Not gonna lie… every time I scroll Instagram and see someone chilling on a beach with a caption like “my office for the day,” I roll my eyes a little. But deep down, I’m jealous too. Who wouldn’t be? Getting paid to travel sounds like winning the life lottery.
The good news? It’s actually possible. Not just for influencers with a million followers, but for regular people who are willing to put themselves out there.
I swear, once you dive into this world, you realize there are dozens of jobs you get paid to travel from guiding tours to writing blog posts, to even making TikToks about food.
I’ve put together this big, messy list because I was tired of vague advice. I wanted real answers to the question: how do I get paid to travel? So here’s everything I learned (plus the jobs I’ve seen friends actually do).
Travel Blogging & Freelance Writing
Yeah, I know you’ve probably heard this one a million times. But here’s the truth: people still earn good money from running a travel blog. The travel blogger job gets thousands of searches because everyone wants it. And yes, it’s possible.
How? Start writing about places you’ve been. Get on WordPress, Medium, even Substack. The goal isn’t to go viral overnight.
The goal is to create content people actually find when they search “get paid for travel” or “how do I get paid to travel the world.” Once you’ve got some traffic, you monetize with ads, affiliates, and sponsored posts.
If writing is more your thing, try the freelance travel writer route. Magazines, websites, and even airlines need fresh content.
You pitch them stories (like “best food tours in Hanoi” or “hidden waterfalls in Mexico”), and if they accept, you get paid. The cool part? You can do this while traveling. Your next story is literally wherever you are.
Tour Guide Jobs
Want something more grounded? A tour guide job might be your jam. Picture yourself leading groups around Rome’s Colosseum or taking tourists on desert safaris in Dubai.
Tour companies hire guides all the time. You don’t even need a fancy degree, just local knowledge, people skills, and maybe a bit of storytelling.
Platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide are packed with opportunities. You won’t get rich instantly, but you’ll definitely get paid while exploring. And if you’ve ever asked yourself how do I get a job traveling, this is one of the simplest entry points to start with.
Influencer & Social Media Gigs
Now let’s talk about the flashy stuff: travel influencer jobs. A lot of people roll their eyes at this, but let me tell you, brands are paying real money. Even small creators, I mean like 5,000 followers, can land deals with hotels, gear companies, or tourism boards. These days, even micro travel influencers are finding ways to turn their content into a steady income.
What you need:
· A travel influencer media kit (basically a PDF brag sheet with your stats).
· To join a travel influencer platform (like AspireIQ) that connects you with brands.
· To learn a bit about travel influencer marketing, aka how to pitch yourself without sounding desperate.
And honestly? It’s not just about “influencing.” It’s about storytelling, creating trust, and helping people book their dream trips.
Travel Photography & Videography
This one’s close to my heart. Ever searched for a travel photographer on Instagram? Yeah, it’s a rabbit hole. The keyword alone pulls in nearly 3,000 searches a month. And no wonder it’s a dream gig.
Here’s the reality check: becoming a travel photographer takes hustle. You need good gear (yes, a solid travel photography backpack matters), editing skills, and patience.
But if you can sell your photos to stock sites, pitch them to magazines, or book gigs with hotels, the money can add up. Some people turn small side gigs into full-time travel photography jobs, shooting for blogs, tourism boards, and brands.
I know a guy who literally funds his trips by selling prints online. Another friend became a travel videographer and now makes brand films.
Even being a small travel video creator on YouTube or TikTok can lead to partnerships. People search for travel world videos all the time, and if you’re the one making them, that’s traffic you can monetize.
But here’s the thing: a lot of travel photography work isn’t about waiting for clients to find you. It comes from networking, cold pitching hotels, or building a portfolio that shows you can deliver.
If you’re serious, you can build a long-term travel photographer career by mixing paid shoots with passive income from photo licensing and stock sales.
And don’t ignore the gear side, good travel photography equipment makes a huge difference, from lightweight lenses to portable tripods. Some beginners even start as a travel fee photographer, charging small amounts while traveling, just to build up experience and testimonials.
Paid Travel Jobs That Aren’t Instagram Famous
Not everyone wants to be online all the time. Luckily, there are plenty of paid travel jobs that don’t involve hashtags.
· Cruise ship staff: free room, food, and salary while traveling the seas.
· Flight attendant: cliché but real. You literally get paid to travel overseas for a living.
· Au pair or nanny abroad: families pay you to live with them and help with the kids.
· Seasonal work: ski resorts, beach resorts, and summer camps all hire international staff.
These jobs might not scream “glamorous,” but they’re stable, they pay, and you see the world. If social media isn’t your thing, there are still tons of paid for travel jobs that let you explore without ever posting a hashtag.
