nomadic travellers

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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29 Things I’ve Learned from a Year of Nomadic Travel

When you’ve been on the road for a year, you learn some things. You learn things about yourself , you learn things about your partner, and you learn things about your priorities.

Before I launch into all of that and more from our year of nomadic travel, it makes sense to get into how we got here. For a bit of background, we closed on our house in San Diego in August 2021. We always knew we’d put the house up for sale when the numbers hit life-altering figures.

The pandemic spurred us into action, too. I had already quit my job teaching by then and was pursuing full-time remote work. Brian did the same with his insurance gig when we put the house up on the market. It was the epitome of a YOLO moment, a spark of, “If we can do what we’re doing anywhere, why not…do that?”

That’s how it happened. The house didn’t sit for long, we sold most of our stuff, and we hit the road . We stuck with the United States as an easy entry into our nomad trip, despite our desires to see the world. It was just easier to do that with a big dog and no home base.

Here we are, a year later, and I have all kinds of stuff to share about the rewarding bits about nomadic travel and the not-so-great things. I’ll keep things honest with you in case you’re thinking about hitting the road long-term yourself, including whether it’s been worth it in the end.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, including links through the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases .  At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I won’t recommend something I have not used/would not use myself, and any income earned supports the upkeep of this site.

RV life isn’t for me.

We considered an RV or #vanlife as an option for a hot minute as we were planning our escape. We booked accommodations in standalone RVs during a few trips coming up on our nomadic adventures to see what it would feel like, and quickly learned that it just wasn’t going to work. We already knew we weren’t tiny house people. Now we knew we weren’t RV people, either.

First of all, living in an RV doesn’t really save you any money. We’ve been a little more insulated from gas prices driving around in a hybrid, but you won’t get that when filling up your RV. Add maintenance costs and I’m really not paying much more for a long-term rental or night at a budget-friendly hotel.

It’s also monotonous looking at the same space day in and day out, without any separation from the driving to your sleeping to your relaxing. There’s zero privacy, which is pretty clutch when you’re doing the digital nomad travel thing and trying to maintain a positive relationship with another adult. Depending on the size of your vehicle, you may not be as mobile as you think, either.

Our RAV4 can pretty much go anywhere, from the bumpiest roads to winding mountain highways.

That all said, I envy people that embrace the nomadic RV life. These are likely super flex people who get their kicks out on the open road. You do you, RVers.

You need to be a good planner.

I’ve always been a Type A person when it comes to travel planning . I get down into the nitty gritty details with dates and times and attractions I want to hit by neighborhood in my multiple Google docs. As a nomadic traveler, I’ve had to become an even better planner, but that doesn’t mean planning with more detail.

It’s meant more flexbility. It’s about contigency plans if something falls through or the destination you were planning to hit is way over budget. It’s building in time for weather delays or the real life obligations you need to get to before you can go out and do the touristy things. It’s figuring out which pet stores carry the hard-to-find dog food your anxiety-ridden pup loves.

It’s planning on steroids.

It’s actually harder to plan ahead, not easier.

The world is your oyster when you’re a nomadic traveler in the sense that you can change your route on a dime if it suits you. That’s not always the easiest or most cost-effective course of action, though. It’s expensive to book accommodations last minute in most places. If you hit the Midwest during high season as we’ve been doing in our travels, you’re shut out of most of the best options well before your visit.

We’ve finally started planning some travel abroad the last few months after our COVID slump, which means making sure we’re in a location with dog sitters.

That often means family in our case. We never gave my mother grandchildren, so she treats Kimmy like a baby.

It can also be a challenge figuring out where to fly out of if you’re perpetually on the road.

We’ve taken to calling Chicago , my hometown, a travel base. Flights out of O’Hare are easy to find and often much less expensive than smaller regionals. That doesn’t mean it’s breezy to figure out how to drive back to Chicago whenever we need to if we’re on the West Coast . That’s a lot of driving.

Things WILL go wrong.

We’ve dealt with ants in the bed, dead mice in the kitchen, and last-minute cancellations on bookings. We’ve narrowly avoided tornadoes and driven through blinding storms. We’ve had to crawl through windows to get into our units. We’ve absolutely hated certain stops and felt sad leaving others. We’ve gotten COVID in the middle of multiple moves over the course of a week. Things will go wrong in your nomadic travels. You can’t control that. You can control how you react.

Take a deep breathe and don’t make any rash decisions when things go wrong. Your initial instincts on what to do next may not be the best based on your emotions. Just be cool, travelers, and keep things in perspective.

You can save money as nomadic travelers.

We lived in San Diego before hitting the road. We gladly paid what’s affectionately known as the “sun tax” to live in America’s finest city, but once we left, it really became quite apparent how expensive Southern California really is. We’d left Chicago, another fairly pricey city , to live in San Diego. Much of the country just isn’t that expensive in comparison, especially if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit to be outside of the thick of things.

Thanks to Brian’s financial prowess, we have more money saved today than we did when we sold our house. We’re certainly lucky enough to be able to make money from our savings through risk-averse decision-making on stocks and such — I say it that way because that’s not my arena — but living on the road has turned out to be cost-effective for us.

You can certainly blow your budget quickly as a nomad, but for many, it’s less expensive than a home base.

Cheaper is not always best.

My husband and I say this one out loud all the time: CHEAPER IS NOT ALWAYS BEST.

It took us a few disastrous stays to realize that cheaper isn’t better every time when it comes to where you lay your head at the end of the day. We spent a week in New Haven, Connecticut , in a space so small that I’d knock my knee into something every time I had to adjust my body. The aforementioned mouse in the sink was a fun find upon arrival at a place in the middle of the desert in Crestone, Colorado.

We’re not luxe travelers by any means. We want to see as much of the world as we can, which means traveling on a mid-range budget. Sometimes paying a little more pays dividends in terms of your comfort, safety, and sanity. Pore through reviews before booking apartments and hotels. Look for those red flags. Analyze those photos. Oftentimes, if the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Sometimes the middle of nowhere is fun. Sometimes it isn’t.

The pandemic changed the way people travel. More and more people started looking for places to visit that were off the grid vs. the more popular spots around the United States. I love that people are getting out there more, but that means those off-the-beaten-path destinations have become more expensive for everyone else.

It also means the experience you were looking for — hyper-local, quiet, quaint — may no longer feel that way once you get there. It may look like Instagram influencers and crowded cafes and heavy foot traffic at outdoorsy destinations, instead.

That’s fine if you know what you’re getting yourself into. Browse through social media on destinations you’re interested in. If it’s blown up recently, it may not be as off-the-grid as you were hoping for.

The middle of nowhere can also mean:

• Limited Internet access
• Limited access to groceries
• Long drives from Point A to Point B

Just do your research, especially if you want to linger a while.

Your mother will worry about your nomadic travel.

Every time I talk to my mother, she asks the same thing: “Are you bored of this life yet?” My response is always the same: “How could I be bored of all things?!?” (Nevermind she’s gotten a trip to Nashville out of it.)

I’ve found sending regular photos helps, with a weekly phone call to allow her to hear my voice in real time. If your nearest and dearest are similarly anxious, make sure to keep in touch. They want to know you’re not only alive and well but thriving. If you’re not thriving because you just found a dead mouse in the sink, leave that part out. That’s a funny story for later.

Someone needs to get your mail.

You’d think in the digital world we live in, mail wouldn’t be that big a deal. It has to go somewhere, though. My mother receives all of the important stuff, and she couldn’t be more pleased about it. It means we have to come back at some point to sift through all of the junk mail she refuses to toss. “It’s up to a full drawer,” she likes to say.

It also gives her an excuse to call when something quasi-important comes through, like a warning from the Chicago Police Department about my speeding during our last visit.

You’ll see things you likely wouldn’t have otherwise.

Driving around the United States has exposed us to places that would never have been on our radar otherwise. We’ve stayed long-term in places like Augusta, Georgia , and Fairplay, Colorado. These weren’t on my American bucket list, and yet we’ve had some great experiences there.

We’ve stayed in all kinds of small towns along the East Coast, a reason why I’ve fallen in love with that part of the country.

Does it get better than fall in New England , by the way? No, it does not.

You need a home base.

I’m not saying you need a base to return to every few months. Your home base is the address you’ll use for things like your car registration, your license, your health insurance, and your taxes. For us, you already know that’s my mom. We also have a virtual mailbox through iPostal1 for blog purposes. It’s easy enough to set up if you don’t have a nosy mother of your own.

Here’s why we chose iPostal1:

• It gives you a real street address instead of a PO Box. This is important for some banking institutions and travel insurance carriers.
• They’re all over the United States. You’ll need to choose a base, but that can just be a place that you wouldn’t mind returning to once in a while.
• You don’t need to go there in person. They’ll forward your mail or scan it for digital access if you don’t need the physical letters.
• It’s budget-friendly. They have several plans that vary in price to suit your needs. We went with the most basic.
• They offer free storage. They’ll hold your mail or packages for up to 30 days, depending on the size.

Moving around every few days gets old.

Since we haven’t adopted the RV life, we have to unload and load the car every time we move from one place to the next. I don’t think we have an exorbitant amount of stuff, but we have enough that it can become a pain…especially if there are steep stairs or long elevator rides involved.

We’ve found a sweet spot of choosing destinations to settle into for up to a month at a time, but it doesn’t always work out that way. If we have our heart set on a destination because I’ve never been — I’m looking at you, overpriced Rapid City — we may only stay a couple days or up to a week if it’s too expensive for longer.

If we find somewhere inexpensive that we think we’d like within a short drive of more things we’d like, we may book a longer stay.

Flexibility is key.

We had the first six months of our travel planned out before we even hit the road. We didn’t look at prices at our chosen destinations much. We just felt like things would kinda fall into place as we went along on our journey and let our good fortune be our guide.

Well, things didn’t work out that way. Our goal of spending a full month in Savannah, Georgia , went sideways when we looked at what that kind of goal would cost us. We spent a few days outside of the city, instead, rather than a full month. Even the outskirts were beyond the reach of our budget.

It’s been a fine balance of planning ahead but not planning so far ahead that you’ll bum yourself out with constant adjustments.

Your relationships become more important than ever. 

Nomadic travel can get lonely. It’s certainly nice to have a partner and a dog to share it all with, but you still feel a lack of community and a lack of connection when you’re not in one place for long. The relationships you have back at home, wherever that is, become so much more important.

I try to keep in touch with my close friends as much as I can, whether that’s simple texts, social media connections, or FaceTime with the select few who get that privilege.

We had some practice with this during the pandemic. We hadn’t seen much of our friends and family outside of our bubbles in California for quite some time when we decided to become digital nomads. Working remotely has also been a good trial run. That still doesn’t mean you don’t miss the ones you love when you’re out on the road.

Your friends and family will ask where you are every time you chat.

Don’t get weird about this. It’s hard enough for me to keep track and know exactly where we’ll be next week. I can’t expect the same from my friends and family. At least they’re asking. If they’re not, they probably don’t care.

