laptop on a desk in an apartment overlooking the city skyline at sunset

How To Travel Full Time And Make Money Doing It: 35+ Ideas

Nomadic Retirement Travel Disclaimer

Are you looking for ways to make money on the road? Is this the way to make your dream of a lifestyle of full time travel a reality? Is this a possibility for you? Master the art of how to travel full time and make money! Explore actionable tips to fund your adventures and thrive while exploring the globe.

In 2017, we decided to trade in our jobs, home, business and belongings to take an adult gap year. Part way through the first year we weighed up our options and decided ‘yes’, this is what we want to do, and have been living a life of full time travel in our nomadic retirement ever since.

We are able to do this financially by having invested our money well when we sold everything, and also by share trading while on the road. During our lockdown for COVID-19 in 2020, we decided to start blogging to record our travels and share our experiences with family and friends. Whilst, we currently do not rely on earning money by blogging, it provides enough to cover the costs of running a website and a little extra money for our ‘fun fund’.

One of the best things about travelling is that it can be done on a budget. You can save money by slow travelling, booking cheaper flights and accommodation, cooking your own food, avoiding tourist traps, geoarbitrage and staying in cheaper countries. But what if you want to make a bit of money while you’re on the road to subsidise your travel or allow you travel for longer periods of time or full time?

Over the years, we have met many kindred spirits who are living a life of full time travel, and they are either working fulltime or part-time jobs on the road to support their location independent lifestyle. After many discussions with these travellers and digital nomads, we have discovered while traveling and making money don’t always go hand in hand, there are quite a few ways that you can make some extra cash while on the road.

One interesting finding is that most full time travellers do not rely on only one source of income. They have multiple income streams some of which may be located on the road and sometimes they are based at home.

So without further ado, here are our recommendations, and of others living a full time travel lifestyle, on how to make money while traveling the world. Some require little effort if you have the right skill set, but most are not easy, and certainly not a fast solution. However, if done correctly, they can be extremely effective!



If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick list of some of the ideas we have discussed below on ways to make money while travelling full time (from A – Z):

  • Affiliate Marketing, Arts and Crafts, Au Pair, Blogging, Coaching, Consultant, Creating and Selling Courses, Currency Trading, Dropshipping, E-Books, Freelance Services, Graphic Design, House Sitting / Pet Sitting, Influencer, Modelling / Movie Extra, Online Surveys, Part-Time or Short-Term Job, Photography, Proofreading, Remote Job, Seasonal Work, Share Trading / Day Trading, Simple Tasks, Teaching, Teaching English, Tutoring, Transcription, Translation / Subtitling, Videography, Virtual Assistant, Voice Over Artist, Website Design, Website Evaluation, Workamping, Work at a Hostel, Writing

Is it is Easy to Make Money on the Road?

It’s a question that is asked time and time again – how to make money while traveling full time on the road? Unsurprisingly, the answer is not a simple yes or no. If you’re looking for a way to get-rich-quick, or a simple and easy way to learn how to travel the world and make money, you will probably not find it in the list below.

While some of the ways to make money online while traveling listed below are easier to set up than others, you will still have to dedicate time and effort. But like anything, if you are willing to put in the hard work, anything is possible!

Travelling and working go hand in hand for many people, but there are many considerations to be taken into account for making money on the road such as:

  1. How much time do you want to spend each week working?
  2. What are your areas of expertise?
  3. How much money are you willing to invest in yourself and the tools required for your chosen work? Do you have adequate funds to support yourself if you have no money coming in?
  4. Do you require good Wi-Fi?
  5. Do you want flexibility in your working hours to allow for unplanned travel opportunities?
  6. Are you disciplined enough to be able to manage your time effectively while on the road and be productive?
  7. What tech gear / equipment are you travelling with or want to travel with?
  8. Are you looking for seasonal work or ongoing work?
  9. How resilient are you and are you willing to persevere when times are tough?

