88 OF THE WORLD’S BEST
TRAVEL JOBS

What are Travel Jobs?

Travel jobs, or jobs overseas, are international jobs that allow you to work and travel around the world. In some cases travel jobs can also allow you to work from home.

International travel jobs can be broken down into multiple categories that are listed just below. The most popular travel job categories are Digital Nomad Jobs (Remote Jobs), Expat Jobs, and Backpacker Jobs. Backpacker Jobs are also known as Gap Year Jobs or can be the same or closely related to Work Exchange Programs.

Traveling the world & working abroad offers a great sense of freedom and it’s absolutely worth it in terms of experience and income if you do it right. Keep reading this entire guide to ensure you’re well informed and confident before you start your journey abroad!

1. Teach English Abroad

Teaching English Abroad is atop most every ‘best of’ travel job lists on the internet for a reason! Anyone that speaks English natively or fluently can do it! You don’t even have to love English or be particularly good at it. The schools typically provide you with step-by-step instructions per lesson and the majority of your sessions will likely be beginner level.

How much do teachers get paid to Teach English Abroad?

Hourly

• $8 per hour at the low end
• $13 per hour on average
• $25 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $320 per week at the low end
• $520 per week on average
• $1,000 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $1350 per month at the low end
• $2,250 per month on average
• $4,300 per month at the high end

Annually

• $16,500 per year at the low end
• $27,000 per year on average
• $52,000 per year at the high end

There’s also a good chance that housing is provided. This is especially true in more expensive cities.

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save Teaching English Abroad?

• $750-$1,000 per month 

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

If you’re teaching in more expensive cities then you’l likely make enough to get by but likely not much in savings. But it’s worth it! Checking out all the sights and taking in all a culture has to offer in expensive cities is far more affordable as an expat than as a tourist!

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements to Teach English Abroad

• Native or Fluent English Speaking
• TEFL Certification

How to be an English Teacher Abroad – Everything you need to know!

3. Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance Writing Jobs are one of the very best ways to make money while traveling the world! The biggest downside is the freelance lifestyle. You’re not guaranteed a full 40 hours a week and rates may vary per project. Therefore, it’s best to have 6-12 months worth of savings prior to long-term travel.

How much do Freelance Writers get paid?

Hourly

• $12 per hour at the low end
• $30 per hour on average
• $60 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $420 per week at the low end
• $1,100 per week on average
• $2,100 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $1,800 per month at the low end
• $4,600 per month on average
• $9,100 per month at the high end

Annually

• $22,000 per year at the low end
• $55,000 per year on average
• $109,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save as a Freelance Writer abroad?

• $2,500-$3000 per month for established freelance writers.
• $0-$1500 for new freelance writers. 

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

This scenario also assumes the Freelance Writer is working an average of 35 hours per week. The nature of the freelance life style can be unpredictable so it’s recommended that you have up to 6-12 months of savings before you go gallivanting around the globe.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• Anyone can be a freelance writer!
• However, you are expected to have excellent grammar and writing skills as well as prior experience with writing.
• Although not required, it is highly encouraged to have a bachelor’s degree in either journalism or mass communications.

How to be a Freelance Writer – Everything you need to know!

5. Teach English Online

Teaching English Online is one of the quickest ways to location independence! It’s especially effective if you’re living a modest lifestyle in Asia, or Southeast Asia, as this is where the bulk of your students will be from. Having matching timezones will help you log more hours!

To be safe, with this travel job you’ll want to ensure that you have three to six months worth of living expenses budgeted before you embark the nomad lifestyle abroad.

How much do teachers get paid to Teach English Online?

Teaching English Online doesn’t always guarantee that you’ll have a full schedule. In fact, it’s smarter to plan for part-time hours. The weekly, monthly and annual estimated pay below is based on 30 hour work weeks due to the nature of teaching english online.

Hourly

• $14 per hour at the low end
• $20 per hour on average
• $30 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $420 per week at the low end
• $600 per week on average
• $900 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $1,800 per month at the low end
• $2,600 per month on average
• $3,900 per month at the high end

Annually

• $22,000 per year at the low end
• $31,000 per year on average
• $47,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save Teaching English Online?

