Whether you want to become a digital nomad and have no clue where to start, or you’re already one but looking for travel tips and tricks to enhance your experience, you need to read this! Here come my 20 useful travel tips for digital nomads!
Over the last decade, digital nomadism has become so much more popular—and for good reason. Who doesn’t dream of traveling the world while working remotely? If you’re here, I’m guessing you do. To help you make the most of this experience, I’m sharing 20 useful travel tips that will help you achieve your goals!
After three years of living as a digital nomad, I’ve learned these travel tips and tricks the hard way. How do you manage your time effectively? Where do you find the best destinations? How do you connect with like-minded people along the way? These are all the questions I asked myself when I started my journey. Lucky you, I’m here to provide you with the answers!
So, keep reading these helpful travel tips and start planning your digital nomad dream!
This blog post highlights 20 useful travel tips for digital nomads that you need to know to maximize your experience!
20 USEFUL Travel Tips to Help You Live Your Digital Nomad Dream!
You want to learn how to discover the best destinations as a digital nomad, create a work-travel balance, make friends with like-minded people, or find new income streams on the road? These 20 travel tips and tricks will provide you with all the answers!
How TO FIND THE BEST DESTINATIONS AS A DIGITAL NOMAD
Some destinations are better than others for digital nomadism. To help you make the right choice, here are 5 useful travel tips for finding the best destinations as a digital nomad!
1. Evaluate your budget and research cost of living of various cities or countries.
Fortunately for you, this is an easy step. There are so many websites and tools on the internet that can help you with that in just a few minutes. But how can you make sure you get the right information? Here’s what I like to do before moving to a new city or exploring a new country:
- Check the General Cost of Living Index on Numbeo.
- Look Up Rent Costs for the kind of flat I would like to rent on local real estate websites.
- Check the Average Price of Products I know I’ll buy—food, drinks, health items, etc.—on local grocery store websites.
- Assess the Cost of Inter-City Transportation for my road trips — I use FlixBus for European countries.
- Ask People I Know who have been there before what they thought about the cost of living.
If you have no idea where to go next, there are a few popular and budget-friendly destinations known to be great for digital nomads. I’ll leave you a quick list right here for you to check out and see if they could be a good fit!
- Thailand: Bangkok and Chiang Mai are amongst the most popular destinations for digital nomads.
- Czech Republic: Prague is the top choice for digital nomads in the country.
- Indonesia: Bali is the most popular island for digital nomads, but feel free to explore other options as well.
- Hungary: Budapest, the capital city, is known for its vibrant nightlife and attracts thousands of digital nomads.
- Portugal: Larger cities in Portugal tend to be more expensive, but they are extremely popular amongst digital nomads.
- Ecuador: I’m 100% biased about Ecuador, but honestly, it’s fantastic!
- Croatia: Although Croatia has become more popular and tends to be more expensive, it’s still cheaper than Western Europe.
2. Keep in mind that you will need a good internet connection.
Being a digital nomad has a ton of advantages, but one major inconvenience is the constant need for a good internet connection!
When traveling or visiting more remote areas, this can quickly become a problem, so keep it in mind when planning your next trip. But don’t stress out about it, I have the most useful travel tips for that!
There are a few tools online to help you check internet speeds in different locations.
Speedtest is one of the most popular for checking the speed of your current connection. But, the best resource for digital nomads when it comes to finding internet speed before traveling to a new place is Nomad List.
They rank destinations based on cost of living, internet speed, and weather. Personally, I think the budget they set per month for each destination is much higher than what you would actually need, but for internet speed, they are the best!
Lastly, for checking internet quality before traveling somewhere, you can check Facebook groups, ask social media influencers you know have been there, or reach out to fellow digital nomads you’ve met along the way! The digital nomad community is always willing to help fellow travelers!
3. Take a look at Co-Working options in the city you want to visit.
Not only can co-working spaces help you focus and avoid distractions while working, but they can also be a great way to meet new people and, who knows, find more work opportunities!
I personally joined a co-working club when I moved to Ecuador, and it was the best decision. I met so many like-minded people and made friends that will last a lifetime.
To find co-working spaces or clubs, there are many resources available. Facebook groups, Instagram pages, Google Maps, Google search, etc… By exploring all these resources, you’re sure to find a co-working space that suits your needs!
