Most people look forward to their vacation and foreign travel is often high on the bucket list for many of us. But, there are times when you want to bring a little piece of home with you and this can apply to your data. Accessing the web, avoiding censorship and circumventing geo-restrictions is not guaranteed in some parts of the world. Even if there is unrestricted access to public WiFi networks, there are considerable risks. To ensure that your privacy is protected and that you have access to streaming services it’s advisable to use a VPN designed for travelers. It is crucial to fully understand the potential risks of public internet use, and appreciate advice on how to choose a VPN with some popular travel VPN picks.
What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
Many people have heard the term VPN and are not sure what it is and how it functions. The VPN masks the unique IP address of your computer or other internet connected device. The IP address includes key information about your physical location that can be used for a variety of purposes that can range from annoying up to identify theft. Because the VPN hides your true location, it can help you to become more private online, circumvent bandwidth throttling and allow you to access geo-locked content. This can be very useful for travelers that want to log into their online banking apps or stream a region-restricted movie to watch on the go. It will also offer extra protection on a public WiFi network such as a hotel, airport or cafe. The best VPNs are easy to install and use and they are a great addition to your online security for your next trip.
5 Reasons to Use a Travel VPN
If you’re still not sure that a travel VPN is necessary for your trip, here are five reasons that may change your mind.
1. Preventing Hackers from Stealing Your Data
When you connect to a public WiFi network at a cafeteria, hotel, the airport or somewhere else, you are vulnerable to hackers. This means that your personal data, such as credit cards, passwords and more can be made available to others. A public network is usually unsecured and many users are not aware of their exposure. For many hackers, their preferred way to access data is at a public WiFi hotspot.
When you connect to your travel VPN, you will encrypt your true location which makes it virtually impossible for a hacker to steal your data. This should be your primary concern when you are traveling and connecting to the internet on the go.
2. Access to Content from Your Country
Frequent travelers may already know that the internet user experience can vary a great deal depending on where you are in the world. Even a simple Google search will return vastly different results than you may get in the U.S or another western nation.
The content that you might find on a global streaming service like Netflix will be different in Thailand than you would expect on Netflix in the U.S. So, if you want to keep pace with your favorite shows and movies, you will need a travel VPN. Even if you have a subscription to Netflix, HBO, Disney or another streaming service in the U.S. this may be inaccessible in a foreign nation.
The better travel VPNs have a large list of servers to choose from and this will allow you to connect to the internet from any nation. This includes the U.S. and even if you are somewhere else in the world you will have access to the content you’ve paid for.
3. Access to Blocked Websites
Many nations, such as China, Iran, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and others have censored internet. Many popular websites like X (Twitter), WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook and others could be partially or fully blocked. So, if you want to access them when you are in one of these countries you will need a VPN to mask your true location. For example, you may be in China, but you could connect to a VPN server in the UK where it’s not banned and access the website as if you were there.
4. Accessing Your Online Bank Account
When you access your online bank account from a foreign nation, you may be asked for extra verification for understandable security reasons. This is inconvenient, but in a worst-case scenario it could lead to you becoming blocked out of your account. As you can imagine, this is the last thing that you would want to happen when you are traveling abroad.
There are reports of travelers becoming blocked out of PayPal and other payment processors simply because they logged in from certain nations. Getting the problem resolved remotely may be harder than you may imagine because there is no local customer service. This could lead to a lengthy and expensive phone call that can ruin your trip. When you have a VPN, you can securely log into your online bank account from a compatible location and avoid these problems.
5. Sourcing Better Flight Deals
The price of a flight ticket can vary depending on the location where you are buying the ticket. Many people assume that the price is the same everywhere and they are missing out on some great flight ticket deals. For this reason, it’s a good idea to connect to a variety of different locations via VPN to see what the prices are in those nations. This can extend to other parts of your trip too and it’s worth checking to see if you can save some money on hotel stays and more.
How Do I Choose a Great Travel VPN?
The key to selecting an ideal VPN for travel is a large number of servers in numerous locations. You will need excellent 24/7 support too and the assurance of protection in nations that are not privacy-friendly, such as: China, Iran, Russia and others. Certain websites like Youtube, Instagram and even Google may not be accessible in some nations due to restrictions imposed by the government. When you have a wide network of global servers you can be assured that there will be a nearby server to use.
