Best Van Life Jobs For Longer Travels

Are you ready to take the leap into van life travel, but wondering how you’ll sustain that lifestyle long term?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make money on the road by exploring the best van life jobs. With these ideas you’ll be able to earn a steady income and keep travelling longer, enjoying the journey without the stress of where your next pay check is coming from.

Why trust us? We’ve been living on the road full-time since 2017, working a variety of in person and remote jobs for van lifers to make it all possible. From seasonal jobs to starting and running our own businesses.

Whatever your skill level or interests, there’s a remote van life job out there for you!

Digital Marketing

“How do you afford van life and full-time travel?” is one of the most frequently asked questions we’ve had over the years. The answer? Remote freelance jobs, like digital marketing.

I (Leah) run a Pinterest Marketing Management business where I help bloggers and businesses reach their audience through Pinterest. It started as a way to grow Officer Travels, and by 2019, I began using these skills to help others too.

I’ve been doing this full-time for years, and now, I also teach others how to become Pinterest Managers to support their life on the road. If you’re interested, head over to my resource page or join my Facebook Group!

Other areas of digital marketing perfect for van lifers include:

• Email marketing
• Social media management (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
• SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
• Content marketing
• Paid ads
• Affiliate marketing

Businesses are always looking for skilled professionals in these areas, and most jobs can be done remotely, making them ideal for van life.

Photography

Dec is a photographer so we make & sell landscape prints, as well as sell rights to our photos to travel magazines and tourism boards.

We also know a lovely lady, Marga from Discover Portugal, who offers Lisbon-based photoshoots around the city. It’s a fantastic example of a freelance job for van lifers that’s both creative and profitable.

Other photography job ideas include:

• Accommodation photography
• Product photography
• Portraits & Business headshots

Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant (VA) job is perfect for those with administrative skills. Common tasks include:

• Email management
• Taking phone calls (yes, this can be done on the road too!)
• Online customer service
• Managing client calendars/schedule
• Market research
• General admin
• Bookkeeping
• Basic social media management

Many van life entrepreneurs start as VAs because these jobs are flexible and in demand. If you’re well organised and enjoy general admin, this could be a great on the road job for you!

Graphic Designer

Many full-time travelers are graphic designers, creating:

• Business branding
• Website designs
• Logos
• Advertising materials
• T-shirt designs

Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, graphic design offers endless opportunities to work remotely.

Blogger

Chances are you’re going to want to document your travels, so what better way than starting a blog?

Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t going to be a fast way to make money while on the road, but it’s a fun sideline to do while you build your blog up to where it can support your travels.

The reality of blogging is it can take at least 12 to 18 months to start seeing a trickle of income if you work hard at it and understand things like SEO, email marketing and social media marketing right off the bat. If you don’t? That’s ok (I didn’t!) but it will take you a bit longer for things to fall into place.

Once things do start to click together though, there are lots of ways to make blogging your full time van life job. Ways we make money from Officer Travels are:

• Ad revenue
• Sponsored posts
• Affiliate links
• Paid reviews
• Digital products

We’ve been blogging since 2017 and wouldn’t have it any other way!

House & Pet Sitting

If you have a love for animals, this van life job is a fun way of extending your travels for free.

While most house sitting and pet sitting jobs are unpaid, if you’re ever in a bind, or want to stay somewhere longer without camping, it’s a great way to get free accommodation along the way.

The most popular website for finding house sitting jobs is Trusted House Sitters, but you’ll often see jobs posted on local Facebook groups too.

Seasonal Work

While travelling Australia and New Zealand, another way we topped up our bank balance was through seasonal work!

We’ve done all sorts from planting fruit trees, campsite maintenance, various hospitality jobs, harvesting almonds, quality control in a garlic factory and even milking cows.

That’s not all you can do though.

In New Zealand, the Ski Fields were always looking for workers over the winter and I’m sure there are plenty of other industries out there that need temporary workers throughout the year.

My best advice for finding this kind of work is hitting up local Facebook Pages and speaking to locals.

Writing and Editing

Writing and editing are fantastic van life jobs, especially if you have a love for storytelling or a knack for catching typos.

The beauty of this work is that it’s highly flexible – you can take it up part-time or scale it to full-time depending on your needs and skill level.

There’s a huge demand for writers and editors across a range of industries. Here are some popular ways van lifers can earn an income through writing:

• Freelance Writing: You can write articles, blog posts, or even newsletters for businesses and online publications. Platforms like ProBlogger or Upwork are great for finding opportunities.
• Copywriting: If you enjoy crafting persuasive or engaging copy, businesses will pay well for sales pages, email campaigns, and product descriptions.
• Editing and Proofreading: For those with a keen eye for detail, helping authors, bloggers, or students polish their work can be both rewarding and profitable.
• Ghost Writing: This is perfect if you prefer writing anonymously. Many people are willing to pay for someone else to write their books, blogs, or even speeches.