I’ve heard of two websites that are highly recommended for finding co-working spaces: Coworker and WeWork. I haven’t tried them personally yet, but I definitely will when I move to my next destination. If you’ve used them before, let me know what you think—I’m curious!
4. Make sure the destination you pick is safe and provide good healthcare.
Finding a destination where you will feel—and be—safe is one of the most important factors to consider when traveling.
Numbeo is my favorite website for checking safety ratings before traveling to a new place. But I highly recommend also getting recommendations from locals or people who have visited your destination before.
Also make sure that the healthcare available at your destination meets your needs, especially if you have a specific medical condition. As the saying goes, “better safe than sorry.” Health and safety are two things we can’t afford to take lightly. If something goes wrong, sometimes there’s no coming back…
5. Research visa requirements and residency options beforehand.
It should go without saying, but researching visa requirements and residency options before moving to a new country as a digital nomad is essential.
The requirements vary depending on your home country and your destination, so I can’t provide specific travel tips and tricks for every situation. All I can say is that you need to check government websites and expat forums to get the most accurate information.
I always cross-reference these two sources to be 100% sure before moving to a new place!
Travel Tips and Tricks for Finding the Perfect Work-Travel Balance
Working while traveling sounds like a dream, but the reality can be quite different from your expectations—believe me! Fortunately, I have some useful travel tips to share for finding a healthy and realistic work-travel balance.
6. Create your own schedule but try to keep it flexible.
To find a great work-travel balance, creating a schedule that fits your life, needs, and expectations is essential.
If you work too much, you might feel like you’re missing out on the travel experience. On the other hand, if you travel too much, you could fall behind on work and become stressed. It’s all about balance.
Here are my travel tips and tricks to help you find this balance:
- Establish a List of Work Priorities: Do you have fixed working hours? Are there slower days during the week when you could travel? Does traveling make you so tired that you need to rest afterward and can’t work? Consider all these factors.
- Don’t Overbook Your Schedule: Don’t try to fit two days of work into one or three-day trip into a day and a half. You’ll quickly become exhausted. Remember, you chose this lifestyle to feel good about it.
- Make a Clear Plan for Your Tasks: Organize your workdays by starting with the most important tasks first. Complete one task before moving on to the next. Being organized is key to a balanced life. Personally, I prefer using paper and pen for making lists, but there are many free online planners and organizers you could also use!
7. Set up a comfortable and efficient workspace.
When it comes to setting up a comfortable and efficient workspace, everyone is different. Some people love working from their bed in their pajamas, others need a quiet and serious place, and some thrive in a busy café and enjoy meeting new people. To each their own!
I highly recommend getting some basic items that will make your work life easier though. Nothing fancy, I promise—just essentials. For example, a pair of noise-canceling headphones can make a big difference if you’re working in a noisy environment, and a laptop stand can improve your posture and comfort while working…
Identify your needs to set up a comfortable and effective work environment, and make sure to get the essentials that will make your life easier!
8. Stay as healthy as you can.
Traveling and working at the same time can quickly become exhausting! Even if you’re enjoying it, your body might not be keeping up. One of my most useful travel tips for digital nomads is to stay as healthy as possible.
Of course, you should enjoy yourself while traveling and exploring new places, but there are a few things you can do to support your physical and mental health without taking away all the fun.
- Eat Healthy: I’m not saying you need to cut out all your favorite treats, but try to maintain healthy eating habits to help you feel your best.
- Prioritize Quiet Time: If you’re exhausted from a day of work, take the night off to rest. You don’t always have to be busy. Sometimes, resting will actually benefit you for the upcoming days of travel.
- Stay Active: Many digital nomads spend hours in front of a computer, sitting in a chair. Try to get some movement every day. Whether you join a gym class, go for a walk on the beach, or run at sunset in the city—just keep moving!
9. Think about timezones changes that could become a problem for your work.
Working with international clients in different time zones can quickly become a challenge. For example, if your biggest client requires a 2 a.m. meeting because it’s 9 a.m. in their time zone, you will need to find a solution.
