More and more careers are offering people the flexibility of working remotely from any location they choose. Whether you are a freelance writer, website developer, graphic designer, or simply running a blog, the digital nomad lifestyle allows you to travel the world and work the hours you choose while still being able to make a living.

And the best part is, most only need an internet connection and a laptop to do it!

There are, however, a few essential items every digital nomad should carry while travelling, such as travel insurance, which provides financial protection, and a few accessories for their devices that can make their online job easier. Here are our top recommendations for items that no digital nomad should ever leave home without.

Travel Insurance

This is by far the most important thing you can carry with you which will literally take up no space in your luggage. The rewarding digital nomad lifestyle you have created for yourself can quickly deteriorate if things go wrong and you aren’t protected by comprehensive travel insurance.

Should you get injured or fall ill while travelling abroad, you could be facing astronomical medical bills if not protected with insurance. Additionally, your travel insurance policy could potentially protect you from the loss or damage of your precious equipment such as your computer, phone, and camera.

The more you travel, the more chance you have of something eventually not going according to plan, so don’t risk your digital nomad career by not taking the simple and low cost step of purchasing a travel insurance policy. These days, it’s easy to get a quote and purchase your policy online, so buying travel insurance needn’t be a lengthy chore. A popular travel insurance company is World Nomads, check out The Broke Backpacker’s in-depth review here. 

Laptop Accessories

It goes without saying that every digital nomad will need a quality lightweight laptop to create projects and stay connected to the world. You want to make sure you invest in a computer that will give you the storage and capacity to effectively run all the programs you will need for your chosen digital nomad career.

In addition, you should carry an external hard drive to backup all your most important documents and photos. Computer data storage is often very limited, but hard drives can give you access to terabytes worth of important data.

Invest in a quality set of noise cancelling headphones since you may often find yourself working in busy and loud airports, cafes, and parks – they are also great for long-haul flights! Here’s how to make your next long haul flight less stressful.

Find out more: read about the best travel laptops for digital nomads!

Smartphone Accessories

Most digital nomads will carry a quality smartphone to stay connected to their email, keep up to date on social media, and make important business phone calls. When travelling overseas, look into purchasing an international SIM card or purchase a local SIM in the country you are in to save a lot of money on data charges.

Carry a portable power bank charger to make sure your phone never dies. You may not always have easy access to a power outlet. A car mount and car charger for your smartphone will allow you to focus on the road and use your phone for navigation purposes.

Make sure to protect your phone with a protective case and maybe carry a waterproof case if heading to the beach.

Camera

Many digital nomad careers require you to photograph products, locations, designs, or yourself in the case of influencers. Invest in a DSLR camera that will produce high quality images, and carry multiple lenses that will allow you to capture any shot you may need.

A compact tripod may be necessary for many circumstances especially when travelling alone. Many cameras drain batteries quickly, especially in cold weather, so always carry several spare batteries and pack more than enough memory cards to capture anything you may need.

A specially designed weather proof camera bag will keep your expensive investment safe from rain, sand, and dirt. It always pays to carry a smaller point and shoot camera as well for capturing impromptu shots when you don’t wish to or cannot carry your larger DSLR.

Work Uniform

One of the best things about being a digital nomad is that you get the freedom to wear pretty much whatever you like. That being said, you should still put some thought into what you include in your travelling wardrobe.

Comfortable clothes and shoes are essential when it comes to travelling but don’t forget to pack business clothes in case you need to meet clients or video chat with them online. You want to at least give the impression that you don’t live in your pyjamas or beach attire 24/7.

Travel with low maintenance clothing that won’t wrinkle easy and doesn’t require dry cleaning. Remember to dress for the season and conditions of the destination you are travelling to and always dress in culturally appropriate attire.

Of course, you’ll also need a good travel backpack – check out this post for plenty of backpack reviews and inspiration. 

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