyone!

BONUS: Visit Work in HostelsHotel JobsHotel CareerHostel Travel Jobs, and Hostel Jobs to score hospitality jobs

The simplest way to find this kind of work is just to turn up and start asking local business owners if they need some help. If you’re the organized type and prefer to plan these things ahead, then there a few different websites you can try, but we’ve always used Help Exchange to organize our volunteering jobs in advance.

2. Bar and Restaurant Staff - Waiter, Chef, Kitchen Assistant, or Bartender

This could be for a small hourly salary or just for free meals, which is what we did in India. We were eating dinner in Duck ‘N’ Chill in Agonda, Goa. The food was so good, we asked if we could work there! We had amazing food all week and made some great friends who we are still in touch with nearly a year later!

TIP: Stick to touristy areas at peak season. Arrive just before the high season and you may keep the job for an extended period! But if you want to apply in advance, you can check out this Caterer Global

3. Yoga Teacher or Holistic Health Practitioner

No matter where in the world you go, you’ll always find at least one or two people who have done or want to do yoga. It’s a mobile skill that can be utilized in a number of different ways, anywhere in the world. All you need to set up a yoga class is a space big enough for 4 or 5 people and of course, the knowledge to teach.

We studied an intensive teacher training program at Shri Kali Ashram in Galgibaga, South Goa. Highly recommended for a down to Earth introduction to Yoga and traditional Indian spirituality. Ready to spread good vibes? Look up opportunities at Yoga Trade.

4. Massage Therapist

Everyone loves a massage! Wherever you are in the world, find a good, accredited teacher and get yourself certified. You can easily charge $20 for a 30min massage, more if you specialize in something that isn’t usually available. We trained in Ayurveda Massage Therapy in Rishikesh, India, with Dr. Vinod at Ayuskarma. Start your search for spa staff positions.

5. Artist - Tattoos or painter

Most tourist hot spots have some kind of artisan market where local and foreign artists demonstrate and sell their skills to travelers and holidaymakers. 

6. Jewelry Maker

Similar to an artist, go with your strength! The great thing about this type of skill is that your work will change and adapt to your location depending on what materials you can find in different places. 

7. Fruit Picker or Farm Worker

Most common in Australia and New Zealand, agricultural work can not only earn you enough to keep going but in some cases can give you some serious earnings. Some tips we’ve received from fellow travelers – Learn the seasonal trends for the various crops; find jobs where you are paid per kilo; work hard! Here are some websites worth exploring: Fruit Picking Jobs in AustraliaPicking JobsAg CareersAgriculture Jobs BoardNeed A Farmer, and Farm Travel Jobs

8. Busker or Street Performer

If you have a passion for music, magic tricks, a rare skill or just a knack for making a spectacle of yourself, then people will probably be prepared to throw coins at you in the street! 

9. Marketing - Distributing Flyers

It’s dirty, thankless work, but if you have a face, love standing in the street talking to yourself and hassling people into bars with bad jokes and sales spiel then this is for you! We have no idea what these jobs pay, but it can’t be worth it, so it’s at the bottom of the list!

10. Tour Leader - Part Boat and Pub Crawl Guide

There’s only one thing lower than ‘street harassment’ and that’s the Party Boat Guy. Loud, obnoxious and in a long-term relationship with his own face. The good news is that the only qualifications you need for this job are a loud voice, the ability to pressure teenagers into downing cheap shots and a penchant for sexually transmitted infections. Party Boat Guy – Because everyone loves organized fun, right?

Still haven't found a fitting travel job in the list above? Not to worry because we have added suggestions for you!

16 More Jobs to Pick Up and Travel at the Same Time

Photo by Jakob Owens

Photo by Jakob Owens

1. English teacher - Not only does this job keep you close with the locals, but it can also be a lucrative gig. More on this later.

We have also partnered with World Tesol Academy to provide an online TESOL certification course for the lowest price you will find anywhere – $34 USD! We recognised how badly affected many people around the world have been by the Covid / Coronavirus situation. So, we spent a lot of time discussing with this great company how they could come up with an affordable solution to help people afford the opportunities that an online TEFL / TESOL certification can bring.

2. Surf instructor - Enjoy the best office location while passing your skills to others. Wearing tops optional! Check out Surf Instructor Jobs and Surf Travel Jobs.

3. Scuba diving instructor - Classic case of doing what you love for a living. If this is your passion, get certified and offer lessons to tourists. Check out Dive Zone for opportunities.

4. Cruise ship jobs - An assortment of jobs is available inside a cruise ship. Basically, it is a hotel on the water so any responsibility that can be found in a hotel exists in a cruise ship too: from the receptionist, bartender, chef, to waiter and housekeeping. The pay is good and the accommodation and food are free! Visit All Cruise Jobs and Cruise Ship Jobs to find available positions.

5. Cabin crew - Free flights, non-stop travel, hotel discounts, visa exemptions - what more can you ask? Start looking at Aviation Jobs and Airline Careers.

6. Au pair - Help families with housework and look after the children. Females often hired. Free accommodation and meals are given apart from a salary. Find opportunities at Great Au Pair and Au Pair World.

7. Chef - During high season, extra workers are needed to man the kitchen of resorts, hotels, restaurants, and other establishments. You can check out what positions are available at Chef Jobs Abroad and Caterer Global Chef Jobs but the most straightforward way is to simply inquire in nearby resorts or restaurants for vacancies.

8. Tour guide - You don't have to be an expert - just enough to show tourists the best places and activities in town. Sometimes, a license is required but not all the time. Passion is important! Check out Become a Local to get started or better yet, advertise yourself as an independent local tour guide!

9. Sailing crew - It is a win-win situation. Boat owners can use the help while you travel non-stop! Inquire at Crewbay and YA Crew to get started.

10. Hairstylist - Bring a small styling kit with you and advertise your services to fellow travelers. Spread the word further on social media and target locals in your new destination.

11. Model - Looking different is a plus. Often, an average looking person in his or her home country becomes a star overseas. Look for model agencies in your destination and offer them something new and exotic.

12. DJ - Go to party destinations and demonstrate your skills to club owners. Meet local DJs and get that crowd moving!

13. House Sitter, Pet Sitter, and Caretaker - Hello, free accommodation! Look after the house or the plants and pets and you are done. The locations are endless: New York, Tuscany, Hong Kong, Paris, and so on. Check out Trusted House Sitters to travel rent-free.

14. Nurse - You can find jobs for nurses overseas at World Wide Travel Staffing. It is a lucrative job and is in high demand. However, this is a full-time job. Balancing work and travel should be your priority.

15. Photographer - Who does not stop to take pictures on the road? Better yet, turn those travel photos into profit by landing travel photographer assignments at Job Monkey and Air BnB. Build your portfolio and offer your talents to tourism boards, resorts, and other tour companies.

16. Rent your room - If you have stayed in an Airbnb surely it has crossed your mind to turn your room or apartment into one, too? It is not a bad set up since you will be away most of the time-traveling yourself, and more importantly, you earn money off it!

Photo by Kate Townsend

Photo by Kate Townsend

There are still plenty of jobs available for you, the main ones that are performed online. This we will discuss this later. For now, consider which of the jobs above can you perform. You are likely to hold several as you go from one destination to the next. It will turn out alright. Just remember to work hard and show some discipline. Your travels will last as long as you intend it to last so do your best to keep the money coming to sustain your travels.

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