Nomad Know-Hows: 15 Insider Tips for Full-Time Travel

Travel… Nobody is going to get it right the first time! I guess that’s the beauty of the act; making mistakes and screwing up to learn along the way, otherwise, the adventure wouldn’t be half an exciting story to tell. All of this is well and said, but if you could eliminate just a few of the inevitable mishaps, you could be onto a happy balance.

As a nomad of seven years (and counting), I’ve experienced many adventures in an attempt to gain a comfortable level of knowledge, hindsight and confidence.

Is being a full-time traveller a dream of yours? Whether you’re a trainee nomad or a newbie wanderer, discover invaluable insights and read expert advice to navigate the world with these tips for full-time travel.

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Insider Tips for Full-Time Travel

Keep a Record of Entry & Exits

Have you ever been stumped by the visa application request, ‘list every country you have visited in the last 10 years‘? This is particularly difficult if you must also note the date on which you entered and exited each country, especially if the immigration of said country did not stamp your passport.

Spare yourself the mind-numbing investigation work by keeping a record of your travel history as you go along. I prefer to keep a note of the entry and exit days in a document on my laptop.

Network

Whether you are making like-minded friends at a coliving space, working from a cafe in Kathmandu, dating in Canggu, or sharing an Uber with a stranger in London; you might think each is a fleeting interaction, but as you travel more, it really does become evident in how small the world truly is.

‘Your network is your net worth‘ is a quote so many of us have come to embrace in a business setting, but it’s also so relevant to the many circle(s) of newfound friends that you’ll encounter on your travels. The importance of some contacts could be incredibly evident at the time, but others mightn’t be so obvious until you cross paths with them once again in a different location. With this in mind, keep your contacts close, because you never know when you’ll need that travel buddy, couch to sleep on or local friend.

Onward Ticket

Have you ever been pressured into booking an onward flight for the sake of a visa application?

An onward ticket, also referred to as a return ticket, is often required by airlines or immigration as a form of proof that travellers do not intend to overstay their visas or illegally immigrate to a country. However, as a free-spirited nomad, you mightn’t have decided how long you would like to stay and where is next. Thankfully, with tools such as Onward Ticket, it is now possible to delay this decision by purchasing a “fake flight”.

Simply specify a route and date, then enter your passenger details. A real reservation with a PNR code will be created by a registered travel agency. This “flight reservation” can be downloaded, as you would normally, on a PDF document. It is valid for 48 hours.

Be Findable on Find My

Apple’s ‘Find My’ app allows travellers to share their location with friends or family members, wherever they may be. This can help coordinate meet-ups, ensure others know your whereabouts for safety reasons, or simply keep loved ones updated on your travels. It can also add the practical benefit of device recovery if your phone has been lost or stolen.

Use a Multi-Currency Bank

Managing finances across borders is a headache, especially if you plan to earn money in multiple currencies. Streamline your figures without the dramas or major costs by simply opening a multi-currency account with Wise, formerly known as Transferwise. It will enable you to hold, manage, and exchange many currencies effortlessly. It’s an incredibly simple solution that will not have you limited to any country, currency or bank account ever again.

READ: How I Live as a Full-Time Traveller (My Journey)

Be Present on Social Media

Travel friends are friends for life, especially if you can remain in contact. Most sociable travellers will inevitably and naturally build a repertoire of travel buddies on social media. This mightn’t only be from the many in-person introductions and farewells, but it could also be from interacting with like-minded nomads online.

It can be hard to keep track of these connections in any other way unless both parties are updating their profile regularly with their location. This is most useful when landing in a new location. It could be that you notice a previous connection you’ve already made is in the same country or city, so your collection of contacts could be the easiest and quickest opportunity to find your first friend. You never know who you might be in the same place at the same time once again! Say thing, come say ‘hello’ over on my Instagram.

There are similar benefits of Facebook too! So many niche Facebook groups are home to hundreds of knowledgeable travellers who are ready to share, and possibly even meet up. My particular favourites are, ‘Every Passport Stamp‘ and ‘Host a Sister’.

Bring a Water Bottle

Whether you are looking to save space, reduce single-use plastic waste or ensure that your water is kept the coolest, a water bottle will be one of the most used items on your packing list. If this isn’t a good enough reason to invest in the right one, then what is?

From emptying the contents for airport security to refilling on the way to your gate, whilst larger and clunky water bottles can be beneficial, they may also have you carrying a noticeable amount of extra weight, and unnecessary weight if the bottle is empty. For this reason, I highly suggest that every traveller consider the crushable Vapur Water Bottle. Once empty, you can simply roll up the bottle to store it without any drama.