Make obfuscated servers a priority because they can offer more secure connection in areas where the internet is restricted and censored. An obfuscated server will make your VPN traffic look like typical internet traffic and your ISP won’t know that a VPN is in use. This will allow you to bypass those measures that are designed to block VPN traffic. The best travel VPNs will fool your genuine IP address and make it appear that you are using the internet from somewhere else. Your home or a foreign government will not be able to spy on your online activities and may restrict your internet access.
The streaming performance of the VPN is important, but there will always be a slight slowdown due to the virtual tunnel created by the VPN. That said, you can use the service for your favorite 4K and HD streaming services and you may even use it for gaming. If the VPN is fast, the connection will be stable without lapses. Excellent support will be needed for fast issue resolutions even if you are in a foreign nation. Finally, look for a money-back guarantee that can give you peace of mind if you don’t like the service.
Factors to Consider
| Factor | Why It Matters for Travel | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Ensures smooth browsing, streaming, and video calls. | Look for VPNs with high-speed servers and minimal slowdowns. |
| Global Server Locations | Helps bypass geo-restrictions and ensures better connectivity. | Choose a VPN with servers in multiple countries, including your destination. |
| Security & Encryption | Protects your data on public Wi-Fi and prevents hacking. | Look for AES-256 encryption, no-log policies, and secure protocols (e.g., OpenVPN, WireGuard). |
| Unblocking Capabilities | Allows access to region-locked content like Netflix, YouTube, or banking sites. | Choose a VPN known for bypassing geo-restrictions. |
| Device Compatibility | Ensures you can use it on all your devices. | Look for multi-platform support (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS). |
| Simultaneous Connections | Useful for connecting multiple devices or sharing with travel companions. | Select a VPN that allows at least 5–10 simultaneous connections. |
| Ease of Use | Important for quick setup, especially in unfamiliar locations. | Opt for a VPN with a user-friendly app and 24/7 support. |
| Kill Switch & Leak Protection | Prevents accidental data exposure if the VPN disconnects. | Ensure the VPN includes a kill switch and DNS/IP leak protection. |
| Price & Free Trial | Helps you balance cost and features. | Look for VPNs with reasonable pricing, free trials, or money-back guarantees. |
| Customer Support | Essential in case you face connection issues abroad. | Choose a VPN with 24/7 live chat or email support. |
6 Travel VPN Must Haves
When you’re researching a VPN for travel these are a lot of things to consider. Let’s take a look at six must haves for your next trip.
1. Privacy
The VPN will add a layer of protection when your traffic is encrypted to mask your IP address. This will make it much harder to access your browsing data which is a concern if you’re using an open wireless network at an airport or similar location. The VPN you choose should have AES 256-bit encryption (IKEv2 and OpenVPN) or ChaCha20 (IKEv2 or WireGuard) as the bare minimum. Choose a VPN with a strict no-logging policy to ensure that your activity isn’t being tracked by your VPN service provider.
2. A Large Server Network
A large VPN server network is a great fit for travel because you will have more connectivity options. With more countries to connect to you can virtually guarantee a connection when you are traveling internationally. So, you need to know the number of servers and nations that have a server.
Certain VPNs have a larger number of servers, but they are spread across a limited number of countries. This is not a great fit for travelers and you need a VPN that has fifty international locations as a bare minimum. Always go with the greater country choice unless you are visiting one place and you want multiple connections in that location.
3. Connection Speeds
Every VPN will throttle your download and upload speeds to a certain extent. But, the best VPNs only reduce the connectivity by 10-25% and in most cases, it’s noticeable. But, if you plan to stream 4K video, upload YouTube videos, attend Zoom meetings and get some gaming in you need reliable internet connection speeds.
4. Compatibility with Your Devices
The VPN you choose should run on every device that you want to bring with you on the trip. To start, make a list of your devices and ensure that the VPN service provider supports them. There should be apps for Android, iPhone, MacOS and Windows. Some VPN providers have even added Linux-friendly VPN apps too.