Perhaps the most important consideration is figuring out your expenses and income. Once you know how much you need to make each month to travel in your chosen style and break even, you can start brainstorming ways to bring in that money. Working a traditional / remote job is one option, but there are many others including freelancing, selling products or services, and blogging.

girl working on a laptop at a bar at the beach making money while traveling the world
Making Money While Travelling the World: Image by Peggy Ake at Unsplash

How To Travel Full Time And Make Money

Many people choose to travel full time, and some will need to find ways to earn money while travelling. There are many different ways to make money while traveling, and each of these ways will either bring you active income or passive income.


What is Passive Income?

Passive income is defined as income that you earn without having to actively work for it. It’s the holy grail of income sources because it’s consistent and reliable, and it means you can earn money while you’re sleeping, on vacation, or even when you’re not working at all. There are many ways to generate a passive income while traveling full time such as monetising a blog through advertising and affiliate marketing, or investment dividends.


What is Active Income?

Active income is a form of earned income that comes from working an active job. It is the most common type of income and is taxed at a higher rate than other types of income such as investment income or passive income. Active income can be generated through wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, and tips. To make money on the road while travelling full time, ideally, you will want to find ways to generate active income i.e. freelance work or contract work.

Most of those that choose a lifestyle of full time travel have a variety of income streams that are both active and passive. By diversifying your income streams, you will have more freedom and opportunity in the future.

So, no matter if you are wanting to earn money while traveling overseas, in an RV, Van or boat, we are sure you will find something of interest in the list below.

man working on a laptop in a van make money on the road
How to Make Money on the Road: Image by https://sdvh.co.uk/

How to Make Money While on the Road Online

So without further ado, here is a list of numerous ways you can make money while travelling around the world full time.

1. Affiliate Marketing

One way to earn money and travel is through affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is a process where you promote other people’s products or services and earn a commission for every sale that you generate. Initially, it requires some work to get set up properly, but once you have everything in place you can earn money on a consistent basis into the future with minimal upkeep.

There are many different ways to get started with affiliate marketing, but the most common ways are to sell physical or digital products through a website, blog or social media.

Suggested Programs / Networks for Affiliate Marketing:


2. Arts and Crafts

Have you ever thought of selling your artwork or crafts online? Artisan crafts are back in fashion in a big way and there is a potential audience world-wide.

You can sell your work on Etsy.com which is an online marketplace where people sell all kinds of crafts, art, vintage items and more. You can set your own price and sell through the website with a number of payment options including PayPal and Amazon Payments.

Suggested Websites for Selling Your Arts and Crafts:


3. Blogging

One popular way to make money from traveling is to start a blog. A blog is a website where you can share your thoughts, photos, and experiences with others.

The best part of blogging is that anyone with an interest, a bit of determination and perseverance can do it. There are lots of free courses online to learn to how to set up your blog (this is how I learnt), and no experience is required. In addition, it’s easy to get started as all you need is a reliable internet connection, a computer, and a hobby or interest you’d like to share with others.

There are a number of ways to make money from blogging. You can sell advertising on your blog, sell products or services, through affiliate marketing, or receive payments from other websites in exchange for links to their websites.

Please note, it takes a lot of hard work and can take a lot of time to start getting a decent amount of traffic to your blog to start making money. As such, do not plan on living off this as your sole income as a newbie blogger.

Suggested Websites to Learn How to Start Blogging:


4. Coaching

Online coaching is a great way of making a living on the road travelling and seeing the world. If there’s an area of life or business that you have experience in that others struggle with, you can help them by becoming a coach. 

Coaches can work with clients online, through email or Skype to help them achieve their goals. There are many different types of coaching programmes available such as life, fitness, nutrition and business coaching, so there is something for everyone.


5. Consultant

Do you have a skill or service that you can offer remotely? If so, becoming an online consultant may be the perfect opportunity for you! There are many different types of online consultant jobs that you can do, so it is important to find one that is a good fit for you.

The great thing about this type of business is that you can literally start it from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a good internet connection. You do not need any special skills or experience to start this type of business and the opportunities for online consultants are endless, as there is no limit to the amount of work you can do.

