Touring - Broke? Here are some ways to make money on the road

So I just calculated my final budget for my 90 day trip up the Sierra Cascades and down the Pacific coast.
$15.7/day
That's possible, but it only allows for the necessaries, no luxuries. Anyways, are there any ways to shore up your finances, to make a bit of money on the road? Here's a link I found on the subject. (http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/25-ways-to-earn-money-when-youre-broke-on-the-road/)

Here are some I didn't see.

Window-washing at gas stations
Panhandling or spanging (spare some change, sir?)

So I just calculated my final budget for my 90 day trip up the Sierra Cascades and down the Pacific coast.
$15.7/day
That's possible, but it only allows for the necessaries, no luxuries. Anyways, are there any ways to shore up your finances, to make a bit of money on the road? Here's a link I found on the subject. (http://matadornetwork.com/bnt/25-ways-to-earn-money-when-youre-broke-on-the-road/)

Here are some I didn't see.

Window-washing at gas stations
Panhandling or spanging (spare some change, sir?)


that list was written July 2008. it needs to be updated.

Carry a push mower with you and cut lawns. A guy did this several years ago. He was featured in an issue of "Adventure Cyclist."

Street Theatre , Busking, playing music, circus acts, for tips , has a Long Tradition.
.. still practiced in European Cities. seems Peruvian Musicians in most major ones.

C'mon, man. If you can't afford to tour, don't go on tour.

Busking and doing odd jobs isn't a big deal, especially if you enjoy it and want a change of pace from doing it in your home town.

Panhandling though is unjustifiable, except for severe emergencies. If you've got the physical fitness, time and wherewithal to leave your house and ride your bicycle, don't ask hard-working people to fund your travels.

$15/day is also borderline insanely cheap and potentially short-sighted. Doug Lansky refers to this affliction as "budgetitis," where you're so focused on pinching pennies that you can't relax. You also need to budget for contingencies, and spend from that pool without hesitation if the need arises.

Just work at home for an extra month or two, save a little extra cash, and unclench your... wallet. You'll enjoy yourself more on the ride as a result.

Panhandling though is unjustifiable, except for severe emergencies. If you've got the physical fitness, time and wherewithal to leave your house and ride your bicycle, don't ask hard-working people to fund your travels.

I remember stopping in Jackson, MT for breakfast. There were a bunch of "hippies" on their way to the Rainbow Festival. They were trying to bumm money in town. The locals hated them. Saw some more in Dillion. Same thing. A few days later, near Earthquake Lake, two of them came into the private campground where I was staying late at night and flopped under a horse trailer. I had left some chips and salsa on a picnic table that was to be be my first breakfast. I got up really early and saw the stuff was gone. I walked passed the two sleeping vagabonds and the empty bag and jar were next to them. There was also an empty bottle of wine. I guess they had money for booze but not for food. What balls.

I remember stopping in Jackson, MT for breakfast. There were a bunch of "hippies" on their way to the Rainbow Festival. They were trying to bumm money in town. The locals hated them. Saw some more in Dillion. Same thing. A few days later, near Earthquake Lake, two of them came into the private campground where I was staying late at night and flopped under a horse trailer. I had left some chips and salsa on a picnic table that was to be be my first breakfast. I got up really early and saw the stuff was gone. I walked passed the two sleeping vagabonds and the empty bag and jar were next to them. There was also an empty bottle of wine. I guess they had money for booze but not for food. What balls.
Your thieves were probably from the city I live in. They steal literally anything that is not bolted down, even from each other.

Here are some I didn't see.


Window-washing at gas stations
Panhandling or spanging (spare some change, sir?)



There is a good reason these were not mentioned: most people won't lower themselves to be beggars. And in some states, cities, localities these are illegal.

I would rather save up for a our as opposed to panhandle.I see so many on side of the road or off the freeway with signs. "Will work for food","Stranded, need gas money", "Daughter/Son needs surgery". Then there's the classic bum and a tin can shaking it at your window. Who do you belive? And if I give money to everyone I see with a sign or a can,I'll be broke so I'll hace to join them!

There is a good reason these were not mentioned: most people won't lower themselves to be beggars. And in some states, cities, localities these are illegal.

