Traveling the world and getting paid for it sounds like a dream, right? After years of globetrotting, I’m often asked, “How do you make money traveling?” or “How do you get paid to travel?”. So, here’s a detailed explanation of how it’s possible.
Man overlooking a scenic landscape, symbolizing the freedom of making money while traveling
As a travel blogger and photographer, I’ve turned my passion into a career. It’s been a journey of hard work and dedication, and now I’m living the dream.
It’s understandable to be curious about how I manage to travel so extensively. From the beaches of Costa Rica to the blue streets of Morocco, the icy landscapes of Antarctica, the caves of Iceland, and the terrains of Afghanistan, it might seem like a never-ending vacation. However, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to keep it all going. The big question is: How do I make a living while traveling?
It might seem impossible, but it’s not. I’m going to share the strategies I’ve used to fund my travels and turn my blog into a source of income.
Funding Your Adventures: More Than Just a Dream
Open road with a car, representing the various ways to fund travel adventures
While the car in the image isn’t mine, it represents the journey. There are numerous paths to getting paid to travel the world. My primary income comes from this travel blog, which I started a decade ago.
I’ll also share other travel-friendly job ideas later in this article. My income sources have evolved over the years, and some are more complex than others.
To keep things simple, I often describe myself as a “travel writer” or “photographer” – a full-time digital nomad.
I’m finally clarifying the details of how I’ve managed to fund my travels for the last 10 years, and how I use my blog to get paid for traveling the world.
Inspiration and the Start of a Journey
In 2009, I began planning to leave my job and travel. I was inspired by friends who were backpacking through Southeast Asia and working on yachts in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, proving that long-term travel on a budget was possible.
Budget travel was a revelation to me. Seeing that they could make money while traveling sparked the belief that I could do it too!
Saving Money for Travel: The Foundation
Person hitchhiking in Mexico, representing the resourcefulness required for long-term travel
Coming from a lower-middle-class background, I had to find ways to save money to travel the world for a year.
The answer was downsizing my lifestyle. I sold my car, canceled unnecessary subscriptions, and embraced a minimalist lifestyle.
I sold possessions, stopped going out, cooked at home, and rented an affordable room. These changes allowed me to save approximately $7000 in a year.
READ MORE: 40 Best Travel Jobs To Make Money
Building a Side Hustle
While saving, I dedicated my time to developing a side-hustle to make extra money to support my travels. I spent countless hours researching and building an online business, writing and selling digital guides.
When I left for Guatemala in 2010, I earned $1000-$2000 monthly from my ebooks.
As my ebook business slowed down due to changes with Google Adwords, I diversified my income streams and started earning money from my travel blog.
Current Blog Income Sources: Diversifying Revenue Streams
Person working online with a laptop, showcasing the lifestyle of earning online
1. Influencer Marketing
Companies pay me to advertise on my blog and social media accounts through sponsored posts, brand ambassadorships, and more.
HOW MUCH? Brand partnerships and influencer marketing can earn between $2000 – $5,000 per deal.
2. Affiliate Marketing
I include affiliate links to my favorite travel gear, photography equipment, and online courses, earning a commission when readers make a purchase.
HOW MUCH? Affiliate marketing can generate $1000 – $3000 per month.
3. Freelance Travel Photography
I license my travel photography for commercial and editorial use.
HOW MUCH? Travel photography can earn between $250 – $1000 per image license.
4. Destination Marketing
Tourism boards pay me to travel and create content about their country.
HOW MUCH? Destination marketing projects can earn $5000 – $10,000 per project.
5. Display Advertising
I use platforms like Google Adsense and Mediavine to display ads on my blog and earn income per click or view.
HOW MUCH? Display ads can bring in $2000 – $3000 per month.
6. Paid Public Speaking
I get paid to speak at conferences and events about travel photography and blogging.
HOW MUCH? Public speaking gigs can pay between $500 – $2000 per event.
Other Ways to Earn Money Traveling
Beautiful beach in Greece, representing the freedom of remote work
Here are some additional ways to make money from a travel blog.
Freelance Travel Writing
Writing travel articles for other websites can be a source of income.
HOW MUCH? Travel writing can pay between $0.10 – $1 per word.
Leading Tours or Workshops
Organizing group tours or photography workshops to exotic destinations can be lucrative.
HOW MUCH? Group tours or workshops can earn an organizer $2000 – $15,000 per trip.
Selling Ebooks or Courses
Selling digital products can be a great way to earn income while traveling.
HOW MUCH? Selling digital products can generate $500 – $10,000 per month.
How Much Do I Make Overall? The Big Question
This travel blog earns 6-figures of income each year.
While I’m not a millionaire, I’m able to save money and splurge on experiences from time to time. Running a business has expenses, but the freedom is worth it.
I choose freedom over security any day!
Embracing uncertainty and risk on a quest to do what you love can be scary, but it’s possible.
I love what I do and continue to learn and work towards making this travel lifestyle sustainable.
Resources to Get Paid for Travel
People kayaking in Antarctica, showcasing adventure travel
Making money while traveling hasn’t been easy. It’s taken ten years to get to this point.
If you’re determined to get paid to travel, here are some recommended resources:
I hope this article answers your questions about how I can afford to travel so much. It’s been a long and wild journey, and I’m thankful every day for the incredible life I’m living.
Turn Your Travel Dreams into Reality
If I can make money by traveling, so can you! Start exploring your passions and find a way to monetize them.
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