You are travelling, or your flat is too noisy, and a video call lands in your calendar in an hour. The hotel room gives an ugly background and random wifi, the cafe next door is a racket, and the library flat-out forbids talking. Good news: there is a real solution for taking your call in peace, well lit and with a reliable connection. Here is how to go about it, where to go, and the habits that make a video call work away from home.
The basic rule: a coworking space, not a cafe
For a video call, the cafe is almost always a false good idea: background noise, a machine hissing steam, and zero privacy when you talk about work matters. The library, on the other hand, is too silent, you do not take calls there. The right option is coworking: you get a soundproof phone booth or a meeting room bookable by the hour, wifi built for work, and nobody glaring at you when you launch your Teams call. Most accept a day or even a few hours, with no subscription.
What you really need for a video call
Three things make the difference. First, an enclosed space: a phone booth for a solo call, a small room if you share your screen or there are several of you. Then stable wifi: a stuttering video call is your professional image collapsing. Finally, light and background: put the light source in front of you (never behind) and aim for a neutral wall. A headset with a mic remains your best ally, even in a booth, for clear sound on both sides.
Test the speed before committing
It is the habit nobody has and it changes everything: before booking, check the wifi. Ask for the password when you arrive and run a speed test (Speedtest or fast.com) from your table. For a smooth video call, aim for at least 10 to 25 Mbps upload and download; beyond that, you can share your screen without sweating. If you have a critical call, also ask whether there is an Ethernet port: the cable remains the ultimate guarantee against dropouts.
How much it costs
Much less than you think. A day pass in a coworking space often runs between 10 and 30 euros, wifi included, and some places even charge by the hour. Phone booths are often free to use once you are on site; meeting rooms are booked as needed, generally 5 to 30 euros an hour depending on size. For a one-hour video call between two appointments, the maths is quick compared with a hotel room or a cafe where you would not dare talk anyway.
On the road: our habits
Spot your place the day before and book the booth or room if possible, especially mid-morning, the most requested slot. Arrive 15 minutes early to settle in and test the connection. Keep an earpiece in your pocket: in a pinch, a quiet corridor or the entrance of the space can save a short call. And if you are just starting out, take a look at our guide first time in coworking.
In short
For a video call away from home, forget the cafe and the library: head to a coworking space with a booth or bookable room, open by the day. Test the wifi beforehand, take care of light and background, and keep a headset handy.
Where to take a video call, city by city
Select your city for coworking spaces with a booth or bookable room, open by the day:
Frequently asked questions
Where can I take a video call when I am travelling?
The safest option is a coworking space open by the day, with a phone booth or a room bookable by the hour: calm, reliable wifi and privacy, which neither the cafe nor the library offers.
Can I take a video call in a cafe?
It is risky: background noise and lack of privacy. For a work call, a booth or a coworking room is better. We explain best practices in our article can you take video calls in a coworking space.
What wifi speed do I need for a video conference?
Aim for at least 10 to 25 Mbps upload and download for a smooth video call, more if you share your screen. Test the speed on site before starting, and prefer an Ethernet cable for important calls.
How do I check that a place's wifi is good enough?
Run a speed test (Speedtest or fast.com) on arrival, from your table. Aim for at least 10 to 25 Mbps upload and download for a smooth video call.
