If you’ve always dreamed of traveling the world and making money from it, there are many ways to go about it. Whether you want to become a travel agent or write about travel, there are many options available to you. Read on to find out how to become a professional traveler. And remember: travel is more than just taking beautiful pictures. It’s also about capturing moments and feelings that you would otherwise not have captured.
What is a Professional Traveler?
A professional traveler is someone who travels the world either for their job or to make money. There are many ways to make money through travel, from being a travel agent to writing about your experiences.
Professional travelers generally have a passion for travel and are able to turn their love of travel into a career. There are many ways to make money traveling, and professional travelers often find multiple ways to make money so they can travel more often.
What Does a Professional Traveler Do?
Professional travelers typically find ways to make money through their travel experiences. This can include writing about their travels, working as a travel agent, or finding other creative ways to make money while on the road.
Professional travelers often have a passion for photography and take pictures while they travel to sell later. They may also work as tour guides, leading groups of tourists around different areas of the world.
Some of these jobs are career track, integrating travel into your professional development. Others are freelancer and digital nomad positions, which offer flexibility and pay well but often have limited long-term potential. In order to get paid to travel, you can consider a combination of these methods.
How to Become a Professional Traveler
If you want to become a professional traveler, there are many things you can do to get started. First, consider what skills you have that could be useful in a career related to travel. Do you have experience in customer service? Are you good at writing? Do you have a knack for finding deals?
All of these skills can be useful in a career related to travel. If you have experience in customer service, you may want to become a travel agent. If you’re good at writing, you may want to start a blog about your travels or write for a travel magazine. And if you’re good at finding deals, you may want to become a travel consultant.
Below are some of the best ways to make money traveling with jobs that are both fun and offer great pay.
Best Ways to Make Money Traveling
1. Become a Tour Guide
If you love to travel and meet new people, being a tour guide may be the perfect job for you. As a tour guide, you’ll get to show people around different parts of the world and tell them about the history and culture of each place. You’ll also get to meet new people from all over the world and make some great friends.
If you only want part-time work, consider becoming a tour guide for tour companies that plan school trips overseas for spring break. Some of those companies are always looking for new guides. CHA Educational Tours and WorldStrides are two such companies.
2. Work as a Freelance Travel Writer
If you’re a good writer and you love to travel, you may be able to make money by writing about your experiences through freelance writing. There are many travel magazines and websites that accept submissions from freelance writers. And if you have a blog, you can also write about your travels and include affiliate links to products and services that you use and recommend.
If you are not sure about what is freelance writing, it is when a writer completes writing projects and is paid per project instead of hourly. This means that you can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.
3. Teach English Abroad
You can travel and earn money at the same time by teaching English as a foreign language. There are many schools and organizations around the world that offer English teaching positions. And if you have a college degree, you may be able to get a job teaching English at a university as a second language.
Teaching English as a foreign language can be a great way to earn money and see different parts of the world. Plus, it’s a great way to meet new people and learn about other cultures.
There are many programs and organizations that offer placement in schools and universities around the world.
To qualify for most teaching positions, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree and be a native English speaker.
You may also need to obtain a teaching certification such as TESOL or CELTA.
English teachers are in high demand in many countries, such as China, Japan, and South Korea.
4. Become a Traveling Nurse
If you’re a nurse, you may be able to find work as a traveling nurse. Traveling nurses work in different parts of the world for short-term assignments. This can be a great way to earn money and see different parts of the world.
To become a traveling nurse, you’ll need to have a nursing license and at least two years of experience working as a registered nurse. You may also need to get certified in CPR and basic life support.
Some companies that hire for traveling nurse positions:
- American Mobile Healthcare: American Mobile Healthcare is a company that provides travel nursing jobs in the United States.
- Nurses PRN: Nurses PRN is a company that is based in Wisconsin that provides travel nursing jobs in the United States.
- Cross Country Nurses: Cross Country Nurses lets you search nurse opportunities by state.
Additionally, some nursing opportunities offer free housing, and you can travel to your home country and help control the worldwide pandemic.
5. Work on a Cruise Ship
If you love to travel and you don’t mind working long hours, you may be able to find work on a cruise ship. Cruise ships are always looking for employees in a variety of positions, from waitstaff and bartenders to cooks and janitors.
