Buzz
Certain jobs come with an inherent need for travel, such as teaching a language abroad or working in sales. However, if you're looking to travel for enjoyment and still earn some extra cash, there are several alternatives. While these side jobs won’t make you wealthy, they could cover the cost of a nice meal or even your entry ticket to a museum.
Monetize Your Travel Photography
Since you're already taking a lot of pictures, why not earn a little extra cash with them? Platforms like iStock, Alamy, Shutterstock, and Getty Images make it simple to sell your stock photography. Just upload your photos, and brands, businesses, or individuals may want to purchase them if they like what they see. There's also an app called Foap (available for free on iOS and Android) that lets you upload directly from your phone. Foap also posts assignments for specific locations, whether countries, cities, or regions. You can check for tasks in your travel destination, take a few photos, and submit them. The outcomes will vary, but it's still a fun app to explore.
If you own a GoPro, you can participate in their daily contests, which feature travel-related categories like “Unusual Transportation” and “Stories from the Road.” Each day, they select a new winner and award $500 for photos, $1,000 for raw videos, and $5,000 for edited videos. While the chances of winning are slim, you'll enjoy capturing photos and you might even enhance your photography skills in the process.
Deliver a Package
If you're on a road trip, you can make some extra money by delivering packages (or even pets!) along the way.
Roadie links drivers with people who need to ship items (only legal stuff) to various destinations, some of which may be along your travel route. Depending on the task, the payout can be over a hundred dollars, especially for long-distance trips. A similar service called CitizenShipper focuses on pet transportation. As a driver, you place bids on available tasks. For instance, one customer is looking for someone to drive her “very friendly” dog from Los Angeles to Georgia, with three drivers bidding $400. Both platforms require you to verify your driver's license and car insurance details.
If you’re headed overseas, consider using WorldCraze, a platform that allows you to deliver goods from your home country to someone at your destination. Simply input your cities and travel dates, and the site will display any relevant assignments. You negotiate the payment with the buyer, and WorldCraze takes a 10% commission.
Rent Out Your Car or Parking Spot
Rather than paying for parking at the airport, you might want to rent out your car instead. Through Turo, you can list your vehicle for rent while keeping it at the airport, with $1 million in insurance coverage included. At major airports like SFO and LAX, there are designated parking lots for rented cars, and for other locations, Turo will cover the cost of airport parking, even if your car isn’t rented out.
If your parking spot back home is free, why not make some extra money by renting it out while you're away? Services like JustPark, ParkCirca, and ParkEasier let you list your parking space, whether it’s your driveway, a dedicated spot in a parking lot, a garage, or any other space you own. Depending on where you are, you can earn between $5.00 and $15.00 per day. Once your spot is listed, the app handles the rest, and you can review and approve potential parkers. You can even set specific hours for availability.
Volunteer While You Travel
In some destinations, you could work on an organic farm. While it won’t directly put extra cash in your pocket, you'll receive a place to stay and free meals, helping you save on travel expenses.
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a great resource for finding volunteer opportunities, with positions available in over 120 countries. Volunteers typically work for 4-6 hours a day and receive food and accommodation in return, leaving you with plenty of time to explore. While there is a small fee to join (for instance, it’s $30 for Hawaii), it can be a small price to pay for the experience. Most volunteer roles require a week’s commitment, but you can negotiate a shorter stay directly with the host. Farm descriptions will include information on the languages spoken by the hosts.
While HelpX and Workaway might not be as widely known, they still provide a great opportunity: travel, work, and free accommodation. HelpX allows some jobs with just two hours of work a day, giving you a place to stay, though you'll need to cook your own meals. Depending on the task, working a full day could also include fun activities like horseback riding or sightseeing tours. Be sure to read the reviews and see what each host offers.
With Workaway, you can search for specific volunteer roles and apply directly. Some jobs involve helping individuals with various tasks, so it’s like a blend of Airbnb and TaskRabbit.
These platforms don’t offer strong safety policies or vetting processes for hosts, so it’s all about trust and reviews. Be sure to carefully vet your hosts before committing. Most farms provide ratings and feedback from past travelers, so do your research and consider conducting a background check on your host for extra peace of mind.
Walk Around and Give Back to Charity
As you explore your destination city, you’ll likely be walking a lot. While it’s not specifically designed for travel, Charity Miles (available for free on iOS and Android) allows you to earn points for various charities while walking. The app even shows how much impact your walk has on the cause, like how seven miles might contribute 17 minutes to Parkinson’s research. It’s not money in your pocket, but if you enjoy giving back, it’s an easy, fun way to do so for free while doing something you’re already doing. Charity Miles earns money through sponsorships from companies like Humana and ads on the app. Humana still sponsors funds to charity, but make sure you know what you're getting into before diving in.
While these apps and services won’t make you rich, they still provide fun ways to spend your time during your trip—whether it’s bonding with locals on a farm or capturing beautiful photos of the places you visit.
