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Nomadic travelling: find out how to travel the world full-time

Nomadic travelling is a dream for many, but can seem like a daunting task. In this article, I share all you need to know to become a travel nomad.

Adam NomadicVA.com

Jul 03, 2023

Are you curious about nomadic travelling? If you want to know how to travel the world full-time while living the digital nomad lifestyle , you're not alone. I asked that question for years, and now it's the main question people ask me. 

I quit my job in a UK High School in January 2018. To begin with, I was earning less than $50 per month as a freelancer.  Now I have my own Virtual Assistant business and I'm really enjoying this nomadic travelling lifestyle.

By sharing what I learned I hope to encourage more people to take the leap and become travel nomads like me.

What is nomadic travelling?

Many people have been talking about nomadic travelling, but what exactly does it mean? 

According to the dictionaries, a nomad is "an individual who roams about". Basically, it's someone who travels around the world without a home base. In most cases, a travel nomad has no set plans, deciding to spend a few weeks or months in different places as they feel like. 

There are many types of nomadic travellers and plenty of different ways to support this lifestyle, as I'll show you below. But most of them have some things in common, such as the eagerness to see the world and immerse themselves in different cultures .

In this article, we'll focus on digital nomadism, which means supporting yourself by working online as you travel the world. But it's also possible to find local jobs while you travel.

The truth about nomadic travelling

Taking the step from travelling for pleasure to becoming a professional nomad isn't easy. In recent years an entire industry has popped up around it. 

There are thousands of nomadic travelling courses all promising to give you the financial freedom to wander the globe. Honestly, most of them are junk. I know because I paid for lots of them.

They sell the dream, and who doesn't want the dream? Sitting on a beach with your laptop, the cash rolling in as you enjoy another cocktail. 

But where do they plug these laptops in to recharge them? How do they stop them from overheating in that baking sun? Have you ever tried to get sand out of a keyboard?

These are just some of the questions you should be asking when someone pitches you that dream.

In honesty, being a digital nomad is a full-time job . True, your 'office' may be prettier than most and you decide your own working hours, but you still need to grind away. Your success or failure is completely on your own shoulders.

Before you make any decisions, you should be completely truthful with yourself:

• Are you self-motivated?
• Are you a creative thinker?
• Do you enjoy studying and constantly developing your skills?
• Are you determined?

These are all qualities you'll need to succeed in a life of nomadic travelling . If you have these qualities and a plan, your journey will be much easier.

I speak from experience. My first attempt at nomadism in 2004 failed because I had a plan but no self-discipline. The second time, 2014, I had total focus but no real plan. Third time lucky! 

This time I worked out a plan before I left England and stuck to it. If I knew in 2004 what I know now, life would be very different indeed... But that's a topic for a different post.

Okay, so you're mentally ready. What's the next step?

Before you start selling everything you own you'll first need to sharpen the skills that will help you succeed as a nomadic traveller. While you're in the comfort of your own home with minimal distractions, it's time to study.

What skills does a digital nomad need?

There are hundreds of routes to becoming a digital nomad.  From Graphic Design to Freelance Writing to Teaching English - anything that can be done using only a laptop and a solid internet connection.

It's impossible to list all the skills you'll need as they differ from person to person. However, one skill that's useful for over 80% of nomads is SEO. 

That means Search Engine Optimization: optimizing a website or piece of content so that it features highly in the major search engines . 

If you have even a basic understanding of SEO, you can get into:

• Blogging & Reviews
• Sales & Marketing
• Communications
• Dropshipping
• Print on Demand (PoD)
• Virtual Assistant and a million other jobs

The good news is there is plenty of free content about it available online. You can watch videos, read books, listen to podcasts. Become an SEO ninja and you'll be able to turn your hand to any number of jobs.

If you're doing something else — teaching online, editing videos, etc then SEO may not be so useful. It's still a very handy skill to master though.

So now you're mentally prepared and you have some skills. Let's do some research.

How much money do you need to be a travel nomad?

That depends on your style of travel and your destination. Spend a few days looking at Nomad List and  Numbeo . With Numbeo you can compare the cost of living in your hometown or country to your desired destination. Nomad List is a bit more personal and more visual.

This should give you an idea of how much it will cost to survive as a travel nomad . But be aware that these are average numbers for average travellers, and you are not average. There are many things you can do to lower your cost of living on the road.

Firstly we start by cutting out all non-essential costs . What are the biggest costs of travel? Transport and accommodation.

You can read my earlier article about how to find cheap airfare any time of year , which should help to reduce the cost of transportation. 

To eliminate your accommodation costs, my suggestion is to find a project to volunteer at through  Worldpackers . This platform allows you to exchange a few hours of work for free accommodation and some extra benefits in most parts of the world, making it a great way to become a full-time traveller . 

It's very easy to use: you can quickly create a free account at the Worldpackers website and browse through the thousands of opportunities available there. When you find something you like, you can subscribe and apply for as many positions you want for a whole year.

How to save money for travelling

So now all you need is survival money. Cancel all unnecessary outgoings (Netflix and other monthly subscriptions), pay off all existing debts, credit cards and sell most of your earthly belongings. You're quickly going to learn how little you need to survive (and it's such a liberating feeling!)

Now you've sold everything you should hopefully have some savings. Some countries require proof of savings before they'll allow you to enter. Even if they don't, it's important to have an emergency fund in case something unexpected happens.

Your savings won't last forever though, so now it's time to make some money.

As previously discussed, there are an endless number of ways to become a nomad. I travel the world full-time, and here's how I manage it .

How to travel the world full-time as a digital nomad

1. become a freelance writer.

One of the best ways to support your nomadic travelling is to  become a freelance writer . That way, you can travel the world on your own terms.

A big portion of my income comes from writing. I  write guest posts for websites and  receive monthly royalties from the travel book I wrote in 2018. The royalties aren't a life-changing amount, but they help to pay the bills. I plan to release my second book later this year and then a few more when I can find the time.

