Getting Paid to Travel the World
Is it possible to travel the world and not break the bank? Absolutely! For over a decade, I’ve navigated the globe, and the most frequent question I encounter is, “How do you make money while traveling?” or “How do you get paid to travel?” Let me share the detailed answer to this popular question.
My journey as a professional travel blogger and photographer is the result of years of dedication, turning what started as a passion into a fulfilling career. I understand the curiosity behind the question: How do I actually get paid to travel the world and experience these incredible adventures?
From exploring the vibrant landscapes of Costa Rica and the blue pearl city of Morocco, to the icy plains of Antarctica, the magical ice caves of Iceland, and the rugged beauty of Afghanistan, my life often seems like one continuous vacation. However, beneath the surface of these adventures lies a real job and a necessity to earn a living.
So, how exactly do I fund this lifestyle? Do I have sponsors? Who is paying for my travels around the world?
It might sound too good to be true, but it’s not. Let me show you how you too can travel and make money.
Getting Paid To Travel In 2025: Turning Dreams into Reality
Table Of Contents
- How Do I Fund My Adventures?
- Paid To Travel The World
- Saving Money To Travel
- Making Money While Traveling
- Current Blog Income Sources
- Other Ways To Earn Money Traveling
- How Much Do I Make Overall?
- Resources To Get Paid For Travel
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How Do I Fund My Adventures?
There are numerous avenues to get paid to travel the world. My primary source of income is this very travel blog you are reading, which I launched a decade ago. It’s been a journey of growth and learning, evolving over time to become my main income generator.
Later in this guide, I will also delve into other travel-friendly jobs and income streams to broaden your options.
My income sources are diverse and can vary from year to year, some being more intricate than others. Explaining my income sources in a casual conversation often requires a detailed explanation. To simplify, I often just say “travel writer” or “photographer” as a quick summary of my profession as a full-time digital nomad.
But because this is the question I’m asked most frequently, I want to provide a comprehensive explanation for you today.
You’re about to discover precisely how I’ve funded my travels for the past 10 years – and how I leverage my blog to get paid for traveling the world.
Making Money Traveling
How I make money travel blogging
Paid To Travel The World
My journey into a travel-based lifestyle began in 2009 when I started planning to leave my conventional job. Inspiration struck from two friends who were already traveling the world on a shoestring budget, spending less than what was needed to live comfortably in the United States.
Their captivating photos and stories from far-flung destinations ignited a spark in me. I devoured inspiring travel books and travel quotes, and I was completely captivated by the idea of long-term travel.
At that time, the concept of traveling long-term for under $1000 a month was revolutionary to me! Budget travel was a completely new and exciting idea.
My friend Ferenc was backpacking through Southeast Asia, generating income through Google AdSense on his photography website by displaying online advertisements.
My friend Katie was working on private yachts as a chef, island-hopping through the stunning Caribbean and Mediterranean seas.
Witnessing their success in making money while traveling made me realize that I could do it too!
Saving Money To Travel
How I Afford to Travel Long-Term
Coming from a non-wealthy family by US standards, and without a trust fund, I was, statistically, lower-middle class. As a single individual in South Florida, I worked two jobs and earned about $30,000 annually.
The question was: How could I possibly save enough money to travel the world for a year on that income?
The solution was to drastically downsize my lifestyle and live on significantly less.
Having just finished paying off my car, I decided to sell it. I cut expenses by canceling my car insurance, gym membership, and Netflix subscription. For transportation, I invested in a used bicycle, a rain poncho, and a bus pass.
I sold almost everything of value I owned – DJ turntables, stereo system, sports equipment, all gone.
Social life took a backseat as I stopped going to bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. My diet shifted to cooking pasta and rice at home and making cheap sandwiches for lunch.
Housing costs were minimized by renting a small $400 room in a two-bedroom house shared with two roommates in the suburbs.
These simple, albeit unexciting, changes allowed me to save approximately $7000 in one year. It required strict discipline and wasn’t always enjoyable, but it was effective.
READ MORE: 40 Best Travel Jobs To Make Money
Getting Paid to Travel in Norway
Making Money While Traveling
During that year of saving for my initial 12-month trip through Central America, I also dedicated my spare time to developing a side-hustle to generate extra income that could support me while traveling.
