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16 Travel Jobs & Side Hustles [Get Paid to Travel!]

Last Updated: August 31, 2024

There are loads of jobs and side hustles out there that are directly related to travel, and landing one is a lot more doable than one might think.

Of course, remote work and the digital nomad life are great, but we’re here to show you jobs that require travel as a prerequisite.

In other words, if you play your cards right, you can make traveling an integral part of your job.

There’s nothing wrong with a “regular” job, but some of us need a slightly less conventional line of work.

With the right hustle, you can spend time seeing the world, experiencing new cultures, eating new food, etc. – all while earning money (or, at the very least, not losing any).

Finding a travel job and getting paid to see the world isn’t as complicated as it sounds.

I’m currently doing so and will walk you through many of the options that exist for you.

Read on to learn the ins and outs of working on the go — we guarantee there’s at least one job here with your name on it.

Travel Jobs & Side Hustles

Start a Travel Blog

Become a freelance travel writer, teach english abroad, teach english online.

• Start a YouTube Channel

Become a Professional House & Pet Sitter

Become a travel nurse, work as a flight attendant, work on board a cruise ship, find a job as a tour guide, become a travel journalist, freelance as a travel photographer, move overseas and become a translator, find an au pairs job abroad, work for the peace corps, volunteer abroad for free accommodations.

• Final Thought: Travel Jobs & Side Hustles

What kind of travel blog would we be if we didn’t walk you through what we know best?

Noel , the founder of The Packable Life, makes a living full-time by sharing tips, resources, and gear recommendations for travelers, hikers, and backpackers worldwide.

If you have wanderlust, time, and resources, you’re probably qualified to start your own travel blog.

Travel planning can be challenging on your own, which is why many of our readers turn to more experienced travelers (us) for help.

Bloggers earn money through affiliate marketing, ad revenue, and brand partnerships.

If that sounds intimidating and hard to get into, it really isn’t — consistency, transparency, and a little luck will take you a long way as a travel blogger.

Resource : How to Start a Travel Blog

As a freelance travel writer, this one is right up my alley.

Here’s one of the Internet’s best-kept secrets: anyone with a flair for writing can write for reputable publications, bloggers, and newspapers, many of which focus primarily on the travel sector.

If you have a way with words and are passionate about traveling, you stand a good chance at landing a writing gig in the travel niche.

Ultimately, the job boils down to writing the types of articles you wished you’d read before leaving on a trip.

Getting your foot in the door can take a little while, but once things get going, you can manage your workload and have spare time to visit the locations you read about online.

I’ve discovered lots of places that can help you find writing jobs, such as:

• National Geographic Travel
• Adventure in You

Resource : Travel Writing Jobs

English is a global standard, so there’s always a demand for people qualified to teach it.

If it’s your native language (or you feel it might as well be), you can earn a respectable living by teaching English abroad.

Countries like Japan , South Korea , and China are keen on hiring foreign teachers, especially language tutors.

Often, you don’t even need to speak the local language.

And whenever you’re not teaching, you’ll have plenty of time to immerse yourself in the local culture and forge lifetime memories.

For a very reasonable price, you can pay to get accredited (or otherwise qualified) via an online program .

Once you get a certificate, you can apply to as many places as you want and see where you end up.

Resource : Best Countries to Teach English

You can always try online English tutoring if you don’t want to be a teacher tethered to a single location.

The nature of the job is very similar to what we discussed above, only you’ll get to move around as you teach and see more of the world.

Depending on the website or service, you may or may not need a teaching certificate to land one of these jobs.

Either way, prospective countries are full of students eager to learn, so expect a reasonable income and a flexible schedule.

Some jobs involve zero upfront investment, but others require setting up a ‘digital classroom’ with a whiteboard and props.

Here are some of the most reputable sites for this niche:

• EnglishHunt

Resource : Best Online English Teaching Companies

Start a youtube channel.

^ My first ever video published on The Packable Life YouTube channel ^

For those of you who are a bit more adventurous, a viable (but admittedly harder) option would be to start a YouTube channel to chronicle your travels.

Practically, this means showing off some of the most interesting parts of your trips and hoping your channel takes off.

The hardest part about running a YouTube travel channel is standing out from the crowd – there are loads of ambitious travelers out there with fantastic production skills.

Even if your videos are great, those inscrutable YouTube algorithms greatly influence what goes viral and what doesn’t.

Still, if your channel takes off, the sky’s the limit regarding how many people you can reach.

Luckily, you can always take inspiration from the platform’s most engaging content creators.

Here are some of my personal favorites:

• Drew Binsky
• Bald & Bankrupt
• Nicole Laeno

Resource : Starting a YouTube Channel

House-sitting jobs are less about making money and more about securing a nice place to stay for free.

In exchange for looking after somebody’s property, you can crash at their place for a while and spend your lodging savings some other way.

Every now and then, people get to house-sit for the rich and famous and make a pretty penny while doing so.

You may be tempted to aim high right off the bat, but remember — most pro housesitters got started with unpaid jobs, so be sure to temper your expectations.

In a way, a free bed is a lot like making actual money, so search online for offers in the area you’d like to visit.

To keep things simple, TrustedHousesitters is by far the most reputable and reliable source for house-sitting gigs.

Check it out first and go from there.

Resource : How to Become a House Sitter

Experienced nurses can travel the world and earn money by sharing their essential healthcare skills.

As a trained nurse, you’d be hard-pressed to find an organization that wouldn’t benefit from your help in some way.

Nursing is one of those jobs that objectively makes the world a better place, and doing it abroad lets you make a difference in ways you can hardly imagine.

Besides, travel nursing keeps things fresh by allowing you to move around every few months and experience new cultures.

The hard part is having enough training and real-world experience since there’s no shortage of people competing for these positions.

Still, if you’re passionate about healthcare but want more time to yourself, travel nurses arguably get the best of both worlds.

Resource : How to Become a Travel Nurse

“Work and travel” doesn’t get much more literal than this.

Flight attendants travel the world and make airline passengers’ flights more comfortable, and in their downtime, they get to enjoy free hotels and lots of sightseeing around the globe.

No university degree is required to be a flight attendant, so the barrier to entry is pretty straightforward: you need to be hospitable, empathetic, and fully committed to your passengers for the duration of an entire flight.

A winning smile doesn’t hurt, either.

Obviously, people with a specific type of temperament would fare better at a hands-on job like this.

It also helps if you have a background in service and hospitality, but if you don’t mind flying and feel you have what it takes, it can make for a fantastic experience.

Resource : How to Become a Flight Attendant

If you aren’t the biggest fan of flying, you can always ride the waves instead and land a job on a cruise ship.

Interesting tourists, solid wages, and breathtaking port towns are only some of the reasons to consider this career path.

Since cruise ship workers are always on the move, you can expect to see new destinations every few days.

Not to mention, you’ll get to meet new people with each cruise if you want to play the social game as you travel.

Remember that working on a cruise ship takes a specific set of skills.

Also, applying for a position can be easier said than done. For a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about cruise ship work, check out Wandering Earl’s 175-page eBook to land a job in no time.

Resource : Work on Board Cruise Ships

If you want to get paid to travel, consider jobs that involve helping fellow travelers.

If you have a city or country you know well, you can show people around for a living and point them towards some of the destination’s more interesting landmarks and activities.

People who love history, food, and culture would get a kick out of this job – after all, what could be more rewarding than being paid to share your passion with like-minded people?

The primary qualifications needed are good social, navigational, and communication skills.

Multi-language fluency is also a big plus.

A lot of tour guide positions pay extra if you can translate what you’re saying into the local language, so it may be helpful to at least learn the basics before applying.

Resource : How to Become a Tour Guide

As far as travel jobs go, solid writing skills can help pay the bills while you travel.

Writing informative and enticing reports from the road is always in demand.

As a travel journalist, you’ll get to travel year-round and meet exciting people from all walks of life.

Travel journalists usually pair up with tour companies or independent contractors to visit and write pieces on specific cities or countries.

Compared to more formulaic blogging formats, you’re freer to focus on telling stories about intriguing or unique destinations.

Travel journalism’s relative lack of format templates means you’ll need some extra creative juice in your storytelling – fresh angles and a more evocative style.

But talented wordsmiths can earn a good living in travel journalism by crafting memorable stories.

Resource : Travel Journalist Career Guide

Some people have a special knack for cameras, an ability to rise above tourist-level snapshots.

If that sounds like you, consider becoming a full-time travel photographer.

Travelers are constantly taking photos, so why not be the one who earns money doing it?

Travel photography can take you in many directions, from selling to publications to advertising on stock photo websites.

If the stars align, you can use your photos to grow your social media and website traffic and go on to even bigger things.

This is a very competitive field since everyone these days thinks they’re an artist.

Still, if you have a good eye, the necessary technical skills, and some travel savings to fall back on, photography could be an investment worth considering.

Resource : Travel Photography Jobs to Take You Around the World

Your iPhone may help you translate a menu or decipher street signs, but it’s seldom up to the task of handling everyday conversations, especially in the workplace.

But if you know an extra language or two, you can earn good money by translating.

Machines rarely convey the level of nuance so essential to smooth human interactions.

When you’re a fluent translator, you can become indispensable, especially in more demanding business and technical environments.

Unfortunately, the demand for general full-time translators is relatively modest.

However, as mentioned above, multi-language fluency can boost your chances as a language tutor or tour guide.

For the big bucks, build your technical vocabulary in another language.

Resource : How to Become a Translator

No matter where you go, kids will always be kids, and those who can handle them can make a decent living doing so.

Sure, it’s a lot of responsibility, but you get lots of time for after-hours sightseeing and adventuring.

Wherever you go, spending time with kids is a great way to familiarize yourself with the local culture.

Kids ask a lot of questions, and if they like you, they’ll be happy to try to answer your questions. It can be a very enriching exchange.

Being patient and liking kids is, of course, a prerequisite for this job.

Running after young ones can be hard physical work, so it helps if you have experience with children and are relatively fit and active.

Keeping up with them will definitely burn some calories.

Resource : Become an Au Pairs and Find Host Families Abroad

If committing to nursing or medical school isn’t an option, consider joining the Peace Corps to help in other ways.

There are communities in need of food and shelter all over the world, so this can be one of the most rewarding options for hard-working empaths.

Working for the Peace Corps can take a lot out of you, but the organization makes it worth your while.

On top of decent compensation, you get the added benefit of doing things that matter for people who genuinely need your help.

Be warned that you’ll probably need to sign a two-year contract once you qualify, so backing out would be tricky.

This is the kind of job you apply for if you’re absolutely sure you can handle it, so think carefully before signing up.

Resource : Work for the Peace Corps

Being an unpaid volunteer while earning money sounds contradictory, especially when traveling.

But if you focus on the big picture when you do the math, it can actually work.

Start by calculating the cost of lodging and food, a big chunk of your travel expenses.

Most organizations know that you still need to be compensated even though you’re not on their payroll.

They’ll often help you get placed with host families or subsidized, low-cost lodging.

Your meals may be included in this, or at least be more affordable.

You’ll still have other travel expenses, but affording them becomes much easier if the essentials are covered.

Ask your volunteer-based employer about other cost-saving resources within the community and save even more.

Remember : Today’s volunteer position might become your paid job of tomorrow. It may make sense to play the long game. Learn more about all of this by checking out these reputable placement services for volunteer jobs:

• Go Overseas

Resource : Best Volunteer Abroad Programs

Find a travel job & get paid to explore the world.

And there you have it — 16 of the best travel jobs that’ll help you get paid to bounce around the world.

From travel blogging and au pair gigs to becoming a travel nurse or flight attendant, there really is something for everyone looking to make a buck while on the road.

Anyone can benefit from devoting themselves to seeing the world firsthand and all that it has to offer.

Here at The Packable Life, we’ve built our lives around travel, so we practice what we preach and know it can also work for others.

One of the hardest parts of holding down a conventional job is that it can leave you feeling trapped.

Working on the go can change all that.

If you’re getting itchy feet, choose a path that gets you out of town to earn money while exploring globally.

I’ve learned firsthand that finding travel jobs and getting paid to work on the road isn’t all that hard.

Yes, taking the first step with a job outside your comfort zone can be daunting, but if you stick to it, the rewards can change your entire life for the better.

Andrej Paskalov

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Travel Jobs: The 60 Best Jobs for Travelers & How To Get Them (Secrets of a 10-Year Nomad)

Do you want to be a full-time traveler? Does the “real world” leave you running for the exit? Then it’s time to take a look at these travel jobs!

You can absolutely get travel jobs with no experience in travel and with only a little work history.

I myself was a modern nomad for around 10 years. I started getting seasonal travel jobs during college, with very little work experience. Along the way, I met people older and younger than me from all sorts of backgrounds. Most of us in this nomad circle find it very easy to find new travel jobs when we’re ready to move on to the next adventure.

You DON’T need to become a flight attendant, a traveling business executive, or even have a college degree to get exciting new travel jobs year after year. There’s no need to trap yourself in a stuffy, rigid career with a single company. Travel should come with the freedom to wander, and with these jobs, it does.

Here are 60 adventurous jobs for travelers of all ages and experience levels. You’ll also find examples and links to adventurous travel jobs you can apply for right now .

Keep in mind that all travel jobs on WanderJobs come with staff housing.

Part 1: Adventure Travel Jobs

1. international travel tour guide.

Lead tour groups on multi-city, multi-country cultural or adventure tours. Required Experience: High

As a travel tour guide, you may be traveling through quaint European cities to sample local wines and chocolates, attending cultural events, and meandering through bustling marketplaces. Or you may choose to lead a group of teens on an outdoor adventure tour, hiking the Himalayas, surfing in Hawai’i, and volunteering in Peru. With this travel job, you’ll have the same accommodations as the guests, which, for the more bougie tours, can mean some of the most luxurious accommodations of any job on this list. You may be put up in some stunning hotels. For some teen tour companies, you may be camping or staying in hostels. Your food will be the same as the guests, so it’s generally very good quality. While exciting, this is a very challenging role. There is little off time, as you’re living and traveling with the group you’re leading. Many tour groups put two guides in a group to break up the enormous work load. Though many companies offer multiple tours that go to many different destinations, it’s not always possible to choose where you get placed. Usually newer guides are given easier assignments, but many companies at least take your preferences into account.

How to Get a Travel Tour Guide Job:

These companies look for well-traveled applicants with high self-confidence and a very outgoing personality. You must be friendly, responsible, and highly organized. This is a job for people who are high-energy and have a good amount of work experience. You can browse Travel Tour Guide Jobs here.

2. Conservation Crew

Work to preserve trails with a small team in this manual-labor heavy outdoor job. Required Experience: Low

Trail teams usually consist of a handful of young people who are willing to put in a hard day’s work, face the elements, and survive off of peanut butter sandwiches. The locations are enviable; you could find yourself in a ponderosa forest in Flagstaff, the lush Pacific Northwest, or even in tropical American Samoa. It’s the sort of job where the challenge brings great rewards. A hard day’s work using your muscles, being immersed in nature, and bonding with your small team makes you feel proud, calm, and connected at the end of the day. Many trail crew positions require a few weeks on, a few weeks off, in a cycle of a few months. Some positions come with housing during your off time (you’ll be camping on the job), but sometimes you’ll need to find your own. Food is up to the team, and the goal tends to be survival calories and keeping pack weight down, not creating gourmet delicacies. Trail conservation positions are often volunteer-based, though not all are. The paid positions are usually for more supervisory roles after you’ve had some experience on a volunteer team. Volunteers may be paid in small stipends and small education grants.

How to Get a Conservation Crew Job:

The two best known sources of conservation crew positions in the US are the Student Conservation Association and the American Conservation Alliance . You won’t need much experience to get a volunteer position, but you’ll need some to be a paid team leader.

3. Travel Camp Leader

Guide youth and teens on multi-country cultural and outdoor adventure trips. Required Experience: High

Travel camps boast bucket-list worthy itineraries. As far as a travel job goes, it’s hard to beat one where you’re literally traveling from beautiful place to beautiful place. These companies usually sell expensive packages to the parents of school-aged kids, which means:

• You’ll be going to exiting places, some that would be hard to get to on your own
• There are many physical adventures, since the kids have the energy for them

A real itinerary from one company includes:

• Fly in to an island city in Guatemala
• Bike through a tropical rainforest environment to explore Mayan pyramids
• Roam ancient ceremonial caverns
• Enjoy a zipline tour
• Relax by the hotel pool
• Sample local chocolate

This is an adventure you can share with the kids. If they’re doing it, you can be sure you’ll be doing it too, as a participant and role model. But that also means there’s no time off. It’s a 24/7 job.

How to Get a Travel Camp Leader Job:

These companies are looking for a bit more leadership experience under your belt. They want employees who are well-traveled and culturally aware, and appreciate foreign language skills. You’ll also need to be a good communicator. The easiest way to find travel camp companies is to search google as if you’re a kid looking to sign up to attend one. Then find the employment page when you’re on the site. “International teen travel tours” is a good search term to start with. You’ll also find some travel camp tours on WanderJobs.

Care for children and preform light household duties while living abroad with a host family for a year. Required Experience: Low

This travel job is an old classic. To get the flavor of what it means to be an au pair, think of the movie The Sound of Music. While you are technically employed by the family, the idea is that in some sense, you are joining as part of the family and helping to raise the kids. In this US, Au pairs are paid with a stipend of a minimum of around $200/week. Au pairs seek employment in countries other than their own. One of the biggest benefits of this line of work is the cultural and language exchange between family and au pair.

You’ll go on vacations with your host family, meet their friends, attend recitals and barbecues and celebrate holidays. It all comes down to the match between au pair and family, which makes or breaks the experience.

I was very fortunate to grow up with au pairs from Norway. Each year, a new young woman came to care for me and my brothers, and most of them were very good matches. (A few left quickly.) Those who stayed are still, 20 and 30 years later, a loving part of our family. They visit us when they are in the states, we have stayed with them and their families in Norway, we exchanges letters and Christmas gifts and attend each other’s weddings.

However, there are some very bad stories of women coming from other countries and feeling completely trapped with families who verbally abuse them and make them work well beyond the hours indicated in their contracts. While there is usually a possibility of being placed with a different family if this happens, be very cautious and listen to your gut if a red flag comes up.

How to Get an Au Pair Job:

You’ll need to be able to demonstrate that you’re a good, reliable, and kind person who is good with children. Since au pairs are usually in their late teens, not much previous work experience is expected. Au pairs tend to be young women. Young men have a tough time being placed, as host families aren’t always comfortable leaving their kids with a man they’ve just met.

However, this is rapidly changing with the childcare crisis brought on by the Covid pandemic. Many families are now considering hiring young men for the first time, and it’s possible the perspective shift will be long-lasting. As of summer 2020, host families in the US are desperate for childcare, and au pairs are getting interview requests from up to fifty families, according to the 7/26/20 New York Times article, Au Pairs Get the Upper Hand. It seems likely that families will be willing to consider even domestic au pairs and forgo the benefit of an international cultural exchange.

There are many au pair matching sites where you can find a host family and make sure you feel comfortable with them before making a commitment.

5. Gap Year Program Leader

Lead older students on multi-country, adventure, and volunteering trips geared toward education and personal growth. Required Experience: High

Working as a gap year leader offers a slightly different experience than working as a travel tour leader. The people you’ll be leading are usually high school or college-aged youth who are actively looking to expand themselves as people and gain an education before heading off for their next year of college.

Many of the itineraries will resemble the highly adventurous itineraries of other travel camps. In addition, there may be more formal educational lectures, time for reflection and journaling, or preparing personal mission statements.

How to Get a Gap Year Leader Job:

You’ll need plenty of travel and leadership experience and at least a college degree.

Just like finding a travel camp company, the simplest plan is to search google as if you’re looking to attend a gap year program. Then find the employment page when you’re on the site.

6. SCUBA Instructor/Guide

Help tourists have safe, fun SCUBA diving adventures in warm tropical waters. Required Experience: High

Unlike other travel jobs on this list, SCUBA is more of a career commitment. It requires certification and experience in a very specific niche, so you need to have interest in committing to SCUBA long-term to make it worthwhile.

Those who I’ve met who are SCUBA instructors make it part of their personality. They love it, and it’s easy to understand why. Dive instructors usually live on islands and in tropical locations, where relaxed and laid-back attitudes are the norm. You get to spend time in the ocean, seeing beautiful reefs and sharks and fish, and tour groups max out at just a few people to keep it manageable. You’ll have to care for a lot of equipment, do regular checks, and be comfortable guiding tourists through potentially dangerous situations. An outgoing personality is much less important than generally good communication skills.

How to Get a SCUBA Job:

The most important thing you’ll need to do is become certified as a professional divemaster through PADI and log many hours SCUBA diving.

SCUBA instructors should be extremely responsible, organized, and safety-oriented people. SCUBA jobs can be a bit more challenging to find. Often job boards for SCUBA slowly turn into advertisements for certification courses. For now, you can try DiveJobs .

7. Zip Line Guide

Lead guests through a zip line course and tell them about the area. Required Experience: Medium

Zip line guides work in pairs to take small groups of tourists through areas of natural beauty in a thrilling way. Being a zip line guide (as I know from short personal experience) is physically challenging and mentally draining. But it can be a lot of fun. The guests are usually in a good mood and excited to be doing something from their bucket list. A good zip line company will provide a lot of safety training- weeks- which makes for great team bonding among coworkers. Zip lines are generally built in beautiful places, which means you’ll be working outdoors in a nature or even wilderness setting. Leading a group of guests means you’ll need to make a safety presentation, get them in harnesses, and hook and unhook them from the zip lines. Often you’ll be giving a general informational tour while up on the course. This means you’ll be doing some public speaking, but it’s an amount that even a shy person can get used to. Tips for zip line guides can be pretty darn good.

How to Get a Zipline Guide Job:

Search zip line guide jobs on WanderJobs or on any major job board.

8. Small Vessel/River Cruise Staff

Live and work aboard a smaller and more luxurious cruise vessel catering to older and wealthier guests. Required Experience: High

Sometimes the allure of being aboard a boat and exploring different ports is too strong to ignore. Luckily, working aboard a massive cruise liner is not the only option. River cruises are smaller and more intimate, and offer guests a higher level of service. For this reason, the job competition is a bit tougher. Small cruise itineraries include off-the-beaten-path locations, such as:

• The Puget Sound
• Small, less-trafficked tropical islands
• European river tours
• Custom itineraries
• & lots more

In addition, charter cruises often have a more environmentally or culturally-friendly slant. They may be opportunities for guests to participate in hands-on education, and “excursions” off the ship are significantly more thrilling and less touristy. To get an idea, National Geographic has a few passenger ships, and offers a breathtaking Journey to Antarctica cruise with a $16,000 price tag. You’ll still be in close quarters with your coworkers pretty much constantly, but all in all, staff life on a small cruise is less of a party atmosphere than on a cruise liner.

How to Get a Small Vessel/Charter Cruise Job:

A google search is best. Again, do the search as if you’re looking to pay to be a guest on the cruise. Once you find a company you like, look for its employment page. You will need to be well traveled and have excellent customer service skills to get one of these jobs.

9. Scenic River Float Guide

Safely row guests through currents on guided river raft tours.

Required Experience: High

As a scenic river tour guide, you’ll steer a raft full of tourists down a large, slower-moving river, while giving them a guided tour along the way. It’s a highly physically and mentally demanding job. It takes an all-around strong and confident person to excel as a river guide. Unlike whitewater, the current is fairly calm. Tourists come for the scenery and a relaxing adventure rather than an extreme thrill. Imagine floating down the Snake River famously photographed by Ansel Adams, while watching for eddies and dangers and pointing out eagles and beavers along the forested shoreline. There is still a high amount of danger inherent in scenic river guiding. Rafts have been overturned by logs, rocks, and surprising currents. If a raft is overturns, things can become chaotic and unsafe, sometimes to the point of fatality. There is an art to mastering the river, and because of this, river rafting is a commitment and more of a career choice than some other jobs on this list. A good company will provide a huge amount of safety training, and will likely also require applicants to be trained and certified before even applying for a job. If you can handle the responsibility, working as a river guide can be a very rewarding experience. There may also be opportunities for crossover into whitewater rafting jobs. It’s an excellent job for outdoor enthusiasts.

How to Get a Scenic Float Guide Job:

I haven’t yet found any reliable source of leads for this type of job. Try searching google for any combination of “scenic river float guide jobs” and “river rafting jobs”.

10. Kayak Guide

Lead a caravan of kayaks through calm and beautiful waters. Required Experience: Low

Kayak guides lead tourists on lake tours or coastal ocean tours, weaving out of narrow, magical tree-lined inlets. It’s one of the simpler ways to get out on the water for work. You’ll need enough people skills to kindly introduce yourself and teach kayaking safety basics, but it’s an easy choice for introverts. Once you’re out on the water, it’s just a game of follow the leader and making sure nobody falls behind. You will need strength and stamina for paddling, but that will build over time.

You’ll usually be leading people of many different ages, and often families, on a single tour. Kayak guides are needed in many different types of environments. From small lodges on cold Alaskan waters and while migration routes, to Mediterranean environments with rocky, scrubby shorelines, you’ll be able to seek out a location that fits your preferences. There are even night kayak tours in bioluminescent bays. Each stroke of the paddle through the water causes bacteria to glow an etherial blue. It’s quite beautiful and relaxing.

How to Get a Kayak Guide Job:

Find Kayak Guide jobs on WanderJobs .

11. Ski/Snowboard Instructor 

Help vacationers (often groups of kids) improve their skiing and snowboarding skills. Required Experience: Medium

Ski instructing is one of the best known seasonal jobs for young people. There are abundant positions available every ski season across the globe, so if you want a ski job and you know how to ski (and are decent at interviewing), you will probably be hired.

