Bangkok emerges as world’s best workcation city for the first time

Tokyo ranked second, while Seoul also secured a place among the world’s top 10 workcation destinations.

Thanks to its combination of affordability, connectivity, and lifestyle appeal, Bangkok has been named the world’s best city for a workcation for the first time in 2026.

Tokyo ranked second, while Seoul was the only other Asia-Pacific city to make the global top 10.

IWG’s annual Work from Anywhere Index ranks cities based on factors including climate, broadband speed, accommodation, transport, food, culture, and the availability of flexible workspaces.

Top 10 workcation cities in 2026

1. Bangkok
2. Tokyo
3. Barcelona
4. Porto
5. Vancouver
6. Budapest
7. Naples
8. Medellin
9. Lisbon
10. Seoul

Bangkok and Tokyo lead the rankings

According to the report, Bangkok’s energy and appeal as a major travel hub helped the Thai capital secure the top spot by making it easier for remote workers to blend productivity with leisure.

Tokyo, which topped last year’s index, continued to perform strongly across key criteria, earning high scores for its vibrant culture, safety, and sustainability. The Japanese capital also benefits from easy access to mountains, coastal regions, and national parks, offering remote workers a balance between urban convenience and outdoor experiences.

Rankings of other Asia-Pacific cities:

17^th  Singapore
20^th  Sydney
21^st  Beijing
22^nd  Melbourne
32^nd  Kuala Lumpur
37^th  Manila
38^th  Hong Kong
41^st  Jakarta
43^rd  Auckland
50^th  Mumbai

Work-from-anywhere gains traction

New research commissioned by IWG found that more than half of employees (51%) said their employer already offers a work-from-anywhere (WFA) policy. Among respondents:

• 90% said WFA has improved their work-life balance
• 80% said it has improved productivity
• 80% said it would make a new role more attractive
• 62% said they would consider changing jobs for a better WFA policy

Employees use remote work to extend holidays

Almost half (48%) of surveyed workers said they plan to extend a holiday or mini-break by working remotely in 2026, while 46% said they are more likely to do so than they were a year ago. The main reasons cited were:

• Avoiding burnout and supporting wellbeing (54%)
• Spending more time with family and friends (53%)
• Making annual leave go further (52%)
• Managing the rising cost of living (51%)

When selecting destinations for remote working while travelling, reliable Wi-Fi emerged as the clear priority, chosen by 38% of respondents. This was significantly ahead of accommodation, food, and transport, each cited by around 12%.

Meanwhile, 46% said more affordable travel and accommodation would encourage them to extend a trip through remote working.

The research also suggested employees want greater reassurance that working remotely while travelling is supported by their employers. Around 44% said they would be more likely to do so if they knew it would not negatively affect perceptions of their performance, while 39% cited the need for clearer employer guidance.