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15 Best Jobs That Allow You to Travel

These best travel jobs allow you to build a fulfilling career while traveling domestically or internationally.

Getty Images |

Satisfy your wanderlust with these travel jobs.

Getting a 9-to-5 job doesn't mean you have to put your dream of traveling the world on hold. Many professions not only provide financial stability but offer the exciting perk of frequent travel. Here's a look at some of the best jobs that allow you to build a fulfilling career while satiating your wanderlust.

We've taken the top travel jobs from the U.S. News 100 Best Jobs ranking. These jobs are described by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as having a travel component.

15. Architect

Median salary: $82,840 Expected job growth by 2032: 4.8%

Architects design and oversee the construction of buildings and structures. They often collaborate with clients to understand their needs and work alongside engineers, contractors and other specialists to bring their designs to life. Architects may also travel to visit construction sites and review the progress of projects.

To practice in most states, architects need a bachelor's degree from a school of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

Learn more about architects .

14. Cartographer

Median salary: $71,890 Expected job growth by 2032: 5%

Cartographers collect data to create detailed geographic maps. They use advanced tools like geographic information systems, or GIS, for spatial analysis, ensuring accuracy in representing terrain, features and other information. Although cartographers spend much of their time in offices, specific jobs may require extensive travel to locations that are being mapped.

Learn more about cartographers .

(Caiaimage | Paul Bradbury

13. Public Relations Specialist

Median salary: $67,440 Expected job growth by 2032: 6%

Public relations specialists' main job is to generate positive publicity for their clients and help them maintain a good reputation. They can work in various industries, including corporate, government, nonprofit or agency settings. As a public relations specialist, you may travel often to engage with the media, attend events and build relationships with stakeholders.

Learn more about public relations specialists .

12. Nurse Midwife

Median salary: $120,880 Expected job growth by 2032: 6.4%

Nurse midwives, or certified nurse midwives, are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in providing care to women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. These health care professionals are in great demand: The World Health Organization estimates a shortage of 310,000 midwives by the year 2030, with the biggest gaps found in countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean region and Latin America.

Nurse midwives may travel long distances to provide care in locations that don't have enough health care workers, according to the BLS. If you’re passionate about maternal health and want to make a difference while exploring new places, consider becoming a travel midwife.

Learn more about nurse midwives .

11. Construction Manager

Median salary: $101,480 Expected job growth by 2032: 5%

Construction managers oversee construction projects from start to finish, collaborating with architects, engineers and contractors to ensure projects adhere to budgets, timelines and quality standards. Since construction managers often manage several projects simultaneously, they may need to frequently travel among sites.

Learn more about construction managers .

10. Sports Coach

Median salary: $44,890 Expected job growth by 2032: 9%

Sports coaches help athletes develop to their full potential and reach maximum performance. The travel frequency for sports coaches, especially in major leagues like the NFL and NBA, is high. These coaches often accompany their teams to away games in different states, which means they spend lots of time on the road.

Learn more about sports coaches .

9. Flight Attendant

Median salary: $63,760 Expected job growth by 2032: 11%

Flight attendants travel wherever an aircraft goes, ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers. They also communicate with pilots regarding flight details and cabin conditions.

Flight attendants' travel frequency depends on factors such as their seniority and the airline's scheduling policies. Junior flight attendants often have less control over their schedules and may work more weekends and holidays.

Learn more about flight attendants .

(Getty Images) |

8. Nurse Anesthetist

Median salary: $203,090 Expected job growth by 2032: 9%

Nurse anesthetists, also known as certified registered nurse anesthetists, are advanced practice registered nurses who administer anesthesia for procedures and surgeries. As of 2025, they must have at least one year of critical care experience and a doctorate degree.

Due to the specialized nature of the job and extensive education required, nurse anesthetists make some of the highest salaries in the health industry. Travel CRNAs can earn even more, as they often step in during high-demand situations, cover short-staffed shifts and work through busy seasons.

Learn more about nurse anesthetists .

7. Sales Manager

Median salary: $130,600 Expected job growth by 2032: 4%

Sales managers are responsible for directing an organization’s sales team. Some of their duties may include setting sales goals, analyzing data, developing training programs for sales representative and addressing any changes necessary to meet customer needs. Depending on the company, sales managers may have to travel to national, regional or local offices and attend in-person customer meetings.

Learn more about sales managers .

Median salary: $135,740 Expected job growth by 2032: 8%

Lawyers provide legal advice and representation to clients in various matters, including criminal defense, civil litigation, contract disputes and family law. Some lawyers work in law firms, while others may work in corporate legal departments, government agencies, nonprofit organizations or as solo practitioners.

Lawyers may travel to meet with current or prospective clients. For example, corporate attorneys who work for multinational companies could travel frequently to handle cross-border transactions and navigate legal matters.

Learn more about lawyers .

5. Operations Research Analyst

Median salary: $85,720 Expected job growth by 2032: 23%

Operations research analysts use advanced techniques, such as data mining and mathematical modeling, to develop solutions that help organizations operate more efficiently. They help businesses solve a wide range of problems, including supply chain optimization, production planning and inventory management.

Although operations research analysts typically spend their time in offices, they may travel occasionally to meet with clients.

Learn more about operations research analysts .

4. Management Analyst

Median salary: $95,290 Expected job growth by 2032: 10%

Management analysts, also known as management consultants, are experts who specialize in helping companies improve efficiency and increase profits. How often management analysts travel depends on the company they work for and their current projects. However, those who pursue a career in management consulting can expect to travel quite frequently to meet with clients.

Learn more about management analysts .

3. Marketing Manager

Median salary: $140,040 Expected job growth by 2032: 7%

Marketing managers gauge the demand for a product and help develop a marketing strategy that fits. Depending on their company’s needs, marketing managers may travel throughout the country or worldwide to meet with clients and attend conferences.

Learn more about marketing managers .

Median salary: $113,990 Expected job growth by 2032: 23%

Actuaries assess and manage financial risks using mathematical and statistical models. They often work in industries such as insurance, finance and retirement planning, determining the likelihood of events and their financial impacts.

Travel frequency for actuaries varies depending on the employer and job role, but some may travel occasionally to attend meetings or meet with clients.

Learn more about actuaries .

1. Nurse Practitioner

Median salary: $121,610 Expected job growth by 2032: 44.5%

A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse with advanced clinical training who shares many of the same duties as a doctor. For example, nurse practitioners are qualified to perform physical exams, diagnose and treat diseases and prescribe medication.

A nurse practitioner can be a solid career path for those who like to travel since these nurses may travel to provide care in locations where there aren’t sufficient health care workers.

Note that to become a travel nurse practitioner and practice in various states, you may need to get a multistate nursing license.

Learn more about nurse practitioners .

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Travel After Five

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A Business Travel Blog

February 16, 2019 By Michelle Maraj 36 Comments

30 Jobs That Require Traveling for Work

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that we will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. All opinions are those of the author.

Not all of these jobs center around traveling – the majority of these jobs require you to travel to visit different company branches or to your clients. Look at companies that built products or services that can be consumed internationally. You may need to travel to a manufacturing plant as an engineer, travel to a university as a recruiter, or travel to another branch to interview employees.

How do you find a job that requires traveling for work?

There are many myths surrounding jobs that require travel, and one of them is that you need to be self-employed in order to be able to travel and work. This isn’t true! While self-employed and creative jobs give you the flexibility to determine your own travel schedule, there are still many salaried jobs out there that require you to travel.

Most of these job descriptions will describe a certain percentage of travel in the job requirements, such as 30% travel or 70% travel . Consider a five day work week when trying to figure out how much the travel requirement is. A job with 80% travel means that you will typically travel Monday through Thursday. A job with 25% travel may mean you travel one week per month.

What types of jobs require traveling for work?

To find a job that travels, envision jobs where your employer may need to send you to another office or branch. You should also consider jobs that involve working with clients, who you may need to travel to see. To increase the likelihood of traveling internationally, you should look for a company that has an international presence.

Consulting jobs of all kinds will also require traveling for work. Nearly every field is going to have consultants, which will be people who provide advice on different business processes. Consider searching for your field + consultant in your job search, and see what comes up.

See 5 myths about jobs that travel.  

Human Resource & Training Jobs that Travel

University Recruiter // With a job in recruiting, you will have to visit different cities to try to find and convince the best candidates. As a University Recruiter, you will travel to different schools to coordinate recruiting events, interviews, and site visits.

Workshop Coordinator  // Companies always need continuous learning experiences. A workshop coordinator would help facilitate training opportunities in different corporate offices.

Academic Researcher  // Working in academia, you will attend conferences all across the world to further your research. You may also travel to work with researchers from other institutions.

Ski or Scuba Instructor  // Whether you want to be in the mountains or in the ocean, an instructor to teach lessons is profitable and can help you do what you love every day.

Tour Group Leader  // If you love history, sight-seeing, and know a lot about a particular city, you may consider becoming a tour group leader. Help others enjoy a new town.

Engineering Jobs That Require Travel

Automotive Test Engineer // An engineer needs to make sure that your vehicle is safe and can withstand all sorts of conditions. Automotive test engineers will travel to different climates and cities to test cars in various conditions.

Plant Controller // As a plant controller, you would be responsible for leading manufacturing sites and ensuring everything is working appropriately. This may involve traveling to different plant locations.

Communications Field Technician // There are telecommunication sites all across the world, and someone has to maintain them. a field technician may be required to travel to ensure communication towers are working effectively.

System Implementation Consultant // Companies of all sizes are purchasing technology to make their processes more efficient. System implementation consultants are hired to make sure the technology is working and set up effectively.

Product Marketing Engineer // A product marketing engineer will help make sure a company’s product is designed, tested, and deployed appropriately. This may involve working with offices and employees from multiple offices. Read our interview with Kaitlyn the Product Marketing Engineer .

Other Engineering Interviews:  Faizan the Management Trainee , Michael the Cybersecurity Consulting Manager , Dale the Cybsersecurity Consultant

Finance Jobs that Travel for Work

Public Accounting Staff  // If you are studying accounting in university, getting a job as a public accountant can take you to clients in a variety of places. Travel on a project basis to help companies with their finances.

Internal Auditor  // Similar to a public accountant, an internal auditor helps to make sure finances in a company look good before external auditors come in to check it. Many companies outsource internal auditors, so consider an internal auditing consulting position.

Anti-Money Laundering Consultant  // Banks and credit unions want to make sure people aren’t doing anything suspicious with their money. An anti-money laundering consultant will help make sure processes are in place to prevent money laundering from happening.

Retirement Planning Consultant  // People throughout your country will need help saving for retirement, and a planning consultant can help. Different companies may fly out their retirement planning consultants to work with new clients.

Management Consultant  // A business strategy or management consultant will work with executives at a company to improve processes and solve any problems that come up. Management consultants are known for having exotic traveling schedules.

Healthcare Jobs Requiring Travel

Travel Nurse  // As a traveling nurse , you may be assigned to different hospitals across the country for a few weeks at a time. This helps hospitals who are short staffed  bring on additional help.

Pharmacy Technician  // Some medical companies will hire traveling pharmacy technicians, bringing diverse skills to different locations.

Doctors Without Borders  // DWB will accept both medical practitioner and non-medical individuals for roles to support developing countries.  You can be a physician, surgeon, or you may be a water sanitation or logistics specialist.

Medical Sales Representative  // These medical individuals travel to make sure local physicians and hospitals are familiar with the latest drugs and technology, and help make sure patients have access to the best resources possible.

Au Pair/Nanny  // As an au pair, you will live with a family and help take care of their children. You can get a job as an au pair in a new country to you, and you may get the opportunity to travel with the family as well.

Service Jobs That’ll Take You Around the World

Flight Attendant  // Serve drinks and amenities on an airplane, and get flown to new locations every day for work. Working for many airlines will also give you benefits to fly on stand-by for free.

Cruise Ship Worker  // There are many job opportunities on a cruise chef – work in the kitchen, as an entertainer, or help promote tours. As you help cruise travelers experience the best, you may get to spend a few free hours in port as well.

Missionary  // Many programs exist to help promote religion in a foreign country. Look into volunteer programs that may be helping developing nations.

Peace Corps  // The Peace Corps sends volunteers across the world to help promote peace and serve people. Returning from your experience as a Peace Corps volunteer is also a great resume boost.

Teach for America // Teach for America places individuals in low-income schools to help inspire children. You may be placed in cities anywhere across the United States, and your service will be rewarding.

Creative Jobs with Travel Opportunities

Wedding Photographer  // As a wedding photographer, your clients do not need to be limited to your home base. You can be hired by people from all over the country, or all over the world, to photograph their wedding!

Travel Blogger // If you have your own travel website, you can be paid for blogging about different sites that you visit. Many travel bloggers will make money off of advertisements, but you may also be able to land sponsored posts, where companies will pay you to try their services or products.

Website Designer // Many website designers have the flexibility of working remotely, and will design websites for their clients on the go. If you have the programming and graphic design skills, being a web designer could be a profitable option.

Beauty Technician // Beauty brands, such as for make-up, hair, or nail, will hire beauty technicians to travel to trade shows to promote their products. With the right passion for beauty, being a beauty technician can be a fun and creative way to see your country.

Event Coordinator // Nearly any large company will have a marketing department with event coordinators, who may be required to put on all types of events ranging from training to recruitment. These events could take place anywhere across the country.

How do I convince my current employer to let me travel more?

If you are currently in a career that doesn’t travel, but you want to convince your employer to let you travel more, you may have a few options. Work from home and flexible mobility policies may not exist for everyone. In these cases, look for training opportunities outside of your city or state.

Also look for conferences in your field, which are likely to take place all over the country. These are great opportunities for networking and learning. Your employer will likely have a budget set aside for conferences, so see if you can dip into that budget!

What other jobs will pay you to travel for work? Let us know in the comments below! 

Ready to travel for work? Check out these posts:

How to build a business travel capsule wardrobe.

• The Ultimate Business Trip Packing List
• Is TSA Precheck worth it?

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Updated: Dec 16, 2021 104 Comments · by Kat

Traveling for Work: Our Top Tips

Business Travel Tips for Women · Lifestyle · Travel | how to fold a suit jacket · how to pack a suit jacket

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Traveling — whether for work or pleasure — can be a harrowing experience. We thought we'd try to summarize some of our best tips for traveling for work that, we've found, make everything go a bit more smoothly, from planning, to packing, to enjoying the experience — including how to pack a suit jacket!

Packing Tips When You're Traveling for Work

1. Draw what you plan to pack. If you're anything like this author, in the days leading up to a trip you've got a zillion thoughts racing around your head for what to pack. I should bring that great dress! Oh, can't forget my laptop cord! And yet, if you actually start packing a bag several days ahead of time, you have no idea what's actually IN the bag when it comes time to close it up and head for the airport. So I picked up this great tip from one of my best friends, who blogs at stellou.com — she draws what she plans to pack.

This solves so many problems — you can add to the drawing over several days. You can see how things work together and where you can reuse different items of clothing. And yet, when it comes time to physically packing the bag, you can do it in one fell swoop, so you know exACTly what's going in there.

Pictured:  This is one of our friend's packing lists from a trip to Paris. They can be less fancy than this, though; one of my own I-have-no-artistic-ability illustrated lists is here (weirdly, also from a trip to Paris).

2. Know how to pack.

a) Heavy things should always go on the bottom of your bag — so for example, if you have a rolling bag, your shoes, books, and whatever else should be closest to the bottom wheels as possible. This way, none of your clothes will get smooshed by heavy things.

b) Roll your tops, skirts and pants instead of folding them — if any of the pieces have lining you may want to turn them inside out before you roll them.

c) Suit jackets can be the trickiest thing to pack, though. We have forgotten where we got this little gem, but it actually does work. We try to walk you through it in the video below, but if you'd like a written explanation, here goes:  take one sleeve of the suit jacket and turn it inside out. Then, take the second sleeve, and push it through the first sleeve. Get it as smooth as possible. The jacket should be almost entirely inside-out now, with both sleeves on one side. Fold the jacket on the vertical so the uber-sleeve lays as flat as possible. Then, fold the jacket on the horizontal until it's the size you need it to be. Wherever possible, keep the suiting material from touching the suiting material — for example, the collar should stay on the “outside” of your little folded package so it isn't touching anything else.  Pictured Pin: Deposit Photos / mavoimages .

Hunting for travel-friendly suits for women or lightweight suits? As of 2024, some of our favorites include these brands/lines: 1) M.M.LaFleur , 2) Ministry of Supply , 3) Paul Smith , and 4) Talbots . (Not pictured: Eddie Bauer and Suitably ! Brooks Brothers also occasionally has suiting in their BrooksCool line, and Uniqlo occasionally has Airism suiting. ) You may also want to check out our roundup of washable suits for women !