The culture on mountains and among seasonal ski employees is very specific. This, in my opinion, is the most important thing to consider before accepting a ski job, even more important than your love of the sport. You’ll be around lots of young people who like to party, to “work hard, play hard,” who aren’t yet settled in life and want to “go big or go home.” Duuuuuddddeeee!

This is a job absolutely best left to extroverts, and ideally young extroverts. You’ll of course also need to be fit and comfortable with lots of public speaking.

Ski and snowboard instructor jobs come with mountain passes so you can spend as much of your free time on the slopes as you want. This, of course, is one of the main reasons people commit to a season on a mountain. If there’s fresh snow, it’s yours to shred, and there will be lots of coworkers around to join you.

There is a hierarchy of ski jobs, and if you stay in the game for a while you can move from a bunny slope youth group instructor to giving private adult lessons, or even work your way to a ski patrol position.

Not all mountains offer housing for their ski instructors, but many do. Those that don’t may at least have resources to help you find your own housing before you arrive.

How to Get a Ski Instructor Job:

While it’s possible to get certified as a ski instructor before applying for your job, I don’t recommend this. Your home mountain will train you, and if they require further certifications for teaching at higher levels, you can earn those after you start working. I wouldn’t pay to be certified before actually starting work.

Find ski and snowboard jobs on WanderJobs or any major job board.

12. High Ropes/Aerial Course Guide

Teach tourists to safely navigate ropes courses, preform safety checks, and be present to help if needed. Required Experience: Low

Aerial high ropes courses can be found near many wilderness lodges, as they’re often a draw for they same type of outdoorsy tourist. They’re also found near cruise ship ports, which brings a whole ‘nother type of guest. So while you’ll have a beautiful view and access to fun recreational activities, the job itself is genuinely pretty dull.

Aside from a thorough daily safety check of the course and all gear, there isn’t all that much to the job. You’ll spend a lot of time staring up at guests as they go through the course, walkie-talkie in hand, making sure nothing dangerous happens. Occasionally you’ll have to shout up encouraging tips from the ground, or “rescue” someone from an obstacle they can’t solve.

High ropes guides often cross over into rock wall and zip line territory.

It’s an easy, low-responsibility job for a first time seasonal worker. The title “guide” is a bit of an exaggeration; it may feel like more of a babysitter position.

It’s a good job for young people.

How to Get a High Ropes Guide Job:

Search for jobs here on WanderJobs or on any major job board.

13. Horse Wrangler

Care for and train horses and lead guided horseback tours.

Horse wrangling requires early mornings, long hours, and intense physical labor. Most available jobs are on ranches in the western US. 

If you have experience with horses, love being outside, and don’t mind getting dirty, then this could be an exciting job. In addition to herding animals, wranglers are responsible for feeding, saddling, grooming, and training the horses, leading trail rides, and cleaning the stalls. 

Horse wrangling requires working around the clock and is best for people without many commitments. Your responsibilities will depend a lot on your prior experience, training, and seniority. As a beginner, you probably won’t be doing much wrangling – you can expect to start out shoveling manure and grooming the horses. 

There are various horse wrangler jobs available on public land as well as privately owned ranches. Each ranch has its own set of rules, requirements, and exclusions that you’ll want to review carefully before deciding where to apply.

Once hired, you’ll likely attend wrangler school for four to six weeks. You will learn essential skills, including trail riding and horseshoeing, and cover topics such as horse behavior and anatomy. 

Ranches cultivate a close community where employees are treated like family. Personal life and work often blend together. While permanent positions include paid time off, many of the seasonal ranch jobs require you to work straight through the season with no weekends or vacation days. 

Due to the remote location, there are few activities available off of the ranch. Workers typically spend the little downtime they have exploring the countryside or relaxing by a campfire.  

Most ranches provide employees with family-style meals and dormitory lodging. Depending on your attitude going into the job, horse wrangling could be one of the most rewarding or most miserable experiences of your life. If you’re willing to trade sleep and time off for riding horses and watching the sunrise over the mountains, then you’ll likely find a lot of personal growth and fulfillment in working on a ranch. 

How to Get a Wrangler Job:

Browse through ranches on WanderJobs and check individual company websites to see if they are currently hiring for wrangler staff. The competition is high, so it’s worth reaching out to companies to establish a relationship even if there are no positions open.

14. Backcountry Guide

Lead overnight backpacking trips into the wilderness.

If you love the mountains and are always seeking out wilderness adventures, becoming a backcountry guide could be a good employment option. In addition to guiding groups safely in remote areas, guides are responsible for coaching clients through physically and mentally demanding situations, teaching them the technical skills needed to navigate tough terrain, and managing risk. 

To land a job as a backcountry guide, you’ll need advanced certifications in wilderness safety and first aid, a backcountry food handlers permit, and proven expertise in disciplines like rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, ice climbing, mountaineering, and ski touring. The position entails a large amount of responsibility – backcountry guides must have sound decision-making in risky situations, excellent interpersonal skills, and passion for adventure. 

As a beginner, it’s best to join a local alpinist club and explore training options with a mountain guide association. Depending on your location and what field you’re hoping to work in, you may need a certification from the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), one of the industry’s most recognized and respected organizations. 

Getting the necessary certifications can be a long process, but if you’re prepared for the rigors required, you will join a close international community of intrepid explorers. Backcountry guiding affords ample opportunity to travel to some of the world’s most amazing wilderness areas. When you’re not camping in the backcountry, you’ll likely have free housing at a mountain hut or remote resort. 

How to Get a Backcountry Guide Job:

Browse Backdoorjobs for available backcountry guiding positions.

15. Fruit Picking Abroad

Harvest, sort, & pack fruit on farms with other travelers in Australia.

Required Experience: Low

Picking fruit is a physically demanding job that requires early mornings and long hours in the sun. You’ll likely have aches and pains – particularly at the beginning – from the repetitive motions and hard labor. 

Fruit picking jobs exist in any agricultural area, but different regions have varying levels of open positions based on the availability of migrant labor. The most interesting opportunities for young people are located in Australia, where it’s possible to extend your visa by a year in exchange for three months of fruit picking, and in New Zealand.

While most jobs are seasonal, fruit-picking work is available in Australia year-round. Positions down under typically attract students and backpackers, so you’ll likely work with an eclectic group of travelers from around the world. 

There are no particular skills or previous experience required to get a job picking fruit. As long as you are willing to work hard and show up on time each day, you shouldn’t have a problem holding onto your job throughout the season. 

Many farms offer workers accommodation for free or at a reduced price. The type and quality of housing vary substantially from one farm to the next. You could be placed in a crowded caravan with six other people, or get a small bungalow all to yourself. 

How to Get a Fruit Picking Job:

On the Australian Work Travel Visa, you can work and play your way through the country and apply for many different jobs. Fruit picking seems to be one of the lower hanging fruits- pun intended. The job search and application process is a little more messy and requires more spontaneity and flexibility. Here is a handy guide .

16. Yacht Crew

Work for an individual employer or traveling family aboard a private yacht or sailing vessel.

Required Experience: Medium

While yachting is associated with luxury, working on a private yacht is rarely glamorous. The experience is highly dependent on the owners of the yacht, the captain, and the guests on each voyage. Some clients are relaxed and down to earth, while others can be demanding and even rude. 

In general, being part of a yacht crew is tiring work with long hours – on a typical day, you should plan to wake up before dawn and work well past sunset. Responsibilities include cleaning the yacht, assisting with food and beverage service, and fulfilling clients’ various requests. 

If you love the sea and are ready for the service industry’s demands, working on a yacht crew can be a great way to sail for free while also earning some income. Crew positions are available on private yachts worldwide. As long as you have exceptional customer service and at least some knowledge of boats, you have a good chance of being hired. 

Crew cabins tend to be cramped and lack the luxurious feel of the rest of the yacht. Since you’ll spend a lot of time with the other staff members in close quarters, the group’s personality can make or break your experience. 

How to Get a Yacht Crew Job:

One of the best known yacht job boards is Find a Crew . Since you’ll be talking to individuals rather than incorporated companies, the process can be a little sketchier. Use your judgement.

17. Bicycle Trip Leader

Lead guided travel tour trips through picturesque cities and adventurous locations.

Traveling by bike is an amazing way to see the world. If you enjoy cycling and love working with people, then guiding bike tours could be an exciting and enriching experience. 

Becoming a cycling trip leader requires a high level of physical fitness, positivity, and dependability. Tours range from single-day trips to month-long adventures and are available in stunning locations worldwide. 

As a guide, you’re responsible for guests’ safety and are on call 24/7. You should be prepared for long hours and ready to handle medical emergencies like illness or bike accidents. You’ll also need to know how to service bicycles since guests on the tours are likely to experience issues such as flat tires and broken chains along the way. 

In addition to ensuring everyone’s safety, guides are responsible for immersing guests in the local culture and customs. You’ll need to be very familiar with the area and have excellent navigation skills in case you need to make any unexpected detours due to weather conditions or guest preferences. 

Bike guides tend to be a fun, extroverted group with lots of opportunities to socialize and explore the local area when you’re not working. 

When you’re on a trip, you’ll receive free accommodation in the same hotels the guests are staying (although it’s usually in a lower quality room). Not all companies cover accommodation costs when you’re not with clients, so you’ll want to consider this when applying to these travel jobs. 

How to Get a Bicycle Trip Leader Job:

Search Google as if you’re looking to pay to attend an international bicycle tour. When you find a company you like, search for its employment page.

18. Whitewater Raft Guide

Safely guide guests through physically challenging white water rapids. Required Experience: High

If you are passionate about adventure, love the water, and handle risk and unpredictability with grace, then whitewater raft guiding could be a good option. Raft guides depend on one another to safely make it out of the rapids each day, which fosters a type of trust and bond that can be hard to find in other jobs. In general, you can expect to work with a fun group of people who spend their free time enjoying the outdoors and drinking around a campfire.  The travel job is best for young extroverts who love working with people and are ready for long hours and physically demanding work. Positive energy is critical – guides must keep the stoke high even when their extremities are numb, and the guests are miserable. 

Becoming a raft guide takes hard work. There is a steep learning curve, with intensive training and various certifications required or recommended.

The first step is to attend a 7-10 day guide school with a rafting company, followed by another 2-6 weeks of unpaid training once hired. The training is intense and seeks to weed out those who can’t handle the physical and mental demands of whitewater raft guiding. 

Many guides also complete courses in or become certified as:

• advanced wilderness first aid
• wilderness first responders
• swift water rescue certifications
• CPR & first aid

While not all of these are required, the more certifications and experience you have, the more you can expect to earn.  NOLS is a well-known outdoor adventure certification school. On the other side of this rigorous process, there is a close-knit international community of guides with many opportunities to travel. Keep in mind that requirements may vary across borders and from state to state within the US. 

Many rafting companies offer basic housing, often in the form of guide camps near the river. Amenities are sparse, with guides living out of tents, their cars, or old RVs. Raft guiding is not a lucrative travel job – even with the free housing, it’s unlikely that you’ll come out of your first season with more than a few hundred dollars saved. 

How to Get a White Water Guide Job:

Search for white water jobs on WanderJobs and Backdoorjobs .

19. Wilderness Therapist

Help youth overcome mental health issues with nature and counseling. Required Experience: High

Wilderness therapy combines nature and counseling to help at-risk youth cope with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, ADHD, technology addiction, and other mental health issues. 

It’s helpful to have outdoor experience and a background in social work or psychology. But if you enjoy nature and working with youth and are willing to work hard, it’s possible to overcome a lack of experience. 

Wilderness therapy is gaining popularity worldwide, but many programs remain concentrated in the US, the UK, and New Zealand and run seasonally. You’ll be with students 24-7, teaching a variety of outdoor and survival skills that can be transferred into everyday situations.

Students will need help coping with new physical and mental challenges and mentorship as they seek self-improvement. The job certainly has its difficulties, but it is also incredibly rewarding. You can have a profound impact on others’ lives and experience significant personal growth.

People who choose to work as wilderness therapists find supportive communities and build lasting friendships with their colleagues. 

The structure of wilderness therapy programs varies by company. Sometimes students spend a week in the classroom with a licensed clinician, then a week in the wilderness with a guide. Sometimes the two are combined and require guides to have more extensive clinical training.

Many programs follow a rotating schedule with one or two weeks on, and the next one or two weeks off. When you’re working, you’ll be camping in the backcountry with your group. Not all companies cover accommodation during your time off. 

How to Get a Wilderness Therapist Job:

Backdoorjobs has lots of wilderness therapy jobs to browse.

Part 2: Hospitality Travel Jobs

20. cruise ship jobs.

Work in a customer service role or behind-the-scenes aboard a mighty international cruise liner. Required Experience: Medium

Cruise ship jobs seem to hold the allure of adventure. While they do allow you to see new places, the adventures tend to be a bit more surface-level, hedonistic, and rife with difficulties than other options. There are so many jobs available on cruise ships to match different experience levels and interests. They truly are like floating cities, and will need staff to help with cooking, cleaning, entertaining, sailing, styling hair, serving, retail, maintaining the ship, childcare, and much, much more.

The benefits of working on a cruise ship are:

• visiting a handful of new countries in a short period of time
• making new friends from around the world
• saving a good amount of money you earn

But the downsides are substantial. These include:

• an extremely long workweek and little free time
• a social life heavily dependent on drinking at the staff cantina
• little time off the ship
• lack of internet/cell coverage
• tiny, shared living quarters
• apathetic management

It must be said that cruise liners and their guests very actively harm the “tourist towns” in which they dock and make life in these places significantly more depressing for locals.

Despite all this, some people LOVE working on a cruise ship. In fact, my friend Marissa shared an in-depth experience of her time working aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship on my Once Upon a Wander podcast .

Some people though, including a few I met who worked on Carnival ships, found cruise ship life stressful and unpleasant. Do some research and make sure it feels right to before applying to work on a cruise ship. Or just take my recommendation and stay away altogether. There are so many better options.

How to Get a Cruise Ship Job:

It’s important to research the companies you are interested in applying to. Not all cruise jobs are equal. Some are more… notorious than others. It’s probably best if introverts steer clear of cruise ship jobs, as you will get little alone time. However, the jobs themselves are so varied that you may still find something that suits you if you don’t want to interact directly with guests. The required experience level varies greatly by job, with the easiest jobs to get generally being in the housekeeping department. It can end up being many months after you’re hired before you’re actually placed on a ship. You can browse Cruise Ship Jobs here or on any major job site, including Indeed .

21. Lift Operator (Liftie)

Safely operate ski lifts and check guest passes during the winter season. Required Experience: Low

A liftie job is the easiest entry point to working on the ski slopes. A common choice for younger people, operating the ski lifts requires a lot more standing around and a lot less responsibility than the more coveted positions of ski/snowboard instructors or ski patrol. It is expected that ski resort employees working on the mountain will receive a free season lift pass, which is one of the biggest draws. Some, but not all, mountain resorts will provide employee housing and/or meals. The culture of a ski job is not for everyone. If skiing or snowboarding every day brings you a genuine thrill, and you enjoy bonding with others over beers and drinking, it’s probably a good fit. But if hearing “gonna go shred some sick gnar” or “get that fresh pow, man” on the regular isn’t your cup of tea, maybe look elsewhere.

How to Get a Liftie Job:

Look for lift operator positions anywhere you’d find ski instructor jobs. You can start here .

22. Housekeeping

Clean guest rooms & common areas and fold laundry. Required Experience: Low

Housekeeping is one of the easiest entry points into the travel job arena, period. Just about any company you’ll find on WanderJobs needs housekeepers. Lodges, resorts, retreat centers, ranches… they all need to be cleaned. It’s one of the largest employee departments in tourism. Because of the ease of entry, housekeepers usually make up the youngest department in seasonal travel companies. Many of them are teenagers and early 20s. The work itself is surprisingly physical and it helps to be in good shape. It’s a good choice for someone who doesn’t want to interact with the customers.

Usually you’ll be put into pairs or small teams to clean guest rooms, so you’ll be able to chat with your partner or listen to music. It’s genuinely a lot of fun.

When you’re cleaning alone it’s nice to just listen to a podcast or enjoy the peace and quiet. I consider it to be kind of relaxing and even meditative.

How to Get a Housekeeping Job:

Housekeeping is the #1 easiest travel job to be hired for. After getting your foot in the door at your preferred company, it’s easier to get a new position (or become a housekeeping supervisor) the next season.

There are many housekeeping positions on WanderJobs .

23. Wilderness Lodge Staff

Hospitality positions in wilderness locations include everything from housekeeping to kitchen crews. Required Experience: Low

Wilderness lodges come in all sorts of locations and sizes. I’ve worked for a wilderness lodge with a staff size of 160, and another with a staff size of 4.

Both experiences offered an incredibly peaceful slice of life, where you could step outside your door and be right in nature. You’ll be able experience real quiet; nothing but the rustling leaves and soothing waves on the lake. Wilderness lodges seem to attract a good type of person, and also a wide variety. I’ve met a lot of artists, thinkers, and adventurers in these places. There are SO many types of travel jobs to chose from at a lodge that it’s likely you’ll be able to find something that suits you.

Jobs often include:

• Housekeeping
• Front desk & customer service
• Activities staff
• Office staff
• & many more

Larger lodges may offer three hot meals per day in addition to housing. Lodges in National Parks, designated as official National Park concessioners, often have Employee Dining Rooms (EDRs) with fresh, tasty food for staff. Hanging out with friends is a wonderful experience when you’re so close to nature. Expect lots of stargazing, camp fires, porch parties and hiking. Listen to my Once Upon a Wander podcast interview with coworker Nita . She describes what working at a wilderness lodge in the Grand Teton National Park meant to her.

Read my review of life at a wilderness lodge in Minnesota .

How to Get a Wilderness Lodge Job:

For google searches, it’s helpful to search wilderness lodge + location + staff housing. For example, “wilderness lodge Alaska staff housing.” Many wilderness lodges are so far from the nearest town that they need to offer staff housing or they wouldn’t have staff. Find Wilderness Lodge Jobs on WanderJobs .

24. Front Desk/Reception

Check in guests, make sales, answer the phone, and preform other customer service duties. Required Experience: Medium

Front desk positions are a good choice for people who want to live and work in beautiful places but who don’t necessarily consider themselves “outdoorsy” or don’t want the adventure to come from the job itself. These positions are usually a bit cushier, and as with any office job, there’s more opportunity to sit down, have a slow cup of coffee, and be in a climate-controlled environment. Each day will have a rush and a lull, but you do have to be prepared to deal with many customers wanting attention at once. The downtime tends to balance it out, though. In one of my front desk positions, I was on the night shift in a gorgeous wilderness lodge. Most guests had already hunkered down for the night by the time I clocked in, so I liked to sit in the office, stare off at the lake, or read a nice book. In another of my front desk positions, this one at a zip line, the day was much more fast-paced. I had to stand outside in the sun and check in hundreds of guests each day. Both positions required learning a somewhat confusing point-of-sale system and knowing how to answer detailed questions about the business, but there were never any huge challenges.

How to Get a Front Desk Job:

Look for any job on WanderJobs marked as resort, hotel, hostel, lodge, or retreat center. Any place that operates as a place for guests to spend the night will need front desk staff.

25. Activities Leader

Keep guests entertained and engaged. Required Experience: Medium

This is a travel job for people who truly love meeting and engaging with new people. An activities leader should be friendly, warm, and outgoing. She should not be afraid of looking silly or acting like a goof to make others happy. Ideally, making others happy should be a driving force for her own happiness. Companies that hire activity leaders do so for many reasons. Each company will have a very different schedule of events. Some sample activities include:

• guest picnics and bonfires
• guided nature walks
• art classes
• tournaments
• & much more

You’ll need a lot of mental stamina to be successful in this position. Public speaking skills are important.

How to Get an Activities Leader Job:

Find activities lead jobs with room and board on WanderJobs by searching for companies with at any resort, retreat, ranch, or hotel. Summer camps and year-round camps (like YMCAs) are also a great place to find Activity positions if you’re interested in working with youth.

26. Retreat Center Staff

Work and live on a campus geared toward the peaceful spiritual growth of its guests and employees.

Working at a retreat center is an experience unlike any other I’ve had. When you consider what a person really, truly needs to be happy and fulfilled in life, you have to admit that living in a strong community with other people and being in nature are very near the top. Retreat centers give you these.

Both retreat centers where I’ve worked and lived were places for people of many different backgrounds, ages, and nationalities to come together and live a more natural way of life. Beautiful facilities in nature and fresh healthy meals fostered a calm, creative way of life.

Part of the draw of a retreat center is the location. They tend to be more remote: in the mountains, tucked in a forested valley, by a cliff on the sea. I’ve found nothing yet to match the feeling of peace and connection I’ve found at these places.

Retreat and conference centers require employees in many different areas: kitchen, housekeeping, front desk and customer service, spa, events, management, etc. It’s just like a resort, but specifically for people who want to rest and restore, or learn, or create.

Groups of guests come to learn yoga, martial arts, meditation, art, writing, communication, dance, etc. Many retreat centers allow employees to participate in many of the events on campus, so it’s usually a fun environment.

It’s easy to make friends at retreat center jobs. You’ll find lots of kind, open-minded liberals and people trying to better themselves or take a break from the rat race.

Some retreat centers (like those listed on WanderJobs) offer paid positions, but many more are work-exchange/volunteer only. Some will actually charge the volunteers a monthly fee for room and board, and while this may sound ridiculous, it can lead to some of the best experiences of your life. Still, no need to pay when you can just find a travel job that pays you.

How to Get a Retreat Center Job:

Search for retreat center jobs on WanderJobs.

You can also browse Find the Divine and Retreat Finder , but as these aren’t job sites, you have to click on individual retreat center web sites to see if they do have employment or volunteer positions available.

27. Lifeguard

Because you’re responsible for everyone’s safety at the pool or on the beach, being a lifeguard requires constant vigilance and an ability to handle medical emergencies. 

From rescuing children who are panicking to dealing with drunk adults, you must be prepared to handle a wide range of dangerous situations in the water. You must be a physically fit and strong swimmer, have a lifeguard certification, and complete CPR and first aid training.

Lifeguards may also teach swimming or water aerobics classes and clean and maintain the swimming area. 

Expect a party culture with a lot of socializing. After work, there are often friendly competitions between lifeguards, such as swimming, paddle boarding, and boat races. 

Lifeguarding culture remains somewhat male-dominated. Women working as lifeguards often report feeling like they need to prove themselves and say men are given more responsibility and promoted faster.

You’ll also need to be able to deal with boredom. Lifeguards can’t read or look at their phones while working and need to find alternative ways to entertain themselves when the pool or beach is deserted. 

Many classic lakeside sleep-away camps recruit lifeguards to keep the swimming campers safe.

How to Get a Lifeguard Job:

Overnight summer camps are one of the best places to find lifeguarding positions with housing. You can usually earn a lifeguarding certificate at your local YMCA or swimming pool.

28. Restaurant Host

Greet guests, take some orders, and help keep the floor running smoothly.

Restaurants worldwide are social, fast-paced environments where the atmosphere can change quickly. The culture you’ll find depends on what kind of restaurant you work in and where it’s located. 

Restaurant staff in the US tend to be on the younger side, but many countries have hosts, waiters, and chefs of differing ages. Some restaurants have strict rules and dress codes, while others are more casual and allow for greater self-expression.

It’s possible to get a travel job as a restaurant host with minimal experience, but positions with the best perks (and housing) will be awarded to those with previous training in hospitality. You also may benefit from speaking a foreign language or two.

Restaurant hosts are responsible for a guest’s first impression and must have excellent customer service skills. In addition to showing guests to their table, answering the phone, and taking reservations, you help clear tables and assist the waiters as needed. 

The restaurant industry certainly isn’t for everyone. Before taking a position as a host, you should prepare for long and unusual hours with many spent standing up. You’ll need to maintain composure in an ever-changing, high-stress environment. If that sounds exciting, working as a restaurant host could be a fun and worthwhile experience. 

How to Get a Restaurant Host Job:

Search WanderJobs for lodges, hotel jobs, restaurants, and resorts. Most places with overnight accommodations for guests have a restaurant.

29. Spa Attendant

Help youth overcome mental health issues with nature and counseling.

Spa attendants are responsible for fostering an environment that helps others relax. Working alongside massage therapists and aestheticians, attendants support clients in seeking out self-care and making healthy changes in their lives. 

There are no specific requirements to become a spa attendant. Still, it works in your favor if you have prior customer service experience, have worked in the hospitality or wellness industry, or have cosmetology certifications. As long as you are organized and professional and have excellent interpersonal skills, it’s possible to get a travel job as a spa attendant. 

If hired, your duties will include assisting customers, selling treatment packages, cleaning the facilities, and helping aestheticians and therapists prepare for clients. You’ll also be responsible for administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and managing inventory. 

Spas and wellness centers worldwide tend to have a team-oriented environment that attracts young, health-conscious employees. Working in this type of setting can be incredibly calming and enjoyable. 

Like all jobs, working in a spa is stressful at times. Customer service roles are known for being mentally and emotionally draining, and you’ll need to spend many hours a day on your feet. Depending on the spa’s operating hours, you may have long shifts and be required to work nights, holidays, and weekends. 

You’re most likely to find housing included at spas in large or remote resorts and on cruise ships. If you work at a spa in one of these settings, you can expect to meet interesting people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world. Resorts often have perks like free access to facilities and fun events. Through these activities and those you discover on your own in your free time, you’ll get to know other employees within the wellness center and throughout the entire resort or ship. 

How to Get a Spa Attendant Job:

After searching for resort, hotel, and lodge jobs with housing, find out which of those have spas. Or try a keyword search on WanderJobs for “spa”.