What? People have a lot going on, and your galavanting around the country is probably not at the top of their minds. If they don’t ask at all, like ever, that’s really not cool, though.

You will see things that surprise you.

There are places in this country where moose walk right into the town’s coffee shops and stay a while. There are hippie towns in the middle of very red states and culinary delights in places you really didn’t consider before. In some places, pirates ride down the street on their scooters.

You’ll make all kinds of weird and unplanned stops as a travel nomad just because there’s no way to know about every little thing you’ll come upon while on the road. Embrace those little moments of magic, as you won’t always see things that delight you.

You will see things that frustrate you.

Our country is politically divided in a way I haven’t seen up to this point. That division presents itself in offensive bumper stickers and flags outside of people’s homes. Hey, freedom of speech is cool. A waving flag proclaiming “F*CK BIDEN!” without that asterisk isn’t cool, as these same people likely have quite a few thoughts about things their kids shouldn’t be exposed to.

Gun culture is all the more apparent if you’ve been on the road for a while, too.

Fun fact: There are towns in this country where bullets and guns are more accessible than affordable produce.

Food deserts are a huge problem. If the closest real grocery store is 45 minutes away from your house, you’re probably eating canned beans and Pringles from the Dollar General down the street, instead.

You’ll get treated like a local.

I always get a kick out of tourists asking me for directions when we’re in a place for a longer period of time. I usually have Kimmy with me, which is a good indicator for most that I’m a local. Unfortunately, I’m also terrible with directions, so I’m not usually much help in those situations.

Note: We’ve certainly been to a few places around the country where we just don’t fit in at all, and that’s OK. I’m fine with being just a visitor in those towns.

Prioritizing self-care will make you feel better.

It’s not just about trying the local pizza wherever you land and chugging beers on couches near and far. Nomadic travel is also about making time for the things that make you feel good. I’m talking about eating your veggies, exercising, and taking care of your mental health.

If we’re staying anywhere for more than a few days, we need kitchen access to make home-cooked meals. I’m not as young as I used to be and just can’t bounce back from eating out all the time anymore. Exercising is easy to do when you have plentiful access to hiking trails where you are. If that’s not where you are, get outside anyway. Put on a YouTube yoga session. Do a round on the in-house elliptical.

This isn’t me being nonsensical, by the way. We stayed in a place that was once a physical therapy office and the ellipitical was left behind.

Self-care is also about scheduling those appointments you’ve been putting off. We always know how to have a good time at our “home base.” That means dentist appointments, annual physicals, and whatever else needs to happen to keep us in tip-top shape and traveling as long as possible.

Less is more.

We sold quite a bit of our stuff after we left San Diego and put the things we’d want in a forever home in storage. That includes our bedroom set — my mom got that for us as a wedding gift per Polish custom — my childhood piano, and some other sentimental items we couldn’t part with at the time. 

You’ve already heard about how annoying it can be to move stuff in and out of your car every few days, but you can certainly make that less annoying if you embrace the mantra that less is more.

This can become challenging when you have a bin of kitchen supplies for long stays and a large dog that isn’t the most low-maintenance creature on the planet, but we do our best.  

Beware of toxic positivity.

One of my friends taught me about toxic positivity when we started out on this nomadic experience. That’s when you feel like you have to be super happy and optimistic all the time even when you’re not feeling that way. I felt like because we were doing this amazing thing, we weren’t ever able to talk about things that bothered us, or things that didn’t feel so great.

When you feel like the sky is falling, it can be hard to articulate that to others when you’re out there posting about all the cool things you’re doing. That’s why I try to be honest not only on social media but with our friends and family. It’s not all sunshine and ponies. We have a lot of fun, but we also feel things that aren’t always fun. We doomscroll just like you all. We have to take care of our mental health just like anyone else.

We’re just doing it from the road.

Sometimes you will feel very, very tired.

Travel can be exhausting. Even when it feels very rewarding and you see all kinds of amazing things , it can still feel like a lot. It’s like when you say you need a vacation from your vacation, which I know is a super annoying thing to say. Nomadic travel can be like that, but all the time…if you’re not careful.

Staying in destinations for longer stints has alleviated this somewhat, but we still go weeks where we’re just on the road constantly. That can mean working on less sleep than you’d like to fit in everything that you need (and want) to do. I know, poor me.

The work doesn’t disappear because you did something fun today.

Along those lines, when you’re in one of those busy periods where you’re moving from place to place every couple days, that perfect balance can be hard to achieve. I’m a freelance content writer. There are weeks where I have more to do than others, and days when I’m not on deadline.

That doesn’t include my blog. That also doesn’t include actually seeing the places we visit in any detail, or giving myself some downtime.

If I take a morning hike on a day with a looming deadline, that deadline doesn’t go away. Sometimes I’m at the mercy of my editors, too. I may not know something is coming in until the day it does.

Yes, the flexibility with nomadic travel is great, but it can also be stressful if you’re not great at time management. Thankfully, I’d worked as a freelancer before and got a taste of the hustle, but traveling while freelancing is another level.

Building in buffer time is a smart thing to do.

If I have any indication that I’ll have a busy week ahead, I try not to plan too much in the way of travel to account for that. That’s why staying places for a little longer is so great. That buffer time is built in to give me time to work and time to play.

We used to take very aggressive road trips where we’d stay in spots for a day, do all the things, and move on. We don’t do that anymore. If I know it’ll take us four days to see everything I want to see in a destination, I’ll request that we build in an extra couple days to account for work, blogging, and travel time.

Note: Not every attraction I want to visit wants my dog there, either. Buffer time is good for building in time to see things that aren’t pet-friendly, too.

Traveling with a dog is the best.

Kimmy has become quite the adventure dog and we’ve really watched her confidence grow over the last year. She loves to hike and hang out underneath tables at breweries. She still doesn’t love car rides unless she’s able to stick her head out the window. Her smile seriously lights up my life, so it’s great to have her around. Traveling with a dog can be so much fun, until it isn’t.

Traveling with a dog makes things more challenging.

Finding accommodations that take pets isn’t all that challenging, but you will end up paying more for that hotel room or apartment if you’re traveling with a dog. Pet fees are commonplace. I try to avoid them when they’re exorbitant enough, but if you have your heart set on a place, there may be no way around it.

If your pet has any special needs, nomadic travel becomes even harder. Luckily, Kimmy Kibbler is a healthy girl. She did have her first encounter with fleas in New Orleans, but thankfully her flea preventative meant we were able to nip those bugs in the bud after a medicated bath or two.

I’ve already mentioned scheduling all of your personal appointments to keep yourself healthy. You have to do the same for your pet. Kimmy got her last round of shots back in San Diego, but that’s likely the last time she’ll see that vet. I didn’t like how they were always trying to drug her, anyway.

You’ll only think of more places to visit.

Nomadic lifestyles mean you’ll see more than you would otherwise, but you’ll never see it all. I have a running list of places I’d like to see around the country. Many of those places are in states we’ve already explored. Every time we leave somewhere I’m left with a couple wish list items we just didn’t get to for whatever reason, whether that’s weather or time or expense.

For example, there’s a place in New Jersey that serves up a 1-pound mozarella stick. Obviously, that’s on the list. I want to return to the Finger Lakes because of crappy weather we got on our brief visit last time around. There are places all over New England I’d love to see that just require a little more pre-planning than we expected our first go-around.

Don’t worry, I have a global bucket list, too. I just can’t drive to those places. There are always new corners to explore no matter where you are, and I’m OK with that. It keeps the road exciting.

You’ll feel pretty dang lucky.

We still feel very lucky on a daily basis. We were able to do this thing at a relatively young age, and know that many people hope to do something similar once they retire. We understand our privilege and have no regrets.

Fun fact: If you’d like to follow in our footsteps, avoiding the kid trap helps. Seriously, kids are expensive. We wouldn’t be out here doing what we’re doing with a baby on board. Kimmy is enough.

It’s great for today, but maybe not for tomorrow.

There are still enough positives with nomadic travel that we aren’t going out and setting down roots anytime soon. A move abroad to France is as close as we’ve come and we have no regrets.

Initially, this experience was about finding a new place to live at some point. There was so much of the country we hadn’t yet seen. It’s become so much more since. It’s become about finding the hidden gems in cities and towns that aren’t on any shortlist for a more permanent move and finding places that are good for today if not for tomorrow.

I’m not sure where we’ll be a year from now, but it’s been quite the adventure so far. And it’s all been worth it.

Nomadic Travel: FAQs

You’ve likely had enough of my pontificating for now, but I wanted to get to a few frequently asked questions about nomadic travel. Off we go!

What is a nomadic journey? A nomadic journey is a journey that’s based on travel from place to place. You may have a set destination in mind, or you may only know about your movements a few weeks out.

It’s all about what you need and want from nomadic travel, and it’s certainly not for everyone.

Why do nomads travel? Nomads travel for a variety of reasons. Some want to see the world. Others have reached a certain age where they feel like now is the time get out of their comfort zone. Some nomads travel because of economic reasons. It can be quite cost-effective to avoid putting down roots for any period of time, especially if you choose budget-friendly destinations.

For us, the pandemic broke our brains a little bit. We just had to get out. We had to see more.

Where do nomads travel? Nomads travel wherever they like, with certain limitations in mind. If you’re traveling with a pet, you want to target more pet-friendly destinations. If you’re a solo female traveler, you may consider safety over anything else when choosing where to go next.

In our case, we stuck to the United States during our nomadic journey, but you can certainly take your nomadic journey abroad if you have the time, the means, and the desire to travel the world, instead. We hope to make that happen, too!

Are you a digital nomad? Have you been exploring your home country from the road? Are you a former nomadic traveler who said, “To heck with this!” after some time on the road?

I want to hear all about it! Share your stories with me in the comments.

Ready to Hit the Road?

Your Rental Car:  If you’re not using your own car, you’ll need a vehicle to get from Point A to Point B. I usually use an aggregator like Hotwire or Priceline  to find the best deal on rental cars, as I don’t feel a loyalty to any one car rental company. If you have to fly in from somewhere first, it’ll be most efficient to just rent a car right from the airport.

Flights : On that note, I use a variety of tools to find cheap airfare, but if you’re looking to book flights during a particular period of time, especially during busy times (e.g. school breaks), you should use  Skyscanner . Whether you’re seeking flights in India or the United States, South Africa or Canada, it’s a great tool for when you’re more flexible, too. It allows you to compare travel based on length of travel, departure date, etc.

Your Accommodations:  I usually recommend accommodations services like  Booking.com  and  Hotels.com  for your accommodation needs. Both offer loyalty programs, and now offer listings that are more of the home or condo rental variety.

Vrbo  has become my go-to Airbnb alternative. Seeking even more wallet-friendly accommodations? Try  Hostelworld . Their picks are heavily vetted and reviewed to offer you a safe experience on a budget.