It's almost illegal to be poor in some parts of the country. This is something to be very careful with indeed.

No money no touring what I say.

Your thieves were probably from the city I live in. They steal literally anything that is not bolted down, even from each other.

More on the Rainbows:

http://reason.com/archives/2001/02/01/take-me-to-your-leader

Here's an idea ...

Get a part time job, in addition to your current full time job, and put all the money you earn from the part time job into a savings account. When you've got enough money in that account for a tour ... go and enjoy!!

I know several people who do that in order to go somewhere hot and sunny for a few weeks in the middle of winter. They pick up part time Christmas work, and then hit the beach on an island somewhere in January.

That list has to be the worst idea I've read, probably ever. It's as if you can show up to a new place and say, "oh, I'd like to work for you, just for a few days so that I can make money to survive at least to the next town." Yeah, right. It just doesn't happen like that. I would say anyone who tries to survive at the advice of the writer will end up starving to death in just over, ~10 days.

I have to agree that pan handling on tour is very bad form.

It can damage the kindness and generosity that we often find in the local folks.

Next, I would question how anyone can budget such a precise figure for a coast to coast trip. I don't see how you can possibly predict with any accuracy what thins will cost in the tiny towns you will probably pass through.

That said I think that $15 a day is possible on a route like the TA, but it probably means eating a lot of ramen noodles. Much better to budget more even if you don't expect to spend it. I am usually pretty tight with my spending, but I try to have twice what I will spend available.

FWIW I prefer to have a similar approach to time. Better to have way more time than you need. Tight budgets and tight schedules are joy killers.

If you can't afford to go save up longer.

You can always launch a web site, describing your tour and asking for donations. It's been done before.

Just be sure not to ask donations for several thousands USDs worth of camera equipment on basis that you need it for the tour. :innocent:

Just be sure not to ask donations for several thousands USDs worth of camera equipment on basis that you need it for the tour. :innocent:

Biking for Obama? :p That one was the camera equip and the bike too IIRC

Biking for Obama? :p That one was the camera equip and the bike too IIRC

The 4K included printing T shirts and the like too.

Has enough time passed that one can mention that thread? It, and the preferential treatment the OP received, have to be the low point in Bike Forums' history.

I see so many on side of the road or off the freeway with signs. "Will work for food","Stranded, need gas money", "Daughter/Son needs surgery". Then there's the classic bum and a tin can shaking it at your window. Who do you belive?

Not to get too far off topic, but I think some might find this interesting. In the early '90s we had a guy here in town pulling a short-lived but creative scam. He would get some kind of blody animal product (possibly liver or entrails) and put it in his shirt. He would them approach someone, show them the blody mess, say that he had been stabbed and ask for cab fare to get to the hospital. It happened to a woman I was dating.

Then there was the guy who dressed very nicely in a suit and tie, spoke really well and was very convincing. He would tell people he had come from somewhere like Baltimore to Philly for a job interview and that someone had stolen is briefcase with his wallet in it and thus he could not buy a train ticket back home. People would give him money and he would even promise to mail them checks when he got home. Some people even went out of their way to find ATMs so they could give him cash. He was eventually caught and brought to trial. It was never determined how many people he suckered because so many were apprently too embarrassed to fess up that they had fallen for the scam. If you extrapolate from the number of people who did show up to testify, it's believed he conned possibly hundreds.

A Musician, + bicycle tourist, I met, someone passing thru, had self produced CDs of their songs,
and a stencil, bought T shirts at charity resale shops, Spray painted thru the stencil
so as to have 'tour' T shirt to sell, too.

The 4K included printing T shirts and the like too.

Has enough time passed that one can mention that thread? It, and the preferential treatment the OP received, have to be the low point in Bike Forums' history.

I don't consider it a low point. It was actually a nice diversion.

I think that Flyin' Ryan actually learned from his mistakes and completed a fairly reasonable tour. I didn't donate any money, but did try to offer helpful advice, offered him a place to stay if he wound up near my home, genuinely wished him the best, and followed his tour with genuine interest.

Others have had some crazy threads here and wound up learning and having a great tour. The machete guy (I won't mention his name) comes to mind. I followed his progress too and have subsequently corresponded with him a bit. He was initially a bit misguided, but turned out to be a nice guy.

