One of the main advantages of freelancing is the freedom to move around. Instead of morning traffic and a 9-to-5 schedule, you can freely travel the world. Breakfast by the sea and dinner at a café in the historic center of a European city—this is something anyone who chooses the freelance path can afford. But in reality, it takes hard work and a constant search for balance between rest and work.

You’ve probably heard stories about freelancers working on a tropical beach. Beautiful photos on social media confirm that. But not everyone talks about how they managed to organize their time effectively or what it took to get there.

Before setting off on your trip, there are a few things you need to take care of:

1. Plan your route. Know in advance which days and hours you might be without internet or mobile connection and therefore unable to contact clients.

2. Check the time zone differences between your location and that of your clients—so you don’t accidentally call someone at 3 a.m.

3. Research the internet situation in the country you’re going to. Can you find Wi-Fi in every café, or will you be stuck working in the hotel room in a fixed position?

4. Plan your budget. Estimate how much money you'll spend and how many projects you’ll need to complete to keep your trip from ending sooner than you'd like.

5. Set aside some emergency funds. When traveling—especially abroad—things can go wrong. Always have backup money, whether it’s for a flight home or a new laptop if your current one ends up overboard from a boat ride.

Many freelancers worry about the same things when packing their backpack for a long trip: how to manage time, when to relax and when to work, and how not to lose motivation when surrounded by stunning scenery.

In fact, even at home you can get distracted from work. Your productivity while traveling depends entirely on your ability to focus and stick to a schedule.

You do realize that if you stop completing projects and miss deadlines, clients will leave—and your only option will be to go back home?

As for deciding when to rest and when to work—don’t box yourself in. Prefer working in the morning and exploring in the evening? Go for it. Just don’t forget about time zones. You can also alternate workdays and rest days. Spent the whole day in your room working? Take the next day off and disconnect completely.

And of course, don’t forget about prioritizing tasks, delegating (if there’s someone to delegate to), time management, and all the other perks of building your own schedule.

Where to go?

The internet is full of rankings that rate countries based on how suitable they are for freelancers. We’re using NomadList (a popular platform for digital nomads) as our base, along with the experience of WAYUP founder and his students.

1. Thailand

Probably the #1 destination for traveling freelancers. The country offers a warm, pleasant climate all year round and relatively low prices for housing and food.

Phuket and Samui—these islands with stunning beaches are favorites among freelancers. Beautiful nature and fresh air make them perfect for working under a palm tree.

Prefer a big city over the beach? Head to Bangkok. It has great infrastructure, plenty of entertainment, and high-speed internet. There are many comfortable places to work from.

Check out WAYUP founder Andrey Gavrilov’s vlog to learn about the lifestyle of freelance web designers in Thailand.


2. Indonesia, Bali

Another great destination for combining work with rest and enjoying warm waters year-round. Bali has diverse nature, nightlife, surfing, temple tours, and the chance to try the famous Kopi Luwak coffee.

A downside: accommodation can be expensive. To find budget-friendly options, you’ll need to plan ahead.

Internet quality varies depending on where you stay.

3. Argentina

The capital, Buenos Aires, is comfortable year-round. You’ll find nightlife, seaside sunsets, and coworking spaces.

Freelancers say the city offers a high standard of living. Downsides include slow internet, but the low prices are a plus for budget travelers.

4. Germany

Among European countries, Germany—especially Berlin—is a top pick for freelancers.

It’s more suited to experienced freelancers with stable income, as the cost of living is high. But it offers excellent infrastructure, a high standard of living, and great networking opportunities that can elevate your freelance career.

5. Portugal

Lisbon, Madeira—you’ve got options. Expect clean ocean beaches, quality of life, good internet, delicious food, and friendly locals.

Prices aren’t the lowest, but with early planning and rental arrangements, you can save money.

Madeira is where Andrey Gavrilov also spent a winter—check out his vlog to learn more.


6. Spain

Spain attracts freelancers with its beaches, food, endless summer, and plenty of work-friendly spots. Madrid and Barcelona have many coworking centers you’ll love.

These spaces also help build professional connections.

7. Bulgaria

The capital, Sofia, is a popular place to live and work as a freelancer. It offers affordable food and housing, and beautiful streets for strolling.

Other cities along the Black Sea also attract digital nomads with clean beaches and scenic views.

Free Wi-Fi is available in most cafés, but mobile internet may be spotty in some regions.

8. Vietnam

If hot weather doesn’t bother you, Vietnam is a great destination. There’s something for everyone—history, entertainment, and affordable living.

Pros: low prices on food and housing, and good internet for remote work.

9. Lithuania

Life in the capital, Vilnius, is affordable, calm, and comfortable. The city has excellent internet, tasty food, and low rent. There are many historic sites and a mild climate.

Besides Vilnius, Lithuania has many charming resort towns perfect for a relaxed beach or wellness break.

10. Hungary

We’ll end our list with Hungary’s capital—Budapest. It’s a modern European city with cultural and nightlife variety, affordable housing, and plenty of places to work with fast internet. What more do you need to enjoy the freelance lifestyle?

Remote work isn’t just about freedom—it’s about responsibility. Especially when you’re on the move. The main challenge is to balance work and leisure. Plan your days wisely and enjoy the perks of freelancing.