Here are some tips on how to get started:

  1. Start by creating a portfolio of your work. This can include examples of your previous projects, testimonials from clients, or any other relevant information.
  2. Get connected with other online professionals. One of the best ways to find more clients is by joining online communities, forums and social networks. The problem is that you need to be very active in these networks, as you will be able to meet other professionals and may get introduced to new people who could want your services.
make money on the road with a laptop, pen, paper and phone
All You Need to Make Money on the Road: Image by Daniel Fazio at Unsplash

6. Creating and Selling Courses

Creating and selling courses is one of the great ways to earn money while travelling, as it allows you to work from anywhere in the world. You can create courses on any topic that you are knowledgeable about i.e. hobby, specialised skill, and there are a variety of platforms that you can use to sell them. One of the great aspects of course development is that once the course is written, it can be sold for years to come.

Alternatively, you can find course development opportunities by searching online for companies that offer freelance writing and editing services. You can also reach out to companies that offer online courses and ask if they are in need of any freelance course developers.

Suggested Websites for Creating and Selling Courses:


7. Currency Trading

Currency trading is another one of the popular ways to make money and travel full time. It can be done from anywhere in the world, and doesn’t require a lot of start-up capital. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when getting started.

Currency trading can be risky so here are some tips for beginners:

  1. Don’t invest more money than you can afford to lose.
  2. Do your research before investing in any currency.
  3. Be patient and wait for the right opportunities.
  4. Stay calm and don’t let emotions influence your decisions.
  5. Don’t use margin or leverage (using borrowed money) to make trades.
  6. Don’t forget to protect your investments with insurance.

8. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a business model in which ecommerce entrepreneurs sell products without having to carry any inventory. When a store owner receives an order from a customer, they simply contact the supplier, who will then ship the products directly to the customer’s door.


9. E-Books

One of the most popular options to make money while travelling is by writing and selling e-books. Where once you needed an agent who could pitch your proposal to book publishers, today all you need is a computer, an idea for a book, and a free account at any of the e-book publishing sites.

With the internet, self-publishing has become an easy way to attain a profitable, attractive field for writers to pursue, along with providing a high platform by which to publicize and market books. Online, we also have access to a wide range of tools to help in the writing and editing processes, and to handle administrative tasks such as publishing sales data and managing feedback.

Suggested Websites for Selling E-Books:


10. Freelance Services

Offering your freelance services online is a great way to earn while you travel full time. Freelance services can include anything from writing and design work, to web development and social media marketing. By offering your services to clients online, you can easily work from anywhere in the world.

Here are a few tips for getting started:

  1. Start by creating a portfolio of your work.
  2. Set up an online profile on some of the bigger platforms listed below such as Upwork and Fiverr clearly outlining the skills you can offer.
  3. Gather references / testimonials from completed jobs.
  4. Get involved in a community of remote workers through Facebook groups such as Nomad List.

Suggested Websites for Freelance Services:


11. Graphic Design

Graphic design is a great way to make money while on the road because it allows you to work from anywhere with an internet connection. In addition, graphic design is a versatile career that can be used to create a variety of different types of content including logos, websites, and social media graphics.

Canva is an amazing free tool for those of you with an interest in graphic design, but no formal qualifications. There are also lots of free courses on how to use Canva and we use it for all our social media design work i.e. Pinterest images, quote images, memes etc.

Suggested Websites for Graphic Design Jobs:


12. Influencer

Social media influencers are people who have a large following on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. These people can make a lot of money by promoting products and services to their followers.

If you want to become a social media influencer, there are a few things you need to do. First, you need to build a good following on at least one social media platform by posting interesting content that your followers will enjoy. You will then need to contact brands providing some of the services and equipment you use and offer to be a brand ambassador for them. Start by contacting small brands who need exposure just as much as you do as they will be easier to convince.

lady on a laptop in front of a city view
Make Money While Traveling the World: Image by Persnickety Prints at Unsplash

13. Online Surveys

Taking online surveys is a great way of earning money while travelling. You can do them from anywhere in the world, and they don’t require any special skills or training. All you need is a computer and internet access.