Countless nights and weekends were spent fueled by coffee, researching and building a small online business focused on writing and selling digital guides, or ebooks. My social life diminished as my focus narrowed to building this side business.
However, pursuing my travel dreams was my priority during that time.
When I finally departed for Guatemala in November 2010, I had not only my savings but also an income of $1000-$2000 per month from selling three different how-to guides on topics related to the nightlife industry.
After a few years, my ebook income decreased, largely due to changes in Google Adwords, the advertising platform that significantly drove my initial success. Google’s algorithm updates negatively impacted my business.
Fortunately, by then, I had diversified my income streams and started earning money from my travel blog, which has continued to grow and sustain my travels ever since.
How I Make Money Online
Current Blog Income Sources
Over the years, my blog has evolved into a robust platform that generates income through multiple channels. Here’s a breakdown of my primary income sources:
1. Influencer Marketing
Companies compensate me for travel by advertising on my blog and social media channels. This can take various forms, including sponsored blog posts, features on Instagram, brand ambassador programs, or mentions in my email newsletter.
Having built a large and engaged audience passionate about travel, these companies seek access to this demographic.
My collaborations include partnerships with reputable brands such as American Express, Momondo, Citizen Watches, and Backcountry.
Transparency is key, and I always include a disclaimer when partnering with a brand, ensuring I only collaborate with companies I genuinely admire and trust.
HOW MUCH? Brand partnerships and influencer marketing can generate between $5,000 to $10,000 per deal, depending on the scope of work.
2. Affiliate Marketing
When I recommend my favorite travel gear, photography equipment, books, or online courses, I include special affiliate tracking links.
This means that if you click on these links and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. Importantly, the price remains the same whether you use my affiliate link or not. It’s a way for companies to reward referrals.
Examples of affiliate partners include Discover Cars, Get Your Guide Tours, Amazon, Backcountry, Booking.com, Airbnb, Adorama Photo, and many others.
There are also affiliate networks like Share A Sale and Commission Junction that represent a wide range of products and services.
To see affiliate links in action, check out my Travel Gear Guide.
While individual commissions might be modest, with over 50,000 monthly page views to my site, many readers click these links and make purchases, which collectively becomes a significant income source that helps me get paid to travel.
HOW MUCH? Affiliate marketing contributes approximately $3,000 to $5,000 per month to my income.
3. Freelance Travel Photography
Licensing my travel photography for commercial marketing campaigns or editorial use by media outlets is another income stream. Tour operators, national tourism boards, outdoor brands, magazines, and book publishers periodically purchase licenses for my images.
I’ve even had the honor of selling travel photography to National Geographic!
Selling travel photography prints is a less significant income source for me. Most photography income comes from collaborations with brands, destinations, and media outlets who discover my work online.
HOW MUCH? My fees for travel photography image licenses range from $250 to $2,000 per image, depending on the usage rights.
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4. Destination Marketing
Occasionally, a country’s tourism board will invite me to experience and document their country.
Initially, these trips were unpaid, with flights, accommodation, and activities covered, similar to a traditional media press trip.
However, these destination marketing projects now compensate me directly for my work. Often, they initiate contact, but sometimes I propose project ideas to them.
A typical campaign involves creating a mix of blog posts, social media content, photographs, and video footage to promote the destination.
HOW MUCH? Destination marketing projects typically pay between $5,000 and $10,000 per project.
5. Display Advertising
Google’s advertising platform, Adsense, allows me to display relevant ads within my blog content by embedding a piece of code.
I earn income each time a reader clicks on these ads. This system also integrates with YouTube videos, which is a common way for vloggers to monetize their content.
For blogs with substantial traffic, premium advertising networks like Mediavine offer higher rates than Adsense. Rates vary from $2 to $40 per 1000 views, depending on the niche and audience demographics.
HOW MUCH? Display ads on my blog generate between $4,000 and $6,000 per month.
6. Paid Public Speaking
As a recognized blogger, I also get opportunities to travel and speak at conferences and events worldwide related to my expertise. In my case, I’ve spoken about travel photography and led photography workshops at various events.
The ability to deliver informative and inspiring speeches is a valuable skill that many organizations are willing to pay for. Building a strong online brand can lead to companies seeking you out for these speaking engagements.
HOW MUCH? Public speaking engagements can pay between $500 and $3,000 per event.
