Wi-Fi On The Go: 7 Tips For Staying Connected While Travelling
The internet can be a very useful tool when travelling. You can research places to go, transfer money, translate text, navigate yourself via GPS, stay in contact with family/friends and entertain yourself on journeys.
Of course, finding reliable Wi-Fi on the go isn’t always easy. And there are dangers to be wary of such as insecure Wi-Fi or expensive fees. This is why it’s important to do your research before using the internet abroad. Below are just a few tips that could be useful to know for helping you stay connected while traveling.
Check your cell phone plan
Basic cell phone plans will charge you roaming fees for using your data abroad. These roaming fees may be charged per day, per minute or per megabyte depending on who your carrier is. These fees can quickly get expensive. Because of this, many people turn their data off when traveling to another country, and rely solely on local Wi-Fi.
The problem with this is that there may not always be locally available Wi-Fi. If you’re likely to need to stay connected, it might be worth upgrading your cell phone plan. Some plans allow you to use data in certain countries without any fees. Alternatively, you can temporarily switch to using an international SIM, which connects to local networks and doesn’t charge you any roaming fees.
On top of looking into roaming charges, it’s also important to consider how much data you actually have. Some people end up using a lot more data when traveling than they do back home. So that you don’t run out of data, check that your data plan is sufficient. Some travel phone plans have unlimited data while also not charging roaming fees, making them the perfect option for staying connected abroad.
Research into hotel Wi-Fi
If you’d prefer to use Wi-Fi rather than data, choosing a hotel with Wi-Fi could be essential. Most hotels and hostels around the world in this day and age do have Wi-Fi. However, the quality of this Wi-Fi can greatly vary and some hotels may charge you to use it.
It’s worth doing your research when booking hotels. Rather than just checking whether a hotel has Wi-FI, check whether it is free to use and how much the hotel charges per day. There are also websites that review the speed and strength of Wi-Fi in hotels around the world. This could be important to know if you need to use the internet to do work or if you simply want the option to stream movies and video call people back home without interruptions.
Choose buses and trains with Wi-Fi
Long bus journeys and train journeys can be pretty tedious if you haven’t got Wi-Fi. Try to book long-haul public transport options that have Wi-Fi if available. In some cases, this may involve upgrading to use a certain train carriage or bus.
Having Wi-Fi could allow you to occupy your journey by streaming music or TV shows. Alternatively, you can stimulate your brain by playing chess online, downloading e-books or completing online puzzles.
Stay secure by using a VPN
Public Wi-Fi connections are often not very secure. This means that anyone can connect to them and use them maliciously. This could include hacking other users on the same connection and stealing sensitive data.
Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is recommended so that you can browse public Wi-Fi networks anonymously and not worry about getting hacked. VPNs also have other benefits such as allowing you to stream TV shows that may be blocked in other countries. There are many VPN apps that you can choose from – download one of these if you don’t already have a VPN installed.
Bring a portable router
It’s possible to buy a portable router that can provide you with your own private internet connection wherever you go. Some of these are small enough to fit in your pocket, while others are larger and have antennae to provide a stronger connection in more remote areas. You can buy USB dongles for laptops or wireless routers to use with multiple devices.
Most of these portable routers are pay-as-you-go, while others are paid for monthly. They are generally cheaper to use than having to pay roaming fees. Take the time to compare router fees.
Keep your devices charged
You’ll only be able to use the internet if your devices are kept charged up. While you may be able to find outlets on the go to charge up your devices, there are a few things you need to consider.
Firstly, different outlet shapes are used around the world. You’ll need a travel adapter to charge your devices abroad as your plug won’t fit foreign outlets. Make sure to buy the right adapter.
Secondly, make sure to charge up your devices before going on long journeys. Some modes of transport have built-in outlets (such as some long-haul coaches and trains), but many don’t (such as airplanes). A portable charger could be a solution for allowing you to keep your devices charged up on the go.
How quickly your battery drains will depend on how you use your devices. Streaming videos online or conducting video calls will drain your battery faster than other online activities. Using your hotspot to provide internet for someone else will also drain your battery fast and shouldn’t be done for long periods.
Know when to come offline
While it’s useful to have an internet connection when travelling to many locations around the world, it’s important to not use the internet too heavily, as it could stop you from fully immersing yourself in your travels.
You don’t need to constantly post updates on social media, nor do you need to rely entirely on GPS to get around. Similarly, make sure that you’re not glued to your phone during entire bus or train journeys – there could be amazing sights out of your window that you’re missing out on. Overall, taking a break from the internet and living in the moment could be key to providing a sense of adventure and will enable you to truly enjoy your travels.