Our Video on How to Fold a Suit Jacket

3. Keep your toiletries with you, as well as one change of clothes in case you are separated from your checked luggage. A corollary: on overnight flights it's a good idea to pack your toothbrush in your purse — when you arrive at your destination you can brush your teeth in the bathroom and feel like you're starting the day afresh (no matter how little sleep you got on the plane).

These are some of the Corporette readers' favorite items for business travel …

4 . A few lightweight additions can really make a difference in your trip. For example, flip flops are great to go wherever because it gives you something to walk around in your hotel room if the carpeting is gross; they're also great to use if you end up using the hotel's pool. Travel candles can give you a real sense of home and get rid of any weird hotel smells.

Also, if you're staying at a lower-end hotel and doubt you'll have one of those comfy spa robes, a lightweight robe can be a great way to feel more comfortable in your home — for example, Hammacher Schlemmer offers a lightweight robe that was rated “best overall” by the Wall Street Journal.

We also swear by our LeSportsac weekend duffle — we keep it in the front compartment of our rolling bag, and have found it to be incredibly useful in two different situations. First, you're on a trip and end up buying far too much stuff while on vacation — if you end up having to check a piece of luggage, this one is incredibly durable and has a lock on the zipper. (We actually just leave the keys on the bag so the TSA can get into it if they need to, but the locks help assuage our fears of our luggage splitting open while it's being handled by the airport.)  Second, it can also be great if you're confronted by someone from TSA who insists that you can't carry your rolling bag, your purse, AND your magazines on all at once — we've just stuffed our reading material and our purse into the Weekender and been allowed through. The distinctive colors on the bags (and they come in basic black as well as a wide variety of colors and prints) also make it super easy to identify as yours.

Hunting for lightweight carry-ons with a trolley sleeve for your rolling bag? As of 2023, Tumi , Lo & Sons , Cole Haan , Vera Bradley , and Baggalini are your best bets if you're looking for quality — but here are some other options (including super affordable Amazon ones) below. (Kat has this one and likes it!)

5. Finally, keep an envelope in your purse for travel receipts. This way, during your trip you know exactly where all of your receipts are going, and you can even write on the outside of the envelope what the receipts are that you're sticking in there. Then, when you get back to the office, you can just hand the envelope to your secretary and have her put together your T&E. (Pictured:  our own lists from our recent trip to Louisville.)

Bonus tip: Be sure to ask, when checking into your hotel, if they partner with any airlines for rewards points — staying at most chain hotels will get you more frequent flyer points.

Readers, what are your top tips for traveling? What are your best tips on how to fold a suit jacket, how to keep track of expenses, and more?

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here .

04/26/2010 at 1:44 pm

Any tips on cramming everything into a carry-on? Or for international travel that entails multiple events (embassy meetings + village visits)? Thanks!

04/26/2010 at 2:42 pm

If you’re going big on the carry-on, then be sure to use every available cubic inch – stuff your socks in your shoes, put your eye cream/face wash in an old contact lens case, roll everything, bring only items that can be worn more than once…

but please, don’t be that jerk that takes up all the space in the overhead. Life will go on if you have to wait at the luggage carousel with the rest of us, but the overheads should be used by more than one person… and I hate not being able to fit my jacket in one because of someone else’s jumbo luggage set.

04/26/2010 at 2:54 pm

and I hate not being able to put my bag up when I’m in the last boarding zone because someone has put their jacket up there.

Let people with rolling bags put them up first (assuming they’re actually carry on size–actual carry on size bags should be able to fit wheels first on most overhead luggage bins on large jets, though not commuter flights necessarily. I will be annoyed if you put your bag in sideways, taking up the space for two bags). Purses and coats should be put in if there is space left at the end (there won’t be). Otherwise, purses/laptops under the seat in front of you and hold onto your coat.

04/26/2010 at 4:18 pm

uhhh… if *i* have managed to pack responsibly and have fit everything i need for 4 days into a large le pliage and my purse, you’d better BELIEVE my jacket is going in the storage bin with my little tote.

i had to hold my winter coat on my lap for an entire flight back from france once, when all i had carry-on was my purse. TICKED. OFF. learn to pack a little lighter, buy a suitcase that actually FITS WELL into the storage bins, or check your bag. have a little respect for the people who have made sacrifices to avoid checking luggage.

04/26/2010 at 4:22 pm

I disagree with letting people with rolling bags put them up first. If I check my suitcase and bring on a backpack and a small purse, I think I’m entitled to put my backpack up in the bin and the purse under my seat, especially because I deliberately check my rolling bag in order to be able to have my legroom. I don’t think I should have to give up my legroom for your bag (although I would happily give it up for my OWN bag if I brought on a rolly and a backpack, in which case backpack hangs out at my feet).

04/26/2010 at 4:45 pm

Sorry, I should clarify–I mean more if you have two items, one better be going under your feet. So if you have a backpack and purse, yes, put the backpack up in the bin (So whatever is your carryon, and personal item under seat). I get really annoyed when people have two items and put both in the overhead bins, particularly when the poor flight attendant is standing there saying “if you have two items, please place the smaller item under your feet as our flight is full today and we would like to be able to accommodate as much as possible” and is clearly being ignored. (Really, I just get annoyed when people blatantly ignore instructions)

Part of the problem is there isn’t enough space in overhead bins for each passenger to have a spot for a rolling bag, since obviously when they were installed, people would just check bags. I wish they could find a way to clearly delineate the bins such that if you’re in X seat, it corresponds to X spot in the overhead bins, and if you put your stuff anywhere else, it gets plane checked.

(This is clearly a pet peeve on mine. Probably because I am always on full flights where it is an issue every. single. time. and the airlines won’t enforce the luggage size. My carry-on is standard size, and yes, I get annoyed when people are clearly trying to fit ones that are outside the limits.)

04/26/2010 at 5:16 pm

Oh I’m with you on that KZ :)

If you have two items, then the only way two items go up in the bin is if everyone is on board and there is extra space. Exception – I’m also okay with you putting your backpack in the overhead bin, and then your coat on top of your backpack (so that it occupies the same real estate), b/c it’s not like you can fit another bag on top of a bag to begin with…

04/26/2010 at 5:30 pm

I guess I’m that person? Checking bags is expensive! I’m not going to pay money to check my carryon so that someone can put their jacket up. Sometimes I’ll be the one that can’t fit there stuff too, but I’m always going to try to take just a carryon, so mines as big as the airline allows.

04/26/2010 at 5:42 pm

Also I just don’t see how this makes me a jerk… The airline has requirements, why in the world would I not take advantage of all the space I am allowed?

04/26/2010 at 5:45 pm

But is your carry-on really “carry on size?” Very few actually are… if the airlines would only enforce that rule it would solve a lot of the cramming bags in the overhead bin problems.

04/26/2010 at 6:32 pm

almost every flight I’ve been on in the last couple of years has been a small enough plane that all roll on carry ons were encouraged to be checked at the gate – best way to get the best of both worlds – I don’t have to lug my bag over my head, I’m not taking up someone’s space, but I don’t have to worry about lost luggage either… Even on my last two night trip with a very small roll aboard – I asked specifically for a tag for checking it at the gate even if they didn’t make me, because I find it so much easier…

04/26/2010 at 7:35 pm

Yeah, it is, and the airlines I have flown are very strict about the rule, and have the “cage” in front of the boarding gates and ones that look questionable have to be put in there to make sure they fit

04/26/2010 at 8:28 pm

Every flight I’ve been on in the last year has made everyone with a questionably-sized bag fit it into the metal demonstration overhead bin thingy before being allowed on the plane.

04/26/2010 at 8:59 pm

CC – Sorry, wasn’t directed at you specifically, but at all people who carry on “carry on size” bags which just aren’t. Last time I flew there was a woman lugging a huge duffel, esaily twice the allowed size, and no one stopped her.

Agreed that I love the gate check – the only good thing about smaller planes!

04/27/2010 at 9:55 am

I have bough a very cute samsonite (my first!) and I told the salesperson that I want carryon size. I took a flight from the US to Paris and it was just fine, I even tossed my bag in the metal bin to check that it has the right measurements. Then from Paris to Casablanca (in africa) I had to gate check my bag because they said it is too big for carry on… How do you know who is telling the truth?

04/27/2010 at 9:09 am

For international travel beware- the restrictions on carry-ons are recently being much more strictly enforced lately. I would try for a carry-on, but make sure to keep toothbrush, medicine, etc in my purse (not wheel-on) in case they make me check it.

04/28/2010 at 8:04 am

I just went away for a month – 2 weeks of vacation and 2 weeks of work. I took a suitcase, backpack, and computer bag. I packed all technology in the computer bag, and overnight gear or other indispensables for in-flight in the backpack. It was still fairly heavy, and next time I will probably try for one smallish rolling suitcase. Particularly since some international airlines have revised allowance to only include ONE carry-on, no personal item.

In the suitcase, I only packed 2 suits, along with a skirt, 5 blouses, and a couple of sweaters, for work, plus one pair of heels that matched both suits. If you’re going to the village, you still have space for a couple other outfits. I packed more outfits for vacation than for work.

I made sure to wear my heaviest shoes (boots) and the outer jacket that takes up the most space. If you’re not married to specific toiletry products, gather hotel samples during the professional part of the trip to take to the village. This can save lots of weight and space!

kjoirishlastname

11/08/2013 at 11:42 am

Pack lightweight materials, and materials that can be washed & air dried. When on a weeklong pleasure trip with hubs to Arizona, I packed a rolling carry-on and my hiking daypack, with my purse stuffed inside. I brought a pair of zip off hiking pants (shorts + pants!), technical fabric wicking t-shirts (they are tiny, don’t wrinkle, and air dry in a jiffy); microfiber undies that I washed in the sink, and of course, pieces that could be recycled throughout the trip. I wanted to have a pair of jeans, so I wore them on the plane. Same with my hiking boots. Yes, it was a pain to get through security but I didn’t have to pack the behemoths. I also wore my fleece jacket that would be pretty much my only outerwear for the week.

I agree with the others–roll everything! I ended up rolling everything that was big-ish, and stuffing the corners with socks, balled-up undies, bathing suit, etc. Carried a full change of clothes in my backpack, along with all my toiletries, travel documents, camera, ipad, etc. Left the chargers in the rolling bag.

If you can sacrifice some style for function, you can find very lightweight rain shells, even very lightweight micro-fleece jackets. Pack flats instead of heels, forgo accessories unless they can be multi-purpose–a scarf can be both an accessory to a suit or dress, but also a functional piece of warming clothing.

My husband and I have taken 3 week+ trips on planes and have never checked a bag, including our honeymoon trip to Virgin Gorda with snorkel gear & fins.

04/26/2010 at 1:48 pm

Your drawings are so cute. I am really bad at drawing.

04/26/2010 at 1:52 pm

Take the train.

But seriously:

1. Keep a bag of toiletries in the suitcase at all times of a toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine products, deodorant, travel-sized (sample) lipstick and other make-up, shampoo, whatever. Also a set of tweezers and nail file.

2. Most things can be packed in drycleaning bags, which reduces, if not eliminates, wrinkles.

3. I have pre-printed packing lists for a variety of destinations printed out that I can refer to as I pack, eg: one for work, one for warm weather destinations, etc.

4. Consider fedex-ing clothing or supplies both to and from your destination.

04/26/2010 at 2:49 pm

I’ve actually fedexed purchases I made in CA back home to MA. So worth the extra money. I think that it’s actually cheaper to ship something Fedex these days than check a bag on some airlines! ;-)

04/26/2010 at 4:14 pm

I spent 90 pounds sending things from the UK back to Central Europe after a recent trip – definitely worth it, since I sent about 15 kilos worth of work stuff and was flying Ryanair, which charges 20 pounds a kilo for baggage over 15 kg! I broke even at 4.5 kg…

04/26/2010 at 1:53 pm

I rarely travel for work, but now I am usually in charge of packing for family travel. That means that I am packing my own stuff, but also my husband’s stuff (lest he be left without socks) and the kids’ stuff.

I can’t draw at all, so I make lists. One for me, one for hubby, one for the kids (usually these are in different sections of the same piece of paper). If there are specific events that we’re going to, I put down “outfit for X party” on all of the lists, so I have hubby’s blazer and khakis as well as my dress and junior L’s dress, etc. Then I have an item called “toilet” which means toothbrushes, paste, saline, glasses cases, lotion, spf, facewash, deodorant, etc. Also my thyroid pills get their own little line (“pills”). I also make sure to write down “snacks” so we pack enough to eat. Basically, I write EVERYTHING on the list, and then cross it off as it gets packed AND put in the car.

Ditto on rolling clothes. For suit jackets and buttondown shirts, I usually pop the collars up all the way, then fold in half along the center back seam,then fold both sleeves over – then they will usually fit on the top of the suitcase.

I also put all toiletries in a separate ziploc bag, especially when traveling by plane. Even if you think everything is closed up tight, maybe your conditioner bottle will split open and get all over everything else. Much better if it is in a sealed ziploc so all you have to do is wash off all of the rest of the toiletry items.

04/27/2010 at 4:38 am

agree with making lists. i write down everything. amazingly, i’ve almost forgotten underwear before seeing it un-crossed off on my list right before closing up my suitcase.

04/27/2010 at 10:01 am

L I love the idea of writing down even the snack! I always end up starving during my trips (which somehow always get delayed).

If possible, keep your rollerboard pre-packed (extra gym shoes, extra set of makeup, travel toiletries, socks, belt, workout clothes etc) — this will save time and minimize chances that you will end up at your destination without something critical.

04/26/2010 at 1:54 pm

Oh, you visual people. That drawing of clothes looks like 6 sketches of the same shirt to me. That would be why I make lists instead of drawing pictures.

Kat, are you wearing last Friday’s ATL top in the video? Looks fab.

04/26/2010 at 2:25 pm

i am, yes :)

I always carry a pack of those disposable face cloth/wipe things…you know, the kinds made by Ponds or Biore that are like wet wipes for the face. I throw a small pack in my carry on and they come in so handy, especially after a long flight.

04/26/2010 at 2:04 pm

I wholeheartedly second this suggestion.

04/26/2010 at 4:17 pm

Me too. On long haul flights I take a face flannel too – sometimes being able to splash water around makes a huge different after hour 20 comes around!

04/27/2010 at 1:56 pm

As the mother of a 16 month old, I’ve found how handy baby wipes are (we have unscented ones because of my family’s skin sensitivies). They are really cheap, and a plain old sandwich bag keeps them moist.

04/26/2010 at 1:56 pm

Love that jacket folding trick! I’m curious – What is the rationale for suit lining touching suit material / minimizing suit material-on-suit material?

04/26/2010 at 3:57 pm

I wanna know too, @cj! All of my clothes are jammed into my closet touching each other. I know they’re supposed to have room to “breathe” ideally, but it’s not like they have the cooties, yo! LOL.

04/27/2010 at 7:03 am

The logic is that clothes will shift in transit. If they can slide past each other they won’t wrinkle; if they “stick” against other fabric, they will. Suit fabric is just about guaranteed to be more “sticky” than the lining material, so you want it touching itself less.

(Which would make the sleeve outer materials touching each other as in the directions suboptimal, but I’m guessing they wouldn’t shift in transit as much as the body of the suit.)

04/26/2010 at 2:01 pm

On overnight flights with a layover,I always try to have an extra shirt in my carry on so that I can change when I first land. My husband used to laugh at me until he finally tried it. There’s something about a clean shirt (along with washing my face, brushing my teeth, fresh deodorant) that just makes me feel almost-human after a long flight.

RoadWarriorette

04/26/2010 at 2:21 pm

Another person bad at drawing here!! I make lists. I LOVE lists.

I would add to this to make sure you plan your outfits around one main color, ie black or brown, so that you can minimize your shoe packing.

Also, it is very helpful for common travelers to have a set of toiletries ready to go at all times. This way you can make sure you have all of the toiletries you need, and save time when packing.

04/26/2010 at 2:56 pm

I second this. When going on a trip, I try to pick one main color theme, so that I can mix and match more easily. If going on a city trip, I might choose black and white, which I can then accent with a red scarf or bright top. Way less shoe packing required. For a more informal trip, I might choose something like floaty neutrals, and pack a cream dress than can work as a cover up or for dinner, and some metallic sandals. Its kind of fun, like creating a capsule wardrobe!

04/27/2010 at 10:15 am

How often do you travel to consider yourself as a frequent traveller? I usually travel by plane every six weeks and have some land travel every 2 or 3 weeks. I am wondering if it is worth having doubles of my toiletries for travel only -these things might end up there for months and be spoiled…

04/27/2010 at 11:19 am

I usually travel several times a month, spending the night once or twice. I think if you are using typical toiletries (with the normal amount of preservatives), and not some type of natural toiletry that needs to be refrigerated, you shouldn’t have to worry about spoilage. Plus since toiletry sizes are super small, my travel shampoo (for example) only lasts me like 7-8 washes. So that is one week long vacation plus a couple of work trips, and then I have to refill.

