The Ultimate Tech Guide for Full-Time Travelers

While it’s easy to take every gadget imaginable with you on vacation, when planning for full-time travel you’re going to have to think things through a bit more. You can’t just take every single thing you might want– not if you also want to keep your luggage lightweight!

Technology has come a long way in the last few years, making it easier to stay connected no matter where in the world we find ourselves. There’s a lot of great tech tools available nowadays that make it easier than ever to stay connected, be organized, and travel in comfort.

In this guide, I’ll share some of the essential tech gadgets that I’ve found indispensable during my travels—and a few recommended add-ons you might want for yourself.

Related: Packing List for Perpetual Travel (Solo Female Cozy Budget Style)

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Essential Tech for Full-Time Travelers

eReaders: Your Portable Library

One of the greatest challenges of full-time travel is packing light. For bookworms it’s even harder, because you can’t pack as many books as you’d like!

Traditional paper books are bulky and add lots of weight to your luggage. While you can always swap them out for new ones while traveling, if you’re an avid reader you’re quickly going to run out of new books to read.

That’s where eReaders come in! Load them up with electronic books and you can carry an entire library in one lightweight device. I made the switch to reading ebooks a few years ago and don’t regret it at all. It’s much easier to pack one eReader versus 5 (or more) books. You can literally put thousands of books on a Kindle!

It might seem silly to have a device dedicated to only one thing when packing space is precious, but if you’re a heavy reader then you’ll want to have something that makes reading comfortable.

eReaders are great at that! Unlike a tablet or phone, an eInk screen is much easier to look at for hours at a time AND it doesn’t get washed out in direct sunlight.

Plus, the batter lasts much longer than anything else. I read a lot (2-4 hours a day, 100+ books year!) and my Kindle Paperwhite battery lasts for nearly a week on one charge. If you love to read and want to keep up with it while you’re traveling, I highly recommend getting an eReader.

Top Picks

• Kindle Paperwhite: High-resolution display and waterproof design, sturdy case and customizable lighting options for the screen. My go-to choice for eReaders at the moment.
• Kobo Clara Colour: If you prefer a non-Amazon option, the Kobo Clara HD offers a similar experience with a focus on customizable reading settings.
• Boox Palma: A newer brand with smaller, palm-sized eReaders. If you’re really short on space but still want to carry an eReader around, try this one!

Airtags: Keep Your Valuables Safe

What’s more stressful than losing your luggage? Maybe getting your bag snatched, or misplacing your wallet. 😱 Ugh! Even thinking about it happening gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Thankfully, trackers like Airtags help you keep tabs on your belongings, giving you peace of mind and helping you avoid frantic searches. They work by pinging bluetooth connections on nearby iPhones to make a “net” showing where your stuff is. As long as you have a connection, you’ll be able to track your Airtag.

I keep Airtags in my suitcase, backpack and purse, and when I get house keys from an AirBNB or a house sit I stick an Airtag on the keyring. I love being able to track where my stuff is while I’m on the move, and I panic much less about my suitcase going missing in the airport now.

Top Picks:

• Apple Airtag: If you’re an iPhone user, Airtags are a no-brainer. Their integration with the Find My app makes them easy to set up and use, and you can easily replace the batteries when needed.
• Tile Mate: For those not in the Apple ecosystem, the Tile offers similar functionality, with the added benefit of a loud ringer to help locate items nearby.

Portable Power Banks: Stay Charged on the Go

As a traveler, your devices are your lifeline—whether it’s your phone, camera, or laptop. The last thing you want is to be caught without battery power when you need it most. A reliable power bank means that your gadgets stay charged, no matter where your travels take you.

I make sure to always have a power bank with me whenever I leave the hotel. It’s easier to charge my phone from the power bank than try to find an open plug somewhere– plus it’s more secure! Sometimes hackers put devices in USB charging ports that let them get into your phone. Avoid that mess altogether by having a power bank you can use instead.

Top Picks:

• MyCharge Adventure: This is the one I use. It’s a little bulkier and heavier than the other power banks on this list, but it’s good quality and has lasted several years.
• Anker PowerCore 20100: With its high capacity and fast charging capabilities, the Anker PowerCore is a favorite among travelers.
• Any brand name that doesn’t sound like it was randomly generated by a computer is good enough for basic charging. Beware the cheap power banks at TJ Maxx and other discount stores– they usually don’t work well and/or die quickly.

Roku Stick: Your Portable Entertainment Hub

This one is a little bit “out there,” maybe! But when you’re on the road full-time, catching up on your favorite shows or watching a movie can feel like a luxury.