Etc.:  For general travel goodies, visit my  Favorite Things  page. For more information on planning your travel, visit my  Travel Tools  page.

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Beyond Borders: A Deep Dive Into the Nomadic Way of Life

Anthony Sattin, the author of a new book on nomadic groups, discusses how contemporary travelers and digital nomads can learn a few things from traditional cultures.

By David Farley

Nomads have gotten a short shrift in history. As Anthony Sattin writes in his new book, “Nomads: The Wanderers Who Shaped Our World”: “People who live with walls and monuments, who have written most of history, have failed to find meaning in or to recognize the value of the lighter, more mobile, less cluttered lives of those who live beyond borders.”

Through Mr. Sattin’s research, which includes years of travels with modern-day nomadic peoples, he aims to correct that oversight by showing how nomadic people have contributed to human progress and development. He does this by tracing their history from 12,000 years ago to the present day, focusing on Scythians, Persians, Turks, Huns, Mongols and Arabs, as well as the Maasai and Bedouin of today.

Mr. Sattin is a terrific storyteller, writing books that blend journalism, travel writing and history, including “A Winter on the Nile,” about Florence Nightingale and Gustave Flaubert traveling in Egypt, and “The Young T.E. Lawrence,” in which he traces the footsteps of Lawrence in the Middle East.

In a recent phone conversation, we discussed the inspiration for his new book and how certain aspects of traditional nomadic cultures relate, however loosely, to contemporary travelers and digital nomads.

The following has been edited for length and clarity.

What caused you to undertake such an ambitious project?

I saw black goat-hair tents when I was a teenager traveling in the Middle East and even then, I realized that although I had studied history, I had heard almost nothing about nomads. But in places like Syria and Jordan, they were still part of everyday life. My book came into focus years ago, around the same time as millions of people were fleeing the Middle East, when Britain was voting to close itself from Europe, and when I was trying to change my own life. I wanted to write something that would tell another side of history and that would also celebrate movement, open borders, a more open world.

Besides your journeys to the London Library and the Bodleian Library in Oxford, where did you travel to do research?

In the 1990s I stayed in Kenya with Wilfred Thesiger — his whole life was spent among nomads. Since then, I’ve had conversations about and with nomads in many places in the world, and I wrote different sections of the book on the move around Europe. But the most important journey I made specifically for this book was to Iran, where I stayed with the Bakhtiari, a nomadic tribe that winters on the Mesopotamian plains, near the Iraqi border. In late spring, when all the grasses dry up, the nomads take their flocks, families and tents up into the Zagros Mountains, and that was where I first found them, on a high plateau where the snow had melted and the valleys, carpeted with irises and dwarf tulips, had excellent grazing for their sheep and goats.

In the book you write that “nomads are important to the way we settled people live, just as the way they are crucial to the way we understand ourselves.” Can you say a bit more about this?

Humans began to settle and learned to domesticate crops and animals around 12,000 years ago. The process took a long time, but has been immensely successful given that most of the eight billion of us are now settled and over half of us now live urban lives. That success has now become problematic — our cities, like much else in our world, are in crisis. The need for a new way of living and of thinking has never been more necessary. Yet most of us are entirely unaware of our nomadic heritage, because it is not in our history books. How can we know who we are — and who we might become — if we don’t know where we have come from, who we have been? And those of us who find it challenging to live in one place, or at least find that settling down makes huge demands on us, can find solace in the knowledge that they might still be “wired” to live on the move.

How did immersing yourself so thoroughly in the lives and histories of nomadic groups change your philosophy of travel?

I wish I could tell you that I have learned to travel lightly, but unfortunately that didn’t rub off on me! But the journey of writing this book has changed me in many ways. Perhaps the most important is the recognition of my dependence on, and my place in, the natural world. It’s easy to forget when you live in a city. So now when I travel, I look and listen and even smell harder, forcing myself to pay more attention to where I am.

Can you elaborate on how traditional nomadism relates to modern-day travelers and digital nomads?

The nomads I included in the book are and were obliged to obey three rules. They all had to recognize their dependence on the natural world — they are nomads who move because they need to find fodder for their herds of sheep, goats, horses, whatever, and out of that comes a respect for their environment. They are all forced to live lightly, to take with them only what can be carried. And they are only able to succeed if they are flexible in their thinking — the nomad world is constantly in flux and always dependent on the shifting climate. Their lives are shaped by these three obligations. They are not to trash the land they depend on, not to overburden themselves or their animals, and to keep an open mind about what happens next. Modern travelers and digital nomads will recognize the need to travel lightly and to be nimble in their thinking, flexible in their assumptions.

Given that you’ve spent so much time with nomadic peoples, how do you feel about the loose usage of the word “nomad” today?

This word comes from an immensely old Indo-European word, nomos, which refers to a fixed area, or to pasture. Out of that comes nomas, a member of a wandering pastoral tribe. Over the millenniums, the word has shifted meaning, just as the experience of nomads has shifted. There are maybe around 40 million nomads in the world today, but many more people who move around the world making a living with their screens instead of their livestock. I have been on the move for most of my adult life and can’t count the number of times I have been called a nomad. I know how many objects I possess so I would never call myself that, but I am O.K. with someone else calling themselves a nomad, digital or otherwise. The word is not so important. At the time of the great Mongol empire, it didn’t matter if you were a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, sky worshipper or anything else, so long as you had belief. Perhaps the point here is that it doesn’t matter what you call yourself, so long as you remain flexible in your thoughts and keep on moving.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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The Perfect 7-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Japan captured my heart from the moment I firs visited. The delicious food, the rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant history, and the very friendly and polite people – it all blew my mind.

But Japan often feels impenetrable, especially to first-time visitors. While I think Japan deserves a minimum of 10 days, I get that some people might only have a week, so I wanted to write this, my ideal seven-day itinerary for Japan for a first-time visitor.

With only a week, there’s not much you can see unless you really rush it. And I don’t think you should do that.

So this itinerary only focuses on Tokyo and Kyoto (the most popular destinations) as well as some day trips from each. If you wanted to rush things a little, you could add in Osaka (more on that at the end).

(Note: If you purchased a Japan Rail Pass , activate it on arrival. That way, you can take advantage of the free JR trains throughout the city.)

Table of Contents

Japan Itinerary Day 1: Tokyo

Japan itinerary day 2: tokyo, japan itinerary day 3: tokyo, japan itinerary day 4: kyoto, japan itinerary day 5: kyoto, japan itinerary day 6: nara, japan itinerary day 7: tokyo, an alternative itinerary.

Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Markets Cure your jet lag with some food! In 2018, Tokyo’s main fish market moved to Toyosu. It is now twice the size of Tsukiji (the old one), making it the largest such market in the world. Here you can eat fresh sushi for breakfast, just a few feet from where it was hauled in from the sea, while marveling at the chaotic atmosphere.

You can still head to the old market in Tsukiji to eat, shop, and wander as well. I like it a lot, because there are more food options! Food and drink tours of the Tsukiji Outer Market are available for around 15,000 JPY.

Toyosu Fish Market is open Monday-Saturday 5am-5pm, though most shops don’t open until 7am. Admission is free, but you have to pick up a visitor’s pass when you enter. Tsukiji Fish Market’s hours vary by shop (usually 5am-2pm). Admission is free.

teamLab Planets This digital art installation is a multi-sensory and immersive experience in which you become part of the artwork, walking barefoot through the four exhibition spaces and gardens as you interact with the installations’ elements in unique ways. It’s really fun! TeamLab is generally sells out in advance, so I recommend getting your tickets online ahead of time .

Take a walking tour Walking tours are a great way to get the lay of the land while connecting with a local guide. I always go on one or two when I arrive somewhere. Tokyo Localized offers many free tours, including a classic overview and ones of both the famed Harajuku and Shinjuku neighborhoods. Its Imperial Palace tour would be the most convenient one after teamLab.

The Imperial Palace Formerly Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace was built in the 15th century, and some of the walls and moats from that time are still in use to this day. When the emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new palace and renamed it. While you can’t go inside, it is surrounded by beautiful grounds, a moat, and a park worth wandering through. You can also see the changing-of-the-guard ceremony (though it’s relatively low-key and unassuming). Admission to the grounds is free.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden This park is over 144 acres and home to some 20,000 trees. Most of the original park was destroyed in World War II but was rebuilt and reopened in 1949. During spring, it is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms. My favorite area is the landscape garden, which has several ponds with bridges and islands. It’s a peaceful oasis away from the urban hustle and bustle.

Depending on how you feel relative to your jetlag, you could fit a few more activities before you end your day. Check out this post for suggestions .

• Senso-ji – This is Tokyo’s most popular and famous temple. Beautifully painted, it sits in a scenic spot near a pagoda and the lovely Kaminari Gate. There’s a huge statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall. It’s very busy during the day, so maybe check out the grounds in the evening.
• Asakusa Shrine – This nearby Shinto shrine is much more peaceful, with fewer visitors, but with people praying, meditating, or performing traditional rituals. It was built during the Edo period (1603–1868) and survived the air raids of World War II.

Afterward, head to Ueno Park . Spanning over 133 acres, Ueno Park was established in 1873 on land formerly owned by a 17th-century Buddhist temple. It gets super busy in cherry blossom season, as there are over a thousand trees here. Throughout, you’ll find various stalls and vendors selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. On weekends, there are usually cultural events or festivals showcasing traditional arts, music, and dance. Four of Tokyo’s main museums are here:

• Tokyo National Museum – Established in 1872 on the north end, this massive building is the oldest and largest art museum in Japan. It houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and artifacts from Asia, particularly Japan.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum – This museum showcases rotating exhibitions of contemporary and traditional Japanese art.
• National Museum of Nature and Science – This museum features a wide range of permanent and temporary exhibitions covering natural science and history.
• Tosho-gu Shrine – This beautiful 17th-century Shinto shrine has carved gold doors and other ornate carvings. It’s worth seeing up close!

Afterward, walk down to Akihabara to explore the video game parlors, arcades, and anime shops. This very buzzy area is ground zero for all things electronic, and it’s fun to play many of the games. This is where you’ll find the famous maid cafés, where servers dress up as maids and serve you food and drinks. These range from big touristy ones to holes-in-the-wall (the girls on the street are promoting the latter, which are a lot more culturally fun). They aren’t cheap, though, as you have to buy drink packages and pay a fee, but they’re kitschy and fun.

In the evening, visit Shinjuku and then drink in Golden Gai . In Shinjuku, you’ll find a plethora of cool bars, bright lights, and tiny hole-in-the-wall eateries. Be sure to wander down Memory Lane (aka Piss Alley) for tiny izakaya joints and bars. Afterward, head over to Golden Gai, a warren of narrow alleyways with a bit of a red-light-district feel, flanked by diminutive backstreet bars. It’s quite touristy but also a lot of fun. I’ve had some wild nights here!

With Arigato Tours , you’ll learn about the neighborhood while stopping to sample Japanese classics like sushi, yakitori, and ramen. The 23,900 JPY cost includes a drink and dishes at four stops.  

