Hello, what are some of the items you cannot live without as well as those that are essential to having a pleasant digital nomad experience.
Thank you :)
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Apple AirTags
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Travel rewards card with free withdrawals/international transactions + a backup such as wise.
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Plug adaptor + small lightweight power bank
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eSim
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money
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Portable monitor, a real mouse and a mouse pad.
What about using AR to replace the monitor? I’ve been looking forward to trying this out
all-in-one plug adaptor. Used to have different ones for US, UK and EU plugs till I found the “all-in-one” kind. Lifesaver
waterproof backpack- I travel with a carry-on only, so a durable waterproof backpack was a must
multiple bank cards- I’m unlucky when it comes to ATMs. Had my cards swallowed a few times last week in Vietnam, so I always make sure to have at least 2 per account.
Are we counting apps too?
WifiMap- to find spots with fast internet in local cafes/restaurants/hotels/wherever in different parts of the world
Revolut- used to have a “travel-oriented” card with my local bank back home. Still was overcharged between 8-12% per transaction outside the EU. Switched to Revolut and can’t recommend it enough- fantastic support (chargeback claims on debit cards sorted in 2 days!) and low fees
Dragonpass/priority pass/lounge access- this is a real blessing if you’re at an airport at least once a month.
Had no idea wifi map existed, this is sooooo cool! Thanks for sharing this!!!
Does WifiMap let you find the download/upload speed of places?
Yep!
Oh interesting you have to tap into the individual item to see the wifi then right? I see the wifi health bar but not sure what that indicates
Cannot recommend Revolut enough. I know they have kinda shitty customer service but I use the metal plan and the ability to hold multiple currencies is great.
Wise since Revolut doesn’t serve people from my country
Yup, that works too.
Sorry to hear about the discrimination.
If you have Schwab, they fedex my replacement debit card to me while I was in South America
Priority pass changed my flight experience so much in a good way. It is a luxurious thing, but it makes it so much better. Before I would have to pick between stress of missing my flight, or not being able to work. With priority pass I just leave 3.5 hours in advance, travel to the airport no stress and then plop down in a lounge and work while eating and drinking something. That is +/- 1.5 to 2.5 hours every flight I can just be productive while having to ‘wait’.
In-flight wifi is also on my list, long haul I never travel without anymore. If I am sitting in a metal tube for 10 hours, I might as well take 8 of those hours and be productive while I am flying. The 30 euro for wifi is a no brainer then.
Once you add up the meals, coffees, and free internet access Priority Pass looks more like a good investment than a luxury. I’m kicking myself for the years I traveled without it.
Some credit cards offer it.
Totally agree! We have the Chase Reserve card with priority pass. We don’t use the lounges all that much, but we use the priority pass for the food credit of $80 for you and a guest. We travel with our 2 kids so they are each our guest, and get we get a total of $160 in food when traveling to or from most airports. It’s awesome! Along with the $300 travel credit each year the card pays for itself many times over for us.
We have T mobile Magenta Max phone plan which comes with free in flight wifi which is also a great perk if you travel a lot!
I have a Satechi 160 w power bank. One figure eight C8 cord in and 4 USBC ports out. The most powerful port runs 100 w which is enough to run my laptop. I have US, EU and UK cords but if I need another one the figure eight standard makes it easy & cheap to get.
hows Vietnam nowadays? i went in 2017, was my favourite place so far ! would love to go back.
Da Nang city has now become a great place for Digital Nomal
Amazing! Second-favorite place for me after Thailand
Great calls
Do banks issue multiple cards per account?
In Poland where my bank is, yes :)
- Charles Schwab debit card (unlimited ATM fee reimbursements)
- U.S. passport card (better than carrying my actual passport or driver’s license everywhere)
- backup credit card and debit card
- ARZOPA portable monitor
- laptop stand / monitor stand
- Logitech wireless bluetooth keyboard
- Marchway lightweight packable camping chair (for beach)
- SIM card carrying case
- stuffable day pack
- Xiaomi Redmi 10 smartphone (my burner phone with local SIM card)
- large supply of condoms (must less expensive and better quality in USA)
- Philips Sonicare travel electric toothbrush
- large supply of Gas-X and Pepto Bismol
- extra toothbrushes (for overnight guests)
- Adidas Ultraboosts (or some comfortable shoe for lots of walking)
- sunscreen (touristy beach towns price gouge)
- plastic compression bags for clothes
Because I split my time between the USA and nomading, I find it’s easier to own duplicates of everything that I use on a daily basis. Two razors, two computer chargers, two two tubs of hair gel, etc. The items designed for travel just stay in a box at home when not in use. Dramatically reduces the chances that I forget to pack something for the trip.
What brand condoms do you prefer? I find that Durex ribbed in magnum size works pretty well for me.
Power bank.
My macbook and a powerbank is all I need for a whole year trip
For Latin America I would say a Grayl water filter bottle is a must-have. Unfortunately I lost mine on the way home after my first trip with it, but I immediately bought another one. It’s $100, but definitely worth it when tap water isn’t safe. Also great for long walks during the day that may have a waterfall/stream.
- Nintendo Switch
- 13" laptop
luckily i never interested with bigger screen, so i dont need second monitor at all when i’m working
Macbook Air M1 has been a godsend, it was light, quite small and i literally can place it on my lap while working ( the temperature never get too hot)
- 40 litre backpack
dont have suitcase, which is good thing, i tried to put all my stuff with this backpack, so i dont need to buy checked baggage on airport
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wise debit card
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smartphone
dont need additional camera, the phone is good enough to capture the moment
- bunch of clothes, toiletries and thats it
While not quite as compact as the Switch, the Steam Deck is insane for how well it replicates a true pc gaming experience on the go.
I’m m currently carrying a steam deck. It’s awesome!
The Air M1 is spot on, it is the exact machine I am also using and traveling with. Every person around me is questioning why I (lead developer) is working on an Air instead of a Pro. But it is more than fast enough and so light that I would never pick the pro.
And the really great part is it’s only $750 at Costco. 8 gig 256gb version. Handles video very well.
It’s basically the same thing. M1 silicon has been a game changer for me. Low heat, great battery life, just need to consciously avoid Rosetta x86 emulation as that tanks all benefits.
Passport & condoms, the bread and butter of passport bros
And my aer travel pack is pretty nice (aer pls pay me now)
A Western passport, preferably more than one
I’m tryna get on that bruh
All I can see that’s realistic in a short time span is CBI, but it’s so out of budget
The Nintendo switch is an underrated item if you’re traveling a lot. Great for passing time when you have long layovers and a phenomenal way to make friends with people sitting next to you on planes, busses, or trains. Even better if you can find a place to jailbreak it and download all the available games you want.
I have a steamdeck but I’m thinking of getting a Switch since it’s a bit smaller.
New steamdeck is significantly lighter
various bags - laundry bag, tech bag (for cables, chargers etc), tote, cross body, backpack for day excursions
Power Bank
Packing cubes
Hell yeah I love organizing by bag. Have a lot of peak design stuff
- Egyptian cotton bath towel and bed sheet - I need my creature comforts.
- Vacuum bags for packing. -Mosquito repellent!!!
Interesting, how much space does that take? I see you’re following the main rule of the hitchhikers guide
We take an echo dot and a Roku stick with us for entertainment.