The Best Ways to Connect to the Internet while Abroad
I absolutely love being a digital nomad! There are so many great things about it, from being able to live almost anywhere while earning an income online, to being able to flex my work schedule around the needs of my family. It’s great!
But if there is any drawback to the digital nomad lifestyle, it is the need to always be online. Most of the time that’s not an issue. I like having access to the internet anyways, so most of the places I want to travel to are places where the internet is easy to find. But that’s not always the case.
For those places that are a little more difficult, this is how you get connected.
TLDR; Best options for Staying Connected
- Free Wi Fi can also be great, but be sure to use a VPN to help protect yourself. (NordVPN)
- While every place is different, picking up a local SIM card on arrival is almost always the most cost-effective way to stay connected while overseas.
- If you want to stay connected without the hassle of getting a new SIM Card in each country, try services like Google Fi (for Americans) or Airalo (for anyone).
- Combining a local SIM with a hot spot device allows you to create a secure network you can take with you, without hurting your phone. (Nighthawk M1)
Make good use of the free Wi Fi where you can
Even in the remotest areas of the world, you can usually find some places that have internet. Satellite providers make it possible to get internet pretty much anywhere, even if the speeds aren’t quite up to the standards you’re hoping for. Still, it never hurts to check!
Side note: If you aren’t using a VPN when connecting to free public Wi Fi, you should probably start.
Free Wi Fi is often left unsecured or with minimum security, which means if someone knows what they are doing it is quite possible for them to skim information from the computers connected to that network. A VPN covers that information with an extra layer of data so the important bits stay hidden.
I highly recommend NordVPN, which I have been using for over a decade. For more information, check out my article: Why a cheap VPN is an amazing tool for any international traveler.
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Hotel Wi-Fi (Free with your stay!)
The most obvious place to check for internet availability is the place where you are staying. I typically use Booking.com to book my stays, and they have a place where you can filter stays by whether there’s Wi Fi or not. But just because a place says they have internet doesn’t mean that their internet will work for you.
Many places have internet speeds that are well below what you need video conferencing, and if you happen to be sharing that connection with someone else, it may be too slow to be of much use at all. I’ve often checked into my stay only to find that the free internet is free for a reason.
Coffee Shop Wi-Fi (Internet for the price of your coffee)
Of course, not all of us want to work from where we’re staying. That’s totally ok, but it means finding a different source for the internet.
At least for me, the first place that comes to mind when I’m thinking of a place that might have Wi-Fi is a coffee shop.
Coffee shops almost always will have Wi-Fi available for their customer’s use, and for good reason. The longer that a customer stays in the store, the more likely they are to buy that second cup of coffee. Or third. Having the internet makes that more likely.
But depending on the shop, you may not want to stick around too long. It could be crowded, or loud, or they might not have that great of coffee.
Still, they’re usually a good choice if you’re in a jamb. Just make sure to call ahead to confirm that they have internet.
Coworking Spaces with Wi-Fi (price depends on the space)
Similar to coffee shops are co-working spaces. Many larger cities will have dedicated spaces where people can get together to work. These spaces will often not only have Wi-Fi, but also desks for spreading out, and access to coffee, or snacks.
It’s a pretty great idea for places that see a lot of digital nomads coming through since we’re all looking for convenient places to work. However, if you’re planning on getting off the beaten path, you may be out of luck here.
Side note: Looking for a great co-working space at a great price? Here’s a little known travel tip!
While SafetyWing Travel Medical Insurance’s primary business is keeping you safe by providing quality insurance for travelers, SafetyWing members also get access to some other perks, including discounts on co-working and co-living spaces across the globe!
Depending on where you’re traveling, it’s possible to save quite a bit of money while working in modern, well-equipped spaces. Plus, you’ll be covered in case of a travel medical emergency!
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Use a Cell phone or Hotspot plan for Internet
Of course, there are places where there just isn’t a place with workable Wi Fi. Don’t worry, there’s still hope!
4g data plans are far more common overseas than you might expect, and are often the only real source of internet for rural areas. That means that if you want to get out of town, you’re probably going to want a way to tap into their cell networks.
There are two main ways of doing so. You can either find a local company whose rates and coverage works for you, or you can use a global company. Each way has its own pros and cons.
Local SIMs are the Most Cost-effective Way to Stay Connected While Traveling
- Good for travelers who are staying in a country for a while
The most obvious, but still the best, way to get onto a local cell network is to use a local SIM card. Local data is almost always cheaper than buying international data from a foreign provider, and getting a SIM card is usually a pretty straightforward process.