Many companies organise online surveys to get feedback on services and products in order to understand the best marketing strategies. In addition, they are willing to pay you to complete surveys online.

Completing online surveys aren’t going to make you rich, but they are a way to make a few extra dollars to be paid out through PayPal or with gift cards. Signing up for many survey websites is recommended to maximize your earning potential.

Suggested Websites for Getting Paid to do Online Surveys:


14. Photography

If you’re interested in travelling and want to make money while doing it, photography is a great way to do both. In this digital age, it’s easier than ever to make some money on the road as a photographer. You can shoot photos and sell them online, work as a freelance photographer, or start your own photography business.

The easiest and most popular way to make money is by uploading and listing your photographs for sale on stock image websites. Each time someone purchases one of your shots, you will make a commission. Please note, competition is fierce and making money this way may not be easy as it sounds.

Another way of making money on your travels is to offer your services to restaurants, tour companies, hotels etc. We have made money this way in the past and sometimes, we exchange services and products instead of monetary compensation. To proceed down this path, you will need to build a portfolio of your best work.

Suggested Websites for Selling Your Photographs:


15. Proofreading

Do you enjoy reading, and have a good eye for spelling, grammar and punctuation? Do you have an editing or proofreading skillset that you could put to use on the road? There are plenty of opportunities to make money online as a proof-reader. Some common ways to earn money as a proof-reader include: providing editing and proofreading services via freelance platforms such as UpWork, Fiverr, or PeoplePerHour; completing paid projects for clients such as academic journals, magazines, or businesses; and becoming a full-time content editor for online publications.

If you’re interested in earning money as a proof-reader, there are many ways to get started. You can explore different freelance platforms to see what type of work is available and whether any of the jobs fit your qualifications. You can also search for paid project opportunities online.

Suggested Websites for Proofreading:


16. Remote Job

With the arrival of the pandemic in early 2020, many employees were forced to work from home and as a result, remote jobs have become more prevalent. With this type of job, you don’t have to live in one specific place, and can work from anywhere in the world.

There are a number of companies that offer this type of work, and it can be a great way to get creative and explore new places without worrying about your home or work situation.

Suggested Websites for Finding Remote Jobs:


17. Share Trading / Day Trading

If you’re looking for ways of earning money while traveling, then you might want to consider trading shares or day trading. This is part of our strategy for making money on the road while we travel, however, we do not recommend this strategy for everyone as there is an element of risk involved.

Factors to consider when deciding if this is the right strategy for you are:

  1. How long do you want to put money into the stock market for?
  2. How much are you going to invest?
  3. Are you going to make regular contributions?

It is highly recommended to educate yourself about the current economic situation worldwide, interest rates, exchange rates and government policy, and try to understand how these factors may affect a company’s performance. There are many ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to use a stock trading platform that is highly regarded and reputable in your country.


18. Simple Tasks

People today live hectic lives and outsource a wide range of their simple duties, anything from typing up notes to putting together furniture. For the majority of these websites, all you have to do is register, create an account, submit some personal information, upload a photo, and pitch for jobs with an overview of your abilities / experiences.

Suggested Websites for Finding Simple Tasks:


19. Teaching

Do you have a particular talent or special skill you could put to use? Why not share it with the world by teaching others? You do not need to be an expert, but you will need to be better than those you are targeting your lessons at and be able to break down the tasks into simple steps and convey your instructions clearly.

Classes can either be done in person, pre-recorded and uploaded to YouTube or another online teaching platform, or alternatively, done live through Whatsapp, Hangout, Zoom or Skype. Some of the most common things being taught by those on the road are languages (especially English), learning a musical instrument, dancing, singing, Yoga, surfing and scuba diving.

Suggested Websites for Teaching:


20. Teaching English

I have dedicated a separate section to this category as this is by far one of the most popular ways to make money while on the road travelling. One of the many benefits to teaching English online is the flexibility. You can set your own hours and work from anywhere in the world.