04/27/2010 at 1:10 pm

Ok then! I’ll get my little zip bag ready!

03/05/2013 at 9:06 am

I travel weekly within the States, usually spending 1-2 nights out at a time. I have a “go bag” ready at all times, with my little zip-lock bag of tiny toiletries filled and ready (I refill as part of my unpacking routine when I arrive back in my home office). I have a set of hair implements, mini lint roller, and a baggy of supplies like cold/allergy pills and barrettes packed in the go bag. The only thing I have to throw in there when I hit the road are my clothes and my files. The bag is a roller bag that was purchased specifically to fit within all airline carry on limitations for size, although I do sometimes need to gate-check it when I fly the smaller regional aircraft that has smaller overhead compartments. I also have a smaller roller computer bag that I sometimes use for overnight trips. Everything fits in it, and it fits under the seat in front of me. (I just transfer my baggies to it. I have an even smaller set of travel hair implements that fit in it. We still need to look good). The bottom line is: 2 bags allowed for carry-on, period. I travel with a computer, therefore I will always need a computer bag, and it can never be checked. I make sure that my cross-shoulder purse is tiny enough to simply slip inside the computer bag before I board the plane. If you have to travel a lot for work, don’t waste your money on things like Luis Vutton bags. Buy tougher items that will take the beating that they are about to get and are easy to clean. The wardrobe for this type of travel MUST MUST MUST be simple. Again, don’t waste time trying to be a fashionista on the road. You really do not want to stand out too much anyway. Buy and pack basic black suiting items. If you can, wear the same shoes or pack only one pair that goes with the hem length of any pants that you may have packed or are wearing for the flight. Use color in your blouse. I gave up packing skirts for travel- way too much trouble with nylons running, etc. Working like this means that you really streamline things to what you actually need. The most important items that you are carrying are your brain and your experience!

Walking Barefoot

04/27/2010 at 12:03 pm

Worth it! I travel once a month or less – and *always* keep my toiletry bag packed with duplicates of everything I use. It makes packing so much more pleasant, and I’m so much more likely to go on a trip for the weekend if I don’t have to hunt down all the little soaps and potions.

04/26/2010 at 2:28 pm

I got a really cute pashmina/oversized scarf that I originally just used as an accessory. It ended up being my go-to “in-flight blanket” – big enough to wrap around my shoulders/arms on the plane. Especially since most flights are nixing blankets now, it’s easier than lugging around a sweater/jacket.

And I always pack a resistance band for easy/quick workouts in the hotel.Light and easy to throw into my suitcase.

Great tips – thanks!

Blonde Lawyer

04/26/2010 at 2:43 pm

I’ve posted it here before but I will repeat in case anyone missed it. Use extra contact lense cases to hold face lotion or make up remover. I can get enough for a several day trip in one usually.

Also, always have a little food in your bag. You never know when your flight will have some kind of emergency and you will be stranded without access to food. I’ve done it once and hope to never do it again.

04/26/2010 at 2:47 pm

Second the food suggestion! I’m a fan of Trader Joe’s handful of almonds – they’re not salted so they don’t make you thirsty, but they are reasonably filling and won’t go bad during your trip.

Legally Brunette

04/26/2010 at 2:55 pm

I third the suggestion. I have often found myself very cranky and hungry on a plane with no food, and it sucks. Many airlines these days, particularly on shorter flights, don’t even have a food option for purchase. I usually bring nuts and fruit, or a PB&J.

04/26/2010 at 3:41 pm

Having a healthy snack with protein has kept me sane on many occassions. I pack a homemade trail mix in a 2 cup plastic container with a twist off top. Last trip it was almonds, dried cherries and dark chocolate chips.

04/26/2010 at 4:47 pm

Just a warning on the snacks – when I was flying cross-country recently, passengers were requested to refrain from eating any nut products on the plane due to a passenger with severe allergies. Though I feel sorry for anyone with that kind of health concerns, I also felt sorry for the guy standing next to me who had brought a bag of trail mix for lunch. Since we were already at the gate and preboarding was about to start, there was no time for anyone to grab anything else – and since our flight was already delayed it was pretty late by the time we got back to the east coast….

04/26/2010 at 6:46 pm

Wow – never heard of such a request. Will pack some pretzels dried apricots as well next time and feel less guilty about their combined salt/sugar content! :-)

04/27/2010 at 9:04 am

I was just thinking of this! I have also been on a flight when they made that request. Try to have a non-nut snack with you as well.

04/27/2010 at 12:04 pm

I always have a Clif Bar at the bottom of my bag for these situations – if it can keep me from bonking on the trail, it will keep me going until my next real meal.

04/27/2010 at 12:07 pm

I just tried the contact lens case trick this past weekend, and it worked perfectly. Was concerned that there wouldn’t be enough in there, but after filling one side with face moisturizer, I had about 2-3x more than I needed for a weekend trip. Thanks for the tip!

04/26/2010 at 2:46 pm

I can’t draw, so I advise starting a few days in advance laying out your clothing in piles – on the floor of your bedroom, in your spare room, wherever, so you can see everything. Only when I have it all out and I’m set on it do I start putting things in my suitcase.

Roll everything, stuff your socks in your sneakers, bring items that can be worn more than once (but always, always, have extra underwear and socks), non-wrinkle everything (linen is not your friend), and only leave your costmetics in your suitcase if you travel often – otherwise they go bad (i.e. grow bacteria, get dry or oily, and other gross things)

Lady Justice

04/26/2010 at 2:52 pm

I always try to stop by the bank or at least stockpile a bunch of dollar bills. You will need them for tipping a variety of people. I hate when it’s time to tip a bellboy only to find I only have a $20. Typically you might be tipping at the Skycap, at the hotel (when someone gets you a cab or helps you with bags, etc. etc). I also remember to take out money in advance since I always don’t carry much with me when I am local but would need more cash when traveling. Another thing I do on both work and family travel is to carry zome empty ziplock bags (big and smaller). These can be used for a variety of things – wet clothes if you went swimming, small toys of kids, emergency ice bag even. And I usually pack a couple of band aids and some neosporin just in case.

04/26/2010 at 6:48 pm

Second the empty bag suggestion – I stick them in every suitcase – ziploc and grocery (good for laundry) and tend to adopt the dry cleaning bags in hotels as well…

Small bills are a great idea as well. Having been that (insert expletive here) that paid for a 40 cent melon with a 20 dollar bill (and another time with a credit card) I can only say that it’s more than a little awkward (and pretty much makes clear that you’re a tourist/traveller which is never good)

North Shore

04/26/2010 at 3:05 pm

And if you were a guy, you’d just cram your toothbrush and blackberry into your coat pockets and be done with it. Check out how this guy is planning to avoid fees for carry-on bags by stuffing it all in his pockets:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sc-trav-0420-traveling-light-20100420,0,1314189.story

04/26/2010 at 3:17 pm

I hate flying since they started charging for checked bags. I am so sick of fighting with everyone and their two pieces of way-larger-than-regulation luggage, and waiting an hour to board because everyone is trying to cram it in the overhead bins.

Not really on topic, but just had to rant!

04/26/2010 at 6:49 pm

Spirit Airlines started to charge for carry-ons instead — not sure if they’re still charging for checked bags, but I do know that the combined lowering of the checked bag fees and the ticket prices cancelled out the $45 carry on charge if you choose to bring your bag on board.

04/26/2010 at 3:21 pm

FYI – the LeSportsac is about $98 with shipping on ebags.com using their current Mother’s Day promotion, although I do love Zappos and their no-hassle returns may be worth it. I’m definitely considering getting it, but I do have a few similar conference-branded nylon bags that were free but are bulky when folder — just how small does this one fold?

04/26/2010 at 3:32 pm

I’ll raise you one on the drawing. I often use polyvore to plan my travel wardrobe.

I like to carry on only and can do so for a full week of business travel if I stick to one color palette and mix and match. I will re-wear a suit skirt with a cardigan ensemble, and then wear the jacket with a more casual bottom for traveling. I also always bring a pashmina to wear on the plane because I almost always find the plane freezing, and the use it as a scarf at my destination.

I try to limit the number of shoes I bring, which is difficult because I love them. One dressy neutral pair and one lower heeled pair to travel in. I have a pair of crushable ballet slippers in the front pocket of my rolling bag in case my feet really give out at the airport.

I also like your foldable bag. I use the Longchamps le pliage for the same purpose. The thing I like about the pliage is that it looks somewhat like a handbag when unfolded. I ususally only employ this for vacation travel. I tend not to buy anything on business travel.

I always bring a rolling bag and my laptop case as my two carryons, so my laptop bag becomes my handbag for the week. I usually stick a clutch into my rolling bag so that I can go out to dinner without using my bulky laptop bag.

I always bring one pair of cashmere socks to pad around my hotel room in and to warm my feet when I’m sleeping since my cat won’t be there to lay on them. :(

Also, if you pick up work materials on your trip, ask the office you’ve visiting to mail them back to you so that you don’t have to carry them home. I’ll often stick whatever materials I brought into the same envelope so I’m actually lighter on the way home. If they use overnight, it will all be waiting for me by the time I’m back in the office Monday.

I think that’s it. I just had to chime in because I’m a mumblemumble year business travel veteran.

04/26/2010 at 8:33 pm

Aw, kitty. I miss mine when I travel too.

04/26/2010 at 3:47 pm

It would take me several hours to DRAW my packing list and the drawings would be unrecognizable anyway.

I have a master packing list of the essentials (I will never forget my blackberry charger again!), and I start making piles of clothes to pack a few days before the trip. That way I can see everything and no drawing is required.

The biggest timesaver for me has been to keep a separate, stocked and ready-to-go bag with most of my essential toiletries and a list of anything that needs to be added (like my glasses). I used to spend an eternity packing toiletries and scanning my bathroom to make sure I wasn’t forgetting anything.

I know one woman who always keeps a bag packed and ready to go for a business trip, complete with gym clothes, pajamas, a couple of suits, shoes, etc. That seems a little extreme to me but she wants to be ready to go on unexpected business trips at the last minute.

Does anyone have any recommendations for packing jewelry? Is it worth it to buy a travel jewelry case? I tend to throw my jewelry in a bag and it gets all tangled up.

04/26/2010 at 4:33 pm

I have a jewellry case and it’s really worth it – actually it came with my big case, so I didn’t even have to pay more for it!

I have my essential toiletries in a clear plastic case with a zip, in the size of that annoying plastic bag that’s now required. It means I can throw it into my hand luggage, but have something a bit more sturdy than the bag. I can also see at a glance if I’ve forgotten something!

I also swear by lists (I draw like a 3 year old, but with less talent), and pack according to outfits – no point taking a skirt unless I know what it can be worn with.

Two other tips: some sort of slipper/flip flop, and an outfit suitable for flopping around in or even running outside for a midnight fire alarm – every time I don’t take them I regret it. (The bottom half of my pyjamas plus a T-shirt plus boots was not a good compromise on a recent trip – I looked ridiculous and felt embarrassed.)

04/27/2010 at 11:45 am

I limit the jewelry I am taking on business trips in part to resolve this issue. I try to think about whatever will coordinate with multiple outfits (usually drop earrings and a silver or pearl necklace.) In addition to whatever I wear on the plane, I usually bring 1 extra pair of earrings and a chunky necklace that’s not going to easily get knots in it. I put them in one of those small cardboard boxes that earrings or bracelets come in.

04/26/2010 at 3:51 pm

Any thoughts on what I call airlines career women discrimination. People can only carry on 2 items, a bag and a computer bag or purse. This is usually not a problem for men but I find it is for me as my laptop bag is usually not big enough to hold my purse and I find it very inconvenient to have to use my laptop bag as a purse so I am usually trying to get three items on a plane. My laptop unfortunately is big and heavy and rarely leaves me space to squeeze personal items into the bag. Plus if I’ll be going to dinner, I can’t imagine having to drag around a huge laptop size bag but as it is usually work related I’m also not bringing a clutch so I generally always need my everyday purse.

04/26/2010 at 4:23 pm

I often travel European airlines where you can only take one piece of hand luggage (and my local Ryanair hub weighs your hand luggage too!). As a result, I nearly always check my back and have a handy black backpack for hand luggage – it has a side handle so I can carry it like a suitcase, but can wear it for those moments when my hands are completely full. It usually fits my laptop, emergency toiletries and undies, and some papers etc. Then I have a purse/handbag that packs completely flat (mine’s from Hedgren but there are certainly others) that I pull out on arrival for work days, going out etc. It can just squeeze my laptop in if I use a sleeve. The handbag usually goes into my suitcase, but sometimes I put it in my hand luggage depending on how many books I’m lugging around.

At least on budget airlines everyone’s equally uncomfortable!

04/26/2010 at 4:27 pm

I put the contents of my purse in my laptop bag and then fold the empty purse up into my luggage sized carry on.

04/26/2010 at 4:32 pm

I bring a big leather tote stuffed to the max with my laptop, shawl, reading material, snacks, toothbrush etc. and then also a small black leather clutch that fits my wallet, phone and small camera.

04/26/2010 at 8:36 pm

They only care if you have more than 2 items while you’re boarding the plane. I bring a roller suitcase that’s the maximum carry-on size, and tuck my purse and other in-flight essentials into it. Then I pull them out when I get to the seat before I put the suitcase into the overhead bin. It’s no problem to have a purse, laptop bag, magazine, suitcase, makeup bag, etc once you’ve boarded.

04/27/2010 at 10:10 am

That’s why they invented those little wristlets. Enough room for ID, passport (if necessary), cell phone and money … Pop it in a briefcase. I would never travel on a business trip and bring both a purse and a briefcase. Seems like major overkill when a wristlet carries all you need.

04/27/2010 at 11:22 am

I’m a big advocate of trying to find a travel purse that can double as your laptop bag. That way you have just one bag (in addition to your suitcase), and it fits all of your stuff. However if your laptop is huge then the wristlet or clutch suggestion may be the way to go.

I agree that guys have it way easier on a lot of levels while traveling. Packing is easier, they need fewer toiletries, etc. I can’t get started on that rant!!

04/27/2010 at 11:48 am

If I am travelling for work, I bring a nice large tote (big enough for purse contents, snack, leisure book, memo pads & work) and then laptop bag. Some of the laptops are so small now that you can really put them in the tote bag and dispense with the laptop bag itself. Then I will have a small purse I might use if I go out to dinner that I’ll pack separately, but otherwise I only use a tote. (Honestly, though, I normally only bring my ‘work bag’ and not a purse to work anyway. Why have 2 bags when 1 will do?)

04/27/2010 at 2:04 pm

My laptop is small enough that if I put it in of those padded sleeves it easily fits in a generous tote. My wallet is large enough and has a wrist strap so that it can double as a purse when I’m out (I’m not one of those people who carries a ton of stuff, and I’m always putting things in my coat pocket — not totally elegant, but oh well)

04/26/2010 at 4:12 pm

I hate checking luggage and I love the challenge of having to pack light. For those trips where you just have to take a variety of clothes, I love these Spacepaks from Flight 001:

http://www.flight001.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=spacepak

Another alternative would be to use the vacuum-sealed plastic bags, which I bought from Bed Bath & Beyond. (They can be rolled up and compressed even if you don’t have a matching vacuum hose.) These types of bags don’t make my luggage any lighter, as they’re meant to help you pack even more. But they help keep the inside of my carry-on organized and not overstuffed. Love them.

04/26/2010 at 9:04 pm

How do you repack at the hotel? I can just see myself with an overwhelming amount of stuff that I can’t re-vacuum into the bag going “oh crap, wish I’d thought of that beforehand!”

Just FYI re: the keys on locks. TSA folks usually have keys to open ALL the locks that get put on, you don’t need to leave your keys on the lock.

04/26/2010 at 4:15 pm

Almost bought that lesportsac but double-checked carry-on specs– about 22 * 14 * 9 inches… this selection is a no-go, but the idea was so perfectly workable and cute that I found three carry-on options form the brand– the Small Weekender, Weekend Carrier, and Sidney Overnight. Went w the latter. My specs are for both Delta & Air France, just be sure to check your fave airline before falling in love with a bag!

04/26/2010 at 4:26 pm

Zappos says that the “large” weekender is 20 1/2″ wide x 10″ deep x 14″ high, and the LeSportsac website says 13.75 x 20.75 x 10.5 in. Although I do see that some websites have slightly different numbers, this shouldn’t matter unless you’re STUFFING it to the max because overall it’s 45 linear inches, or exactly what American and Delta both have as max (although in reality the max these days has more to do with it fitting into that little luggage device they have at the airport, which has fairly narrow width).