2. Affiliate marketing

Why not start a travel blog and take advantage of the perks of affiliate marketing?

Affiliate sales earned through my website are my next biggest income stream. They vary from month to month, but once the article is written the income is completely passive. 

It doesn't cost a penny to promote affiliate links,  yet it has the potential to bring in buckets of cash. I know plenty of nomads who survive purely on affiliate sales alone.

3. Side hustle

You can also find some side hustles that will add up to the the main work you do. For instance, I design and sell t-shirts and merchandise through websites like:

• Spreadshirt
• Etsy  
• Redbubble  

I upload the same designs to all the different sites and receive a small amount of income each month from the sales. If I had the time to invest in more designs, the earnings would be bigger. I'm not a graphic designer by trade so it takes time. I'm currently looking into outsourcing the design process.

I've recently got into audio transcription and website reviews . These are both side hustles and not something I'll invest too much time into, but if they bring in extra money per week I'll be happy.

4. Work with brands

Freelance writing, affiliate sales, and side hustles cover the bulk of my income. However,  due to my social media presence, I've also had the opportunity to work with some big brands.  

I was given £800 worth of camera equipment to test and review, and I've run giveaways with other companies. This doesn't happen every day, but it's entirely possible if you get your name out there. 

You can then make sponsored social media posts or exchange services or products for advertisement, recommending what you like to your audience.

5. Help people

How do you get your name out there? How do you gain a reputation as an authority? Help people . 

Search Reddit, Quora, Facebook groups or other forums. Find people asking questions about your niche and answer them. If you consistently provide value then people will remember you .

6. Become a Virtual Assistant

I had toyed with the idea for over a year. Finally, the Covid-19 pandemic gave me the push I needed. What's the difference between being a freelancer and being a Virtual Assistant ? Now I have regular clients for whom I perform regular, weekly tasks.

Whatever your skillset, VAs are doing that job - data entry, graphics, customer service, dentistry, etc. Covid-19 opened lots of eyes to remote work and whether a traditional office working space was as important as we'd always believed.

I work with clients as diverse as local pet shops, nationally recognized photographers and global travel brands. I create content and run their marketing. Other VAs are good with accounting, social media, run podcasts or translate content . Choose your niche and run with it.

Becoming a VA has given me stability while still allowing me to live the nomadic lifestyle.

7. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a staple job for plenty of nomads. In this business model, store owners don’t manage inventory themselves. Instead, they buy the items from a third-party supplier who fulfills customers’ orders for them.

It requires:

• An investment to get your shop up and running
• Time to research and discover profitable niches
• Money to run adverts to drive traffic to the shop

After that, it’s just a couple of hours of maintenance and research per day.

Diversify your income

Speaking of stability, it you want your nomadic travelling lifestyle to be sustainable you should think about different ways to sell your skills.

For example:

I write freelance blog posts for clients. Each post I write earns me a certain amount of money. If I want to earn more, I need to write more. There are only so many hours in the day, so I need a way to make more money using the same skills. How? I diversify.

Other people want to do what I do, so I can teach others how to be a freelancer . That could come in several ways - I could write an e-book, sell online-courses or record a webinar.

Once they're recorded and released, these digital products become a source of passive income. I still need to promote them, but they can provide an alternative income stream. 

Ask yourself: how can you repackage the skills you have into different formats?

Other options for making money online

If you're looking for other options for making money online  and living as a travel nomad, then research the Freelance websites:

Take the time to look through the variety of opportunities. You might be surprised by some of the vacancies available around the world.

One thing to note with these sites is that they're very competitive. Be prepared for plenty of rejections. Don't take any of it personally and just keep firing out the applications and pitches . The more you do, the better you'll get. If you're lucky, you'll land a position after only a few applications. If not, don't get disheartened.

Before investing any money, be sure to research as much as possible . You can find plenty of great websites with lots of free information and a gazillion Youtube tutorials. Unless you have money to burn I wouldn’t recommend taking a course as they mostly just repackage all the free information.

My future goal is to get into owning property. If you're lucky enough to own your own place, then renting it out as an Airbnb is an idea. It's not completely passive income as you'll need to manage everything, but it's definitely a great income stream. 

Words of wisdom from a nomadic traveller

Now that you have an idea of how to travel the world while working full-time , spend some time planning where you'll go. Nomadic travelling is amazing, but some people get lost about where to start.

I wrote a piece about the 15 best cities for digital nomads . That should be a good starting point. It highlights not just great places to stay but also places to meet like-minded people.

Once you've chosen a destination (or many), don't forget to do some research on visas.

Digital Nomad Visas

As Covid-19 encouraged more people to explore remote work, more countries decided to offer special visas for digital nomads and location-independent workers.

Now, at least 13 countries are offering some form of remote work visa. Estonia was the first, but now you can choose from others like Croatia, Costa Rica, Portugal, Mexico, Bermuda and Barbados .

Each has different requirements, so you'll need to read the small print.

How will that change the game? It'll give more rights and options to people living the remote life. Access to local healthcare being the biggest. While that might not be top of mind right now, it beats living off expensive travel insurance.

Check out  What you need to know about being a digital nomad in Mexico .

Is the nomadic travelling lifestyle lonely?

It doesn't have to be.

While you may enjoy the solitude of solo travel, having the opportunity to brainstorm with other experienced nomads is priceless. Maybe you're struggling and they can help. Maybe they're struggling and you can help them.

The nomad community that I've encountered has always been warm, welcoming   and willing to help. True, everyone is trying to make money for themselves, but with over 4 billion internet users worldwide there's room for everyone.

How do you connect with other remote workers and entrepreneurs? Coworking spaces are a great start . You'll meet lots of international travellers and like-minded individuals, sharing professional skills. These spaces are available in most big cities and digital nomad destinations around the world.

As well as the physical communities, it's also worth joining several online nomad communities . The life of a digital nomad can, at times, be lonely and frustrating. If you have a bad run of luck, your income drops or something else unexpected happens, it’s good to reach out for advice.

