If you’re new to the life of location independence, the preparation for your first trip may seem overwhelming.
Even if you’re a seasoned traveler, there might still be things you’re missing or ways to improve your remote work journeys.
Being a digital nomad requires a different type of preparation compared to usual holiday-makers and short-term travelers. It’s normal to feel a bit lost at first.
Being prepared in advance will help you transition more smoothly to being a digital nomad and avoid unnecessary headaches.
As someone who’s been a full-time digital nomad for the last three years, I’ve found that there are a few must-have items that make life on the road so much easier.
In this guide I’ll share with you my 3 digital nomad essentials that have been game-changers for me.
1. Travel Bank Card
Banking is one of the most important things to sort out before you start your digital nomad journey.
A lot of people underestimate international charges and currency exchange fees and end up unnecessarily wasting a lot of money that adds up over time. Don’t let that be you!
Be prepared and get your travel cards as soon as possible. The best ones out there are Revolut and Monzo (if you’re UK or EU-based) and Wise (available worldwide). These give you the best exchange rates, free ATM withdrawals (with limitations) and flexibility when travelling abroad.
My personal favourite and what I’ve been using for my day-to-day is Revolut.
Some of the best perks that come with a Revolut account are:
No fees for domestic transfers and between Revolut accounts
You can easily send money and split the bill with your new friend from Greece, in the matter of seconds and with no associated fees.
Free ATM withdrawals
Most banks charge a set Foreign ATM withdrawal fee (£2-£5) and a Foreign ATM transaction fee on top. As you move around, over time this can add up and end up costing you a fortune!
Revolut has a limit on the free withdrawals you can have within a month but that depends on the level of your plan, i.e free Revolut accounts have £200 free withdrawals and anything after that is charged a 2% fee. But if you decide to upgrade to one of the paid plans that free withdrawals limit goes up to £800.
I recommend you start with a free plan and then decide if it makes sense for you to upgrade to one of the paid plans depending on your banking needs.
Perks and benefits included with Premium membership
Revolut’s Premium memberships come with many cool perks on top of the ATM withdrawal limits and higher interest rates on your savings account.
On top of that, I love that you also get a free Financial Times subscription, Chess.com and my favorite – 10 credits for ClassPass per month that I can use for massages and workout classes all around the world!
2. Digital Nomad Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is one of the biggest digital nomad essentials when travelling abroad.
I used to cringe at the idea of going through mundane paperwork, trying to get a comprehensive cover that makes sense for all the places I wanted to visit.
That was until I found SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance after doing tons of research on the best options for nomads. SafetyWing is what I’ve been using for the last 3 years and has kept me covered in the 15 countries I’ve visited during that time.
These are the things I love most about SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance:
Easy Sign-Up Process
Signing up to SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance is super easy and simple. It’s designed to get you covered quickly, with minimal steps and no complicated paperwork. I love how quick the process is as I have often purchased insurance just before heading on a big adventure, making it super convenient.
It’s also super easy to see the exact terms of your cover and what it includes in their super clear dashboard. It’s a breath of fresh air in comparison to other more traditional insurance brokers that send you hundreds of pages of documents that are so hard to read through.
You can sign up any time
SafetyWing stands out for its adaptability to the nomadic lifestyle. The ability to sign up for insurance mid-journey and adjust the coverage days according to my travel schedule is a game-changer. This flexibility is amazing when your travel plans are often fluid and can change with little notice.
It’s affordable
SafetyWing offers an affordable solution that fits my needs perfectly. The pricing structure allows for paying only when I need coverage, avoiding the financial burden of a continuous insurance policy. I usually switch off my insurance when I’m staying in my home country to save up on costs even further.
$0 Deductible Policy
One of my favourite features is the $0 deductible policy. This means that I don’t have to pay any initial amount out of my pocket before my coverage kicks in.
Sometimes the costs of the treatments are so small that it wouldn’t make sense to claim anything on it if you have a big deductible. That’s why the $0 deductible policy is absolutely amazing in this case.
Adventure Activities Cover
SafetyWing provides specific coverage for a range of adventure activities, from diving to skiing and all the fun stuff you may want to do on your trips!
It’s an amazing plus for any adventure traveller loving a bit of an adrenaline rush, while knowing that they’re covered in case of accidents!
3. E-sim for travelling and home sim card
There’s two ways I use e-sims that make my life so much easier.
Home sim cards
I’ve changed my basic cards that I have accounts with etc. to e-sims, so I never have to deal with the whole swapping cards situation when needing a verification code for my PayPal account for example.
I’ve swapped both my Bulgarian and UK sim cards to E-sims and it’s made my life so much easier!
International e-sims
I always use AirAlo before arriving in my new destination and load an e-sim plan. This way I know that no matter what, I’ll have internet connection when I arrive at my new destination without having to worry about getting a sim card straight away.
This is especially handy if you’re arriving late at night and you’re unsure whether there will be somewhere to purchase a local sim card.
Or if you’re travelling by bus or car to your new destination rather than through an airport, so again being able to buy a local sim card on arrival isn’t guaranteed.
I always get an e-sim from AirAlo even if it’s a package valid only for a couple of days or a week. The packages are usually super affordable and it gives you great peace of mind knowing that you won’t have troubles getting to your accommodation at any time of day.
Final thoughts
Starting your digital nomad journey can be a bit daunting, but being prepared will make it so much easier.
Having the right travel bank card, reliable travel insurance, and an e-sim for constant internet access are key.
These essentials can help you avoid headaches and enjoy your travels more. With these tips, you’ll be ready to handle whatever comes your way and make the most of your digital nomad journey.
Safe travels and enjoy the adventure!
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