The Sydney Overnight is nice, but I think would not work for as well for stuffing into your larger carry-on (the main use for me).

I still haven’t “pulled the trigger” but I’m considering it most of all for our honeymoon …

04/26/2010 at 4:29 pm

In fact, if you don’t care so much about the look of it, here’s a cheap one:

http://www.jomashop.com/le-sportsac-weekenderbag-7185-3102.html

Indeed. I’ve carried some strangely shaped things onto BA and Qantas, but if you’re flying with fussier airlines, it pays to check. (KLM was suprisingly rigid about number of pieces, even when one item was a plastic bag with duty free cheese!; Easyjet doesn’t weigh but checks the size; Ryanair will weigh and measure…)

Also, please know when arguing will not help – I’ve been stuck behind too many people trying to persuade airline staff that they really need 21kg in their checked baggage plus eight carry-on items, and it grates on one’s nerves after a while.

04/26/2010 at 4:57 pm

I always, always travel with my hair up. It’s tidy and easy to manage, doesn’t get rumpled or full of static from rubbing against seat backs, and wears well the next day if the flight is an overnighter. A low chignon or french braid works best, because I can still sleep on it just fine.

A lot of cosmetic companies will sell their skincare lines in travel-size sets, so there’s no need to worry about mixing and matching or squeezing things into little bottles. The Body Shop has a nice version that comes in a little pouch. I did a lot of flying this past year, and that skincare pouch saved me on more than one occasion.

Sticking a sachet, dryer sheet, cedar block, or some other scent freshener into the suitcase will help avoid any transfer of suitcase smell to your clothing, which is especially helpful on longer trips where some items may need to be worn once or twice. .

04/26/2010 at 5:46 pm

This is a threadjack,but I could really use the wisdom of Corporette readers:

I am heading to my ten-year college reunion in a little over a month. I am also in the process of trying to find a new job. I attended a fairly elite east-coast college ( I say this for clothing-related background), and there is a good chance that some of my classmates will be working in the field I am interested in. So, in addition to the usual concern of just wanting to look good at a reunion, I also really would like to make a good impression on the people around me, many of whom have been quite successful since graduation. So I’m definitely feeling the pressure — I’d like to know I look good enough that I can just forget about what I’m wearing, and enjoy catching up with people and work on making new contacts. Most of the events are casual, except for an opening cocktail party. I am wondering what on earth to wear, both for the cocktail party, and for the rest of the events. I mildly panic every time I think about this. Any suggestions you or the readers have would be greatly appreciated.

04/26/2010 at 6:52 pm

When in doubt I would go conservative – think khaki slacks,polo shirts, etc., no flashy logos… for the cocktail party the little black dress is usually my go to for when I’m not sure what to wear.

04/26/2010 at 8:24 pm

One can never go wrong with a simple black or gray sheath dress. Add peep toes and a cardigan for day events; strappy sandals and pearls for evening. If there are casual events, a denim pencil skirt, flats or low-heeled sandals, and a cardigan or pretty tee is always a good look.

04/27/2010 at 9:26 am

I just went to my ten-year last year, and I wore a J crew simple polished cotton sheath dress, coral colored, with pockets, and nine west casualish pumps with buckle and wood heel. Most of the guys were wearing khakis/blazers/ties and the women had on dresses. For a party I might switch out the coral dress for black or a more dressy material, and different shoes. For the casual events, trouser jeans and a nice top (eg short sleeve sweater or twinset, etc.) would probably work well. Or khakis, but make sure they’re nice and not sloppy. :)

04/26/2010 at 5:49 pm

Department store or specialty store cosmetics will often fill a sample size for you if you just ask. I use bare minerals foudnation and have a sample-size dispenser (that I refill from my full-size one) and use to travel – its easily enough for a long weekend. I’ve had other brands (Clairol, I think) give me samples of liquid makeup when I used to that as well.

I have used a variety of the Eagle Creek Pack-It bags in different sizes for travel, and my clothes (including silk blouses, suits, dresses, etc) always arrive wrinkle free: http://www.eaglecreek.com/packing_solutions/

I use the Garment Sleeve for suits, and the Folders for blouses, skirts. Then I have a few of the cube bags for workout gear, PJs, t-shirts and other items that can be rolled up, and a few shoe bags to protect clothes from dirty shoe bottoms.

An unintended benefit is that it makes it really easy to repack your bag if you happen to be unlucky enough to be pulled off the line and searched by TSA (happened to me twice last week). You’re just repacking a few cubes, a folder and a garment sleeve rather than all your items packed separately.

I also have these in different colors when I travel with the family – one for me, one for hubby and one for daughter – so I can quickly pack and unpack everyone’s gear upon arrival.

04/27/2010 at 10:36 am

I pack too, I use victorinox packing cubes, one is large enough for my shorts AND pants, the otehr is good for my underwear – I somehow get grossed out at the idea some TSA agent would be fumbling with my undies… so I put everything neatly packed in the cube and they can sneak a peak and knwo everything inside without touching.

04/27/2010 at 10:39 am

OF course I meant “shirts” not “shorts”

04/26/2010 at 8:20 pm

I never get on an international flight without 2 liters of water (purchased for exorbitant prices in the airport), undereye cream, gentle astringent or face wipes, lubricant eye drops, and hand cream. It is amazing how dehydrated one, and one’s skin/eyes, get on a long flight, and also amazing how dirty one’s skin gets – my astringent pads are usually brown and grimy.

I also normally wear black on a flight because it covers spills and grime the best. I wear yoga pants that can “pass” for regular pants, a black long-sleeved tee, my most comfortable bra and my trusty Dansko Professionals, which are like heaven for swollen and sore feet.

04/26/2010 at 8:25 pm

Oh, I forgot – I also always fill a travel-sized bottle with Woolite before I go. That way I can wash my essentials in the sink and don’t have to worry about the expense of hotel laundry. Also handy for when I inevitably spill on a silk shell.

04/26/2010 at 8:31 pm

Oh, and also – if you brush your teeth on the plane, do NOT use the water from the lavatory sink. It is not potable. Ask the flight attendant for a glass of drinking water to brush with.

04/27/2010 at 10:38 am

Oh my god! I always wash with the plane water :( Thanks for the advice!

04/27/2010 at 4:22 am

Eponine, we must have been separated at birth! I do exactly the same stuff, right down to the yoga pants that can pass for regulars (especially for intercontinental flights). I also keep a small bottle of hand-sanitizer (love Body Shop’s tea tree one) on flights.

04/27/2010 at 10:14 am

Use crayons (I like Laura Mercier myself) that do double duty as concealers, blushes, eyeshadow. Stick a few in a pocket of a briefcase and you’re set. Use the wax crayon scents (Clinique Happy makes them) so you can wear a touch of scent and not have to deal with security.

If you make a lot of overnight trips, as I do, frankly I wear nice yoga pants that look appropriate, comfy shoes, t-shirt and cute jacket – I sleep in the t-shirt, then put the pants back on to work out, then shower and get ready for the day. I think it’s silly to bring pajamas for one night in a hotel. And frankly for several nights, I bring workout clothes and work out in them after they’ve been slept in.

04/27/2010 at 11:32 am

I wish the airlines would do away with the policy on carry-on bags. IMHO, everyone should check their luggage. Allowing carry-ons slows the boarding and deplaning processes. Should you be able to bring your briefcase – yes, diaper bag – yes, small bag with a few essentials – yes, but I am tired of the people who pack for their long weekend in a larger than allowable carry-on bag, then drop it on my head while looking for a place to stuff their bag (since it is oversized anyway).

04/27/2010 at 11:51 am

One more suggestion for long haul airplane rides: wear support socks or hose. They make a huge difference in how your legs feel and you can get them in black or neutral where no one will be the wiser as to what kind of socks they are.

04/27/2010 at 1:14 pm

Agreed!! I do this every time. Even if I’m flying cross-country. It helps so, so much.

04/27/2010 at 4:24 pm

If you’re carrying a laptop of any size, you can get a padded mailer (that you use to ship books or whatever) and use that as a laptop case. It’s light, will protect your laptop and will fit in whatever carryon/tote you bring along. Tugging a laptop case is never my idea of fun. I did that on my recent trip to London, just stuck my netbook in a padded envelope and put it in my crossover bag.

lady justice

04/28/2010 at 5:53 am

One particular item I love for travel is the DKNY Cozy (the wrap with sleeves). I have the cashmere/silk version: not cheap but you can get a milion uses out of it..Great for planes – keeps you nice n warm, can we worn with jeans and a T-shirt, or dressed up with a skirt, slacks, and a blouse. You can use a bangle to tie it to make it dressy as well. I have found it to be a terrific item on travel…both business and personal…and it lays flat and takes up little space.

07/29/2010 at 3:32 pm

I’m actually going on a 2-3 week trip to Europe next year (and as a typical woman I’m already planning) and my husband wants me to pack really light…as in all my stuff in a backpack light. He went to Europe several years ago, so he already has a bigger backpack for the trip. He had me try it on for size and I hate it! I’m very petite and it was just awkward on me. I was actually thinking of purchasing a Lesportsac large weekender (like the one you mentioned above), but I’m worried it might get uncomfortable. What are your thoughts on the Lesportsac and do you have any other suggestions?

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Home » Work and Travel » 35 BEST Travel Jobs to Make Money While Travelling

35 BEST Travel Jobs to Make Money While Travelling

Do you wish you could travel more but don’t have enough money?

Then this guide is for you! It will tell you all about the types of epic travel jobs that you can do. Ultimately, this post will help you find work and travel the world… FOREVER.

There are a surprising number of jobs that involve travelling, a few canny ways to make money travelling abroad, and even some jobs where you actually get paid to travel… (The best kind!)

From freelancing to affiliate marketing, travel blogging, tending the bar at a hip hostel–there are seriously all kinds of awesome – and some terrible – travel jobs you can get to make ends meet and prolong your travels.

The life of a working traveller is varied and complex: there are countless tools in your arsenal! In today’s post, I’m giving you the lowdown on some of the best travel jobs for backpackers, expats, and aspiring digital nomads. And realistically, for nearly all of them, you don’t need no tertiary education.

Ditch your desk, amigos: the world is waiting and the only thing you need to SUCCEED is  grit.

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

• Making Money Travelling the World:Types of Travel Work

The 35 Best Travel Jobs in 2024

Did you find your dream travel job.

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Making Money Travelling the World: Types of Travel Work

There are lots of different types of travel jobs out there, and they can roughly be broken down into three categories. Let’s take a look at them before we delve into the jobs themselves…

There are some jobs that will pay you to travel the world. This might sound very glamorous at first, but you have to bear in mind you may not get as much of a chance to actually explore as you will be working. These could be travel jobs or potentially even travel careers , but they still generally require the level of input from you that any regular ol’ boring job would.

Jobs that require travel and pay well, such as being an airline pilot or foreign service travel jobs, will offer you a chance to save up mega-cashola and to hopefully see parts of the world during your downtime. But to be honest (and in my opinion) these travel careers don’t have the same kind of freedom as being a digital nomad.

Personally, I’m a big believer in making money through a digital nomad job as these jobs allow you to work from literally anywhere in the world, on your own schedule, and often as your own boss.

It takes time to set up a career as a digital nomad career… But it’s easy to get started now and to begin your journey!

All you need is a laptop plus a few other of the digital nomad essentials , and idea of WHAT you want to do, and a place in the world that you’re content to get some work done from. Well, that and playlist that gets you in the zone!

Beccoming a digital nomad changes how you travel , so for backpackers that want to retain their backpacker-roots, you need a job for backpacker. These travel jobs are job-jobs.

They could be wicked jobs, they could be shitkicker jobs. They could, potentially, also progress into careers, but they wouldn’t be travel careers. You’d just be an expat with a regular ol’ job.

Many of the best travelling jobs for backpackers are super casual affairs – seasonal work or temporary labour gigs. I’ve found paying work on goat farms, behind bars, in hostels, on construction sites, on beaches, and in many other places whilst backpacking around the world. It’s usually very easy to find some casual work as a backpacker.

All you need is a good smile, good work ethic, and maybe the willingess to be paid under the table for less than minimum wage! (Oops, did I say that? You do you.) 😉

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Let’s look at how to work and travel like a BOSS (or self-employed hustler). Ideas range from online trading to teaching yoga to consulting. Don’t Work Another Day ; we have something for every CV!

1. Make Money Blogging

Starting a blog is one of the best travel jobs out there. You can travel whenever you want and make money out of your adventures to keep you going! However, blogging is not easy and it’s not one of those jobs to make money quickly.

Blogging offers a great introduction to many different digital nomad careers. You’ll learn more about SEO, copywriting, web design, social media management, marketing and PR… the list goes on! All you need to get started is a decent laptop for travel blogging and loads of patience!

If you want to get a taste of blogging before launching your own, you can look into becoming a virtual assistant or if writing is more your thing becoming a freelance service provider , like Sofie Couwenbergh is also a viable option. Working for a blogger is the best way to learn the tricks of the trade!

Full disclosure: The travel blogging industry is competitive, cutthroat, and, honestly, oversaturated. DO expect a long road to the top.

How Much Can You Earn?

• From $0 – $50,000 per month!

Finding a work-friendly atmosphere is important – check out Tribal Bali …

Having a job is one thing, but being able to sit down and get some work in is a whole other story. Luckily there are amazing coworking spaces all over the globe. But what if you could combine working and a place to live? Say no more…

Introducing the best Coworking Hostel in the World – Tribal Bali!

A unique coworking and co-living hostel for those that want to travel the world while working from their laptops. Make use of the massive open-air coworking spaces and sip on delicious coffee. If you need a quick screen break, just take a refreshing dip in the infinity pool or grab a drink at the bar. Need more work inspiration?

Staying at a digital nomad-friendly hostel is a really smart way to get more done whilst still enjoying the social life of travelling… Mingle, share ideas, brainstorm, make connections and find your tribe at Tribal Bali!

2. Teach English Abroad

For backpackers looking to settle somewhere for a year or more to save up some serious cash, teaching English abroad is one of the best jobs for nomads.

These days, you can teach English in most countries in the world while seeing all the goods they got to offer at the same time! This is probably one of the best travel careers out there: there’s a low barrier to entry and most native speakers can get a travel job teaching English.

Being a native speaker gives you an obvious advantage, but it’s also possible for non-native speakers to get work teaching English too.  You don’t even really need a degree to teach English in many countries, however, nabbing a TEFL certificate through an online course first will help you hit the ground running. (And hopefully will mean you won’t be a crap teacher too ?)

It’s a small investment that will help you score more gigs AND better-paying gigs in the long run. Plus, think of the children! Won’t somebody think of the children!?!?

• $1500 – $3000 depending on the country.

3. Teach English Online

Thanks to the power of the internet, the world of teaching English online has opened doors to English speakers everywhere! You can work from anywhere! (Provided you have a solid internet connection.)

What’s the best part? Depending on the company you work for, you can choose your own schedule and commitment level. Whatever works for you!

Teaching English online is fast becoming one of the best ways for backpackers to make money online without a doubt. Online teaching platforms connect prospective teachers with keen students. Set your pricing, choose your hours, and market yourself to potential clients.

The money isn’t impressive, particularly in the early days, but this is a job that you can grow and literally do anywhere. Nothing beats a location independent gig!

• About $1500 per month.

4. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is when you ship products to customers, usually in Europe or the USA, from somewhere cheap (usually China). Essentially, you manage the online storefront while a third party handles the logistics of storing and shipping products. Why stay in Boston ?

Now, dropshipping CAN be profitable. It can also be a major headache: you have been warned.

5. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is very simple. It means that you recommend a product or service to your audience, and if someone on your website uses or buys that product or service, you get a commission!

Affiliate marketing is basically being a middle man and is one of the most popular, proven, and sustainable ways to create income online.

If you are interested in online jobs travellers can easily utilise, learning effective affiliate marketing strategies is the holy grail. Passive income is fucking POWERFUL.

• Oodles but you need the traffic to earn it. But then, it all flows in passively. 😉

6. Crytocurrency and Day Trading

The exciting world of cryptocurrency investment has come a long way. You can HODL, stake, mine, generate interest (yup – totally a thing now!), and, of course, trade.

Day trading is a really exciting – but very nerve-wracking – way to make money while travelling. I have no experience trading stocks, but a lot of people I know have been trading cryptocurrency for a while now and have seen rather delectables return on their investments (with some losses along the way).

If you have money that you can afford to lose (seriously, this shit carries risk), then day trading is one of the most exciting travel jobs out there right now.

• The sky’s the limit!

7. Volunteering

Okiedoke – volunteering! Now, clearly, volunteering ISN’T a travel job, however, it’s functionally the same. You work (hard), you greatly reduce your travel costs, plus you’ll have some life-changing experiences while you’re at it. So it fits the bill!