In many countries it’s possible to get a SIM card and a 30-day tourist SIM before you even leave the airport! I typically like to go this route, since it means having access to inexpensive data from the get-go. If I plan on staying in country longer than 30 days, or if I run out of data on my “tourist plan,” I’ll usually visit a local cell provider’s store outside the airport and purchase a different, non-tourist SIM card for my second month since the top up fees for tourist SIMS are often more expensive than the introductory offer.
Airalo Local eSIMs
Alternatively, you can use an eSIM service, like Airalo as an easy way to use local networks without needing to buy a SIM card in each country that you visit.
Airalo negotiates prices with local network providers all over the globe to provide a mobile internet rates that are almost, but not quite, the same as if you had a physical SIM from a local provider. They make it super easy to choose and install eSIMs from all over the world, even before you’ve left your home.
The advantage of that is that you’ll have internet on a local network from the moment you touch down, without needing to stand in line at a shop. I’ve used it before, and it was extremely simple to use.
The only real hang-up is that while it is on a local network, it is not as inexpensive as buying and using a local SIM card.
Interested in giving Airalo a test-run?
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Basically, if you’re only spending a week or two in country and don’t mind spending a little extra to avoid standing in line, Airalo is an excellent choice. If you’re spending a longer time in country, or if you’re wanting to use a lot of data on a budget, it’s probably worth it to buy a local SIM from a provider on the ground.
Global SIMS and Hotspots
While local SIM cards are definitely the cheapest way to stay connected while traveling, there are sometimes when they aren’t the most convenient option. Whether it’s because you’re only planning on being in a country for a few days, or because it’s turned out to be a real pain to get a local SIM for some other reason, there are times when
Google Fi
I’ve already spoken at length about Google Fi, so I won’t go into deep detail here, but short-term stays and border jumps are a place where Google Fi’s international networks really shine.
I especially loved having internet during a 4-hour layover in Panama’s airport. Before traveling with Fi, I would often find myself wandering aimlessly through an airport the entire time (and inevitably buying some duty free chocolate). But with Google Fi on my phone, I can instead choose to be productive during my layover! (or look through Facebook. Whichever).
Google Fi offers 2 different plans that work extremely well for Americans traveling overseas. With one small caveat.
Because Google Fi is a US-based provider, they require most of your data usage to happen in the States. If you're taking a shorter trip overseas, this isn't a big deal. You basically just use your plan as normal without needing to think about it. But if you stay outside the States for too long, they will cut you off. (I've been cut off twice.)
That’s not to say they’re perfect. For one thing, they charge the exact same rate for internet whether you’re using data in the States or abroad. And since America has some of the most expensive mobile data plans out there, that means you’ll be paying significantly more than you would with a local SIM.
Even still, I’ve found it incredibly useful as a back-up internet source when I suddenly run out of credit on my local SIM during a meeting, or for when I need to take an international phone call with my US number while I’m sitting outside a coffee shop in Thailand.
And because Google Fi uses an eSIM to provide service, it’s easy to have it installed alongside another provider!
Basically, if you are an American and you plan on traveling internationally with any sort of regularity, having a Google Fi account is a good idea.
Airalo Global eSIMs
Didn’t I just talk about Airalo? Well, yes, but that was because they offer an easy alternative to getting a local SIM card. As it turns out, Airalo also offers something called a Global SIM that provides data in over 124 different countries without needing to worry about changing your cell plan in between!
Some of the same caveats apply here, though. As convenient as it is to not have to switch you SIM card, Airalo data is more expensive than local data. And, as of March 2024, their largest global data plan only provides 20GB of data, so you shouldn’t plan on binging Netflix.
But if you don’t need a huge amount of data and need an easy, reliable internet solution across multiple different countries? Airalo has you covered.
Airalo offers Local eSIMs for over 200 different countries around the world, helping you to connect while abroad without having to pay international roaming fees. But they ALSO offer Global eSIMs that allow you to travel freely from country to country without needing to worry about getting connected at all. That's incredibly convenient for travelers visiting multiple countries in a single trip.
Interested in giving it a try?
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Solis Global Hotspots
If you’re planning on staying in a country for a longer amount of time, but don’t want to get a local SIM card, Skyroam’s Solis devices provides a good amount of coverage across 135+ countries, all without breaking the bank.
It is capable of connecting up to 10 devices and has an unlimited data plan for $99.00/month. For that price, you can get up to 20GB of LTE data, with the ability to purchase more at $9/GB more. Do note that if you choose not to pay the $9 more after you use the 20GB of high-speed internet, you can still use the internet. Just at reduced speeds.