I ultimately wound up liking them both. Usually the posters I tend to dislike most are ones who ask fake questions just to pimp a web site where they hawk goods and solicit donations to support their touring lifestyle. Neither of those guys fell into that category IMO.

Nothing wrong with touring on $15.70 a day, I toured on $12 a day back in 2005. But I had more resources available to me if I needed to spend more, say if a major bicycle malfunction happened. I didn't do this but one way to supplement your food cost is churches. A lot of churches will always give someone food if they ask and are in need.

I would rather save up for a our as opposed to panhandle.I see so many on side of the road or off the freeway with signs. "Will work for food","Stranded, need gas money", "Daughter/Son needs surgery". Then there's the classic bum and a tin can shaking it at your window. Who do you belive? And if I give money to everyone I see with a sign or a can,I'll be broke so I'll hace to join them!

Last 'bum' I gave money to was at least honest. Had a sign "Need $$ for beer."

Last 'bum' I gave money to was at least honest. Had a sign "Need $$ for beer."

I'd give in 75 points for honesty,but no dollars for beer.

shorten the days of the tour and watch the budget grow really fast :)

shorten the days of the tour and watch the budget grow really fast :)

Yea, that is a very good option. I made a mistake. It's actually $16.7/day and that is if my daily mileage is on the very low end. If I simply ride further, my daily budget will increase.

You can always launch a web site, describing your tour and asking for donations. It's been done before.

Just be sure not to ask donations for several thousands USDs worth of camera equipment on basis that you need it for the tour. :innocent:

That sounds good. I'm not sure what it takes to set up a paypal account but I already have a generic blog platform I never did much with. I'm sure friends and family would donate from time to time.

Also, I am not broke. I am not poor. I am not a begger. I have seen beggers and I have given them money. Usually there's something unusual about them that makes me take notice. For example, some travelers passing through my city, a homeless man who pressed to cross walk button for me because I didn't want to get off my bike to go press it, a man with an amazing kennel on a bike trailer for his dog. I don't give money to just anyone but it helps if they look honest, have an interesting story, and are not drunk.

Earn money while Bike Touring (http://travellingtwo.com/7845) from TravellingTwo and there's another similar article from bicycletouringpro that I'll have to find later.

Got tools? How about cheap basic bike tune-ups?

That sounds good. I'm not sure what it takes to set up a paypal account but I already have a generic blog platform I never did much with. I'm sure friends and family would donate from time to time.
So if you were just going on a regular vacation, would you also ask your friends and family for a handout to pay for it? :twitchy:

I don't see what is so different about riding a bicycle on a tour that licenses people to ask others to pay for it.

So if you were just going on a regular vacation, would you also ask your friends and family for a handout to pay for it? :twitchy:

I don't see what is so different about riding a bicycle on a tour that licenses people to ask others to pay for it.

Gotta agree with you - there's no difference. Well, I suppose it beats paying for it yourself. :lol: I guess I'll end this with a "financial HTFU" for those looking for the eternal free lunch.

So if you were just going on a regular vacation, would you also ask your friends and family for a handout to pay for it? :twitchy:

I don't see what is so different about riding a bicycle on a tour that licenses people to ask others to pay for it.

+1

As I mentioned in post #13, I know lots of people who like to go on trips to a hot sunny place with beaches and blue water in the middle of winter. Some of them set aside a certain amount of their pay into a vacation fund ... others pick up part-time jobs and bank their earnings from that ... others use their tax returns ... some get money from their family at Christmas.

But none of them beg for money from their family and friends.

There's always the "oldest profession" although it's not legal unless touring in Nevada.

I'm pretty surprised how many folks on here are against making money on a tour. It's not completely unreasonable. Not all of us save and plan for months and months until our trips come to pass, sometimes they just, happen. I've often thought of ideas for making money on tour, and it's because I see a tour as an adventure, not a vacation. I think this thread is for the seat-of-our-pants, bare bones crowd. Touring means some very different things to different people. Just because you guys have enough money for a trip before you leave the house doesn't mean we all do, try not to criticize us.

I think the panhandling thing got blown out of proportion. It was but one item on a list of good ideas. And I can say from experience (hitchhiking, not bike touring) panhandling is an awful way to make money. An hour of hard work pays better and feels better.