Now, while voluntourism has received some flak over the years (and the trade has only become stickier in the COVID-times ), volunteering still remains one of the most meaningful ways to travel. A free feed and bed is certainly a win, but it’s the experience and the knowledge that you’re actually making a difference is what makes it, honestly, one of the best travel jobs for backpackers.

You have a lot of good options for volunteering abroad:

• WWOOF – An organisation primarily concerned with connecting working travellers with volunteering gigs on organic farms and agricultural projects.
• Workaway (and its numerous alternatives ) – As well as agricultural projects, these guys tend to also connect you to volunteering gigs around the board. Hostel work, translation and copywriting, building skate ramps, building backyard dunnies: it’s a wide net.
• Worldpackers – Our personal fave platform for this bizz.

Worldpackers is a smashing organisation. They’ve got more of a community focus than many of the alternatives and they run a tight ship too!

We sent one of our tried and true broke backpackers on a volunteering mission to Vietnam and the results were stellar. So stellar, in fact, that we happily partnered with them to bring Broke Backpacker readers a discount on the signup fee!

Just enter the code BROKEBACKPACKER at the checkout when signing up or do the clicky-click below!

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

We’ve also got a review of Workaway you can peruse if Worldpackers doesn’t float your boat. They’re a bit more stuffy (a natural caveat for being the lead of the pack), but they have volunteering gigs coming out of the ears!

And as one brief little sidenote, it’s worth noting the skills you pick up volunteering can go a LONG way to aiding you in your career as a working traveller. The more you know, the more backpacker jobs open up to you.

8. Become A Freelance Travel Photographer

If you love taking pictures, why don’t you make the most of your skills and be paid for it? Breaking into freelance photography is no easy, feat but it’s totally possible if you have perseverance and work at honing your craft every day.

You can travel the world forever by snapping away… If you get really good at your craft, you can even land a job that pays you to travel as a professional photographer for either the media or, the dream, National Geographic.

• $0 – $5000
• BEST Cameras for Travellers
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9. Teach Yoga

Yoga continues to grow in popularity around the world, and yoga instructors are in high demand. While not the highest paying job for travellers, finding work as a yoga instructor is one of the more assured ways to work and travel.

Travellers love yoga and are keen on lessons just about anywhere in the world. Combine that with hostels, cafes, and community centres (among a million other venues) always being on the lookout

Getting a yoga certification CERTAINLY helps you stand out from the crowd but it necessarily isn’t needed. Talk to other guests at your hostel, or people around any beach, hippy, or traveller town and see what you can rustle up. Start off with a sesh at a world-class yoga retreat to learn a few Asanas and limber up first and the rest will be easy.

Alternatively, head over to Yoga Travel Jobs Directory and see if there are any worthwhile postings. The beauty of this one is that the informality allows you to find work on the road in most places without the added red tape.

• $5/hour or even less in developing nations. Bounce on over to the northern beaches of Sydney though, and activewear soccer mums eat that shit up for $50+ a pop!

10. Fitness Instructor

Similar to yoga, if you’re in shape and know how to break a sweat, you can get paid to help others do the same! I love finding creative ways to stay in shape while travelling and you’ll find plenty of other travellers who will share this interest.

See if your hostel wants to organise any activities or events which you can market by word of mouth or by putting a flyer up. Head to a park or the beach and BOOM! You’re a certified fitness instructor… sort of.

Certifications are for losers without glorious, rippling muscles.

11. Tour Director

Directors accompany a tour group for the entirety of the itinerary and basically make sure people are having a good time. If it’s a twenty-one-day culture tour through Central America, the tour director is there the entire time, leading the group, answering questions, communicating with the bus driver, and, most importantly, creating solutions when shit goes wrong.

This is one of the travel industry careers that require the most work, but if you think you possess the qualities, there are thousands of amazing adventure tour companies looking for new leaders worldwide.

This industry is very competitive, but once you get your foot in the door you’ll be offered work left and right. I’ve got some experience leading adventure tours myself and this is a solid choice of job that involves travelling… You just need to have endless amounts of energy.

These are maybe the best jobs for travel and adventure for those that seek the high life and the pay ain’t too shabby either!.

• $1000 – $3000

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12. Travel Tour Guide

As opposed to a tour director, a tour guide usually does shorter tours (think three-hour walking tours). Ideally, tour guides are experts in their niche, but sometimes just a bit more knowledge than the average Joe will suffice

If you have experience or certification, getting tour guide work will be easy. If you travelling in the EU , you can also find tour guide work within Europe relatively easy (free walking tours, etc.) without certification.

Otherwise, there are lots of people on the web tapping into their entrepreneurial spirit and starting their own tour jobs while on the road.

• $500 – $1500

13. Work on A Boat

Unfortunately, the days of being a pirate are kinda over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still work and live on a boat!

A traveller’s job on a boat is certainly easier to get with experience, but sometimes it’s as easy as just walking onto a dock and asking around. Teach yourself to tie knots first and you’ll be golden.

Want to significantly increase your chances of getting hired on a superyacht or boat? Consider taking a course at the Super Yacht School – an online training company that educates people on everything they need to know regarding how to land a job on a superyacht as a crew member.

Alternatively, become a cruise ship worker and live the party-working-travelling-life on the high seas. Drugs, booze, and nights of wanton hedonism – excellent!

• $1200 – $2500

14. Boat Delivery

More boats! This one is a bit difficult to get into as a newbie, but if you have some experience working on the high seas, boat delivery has some serious work and travel potential. Typically the pay won’t be very high (if at all) but you’ll get your experience up and get to sail the seven seas for free!

Getting into this travel career could lead to more lucrative gigs in the future too, so it’s worth considering if the goal is simply finding jobs that let you travel.

Head over to Crewseekers.net or cruisersforum.com for some killer job leads!

15. Making and Selling Jewellery

Screw travel jobs – be a travel entrepreneur! While you can make and sell anything, jewellery is certainly the backpacker artisans staple, and I’ve met lots of people who make and sell jewellery whilst travelling .

Some critics of budget backpacking might have a go at you for – ahem – “begpacking” , but to those critics I say… get a job, ya hippy! If you’re wheeling, dealing, and hustling on the road, you are the literal opposite of a begpacker. It’s fun too!

The materials can be cheap and light to carry, it’s an artsy and fun thing to do, and you can set up shop (busking-style) in most places in the world that are kind to street merchants (i.e. not Malaysia). Selling handmade jewellery on the street isn’t the path to becoming a billionaire, but if you can make a decent product, it’s a great way to bring in enough to cover a day of gallivanting.

It isn’t strictly one of the easiest travel jobs out there if you genuinely care about your craft. Sourcing ethical materials, making the jewellery, and haggling for a fair price can all be a real battle. But damn you’ll have some ten-outta-ten adventures along the way!

• $300 – $1000 per month

16. Importing Stuff to Sell

A personal favourite of mine, this is what I sometimes refer to as the ‘ stuff your backpack’ method. It’s an easy w ay to make some money back after quitting your job to travel .

When in exotic countries, you will find awesome trinkets and doodads that people back home will go crazy over! Think hippy stuff: chillums, trousers, jewellery, festival belts, etc. These items will be authentic and dirt cheap.

Then, when you are outside that country and back in the good ol’ inflationary West, you can sell the authentic handcrafted Indian peace pipe that you paid $.75 cents for in Mumbai for $15 at festivals or online! It’s a great way to make 1,000% or more on your investments.

To make the most money though, you’ll have to frequently hit the road and stuff your backpack (a big hiking backpack is good for this) as well as have a good eye for stuff to take back home. If you can somehow inject something about chakras into the marketing spiel you’ll give to sell it, it’s a winner.

• $500 – $2000 per month

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17. Busking

Another of the world’s oldest professions that now catches some flak from the world’s newest crybabies: busking. If you have a talent, you can flaunt it for some cash in the street AND – better yet – make a bunch of people smile too!

You doen’t have to be a wandering musician with a travel-sized guitar either; magic, acrobatics, juggling, flow, dance – anything that’s impressive enough to score a tip is worth the shot, and you can score some mean tips! (Believe it or not.)

If the artisti di strada chooses the right location and is talented (or smiley) enough, there’s a pretty good chance they are making some dough! Enough to cover a day’s cost at least… You just need to know how to busk !

Also, if you are a musician, you should look into giving lessons for work while travelling or even playing some low-key gigs at bars or hostels. It’s a good way to score a feed, and it’s certainly not a bad payoff for a few hours of jammin’!

The resident in-house dirtbag busker on The Broke Backpacker team had this to say:

“I’ve had $5/hour days, I’ve had $50/hour days; busking is large part luck, however, there is a hidden art and science to the craft.”

18. Scuba Diving Instructor

Get paid for adventure. Underwater adventures no less!

Becoming a certified scuba diver and instructor takes a bit of investment, but it can be one of the most fun ways to work and travel the world simultaneously. You need a handful of courses and certifications, as well as having logged in a certain amount of hours underwater yourself, and then the world is your… oyster. (Huehuehue.)

If you are already certified, get excited! If you aren’t, you can do it at home, or take advantage of many (significantly cheaper) programs that exist in countries like Thailand and the Philippines. Hands down this is one of the best ways to get paid to travel PLUS you can pick up paying work in lots of different countries around the world.

Plus, y’know, dive for a living. Not bad, ‘ey?

• $1000 – $4000 per month.

19. Surf Instructor

Similar to a scuba instructor but without all of the need for certifications. You just need to be a badass surfer! Surfing instructors can do well for themselves by travelling, surfing, meeting people who are interested and want to learn, and then offering their services.

Plus, let’s be real… you’ll get laid. A lot.

You won’t earn as much as a scuba instructor, but you’ll be getting paid to surf and travel at the same time which is probably the coolest thing ever! I’m a big fan of surfing and hoping to spend a year or two getting a hell of a lot better in the future. If you are looking for cool jobs you can do while travelling, this may be for you.

There are lots of resources for finding potential gigs. Surf Travel Jobs is an excellent starting point.

• $500 – $1500 per month.

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20. Buy A Place and Rent It

If you have been working for a while, you may have some savings. Rather than blowing it all on a couple of fast-paced years of travel, invest it into buying a property at home and renting it out whilst you travel (thus living off the rent money).

You can advertise your place on lots of different websites including Airbnb or one of the many excellent sites like Airbnb , and it can very easily turn into big bucks! Pretty soon, you’ll be making money while travelling; so much so that some of my friends don’t even stay at their own place when they return to their hometown.

• $600 – $2000 per month.

21. Housesitting

Sort of a work-exchange-meets-job, housesitting while travelling is HAWT right now. Typically you pet-sit for an extended amount of time, and in return, you are given free rein over an entire house. Housesitting gigs rarely pay, but you can’t really complain as their still jobs that allow you to travel near-indefinitely.

You’ll be getting free accommodation, a big ass kitchen, and the privacy of your own house! This is one of the best ways to travel!

As with all good things, it’s challenging to crack into, but once you gain experience and a resume, you’ll have your choice of gigs. As far as travel work goes, this one comes highly recommended – it barely counts as working!

• A free house!

22. Work as an Au Pair

Au-pairing is one of the oldest travel careers around and is still a great option to save some money and see the world. Personally, kids ain’t for me, but if you are bubbly, happy, smiley and don’t mind cleaning up the misdirected poopoos, then there are plenty of little ones who need a lovely person like you to help take care of them.

It doesn’t always pay… and if it does pay it’s not always much. But you can earn up to 5k a month if you’re happy to travel for work (which, you should be) to teach in some more far-flung lands.

You’ll get free lodging and food and likely some pocket change for the weekend if you’re volunteering in Europe. Being an au-pair is a pretty solid way to get paid to travel and live in a new country.

• $0 – $5000 per month.

23. Hostel Work

Hostel work is one of the best-kept not-so-secret-secrets of the budget backpacking trade . Once upon a time, it was hush-hush, but now not so much. So let me tell you – finding hostel gigs is SUPER simple and hostel work is one of the best travel jobs for backpackers.

Hostel work is one of the easiest travel jobs to get – just ask the hostels you are staying at if they are looking for any help. They will know exactly what this means. “Help” means manning the front desk graveyard shift, sweeping the floors, or most likely minding the bar, all in exchange for free accommodation.

If they are looking for any “help” , they miiight pay a bit of cash, but more likely, you’ll get a free bed and some food out of it. Hostels are one of the staples for travel work and are a phenomenal way to save money while travelling – not to mention free entry into the hostel life shenanigans is a pretty sweet dealer for a lone ranger looking for some buds.

…And bud. 😉

• Volunteering at a hostel usually means just a free stay. Maybe some weed money (or weed) if you’re lucky.

24. Bar Work

Similar to hostel work, bar jobs have kept the backpacker going since basically the dawn of time. Often the bar work will be in a hostel bar (mentioned above) but just as legit is finding work at standalone bars.

This is particularly true in seasonal European cities (but I’ve seen it in South America, Australia, Asia… basically everywhere). Alcoholics are everywhere and they need a charming face with a winning smile to pour their drinks dammit!

The best way to find a bar job is just to walk around and ask if the bars are looking for any help. Or, if you’re having a pint somewhere, strike up a conversation with the bartender and get the scoop. A simple inquisition can lead to a lot of opportunities.

Full disclosure though: the booze and babes of the graveyard shift are fun for a while, but a few too many staffies a few too many months later and you’ll find yourself stuck right in a classic backpacker trap. And hungover.

• $800 – $2000 per month

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25. Become a Party Promoter/Brand Ambassador

If you are a fun-loving party animal with some social media/writing/promoting skills, then you could be a candidate to score a job as a brand ambassador for a tour business specializing in party-based tours. I’ve met someone who did this for a period; while the money wasn’t always hella tight, the nights of debauchery sure were!

A good option to break into this field is Stoke Travel . Every year, Stoke Travel gives 100+ regular travellers the opportunity to work and travel by volunteering at events or doing internships in their Barcelona and Byron Bay Office.

That’s right. Three square meals per day and unlimited booze. You’re basically travelling for free !

For the right individual, this job promises to be helluva of a lot of fun. (Possibly, too much fun…? )

• Free drinks – $1200

26. Seasonal Jobs

This is a large category that encompasses many different travel jobs. Restaurants, construction, hotels, cruise ship jobs, ski resorts, mining, deep-sea Alaskan fishing gigs, the list goes on! While a lot of these jobs are covered elsewhere in this post, seasonal jobs are worth noting.

You can literally travel the world working, chasing the season (which by the way usually equates to amazingly beautiful weather) and making money when jobs are in demand and at their highest paying…

Depending on the industry, you can end up both in some pretty off the beaten path destinations as well as touristed ones. Or both! The ski resorts in the summer trekking season is usually a much more peaceful vibe once all the loquacious Aussies have packed up shop.

• $1000 – $5000 per month

27. Construction

You can find construction work basically anywhere in the world, however, the right destinations (eg. Australia and New Zealand) pay a mean wage. If you’re operating above board that is.

Otherwise, asking around for something more informal is usually the way to go. If you have construction experience, jump on those work exchange platforms for some cheap volunteering gigs .

Many hostels, farms, and everything in between will advertise their needs in hopes of finding a qualified working traveller. You’ll get food, lodging, and (depending on the project) a bit of money as well. It’ll get you networked too – word of mouth carries!

If you have experience as a plumber or electrician, you can make bank and even land a job where you are paid to travel to and from different world projects. Also, insider tip: traffic controllers Down Under get paid an ungodly amount for literally doing nothing. They usually pick the cutest girl to man the stop sign though – yay, sexism!

• $1200 – $3000 per month but hugely variable depending on your trade and skillset,

28. Transport a Car or RV

Car and RV dealerships or car rental companies sometimes hire people to drive cars to different destinations. Rental companies often find themselves with too many cars in one destination and want to move them to an area where rentals are more in demand. Car dealerships may need a specific car, with specific options or colours, that they arrange to get from another dealer.

While most companies work with full-time professional drivers, there may be some opportunities for one-time trips. The trick with these jobs is getting a car that’s going where you want to go at the right time. You’ll need a clean driver’s license and may need a specialty license to drive RVs, but it’s worth it for a free and rocking RV road trip !

Some transport companies that you may be able to score some delivery gigs with include:

• Imoova is one of the biggest search platforms for relocations.
• Jucy has some nice opportunities on RVs.
• Cars Arrive Auto Relocation is USA based and has some good options.
• HitTheRoad.ca is a well-known Canadian company that offers mostly long-distance, one way, one trip driving contracts for cars.
• A free road trip!

29. Professional Chef

If you have some cooking abilities or some legitimate kitchen experience, you can find a job by asking around at kitchens in hotels, cruise ships, boats, or retreats. Also, take a look into Worldpackers and Workaway as you can certainly find some cook-work opportunities for a free place to stay.

