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How to Stay Productive While Working Remotely and Traveling Full Time

BySherry Arkfeld Updated

Working while traveling full-time sounds like the dream. Beaches, new cities, no commute.

The reality is that it’s hard to stay productive while working remotely when you’re juggling flight schedules, Wi-Fi problems, and the constant temptation to explore.

I’ve been a digital nomad since 2022 and learned the hard way that productivity on the road takes more than a laptop and good intentions.

Here’s what actually works if you want to get things done and still enjoy where you are.

How to Stay Productive While Working Remotely

1. Choose Where You Stay With Work in Mind

Your accommodation sets the tone for your workday.

  • Check Wi-Fi before booking. Don’t trust the word “Wi-Fi” in a listing. Ask for a screenshot of the speed test. I aim for at least 25 Mbps download for video calls.
  • Look at noise levels. A cute apartment above a beach club sounds fun until you’re taking client calls at 10 a.m. while the club is blasting Thriller (ask me how I know this!).
  • Consider workspaces. Is there a table or desk? Will you need to work from bed? Those things matter when it’s your daily office.
A woman in a yellow floral dress sits outdoors at a round metal table, talking on her phone while working on a tablet. She’s smiling and wearing sunglasses, with a blue water bottle on the table and lush greenery in the background.

2. Build a Routine (Even if You’re Changing Locations)

Travel throws off routines, but having even a loose schedule keeps you sane.

  • Set consistent work hours so your brain knows when to focus.
  • Have a morning ritual you can do anywhere: coffee, short walk, check email.
  • Block off time zones in your calendar. If you work with clients, set expectations early about your availability.

3. Separate Work and Play

The hardest part of being a nomad is balancing sightseeing with deadlines.

  • Pick a primary work block each day and protect it. For me, it’s mornings.
  • Batch sightseeing into afternoons or weekends so you’re not half-working, half-exploring.
  • Remember that you don’t have to do it all in one day. You’re living there, not vacationing.

4. Have Backup Plans for Bad Wi-Fi

You will have Wi-Fi failures. Plan for them.

  • Carry a local SIM card or eSIM for hotspot backup.
  • Download offline files before travel days.
  • Scout coworking spaces or cafes in each city before you arrive.
A woman works on a laptop displaying a remote jobs website while seated at a seaside table. A glass pitcher of orange juice and snacks sit nearby with ocean cliffs in the background.

5. Travel Slower Than You Think You Should

Burnout is real when you’re moving every few days.

  • Spend at least a few weeks in each place if you can.
  • Slower travel gives you time to work, explore, and actually rest.
  • It also saves money and helps you find favorite cafes and routines.

6. Manage Your Energy, Not Just Your Time

Productivity isn’t about filling every hour. It’s about knowing when you do your best work.

  • If you’re a morning person, schedule your deep work before noon.
  • Use travel days as rest days and don’t plan to get much done besides the basics.
  • Give yourself permission to take breaks. Long-term travel is a marathon, not a sprint.

7. Keep Your Setup Simple

You don’t need a fancy digital nomad kit, but a few essentials help:

  • Lightweight laptop and charger
  • Noise-canceling headphones
  • Portable laptop stand and external mouse (your neck will thank you)
  • A small power strip or multi-port charger for shared spaces

8. Communicate Clearly With Clients or Teams

Remote work fails when communication breaks down.

  • Be upfront about time zones and response times.
  • Use tools like Slack, Notion, or Asana to keep everyone updated.
  • Overcommunicate when traveling between locations so people aren’t left guessing.

9. Set Boundaries So Work Doesn’t Take Over

When your office is your backpack, it’s easy to be “on” all the time.

  • Define work hours and actually log off when you’re done.
  • Avoid checking emails at dinner or while sightseeing.
  • Build in time off so you don’t forget why you started traveling in the first place.
A man sits at the edge of a resort pool with his feet in the water, holding a phone to his ear and working on a laptop. Tropical pavilions and a decorative fountain are visible in the background.

Wrap-Up: Stay Productive While Working Remotely

Being productive as a digital nomad is possible, but it takes planning.

The goal isn’t to work like you would in an office. It’s to work enough to sustain your lifestyle while leaving space to actually enjoy the places you’re in.

Find what rhythm works for you, keep your setup light, and travel at a pace that lets you stay present.

You’ll get more done, feel less stressed, and remember why you chose this lifestyle in the first place.

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Ladies, join my free, private Facebook group, Women Over 50 Digital Nomads. It’s a safe place to connect, learn, and thrive as a digital nomad. You don’t need to be over 50 but you do need to be a woman.

Sherry Arkfeld is a digital nomad, travel blogger, and copywriter living her dream of being able to work from anywhere in the world while exploring new places with her little dog, Shelby. Sherry is passionate about sharing her experiences to help other travelers and digital nomads. Sherry and Shelby are currently traveling slowly around Mexico with plans to eventually go (almost) everywhere.