• $900-$1,250 per month

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• Anyone that is fluent in English can Teach English Online. No prior experience teaching is required and you don’t need a degree.
• While it’s true that Native English speakers are preferred, it’s also true that learning English is in high demand in most of the world so the chances are good that you’ll be able to get this job even if English isn’t your native tongue.
• TEFL Certification

How to be an Online English Teacher – Everything you need to know!

7. Remote SEO Jobs

Working Remote SEO Jobs abroad can be a great way to make money while abroad! However, it’s one of those jobs that is very time demanding, which leaves little time to be a tourist, and requires a lot of client communication, which can be challenging if your clients are on the other side of the globe.

There are a lot of moving parts with SEO. Each part has significant depth and is constantly advancing. To be a subject matter expert you’ll need a deep passion for SEO.

If you’re able to successfully work out the logistics and you have a passion for SEO then you’ll be able to comfortably live most anywhere in the world!

How much do Specialists get paid to do Remote SEO?

Hourly

• $30 per hour at the low end
• $45 per hour on average
• $65 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $1,200 per week at the low end
• $1,800 per week on average
• $2,600 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $5,200 per month at the low end
• $7,800 per month on average
• $11,300 per month at the high end

Annually

• $62,000 per year at the low end
• $94,000 per year on average
• $135,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save doing Remote SEO?

• $6,000-$6,500 per month

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

These numbers may not be realistic if you’re taking on clients based in the U.S. but are living on the opposite side of the globe, as it’s harder to operate during their business hours.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• Full-time SEO jobs will typically require a marketing degree or related.
• Remote SEO freelance jobs are readily available without degree requirements.
• SEO is complex and requires 1-2 years of experience in most cases. You can gain that experience via your own projects and a great deal of online learning.

How to be a Remote SEO Specialist – Everything you need to know!

9. Virtual Assistant Jobs

A virtual assistant is a self-employed individual who handles tasks such as scheduling appointments, making phone calls, preparing travel arrangements, and maintaining email communications for clients remotely, typically from a home office.

Virtual assistants, or virtual professionals, are remote self-employed administrative assistants that act as secretaries and usually work from home. Tasks they typically perform include scheduling appointments, making phone calls, organizing travel arrangements, maintaining email communications, executing social tasks, or entering data on platforms. However, the tasks they are provided with depend on their particular skill set.

Be sure to do your research with any work-at-home position to make sure they are legitimate and avoid scams before signing any contract or sharing banking information.

How much do Virtual Assistants get paid?

Hourly

• $10 per hour at the low end
• $16 per hour on average
• $28 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $640 per week at the low end
• $1,100 per week on average
• $1,700 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $1,700 per month at the low end
• $2,700 per month on average
• $4,900 per month at the high end

Annually

• $21,000 per year at the low end
• $33,000 per year on average
• $58,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save being a Virtual Assistant?

• $1,000-$1,400 per month

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• Anyone that is fluent in English can get a Virtual Assistant Job. No prior experience is required, although it may be helpful, and you don’t need a degree.
• However, if you want your virtual assistant business to grow significantly, taking courses will help you save time and reach your goals quicker.

How to be a Virtual Assistant – Everything you need to know!

11. Remote IT Jobs

Remote IT jobs is an umbrella term that refers to various jobs in information technology. However, the roles that most often get associated with IT are server admins, cyber security specialists, and technical support.

Remote IT jobs are flexible in that they allow you to work from anywhere and build your own schedule, especially when freelancing.

How much does a Remote IT get paid?

Hourly

• $15 per hour at the low end
• $25 per hour on average
• $45 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $600 per week at the low end
• $1,000 per week on average
• $1,800 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $2,600 per month at the low end
• $4,300 per month on average
• $7,800 per month at the high end

Annually

• $31,000 per year at the low end
• $52,000 per year on average
• $94,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save as a Remote IT?

• $2,600-$3,000 per month

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

Similar to other high paying jobs, Remote IT jobs are highly technical and require a great deal of time. Saving this kind of money will require you to stay put in one spot for longer periods of times while potentially working in the middle of the night to align with your clients’ working days.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• Many positions for IT jobs require a computer science or similar degree to be considered for the job.
• However, the value of industry certifications is almost on par with the perceived value a four year degree.
• IT certifications such as  MS, CompTIA, Cisco, VMWare, etc. are helpful in showcasing that you have the skill set needed to tackle any challenges in the field.

