Make Money from Traveling

If you’re like many people, you love to travel. Finding ways to make money while traveling can be tricky. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to make money from traveling that don’t involve manual labor or expensive accommodation. In this guide, I’ll outline some of the best ways to make money from traveling and help you find the resources you need to get started.

Why make money from traveling?

There are many reasons to travel, but the most fundamental is that it opens your eyes to new perspectives and cultures. Plus, it’s a great way to get out and explore the world. You can also make money from traveling, especially if you know where to look.

Imagine to return the investment – stop spending money on trips! Making a journey is not only an amazing experience but could be a business. Many travelers achieve this. They earn money while traveling.

In the end, it is better to cover your expenses at least, right?

Take on freelance work

If you have skills that could be useful in another country, freelancing can be a great way to make some extra cash while you’re away. Many people find work through online job boards or websites like UpWork.com.

Read: How to become a freelancer on Upwork

You can search online for job postings or post your own listing (if you have a website or Instagram). You can also look for opportunities through social media sites, such as Craigslist or LinkedIn, or through travel agencies that specialize in finding freelance work.

If you have experience with a particular type of tourism or hospitality industry, there’s a good chance that someone is looking for an expert to provide services. You could offer your services as a tour guide, concierge, travel agent, or even an interpreter.

Whatever route you take, be prepared to put in a lot of hard work and networking. It may take some time but the rewards can be great – not only do you get paid to travel but you also develop valuable skills that can be used outside of the travel industry.

1. Research what type of freelance work is available in the area you’re visiting. There are many opportunities for photography, writing, translation, and more. If you have experience in a specific field, be sure to mention it in your job postings.
2. Set up a freelance website or blog. This is the perfect way to showcase your skills and connect with potential clients. Plus, it’s an easy way to track your work and income.
3. Connect with local professionals. Most cities have at least one professional who can help you find work in your field. Let them know you’re visiting and see if they can introduce you to any clients or collaborators.
4. Try online platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. These services offer a wide range of work options, from small projects to full-blown businesses. You can find anything from design work to web development services.

Start a small business

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a small business while you’re traveling can be a great way to make money. This could include starting a cafe or renting out rooms in your home as short-term furnished rentals.

Create an online store

And sell travel-destination-related products (t-shirts, books, maps, etc.). This can be an easy way to make some extra cash and connect with potential customers who are interested in exploring new destinations.

This can include souvenirs, clothing, or anything else that’s of interest to tourists. If you have something unique or rare, there’s a good chance someone will be interested in buying it.

Offer travel writing services to local newspapers, magazines, or online publications. If you have experience writing about travel, this could be a great way to monetize your passion while also contributing something valuable to the community.

Offer airport shuttle service

If you have a car, offer free or discounted airport shuttle service for tourists and locals alike. Not only will this give you some added income, but it can also be a valuable service for tourists who might not be familiar with the local area.

Start up a tour company

If you have experience leading tours (or if you know someone who does), start up your own tour company and offer visitors a variety of interesting and exciting.

Sell merchandise

Whether it’s souvenirs or items that you design and sell yourself, monetizing your travels by-merchandise of sale can be a great way to make money.

Creating a personal brand will help you to sell merch to your fan base. Building a travel audience is not the easiest thing but once you achieved it, you can sell t-shirts, etc. To acquire followers, you can launch a vlog or blog. In this idea, you have to be in front of the camera. Deliver value to your audience, make them a part of your journeys and they’ll appreciate it – returning the favor by buying your merch.

Capture precious moments of your trips, share the taste of the local food, and review interesting places.

Review visited places

Some tourist places will pay you a commission for review. Especially, if you have a good audience. Numbers matter. When you show 100K followers to any hotel or shop, they’ll remunerate you for the advertising (giving positive feedback).

Sometimes hotels could propose you to have free of charge residence. Without paying any fees there you can focus on the next trip or invest in a new camera.

When reviewing places, your main goal should be to get back all your spent money during your trip!

Create and sell travel photography

If you’re a traveler with a camera, you can make money by selling your photos online. There are a variety of ways to do this, from selling prints directly to social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, to setting up an online store that sells prints, digital downloads, and more. You can also sell your photos through travel agencies and hotels.

Before you start selling your photos, make sure you have the right equipment. You need a good digital camera that takes good photos in low light and can handle tough conditions (like rain or snow). And make sure you have plenty of memory cards and batteries so you can shoot as much as you want.