30. YMCA Camp Counselor/Leader

YMCA camps offer a range of counselor and leadership jobs with different requirements. You can find anything from junior counselor positions geared towards high schoolers to activity specialist roles intended for those with professional teaching experience. 

Depending on your skill set, there may be an opportunity to specialize in areas like sports, swimming, or arts and crafts. 

Working at a YMCA camp tends to be a seasonal job. While some camps offer year-round programs, most operate primarily in the summer when kids are out of school. 

A majority of YMCA camps are located in the US and Canada, so if you’re looking for a travel job overseas, this may not be the right fit. Even without traveling abroad, you’ll have the opportunity to meet people from around the world, since YMCA camps attract a diverse bunch of international campers and counselors. Camp communities offer fantastic opportunities to make lasting friendships, but they can be a bit cliquey. 

To get a job as a YMCA camp counselor, you must have excellent leadership and enjoy working with children. If hired, you’ll likely need to undergo additional training focusing on communication skills, conflict resolution, leadership, child safety, first aid, and CPR. 

Working for a summer or two as a YMCA counselor can be a very enriching experience. However, you must remain positive, energetic, and bubbly even when you’re covered in mosquito bites and haven’t had dry socks in two weeks. As a result, camp counselors often report feeling drained by the end of the summer. 

Typically staff members spend the summer living in cabins with the campers. Different camps have varying levels of sophistication in their accommodations for counselors. Depending on your level of comfort with camping, you’ll want to consider a particular camp’s facilities before applying.  

How to Get a YMCA Leader Job:

Search major job boards (like Indeed) for “YMCA camp residential”.

31. Hostel Jobs

Preform various guest service duties in a highly social traveler environment.

Hostels are abundant worldwide and are among the classic places people turn when looking for a travel job that includes housing. There is a lot of flexibility depending on your desired environment. You can find hostels in urban centers, around national parks, and next to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

With opportunities to work at reception, as a housekeeper, in the kitchen, and more, it’s easy to find work in this sector. 

Working at a hostel rarely requires any specific prior experience and is a great way to gain some additional skills, such as bartending, event planning, or waiting tables. One thing you do need is a love of meeting new people. 

Hostels are very social spaces with little privacy, so if you’re an introvert looking for peace and quiet, a hostel job is probably not for you. The culture is perfect for extroverts who thrive in new situations, as the vibe of a hostel is constantly changing with the fluctuation of guests and employees. If you take a travel job at a hostel, you’ll join an eclectic group of people who were attracted by the opportunity to live abroad for free. 

In addition to interesting coworkers, you’ll also get to know guests from far corners of the globe. At any given hostel, you’re likely to find a diverse collection of individuals, including artists, digital nomads, backpackers, and other free spirits. In general, the crowd tends to be young and will be up for partying any day of the week. 

Since hostel employees live and work in the same space, work-life and downtime can be hard to separate. Many hostels operate on a work exchange basis, but some will pay you a small wage in addition to providing free or reduced-price housing. Regardless of which option you end up with, you’ll probably share a room with at least one other staff member. 

How to Get a Hostel Job:

Search the major job boards. Not all hostel jobs come with housing- especially those in cities- but if not, it’s worth it to contact the manager to see if they would be able to work something out with you.

Many hostel workers do unpaid work-exchanges. There are many of these types of experiences on Workaway.info .

32. Retail & Gift Shop Staff

Stock and sell trinkets and snacks to tourists.

Retail jobs are your standard shop experience. You’ll spend much of your time standing in one spot (behind the register) and checking people out.

There are lulls and rushes, but the work isn’t known to be exciting. It’s extremely repetitive.

On the bright side, you’ll probably get to know a small number of coworkers well, and there can be some good people watching.

How to Get a Retail/Gift Shop Job:

Many national park concessioners (#34 travel job on this list) hire retail staff specifically for their shops. At other companies, retail is often a job integrated with positions like front desk and check-in.

33. Marina Attendant

Help customers with boats, pump gas, do basic maintenance checks.

This is one of the many travel jobs on the list that I’ve done personally- that’s me in the picture! Marina work is a cool gig. One of the best things about working at a marina is the view. Few workplaces are more beautiful than the shores around a lake or ocean, and it’s exciting to be able to watch storms rolling in from the distance.

The position requires being on your feet most of the time and interacting with many people on a daily basis. Marinas can get very busy, and when they do, it can feel a bit stressful. People who rent boats at marinas or own boats generally have a good amount of money, and sometimes the sorts of attitudes can come with that. You’ll have to be able to field customer questions while making sure you do everything in a very safe way. Some marinas are more relaxed than others. Personally I would recommend finding one that only serves as a place for people to keep their own private boats rather then renting out boats to customers. There’s a good amount of time to chat with your coworkers and appreciate the view. If your marina does rent out boats, it will be your job to teach the customers to use them. For people with their own boats, you’ll be expected to ferry them out to their buoys. There’s no question that driving boats around all day is a lot of fun. The customer rushes are mitigated by periods of downtime, especially in the early mornings, when you’ll have the whole beautiful, quiet lake to yourself as the sun comes up. I used to love playing music on my phone and drinking coffee in the marina office at twilight, looking out at the mountains and lake. At this point you’ll have to prepare for the day, maybe do some paperwork, and check on the boats and dock.

Whatever your skill level is with boats (mine was near zero when I was hired), it isn’t that challenging to learn to drive them well enough to dock them and tow them safely and skillfully.

How to Get a Marina Job:

Search WanderJobs for marina positions , or browse TripAdvisor for wilderness lodges on your lake of choice.

34. National Park Concessioner Staff

Perform customer service & hospitality duties while living with other travelers in a national park.

Many private companies help provide additional services to visitors within each national park, including lodging, tours, and retail. In the US, National Park Service concessioners employ more than 25,000 people during peak seasons at places like restaurants, hotels, concession stands, and gift shops. 

Because concessioners are hired by private companies rather than the federal government, many say the hiring process is more straightforward and flexible than getting a job as a park ranger. Since many rangers start out working concessions, this is a great way to get your foot in the door and open up additional opportunities with the National Park Service. 

While the concessioner jobs are often indoors, you’ll get to spend the season living in one of the nation’s most beautiful places. Many employees at national parks are outdoor-minded folks who love adventure. You’ll be able to spend your days off exploring the park and surrounding area with coworkers and will likely have the chance to try some fun outdoor activities like rafting, rock climbing, or snorkeling. 

Not all concessioner staff positions include housing, but it’s not uncommon to receive subsidized room and board. Don’t expect anything luxurious – most park employees live in basic dormitory-style lodging or RVs. But it’s a wonderful way to live in a community of people with similar interests, and employees in these places often feel like families.

How to Get a National Park Concessioner Job:

The two major National Park concessioners are Xanterra and Delware North, and searching the sites of those two companies will provide most of the travel job opportunities. However …

Those are huge companies and are infamous, like Vail Resorts, for treating their employees like numbers and not like people. In traveler circles, it’s called Xanterrible.

It’s harder to find the smaller companies because most websites are in disguise, and it’s not till you reach the employment page that you’re redirected to the automated Xanterra or DN database. But smaller companies exist!

The official National Park list of Authorized Concessioners can be found on their website .

35. Overnight Summer Camp Counselor

Lead groups of kids through traditional summer camp activities.

Working as an overnight camp counselor is a great summer travel job for young extroverts who love working with kids. You can choose from a wide selection of camps throughout the US and Canada, as well as some international ones. 

Options range from classic YMCA-style summer camps to specialty programs focusing on music, theater, or sports. General overnight camps expect employees to enjoy working with youth and have a positive attitude, while specialty camps require additional expertise in that particular field. 

Each camp has a different vibe and traditions, so you’ll want to do some research and select one that is a good fit. No matter which location you choose, you’ll find a unique environment with countless learning experiences. Camp culture fosters life-long friendships among both campers and counselors. Kids carry summer camp memories well into adulthood, so it can be very fulfilling to be a part of campers’ life-changing experiences. 

Although working as a camp counselor is fun and rewarding, it doesn’t come without challenges. The job rarely includes any alone time, which can be tough even for the most extroverted individuals. Counselors stay in the same cabins as campers, and supervising a group of children 24 hours a day is exhausting by the end of the summer. 

How to Get a Camp Counselor Job:

There are many sites dedicated to camp listings, including Camp Resource and Camp Channel . But since there are so many hundreds of camps not listed on these sites, it’s easier just to pick the area you want to go and do a google search for overnight camps in that location.

Drive guests, haul gear, act as a tour guide.

There are possibilities to work as a tour group driver on trips ranging from classic sightseeing tours to multisport adventures worldwide. Some tour companies employ drivers for the entire season, while others hire them as external contractors for a week or two at a time. 

To get one of these jobs, you’ll need a valid commercial driver’s license in the countries visited, excellent customer service skills, and a proven commitment to passenger safety. The vehicle’s size may vary from group to group, but you should be comfortable maneuvering large vehicles with a trailer full of equipment in tow. 

While most of the job is spent sitting, you will also get some exercise through the frequent loading and unloading of luggage and gear, such as bikes and kayaks. The position includes a lot of downtime when the guests are out sightseeing or staying in the same spot for a few days. You’ll therefore have the chance to explore many different places along the route. However, if you’re hired as an external contractor, the job could be a bit lonely. 

In addition to wages, drivers typically receive free lodging in a hotel for the tour duration. Sometimes they’ll stay in the same location as guests, while others they’ll be placed in a different hotel nearby. 

How to Get a Driver Job:

Whitewater rafting and other gear-based outdoor companies sometimes have dedicated drivers to haul the gear from one place to another, and to meet the guests once they go down river.

For coach-bus tour driver jobs, the best way to find a company is to search google as if you’re trying to pay to join a tour as a guest. “Coach bus tours national parks” or “europe coach bus tours” would be good searches, for example.

Contiki is an example of a coach bus tour company in Europe, though they only hire people with European passports.

37. Hotel & Resort Jobs

Work in guest services, desk jobs, or support positions at hotels & resorts.

Hotels and resorts offer tons of different employment opportunities all over the globe. There are openings for bartenders, chefs, waiters, restaurant hosts, housekeepers, concierges, event coordinators, entertainers, fitness instructors, massage therapists, lifeguards, and more. 

In addition to living in a desirable destination, you’ll receive perks like free or discounted access to the resort’s facilities. One of the other benefits is meeting interesting guests and working with people from around the world. Since many hotel and resort employees are far from “home,” coworkers can become like family.  

Most upscale hotels and resorts include housing for employees, especially those located in remote areas. The accommodation itself is rarely luxurious – no matter how fancy the resort, you’ll probably live in shared housing with 4-5 other people. 

Working at a hotel or resort offers flexible hours; however, shifts can be long with few breaks and little downtime, and the pay is not always sufficient for the hours required. Like other hospitality industry jobs, employees at hotels and resorts regularly report feeling drained by the end of the tourist season. 

But for many, the ability to wake up with a swim at a world-renowned beach or hit the slopes after your shift at a famous ski resort makes the long hours worth it. 

How to Get a Hotel/Resort Job:

WanderJobs lists lodge & resort jobs and hostel & inn jobs . If you’re searching in google, choose more remote or even island destinations, as they are more likely to offer staff housing.

38. Workamping Campground Host

Register campers, keep campgrounds safe and clean.

Workamping is an option for couples or individuals who love to camp and are looking for ways to do so cheaply. It’s a position often filled by seniors and people.

You’ll need your own RV to live in.

Campground host positions are available at privately owned parks as well as state and national parks in the US and Canada. While uncommon, it is possible to find workamping openings in other parts of the world, especially in Europe, Central America, and the Caribbean. 

Working as a host involves various duties around the campground, such as cleaning, maintenance, landscaping, registering campers, answering visitors’ questions, reporting any rule violations to management, and working in the campground shop. In exchange for your work, you’ll receive a free RV campsite complete with water and electricity hookups. 

Hosting contracts usually extend for 3-6 months. The requirements, hours, and expected time commitment will depend on the campground. Regardless of your schedule, you should plan to work throughout the peak season and on weekends and holidays. 

Workamping has numerous benefits, including spending time in beautiful natural areas for free and meeting folks who also love the outdoors. But there are downsides as well. You’ll likely have to deal with unruly campers and take care of less desirable tasks like picking up trash.  

It’s also my belief- from research, and from talking to people when I attended the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous in 2020 as a speaker- that workamping can get pretty exploitive. It seems that many employers treat their employees badly, overwork them, underpay them, and do not honor contracts in ways that seem illegal. I’m not sure why this particular travel job was so popular with the retired population, but it was. I personally would avoid it at all costs.

Many, but not all, workamping jobs include a salary. Volunteer positions typically require about 20 hours of work a week, while those that come with additional wages involve around 40 hours a week. So they say; in practice, overworking seems to be common.

How to Get a Campground Host Job:

Most Workampers I spoke to at RTR found their jobs through Workamper News .

Part 3: Career Travel Jobs

39. english teacher abroad.

Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) to students at a high school abroad. Required Experience: Medium

A native English speaker with a good command of the language can become an English teacher abroad far more easily than becoming a teacher within the US. The certification process for a TEFL certificate is relatively quick, cheap, and easy. I myself earned the 100-hour online certificate and a 50-hour younger learner certificate in about half the suggested time.

That said, for some reason actually finding a travel job as an English teacher (as of 2020) requires sifting through an absolutely baffling quagmire of scams and misinformation. Does this school want to hire me or is this a company trying to sell me a course? Why won’t the man who I just paid to get my results after taking my certification test respond to any of my emails? Why do I have to go to the country and look for a job after I get there? Theses questions and more plagued me and my ex, and I’m sure many others. Eventually, after moving to Japan to get a travel job teaching English, failing to do so, moving back to the US, and getting scammed, my ex managed to find a job teaching in a good school in Japan and is going on his second year-long contract. I’ve known many people who have taught English abroad (I volunteered with some permanent teachers in Thailand), but as far as “how to get a job teaching english abroad” goes, you’re rather on your own.

How to Get a TEFL Job:

First, become TEFL certified. Most companies require a minimum 120-hour certification and a bachelors degree, though there are companies that do not require a degree.

There are many companies that offer certification, with a median price of about $300 for 120 hours. The cheapest I’ve found is Global TEFL , which was $90/120 hours at the time I wrote this article. Then, do tons and tons of research to find current job openings for English teachers. You may find jobs in China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and other locations.

There are also TONS of online opportunities if you’re looking to continue to travel while you teach. Here’s a quick guide by Goats on the Road.

40. Maintenance 

Repair, build, and haul things as needed. Required Experience: Medium

Most any company, especially those that include guest lodging, requires skilled maintenance staff. In the on season, you’ll be doing general repairs and will often have access to a truck or golf cart, and a workshop or shed. You may find yourself painting, chopping wood, and responding to guests’ request for lightbulb changes in addition to more skilled labor. The maintenance team tends to be one of the smaller operations of a seasonal company and the teams are given more power and freedom to make their own decisions and schedules. It’s often a good gig for introverted types. Sometimes in the off-season, a more remote wilderness lodge will shut down but will still require a skeleton crew consisting of a maintenance worker or two. It’s an unusual way to experience a quiet winter of solitude.

How to Get a Maintenance Job:

Even when maintenance is not listed as an open position on the employment section of a company’s website, it may be worth it to email the company and ask them if they could use some more help.

Maintenance is one of the travel job categories in which it pays to become an expert in your field. An experienced, highly skilled maintenance worker will always be valuable. Find live-in maintenance travel jobs at any resort, retreat, ranch, or hotel listed on WanderJobs.

41. Chefs & Cooks

Prepare and cook meals for guests and staff.

Every kitchen requires a team of cooks of different experience levels and with different amounts of responsibility in order to run properly. A chef at a seasonal company (I’ve worked with many) absolutely doesn’t require a culinary degree, but does require a high level of confidence and skill.

However, head chefs and sous chefs often handle a stressful level of responsibility. Even if your skill is high, you may prefer to be a line cook or even a prep cook (my favorite), where it’s easier to zone out into your task or chat with the other cooks through the workday.

The jobs, from least to most responsibility are:

• Prep Cook (chopping, grating, juicing, repetitive tasks)
• Line Cook (cooking a few specific things, preparing salads)
• Sous Chef (cooking, menu prep, covering in the chef’s absence)
• Chef (ordering ingredients, cooking, menu prep, managing the kitchen)

There are two massively different types of kitchens: made to order, and buffets.

Made-to-order kitchens (which are by far the most common) are almost always more fast paced. This brings an extra level of stress, and sometimes the notoriously angry and narcissistic head chef who thinks he’s god’s gift to man. (I met one of these types at a restaurant in a seasonal travel job I left very quickly). Most places with seasonal jobs will only have this type of kitchen.

Buffet-style kitchens are usually found in two environments: retreat centers and staff dining rooms. Retreat centers usually have constantly changing menus of fresh, healthy, delicious foods.

Staff dining rooms (known as Employee Dining Rooms or EDRs at national park concessioners) vary by location. The food is generally good but not great, and it feels nice to help feed your coworkers.

Working in mess hall or a retreat center environment is much lower-pressure, and in my opinion, much more enjoyable than cooking in a ritzy made-to-order restaurant.

How to Get a Cook Job:

Most any resort, lodge, hotel, retreat center, summer camp, or hostel on WanderJobs will require cooks.

While it isn’t especially hard to start off as a prep cook, there are plenty of places to volunteer as a cook to get more experience before applying for a job. Retreat centers often need volunteer cooks, as do many families on the Workaway site.

42. Antarctica Research Station Staff

Help keep the remote research station running to support scientific discovery.

Getting a travel job in Antarctica is very competitive and requires a particular skill set. Apart from the scientists, research stations have various support staff such as:

• electricians
• firefighters
• boat handlers
• and more… 

Many employment contracts are limited to the summer (around November to February). Others extend through the winter (around March to October). There is a high cost associated with transporting staff to and from the bases, so preference is given to those willing to commit to longer contracts. Even in the summer, be prepared to cope with extreme and unpredictable weather. 

The culture differs from one research station to the next. Most communities have a small-town feel to them. There are movie theaters, bars, and coffee shops that host various events, such as pub quizzes, open mic nights, and karaoke. 

While each research station is stocked with medical supplies and has at least one on-site physician, advanced medical care for life-threatening conditions is often days away. Before heading to Antarctica, research station staff must pass a comprehensive medical exam, including blood tests, chest x-rays, and an EKG. Those hoping to stay throughout the winter must undergo additional medical and psychological tests to ensure they are fit to withstand the physical and mental challenges associated with isolation, frigid temperatures, and 24 hours of darkness for months on end. 

If alone time and privacy are important to you, this travel job is probably not the right fit. Despite being isolated, research station employees rarely get any time to themselves. The stations vary in size, but on average, you can expect around 40-50 staff during the summer and 10-20 in the winter. 

Accommodation, while free, is rustic and crowded – most workers reside in cramped tents or bunks on a ship, and getting off the base for some privacy is not an option. Except for those employed in transportation, support staff seldom travel away from their research stations. 

Before applying for a this travel job, I highly recommend reading the book South Pole Station by Ashley Shelby. Though fictional, it gives an incredibly realistic view into seasonal life in Antarctica.

How to Get an Antarctica Job:

The best place to start looking for a job is with your country’s Antarctica Program . There are around 70 different research stations run by programs from about 30 countries.

43. National Park Ranger (entry level seasonal)

Help educate guests and keep the park safe and clean.

One of the perks of working as a national park ranger is spending time in some of the world’s most stunning natural areas. This travel job is best for those who love nature, are passionate about conservation, and enjoy working with others. You must be willing to work outdoors in any kind of conditions, including extreme temperatures and stormy weather. 

Since park rangers are employees of the federal government, they tend to work a maximum of 40 hours a week. However, rangers must be prepared to work holidays and weekends when parks experience an influx of visitors. 

The culture among national park rangers depends on the geographic location of that particular park. In remote areas, there is a significant overlap in work life and social life, while parks located near towns or cities offer a better work-life balance and more non-park-related activities. Park communities typically resemble isolated small towns where everyone knows each other. 

The path to becoming a park ranger is a competitive one, with many people finding their way in the door through volunteer positions or internships. You’re more likely to be hired if you have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, geology, forestry, history, law enforcement, or a similar field. 

In most parks, seasonal workers are hired only for the summer. These contracts last from 4-6 months and do not include benefits afforded to permanent employees, such as health insurance and retirement contributions. 

Entry-level rangers typically start out collecting fees from visitors at park entrances or maintaining hiking trails. Over time, it’s possible to work your way up to a more desirable position, such as leading tours, researching wildlife, or working in the backcountry. 

Some parks provide free housing, while others deduct rent from your paycheck based on the cost of living in the surrounding area. Accommodation in the parks varies significantly and can range from newer apartments to run-down trailers. Seasonal employees are provided fully furnished rooms and can expect to have at least one roommate or housemate. 

How to Get a National Park Ranger Job:

Find park jobs with the National Park Service or the US Forest Service . If it seems like those official sites don’t have many listings, there may be more posted on a major job board like indeed.

44. Massage Therapist

Relax and help heal clients through bodywork.

Massage therapy is a job that requires a lot of endurance. It isn’t easy to use your muscles in that way for long periods of time.

Part of the fun is that there are so many different types of massage to choose from. When you take the first step to become certified, spend time to figure out what type of massage is most interesting to you and works best with your own body.

You need to be very good at first impressions and making someone feel comfortable as soon as they meet you. You need to look tidy and clean.

Massage therapy is an incredibly personal job. You’ll usually be in a room alone with another person for an hour or more, and in many forms of massage, the other person won’t be wearing clothes. Some clients won’t talk at all, and others will reveal all their traumas. You’re genuinely a therapist and should treat the role and the client with respect. When you have repeat customers, you’ll come to care about them and their well being.

A massage therapist will walk a way with a lot of money, and that is usually one of the biggest draws. It’s one of the few certifications left that doesn’t require a college degree but that can still provide a great payoff. Most clients will tip you as well.

How to Get a Massage Therapist Job:

First, of course, you’ll need to become a licensed massage therapist. The requirements for this vary by state so it can be a little tricky and will require some research and planning.

Massage travel jobs with housing are harder to find than most other travel jobs on this list. Most massage therapists are local, but companies with housing are sometimes hiring.

A roundabout technique to find massage travel jobs with housing is to look for spa jobs with housing (at resorts, lodges, retreat centers, etc), and then apply for any other job at the place. Once you are there and management knows you, it can be easier to suggest offering your services to the spa on the side. (This is how the massage therapist in the photo got much of his work at a retreat center).

Another workaround that many massage therapists I know personally have used is to do off-the-books massages for the staff while they work a different day job. When they are licensed in one state but not another (bureaucratic insurance nonsense!) it’s easier to just have friends pay you in cash. My friends have earned an impressive amount of extra income this way.

45. Accountant

Keep the books.

Nearly every organization requires some accounting work. Many companies hire full-time, in-house accountants, while others outsource the work to freelancers, consultancies, or accounting firms. 

The job requires excellent attention to detail and superior analytical, math, and computer skills. As an accountant, you’ll take care of various finance-related tasks, such as recording transactions, advising on financial decisions, and ensuring compliance with local laws. Those entering the field should expect some stressful situations and prepare to work overtime during tax season. 

The universal business need for bookkeeping services allows accountants a lot of flexibility in choosing where they want to work. Accountant positions are most likely to include housing at places mentioned in this post, including retreat centers, hotels and resorts, and national parks.

Minimum requirements to become an accountant in the US vary by state. If you want to do accounting or bookkeeping work abroad, you may need to obtain additional certifications and become familiar with the local tax laws and financial policies. 

This kind of work can be tedious and repetitive, but also very fulfilling for the right person. Accountants can contribute immense value to businesses and play a crucial role in an organization’s success. If you are financially savvy and like working with numbers, you will likely find the work rewarding. 

How to Get an Accountant Job:

These jobs aren’t always listed, so you may have to go through the companies on sites like WanderJobs one by one and contact them to ask if they are looking for an accountant.

These travel jobs are harder to get and there may be a lot of internal promotion, so a better bet might be to work your way up in a company after you prove yourself in a different position.

46. Lighthouse Keeper

Maintain the light and the property.

Lighthouse keepers historically played a crucial role in helping ships navigate safely to shore, but their place in modern society has dwindled. Today, lighthouses in many parts of the world are fully automated.

Those that still have keepers are usually managed by national parks or non-profits seeking to preserve these historic structures and their associated traditions. 

Current lighthouse keeper jobs are perfect for history buffs who love the sea or for those seeking solitude and an uncommon career opportunity. While available positions are scarce, they are possible to find in coastal areas worldwide. 

Keepers are responsible for tasks like cleaning and maintaining the lighthouse grounds, managing the gift shop, and providing information to visitors. Since many lighthouses are historical landmarks, they are popular field trip destinations for schoolchildren and unique venues for small weddings, reunions, or birthday parties. Prospective keepers should expect to assist with these types of events when necessary. 

Some lighthouses offer keepers free RV camping sites, a sleeping area inside the lighthouse, or private cottages on the grounds. Most lighthouse attendant roles are for volunteers only, but some do pay. One historic lighthouse in San Francisco, for example, offered a couple $130,000 a year, provided they continued running it as a bed and breakfast. 

I recommend the memoir Light Years by Caroline Woodward as a beautiful way to learn what it really means to live as a lighthouse keeper.

How to Get a Lightkeeper Job:

There very few manned lighthouses left; most are automated. Finding a job will take a lot of research into the light stations of various countries. Google search is the way to go.

From a modern day lighthouse keeper (in British Columbia) on Reddit : “the application is super hard to find actually so it does not get a lot of applicants. Also the process is insane as it is a government job. My application took over 4 months…”

47. Farmer/ Gardener

Plant, harvest, weed, build structures, and care for plants.