How to be a Remote IT – Everything you need to know!

13. Remote Graphic Design Jobs

Whether you’re just trying to pick up some extra cash or needing a full-time commitment, being a Graphic Designer offers a quick and easy way to travel and work around the world. However, you need to have skill and passion!

If you’re just getting started out as a graphic designer then it’s recommended that you take the time to establish yourself online with a strong portfolio and profile on major freelancer websites.

In addition, it’s recommended to have 3-6 months worth of savings before you take the leap into the digital nomad lifestyle.

How much does a Remote Graphic Designer get paid?

Hourly

• $17 per hour at the low end
• $25 per hour on average
• $45 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $680 per week at the low end
• $1,000 per week on average
• $1,800 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $2,900 per month at the low end
• $4,300 per month on average
• $7,800 per month at the high end

Annually

• $35,000 per year at the low end
• $52,000 per year on average
• $94,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save Designing Graphics Remotely?

• $2,600-$3,000 per month for experienced professionals with established online portfolios and profiles on major freelance websites.
• $300-$1,000 per month for newbies

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• There are options for working in graphic design: either as an employee at a graphic design agency, or by creating your own design business as a freelancer.
• Agencies will likely expect you to have obtained an advanced degree, which is why working on a freelance basis is more desirable for many graphic designers.

How to be a Remote Graphics Designer – Everything you need to know!

15. Ski Resort Jobs Abroad

Ski resort workers have a variety of positions to take on but each one includes supervising the activities on the ski slopes, operating at the lodge, providing instructions to skiers, ensuring the safety of resort patrons.

It’s usually a seasonal job starting from November and ending in April in the northern hemisphere. However, you can hop down under to fantastic places like New Zealand to keep the dream alive year-round!

How much does working in a Ski Resort get paid?

Hourly

• $11 per hour at the low end
• $18 per hour on average
• $30 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $440 per week at the low end
• $720 per week on average
• $1,200 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $1,900 per month at the low end
• $3,100 per month on average
• $5,200 per month at the high end

Annually

• $23,000 per year at the low end
• $37,000 per year on average
• $62,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save working in a Ski Resort?

• $1,400-$1,800 per month

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• Almost anyone can get an entry-level ski resort job.

How to work in a Ski Resort – Everything you need to know!

17. Summer Camp Counselor Abroad

Camp counselors ensure that their campers are safe, healthy, and happy while they participate in camp activities. Counselors can help plan activities, lead them through events, and can be trained to emotionally support children who are away from their families.

While summer camps have been popular in The United States for quite a while, they’re becoming more and more popular throughout the world, including Asia!

Summer camp counselor jobs and summer camp director jobs are  great ways to earn a decent chunk of change quickly, over the course of two months or less.

In some cases they can open doors to becoming a full-time teacher at highly sought after international schools, even if you don’t have a teaching degree.

How much does a Summer Camp Counselor Abroad get paid?

Summer camp counselors are temporary workers. However, you could potentially string a number of camps together throughout the year if you’re willing to travel to different hemispheres and/or are flexible with the type of camp.

Hourly

• $7 per hour at the low end
• $14 per hour on average
• $20 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $140 per week at the low end
• $280 per week on average
• $400 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $600 per month at the low end
• $1,200 per month on average
• $1,700 per month at the high end

Annually

• $7,000 per year at the low end
• $15,000 per year on average
• $21,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save Counseling at Summer Camps Abroad?

• $0-$5,000 per camp

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

Summer camp counselors are unique in that they are typically temporary workers spanning a two month period. Whether you take on a counselor role or a director role, It’s a quick way to put away a nice chunk of change and have some fun while you’re at it.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• Generally, camp counselors are young adults. However, there are camp director positions for older adults.
• A good counselor has upstanding moral character, ample patience and maturity.
• It is best if counselors are physically fit and have good health to keep up with their young campers.

How to become a Summer Camp Counselor Abroad – Everything you need to know!

19. Remote Travel Agent Jobs

Remote travel agents help their clients plan and arrange their vacation or other trip from a home office. They work within the client’s budget and specifications to find accommodations, travel arrangements, and help create fun itineraries.