Kamakura Here you can see a 13-meter (43-foot) bronze statue of Buddha that was built in 1252. It was initially constructed within Kotoku-in Temple, but that has since been washed away by several storms, so it now sits in the open air. Admission to enter the temple grounds is 300 JPY, while it’s 20 JPY to go inside the statue. The journey there — around an hour — is free with a Japan Rail Pass .

Tokyo Disneyland I’m a sucker for Disney. You’ll find many of the same classic rides from Disney World here, like Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, and everyone’s favorite teacup ride, The Mad Tea Party. But there are several unique attractions as well, like Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Ticket prices vary depending on the day and time, but full-day admission begins at 7,900 JPY for adults and 4,400-6,200 JPY for children. It’s best to book in advance .

Mount Fuji Mount Fuji is located an hour outside of Tokyo. An active stratovolcano (which last erupted in 1708) and covered in snow for almost half of the year, it stands an impressive 3,776 meters (12,389 feet) and provides one of the most iconic views in the country. One of the Three Holy Mountains of Japan, Mount Fuji is both a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a UNESCO Cultural Site. In the summer, the mountain is open to hikers, who take 5-12 hours to reach the summit (traditionally, they depart at night to arrive at the top for the sunrise).

If you don’t want to hike, you can simply visit on a day trip. There are buses that can take you partway up, where you’ll be offered sweeping vistas of the surrounding area. Guided day tours from the city cost around 12,000 JPY.  

Wander the Bamboo Forest For a relaxing break, head to Arashiyama and let the dense and towering stands of bamboo envelop you. Located near the famous Tenryu-ji temple, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the entire country. It’s not that big, but there are some hidden areas to explore. Just make sure to arrive early if you want to enjoy it without the crowds (it fills up fast after sunrise).

While there, I would also recommend visiting the Okochi Sanso Garden, which (along with the home) belonged to the famous Japanese actor Denjir? ?k?chi (1898–1962). It’s not free (it’s 1,000 JPY), but it’s really nice and has some wonderful views.

Visit the Golden Pavilion Originally built in the late 14th century as a retirement villa for the shogun (military governor), this iconic structure was later converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The present-day edifice dates only to the 1950s, however, when a monk attempting to kill himself burned the historic original to the ground. The rebuilt temple is covered in brilliant gold leaf, symbolizing purity and enlightenment. Each of the three stories exhibits a different architectural style. Completing the scene are the serene reflecting pool and traditional Japanese gardens that contain lush foliage, manicured trees, and scenic walking paths.

1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, +81 075-461-0013, shokoku-ji.jp. Open daily 9am-5pm. Admission is 500 JPY.

Admire Ryoan-ji Temple This is my favorite temple in Kyoto. Originally established in 1450 as a residence for a high-ranking samurai, it was soon converted into a Zen temple and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a mausoleum that houses the remains of seven emperors. Its traditional rock and sand garden is considered one of the best in the country. There’s also a teahouse where you can experience the traditional Japanese tea ceremony ( chanoyu ) as you overlook the Kyoyochi reflecting pool.

There are other temples in the area to check out as well:

• Daitoku-ji Temple – This massive complex dating back to 1315 covers almost 60 acres. It contains several dozen temples and is a good place to see a variety of Zen gardens and architectural styles. It’s also deeply linked to the Japanese tea ceremony, as several of the country’s most noteworthy masters studied here.
• Toji Temple – This is home to Japan’s tallest pagoda (five stories high). Founded in 796, just after Kyoto became the capital, it was one of only three Buddhist temples allowed in the city.

Go on a sake brewery tour Kyoto has a sake (rice wine) brewing tradition going back 400 years and is known for some of the best in the world, due to using the area’s pure natural spring water in the brewing process. Arigato Tours offers an excellent three-hour tour of Fushimi (the brewing district) for 23,320 JPY, including stops at several breweries, a guided tour of the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, and tastings.  

See the Fushimi Inari Shrine This mountainside Shinto shrine, dating back to 711, is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and prosperity. It’s known for its thousands of vibrant orange torii gates that form a network of trails leading up Mount Inari. You can hike the trails on your own while enjoying panoramic views of Kyoto below or join a guided hiking tour , on which you’ll get off the paved paths and into hidden bamboo groves. Get here as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, +81756417331, inari.jp. Open 24/7. Admission is free.

Walk around Higashiyama Spend an afternoon walking along the narrow streets of one of the oldest and best preserved districts on your own or on a walking tour . The traditional machiya buildings (traditional wooden townhouses) are filled with small shops selling local specialties and handicrafts, as well as restaurants and teahouses. It’s a popular area in which to participate in a tea ceremony . Another nice place to stroll in this neighborhood is the Philosopher’s Path, which follows a cherry-tree-lined canal that’s beautiful and meditative even when the blossoms aren’t in season.

Visit Kiyomizu-dera One of a number of UNESCO sites in ancient Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera (meaning “pure water temple”) is located in the foothills of Mount Otowa in the eastern part of the city. It’s one of the most famous temples in all of Japan. It was established in 778, but most of the existing buildings date to the 17th century. There’s not a single nail used in the construction, which becomes all the more impressive once you see how large the temple is, which is best known for its wooden terrace that juts out over the hillside. The temple’s name comes from the nearby waterfall whose waters (from which you can still drink today) are said to have wish-granting and healing powers.

1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, +81 75-551-1234, kiyomizudera.or.jp. Open daily 6am-6pm. Admission is 400 JPY.

Explore Shorin-ji Temple This small temple dates back to the 16th century. What makes it worth visiting is its meditation classes. You’ll get to tour the temple and then be instructed in zazen , the Japanese style of meditation. It’s a very unique experience and something that I think will add a lot of depth and nuance to your visit (especially if you’ve seen a lot of temples). Just make sure to dress comfortably.

15 Chome-795 Honmachi, +81 75-561-4311, shourin-ji.org. Open daily 10am-4pm. Admission is 800 JPY.

Wander the Nishiki Market Nishiki Ichiba is now one of the biggest indoor markets in town. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen” and spanning over five blocks, it is full of vendors selling traditional dishes from the region, classic Kyoto souvenirs, and really just about anything else. There are over a hundred stalls here, many of which have been in the same family for generations. Opening hours depend on the shop but are typically from 9am to 6pm.

To dive deeper into Japanese food culture, you can take a food tour of the market . It’s the best way to learn about all the food you’ll see, as well as the market’s history.

Explore Gion Gion, the historic geisha district, is renowned as being one of the most iconic and atmospheric areas of town. It’s known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, and preservation of geisha (known locally as geiko) culture. Lining the main street are ochayas (teahouses where geishas entertain), small shops, and many restaurants, ranging from upscale kaiseki restaurants serving traditional Kyoto cuisine to casual eateries.

To really learn more about this amazing party of town and its past, take a walking tour of Gion . You’ll learn a ton and get a lot of context. They cost around 1,800 JPY.

At night, go to the Pontocho Row , a narrow street lined with restaurants, hole-in-the-wall bars, and jazz clubs. It’s one of the more lively areas in Kyoto.  

Nara was the capital of Japan in the eighth century, so there are lots of buildings and temples here that are upwards of a thousand years old (which is rare in Japan, due to the prevalence of fires and earthquakes, as well as World War II). Some things to do:

• Frolic with deer – The real draw in Nara are the deer. Since the 17th century, those in and around the city have been considered sacred. You can buy crackers to feed them or just watch them stroll around carefree.
• See the Buddha – Don’t miss a visit to Todai-ji, the world’s largest wooden building, home to a 16-meter (52-foot) Buddha statue. It was built in 738 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Take a walking tour – This guided half-day walking tour for 11,500 JPY includes all of Nara’s highlights as well as a traditional lunch.

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan’s most famous sumo wrestling arena, hosts tournaments three times each year, in January, May, and September. Tickets sell out quickly, so book online in advance. Prices vary but start around 3,200 JPY for arena seats. You can book a ticket online here (you’ll be accompanied by a guide too, so you can learn more about the tradition as it unfolds before your eyes).

To learn more about the sport in in the off-season, book a tour of a sumo stable .  

So, if you want to add another city to this itinerary you can follow this breakdown:

• Days 1 & 2: Tokyo
• Days 3 & 4: Kyoto
• Day 5: Nara
• Days 6 & 7: Osaka

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara are all covered above. As for Osaka, some of my favorite things to see and do:

Take a food tour Known as “the Kitchen of Japan,” Osaka boasts a diverse culinary scene. Mouthwatering sushi and sashimi, Kobe beef and Japanese BBQ, and flavorful ramen can all be found here in abundance. Plus, there are local specialties like okonomiyaki (a savory pancake with egg and vegetables) and kushikatsu (kebab skewers). You can take a food tour for around 13,000 JPY, a ramen and gyoza cooking class for 9,500 JPY, or just wander and eat.

Osaka Castle One of the most famous landmarks in the country, the castle was originally built in the late 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and played a pivotal role in the unification of Japan during the Sengoku period (1467-1615). Over the centuries, it has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times due to wars, fires, and natural disasters. The current version dates to 1931. The castle is situated amid sprawling grounds and surrounded by a moat. It’s also home to a small but insightful museum and an observation deck that offers some picturesque urban views.

Dotonbori This is arguably Osaka’s most iconic district, known for its vibrant nightlife (bars, clubs, theaters, and music venues), colorful signage, and delicious food. It’s best seen at night due to the plethora of huge neon lights and signs lining both the canal and streets, which have become symbols of Osaka’s nightlife. A guided walking tour that includes Dotonbori as well adjacent neighborhoods is 6,500 JPY.

Shitennoji Temple This temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, founded in 593. The architecture is a blend of traditional Japanese and East Asian styles, featuring impressive pagodas, gates, and shrines set amid serene gardens. Stroll through the tranquil grounds, admire the beautiful architecture, and learn about the temple’s historical and cultural significance at the museum. The temple is 300 JPY to enter, the garden is 300 JPY, and the museum is 500 JPY.  

Japan is one of my favorite countries. While it’s relatively small, it offers an amazing array of things to see and do (as well as some of the best food in the world). With seven days, you can easily see a good number of the main highlights and get a taste for the incredible history and culture. It will be a busy week, but this itinerary ensures you’ll still have some time to slow down, relax, and take in the local pace of life.

Just make sure you get a Japan Rail Pass before you go. While it’s not as cheap as it used to be, it will likely save you time and money!

Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . They are my two favorite search engines, because they search 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 as they have the most comprehensive inventory so they are best for booking a hostel. If you want to stay in a hotel or guesthouse in Japan, 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 cancelations. 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:

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

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel — and I think they will help you too!

Be sure to check out the Japan Rail Pass if you’ll be traveling around the country. It comes in 7-, 14-, and 21-day passes and can save you a ton of money!

Looking for More Travel Tips for Japan? Check out my in-depth Japan travel guide for more ways to save money, information on costs, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries and reading and packing lists, and much, much more!

