Plenty of jobs give you the flexibility to travel on your own terms, especially if you choose to work for a remote-first company. But if you want your career to focus on the travel experience, a few stand out. Here are 14 jobs that regularly involve travel, starting with the most travel-heavy: becoming a travel advisor.
1. Travel advisor
The most flexible and travel-intensive job on this list is travel planning. Travel advisors, also called travel agents or travel consultants, work with clients to plan and manage vacations, group travel, and on-the-ground details. Advisors provide personalized suggestions, hands-on support, and exclusive partner perks that clients can’t access themselves.
The best travel advisors build relationships with travel suppliers—hotels, venues, cruises, and tour operators—often through experiencing their travel product firsthand. Traveling to various hotels and destinations isn’t required to be a good travel advisor, but the more you develop your business, the more opportunities will arise to conduct site visits or attend familiarization (Fam) trips organized by partners and tourism boards.
Most travel advisors are independent contractors who work with a host agency, which provides the infrastructure and professional credentials they need to operate. Working hours are flexible and your pay depends on the amount of work you put in. Becoming a travel advisor is also beginner-friendly if you’re willing to put in the work: 97% of Fora Advisors had never sold travel before joining, and there’s no degree or certification required to get started.
“As a travel advisor, my office is wherever there’s Wi-Fi and a view worth dreaming about,” says Fora Advisor Elizabeth Kaczka. “Working remotely in this role is like having a passport to the digital world. With emails, video calls, and booking platforms at my fingertips, I can curate unforgettable experiences for clients from the comfort of my own home or while sipping a latte in a quaint café halfway across the globe.”
Read our full breakdown on becoming a remote travel agent
2. Accountant or bookkeeper
Accountants, and especially freelance accountants who have multiple clients, can often work from anywhere. It’s not uncommon for freelance accountants to work from tropical destinations in the South Pacific or the Caribbean.
Two considerations: Many accounting roles require a CPA license, and some states have additional requirements. And you’ll need strong experience to start your own practice. Most remote accountants start off as employees of a specific firm before becoming freelancers.
3. Writers or content creators
Traveling is a great way to broaden your perspective and boost your content, especially if you’re a travel writer. Travel writers and bloggers venture all over the world covering their experiences.
Other writing and content-related jobs, like copywriting or content creation, often come with remote flexibility. Copywriters craft various types of prose, often related to products and services, and could work freelance, for an agency, or at a remote-friendly company. Content creators and influencers create multimedia content for various outlets and businesses. Like copywriting, these types of roles might be on a freelance basis or can be in-house.
These jobs can be difficult to secure, however. The best writing and content jobs are highly selective, requiring years of experience and deft skills. Some companies look for degrees in fields like journalism or hospitality, while self-employed creatives need to build a reliable client list or audience.
4. IT jobs
IT jobs are also consistently among the most remote-friendly careers. There are many options you’ll come across during your job search, including programming, cybersecurity, networking, and repair.
IT jobs tend to pay very well, and just about every large company in the world requires an IT team of some kind. But like accounting, IT jobs require a specific set of skills that aren’t learnable overnight. You can complete many certifiable courses within a few days to a few months, but the best-paying jobs may require a specialized degree and experience.
5. Customer support representative
Many small companies around the world outsource customer service to remote workers or third-party call centers rather than in-house employees. Oftentimes, the companies require the remote representative to work set shifts. Customer service jobs typically don’t require a specialized degree. However, niche services or products may call for some amount of technical expertise, which often comes with higher income.
6. Data entry clerks or administrative jobs
Just as most large companies have IT needs, they also have a need for administrative roles like data entry clerks, which can often be done remotely. These jobs tend to be entry-level and require minimal third-party training, but a comfort with learning new technology and attention to detail are important for success.
7. Photographer
Talented photographers regularly travel, regardless of their niche, because people and companies will pay top dollar for high-quality shots. Wedding, nature, or travel photographers often get opportunities to travel to complete their assignments. However, you’ll need to invest in your skills and professional brand to regularly receive travel-related project offers.
8. Truck driver
Trucking may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to jobs that allow you to travel, but it’s a popular industry. The downside is that virtually all your travel is on the road and lasts for long stretches of time, so you can’t typically get out and take in the sights. It lacks the flexibility of a remote corporate or freelance career.
9. Au pair
Au pairs live with a host family in another country and help with childcare or housekeeping duties. They typically earn a stipend and may receive housing, but a major draw is the opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture. However, pay varies, and your travel often depends on the schedule of the family you work for. If you want to spend an extended period in a new place, it’s an option to consider.