The daily schedule will likely vary, but one of the great things about working independently from home is your ability to choose your own schedule. You’ll have to schedule meetings with clients and conduct work during hours where you can contact the necessary travel companies. If you work within a host agency or as a remote employee for a travel company, then your hours might be more rigid.

How much do Remote Travel Agents get paid?

Hourly

• $15 per hour at the low end
• $30 per hour on average
• $45 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $600 per week at the low end
• $1,200 per week on average
• $1,800 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $2,600 per month at the low end
• $5,200 per month on average
• $7,800 per month at the high end

Annually

• $31,000 per year at the low end
• $62,000 per year on average
• $94,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save as a Remote Travel Agent?

• $3,500-$3,800 per month for well established full-time remote travel agents.
• $1,500 for new remote travel agents

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• Anyone who loves to travel and has an aptitude for planning, budgeting, and scheduling can be a remote travel agent.
• It is recommended, but not required, that you have education in a relevant area such as travel and tourism, marketing, or hospitality.
• Additionally, find travel and tourism training/certification courses to ensure that you are properly qualified.

How to be a Remote Travel Agent – Everything you need to know!

21. Remote Data Entry Jobs

Data Entry positions involve inputting data from various sources into computer systems and databases for processing and data management. Data entry clerks will often have to handle sensitive information pertaining to the companies they work for.

This job is flexible in that it allows you to work from anywhere.

How much does a  Remote Data Entry Specialist get paid?

Hourly

• $10 per hour at the low end
• $15 per hour on average
• $22 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $450 per week at the low end
• $675 per week on average
• $990 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $2,000 per month at the low end
• $3,000 per month on average
• $4,300 per month at the high end

Annually

• $23,000 per year at the low end
• $35,000 per year on average
• $51,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save as a Remote Data Entry Specialist?

• $1,200-$1,600 per month

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• Anyone can become a Remote Data Entry specialist!
• There are no specific degrees or certifications required to become a data entry specialist. You will only need a high school diploma to qualify for most data entry positions.
• However, college classes in relevant areas can improve your chance of landing a job.

How to become a Remote Data Entry Specialist – Everything you need to know!

23. Hostel Worker Jobs Abroad

Hostel workers are people who work in a hostel and make sure that guests comply with the particular rules of the hostel, and that the establishment runs smoothly.

This can be a quick and easy way to have free housing in great locations around the world! Also, it can be boatloads of fun!!

How much does a Hostel Worker Abroad get paid?

Hourly

• $10 per hour at the low end
• $13 per hour on average
• $17 per hour at the high end

Weekly

• $270 per week at the low end
• $350 per week on average
• $460 per week at the high end

Monthly

• $1,200 per month at the low end
• $1,500 per month on average
• $2,000 per month at the high end

Annually

• $14,000 per year at the low end
• $18,000 per year on average
• $24,000 per year at the high end

To compare this travel job’s pay, check out our travel job comparison table. For more information on how we came up with these numbers, check out our data sources.

How much can I save working in a Hostel Abroad?

• $0-$150 per month and dorm-style housing is provided.

This is based on a scenario where one is receiving average pay, living an average lifestyle, and resides in a region of the world that is considered a medium cost of living.

Check out the Travel Job Comparison table to see all potential savings scenarios, cost of living categorization by city, and our data sources.

Basic Requirements

• There are no requirements for a hostel worker other than a love of travel and the relevant skills such as organization, communication, and cleaning.

How to become a Hostel Worker Abroad – Everything you need to know!

Feasibility
Are Travel Jobs Right For Me?

In this section we cover all the primary aspects of travel jobs to ensure they’re right for you. This includes who can get travel jobs via travel job requirements, pay, taxes, and reliability. We also provide an overall pros & cons comparison table.

Top 5 Most Popular Travel Jobs That Require No Degree

There are plenty of Travel Jobs that do not require a degree. While degrees are imperative in some industries, such as healthcare, other industries, such as Information Technology, degrees become obsolete within 5 years of graduation. According to Business Insider: Google, Apple, and Tesla don’t even require 4 year degrees to work there. With all that money you save from skipping a degree you can afford to do A LOT, including travel around the world a few times. The best part? You wont have insurmountable debt!

