These days, more and more people are choosing to work remotely while exploring the world. If you’re thinking about doing the same, or already are, you might be wondering how to stay connected and on top of things while abroad. That’s exactly why I created this guide.
I’ll walk you through some simple, practical tips to help you stay productive, connected, and make the most of your remote lifestyle.
1. Maintain a Clear Work Schedule
When you’re working from a different country, time zones can throw everything off. You might be ready to start your day while your team is already finishing theirs. That can lead to missed messages, late replies, or scheduling headaches.
To keep things smooth, it helps to set a clear schedule—and stick to it as much as possible. Here’s how to make it work:
🔵 Figure Out the Time Difference
- Check the time zone difference between where you are and where your team or clients are.
- Use tools like World Time Buddy or Timezone.io to quickly compare everyone’s working hours.
- Keep a quick cheat sheet somewhere if you’re switching locations often.
🔵 Set a Consistent Daily Routine
- Choose a block of time where you’re always online and available for communication.
Example: If your team is in New York and you’re in Spain, work from 2 PM to 10 PM instead of 9 AM to 5 PM. - Let your team know what your usual hours are, and update them if they change.
🔵 Share Your Calendar
- Use Google Calendar (or something similar) to mark your working hours clearly.
- Turn on calendar sharing so your team can see when you’re available for meetings or quick check-ins.
- Make sure your calendar shows the correct time zone—Google Calendar can update this automatically based on your location.
🔵 Use Scheduling Tools for Meetings
Instead of going back and forth to find a time, use tools like:
- Calendly – let people book time based on your set hours.
- Clockwise or SavvyCal – more advanced, good for team coordination.
These tools adjust for time zones, so others always see your availability in their local time.
2. Choose the Right Tech Setup
Now that your schedule and planning tools are sorted, it’s time to make sure your tech can actually support the way you work. A good setup helps you stay connected, communicate smoothly with your team, and avoid unexpected issues while you’re abroad.
🔵 Reliable Internet Access
You won’t get much done if your connection keeps cutting out. Before you book a place, take a minute to check the reviews for comments about Wi-Fi speed and how reliable it is.
On Airbnb, look for listings that mention things like “good for remote work” or “fast internet.” If you’re not sure, message the host and ask for the internet speed — they can usually send you a screenshot from Speedtest.
Once you arrive, test the connection yourself using Speedtest.net. For video calls, you’ll want at least 10–15 Mbps for both download and upload.
It’s also smart to have a backup. A portable Wi-Fi hotspot can keep you online if the main connection goes down. Some travelers also carry an unlocked phone and buy a local SIM card with a generous data plan, so they can use it for tethering if needed. This can be a lifesaver in places where the Wi-Fi isn’t reliable.
🔵 Use a VPN To Stay Secure and Unblocked
If you’re working from public Wi-Fi in places like cafés, airports, or coworking spaces, your connection isn’t always secure. That’s where a VPN comes in. It keeps your internet traffic private and helps protect your personal and work data from being exposed.
A VPN also helps if you’re in a country where some websites or apps are blocked. For example, if you’re in China and need to access Google, Slack, or WhatsApp, a VPN is the only way to reach them.
I did a quick bit of research while writing this, and it looks like most people tend to go with NordVPN or Surfshark. If you’re looking for a free option, many people go with Proton VPN. It has a free plan with no data limits, which is rare, and it’s a great way to get started with VPNs without spending anything.
🔵 Use eSIMs for Easy Connectivity
If you’re traveling through different countries, switching physical SIM cards every time can be a hassle. eSIMs are a much easier option. They’re digital SIM cards that you install directly on your phone, so there’s no need to visit a store or deal with swapping anything out.
What’s great about eSIMs is how flexible they are. You can find plans for individual countries, entire regions, or even multi-country bundles. Many are affordable, quick to set up, and activate within minutes, which means you can be online right when you land.