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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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.

Be part of the Worldpackers Community

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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The Rise of Digital Nomads and the Future of Nomadic Travel

The new nomads.

There is no doubt about it – the nomadic travel trend has gained significant popularity in recent years as more individuals embrace a lifestyle of remote work and location independence.

Nomadic travel is essentially continuously moving from one place to another, often without a permanent home base. It involves exploring different destinations while maintaining a flexible work schedule that allows individuals to earn a living remotely.

One of the driving forces behind the nomadic travel trend is the advancement of technology and the rise of digital nomadism. With the availability of high-speed internet and an array of digital tools and platforms, as well  digital nomad job listings  resources like Jooble, many professionals can now work remotely from anywhere in the world.

This newfound freedom has led to a surge in individuals adopting a nomadic lifestyle, combining work and travel seamlessly in different ways, like social media’s baby van life .

Nomadic travellers typically rely on a combination of short-term accommodation options such as hotels, hostels, rental apartments, or even co-living spaces. They often prioritize flexibility, seeking destinations with favourable living costs, good infrastructure, and a vibrant community of like-minded individuals.

The New Nomads Take a deep dive into inspiring stories of nomadic travel in our upcoming Early Summer issue. Subscribe to the free digital edition for first looks when it drops!

The benefits of nomadic travel are numerous. It allows individuals to immerse themselves in different cultures, experience diverse environments, and expand their horizons. The flexibility of this lifestyle enables individuals to design their own schedules, balancing work responsibilities with leisure activities, personal development, and exploration.

While nomadic travel offers exciting opportunities, it also comes with certain challenges. Constantly moving from one place to another can be physically and emotionally demanding, requiring adaptability, organization, and the ability to manage logistics effectively. It’s important for nomadic travellers to maintain a sustainable work-life balance, establish routines, and care for their physical and mental well-being.

The rise of the nomadic travel trend has also led to the emergence of supportive communities and resources. Online platforms, social media groups, and coworking spaces cater specifically to the needs of digital nomads, providing networking opportunities, knowledge sharing , and a sense of belonging.

These communities offer a support system for nomadic travellers, allowing them to connect with like-minded individuals and exchange valuable information and advice.

It’s worth noting that the nomadic travel trend is not limited to individuals working remotely. Some people, like the semi or fully-retired grey nomads , choose to adopt a nomadic lifestyle during sabbaticals or extended periods of travel, embracing the freedom of exploring the world and immersing themselves in different cultures without the constraints of a fixed location.

Nomadic travel represents a shift in the way people approach work and travel, offering a unique blend of adventure, independence, and flexibility. As more individuals embrace the possibilities of remote work and seek meaningful experiences, the nomadic travel trend is likely to continue evolving and inspiring a new generation of travellers.

What is a Digital Nomad?

Digital nomads, specifically, leverage technology to work remotely while leading a location-independent lifestyle. These individuals have the freedom to travel and work from anywhere in the world as long as they have a reliable internet connection.

Digital nomads typically rely on laptops, smartphones, and other digital tools to perform their work tasks and communicate with clients or colleagues.

The rise of digital nomadism is closely linked to advancements in technology and the increasing availability of remote work opportunities. With the advent of high-speed internet, cloud computing, collaboration tools, and communication platforms, many professionals now have the flexibility to work from different locations without being tied to a traditional office space.

Digital nomads come from various professional backgrounds, including freelancers, remote employees, entrepreneurs, and creatives. They can be found in a wide range of industries, such as IT, marketing, design, writing, consulting, and more. The common thread among digital nomads is their ability to leverage technology to deliver their work and maintain client relationships while on the move.

The benefits of the digital nomad lifestyle are numerous. Digital nomads have the freedom to choose their work environment, whether it’s a beachside cafe, a co-working space , or the comfort of their accommodation.

They have the opportunity to explore new cultures, experience different destinations, and meet people from around the world. The flexibility of their work schedule allows them to strike a balance between work and personal life, pursuing their passions and engaging in leisure activities.

However, being a digital nomad also presents certain challenges. It requires discipline, self-motivation, and effective time management skills to maintain productivity while navigating different time zones and potentially facing distractions in new environments.

Nomads must also ensure they have access to a stable internet connection and consider the practicalities of visas, travel logistics, and financial management.

According to Citizen Remote , “It depends on the area you are traveling to and your lifestyle, but the average monthly spending of a digital nomad is between $1000 and $2000.”

Digital nomads often seek out destinations that offer a favourable quality of life, affordable cost of living, reliable infrastructure, and a supportive community of fellow nomads.

To support the growing community of digital nomads, various online platforms, forums, and social media groups have emerged. These resources provide valuable information, networking opportunities, job listings, and advice for aspiring and current digital nomads.

Digital nomads embrace the freedom of working remotely and choose to live a location-independent lifestyle. Through the use of technology, they have the ability to work and travel simultaneously, enjoying the benefits of flexibility, adventure, and a global network of like-minded individuals. The digital nomad movement continues to evolve and shape the way people approach work, travel, and lifestyle design in the modern age.

The Evolution of Nomadic Travel

Nomadic travel is poised to continue evolving as more individuals embrace the freedom and flexibility it offers. Here are some trends that are likely to shape the future of digital nomads and nomadic travel:

• Rise of Remote Work : With the increasing acceptance and prevalence of remote work arrangements, more professionals seek the freedom to work from anywhere. This trend will likely lead to more individuals adopting a nomadic lifestyle as the concept of traditional office-based work becomes less central.
• Workation Opportunities : Combining work and vacation , workcations are becoming increasingly popular. They involve travelling to inspiring destinations while still fulfilling work responsibilities. As the demand for workcations grows, more destinations and accommodations will cater specifically to digital nomads, offering co-working spaces, reliable internet access, and networking opportunities.
• Co-living and Co-working Spaces : Dedicated co-living and co-working spaces provide an ideal environment for digital nomads to live, work, and connect with like-minded individuals. These spaces offer shared accommodations, office facilities, and community events, fostering collaboration, networking, and a sense of belonging.
• Digital Nomad Visas and Programs : In response to the growing number of digital nomads, some countries have started introducing special visas or programs that cater to this demographic. These initiatives aim to attract digital nomads by providing longer-term stays, streamlined visa processes, and access to local amenities and resources.
• Sustainable Nomadic Travel : As environmental consciousness increases, digital nomads are becoming more mindful of their ecological impact. The trend of sustainable nomadic travel involves prioritizing eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local communities, engaging in responsible tourism practices, and minimizing carbon footprints.
• Integration of Virtual Reality : As VR technology advances, it may play a significant role in nomadic travel. Virtual reality can provide immersive travel experiences, allowing digital nomads to explore destinations remotely, attend virtual conferences or events, and engage in virtual co-working spaces.
• Increased Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure : The availability of reliable internet access and improved digital infrastructure worldwide will further enable nomadic travel. As remote areas become more connected, digital nomads will have a broader range of destinations to choose from without compromising their ability to work effectively.
• Niche Communities and Experiences : Digital nomads often seek communities and experiences that align with their interests and values. Niche nomadic communities may emerge, focusing on specific industries, hobbies, or lifestyles, fostering deeper connections and shared experiences among like-minded individuals.
• Emphasis on Wellbeing and Work-Life Balance : Nomadic travel trends are likely to incorporate a greater emphasis on well-being and work-life balance. Digital nomads will seek destinations and experiences that offer opportunities for relaxation, personal growth, and self-care, including access to wellness activities, nature retreats , and mindfulness practices.
• Continued Technological Advancements : As technology improves, it will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of nomadic travel. Innovations in communication tools, collaboration platforms, and remote work technologies will further enhance the digital nomad experience, making it even more seamless, efficient, and enjoyable.

These trends collectively indicate that nomadic travel will continue to grow and evolve, providing individuals greater freedom, flexibility, and opportunities to explore the world while maintaining a fulfilling work-life balance.

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Nomadic Traveling lies in the unwavering pursuit of authentic connections and unscripted adventures

Being a digital nomad offers a unique blend of work, travel, and the unknown

The ability to choose one's office anywhere in the world provides a level of freedom and flexibility that can't be beat.

The digital nomad lifestyle is for those seeking a dynamic and fulfilling way of working and living.

Living in another country for months on end brings you into another world. It brings you into another culture. You see how other people live, what they eat, and how they go about their day. You learn their language, their currency, their way of life... and most times, you meet them without actually understanding what each other is saying.

You don't need to speak the same language to have a great time.. you just need to go.

The Digital Nomad Lifestyle

Nomadic travelers are driven by a deep-seated desire for personal freedom, cultural immersion, and the hunger for authentic connections with new people and places.

The Curiosity

The idea is to expand cultural knowledge and broaden horizons. Nomadic travelers can work in a variety of settings during their travels, all they need is their laptop and a Wi-Fi connection.

The Journey

Their journey might take them anywhere from bustling cities to rural communities where indigenous tribes and centuries-old cooking techniques still thrive. The world is their playground.

The Experience

By engaging directly with local communities and immersing themselves in different ways of life, nomadic travelers gain a profound understanding of global diversity.

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Nomadic travelers are driven by a deep-seated desire for personal freedom, cultural immersion, and the pursuit of authentic connections with people and places..

Rome, Italy Roman Forum & Colosseum

For the modern-day digital nomad, blending the exploration of Italy's revered sites with the ability to work remotely is a tantalizing prospect. Imagine setting up your workstation against the backdrop of the imposing Colosseum or finding inspiration amidst the ruins of the Roman Forum.

Amidst the remnants of the once bustling heart of the Roman Empire, these iconic landmarks stand as testaments to the city's rich history and legacy.

Venice, Italy Venice: A City of Timeless Charm & Beauty

Its infamous network of canals, stunning architecture, and rich history make Venice a captivating destination for travelers from around the world.

The city's unique character is reflected in its narrow winding streets, historic bridges, and picturesque piazzas. Visitors can explore iconic landmarks such as St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge, as well as enjoy the city's vibrant culture and cuisine.

Venice's allure lies in its romantic ambiance, artistic heritage, and the sense of stepping back in time, making it a truly unforgettable experience for anyone who visits.

Jericoacoara, Brazil "Jeri"

Jericoacoara is a paradise waiting to be explored, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Jeri isn't the easiest place to reach, but the journey itself is part of the adventure. Tucked away in the state of Ceara, Jeri was once a small fishing village accessible only by a challenging journey across rugged sand tracks.

Read More about Jericoacoara, Brazil

Tuscany, Italy The House of Machiavelli

In the heart of Tuscany, nestled among the rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, lies a residence that bears witness to the life and legacy of one of history's most controversial figures - Niccoló Machiavelli.

Machiavelli's house, located in the small village of Sant'Andrea in Percussina, near Florence, provides a tangible connection to the man behind the controversial ideas.

Read More about Niccoló Machiavelli

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Digital Nomad

Do’s and don’ts.