While occasional meetings at odd hours might be okay, it can become a problem if it happens twice a week, every week. Believe me, this can create significant issues in the long term, such as a disrupted sleep schedule, increased stress from waking up in the middle of the night, hormonal imbalances, and generally making you feel like crap…
You probably don’t want to drop a valuable client, but if they can’t accommodate your time zone, I’m sorry to tell you: you might need to reconsider your location.
That doesn’t mean you have to settle for a place you don’t like just for the sake of international meetings. Instead, restart the process of finding the best place for digital nomads that fits your schedule and enjoy discovering a new country or city!
10. Learn how to stay in focus and limit distractions.
I can’t believe I’m now sharing helpful travel tips on how to stay focused and limit distractions… I’ve always been the worst at this.. But I’ve learned some things along the way that really help when it comes to staying concentrated.
Here are my travel tips and tricks for staying focused while working and traveling:
- Make Lists: At the beginning of each working session, create a list of tasks you need to complete. Do the same at the end of your session—review what you’ve accomplished and note what can be added.
- Plan Your Break Times: Whether you want to take a break every hour or after each task, plan it in advance. Knowing your break is coming up helps you stay focused.
- Prioritize Favorite Tasks When You Don’t Feel Like Working: It might sound strange, but on days when you’re not really in the mood to work—something we all experience—I suggest tackling tasks you enjoy first, even if they’re not the most urgent. You’ll have a harder time staying focused on tasks you don’t want to do at that moment.
- Put Your Phone Away: This is one of the most basic tips for staying focused. If you’re easily distracted, seeing notifications can be a huge problem. Put your phone away, and if you need it for work, turn off notifications!
Some people also find that meditating or practicing focus exercises before working helps them get in the zone. I’ve tried it a few times and still can’t quite get the hang of it, but it might work for you!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: “I Want To Travel The World Where Do I Start?” Ultimate Guide To Your Dream Life!
Helpful Travel Tips for Making Connections with Others on the Road
One of the most beautiful things about traveling and being a digital nomad is the people you meet along the way. People from different countries, with unique stories to share and exciting projects. But sometimes, it can be challenging to find your people, especially if you’re moving a lot or traveling to more secluded places.
To make sure you meet new friends and feel less lonely, keep reading and check out my 5 useful travel tips for making new connections.
11. Find digital nomad communities in your area.
There are so many different ways to find digital nomad communities in your area. Facebook groups, Reddit, Nomad List, Instagram—the internet is a powerful resource for meeting new people, and you should definitely take advantage of it!
Connecting with fellow digital nomads can be a real game-changer, especially if you’re solo traveling. We all need a support system and the opportunity to share with others.
Plus, other digital nomads will understand your lifestyle and can be a great support for networking and finding new work opportunities. So don’t be shy—go meet your people!
12. Attend meetups and remote job conferences.
The digital nomad community tends to be really active when it comes to organizing meetups or conferences, so a ton of events are happening all over the world to allow you to meet other fellow digital nomads. And especially if you are staying in a popular area!
There are two popular platforms for finding events among travelers: Meetup and Eventbrite. And if you can’t find any event in your area, why not try to create your own? Chances are, other digital nomads would like to meet you and share their experiences with you!
13. Become a part of the local community and life.
If you are staying long enough in one place, another great way to meet new people and learn about different ways of life and interests is to become a part of the local community and life. Believe me, there is no better way to understand and get to know the culture and customs of a place than by hanging out with locals.
Whether you go to a local gym class, volunteer in a program, or chat with locals at the farmers market, sharing with them will fulfill your need for connection.
One of the best travel tips and tricks for that? If you are traveling to a country where you don’t know the spoken language, try to learn a few basic phrases or join a class to learn it! It is always nice as a local to see foreigners try to speak the local language.
14. Use social medias.
Loads of digital nomads share their lives on social media, whether to inspire others to do the same or as a way of networking and finding like-minded people. So, whether you are sharing your journey on social media or just looking at others doing it, try to connect with the part of the community you know is in your area.
Chances are, they will be delighted to meet you for a drink or go on an adventure with you. And who knows, sharing your life experiences and work with each other could turn into a lifelong friendship!