There are a variety of farming and gardening travel jobs available around the world at places like organic farms and retreat and conference centers. These settings usually offer a fun environment with young coworkers and an ability to connect with nature. 

Many eco-retreat centers have gardens that provide the ingredients for healthy meals. By working as a gardener, you’ll contribute to the center’s ability to provide sustainable, locally sourced food and experience the feeling of accomplishment that comes with eating food you grew yourself. 

Any farming or gardening role requires manual labor outdoors, so you should be ready to work hard and spend your days tending to the fields, orchards, or gardens. You’ll learn how to grow different fruits and vegetables and enjoy the perk of freshly picked, in-season produce. It’s an incredibly satisfying travel job, working with your hands and tending to the land. You’ll be tired and fulfilled at the end of a day.

Many of these positions are available for volunteers only, but finding a paid farming or gardening job is possible. The housing included tends to be dormitory-style and will likely involve one or more roommates. If you’re lucky, you may get a cabin or bungalow to yourself. To get a better paid position you may have to stick with one company long enough to take over when manager leaves.

How to Get a Farm/Garden Job:

Find farm and garden travel jobs on BackdoorJobs , or as unpaid positions through WWOOF . Also read #15 on this list to learn about fruit picking in Australia.

48. Human Resources

Hire staff, coordinate housing, activities and payroll, and deal with staff issues.

From mountain lodges to adventure tour operators, nearly every type of workplace on this list requires Human Resources staff. As a result, there are plenty of HR opportunities at interesting locales around the world. 

The type and quality of housing included with HR travel jobs (if any) and your responsibilities will depend on your workplace. Smaller businesses most often employ HR generalists who do a little bit of everything. Larger companies, on the other hand, may require employees to specialize in particular areas, such as onboarding and training, payroll and benefits, or employee relations. 

HR positions are focused on helping others and create many opportunities to build lasting relationships with coworkers. Since HR workers organize staff events and activities and oversee recruitment and hiring processes, they have a lot of power to shape the company culture. This ability to foster a positive work environment is one of the things many HR employees say they like most about their jobs.

Working in HR is a fun and fulfilling job, but it involves juggling many different responsibilities at once and can be stressful. If you want to work in HR, you’ll need excellent conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, as well as lots of patience. HR people continually have to address things that aren’t running smoothly within the company and may have to resolve disputes that arise between coworkers.

How to Get an Human Resources Job:

HR is a career-ladder decision, so you’ll need to prove experience before moving into the role. Often you’ll eyeball the role from inside a company before applying internally for the position when it eventually opens up.

Search one of the major job boards and get very specific with your keywords. Obviously include “human resources”, but also cycle through the types of places that would have housing included, like wilderness lodges and wilderness resorts, tour companies, cruises, and national park concessioners.

49. Managers & Supervisors 

Lead a department, create schedules, coordinate inventory, communicate with other departments.

Many of the travel jobs on this list have at least one related managerial or supervisor role. From managing a restaurant or housekeeping staff in a resort to supervising a group of rangers in a national park, there are numerous manager and supervisor positions available worldwide that include free housing. 

Becoming a manager requires extensive experience in your chosen industry and a proven track record of success. You’ll also need superior communication, excellent interpersonal skills, sound leadership, and an ability to resolve conflict effectively. Depending on your workplace, you may also need good customer service skills and patience for dealing with disgruntled clients who are always asking to speak with the manager. 

While you’ll still have the chance to meet and work with interesting people, it’s hard to become friends with coworkers when you’re the boss. Being a manager holds significant responsibility and can be more stressful than other travel jobs. You’ll need to make difficult decisions that are in the organization’s best interest even if they are unpopular among employees. 

The job also has its advantages – managers and supervisors often receive nicer accommodation than regular staff and are more likely to get private rooms or entire apartments. As a result, these roles are better than others for people with families or partners traveling or working alongside them. 

How to Get a Manager/Supervisor Job:

Becoming a supervisor or manager can range from extremely easy (such as moving up from a housekeeper to a housekeeping supervisor position within a single season) to very difficult (becoming a kitchen manager at bustling tropical resort).

Basically, if you want a supervisor job, stick with any company for a little bit longer than the other seasonal staff and you can pretty easily get one.

Many companies on WanderJobs will advertise manager and supervisor positions, but it’s also worth finding companies you like and emailing directly to ask if they have open positions. Some are only posted internally to current staff, but if you’re qualified, go for it.

50. Youth Educator

Teach youth about the outdoors, ecology, and natural sciences.

If you’re passionate about the outdoors, teaching others about the natural world can be a gratifying travel job. Outdoor education centers across the US and Canada hire educators to teach youth about wilderness survival, ecology, conservation, geology, and more. Educators may also be involved in activities like local conservation efforts or trail maintenance. 

Each center will have different requirements for employment. Generally, it’s preferable if you have a bachelor’s degree, a background in environmental science or a related field, knowledge of the outdoors, and some experience with teaching. Because outdoor education centers are popular field trip destinations for schoolchildren, you must enjoy working with kids. Some youth educator travel jobs are open to applicants of all ages, while others give priority to recent college graduates. 

Outdoor education centers typically attract adventurous, eco-conscious individuals. If that sounds like you, then you can expect to work with a fun group of like-minded people. Educators often get the weekends off, allowing them to explore local trails or relax in nature with coworkers. 

Many of these travel jobs are full-time, residential positions and include dormitory-style housing onsite. Contracts are mostly seasonal, but it is possible to find year-round roles, especially in warmer climates. 

How to Get a Youth Educator Job:

There are some youth education positions on WanderJobs , and more on BackdoorJobs .

51. Travel Nurse

Work in clinical settings in smaller towns around the US.

Travel nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who fill vacancies at various US healthcare facilities, including clinics and hospitals. Becoming a travel nurse offers a unique opportunity to work in any US state or even the Virgin Islands while also fulfilling an essential need in the healthcare industry.

Typically, travel nurses work for independent staffing agencies that assign them to open positions for a short-term contract. You’ll be able to tell the agency what kind of environment you’re looking for, and they will find you an assignment that matches your skills and preferences.

Contracts usually last around 13 weeks but can be longer or shorter depending on the facility. RNs who are enjoying their existing assignments may be able to renew the contract and stay longer in that role. 

Responsibilities of a travel nursing job are essentially the same as a typical RN position. To become a travel nurse, you’ll need a nursing degree from either a two or four-year university, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam, and at least one year of experience working as a nurse. 

Getting a job as a travel nurse offers many perks, including free housing, competitive compensation, and the ability to work in diverse clinical settings. Traveling positions tend to pay entry-level nurses a higher salary than permanent roles, making these jobs particularly appealing for younger people.

How to Get a Travel Nurse Job:

In the Covid age, there is now more than ever a need for travel nurses. There are many good job placement companies that will come up in a simple google search, like Nomad .

Of course, you’ll already need to be a registered nurse. This is a genuine career choice with high pay, long hours, and benefits.

Part 4: Travel Jobs for Digital Nomads

52. online freelancer.

Seek out clients and meet their needs remotely through individual contract jobs.

Online freelance opportunities are abundant for a wide range of professionals with varying levels of expertise. Some of the jobs are short-term projects, like designing a logo or writing a blog post, while others become long-term partnerships. 

Freelancers are much in need in the areas of:

• graphic design
• content writing
• ui/ux design
• virtual assistance
• translation

Working as an online freelancer requires a great deal of independence, self-motivation, and organization. If you like working with others and are looking for a fun group of coworkers, then freelancing is probably not the best fit. 

Many freelancers find that the benefits outweigh the lack of social life at work. Online freelancing has many advantages, including flexible hours, location independence, and control over your own schedule.

Jobs are available at every level – whether you’re a beginner in your field or an expert, you’re sure to find something that interests you. However, competition for freelance jobs is intense .

With more and more people ditching their nine-to-fives in favor of a flexible and nomadic lifestyle, the pool of freelancers looking for online work continues to grow. This competition can be especially frustrating for new freelancers trying to break into the industry.

Because of the location freedom that freelance work offers, it’s possible to find very affordable housing if you’re flexible about where you live. It’s a solid career option for digital nomads.

How to Get a Freelance Job:

The easiest way for most people to begin freelancing is to start with Upwork , where you can bid on the thousands of jobs posted. In order to get your first job (and therefore your first positive review), you’ll need to underbid everybody else and write a personalized cover letter. Even then, you’ll get a lot of rejections. If you have a friend on the site, it’s easier to get them to hire you for a quick gig and review.

Once you start gaining reviews, you can charge more money and get repeat clients. When those clients trust you (which they should if you consistently do a good job) you can start talking and getting paid outside of Upwork so they don’t take a cut of the profit.

Freelancing is essentially creating a small business for yourself. Ultimately the best thing to do is tell everybody you know what your skill is and that you are looking for clients, and build yourself up through word of mouth within your actual, real-life circle of friends, family, and community.

53. Teach English Online

Teach English as a second language to children or adults in other countries.

Teaching English online is a popular job among young travelers. As long as you have a reliable internet connection, you can essentially work from anywhere. 

There are loads of companies hiring online English teachers, each of which has its own requirements, preferred teaching style, and expected time commitment. Some companies are looking for previous teaching experience, while others only require employees to be native English speakers. 

Like most online jobs, teaching English remotely is best for self-starters who prefer working independently. To get a teaching job, you’ll probably need a certification such as Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Both of these are relatively easy and inexpensive to obtain online. 

Most beginners start with part-time teaching jobs until they gain enough experience to compete for a full-time role. Many teachers say the job is best as a supplement to other work, so it could be combined with another job on this list that does include lodging. 

One of the most interesting aspects of this job is talking with people from diverse places and learning about other cultures. However, if you and your students live in different time zones, you may have to work strange hours. 

While teaching English can be a gratifying job, doing so online can get lonely after a while – especially if you’re a solo traveler. 

How to Get a Teach English Online Job:

Teaching English online requires the same preparation as finding a TEFL job aboard (#39 on this list). Most, but not all, companies will ask applicants to have a bachelor’s degree.

Begin by becoming TEFL certified with a minimum 120-hour course. Online courses run for about $300/120 hours. At the time of writing, Global TEFL is $90/120.

There are many companies hiring online TEFL teachers. Again, here’s a quick guide by Goats on the Road.

54. Telecommuter

Work a regular desk job from home.

COVID-19 has drastically reshaped the work landscape, and more companies are allowing telecommuting than ever before.

Unless your profession necessitates in-person work, you’ll likely be able to find a remote job posting in your industry. Whether you’re looking for a full-time role or a part-time position, there are all sorts of opportunities available now for telecommuters.

Since remote jobs are long-term contracts with a single company, they typically offer more stability than freelance work while providing some of the same flexibility.

In addition to saving money and time on commuting, remote work allows employees to have more freedom over their schedule and location. Telecommuting means you can live anywhere you’d like (as long as the time zone is compatible with your hours) and find a place that suits your budget. 

Like all jobs, remote work also has its downsides. Off-site employees miss out on the benefits of working at the office, such as free breakfast and socializing with coworkers. For some, working from home makes it difficult to unplug and can also be isolating.

Telecommuting jobs are therefore best for those who enjoy being alone or who already have a supportive community outside of work. 

How to Get a Telecommuter Job:

There are tons of job boards for people who want traditional careers but who also want to work from home. Flexjobs is just one of many. You can also search traditional large job boards.

55. Online Tutor

Help students with coursework in specific subject areas.

The need for online tutoring is on the rise – demand increased significantly this year since the pandemic has shuttered many schools’ doors around the world. 

Online tutoring offers a lot of flexibility and customization based on your preferences. It can be a full-time job or a side gig, and you can work for yourself or for a company that hires online tutors. 

As a tutor, you’ll provide one-on-one support for students in your chosen areas of expertise. You can select a particular subject, such as math or English, or focus on helping students prepare for standardized tests like the SAT. 

There are no specific requirements to become an online tutor, but you’ll need demonstrated excellence in your chosen field and good communication skills. If you’re hoping to get a job with a tutoring company, it helps if you have previous tutoring or teaching experience. 

Similar to other online jobs, working as a tutor can be lonely if you don’t have a supportive in-person community. But you’ll have the freedom to live and work from anywhere you choose. 

How to Get an Online Tutor Job:

The Balance Careers has a quick introductory guide to online tutoring.

Part 5: Work-Exchange & Volunteering Travel Jobs

56. housesitting.

Act as caretaker for people’s homes, pets, and plants while they are away.

With a vast selection of homes and environments to choose from, housesitting offers something for every taste. Whether you’re looking for a small cabin in the woods or a luxury villa on the coast, you’ll probably be able to find it on various housesitting sites. 

In addition to taking care of the house, you may also care for homeowners’ pets. You’ll often encounter dogs and cats, but there are also options to housesit on a small farm or at homes with animals like horses, chickens, or even llamas.  

There are many online resources for anyone looking to get started housesitting, as well as a supportive global community. While taking care of someone’s home, you will feel more like a local than a tourist. The homeowners may introduce you to the neighbors and share their favorite restaurants and hangouts, which will quickly immerse you in the local culture and community. 

Housesitting is best for those with other sources of income. While it is possible to find positions that pay, most housesitting jobs offer free accommodation instead of a wage. As a result, it’s a good option for digital nomads, remote workers, slow travelers, retirees, and professionals on sabbatical. Housesitting is also an excellent choice for individuals who are considering moving abroad and want to see if a particular place is a good fit. 

How to Get a Housesitting gig:

There are so many housesitting websites. A google search will bring up those that are most current. Try Trusted House Sitters to start.

Work-trade on organic farms around the world.

WWOOFing, short for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is one of the most popular ways to volunteer abroad. In exchange for room and board, WWOOFers typically work 4-6 hours a day on different farms, including vineyards, dairy farms, and apiaries. Duties include assisting with daily tasks such as caring for animals, weeding, picking vegetables, or making cheese. 

The workload, requirements, and overall experience vary significantly from one host to the next. All of the positions require manual labor, so you should be prepared to work hard outdoors regardless of where you end up. While no specific experience is needed, it helps if you have some background in agriculture or farming. Most countries require WWOOFers to be 18 years or older, but there are some exceptions.

The amount of time you work on each farm is up to you and your host. Generally, volunteers work for about 2-3 weeks, but in some cases will stay as long as 6 months. Positions are available in more than 50 countries and attract a diverse group of people. As a WWOOFer, you’ll meet volunteers from around the world, gain practical farming skills, and learn about sustainable agriculture in varied environments.

As a whole, WWOOFing is a unique way to travel cheaply, enjoy nature, live sustainably, and experience the local rural culture. 

How to Get a WWOOF gig:

Sign up for WWOOF (link is to the USA site), which costs around $40/year for a single account or $65 for a double.

Then create a profile and search and contact hosts.

58. Workaway

Work-exchange ~20 hrs/week with locals around the world in exchange for room & board.

I’m not being hyperbolic when I say Workaway may be the ultimate way to see the world.

These unpaid work-exchanges go like this: you give about 20 hours of your week to help your host with some job you’ve agreed on, and in exchange you receive free room and board for the duration of your stay.

That’s the basic principle. The real benefit beyond not paying for a hostel or eating out is the cultural exchange and the absolutely incredible opportunities for adventure. I’m not quite sure how to capture the allure of what Workaway has to offer without just giving you a sample of the available experiences:

• Join a family on a sailboat in an around-the-world trip and cook the meals
• Help build a treehouse on a honeybee farm in Japan
• Teach computer skills and build a playground for a forest school in Vietnam
• Rehabilitate puppies at an animal rescue shelter in St Lucia
• Guide guests at an ecolodge in Madagascar

There are opportunities for any sort of work you can think of, from child care, guest service, and language exchange to art, carpentry, gardening, and computer skills.

It’s so much better than a vacation because you’re living right with the locals and can learn about a new culture, and make a new “family” in each place you go. Nothing else can match that, and the feeling of having a way to contribute to your new community right from the get go. You could set up an entire round-the-world trip through workaway and only ever pay for transportation logistics.

How to Get a Workaway Gig:

Sign up for an account on Workaway .info . It costs about $45 per year but the quantity of amazing opportunities is almost unbelievable. You can browse the hosts without paying but won’t be able to contact them.

You’ll need to set up your profile, choose hosts, and reach out to them to set up each individual work exchange. Make sure your hosts have very positive reviews so that you stay safe in a new place. You can also link accounts with a buddy if you’ll be traveling with a friend or partner. Each of you will be required to have your own account.

59. Yoga, Meditation, & Spirituality

Lead classes and workshops in mind, body, and spiritual arts.

Yoga, meditation, and spirituality centers worldwide hire volunteers to teach classes and guide guests on their spiritual journeys. Although many positions are unpaid, they offer the chance to spend time in a very tranquil setting and help others on their paths to self-realization. 

These studios and retreat centers are usually located in scenic and peaceful locations, making this an excellent choice for anyone looking to relax in nature. The time commitment will depend on your contract. You’ll rarely work more than 30 hours a week, leaving plenty of time to explore the area. You could even combine this kind of position with an online job that pays. 

Getting a job as a teacher generally requires a background or certification in yoga instruction, meditation, or spiritual teachings. Some studios and centers also hire general volunteers who help with cooking and serving food, cleaning, grocery shopping, and gardening. 

Volunteering is a great way to connect with and learn from other yoga and meditation practitioners and offers enormous potential for personal growth. Most people will share a room with at least one other volunteer, but some positions offer teachers private rooms in exchange for their services. 

How to Get a Yoga, Meditation, or Spirituality Gig:

The Workaway website is a good way to find work-exchanges in the spiritual and movement arts. Paid positions with housing are much rarer and require clever online searching, though some can occasionally be found on Yoga Trade .

60. Fire Lookout

Watch for smoke and wildfires from a lookout station.

If you love the wilderness, are physically fit, and don’t mind being isolated, then working as a fire lookout could be a unique and rewarding travel job that also has a positive environmental impact.

A fire lookout is just what the name suggests: keeping a close eye on the forest for signs of smoke and fire, from a lookout perch in the wilderness. Catching a fire early is important in preventing wildfires before they become dangerous.

The US used to have more than 10,000 people working as fire lookouts, but that number has declined due to advancements in technology. There are only around 300 fire towers in the US today that are still manned, so getting one of these travel jobs is likely to be challenging. However, as wildfires become more frequent and widespread in the US and many other parts of the world, demand for fire lookouts is expected to grow in the coming years. 

The job requires excellent communication, attention to detail, and critical thinking skills. Many employers prefer at least an associate’s degree, with some requiring more advanced education. Prospective lookouts are more likely to be hired if they have experience in forestry or have worked as field technicians. 

Fire lookouts typically work for government organizations, such as the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service. Many of the positions are reserved for volunteers only and include lodging and a small stipend. 

How to Get a Fire Lookout Job:

Many of the few remaining fire lookout jobs are volunteer based. Most are in the US, Canada, and Australia. You’ll need to apply well in advance of fire season. The jobs are challenging to find.

Here are some tips from a professional fire lookout on Reddit .

My Top Travel Job Search Tips :

• Search for travel jobs by location on a map
• Use a location keyword in your own google searches, plus jobs with employee housing, ie “alaska resort jobs with employee housing”
• Use these sites to find hundreds of travel jobs, volunteer positions, and free ways to stay
• When in doubt, search google as if you’re a traveling tourist and not a travel job seeker. Find a company you like and then look for its employment page.
• If none of the jobs you are finding include housing, look in more remote locations. Search for wilderness lodges, islands (not only tropical!), retreat centers, jungles, mountains, and the like.

About the author

Best Travel Jobs – Ideas for Your Future Career

Written By: The Planet D

Digital Nomads

Updated On: February 9, 2024

Dave and I spent years searching for fulfilling careers that filled our souls with joy. But it wasn’t easy. We split our time between working in the film industry and taking time off to travel the world. We brainstormed a ton of ideas for travel jobs that suited our lifestyle from becoming scuba diving instructors to leading bicycle tours.

We knew that travel was what we wanted to be in for the rest of our lives, but how do we choose the best travel job that actually pays a salary?

Table of Contents

Travel Jobs to Help you See the World

With working environments changing and remote living becoming more appealing, people are looking to live and work abroad. If you are thinking about making a change, we’ve compiled a list of the best travel jobs to spark new ideas for your career.

I know that whenever Dave and I left to go traveling, we always came home to positive changes. When you open your heart to something new, the universe rewards you with ideas and opportunities to fill that space. So, let’s take a look at the best travel jobs to make some money and change your life. Read: How we make money in travel at Get Paid to Travel

Things to Consider When Working Overseas

When looking to make money while traveling keep in mind that you may need a working visa. There are different types of working visas. You may want to consider a working holiday visa. It allows travelers to employment and a residence permit in the country issuing the visa to supplement their travels. The catch for this one is it is usually set aside for young travelers ages 18 to 30 or 35.

Best Jobs that Allow You to Travel

Things have come a long way since we started searching for how to make money traveling in 2003. Jobs now allow people to work remotely, everyone is connected and society has accepted the “location independent” way of thinking. No, people can live anywhere in the world. Some of the best jobs involve travel and pay well!

The opportunities are endless. We not saying to quit your job today and start one of these careers in travel, but it doesn’t hurt to starting the search for jobs for travel and planning today for a more exciting life tomorrow! Read: How to Live a Life of Travel: Tips to Getting Started

The best jobs for travel fall into different categories, there are jobs that pay you to travel, jobs where you work from wherever you want remotely ( digital nomad jobs), jobs in the travel industry, and jobs that support your travels as you travel the world. There are many ways to make money.

Looking to become location independent? Check out these other ways to get paid to travel

• 21 Ways to Get Paid to Travel
• How to Start a Travel Blog in 11 Easy Steps
• How to Be a Professional Travel Blogger – 12 Steps to Financial Freedom
• How to Travel Around the World – The Ultimate Travel Resource
• Best Travel Tips From 20 Years Traveling the World

Network Network Network

One of the best ways to find a job in travel is to network with like-minded people. Places like Travel Massive , TBEX , (Travel Blog Exchange) Travel Writer’s Exchange , The Blogger Collective and Nomadic Network are great places to discuss ideas, find work and meet well traveled individuals that are already working in travel.

There are several travel boards to find freelance travel gigs out there as well. They include UpWork, Problogger, FlexJobs, and Fiverr to name a few.

Digital Nomad Jobs

Digital Nomads jobs are fast becoming the best careers in travel since you can work from home or work anywhere you want in the world. Sometimes it requires little experience. If you have a good internet connection and often times a dream and are willing to put in the hard work, you can succeed as a digital nomad. Plus, many companies are allowing people to work remotely which is opening the door to working abroad.

Travel Blogging

We are partial to travel blogging since it is the career we chose to travel the world and it is still an amazing way to make money while traveling. We thought this travel job was dying a couple of years ago. Between the pandemic and the onslaught of influencers, was there a future in travel blogging? Now that things are back to normal, we make most of our money blogging. (Yes more than through social media campaigns

• 14 Ways to Promote Your Travel Blog – Tips to Finding Traffic

Salary: For new bloggers, realistically be prepared to make about $3 – 5k after a year or so of very hard work. Start your travel blog right now while you are working a full-time job. (That’s what we did) It takes time to grow your expertise, but once you do, the sky is the limit. Solid travel bloggers make $1000 – $3000 per month and Top-tier travel bloggers make $20k – $60k per month. (and beyond!)

Teach English Online

Did you know that you don’t have to teach English as a second language from a classroom? Online teaching platforms have made remote work more accessible than ever. And today online English teachers are in high demand as many people are studying from home.

If you’re a native English speaker consider becoming an online English teacher. Finding a teaching job online is easy and doable no matter what your expertise is in. If you don’t have a degree, don’t worry.  It’s still possible to land the perfect online teaching job. We have an entire article about how to teach English online here: How to Teach English Online Without a Degree

Salary : As an online english teacher, you can expect to earn anywhere from $12 USD to $24 USD per hour ($480 – $1440 USD per month) with regular bonuses and exciting pay incentives. If you are living and working from somewhere like Southeast Asia, that money can go a long way.

Another great way to live independently is to make money with your YouTube channel. This doesn’t happen overnight, but if you have editing skills and can create videos it can be a great career.

Having a youtube channel is more than just making money from ads, you can get brand deals, have people pay you to create videos, or get hired to promote destinations. Read: 15 Best Travel Vloggers on YouTube to Follow

We don’t have a huge Youtube following with 50k subscribers, but we make $1500 Canadian per month on Youtube. Imagine what the huge and dedicated Youtubers make!

Video Editor

If you don’t want the hassle of having to build a youtube following, you can offer services to edit videos for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. We have paid people to edit videos and regularly get offers from others to edit our videos for a fee. This can be very lucrative as companies, bloggers, and even YouTubers hire editors to help them with their videos. You don’t need a formal education to become a video editor, but you should be fluent in Final Cut ProX or Adobe Premiere Pro.

We are bloggers first, but Dave and I are often hired as influencers on social media. If you have a large following on Instagram or Tik Tock, you can make a lucrative career in travel. Many people hire Instagram influencers to help promote a destination, brand, or company. If you have the skills and following you can make money as an influencer. No experience is required for this travel job, but it does take a lot of hard work and a bit of luck.

Graphic Design and Website Management

Our friends Dana and Rose work from anywhere they want with their lucrative graphic design business. They recently moved from the United States to Canada keeping all their US clients while working from their new home.

If you have graphic design skills, you can earn a great living while living abroad. We’ve spent thousands of dollars on a web developer to help us design previous websites. (Dave designed our latest at no cost) and you can earn too!

Freelance Writer

Believe it or not, freelance writers are still in demand. Even Dave and I pay writers to write for us! You don’t have to simply write for magazines or newspapers either. Get your resume on places like UpWork to let people know you are available for copywriting, newsletter writing, and formatting.

