6 expert tips for traveling while working remotely

I was wrong (shocker).

Spontaneity, things not going to plan, and weird mishaps are really fun in the right context. But that context is NOT when your job and livelihood depend on planning ahead so that you can work.

So here they are- my 6 best practical tips (learned the hard way ) for traveling solo with remote work.

Tips for traveling while working remotely

1. Book affordable hotels and filter for wifi. Then, do a free speed test on the wifi as soon as you check in.

I use booking.com or agoda.com to find deep discounts on hotels and filter for exactly what I’m looking for. The more affordable the accommodations, the longer I find I can stretch my trips (because this is my biggest spend by far). There are certain filters I always have on for my hotels or hostels, and those are AC, wifi, and free breakfast- my personal essentials! You can also filter for beachfront, spas, gyms, and more.

I prioritize places that include breakfast because it’s easier on my work day to eat at the hotel, where I can have my laptop open at breakfast if needed, rather than wandering the streets hungry looking for breakfast while my work is waiting.

Pro tip: If you create a free account with booking.com and use it to book your accommodations enough, it will add extra discounts automatically!

This is important to note: While many hotels will advertise free wifi, that doesn’t mean the wifi is reliable. I use speedtest.net to perform a speed test immediately when I check in. I’ve actually had to cancel and move hotels because of wifi issues, and you don’t want to check in, go to bed, and discover this issue when you wake up in the morning and have to panic and scramble when you should already be working.

First time digital nomad? Review these 5 essential tips for beginner digital nomads choosing a destination.

2. Bring an eSIM or wifi hotspot.

A lot of destinations around have wifi, but it can be unreliable, slow, or may not always be available. This is where eSIMs or portable Wi-Fi hotspots can be a lifesaver! I can’t tell you how many times I was totally screwed by a blackout on an island, dinosaur-slow download speeds, or video calls ruined by iffy connection.

I like eSIMs because they’re a more convenient and cost-effective alternative to physical SIM cards for your phone. On the other hand, portable wifi hotspots (like this one!) offer the flexibility to connect multiple devices to a single network. By having either an eSIM or portable wifi hotspot, you’re giving yourself a back up plan for when travel mishaps happen.

I know what you’re thinking— in #1, I said I ALWAYS filter for accommodations with wifi. It’s true, but no matter how dependable hotels say the wifi is, things happen. Plus, high speed wifi means one thing to you and one thing to them– if your job involves uploading files or video calling, you need to take particular consideration with this.

Pro tip: Hotels can put whatever they want on their websites- there’s no real regulation. So make sure you read the reviews and use control + F to search for “wifi” to sift through them for relevant intel.

If you end up not needing to use your esim or wifi hotspot, great. But when you do need it, you’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief!

3. Keep your work computer charged at all times. 

And I mean at all times. Travel is unpredictable and you really never know what’s going to happen- like if your hotel will lose electricity randomly and you won’t be able to charge your computer.

One hostel I stayed in lost power completely (no charging, lights, showers, toilets flushing, etc) for several hours first thing in the morning. Without having showered, brushed my teeth, or eaten, I had to hurry down the street and find a cafe with power and wifi where I could plug in my battery-dead computer. If I had my computer fully charged, I could have just used my wifi hotspot and avoided the struggle.

Pro tip: Like hotels, flights can be the biggest expense on a trip. To get the most out of your budget, use my step by step quick guide to learn how to use Google Flights to find the cheapest flights! And don’t forget to make sure you’re ready for a comfy flight with these long flight essentials.

4. Scope out a nearby cafe or coworking space that you can count on.

Other than for surprise wifi or electricity issues, you’ll go crazy if you don’t get out of your hostel every now and then during the day. While there are a lot of benefits to staying in hostels, I’ve found noise and social distraction to be problematic, so you’ll want to make sure you have a cafe or coworking space within easy walking distance if you need to change your environment.

That’s not to say cafes and coworking spaces are quiet, but they’ll probably be quieter than a hostel, and everyone else will be in the same mode as you. As a failsafe, be sure to invest in a good pair of noise canceling headphones!

5. Staying in one destination for more than a couple of weeks? Here are some other tips for digital nomads traveling long-term in one place:

• Have the right products to keep your belongings secure and yourself safe. Here are the 8 best travel safety products for female solo travelers and my other favorite tried and tested travel products (like hotel door locks, personal pocket alarms, and luggage and locker locks)!
• No matter where you go, you’ll get sick of the local cuisine. Find a local grocery store or market close by where you can find things that you can prep without a kitchen. For me, this usually includes: yogurt, berries, granola, salads, pb&j, or foods I can microwave or boil in a kettle, like noodles.
• Your hostel or hotel may not be the cheapest option for doing laundry. Check the price and if it seems off, see if there’s a local launder close by. These little savings add up over time! If you’re looking for the perfect laundry bag for travel, this is the set that I use and love!
• Making friends will be so much easier than you think. I hear from so many women who don’t solo travel even though they work remotely because of the fear of loneliness. Don’t let this hold you back! While you may arrive alone, you won’t be alone. I have found this to be true 100% of the time, and the friends I’ve made traveling are some of the most special people in my life now.

6. Stay disciplined with your work.

This one goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway.

You have to set boundaries for yourself and your work and commit to sticking to them. Being able to travel and work is a privilege, and reminding yourself of that will help you keep focused on doing what you need to do to sustain this lifestyle.