9 Easiest Jobs to Do While Traveling

Have you ever returned from a vacation feeling like you barely scratched the surface of your destination? If you’re nodding in agreement, you’re not alone.

Many of us crave more than the standard two-week getaway, dreaming of immersing ourselves in new cultures, languages, and landscapes. Luckily, the dream of extended travel is not only possible; it’s easier than you might think!

This article is your treasure map to turning weeks into months or even a year (or more!?) abroad, filled with adventures, work opportunities, and unforgettable experiences.

Oh, and you might be wondering who I am. I’m just someone who has had 11 travel jobs both abroad and online and has been perpetually traveling for over a decade. I’m kind of a pro at talking about how to make money while traveling!

I started out thinking I’d be abroad for a year, and then literally never stopped simply because I kept finding easy jobs to do while traveling.

So trust me, as someone who thought this life was only something that could happen in a dream (or to rich people), it’s more attainable than you think.

1. Working Holiday Visas

A gem in the traveler’s toolkit is the working holiday visa, available in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. My personal victory came with the Australia Working Holiday Visa, where I saved $20k USD during my year down under. Yes, really, that’s not a typo. 

This is one of the easiest ways for travelers to stay abroad and if you use them wisely enough, you might even be able to save a ton of money like I did! Just a side note, I did work A LOT. But it was worth it and I got to use that cash to travel even more.

2. TrustedHousesitters

Imagine traversing the globe, from the vineyards of Europe to the beaches of Australia, without paying a dime for accommodation. TrustedHousesitters makes this possible. By taking care of someone’s pets and home, you get free accommodation, allowing you to live like a local in your chosen destination! 

Not only are you saving on the most expensive cost, accommodation, but you get puppy and kitty cuddles too. Talk about a win-win. Just don’t forget that the pets’ care is a priority so you can’t leave for the entire day to go sightseeing and no, this isn’t a paid gig.

I’ve got to stay in places like Berlin and London for FREE! Check out this TrustedHouseSitters Review for more info if you’re unsure.

3. Teaching English Abroad

As native English speakers, we have a ticket to almost every corner of the globe. Teaching English abroad isn’t just a job; it’s a gateway to experiencing the world. Countries like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Spain are constantly in search of enthusiastic teachers. 

No experience? No problem. I didn’t have any when I first started either but I landed in Thailand and got a job within three days! 

And no, you don’t need to know the local language either in the majority of cases. Just your English tongue, sometimes a Bachelor’s degree (in any topic), and an open mind is basically all you need. 

The school will help you with your visas and oftentimes help find accommodation too. Since you can essentially do this in any country that doesn’t speak English as their native language, you’ll have to do some digging on the particular country you’re interested in to get more info. With that said, this is definitely one the easiest jobs to do while traveling as there are so many possibilities!

4. Teaching English Online

For those who prioritize flexibility, teaching English online is a golden opportunity. It allows you to earn from anywhere, be it a beach in Bali or a café in Paris. 

After teaching abroad it will be very easy to get a job teaching English online (that’s how it worked for me) but you don’t need to teach abroad to get the job online, it will just be helpful! 

This job is really the ultimate goal if you want flexibility. Just get a good wifi connection and you’ll be making money on the road in no time!

Preply, Cambly, Lingoda, VIPKid and PalFish are some popular online schools to look into.

5. Au Pair or Travel Nanny

Love kids? Why not live with a local family as an au pair? It’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a new culture, learn a language, and make some cash. Your accommodation and most food are taken care of, so you’re usually just pocketing the money.

Similar to being an au pair but with a twist, travel nannies accompany families on their vacations. Yes, that means you’re literally being paid to go on vacation. Granted, you’re watching the kids, but it’s still a getaway for you, plus, you can take the cash you make and travel more after your gig is done!

Check out sites like AuPair, Kensington Nannies, and My Temporary Nanny. 

6. Instructor

Got a knack for yoga, scuba diving, personal training, or surfing? Use your skills to land a job at resorts worldwide. Not only do you get to do what you love, but you also get to travel and meet people from all walks of life.

This is a huge umbrella of jobs to tackle so you’ll have to take your specialty and look at where you can find opportunities abroad to teach your craft. Nice resorts around the world are often on the hunt, but it’s not the only place to look.

For things like yoga and personal training, you can even do this online for money making this an easy job to do while traveling abroad.

7. Seasonal Work

Seasonal jobs, from working at a ski resort in the Alps to picking fruit in New Zealand, offer not just income but also unique experiences. 

While the jobs might not be the most glamorous and yes, you’d need to know how to ski instruct before applying, these are still great jobs that earn you a life abroad plus some cash in your pocket.

Check out sites like CoolWorks or AnyworkAnywhere.

8. World Packers

Volunteering in exchange for accommodation and sometimes meals and tours is a budget-friendly way to extend your travels. WorldPackers connects travelers with hosts worldwide, offering a range of experiences from teaching English to helping in hostels. 

I’ve personally got to travel through Guatemala by using Worldpackers. It’s an instant way to make local friends AND you don’t need to worry about paying for a place to stay!

Get $10 off your Worldpackers membership here!

9. Yacht Crew

If you’re up for hard work and adventure, joining a yacht crew could be your ticket to both earnings and exotic destinations. It’s demanding but rewarding, with opportunities to work on luxury vessels. 

Many times you’ll earn a pretty good base pay and then make good tips on top of it. Since you’re not spending much since your accommodation and food are paid for, you’re saving almost every penny you make, which means… you know the drill… you can make a bunch of cash to travel with afterward!

Check out sites like Yacrew and Blue Water.

Navigating Visas

While the adventures await, it’s crucial to navigate the maze of visa requirements and restrictions. Each country has its own rules, and staying informed is key to a hassle-free journey.

Always check the embassy’s website of your destination country for the latest visa information. Remember, proper planning and adherence to visa conditions can make or break your travels.

The good news is, most of the jobs you’ll be getting will assist you with the visa but it’s a good idea to do your due diligence as well.

Conclusion

The world is vast, and the possibilities for exploration are endless. With the right approach and resources, Americans of all ages can break free from the constraints of short vacations and start their journey into long-term travel.

This doesn’t need to be hard! In fact, once you get this started, it’s all pretty easy. Part of the reason I stayed abroad is because opportunities kept falling into my lap. The hardest part was the beginning – buying the flight, researching my first jobs abroad (which was teaching English) and having the courage to get on the plane.

Once I was abroad, the rest was easy. So don’t be scared to take that first step and get the ball rolling. I promise it only gets easier.

I hope this helped you figure out some easy ways to get and STAY abroad so you can travel longer!

About the Author:

While we both have the same name, this post was contributed by a fellow Nina and expat, Nina Ragusa of Where in the World is Nina.

Nina has been traveling the world since 2011 and blogging at Where in the World is Nina along the way. She can be found hiking volcanoes, swimming with fish friends, or surfing some waves. Nina’s blog helps wannabe long-term travelers find ways to work abroad and remotely so they can continue exploring the world for longer!

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