Hone those skills with WordPress and other writing tools and then start networking. It’s not only Conde Nast and National Geographic that are looking for writers, there are tons of people looking for skilled writers to ease their workload.

A great place to put your name in for freelance writing is UpWork, ProBlogger, and Freelancer . Plus you can check the writing guidelines of your favourite outlets to see what they require. Make sure to create a solid pitch, and to know their editorial schedule and ale sire the content is unique but fits within their writing guidelines.

Virtual Assistant

A Virtual Assistant is an excellent job for traveling. You don’t need to be in the same place as your boss or clients. IF you have access to zoom, a good internet connection, and email, you can work from anywhere. Virtual assistants take care of all sorts of tasks from formatting articles, answering emails, and helping with social media

Make sure you have a strong base with computers, blogging, and social media, and then get your name out there as a virtual assistant to start your exciting travel job! Good places to look for virtual assistant jobs: UpWork , LinkedIn and Indeed . people are always scouring the job boards there. Virtual assistants in Canada usually start at $25 per hour.

Website Technical Support

If you have an IT and tech background, you can travel the world and work from anywhere. Most website businesses have technical support that they pay a monthly retainer as well. We do as well! They look after updates, and the back-end issues of our website and they can work from anywhere.

As long as you have an internet connection and of course a lot of knowledge about coding, being in the IT and technical fields can be one of the best travel jobs out there. You definitely need experience and to know your way around the back end of a website . This is people’s livelyhoods you have in your hands and you don’t want to mess something up.

Web Developer

A web developer is one of the best jobs for digital nomads. Everyone needs help with their website. If you are good with coding, and fluent in html and java script this can be a very lucrative career. Web developers design websites, help with coding problems, help to fix websites and maintain effiencency of websites.

We have a back-end person on retainer to help us anytime we need help with our website. When all is going well, it is a passive income for him but we know that when we need his help, he’s there for us.

Travel Photographer

We know so many amazing travel photographers and they have many different streams of income. From selling images to magazines and newspapers, to selling stock photography. These are two great ways to supplement your photography income but the most lucrative way travel photographers make money is by running photography tours and hosting photography workshops.

Plus, if you have a strong Instagram or TikTok account, you can get hired as an influential photographer to help promote brands and destinations. No experience is needed, but you should build your portfolio, get out shooting regularly and be able to take photographs with a proper DSLR camera. Phone images are great, but they aren’t considered professional.

Expat Jobs are different than Digital Nomad careers, these are jobs that require travel. They will take you to another country where you will spend some time in one destination. There are some ideas for the best jobs that require travel.

Teach English Abroad

teaching English abroad in 2021. TEFL ( Teach English as a Foreign Language)  is a great way to kick start your travels. TEFL ( Teach English as a Foreign Language) is one of the most popular travel jobs out there. To teach English abroad, you need to do take a TEFL course and become TEFL-certified.

Once you’ve done a TEFL course there are lots of online travel job boards where you can find a TEFL job to suit you. Read our entire post here: Fancy Teaching English Abroad – Consider TEFL

Salary for teaching English abroad: $1500 – $5000 per month. Salaries for teaching English abroad have a high range. If you have a degree, you will make more than someone without a degree. Depending on the country you are teaching in you will also make more money. Places like the UAE and Japan pay more than places in Europe or Southeast Asia.

Hospitality – Hotel and Resort Front Desk or Manager

This job is best if you have a degree or education in hospitality or tourism. International hotels are always looking for international staff. We love walking into a hotel in Japan or China and being greeted by an array of international employees.

Some of the most common travel jobs where foreign managers are hired in hospitality are hotel managers, chefs, and sales managers. For a well paying job in hospitality, you should have a degree.

Becoming a chef is a lot of work, but once you have put in the hours it opens up a world of possibilities. We recently ate at the French Ambassador’s house in Toronto and the chef used is from France. He has set up shop in Toronto for the past eight years but listed off all the places that he has lived and worked.

He definitely lives life to the fullest using his chef background to work abroad. Becoming a chef isn’t easy, but once you go through all the training and apprenticeships you will have an amazing career in travel and hospitality. Read: Why I Travel for Food And So Should You

Travel Nursing

If you are a nurse, you are in high demand. My brother and sister in law lived in America for nearly a decade as my sis-in-law Heather worked as a nurse. If yo have the skills you’ll be able to get a job working in the medical field. Places in the middle east even pay higher wages than north America. It’s a great way to immerse in the local community. You can check out all you need to know at Travel Nursing Abroad.

Health and well-being have never been so important and becoming a yoga teacher is an amazing travel job. We’ve even considered becoming a certified yoga instructor for you future career. There are yoga retreats around the world that need qualified instructors, but most resorts that we go to always offer yoga classes as well. We’ve had yoga classes in our condo in downtown Toronto too.

Think outside the box if you are an instructor. You can approach condos, hostels and gyms when traveling to see if they want to offer yoga classes. Cruise ships, holiday resorts and retreats all need yoga instructors as well. You will need complete a yoga training course to become a registered yoga instructor. Read more: The Best International Yoga Retreats

Massage Therapist

We have a massage nearly everywhere we go and massage therapists are in demand. Be it at a resort, on a cruise ship, or at a retreat, you can guarantee that getting a premium massage will be in demand.

Make sure you are a certified instructor and then start browsing the Internet for jobs. Imagine working at the Four Seasons in places like Maui or in Kenya. Wouldn’t that be a dream job? There are different qualifications for different countries, you can see how to become a massage therapist here.

If you love kids, being in Au Pair is a great way to travel to a different part of the world for work. An Au Pair’s job is to live with and take care of a family’s children while helping with the cooking and cleaning.

It’s a great way to immerse in the culture of a destination, but make sure you have experience working in Childcare. Au Pair World is a good place to find Au Pair placements.

Non-governmental organizations are one of the top expat jobs we come across when traveling. NGOs play an important role in overseas work helping to improve communities while working in advocacy, environmental and human rights work. NGO workers gain valuable life and work experience.

You can start off volunteering for an NGO to create contacts and experience. Even though NGOs are considered non profit organizations, they run with huge budgets and salaries can range greatly. NGOs work just like other businesses with a variety of employment opportunities from accountants to public relations and business development.

If you have the skills and preferably a Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree, you can find a position in an NGO organization. A good way to gain experience is as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Transitions Abroad is a good resource for how to get work as an NGO Worker.

Travel Industry Jobs

Scuba Instructor or Dive Master

Becoming a Scuba Diving Instructor was our first idea for our future travel jobs. We went all the way to Honduras to take our divemasters and were committed to seeing the world. Circumstances changed though and we never did become dive instructors, but we always thought being a Dive Master or diving instructor would be a great way to travel the world. Diving instructors and Divemasters are in high demand in resort destinations. You need to become a certified scuba diving instructor to teach diving, but you can lead dives if you are a Dive Master.

Work on a Cruise Ship

Cruise ship workers have awesome lives. I have done this and it is an amazing job! I was a singer on a cruise ship and it was while doing this job that my wanderlust was sparked. You don’t have to be the entertainment on a cruise ship either. There are countless jobs on cruises that people can do. Casino dealers make good money, activity specialist, chef, tour leaders, cleaning, pool staff…the possibilities are endless.

Take things to another level and work on a private yacht. Our friend Bobby did this and he has some amazing stories to tell. If you have experience sailing, you can get a lucrative position on a yacht. If you don’t, you can dip your feet into it by becoming a deckhand, cook, or cleaning staff. Check out CrewSeekers to find a yachting position.

Helicopter and Airline Pilots

When thinking of becoming a pilot, you don’t have to only consider working for the big airlines flying jets. Although that is awesome! If you get your pilot’s license the possibilities are endless.

We’ve taken scenic flights around the world with helicopter pilots and in scenic planes from ex-pat airline pilots. We have a friend who is a water bomber for forest fires and spends his time in hot zones fighting fires. He has been talking about working for smaller airlines in the Maldives taking tourists to private islands. Obvious qualifications here. You need a pilot’s license.

Hot Air Balloon Pilot

One of the more interesting jobs that involve travel is become a hot air balloon pilot. Dave and I have taken hot air balloon rides on 6 continents and it seems that most pilots are expats or travelers from other countries when we fly. Our pilot in Kenya was from South Korea and other pilots have been everywhere from England to Scandinavia. Think outside the box and you could spend your time flying anywhere in world.

This is a cool outside-the-box thinking to make money while traveling. Sure everyone thinks of pilots of airplanes, but what about hot air balloons? They are in demand all over the world. Read: Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon: How to Choose the Right Company

Flight Attendant

Becoming a flight attendant is an obvious choice for jobs that allow you to travel. How can we not include flight attendents in a post about how to make money while traveling the world. This is pretty self-explanatory. We have friends who are flight attendants and they are the most well-traveled people we know! Plus, with the Flight Attendent Series starring Katie Cuoko, me thinks it is becoming a popular way to allow you to travel.

One of the best ways to money while traveling is to get to work as a tour guide. Places like Intrepid Travel, GoAhead Tours , and many more hire people to sell tours and that can turn into leading tours around the world.

If you want to get some experience, become a local tour guide in your home town. Places like GetYourGuide, Viator, and Tours by Locals need local guides to take people around on day tours. With that experience, you can branch out to find travel jobs around the world

Travel Agent

It may feel like the job of a travel agent is dead with everyone booking online these days but with the changes that have happened over the past couple of years, people are looking for certainty. Becoming a travel agent is still a relevant choice in the travel industry, you just have to be more creative and hustle harder. We have friends who do well as travel agents but they are not working as one in a traditional way.

Booking group tours, wellness, culinary tours, and unique vacations are ways to stand out from other travel agents. Luxury travelers still use travel agents as they don’t want to go through the hassle and travel agents have insight and information that independent travelers might not have.

Travel agents have opportunities to travel as well. They are often invited on FAM trips (familiarization tours). FAM Trips allow you to travel to destinations and properties. There are stipulations to be able to sell vacations and tours, so make sure you have the correct credentials and insurance. Aya Life

Running Your Own Tours

One way that many people are turning their travel blogs into other viable travel options is to run their own tours. In a sense it is a travel agent but you are using your brand as the face of the tour.

We have met people in Turkey who were backpacking through the country and now lead tours through Istanbul as a local. If you have set up shop in a country or destination, you could start running culinary tours, and local guiding tours on your own. There of course are visas and stipulations to think about but it can be done.

Backpacker Jobs

If you have skills, you can be a bartender anywhere in the world. Many a backpacker has toured the world while being a traveling bartender. It’s a great way to meet people and supplement your travels. If you are staying in one place for a while, hit the pavement to see if they need an extra hand.

Front of House

We’ve checked into many a hostel or guesthouse in Southeast Asia with a smiling Australian or American standing at the front desk to greet us. If you are sticking around a place for a while, check with the local guesthouse or backpacker hostel to see if they need some help. They have high turnover so can probably offer you short-term work from cleaning to checking people in.

Ski Instructor

For adventure lovers, one of the best traveling jobs is to become a ski instructor. A great way to see the world is to become a ski or snowboarding instructor. Spend a winter in the Rocky Mountains and then head to Australia or New Zealand to spend summer (their winter) down under. You can travel through the Alps or hit up the resorts in Asia. This is an excellent way to make money and see the world. These seasonal jobs may not pay a fortune, but they will take you around the world.

Or if you don’t like the cold, follow the warmth and be a surf instructor. Having skills like surfing or skiing let you choose jobs that allow you to travel anywhere.

Laborer and Seasonal Work

If you need to pick up some cash, consider looking into labor or seasonal work. These traveling jobs can be anything from swinging a hammer to cleaning and working on a farm. Farmers are always looking for laborers and when traveling you may want to look into doing farm work. This is particularly popular in places like New Zealand and Australia.

WWOOFing – Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms links travelers with organic farmers seeking a helping hand. You don’t get paid to travel, but Woofers help on the farm in exchange for free room and board. And you can work on farms,

Whitewater Rafting or Kayaking Guide

When we took our whitewater kayaking course in Canada, our guide was from Argentina. When we went whitewater rafting in Australia, our guide was Canadian! Whitewater rafting guides can work anywhere in the world using their skills and expertise to guide adrenaline junkies down class 5 rapids.

There are countless job opportunities for river guides. It is worth getting outdoors and learn a unique skill like this. Start off in your own country and then branch out from there, and you’ll have a career that will take you around the world. These jobs that allow you to travel are in high demand because they require skills. So get out there and start honing your adventure skills today!

Extreme Sports Guides

Speaking of adventure, are you into skydiving or paragliding? These are in-demand job opportunities that seek people to take travelers safely to the ground. We’ve flown tandem with expats all over the world. When in New Zealand, my paragliding pilot was from Switzerland. If you have the guts and the hours, you can have an amazing travel career.

Do you have skills that others can benefit from? Set your own fees and courses and start sharing that expertise for a price. Dave and I have always said that if we ever slow down on traveling, we’d get into consulting. We have a lot of expertise to share and could charge a pretty penny. But that will have to wait until our wanderlust fades away. (but really, will it ever?)

Drop shipping

Do you have a marketing background? You may want to look into something called Dropshipping. Dropshipping is where you sell goods to consumers online. You don’t need a storefront or to hold your own inventory. You sell the manufacturer’s products under your own brand. You can start a Shopify, Amazon, Etsy or eBay store. Dropshipping is a lot like affiliate marketing, but you brand your goods. We can’t say that we are experts in this, but it seems that people are making very lucrative careers out of DropShipping. Shopify has some great information about starting a dropshipping business.

I can claim that this is totally doable as a I was a singer on a cruise ship. I have also sang on contracts in Japan, Florida and across Canada. The bands that I have sang with in the past were from all around the world. You don’t have to be a rock star to go on tour, hotels, resorts and bars are always looking for entertainment. While some people mention busking as a choice for travel jobs there are far better ways to put your skills to work. Sing and play guitar at coffee houses and apply at bars. We have seen musical acts from all around the world at bars when traveling.

Airbnb Host

A lot of people use Airbnb to look for vacation rentals, but our friends Kristen and Siya made an amazing income that helped fund their trip to Costa Rica as they set up their new house. They made 10k per month month renting out their house. Now that is an amazing way to make money for travel. Plus, they are successful YouTubers, so they have two of the best jobs in the travel industry on earth!

Other Travel Jobs – Thinking Outside the Box

Daytrading – Can’t say that we know much about this, but our old pal Marcello has been day trading since we first started blogging. He told us all about it in 2012 when we met up with him in Montreal and he hasn’t stopped since! Day trading is risky, so we don’t recommend it, but there are people doing it.

Online Translation – If you are fluent in a second language, this is a high-demand travel job. Companies are always needing manuals, websites and courses translated into other languages. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people to see if they need a translation.

Discover More About Nomadic Living

• Discover Your Passion – How to Find Your Path to Success
• How to Make Money Blogging

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

You May Also Like

Most comprehensive Guide to Living As a Digital Nomad in the USA

How to Become a Digital Nomad – Tips for Getting Started

Fancy Teaching English Abroad – Consider TEFL

About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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24 Best Travel Jobs to Make Money Traveling the World (2024)

Where have you always wanted to go? 

Perhaps Egypt? How about Peru? Or maybe Paris? Wherever it is, jobs that allow you to travel can take you there.

But which travel jobs are best for you?

If you’re wondering how to travel and work abroad, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explore 24 jobs for people who like to travel.

But first, let’s take a quick look at four types of travel jobs.

4 types of travel jobs

There are many different ways to travel while working. All of the travel jobs listed in this article fall into one of the following categories:

Digital nomad jobs

Jobs that pay to travel

• Expats working and traveling abroad

Backpacker jobs

Some types of travel jobs require a high level of expertise, and some aren’t as flexible as others. However, they all give you the means to cover some (or all) of your travel expenses.

So, what’s the difference, and which one’s best for you?

1. Digital nomad jobs

Digital nomads are people who travel while working online. As a result, digital nomad jobs provide an enormous amount of flexibility and independence when traveling.

Examples of digital nomads include freelance developers, graphic designers, and dropshippers .

With this type of travel job, all you need is a reliable internet connection and a laptop. You can travel to the best digital nomad cities and work from coffee shops, hotels, or coworking spaces. The jobs are often fully remote.

2. Jobs that pay to travel

This type of job encompasses traditional travel jobs, typically in the hospitality and tourism industries.

Examples of jobs that pay to travel include cruise ship workers, flight attendants, and tour guides.

These jobs often dictate when and where you get to travel and often provide free accommodation. So while there’s less freedom than in digital nomad jobs, these jobs may be easier to get if you have prior experience working in hospitality.

3. Expats working and traveling abroad

The term “expat” stands for “expatriate.” It refers to people who are citizens of one country but decide to live and work in another country.

Examples of expat travel jobs include English teachers, au pairs, or government workers.

Expats might live in other countries for just a few months or years at a time. So, if you’d prefer to work outside your home country and sink your teeth into a new culture or language, this may be the dream job for you.

4. Backpacker jobs

Let me give it to you straight: Backpacker jobs are probably the least glamorous, requiring you to work long hours for a minimal wage. 

Examples include bartenders, hostel workers, and surfing instructors.

Still, this type of travel job has a lot of benefits. These entry-level travel jobs don’t usually require a computer or college degree. 

They also provide plenty of flexibility so you can travel at your own pace. Plus, finding local work while traveling is one of the best ways to meet interesting people and experience different cultures.

24 best travel jobs to make money while traveling the world 

Now that you understand the types of travel jobs available, let’s dive a bit deeper. Here are 24 of the best jobs for people who like to travel. 

Let’s start with jobs that you can do with just a laptop and an internet connection.

1. Web design/development

A common job for digital nomads is web design and development. To start, learn how to create a website . Or try searching for jobs on sites like GitHub Jobs and Upwork . 

These days, it’s possible to make money writing about virtually anything. Look for jobs on sites like FreelanceWriting , Blogging Pro , and Problogger .

3. Graphic design

Do you love graphic design? Why not turn your passion into a job that covers your travel costs? You can find graphic design traveling jobs on sites like Freelancer and Dribbble .

4. Travel blogger

Many people make money with travel blogging. However, it can take time to build a sustainable income from this source. To find out more, check out How to Start a Travel Blog .

5. Dropshipper

Dropshipping might just be the best job to travel the world. It’s a hands-off approach to selling physical products online. You manage your store and promote products to your target market . Then, your supplier will ship the products to customers on your behalf. To get started and gain experience, read How to Start a Dropshipping Business .

6. Online teaching/tutor

Teaching online is one of the best travel jobs, thanks to its low barrier to entry. If you’re a native English speaker and love to teach, you can be up and running in no time. To learn more, check out our full-length guide, Online Teaching: Everything You Need to Know .

7. Online translator

If you’re fluent in more than one language, consider becoming an online translator. This job makes it easy to travel while working. Plus, there are plenty of websites out there to help you find potential clients, such as  Translators Base .

8. Digital marketer

Countless businesses need help with digital marketing. Like many of the best travel jobs, digital marketing isn’t something you can learn in a week or two. However, there are plenty of free resources online to help you become a digital marketer and make big bucks while traveling! Get started with this article: Digital Marketing Made Simple: The Complete Beginner’s Guide .

9. Programmer

If you know how to code—or you would love to learn—you could travel the world while working as a computer programmer. There are plenty of websites out there that teach programming, such as Free Code Camp , Code.org , and Code Academy .

10. Virtual assistant

Many businesses and individuals hire people to help them with administrative tasks, like scheduling and responding to customer inquiries. These people are known as virtual assistants. To learn more, check out How to Become a  Virtual Assistant .

11. Customer service agent

Are you great with people? Do you have plenty of patience and a genuine desire to help? Tons of businesses hire remote customer service agents. To find customer service jobs, check out remote job boards like FlexJobs , JustRemote , and We Work Remotely .

Do you want to travel for a living? Here are some jobs with travel opportunities.

12. Yacht worker

This travel job almost sounds too good to be true. You can travel for a living on some rich person’s luxury yacht—you just have to earn your keep as a deckhand or steward! The yacht is like a free house because you don’t pay rent. Look for yacht travel jobs on sites like Yacrew and Bluewater .

13. Cruise ship worker

If you’d rather sail on a bigger ship, consider working on a cruise ship. This type of travel job provides plenty of work opportunities. For example, you can work as a waiter, bartender, cleaner, lifeguard, or musician. Try searching for jobs on websites like All Cruise Jobs , Indeed , and Cruise Job Finder .

14. Flight attendant

Working as a flight attendant provides plenty of opportunities to travel different countries, with airline and hotel discounts to boot! However, the hours can be long, and jet lag is a common occurrence. You can find flight attendant opportunities on Indeed and  AirlineCareer .

15. Photographer

Photography could be your round-the-world ticket. It’s not easy to turn this hobby into a career, but many people achieve it every year. Make sure to specialize in a niche geared for travel, such as destination weddings or travel photography. To learn more, check out this guide on How to Start a Photography Business .

If you want to immerse yourself in a different culture, consider living abroad long term with these travel jobs.

16. English teacher

To become an English teacher, it’s likely you’ll need a TEFL (teach English as a foreign language) certification. Find out more on TEFL’s website or look for jobs on Go Overseas .

17. Scuba diving instructor

Do you love scuba diving? If you get qualified, you could teach scuba diving all over the world, from India to Iceland. To learn more, check out the Professional Association of Diving Instructors or look for jobs on Divezone and Go Abroad .

18. Au pair

Are you great with children? If so, why not become an au pair? Many families hire live-in babysitters from foreign countries because they want their children to grow up speaking a foreign language. You can search for au pair careers on Go Overseas , Go Abroad , and AuPairWorld .

19. Foreign service travel jobs

If you’re looking for a more serious travel career, consider working for the foreign service or an intergovernmental organization (IGO). These jobs are usually only open to people who have relevant degrees and experience. Here are some links to find out more for citizens of the United States , the United Kingdom , and Canada .

20. Peace corps/NGO work

If you want a unique and potentially life-changing trip, try volunteering with the Peace Corps or a non-governmental organization (NGO). The pay isn’t great, but these jobs can provide a rich travel experience.

Finally, let’s take a look at some entry-level travel jobs.

21. Hostel worker

Hostels often hire travelers for temporary positions in exchange for free food, accommodation, and sometimes a small wage. You could become a receptionist or housekeeper to make your travel dreams a reality. Visit sites like Hostel Jobs and HelpStay to find your first travel job as a hostel worker.

22. Bartender

Most countries have bars, clubs, and restaurants—and the work is pretty much the same wherever you are in the world. Still, it helps to speak the local language. Sites like HelpX and HelpStay are highly recommended for bartender work search.

23. Yoga/fitness instructor

If you have the experience, you could travel the world as a freelance yoga or fitness instructor. Many instructors find work with local gyms, hotels, and fitness studios. To find such travel jobs, visit Yoga Travel Jobs , Health and Fitness Travel , and Yoga Trade .

24. Ski instructor

If you’re a keen skier, you could fund your skiing adventures by working as an instructor. This travel job is similar to scuba instructing, but it can be easier to find short-term work. Some jobs involve training clients on ski resorts, which could be a fun way to explore new places while earning a living.

Start making money while traveling the world

If you want to start working and traveling, there are plenty of travel jobs out there. From digital nomad roles to entry-level positions, you have many ways to generate income. Consider getting a job that fits your experience, so you can excel and progress faster than people usually do.

In summary, here are 24 of the best travel jobs to make money while traveling the world:

• Website designer/developer
• Graphic designer
• Travel blogger
• Dropshipper
• Online teacher/tutor
• Online translator
• Digital marketer
• Virtual assistant
• Customer service agent
• Yacht worker
• Cruise ship worker
• Flight attendant
• Photographer
• English teacher
• Scuba diving instructor
• Foreign service travel jobs
• Peace Corps/NGO work
• Hostel worker
• Yoga/fitness instructor
• Ski instructor

What do you think is the best travel job? Have we missed any? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

Travel jobs FAQ

How do i get a job while traveling the world.

  Keep an eye on job boards and career websites where companies post travel-friendly jobs. These days, you can work as a digital nomad or do entry-level jobs in most countries worldwide while enjoying all they have to offer. 

What is the best job to have while traveling?

The best travel job for you is one that suits your experience and skills. If you’ve been working as a translator for a while, consider applying for online translation jobs. If you don’t have any prior work experience, you can consider entry-level positions such as hostel worker or bartender. 

Want to Learn More?

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23 of the Best Jobs for People Who Love to Travel

There is one thing about traveling that is unavoidable…. it costs money. So unless you have just won the lottery you will probably need to find work. The purpose of this article is to give you a good idea of our top 23 jobs that we think are the most suitable for travelers.

The rationale behind our choices is based on a few key elements:

Does the job require you to travel?

This seems like a good place to start but is not the clincher in what makes for a good travel job. Clearly the biggest benefit to jobs that meet these criteria is that the expense of traveling is generally covered by your employer.

Are the qualifications easily transferable?

There are some notable exceptions to this rule mainly being the Doctor or Nurse which may require extensive additional accreditation in some countries.

Are the skills in demand worldwide?

Sure I hear you saying that ANY job could be found anywhere in the world but we feel the 20 we have selected have a general need around the world.

As always we encourage your feedback and would love to hear which picks you either agree or disagree with. So without further adieu here are our selections (in no particular order).

