When I was quitting my job to travel, I had seen a lot of such videos and read a lot of articles about how to make money while traveling.
And you know one thing that I realized was that—and I want to give this disclaimer even before I begin making this article—in all these ways, one or the other type of investment goes a lot. Either it will be money, time, effort, or simply patience. So I am sure, I am assuming, that you are ready for that investment.
I feel like, because I have experienced that journey myself, I am in a better position to talk about it in a clearer manner. And this is one of the most asked questions: how to make money while traveling, or how can you earn while traveling?
1. Have a Location-Independent Job or Business
The first and most obvious way for how to make money while traveling is to have a location-independent job or even a location-independent business, for that matter. For example, you can have a job as a virtual assistant. These days, the jobs of virtual assistants are thriving a lot because there are so many content creators and people out there who require help with their emails, DMs, and many other tasks, even virtually.
So, things like being a virtual assistant or a social media manager are in demand. Many people hire a social media manager on a full-time basis to handle their social media across various channels. I see a lot of such jobs these days.
Or, if I talk about online business, drop shipping and e-commerce businesses have become popular. There are many such businesses in which you do not need a brick and mortar, meaning there is no need for a physical store at all. Your laptop and you are enough to run that business, making it an excellent option for how to make money while traveling.
2. Be a Digital Creator or Content Creator
The second way for how to make money while traveling is to be a digital creator, a content creator, or, let’s say, an influencer. Under this, you can do a lot of things. For example, if you like to write, you can start a travel blog. If you’re more interested in photography, you can start an Instagram page that revolves around travel. If you like making videos and talking in front of the camera, you can make YouTube videos.
Travel blogging, travel writing, and content creation for your own channel—whether on YouTube, Instagram, or a website—can be rewarding once you establish yourself as a personal brand. Influencer marketing is thriving, especially in India, and can be a great way to earn while traveling.
3. Freelancing
The third way is freelancing. As we discussed in the first method about employer-employee relationships, freelancing allows you to work independently. For example, if you’re good at photography, you can do photography for different clients—wedding photography, event photography, product photography, etc. Similarly, videography, graphic design, and other skills can be monetized through freelancing platforms like Fiverr. This flexibility makes freelancing another great option for how to make money while traveling.
4. Be a Travel Guide or Trek Guide
The fourth way to make money while traveling is to be a travel guide or trek guide. I recently met a trek guide in Manali, Gaurav Bhaiya, who was passionate about trekking and took people on different treks. Whether as a trek guide, diving instructor, or skier, having real passion for the activity or place you’re guiding can lead to a rewarding career.
5. Start a Travel Company or Be a Travel Agent
The fifth and, I believe, one of the most promising ways for how to make money while traveling is to either be a travel agent or run a travel company. Nowadays, people don’t mind spending money on ready-made itineraries or travel consulting. If you have enough expertise and knowledge in this field, you can create curated travel experiences for people and potentially start a travel company.
6. Open a Café or Homestay
The next way, which may require the most financial investment compared to the other methods, is to open a café or your own homestay. Many people establish homestays in popular locations or rent out parts of their homes on Airbnb. Although it requires significant investment and can be risky, it can also be quite rewarding. This option is yet another way to make money while traveling.
7. Volunteer or Perform as an Artist
The last but definitely not the least way to make money while traveling is to either volunteer somewhere or perform as an artist. For example, Sunit Rawat, a talented singer I met in Manali, started performing in different cafés, which helped him establish a name for himself. Whether teaching skills, creating graffiti, or performing, volunteering or showcasing your art can be another way to earn while traveling.
Exploring Other Ways to Earn While Traveling
These are the 7 primary ways that were honestly the top options for me when I was quitting my job. Of course, there can be many other ways if you do further research. I shared these methods because I have a decent amount of experience with them and felt I could provide valuable insights on how to make money while traveling.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article was helpful for you. And share it with someone who needs to read about these ways to earn while traveling. I’ll see you in the next article. Bye!