Check out the  top digital nomad blogs to follow  for inspiration. There are also plenty of good Facebook groups and great Reddit forums. A man is not an island, and you shouldn't attempt to be. 

The ability to network in these groups could open up some amazing collaborations and opportunities . Plus, by helping others, you're also building your authority and brand.

Perhaps the final thing to keep in mind is why you are doing it. Yes, it's hard work. Yes, it's stressful and unpredictable. But you're choosing this path because you want freedom, independence and to be the master of your own destiny. Don't trade one stressful cage for another.

Take your time. You' re in this for the long game, so choose a destination and stay there for a month or three . Take the time to learn the local routine, language and customs. Enjoy the moment before you move on to the next. Not many people are brave enough to walk the path you've chosen, so savor every second of it.

So there you go. That's my story, my journey, how I can afford to travel the world while working full-time , and a brief outline of how you can too.

You could choose a completely different path, such as:

• Teaching languages online
• Doing Photoshop projects on Fiverr
• Producing your own videos on YouTube
• Live streaming gaming walkthroughs on Twitch

The possibilities are endless. 

If you're looking to learn even more about how to travel the world with a full-time job , just start! Diving into the world of nomadic travelling and freelance work can be scary at first, but don't be put off. One project inevitably leads to the next and, with persistence, your freelance work can become a full-time career.

Whatever path you choose, be persistent, be brave and be creative. Good luck!

If you like this article, keep reading the Worldpackers blog, where you'll find plenty of inspiration and practical advice for being a travel nomad.

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Create a free Worldpackers account to discover volunteer experiences perfect for you and get access to exclusive travel discounts!

Adam Fraiel

NomadicVA.com

Author, digital nomad, copywriter, virtual assistant and travel blogger - I love telling stories, sharing experiences and helping others achieve their dreams.

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Already have an account, are you a host, leave your comment here.

Write here your questions and greetings to the author

May 14, 2019

Great piece, Adam! Thanks for sharing!

Adam (Author)

May 15, 2019

Awesome 😁 I tried and failed several times before I finally succeeded so if I can help others avoid those pitfalls and begin their adventure sooner, I'll be a happy man.

May 16, 2019

Thank you for this I'll need it!

Then I hope you get good use out of it. If anything isn't clear or you need anything else just drop me a message

You're the best! thanks, man.

May 20, 2019

I'm getting ready to take that leap VERY soon, like in the next 3mths soon, and I still don't have any idea what to do for extra income. I have looked into many of the options you mentioned, it's just a matter of deciding what to do. This article definitely helped. Lots of great stuff, thanks a bunch!!

May 21, 2019

If I can help with anything else then let me know. We're always testing out new streams... Every little helps 😁👍

Mar 30, 2022

This was such a great article!

Thank for article!

https://connect-4.io

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How to Become a Nomad (Or How I Do It)

What is the secret to traveling long term? How do I travel so often? Am I rich? Do I have a trust fund? Are all my trips paid for by someone else?

What is my secret sauce?

On my first trip to Thailand , I met five backpackers who changed my life. I had a vague sense of what a “backpacker” was from popular culture. They were people who barely showered, stayed in cramped hostels, ate pasta, and partied a lot. It was a something for college kids or those without a real future to do.

Yet meeting them convinced me they had unlocked the secret to travel I didn’t know existed.

I grew up with hotels, tours, and theme parks. The more they told me about their lifestyle – meeting people around the world , living in bungalows on the beach, eating delicious and cheap food, taking local transportation, and just having fun, the more envious I become.

They weren’t tied down to an office job or rules. They were living life while I was just on a temporary break from prison.

Before I met them, I assumed you needed to be rich to travel. But here were people that were living proof that everything I knew about travel was wrong.

While money does help, they simply had found something I didn’t:

While I wanted to travel, their desire was strong enough to make it happen.

They just did it.

That is how to travel.

You just do it.

After my first trip to Costa Rica in 2004, I was bitten by the travel bug and have been traveling ever since.

Following my encounter with them, I came home and made my trip happen. My made my life about travel. I cut my expenses , found cheap flights , and did everything I could to pursue my goal of travel.

Traveling is what’s important to me, so I find a way to make it happen.

I skip the Starbucks, don’t shop that often, and don’t eat out a lot. I cut corners elsewhere so I can have the time and money to do what I love: travel.

I fake plan dozens of trips every day. If I have unplanned time in my calendar, I think “hmmm, where can I go that week? Let’s figure out how to get there.”

I often hear from people that traveling is out of their reach, that they don’t have the money or the time. They have just too much responsibility. While there are certain constraints on traveling that time and money create ( as well as privilege ), people do what they want. When you truly want something, you go after it.

If you truly wanted to travel, you would. You wouldn’t make excuses; you would just find a way.

Excuses are simply a convenient way for people to ignore their own fears.

I travel so often for the same reason my friend always seems to be at a Patriots game, or my other friend has a new pair of shoes, and another always seems to be hiking. That’s what we love and we actively work to realize those goals. Do you want to get that new iPhone? You’ll make it happen.

We always want to make our desires come true.

I choose to work towards making my travel desire a reality.

If you want to know how to travel, you just need to have the desire to just do it!

There are a lot of unknowns in long-term travel. A lot of people aren’t ready to deal with that. However, even if you’ll never spend a year traveling around the world or dedicate your life to vagabonding, that doesn’t mean travel will be out of your reach.

Travel is a wonderful thing. Life is short and I don’t think we were ever meant to spend it droning away in cubicles. Travel can show you all the beauty in the world — from chaotic markets in Southeast Asia and majestic cities in Europe to dense jungles and exotic wildlife in Central America .

Everywhere you go, every day something new happens. New people, new places, and new experiences.

People like to think that travel costs a lot of money or that you just can’t make it happen. My only hope is that by reading this blog, you realize that you can. I’m not rich, but I budget well and I find good travel deals . I work hard so that I can play hard.

