5 Side Gigs That Let You Travel the World in Retirement

Senior couple in vacation, spending their holidays visiting the beautiful city of Paris, France.

Retirees are traveling in great numbers, with the average American adult taking 3.9 trips per year, according to AARP. On the downside, total travel costs were, on average, $6,800 over a year’s worth of trips. That’s a budget-stretching number for most retirees living on a fixed income.

One way to travel more and have the cash to pay the freight is through gig work, much of which can be handled before, during or after trips in the United States or abroad.

"I've been a full-time nomad since 2019, initially augmenting our travel expenses with consulting in a business which I have now closed," said Norman Bour, owner at TravelYounger, a travel experiences platform.

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While a good chunk of Bour’s expenses are covered by Social Security payments, his travel blog and additional trip content have increasingly helped cover the bills.

"When I began our journey, I also started a travel blog, which turned into a few books and also revenue-generating stories for major news publications," Bour said. "In my view, supplementing your retirement income is possible and highly recommended."

Five ways to mix travel and freelance gigs in 2026

As Bour’s experience bears out, hitting the open road and making cash along the way may be easier than you think. It’s especially doable with these five side gigs, all of which pair well with travel experiences, stateside and abroad.

1. Travel services consultant

Jacqueline Grant, an experienced business travel consultant, says it’s possible to earn freelance or part-time income while traveling, especially for retirees.

"Many retirees are uniquely positioned to earn income while traveling because they bring decades of professional experience, credibility, and flexibility," she said. "The key shift is reframing 'work' from a fixed job to portable expertise."

Grant regularly blends her travel excursions with a side gig as a business and travel services speaker and consultant.

"I’ve personally structured my travel so that it often pays for itself," she said. "When I travel to destinations I already want to visit, I frequently partner with a local organization, venue, or professional group to deliver a talk or workshop in my area of expertise."

Sometimes attendees pay a modest registration fee, and other times the event is free. The idea, however, is to sign up clients for expanded consulting work after the presentation. "I make a clear offer at the end for follow-on services," she noted. "In several cases, a single client engagement generated from one presentation covered the full cost of my trip."

Grant said she can earn anywhere from a few dollars to $1,500 per travel speaking session, usually on the road at libraries, community centers, universities, professional associations, and senior organizations.

"Plus, you can get those client opportunities afterward," Grant noted. "One big key is conducting outreach to local organizations in your destination city before you travel."

2. Freelance writer

Many seniors are discovering that their skills, whether in writing, consulting, tutoring, or creative work, can easily translate to a portable income stream.

"With the right tools, a laptop, and a reliable internet connection, retirees can work from almost anywhere," said Joel Marotti, a career and workplace expert with over 15 years of experience in executive search, outplacement, and professional branding at Vertical Media Solutions in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

"The key is aligning your skills with gigs that are inherently flexible and can be paused or scheduled around travel plans," he said.

One skill that aligns seamlessly with travel is freelance writing, ideally about specific travel and lifestyle experiences earned on the road.

"Some of the most practical gigs include freelance writing, editing, or content creation," Marotti said. "Travel blogging or creating guides for destinations can pay anywhere from $25 to $1,000 per article, depending on complexity and audience."

To land decent writing jobs, retirees often start by signing up for platforms like Freelance Success, Upwork, and Fiverr. "Or, try niche travel sites while also leveraging their own personal publishing networks," Marotti advised.

3. Online tutor/teacher

As long as you have a reliable computer and a good internet connection, and you have some educational background, you can use your idle travel time to teach online classes for kids and parents.

Take Maria Thorne, an independent online instructor with Outschool, an online platform that offers live, digital classes for students.

After 30 years in education, Thorne retired during the COVID pandemic. "While I was grateful for the pause, I quickly realized that something was missing, specifically my passion."

Thorne had spent decades working with children, and without that purpose, she felt a gap in her life. "A friend suggested I explore online teaching, and that simple idea sparked my curiosity. Here was a way to continue doing what I loved, while also supplementing my retirement income."

What surprised her the most was "how quickly my passion for teaching returned," she said. "I felt energized again, with a sense of purpose that has carried me into this new adventure."

Online teaching or tutoring is ideal for retirees with a specific educational specialty, such as math, foreign languages, or computing.

Instructors can spend the morning on the beach or visiting a new city, then spend a few hours in the afternoon in digital instruction mode.

Digital teachers and tutors can expect to make $15 to $50 per hour and may earn over $100 per hour for specialized subjects like mathematics test prep, advanced sciences (think calculus or anatomy), or high-end business concepts like logistics or manufacturing.

Senior couple using laptop computer to pick their next travel destination or to shop something online.

4. YouTube travel creator

Social media offers retired travelers a shot at making money by creating video content chronicling their adventures in far-off lands.

Consider Jason Breck, founder of 40 North Media, which includes a YouTube-based business and travel channel for viewers who want to retire early.

"After hitting my $1 million portfolio goal and stepping away from traditional work, I eventually realized early retirement doesn’t mean slowing down," Breck said. "It means choosing how to spend your time."

Breck and his wife, Daravy, wanted a project that combined their passions for finance and travel, kept them mentally engaged, and offered the potential for supplemental income. "We asked ourselves: What do we love talking about? How can we add value? YouTube checked all those boxes with minimal startup costs and maximum creative freedom," he said.