Requirements for teaching English online are that you are fluent in English and hold a bachelor’s degree (doesn’t have to be in education). Considerations to factor in when deciding on a company to work for are:

  • Is an ESL certificate, such as TEFL needed?
  • Number of / peak teaching hours?
  • Flexibility to change your teaching schedule?
  • Age and nationality of your students?
  • Tech, internet and teaching props requirements?
  • Pay structure – base pay, by the hour, bonuses?
  • Cancellation policy – both for yourself and students?

Suggested Websites for Teaching English:

man at a desk with laptop make money on online while traveling
Make Money Online While Traveling: Image by Linkedin Sales Solutions at Unsplash

21. Tutoring

Online tutoring is a great way to create your own flexible schedule with part-time or fulltime hours. Experience or complex technical skills are not required to get started, and there are many online tutoring platforms that offer a variety of services including math, science, English, and more. Tutors can be hired for a one-time session or an ongoing service.

Suggested Websites for Tutoring:


22. Transcription

Transcription is the process of converting written language from one form to another. The most common transcription is from spoken language to written language, but transcription can also be done for audio recordings and video recordings.

Although transcription online is simple and flexible in many ways, it does require certain skills. You will need to be accurate, efficient and proficient in spelling and grammar in order to become a successful transcriptionist. The best part is, as long as you have a laptop, high-speed internet connection, headphones and decent typing skills, anyone can earn money doing online transcription.

To learn more about transcription, here is a link to free course at TranscribeAnywhere.

Suggested Websites for Transcription Jobs:


23. Translation / Subtitling

The internet is now full of opportunities for language translators, with a multitude of multinational businesses and authors requiring their services every day. Being an online translator makes it possible for you to market your bilingual / multilingual talents to organizations with worldwide operations and authors seeking to scoop up a larger audience.

The translator’s job is to accurately translate the exact phrasing of a written text from a source language into a target language. It is different from interpreting, as interpreters do not work with written texts, and instead interpreters translate in real-time live sessions. Translators mainly work with written materials including letters, reports, articles, books, and so on.

Another variant of translation is subtitle writing or subtitling. Subtitles provide a written version of the dialogue and, in some cases, other sound effects, in a video file. The three types of subtitling include general, closed captioning (for the hearing impaired), and language subtitles (where translating comes in). Subtitling requires a high level of linguistic accuracy.

Suggested Websites for Translation Jobs:


24. Videography

Videography is a form of photography that captures moving images on a screen or film. The term can describe any type of video production, from simple home videos to high-end commercials and feature films. Videography, especially travel videography, is an ever-growing industry that can provide you with a steady stream of income while you’re traveling.

Videographers will require a variety of equipment including cameras, lenses, microphones and editing software to create videos. However, it does not need to cost a fortune to set-up when starting out. Today, most digital cameras, smartphones and tablets have high-quality video capabilities, and you can buy a good handheld video camera for a reasonable price. We recommend using free programs for editing initially such as iMovie on a Mac and Windows Movie Maker on a PC.

Suggested Websites for Making Money as a Videographer:


25. Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant (VA) is a type of online worker who helps people with their work by performing tasks that are typically done by someone else. Put simply, virtual assistants are a digital assistant that helps automate tasks for a customer.

VA’s can provide a range of services including data entry, customer support, scheduling appointments, email management, social media management, personal shopping, and administrative help. They are often hired to help people who have too many tasks to handle on their own or who want assistance / a specialised skillset with a specific task, but don’t have the time / knowledge to do it themselves.

Virtual assistants are becoming more and more common because they are cheaper than having a full-time employee do these tasks, and they can be accessed from any computer or smartphone. Small business owners, entrepreneurs and even large corporations hire VA’s, and a virtual assistant can get paid very well.