15. Find people working in the same sector and collaborate with them.
It doesn’t matter the industry you are working in; chances are, if you can do it while being a digital nomad, other people are doing it too. So try to find platforms and groups within your specific niche to meet people who share the same interests as you. Who knows, maybe it will lead to more work opportunities and even great friendships!
A few more useful travel tips for you before getting into the last section of this article: Slack communities and LinkedIn can be two really powerful platforms to find people working in the same sector as you and discover more work opportunities!
Finding New Income Streams to Make More Money as a Digital Nomad
One of the most useful travel tips for digital nomads I could give you is to never stop trying to find new sources of income. I know, I know, money doesn’t bring happiness… But some countries are much more expensive than others, and if you want to be able to visit them while keeping your nomadic lifestyle, having more incomes couldn’t hurt!
And if you are not a digital nomad yet but are dreaming of becoming one, these tips on how to make an income will be a life changer for you!
16. Diversify your income streams.
If you’ve been interested in becoming a digital nomad—or already are one—you’ve probably heard this before: try to have as many income streams as possible to maintain financial stability.
That means once you have one stable source of income, keep looking for another one, and then another one after that. This way, if one doesn’t work as well as you wish it would some months, the other one can take over.
How to get more income than just from a job though?
Well, there are tons of ways. Freelancing, consulting, digital marketing, social media, photography, etc. Just look for something you know you are qualified to achieve and go for it!
17. Find remote work opportunities.
On the other hand, if you already have some income but are looking for more stability, finding remote work could be a great option for you. A fixed salary coming in every month could be a stress reliever if you are starting your digital nomad journey or are facing some financial issues.
The best part? A lot of different industries are hiring remote workers. Accounting, virtual assistants, programming, call centers, etc. Some of them require special qualifications, but some entry-level jobs are available too.
Where to look for them? Well, you guessed it… on the internet! LinkedIn, Facebook groups, Indeed, Remote OK, We Work Remotely… Keep looking until you find one! The peace of mind it will bring you will be worth the trouble!
18. Never stop investing in yourself to stay on point in your industry.
Nowadays, the world is moving faster than ever, and no matter what industry you are working in, it is probably moving fast too. That’s why you should never stop investing in yourself, especially if you are trying to create new streams of income.
Whether you want to learn new skills or improve the ones you already have, there is a ton of free information on the internet, e-books, or online academies to help you with that.
The two most popular learning platforms out there are Coursera and Udemy. You will need a membership to access their courses, but the money you could make by learning these new skills will reimburse the fees in no time!
19. Optimize your budget and expenses.
If it takes you longer than expected to make more money, one great solution is to try and spend less. It probably won’t fix things in the long run, but learning how to manage and optimize your budget as someone who is always on the road is one of the most important things.
There are a ton of budgeting apps and expense trackers out there—personally, I’m an Excel kind of girl—to help you stay on track with your budget. Just find the one you find most handy and start budgeting and tracking your expenses. Believe me, even if you think you don’t need to, you will benefit from learning to budget!
20. Monetize your digital presence.
Whether you want to try blogging, Instagram, YouTube, or even TikTok, monetizing your digital presence can potentially earn you a lot of money. It won’t be easy and will require a lot of work, so make sure you’re ready to put in the effort. But once you get the hang of it and start monetizing, there are numerous ways to make money.
Here are some useful travel tips and methods for monetizing your digital presence:
- Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services to your community and earn a commission for each sale made through your referral link. There are many affiliate programs available, including popular ones in the travel industry like Travelpayouts and Amazon Affiliate. Check them out and subscribe to their programs to start earning.
- Sponsored Content: Many brands will pay you or offer free products in exchange for creating and promoting content on your blog, Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok.
- Digital Products: Create and sell your own digital products such as e-books, online courses, or downloadable resources. These can cover any specific topic. For example, in the travel industry, you could sell travel guides, photography e-books, travel planners, and more. Get creative and start working on your ideas!
- Ad Agencies: By creating engaging content on your platforms, you can attract brands that are willing to pay you to display ads. Once you build a substantial audience, your ad revenue can become a significant income source. When you’re starting out, apply to Google AdSense—they don’t require minimal page views to start earning. As you grow, consider applying to Mediavine, Media.net, or SheMedia. There are many ad agencies out there, so do your research and find the best fit for you!