With the world today becoming increasingly connected than before, staying in touch with your loved ones, or simply getting work done requires you to have internet access at all times. Especially when you are travelling, you need to check flights, stay up-to-date with weather forecast, book into hotel rooms for the night, and whatnot.
Traditionally, getting internet on your phone out of the country can be expensive, which is why we have compiled this list of methods you can use to get an internet connection for cheap during your travel. You can also use these for travelling inside the country. So, without further ado, here are ways to stay connected while traveling in or out of the U.S.:
Sign up for WiFi Hotspots
Get a Temporary Local SIM
Instantly Get a Global Roaming eSIM
Utilize Internet Cafes
Share Hotspot Internet With Others
Use a Public WiFi
Book Accommodation That Has WiFi
Sign up for WiFi Hotspots
A lot of internet providers offer WiFi hotspots you can use alongside your internet connection whenever you’re traveling. ISPs like Spectrum offer Out-of-Home WiFi with large coverage all over the U.S. They also offer support for their Spanish-speaking customers at Spectrum en español.
If you’re going to be staying in the U.S. for a longer period, getting internet that comes with WiFi hotspots can be a great two-in-one deal. These networks are also very reliable and fast, allowing you to work remotely, something which some other providers can’t offer.
Get a Temporary Local SIM
If you’re traveling to another country for a shorter period, you might be thinking that your country’s internet provider’s international plan might be a good idea. However, these can get extremely expensive because of roaming charges, which is why it might be a better idea to get a local sim when you arrive at your destination country.
Before your travel, make sure that your phone isn’t locked to a carrier, which might prevent you from using a local sim. Try going for a prepaid local provider. This means that you can buy a plan or credits in advance, which you can use throughout the trip.
Instantly Get a Global Roaming eSIM
While you can always get a local physical SIM from your destination country, a small, physical card can easily be misplaced or corrupted when changing SIMs.
Most modern smartphones have the functionality of using eSIM technology. Using an eSIM can have a lot of benefits. You can activate the eSIM instantly, and store multiple of them in the same smartphone. You also get increased security, since the SIMs can’t be intercepted.
When you get an eSIM, it’s usually emailed to you so you don’t have to worry about waiting for the SIM card or going out to buy one. You can also deactivate your eSIM, but keep it stored in your phone for future use.
Utilize Internet Cafes
Internet cafes are something you might not expect to see due to the wide coverage of modern Internet infrastructure. However, these are still very common, especially in countries where the internet is expensive or in remote areas.
Here, you can get access to high-speed internet for an hourly or daily rate. Internet cafes are also usually very quiet and provide a safe space where you can get online. If you’re looking for a few hours of fast and stable internet connection, then opting for an internet café instead of public WiFi can be a better option for you.
Share Hotspot Internet With Others
If you’re traveling with other people, getting a shared hotspot WiFi device can be a more budget-friendly option for you, especially if you’re going to be using less bandwidth and there are a lot of users. Even if you’re traveling alone, using a hotspot can still be a better option if you’re using multiple devices such as your laptop and phone.
A hotspot is a small phone-sized device that connects to an internet service provider through a wireless local area network that can be connected to your devices using a wired or wireless connection.
Use a Public WiFi
We don’t generally recommend using public WiFi, since there are a lot of security risks associated with public networks. However, when push comes to shove, public WiFi can also be a good option, especially if you practice smart security practices.
We recommend turning off auto-connect in your WiFi settings and turning off file-sharing. Make sure you always use a VPN to access public networks and ensure that the websites you visit are encrypted with HTTPS.
Lastly, try not to access any apps or services with your sensitive information such as bank accounts or social media platforms.
Book Accommodation That Has WiFi
One of the best ways you can get WiFi access is to book accommodation that gives you access to WiFi. While hotel WiFi can also have security risks, it’s still a lot better than using a public WiFi network.
Typically, when you check in, you can get access to the hotel’s WiFi during your stay. If the WiFi in the hotel is password protected, it should be relatively secure to use. We still recommend using a VPN to get a secure connection.
Before you choose a hotel for your stay, make sure to check if the hotel offers WiFi for free or at an added cost.
Having internet when traveling can be a lifesaver, especially when you wish to contact your family back home or get work done while traveling. Make sure to use these methods in conjunction with each other to alwa
ys stay connected while traveling.