Today I'm going to list the equipment I pack for my portable office setup when I'm travelling and working remotely. The remote work travel gear list will include what you need when working close to home and working remotely in Europe or other countries.
The big consideration when traveling and working in a different country is to ensure you can power all your portable equipment like; laptop, iPad, smartphones, etc. And you want to make sure it's not too bulky so you can fit it easily in your laptop or carry-on bag.
I don't recommend putting any of your portable office setup in your checked bag. This is for a few reasons:
- You probably want it for working at the airport, on the plane, or along the way.
- You don't want to lose it along the way. Even a day without your remote office can impact your business. Or maybe you don't want to work when you are traveling and then okay to lose it along the way.🙂
I remember flying into Las Vegas for a conference and diligently turned on my iPhone to get text messages, emails, and updates as soon as we landed. The guy beside me says “what are you doing? You're in Vega – have some fun!” Then went on to say “leave your phone off for awhile, if anyone asks say you forgot to turn it on when you landed.” Good advice when you are traveling for work, make sure you enjoy some of the local sites.
What to Pack for Your Portable Office Setup
Primary Remote Travel Gear
- Laptop, iPad, or primary computing device
- Smartphone
- Power cables for your Laptop, iPad, Smartphone, etc.
- Laptop bag or backup to carry your remote office setup
Remote Travel Gear Accessories
- Small power bar for all of your AC power connectors
- Power adapter for all the countries you are traveling in
- For Europe I purchased a 2 Pack of the European Travel Plug Adapter, VYLEE International Travel Adapter with 2 Outlets 4 USB Ports(2 USB C) from Amazon – one on the left pictured above
- For the UK I purchased a 3 pack of the Ceptics Canada to UK, Ireland, UAE Travel Adapter (Type G) from Amazon – one in the middle pictured above
- Ear buds for your smartphone or laptop
- Travel size keyboard and mouse
- I've always been happy with the logitech mouse – pictured above
- If you are using an iPad a Bluetooth connected travel keyboard is a great option
- Ear buds or adapter to connect to the in-flight entertainment, the ear bud connector is an older style and may be different than the one you use for your smart phone
- Small zippered bag to carry all of your power cords, power adapters, ear buds, etc. I find this very handy to keep organized while traveling on the plane, in hotels and cafes.
Additional Equipment for Working While Traveling
- Small battery backup for your smartphone, handy if running low on power and no where to plug in your portable office setup
- USB memory stick, useful if you need to transfer files from one device to another
- Noise cancelling headphones, with adapter to connect to the in-flight entertainment
Software Tools for Working Remotely
- Cloud backup solutions like: Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud
- Very helpful if something happens to your laptop or iPad you've been doing your work on and it gets lost or destroyed along the way.
- Organization and writing tools like: Evernote, Notion, or OneNote
- I really like Evernote for the ability to write articles and notes on multiple devices. This is a paid feature, but really useful. I'm writing this article using Evernote.
- VPN – A Virtual Private Network is a must have when travelling and connecting on WiFi hotspots at hotels, restaurants, and cafes free WiFi. If you have anti-virus software installed on your laptop you may already have a VPN included. I use McAfee <link> software and their VPN software is included
Services and Final Tip
- e-SIM for your Smartphone – this will save you a lot of money when you would be roaming on your regular cellular service.
- I use and highly recommend Airalo Global e-SIMs, been using for the last few years while traveling with my iPhone and it works great
- If your Smartphone doesn't support an e-SIM you can always look at buying a local SIM and swapping it with your home carrier SIM.
- Portable WiFi hotspot – more secure than connecting to a free WiFi in a cafe or hotel, but you do need a cellular plan for it to work
- You may also be able to use your Smartphone as a portable WiFi hotspot
- Ensure everything is charged before you leave your home, office, or hotel. You never know when you find power and have time to charge your remote office equipment.
Summary
Whether you're working from a local café or halfway across the world, having the right portable office setup makes remote work easier, more productive, and stress-free. From your core tech like laptops and smartphones to essential remote work travel gear like power adapters, cloud tools, and e-SIMs, every item in your travel kit plays a role. Prioritize lightweight, versatile gear that keeps you connected and organized on the go. And don’t forget to pack a little flexibility and curiosity—because remote work is just as much about the journey as the job.
On a final note, if you are a digital nomad and looking for tech gear for your van, check out this fantastic article from To the Mountains and Back: Van Life Tech.