SIMILAR: Travel Essentials for Digital Nomads

Use a Virtual Private Network

Full-time travellers connect to many different WiFi networks in all kinds of places for banking, emails and everything in between. With this in mind, it is important to make sure that your information is protected. This can be done by using a reliable virtual private network (VPN) which hides your online location.

I promise you, they aren’t as complicated to use as they sound…

In addition, VPNs can also allow users to access websites that might otherwise be blocked in the country they are presently searching from. For example, you could access Instagram in China or even watch movies from America’s Netflix.

Always Carry Cash

While cashless transactions are becoming increasingly common, carrying cash as a traveller still holds several benefits. Hiding a secret emergency wad of a strong currency (such as US Dollars) in your daily backpack is recommended for the following reasons:

1. Universal Acceptance – In some remote or less developed areas, card payment facilities may be limited or nonexistent. Being equipped with cash would ensure that you can always make a purchase or pay for services in any location, regardless of an unexpected lack of technological infrastructure.
2. Emergency Situations – Physical money can provide a safety net during unforeseen circumstances, such as,
3. Negotiation Power – If the provider of a service knows you have cash to hand, it may save you from situations where you might have otherwise been at a checkmate.
4. Backup Payment Method – While cards, mobile wallets and online transfers are convenient, they are susceptible to technical glitches or system failures. Carrying cash will ensure that you have an alternative means of payment in such unpredictable scenarios.

Trust me when I say that I strongly stress that every traveller takes some amount of cash. I have experienced a few countries where I arrived without any working method of payment. I was stuck. After these experiences, I’ve never travelled without physical money again. It’s an essential packing item!

Hand Luggage Only

It may take most travellers the experience of travelling with an oversized bag to realise how inconvenient they truly are. Alternatively, you can take the advice from a very well-travelled nomad and save yourself the dramas early on.

There are so many advantages to travelling with hand luggage only, but the most obvious are evident at the airport. Most airlines charge extra fees for checked luggage. By travelling with a carry-on bag only, you can avoid these additional costs. As a bonus, you are then able to skip the check-in and bag-drop process at the airport, head straight to security and dodge the crowds at the arrival hall who are left waiting for their luggage to appear.

With all the essentials in a compact bag, you’ll also be more mobile during your trip. With this adaptability, you can easily switch between transportation modes or move around crowds and places without being burdened by bulky luggage.

Finally, there is the benefit of security… If your luggage is small enough, you can keep your belongings with you in public bathrooms, on transport and lock them away in lockers.

Are you interested in learning how to pack as little as possible? These packing secrets will ensure your backpack remains as lightweight as possible.

Always Use Packing Cubes

The difference between a not-so and experienced traveller isn’t necessarily what they pack but how they pack. With so many secrets, there is a whole blog about Ultralight Packing Tips for Full-Time travellers, but without a doubt, one key component is the packing cube. It’s a must-have for any type of traveller!

Take Copies of Your Passport

Keeping photocopies of your documents handy whilst you travel could remove the complexities from unexpected difficult situations such as; the processes of a lost passport, faster embassy assistance and checking in to accommodation.

Pack a Tracker

AirTags are linked to the ‘Find My’ app on your iPhone. They are made to be hidden inside a backpack or suitcase, so the owner can relocate the lost or stolen items by following a live map. These small devices can also be a lifesaver when your luggage doesn’t appear at baggage claim.

Read this blog for more tips and tricks on keeping your gear safe.

In a similar light, Apple’s ‘Find My’ app allows travellers to share their location with friends or family members, wherever they may be. This can help coordinate meet-ups, ensure others know your whereabouts for safety reasons, or simply keep loved ones updated on your travels. It can also add the practical benefit of device recovery if your phone has been lost or stolen.

Consume Electrolytes

Electrolytes are essential to basic bodily functions. They can often need replenishing after common imbalances you are likely to experience on an ordinary day on the road, such as exercising, excessive sweating or an illness. Typical signs of electrolyte deficiency can include muscle cramps, fatigue, thirst, dizziness and infrequent urination. Therefore, as with other common medications, being equipped with electrolytes could potentially save you from discomfort on a faraway adventure.

Always Be Insured

It’s a purchase you hope you’ll never have to use, but if you were caught without, the repercussions could be catastrophic. Travel insurance is crucial in medical emergencies, trip cancellations, theft and even, peace of mind.

However, it can be a constant battle as a full-time traveller to find a suitable policy that doesn’t turn null and void with extended trip lengths, returning home, visiting the lesser-visited countries and if the insurance was bought out with your home country.

SafetyWing is travel insurance for nomads, by nomads. If you are unsure how long you’ll be travelling for, or you haven’t committed to any destination just yet, SafetyWing is convenient, flexible and simple.

Would you like to more about the author’s journey to becoming a digital nomad? This 3-month journey overview is an outline of the my transition into full-time travel.

Let’s go!
@katie.maree

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