I like the traveling bike mechanic idea! You could have a sign indicating your services, and as soon as you get into a small town, word of mouth travels faster than sound anyway. You can do a surprising amount with limited tools, and you could charge half of what a bike shop charges and still make ok money. Might have to try it.

I've thought that you might be able to sell photos you've taken, with some favorite quote written on the back or something. Or maybe do a long-distance courier service and carry a trailer for packages and letters.

I'd like to hear more ideas for making money on the road!

Not all of us save and plan

Just because you guys have enough money for a trip before you leave the house doesn't mean we all do

And why are you not getting the point about this? Don't do things you can't afford. Don't do things that you haven't planned out or thought through. Consider the risks, and whether it makes sense to take on those risks.

It's just irresponsible beyond anything I can imagine to say "sure, I'll go on a tour but I don't really have enough money".


try not to criticize us.

Criticize? Well, it's more than clear that you won't listen, so it is indeed pointless to criticize. There's obviously a part of the touring crowd that thinks it's cool or even glamorous to do the "vagabond" thing. You'll never get a penny from me.

I'd like to hear more ideas for making money on the road!

If you haven't any money and you want to go touring faust you've got to sell your soul on ebay then jump on yer bike and gothe wherever you want.

Long long time ago this worked well. I imagine it would work even better now, especially at public parks working on slashed budgets.

In the 1970s while on several long summer tours I traded work for campsite fees. Janitor work, washing windows on the park buildings, painting, trail maintenance. A few hours as a volunteer got me a stay in the campground and often a meal at the park managers table. It allowed me to stay in a place with hot showers for a few days before moving on. I ended up staying in one real nice park for 3 weeks. Didn't spend a dime except for food.

It really extended the length of time I was able to be traveling.

Gotta agree w/the majority. If you can't afford it, don't go. We have a lot of local beggers and most haven't missed a meal in a very long time. There's even one family that considers it a profession. Everyone from Mama on down gets dressed in their scruffiest and begs. Come 4 or 5, they change and hop on the local bus...to a very nice home paid for by all of the soft-hearted gringos who haven't heard of the family. A genuine emergency? Well, that's different.

If you still insist on touring, don't expect others to pay for it. Why not register with a local temp agency? You'll get assigned some of the scummiest jobs you can imagine, and at a low pay, but they're not looking for anyone in particular and odds are that you can get as much labor-intensive work as you want in whatever place you may find yourself.

FWIW, I don't think people are disagreeing w/the OP over the idea of budget touring, just the expectation that others should pitch in.

Long long time ago this worked well. I imagine it would work even better know, especially at public park working on slashed budgets.

In the 1970s while on several long summer tours I traded work for campsite fees. Janitor work, washing windows on the park building, painting, trail maintenance. A few hours as a volunteer got me a stay in the campground and often a meal at the park managers table. It allowed me to stay in a place with hot showers for a few days before moving on. I ended up staying in one real nice park for 3 weeks. Didn't spend a dime except for food.

Sorry for making another post immediately after my first one, but this one still exists and is very popular w/the RV crowd.

Heinz Stücke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_St%C3%BCcke) has been touring since 1962, he quite often has small books of the places he has visited that he sells, he also does talks and slide shows for a fee.

Aaron :)

shorten the days of the tour and watch the budget grow really fast :)

Doesn't work. I tried 16 hour days for a while and it didn't help a thing.

The money you save on gas will more than pay for the trip.

I'm going to disagree with the majority here. Go for the tour regardless of your money situation. Do you know what the very worse thing that can happen? You run out of money, abandon your bike, and have to go home.

On the other hand, by at least doing it, you will have memories that will last a lifetime.

The money you save on gas will more than pay for the trip.
I disagree with that, bicycle touring is more expensive per mile. Let me explain. 500 mile trip in a car. Assuming 25 miles a gallon, that's around 70 bucks in gas cost. Now can you do a bicycle tour of 500 miles with just 70 dollars? very unlikely.

I disagree with that, bicycle touring is more expensive per mile. Let me explain. 500 mile trip in a car. Assuming 25 miles a gallon, that's around 70 bucks in gas cost. Now can you do a bicycle tour of 500 miles with just 70 dollars? very unlikely.

