Making Passive Income While Travelling

Imagine sipping coffee in a Lisbon café or watching the sunrise in Bali — all while your bank account grows. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? But for many digital nomads, it’s not just a fantasy — it’s the power of passive income.

You might be working remotely already, juggling client calls or chasing invoices. But there’s another level of freedom: building systems that make money even when you’re offline.

In this article, you’ll explore realistic ways to create passive income while travelling. We’ll break down what passive income actually means, how it fits into your nomad lifestyle, and which digital nomad side hustles are worth your time.

If you’re ready to stop trading hours for money — and start making nomad money work smarter — read on.

What Is Passive Income (Really)?

Let’s clear something up: passive income isn’t completely hands-off, at least not at first. It’s income that requires some work upfront but can generate ongoing earnings with minimal day-to-day effort later on.

Think of it like planting seeds. You have to water and care for them early on. But over time, they grow with less input and eventually feed you.

Active Income vs Passive Income

Why Passive Income Is Perfect for Nomads

• Flexibility: Earn without being tied to Wi-Fi or work hours.
• Security: Multiple income streams reduce financial stress.
• Scalability: You can grow your earnings without burning out.
• Freedom: More time for exploration, creativity, and joy.

1. Affiliate Marketing

What It Is:

You promote other people’s products (via a blog, newsletter, or social media), and earn a commission every time someone buys through your link.

Examples:

• Travel gear on Amazon
• Courses or software (e.g., ConvertKit, Skillshare)
• Booking platforms like Booking.com or GetYourGuide

How to Start:

• Set up a blog or email newsletter
• Choose products that match your niche (don’t promote random stuff)
• Sign up for affiliate programmes (e.g. Amazon Associates, Impact, ShareASale)
• Create helpful content with embedded links

Eliza, a photographer travelling through Europe, makes £800/month promoting her favourite camera gear through her blog and YouTube reviews.

2. Sell Digital Products

What It Is:

You create once, and sell repeatedly — no shipping, no stock, just pure digital gold.

Ideas:

• Ebooks or travel guides
• Notion templates or digital planners
• Lightroom presets
• Printable checklists
• Online courses

Where to Sell:

• Gumroad
• Etsy (for printables)
• Teachable or Podia (for courses)
• Your own website

Pick something you know well — like budget travel, meal prep, or remote work tips — and solve a real problem for others.

3. Print-on-Demand Products

What It Is:

Design T-shirts, mugs, posters or tote bags — without handling inventory. When someone orders, the company prints and ships it for you.

Great For:

• Designers
• Artists
• Writers with clever quotes
• Hobbyists with niche passions (think plant lovers or van lifers)

Platforms:

• Redbubble
• Teespring
• Printful (sync with Shopify)

Combine with Instagram or Pinterest for organic sales.

4. Monetise a Blog or Niche Website

What It Is:

Start a content-rich website on a topic you love. Over time, it brings traffic and earns money through:

• Display ads (Google AdSense, Mediavine)
• Affiliate links
• Sponsored content
• Digital product sales

Examples of Niche Ideas:

• Vanlife cooking blog
• Remote work productivity tips
• Language learning resources
• City-specific nomad guides

Blogging takes time to build. But once traffic grows, it becomes a truly passive income stream.

5. YouTube or Podcasting

What It Is:

You create videos or audio content regularly. As your audience grows, you earn through ads, affiliate links, and sponsorships.

Pros:

• Builds trust with your audience
• Great for storytelling and brand growth
• Replays = long-term passive income

Cons:

• Takes time to build an audience
• Requires editing and consistency up front

Batch record when you’re in a quiet location with good lighting. Edit while on travel days or flights.

6. Invest in Stocks or ETFs

What It Is:

Put your money to work in the market. If you invest in dividend-paying stocks or ETFS, you’ll earn regular income without touching the principal.

Where to Start:

• Use platforms like Vanguard, eToro, or Interactive Brokers
• Start small — even £100/month adds up
• Choose low-fee, diversified funds

This is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Invest only what you can afford, and learn the basics before diving in.

7. License Your Skills

What It Is:

Turn your existing work — like photos, music, code, or designs — into assets that others can buy and reuse.

Examples:

• Sell stock photos on Shutterstock or Adobe Stock
• Sell music on AudioJungle or Epidemic Sound
• Sell code snippets or plugins on CodeCanyon
• Sell templates on Canva Marketplace or Creative Market

You create once, and each download earns you money. No extra work needed.

8. Rent Out Your Home (or Space)

What It Is:

If you own a home, you can rent it out while travelling. If you’re housesitting or coliving, consider storage rental or Airbnb arbitrage.

Options:

• Airbnb your flat while you’re away
• Use platforms like JustPark (for driveways), Stashbee (storage), or HomeExchange

Some travellers house-swap to avoid rent altogether.

Making Passive Income Work While Travelling

1. Pick One Stream First

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Start with one idea that fits your strengths and interests. Master that, then add more.

2. Don’t Skip the Set-Up Phase

Passive income takes effort upfront. Whether it’s creating a course, writing a blog, or building a YouTube channel — invest the time now for freedom later.

3. Automate Everything You Can

• Use email sequences to sell products while you sleep
• Schedule social media posts
• Set up payment systems that run without you

4. Stay Consistent — Even When Travelling

Use routines and batching to stay on track. For example:

• Batch blog posts or videos for the month
• Set one day a week for admin tasks
• Use travel downtime (flights, trains) for planning or editing

5. Track Your Earnings

Keep tabs on what’s working. Use a spreadsheet or app like Notion to:

• Track traffic or views
• Record affiliate sales
• Monitor platform income (YouTube, Gumroad, etc.)

Common Myths About Passive Income

“It’s Easy Money”

Reality: It’s simple, but not easy. It takes consistency, testing, and patience.

“You Need a Big Audience”

You can earn with a small, engaged audience if you’re solving a real problem. Micro-influencers often outperform big names in niche spaces.

“You Have to Be an Expert”

You just need to be a few steps ahead of someone else. Real, relatable content often wins over polished perfection.

Conclusion: Build Now. Reap Later. Travel Always.

Passive income isn’t a shortcut — it’s a smart route to long-term freedom. It won’t happen overnight, but if you start planting seeds now, you’ll thank yourself six months (or six countries) from today.

Whether it’s affiliate links, digital products, or your first blog post, every step moves you closer to a lifestyle where money doesn’t stop just because you’ve gone offline for the weekend.