Ready to trade your office desk for a beach chair in Panama City or a café in Lisbon as summer approaches? Whether you're eyeing the sun-soaked shores of Panama or the historic locales of Portugal, embracing the digital nomad lifestyle can be as rewarding as it is challenging.

Join us on Thursday, May 16th for an exclusive webcast “From Portugal to Panama: An Essential Guide to a Digital Nomad Life” as we spotlight new opportunities that countries are creating for remote workers. We’ll not only dive into the key considerations of living and working abroad but also tackle the nuances of immigration policies, tax implications, and social and economic impact of a nomadic lifestyle.

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• Manage the logistics of setting up and integrating into the local cultures ensuring your experience is enriching

Suzanne Kelleher

Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized, award-winning Forbes travel writer. Before joining Forbes, she contributed to major publications including Travel + Leisure, Today.com, The Boston Globe, etc. A Cornell University graduate, she’s honed her expertise in making travel both enjoyable and transformative, earning her two Golden Magellan awards from Travel Weekly.

Nicole Cieslicki

Nicole Cieslicki is the Senior Director of International Services at MBO Partners, and is based out of Alexandria, VA. She is a technical subject matter expert with strong global business acumen with extensive experience in helping to drive cross-border services revenue, analyzing cross-border services risk in mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations, and creating new business ventures abroad. Nicole brings over thirty years of experience to the table from her time working with large multinational companies and professional services firms, most recently IBM and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

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The Wanderer's Guide to Free Lodging: Insights from a House Sitting Expert with guest Kate Evans Solo Travel Adventures: Safe Travel for Women, Preparing for a Trip, Overcoming Fear, Travel Tips

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Venture into the world of nomadic living with Kate Evans, a true maestro of house sitting, who gracefully shares her tapestry of travel tales and the savvy behind her cost-effective lifestyle. Her story, reminiscent of Pippi Longstocking's whimsical adventures, unfolds to reveal a serendipitous discovery that transformed her globetrotting dreams into reality. As Kate guides us through the art of securing charming abodes across the globe, she brings a spark of inspiration to fellow wanderers who are yearning for their next chapter of exploration without the financial strain. Peek behind the curtain of popular house sitting platforms, where Kate and I exchange notes on the unique features and safety nets tailored for solo adventurers. We unravel the thread of confidence woven through the careful vetting processes and community reviews that these platforms offer. For couples enticed by the allure of individual space, we shine a light on the concept of separate sits, broadening the horizon of possibilities within the nomadic lifestyle. This episode serves as a stepping stone for those itching to dip their toes into the waters of house sitting, arming them with the know-how to embark on their journey. As we draw the curtains on our session, the essence of 'Wanderland: Living the Traveling Life' beckons, inviting our listeners to explore the richness of travel experiences that house sitting cultivates. We celebrate the deep connections and local interactions that flourish when one fully immerses in the tapestry of a new community. Kate's chronicles serve as both a guide and an ode to the nomadic spirit, offering a compass that points toward the realization that the true essence of travel lies not just in the destinations, but in the warmth of the people and the stories shared along the way. Visit Kate's website to purchase her books for more resources and tips. www.kateevanswriter.com Instagram @katenomadicwriter https://www.facebook.com/KateEvansWriter Facebook community: Solo Travel for Women Over 50 Send me a message or share your solo travel story with me. https://www.speakpipe.com/SoloTravelAdventures Leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solo-travel-adventures-safe-travel-for-women-preparing-for-a-trip-overcoming-fear-travel-tips/id1650161410

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Life of the Nenets Reindeer Herders in the Russian North

No comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in People , Photos , Regions

Of the indigenous peoples of the Russian North, the Nenets are the most numerous. According to the 2010 census, the total number of the Nenets people living in Russia was 44,640, of which 29,772 were living in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District , part of the Tyumen region .

Let’s look at some scenes from their life in winter, when the temperature ranges from minus 20 to minus 40 degrees Celsius. Photos by: Petr Ushanov .

The traditional dwelling of the Nenets is a conical tent (chum).

The traditional occupation of the Nenets is large-scale reindeer herding. On the Yamal Peninsula, there are several thousands of the Nenets reindeer herders leading the nomadic way of life and having about 500,000 reindeer.

Reindeer for the Nenets are everything (transport, clothing, building materials, and food).

Tags:  Tyumen oblast · Yamalo-Nenets okrug

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17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow

Written By: Linda Voltaire

Updated On: December 21, 2022

Visiting Russia? These are the top 17 things to do in Moscow to help you plan your trip.

If the western world has New York City , the first great metropolis on the eastern side of our planet is Moscow. A huge city with a complicated and impressive history, Moscow gets a bad rep over Russian politics – but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Capital to the largest country in the world, Moscow takes the grandeur of its standing very seriously.

This is a place where luxury is king and where opulence takes a front seat in every aspect of life. The buildings are grand and imposing, the parks are luscious and enormous, and even the subway stations look different in Moscow than anywhere else in the world.

Table of Contents

Best Things to do in Moscow, Russia

Walking around Moscow is also going through the tumultuous history of the 20th century, which had Russia as one of its main protagonists. There are fascinating remains of these times everywhere in the former Soviet capital, from the gorgeous Seven Sisters skyscrapers to the Orthodox cathedrals that were closed for the better part of a century.  Still, Moscow is also a completely modern city, with a vibrant social and party scene, incredible restaurants, and some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

After living in Russia’s capital as an ex-pat for four years, I got the privilege to experience not only the main attractions in Moscow but also the everyday life in this huge city and quickly found my sweat spots off the beaten tracks! So here is my list of my top 17 things to do in this exciting metropolis!

Attractions in Moscow

When visiting a famous city like this one, it’s a must to go through the most iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin & Surrounding Area

No place tells the story of Moscow’s power in the past century the way the Red Square does. This is where the biggest political meetings in the USSR occurred for many decades, and you can feel the power on each step.

Here, you’ll also find the historic museum at the entrance, showcasing the decades of history behind this iconic landmark. The Lenin Mausoleum, perhaps the most famous resting place in the world and home to the remains of the former communist leader, is also here.

On one side of the Red Square you’ll find the Kremlin, the fortified complex that now hosts the presidential residence. This is also home to the most iconic of all Moscovite landmarks: St. Basil’s Cathedral, a 16th-century marvel of colors. This is the best spot to take a selfie and show the world you’ve reached the Russian capital!

• Get your Kremlin Skip the Line Tickets and Kremlin tour here.
• Free cancellation up to 24-hours in advance of the tour.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

You can easily spend a couple of days just exploring the Moscovite city centre, and the Bolshoi Theatre should be your second stop. Walk past the Red Square and then head to the nearby Bolshoi Theatre, one of the oldest and most renowned houses of opera and ballet on Earth.

Visit for the impressive early 19th-century architecture, but if you’re seeing a ballet performance, make sure you book between 3 and 6 months in advance! I can strongly recommend this as it is a truly unique experience!

• Book a private 2-hour tour of the legendary Bolshoi Theatre.
• See the presidential box reserved for tzars, watch a rehearsal and skip the lines through a separate entrance.
• Free Cancellation up to 24-hours in advance.

3. Luxury Shopping at GUM and TSUM

While many might think of Moscow as the sad place with the long bread queues from the USSR days, it’s been quite the capitalist haven for a while.

If you’re up for some shopping, you’ll find one of the biggest luxury malls in town, TSUM, right behind the Bolshoi and GUM, at the red square. GUM is the most famous department store in town, where you’ll find luxury everywhere and all high-end brand. 

All in an imposing late 19th-century building with lots of history, worth a visit just for the design, its bridges and the glass roof even though you are not up for shopping!

4. Christ the Savior Cathedral

A newer addition to the gorgeous Moscovite cathedrals and my grandeur neighbor during my years in the city Don’t let the young age of this building fool you. After the perestroika in the early 90s, the newly revived Russian Orthodox Church received permission to build a cathedral on this site. They did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church.

The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes as tall as the skies in bright gold and gorgeous paintings and decor! Bring a shawl to cover your hair to adjust to the local tradition.

Head to the back of the cathedral and you will find one of the most photographed bridges in Moscow, the Patriarshiy Most. This is the perfect spot to get a good view and photo of the cathedral but also to see the Kreml and Gorky Park from a distance. Or why not just enjoy a moment watching the river and its boats!  

• Get around Moscow with ease using the Hop On Hop Off boat and Bus ticket. 24, 48 or 72-hour tickets available.

5. Gorky Park

Cross the river and head to Gorky Park along the Moscow river. The most famous green area in town, similar to New York ’s Central Park and the weekend hangout for locals. There are many beautiful parks in the city, but if you’re only visiting for a few days, this is the unmissable one! 

With fair attractions to entertain children, beautiful artificial lakes and gardens, and lots of outdoor activities, it’s a lovely place to relax. A place of rest in the middle of the metropolis. The area in front of the New Tretyakov Gallery & the Muzeon Park of Arts is actually one of my favorite oasis as a bit more quiet and peaceful than Gorky itself.

Why not spend some time in the museum to get a great tour of Russia’s history through art or just enjoy the art exhibition outside where local artists spend their weekends. 

6. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow is from the Moscow River. There are many stops for the boats and one is just next to Gorky Park. See the city from another perspective – and turn the ride into a romantic one by taking the evening cruise. Moscow is magic during the night.

If you’re looking for a truly luxurious experience, take the Radisson Blu cruise – or the Erwin for a delicious seafood dinner. Both stop at Gorky or at the luxury Radisson Royal Hotel, set in one of the Seven Sister’s skyscrapers.

• We use Get Your Guide when booking city tours and they offer a River Sightseeing Cruise seeing all the main tourist attractions in Moscow

7. Metro Hopping

First inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow subway system is one of the oldest in the world, and certainly the most beautiful. Started under Stalinist times, each metro station is dedicated to grandeur and oozing personality.

Visiting the subway stops is an attraction in and of itself, and Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Kropotkinskaya are my favorites. Those surrounding the Red Square are also mesmerizing – in general, these are kind of like underground palaces.

Most of the signs at the Moscow Metro now have Latin letters, so it’s very easy to get around!Unfortunately, the trains are not as beautiful and pleasant as the stations but still, this is a true Moscow experience.  Take a guided tour of the 9 most beautiful Metro Stations including the award-winning art deco station. See more details here.

8. Arbatskaya & Artsy Moscow

Novy Arbat Street is one of the most touristy areas in the city, with lots of shops and cafés directed at visitors. When you walk a little beyond, you’ll find a different part of town, where the hip scene thrives because so many artists live in the area. Just follow the small streets with fewer tourists!

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings hosts the main building of the Moscow State University, one of the most prestigious colleges in Russia – and the one with the best view.

Although this is a little outside the city centre, the sight from above is more than worth it, with the nearby fountains and park and then the whole of the city behind them.