With a little flexibility and a little price scouting , you can get anywhere on any budget. People are always amazed when they see how cheap it can be and how little effort it really takes.

Once you have the desire and motivation to go, nothing can stop you.

Want some more inspiration? Check out these must-read posts:

• How to Travel Anywhere For $1,000
• The Ultimate Guide to Traveling When You Have No Money
• How to Save For Any Trip
• How to Find Work Overseas

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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How to Become a Digital Nomad: 7 Useful Tips

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Many of us have seen those digital nomad images of a laptop next to a coconut, a gorgeous ocean in the background and the hashtag #officeoftheday. The thought of working from the beach or a hammock in a tropical location can easily induce envy, especially if you’re sitting in a cubicle or working from home in your sweatpants.

I’ve been a digital nomad for the last three years, so I know a lot about traveling the world while working remotely. I’ve been to 52 countries, made many friends along the way and had amazing experiences as a nomad traveler.

Here are some of the most important things to think about when you’re considering how to become a digital nomad, especially if you’re hoping to travel the world.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards for digital nomads

What is a digital nomad?

Digital nomads earn a living by working online while living in different locations based on their choosing instead of from a specific work location. Because their job or career is entirely remote, digital nomads can be full-time travelers as long as they have access to Wi-Fi and modern technology needed to do their work.

The ability to live and work from nearly anywhere opens up a world of possibilities to create the lifestyle you desire.

Tips to start your digital nomad life

1. choose a city with a digital nomad community.

Having a community of nomads to connect with is crucial. When you’re thinking about a destination, there’s a lot to consider; if you go to a city that has an established nomad community, you'll more likely have built-in support.

Medellin, Colombia, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico and Canggu, Bali are three popular digital nomad destinations, but there are many more. Do your research on Google and Reddit, and check which Facebook groups are available for your chosen city. You can get a lot of your destination-related questions answered before you commit to going there.

» Learn more: Remote work visa opportunities (and how to get there on points)

2. Pick the right bank account and credit cards

Bank account.

Some banks in the U.S. charge a fee when you use another bank's ATM. In turn, the other banks or ATMs may charge fees of their own. If you don’t select your bank wisely, you may be stuck paying two sets of ATM fees every time you withdraw cash.

Save yourself the headache and choose a bank that reimburses ATM fees. Charles Schwab is a popular choice for digital nomad banking because it offers unlimited worldwide ATM fee rebates.

You’ll also want to get a travel credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, which can be as high as 3%. There’s no reason to pay these if you don’t have to. Premium travel credit cards waive foreign transaction fees and also offer bonus points on certain categories (e.g., travel, dining, grocery purchases) and various perks for traveling.

3. Decide what to do with your stuff

If you want to be a digital nomad, the easiest scenario is to finish your apartment lease and store your stuff with family or at a storage facility. If your situation is more complicated, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck.

If you own your house or apartment, consider renting it out to a long-term tenant. Or if your city allows home-sharing, like Airbnb or VRBO , consider hiring someone to manage that process for you. This can be a great way to reduce your overhead costs and potentially make a profit.

4. Choose a location that aligns with your working hours

If you have a U.S.-based remote job (or clients), you’d have the easiest time working from locations that have overlapping time zones with the U.S. Avoid destinations like Asia, where the time difference can easily be 10 to 12 hours, making it very difficult to have any sort of social life or a healthy routine in addition to work.

5. Consider your technology requirements

Sim card (phone).

If you have a phone plan with a U.S. provider, chances are you’ll have to pay a lot for roaming internationally or your data will be capped at a lower speed after you've exhausted your free international data allowance.

A common travel hack is to buy a prepaid SIM card with a data plan at your international destination. Store your existing SIM card in a safe place and insert the local SIM card into your phone. This can sometimes be as cheap as around $7 for 4 gigabytes of data, and can include free WhatsApp, social media and, with some plans, local calling.

This is a much better option than constantly keeping your phone on airplane mode and searching for a Wi-Fi network. That's just not a sustainable solution when you're living abroad as a digital nomad (as opposed to being a vacationer).

VPN (computer)

If you’re going to live and work abroad, purchase a Virtual Private Network from a reliable provider (there are many). A VPN will make it easier for you to log in to U.S.-based sites, not to mention watch Netflix and other streaming services (which may not be available in the country you’re visiting).

6. Get travel insurance

Depending on where you travel to, local healthcare may be relatively inexpensive compared to coverage in the U.S. However, still consider purchasing travel insurance or travel medical insurance in case you experience an emergency. Most U.S.-based insurance plans do not cover you internationally.

» Learn more: Travel insurance options for digital nomads

7. Join co-living communities

If you’ve done all the research, but still feel nervous about taking the leap on your own, consider joining a co-living/co-working community. There are several well-known companies that run coordinated gatherings that range in length from one month to one year in various parts of the world.

If you’re interested, you’ll need to submit an application. Usually, they cater to aspiring or existing remote workers and entrepreneurs who want to make friends while living and working abroad.

You can have a real career as a digital nomad

Due to the pandemic, working remotely has become more normalized, shifting the nomad scene into the mainstream. A common misconception of the digital nomad lifestyle is that people who do this are sacrificing financial stability or have shady jobs. That is not the case.

The last year has demonstrated that many of us can work from our laptops without needing to step foot into an office. And there are plenty of remote work job search sites that list a variety of open positions.

If you already have a job you love, consider asking your boss to let you work remotely permanently. You’ll need to have a salient argument and assure the company that your performance won’t suffer. You'll be well on your way to working remotely while traveling the world.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee:   Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards:  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card  

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Nomadic Lifestyle: The How, What, When, and Why of My Nomad Travel

If you’d told me as a graduating high schooler that I was to spend 5 years of my life traveling the world, creating my own job, and living a life of luxury. I’d have thought you were insane. But it turns out, it was all true.