Here are the most popular travel jobs without a degree:

1. Teach English Abroad
2. Remote IT Jobs
3. Freelance Writing Jobs
4. International Flight Attendant
5. Yacht Jobs Abroad

What Degrees Allow You To Travel?

There are several degrees with studies that lend themselves to open travel opportunities to their students and graduates.

Top Degrees that Enable you to Travel

• Biology
• International Studies
• Geoscience
• Social Science (International Development or Social Policy)
• Environmental Engineering
• Marine Science
• Business Management
• Medicine (Doctors without Borders)
• Public Health
• Arts or Graphic Design
• English or Education

Travel Jobs Required Visas For Work Abroad

Digital Nomad Jobs, remote work, you can do from anywhere without getting into hot water. However, it’s a good idea not to tell the customs agent at the airport that it’s your intention to work while you stay there.

Remote jobs aside, if you’re looking for a traditional job in a different country you’re going to need a work permit visa. You won’t be hired for an international job if you don’t have one.

Visit the website or actual building of an embassy of your desired country of employment prior to traveling there. They’ll be able to issue a work visa or tell you the requirements per type of work visa at the very least.

If you’re not planning on needing a work visa you’ll still want to check about a tourist visa. One hundred seventeen countries allow U.S. citizens Visa-free tourist travel, some countries ask visitors to apply for Visas ahead of time, and most policies of Visa-free will last up to 90 days. For a complete list of specific visa requirements per country, visit The Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Countries That Offer Working Holiday Visas

If you’re looking to spend 6-12 months in another country while working then you’re in luck! The countries below offer working holiday visas! In some cases you may even be permitted to live and work longer than a year.

1. New Zealand
2. Australia
3. Singapore
4. South Korea
5. Ireland

Travel Jobs That Provide Housing

Sometimes all you need is a roof over your head, some food, and a backpack to travel the world!

If you’re tired of blowing up to half the money you earn on housing and aren’t too fussy about the types of jobs you work then the jobs below might appeal to you! They all typically include housing and some may even provide meals!

• WWOOFing
• Hostel Worker Jobs Abroad
• Seasonal Hotel or Resort Worker
• Ski Resort Jobs Abroad (Sometimes)
• International Teaching Jobs (Sometimes)
• Teaching English Abroad (Sometimes)
• Pet Sitting International
• International House Sitting
• Work On A Cruise Ship

Are Travel Jobs Reliable?

Travel jobs are absolutely worth it! Whether you’re considering travel as your permanent lifestyle, or just taking a gap year, career gap year, a travel job provides freedom from the inhumane conditions of the 9-5 lifestyle.

There are countless people already living and working comfortably with travel jobs so it’s more than enough proof that travel jobs are worth it.

How To Start:
The Best Approach to Travel Jobs

In this section we cover the basics on how to get a travel job, and identify some of the best travel job companies to work for. In addition we’ll provide a list of the most popular countries and cities for travel jobs.

15 steps on how you can get a job or career that allows you to travel and make money abroad for a living

The idea that you can travel and make money at the same time can seem too good to be true. Rest assured, it’s very possible!  Whether you’re fed up with the inhumane 9-5 lifestyle or just craving the unknown, we have you covered. Below we cover the best approach to get a travel job that will enable you to travel and live around the world while getting paid – Step-by-step.