10. Cruise staff
Cruise staff get to see the world without straying far from the comfort of their room. The on-the-job experience depends on your role. Lower positions on a cruise ship can come with demanding hours and simple lodging, but also come with shore leave—free time to explore on land while off-duty. Higher-ranking cruise jobs, such as engineers, navigational crews, and event coordinators can be more comfortable, but are also demanding.
Learn how to become a cruise travel agent
11. Flight attendant
Flight attendants spend most of their working hours in the air, but can see cities around the world during their downtime. Flight attendants typically fly a few main routes and may spend some time in a city on either side, but they also get airline perks for their own personal travel. Like cruise staff, flight attendants’ responsibilities can be demanding. But if you’re looking for a career that takes you around the world, it’s another exciting choice.
12. Entertainers or set crews
Productions of any kind—movies, concerts, Broadway performances—require large crews to keep things running smoothly. Oftentimes, that means traveling around the world to create new sets, organize venues, and so on. Requirements depend on your role, but some entry-level positions require little or no prior experience or formal education.
13. Scientists
Not all scientists are stuck in a lab. From archeologists studying ancient ruins to biologists venturing deep into ecosystems, scientists of all kinds conduct field research. Pay varies by position and changes with experience. Many entry-level roles are reserved for grad assistants and students, and are often unpaid or low-paid. Leadership roles almost always require extensive education.
14. Construction site manager
Construction managers at major developing firms travel from site to site to monitor progress and ensure teams follow proper protocols. This is more common among the largest construction companies, and these often come with significant experience or education requirements. Starting pay tends to be higher.
How travel advising with Fora works
Travel advising with Fora is a work-from-anywhere job. There are no set schedules and no residency requirements. As long as you have an internet connection, you can work as much or as little as you want.
You don’t need experience to start
Fora provides its own training that covers everything from the basics of booking to marketing your business, with 700+ hours of on-demand courses plus 28+ hours of live sessions every week. Fora Advisors are entrepreneurs, so the curriculum leans just as hard into the business and relationship sides of the job. You work through the courses at your own pace, on your own schedule.
“I love that I can take my job with me anywhere,” says Fora Advisor Diana Morales. “I have worked from a lovely little café in Vilnius, my hotel room in Cartagena, the lobby of a luxury hotel in Amsterdam, and so many other places. Fora makes it even easier because we have the Portal app, so I can work just by using my phone.”
It improves your own travel experience
Selling travel teaches you the industry inside and out. You’ll learn about destinations, but also the nuances of different suppliers and travel brands so you know how to create the experience you want. Most host agencies also allow their travel advisors to book personal travel with supplier perks, as long as the majority of your bookings are for others. Established advisors can access discounted rates with suppliers.
Many advisors also travel in support of their business to attend supplier events, industry conferences, and Fams.
You’re in charge of your income
How much you make depends on how much you book. Travel advisors earn most of their income from commissions that suppliers pay on each booking, ranging from 7–20% of the commissionable booking amount. Your host agency splits that commission with you.
What you earn per booking depends on the supplier, size of the booking, and your host agency’s relationship with the supplier. Top Fora Advisors book more than $10 million in travel per year.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a living while traveling and working remotely?
Yes. The jobs above are common ways to earn a living while traveling, across just about every sector and income range. If you want your daily work to revolve around travel itself, becoming a travel advisor is one of the best options.
Can I get paid to travel?
Yes, though most “get paid to travel” jobs pay you to work while you travel, not for the travel itself. Travel advising is one of the few where travel knowledge is the product—you earn commission on the trips you book for clients, and you can put your own travel toward your professional growth.
What’s the best job if I want to travel the world?
It depends on how much you want travel at the center of your work. Flight attendants and cruise staff travel constantly, but rely on someone else’s schedule and itinerary. Travel advising gives you the most control because you set your own hours, work from anywhere, and build a business around the destinations you care about.
How can I work remotely while traveling?
Most remote work comes down to three things: the right equipment, approval from your employer, and good planning. You’ll need a reliable internet connection and a capable device. If you have an employer, clear your travel plans with them ahead of time, especially across time zones. And plan your trip around your work, booking accommodations with dependable Wi-Fi and a real workspace so you’re not scrambling on a deadline. Beyond that, the skills you need change with the job, though tech-savviness and strong communication help in almost any remote role.
Do I need a degree or certification to become a travel advisor?
No. There’s no required degree or license to start, and 97% of Fora advisors had never sold travel before joining. A host agency like Fora provides the training and credentials you need to operate.
Can I be a travel advisor part-time?
Yes. Most travel advisors are independent contractors who set their own hours, so you can start part-time alongside another job and scale up as your bookings grow.
How do travel advisors make money?
Travel providers pay a commission on advisor bookings, which is split with their host agency. Sometimes advisors also charge a planning fee for customized itineraries or complicated trips.
