Everything you need to work remotely from anywhere: laptop setup, portable internet, coworking options, banking across borders, visa rules for remote workers, and the gear that actually matters.
Last updated:
0 of 32 completed0%
Copied!
Laptop and Tech Setup
Test your laptop battery under real working conditions (video calls, browser tabs, code editor)
A laptop that lasts 4 hours on a benchmark test often drops to 2.5 hours with a video call running. If your battery dips below 5 hours of real use, carry a 65W USB-C power bank ($50-$80) as backup.
Install all OS and software updates before leaving home
Back up your full system to an external drive or cloud
Pack a universal power adapter with at least 2 USB-C ports and 1 AC outlet
Multi-port adapters weigh 150-250g and cover 150+ countries. Avoid cheap adapters under $15 as they often lack surge protection and can fry your laptop charger.
Set up a VPN on all devices before departure
Public WiFi at cafés and airports is routinely intercepted. A VPN subscription costs $3-$8 per month and also lets you access region-locked services like streaming or banking portals from abroad.
Carry a portable laptop stand and compact Bluetooth keyboard
Working hunched over a laptop for 6+ hours causes neck and shoulder pain within days. A folding aluminum stand ($20-$35) raises the screen 15-20cm, which makes a significant ergonomic difference.
Internet and Connectivity
Buy an eSIM or local SIM with at least 10GB data for your first destination
eSIMs activate instantly and cost $5-$15 for 10GB in most countries. Physical SIMs at airport kiosks are marked up 30-50% compared to city-center shops, so buy after you clear the terminal.
Verify your phone supports eSIM before purchasing
Save the APN settings and customer service number offline
Pack a portable WiFi hotspot as a backup for unreliable café networks
A pocket hotspot with a local SIM delivers 20-50 Mbps, which handles video calls and file uploads. Rental hotspots at airports cost $5-$10 per day; buying one outright ($40-$80) pays for itself in 2 weeks.
Test your upload speed requirements for video calls before choosing a workspace
Video calls need at least 3 Mbps upload to avoid freezing. Run a speed test at any new café or coworking space before committing to a session — download speed alone does not predict call quality.
Download offline copies of critical documents, maps, and project files
Power outages and internet drops happen in popular nomad hubs like Bali, Medellín, and Lisbon. Having 2-3 days of work files cached locally means a dead connection does not kill your productivity.
Coworking and Workspace Planning
Research coworking spaces at your destination and book a day pass for the first day
Day passes run $10-$25 in Southeast Asia, $15-$35 in Latin America, and $25-$50 in Europe. Most spaces offer weekly and monthly rates at 30-50% discounts over daily pricing.
Check reviews specifically mentioning WiFi speed and reliability
Confirm they have private call booths or quiet zones
Identify 3 backup café workspaces with power outlets and decent WiFi
Scout locations during your first weekend. The best work cafés have tables near outlets, ambient noise under 65 dB, and WiFi above 20 Mbps. Order something every 90 minutes to stay welcome.
Pack noise-canceling headphones or earbuds
Active noise cancellation cuts background noise by 20-30 dB, enough to block café chatter and street traffic. Over-ear models have better cancellation but in-ear models weigh 80% less for travel.
Time Zone and Schedule Management
Map your working hours against your team's or client's time zone before booking flights
A 6-8 hour offset means you can overlap for morning or evening meetings. Beyond 10 hours, expect asynchronous communication only — factor this into project deadlines and response time expectations.
Set up a world clock widget showing all relevant time zones on your phone and laptop
Scheduling mistakes across time zones cost an average of 30 minutes per incident in rescheduling. A persistent clock display eliminates mental math and missed meetings.
Block out your focused work hours and communicate them clearly to your team
Nomads who set explicit "available" hours report 40% fewer interruptions. Share your schedule in a pinned message in your team chat and update it each time you change locations.
Pre-record video updates instead of attending every live meeting across bad time zones
A 3-5 minute recorded update replaces a 30-minute meeting. Most project management tools support async video comments, which saves everyone time when overlap windows are tight.
Banking and Finance Across Borders
Open a multi-currency account or travel-friendly debit card with zero foreign transaction fees
Standard bank cards charge 1-3% on every foreign purchase plus $3-$5 per ATM withdrawal. Multi-currency accounts save $200-$500 per year for frequent travelers.
Notify your existing bank of travel dates and countries
Set up a secondary card from a different bank as backup
Withdraw local currency from ATMs in larger amounts to minimize per-transaction fees
ATM fees average $2-$5 per withdrawal regardless of amount. Pulling out $200-$300 at once instead of $50 multiple times saves $15-$30 per month in fees alone.
Set up invoicing and payment collection that works internationally
Wire transfers cost $15-$45 per transaction and take 3-5 business days. Online payment platforms charge 1-3% but arrive in 1-2 days, which is better for cash flow on the road.
Track expenses daily using an app that categorizes by currency
Nomads who track daily spend $300-$500 less per month than those who estimate. Auto-categorizing apps that sync with your bank card eliminate manual entry and give you weekly spending trends.
Visa and Legal Requirements
Check if your destination offers a digital nomad or remote work visa
Over 50 countries now offer nomad visas with stays of 6-24 months. Application fees range from $0 (Georgia) to $2,000 (Dubai), and most require proof of income between $2,000-$3,500 per month.
Verify the minimum income or savings requirement
Check if the visa includes tax obligations in the host country
Understand the difference between tourist visas and work authorization
Working on a tourist visa is technically illegal in most countries, even for remote work. Enforcement varies, but fines range from $500 to deportation. A nomad visa removes this gray area entirely.
Research tax residency rules for both your home country and destination
Most countries trigger tax residency after 183 days of presence in a calendar year. Some countries like the US tax citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live — consult a tax advisor who specializes in expat situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I avoid overpacking?
Lay out everything you think you need, then remove 30% of it. Pack items that mix and match into multiple outfits using neutral colors that work with everything. Laundry services exist almost everywhere; plan to wash clothes every 4-5 days rather than packing a fresh outfit for each day.
Should I use packing cubes?
Packing cubes compress clothing by 20-30% and keep your bag organized throughout the trip. Color-coding cubes by clothing type (tops, bottoms, underwear) eliminates rummaging through the entire bag for one item. Compression cubes with dual zippers squeeze the most air out and are worth the $5-10 premium over standard cubes.
What size luggage should I bring?
A carry-on bag (22x14x9 inches) handles trips up to 10 days if you pack strategically and plan to do laundry. Checking a bag adds 30-45 minutes per flight in wait time and carries a 1-3% chance of loss or delay. For trips under a week, a 40-liter backpack offers more mobility than a rolling suitcase on cobblestones, stairs, and public transit.
What items do travelers forget most often?
Phone chargers, adapters, prescription medications, and sunscreen are the top four forgotten items. Create a packing checklist on your phone and check items off as they go into the bag, not before. Pack a universal power adapter if traveling internationally; outlet shapes differ across regions and buying one at the airport costs 3-4x the online price.
How do I pack toiletries efficiently?
Transfer products into reusable silicone travel bottles (GoToob, 3 oz size) rather than packing full-size containers. Solid alternatives like shampoo bars and toothpaste tablets eliminate liquid restrictions entirely for carry-on travel. Hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, and soap; skip packing these unless you have specific brand requirements.