Ten years ago I started a journey that changed my life. Many people have joined since then and not everyone knows where the journey began. So to celebrate my 10th anniversary I thought I would share a post on burning questions I frequently get asked about our previous nomadic family lifestyle.

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What is a nomadic lifestyle?

2011 my kid’s father and I were sitting on the couch dreaming of two permanent residences. The further conversation moved to how it would feel to live a life where home is wherever you made it. It was no house, no van, no building, but wherever we were – all together.

The official nomadic lifestyle definition is “ a way of life of peoples who do not live continually in the same place but move cyclically or periodically. ” In Erin’s English nomad travel generally means ridding yourself of a home base and living a travel-centric life. It typically refers to travelers with no set plans who frequently move from place to place.

Why do nomads travel?

We had a good income at the time and were considering buying a more expensive home after we had just purchased a BMW convertible. Our thoughts wondered where does it stop? Once we have the more expensive home, what next? Wasn’t there more than this rat race existence?

At the time I thought a nomadic family lifestyle was insane, with two small children, but by 2012 I was convinced that a 6-month stint around the world would be a bit of an adventure. An exit from a rat race I never intended to be in. It was never intended to last more than 6 months, but it went on for 5 years.

Travel opens you up to more possibilities and expands your horizons, figuratively and literally. Whether you stick to a relatively small area like Cullen Fischel of Cleveland or go international, there is much more to discover around every corner.

How do you start a nomadic lifestyle?

I have a great post about what you need to do to start your nomad lifestyle here . From bank accounts to selling cars, renting houses, and planning your trip.

I love to be super organized without too many surprises so I planned our entire 6 months upfront. All in South East Asia. 2 months in Bali, a month in Kuala Lumpur , a month in Penang, a month in the Philippines, and a month in Bangkok, Thailand.

It wasn’t until after 6 months that I thought, “Hey, this is really working” and decided to ditch the return home plans and keep going, moving over to the other side of the planet landing in New York City for Christmas.

Where did you go?

You can find a complete list of places we traveled while nomadic here . In total across 5 years, I did 68 countries with 2 kids. Forbes labeled them some of the “world’s most well-traveled children.”

In a very short summary, our nomadic family lifestyle started with 6 months in South East Asia, before flying to the US and spending 2 months there. Then we went on a few months in the Middle East – Dubai, Turkey, Israel, Jordan.

After a quick visit back to Australia we then train traveled through Europe for 6 months, visiting the UK, Ireland, Luxembourg, German, Belgium, Croatia, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Wales, Bulgaria , France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania, Malta, Turkey, and so on.

We missed Bali so we headed back to South East Asia and a quick visit home to Australia, before obtaining a US Visa . Then it was back to the US for 2 years with trips to Canada, Mexico , Guatemala to break up our visa options. Our final journey was a 15-day cruise around Hawaii, before flying home to Australia via where it all began – Bali .

How do nomads travel?

Our journey is so different to many. We traveled fairly fast in nomad travel terms. We were never in one place longer than 2 months. But if we had a long plane ride we tended to stay in that part of the world for a significant amount of time.

Hence we were in South East Asia for 6 months that first time.  We also spent 6 months in Europe. And 2 years exploring the US, Canada, and Central America.

I preferred hiring a car because I had two young kids with me on our nomadic family lifestyle journey and it was more cost-effective, easier & safer to get them around. However, I have taken trains, buses, chicken buses, helicopters, cruise ships, bicycles, tuk-tuks, taxis, husky sleds, reindeer sleighs , you name it.

How did you afford a nomadic lifestyle?

One burning question I am always asked is how did I afford it . Nomadic travel is cheaper than living in a suburb, at least it was compared to Western Australia , one of the most expensive cities in the world.

At the time my kid’s father was a web designer and I managed his accounts so we set off with the intent of him to continue working, which he could do as long as he had wifi and his laptop.

The very first day we arrived in Bali on our one-way ticket I wrote a blog post on my brand new website etbender.com. I had run a poll on my Facebook wondering if my friends and family would be interested in reading it and they said yes! So instead of retelling my stories over and over, I penned them down for everyone to enjoy.

It was less than 3 months later that I was in Malaysia, watching a Chinese Street Festival that a lady in the crowd called my name. She rushed up to me and said, “I can’t believe it’s you – I read your blog!”

I was gobsmacked. I thought only my friends read my blog?

I found a way to check my statistics and realized I had 6,000 people a month tuning in to read my online diary. I changed the name of my blog to travelwithbender.com and started writing more informative posts to all those that were enjoying my writing.

From that day I started to earn small bits of money here and there on my blog. And before long it was pulling in a very steady part-time income.

2 years later in 2014, my kid’s father decided he had enough of doing web design and sold his business. He wanted to work on the blog with me. I did warn him that it was my blog and I’d be the boss, and he said that was fine until he found something else to do. He never did. From 2014 with both of us working on the blog it grew and became our full-time income. I created my own job and formed a modern nomadic lifestyle.

In 2016 my blog made USD 150,000 without including all the free travel, and products I was given. It was a sad ending for Travel With Bender though, as in 2017 the blog was stolen. 5 years of an online diary taken from me. It hurt. But out of the ashes Explore with Erin was born and I have continued to blog for ten years, making an income for myself and my kids. Many thanks to you, whoever you are reading now.

Please do leave a comment below and let me know how long you’ve been reading my stories, whether you started with Travel With Bender or you’re a big fan of Explore With Erin.

Of course, not everyone is a web designer or a professional travel blogger so consider multiple other nomadic lifestyle jobs from working in hostels or bars as you travel, being a virtual assistant, teaching English , running singing classes or art classes online, lifestyle coaching, graphic design, marketing, and so on. I could keep going and if there is one thing the pandemic has taught us during the last few years is that there are many jobs that can be done remotely as a nomadic lifestyle job. 

How much does a nomadic lifestyle cost?

During our living in Perth we were needing almost AUD 12,000 a month to live comfortably. During our travels we found ourselves spending AUD 2,000 a month in most places. Or sometimes $4,000 if we were in a more expensive destination.