Before you Leave

1. Have at least $10,000-$15,000 in savings before you go
   • Traveling the world for a full year with basic amenities, in cheaper areas such as Southeast Asia, will cost between $20,000-$30,000 USD. This is cost of living and travel costs.
     • It’s possible to achieve a year’s worth of travel and living for less but it’s at the cost of a better experience and quality of life.
     • It’s also possible to underestimate your own spending habits, going way over budget in the first few months.
   • $10,000-$15,000 is about the cost it’ll cost you to travel and live for 6 months with basic amenities. This includes flights and other travel costs.
   • If you’re able to obtain a travel job within the first few months then you’ll be able to get away with not having as much in savings but we still recommend always having a 6 month safety net.
2. Establish a side hustle 
   • Whether you’re in need of an extra buck to extend your travels or you’re trying to grow a side hustle into a job that can fully support your nomad lifestyle, having a side hustle can really be powerful. It’s especially powerful when you’re earning USD and living in cheap but astonishingly beautiful areas such as Southeast Asia.
   • You can do this on freelancer platform sites like Flexjobs, Fiver, or Upwork.
   • This is also a great way to fill in gaps in your resume.
3. Get your TEFL Certificate
   • No matter what travel job you’re planning on working while abroad, teaching English should always be an option or a backup plan at the very least. These jobs are always in demand and you can typically find short-term or long-term work while Teaching English Abroad. With these jobs you’ll be able to travel, live, and work abroad indefinitely.
4. Have Multiple Resumes
   • Chances are you’ll be applying to a few different types of jobs in your search for a travel job. Make sure you have a resume tailored to each type of job with specific bullet points aligning your skill set with their job description.
   • Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have relevant experience prior to sending out a resume. Best to gain that prior to embarking on your journey.
5. Try to get a job lined up before you travel abroad
   • While this isn’t always possible, some jobs make it easier than others, such as Teaching English Abroad.
   • If you’re unable to make this happen don’t let it stop you from booking your ticket abroad! If you have at least 6 months of savings then you’ll have plenty of time to job search abroad.
6. Connect with Expats on Social Media
   • Get on social media and connect with expats currently living in the areas you want to go and working the jobs you want to work abroad. People make the world turn, they may be able to help you get started via some job leads or at least give you some must-know information about the area.
7. Get The Right Passport & Visas
   • First, get the passport with the most pages. The U.S. offers passports with 28 pages and 52 pages. Opt for the larger.
   • If you already have a job lined up then the company should help take care of all your work visa requirements or provide you explicit instructions on what documentation you’ll need prior to leaving.
   • If you’re not sure where you’re going to work before you leave then you’ll at least need a tourist visa for the country. you wish to travel.
   • In addition, you’ll want to get tourist visas for nearby countries as well. Some countries issue visa on arrival be sure to research if your country requires a visa prior to arrival or not.
8. Consider a Work Holiday
   • Work holidays allow people, typically 30 and younger, to work 6 months to a year, with the potential for extensions, anywhere in the country.
   • This is a much safer approach than showing up with a tourist visa and hoping a company will pay you under the table.

Upon Arriving Abroad

1. Be a Tourist First
   • Embarking on a new life style that is living and working around the world is exciting! Do yourself a favor and get some of those travel bug jitters out of your system before you have to get serious about your new travel job.
     • We recommend taking 1-3 months of traveling abroad before you actually begin working your travel job.
   • Of course, you’ll always have weekend trips aplenty while working your travel job.
2. Make friends with all the Hostels & Hotels nearby
   • Hostels typically have bulletin boards with travel jobs posted. Also, hostel and hotel workers will have the most insight on potential travel job leads. It might help if you actually stay at the hostel or hotel but don’t be shy to make your rounds to all of. the nearby hostels and hotels.
   • It’s even possible the hostel or hotel would be willing to hire you as it’s common for backpackers to work hostel jobs in exchange for free housing. Be sure to come prepared with a resume in hand.
   • If you’re staying at a hostel then chances are that there are other guests on the same mission as you are. They may even have work lined up and can help make an introduction.
3. Map out all the potential employers and drop off your resume in person
   • A little gumption goes a long way to help you stand out, especially for travel jobs requiring basic skills and are entry-level jobs.
   • This tactic is especially effective if you’re wanting to teach english abroad and are native english speaking. Most language schools will at least setup an interview. Some will be willing to pay you even if you’re on a tourist visa.
4. Network at expat events
   • The expat community in the city you’ve traveled to likely has events or social meetups on a regular basis. Be sure to attend these events and let it be known that you’ve just arrived and are searching for work. Of course, prioritize genuine socializing over advertising.
5. Consider other countries
   •  If you’re not having luck finding a travel job in your current country then consider adding other nearby or even far away countries into your job searches.
6. Rinse and repeat! Chin up, don’t give up!
   • If all the above steps don’t result in you having a travel job then keep at it! Hunting for jobs abroad can be very much like hunting for travel jobs abroad. It can take time and just remember not to take it personally if you’re not getting considered. It’s all apart of job hunting.
   • This is where having 6 months of savings really helps.
7. Worst case, venture back home after 6 months 
   • At the very least you’ll have 6 months of awesome travel experiences, assuming you took our advice and saved 6 months worth of travel and cost of living expenses.
   • You can continue the travel job search abroad while at home, saving for the next trip!