10. Russian Market

If you love to visit markets wherever you go, Moscow has one of the most impressive ones in the world – the Izmailovsky. You can easily take the metro here and feel like you’ve been transported to another time.

This place was first built in the 16th century and retains the look of an old fairytale, with a lineup of colorful old castle. A lovely local experience beyond the confines of the bustling metropolis, where you can also try some delicious Russian barbecue.

Here, you’ll find beautiful souvenirs at great prices.

Off The Beaten Track Moscow

Once you’ve covered the most touristic spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer – and the places below will also be full of locals! Moscow is a city for hipsters, full of trendy and arty spots where you can literally feel the creativity oozing! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend my sweat spots below!

11. Patriarshiye Prudy

This is my favorite area in the entire city! While Moscow is generally a very noisy metropolis, Patriarch Ponds is far quieter, yet such a vibrant place. This is a very hip and trendy area making you think you are rather in Paris than in Moscow. Here the streets are narrow and full of chic eateries and clubs to see the local crowd.

A little bohemian and with an air of peace you won’t find anywhere in the city this is a great spot to spend an afternoon with your thoughts.

12. ArtPlay

Barely 15 minutes away from the city center you’ll find the artsiest Moscow district: ArtPlay. For decades, this block was a factory, but it was renovated to become a hub for the arts not too long ago.

Now, you’ll find it’s full of exhibitions, showrooms and art schools – and some of the most creative people in town. Writers, painters, and young hip people use ArtPlay as a rendezvous, and you can feel the creative energy here. The industrial design with modern interior decoration is also a feast for the eyes!

13. Shopping Local Designs

If you’re into design, both international and local, you’ll find lots of cute things at Patriarshiye Prudy. Department store Podium Market is also a great spot for shopping, as a department store everywhere in town, with lots of local and international brands. There’s one in the Four Seasons Hotel next to Red Square. My favorite Moscow mall is Tsvetnoy Central Market, a cool spot with great brands, lots of inspo, and even a cute café!

14. Moscow City

Like many other great capitals of the world, for the past few decades, Moscow has hosted a super modern area full of modern skyscrapers – Moscow City. With a completely different vibe than the rest of town, it’s like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressively tall glass buildings. Here, you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, such as Ruski and Sixty they are perfect spots for dining or enjoying a glass of wine with a view. There are also a relatively new shopping mall with lots of international brands called Affimall!

Wine, Dine, and Party in Moscow

Gone are the gloomy Moscow days – cold as it might be in the winter, Russia’s capital is a place for the senses. Great food and drinks abound – and the clubs are hot, too!

15. Where to Eat in Moscow

Moscow is a great metropolis where people love to dine out, and there are endless options for delicious food. The flavors are as diverse as you’d expect from a big city, with options of fine dining and little hipster eateries. 

• For traditional Russian flavors, I can’t recommend Café Pushkin, Dr. Zhivago, and Turnadot enough.
• When looking for international cuisines, Italian is always the way to go, and my local favorite is Probka.
• Fine dining is best done among the clouds at White Rabbit, with European flavors.
• As for the hip spots, you can spend a full day just eating around trendy places, from burgers to Asian fusion.

More Dining Options

• Patriarshiye Prudy offers a lot of small and classy spots with cool concepts, like breakfast restaurants I Love Cake and Fresh.
• For dinner, I love the NYC experience of Saxon & Parole, and the wonderful trendy Pins, with its delicious food and drinks.
• For delicious Asian food head to CutFish. 
• Lastly, there’s a recent revival of food markets in Moscow, offering lots of great choices of international flavors at affordable places.
• Don’t miss out the Vietnamese food stand at the Danilovsky market, and everything at Usachevsky!

16. Rooftopping

Big cities deserve to be seen from above, having a cocktail among the clouds. These are my recommendations for rooftop bars in Moscow.

• As I mentioned in the Moscow City section, Sixty & Ruski are two of my favorites, overlooking the newest part of town. 
• White Rabbit and its fine dining is also a lovely place for a fun dinner looking down on Moscow.
• O2, in the city center, has an advantage above all others: amazing views of the Red Square.
• Buono, above the Radisson Royal Hotel, might be the most romantic rooftop hotel in town, with its candlelit setting.
• Also on the Radisson stands the Mercedes. It’s a luxurious and posh experience with delicious cocktails.
• The Sky Lounge offers a peculiar experience, mixing an old Soviet building with futuristic additions.

17. Moscow by Night

Party the night away! The city is full of bars everywhere, but there are some areas where you’ll find more than others.

• Patriarshiye Prudy has lots of hip and small clubs and great bars, including the super fun private club Clava, which has a great vibe and people from all walks of life.
• For more hipster style bars, Red October is the place to go.
• Streak is a summer favorite, with a lovely terrace to catch a beautiful sunset – plus, their mozzarella bar is delicious.
• At night, Red October lights up with clubs everywhere, including the cool rooftop one Gipsy.
• Jagger is also a great spot during summer with a more relaxed vibe in garden setting. 
• For the traditional Russian luxury experience, go to SohoRooms, a whole other world including all-night go-go dancers.

There are so many things to do in Moscow at night and during the day, you definitely need several days to explore this exciting destination.

Moscow is a must-see city, a city like no other ! I hope you will enjoy this Russian metropolis as much as I did!

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• 10 Reasons to Add Tbilisi Georgia to Your Bucket List

Follow Linda on  Instagram  guides! For more inspiration, follow my journey also on Facebook and Pinterest and see Linda’s bio below for more at her website.

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Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

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About Linda Voltaire

Linda Voltaire is the owner of Travel with a Silver Lining, home to reviews of gorgeous boutique & design hotels, hip & trendy eateries as well as authentic and personal travel experiences beyond the crowd. She started blogging after a life-changing trip across South America. Follow Linda at TravelWithASilverLining / Facebook / Instagram /

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10 thoughts on “17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow”

These places look so awesome! Moscow is truly a beautiful city

Very good article, you have explained so nicely. Russia has always been a part of history and its good to know about much more about architecture and other things, wish i could see the inside of façade

Thanks for sharing such a nice article.You have very beautifully explained everything that one need for a trip to Moscow.

Nice article. Love the hidden gems and graffiti art, would love to visit Artplay. Thanks for a comprehensive guide to Moscow!

Moscow is a city where the past and the future live side by side. Here we can find everything from medieval fortresses and Soviet monoliths to glass skyscrapers and innovation centers.

Your article is good and meaningful .

Thanks for sharing about ArtPlay district, we didn’t know about it and it looks amazing 🙂 Hopefully there’ll be a second time in Moscow, we visited last May and really liked the city!

Wonderful stuff! I’ve been to Moscow, but not properly – it’s a long story lol!

Anyhoo, my next thing is to fly from Berlin to Moscow and then travel from there to Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian / Trans-Siberian train. Now, if only I could just find the time …!

I hear Moscow is very beautiful at night. I hope to get out there one day. A friend of mine went to St. Petersburg and had a great experience. Despite all the tension we see on the news with Russia and other Countries like the U.S. I wonder what the sentiment is with Russians and foreigners visiting their country for tourism. Especially Americans.

that looks like quite a beautiful place. 🙂

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Nomadic unveils next-gen business travel solutions at arabian travel market 2024.

Nomadic's participation at ATM offers a prime opportunity for networking and engagement with key industry stakeholders

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Published: Thu 2 May 2024, 2:15 PM

Celebrating a year of transformative presence in the Middle East, Nomadic , the award-winning business traveller offering by Fragomen , is thrilled to announce its debut at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, from May 6 to 9, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Nomadic introduces solutions to streamline global business travel.

Arabian Travel Market serves as a key global hub for the travel and tourism industry, hosting over 2,000 leading brands and promoting innovation, sustainability and partnerships. With the industry projected to reach revenues of $927.30 billion in 2024 and grow to $1,063 billion by 2028 , driven significantly by business travel expected to exceed $1.4 trillion in 2024, and grow to nearly $1.8 trillion by 2027, Nomadic's participation underscores its pivotal role in this expanding market.

Over the past year, Nomadic has seen exponential growth in its operations and services in the Middle East, marked by a 62 per cent increase in application filings and an expanded operational footprint in the MENA region. Leveraging technology and expertise, Nomadic offers cutting-edge solutions, including an innovative pre-travel compliance assessment, a unique traveller profile empowered by GPS and robotic process automation (RPA), aimed at streamlining and securing the business travel process.

"Marking our first anniversary in the Middle East at ATM 2024 signifies our commitment to revolutionising business travel. Our journey from a budding team to over threefold growth is a testament to our dedication and the trust our clients place in us," stated Ali Haider, director of Nomadic Middle East. "Our technology not only simplifies travel but ensures compliance and efficiency, setting a new standard in the industry."

At the Arabian Travel Market 2024, attendees will have the opportunity to explore Nomadic's innovative solutions aimed at transforming the landscape of business travel. The brand is set to showcase key offerings such as its pre-travel compliance assessment and a distinctive traveller profile that benefits from GPS functionality and robotic process automation (RPA). With the support of Fragomen's comprehensive immigration services and data from over 170 countries, Nomadic's platform offers a secure method for storing travel history and data, thereby reducing the need for repeated information entry. Its technology is designed to ensure compliance with immigration regulations through real-time location tracking and automatic visa requirement updates. Additionally, Nomadic's RPA capability significantly streamlines the visa application process to a mere four minutes, leveraging existing traveller data to minimize administrative tasks and improve process accuracy. This innovation comes at a critical time as Dubai and the region see an influx of international visitors and a surge in demand for efficient, technology-driven travel solutions.

In addition to showcasing its solutions, Nomadic's participation at ATM offers a prime opportunity for networking and engagement with key industry stakeholders, highlighting its contribution towards sustainable and compliant travel.

Syed Ali Haider will participate in a panel discussion titled 'Future-Proofing: Building Resilience and Reinforcing Security in Destinations' on May 6, during which he will share critical business travel compliance insights for global companies Attendees will also have the chance to schedule one-on-one meetings with professionals from Fragomen and Nomadic on site, including Murtaza Khan, Fragomen regional managing partner, MEA, Nadeem Ahmed, senior immigration manager and Nikhil Bande, senior manager at Nomadic.

Join Nomadic at Booth TT4357, Hall 3 to explore how the company are shaping the future of business travel.

For further details on Nomadic's offerings, please visit https://gonomadic.com/ .

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Buying a Sim Card for Russia at Moscow Airport in 2024

Flying to Moscow Airport Sheremetyevo soon? Avoid on high roaming costs and buy a sim card for Russia on arrival at Moscow Airport or get yourself an e-sim card for Russia. Prepaid sim cards in Russia come with a lot of data and are cheap, but language barriers are real! E-sim cards are easier, but a couple dollar more expensive.

In this guide you can read everything you need to know before buying a sim card for Russia at Moscow Airport, where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per January 2024, my recommendation and even info about international and e-sim cards for Russia.

Staying connected is the first thing I do when I get to a new country. These days I mostly order an e-sim card online because it is so easy, but buying a local prepaid sim card is sometimes a better option.

