A bit addendum to what Chris Simon wrote.
You can install passenger cabin in a ship that has cargo space. Remove cargo racks and install passenger cabin in that place and you're fit. Note that not every station can have passenger cabins available in outfitting menu. For easy purchase consider visiting
https://eddb.io/ (once there click Stations button and then search in field "Station sells modules" passenger. All you need to fill is this and "reference system" which is the name of a system you are currently in. The results will tell you where is the nearest system which has proper outfitting.
Cabins come in 3 flavors. Economy, Business and Luxury. AFAIK Luxury ones can be fitted in top line ships. Anyway, the easiest is to start with Eco or Bussines or to mix them if you have space. Lakon T-6 would suit fine, but smaller ships are also available. Didn't tried with Adder but I currently have passenger fitted Diamondback Explorer. 16 Eco capable.
Missions themselves are two types:
- X is seeking transport
- X is seeking a sightseeing adventure
While 2nd type are far better paying, I'd focus on pure transport ones. Those are workers, refugees or similar persons that want simple transfer from A to B. Paid upon delivery. Sometimes interdictors will be sent after you (stated in mission desc), sometimes passenger change destination mid flight (mission critical message) - I see them highly desirable as they pay extra for little extra effort.
Sightseeing adventures are bit more tricky. They require you to take passengers to the specific location (small ones require 1, regular ones 3) which may be as far as 300 LY away. Usually it's something like this: Sys A (12 LY); Sys B (142 LY) and Sys C (248 LY). Paid upon
return. This means going there AND back. And mind that all 3 destinations may be placed directly opposite towards themselves so expect routes: start to A, back to start then to B, then to start and to C and back. So overall distance covered may be much greater than farther destination.
And most important part -
read really carefully passenger description. For starters traits as:
- passenger may be wanted in some systems
- demanding
- does not like danger
- secretive
are a sign of trouble.
Wanted means illicit cargo. Illicit cargo = fine when scanned by security (or outright shot down). Illicit cargo = problems with landing on stations (avoiding scans). Demanding means that passenger can ask you to do extra things. Visit more systems, get specific cargo (illegal as well). Some does not like being scanned and/or being shoot at (side effect of being scanned while carrying illicit cargo). Failing at fulfilling demands lead to satisfaction drop.
You start with "happy" passenger. 1st fail is drop to "content". 2nd fail is drop to "unhappy". 3rd fail is passenger saying bye bye - abandons you, mission failed. No payment. Plus all bad karma you may acquired en route (like fines or even bounties).
So, general tip: if you don't feel adventurous, avoid old men with young farmboys and two droids seeking transport to Alderaan and no question asked. Refugees seeking transport are nice customers. Corporate employees are nice folks too. Occasionally you can take sightseeing trip, but if it's one stop and relatively close.