Some rare gigs even let you get paid to go on vacation, like companies that sponsor trips for product reviews or mystery shopping holidays.
Food & Travel: Getting Paid to Eat
Here’s the fun part: how to get paid to travel and eat. It’s not just a foodie’s dream; it’s a growing niche. Restaurants, food festivals, and even tourism boards hire bloggers and influencers to promote their food scene.
Some folks make entire YouTube channels around eating local street food, luxury dining, even quirky “$1 meals.” If you have personality and taste buds, this path is wide open.
Teaching English Abroad
Teaching English has been one of the most classic jobs that let you travel for decades, and in 2025, it’s still huge. Countries like Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and even parts of Europe hire thousands of teachers every year, and most programs cover flights, housing, and a decent salary.
The best part? You don’t always need a teaching degree. A TEFL certificate can be enough to land you a position, and suddenly, you’re living overseas with a steady income. It’s a direct way to get paid to travel abroad while experiencing daily life in a totally new culture.
House Sitting
Imagine staying in a beautiful home in Paris, Sydney, or New York and not paying a dime in rent. That’s what house sitting offers.
Homeowners need trustworthy people to care for their property (and sometimes pets) while they’re away, and in exchange, you get free accommodation.
Some gigs are unpaid, but plenty of house-sitting opportunities now come with stipends or bonuses, meaning it can turn into a paid travel job. When you combine this with other side hustles like blogging or photography, it becomes one of the most underrated ways to get paid to travel the world.
Pet Sitting
If you love animals, this is the easiest gig ever. Families all around the globe list pet sitting jobs where they’ll cover your accommodation and often pay you for taking care of dogs or cats.
You don’t need fancy skills, just reliability and a bit of affection for furry friends. Sites like TrustedHousesitters or Care.com are full of opportunities. Pet sitting won’t make you rich, but it’s one of those sweet paid for travel jobs that lets you live abroad cheaply while exploring local neighborhoods at your own pace.
Selling Digital Products (Like a Guidebook)
This is where things get really fun because you can earn passively. Digital products like e-books, travel itineraries, or even photo presets can keep bringing in money long after you’ve created them.
I know travel bloggers who wrote simple city guides and now make hundreds every month just from downloads. Platforms like Gumroad or Etsy make it easy to sell, and if you promote through your travel blog or social media, it doubles as content marketing.
It’s not instant cash, but long-term, it’s a solid travel photography career add-on or side stream for influencers.
Running Affiliate Websites
Affiliate marketing is one of those behind-the-scenes ways to get paid for travel that a lot of full-time bloggers rely on.
The idea is simple: you recommend products or services (like the best travel photography backpack, insurance, or booking sites) and earn a commission when people buy through your links.
A travel blogger job naturally fits with affiliate marketing, but you don’t even need to blog about travel; you can run affiliate websites in any niche and use the income to fund your adventures. It takes some time to build, but once it’s up and running, you’re literally earning money while you’re on the road.
Combining Income Streams
Here’s the secret nobody tells you: most full-time travelers don’t rely on just one income stream.
Maybe you’re a travel photographer who also does some freelance travel writing. Or a travel influencer who also teaches English online. Or a blogger who makes affiliate sales and guides walking tours.
The point is, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If one income dips, another carries you.
Wrapping It Up
So, can you really get paid to travel the world? Absolutely. The keyword traffic alone proves thousands of people search for this every month. But here’s the catch: you need to start small.
Take a paid travel job even if it’s seasonal. Write one blog post, even if nobody reads it at first. Create one video, even if only 50 people watch.
Bit by bit, you’ll stitch together streams of income. And before you know it, you’re the person posting “my office for the day” with a smug grin. The difference? You’ll actually mean it.
FAQs
Do I need a degree to get paid to travel?
No, most jobs that let you travel don’t need a degree. Skills like writing, guiding, or teaching English abroad are enough to start.
How much can I earn from a travel influencer job?
A beginner in a travel influencer job can make $100–$500 per post, while bigger influencers earn thousands through travel influencer marketing.
Are travel photography jobs competitive?
Yes, but you can stand out by picking a niche. Many travel photographers earn from stock photos, brand shoots, or selling gear tips like the best travel photography backpack.
Is it easy to find a tour guide job abroad?
Definitely. Tourist cities often hire guides, and a tour guide job lets you get paid to travel abroad while exploring daily.
What’s the fastest way to make money for travel?
Side hustles like teaching English online, freelance travel writing, or seasonal paid travel jobs quickly cover flights and living costs.
If you’re asking how to get money to travel right now, the simplest way is to take on quick online work or part-time gigs that directly fund your next ticket.
Wondering how to actually get paid to travel the world?
Start small with one income stream like blogging, guiding, or photography. Combine them over time, and you’ll find many ways to get paid to travel the world.