Let’s say you’re planning a trip through East Asia. A basic 1 GB eSIM plan for China might cost around $6 for 7 days, and South Korea is about the same. But if you’re visiting more than one country, you can choose a combined option like a tourist eSIM for Japan and Korea, which starts at around $4 for 7 days and works in both countries. It’s a convenient way to stay connected without switching plans or buying new SIMs at every stop.
Just make sure your phone supports eSIMs — most newer models do, but it’s worth double-checking before your trip.
🔵 Keep Your Workflow Simple While Abroad
There are plenty of tools that can help you stay organized, manage tasks, and communicate while working remotely abroad. Everyone has different preferences, so it’s worth trying a few and seeing what fits your workflow best.
Some people use tools like Zoom for meetings, Asana for managing tasks, or Google Docs for real-time collaboration. Others prefer tools that combine everything in one space or focus on just the essentials.In our team, we like to keep things simple. We use Google Drive to store and share documents so everything stays easy to access. For everyday tasks and reminders, Todoist helps us stay on track.
However, for larger projects, we use Notion to keep things clear and flexible. The AI features in Notion can also help speed things up, like summarizing notes or generating outlines when you’re short on time.
You don’t need a long list of apps — just the ones that support how you work and make things easier while you’re away from your usual setup.
3. Communicate Proactively & Frequently
When you’re working remotely from abroad, it’s easy to feel disconnected from your team. You’re not in the same room, so it’s important to be intentional about how you communicate.
Here are a few habits that help keep communication smooth:
- Share small updates throughout the week: You don’t need to wait for a big milestone. Let your team know what you’re working on or if anything changes.
Example: “Just finished the layout — I’ll send it over later today.” - Be clear and easy to understand: Short, friendly messages work best. Avoid vague updates. Instead of “working on it,” say what you’re actually doing or when something will be ready.
Example: “I’ll finish the copy edits by Thursday morning and send for review.” - Let people know if something’s delayed: It’s better to say something early than to stay silent. If a task is taking longer, just mention it — this helps everyone adjust if needed.
- Check in regularly, even without a meeting: A quick Monday message to share your focus for the week, or a Friday wrap-up, keeps everyone on the same page and shows you’re present.
4. Build Social Connection
Remote work gives you the freedom to travel, but it can also feel isolating if you’re always working alone. Making time for social interaction can help you feel more grounded, motivated, and balanced while you’re away from home.
Here are a few easy ways to stay socially connected:
- Join local groups: Many cities have casual communities where people meet up to work together, grab coffee, or hang out. A quick search online or asking around in a café or coworking space is often enough to find a few groups nearby. These meetups are usually relaxed and open to newcomers.
- Work in shared spaces: Instead of working from your apartment or hotel every day, try spending a few hours in a shared workspace or a quiet café. Just being around others can make the day feel less isolating, even if you’re not actively chatting with anyone.
- Look for local events or gatherings: Community boards, coffee shops, and hostels often list events like open mic nights, language exchanges, or social nights. These are easy, low-pressure ways to meet people in a natural setting.
- Start small conversations: You don’t need to be super outgoing. Just saying hi to the person at the next table or asking someone if they’re working remotely too can lead to a short chat — or even a new friend. A little effort goes a long way.
You don’t need to socialize every day, but making space for a few real connections while abroad can help your remote work experience feel more fulfilling and less lonely.
5. Protect Your Mental Health
Finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Travel and work together can be a lot to handle. Some days feel smooth, others feel scattered. If you’re always switching locations or juggling time zones, it’s easy to get drained without even noticing.
A small routine can help your days feel more steady. You don’t need a strict schedule, but having a clear start and end to your workday makes a difference. After work, do something that lets your mind rest — read, take a walk, or just step away from screens.
Resting properly helps you focus better, reply to messages more clearly, and enjoy your time abroad without feeling worn out.
Final Words
I hope this guide gave you some useful ideas for working remotely while traveling. Everyone has their own way of making it work, and what helps most is finding a rhythm that fits your style and lifestyle.
If you have your own tips or habits that help you stay connected and focused while working abroad, feel free to share them. It’s always great to learn from each other.
