How I Travel the World Without Going Broke
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably sat scrolling through Instagram travel posts, wondering:
“How are these people always traveling?”
“How do they afford it?”
“Can I do that too?”
Let me tell you something honest: I fund my solo trips through side hustles—no rich parents, no secret sponsors, just smart income streams that work even when I’m on the move.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through the exact side hustles I use to fund my solo travels, including:
- What each hustle is about
- Where to start (platforms & tools)
- How much you can realistically earn
- Bonus tips to grow fast!
Why Side Hustles Are My Secret Weapon
Let’s face it — traditional 9-5 jobs give limited time and money for travel. I didn’t want to wait for annual leave or dip into my savings every time I wanted to explore a new place.
So, I built multiple side hustles — flexible gigs that:
✅ Pay me online
✅ Don’t need a fixed location
✅ Can be started with ZERO investment
Whether I’m hiking in Himachal or sipping coffee in Rishikesh, I keep earning on the side. And so can you.
7 Real Side Hustles That Help Me Fund My Solo Trips
Here’s the juicy part — the exact side hustles that pay for my flights, hostels, food, and sometimes, even spa days 😌
Table of Contents
1. Freelance Writing – Get Paid to Write About What You Love
My Story: I started by writing blogs for small businesses. Soon, I was earning enough to cover most of my travel costs.
- Platforms to start:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- Freelancer
- What to write about:
Travel, lifestyle, product reviews, finance, tech — basically, anything you’re good at! - Tools I use:
- Grammarly (for clean writing)
- Google Docs
- Canva (for client visuals)
- How much can you earn?
₹500 – ₹5000 per article (based on niche + experience)
✅ Pro Tip: Focus on SEO writing and long-form blog content — high demand, higher pay!
2. Blogging + Affiliate Marketing – Build Once, Earn Forever
My Journey: Starting SoloBunny.com was one of my smartest moves. I post helpful content, travel guides, and tips — and earn passively.
- How I make money:
- Google AdSense (ads on my blog)
- Affiliate marketing (Amazon, Booking.com, etc.)
- Sponsored posts (brands pay to feature on my blog)
- Initial tools:
- WordPress + Free Theme
- RankMath SEO
- Canva (for blog visuals)
- Income range:
₹5,000 to ₹1,00,000/month (depending on traffic & affiliates)
✅ SEO Tip: Use keywords like “budget solo travel,” “best solo destinations,” and “travel on a budget”
3. Sell Digital Products – Turn Your Knowledge into Passive Income
I created a few downloadable PDFs (like travel checklists, itineraries, budget planners) — and people loved them.
- What to sell:
- Travel planners
- Budget templates
- Ebooks on solo travel
- Tools I use:
- Canva (design)
- Gumroad / Etsy / Payhip (sell)
- Earning potential:
₹100 – ₹500 per product
Passive income 24/7
✅ Pro Tip: Bundle your products and sell them as “Travel Starter Packs” — people love convenience!
4. Content Creation – Monetize Your Travels
I share short travel reels, tips, and experiences on Instagram and YouTube. Even without a huge following, I started getting brand deals and ad revenue.
- Platforms:
- YouTube Shorts
- Pinterest (yes, it drives traffic!)
- Income sources:
- Sponsored content
- Affiliate links
- Ad revenue (YouTube)
- Earning potential:
₹500 – ₹10,000 per collab (even for small creators)
✅ SEO Tip: Use searchable hashtags + trending reel topics like “solo female travel tips” or “backpacking India”
5. Virtual Assistance – Work Online for Entrepreneurs
From email handling to social media scheduling — I worked remotely as a VA (Virtual Assistant) and earned while traveling.
- Tasks I did:
- Email sorting
- Calendar management
- Content creation help
- Where to find clients:
- PeoplePerHour
- Facebook groups
- Earnings:
₹500 – ₹1500/hour depending on your skills
✅ Pro Tip: Offer travel-related services — like itinerary planning, content research, or Pinterest VA!
6. Print-on-Demand Store – Travel Merch That Pays
I created a mini shop with travel-themed T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags using print-on-demand.
- How it works:
- You design once (in Canva)
- Print-on-demand platforms (like Printful) handle orders, printing & shipping
- You earn a cut on every sale
- Best Platforms:
- Shopify
- Printful
- Teespring
- Income potential:
₹50 – ₹500 profit per sale
✅ Niche Ideas: “Wanderlust Quotes”, “Mountain Girl”, “Solo Backpacker Essentials”
7. Online Coaching or Tutoring – Share What You Know
If you’re good at English, photography, or even solo trip planning — you can teach it!
- Platforms:
- Cambly (for English)
- Preply
- Teachable (create your own course)
- Income:
₹500 – ₹2000/hour
✅ Bonus Idea: Start offering “Travel Coaching” — help beginners plan solo trips, find budget stays, etc.
Ready to Start Your First Side Hustle? Here’s Your Mini Roadmap
Step 1: Choose ONE hustle that fits your skills & lifestyle
Step 2: Set up your free profile (Upwork, Fiverr, etc.)
Step 3: Watch free YouTube tutorials to learn the basics
Step 4: Get your first gig — even if it’s small
Step 5: Reinvent, scale, and enjoy the ride 🌍
The Truth? It’s Not Always Glamorous… But It’s Worth It
Some days are tough — flaky clients, long hours, bad Wi-Fi. But then I’m hiking at sunrise, or journaling by a peaceful lake, and I remember:
This is why I hustle.
This is how I fund my solo trips.
This is freedom.
And guess what? You can do it too.
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Dream Big
Your travel dreams are valid. You don’t need a fancy job or a trust fund. You need a laptop, some hustle, and the courage to start.
If I can do it — with no money, no contacts, and just a dream — so can you.