Our regular costs mainly consisted of:

Housing – I never planned to spend more than $2,000 a month. Most places were around $1,600 and included electricity, gas, Wi-Fi, even cleaning and breakfast in some places. Our first stop in Bali our place was $2,000 and included a full-time chef, cleaner, nanny, and security.

Transport – Our travel fund varied, but in most countries, we would hire a car for $400 a month or less. In some places, we didn’t need any transport. Flights were made during low seasons and sales, so we received maximum benefit of our money. For instance, when I was in the Philippines I found a 2 cent sale on one of their most beautiful islands!

Food – We ate at home inexpensive countries, and out in cheaper countries, like Bali or Turkey .

Sim cards – Getting data in a country is important, but never very expensive.

Insurance – I never travel without travel insurance and I always recommend you to do the same. SafetyWing is a great choice for nomads and is so cheap! Check your quote here.

What did you love about your nomadic lifestyle?

Living a nomadic lifestyle has its advantages. At the time dealing with a toddler having a screaming fit on a Caribbean island was so much more ideal than in the suburban town of the most isolated city in the world.

The freedom to go wherever whenever is so freeing. The tasting of new food, the smelling of new smells, the seeing of new sights, all so stimulating. Watching your kids see the world is like being a child again, with new eyes, new thoughts, giddy excitement.

Not being confined to a 9 to 5 job, or Keeping Up with The Jones, but to be free to have little belongings, but rich in a whole lot of experiences.

This could be a whole post in itself.

Were there any problems with a nomadic lifestyle?

Yes, there certainly was. And I have written several posts about it.

5 pitfalls of nomadic travel

Nomadic travel destroyed my commitment

7 startling realities of nomadic travel

Plus, I have a whole series on other people who have exited nomadic travel and the reasons why starting with the end of my 5-year journey .

Would you attempt a nomadic lifestyle again?

Yes and no! I think a slower more deliberate travel, between home periods, is my ideal world. I never want to be disconnected from a community again or miss loved ones for years at a time. But do I long for months of travel? Heck yes. It’s very addictive. And once you start you realize there is so much more to see.

Can I have a nomadic lifestyle too?

If you want to, you can. I believe anyone can. I wrote a post on the practical steps you need to start your nomadic lifestyle here . The mental part is up to you.

Some people go for a year, some for two, people like me go for 5. It is possible. Would you want to?

Did I miss any questions? Please ask below. I am more than happy to answer!

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travel blog for backpackers, Adventurers and outdoor lovers

Hi, I’m Cynthia Bil, a Belgian adventurer and travel photographer who has lived nomadically since 2011. Instead of bouncing from country to country, I prefer to travel slowly and get to know the places I visit. It took me 3 years to hitchhike from Ireland to Central Asia; I guess that says enough about my travel pace…

Journal of Nomads is my Adventure Travel Blog for independent backpackers and adventurous travelers interested in culture, nature,and  off-the-beaten-path regions such as Central Asia and the Caucasus. I also share my knowledge and experiences on traveling long-term and becoming location independent . If you’re searching for handy guides and practical advice, you’re in the right place!

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Every year I organize adventure tours in collaboration with small local travel companies to give travelers an unforgettable experience in the countries that left a big impression on me!

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What Is The Difference Between Nomad And Traveller?

Explanation of the topic: Nomad vs. Traveler

Nomads and travelers are often interchangeably used terms, but they represent two different types of lifestyles. Nomads are individuals or groups who move from one place to another in search of resources or better living conditions, while travelers take short-term trips for leisure or self-discovery. Both have their unique ways of life and characteristics.

Importance of understanding the difference

Understanding what is the difference between nomad and traveller is important because it helps us to appreciate the diverse ways people live their lives. It also provides insights into how humans have adapted to changing environments and created unique cultures around the world. The differences between nomads and travelers can also inform our own travel experiences, whether we want to explore new places for pleasure or seek new opportunities for work.

When we examine these two distinct lifestyles more closely, we can see that there are several key differences that set them apart. Defining what a nomad is versus what a traveler is required understanding their respective lifestyles, values, and beliefs.

Table of Contents

Defining nomad and traveler, definition of nomad.

A nomad is someone who travels from one place to another with no fixed home. They move frequently in search of food, water, shelter, or other resources necessary for survival. Nomadic cultures can be found all over the world in different forms such as pastoralists (herders), hunter-gatherers (foragers), or traders.

Definition of Traveler

A traveler is someone who takes a trip for pleasure or personal growth rather than necessity. They may stay in one location briefly before moving on to another destination in search of new experiences.

Despite both groups’ mobility nature, they differ significantly on many levels beyond just motivation for traveling; I will explore these differences in the next section.

The term nomad has its roots in the Greek language, where it means “one who wanders for pasture.” In modern times, a nomad is often defined as a person who leads a traveling existence, moving from place to place in search of work or survival. Nomads are characterized by their mobility and lack of permanent residence. They often have no fixed schedule to follow and may spend extended periods living off the land or working in different locations.

Nomads come in many forms, including pastoralists who rely on livestock for survival, hunter-gatherers who harvest resources from the natural environment, and digital nomads who use technology to work remotely while traveling. Despite their differences in lifestyle and culture, all nomads share a common thread: they prioritize mobility over stability.

A traveler is someone who journeys to different places for leisure or personal growth. Unlike nomads, travelers typically have fixed schedules and predetermined destinations. They may visit multiple locations during one trip but usually do not stay long enough to establish any permanent residence.

Travelers can be classified into various categories based on how they travel – backpackers travel on a budget with minimal luggage; luxury travelers opt for high-end accommodations and exclusive experiences; adventure seekers engage in activities such as hiking or extreme sports; cultural tourists seek out unique cultural experiences at their destination. Regardless of how they travel, all travelers share the common goal of exploration and discovery.