Once you have your gear ready, it’s time to start shooting. Shoot landscapes, cityscapes, candid shots of people in their natural habitats – anything that captures the essence of travel. Airlines, hotels, and resorts are relevant as well. Once you have a collection of great shots, it’s time to get started on marketing them.

There are a number of ways to market your photos online. You can post them on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, or use photo-sharing websites like Flickr and Picasa. You can also sell prints through online stores like Etsy or Amazon.

Promote businesses

Mention business on your social platforms. When you went somewhere, propose to the owner to promote the place. It’s a bonus for you and your audience because most likely they expect recommendations and you’ll be paying for the advertising.

Become an affiliate marketer

Affiliate marketing is the process of promoting products and services to earn commissions on sales generated. The key to successful affiliate marketing is finding the right products and services to promote. If you can find the best products and services that align with your interests and lifestyle, then becoming an affiliate marketer can be very profitable.

Many people create travel blogs and wrote a few amazing articles. They left an affiliate link in the content. When someone clicks on the link and buys the promoted service/products, you’ll get a percentage of the sale.

For example, make an article: “The best 10 places for staying in London” and leave an affiliate link in the article to the website of a hotel that pays a 30% commission when someone rents a room following your link.

Of course, you can promote not a link but a promo code if the company has this option. For example, if you’re a travel vlogger and have YouTube channel, during the video, mention the promo code that gives a discount to your viewers.

• TripAdvisor: This program offers affiliates a commission on sales made through their links.
• Airbnb: This program offers affiliates a commission on units booked through their links.
• Priceline: This program offers affiliates a commission on reservations made through their links.
• Expedia: This program offers affiliates a commission on sales made through their links.

How to become a travel entrepreneur?

Becoming a travel entrepreneur can be a rewarding and exciting experience. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Research your niche. What types of travelers are you targeting? How can you make your travel services more appealing to them? Is your fan base just watching or also traveling?
• Create a business plan. What resources will you need to get started (money, marketing materials, equipment)? Be realistic in your estimates and make sure you have enough money saved up to cover startup costs.
• Get organized. Start by creating a detailed budget and timeline for your project. This will help you stay on track and avoid delays.
• Be consistent. Share travel stories on a schedule.
• Build relationships with other travel professionals. Networking is essential for any business, but it’s especially important for a travel company because it can help you find new customers and partners.
• Be creative! There is no one right way to become a successful travel entrepreneur, so be open to new ideas and be willing to experiment until you find the strategy that works best for you.

Writing about your travels on a blog

When traveling, it’s always a good idea to document your experiences through a blog. This way, you can keep everyone up-to-date on what you’re doing and where you are, without having to constantly communicate with them face-to-face. Plus, there’s nothing like reading about another person’s trip vicariously through their blog post. 

Plus, you can be a travel blogger without showing your face.

• Start by outlining what you plan to write about. This will help you stay focused while you’re writing and also make sure that all of your important points are captured in the final product.
• Include photos and videos if possible, as they will add an extra layer of detail to your story.
• Use conversational language when writing, as this will make the posts easier to read.
• Make sure everything is properly referenced so that readers can track down any information they might need.
• End your post with a conclusion that sums up everything that you’ve written and provides a summary of your main points.

Make travel vlogs

If traveling is on your bucket list, then you’re in luck! Travel vlogging can help you capture all the amazing moments of your trip and share them with the world. Film your journey. You can use simple video editing software such as Filmora Wondershare. Then post the video online.

1. Choose a destination that interests you. When starting out, it’s best to choose a destination that you’re genuinely interested in. This will make filming easier, as you’ll be more focused on the experience rather than trying to fit in specific filming spots.

2. Prepare for weather fluctuations. Weather can play a big role in travel vlogging, especially if your destination is outdoors. Make sure to pack along layers and a raincoat if necessary.

3. Bring a camera and accessories. While not necessary, bringing a camera and accessories can make filming much easier. You can use the footage to create highlight reels or even turn it into a full-fledged travel documentary.

4. Have fun! One of the biggest benefits of travel vlogging is that it allows you to have fun while documenting your journey. Be sure to take plenty of photos and videos along the way, and don’t be afraid to have some silly fun!

Share your travel experience on social media

Share photos, stories, videos, and shorts on social media. Don’t forget to use proper hashtags, location settings, and the right resolution.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to make money while traveling, there are a few different ways to go about it. One simple way is by taking pictures and posting them on social media. You can also sell products you buy while traveling (e.g., souvenirs, local crafts) or offer your services as a tour guide or translator.

I recommend you a motto: get back all spent money while you get fun!