If you’re just starting out, don’t worry! Many van lifers have built successful careers by taking online courses to improve their writing or editing skills.

Plus, with a laptop and an internet connection, you can do this work from just about anywhere – even a cosy van parked by the beach.

It’s worth noting that this job, like blogging, may take some time to gain traction, especially when building a client base or portfolio. But once you have a few steady clients, writing and editing can provide a reliable income while letting you keep your creative juices flowing on the road.

Whether you’re a wordsmith or just looking to break into something new, writing and editing could be your ticket to a sustainable van life adventure.

Hairdresser / Barber

If you’re already working as a hairdresser or barber, then you’re in luck! While we were travelling and living between campsites and hostels, we noticed this was one of the most in demand freelance jobs for van lifers.

If you can take your tools with you, with the right marketing you’re likely able to get work with you wherever you are!

Sticking up posters in the hostels and B&Bs worked really well for travelling backpackers we knew but I guess these days a post on a local Facebook page works just as well!

Yoga Teacher

On the same theme, if you’re a qualified yoga teacher or planning on getting your qualification, this is a great option if you’re wanting to start travelling full time.

There are lots of yoga classes taught online now, which means it’s perfect for van lifers and full time travellers. And if you don’t want to teach online, with enough preparation and advertising you could do pop up classes in each town you pass through.

Take Your Job On The Road

Before taking the leap and leaving your current job – why not discuss with your employer about the possibility of transferring into a remote role.

Of course, there are some jobs where this isn’t possible due to the nature of the role, but if you’re office based you might be able to do your job remotely from anywhere with a good internet connection!

I know quite a few people with surprising van life jobs – including a paralegal!

Just be sure to get your contract update before you head off on a big trip.

Practical Tips for Working on the Road

Living and working on the road comes with unique challenges, but with a bit of planning, you can create a setup that makes everything run smoothly.

Here are some practical tips to help you balance work and van life:

Stay Connected

A reliable internet connection in your camper is crucial for most van life jobs, and guess what! You no longer have to rely on public wifi to get a strong signal!

Here are a few of the most popular ways we stay online while working on the road:

• Invest in a mobile hotspot device and a local SIM card with a generous data plan – check your phone too, we’ve been able to use those to hotspot from!
• Use apps like WiFi Map or OpenSignal to locate free Wi-Fi spots nearby. If using public WiFi, we recommend also getting a VPN for added protection.
• Consider a signal booster to enhance mobile reception in remote areas.
• Or even Starlink Roam!

Create a Comfortable Workspace

Your van is your home and your office, so setting up a comfortable and functional workspace is key:

• Look for a portable desk or a fold-out table that you can set up anywhere.
• Invest in a good quality chair or cushion to avoid back pain from long hours of work.
• Keep your work essentials organised with storage solutions for laptops, cables, and notebooks.

Power Up

Running out of power mid-workday isn’t ideal. Keep your devices charged with these tips:

• Install a solar panel system for sustainable energy.
• Carry a power bank for backup during emergencies.
• Use energy-efficient devices and charge everything during the day to maximise sunlight.

For me, I find it really helps switch off from work at the end of the day if I actually pack everything away out of sight. It helps declutter the van, but also offers a clear signal to my brain that I’m not working now – since there’s no office or commute home to help with that!

Manage Your Time Wisely

Balancing work with travel and adventure can be tricky. Here’s how to stay on track:

• Stick to a flexible schedule that lets you enjoy your travels without compromising work.
• Set clear boundaries between work hours and leisure time to avoid burnout. Especially important if you’re doing client based work.
• Use productivity tools like Trello, Notion, or Google Calendar to stay organized.

Be Prepared for Unpredictability

Van life is full of surprises, so being adaptable is essential:

• Have a backup plan for work locations if your primary spot isn’t suitable.
• Download important files and tools to work offline if internet access fails.
• Build an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses or gaps in income. Having a bank account where you can divide your money into different ‘jars’ will help with this! Read our full post on how to budget for van life
• Track your finances so you always know where you’re at with savings, expenses and income. We created a travel budget tracker that makes this super easy! You can get yours here.

Take Care of Yourself

Living on the road can be hard on your mind and body, so prioritize self-care:

• Create a morning routine that helps you feel grounded before starting work.
• Stay active with outdoor activities or carry a yoga mat for quick workouts.
• Plan your meals to ensure you’re eating nutritious food, even with limited kitchen space. 

Here’s a more in depth post about how we stay healthy on the road.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll set yourself up for success as you take on van life jobs and live your dream of working on the road!

I hope this guide has given you inspiration to start your van life journey with confidence. Don’t forget, if you have Pinterest skills or want to learn more about being a Pinterest Manager I can help you with that here.

Which of these remote jobs for van lifers are you most excited to try? Join our Facebook community and let us know!