You can find work on a cruise ships through companies like Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Cruise Ship Employment Opportunities:
- bartending jobs
- cabin steward jobs
- cooking jobs
- deckhand jobs
- entertainment jobs
- food and beverage jobs
- housekeeping jobs
- janitorial jobs
- kid’s club jobs
- kitchen staff jobs
- laundry jobs
- medical positions
- nursing positions
- photography jobs
- port shopping jobs
- retail sales jobs
Cruise ship opportunities allow you to see the world and experience different cultures. You can travel the world for free and get paid to do it.
6. Volunteer Abroad
If you’re looking for a way to travel and do something meaningful, consider volunteering abroad. There are many organizations that offer volunteer opportunities in different parts of the world. And if you have a specific skill set, you may be able to find a volunteer opportunity that matches your skills.
Some popular organizations that offer volunteer opportunities abroad:
- Cross-Cultural Solutions: Cross-Cultural Solutions offers volunteer opportunities in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
- Global Volunteers: Global Volunteers offers volunteer opportunities in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
- Project Abroad: Project Abroad offers volunteer opportunities in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
When you volunteer abroad, you can choose to work in a variety of different fields, from education and healthcare to environmental conservation and human rights. And most volunteer organizations offer room and board as part of your volunteer package.
7. Become a Travel Photographer
The travel industry is always looking for new and interesting photos. And if you love to travel and take pictures, you may be able to make money as a travel photographer.
There are a few ways to make money as a travel photographer. You can sell your photos to stock photo agencies, magazines, and websites. Or you can work as a freelance photographer and get hired by companies and individuals to take photos for them.
To be a successful travel photographer, you need to have a good eye for composition and light. You’ll also need to be able to edit your photos well. And it’s helpful if you have some experience in photography.
You will also need to have reliable WiFi. Luckily there are many coffee shops with WiFi around the world that you can use.
The best places to sell your travel photos include:
- Shutterstock: Shutterstock is a stock photo website where you can sell your photos.
- iStockphoto: iStockphoto is another stock photo website where you can sell your photos.
- Fotolia: Fotolia is a stock photo website owned by Adobe.
- Dreamstime: Dreamstime is a stock photo website that offers both free and paid membership plans.
- Alamy: Alamy is a stock photo website with over 60 million images available for sale.
- 123RF: 123RF is a stock photo website with over 8 million images available for sale.
- Etsy: Etsy is an online marketplace where you can sell your photos as digital downloads or prints.
- SmugMug: SmugMug is a website where you can sell your photos as prints, digital downloads, or merchandise.
- Zazzle: Zazzle is an easy online marketplace where you can sell your photos on a variety of products, including t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases.
If you want to make money as a travel photographer, you need to be able to take good quality photos. And it’s helpful if you have some experience in photography. Photo sales are a great option for passive income.
8. Become a Digital Entrepreneur
Many digital nomads are entrepreneurs who run their own businesses. And if you have a business idea, you can start your own business and work from anywhere in the world.
Digital entrepreneurs sell their own products or services online. And they can sell anything from e-books and online courses to software and web-based services. Most of the time, they work remotely.
To be a successful digital entrepreneur, you need to have a good understanding of online marketing and sales. You’ll also need to be able to create high-quality products or services that people will want to buy. This would include video content, podcast content, or blog posts.
If you want to start your own business, how to become a digital entrepreneur is an excellent and thorough guide.
A travel digital entrepreneur can work for:
- An online travel agency
- Travel brands
- A tour company
- Hotels or resorts
- A car rental company
- An airline
9. Work as an Au Pair
If you love children and want to live in a different country, working as an Au Pair may be a good option for you. As an Au Pair, you’ll live with a family and take care of their children in exchange for room, board, and a small stipend.
Most Au Pair positions last for one year, and you will assist families with their daily routine. But some families will extend the contract for another year if both parties are happy with the arrangement.
To work as an Au Pair, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma. You’ll also need to be able to pass a background check and have a clean driving record.
And it’s helpful if you’re CPR certified and have experience working with children.
If you want to work as an Au Pair, the best way to find a position is to use an Au Pair agency. There are many agencies that can help you find a family in the country of your choice.
Some Au Pair agencies are:
- AuPairWorld: AuPairWorld is a website that connects Au Pairs with families from all over the world.
- GreatAuPair: GreatAuPair is a website that helps connect Au Pairs with families in the United States.
- AuPair.com: AuPair.com is a website that connects Au Pairs with families from all over the world.