The downside is that you’ll have to work in close proximity to chefs. Chefs are primadonnas. Get in and out of the hospo industry as quick as possible, amigos.

If thou gaze too long into an abyss…

• $1500 – $3000 per month

30. Travel Nurse

Stop right now and listen to me. If you are a nurse, or if you are thinking about becoming a nurse, becoming a travel nurse is one of the single most amazing careers you can get into.

Travelling nurses are usually hired for thirteen to twenty-six weeks in whatever location they choose and all of your travel expenses are usually paid. Housing is usually covered, and due to the high demand and urgency, travelling nurses are paid more than regular nurses. It’s one of the best ways to travel, work and save a stupid amount of money.

Plus, you know, saving lives and all that jazz.

• $1500 – $4000 per month.

31. Flight Attendant

An oldie but a goodie, being a flight attendant isn’t as glamorous as it once was, but in terms of travel friendly jobs , this is a fantastic travel career. It’s really the OG travel job (right after busker AKA a wandering minstrel).

Free flights, long stopovers to explore, and the ability to tweak your schedule to have a few weeks off a month – there’s a lot to like! This is one of the best careers that involve travelling, and if you get hired by a quality airline, this is a job that not only requires travel but can also pay well.

• $1800 – $2500 per month

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32. New Zealand/Australia Work Visa

Not strictly a top travel job so much as a top place to find a job. Yes, the rumours you’ve heard are true: Australia does have an obscenely high minimum wage (as does New Zealand, albeit not as high).

Depending on where you are from and if you are able, New Zealand and Australia are two excellent countries to get work visas for. The visa allows you to be employed in most industries, but you’ll most likely find jobs in the hospitality, tourism, and agricultural fields. Come Down Under where you can travel and work for a year or maybe two!

However, both New Zealand and Australia’s cost of living is high, so finding a job that provides you with both a room and food will net you some huge savings. The more remote you go, the better you will earn too. (Sheep shearers make BANK… and then blow it all on cocaine and meth…)

Watch out though: not all Ozzies and Kiwis subscribe to the “mateship and fair go for all” mentality they’re known for. It’s not uncommon to get paid a fraction of that obscenely high minimum wage.

• $1800 – $3500 per month
• Backpacking Australia Travel Guide
• Where to Stay in Australia
• Backpacking New Zealand Travel Guide
• Where to Stay in New Zealand

33. Ski Resort Jobs

While I mentioned resorts and seasonal gigs before, skiing deserves its own holler(back girl). Ski resorts are notorious for hiring travellers and often under the table. Ski resort gigs can be the best seasonal jobs for travelling.

As an “unofficial” ski resort worker, you won’t get paid much (and you will likely be overworked), but it’s a great way to work hard, play hard, and make some travel friends along the way! Plus, there will always be the skiing/snowboarding perks which are obviously EPIC.

You don’t have to be an instructor though. Many seasonal jobs in lodges or working the lifts are widely available. Oh, and the snowbum life is pretty hedonistic – it’s basically working, partying, and picking up Insta-brand vacayers between your shifts.

• $1000 – $2000 per month.

34. Tattoo Artist

Backpackers love to get tattoos on the road , so there is always a demand for talented artists. And I’ve met some amazing tattoo artists travelling the world and paying their way through freelance work in hostels and backpacker hangouts. Talk about a creative travel job!

The better you get at your craft, the more doors that will open up to you. You don’t even need a gun! I’ve met and befriended some phenomenal stick-and-poke artists who earn money working while they travel.

Plus getting paid by people to inflict large amounts of bodily harm on them really isn’t too bad either!

• $500 – $15000 per month (be prepared to adjust your rates to reflect the country you’re in – ain’t nobody stupid enough to pay $100+ an hour in Mexico).

35. Join the Peace Corps

This is certainly one of the noblest travel jobs on this list and it deserves a mention! Providing a different work and travel experience, the Peace Corps is no joke and essentially makes you an international aid worker in a foreign country.

It’s a two-year commitment, you have very little influence on where you are stationed, and you only get two days off per month.

You don’t get paid much but, hell, you will be earning and you will get paid to travel to somewhere new. And what’s more, is relevant work experience can take the place of a college degree.

Check out:  This Peace Corps volunteer’s blog all about her experiences volunteering in Vanuatu.

Do You Need Insurance as a Working Traveller?

If you are going to be living and working outside of your home country, you really do need to think about getting health insurance. If you have an accident or get sick, then those hospital bills are going to completely nullify any money you’ve earned and saved.

For long term cover, we recommend SafetyWing . They specialise in covering digital nomads and those working outside of their home country. It’s basically a subscription model – month to month payments – on international health insurance without the need to provide an itinerary.

Month to month payments, no lock-in contracts, and no itineraries required: that’s the exact kind of insurance digital nomads and long-term traveller types need. Cover yo’ pretty little self while you live the DREAM!

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to work! Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

There are so many ways to work and travel; sometimes you just gotta get a bit creative! As long as you are cutting the costs of travel and picking up a job where and when needed, you’ll find a way.

Not every traveling job needs to be a career. Covering your living costs is a fantastic start, and all the skills and confidence will take you soooo much further in life than one simple job ever could.

Taking a leap of faith on a new vocation on the road is fantastic. It’s a step outside of your comfort zone and right into the growth of travel. In many ways, that’s what it means to BE a broke backpacker .

You don’t have to be broke to be a broke backpacker. Nay, being resourceful, willing, and kind-hearted with a good work ethic – that makes you more of a broke backpacker than holes in your undies and lack of consistent showering ever will.

So get out there and work on the road! Start with a shit-kicker job. Then once you’ve levelled up appropriately (and with some ingenuity), you’ll find a job that involves travelling and where you get paid to travel and live in a new country. Maybe you’ll even live in a mini-campervan conversion and start rockin’ the super nomad life. Then, you’re not just hunting for the best travel jobs anymore.

No, that’s a travel career: a whole new adventure!

Buy Us a Coffee !

A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!

You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee . If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂

Elina Mattila

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22 Practical Tips To Make Travelling For Work More Bearable

Do you love travelling for work? Or do you dread every trip and then wish that it was over? I land firmly in the middle. I didn't mind travelling for work, mostly because my work colleagues were awesome.

But on the other hand, I am a bit of a homebody. And truthfully, I would always prefer to be at home with my family. 

To make my work travel more bearable (and maybe even enjoyable!), I am always looking for tips, tricks and hacks. In this post, I am sharing some of those tips with you.

1. Always take a bag with wheels.

Why do I always forget this one? Every time I am travelling for work I think, “Nah, she’ll be right!". "I am only going for a couple of nights so I won’t need much!”. And then I end up cursing Past Bec as I hobble through the airport with my overpacked duffel. As cute as my duffel is (white with black stripes, gifted to me by my sister), I always regret taking it.

If you are travelling a lot, consider investing in a small carry-on piece with wheels and laptop storage!

2. Set some boundaries

Do your work colleagues want to go out partying after a full day at the office? If you want to party on, there's no judgement. But if you prefer to eat room service spaghetti bolognese on your crisp white sheets while watching crappy reality TV... well, you need to set some boundaries and stick to them.

Whatever you decide, just remember that you can’t operate on no sleep. Make sure you factor plenty of snooze time into your plan. Otherwise you'll spend your days in the office hating life! (I know this one from experience...)

3. Don't forget the self-care

I am no fitty-titty, but when I am away for work, I love a good pilates sesh. Even on the floor of my hotel room before heading into the office. I've also been known to pack my own trail-mix snacks and will never be seen without a bottle of water. Just because I am away from home, it doesn’t mean I have to stop looking after myself.

The same goes for you, so make sure you are incorporating some self-care into your travel plan. If you are a gym bunny, book into a hotel that has a gym onsite. Don’t forget to pack your gym clothes and your runners. If you have special eating requirements or you are on an eating plan, suss out the food spots before you go and work out where you can buy some simple, healthy essentials if you get stuck!

4. Spend the extra money to access the lounge

This tip was provided by Matt (my ex-boss), who explained to me that for a reasonable annual fee (usually a few hundred dollars) you can get unlimited access to the airport lounge. "What's the big deal?", I asked, obviously having limited experience as a lounge goer*. Matt explained that every time you fly, you are grabbing coffee, snacks and meals and the airport. This adds up and if you are flying frequently, the cost of lounge access can work out to be much more economical than ad hoc purchases. You can get your coffee and food inside the lounge whilst also enjoying the more obvious benefit of being so much more comfortable that you would be out in the general waiting area! This is a great tip and one that I plan to investigate myself!

Some further good news - chat to your accountant as you might even be able to claim your lounge access pass back as a deduction at tax time!

* Since writing this post, I have investigated. I love the lounge!

5. Carry a wide-mouthed water bottle

I was actually given this tip by my friend Brooke from The Pursuit of Wellness as I was preparing for a cruise. Brooke is an expert cruiser and gave me loads of tips. But this one is also super helpful for business travel. If you are anything like me, you are very conscious of staying hydrated. In fact, water for me is a little bit of a security blanket. If I don't have a bottle of water nearby I tend to feel a little edgy about when I am going to get my next fix. As you can imagine, when drinking bottled water, this can add up, very quickly!

On a recent trip to Queensland I spent over $40 on bottled water over a couple of days. Most places though, especially in office environments, have access to clean drinking water, or filtered water that you can drink to your heart's content. If you take a wide-mouthed water bottle, you can take advantage of the free H2O. Which is not only a huge cost-saving, but also a massive convenience!

6. Review your transfer options

This tip is from my good friend, Candice, who knows exactly how I like to travel. Well prepared and with as little hassle as possible. Candice and I both prefer to drive ourselves to the airport as it means that we aren't reliant on anyone else to get us to the airport in time. We both prefer to be in control of our own destinies!

Where we live, in Canberra, Australia, it is actually far cheaper for us to drive and pay for airport parking for several days, than it is to get taxi transfers. But it's best for you to review your options and see what works for you. If you have a good public transport system or are a fan of Uber, these could also be strong options.

Do you like travelling for work? Make it way more bearable with this EPIC post!

7. Build relationships with local drivers

Matt popped back in to share a little more of his travel wisdom. (Perhaps he didn't want to be outdone by Candice?) He suggested that if you are travelling to the same locations regularly, it can help to build relationships with local drivers. Matt told me that when he and his work colleague used to travel regularly to Melbourne, they had a specific driver who would pick them up at their request, in a previously agreed spot away from all the lines. This is a little bit of "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours". For a regular fare for well-behaved travellers, a driver might be willing to make him or herself available for private bookings. If anything, it sounds like it is worth asking!

8. Carry small amounts of cash

I am not a fan of cash. I use my debit card for everything. But when I am travelling for work, I always make sure that I have a little bit of cash in my wallet just in case. "Just in case of what?", you might be asking. Well, have you ever been caught up in meetings and not had a chance to duck out and grab yourself some lunch? If you have a little cash on you, you might be able to ask a colleague or friend to race down to the local cafe and grab something for you.

Or perhaps you only have limited time available and you can't find a vendor that takes EFTPOS. Maybe you are desperate for a drink and you forgot to bring your drink bottle and need to grab a bottle of water from a vending machine. Maybe you need a stick of gum but the EFTPOS minimum is $10. The credit card machines goes on the fritz in your taxi and you need to pay a fare. Picking up what I am putting down? Of course you can't be prepared for every single possibility. But having a bit of cash on you could save you from some awkward or time-poor situations.

9. Make the most of your travel location

La Tonya Roberts hit me up on Instagram and let me know that she loves travelling for work so much she has actually made a career out of it! That’s commitment! Latonya told me that her best tip is to make time to explore the location by doing some local activities and eating local food.

I totally agree with La Tonya on this one. I'm making more of a conscious effort to enjoy the places I travel to. Do you know, I have been to Melbourne three times for work and have not done any sightseeing? Seems like such a waste!

10. Embrace Airplane Mode

The lovely Johanna from Adventures of Jo sent me an email with her travel tip. She said to make sure you remember to pop your phone onto airplane mode so that you can use it in the sky. This is a great tip. My phone is an extension of me and I am lost without it. (I just had a mini digital detox and it was hard!).

To take Jo’s tip a step further, I recommend you download your favourite tunes or podcasts to your phone or tablet before you fly. Then you have plenty to listen to while you are up in the air! This goes for e-books and magazines too. Anything to avoid the crappy (and sometimes non-existent) in-flight entertainment, right?

11. Check in early

This might seem like a fairly simple or obvious tip, but I wanted to mention it just to be sure. Whenever I am travelling I make sure to check in as early as possible, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I am not a good flyer, so I am a little selective about where on the plane I sit. I like a window seat so that after the in-flight snack, I can rest my head on the side of the plane and fall off to sleep.

Secondly, it saves time at the airport. And  it means that I can sleep in a little longer before an earlier flight. (One of the same reasons I also avoid checking in luggage wherever possible!).

Finally, it allows me to keep my boarding pass on my phone, which is always close to my fingertips. This means that it is one less piece of paper that I have to carry. (And possibly lose!)

12. Join the frequent traveller clubs

If your employer allows you to claim frequent flyer points for your work trips (unfortunately mine doesn't!) then you should definitely take advantage of it! Even if you don't travel often, the points can add up and can save you money on future flights or hotels that you book for holidays. And let's face it, every dollar counts! Frequent flyer programs can also offer you other benefits. These may include priority check in or even access to the lounge. (If you haven't already been convinced that membership is worthwhile.)

I saved a considerable amount on my upcoming travel to the Gold Coast. Firstly because I traded in some points to pay for part of my airfare. And secondly, because they sent me a birthday voucher – cash off my hotel bill!

The great thing is that I convinced one of my work colleagues to come with me, which has two benefits. She has now been introduced to Danielle's work for the first time and we will have a chance to bond over the event! I can't wait!

18. Create a standard packing list

If you are travelling regularly, save yourself the pain of wondering "have I forgotten something?" Every time you travel. I learnt this the hard way, and have about 20 packets of travel sickness pills in my medication box as a result. Because every time I travelled I would forget them and end up buying yet another box at the airport kiosk. (For about twice the price that I can get them at my local pharmacy). Create your list on your computer and print it out every time you go away, or print it once, laminate it and check the items off with a dry-erase marker. I promise you, this is a game changer and will mean that packing your bag to go away becomes super quick and hassle-free!* 

* Since writing this post, I've upgraded my travel checklist! I now have it in Trello. In fact, I have one checklist for travelling for work and another for personal trips.

19. Take a creature comfort from home

Candice popped back in to let me know that she likes to take a creature comfort from home when she travels for work. Especially if she will be away for a while. Candice suggested that your favourite pillow might be a good option, provided that you have room in your suitcase.

I think this is a fantastic idea. In fact, I've actually been packing my essential oil diffuser with me as my creature comfort. I love setting my diffuser up in the hotel room and diffusing oils to help me sleep, or to ground me after a hard day at the office.

20. Pack a set of clothes in your carry on

This tip only really applies if you are travelling a long distance (like, overseas), or have multiple stopovers as there is more chance of your checked luggage being lost or delayed. Got a meeting first thing the morning after flying? Imagine how embarrassed you would be if you had to rock up in your casual travelling clothes. Bags don't go missing or get hugely delayed too often. But you can guarantee it will always happen when you have somewhere important to be. Isn't that Murphy's Law?

If you pack some spare clothes, you can at least look semi-respectable for that meeting or event! (This may seem a little over-prepared, but if you are reading this, I am guessing you are probably a preparer. Being too prepared has never bitten anyone on the bum. Girl Guide's Honour)

21. Pack as light as possible, then lighter again

While we were on the cruise, Hubs and I spent quite a bit of time in the art gallery and even purchased some art to take home. This meant that we also got to know the ship’s Art Director, Ajay, who had been on the ship for the past seven months! My gosh, I couldn’t even imagine it! With this in mind I figured that Ajay was probably a master at travelling for work. I asked him to share his best tip. Ajay told me that it is all about packing light. He then offered these follow up pearls of wisdom:

• Make sure all of your books are loaded onto your phone or tablet, so that you don’t have to carry physical books.
• Roll everything – you can fit heaps more in. You'll just need to iron when you arrive at your destination. 
• Stuff your socks and underwear into your shoes. You should be able to fit at least 4 pairs of socks in each shoe! 
• If you are going away for a while, pack your socks and underwear into a plastic bag so that you can tip them directly into a drawer in your hotel room.

Have fun when travelling for work!

One thing I have learned about travelling for work is that I always hate it less when I let my hair down a little. Grumbling because you don't like travelling for business will not bring anything good upon you. So, save your complaining and work out how you can enjoy the situation that you are in. Whether that includes going out for dinner with your colleagues, hiring a cheesy movie from the in-room entertainment system, reading a trashy novel, splurging on a massage, or simply just choosing to smile instead of grimace, give it a go and be grateful that you have an opportunity that others would beg for. 

