If you’ve been staring at your office computer screen, fantasising about tossing your keyboard out the window and running away to an exotic land where emails don’t exist, you’re not alone. But let’s be real—quitting your job to “travel the world” sounds great until you remember that you have bills, no trust fund, and minimal work experience beyond sending passive-aggressive Slack messages. Fear not! There are actual, real-life, entry level travel jobs out there for people who just want to escape the 9-to-5 but don’t have a PhD in “anything useful”. Here are some of the best ways to get paid (or at least survive) while wandering the world.
1. English Teacher (No, You Don’t Need a Teaching Degree)
So, you speak English? Congratulations, you’re officially qualified to teach it abroad (well, kind of). Many countries—especially in Asia and South America—are desperate for English teachers and don’t always require a teaching degree, just a TEFL certificate, which you can get online in your pyjamas. Plus, teaching means you can flex your “I’m making a difference” muscles while still having enough free time to sip cocktails on a beach.
2. Hotel or Hostel Worker (Live Where You Work, Work Where You Party)
Many hotels and hostels are on the lookout for front desk staff, bartenders, and general “please deal with these rowdy backpackers” people. Experience? Optional – making it one of the easiest entry level travel jobs. The biggest requirement is having the patience of a saint and the ability to smile while someone asks, “So, what’s the WiFi password?” for the 75th time that day. Bonus: Free accommodation is often included!
3. Cruise Ship Crew (Travel the World, Avoid Paying Rent)
Want to see the world but have the work schedule of a vampire? Cruise ship jobs range from entertainment to housekeeping to bartending, and while the hours can be brutal, you’ll get free food, free accommodation, and the chance to wake up in a new country every other day. Just don’t expect much sleep—or personal space.
4. Flight Attendant (Paid to Travel, Trained to Tolerate People)
If you’re good at pretending to be cheerful while someone complains about legroom (again), being a flight attendant might be your calling. Airlines often don’t require prior experience—just an ability to survive long-haul flights and not lose your mind when someone asks if their bag will fit in the overhead compartment (it won’t). Perks include free travel and the ability to say, “I can’t, I have a flight to Paris tomorrow,” like it’s no big deal.
5. Tour Guide (Just Pretend You Know What You’re Talking About)
If you can confidently say, “And this rock has been here for thousands of years” with a straight face, you might just make it as a tour guide. Some companies will hire you even if you have zero experience, as long as you have a personality that’s louder than a megaphone. Extra points if you can read a map and pretend you didn’t just Google the history of that temple five minutes ago.
6. Freelance Work (A Fancy Term for ‘Winging It’)
If you have any skills that can be done remotely—writing, graphic design, video editing, even just being a virtual assistant—you can turn that into a location-independent job. Sure, it takes some hustle to get started, but once you land a few gigs, you can work from anywhere (yes, even a hammock in Bali). The only downside? The WiFi will always be slower than advertised.
7. Travel Nanny (Basically, Babysitting But With a Passport)
Some wealthy families need someone to watch their kids while they trot the globe, and if you can keep a small human alive and entertained, you can get a free plane ticket and accommodations out of it. Pro tip: Brush up on your “I Spy” skills because you’ll be playing it a lot.
8. Work Exchange Programs (Will Work for Food and a Bed)
If getting paid sounds too ambitious, you can still travel on a budget by trading your time for room and board. Platforms like Workaway and WWOOF connect you with hosts needing help with farming, hospitality, or even dog-sitting. You won’t make money, but you will get free food, which is basically the same thing.
9. Bartender or Waiter (Because Drinks Don’t Serve Themselves)
Every tourist hotspot needs someone to pour drinks and carry plates. If you can hold a tray without dropping it (or even if you can’t), you might just land a job at a beachside bar. Tips can be great, the vibe is chill, and you’ll definitely meet some…interesting characters.
10. Street Performer (Yes, Really)
Can you juggle? Play an instrument? Stand really still like a statue? Welcome to your new job. Touristy areas are goldmines for street performers, and while there’s no salary, the right location and talent (or sheer confidence) can make you decent cash. If all else fails, start a “Help Me Travel” sign and hope for the best.
Final Thoughts: Just Go!
You don’t need to be rich or ultra-qualified to escape the daily grind and travel. There are plenty of entry level travel jobs that will fund your adventures—or at least keep you from starving in a foreign country. That said, before you pack your bags, remember that some countries require work permits or specific visas, so do your research to avoid any unexpected airport detours back home!
Maybe Bali might be your speed? Check out our blog post – Remote Travel Jobs in Bali: A Slightly Sarcastic Guide
And if you’re planning to haggle your way through bustling markets or shop like a local without getting ripped off, don’t forget to download Tengah! It’s the ultimate travel app that helps you find fair prices based on what other travellers have paid—so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your adventure.
So go on, book that ticket, and figure it out as you go. Worst case? You end up back at your desk job with an excellent “That time I accidentally became a tour guide in Thailand” story. Worth it.
