Top Digital Nomad Travel Planning Tips
I’ve returned to full-time digital nomad life without a regular home base again while I figure out my next city and to travel - being on the road again is fun but it definitely requires more planning and logistics than shorter trips!
If you’re going nomadic soon, here are some tips for full-time digital nomad planning:
1. Plan Ahead
Spontaneous travel or booking where you’re staying the night-of can be a thrill, but if you’re running a business, it is ideal to have a little more structure with your plans.
Being able to know where you’re staying, which time zone you’ll be in if you have meetings, and knowing you’ll have strong wifi is key.
Booking your Airbnb, co-living space, or hotel in advance is essential. I recommend traveling over the weekend or on a day when you don't have any scheduled meetings/important deadlines so you don't have to stress if there are travel delays.
If you are planning to live the "van life" (like I know many of you say is your goal!), then working from a camper van with reliable WiFi is especially necessary when you are in more remote areas.
2. Invest in Quality Travel Gear
Another important aspect to consider is your travel gear. Durable and versatile luggage can make a significant difference in your nomadic lifestyle. For example, Eminent luggage, known for its reliability, can help you stay organized on the road. On travel days, I usually aim to pack my luggage the night before to avoid frantic mornings, and ensure my passport is easily accessible in my bag, along with my headphones, water bottle (emptied and refilled at the airport after security), and any other in-flight/transportation necessities to have a smooth trip.
With the right travel gear and prep, you can seamlessly transition from one location to another, making your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
3. Travel Slower
On that note, traveling slow is usually more ideal compared to blowing through cities in just a few days, especially if you’re balancing work and travel. I am guilty of doing fast travel here and there, especially if I’m with friends or going for travel blog purposes, but having stability and feeling more like a local in a city really helps balance work and travel easier.
Plus, less travel planning and moving around gives you more time to set a routine and do things like cook, go to the gym, and have downtime versus trying to do and see it all in a short time.
4. Plan Travel Days on Weekends
When moving from one place to another, I’ve found it way easier to travel on a weekend or a day I have no meetings/client calls scheduled. Not having to rush to get on wifi, dealing with transportation delays or traffic makes things way less stressful.
5. Bring an Item for Comfort
One thing I missed when I traveled for 6 months straight was my soft and fuzzy barefoot dreams blanket! I keep it in my car now to use when I’m back in California - it helps to feel more grounded especially staying in different beds/places all the time!
Bonus: Don’t Forget: Travel Insurance
One thing you don’t want to forget to take care of when traveling is your travel insurance! I’ve used Safetywing for years, due to the ease of the signup process and also how it can act as a subscription - which is a game-changer for nomads who are traveling without a set end date)!
Safetywing helped me out in a pinch when I needed specific travel insurance during the pandemic to enter Chile (the other kind I had did not have enough coverage) and I’ve never looked back. I’ve even filed a claim with them and received funds when I had a 2-day delay in Abu Dhabi and they are helpful and quick to clarify claim questions too. Check out their rates and information here*.
Ready to make the leap into digital entrepreneurship so you can travel the world on your own terms? Check out my book, Infinite Entrepreneur: How To Break Free From Monotony and Launch a Digital, Limitless, Work-from-Anywhere Business