Planning a remote working retreat sounds like a dream until you’re halfway across the country with a dead charger, no backup files, and three unnecessary pairs of shoes. Whether you’re escaping to the woods, settling into a beach rental, or setting up shop in a mountain cabin, remote work travel demands a different kind of packing list—one that balances comfort, productivity, and a healthy dose of realism. Let’s get into it—starting with what matters most when you’re living and working away from home.
Get Your Travel Documents Actually in Order?
Before we even get to packing your tech or your cozy socks, let’s cover the non-negotiables. You can’t work remotely if you can’t get where you’re going. Your travel documents are more than just your ID and boarding pass. Depending on your destination, especially if it’s international, you may also need a valid passport, visa, proof of vaccinations, digital copies of your bookings, and any business permits if you’re planning to work in a public or co-working space.
According to guidance from seasoned travelers, these items should be double-checked and stored in both physical and digital formats before departure. Even for domestic travel, you don’t want to be stuck without essentials like insurance cards, digital access to banking tools, or emergency contact information.
Packing a Compact Instrument to Change Your Work Vibe
If you play music—or have ever wished you did—bringing along one of those compact, cleverly designed travel guitars might be one of the smartest personal additions you can make to your gear. While laptops and chargers keep your business running, an instrument like this keeps your creative energy alive. These smaller-bodied guitars are built to be portable without sacrificing tone, and they tuck easily into overhead bins or back seats.
Why does this matter? Because being in a new environment can be both inspiring and overwhelming. A quick jam session between Zoom calls or after a long workday can do wonders for your stress levels. More than a hobby, playing an instrument helps reset your entire nervous system and gives your brain a break from the screen. And yes, it’s quieter than you’d think, so you’re not going to annoy your neighbors or Airbnb host.
All That Tech Gear may not be Necessary
One of the biggest traps remote workers fall into is overpacking electronics. Sure, you need your laptop, phone, chargers, and maybe a headset or a ring light. But before you throw in a second monitor or a backup keyboard, ask yourself if the destination is truly equipped—or necessary—for a full setup.
A better strategy? Focus on adaptability. A lightweight USB hub, a reliable power bank, and a compact mouse or trackpad go a long way. Make sure your chargers are universal or region-appropriate. And rather than bringing a pile of accessories, streamline your gear around how you’ll actually work. Will you be on video calls all day? Will you be editing documents offline in the morning and hiking in the afternoon? Let your tech match your schedule, not the other way around.
Dress for Work and Leisure Without Overpacking
Here’s where things get personal—and sometimes out of control. Remote working retreats aren’t vacations, but they’re not boardroom meetings either. The trick is to pack smart, versatile clothing that lets you transition between a client call and an afternoon walk without feeling either overdressed or underprepared.
Stick to neutrals and layers. Choose a few items that can be dressed up or down. If you’ll be somewhere with unpredictable weather, a rain jacket or a warm pullover should replace your impulse pack of three different sweaters. The goal is to pack efficiently, not exhaustively.
And yes, bring something comfortable for downtime. Slippers, lounge pants, a favorite sweatshirt—all fair game. Just don’t let your off-the-clock wardrobe take over your suitcase. If it doesn’t serve multiple purposes, it probably doesn’t need to come.
Leave This Stuff at Home
This might be the most valuable section of all. There’s something about preparing for a trip that makes people want to pack “just in case” items: books you haven’t read, office tools you don’t use, five different chargers, and enough clothes to outfit a pop-up shop. Here’s the truth—most of that won’t help your productivity and will just clutter your space and your mind.
Skip the full bookshelf. Bring one good read or a device with a few downloaded titles. Leave behind your entire skincare collection and pack a simplified version instead. Don’t bother with backup electronics unless they’re mission-critical. And if you’re bringing something “just in case,” ask yourself when you last actually used it.
Packing light doesn’t mean going without. It means making space for the work, rest, and experiences you actually want from this retreat. The less stuff you bring, the less you have to unpack, track, clean, and repack later. And that’s real freedom.
