If you are planning an international trip, you may be wondering how best to get online while travelling. High-speed internet access on the move doesn't have to cost a fortune.
You've probably heard horror stories of people who went on an international trip and then got a huge bill when they got home, thanks to their mobile phone roaming the data networks while they were away.
The good news is that you don't have to. There are plenty of ways to get the internet while you travel, from completely free to premium options.
In today's post, I want to help guide you through the options available for surfing the web while travelling.
The Best Ways to Surf the Web While Travelling
Using a Mobile Hotspot
A mobile hotspot is a standalone device that connects to a mobile network for data, creating a local WiFi hotspot that you can connect your devices to.
This allows all your devices to be online (handy if you're travelling with several people!) and means you don't have to worry about unlocking your phone. Some even offer 5G speeds, which means you can get superfast speeds too.
Buy a SIM Card for Travel
Depending on which country you're travelling to, the most cost-effective way to stay online while you're travelling may be to buy a SIM card for your device for that country. We usually do this wherever possible, although in some countries local regulations make it difficult to buy local SIM cards.
You can either do this on arrival or you can buy a SIM card from SimsDirect. SimsDirect is one of the best options for people travelling from the US to Europe, you can use SimsDirect discount code to enjoy the fast internet connection anywhere.
If you already have a SIM card in your phone, you can only use it for data.
Use Your Mobile Operator
The first thing to do is to check with your mobile phone company to see if they offer roaming as part of their package for the countries you are visiting - often called an international tariff plan. This can be the easiest and cheapest way to stay online while travelling.
While 2G isn't superfast, it's certainly good enough for basic things like email, messaging and routing.
Use a Special Roaming SIM Card
If your service provider doesn't offer cheap roaming rates and you don't want to have to switch the SIM card on and off in your phone while travelling, you might want to look for a solution designed for travellers - a travel SIM card.
These can be more expensive than a local SIM card, depending on the destination, but can also be more convenient depending on the situation.
Use Only WiFi to Access the Internet
If the above sounds like a lot of work, and you don't think you really need to be online every minute of the day, our suggestion would be to simply use free WiFi networks when travelling.
You can find free WiFi everywhere in many countries around the world. In the UK, for example, most restaurants, bars, museums and many public places, as well as public transport operators, offer easy and hassle-free connections.
Summary of the best ways to stay in touch online while travelling
Here's a quick summary of the best ways to stay in touch online while travelling:
- If your provider supports data roaming, check what packages are available and what prices you can expect in the country you are travelling to.
- If your phone is unlocked or supports eSIM technology, check whether you can buy a local SIM card or use a travel SIM card. In our experience, Airalo offers good value for money in the eSIM space.
- If you want to connect more devices, consider using a mobile hotspot. You can rent or buy these.
Conclusion:
The best option for you will vary depending on your destination, budget and the number of people travelling, but we think one of the options SimsDirect will help you get online and avoid a nasty bill shock when you get home!
We have a number of other resources you may find useful, including the following.