Some apps offer a simple graphical user-interface that’s a beginner-friendly option for the less tech savvy amongst us. If you’re planning to take your Steam Deck or a Linux laptop, choose a VPN that uses a Linux GUI app. Don’t forget about other streaming devices, such as: an Android TV box, Apple TV, Fire Stick and others that you may want to use in the hotel room.
5. Pricing Structure
There is a wide disparity in VPN services prices that can start at around $13 per month up to $30 per month or more. Most VPNs can be purchased at a discount if you choose to pay for an entire year in advance. But, it’s not a great idea to pay for more than a year at a time because even though the deal is good things can change rapidly.
The VPN you select could be the most secure, fast and perfect service for streaming now. In the future this may not be true, the company could change hands, there could be a data breach and the connection speeds could be slower. So, an annual plan is the best balance of value with the least amount of risk.
6. Streaming Support
The main reason that most people choose to use a VPN is to improve their privacy and security. But, it’s probably safe to assume that the second most popular reason is to unlock content that’s region-restricted. Perhaps you want to watch your favorite UK TV shows on BBC iPlayer, but you can’t access it if you are outside the UK. There may be other shows that you want to see from home or other countries as you’re traveling. If you’re in the mood to binge watch your favorite show from your Netflix library at home, you will need a VPN. If this is an important feature choose a VPN that can unlock your favorite streaming services.
Which is the Best Travel VPN?
This is a hard question to answer because everyone has a unique set of circumstances to consider. The sheer number of VPNs on the market can make it difficult to find the right one to meet your needs.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has 160 locations spread over 105 nations and even restrictive and obscure places are covered. This is great for travelers because there’s likely to be a high-speed ExpressVPN server nearby. This company is privacy-focused with RAM-only servers and the proprietary Lightway protocol to provide more secure, reliable and faster connections. The company has a kill switch and auto-connect to prevent exposure to malicious individuals and governments. If the connection is interrupted the VPN will reconnect automatically and you won’t need to check that the VPN connection is still active.
The unblocking capabilities are excellent which adds to the utility for a travel VPN. When you’re relaxing in your hotel room you can stream your favorite global content with no worries about geographical blocks and restrictions. The coverage for the U.S, and Europe is superior, but there are 25 additional locations in the Asia-Pacific region. You can unblock Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, 9Now, 10Play, K-Dramas and more.
ExpressVPN has only five simultaneous connections, but the device compatibility is impressive. There are apps for Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux, Chromebooks, Kindle Fire, the Amazon Fire Stick and routers! Although ExpressVPN is not the cheapest, it is simple to use and reliable with helpful 24/7 support. You can take it for a test drive and there’s a 30-day money back guarantee.
SurfShark
This is a Netherlands-based company that has the same device compatibility as the other two VPNs. A single SurfShark plan can cover multiple devices including the router and it can unblock Amazon Video, YouTube, Disney+, 9Now, 10Play, BBC iPlayer, Netflix and pretty much anything else. The company has a solid no-logging policy for privacy and extra peace of mind.
SurfShark has a presence in 100 nations with a 3,200 server count which should be more than sufficient for traveling. Where this VPN truly shines is the connection speeds which are regularly clocked at over 950 Mbps which is higher than the competition. But, if you’re using the OpenVPN protocol to run SurfShark on a router the speed can drop to 150 Mbps. So, if you want to use a third-party app or a router this is not the best option.
The SurfShark app switches the NoBorders mode on automatically when restrictions are detected on your network. The VPN will seek out and fetch you a list of the best performing servers that can bypass the restrictions standing in your way. This is a great feature for travelers and digital nomads that move around frequently. SurfShark has 256-bit AES encryption, ad and malware blockers, a native antivirus, the kill switch and other features that make it an excellent value proposition. There is a trial version and a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure that you’re happy with the service.
NordVPN
For most people, this is probably the best known VPN name and it’s earned a solid reputation. The company has 6,000 servers spread over more than 110 countries to virtually guarantee a fast server anywhere you need one. NordVPN is also fast with connection speed that can exceed 950 Mbps thanks to the NordLynx protocol which is an enhanced version of WireGuard. The VPN has 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, Double VPN and Onion over VPN. These two additional protocols can improve web browsing security anywhere and Threat Protection Lite is included in the plan.
