How to make money while travelling the world

 

So, you want to make money on the road? Alternatively, maybe save money while travelling? Well, normally when travelling, making money is the last thing that happens. With transport, accommodation and tours, travelling can become expensive. Here is a list of ways you can reverse that and not just save money but also make money on the road.

 

Paid Surveys

 

This was the first way I started making money while travelling, it’s not a big money earner but does offer a steady income. Just fill in a few surveys and watch the money roll in.

 

Here is a list of companies I recommend:

 

Pureprofile

Global Test Market 

SurveySavvy

 

Pureprofile is my favourite, they pay real cash and have lots of new work all the time.

 

Working Holiday Visas

 

A great way to work and travel is by doing a WHV in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, France, and Singapore. You have to be aged between 18 and 30 in general, and you can do 1-2 years. I did this myself and had a great time. I worked on a pig farm, managed a petrol station and drove a combine harvester for a season. You will have adventures that you cannot imagine, while still making money.

 

Work in a Hostel

 

Working in a hostel is an excellent way of staying in a local area, getting the chance to explore and absorb the culture. Sometimes you get paid, but a lot of the time, you get free food and accommodation, which is a massive saving on any budget. Don’t be afraid to ask if there is any work going; many hostels use backpackers as cleaners.

 

Working in a Bar

 

Many bars offer cash in hand work for travellers, be aware of the rules of the countries, you plan to work in on a tourist visa. In Indonesia for example, working illegally can land you in jail. Hostels that have bars in them are always a safe bet and whose owner, is foreign themselves.

 

Selling Goods Online

 

How many times have you seen something while travelling and thought that is cheap, or would be easy to sell back home? Why not set up a shop on eBay or Ebid and sell goods on the road. You can mail parcels internationally in most countries, for reasonable prices. Try to think of small items, easy to carry and mail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work Online

 

Think of the job you do now, could you do it online? I have met many people who run their business from a hotel in Thailand. Just be prepared to be up at 3 am, to answer that phone call from a client.

 

Forex Trading

 

Maybe not be a good idea for a novice to try this, but if you have knowledge of the stock market, why not trade on the move. All you need is a laptop and WI-FI, which is almost standard the world over now.

 

Cutting hair

 

If you can cut hair without making a mess of it, then I know this is a good earner. The one thing I hate doing as a traveller is getting my haircut, after my marine haircut in Hong Kong, I have had a phobia of this ever since. Being able to tell someone in English what you want is a significant advantage. So, pick a popular hostel, charge a reasonable amount, say $3-5 and you’re onto a winner.

 

Tour Leader

 

Working for a company like Gap Adventures or Intrepid Travel is an excellent way of seeing the world. If you can speak the local language and have travelled to at least two continents, then you could be a tour leader. The pay isn’t great, and there is usually a contract that you need to sign for 1 to 2 years, but you get to travel for free and meet new people.

 

Website Design

 

If you can build a website then why not speak to the hostels and cafes you visit, maybe they need a website building for their business. Try to get paid, if not try free accommodation or food may be an option, again saving those pennies.

 

Volunteer Work

 

Firstly, I must stress NEVER pay for volunteer work. I have met many people who have paid a lot of money to volunteer; there is no need. Of course, you will have to pay for your flights, but a lot of places offer free food and accommodation for a few hours’ work a day. Look at Helpx or Workaway.

 

Teach English

 

Teaching English in other countries is probably the number one way, for people to extend their travels. Doing a TEFL course is always a good idea as it prepares you for the work ahead. Just remember this will be a serious job and will require hard work and dedication. The upside is you can live in the country you choose and get to explore at the weekends. Some roles are paid whereas others just offer free food and accommodation. To find such opportunities look at Helpx or Workaway.

 

Become an Au Pair

 

Many Middle Eastern families are now looking for western au-pairs to teach their children English, this can be a great way to live and work in a different country. Just make sure you are happy with the terms of employment and never allow anyone to take or keep your passport for you, this is a situation to be avoided.

 

Sell Your Art and Crafts at Markets

 

This would be more beneficial to try out in western and more developed countries.  There are markets in these places where foreigners can rent a stall and sell their goods or products they have. So if you can make handcrafts on the road, then it could be a real money earner, in the right location. I would be more cautious about doing this in undeveloped countries, as you may be taking the business away from the locals who need the trade. There was a recent news article on traders in Jamaica only selling one piece of craft a week. If they can’t make money, all these traders will cease to exist.

 

Work on a Cruise Ship

 

This is one of the best options available to any traveller. The length of stay mixed with the great rates of pay, plus seeing a lot of the world for free is a real attraction. Getting into the trade can be tricky but basing yourself in a city where the ships set sail from, will increase your chances of finding a job. Once you have experience, you will never be short of job offers after that.

 

Selling Photos

 

If you have a good camera and the eye for pictures, you can make alot money on places like Getty Images or DepositPhotos selling your pictures. I myself sell a few of my very best photos and have made a little money.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Editing signs for Guesthouses

 

Having confidence here is more important than doing the work. If you are a person who can charm the locals and convince them for work, you can make a good living. Sometimes it may be free accommodation and food instead. As you travel editing signs for local businesses, you can charge up to $10 for the work and make a real difference to the locals. Of course, sometimes translating what you are offering is one of the biggest challenges.

Surf’s Up!!! Become an Instructor

 

If you are a natural on the waves, then giving private lessons can be a real earner. This is a good option on a WHV in Australia or New Zealand, you can charge up to $25 an hour.

 

Work onboard a Yacht

 

There are plenty of adverts in hostels around the world asking for crewmates onboard ships. Sometimes you get paid, but moreover, you work for food and a bed. It can be great fun and what an experience. Look at DesperateSailors for more details and opportunities.

 

Busking

 

If you have any kind of talent, then this can be an easy way to make money. You need a hat though and some kind of genuine talent. Be careful where you try this, I have seen people arrested and even worse, chased off by the locals in Morocco for trying to take their business!!

 

 

How do I get paid?

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OK, so you have started making money online, now they want to pay you in US Dollars? What do you do?

 

Why not open a border-less account with Wise. You can transfer money between countries much easier and hold money in different currencies. I have one, they offer a free £500 first transfer when you apply. They have the best transfer rates in the world, for sending money abroad.

 

Summary

 

So, there is the list, of course, it is endless, and there are always new ways popping up of making money. Keep your eyes open and have confidence, engaging with people is the key here. I recently saw a group of American kids in Cambodia, teaming up with a local guesthouse, to offer unique tours of the local area and history. It seemed to be working well and was attracting a lot of interest. I got the impression they got free food and accommodation for their efforts.