When I set out on my backpacking trip across Europe, I didn’t expect to be building a full-scale travel booking website along the way. But as a web developer with over 15 years of experience, I’ve learned that with the right tools, a reliable internet connection, and a bit of discipline, it’s possible to turn any corner of the world into your office - even a train station in Prague or a cafe in Lisbon.
This is the story of how I designed, developed, and launched a fully functional travel booking website while living out of a backpack and hopping between 12 countries in 3 months.
The Idea Hit Me in Budapest
The idea came to me while chatting with fellow travelers at a hostel in Budapest. Many complained about how clunky or outdated smaller travel agency websites felt. They were struggling to book local tours and activities, especially with last-minute changes or poor mobile experiences. That’s when I realized there was a real gap in the market: a clean, responsive, user-friendly booking site that smaller agencies could use without needing a tech team.
So I decided to build a prototype, a travel booking platform that could be scaled and licensed to small businesses across Europe and beyond.
My Tech Stack
Given the nature of the project, I needed a stack that was lightweight, cloud-based, and scalable:
- Frontend: React.js (fast, modular, perfect for dynamic interfaces)
- Backend: Node.js with Express
- Database: MongoDB Atlas (cloud-based, easily manageable on the go)
- Authentication: Firebase Auth
- Hosting: Vercel for frontend, Heroku for backend
- CMS: Strapi (self-hosted, lightweight, API-first)
- Payments: Stripe for tour and activity bookings
I set everything up with GitHub so I could push updates from anywhere and used Trello to manage my progress.
Internet: The Lifeline
One of the biggest challenges of working remotely while traveling is stable internet. Hostels are unpredictable, and public Wi-Fi can be sketchy. That’s where my eSIM service saved me. Instead of juggling SIM cards from different countries, I used a global eSIM that worked across Europe. It gave me decent 4G coverage even on trains and in rural towns, allowing me to push updates or deploy features from almost anywhere.
Working on the Move
I blocked 2–3 hours every morning before sightseeing to code. Sometimes that meant waking up early in Rome or skipping a night out in Berlin. I carried a lightweight laptop, a foldable Bluetooth keyboard, and noise-canceling headphones. I worked from train stations, cafes, co-working spaces, and even park benches. The key was to stay consistent - progress over perfection.
Whenever I faced downtime (like during long train rides or layovers), I reviewed UX flows, planned upcoming features, or replied to client emails.
Launching from Lisbon
By the time I reached Lisbon, about two months in, I had a working MVP. It allowed users to browse local experiences, check availability, and book directly. I even onboarded a small travel agency I met in Croatia, who loved the idea and agreed to pilot the platform.
The MVP included:
- A clean homepage with real-time listings
- Mobile-first responsive design
- Simple checkout with Stripe
- Admin panel for travel agents
- Email confirmations and booking status
What I Learned
- Mobility doesn’t limit productivity - it challenges you to be efficient.
- Focus on real problems - building something with direct feedback from travelers helped me make smarter decisions.
- Tools matter - using a global eSIM, cloud-based development platforms, and remote collaboration tools allowed me to work from literally anywhere.
- Start small, build smart - Bringing a great idea to life doesn’t require a large budget or a big team.
Final Thoughts
Building a travel booking website while exploring Europe was one of the most rewarding professional and personal experiences of my life. It took effort, but achieving it was entirely within reach. If you’re a developer with an idea and a passport, know this - you don’t have to wait until you’re back home to start building.
Your next big project might be one train ride away.
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