10. Become a Pilot
If you are looking for a full-time job traveling around the world, you may want to become a pilot. Pilots can work for airlines, private companies, or the government. And they fly airplanes or helicopters.
To become a pilot, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma. You’ll also need to pass a physical examination and have 20/20 vision.
And you’ll need to obtain a commercial pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration.
If you want to become a pilot, the best way to get started is by taking flying lessons from a certified flight instructor.
After so many flight hours, you can apply for your commercial pilot’s license. Some of the biggest companies you can commercially fly for in aviation include:
- Air Canada
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest Airlines
11. Become a Foreign Service Officer
One of the most interesting ways to make a living while traveling is to become a Foreign Service Officer.
As a Foreign Service Officer, you’ll work for the government and represent the United States in another country.
Most Foreign Service Officers start their careers as consular officers. And their main responsibility is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens who are traveling or living abroad.
Consular officers also issue visas to foreign nationals who want to enter the United States.
If you want to become a Foreign Service Officer, you need to be a U.S. citizen and have a bachelor’s degree. You’ll also need to pass a written exam and an oral assessment.
The best way to prepare for the written exam is to take an accredited Foreign Service Officer Test prep course.
And the best way to prepare for the oral assessment is to practice your interviewing skills.
The best resources for practicing your interviewing skills are:
- USAJOBS: USAJOBS is the federal government’s official website for job postings.
- The State Department: The State Department is the U.S. government agency that oversees the Foreign Service.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a professional networking site where you can connect with other professionals. You can also find remote jobs on LinkedIn as well.
Popular Foreign Service Officer Locations:
- Beijing, China
- Paris, France
- Rome, Italy
- Tokyo, Japan
- London, England
- San Francisco, California
- Washington, D.C.
Securing a FSO position doesn’t happen overnight, but if you have the right qualifications and are willing to put in the work, it can be a very rewarding full-time job and career.
12. Start a Travel Blog
There is no doubt that travel blogging allows you to work remotely and travel at the same time.
But what many people don’t realize is that travel blogging can also be a very profitable business.
In order to make money from your travel blog, you’ll need to grow your audience and traffic first. And the best way to do that is to produce high-quality content that is helpful and informative.
Once you have a significant amount of traffic, you can start monetizing your blog.
Ways to Monetize a Travel Blog
- advertising
- affiliate marketing
- selling products and services
- sponsored posts from tourism boards or travel brands
- hosting workshops and retreats
Travel bloggers can make a full-time income by monetizing their blogs in multiple ways. And the best part is, you can do it from anywhere in the world.
13. Work as a Yacht Crew Member
If you love the ocean and spending time on boats, then working as a yacht crew member is a great way to make money while traveling.
Whether you travel abroad in the middle east or work on a luxury yacht in the Caribbean, there are many opportunities for you to make money as a yacht crew member.
There are three main types of positions available for yacht crew members:
- Deckhand: A deckhand is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the boat and deck area. They also assist with docking and mooring the boat.
- Steward/ess: A steward or stewardess is responsible for cleaning the guest cabins and public areas of the boat. They also serve food and drinks to guests.
- Chef: A chef is responsible for preparing meals for the guests onboard.
To work as a yacht crew member, you’ll need a valid passport and STCW95 certification.
STCW95 certification is a maritime safety certification that is required by most yacht owners and operators. You can get STCW95 certification by taking a course at a maritime training school.
Some of the best maritime training schools in the world are:
- Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS)
- Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
- The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)
If you want to work as a chef on board a yacht, you’ll need culinary training from an accredited institution.
Some of the best culinary schools in the world are:
- Le Cordon Bleu
- Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
- Institute of Culinary Education (ICE)
While there may be fewer Russian oligarchs these days with luxury yachts, there are still plenty of job opportunities and paid positions available.
14. Become a Freelance Logo Designer
Another job that is location independent that allows you to make money while traveling is logo design.
As a freelance logo designer, you can work with clients from all over the world to create custom logos for their businesses.
To become a freelance logo designer, you’ll need to have experience and training in graphic design.
You can get training and experience by working as a graphic designer for a company or by taking courses at a local community college or online.
Once you have the necessary skills and experience, you can start looking for logo design clients. The best way to find clients is to search for them online on job boards or freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or 99designs.
Many places and companies require the services of a logo designer, so there is no shortage of work available.
16. Become a Social Media Pinterest Manager
Pinterest is a social media platform that allows users to share images and videos of things they are interested in.
