How To Make Money While Travelling? 09 Easy Ways To Earn Money

Ever looked out of an airplane window and wondered…

β€œHow do people even afford to travel full-time?”

Trust me, I’ve been there.

I wanted to travel so bad, but my wallet didn’t agree. So I started looking for ways to make money while on the move β€” and guess what? There are plenty of ways, and some are so simple, you’ll wish you started sooner!

If you love the idea of exploring the world without draining your bank account, here’s how I do it (and how you can too):

πŸ’° 9 Easy Ways I’ve Made Money While Traveling

Discover 9 easy ways to earn money while traveling! From freelancing to selling photos, these tips will fund your adventures. Start today! 

1. I Rented Out My Home (And My Car Too!) 🏠

When I first started traveling, I realized something important:

My apartment was just sitting there doing nothing, but still costing me money.

So, I listed it on Airbnb. Boom! That covered my accommodation costs abroad.

Here’s how you can do it too:

βœ… List your home on Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com.

βœ… Set rules (like no smoking or parties).

βœ… Ask a trusted friend or cleaner to manage it while you’re away.

Bonus: Rent out your car via Turo or Getaround for even more income.

πŸ’‘ I earned enough from my small apartment in 2 weeks to pay for a full month in Thailand.


2. I Work as a Freelancer from Anywhere πŸ’»

If you have a laptop and Wi-Fi, you’ve got a money-making machine.

I started with simple writing gigs and now do content creation and social media for brands.

Freelance skills you can monetize:

βœ… Writing, editing, or translating

βœ… Graphic design or web design

βœ… Social media management

βœ… Programming or app development

βœ… Virtual assistant tasks

Where to start:

βœ… Fiverr

βœ… Upwork

βœ… Freelancer.com

βœ… LinkedIn Jobs

πŸ’‘ Freelancing gave me the freedom to work from beaches, cafΓ©s, and mountain cabins.


3. I Make and Sell Things on the Go 🧡

Even if you’re not β€œcrafty,” don’t skip this one.

I started selling handmade bracelets I learned to make from locals β€” and people loved them!

Things you can make or sell:

βœ… Handmade jewelry, art, or crafts

βœ… Digital products (eBooks, templates, printables)

βœ… Local souvenirs you buy and resell online

Where to sell:

βœ… Etsy

βœ… Instagram/Facebook Marketplace

βœ… Local pop-up markets or hostels

πŸ’‘ One traveler I met sold custom postcards she drew herself β€” and it paid for her next train ticket.


4. πŸŽ“ I Teach Online β€” Especially English

You don’t need to be a certified teacher to teach online β€” just fluent in English and friendly!

I signed up to teach English conversation classes, and it’s been one of the easiest and most rewarding things.

Platforms to start with:

βœ… Cambly (no teaching degree required)

βœ… Preply

βœ… VIPKid (for kids)

βœ… iTalki

What you need:

βœ… A quiet space

βœ… Basic teaching materials (they often provide them)

βœ… A reliable Wi-Fi connection

πŸ’‘ I used to teach from a beach hut in Bali β€” no joke.


5. I Share My Opinions in Online Surveys 🧠

No, it won’t make you rich β€” but online surveys are super easy.

Perfect when you’re stuck at airports, buses, or winding down at night.

Best survey platforms:

βœ… Swagbucks

βœ… InboxDollars

βœ… Survey Junkie

βœ… Respondent (higher payouts)

What I like:

βœ… Some surveys pay $50 to $100, depending on the topic

βœ… You can do them anytime, anywhere

βœ… Many offer free gift cards too

πŸ’‘ It’s basically money for giving your opinion β€” yes please!


6. I Sell Unique Local Items Back Home 🌍

This one’s so fun! Every time I travel to a new city, I find cool handmade goods.

Then I post them on Instagram or Etsy, and friends back home always ask to buy them.

What to sell:

βœ… Local handmade jewelry or crafts

βœ… Spices, snacks, or skincare products (if allowed to ship)

βœ… Cultural souvenirs that aren’t easily available online

Where to sell:

βœ… Etsy

βœ… Instagram DM sales

βœ… Your own website or Shopify store

πŸ’‘ One scarf from Turkey that cost me $4 sold for $20 online!


7. I Take Photos and Sell Them πŸ“Έ

Everywhere I go, I take tons of photos β€” and not just for Instagram.

I sell them on stock photo websites and earn passive income every month.

Where to sell your travel photos:

βœ… Shutterstock

βœ… Adobe Stock

βœ… Alamy

βœ… EyeEm

What types of photos sell well:

βœ… Landmarks

βœ… Local food

βœ… People (with permission)

βœ… City streets and sunsets

πŸ’‘ A single photo I took in Italy has sold 17 times β€” while I sleep!


8. I Started a Travel Vlog πŸ“Ή

If you love talking to the camera or storytelling, start a YouTube channel.

I share my journey, local tips, and real stories β€” and people love that human connection.

What I use:

βœ… My phone or a simple camera

βœ… Free editing tools like CapCut or iMovie

βœ… YouTube for videos

βœ… TikTok or Instagram Reels for short clips

Ways I make money from vlogging:

βœ… YouTube ads

βœ… Brand deals or sponsorships

βœ… Affiliate links in the video description

πŸ’‘ It takes time, but one viral video can change everything.


9. I Blog About My Travels (Yes, Blogging Still Pays!) ✍️

My blog is like my online travel journal β€” but one that pays me monthly!

Ways my blog makes money:

βœ… Google AdSense (ads)

βœ… Affiliate marketing (linking to tours, gear, etc.)

βœ… Sponsored posts from travel brands

βœ… Selling digital products (eBooks, guides)

Blogging tips:

βœ… Use WordPress or Squarespace

βœ… Pick a niche (like budget travel, solo female travel, or food adventures)

βœ… Be consistent with posting

πŸ’‘ My blog started slow, but now it pays for flights, hotels, and meals β€” just by sharing what I love.


✨ Final Thoughts From a Travel Lover…

Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start small. Try one or two of these and build your way up.

Making money while traveling isn’t just a dream β€” I’m living proof it’s possible. And if I can do it, so can you.

✈️ So, where are you headed next β€” and how are you planning to fund your adventure?

πŸ‘‡Drop your dream destination below β€” I’d love to know!



Avatar of Nikita Khanna

There is nothing I love more than exploring and enjoying the world and its cultures. I have been to 15 countries and believe that every country has its charm, you just need to have that insight. My life is full of adventure, and every moment is worth every penny. After all, we only live once, and there’s so much to see and so much to do. I am here to share my experiences in the hope that they would benefit trippers all over the world. Read More

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