In summary, while both nomads and travelers lead mobile lives that involve frequent travel to new places, there are significant differences between them. Nomads prioritize mobility over stability as part of their lifestyle or work while travelers prioritize exploration over permanence for leisure or personal growth.

Key Differences between Nomads and Travelers

Lifestyle differences

Nomads and travelers lead very different lifestyles. Nomads tend to live a more permanent, sustainable lifestyle in the same location for longer periods of time. They may move around, but they generally establish a base in one place for a while. This might involve setting up camp, renting a property, or even buying land. Nomads prefer to stay in one place long enough to build relationships with people and get to know their environment.

Travelers, on the other hand, move from place to place rather than staying in one location for extended periods of time. They may travel solo or with others, often backpacking or using public transportation to get around. Travelers are more focused on experiencing new cultures and seeing different parts of the world rather than building deep connections with specific places.

Purpose differences

The purpose behind why nomads and travelers travel is also quite different. Nomads typically travel out of necessity – whether it’s for work opportunities or survival needs such as access to resources like food and water. For example, pastoral nomadic communities have been known to follow seasonal patterns in search of fresh pastureland for their animals.

In contrast, travelers usually travel for leisure or personal growth reasons such as self-discovery, education, or adventure-seeking purposes.

Relationship with location differences

Nomads also differ from travelers when it comes to their relationship with the places they visit/stay in. Since nomads tend to stay in one location long-term they develop deeper connections with that particular locale which often result in meaningful relationships with local people along with an intimate understanding of local customs and traditions.

Travelers generally have a more transient relationship with locations that they visit since they tend not to stay long enough at any given destination allowing them only superficial experience/knowledge about these places/nations. They are more focused on the experience of traveling itself rather than any specific location.

Niche Subtopics: Further Exploring the Differences between Nomads and Travelers

Digital nomads vs traditional nomads:.

The Rise of a New Type of Nomadism

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of digital nomads . These are people who leverage technology to work remotely from any part of the world, without being tied down to a specific location. Although digital nomadism is still relatively new, it has become increasingly popular among millennials and Gen-Zers seeking to break away from the conventional 9-to-5 lifestyle.

How Digital Nomadism Compares to Traditional Nomadic Lifestyles

Digital nomadism differs significantly from traditional forms of nomadic lifestyles. Unlike traditional nomads who live off the land or engage in manual labor, digital nomads typically work in white-collar jobs such as graphic design, writing, or software development. Additionally, while traditional nomads generally travel with their families or tribes and have social structures within their communities that allow them to survive in harsh environments like deserts or forests, many digital nomads travel alone and rely on modern amenities like WiFi connections and coworking spaces.

Benefits and Challenges for Digital Nomads

Digital nomadism offers many benefits such as flexibility to work anywhere around the world at any time and exposure to different cultures. However, it also presents challenges such as loneliness due to isolation from family and friends, difficulties in maintaining a healthy work-life balance while moving continuously across time zones, and visa restrictions that limit travel possibilities. Despite these challenges though digital nomadism is becoming the new go-to for individuals seeking adventure while still earning a sustainable income.

Slow Travel vs Fast Travel:

The art of slow travel.

Slow travel refers to a style of travel that emphasizes immersion in local cultures and requires staying in one place for an extended period. The idea behind slow travel is to take one’s time to experience a destination with more depth and authenticity beyond the usual tourist attractions. Slow travelers often live like locals, which means shopping at local markets, conversing with residents, and learning the language.

Fast Travel: A Means to an End

Fast travel refers to a style of travel that emphasizes seeing as many places as possible within a short period. It involves hopping from one country or city to another quickly without spending enough time getting to know the culture or history of each place. Fast travelers tend to rely on pre-packaged tours and sightseeing activities rather than exploring on their own.

The Pros and Cons of Each Approach

Slow travel allows travelers to experience destinations in depth while fast travel lets them see more places in less time. Slow travel can be pricey as it requires staying at a particular place for longer periods while fast traveling can lead to fatigue due to a fast-paced itinerary. Ultimately, the choice between slow vs fast traveling depends on personal preference, budget, and goals for traveling.

Digital Nomads vs Traditional Nomads: The New Wave of Nomadic Lifestyles

With the rise of technology, there has been a new wave of nomadic lifestyles that have emerged – digital nomadism. Digital nomads are individuals who use technology and remote work to sustain their nomadic lifestyle. Unlike traditional nomads, digital nomads do not have to rely on physical labor or trade to make a living. Instead, they have the freedom to work from anywhere with an internet connection.

While digital nomadism may seem like a new concept, it has actually been around for quite some time. In fact, it was in the 1970s when Jack Nilles coined the term “telecommuting” and predicted that it would be the future of work. Today, with advancements in technology and communication tools such as Zoom and Slack , digital nomadism has become an increasingly popular way of life for many.

However, despite the similarities between traditional and digital nomads such as their love for travel and adventure, there are some key differences between these two lifestyles. For example, while traditional nomads move from place to place based on necessity such as finding water or food sources; digital nomads can choose where they want to live based on personal preferences or even lower cost of living in foreign countries.

Slow Travel vs Fast Travel: Finding a Deeper Connection

As mentioned earlier in this article, travelers typically move from place to place more frequently than nomads do. However, there is another distinction within this category- slow travel vs fast travel. Slow travel is about taking your time exploring different places and immersing yourself in local cultures- often spending several months or years living abroad in one location while fast travel involves visiting multiple destinations at once without necessarily forming a deep connection with the places visited.

Slow travel is about taking the time to enjoy every moment, practice mindfulness, and learn from your surroundings. It’s about finding a deeper connection with the place and its people. On the other hand, fast travel is often seen as a way of ticking off boxes on a bucket list- you see as many places as possible without truly experiencing them.

There are many benefits to slow travel such as gaining new perspectives, learning new languages or skills, making lifelong friends, and having unique experiences that you wouldn’t have had if you were moving too fast. However, it can also come with its own set of challenges including adapting to local customs and cultures or finding work in foreign countries.

