I’ve been working remotely and traveling full-time for around five months. Here are the most common questions I get about traveling while holding down a full-time job.
I started my trip in the Balkans and Spain, so these answers are specific to those regions, but most can be applied to anywhere.
Finding a Remote Job
What is your remote job now?
I work for a cybersecurity company called Nira, and I’m on the content team. I found my job on a site called WeWorkRemotely. I applied to over 70 jobs when searching for a fully remote role.
Did you update or do a lot with your LinkedIn to find your job?
I applied to lots of jobs on LinkedIn and barely heard back. I found the two remote jobs I’ve had (both tech startups) through Twitter and WeWorkRemotely. I think it helps to have an updated LinkedIn profile, but it’s not the defining factor to finding a good job.
Were you qualified to do all of the jobs you applied for or did you learn once you were offered a job?
I applied to a mix of jobs revolving around my educational and professional background: writing/ marketing, education, and linguistics. However the job I got wasn’t in my field (IT/ cybersecurity) although it still utilizes my skill set (writing and editing). So I would say if something seems interesting to you, still apply even if it’s not in your original field but leverage the skills/ experience/ passion you already have.
When you finally landed a job, what do you think got you the job? Do you enjoy it? Why or why not?
I think it helped that I applied through an unorthodox job site rather than LinkedIn or Indeed. So many people apply using those sites, but there is a smaller pool applying to sites like WeWorkRemotely. I also did a writing test, and I think that helped me get hired.
I personally enjoy my job because although it is not in my field (cybersecurity/ IT), it allows me to use my passions and background (writing and editing). I also value that the company is flexible and fully remote, and I’m always learning.
Was the pay something that supported your travels?
It has definitely supported my travels. Since I work for a tech company, the pay is substantially better than when I was a teacher. However, even when I had a small stipend as an EFL educator, I traveled a lot so it’s still doable on smaller budgets.
Working Remotely
Are you working 9-5 and how did you plan out your work day?
I worked US hours while in Europe. I would start work around 1-2 p.m. CEST and get off around 9-10 p.m. However, my company is flexible so if I needed to work in the morning one day instead of the evening I was able to. I made sure I was always available on days when we have meetings (thankfully just Tuesdays for me). When I needed to travel to a new place, I generally did it on a weekend in case something went wrong with public transport.
Where did you go to work? Did you use coworking spaces?
I didn’t use coworking this time (I only stayed at air bnbs with good reviews for WiFi), but I did work a few days with a coworker at a WeWork in Barcelona that had a nice setup. I enjoyed working there, and it was fun to meet up with a coworker in person. However, I’m not sure how much it costs as I went for free as his guest. I mostly worked in local libraries where it was quiet, and I could work for free.
Technology Questions
What did you do for your phone plan?
I used an app called Airalo to get local eSim cards. You can also buy a physical SIM card in the country you’re traveling. It was much cheaper than doing an international plan through my phone carrier (which is $10 per day). I paid 5-10 euros for one week to a month of data. Just make sure your phone is unlocked if you go the SIM card method.
Were you able to connect to WiFi when you needed to? Did you use a hotspot?
I was able to connect to WiFi easily and didn’t use a hotspot for the first month and a half. Toward the end of the trip, I got an eSim and used a hotspot on my phone if I had issues. But WiFi from air bnbs, cafes, and libraries all worked well.
Visa Questions
Did you need a visa?
I didn’t need a visa because I didn’t overstay my 90 day allowance in the Schengen zone or 90 days per each country in the Balkans. If you need a visa depends on your passport and the rules of the country you are visiting, which you can find with a quick online search.
Accommodation and Cost of Living
How did you find places to stay?
I used air bnb and Booking.com to find apartments. Depending on your budget, the Balkans can be pretty affordable during the off-season and aren’t too outrageously expensive during tourist season (compared to other places in Europe). I did find that air bnb had quite a few fees so if you can find local groups or people who are renting rooms, you will get a better deal. Or if you stay in places for more than a month your costs will generally be lower. I also stayed with friends and family in Spain which helped with the overall costs.
What is the daily cost of living in the Balkans?
As far as daily costs, it depends on your budget, but food/ restaurants were much more affordable in Albania, Macedonia, and Bosnia. Montenegro was also fairly affordable. Spain, Croatia, and Greece were slightly more expensive but still cost less than other European countries I’ve visited like Germany or England.
What was the cost breakdown of your trip?
These numbers are rough, but I spent about $80 per day during my almost three-month trip. I spent around $32.11 per day on accommodation and $48 per day on everything else: food, restaurants, tours, souvenirs, museums, and public transportation including trains, buses, and flights to and from Europe.
Traveling Solo
Of the places you visited, where would you go back for a longer stay and why?
I loved Sarajevo in Bosnia and Ohrid in North Macedonia and made friends there, so I could see myself going back. For visa purposes (people from the US can stay a year with just a passport), I would choose Albania. I prefer the capital Tirana for living year-round.
I lived in Spain for a couple years so will always recommend it, but I can’t stay as long (90 days in the Schengen zone). However, I am exploring their new digital nomad visa which would allow me to stay for a year.
How did you get around?
I flew into Greece from the US and then took a ferry to Albania. I used mostly local buses, shuttle buses, and taxis to get around Albania and Macedonia. I took a private tour to get from Croatia to Bosnia although you can easily do this with a public bus. I took the train (one of my favorite experiences) from Mostar to Sarajevo and then used local buses for the rest of the trip.
I flew from Croatia to Spain and in Spain, I used a combination of trains, metro, a carpooling service called blablacar, and friends’ cars/ motos to get where I needed to go. Public transport is everywhere, and most cities are extremely walkable.
How did you meet people/ make friends?
I met new people through the Couchsurfing Hangouts app, on tours, and on public transport. I also got to see friends and family who came to meet me in Montenegro and Bosnia, as well as friends and family in Spain.
Did you ever feel lonely?
When solo traveling, there are definitely moments when you feel incredibly alone and begin to rethink your life choices. For me, the joy and freedom of solitude outweighs the anxiety of loneliness, but it’s key to find a balance. I found being able to talk to and keep up with friends and family back home helped a lot.