As a Pinterest manager, your responsibilities would include creating and managing Pinterest accounts for businesses.
This would involve creating pins, boards, and campaigns as well as promoting the account to grow the number of followers.
To become a Pinterest manager, you’ll need experience using the platform and knowledge of how to use it for marketing purposes.
- Follow these steps on how to become a Pinterest manager.
You can get experience by using the platform for your own personal use or by working as a virtual assistant for a company that has a Pinterest account.
Once you have the necessary skills and experience, you can start looking for clients that need help with their Pinterest accounts. The best way to find clients is to search for work-from-home job boards or freelancing platforms.
17. Work as a Yoga Instructor Abroad
Yoga Instructors abroad can experience a new culture and lifestyle while working and getting paid.
Yoga instructors typically work at resorts, hotels, or hostels, teaching yoga classes to guests.
To work as a yoga instructor, you’ll need to have certification from a yoga alliance and experience teaching yoga.
You can get certification by taking a course at a local studio or online. Once you have the necessary skills and experience, you can start looking for work as a yoga instructor.
You may have to learn a new language as many of your clients might not speak English.
18. Become a Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistant jobs are becoming more and more popular as they offer the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world.
As a virtual assistant, you would be responsible for tasks such as customer service, data entry, social media management, or email management.
To become a virtual assistant, you’ll need experience working in an administrative role and knowledge of how to use various online tools.
If you work for a global company, there may be travel opportunities to work from different locations.
Virtual Assistant Job Description Tasks:
- Customer service
- Answering emails
- Data entry
- Social media management
- Scheduling appointments
- Bookkeeping
- Proofreading
Entry-level positions are often available for those with little to no experience.
19. Work For Amazon
Amazon is a global company that offers opportunities to work from anywhere in the world.
There are many different positions available such as customer service, data entry, social media management, or logistics.
To work for Amazon, you’ll need to be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
You’ll also need to pass a background check and drug test. Once you’ve met the requirements, you can apply for jobs on the Amazon website. Follow the steps on how to work for Amazon from home or anywhere with remote work.
20. Become a Flight Attendant
Flight attendants have the opportunity to travel the world while working and getting paid. What’s great about becoming a flight attendant is that no experience is necessary.
However, you will need to be over 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
You’ll also need to pass a background check and drug test. Once you’ve met the requirements, you can apply for jobs on the airline’s website.
Benefits of Becoming a Flight Attendant:
- You can travel the world for free or at a discount.
- You’ll receive free or discounted accommodations.
- You’ll have job security as the demand for flight attendants is always high.
Flight attendant pay is also very good. According to U.S. News & World Report, the top 25% of flight attendants earn over $70,000, which is great considering no college is required.
Related Questions & FAQs:
Are Professional Travelers in Demand?
Professional travelers are always in demand as there is a growing trend of people wanting to travel more. There are many ways to make money traveling, so if you have the skills and experience, you can definitely find work.
Can I be a Professional Traveler for Just a Few Weeks?
Yes, you can be a professional traveler for just a few weeks if that’s all the time you have. Some professional traveler work options for just a few weeks would include working on a cruise ship, taking pictures, becoming a travel blogger, or conducting tours for companies.
However, keep in mind that it might be difficult to find work if you’re only available for a short period of time. It’s best to have at least a few months of availability so you can find work and settle into a new place.
Do I Need to Speak Another Language to Be a Professional Traveler?
No, you don’t need to speak another language to be a professional traveler. However, it will help you stand out from the competition if you’re applying for jobs that require customer service or are teaching yoga classes.
Do I Need a Degree to be a Professional Traveler?
No, you don’t need a degree to be a professional traveler. However, having a degree in travel or tourism can definitely help you get ahead in the industry. Hospitality is also a great degree to have as it will give you the skills needed to work in customer service, an important component of the professional traveler industry.
What are the Highest Paying Jobs for Professional Travelers?
There are many high-paying jobs for professional travelers, such as tour guides, flight attendants, travel writers, and travel photographers. If you have the skills and experience, you can definitely find work that pays well.
Can I Make 100k Traveling?
Yes, it is possible to make 100k traveling. If you have the right skills and experience, you can definitely find work that pays well. The aviation industry is one of the highest paying industries for professional travelers.
What Are Some of the Best Countries to Work in as a Professional Traveler?
There are many great countries to work in as a professional traveler. Some of the best include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