Meh. 2 days @ $35/day. No problem ;)

And why are you not getting the point about this? Don't do things you can't afford. Don't do things that you haven't planned out or thought through. Consider the risks, and whether it makes sense to take on those risks.

It's just irresponsible beyond anything I can imagine to say "sure, I'll go on a tour but I don't really have enough money".



Criticize? Well, it's more than clear that you won't listen, so it is indeed pointless to criticize. There's obviously a part of the touring crowd that thinks it's cool or even glamorous to do the "vagabond" thing. You'll never get a penny from me.

Every post you write further convinces me that you are a troll.

I think the 'vagabond thing' is, or at least once was, a very American idea. It's a shame that bitter office jockie types think their standard lifestyle is the only respectable goal to work towards. Some of us still search for a bit of freedom, especially while young.

I'm leaving on a bicycle tour of indeterminate length on July 15th. I have about $1500, nothing worth selling, and no plans on coming back home. I might continue to keep a blog, I might put up a 'donate if you give a damn' button for people who enjoy reading it. I've had people give me money on a tour before, but I've never asked for it or made my situation out to be something it's not. Accepting money isn't the same thing as begging. Waiting until I can comfortably afford my desired lifestyle might mean living my entire life in want and regret. No thanks, I'll do it now. I'm only risking my own comfort.

That aside, the idea of trying to seasonal work at national parks has been rattling around in my head. Most of them operate via concessionaires, which are quick to hire. Some say the working conditions can be a bit obnoxious, but the locations can't be beat. I've heard of folks picking melons and such for a few bucks while traveling, be it by bicycle or other vehicle. I've been using survey panel websites to make a bit of extra cash for about a year now, and will likely continue to do so after I depart, when I get the chance. Some workamping opportunities may be available to touring folks - make friends with RV lifers and snowbirds where possible, they know where to go.

Every post you write further convinces me that you are a troll.

Well, since I only posted in this thread once, how super for you to be so insightful! Aren't you just great.


Some of us still search for a bit of freedom, especially while young.

Freedom? Not knowing whether you have funds to survive the month is not freedom. Being dependent on donations to make up for your failure to plan, just is not freedom.

I know, I know. You don't wanna hear it. Be a hobo and be proud. Go forth and mooch.

There's obviously a part of the touring crowd that thinks it's cool or even glamorous to do the "vagabond" thing.

And their hero......

http://www.glogster.com/media/2/3/64/62/3646248.jpg

http://yhstommaso.wikispaces.com/file/view/chris-mccandless.jpg/102413875/chris-mccandless.jpg

I know, I know. You don't wanna hear it. Be a hobo and be proud. Go forth and mooch.

I noticed that you've only quoted out of the first paragraph of each of our posts. Since what you're saying doesn't make any sense in the light of what I said, it appears that you chose to skip the rest. I'll simplify:

I'm an honest man. I don't like taking something for nothing. I like to earn my keep. I wrote it rather plainly before. In 7000 miles of bike touring, I've never asked for a dime. I've apparently offended you with a few short paragraphs, and I'm sorry you feel this way. If we ever meet on the road, I'll buy you a beer.

You have, however, done me a favor. You reminded me why I stopped coming to this forum. I hope your office has a window.

Well, since I only posted in this thread once, how super for you to be so insightful! Aren't you just great.



Freedom? Not knowing whether you have funds to survive the month is not freedom. Being dependent on donations to make up for your failure to plan, just is not freedom.


There is no deficiency in planning; I have accepted and planned around my own deficiencies. Rather or not I have funds to survive the month, as you so melodramatically put it, is solely my own business. At worst, I'll just have to go back home. I'm not sure how you distorted my previous post into a belief that my plan is to depend on donations - this thread is supposed to be about earning money, not asking for it, and nothing I said supports begging 'donations'.


I know, I know. You don't wanna hear it. Be a hobo and be proud. Go forth and mooch.

Technically, the term 'hobo' indicates a migrant worker. 'Tramp' may be more appropriate, which, despite it's modern-day usage, refers to a traveler who will work if necessary to sustain his lifestyle, but prefers not to when it can be reasonably avoided.