Suggested Websites for Finding Work as a Virtual Assistant:


26. Voice Over Artist

Do you have a pleasant speaking voice? Are you looking for a new way to make money? Voicing for commercials, audiobooks, animated series and films, and video games might be the perfect opportunity for you. There are many companies who are always in need of new voices, and they will pay well, especially if you’re good at doing accents.

Not only do voice over artists get paid quite well, there is always a demand for voice actors. No qualifications are required, however, you will need patience, consistency with applying for work and finding clients, and perseverance to see real long-term success.

If you’re interested in becoming a VO artist, you will need to invest money in some equipment. To start with, you will need a microphone, microphone stand, headphones, a laptop with a fast processor and lots of storage ability, and software.

Suggested Websites for Voice Over Work:


27. Website Design

Website design is the process of designing and creating a website. Websites can be created for any purpose, from promoting a product or service to gathering information. It is a highly paid and sought after skill, and an easy way to make money while on the road travelling.

It is pretty easy to learn the skills on how to design websites online, and it is how I learnt how to design our site ‘Nomadic Retirement Travel’.  You don’t have to learn any coding or programming to build a website. Just lots of patience and perseverance… With online website design systems like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and others, building a website has become achievable for most.

With all that said, there are still many people and businesses who are prepared to pay for the services and expertise of a website designer. One way how to make money traveling full-time designing websites is to offer your services through online freelancing platforms. You can also offer your services as a consultant or teach web design classes online. There are many ways to make money as a web designer, so find one that works best for you and get started!

Suggested Websites to Find Website Design Jobs:


28. Website Evaluation

Website evaluation is the process of assessing a website’s strengths and weaknesses. A website evaluator / tester is someone who does the evaluation of a website for a client. They must have excellent research skills and be able to read through a web page and understand what information is important to the client. They will also assess the ease of use of the website and search result accuracy.

Suggested Websites to Find Website Evaluation Jobs:


29. Writing

If you read a lot, have been a writer in the past, have a background in education or English, or write for a hobby, you can tap into the myriad jobs in writing. Articles, blogs, product descriptions, ghost-writing, travel writing, thesis corrections, almost any type of writing you can think of has a corresponding online job.

Freelance writing is a fantastic option for those that are looking to make money while travelling fulltime. This is ideal for those that love reading, have a good command of the English language, or their native language, and enjoy writing as a hobby or as a previous career.

You can write anything from articles for magazines, blog posts for companies, monthly newsletters, product descriptions or writing books. Copywriting is also an alternative and is a growing industry full off opportunity.

Suggested Websites for Finding Writing Jobs:

lady working on a laptop with view of water making money on the road
Image by Kristin Wilson Unsplash

How to Travel and Make Money Offline

The above suggestions have all focused on ways to make money online while travelling, however, here are some additional ways to consider.

30. Au Pair

An au pair is someone who is hosted by a local family in their home, and in return, looks after their children, and helps with cooking, cleaning, and other household duties. In essence, it is a cultural exchange.

Whilst the basic wage can be quite low, most au pairs will have all their expenses covered. They live with their host family who will cover the costs of everything from housing and food, to transport, mobile phone, and a small amount of pocket money. In some cases / countries, a host family may even pay for your own studio apartment.

It is important to be fully aware of everything that is expected from you. This will ensure the lines of responsibilities are not crossed, you are not treated as cheap labour and you still have the opportunity to experience the culture of the country you are in.

Suggested Websites for Finding Au Pair Positions:


31. House Sitting / Pet Sitting

House sitting is a great way to travel the world and avoid the costs of accommodation. It is a service where a homeowner entrusts their property, possessions and in most cases, their pets, to ‘house sitters’ for an agreed upon period of time. In exchange, house sitters get to live in a property in exchange for taking care of pets, looking after the home and keeping it clean and tidy, organizing occasional maintenance (if required), and making sure that everything runs smoothly, just as if the owner was at home.

In some cases, house sitters charge the home owners for their services. They are able to do this due to their experience and personal references. If you plan on charging for your services, it is recommended to design a business Facebook page or website clearly displaying the services you offer, availability, rates and written testimonials. 