I love to document all my travel tips for other travelers and since  I am also aiming to travel to every country in the world you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all around the world: Europe ,  Dubai , Saudi Arabia , Pakistan , Nairobi , Johannesburg , London , Paris ,  New York , Toronto , Dominican Republic , Bogota , Panama City , Mexico City , Singapore , Hong Kong , Vietnam , Uzbekistan , Philippines , Turkey  and many more.

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and e-sim card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!

Buying a prepaid sim card for Russia is actually really affordable! Great value for money. When I discovered this it definitely made me smile. Who does not love cheap data?

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends buying a Megfon prepaid sim card at Moscow Airport for traveling in Russia. Megafon has a great prepaid sim card deal for tourists: 30 GB data + free social media for just $6 USD.

Be prepared that pretty much no one speaks English at Moscow International Airport so buying a prepaid sim card can be a hassle.

Therefore Traveltomtom definitely recommends e-sim cards for traveling to Russia. As soon as the plane lands you are online. However, there are not many e-sim cards for Russia available on the internet. SimOptions is the only e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards for Russia .

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You can also look into buying an international sim card for traveling in 2024 . Again here, SimOptions is the only provider that still offers physical prepaid sim cards for traveling to Russia.

Need some travel inspiration for Russia? Check out my  trip to Altai Mountains ! Absolutely amazing.

Best e-sim cards for Russia

The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Russia in 2024 is an e-sim card.

You order an e-sim card for your trip to Moscow on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Russia e-sim card installed on your phone.

Upon arrival in Moscow it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.

Airalo has recently stopped supplying e-sim cards for Russia until further notice! As of January 2024 Airalo e-sim cards for Russia are still not available.

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
• 2 GB data for 15 days = $9 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $11.5 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $17 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $29 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $48 USD

Click here to directly order any of the above e-sim cards for Russia online or get more info.

SimOptions is currently the only e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards for Russia. Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world without any problems.

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $7.90 USD
• 3 GB data for 15 days = $14.90 USD
• 5 GB data for 15 days = $19.90 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $64.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order an e-sim card for Russia via SimOptions .

Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an e-sim card for Russia.

You can also order a physical prepaid sim card for traveling in Russia online and get it shipped to your home address before your trip. Click on the link to get an international data sim card for Russia with 10 GB data for $49.90 USD and get more info and see all the sim card deals.

Arriving at Moscow Airport SVO

First off this airport is spread out with 6 terminals and traveling in and between the terminals takes time. There are trains that connect the terminals so if you are in transit don’t worry the transportation system is pretty well organized. But hey we are in Russia, be prepared to struggle with languages barriers.

You may think at an international airport with this status there would be a ton of people speaking English, but forget about it. Welcome to Russia!

The ladies at the information desk all spoke good English and were very helpful. A tip for when you visit Moscow, download a translate app this will make traveling in Russia much easier.

To use most translate apps that use the dictation function you need a working internet connection. Sheremetyevo Airport has very easy access to good and free WiFi but as soon as you leave the airport you would wish you had a prepaid sim card for Russia with data. So no need to explain you anymore why you should buy a Russia sim card on arrival.

Aeroexpress SVO Airport

In and between Terminal D and E there is the Aeroexpress train station, the most convenient way to get from Sheremetyevo Airport to Moscow city. Just before you enter the train station there are many mobile phone shops where they sell prepaid Russian sim card for tourists.

Mobile internet operators in Russia

The main mobile internet operators in Russia are: Tele2, Beeline, MegaFon, MTS and Yota. Apart from Yota and MTS you can buy a Russia sim card from any of the operators at Moscow Airport.

Yota is a fairly small operator with a weak 4G network in Russia and is not recommended for tourists. But especially for an MTS prepaid sim card it is a pity they don't sell them at Moscow Airport. MTS has the strongest 4G network in Russia and is the only provider that offers 5G in Russia.

Where to buy a sim card at Moscow Airport

As I said the airport is pretty big and it more or less comes down to which terminal you arrive. Most travelers from Europe will arrive at Terminal B or D so let’s have a look at buying a Russian sim card there first.

If you are about to visit Moscow then I recommend you to go to the city by Aeroexpress, a convenient train that connects Sheremetyevo Airport to Moscow city. It is located between Terminal B and D. Just before you enter the train station there are many shops lined up where you can buy Russia sim cards for tourists as well.

At Terminal F there are also shops in the arrival hall where you can buy a prepaid Russia sim card.

Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal B

Arriving at Terminal B at SVO airport makes things easy for you as there is no choice. The only available sim card for Russia is Beeline. It is impossible to miss the Beeline shop as it is straight in front of you when you walk out of arrivals.

Prepaid sim card Beeline

The picture is hard to read when you don’t speak Russian. Neither do I so I had the guy selling the Beeline sim Russia sim card explain me in his best English what everything means.

600 Rubles = $9

• 15 GB - 4G internet
• 500 minutes calling in and to Russia
• Valid for 30 days

Total costs for this package is only around $9, that is only $0,60 per GB data. I told you Russian sim cards are cheap! When arriving at Terminal B buying a Beeline sim card for Russia is worth it.

Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal D

At Moscow SVO Airport Terminal D there are two options for you. In the arrivals hall on level 1 there is TELE2 and at the departures hall level 3 you can buy a Megafon sim card.

Prices and info below are updated in January 2024. Prices are in Russian Ruble: $1 USD  = 88.5 RUB and 100 RUB = $1.13 USD.

Megafon Russia prepaid sim card

Let me tell you if it is worth going up two levels to the Megafon kiosk to buy your Russia sim here.

I went there twice as a week later I wanted to double check the information what I wrote down and both ladies spoke very little English. Service level for English speaking tourists is zero at Moscow Airport so be prepared. I used a translate app to get the following info.

There are two Megafon sim cards for tourists available:

• 20 GB + 750 minutes + unlimited texting - valid for 1 month =  750 Rubles - $8.5 USD
• 30 GB + 1,500 minutes + unlimited texting - valid for 1 month =  1,000 Rubles - $11 USD

Both packages are really great value for money!

TELE2 Russia prepaid sim card

Depending on which exit you take from the luggage belts you will either walk up to the TELE2 shop or it is on your left in the arrivals hall. At the small shop two young employees were very helpful and explained the available TELE2 sim cards fro tourists in Russia.

TELE2 Russia offers the following sim cards for tourists:

600 Rubles (400 + 200 activation costs) = $7 USD

• Unlimited calls to TELE2  numbers in Russia
• Free Facebook, VKontakte, Viber, Whatsapp
• 1 month valid

900 Rubles (700 + 200 activation costs) = $10 USD

• 30 GB - 4G internet
• 800 minutes calling in and to Russia

Looking at these Russian prepaid sim card packages I am impressed by the value for money of TELE2. Since I never really call and text anyway, a TELE2 sim card for Russia was a perfect match.

Beeline Russia prepaid sim card

There is a Beeline shop that sells the following package:

500 Rubles = $6

• Unlimited internet - 4G network
• No hotspot available
• 14 days valid
• 30 Rubles per day extra, top up credit can be bought everywhere

There is also a shop called EBPOCETb where they sell Megafon sim cards and Beeline sim cards. The guy in the shop recommended me to buy a Megafon sim card instead of Beeline. Scroll down to see 4G network coverage maps for Russia.

Buying a sim card at SVO Terminal F

In the end I headed to Terminal E and F to find the perfect Russia sim card for tourists. At Terminal E there is NO shop that sells prepaid sim cards for Russia, but in Terminal F there was a Megafon kiosk again.

Megafon sim card Russia at SVO Terminal F

Of course here they sold the same sim cards for tourists as they did at the Terminal D, but to my surprise they also sold a specific tourist package.

Megafon tourist sim card Russia

• 30 GB data + 1500 minutes + unlimited social media - valid for 15 days =  500 Ruble - $6 USD

WOW! Looking at the above I am sure you are stunned too! Free social media and on top of that 30 GB data just for $6 USD. I asked if there would be any activation costs, but nope you pay just the 500 Rubles.

For tourists traveling to Russia for less than 2 weeks this for sure is the best Russia prepaid sim card you can find at Sheremetyevo Airport. The Megafon shop is open from 09.00 to 21.00 daily and is next to the meeting point at Terminal F.

Best 4G/5G mobile network in Russia in 2024

Let’s quickly have a look at the mobile providers in Russia selling sim cards at Moscow Airport to determine who has the best 4G/5G network in Russia. For more detailed maps of the 4G/5G network coverage  in Russia have a look at the link and you can zoom in to the region in Russia you will be traveling.

Is there 5G in Russia?

No, there is still no proper 5G network in Russia in 2024. Only in the city center of Moscow there is a small 5G network available when you are having an MTS sim card. Unfortunately they don't sell MTS sim cards at Moscow Airport. If you want an MTS 5G sim card you have to go to an MTS store in Moscow city center.

Beeline  4G/5G network coverage map

TELE2 4G/5G network coverage map

Megafon 4G/5G network coverage map

Looking at the mobile internet coverage maps for Russia you can see that as of 2024 the 4G/LTE network coverage is pretty similar for each provider. However, Megafon is slightly more extensive than Beeline and Tele2 and therefore is rated as the best 4G/LTE network in Russia in 2024. 

I expect Russia to start rolling out 5G soon, but unfortunately it is hard to go through the Russian news on the internet as I do NOT speak a word Russian! ;)

Order a prepaid sim card for Russia online

With such cheap prepaid sim cards on arrival at Moscow Airport I would not directly recommend buying an international sim card for Russia. However, it makes you forget about all the hassle buying a sim card on arrival since barely anyone even speaks English.

If your phone is not e-sim compatible then look into the following if you want to order a prepaid sim card for Russia on the internet.

Arrive prepared in Russia with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Russia, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.

SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Russia:

• 10 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order an international sim card for Russia via SimOptions .

Also a last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible you can order an e-sim card for Russia online .

My experience buying a Russia Sim Card at Moscow Airport

I decided to buy a TELE2 sim card for traveling in Russia and spent $9 USD on the smallest prepaid sim package. I went on a trip to the Altai Mountains in Siberia and to my surprise I could not only use the network of TELE2, but also the Megafon network. No clue why but it worked smooth.

Another reason why I would recommend you to buy a Megafon or TELE2 prepaid sim card for Russia at Moscow Airport.

A working network connection in Russia is as you can imagine a challenge in the worlds biggest country. But overall if I had a signal the 4G speed was good, especially in cities. On the road in Siberia I mostly just had a 3G signal, which worked fine.

More about my road trip in Altai, Siberia , check out my blog about this undiscovered region in Russia!

I hope this blog about prepaid sim cards in Russia on arrival at Moscow Airport was helpful for you if you have a question please leave me a comment.

Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world ? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Adventure Traveler & Blogger (@traveltomtom)

Enjoy your trip to Russia!

Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Moscow Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

• altai mountains