The couple launched two YouTube channels: 40 North Finances, where they demystify investing strategies, and 40 North Travels, where they document adventures abroad. "We're both north of 40, and so is our target audience," Breck said.

"Finances took off first, and now has 5,500 subscribers and is monetized. Travels has 305 subscribers and is growing steadily. It’s been a slow build, but consistent content and authentic connection with viewers have driven our growth."

YouTube creators who keep churning out quality content can often earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars monthly, and larger channels with millions of views or subscribers can earn six-figure incomes through diverse streams such as ad revenue, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and merchandise.

It’s not uncommon for travel creators with large followings to make over $10,000-$50,000-plus monthly from YouTube ads alone.

5. Pet sitter/pet walker

Just because you’re in travel mode doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in your love of animals and add to your bank account as an "on the road" pet walker or pet sitter.

"It’s possible for retirees to earn part-time income while traveling, and pet-related work makes it even easier," said Jonathan Solis, CEO and co-founder of Whisker Bark, which builds pet-friendly products like luxury strollers and personalized seat covers.

Solis says his customers and pet-loving friends regularly land pet-focused side gigs while traveling. "Retirees often have the patience, reliability, and routine that pet owners value most," he said. "You don’t need to work many hours; just being consistent and trustworthy can cover daily travel expenses."

Great gig options include pet-sitting, house-sitting with pets, dog walking in tourist towns, helping manage pet-friendly rentals, or offering basic pet care advice online. "These can pay anywhere from free accommodation to $30–$70 per day, or more in popular destinations," Solis said.

"Some retirees also review pet products, write pet travel guides, or help small pet brands with customer support. Most of these jobs come through platforms, local Facebook groups, or word-of-mouth."

Pet-related gigs work best with slower travel. "Staying longer in one place builds trust and repeat work," Solis noted. "Choosing destinations known for pet-friendly housing and good veterinary services makes things much smoother. Many retirees plan their routes around longer stays rather than quick hops."

The best pet-care gigs fit into daily life instead of interrupting it. "Flexible hours, simple responsibilities, and low setup costs are key," Solis added. "Anything that lets you pause, move locations, and resume later is ideal. With pet work, reliability matters more than speed or scale."

A retired Asian couple walks with a small, white dog.

How retirees can balance gig work and travel

There’s no handbook on retirement, travel, and part-time work, but some realities are emerging that show that retirees' lives and work on the road can align, and probably in easier ways than you may think.

"It’s definitely possible for retirees to earn money while exploring new places," said Gregory Rouvelin, a career analyst at Employers.io, a career resources platform.

"Not every side gig has to be online, and some retirees enjoy hands-on or community-focused roles that also allow them to meet people and experience local culture. The key is picking gigs that fit around travel rather than tying you to a strict schedule or fixed location."

Aim for the best tourist seasons

Retirees should align their gigs with peak and off seasons to maximize both income and leisure time.

"For example, ski towns may need extra guides in winter but are quiet in spring, while coastal towns peak in summer," Rouvelin said. "Choosing destinations with reliable internet and good health services is also important, especially for longer stays."

"Budgeting around costs and work intensity allows retirees to enjoy the journey without overscheduling themselves," he added.

Happy senior woman and man holding hands and walking outdoors on sandy beach in autumn.

Choose the most travel-friendly gigs

The best gigs for traveling retirees are flexible, low-cost to start, and portable.

"You want part-time roles with short hours, repeatable tasks, or seasonal spikes that allow retirees to move easily from one place to another," Rouvelin noted. "Combining a few gigs can also balance income, so retirees are not dependent on a single source.

Ultimately, the right gigs make it possible to earn a living while embracing the freedom to explore, discover new experiences, and enjoy retirement fully."

Do your due diligence well ahead of time

It’s smart to research regions for both connectivity and health services, especially if staying longer than a few weeks. "Mapping work hours to time zones is another good tactic," Marotti said.

"For example, retirees consulting for United States clients while in Europe may adjust mornings and evenings to sync schedules efficiently," he said.

Medium shot of smiling senior friends toasting with wine glasses while sharing dinner at outdoor table at villa during vacation

Take a break to catch your breath

Travel can be demanding enough without adding a part-time job to the calendar. That’s why it’s wise to take some plane time off.

"Build buffer weeks with no commitments in case travel plans change or you just want to enjoy where you are," said Colleen Barry, head of marketing at Ketch, a data privacy management software firm. "Treating your calendar like a business, with planned downtime, is what prevents burnout."

Prioritize compatibility

Barry advises taking outcome-based gigs rather than hour-based ones. "Anything that can be done asynchronously, remotely, and with minimal tools is ideal," she said.

"For retirees, that means avoiding roles tied to daily meetings, fixed schedules, or complex setups," she said. "Low overhead, flexible deadlines, and the ability to pause work without penalties should be non-negotiables."

A former Wall Street bond trader, Brian O’Connell is the author of two books: “The 401k Millionaire” and “CNBC’s Creating Wealth.” He's written for national finance publications such as TheStreet.com, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Fox News and others. With 20 years of experience covering business news and trends, he believes education is the best gift a financial consumer can receive – and brings that philosophy to his work. Brian is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, and currently resides in Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico during the winter, and in Bucks County, Pa., when Mother Nature cooperates.