The Best Places To Work Travel Jobs

Best cities for travel jobs
Best countries for work abroad

According to a 2019 expat survey done by CNBC, Below are the top countries for expat jobs where employees are happiest in their positions.

1. Taiwan
2. Vietnam
3. Estonia
4. Czechia (the Czech Republic)
5. Norway
6. Luxembourg
7. Netherlands
8. Germany

While these are great, we still believe Thailand should be included, above Vietnam, based on our own years of expat experience living and working in Southeast Asia, mostly in Vietnam.

We get it, EVERYONE talks about Thailand and only the cool kids talk about lesser known countries like Vietnam. But there are many reasons why Thailand has been so hyped over the years and still deserves the hype.

While it doesn’t make for unique or new titles for amazing content, it’s more than reasonable to say Thailand is still one of the best countries to live and work as an expat with a travel job.

The travel industry shouldn’t be treated like the fashion industry where the hottest styles are all the rage one year and totally beneath the ‘in the know’ crowd the following year.

Let’s be real, Thailand is unmatched with its variety in beauty, culture, and unique experiences.

Thailand offers off the beaten path experiences, spiritual journeys, astonishingly beautiful island hopping, fun and wild experiences, and still has first world amenities in Bangkok, common to every major city. It’s centrally located in Southeast Asia, making it easy to establish Thailand as a home base and travel the region with cheap flights to many major regional and international destinations. All of that AND the locals are some of the most beautiful, most accepting people in the world! Thailand is STILL worth the hype!

Additional Tips, Tools, & Resources for Travel Jobs

In this section we provide additional tips and go over the latest tools & resources we’ve uncovered for Travel Jobs. In addition to the tips & travel tools, we have a number of interesting statistics related to travel jobs. Of course, what guide would be complete without FAQs? We have a number of FAQs pertaining to travel jobs to complete this travel job guide.