What’s in this Guide

1. Airline Crew (Pilot/Flight Attendant) 2. Cruise Ship Workers 3. Tour Guide 4. Travel Agent 5. Travel Writer/Blogger/Influencer 6. English Teacher 7. Nanny/Au Pair 8. Charity/Conservation Worker 9. Diplomat 10. Geologist 11. Sailor/Navy 12. Missionary

13. Fitness/Yoga Instructor 14. Doctor/Nurse 15. Massage Therapist 16. Photographer 17. Rope Access 18. Busker/Street Performer 19. Artist 20. Chef/Bartender 21. Rideshare Driver 22. Foreign Translator 23. Diving Instructor

1. Airline Crew (Pilot/Flight Attendant)

A job as a flight attendant offers an opportunity to see many parts of the world with generous time to explore on your days off. On the downside it’s not all fun and games – you will need to clean filthy toilets and deal with rowdy or sick passengers. Although the job may seem like it is purely customer service related, the safety and security training that flight attendants go through is just as important.

If you are looking for a job related to travel,  being a flight attendant  can be a great option. It is a job that is not just interesting but also rewarding, as it allows you to see the world while doing something you enjoy.

As a flight attendant, your duties will vary depending on the type of plane company you work for. For example, if you work for an international airline, you might need to speak a few foreign languages and have a college degree in hospitality or tourism. However, if you work for a regional airline, you might not need as many qualifications.

Being a flight attendant can be a fun job, and it allows you to meet a lot of interesting people. Also, it is an excellent opportunity to see different places without having to worry about accommodation and other expenses.

A position that carries some of the highest esteem in the travel world is that of a commercial airline pilot. The training is tough as is the competition for jobs but the reward is worth it. The pay is excellent as are the benefits.

2. Cruise Ship Worker

If you want to see the world then you should really consider getting a job on a cruise ship . The cruising industry has seen monumental growth recently and with cruise companies building bigger and bigger cruise liners there are many opportunities for work if you know where to look.

If you are interested in getting work on a cruise ship we highly recommend checking out  Wandering Earl’s Guide to Getting a Job On Board a Cruise Ship . This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about how to land yourself a cruising job.

Roles ranging from DJs, dance instructors, child caregivers, hosts and hostesses,  lifeguards, swim instructors, tour leaders, doctors and nurses, spa technicians, hair stylists, cleaning staff, engineers, chefs, and food servers all are in demand on a cruise ship.

The pay can vary but you need to bear in mind that you won’t be spending much while you are on board as most expenses are covered.

3. Tour Guide

Tour guiding jobs are generally a lot easier to come by if you already know a location well and have good social skills. It helps if you can speak more than one language and have worked in a customer service-related environment.

Becoming a tour guide allows you to meet interesting people from different places and show them around your city. If you live in a more exotic place like Tanzania, giving  tips for climbing Kilimanjaro  while explaining the history of the city’s market can be an enriching experience, both personally and professionally. It is also a great way to make extra money, as many guides in big cities can earn  around $20/hour  or more.

You can become a professional tour guide if you take a certification course. It can be an excellent way to make money while traveling, even if you have no previous experience.

Although tour guides often specialize in one or a few places, you can work as a general tour guide, offering your services to anyone interested in hiring you. This way, you get to be flexible with your schedule and choose the type of tours you want to give based on your interests.

Some countries have strict regulations on hiring local tour guides but you may still be able to act as a tour escort through these countries.

4. Travel Agent

One of the most recognized travel jobs out there but is a travel agent all that you read about? I can tell you from first-hand experience that the travel industry has seen a massive shift in the last 10 years. When I started out as a travel agent it was common to get familiarization trips and the travel perks were pretty darn awesome.

Unfortunately, the travel supplier’s budgets have all but dried up these days. On the positive side, however, you get to talk about incredible destinations all day long and share your passion for travel with others. Not to mention sharing all your stories with people who are willing to listen.

5. Travel Writer/Blogger/Influencer

If you are the creative type and know how to string a sentence together (with decent spelling and grammar) you may well be suited to this role. The pros are pretty obvious – you get to work from anywhere and on your own clock. You will need to be aware of the cons though – you will need to build a decent reputation before you will see any financial reward and even then the pay will generally be sporadic.

Although the influencer world is now full of people who get a ton of cash for promoting a product or a service, it doesn’t mean that there is no way for you to enter the market. If you are a keen traveler and have some followers on social media platforms, you should get a promotion deal with a travel agency or tour provider. Of course, the more followers you have and the more popular you are, the better your chances to land a deal.

Alternatively, you can start a travel blog or vlog and get sponsors for your content later. As you report on your journeys, you will gain more readers and followers interested in your travel stories. This way, you can promote a product or a place so that you can earn some money while traveling.

It is possible to achieve enough income to sustain your travels, but I wouldn’t go into it expecting to make a million $s. If you are looking for a great course to help you get started, check out –  Superstar Blogging  by Nomadic Matt.

6. English Teacher

English is the world’s most common language for communication thus producing a need for teachers in countries where English is not the native language. English teaching jobs are very easy to find in many parts of the world. It helps to have a college/ university degree, but these qualifications aren’t mandatory.

The most recognized accreditation is the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) program. The compensation varies greatly between countries (depending on the cost of living and other factors), but in larger cities, you could earn as much as or more than a teacher in the U.S.

The best way to do this is to find a job in an English school or language center. However, you can also teach English to private students after you have gathered some experience and built up your reputation.

If you would like to learn more about how to get started teaching English overseas check out our guide  Teaching English Abroad .

7. Nanny/Au Pair

Nanny or Au Pair positions often don’t require an extensive background in childcare but it is always a plus if you have these qualifications. This can be a great way to see the world as you will be living with a local family and taking care of their children (and often house duties also). In addition to your salary and board, travel expenses are usually covered as well.

8. Charity/Conservation Worker

While the pay may be horrible, the pure joy of work will make up for it. If you are looking for a job that will fill your heart then this could be for you. Knowing that you are making a difference and having a positive effect on people’s lives…. I don’t know of anything more rewarding than that.

Read more on our  volunteering guide .

9. Diplomat

A diplomat is someone who is appointed by a nation-state to represent and protect that nation’s interests abroad. Diplomats are heavily involved in negotiations, therefore you must be able to recognize where you can compromise, but also stand firm on matters where there is no space for negotiation. Above all, diplomats must promote positive and peaceful relations between their home government and the government of the country in which they are posted.

10. Geologist

The resource sector has seen steady growth now for many years and the need for exploration is still very high. You will need to get a degree for this job but once you are qualified the opportunities to travel are enormous.

The more common areas of exploration exist in South America, Australia, Indonesia, and Africa but the options are limitless.

11. Sailor/Navy

If you have sea legs then becoming a sailor might be up your alley. Traveling from port to port across the open seas is an excellent way to experience what the world has to offer (if you don’t get seasick first).

With a little training, it isn’t that difficult to snag a job as a crew member on a yacht or you could apply to serve your country and enlist in the Navy. Not only will you get on-the-job training but quite often your tertiary education is also taken care of while you are at sea.

12. Missionary

Missionaries are people from one culture who travel to another culture to share their religious beliefs. Most missionaries work through a formal mission organization. Domestic and global mission assignments range from a few days to several years. Some missionaries are volunteers, while others do mission work as a paid profession. Many missionaries solicit donations to cover their expenses.

Missionaries engage in a task that brings them into contact with the local people. Examples include teaching, building a school, providing medical care, or leading a local religious organization.

13. Fitness/Yoga Instructor

Yoga instructors are in demand. The rapid increase of interest in Yoga and Pilates, however, has led to under-trained instructors.

Fitness centers and private studios are looking for instructors to handle the increasing number of students who are looking for a gentle way to improve their health with a balanced, low-impact, full-body workout.

14. Doctor/Nurse

If you are interested in working in the medical field and want to travel, being a nurse is an attractive option. As a nurse, your duties will vary depending on your place of work and your specialty. For instance, you can work in an inpatient clinic, which means you will mainly care for patients staying in the hospital. Alternatively, you could choose to work in an outpatient clinic, where patients come to have their conditions diagnosed or monitored.

Registered nurses and doctors are often needed to take short-term positions lasting from three months to one year in medical facilities all over the world. There is a huge shortfall in trained medical staff, particularly in regional areas and developing countries. The only downside is that you may be required to sit an additional exam whenever you relocate.

There are many reasons why being a travel nurse can be an excellent choice for you. It allows you to earn a decent salary, travel around, and visit many different places. Besides, it provides you with a lot of flexibility. If you are interested in exploring a career in nursing, becoming a travel nurse can be an excellent way to get some valuable experience applicable in any country.

15. Massage Therapist

Being a qualified massage therapist opens doors in many countries. It’s a skill that is in demand worldwide as people’s lives grow busier and more stressful. You will need to get certified and more than likely be required to join an association in the country you are practicing.

This is a good job to have due to the flexible hours, decent pay, and low barrier to entry. You can either work as an independent contractor or in the hospitality industry (hotel, spa, health retreat, etc.)

16. Photographer

“Have camera will travel” – like the travel writer it is pretty easy to get started as a photographer. The only issue again is gaining enough recognition to get paid for your photos. If you have a good eye and get some formal training you might be able to sell you pictures through a variety of stock image websites (eg.  istockphoto ,  getty images  and  shutterstock ), through your own website/ blog or by selling your images to media.

17. Rope Access

Jobs working in Industrial Rope Access onshore and offshore worldwide can achieve a lucrative career. There are many different types of specialties available such as: Painting and blasting, Non-Destructive Testing, Mechanical repairs, Pipework, Railways, Welding, and Rigging.

If you have no fear of heights and have a good level of fitness you can get started by taking an accreditation course with  IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) .

18. Busker/Street Performer

Street Performers such as musicians, impersonators, dancers, and other entertainers work in one of the least secure occupational fields. To make ends meet, many take to the sidewalks to perform for pedestrians and tourists in exchange for tips.

For talented performers, this can be quite lucrative if they position themselves in a high-traffic area. A great example of this is the “Bush Man” at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. He has taken the simple idea of hiding behind some bushes and scaring tourists as they walk by and turned it into a profitable business making upwards of $400 USD a day during peak times.

Most cities will require you to have a license to perform which is relatively simple to obtain.

Another creative job that has emerged to be a great way of paying the bills while traveling. If you have a talent for drawing, painting, or sculpture there is always someone willing to pay money for it. There as some notable examples of travelers making a great living sketching three-dimensional chalk images on the pavement, and using spray cans to create moonscapes while people watch (with loud music blasting in the background).

20. Chef/Bartender

Last but not least is another of the hospitality jobs out there. Chef jobs are in high demand, and as a chef, it is quite easy to walk into a cafe and offer your services when you arrive in a new city. Even if you can’t speak the language that well you can usually get by.

As for a bartender – what guy hasn’t seen the movie “Cocktail” and wanted to be in Tom Cruise’s shoes (before he became a douche). You will need to get an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) license in some countries and it is suggested that you do a mixing course beforehand.

21. Rideshare Driver

Ridesharing has become incredibly popular recently because of the convenience it offers. Instead of renting a car or finding a taxi, you can just use your mobile phone to get a ride.

While many drivers work for these companies full time, some work part-time — only when needed. It can be ideal for people who want to travel and earn money at the same time. You might have to work a few weekends or some evenings, but you can also have plenty of free time to do whatever you want. And if you wonder  how much do Lyft and Uber drivers make per ride , do not worry — the sum will be enough to sustain a comfortable life.

Of course, you can start your driving career back in your hometown, but it doesn’t mean you can’t go further and drive in another country. As long as you have a driver’s license applicable in that country and know the local rules, you can drive there and earn money while you travel. It is also a great way to meet people from different backgrounds and see how other cities are different from your own.

22. Foreign Translator

Translators work for local and foreign companies in every country. You can work for a translation agency or even freelance. Moreover, you can specialize in translating a particular type of content, like a website, a blog post, or even an entire book. You can also provide simultaneous translation during events, conferences, or simply when talking to someone from another country.

Translation companies usually operate under a remote-based model. So, if you're looking to have projects consistently but want to work remotely, they are the best option you can have. There are always available projects from a translation company , as they often hire freelance translators to translate documents for private and public institutions and have the skill to effectively capture the text's message.

Although it might not be the highest-paid job on this list, it can provide you with a lot of flexibility. You can work from home, in a coffee shop, or you can travel to different countries. Once you are abroad, you can translate for people on a business trip or tourists.

If you are bilingual or multilingual, becoming a translator is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and become more confident in speaking another language. The only downside is that you need to be fluent in at least one foreign language to do this job.

23. Diving Instructor

If you are good at scuba diving and want to travel while also earning a decent salary, becoming a diving instructor can be a great option. It is not a job available only in popular destinations like Thailand, Australia, and the Caribbean. You can also find work as a diving instructor pretty much anywhere in the world. It is a fantastic way to earn a good salary and travel around, exploring different areas and cities.

Diving instructors often teach scuba diving basics to tourists visiting the area for vacation. However, that doesn’t mean that it is a tedious job where you stand on the beach and make sure people don’t hit the reef or get into trouble underwater. You can also work as an instructor for professional divers and help them improve their skills. If you have always wanted to travel but are worried about not having a steady income, becoming a diving instructor can be a good solution.

So now it’s up to you. No more excuses for not getting out there are exploring the world. Don’t just wait for something to happen, make it happen.

Have we missed any jobs? Tell us in the comments if there are other jobs that we might have missed.

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30 Travel Jobs that You Should Know About

06/14/2022 by Emily Becker Leave a Comment

Now that the world is currently experiencing what experts are calling “the Great Resignation,” more and more people are contemplating quitting their 9-to-5 jobs to go explore the world. With so many incredible places on this planet to visit, can you blame them? Even before the pandemic, remote jobs were becoming increasingly common, only to be propelled forward once global lockdowns began. More people than ever are able to have completely remote careers doing exactly what they were doing before, or even switching their profession entirely.

In case you find yourself looking for a way to travel the world and work while you do it, here are 30 travel jobs that will give your wandering heart a bit of inspiration:

Table of Contents

Travel Jobs that Require Little to No Prior Experience

Whether you want to blog about your travel experiences while on the road or find a specific online niche, blogging is a great way to fund your travels, if you play your cards right. It might not be very lucrative at the beginning, while you’re still building your audience, but as time goes on, you can find more and more opportunities for making an income with your blog.

This, of course, requires some writing talent and insight into the kind of blogger you want to be and how you plan to make money doing it. If you’re sure about blogging about your travels, find out how to do it here.

2. Freelance writer

If you have a knack for it, you don’t necessarily need a full portfolio of perfectly polished articles to start freelance writing. You will need samples of your work, but you may be surprised at how little you need to get started.

If you’re serious about freelance writing, I recommend hopping on the Upwork train as soon as possible. When I was first starting out, I found the platform to be helpful for finding new clients. You may feel like you’re shouting into a void when you first start submitting proposals, but eventually you’ll get your groove and hopefully start landing some gigs.

3. Virtual assistant

As the labor market becomes more and more digitized, virtual assistants are valued more. Because of this shift, virtual assistants can make a great living while working from anywhere in the world. All you need to get started is a computer, an internet connection, and decent computer and communication skills, depending on the demands of the job.

If you have any extra skills, like coding, accounting, or social media expertise, you are even more qualified to be a virtual assistant. You can find positions on Upwork , Dynamite Jobs , and a variety of other platforms. Find out more about becoming a virtual assistant here .

4. Freelance travel photographer

If you have photography skills, a professional camera, and a willingness to learn more along the way, perhaps freelance travel photography is be for you. Whether you decide to work for travel photography companies or try your hand at selling stock photos online , you may be surprised at how lucrative it can actually be.

Curious about taking your own travel photos? Consider taking our Photomuse course to hone your skills.

5. Freelance graphic designer

You don’t have to study the profession at a university to get a remote job as a graphic designer. There are tons of courses on Skillshare , Udemy , Domestika , and other platforms on how to create digital art that sells. Once you learn how, you can easily open a profile on Fiverr or Upwork and start looking for clients. It takes time to build your business, but this is one that can become a full-time income after you’ve gained momentum and established yourself in the online space.

6. Travel YouTuber

These days it’s easier than ever to start a YouTube channel and get to pumping out content, another great option for creative travelers who love to document their trips. In order to make money on YouTube, though, you’ll have to build an audience and have plenty of patience. Sometimes creators are at it for years before they begin earning any substantial income from the platform. Once you create a name for yourself on YouTube, however, brand deals and other well-paying opportunities may come your way.

7. Volunteer

While volunteer programs don’t pay, they can still be a great way to travel on a budget . Some programs offer room and board in exchange for volunteer work, which means you can drastically cut your travel expenses. Plus, you can learn new skills, meet other travelers, and have fun doing it!

A fantastic option for volunteering abroad is signing up for Worldpackers , a platform that connects hosts with volunteers, offering a free place to stay and an immersive travel experience. I was a Worldpacker in the Mayan jungle for a week and had an incredible experience that was way better than I could have imagined.

If you’re considering a more professional, long-term volunteer experience, consider joining the Peace Corps . There’s a 27-month commitment and it’s certainly a huge life decision, but can present a whole host of opportunities for travel jobs abroad in the long run, like joining the foreign service or working for an international NGO once you finish your service. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Mozambique for two years, and the experience was both beautiful and challenging. It’s not for everybody, but if you’re down to completely immerse yourself in a new culture and get paid (modestly) to do it, the Peace Corps could be a great option.

8. Hostel worker (receptionist, bartender, etc.)

You would be surprised at how easy it is to convince a hostel owner to give you a job. It seems like hostels are always looking for help, both paid and unpaid. Some offer room and board in exchange for reception help, bartending, and other tasks. Worldpackers is a good platform to find these jobs, but you can also wait until you arrive at your destination and ask around. If you do this during peak tourist season, it may be harder to find these positions, because of the number of other travelers also keen for this opportunity.

You can also write to hostels on Instagram or via email before you arrive to see if they are looking for help. Try getting creative, as some places might even let you exchange something like a mural (see the photo above) for a free few nights.

9. Party promoter

If you’re an uber-social traveler and down to help a hostel, bar, or club promote their events, you might be able to make decent money as a party promoter. Sometimes places will require that you have a substantial social media following to consider you influential enough to help them attract more patrons, but it’s not always required.

Some marketing experience may be necessary to get a job as a party promoter , and some skills in the language at your chosen destination will most likely be required. A good place to start looking for such jobs is Stoked Travel , which hires country-specific party promoters and other professionals. Choose your destination wisely, and give it a shot!

10. Festival worker (event staff, food & beverage)

So you’ve already been to dozens of festivals and are in love with the atmosphere. Why not work at one and enjoy the huge perk of being paid to be there, plus getting in for free? Since festivals pop up all around the world, working at them can be a cool way to travel. From audiovisual technicians to graphic designers and everything in between, festival jobs are plentiful and varied. For some, you might need prior experience and/or an appropriate degree, but you may also be able to find less-skilled jobs in food and beverage service as well.

11. Cruise ship worker (tour manager, bartender, etc.)

Fancy the idea of getting paid to hop from one place to another on a cruise ship? Depending on your expertise, you can land a job on one in a variety of different roles. From housekeepers to photographers to IT help, cruise companies hire thousands of workers each year to staff their ships. There’s even a specific job board for these roles, which typically provide room and board on top of hourly pay.

12. Online English teacher

If you’ve got teaching experience and a willingness to work extremely early mornings, consider teaching English online with VIPKid, a very popular platform for online English teachers. The clientele are spread across Asia, hence the unconventional schedule (if you’re in the Americas). I worked for VIPKid for a short time pre-pandemic and found the hours challenging, but the students were great. A huge bonus for me was that there’s little to no lesson planning involved, as the company provides all lesson plans for you.

There are other companies out there, like LatinHire , looking for online English teachers, all with varying requirements. Some ask for a TEFL certification, while others don’t. Some require a minimum of 1-2 years of teaching experience instead, but there are others that are more flexible and just happy to have native English speakers.

13. In-person English teacher

Requirements to teach English in person at a school or organization will likely be much more demanding, although this depends on where you want to go. Most schools require a TEFL certificate, which is quite easy to get if you’re serious about becoming a certified teacher. Organizations, especially religious ones, tend to be more flexible about requirements, but either pay very little or not at all.

As a Peace Corps volunteer, I taught English (among other projects) and found it to be fun and challenging at the same time. Not everyone is cut out for teaching, but if you love interacting with students and don’t mind long hours and potentially rowdy classrooms, being an English teacher can be incredibly rewarding. Plus, with a TEFL certification, you can have your pick of countries, as the demand for English teachers is quite high worldwide, especially in Latin America and Asia.

14. Yoga teacher

To be a yoga teacher while you travel, you’ll first need to complete a teacher training and maybe have at least a little experience under your belt. If you’re charismatic and good at marketing yourself, you can really teach anywhere you’d like, as long as there are people who want to take yoga classes.

Some traveling yoga teachers look for studios in their chosen destination and ask for a time slot, while others simply find a private space and teach classes. You could even arrange to teach on the beach, if that’s your style.

15. Housesitter

You don’t need any experience to become a traveling housesitter. Websites like Trusted Housesitters allow members to connect with people who need a trustworthy person to stay in their house while they’re away. Sounds pretty simple, right? Some clients also have pets who need looking after, which they will indicate on the platform. These jobs don’t typically pay, but they are a great way to get free accommodation for very little actual work on your end. Clients may ask you to water their plants, collect their mail, or do some light housekeeping while they’re gone, but your main job is simply being there.

The coolest part about this is that people are looking for housesitters all around the world, meaning you can do it almost anywhere, saving a ton of money on accommodation as you move from place to place.

16. Affiliate marketer

Affiliate marketing is essentially when companies use third parties to promote their products and pay a commission to marketers for products purchased using their specific link. This form of passive income requires no experience at all, but you’ll need a bit of insight and possibly a sizable audience to be able to make money from it.

There are a lot of online courses out there that you can take if you’re a complete newbie to affiliate marketing. This one from Udemy covers how to become an affiliate marketer without having your own website.

17. Yacht sailing

Can you believe that you can actually get paid to sail on a yacht or boat? Fortunately for travelers looking for an adventurous way to earn a buck, you don’t need much experience to get hired as a shiphand. It’s physical labor, but can certainly pay off, as you’ll be drastically cutting your living expenses and possibly earning a decent salary as you sail.

If you’re willing to invest in a course to learn all about how to get hired to work on a yacht, consider this one from Super Yacht School , which breaks down how to do it and what the benefits are.

Travel Jobs that Require More Experience

If you’re a chef and want to take your skills on the road, there are ample opportunities to earn money while you travel. From becoming a personal chef for local families to making connections with restaurants, professional chefs are able to bring their lucrative skills with them wherever they go.

19. Artisan

If you make jewelry, art, or anything that you can sell on the road, you can live almost anywhere you please as long as people are willing to purchase your goods. This one is in the “more experience” category because you’ll definitely need some experience with the goods you’re making, but if you’re a quick learner and have a creative outlook, anybody can make and sell handmade goods.

Being an artisan on the road isn’t always lucrative, so consider selling your goods on Etsy in addition to in person. This may limit you to places where you have access to trustworthy shipping options, but these days it’s easier and easier to ship things around the world.

20. Online translator

This one, of course, requires that you know at least two languages. On freelancing websites like Upwork and Fiverr, it’s possible to find online translating jobs that allow you to work from anywhere. Most of them require some experience, and often you’ll have to take tests in both your native language and the target language.

Translation companies like Gengo are entirely online, which means you don’t have to sacrifice your travel dreams to be a professional translator.

21. Au pair

While being an au pair doesn’t require a lot of experience, getting a job as one is certainly much easier if you have at least five years of nannying experience. Nowadays the market for au pairs, especially in popular places in Europe like France and England , is much more competitive than it was a decade ago.

Families that are hiring typically look for women aged 18-30 with at least a year of experience taking care of children. Most will provide room and board in addition to modest pay. You can find au pair jobs on AuPair.com or the job board on GoOverseas .

22. Travel nurse

If you are thinking about becoming a nurse or are already working as one, there are travel opportunities for you, too. Traveling nurses work in different locations around the country and even abroad for 13- to 26-week stints. You can usually choose where you want to go, and most of the time the travel and living expenses are taken care of by the employer.

One of the coolest things about being a traveling nurse as opposed to a stationary nurse is that you’re typically paid more. Yep, paid more AND get to travel — sounds like living the dream to me!

23. Travel agent

This might be an obvious one, but travel agents are on top of their game as far as finding ways to make travel a priority. You’d typically need to have a few years of experience working for a travel company before setting out on your own and making your journeys into a full-time job. But because travel agents are experts on everything from finding flights to using credit card points for travel, you will earn experience by helping others travel.

24. Tour guide

There are many different types of tour guides out there, from walking tour guides to adventure guides, segway guides, etc. Each of these roles requires a different skill set, with varying degrees of experience necessary. To get a job as an international tour guide, for example, you will likely need a certification. There are many courses available to help you achieve this; Trip School has online courses to help you get started.

Whether you’re into trading cryptocurrency or day trading, you can make some serious money as a trader while working from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection. This can be a difficult role to dive into without any prior experience or knowledge of the stock market, but there are courses out there, like this day trading course from Bear Bull Traders .

26. Scuba diving instructor

To become a scuba diving instructor, there is certainly a rigorous process involved, plus you need to have a lot of experience as a diver. If you already have the experience, however, getting certified as an instructor might be an incredible way to take your skills and travel the world.

There are a few different options for how to get certified as a scuba instructor, so make sure to check them out on PADI’s website to get started.

27. Flight attendant

Also requiring a significant amount of training, flight attendants are masters of traveling from place to place, as it’s their principal job duty. Different countries have different requirements and training methods for flight attendants, but the general consensus is that you must have at least a bachelor’s degree and pass a series of exams to become certified.

When flight attendants first start out, their schedules and destinations are usually at the mercy of their airline, but as they gain experience, they will have more freedom to choose where they go and when. In any case, they usually are able to spend a day or two seeing the sites in a given destination, but it all depends on the airline.