I hope you have enjoyed this huge post about travel tips for work! Have a great work trip and let me know in the comments if you have any other great travel tips!

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About the Author

Bec McFarland is an experienced HR practitioner, manager, career coach and the creator of Pop Your Career. She delights in sharing practical, straight to the point career advice, spending time with her family and eating Mexican food.

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Traveling for Work: Pros and Cons

There are many careers that require you to travel for a living.  However, if you are looking at a job that has significant travel, it is very important to really understand what you are about to get into.  Since, I have spent almost half my 20 year professional career on the road, I wanted to provide you some of the pros and cons of a travel job.

Being Able to See New Places

Well, the first thing about a travel job is that you get to see a new city.   Depending on your job, it may be traveling to many cities, or mostly traveling to a single city.  It’s important to know this information because they are very different.

For example, at the start of my career, I spent almost a year traveling back/forth to Memphis, Tennessee.   At first, it was pretty interesting because I didn’t know much about the city and was exploring things like where to get good BBQ.  Once I figured it all out, it wasn’t exciting anymore and felt like my travel turned into a long commute from my home!

As I moved up in my career, I started having to travel to multiple cities. This experience was totally different and a little more interesting. I was able to see new places, new airports, new cultures, new restaurants, etc.  However, the more you travel from city to city, it can get really tiring on the plane rides. So, for multi city travel, I noticed that my body started to get more exhausted.

If your job is more demanding, you will have less time to explore the new city you are in.  On many business trips, I have had to prepare for meetings, and sometimes they run early in the morning and last till after 6 pm.   In these situations, you just don’t have enough time to see anything on your travel. This happens frequently since work always comes first.

Saving on Expenses

One major benefit to traveling or working remotely for your job is that you will be able to save on costs for several of your daily expenses.   Some of these include:

• Saving on food expenses.   When I travel for business, all my meals from the moment I step out of my house is covered till get back from my trip.  So, if I travel Monday and fly back on Friday, I will save a significant amount on my grocery and restaurant expenses.
• Saving on gas/auto expenses.   When I worked full time in a cubical, I used to drive at least 12,000 miles per year.  In my travel job, I barely use my car and maybe average 4,000 miles year. This has been a huge savings.
• Saving on TV and internet expenses.   I really don’t need cable TV since I’m able to watch most sports on other channels while at the hotels or bars. I have also been able to get internet and MiFi with travel positions, so I don’t have those expenses.
• Saving on phone expenses.   When you travel for work, you will most likely get a work phone.  You will need to check with your company but many allow you to have them for both business and personal use.

Earning Benefits and Points

Another huge benefit of a travel job is that you will earn lots of benefits since you are always on the road.  Some of these include:

• Earning airline miles.   My company always allowed me to book directly with my primary hub airline.  This allowed flexibility for changing flights. Every flight that I take, I earn air miles.  This means I can take my family on vacations with minimal costs!
• Earning hotel points.   When staying at hotels, you typically can earn points or rewards with them.  I stayed mostly at IHG and Hilton hotels. This has allowed me to gain points with those programs.   This turns into free stays for my family during our travels. Another great benefit you get is that when you move up in the reward system like becoming a Diamond member with Hilton, you also get other perks like free breakfast.
• Earning car rental points.   If you rent enough cars, you will ultimately earn free rentals with some of the car rental agencies.  This will allow you to use those while on vacation or if you wanted to do road trips with the family.
• Earning credit card rewards.   Some companies allow you to use your own credit cards for all the expenses, then reimburse you after doing an expense report.  At my job that is how it worked, so I was able to earn several thousand dollars in rewards for my travels. You can get credit cards that are travel focused that earn more points or rewards.  Of course, always do research and read all the fine print to make sure the card you get is appropriate for what you need.
• Earning points and loyalty rewards on food.   I personally have not done this, since I don’t eat at too many chain restaurants. However, I have many co-workers who say it helps them get many rewards.

Being Able to Meet New People

One really cool thing about a travel job is that you get to meet new people in different places.  I have been fortunate to build friendships with people all across the US. This has helped me by opening up new opportunities for work and/or learning more about a city before moving to it.

Another huge benefit to a travel job is being able to professionally network with other people.   On days where I’m feeling more social on the plane, I might talk to the passenger sitting next to me.  Sometimes, they can be entrepreneurs or higher executives. I’ve never gotten a job this way, but have added LinkedIn contacts.

Work Schedule

The toughest part of a travel job sometimes can be the actual work schedule.  This will depend on when you have to see your clients and how many cities you need to visit during the week.

The ones that involved waking up at 4:30 am on Monday mornings to catch a 7:00 am departure was always the toughest for me   It pretty much ruined my Sunday evenings, since I started thinking about work and having to go to bed early. Then in the morning, I always had to scramble to remember not to forget anything like my watch, wallet, computers, etc.

Once I arrive at the client site from the airport, I still have the rest of the day which involves working with the client.  By the time I get back to the hotel to check-in, I’m absolutely exhausted. Forget about going to restaurants or checking out the city. At this point, I just want to eat at the hotel and get ready for bed. If you have to work onsite almost every week, check out my other blog post to see if you can negotiate ways to work remotely.

After the first night, the next day might require travel to a different city. Hopefully, your travel is not 3 or 4 different cities for the week.  Mine usually were one or 2 per week, which are more manageable.

Towards the end of the week, fatigue starts setting in.  Typically, I try to get home Thursday nights, but if that doesn’t work I fly back on Friday morning.  My problem with Friday morning flights is that if anything happens like delays, it impacts my Friday, and weekends. So, it basically means less time to spend with the family.

Keeping Your Body Healthy

When you are on the road, it can be very difficult to keep yourself healthy.  Just the traveling logistics initially requires you to put your body through security checks at the airport.  Then you need to sit in a small space on an airplane that could last for hours depending on your destination.

Once you are at the destination, food becomes another challenge.  If you are running late, all of sudden you see yourself eating fast food.   If you have more time and a large meal budget, you might find yourself overeating at restaurants.   You might start with appetizers, then a big meal like a ribeye steak, finally you will wash it down with that delicious dessert at the end.

The other thing that can happen is that you might drink too much on the road.  While drinking and hanging out with co-workers can be fun. It can be easy to sometimes drink too much.  I’ve had many co-workers who would just eat dinner in liquid form.

The last thing that might get impacted on the road is your exercise schedule.  For me, sometimes I get so tired at the end of the day from the travel, that I just can’t hit the hotel gym.  I try to not have excuses, but it really does get more difficult. When I work from home, I always hit the gym at least 6 times a week.  So I know, traveling is causing some of it for me.

Work Life Balance

With a travel job, work life balance becomes more blurry. Let’s say at a typical job you work 8 hours per day.  Well, if you get up at 4 am to catch a flight, and you don’t get back to the hotel till 6 pm, then it might feel like you worked more than 8 hours for the day.

You might say that, well you get to have free time on the plane.  But, plane time versus my time at home is much different for me.  I might be able to catch up on a book or 2, however I don’t get to relax and hang out with the family.

Then you have times where you have to be at client site Monday morning, this means you lost your Sunday night.  Again, spending Sunday night at home, versus traveling to a client site means a loss of my personal time.

Since traveling for a living is very flexible, you might be spending part of your evenings on the road preparing for the client visit. This could be creating presentations, writing code, or whatever else you might do.

If you can figure out a way to balance your traveling career, it can be very rewarding with the best of both worlds.  For example, later in my career I was able to control my travel more and mostly flew Monday nights and came home on Thursday nights. It seemed on Monday nights, the airport was less crowded and I usually was able to get upgraded to first class with my status.

The other thing I did was arrange my travel to be every other week.  This meant I was able to work remotely from home. During the week I was home, I was able to get a lot of work done which really showed my value to my company.

Business travellers are ready to take off again - if certain conditions are met - says survey

The extent to which business travel will make a comeback may be fairly modest. Image:  Unsplash/Gary Lopater

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• The majority of global business travellers are willing to resume travelling for work.
• But only if certain conditions are met, according to a new survey.
• Business travellers want a greater say in how they travel and where they stay, post-pandemic.
• A sizeable number say that they will quit their jobs if travel flexibility is not offered by their employers.

The majority of people whose jobs involve business travel are itching to get back out there. But only if their employers go the extra mile and offer plenty of travel flexibility.

Research carried out for the business software company SAP, found that 96% of business travellers say they are “willing to travel for business over the next 12 months” . Almost two-thirds (65%) say they are “very willing”.

Their eagerness to get back to globe-trotting is, for the most part, down to two reasons. The first is the harm being done to business relationships by not travelling. SAP found that 80% fear their professional lives will suffer, 38% are concerned they’ll experience a drop in earnings, while 33% worry their progress on the career path will suffer if they don’t increase their business travel this year.

Business or pleasure?

The second reason is more personal. After a long period of restricted travel opportunities, 89% of people surveyed said they intend to mix business with pleasure by tacking untaken vacation days on to work trips. For 41%, travel offers a welcome change from everyday life, while 11% said their partner simply wants them out of the house.

Expectations of quality, flexibility and safety are soaring, the SAP survey says. When asked about additional benefits they expect from their employers, 52% said they want to choose direct flights, 41% said they want to stay in four or five star accommodation. A similar number (39%) want to fly business or first class, too.

Of course, health and safety matters ranked highly as well, with 89% saying the freedom to make their own arrangements will enable them to better protect themselves from COVID-19.

This desire for flexibility is a top priority for younger people, with 59% of Generation-Z business travellers saying they’d rather have a “crying toddler in the seat behind them than have no control over when and where they travel for work”.

Have you read?

Global business travel will survive covid-19, study says, a new era of sustainable travel prepares for take-off, decarbonizing aviation requires a transition to sustainable fuel. here’s how governments can help..

Cleared for take-off

The extent to which business travel will make a comeback may be fairly modest, though. Another survey, from Deloitte, says that even though it is on the rise in the second half of 2021, business travel will stay significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. “Total spend in Q4 2021 is projected to reach somewhere between 25%-35% of 2019 levels”, Deloitte says, adding that even by the end of the year, one-third of companies expect their spending on business travel will be lower than 25% of 2019 levels.

When assessing the need to reignite travel, there are some particular indicators businesses are tracking, Deloitte says. Top of that list are vaccination and infection rates. Others include the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions, and the reopening of offices.

Even after having taken those considerations into account, the SAP survey warns businesses that some of their employees will consider leaving if they feel excluded from travel plans, or that their welfare is at risk.

Almost half (48%) of young employees will start looking for a new job, which averages out at 20% for the whole workforce. Meanwhile, around one-third (31%) would request that they travel less frequently if their company does not implement policies or measures to help protect their health and safety.

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What Is A 'Hush Trip'?

Senior Reporter, HuffPost Life

After the onset of the pandemic, many office workers learned something: Being present in one physical workplace is not essential for every job.

Even as offices reopened, countless employees continued to work from home ― or from somewhere else. Not only did this change the way people work, but it also changed the way they travel. Enter the “hush trip.”

But what exactly is a hush trip, and how does it work? Below, experts break down the benefits and downsides of this approach to travel.

What is a ‘hush trip’?

“A ‘hush trip’ is where employees work remotely from a location other than their usual one, without informing their employers,” said travel blogger Sean Lau .

It’s a temporary setup in which employees might simply work from a beach house an hour away from home for a few days ― or they might travel to a different time zone or even internationally.

“Since they can just log on and handle their job duties from anywhere, the mindset is why even bring it up to your employer if you happen to be in the Bahamas while you’re working,” said travel blogger Esther Susag .

Hush-trippers typically continue to do their work tasks and take Zoom meetings, but refrain from mentioning where they are located. They work from hotel rooms, coffee shops and even short-term co-working spaces.

“They may go as far as to use a VPN to disguise their IP address and location,” said Gabby Beckford , a travel expert and founder of travel site Packs Light.

The concept is somewhat similar to “bleisure travel,” which involves combining business and leisure travel. Bleisure travelers might go on a work-related trip, but tack on extra time on the front or backend for vacation. They might also work remotely from their destination in between relaxation and touristy activities.

With hush trips and bleisure travel, employees often take friends or family along, but they might also go solo.

“It’s an experience woven into the fabric of the digital nomad and remote worker lifestyle since the dawn of connectivity,” said Erick Prince , a travel blogger and founder of travel site Minority Nomad. “And now, the broader travel world is having a taste of its charms. But like any dish, this trend comes with its own unique blend of flavors ― both delightful and challenging.”

What are the benefits of this kind of travel?

“As someone who works remotely and prefers working somewhere scenic, I think a hush trip can increase productivity and improve mental well-being, ultimately increasing employee retention,” Lau said.

Proponents of hush trips believe this kind of travel offers a much-needed boost to workers’ morale and quality of life.

“They can avoid the stress of explaining their reasons for travel to their boss and getting corporate approval, and a potential ‘no,’” Beckford said.

Hush trips also allow for a level of spontaneity and flexibility in travel (which allows workers to take advantage of great deals , among other benefits).

“You can just wake up one morning, decide ‘I feel like working with an ocean view this week,’ and can just hop on a flight that afternoon without sending PTO requests ― you’re just embracing that digital nomad lifestyle,” Susag said.

Since 2020, many industries have rethought their approach to work environments. The hush trip fits into that escape from a traditional “desk-bound existence,” Prince noted. There’s a balance of structure and independence.

“It’s a passport to freedom, a chance to roam, explore, and breathe life into both personal and professional endeavors in ways unimaginable within the confines of conventional office culture,” he explained. “It’s about combating the relentless specter of burnout, reclaiming our right to truly live rather than merely exist in the grind.”

Are there any downsides?

“There are risks to hush trips, especially if you are going somewhere with unreliable internet connectivity or significant time zone differences,” Lau noted.

You might run into issues with your employer that could jeopardize your future with the company.

“It shows a lack of trust between employer and employee, and if they were to call that employee into the office at the last minute, there would be issues,” Beckford said.

In addition to the erosion of trust, administrative concerns might also arise, especially if you turn your short-stint hush trip into a more extended stay.

“HR teams already struggle tracking where remote workers are based,” Susag said. “Hush trips make that borderline impossible and open up all sorts of potential tax, privacy and legal issues depending on where folks work from unannounced. So for workers, hush trips epitomize remote work freedom. But for employers, I don’t think they see them the same way.”

Prince echoed this sentiment, pointing to the visa and tax implications, network security hazards and potential disruptions to workflows. But he and other travel pros who spoke to HuffPost expressed that the hush trip lifestyle can be OK as long as employees are delivering their work consistently and on time.

“Certain challenges have prompted many companies to ‘ban’ hush trips,” he said. “But much like the reluctant return to the office post-pandemic, the economics of reverting to the brick-and-mortar grind may prove unpalatable for many.”

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Mancro Laptop Backpack for Travel, Anti-theft Laptop Backpack for Men Business Backpack Work Daypack with USB Charging Port & Lock, Water Resistant Travel Computer Bag Daypack, Grey

Purchase options and add-ons

• Many Pockets & Storage Space: Laptop backpack suitable for your 15.6 inch laptop or 15 inch, 14 inch Macbook/Laptop. Convenient main pockets for iPad, charger, binders, books, clothes, etc. Inside pockets keep your wallet, and phone. Front slanted pocket suitable for quick finds such as your ID for work, keys for open door, two side pockets for water bottle and compact umbrella, make your items organized
• USB Port Design: The USB charging laptop bag with built in USB charger outside and built in charging cable inside, you can plug a mobile power hub into the inside, and then you just connect your USB cable to your waterproof backpack and plug in your device for easy charging
• Safety & Anti-Theft Lock: This anti-theft backpack for laptop comes with a lock, so you never have to worry about someone stealing your laptop, iPad, business file, homework, or anything valuable, keeping you a nice peace of mind. Sturdy metal zippers close and open smoothly, ensuring secure and long-lasting usage every day or weekend
• Comfy & Sturdy: Made from sturdy polyester fabric with two "S" curve padded shoulder straps, relieves the stress of the shoulder, simple but comfortable back design offers your great back support, making your working, journey, and traveling more convenient wherever you go
• Size & Multipurpose: 18 x 12 x 7 Inches, suitable to throw under your seat on an airplane when you are traveling or on business trip. Good choice for a business laptop backpack, backpack for travel, work backpack, or laptop bag for men and women, also will be a good gift for men or women, and gift bag for travelers. Recommended age range: 5 years old and up

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Product information, warranty & support, product guides and documents, from the brand.

15.6 inch Laptop Backpack

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17 inch Travel Backpack

Underseat Carry On Luggage

Product description.

PERFECT TRAVEL BACKPACK

SIZE: 18 x 12 x 7 Inch, perfect to throw under your seat on an airplane when you are traveling or on business trip.

