Being self-employed and working online is great, it means I can work from almost anywhere at any time.  However, running a self-employed business is not without its challenges and one of these is there never being any time off. 

Sure, I can actually decide to take a week off, but I’ll lose a week’s pay and the chance to apply for any freelance work that pops up that week, so really I could lose even more than one week’s pay.  This means that whenever we are travelling, on holiday or on the road, I also need to work.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, even more people are finding they are able to work remotely.  Employers are allowing staff to work from home on a regular basis, which is giving more people the chance to work from wherever they choose. 

Perhaps you are not self-employed like me, but you can work from home and have realised you can also work on the road whilst exploring new places.  But how can you work remotely effectively whilst travelling or on a road trip?

Read on for some top tips on how to work remotely effectively and productively.

Ensure you have internet and a backup option

If you rely on the internet to complete your work duties then you are going to obviously need an internet connection.  There are a few options for this and my favourite way is to hotspot to my mobile phone data.  Of course, this can be expensive, so ensure you have a sufficient data plan to stop a shockingly high bill.  I have quite a low-data plan, but my husband has a really high plan for much better value.  I will always connect to my husband’s hotspot when we are on the road or travelling.  If I need to use my mobile phone hotspot then I will buy a data plan bundle to see me through my travels.

Another option is to use a dongle that connects straight to your laptop and uses a mobile phone signal.  You’ll pay for a contract for the dongle, just like a mobile phone bill.

The only issue with relying on mobile phone broadband and hotspots to access the internet is not all areas have mobile phone signal.  In these places, you will either have to work offline if possible, move on to a spot that has a signal or find another way to access the internet as explained below.  This is one reason my husband and I are on two different mobile phone networks.  Chances are if one of us has no coverage, the other does.

Ben has a great sim-only deal with Virgin for £10 a month and he gets 10GB. Anything he doesn’t use rolls over for one month! To get up to £50 cash when choosing Virgin, click here!

Here’s Me and Ben working in our Bongo campervan on our laptops with great views!

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A post shared by Ben Sully (@wood_create)

Using a VPN for Secure Remote Work

When working remotely, especially while travelling and using public Wi-Fi networks in places like cafes, airports, or hotels, security is a major concern. Public networks are often unsecured, making it easier for cybercriminals to intercept your data. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an essential tool for protecting your online activities and ensuring that your sensitive information, such as work documents and login credentials, remain secure.

A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet, masking your IP address and making it much more difficult for anyone to track your online activity or steal your data. This is particularly useful when handling confidential work information or accessing company systems remotely. You can use a VPN for iPhone or for any device, including laptops, tablets, and Android phones.

When selecting a VPN, choose a reputable service that offers strong encryption and a no-logs policy to ensure your privacy. Many VPN services also have additional features like malware protection and ad blockers, adding an extra layer of security. It’s also a good idea to test your VPN before travelling to ensure it works well with the tools and systems you need for your work.

Make use of remote office spaces

Remote working has become more of a norm over the past few years and is set to rise.  There are now dedicated office blocks and locations specifically for this purpose where you can rent a desk, individual office or even Office Meeting Pods for your needs on a one-off or flexible basis.  These are perfect if you have a pending deadline and need some quiet time away from travels to focus on work.  You’re also guaranteed a good internet connection!

Printing whilst working remotely shouldn’t be a necessity but sometimes it can’t be avoided. Therefore access to printing facilities like those from COS Sales is also viable when using dedicated office space. You can normally locate co-working space and ad-hoc desk rentals wherever you are in the world.

… and internet cafes

Of course, you can also use internet cafes or any location that has free WiFi.  Just don’t expect peace and quiet. 

You’ll also want to ensure the internet cafes will have enough speed for your remote online working activities.

Use noise-cancelling headphones

One way to get some peace and quiet is to use noise-cancelling headphones.  You can listen to music and block out surrounding sounds if needed.  Headphones are also great if you need to listen to videos or talk to colleagues whilst on the road.  Choose headphones with a microphone so you can speak to others if needed on voice or video calls.

Take days off

You don’t want to burn out and you want special days to switch off and relax without emails and work duties calling.  So, take days off just like you would at home.  For me this means working Monday to Friday only and taking the weekends off unless I choose to work or check an email every now and then, however, I don’t feel obliged to on a Saturday and Sunday.  It also means I really look forward to these days off as I can fully focus on exploring and not worrying about working or how I’m going to work on the road!

Working in the evening

I also mentally prepare myself for working in the evening a lot more when I am on holiday or travelling.  I’ll keep an eye on emails on my phone throughout the day, apply for freelancing jobs and complete the actual work itself in the evenings when we are back at our holiday let, camper or accommodation. Daytimes are for exploring and evenings are for working. 

