Products & services
The Travel Kit.
Everything we would hand a friend moving out next month: flights, the ride from the airport, a bed for the first two weeks, data, a car and things to do.
People who write to us are rarely asking which city to pick. They are asking something smaller and more urgent: what actually needs sorting out before they leave, and what can safely wait until they land.
This page is the short version of that conversation. It is grouped by the problem you are trying to solve rather than by brand, because that is how the decisions arrive: first a flight, then a bed, then the quiet admin of living somewhere else. Nothing here is clever or new. These are the tools that became standard because they work, and because the people who came before you kept recommending them.
You will not need all of it. Some you will use once and forget about, and a few will not apply to the way you travel. Read the order below first, then jump to whichever group you need today.
Before you fly
The four things that are genuinely annoying to fix from abroad.
- Insurance that runs by the month rather than by the trip.
- An eSIM installed while you still have reliable Wi-Fi at home.
- A bed for the first few nights, cancellable up to the day you land.
- One account that can hold the currency you are moving to.
The first week
Slow down here. Most of this is cheaper and better once you have walked around.
- Compare a local SIM against your eSIM once you know your real data use.
- Visit the neighborhoods you shortlisted instead of trusting the map.
- Book the one tour you care about, leave the rest unplanned.
- Test your card at an ATM and a supermarket before you depend on it.
The first month
This is where the savings are, and where most people decide to stay.
- Trade the short-let for a monthly rate or a longer lease.
- Find a coworking space you actually like going to.
- Learn the transit pass; tourist fares add up quietly.
- Decide whether the city is worth a proper visa, then check the rules.
By need
Six groups, picked one at a time.
Each group is what we would use for that job, with a line on why it is here and what it is not good at.
Flights
Fares move with season and weekday. Search widely, and know your rights if things go wrong.
- AviasalesCompares airlines and booking sites at once; cheapest with flexible dates.
- Kiwi.comGood for multi-city routes and combining separate tickets when no direct fare exists.
- AirHelpClaims compensation for delayed, cancelled or overbooked flights.
- CompensairAnother flight compensation service, worth checking if a claim was refused.
Airport transfers
Lock in the ride from the airport before you land.
- KiwitaxiPre-booked transfers at a fixed price, so no haggling after a long flight.
- Welcome PickupsMeet-and-greet drivers, useful for late arrivals and new cities.
- GetTransferDrivers bid on your route, handy for longer or unusual trips.
- intui.travelPrivate transfers in many smaller destinations.
- Radical StorageLeave luggage in a nearby shop or café before check-in.
Where to stay
Book the first week or two centrally, then look for a monthly deal once you know the neighborhood.
Staying connected
Land with working data, then pick up a local SIM if you settle.
- AiraloRegional and country eSIM data packs, installed before you fly.
- SailySimple eSIM plans in an easy app.
- YesimeSIMs with flexible and unlimited plans in many countries.
- GigSkyReliable eSIM data, including regional and cruise plans.
- DrimsimOne physical SIM that works across most countries, pay as you go.
Getting around
For weekends away and places public transport does not reach.
- LocalrentRental cars from local companies, often with no big deposit.
- GetRentacarLocal rental agencies in Europe, Asia and beyond.
- EconomybookingsCompares major rental brands, including one-way drops.
- QEEQRental car comparison with clear included cover.
- AutoEuropeLong-running car hire broker across Europe and the UK.
- BikesBookingScooters and motorbikes in beach and island towns.
Things to do
Day trips, food tours and museum tickets, most cancellable up to a day before.
- KlookTours, attraction tickets and transport passes, strong in Asia.
- TiqetsInstant museum and attraction tickets on your phone.
- KKdayLocal experiences and day trips, especially across Asia.
- WeGoTripSelf-guided audio tours you can start whenever you like.
- Go CityCity passes that bundle many attractions for one price.
Choosing well
How to put together a digital nomad travel kit
Living somewhere for one to three months is different from a holiday. You need a furnished place with a proper desk and reliable Wi-Fi, travel insurance that covers long stays abroad, and a phone plan that works the moment you land. Sorting these before you fly saves the most money and stress.
Accommodation: book the first week or two on a flexible rate, then look for monthly discounts once you know which neighbourhood suits you. Always ask the host for a recent speed test and check that the listing has a real workspace.
Insurance: compare whether a policy covers medical care, remote work and stays outside your home country, and read the exclusions. Some visas also require proof of health insurance for the full stay.
eSIM and VPN: a travel eSIM gives you data straight away, and a local SIM is often cheaper for longer stays. A VPN helps on public Wi-Fi in cafés, airports and coworking spaces.
Money: a multi-currency card keeps exchange fees low when you pay rent, groceries and coworking in local currency.
Questions
Frequently asked
- What do I need before moving abroad as a digital nomad?
- At minimum: somewhere to stay for the first weeks, travel or nomad insurance, a way to get mobile data on arrival, and a card that avoids heavy exchange fees. Check visa rules for each country on its destination page.
- Is travel insurance enough for a long stay?
- Not always. Standard holiday policies often limit trip length. Look for cover designed for long stays or remote workers, and confirm it meets any visa requirements.
- Should I use an eSIM or a local SIM card?
- An eSIM is easiest for the first days. For stays of a month or more, a local SIM is often cheaper. Many people use both.
- Do I really need a VPN?
- It is useful on shared networks in cafés, hostels and coworking spaces, and when you need access to services from home.
- How do you choose what goes in the Travel Kit?
- We pick tools long-term travellers rely on. Some links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you, but that never decides what is listed.
How this works
We list tools we have used ourselves or that long-term travellers consistently trust. Some links pay us a commission at no extra cost to you, and that never decides what makes the list. Prices, coverage and terms change often, so check the details before you buy.
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