Ah, the allure of travel! Who doesn’t dream of jet-setting to exotic locations, learning new cultures, and tasting different cuisines?
But what if you could combine your passion for travel with your dream job? Yes, it’s possible!
From freelance writing to international diplomacy, there are plenty of jobs out there that not only include a bit of travel but that require you to travel to keep it.
The Best Jobs That Require You To Travel
So, sit back as we list some of the best jobs that require you to travel and let your future career take root today.
Travel Blogger
It’s no surprise that a travel blogger travels, but what may surprise you is the revenue potential. With sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and paid advertisements, you can make a decent income. However, this isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. Building a successful blog takes time, effort, and both business and networking skills.
Flight Attendant
The life of a flight attendant is not all glamor and glitz, but it does offer the chance to travel frequently. Usually, flight attendants receive benefits like discounted flights for themselves and their families. It’s a demanding job with irregular hours, but if you love flying and customer service, it’s perfect for you.
Pilot
The career of a pilot is synonymous with travel, offering the chance to fly to various destinations, sometimes crossing multiple time zones in a single day.
Whether you’re a commercial pilot for a major airline or a charter pilot for private flights, the job inherently involves seeing different parts of the world. Benefits often include free or discounted flights for you and your family, allowing for personal travel as well.
The training and certification process is rigorous and costly, but the payoff is a fulfilling career with a bird’s-eye view of the world. The job can also be demanding, requiring meticulous attention to safety protocols and a commitment to continuous learning.
International Sales
Companies with a global market often require their sales team to travel internationally to meet potential clients and close deals. This career usually involves attending trade shows, client meetings, and networking events around the world. It’s a job that rewards those with strong communication and negotiation skills plus it doesn’t hurt to know an extra language or two.
ESL Teacher
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) offers a golden opportunity to live and work in different countries. Many schools offer accommodation and a reasonable salary, allowing you to explore the local area in your free time. Countries like South Korea, China, and Japan have high demand for ESL teachers.
There’s also a growing demand for a business English tutor as companies realize that global demand is pushing their products into more and more markets. With English as the de facto language for business, there’s a need to be understood right across the world and companies are hiring English tutors to get their employees playing on the global scale.
Travel Nurse
Nurses with a sense of adventure can opt for short-term contracts in various locations. These roles are often in high demand, especially in remote or crisis-hit areas, offering competitive salaries and benefits. A background in nursing and the necessary certifications are a must.
Scuba diving instructor
Fancy diving in Tahiti for a living? Yeah, me too!
While becoming a diving instructor isn’t the easiest thing in the world, it is achievable, especially if you’re already an experienced diver. Expect an absolute minimum of six months time once you’ve become a PADI DIvemaster, before you can even enroll in the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). You’ll also need to complete a minimum number of dives, and a medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months.
Cruise Ship Employee
From entertainment coordinators to chefs, jobs on a cruise ship are numerous and varied. It’s hard work, often requiring long hours, but your “office” travels to multiple countries. Accommodation and meals are usually included, and you get to enjoy some off-time exploring ports of call. If you love the sea and constantly being on the move, this might be a great fit for you.
Digital Nomad Roles
In our connected world, many jobs can be done from anywhere with a good internet connection. Web developers, graphic designers, and even accountants are adopting a location-independent lifestyle, thanks to remote work arrangements.
While these jobs are more geared to stay at home workers, there are some companies that like to have their employees on site occasionally. What this means is that you might need to “travel to work” once in a while. If this is in a different country, all the better to tag in some sight seeing time while you’re there!
Field Service Engineer
In sectors like telecom, energy, and machinery, field service engineers are often required to travel to client sites to troubleshoot and resolve issues. The role not only offers the opportunity to travel but also challenges your problem-solving skills.
These types of jobs could entail everything from working in a remote jungle surveilling new pipeline expansions to setting up some high tech plant in a large metropolis so the options are as diverse as you can imagine and the pay can be astronomical depending on your specialty.
Translator
For those fluent in multiple languages, a career as a translator can offer extensive travel opportunities. Translators are often required on-site for international business meetings, legal proceedings, and diplomatic conversations. Some jobs involve traveling with a delegation to provide real-time translation, while others might require you to relocate temporarily for a project.
Specialized translators, such as those in medical or legal fields, are in particularly high demand. This job not only lets you explore different corners of the world but also allows you to immerse yourself in diverse cultures, providing a deeper understanding that goes beyond mere tourism.
Photojournalist
For those skilled in photography and storytelling, a career as a photojournalist can be both fulfilling and globe-trotting. Often hired by media agencies or as freelancers, photojournalists travel to cover stories, events, and crises worldwide. The best part is that the locations can be just as varied as the stories you’re covering.
Adventure Tour Guide
If you have a love for the outdoors and enjoy sharing your enthusiasm with others, becoming an adventure tour guide could be your calling. These guides lead groups on various activities like hiking, kayaking, and even diving in some of the world’s most breathtaking locations.
Whether it’s guiding tourists through the Amazon rainforest or leading a scuba diving excursion in the Maldives, this job allows you to travel extensively while also being physically active. Certification and safety training are generally required, but the rewards include a dynamic work environment and the chance to meet people from all over the globe.
Diplomat
Representing your country abroad as a diplomat is a job role that inherently requires international travel. It involves a range of responsibilities including negotiations, trade relationships, and cultural exchange programs. It’s a prestigious role but comes with its set of challenges, including language barriers and cultural differences.
Jobs That Let You See the World: Your Ticket to a Life on the Move
Having a job that requires you to travel can be fulfilling on several levels. Apart from seeing new places and experiencing new things, the best jobs not only require you to travel but can also be quite lucrative if you have both the skillset to go with it as well as the proper mindset to make it work for you and your situation.
While having a job that requires travel can sound appealing, it comes with challenges like work-life balance and potential burnout. Being away from loved ones, handling jet lag, and adapting to different cultures can take a toll. Therefore, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before diving in.
While we realize that having a job that lets you travel isn’t for everyone, if the idea of staying in one place bores you to death, know that you have options. Whether it’s capturing the world through a lens, teaching English to students in foreign lands, or selling products on a global scale, there’s a job out there that will let you combine your career with your love for travel.
So, go ahead, update that resume, and embark on a journey like no other!
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