Suggested Websites for House Sitting:


32. Modelling / Movie Extra

It is relatively common in some Asian countries to see organisations advertising in local Facebook groups for Western / African looking people to feature in advertising campaigns or as extras in movies. If you are travelling in India, check for ads looking for Western looking people to appear in a Bollywood movie. Who knows, you may even become famous!


33. Part-Time or Short-Term Job 

Working a part-time job may be an option for you to make money while you travel. Make sure that it is legal, and acquire information on any visa requirements you need to work there. You will find these types of job opportunities in various places including bars and restaurants as a waiter, dishwasher or glassy, and retails shops. One of the benefits of this type of work is that you won’t need to work all day leaving you plenty of time to enjoy your destination.


34. Seasonal Work

Seasonal jobs are readily available and perfect for those looking to make some money while travelling. Again, you will need to know what visa you will require for this type of work, check the constraints of your current visa, and apply for the correct visa if required.

Seasonal work can be a great choice if you don’t mind following work and visiting each place for a few months or more at a time during the peak / tourist season. Generally, this type of work could last anywhere from a 2 month to 6 month period. 

Some options include:

  • working on a farm fruit picking during harvest season
  • seasonal retail work i.e. in amusement parks
  • ski resorts – bars, restaurants, ski lift operators, ski / snowboard instructors etc.
  • summer camps – camp counsellors, activity directors, lifeguards, kitchen staff etc.
  • resorts – lifeguarding, front desk staff, kitchen staff, house cleaning staff etc.
  • tourist guide / instructing – hiking, climbing, ski / snowboard instructors
fruit pickers make money on the road
Seasonal Work is a Great Way to Make Money on the Road: Image by Mel B at Unsplash

35. Workamping

Workamping (work camping) is one of the most popular ways to make money for those travelling fulltime in their caravans, and motorhomes (RV’s). Basically, it means working at a caravan / RV park, campground, resort, theme park, marina, wildlife reserve, or state and national park and forest in exchange for a free campsite and wages for hours worked.

Workampers can do a huge variety of different types of work including welcoming guests, office work, general maintenance and labour. In addition they can also do jobs such as souvenir vendors, ad sales and info-marketing. This is a great way to spend time in an area and make a little money for your next adventure.


36. Work at a Hostel

The staff working in hostels are often travellers passing though and as such, are a great place to look for some extra money while on the road. Due to the transience of their staff, they are often seeking staff in roles such as reception, cleaning, social media, web maintenance, bookings, managing staff, walking tours, pub crawls, cooking, dishes, bartenders, and laundry. At a minimum, you can expect a free room, and in some cases you will also receive a small wage.

Suggested Websites for Finding Work in Hostels:


In Summary – How to Travel Full Time And Make Money

Working and making money on the road is possible, but it will look different for every different type of traveller. Start by looking at your skill set, previous work experience, interests, budget requirements and preferred travel style. From there, have a look at the list above of potential jobs for making money on the road, and then get a little creative.

We are fortunate enough to not need to 100% rely on making money while we travel. For us, it is our ‘fun money’ and allows us to splurge every now on some special, one-off experiences. For those that are relying on this income to allow them to lead a travel lifestyle, our advice is to have some money saved ‘just-in-case’ and create multiple streams of income. This will provide a safety net for those times when work is a little unreliable, and payment for a freelance gig hasn’t yet come through.

Whilst it can be difficult to balance work and fulltime travel, there are lots of people who are doing it successfully, with a variety of different work situations. If you are serious about living this lifestyle, you will find ways to travel and make money, and to make it work!

Are you making money while traveling the world fulltime? What are you doing to make money while traveling? Do you make money while you travel in a different way? Do you have any questions, or have we missed anything we should add to this post? Feel free to contact us on Facebook or via email and let us know.


Money Matters: Related Blog Posts

Want more info on how to manage your money wisely while travelling and living a nomadic retirement? Check out all the articles we’ve written on our top money related tips and hacks below and continue planning your travels.


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