Travel Job Tips

13 Important Tips For Those Seeking Travel Jobs Abroad

1. Be a tourist first
   • As mentioned elsewhere in this guide, we definitely recommend that you be a tourist in your new city, country, and region before you get settled into your new travel job routine.
2. Stay put and explore one region for longer periods
   • It’s tempting to hop from one travel job to another. We recommend that you find a central spot in a region you want to explore and take a year or so and do just that.
   • It can get quite overwhelming and you can burn out if you don’t take long breaks in between travel, where you have an established routine. If you’re going to live and work abroad for more than a year then we recommend one month of travel, three months of routine or even less aggressive.
3. The hype is real but don’t drink the kool-aid
   • There are no shortages of amazing travel photos or stunning travel video in our social media feeds. At a rate of one out of every ten instagram photos being a person tugged along by a beautiful woman in exotic lands, it’s easy to get lost in the wonderful world of travel and imagine what it would be like.
   • While the hype is real, the travel job lifestyle is most definitely better than your typical 9-5 lifestyle, it’s also important not to over-romanticize travel. There are plenty of cons to help balance out the pros.
   • Please don’t propitiate an unhealthy, unrealistic over-romanticization of travel via social media. Post the bad and ugly side of things along with the good. Encourage others to seek out the same experiences by giving actionable tips.
4. Shed biased views, become more objective of humans
   • Whether you’re aware of them or not, you likely have biased views. We, as humans, are very impressionable. We’re not saying it’s possible to have no biased views whatsoever, but admitting that even you, as open-minded as you might be, are susceptible to biased views and it goes a long way to remind yourself of that when you’re experiencing something completely new that may confuse or scare you, such is the case when you’re traveling deep into other cultures in far away lands.
5. Injustice is everywhere, lower expectations and breathe
   • While part of your motivation for traveling might be to escape the horrific political or racist conditions of your own country, please don’t expect other countries to be void of similar injustice.
   • The longer you stay in one location and dive into local culture, the more you’ll be exposed to all the injustices. Just like that, all those overly-romanticized you once had as a tourist vanish.
   • The tip here is to keep low expectations. Someone trying to charge you five times the amount because you’re not a local? Get cut off in traffic 10 times today? It’ll bother you less if you accept it as a part of your new normal, breathe, and remind yourself the pros outweigh the cons.
6. Get a travel credit card!
   • The travel points, travel hacking game can quickly become overwhelming so I’m not going to dive too deep here. The travel best cards for the past few years have been the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express (AMEX) Platinum. They carry a high annual fee but with travel reimbursement credits you’ll quickly see that it’s really not a high fee at all and these cards become no brainers to own.
   • While there are a lot of benefits to these cards, the standout benefits for me are the amount of points you earn with travel and restaurant related charges, car ride share credits, and airport lounge access worldwide with buffets and open bar in most cases. In addition, some lounges include areas where you can sleep and sometimes, shower.
   • If you don’t believe you’re going to get approved for a credit card then jump to the next tip to learn about one of the best benefits of a premium travel card that you can still obtain.
7. Get premium airport lounge access!
   • Without a doubt, this is a must have if you’re a frequent flyer, especially if you’re traveling abroad often.
   • If you’re unable to get this perk due to not being approved for one of the travel credit cards mentioned above then you can still purchase an annual pass to some major airport lounge networks such as Priority Pass with over 1,300 lounges worldwide at a price point that quickly shows return on investment when you consider what you’d pay elsewhere in the airport.
   • One of the best aspects about this perk is the fact that I look forward to going to the airport now, arriving a few hours prior to departure to enjoy all the splendor airport lounges have to offer.
   • In addition to having a great buffet, open bar, wifi, and comfortable seating, the lounge isn’t overcrowded compared to the common airport areas. When you’re in the lodge you feel calm and peaceful. You don’t feel like you’re at an airport. Do yourself a favor and opt to board last but don’t keep people waiting.
8. Inform your banks and credit cards of your travel itinerary
   • Short and simple, you don’t want to find yourself in a foreign country without the ability to access your money due to fraud protection. Be sure to contact your banks to let them know of your complete travel itinerary.
   • If you do find yourself in a situation where your card is declined, even your debit card, then you should be able to pull money from an ATM still. However, even that is declined at times and you’re not always near an ATM.
   • It makes sense to always have about $50-$100 worth of local currency on you just in case.
9. Backup all your important travel docs on Google Drive
   • Scan your passport, visa, driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, etc. and upload it to Google Drive, along with any other important travel docs, such as flight and hotel confirmations.
   • Be sure to make the folder that contains all of these docs are accessible offline.
10. Transfer your phone number to Google Voice
    • If you’re going to travel for a year or longer then it makes sense to port your number to Google Voice so you don’t lose it.
    • With this approach you can easily forward all your calls, texts, voicemails to your new phone number in whatever country you’re at in the world.
    • Your friends and family never have to pay long distance. In fact, they simply call you as they always have, no new number to type in.
11. Get the passport with the most pages
    • You’re going to travel quite a bit on your adventures abroad and your passport should have a lifespan of a decade or more depending on where you’re from. Might as well get the passport that has the most pages so you don’t have to bother with it again.
    • U.S. passports have options of 28 or 52 pages. Opt for the larger.
12. Get a protective cover for your passport
    • Passports get knocked around and dinged quite easily while you’re gallivanting the globe. Get a cheap, clear, protective cover for your passport on Amazon and save yourself from the potential of having to deal with the paperwork of filing for another passport due to damage.
13. Download a maps app that works offline
    • You’re not always going to have internet and it can be hit or miss with local sim card retailers at the airports.
    • Be prepared and download a maps app that works offline. Google Maps should have the capability to work offline if you configure it to do so but it’s a good idea to have an additional maps app where you can download regional maps directly onto your phone.
    • These map apps also provide directions via public transit, walking, driving, etc. Maps.me is an example of one map app that does just that.

Interesting Travel Job Statistics

Number of travel jobs abroad

According to the U.S. Travel Association states that there are about 16 million travel jobs for U.S. citizens. In addition, they go on to say From 2010-2018 the travel jobs industry increased 22 percent compared
to 17 percent in the rest of the private sector.

This is encouraging for anyone looking to land a travel job!