How to Combine Travel and Remote Work during Workation
Workation. [wurk-ey-shuhn]
NOUN
A period in which employees work remotely from a vacation destination.
It’s the perfect blend of flexibility and fresh scenery. You can step out of your day-to-day routine without using your annual leave allowance. Provided your employer allows you to.
Workations became popular in the Covid-19 aftermath. In 2021, for example, 85% of workers in India took a workation that year.
If you like the idea, there are things you need to bear in mind to make the most of it.
1. Plan Your Destination With Your Work Needs in Mind
A successful workation starts with choosing a place that won’t disrupt your work rhythm. Before you start looking at beaches, mountain towns or city cafés, check:
Wi-Fi reliability. Read reviews, message your accommodation host and check sites like Nomadlist for connectivity ratings.
Time zones. Consider how much overlap you need with your team. A five-hour difference could be manageable. A 12-hour one? It’ll be more like working nights.
Work-friendly spaces. Co-working hubs, calm cafés and quiet accommodation can make all the difference on long work calls.
If your job requires frequent video meetings or collaborative sessions, choose somewhere with a stable infrastructure and accessible co-working spaces.
If you mostly work asynchronously, you have more flexibility. You can choose remote, scenic spots where connection speeds aren’t as reliable.
2. Build a Workation Schedule That Actually Works
A workation shouldn’t feel like two competing priorities. The trick is creating a routine. Something that makes work feel natural. And the travel feels earned.
Set core working hours. Plan specific work hours. Structure your day and block your calendar. You have a responsibility to protect focus time. Let colleagues know your hours.
Batch your tasks. Mornings are better for deep work. Keep calls or admin tasks for the afternoon or early evening.
Plan leisure activities intentionally. Don't try to squeeze sightseeing into gaps, Pick dedicated half-days or evenings to explore.
Having a structure means you’ll be productive and you won’t feel guilty when enjoying your surroundings. Treat it as a temporary rhythm. A mix of discipline and flexibility.
3. Learn How to Unblock Websites While Traveling
Your workation will almost certainly involve bumping into blocked content. It’s frustrating, but it’s reality.
Different countries restrict different things. Your usual work tools might suddenly be off-limits. Video calls could drop out. Even your banking app might refuse to load. Learning how to unblock websites becomes essential when you’re depending on these platforms to work.
4. Pack the Essentials for Remote Productivity
Don’t forget to pack accordingly. Alongside your usual travel items, think about what your “office" needs:
Laptop stand + bluetooth keyboard for better posture
Noise-cancelling headphones. For calls in busy environments
A portable powerbank. To avoid mid-journey shutdowns
International adaptors. Never assume your accommodation has what you need
A hotspot plan or eSIM as backup internet
5. Choose Accommodation With Intention
As well as being the place where you sleep, you might spend a substantial amount of time working there. Prioritize a place with:
A comfortable table or desk
Good natural light
Quiet surroundings
Proximity to cafés, co-working spaces and transport
Many people book two types of accommodation if their workation is longer. One as a stable base for the work-heavy days and the second, a smaller more adventurous place for lighter work periods.
Final Thoughts
Combining work and travel can be really rewarding if you do it right. The right destination, a clear routine and tools like a VPN mean you can be productive while still experiencing something new each day. Plan intentionally, be realistic and it might just become your favourite way to work.