Since it works by creating a Wi-Fi hot spot, any device that can connect to a Wi-Fi network will be able to get internet access, even if it doesn’t have a SIM slot of its own or if it’s locked down to a specific carrier.
Formerly the Skyroam Solis, these little orange cylinders have a really cool trick. They connect to mobile data networks in 135+ different countries around the world to provide you with an easy, inexpensive way to stay connected wherever you roam!
The device itself only comes with 1GB of data a month, though. So, on top of the device price, you will need to purchase a monthly plan. Still, this is one of the easiest ways to keep all your devices connected while traveling.
How to use your Mobile connection to share internet with all your devices
Ok! So, you’ve landed at your destination and you’ve chosen to use a local SIM card to get internet for your devices. Great choice!
Just use your handy-dandy cell phone!
The simplest way to use a local SIM is just to pop it into your phone, make sure its activated and has data, and you’re in business! If your plan includes hotspot data, you can even use your phone to provide a local network for your devices so you can share your data with your other devices. It’s simple, doesn’t require other hardware, is most often what I do.
But while I live my life this way, there are several disadvantages that you should probably be aware of.
If you’re using your phone for all your internet needs, it means you’ll need to have it charged and at hand anytime you want to share your connection. Most of the time that’s fine, but there are sometimes when my kids will be using my internet connection for school (or video games) when I need to go buy groceries. Which means, they may be out of luck until I make it back to the house.
The other factor to consider is that when you hotspot, your phone can get hot. Like, so hot that it’s unpleasant to hold. You might not think that’s a big deal, but prolonged heat can actually cause your battery to run down faster and it can decrease the overall lifespan of your phone. Not great.
Just as an example, on days that I use my phone as a hotspot, my battery runs down to under 50% by lunchtime, and if it’s plugged in it gets hot enough that I lose my internet connection altogether! I typically put it on a quick charger during lunch to help it last the day.
Get a dedicated hotspot device
That’s where mobile hotspot devices come in!
Instead of relying on your phone to provide your network throughout the day, a mobile hotspot device takes a SIM card of its own and turns a cell signal into a robust wifi network that will work for all your devices!
The main advantages of having a dedicated device for providing a mobile internet connection are:
- It won’t drain your phone’s battery, so it will be ready when you are ready to go explore!
- Your phone won’t overheat. Phones that are overheating lose capabilities like video stabilization, can’t connect to the internet, and lose their battery capacity at an increased rate. Plus, they’re uncomfortable to hold.
- A mobile hotspot device can allow more devices to connect at once, though that’s not typically an issue unless you have a lot of devices that you want connected at the same time.
- A mobile hotspot typically has larger mobile radios than a cell phone, so can connect to the internet even when a phone might not be able to find signal.
I also really like that, if my stay has wifi of its own, I can plug this thing into the wall, run an ethernet cord to the router, and have all of my devices connect to my own router instead of having to put in a new wifi password at every new place we stay!
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Budget-friendly, but old.
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My recommendation for most people.
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Best of the best!
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$179.99
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Description:
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Description: The Nighthawk M1 is a few years old at this point, but despite that age, it is easily still one of the best mobile hotspot routers on the market! There is a newer version of this router that is an incredible, future-proof upgrade, but that extra speed comes with a much higher price point. |
Description: Netgear is known for making great routers, and their Nighthawk line, in particular, are some of the best mobile hotspot routers out there. These things connect to up to 32 different devices, and offer speeds up to 8Gbps, which is absolute overkill, but I love it. |
- Connects with up to 15 devices at once
- Creates a network using local SIM cards
- A little old, but still works well!
The Nighthawk M1 is a few years old at this point, but despite that age, it is easily still one of the best mobile hotspot routers on the market!
There is a newer version of this router that is an incredible, future-proof upgrade, but that extra speed comes with a much higher price point.
Netgear is known for making great routers, and their Nighthawk line, in particular, are some of the best mobile hotspot routers out there. These things connect to up to 32 different devices, and offer speeds up to 8Gbps, which is absolute overkill, but I love it.
Hopefully, one of these options will work to get you connected, but if you’re headed somewhere that’s so far off the beaten path that none of these will work, then you may just be out of luck, at least until space internet becomes more widespread!
Have your own favorite way of getting connected when you’re on the go? Let me know about it!
Contact me at neverendingfieldtrip@gmail.com