28. Performer

If you have a gift for music, theater, or another type of performance, why not take your talents on the road? Depending on what you specialize in, you might be able to make a living as you travel from place to place, seeking out where you might perform. Living in Mexico, I see people from all over the world pass through, stopping to do shows at local venues before moving on to the next place. This might not make you a whole lot of money, but it may fund your travels at least.

29. Online therapist

If you are a certified therapist and dreaming of traveling the world, there is certainly a way to do it. Recently, thanks to the popularity of platforms like Better Help, online therapy has become more and more common for those seeking help from a registered psychotherapist.

Whether you keep the same clients and continue supporting them virtually or start working for an online platform, you can easily take your profession remote. As long as you have a strong internet connection for video calls, you can support your clients from virtually anywhere.

30. Remote technician (IT, UX design, etc.)

Have some IT or UX design skills already? Tech is booming right now, and more and more jobs are becoming available by the minute. This means working remotely is more possible than ever, and you can do it from any place you wish (with a good internet connection). Now that Google has opened courses for those interested in learning these skills, virtually anybody can quickly gain the expertise and experience needed to make a generous living in tech, working entirely remotely.

Check out Google’s certification programs to see if you can transform your skills into a lucrative remote career.

Pin me for later:

Ready to take your career on the road? I hope this list provides a bit of hope for anybody stuck in a rut and wanting to travel. Whether you’re fresh out of university or looking for a career change that allows you to travel the world, there’s something for almost anybody on this list.

Which travel job sounds the most enticing to you?

About Emily Becker

Emily Becker is a digital nomad based in Costa Rica. She's been traveling on and off since 2014 and has visited 15 countries—planning to tick many more off her bucket list. In addition to writing for BMTM, she works as a copywriter and project manager.

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Sakhalin: Your Essential Guide to Russia’s Enigmatic Eastern Island

• January 14, 2024

A Journey Through Giant Burdocks, Wild Bears, and the Echoes of Ancient Japanese Temples

From the most dreaded place of exile in the Russian Empire to a Japanese industrial base and one of the most attractive and inaccessible places for domestic tourism in Russia.

Table of Contents

An island that was Russian, then Japanese, and then Russian again

From the 17th to the mid-19th century, it was believed that Sakhalin was a peninsula. This misconception firmly established itself on the maps of the time, as navigators failed to circumnavigate the island. The proximity of Sakhalin’s southern tip to the mainland created a false impression of being impassable for ships. An additional complexity arose from the fact that the route taken by ships from the Russian Empire involved passing through a narrow strait, which Nevelskoy managed to navigate only in 1849.

For a long time, people did not believe Nevelskoy, but he insisted that he had discovered a route through the strait, for which he became something of a hero in Primorye. Monuments and plaques dedicated to him can be found in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Vladivostok, and Khabarovsk. The H4H creative association created a graphic novel based on this story, which won a cultural initiatives contest and became part of the interior of the Khabarovsk Airport. By the way, the Sakhalin region is the only Russian entity entirely located on islands.

The remote and isolated location of the island during the Russian Empire was used as a natural barrier, and it became the site of penal colonies for hard labor prisoners. Its geographical position led to Sakhalin’s hard labor being regarded as particularly cruel.

During the period of the island’s development, Russian ships followed the Amur River and reached the island from the north, where the oldest port, Alexandrovsk, was founded. The Japanese attempted to develop the island from the south, entering through the Kuril Islands (part of the Sakhalin region) and Aniva Bay. For a long time, the Kurils were inhabited by the Ainu, representatives of a small indigenous people. The very word “Kurils” comes from the Ainu: “kuru” means “man.”

In the 17th century, Japan conducted its first expeditions towards the islands and began their development. Russia reached them later. The first mentions of the islands in Russian language date back to the late 17th century. For a long time, Russian, Dutch, Japanese, and Anglo-French navigators studied the islands, landed on them, and disputed their territorial ownership. However, only Russia and Japan managed to establish a foothold. To end the territorial disputes, the governments of the two countries signed an agreement under which the Kuril Islands went to Japan, and Sakhalin to Russia, which continued to develop the island mainly from the north. After the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, which ended in Russia’s defeat, the southern part of Sakhalin became part of Japan as the Karafuto Prefecture.

Until the second half of the 20th century, the island was owned by Japan and was quite successful in developing its resources. A huge number of mines were opened, several cities and lighthouses were built. In particular, the current regional center, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, was the former Japanese city of Toyohara. The famous Aniva lighthouse, now considered a symbol of Sakhalin, was built by Japanese engineers. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the island passed to the Soviet Union. Contrary to history, the main life of the island moved from the north to the south. Alexandrovsk, which was convenient to reach by water, lost to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with its infrastructure built by the Japanese, connections to neighboring cities, and airport. Interestingly, before leaving, the Japanese buried and hid the mining sites, and locals say that not all the old mines have been found yet, and they are sometimes stumbled upon during walks.

Because the island belonged to three different countries in just over a hundred years, it did not have time to develop any significant urban infrastructure. The cities lack outstanding architectural monuments and unique museums. However, some unusual Japanese architecture has remained. Meanwhile, Sakhalin compactly houses incredible natural attractions. Here, one can climb through forests and bamboo thickets to breathtakingly beautiful mountains as if outlined in graphite, and through a mountain pass reach the sea, into which clear mountain rivers flow with fish splashing in them.

The Ainu and Nivkh: Inhabitants of Sakhalin

For a long time, the island was mainly inhabited by the Ainu and Nivkh peoples. These ethnic groups are very different, making their coexistence as unusual as the neighboring of birch and bamboo on the slopes of Sakhalin’s mountains. Both are isolate peoples . However, the Ainu belong to the Australoid race, while the Nivkh are Mongoloids (the main population of Asian territories). It’s fascinating how representatives of different races have coexisted for ages on a small piece of land at the edge of the world.

There is no single version regarding the origin of the Ainu, leading to a multitude of theories — both scientific and conspiratorial. One theory suggests that the Ainu are the ancestors of the indigenous population of Australia, remaining in the north after continental migration. Some researchers write that the Ainu are the forebears of the Japanese. This theory is supported by the fact that before Japanese expansion, the Ainu mainly inhabited the Japanese island of Hokkaido. However, the Ainu suffered greatly from Japanese imperialism, and their culture and language were almost completely destroyed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Now, there are just over two thousand Ainu living on Sakhalin.

The Nivkh are among the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the north. They suffered less from Japanese rule. However, during the Soviet era, they experienced a difficult phase of literacy development, destruction of tribal communities, and relocation to cities. About 2,200 Nivkh live in the Sakhalin region and another approximately two thousand in Khabarovsk.

During the Karafuto period, Japan brought captured Koreans to Sakhalin for hard labor. By the mid-20th century, the Korean population of the island was about 45,000 people. For comparison, the current population of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is 180,000. This large number of people, deprived of their homeland, was forced to adapt to life first under Japanese and then Soviet rule. In the USSR, Koreans were issued passports, and there were national kindergartens and schools. However, Sakhalin Koreans did not feel part of the larger community of Soviet Koreans (Koryo-saram) and struggled to integrate. Moreover, they were considered members of an ‘unreliable nation’ because they had lived in the Japanese Empire.

In the late 1990s, three countries – Russia, South Korea, and Japan – began a repatriation campaign for the first generation of Sakhalin Koreans (born before August 15, 1945) to their historical homeland. Now, about 3,500 repatriates from Russia live in South Korea. Under the program, the Korean government provides medical insurance and a monthly allowance to the repatriates. The Japanese government, in turn, buys housing (apartments up to 40 m²) and covers transportation costs. Additionally, every two years, Sakhalin Koreans who have moved to their homeland have the right to visit Sakhalin for free, funded by the Japanese government. Most Sakhalin Koreans settled in the city of Ansan , where 500 apartments were specially built for them.

Korean influence is weakly traced on Sakhalin: many Sakhalin Koreans no longer know the language and do not associate themselves with Korea. However, there are several authentic restaurants (for example, “Koba” ) on the island where you can try traditional dishes.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk — the capital and base for exploring the island

The city is predominantly characterized by typical Soviet architecture, with almost no remaining Japanese buildings. This is because during the Soviet period, the city was radically rebuilt after being liberated from ‘imperialist Japanese rule.’ Many buildings were demolished, and from the few that remained, some were turned into museums. Perhaps the main thing that has been preserved from the Japanese period is the layout. The city was founded from scratch near the Russian village of Vladimirovka, and Chicago was chosen as the model for its layout. Toyohara was divided into four parts by two main streets, O-dori (now Lenin) and Maoka-dori (Sakhalinskaya).

Japan established itself thoroughly on the island. In Toyohara, trade routes converged, new bays were developed, and roads were built. The city’s population grew steadily. Initially due to the military garrison, and later due to a paper mill, a sugar and distillery plant. Now, the buildings of the former Japanese factories are abandoned. Many of them can only be accessed with rare tours, while others are completely closed. However, their presence is still recalled by street names, such as Paper Street.

Another building in the Neo-Japanese style is the Karafuto Governorate Museum built in the 1930s (29 Communist Avenue). It now houses the Sakhalin Regional Museum . And in the former bank of colonial development, there is the Art Museum (137 Lenin Street).

Several other iconic buildings constructed by the Japanese have been preserved: the central hospital of Toyohara (41 Chekhov Street), the conference hall of the Karafuto Governorate (30 Dzerzhinsky Street), and the Toyohara City Hall (41 Communist Avenue). The Sakhalin Railway Museum in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is distinct from many similar museums in Russia due to its exhibits. This is because the island long maintained the Japanese standard of railway gauge, which differs from the Russian standard. Accordingly, the rolling stock was entirely different.

If in Vladivostok everything is named after the Far Eastern explorer and writer Vladimir Arsenyev, then in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, mentions of Chekhov are everywhere. At the end of the 19th century, Sakhalin was both the most dreaded place for exile to hard labor and one of the most tempting corners of Russia, which was not so easy to access. Chekhov received an editorial assignment and embarked on a ship along with prisoners, military personnel, and sailors to the most remote point of the empire. In his notes, which Chekhov compiled under the title ‘The Island of Sakhalin,’ the writer talked about many things: the geography and climate of the island, the life of the convicts, and ordinary residents. This book caused a great resonance at the time, and even now it was very interesting to read it while traveling to Sakhalin: some things have changed drastically, while others have remained the same. Now in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is even a museum dedicated to this one book, which turned out to be so significant for the island.

GoSakhalin is the website of the Sakhalin Tourist and Information Center. And in their official Telegram channel , you can find announcements of affordable excursions shortly before they start.

In any case, for travelers, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk remains primarily a hub and a place of rest. Here they return for the night and dinner, and it seems that real adventures begin outside the doorstep.

Surrounding Area

10–20 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The main reason people visit Sakhalin is for its unique nature. Mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and the sea, all on a small piece of land. In one day, you can travel from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Sea of Japan, cross several climate zones, see bamboo groves, birches, and spruces in one place, spot a running fox and a swimming orca. The island’s landscapes can boldly compete in Instagram appeal with Iceland or Norway.

Within Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk alone, there are about 30 kilometers of marked ecotrails, with brief descriptions and routes available on the official tourism portal. I also found an ecotrail in Nevelsk, which is not mentioned on the official website.

The ecotrails in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk start from the ‘Mountain Air’ ski center on the sopka (a term for mountains in the Far East) Bolshevik. There are five in total: ‘Children’s’ (2.7 kilometers), ‘Eight’ (8 kilometers), ‘Northern Ring’ (9 kilometers), ‘Russian’ (3.2 kilometers), and ‘Yelanka’ (5 kilometers). You can take a cable car to the start of the trails and then slowly descend through the forest and park to the city. However, the lift does not operate in rainy and windy weather.

Hiking the ‘Eight’ trail took me no more than three hours, including stops to catch my breath and take photos. Every kilometer and a half along the route, there are benches. From the top of the mountain, there is a view of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and it seems you can see a piece of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Chekhov Peak

The route to Chekhov Peak is a high-mountain trekking path that requires a certain level of physical fitness. Chekhov Peak has an elevation of 1045 meters, with an absolute altitude gain of 752 meters. The trail is narrow and slippery in places, hardly suitable for children or people with limited mobility.

Chekhov Peak is part of the Susunai Range, which supports Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from the southeast. You can exit from Gagarin city park to the foothills in about half an hour. The ascent to the peak itself cannot be missed: a marked trail and informational signs lead to it. On particularly steep ascents, ropes are hung for safety, but it is possible to walk up the slope without them.

In late spring, the forest trail has many streams, as well as May primroses and butterflies. The foothills are scattered with rare, incredibly large, and wonderfully fragrant marsh callas. Halfway to the peak, bamboo thickets are encountered, through which birches break through. This is also a kind of magic because, as a biologist friend explained to me, birch and bamboo are not supposed to coexist in the natural environment, but somehow they manage to do so. Occasionally, spruces are encountered — not tall, but very fluffy. Closer to the top, the vegetation becomes sparser, and the impressive views of the sea, mountains, and lakes open up from the height.

• The entire hike takes five to six hours.
• Even in summer, there is snow on the summit. In the afternoon, it starts to melt, making it more difficult to walk.
• Don’t forget to bring food and water.
• Wear boots with covered ankles, a jacket, and a head covering.
• Inform your family and friends, and someone living in Sakhalin, before setting out on the route. If you’re traveling alone, you could notify, for example, the hotel receptionist or roommates in a hostel.
• Snakes and bears are found around the trail. Watch your feet and try to make as much noise as possible. For example, play music on your phone and sing along occasionally.
• The ascent to Chekhov Peak can be the start of a journey to the village of Lesnoye on the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk. The distance to the village is 27 kilometers. With good preparation and an early start from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, this distance can be covered in one day.

Mud Volcano in Klyuchi

A mud volcano is an eruption on the earth’s surface of clay masses, mineralized waters, and gases. The mechanism of formation of these volcanoes is not fully understood. According to the existing theory, such volcanoes are formed near oil fields.

The mud volcano in Klyuchi consists of a mud field about 200 meters in diameter. There, you can see about 20 points of activity, resembling miniature volcano craters. This mud volcano became active in 1959, 1979, 2001, and 2011 (the last time due to a strong earthquake in Japan). During these eruptions, mud columns reached several tens of meters in height. Bus 189 goes to Klyuchi from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The distance from the village to the top of the volcano is nine kilometers and takes about two and a half hours to walk.

Ecopark in the Vestochka area: Frog Rock, Aikhor Waterfall, ‘Sunny Glade’ Recreation Park

Not far from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is a fairly large ecopark, known primarily for the Frog Rock outcrop. An outcrop is a remnant of harder rock around which softer rock has eroded over time. Outcrops are often known for their unusual shapes and are natural monuments. Frog Rock is part of a series of rocks standing one behind the other. This was once the seabed of an ancient sea, and fossilized shells can be found in its vicinity. From the top of the rock, amazing views of the Aniva Bay, Tunaycha and Changeable Lakes open up. This place was sacred to the Ainu, the indigenous inhabitants of the island.

The trail to the ‘Sunny Glade’ ecopark begins behind the ‘Electron’ culture house. Despite its name, it is not a city park, but a full-fledged forest with laid-out paths. There are houses, glades with tables for rest where you can cook barbecues, and wooden walkways leading to various attractions. These are all paid services.

The path to Frog Rock outcrop goes along the Komissarovka River. In areas of spring flooding, callas bloom and bamboo grows. The outcrop is located on a hill, with a total elevation gain of about 300 meters. The road is quite challenging, usually taking from an hour to an hour and a half. The higher you climb, the more you can see: the sea, the mountain gorge, the road to Vestochka. In the same park is the Aikhor Waterfall, which is also a short climb away, but along a less well-maintained trail. You can plan a whole day to visit Vestochka and even spend the night, without returning to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Vestochka is three high-rise buildings on one side of the road and a cottage settlement on the other. It is part of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, though located 15 kilometers from the main part of the city. A taxi there costs about 1000 rubles and takes 40 minutes. About a kilometer after turning off the main road, the asphalt ends and a terribly dusty dirt road begins. If you’re lucky, you can catch a bus that runs three times a day.

What else to see on the island

40 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The oldest city in the south of Sakhalin, founded by Nevelskoy’s expedition. Here you can find a huge number of monuments dedicated to sailors, naval battles, and ships. The most significant monument in the city in recent decades has become the stele dedicated to ‘Koreans interned by the Japanese in Sakhalin, who never returned to their homeland,’ located on Mount Sorrow, created through the efforts of three countries’ governments (Russia, Japan, and Korea).

In Korsakov, some Japanese heritage has been preserved: the former building of the Hokkaido Takushoku Bank, a colonial development bank (Sovetskaya Street, 3), trade warehouses in the port, a document storage facility ‘Bunsyoko’ (Krasnoflotskaya Street, 1), a couple of rusty fire hydrants, and remnants of Shinto temples in the form of pillars with hieroglyphs. One of the local nighttime entertainments is watching the lights of the gas processing plant.

How to get there. Three electric trains a day, the journey takes just over an hour, and the ticket costs 75 rubles (0.75 euros).

Bird and Giant Capes

90 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Two capes, recognized as natural monuments in 1990, along whose coasts are many wind and wave-carved grottoes, caves, arches, and columns of various sizes and whimsical shapes, among which colonies of sea birds reside.

The place is not very close, but it’s very picturesque at any time of the year. In the area of one of the rocks, there is a pool where, during the salmon spawning period, you can observe a fascinating spectacle — a huge gathering of pink salmon.

Many tourists stay on the coast overnight to witness the sunset and sunrise. Near Cape Giant, there is a toilet, parking, and a rest area with benches.

How to get there. The journey from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk goes through the village of Okhotskoe, where you can buy fresh crabs, and takes about three hours one way. The road is fully passable only by high vehicles like Mitsubishi Pajero, Suzuki Jimny, as the last ten kilometers of the route have deep puddles, potholes, small cliffs, and rivers.

Nevelsk and Steller Sea Lions

Nevelsk is nestled between mountains and sea. The rocky mountains and the coast, which consists of small stone needles and shells, in every way explain why Chekhov so often mentioned in ‘The Island of Sakhalin’ how harsh the land of Sakhalin is.

Steller sea lions are the largest of the eared seals. One of their habitats is the breakwater in Nevelsk. As soon as you arrive in the town, the smell from the Steller sea lions’ haul-out site hits you. ‘They eat there, live, give birth to their young – that’s why it smells,’ the locals explain. Another feature is the noise. Steller sea lions are very loud!

You can view the sea lions from the central square, where binoculars are installed. However, tourists usually hire a boat and approach the haul-out site to get a closer look at the seals. You can see how the Steller sea lions bark, lie in the sun, jump into the sea and, most interestingly, try to jump back. The views from the square through binoculars are not as detailed and impressive. A place on the boat will cost 1000–1500 rubles (9.99 – (14.98 euros). You can also buy a tour from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for 3500 rubles (34.96 euros). The most animals are present in spring and early summer. In autumn, there may be a couple of dozen individuals left.

From the embankment, you can observe the huge kelp laminaria floating in the sea. Some travelers catch them themselves and eat them. Although dishes made from seaweed are found in cafes and also sold in stores. Signs are installed on the shore indicating where to run in case of a tsunami. The last major earthquake with waves was recorded in 2007. Many houses were destroyed and two people died. The most famous Sakhalin tsunami was the 1952 tragedy , when the aftermath of the earthquake almost completely destroyed Severo-Kurilsk.

How to get there. From the bus station (Karl Marx Street, 51b) in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, buses go to Nevelsk, the ticket costs 300 rubles (3.00 euros), and the journey takes about an hour. Tickets can be purchased at the bus station ticket office or from the driver (cash or transfer). It’s not possible to board the bus somewhere in the city, as the bus does not make stops. It’s better to buy a return ticket immediately upon arrival in Nevelsk at the Nevelsk bus station ticket office (Lenina Street, 1). The bus is popular with locals, and there may simply be no seats left.

Remnants of structures from the Karafuto period include the Maoka-Jinja temple with a Japanese-style garden and an abandoned railway built by the Japanese. It used to connect Kholmsk with Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Tourists usually come to see two photogenic bridges – Devil’s and Witch’s – and a tunnel in the mountain that makes a full circle inside it. The trail passes along the old rails, and there are many vipers, so one needs to watch their step.

How to get there. The bus to Kholmsk takes two hours, the ticket costs 450 rubles (4.49 euros), with 14 trips a day.

Slepikovsky Cape and Lighthouse

120 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

At Slepikovsky Cape, there is the only relic grove of Korean cedar on Sakhalin. Also located here is the functioning Slepikovsky Lighthouse, which is a 27-meter tall round tower, connected by corridors to utility and residential buildings.

The cape and lighthouse are named after the commander of the Russian partisan detachment Bronislav Grotto-Slepikovsky, who operated in Southern Sakhalin during the 1904–1905 war. The route to the lighthouse goes through the villages of Yablochnoe and Sadovniki, where some of the best beaches on Sakhalin are located — with the cleanest water and white sand.

How to get there. The cape is located 29 kilometers north of Kholmsk. From Kholmsk to the turn towards the lighthouse, there is asphalt with dirt sections. From the turn to the lighthouse, there is first a dirt road, then beach sand, which is recommended to be driven on with deflated tires. Visiting time is from spring to autumn, as the road to the cape is not cleared in winter.

110 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

In 1891, when the island had a penal colony, this was the Russian village of Siraroko, named after a nearby Ainu settlement. In 1905, the south of Sakhalin was given to the Japanese, and the village was renamed Higashi Shiraura. Here there were a railway station, a brick factory, and a coal mine. 40 years later, the settlement was renamed Vzmorye.

During the Japanese times, there was the Shinto shrine Higashi Shiraura Inari-Jinja. Only the torii gates remain — P-shaped gates without doors that are placed on the path to a Shinto shrine. These are the only torii on Sakhalin. On the torii, there is an inscription ‘In honor of the 2600th anniversary of the foundation of Great Japan’ — this mythological date was widely celebrated in 1940.

On the way to the torii, you can see the famous giant burdocks and bear’s garlic. Vzmorye is also known as a place where poached crabs are sold along the highway.

How to get there. Two electric trains and one train that start from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk stop in Vzmorye. Unfortunately, all three are in the evening. You can also get there on passing buses that go to the north of the island.

Tikhaya Bay

140 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

On one side, the bay is framed by Mount Smely, and on the other side, the majestic Zhdanko Ridge begins. To the left in the bay itself is an island-kekur, which can be reached during low tide, as well as the epic cliffs of Tikhaya Cape. By the way, behind this cape, there are waterfalls that become icefalls in winter. At the base of the bay is the mouth of the Tikhaya River, where during the season you can see the spawning of pink salmon and chum salmon. Bears are aware of this, so they are often encountered here.

How to get there. Buses going to Poronaysk stop in the village of Tikhoye, near which the bay is located. There are four trips a day.

Aniva Lighthouse

The lighthouse has a complex history: there were attempts to maintain it under Soviet rule, but Aniva was so remote from inhabited areas that it was not profitable. Eventually, the lighthouse was switched to autonomous mode, bringing in a radioactive isotope to sustain its operation, and then it was completely closed. To this day, you can find signs on the walls reading ‘Caution, radioactive’. But now this warning is outdated, as the radioactive isotope was removed when the lighthouse was decommissioned. The lighthouse is very beautiful, offering views of the island and sea, and inside you can explore the remnants of rooms and working areas.

On the return trip, tourists are also taken to Mramornaya Bay, where you can also climb a mountain and view the jagged coast of Sakhalin from above. Orcas and whales are often encountered in these areas, most frequently in summer. I would also recommend taking a combined tour in summer to Aniva Lighthouse, the Blue Lakes, and Busse Lagoon, where you can see the amazingly blue waters and try sea urchins.

A kilometer from Novikov is Cape Tri Kamnya (46.320342 143.373006), which can even be reached by car. Four kilometers from the cape is the small Strelka waterfall , which requires a walk. If you stay in the village overnight, you can take a hike to the Blue (turquoise) Lakes (46.359603, 143.471909). On the way, there’s an abandoned Japanese power station. You can extend your route by another 15 kilometers and reach the opposite shore of the peninsula – to Cape Evstafiya. The road from Novikov to Cape Evstafyeva through the Blue Lakes can be driven in a jeep, if there hasn’t been prolonged rain before. But it’s better to ask in advance those who have recently been there, and get the phone number of a local tractor driver in Novikov, so that if something happens, he can pull you out.

How to get there. Getting there independently is almost impossible. The lighthouse is located on a rocky outcrop in the sea, and the nearest land is a high cliff. However, some people do reach Novikovo (the nearest village) by bus or car, and then walk 44 kilometers on foot to Aniva (the name of both the lighthouse and the bay). It takes about one and a half hours to drive from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Novikovo. And then another two hours of rough dirt road to the boat dock. A tour from the company ‘Friends-Hikers’ costs 6000 rubles (59.93 euros) in May (in summer – 7000 rubles (69.92 euros)).

Klokovsky Waterfall

190 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Klokovsky Waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls on Sakhalin Island. Its height is variously reported to be 48–49 meters, with a width of up to nine meters. The waterfall is accessible year-round, but is most full in late spring and early summer.

Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky

The ‘Tri Brata’ (Three Brothers) rocks are definitely a symbol of Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, and perhaps of the entire island. They are located in the Alexandrovsk Gulf almost opposite Cape Zhonkiyor. From the cape, there is a stunning view of the vast Tatar Strait and the Three Brothers. At low tide, it’s possible to calmly explore all the attractions of the gulf, collect seaweed and shells, see hermit crabs scuttling along the seabed with their shells on their backs, or watch the leaves of laminaria sway. At the strongest low tide, you can even walk to the Three Brothers through the water.