The History Behind Nomadic Lifestyles: From Hunter-Gatherers To Modern-Day Nomads

Nomadic lifestyles are not new; in fact, they date back thousands of years. Before humans settled down into agricultural societies, we were predominantly nomadic hunter-gatherers who followed food sources across different regions of the world.

In modern times, however, nomadic lifestyles have evolved- often involving conscious choices to live outside societal norms. Some individuals choose this lifestyle for work-related reasons such as touring musicians or journalists who need to move frequently while others do it because they crave adventure and freedom.

Despite the changes that have occurred over time regarding nomadic lifestyles, there are still common themes that resonate throughout history- movement being central among them. Movement symbolizes freedom- both physical and mental – that comes with breaking away from routine life and embracing change on your own terms. Section 6: Small Details: Little-Known Facts About Nomads and Travelers

The History Behind Nomadic Lifestyles

Nomadic lifestyles have been around since the beginning of human history. Before humans settled down to create agricultural societies, they were generally nomadic. They roamed from place to place in search of food, water, and shelter. Nomads were hunters and gatherers who followed herds of animals or foraged for food in different areas throughout the year. The first recorded nomadic tribe was the Bedouins in the Arabian Peninsula. They were famous for their knowledge of survival skills in the desert climate, including how to find water and navigate using stars. Over time, nomads developed specialized skills such as metalworking, weaving, and storytelling.

Today’s modern-day nomadic lifestyle has evolved significantly from its historical roots. The rise of technology has enabled people to work remotely while traveling the world – becoming what is now known as a digital nomad .

The Rise in Popularity of Traveling

Traveling is more accessible than ever before due to advancements in technology, transportation systems, and globalization which have led to increased knowledge-sharing about different cultures worldwide online or offline. In addition, traveling has become more affordable for people with varying levels of income thanks to budget airlines that offer cheap flights across continents or regions. Moreover, social media platforms such as Instagram have contributed heavily to creating a travel culture that emphasizes life experiences over material possessions.

On top of this increase in accessibility for traveling globally, there are also changes being made locally within countries themselves which promote ‘staycations’ where locals take time off work but stay within their own country borders instead of going abroad on holidays or vacations abroad.

Impact on Society

Nomads and travelers have had an impact on society throughout history by introducing new ideas and cultures wherever they go which can lead to cultural exchange and adaptation. However, nomads and travelers are not always welcomed by the local communities they encounter. Some view them as outsiders or threats to their way of life. In reality, nomads and travelers can bring economic growth to communities through tourism and the buying of local goods and services thus supporting the economy.

Furthermore, the rise in digital nomadism has also led to a shift in traditional work environments which has created a new wave of entrepreneurs who work remotely from anywhere, anytime which is both exciting and transformative considering it is not bound by geographic location or traditional 9-5 working hours.

In addition to this digital work lifestyle we have seen a trend towards slow travel where people stay for extended periods of time in one geographical area such as a city or town instead of rushing through everything like typical tourists – this allows for deeper cultural immersion which can be very rewarding personally but also strengthen international relationships because there’s more opportunity for interaction with locals.

The rise in popularity of traveling:

Exploring the accessibility and appeal of contemporary travel.

The rise in the popularity of traveling can be attributed to a variety of factors. With the advent of new technologies, transportation options, and cultural exchange programs, it is easier than ever before for individuals to explore different parts of the world. Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube have also played a role in promoting travel as a way to gain exposure to new experiences and cultures.

One key factor that has contributed to the growth in travel is the increase in disposable income worldwide. As people have become more affluent, they have begun seeking out new ways to invest their money into experiences rather than material possessions or traditional investments. This shift has led many individuals to prioritize spending time and resources on traveling as a way to gain personal fulfillment.

Another major factor contributing to the popularity of contemporary travel is globalization. As businesses increasingly operate on an international scale, more people find themselves working with colleagues or clients from different parts of the world. This exposure can spark curiosity about other cultures and lead individuals to seek out opportunities for international travel.

Despite some challenges that make certain types of travel difficult or impossible, such as COVID-19 restrictions on air travel or visa requirements for certain countries, there remains an overwhelming desire among many people worldwide for opportunities to explore new places and expand their horizons.

Final Words

Overall, it seems likely that this trend will continue in years ahead as greater numbers of people are exposed to diverse global cultures through media and business interactions. By embracing these trends responsibly through sustainable tourism practices and respectful engagement with local communities abroad, individuals can experience all the benefits that come with contemporary global exploration while doing their part for social good around the world.

What is the definition of a nomad and how does it differ from a traveler?

A nomad is someone who regularly moves from place to place without a permanent home, while a traveler is someone who goes on journeys or trips, but usually returns to a fixed base.

Are there any cultural or historical differences between the lifestyles of nomads and travelers?

Yes, there are. Nomadic cultures have existed throughout history, with many ancient civilizations relying on nomads for trade and communication. Travelers, on the other hand, have historically been associated with exploration and discovery.

Can someone be both a nomad and a traveler, or do they have to choose one lifestyle over the other?

Someone can be both a nomad and a traveler. In fact, many modern-day digital nomads combine their love of travel with their work by constantly moving to new places around the world.

How do the financial aspects of being a nomad compare to those of being a traveler?

Being a nomad can often be more expensive than being a traditional traveler due to the costs associated with constant movement and lack of stable housing. However, there are also ways for digital nomads to save money by working remotely.

Are there any ethical considerations that should be taken into account when choosing between being a nomad or a traveler?

When choosing between being a nomad or traveler, it’s important to consider your impact on local communities and ecosystems. As travelers increasingly flock to popular destinations around the world, it’s important to practice responsible tourism by minimizing waste and respecting local customs.

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Hi! I’m Nora.

I’ve been a digital nomad since 2006. I’ve lived in and traveled through over 75 countries – in STYLE. And it all cost me way less than you might think. Stick around and I’ll share my story and teach you my tricks.

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