Other Ways To Earn Money Traveling
Beautiful Beach in Greece
Beyond my current income streams, there are additional methods to monetize a travel blog that I haven’t fully explored yet. Here are some other examples of how you can make money while traveling:
Freelance Travel Writing
In the past, I wrote travel articles for other websites. Many platforms need content, and my travel stories and experiences were valuable to them. TravelChannel.com was among my clients.
While it can be a reliable income source for some, for me, it was inconsistent. Currently, focusing on my own blog yields higher returns than writing for other publications, so I generally don’t actively pursue freelance travel writing anymore.
HOW MUCH? Freelance travel writing rates can vary from $0.10 to $1 per word, depending on the publication and writer’s experience.
Leading Tours Or Workshops
Some travel bloggers and photographers organize and lead group tours or photography workshops in exotic locations around the world.
These tours can focus on various themes like budget travel, culinary experiences, writing retreats, or enhancing photography skills. Essentially, you guide groups of people through a region you know well, sharing your knowledge and expertise.
Organizing tours is demanding but can be financially rewarding. I’ve organized one adventure travel & photography tour to Russia, and while enjoyable, I’m not sure if I’ll pursue many more in the future as being a tour guide isn’t my natural strength!
HOW MUCH? Organizing group tours or workshops can generate between $2,000 and $15,000 per trip for the organizer, depending on the destination, duration, and group size.
Selling Ebooks Or Courses
Selling digital products is another effective way for travel bloggers to generate income while traveling. These can include travel guides for specific destinations, books on budget travel strategies, resources on making money from travel blogging, or courses on improving photography or travel writing skills.
Interestingly, selling ebooks partially funded my initial year of travel, yet I don’t currently sell them. This might change in the future, as I’ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge to share after years in this field!
HOW MUCH? Selling digital products can generate anywhere from $500 to $10,000+ per month for some creators, depending on the product, marketing efforts, and audience size.
How Much Do I Make Overall?
Camping in a Tent
I know you’re curious about the specifics. How much do I actually get paid to travel?
Asking about someone’s exact income is quite personal, and I’m not entirely comfortable disclosing precise figures. However, I can give you a general idea.
This travel blog generates a healthy 6-figure annual income.
While I’m not a millionaire, I live comfortably and sustainably.
Despite starting with limited resources and still preferring budget travel, I am now able to save money. My wife and I own a home, and we can occasionally indulge in more luxurious experiences.
Of course, running a business involves significant expenses, including website hosting, photography equipment, and travel costs.
For instance, no one paid for my trips to Greenland or Antarctica. These independent travels are part of investing in my travel blog and creating content.
The reality is that my monthly income fluctuates, a common aspect of self-employment. In exchange for freedom and flexibility, there’s often less financial security compared to traditional employment.
But for me, freedom is far more valuable than security!
Embracing uncertainty and taking risks to pursue what you love can be daunting, even terrifying at times.
Hey, I know what it’s like to live in a cave if necessary. 🙂
I love what I do and am committed to continuously learning and working to make this travel lifestyle sustainable, or at least as long as it remains enjoyable.
I firmly believe that hard work, patience, and dedication can make almost anything possible.
You must also be willing to take risks and accept occasional failures along the way.
Resources To Get Paid For Travel
Kayaking in Antarctica
I won’t sugarcoat it – making money while traveling isn’t easy. In fact, I work more now than when I started.
This level of income didn’t materialize overnight; it’s been a decade-long journey to reach this point.
I understand that these income figures might be surprising for those unfamiliar with how to blog for a living. Blogging can be more than just a hobby; it can be a viable business if approached strategically.
Like any business, growth takes time.
For the first two years, my travel blog income was not sufficient to live on independently.
However, if you are determined to get paid to travel, here are some resources I highly recommend:
- Travel Blog Starter Guide: https://expertvagabond.com/how-to-start-travel-blog/
- Best Travel Jobs: https://expertvagabond.com/best-travel-jobs/
- Digital Nomad Guide: https://expertvagabond.com/digital-nomad-tips/
I hope this article has answered your questions about how I can afford to travel so extensively (it’s because I’m also getting paid to travel!).
It’s been an incredible and ongoing adventure, and I’m grateful every day for the fulfilling life I’ve created. ★
Start A Blog
Want To Get Paid To Travel?
What began as a hobby has become my full-time career. Interested in starting a blog to make money while traveling?
Click Here For Free Guide