In the 19th century, convicts carved a 90-meter tunnel through Cape Zhonkiyor to service the lighthouse. To reach the tunnel by land, you need to come at low tide. Otherwise, you’ll have to climb the rocks. The tunnel is lined with logs, but there is almost always water at the bottom and a strong wind howls through it. If you pass through the tunnel, you will see the ‘Tri Sestry’ (Three Sisters) rocks and an old lighthouse from the end of the 19th century. All these places are described by Chekhov in ‘The Island of Sakhalin’: ‘Most often we went to the lighthouse, which stands high above the valley, on Cape Zhonkiyor. During the day, the lighthouse, if looked at from below, is a modest white house with a mast and lantern, but at night it shines brightly in the darkness, and then it seems that the penal colony looks at the world with its red eye. The road to the house climbs steeply, winding around the mountain, past old larches and firs. The higher you climb, the freer you breathe; the sea spreads before your eyes, thoughts gradually come, having nothing to do with the prison, the penal colony, or the exile settlement, and only then do you realize how dull and difficult life is down below.’

How to get there. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is one bus trip per day – at 12:10. The ticket costs 2200 rubles (21.97 euros), and the journey takes nine hours.

600 kilometers from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The main transit point on the way to the oil refineries. The village might be of interest to those curious to see a harsh northern town living off production: low-rise buildings made of siding and unexpectedly bright murals on the walls of five-story buildings. There is a local history museum in the village (Sovetskaya Street, 3) – it is praised for its excellent exhibition of the Nivkh culture and a monument to Nevelskoy. Also, one of the longest rivers of Sakhalin, the Tym (which translates from Nivkh as ‘spawning river’), flows through the town.

How to get there. A night train goes to Nogliki every day, taking almost 12 hours. The cheapest ticket in a seated carriage costs 1100 rubles (10.99 euros), a compartment – 4100 (40.95 euros). There is even a luxury (SV) carriage for 12600 rubles (125.85 euros).

Where to Stay

Hostels in the Far East are divided into work and tourist types. The former will also accommodate tourists, but the atmosphere there is like a dormitory where their own rules are already established, and you may feel like an uninvited guest. To avoid such a hostel, it’s important to carefully read the reviews, not book the cheapest hostels, not stay on the outskirts or near airports and train stations.

In the Islander hostel , mainly travelers stay, it’s very cozy, with convenient kitchen and showers with toilets. A double room costs 3000 rubles per day, and dorms – from 900 rubles (8.99 euros) per night. If you book directly through the website and for a long term, you can get a good discount.

The ‘Moneron’ hotel is located near the railway and bus stations. It’s a classic budget hotel with small clean rooms. The ‘comfort’ class rooms have a bath, and the hotel provides a complete set with slippers, towels, and a hairdryer. Prices start from 2800 rubles (27.97 euros) per night for a single economy room, while ‘comfort’ costs 4900 rubles (48.94 euros). Breakfast is included in the price.

The ‘Belka’ hotel building is made using Finnish technology in a wooden style from milled timber. The cost of large rooms with wooden walls and huge beds starts from 5800 rubles (57.93 euros). Breakfast is also included in the price. The hotel complex includes a sauna, spa, tavern, and gym.

Near Bussé Bay is the island’s only dome-shaped glamping site. A night for two costs 8000-10,000 rubles (79.90 – 99.88 euros). An extra bed is 2000 (19.98 euros). Each dome has a shower, toilet, and electricity. On cooler days, you can light the stove and sit by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.

In other towns, apart from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the choice of hotels is quite modest and usually limited to one or two hotels, which cannot always be booked online. They have to be found on the map and booked by phone.

Transport on the Island

Car. If you’re only traveling between cities, there won’t be any problems – the roads between them are mostly paved, and the dirt roads are of more or less good quality. It gets more complicated with natural attractions. Almost all of them are accessed by dirt roads, which not every car can navigate.

In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, ‘Yandex.Taxi’ and ‘Maxim’ operate (also in Korsakov and Kholmsk). A trip within the city limits will cost a maximum of 300 rubles (3.00 euros).

Railway. From Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, about 30 electric trains depart daily. Most of them go to nearby areas like Dalnyaya, Khristoforovka, and Novoaleksandrovka stations – 8–23 minutes travel time.

To other cities, there’s only one electric train per day. It takes an hour to Korsakov and the ticket costs 80 rubles (0.80 euro). To Tomari, it’s four hours and 300 rubles (3.00 euros). To Poronaysk, it’s five hours of travel and 500 rubles (4.99 euros) for a ticket. Long-distance electric trains depart in the evening, as these routes are used by residents of the province who return from work in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to their homes.

There is also one train on the island – Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Nogliki, 12 hours of travel and 1100 rubles (10.99 euros) for a ticket in a sitting carriage.

Buses. It seems you can reach even the most remote settlements by bus. Often there’s only one trip per day, but at least it exists. To Kholmsk, Nevelsk, and Korsakov, the journey takes about an hour and a half, with tickets costing around 300 rubles (3.00 euros); to Poronaysk and Uglegorsk, it’s four to five hours and 1200 rubles (11.99 euros) for a ticket. You can check the current schedule on avtovokzaly.ru . But it’s always better to double-check by phone: +7 (4242) 72-25-53. The address of the bus station is Karl Marx Street, 51b.

Airplane. Sakhalin has a quite extensive network of airports, and you can fly from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Okha, Zonalnoye, Shakhtyorsk, Poronaysk, Smirnykh, Yuzhno-Kurilsk, and Iturup. Flights are operated by the Far Eastern airlines ‘Aurora’ and ‘Taiga’ . These routes are served by small propeller planes Bombardier and Mi-8 helicopters. Such a flight is an interesting experience in itself. Moreover, some flights are quite inexpensive. For example, to Zonalnoye, Shakhtyorsk, and Poronaysk, tickets cost 2000–3000 rubles (19.98 – 29.96 euros) one way. To Okha and the Kurils – from 6000 rubles (59.93 euros).

Ferry. From Korsakov, ferries run to different settlements in the Kurils every three to four days. The ferry to Kurilsk takes about 22 hours, to Yuzhno-Kurilsk – 22–30 hours, and to Malokurilskoye – about 40 hours. Interestingly, a ticket to any of these settlements costs from 2800 rubles (27.97 euros), available on the website of the ferry company.

How to get there

By plain. To travel to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from Europe, passengers typically fly through major transit hubs. Common routes involve flying from a European city to one of the major Russian airports offering direct flights to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, such as Moscow’s Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo airports. In 2023 it is only possible to fly to Moscow from major transit hubs such as Istanbul or Erevan. From there, travelers can catch one of the direct flights to the island. Some routes might also include stops or transfers in other large cities in Russia or Asia, depending on the airline and the flight itinerary, for instance, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, Blagoveshchensk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Sovetskaya Gavan, and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. There is even one international flight from Harbin, China.

In good weather, on approach to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, you can see the Tatar Strait, the Western Ridge, and the city itself. The airport is located within the city limits, and from there, you can easily reach any point by public transport (buses 63 and 3) or taxi.

Ferry. Vanino (Khabarovsk Krai) to Kholmsk (Sakhalin) . Passenger tickets for the ferry are sold at the Vanino railway station or at the ticket office in Kholmsk (Lenin Square, 5). They can also be reserved by phone: +7 (42137) 74088 (Vanino), +7 (42433) 50880 (Kholmsk). The ferries run daily, with a journey time of 18–20 hours. A seat costs 650 rubles (6.49 euros), while the cheapest cabin spot is 1400 rubles (13.98 euros). There is a dining room on board.

I was on the island in early May, and this has its pros and cons. On one hand, it’s already not very cold in Sakhalin at this time, and you can walk around in a light jacket or sweatshirt, and sometimes even just in a T-shirt. At the end of spring, you can catch the largest number of Steller sea lions in Nevelsk (closer to summer they migrate towards Avacha Bay). Also at this time, you can see the forest awakening: streams penetrate it from all sides, in their floodplains swamp callas bloom, meadows fill with primroses, and the hills are covered with bright green bamboo shoots. On the other hand, there is still snow in the mountains, in which you can get stuck while climbing, and the sea, which is not very warm in these areas, is completely unsuitable for swimming.

In summer, Sakhalin is not very hot, the coast blooms with wild roses, the sea warms up a bit, and there is less chance of bad weather when visiting remote attractions. Also, it’s precisely at this time you can see orcas (June – July) and whales (July – August), as well as the salmon spawning.

In winter, snowboarders and skiers come to Sakhalin. The mountains on the island are not high, so they are suitable even for beginners.

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Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city, Russia

The capital city of Sakhalin oblast .

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk - Overview

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is a city located in the southern part of Sakhalin Island in the Far East of Russia, the administrative center of Sakhalin Oblast.

The population of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is about 201,700 (2022), the area - 164 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 4242, the postal codes - 693000-693904.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city flag

Yuzhno-sakhalinsk city coat of arms.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city map, Russia

Yuzhno-sakhalinsk city latest news and posts from our blog:.

29 October, 2019 / Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk - the view from above .

History of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Foundation of yuzhno-sakhalinsk.

The Russians first visited Sakhalin Island in 1742. In 1805, the Russian-American Company sent Adam Johann von Krusenstern, a Russian admiral and explorer, to Sakhalin to hoist the Russian flag on the island. Officially, neither Russia nor Japan claimed Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. In 1855, a treatise on friendship and the border was signed in Shimoda, which marked the beginning of diplomatic relations between Russia and Japan. According to it, Sakhalin remained jointly owned by the two countries.

The settlement of Sakhalin by Russians was mainly due to exiled convicts. In 1869, Sakhalin was officially declared a place of exile and hard labor. In 1875, the St. Petersburg Treaty was signed between the Russian Empire and Japan, according to which Sakhalin completely went to Russia and the Kuril Islands - to Japan.

In 1881, according to the order of the military governor of the Primorsky region, Major Vladimir Yantsevich was appointed head of exiles in South Sakhalin. He received the following instructions: “For the settlement of those who are finishing their terms of hard labor, a place that is quite convenient for arable farming should be chosen. The selected site, if possible along the main road from south to north, should be planned, divided into sections and, as a new settlement, named by some permanent name.”

In 1883, Yantsevich applied for the approval of the names of four new villages founded in the south of Sakhalin: Solovyovskoe, Mitsulskoe, Vladimirovka (future Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), and Vlasovskoe. In 1885, 57 people lived in Vladimirovka, in 1895 - 130 people. In 1897, there were 150 residential and commercial buildings here: a church, a school, a post office, a hospital, a mill, trade shops, a number of government buildings, and a lot of residential log houses.

More historical facts…

Japanese period in the history of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

In 1905, after the defeat of the Russian Empire in the Russo-Japanese War, according to the Treaty of Portsmouth, part of Sakhalin south of the 50th parallel was ceded to the Japanese Empire and became the Karafuto Prefecture. The northern part of Sakhalin remained under the control of the Russian Empire.

In 1908, Vladimirovka was renamed Toyohara (“bountiful plain”). In 1915, the settlement received the status of a town. The Japanese made their own plan for the development of the town with a clear rectangular planning system with the direction of streets along the railway and perpendicular to it.

The building density was high, as a result, a significant number of residential buildings were without outbuildings, sheds and other ancillary buildings, as well as yards. On the outskirts of the town there was a well-maintained park with an artificial reservoir. In 1920, the population of Toyohara was 14,176 people, in 1935 - 28,459.

On February 11, 1945, Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill signed an agreement in Yalta on the conditions for the USSR’s entry into the war against Japan. Among the conditions were the return of South Sakhalin to the USSR and the annexation of the Kuril Islands. In August 1945, Soviet troops entered Toyohara.

This is what Toyohara looked like from the words of Dmitry Kryukov, head of the civil administration of South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, who arrived in the town in September 1945: “The town mainly consists of wooden buildings. The houses are adjacent to each other, timber-frame, plastered. Many of them look good, but they are cold.” The majority of the population were Japanese and Koreans.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk - the capital of Sakhalin Oblast

On February 2, 1946, Yuzhno-Sakhalin Oblast was formed on the territory of South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. On June 4, 1946, Toyohara became its administrative center. It was renamed Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (“South Sakhalin City”).

On January 2, 1947, Yuzhno-Sakhalin Oblast was liquidated and its territory was included in Sakhalin Oblast, a separate region of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. On April 18, 1947, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk became its administrative center.

In the spring of 1947, the mass repatriation of the Japanese began. By August 1, 1947, 124,308 people left Sakhalin, almost half of the local Japanese. During 1947-1949, about 400 thousand people were brought to Sakhalin from the central regions of Russia, Primorye and the Far East. By 1949, only 2,682 Japanese remained on Sakhalin - those who managed to obtain a Soviet passport. The Koreans from Sakhalin were not forcibly evicted, so most of them stayed. In 1959, the population of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk was 85,510 people.

In subsequent years, the appearance of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk changed again - the frame houses built by the Japanese were demolished. Today, except for the railway and some buildings of that time turned into museums, almost nothing reminds of the Japanese period in the history of this city.

General views of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from above

Author: Vladislav Yarowind

General view of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk cityscape

Author: Shinya Ichinohe

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk - Features

Sakhalin Oblast is the only region in Russia located entirely on the islands. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk stands at some distance from the sea coast, about 25 km from the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. Chekhov Peak (1,045 m), one of the highest peaks of Sakhalin, rises to the north-east of the city. Locals call the city simply Yuzhnyy.

Sakhalin Island is part of the temperate monsoon zone. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is located on a plain surrounded by hills, due to which its climate has certain peculiarities. In summer, it can be very hot in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and in winter, due to the lack of wind, severe frosts. The coldest month is January with an average daily temperature of minus 12.2 degrees Celsius, the warmest month is August with an average daily temperature of plus 17.3 degrees Celsius. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is equated to the regions of the Far North.

The city is located in an earthquake-prone area. The probability of strong earthquakes is relatively high. The distance from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Moscow is 9,140 km by road and 6,640 km in a straight line.

The majority of the population is Russian, but the proportion of Koreans is also high (about 20%). Out of 43 thousand Sakhalin Koreans, most of them live in the capital of the region. In the city you can also find representatives of the indigenous peoples: Nivkhs, Ainu and Oroks, but their number is very small.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is the largest transport hub on Sakhalin. Anton Chekhov Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport offers regular flights to such cities as Vladivostok, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk, Moscow, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Seoul (South Korea), Sapporo (Japan), Tokyo (Japan).

In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there is a high level of air pollution due to the high motorization of the population and the location of the city in the valley, which slows down the dispersion of harmful substances.

Today, it is one of the dynamically developing cities of the Far East, the production and intellectual center of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. Oil and natural gas production, as well as their processing, are the most important components of the local economy.

This is one of the most visited cities in the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is often visited by cruise ship passengers (mostly Japanese citizens). Restaurants of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk offer dishes of Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Uzbek, Georgian, Italian cuisines.

The architecture of the period of the Karafuto Prefecture gives a special flavor to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Today, in the city there are about 40 objects of cultural heritage of this period. In the future, tourism should become the basis for the economic development of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Special thanks to Vladislav Yarowind for the photos of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Main Attractions of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Sakhalin Regional Museum of Local Lore - the central museum of Sakhalin Oblast founded in 1896. It is housed in a very picturesque Japanese building constructed in the Imperial Crown Style in 1937. This is the only such building on the territory of Sakhalin and all of Russia, the most significant architectural monument of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Its diverse expositions are devoted to nature, history of the indigenous peoples of the islands, culture and development of Sakhalin. Kommunisticheskiy Avenue, 29.

Sports and Tourist Complex “Gornyy Vozdukh” (“Mountain Air”) - a ski resort and sports complex, existing, according to one version, since the days of the Japanese Karafuto Prefecture (1905-1945). Today, it is one of the most dynamically developing ski resorts in the Far East of Russia.

The unique location of the complex - in the center of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk - allows guests to find themselves in the world of winter sports in just a few minutes. The ski resort offers 10 slopes of various difficulty levels for both beginners and professionals. Their total length is over 23 km. The ski season lasts from December to the end of April.

It is one of the main organizers of excursion tours in Sakhalin Oblast: sports, excursion, business tourism, as well as ecological tourism. The complex has a network of hiking and cycling routes. There are also restaurants and cafes here.

Museum and Memorial Complex “Pobeda” (“Victory”) - a square with a cultural and educational center, where you can find historical expositions dedicated to the Russian-Japanese and World War II. A T-34-85 tank is installed on a pedestal in front of the building. Pobedy Avenue, 1.

Museum of the History of the Sakhalin Railway . This museum is dedicated to the history of railway construction on Sakhalin. The exposition has a lot of interesting and rare exhibits. In the open area of the museum, Sakhalin railway equipment is exhibited: steam locomotives, carriages of various types, etc. Vokzalnaya Street, 55.

Sakhalin Regional State Art Museum - the only art museum in Sakhalin Oblast with over 11 thousand works of art. On the ground floor, temporary art exhibitions are held, the art of artists from Russia, Korea and China is presented. The second floor houses permanent exhibitions: “Contemporary Korean Art”, “Christian Art”, “Russian Art of the 19th - early 20th centuries.” Lenina Street, 137.

Museum of the Book of Anton Chekhov “Sakhalin Island” . This museum is dedicated to Anton Chekhov’s trip to Sakhalin in 1890, as a result of which he wrote the book “Sakhalin Island”. Here you can find the following collections: “Painting”, “Graphics”, “Written Sources”, “Photo Materials”, “Numismatics/Phaleristics”, “Household Items, Arts and Crafts”, “Sculpture”. The personal belongings of Chekhov’s family members and various items belonging to exiles are exhibited here. Mira Avenue, 104.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Park of Culture and Rest named after Yuri Gagarin - the most beautiful recreational area of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk founded in the Japanese period of the city’s history in 1906. In 1968, when the famous cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin died in a jet crash, the park was renamed in his honor. Today, this place attracts visitors with its amazing landscapes and an abundance of entertainment. Sakura blooms here in spring. Detskaya Street, 1.

Resurrection Cathedral - the first church in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk built in the 1990s. This one-domed cathedral in the pseudo-Russian style looks surprisingly graceful and is located in the immediate vicinity of Gagarin Park. Svyatitelya Innokentiya Boulevard, 3k1.

Cathedral of the Nativity . The height of this church, consecrated in 2016, is 77 m, which is why it effectively dominates the surrounding landscape. Accommodating up to 1,000 people, it is built in the Novgorod style with a gilded dome surrounded by four bright blue ones. Inside, you can admire the five-tiered iconostasis in the Russian style, decorated with 98 icons. The outer walls are decorated with mosaics created in Jerusalem. Ilarion Troitsky Street, 1.

Chekhov Peak . Several picturesque mountain peaks are located in the vicinity of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The highest one (1,045 m) is named after the famous Russian writer Anton Chekhov. The trip to the top takes several hours. From the height of Chekhov Peak you can admire the city itself, the waters of Aniva Bay and the Sea of Okhotsk. On a cloudless day, you can even see the northern tip of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. There is a small Japanese temple at the top of the peak.

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city of Russia photos

Architecture of yuzhno-sakhalinsk.

Winter in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk architecture

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk modern architecture

Author: Alexander Mikhalev

Churches of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Wooden Church of St. Nicholas in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

The Roman Catholic Church Parish of Saint James in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Resurrection Cathedral in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Author: Snejanna Baggerovski

Sakhalin Regional Museum of Local Lore

The main building of the Sakhalin Regional Museum of Local Lore

Old Russian 11-inch gun (1867) in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

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Sakhalin, Russia

Tours, Attractions and Things To Do in Sakhalin

Sakhalin is the largest island of the Russian Federation. It is located in the Pacific Ocean and is famous for seafood and picturesque places. And in the Sakhalin region there is the cutest island in the world - Tuleniy, a favorite place of seals and fur seals.

History of Sakhalin

Scientists confirm that the island was completely inhabited already 2.5 thousand years ago. People led a settled lifestyle and fished.

The first mention of Sakhalin dates back to 1640. At the same time, Russian Cossacks came here for the first time.

In 1855, the Treaty of Shimoda recognized Sakhalin as a joint possession of Japan and the Russian Empire. But already in 1875 Sakhalin was ceded to Russia, which, in turn, gave part of the Kuril Islands to Japan.

In the XIX century Sakhalin was a place of exile.

The largest city on the island is Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. It was founded in 1882.

About half a million people live on Sakhalin.

Sakhalin Sights

The Sakhalin State Regional Museum of Local Lore is located in a building that was built in 1937 in the teikan-zukuri style designed by a Japanese architect. Here you will get acquainted with the times when Japan owned the island and see how people lived on Sakhalin: what they wore, what they ate, what they produced.

Also in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk there is a museum of railway equipment, the Sakhalin Regional Art Museum, the Chekhov Museum, the exhibition hall of the Union of Artists of Russia, the Bear Museum, geological and archaeological museums.

The Victory Museum and Memorial Complex is dedicated to the Russian-Japanese and World War II wars. This museum is different from the usual museums of this subject. Here you will learn about the Portsmouth Peace Treaty, about the fighting in the Far East and much more.

The Resurrection Cathedral of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is young, it was built in 1995. People come here to bow to the deceased leaders of the Sakhalin Region, headed by Governor Igor Farkhutdinov.

Tikhaya Bay is one of the most famous attractions of Sakhalin. It is so called because it is always quiet and peaceful here. This beautiful place will not leave anyone indifferent. Next to the bay is the Zhdanko ridge, which looks like a dragon.

Cape Giant is considered the most picturesque on Sakhalin. Nature has created columns, arches and peculiar sculptures here - stones that have been polished by water for centuries.

Cape Columnar is also very beautiful. After the eruption of the volcano, basalt pillars appeared here. They look so neat, as if they were created by man.

Take a look at Cape Crillon with its old lighthouse, weather station and border outpost.

The “Mountain Air” resort, located on Bolshevik Mountain, is considered the pride of the island. It is also recognized as the best in the Far East. If you come here in winter, be sure to ski or snowboard, if in summer - look at the city from a height of 600 meters.

The Poronai State Nature Reserve is home to animals and birds listed in the Red Book. Red Book animals also live in the Noglika Nature Reserve.

The “Vostochny” State Nature Reserve, which occupies 66 thousand hectares, is known for the dark coniferous taiga and animals that are listed in the Red Book. Please note that visiting the reserve is possible only after receiving a special pass.

If you love mountains, then climb Chekhov Peak. It's not difficult to reach the top, and the stunning views will more than pay for a two-hour climb. Also go to the mountain called Frog. It is so named because the outlines of one of the mountain ranges resemble a sitting frog. Once this place was considered a temple of wisdom and a place of power. Do not ignore the Ostraya Mountain. Tourists climb to the top to see the wreckage of the IL-114 plane, which crashed in 1976.

The lighthouse on Cape Slepikovsky, built by the Japanese, looks very picturesque. You can climb to a 28-meter height and take beautiful photos.

The 30-meter lighthouse at Cape Aniva was also built by the Japanese in the 1930s. In the 1990s, it was converted into a nuclear one, and now it is abandoned. You can get to the lighthouse only by sea.

The rocks of the Three Brothers will surprise you with their panorama. It is said that once three brothers stole the sorcerer's treasures, and for this he turned them into stones. By the way, Chekhov wrote about these rocks.

The beaches in Okhotsk, Yablochny and Starodubsky will appeal to lovers of lazy recreation. For example, the beach near the village of Yablochnoye is considered one of the best on Sakhalin. There is fine sand and a warm sea. And on the beach of the village of Starodubskoye, you can find reddish Sakhalin amber.

Lake Busse is worth a visit, if only to collect oysters that appear on the shore at low tide. We also advise you to go to the lakes Gorachee, Kipyashee, Tunaycha and Vavay lakes, Bird waterfalls, Cheremshansky, Ilya Muromets and Klokovsky.

The port of Korsakov is one of the largest ports in the Far East. People come here to admire the panorama and see the big ships, because the port has the status of an international one.

The seaside thoriums of the Higashi Shirauda Jinzda Temple - the gate left over from the Shinto temple – is one of the most photographed points of Sakhalin. There are also remains of the Temple of the Sun on the island.

Pugachevsky mud volcano is not a classic volcano. It is a perfectly round clay desert with a diameter of 4 kilometers. There is a swamp around the perimeter. Every few years, the volcano spews thousands of tons of mud, and the fountain can reach 50 meters in height. Another mud volcano is located near the Novoderevenskoye station. There are several constantly bubbling craters here.

If active recreation is not enough, you can go to the caves of Mount Vida. Pay attention to the cave of Bear tragedies, it is considered the most interesting.

Moneron Island is very small, but very beautiful. There are amazing views here. You can only get here with an excursion group.

The Tuleniy island is one of the cutest islands of the Sakhalin region. Seals and sea lions (big-eared seals) like to lie on a small island with a length of 636 meters.

Dagin thermal springs are almost 60 hot springs that gush out of the ground at a rate of three liters per second. The springs are considered healing and attract the attention of not only tourists, but also local residents.

Sinegorsky mineral springs are located near Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. They are famous for the fact that the water contains arsenic. This mineral water cures many diseases. Therefore, two health resorts were built on the springs, where people come not only from Russia.

Be sure to visit the Kuril Islands. The state Nature Reserve "Small Kuriles" includes the islands of Zeleny, Storozhevoy, Shikotan, Rifovy, Anuchin, Signalny, Polonsky and Tanfilyev. Here are the famous Tyatya volcano, the Kuril Reserve and much more.

What to bring from a trip to Sakhalin?

Take a bigger suitcase with you because you will not leave without gifts and souvenirs. Be sure to bring seafood from the trip: fish, caviar, Sakhalin crabs, seafood. Grab the national unts as well. Girls will love the jewelry of indigenous peoples. Music lovers will be pleased with the musical instrument harp. Also take syrup from a local berry called klopovka, chocolate with squid and algae and traditional amulets.