If I’m particularly busy then I’ll wake up early to work or we’ll stay at the accommodation for a few hours in the morning until I’ve completed enough of my work.  Whenever we book travel accommodation I always ensure there is a WiFi connection so if I have no internet signal all day then I always know I can catch up in the evenings.

Equip your campervan (if you have one) for off-grid life

If you have a campervan for travel then equip it as best as possible for off-grid life, which will also satisfy your remote working habits.  For example, we have added many off-grid features to our Mazda Bongo which enable us to work with ease on the road.  We have a leisure battery hooked up to a solar panel and a power inverter so we can plug in our laptops to charge, wherever we are.  With a mobile connection to create a WiFi hotspot and free electricity from the sun converted through our solar panel, we can work all day long on the road without our laptops running out.

Make use of travel time

If you are a passenger then you can use travel time to your advantage.  If we are away in our Mazda Bongo then my husband is always driving which means I can use the travel time to work.  I can send emails from my phone, source work and even start writing articles if I need to use my laptop or using Word on my smartphone. 

Stuck waiting at an airport terminal for a couple of hours before your flight?  Set yourself up in the lounge or at a table in a restaurant and use the time to work.  There’s actually a lot of spare time you can use when travelling for work when you’d otherwise be sat waiting for the next flight or whilst you are on a plane or other transport for a few hours.

Use Google Docs

One of the best things I have made use of is Google Docs.  I can update my spreadsheets on my smartphone whilst travelling, and as soon as I can access them on my laptop again they will be exactly as I updated them on my smartphone.  Sometimes it just takes a couple of seconds for them to refresh and update. Being able to edit documents on a smartphone and laptop independently of each other and syncing them has made remote working so much easier.

Set up keyboard shortcuts

If you’re using your mobile a lot when travelling for work purposes then it can be slightly tedious using the tiny keyboard to type emails or a lot of content. Make this easier by setting up some keyboard shortcuts for information you type regularly. For example, I use the keyboard shortcut ‘eml’ for my email address to add it quickly and easily instead of continuously typing it out when I apply for freelancing work.

Think of words, information or phrases you are repetitively typing and invent a keyboard shortcut that will save you time, but make sure it’s not part of a word or actually a word or it will always convert!

Keep your electronics on your person

Things happen and luggage gets lost.  Always pack your electronics that are work related and essential, such as your laptop, tablet and smartphone on your person.  Take them as part of your hand luggage when on a flight to minimise the chance they are lost or stolen which will then affect your ability to work when away.

Use the hotel safe

If you have access to a hotel safe in your room then use it to store your laptop and tablets if you leave them behind for the day. 

Consider travel-friendly sized equipment

You don’t want to lug around a load of heavy equipment whilst travelling, so only take what you need to complete your job. Consider investing in a smaller laptop for travel purposes that is easier to carry around and also not of value to you. That way, if it’s damaged, lost or stolen you will still have your main laptop at home. If you use cloud-based documents then you won’t have lost anything you were working on. I once managed to pack an entire week’s worth of clothes and belongings AND my laptop in Ryanair’s under seat luggage allowance!

Password protect your electronics

For security, you should always password protect your electronics in case they are stolen. This will prevent your important work and information from being accessed by an unwanted individual and stolen or deleted.

Final Word

Working remotely while travelling can be both rewarding and challenging. With the right strategies in place, you can stay productive and maintain a healthy work-life balance, even when you’re on the road. From ensuring a reliable internet connection and securing your data with a VPN to setting up a comfortable workspace, planning ahead is key to making remote work successful.

Balancing travel with self-employment can be both liberating and demanding, especially when every day off potentially means missed income or opportunities. For freelancers or digital nomads who speak multiple languages, it’s worth exploring niche job options that align with your skills. If you’re looking for flexibility while on the move, check out romanian speaker remote roles that let you work from anywhere without sacrificing professional growth

Article Round-Up

• Ensure Reliable Internet Access: Use mobile hotspots, dongles, or co-working spaces to stay connected.
• Use a VPN: Protect your data on public Wi-Fi networks and ensure secure access to work systems.
• Remote Office Spaces: Take advantage of co-working spaces and internet cafes when you need a quiet workspace.
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Block out distractions and maintain focus while working in noisy environments.
• Set Boundaries: Take regular days off to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Travel-Friendly Equipment: Use portable and secure devices for remote work.
• Use Cloud Services: Store and sync your documents across devices for easy access.
• Make Use of Travel Time: Work during travel downtime, like waiting at airports or during long drives.
• Secure Your Devices: Keep your electronics with you, use hotel safes, and enable password protection.

By following these tips, you can make the most of your remote working experience while travelling, ensuring both productivity and enjoyment on your journey.

Before you go…

Click here for lots of ways to make money and travel at the same time!

And check out my blog post for how to stay healthy while travelling.