Using a Roku Stick means you only have to log into your accounts one time, and you don’t have to worry about being logged into a random hotel TV somewhere. A Roku Stick is a perfect solution for those nights when you just want to relax with some entertainment, no matter where you are.

I use my Roku Stick every day, even just to put on a soothing background soundtrack while I work on the blog. Because I’m slow-traveling and (mostly) staying in furnished apartments this year, it’s been worth it to have this in my suitcase. It’s one little thing that makes a place feel more like “home.”

Top Picks:

• Roku Streaming Stick 4K: 4K streaming and voice control, making it a powerful yet portable option for your entertainment needs. Remember, though, if the TV is only 1080p then that’s all you’ll see even if the Roku has a higher resolution.
• Roku Express: Bigger than a stick but easier to “install” and use if you have mobility issues– some of those hotel TV make it VERY hard to get the Roku plugged in!
• Amazon Fire Stick: An alternative for people who want to use the Amazon ecosystem instead.

Pro Tip:

• Carry an HDMI extender: Some older TVs might not have an easily accessible HDMI port. An HDMI extender ensures you’re always prepared to connect. You can order a free HDMI extender from Roku here.
• If you want to access US-only streaming app, you’ll have to route the Roku through a travel router that can use a VPN. ExpressVPN (discussed next) just came out with one called the AirCove Go.

VPN: Secure and Unrestricted Internet Access

Traveling full-time often means relying on public Wi-Fi networks, which can be risky. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a must-have tool for securing your internet connection from people who want to steal your data.

Even if you’re just using hotel wifi, or the wifi in your AirBNB, it’s a good habit to use a VPN whenever you’re accessing personal information. You just never know who’s trying to peep and get your bank account info! Don’t let them even get close enough, and use a VPN.

You can also use a VPN to access websites and streaming services that are geo-restricted! Friends who use Netflix have used their VPN to watch Japanese movies in America, for instance.

Top Picks:

• ExpressVPN: Known for its fast speeds and strong security features, making it ideal for streaming and secure browsing. This is the one I use and it’s worked well for me for over a year! You can use it on your laptop and phone.
• NordVPN: Offers a great balance of security, speed, and affordability, with servers in multiple countries for easy access.

Portable Power Strip: More Outlets, Less Hassle

One of the consistent problems in every hotel, hostel, apartment and cruise ship cabin I’ve ever been in is: there’s either not enough outlets or the outlets are SUPER far away from the bed. It’s one of those little annoyances that gets more annoying the more often it happens.

Solution: a power strip!

There are plenty of small, portable power strips available nowadays, and I always carry one around with me. Plus, it’s easier to plug the power strip into the converter rather than switch plugs in and out, or carry multiple converters around.

Note: If you’re planning on going on a cruise, you MUST have a power strip with NO surge protector.

Top Picks:

• Basic power strip with no surge protection, perfect for those planning on going on a cruise.
• Anker 521 Power Strip: This compact strip has three outlets, two USB ports and one USB-C port for faster charging.
• AUOPLUS Travel Power Strip: This is good if you need to share with another person. Four outlets, two USB ports and one USB-C port, and the cable is braided so it rolls up easier for storage.

Additional Handy Tech Tools

While the gadgets above are the heavy hitters, there are a few other tools that can make a big difference in your travel experience:

• Universal Travel Adapters: You probably already have one of these, but if you don’t, I recommend picking up a basic one from TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Look for lightweight ones that you can plug the power strip into–they’re less likely to fall out of the wall than the heavier ones that have USB charging built in, for instance.
• Portable GPS Device: When you’re hiking in remote areas or going places with little to no cell phone signal, a dedicated GPS device is a reliable companion. Garmin is the brand my dad uses, so I’ll recommend it too. 😉
• Noise-Canceling Headphones: Noise-canceling technology reduces ambient noise, making it easier to enjoy your music, podcasts, or audiobooks. Also good for when you’re in a noisy hostel dorm room. Bose is the brand my travel friends all seem to have, though it is pricey.
• Portable Wi-Fi Hotspots: For digital nomads, staying connected is crucial, and a portable Wi-Fi hotspot can keep you online in places where other connections are unreliable or unavailable. The RoamWifi travel router comes with a small data plan to get you started.
• Compact Drones: For travelers who love capturing their journey from above, a compact drone like the DJI Mini 2 gets stunning aerial shots without weighing you down. Note that some countries don’t allow you to bring a drone in! Be sure to check regulations before you book that plane ticket.

Final Thoughts

Traveling full-time is an incredible adventure, but it comes with its own set of challenges. The right tech can make those challenges easier to manage, allowing you to focus on enjoying the journey. Whether it’s keeping your gear safe or just making sure you have something great to read on a long flight, these gadgets are the perfect companions for life on the road.