Laptop Compartment

Compartment with plenty of space is capable of holding laptop of different size( 15.6 Inch, 15 Inch,14 Inch and 13 Inch)

Front Pocket

The front pocket with 4 small pockets is perfect for storing your smartphone,pens,notebooks and other small items.

Front Easy-access Pocket

The front easy-access pocket is an ideal pocket to storage the passport, tablet or keys.Perfect for business or travel.

Luggage strap design

The design of the luggage strap allows the backpack to slide over the luggage tube, makes you easier to carry while travelling.

Customizable Password Lock

The anti theft backpack comes with a customizable password lock, provides the safety of your laptop, wallet, passport or other valuable items.

LOST OF POCKETS

Suitable for back to school backpack, collegeg backpack, student backpack, it can fit up to 15.6/17.3 inch laptop, books, 4A file, binders, folders and other essentials

CARRY ON BACKPACK

Suitable for hiking backpack, camping backpack, traveling backpack, cycling backpack, travel backpack for men. Ideal choice for exquisite Gifts or a travel backpack.

CLASSIC BACKPACK

For business.

Suitable for business trip, a good choice for business laptop backpack, work backpack, computer backpack, office backpack, notebook backpack, usb backpack

Mancro Backpack Comparison

What's in the box, videos for this product.

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Key Things to Know About the Mancro Laptop Bag

Jon's Real Reviews

Great back if you work remote! Sturdy, w/charger port.

Ramon Lopez Jr

Customer Review: Lock doesnt work - Overall great backpack

Absolutely Awesome Work Bag

Krusty's Reviews

best laptop backpack for me back to school

Christina D. Dooley

5 Year Review of the Mancro Backpack

John Atallah

Absolutely Love This Laptop Bag Because of This

Honest Review of Mancro Backpack

Taylor Church

I Tried 6 Highly Rated Travel Laptop Backpacks

What a wonderful backpack for back to school :)

Looking for specific info, customer reviews.

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 77% 14% 4% 2% 3% 77%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 77% 14% 4% 2% 3% 14%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 77% 14% 4% 2% 3% 4%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 77% 14% 4% 2% 3% 2%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 77% 14% 4% 2% 3% 3%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the build quality, size, and space of the backpack. They mention it's well-made, has multiple compartments, and combines functionality with modern aesthetics.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the build quality of the backpack. They say it's well-made, durable, and the straps have never torn or frayed.

"...The overall build quality is excellent , with sturdy zippers and comfortable straps that make it easy to carry around all day...." Read more

"Best tech bag I've ever owned. Bought it years ago and it still holds up great . It's comfortable, fits well, and holds most things...." Read more

"...The quality of the bag is very good . It almost feels like a sorta denim material but seems extremely durable...." Read more

"...It has a sleek, stylish look to it. It's durable and well made . No problems with the zipper. Comfortable to wear. I didn't want a huge back pack...." Read more

Customers like the size of the backpack. They say it's the right size for their needs and fits their folding cane nicely in the larger front pocket. The laptop area fits on the back side, giving it some rigidity when wearing the bag. Customers also appreciate that it will fit under plane seats and is well-made and lightweight.

"... Plenty of space for a large laptop and tablet/iPad...." Read more

"...It easily fits my laptop , charger, notebooks, and even a few extras like a water bottle and snacks, all while staying slim and professional-..." Read more

"...Bought it years ago and it still holds up great. It's comfortable, fits well , and holds most things...." Read more

"...For one, it's hard to prop open due to the strap being small in size with poor grasp. The strap is also terribly flimsy...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the backpack. They mention it's an amazing backpack for school and can be used as a tech bag. Some say they're happy with their purchase and that it's a great replacement for a laptop bag.

"I like the modern look of it, it has 3 amazing pouches with several organizing slips and pockets for an assortment of items great product for the..." Read more

"...The amount of room this backpack has is very promising . It's about the same size as my old bag, but it exceeds in organization points...." Read more

"...The inside stitching came loose at some point but this bag is still perfect . All the pockets are used and helpful...." Read more

"...But it is nice backpack overall." Read more

Customers like the space of the backpack. They mention it has extra storage and pockets, and features multiple compartments that comfortably hold laptops. Some appreciate that the side pockets have an additional strap to keep things locked down.

"I bought this to replace a backpack I had for years. Great backpack with plenty of pockets and comes with a lock...." Read more

"...It's comfortable, fits well, and holds most things . If you're the type to own larger laptops they may not fit...." Read more

"...practical features, such as the built-in USB charging port and ample storage space for a 15.6-inch laptop and other tech essentials...." Read more

"...It fits a lot of stuff in there with all the various pockets and pouches and it is a very comfortable backpack to wear...." Read more

Customers like the backpack's appearance. They mention it has a nice color and good size. Some say it combines functionality with modern aesthetics, making it reliable and simple.

"...for business trips or daily commuting, this backpack is the perfect blend of style , function, and security. Highly recommend!" Read more

"The Mancro Business Travel Laptop Backpack offers a sleek design and practical features, such as the built-in USB charging port and ample storage..." Read more

"Bought this to carry work lap top. It has a sleek , stylish look to it. It's durable and well made. No problems with the zipper. Comfortable to wear...." Read more

Customers appreciate the value for money of the backpack. They mention it's sturdy and has good quality for the price.

"...Overall a great travel tech bag with a fair price ." Read more

"...It is a decent choice for its price point , but I would probably look at something better for long term use." Read more

"...organizing slips and pockets for an assortment of items great product for the price " Read more

"I like that it will fit under plane seats, and the cost was very reasonable ." Read more

Customers like the functionality of the backpack. They mention it serves its purpose well, is good for going to work or carrying around in place of a purse, and is perfect for their needs. They appreciate the sleek design and practical features, such as the built-in USB. Some say it works well for a long commute into the city and carries all their things in a really smart and comfortable design.

"...or daily commuting, this backpack is the perfect blend of style, function , and security. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...Mancro Business Travel Laptop Backpack offers a sleek design and practical features , such as the built-in USB charging port and ample storage space..." Read more

"...This backpack is so full of potential goodness that I can't believe it's $30." Read more

"...functionality with modern aesthetics, making it a reliable companion for both business trips and leisure travel." Read more

Customers like the comfort of the backpack. They mention it feels very comfortable to wear, has a nice fit, and is comfortable to carry around. The material feels good and the smooth texture is good for devices that could rub on them.

"... Comfortable fit ." Read more

"...The overall build quality is excellent, with sturdy zippers and comfortable straps that make it easy to carry around all day...." Read more

"...Bought it years ago and it still holds up great. It's comfortable , fits well, and holds most things...." Read more

"...with all the various pockets and pouches and it is a very comfortable backpack to wear ...." Read more

Reviews with images

7 years old and still usable

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The most affordable ski resort in the us is right here in new york — and fans call it ‘awesome’.

At least there’s one thing in New York that’s still affordable.

Skiers looking to save a bundle need not leave the Empire State — where a resort called “awesome” by die-hard fans was just ranked the cheapest in the country.

Vacation rental aggregator HomeToGo crunched the data — like so much fresh powder — on popular hills from coast to coast, with Gore Mountain in The Adirondacks schussing effortlessly into first.

Located in the tiny town of North Creek in Warren County, Gore — which bills itself as New York’s largest ski resort — is one of three hills in the state owned by the public and operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority, a state agency.

Whiteface, further north near Lake Placid, and Belleayre in The Catskills are the other two.

The survey authors said that Gore’s combined lift ticket price of $107 per day for an adult and a night in a vacation rental at $88.02 per person, on average, was the cheapest out of scores of resorts sampled — for a total of $195.02 per day for one cost-conscious skier.

The average daily cost of a lift ticket at resorts included in the survey was $188.15, the snow scouters said.

The median cost for a vacation rental, per person, per night, was $164.41.

Gore, with a 2,537 vertical drop, is located approximately an hour and a half from Albany.

Snowmaking on the mountain’s 115 trails is done with water from the Hudson River.

Fans are known to leave glowing reviews of the destination on sites like On The Snow , where one skier said that Gore “never disappoints.”

“From the steeps to the cruisers, the skiing is awesome,” they gushed.

“I finally feel like I am getting something for all the taxes I pay to live in New York,” they mused.

In second place on the list is Washington’s Mount Baker, mere miles south of the border near Vancouver, B.C.

Located inside national park lands, a lift ticket costs $94.27, according to the survey, while accommodations come in at $106.65 per person, for a total of $200.92.

The resort, at its highest point, goes as high as 5,089 feet — nearly as high as Denver, Colo.

Whitefish, Montana is one of the country’s hottest — and increasingly pricey — mountain towns, but the Whitefish ski resort takes the bronze as the third most affordable, for a total sum of $223.02 per day.

Maine and New Mexico contributed two spots apiece to the Top 10, while ski hotspots Vermont and Colorado offered up just one each. Oregon occupied the final spot.

The most affordable ski vacations in the US for 2024

• Gore Mountain, New York
• Mount Baker, Washington
• Whitefish, Montana
• Sugarloaf, Maine
• Ski Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Sunday River, Maine
• Purgatory, Colo.
• Jay Peak, Vermont
• Angel Fire, New Mexico
• Mount Bachelor, Oregon

The list was released as survey compilers noted a significant year-over-year increase — 29% — in interest in ski region stays, according to Eleanor Moody, a travel expert at HomeToGo.

“While traditional favorites remain popular, our data reveals a growing interest in hidden gem destinations like Mount Baker and Whitefish, which rank highly for affordability, suggesting that travelers are seeking more budget-friendly options for ski trips,” Moody said.

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Italy’s one euro houses: How you can buy one

Spoiler alert: the whole project will cost you a little more more than €1, article bookmarked.

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With property prices in the UK out of reach for many first-time buyers , and homeowners dreaming of a second pad in the sun , the idea of snapping up an Italian casa for 86p is intoxicating.

Several small Italian towns have hit the headlines for selling off vacant houses for €1 a pop in the past couple of years.

But how does the scheme work, and who is eligible to snap up one of these bargain villas in the sun?

Why is Italy selling houses for €1?

As young Italians increasingly migrate to the city and choose cosmopolitan jobs over rural and community vocations, many of Italy ’s prettiest remote villages are becoming abandoned, with tiny, ageing populations that are beginning to die off.

Some elderly Italians have found themselves with no one to leave their house to, bequeathing it instead to the local authorities, who have to decide what to do with it, while some younger citizens have inherited properties in areas they have no intention of moving to.

Read more: What’s it really like to buy a house through Italy’s one euro homes scheme?

Having a second home in Italy means paying taxes, so selling these unused houses off cheaply can be more lucrative than keeping them.

That’s why around 25 Italian municipalities are making prospective homeowners an offer they can’t refuse - a house for the symbolic price of €1.

The idea is, having these homes improved and occupied in the next few years is worth more to the towns than selling them off at full price.

“We do not need new constructions and new overbuilding. The strategy to improve the housing environment and reclaim our cultural identity is to revive the small abandoned centres or to redevelop buildings in a state of abandonment, with a story that is our history,” reads a statement by the team at 1eurohouses.com .

Local authorities in areas such as Emilia-Romagna, Abruzzo and Campania also hope an influx of new homeowners will stimulate the economy, as they buy local produce, employ local construction workers, pour money into local venues and attractions, and even boost tourism by creating boutique hotels or B&Bs.

What’s the catch?

You’re not buying a shiny new villa - houses selected for the scheme are often dilapidated and require major structural improvements. You’re investing in a fixer-upper, not acquiring a ready-to-move-in home.

However, the cost of renovations is still relatively low compared to other countries - in the region of €20,000–50,000 depending on the size of the property.

While most houses are humble village homes or cottages, some stately homes are also on sale, with a much higher price tag attached. The sellers of this former monastery outside Bologna estimate essential renovations could cost €1.5m.

Legal fees for buying a house abroad can add up to €3,000 on top of this, and some municipalities also ask for a “guarantee fee” (from €1,000 to €10,000 depending on the town and the cost of the renovation project) to prove you’re committed to improving the property.

On the upside, Italy does provide a ‘superbonus’ tax exemption for buyers that covers 110 per cent of qualifying building expenditures.

You won’t be able to make vague promises about refurbishing your new pad sometime in the future, either - new owners are required to submit details of a renovation project within two to 12 months of purchase (depending on the location), start work within one year, and complete it within the next three.

It’s also worth noting that not every property ends up being sold for just a euro. Popular houses have become the subject of a bidding war, with several going for €5,000 or even €20,000.

So this is a scheme for people who have some savings stored up beyond the initial euro.

Who can buy a one euro house?

“Is it true or is it a joke?” reads a section of the website case1euro.it , which lists €1 properties currently for sale in Mussomeli, 60 miles south of Palermo , Sicily.

It is not a joke. Rules differ from town to town, but in the case of Mussomeli, buyers must have the financial and practical wherewithal to:

• Support all expenses for the drafting of the deeds of sale (notary, registration, transfer)
• Prepare a project for the renovation of the property within one year of purchase, acquiring any permissions needed
• Start work within two months of the date of issue of the building permit
• Conclude work within three years
• Put down a “guarantee policy” deposit of £5,000 (£4,314), which they will lose in the event that the work doesn’t go ahead within three years

In Mussomeli, you can do whatever you like with the interior of the property, but must keep the facade looking as it did originally.

Small print goes on to say that you are entitled to renovate the property yourself, or with your choice of workers.

This is the route that French buyer Morgane Guihot and her husband took, telling CNN in 2019 : “As we’re both artisans and renovators we did most of the work ourselves, which was minimal, and it was great seeing our two-room house come to life again.”

Most towns who have set up a €1 house scheme have similar financial requirements - you’ll have to check the specific requirements of the town you want to buy in. Some require you to live in the house after renovations, while others allow you to buy it with a view to using it as a holiday home or as a small business such as a B&B.

Buyers who don’t have Italian residency or don’t speak Italian may run into more hurdles when it comes to organising work and being able to make use of their property.

Has Brexit affected Brits being able to buy the houses?

People living outside of the EU can still buy properties in Italy, but only as “non residents”. This means you pay higher taxes than locals, and can spend up to 180 days per year at your Italian house, but not more than 90 out of every 180 days.

To visit more regularly, you would have to apply for Italian residency , which includes proving you have sufficient funds to support yourself without employment in Italy.

I’m still interested. How do I get started?

You’ll find €1 houses for sale on websites such as 1eurohouses.com , case1euro.it and property-in-sicily.estate as well as on individual local government websites such as the Comune of Sambuca’s or Citta de Troina’s in Sicily.

Auctions2Italy also lists some €2 properties in the country, and you’ll find case studies and ‘How we did it’ guides on Europe.properties .

American buyer Rubia Daniels, who purchased and renovated a €1 home in Sicily, told Travel + Leisure in 2022 that going and viewing potential houses in person is a must; as is examining the foundations and state of the walls.

“Definitely don’t try to do it online — you need to be there to see it and experience the process to make sure you’re making a mindful decision,” said Daniels. “I wouldn’t do anything through the internet.”

“You don’t want to get anything where the walls are buckled because that indicates a foundation issue,” she advises.

Areas running €1 house schemes

Emilia-romagna.

The slice of northern Italy around Bologna has houses for sale in towns such as verdant, ancient-ruin-speckled Modigliana (where you can buy the aforementioned dilapidated monastery).

The region hugging the coast to the east of Rome. Towns raffling off their vacant homes include Casoli, Santo Stefano di Sessanio and Pratola Peligna.

The dramatic, volcanic slice of coastline around Naples, close to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast has some €1 properties for sale in places like near-abandoned Pietramelara, which recently has been home to just 15 families.

Sicily is a hotbed of €1 house schemes. As well as sleepy Mussomeli, the towns of Calatafimi Segesta, Augusta, Sambuca and Caltagirone are all selling off unwanted or unclaimed houses.

Read more: Best hotels in Sicily

This northern region near Switzerland is offering homes in towns like Borgomezzavalle and Albugnano, close to renowned wine producing regions and the outdoorsy, wooded Antrona Valley.

The medieval town of Cantiano - a 40-minute drive from the seaside - has €1 homes for sale near white-pebble Adriatic beaches and truffle-hunting spots.

Triora and Pignone are two of the areas in this region, famous for the colourful fishing villages of Cinque Terre as well as pesto and foccacia.

With 195,024 inhabitants, Puglia’s provincial capital of Tarento is one of the first bigger-scale towns to start up a 1 Euro Case scheme - putting buyers in touch with its maritime history and great seafood.

The towns of Romana and Nulvi sit in the island’s Sassari province outside of Alghero, and have both joined the scheme to sell off €1 homes.

Montieri, Grosseto, Lucca and Vergemoli are some of the participating towns in Italy’s hallowed wine and villa haven.

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