How to Get Free Internet (Wi-Fi) While Travelling Internationally?

Last Updated: January 23, 2025

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In today's world, the internet has become essential for everyday work. Whether you are a traveller or a student pursuing education, the Internet is necessary to complete your regular tasks. It keeps you informed, entertained, and connected with the world.

Even while travelling, we seek the internet. A report by HighSpeedInternet shows that more than 81% of travellers consider WiFi a must-have during their vacation.

If you are a traveler, you must find ways to stay connected. Do not worry; this guide will discuss various methods for getting free Wi-Fi and some paid options for higher speed and security.

Methods to Get Free WiFi While Traveling

Although Wi-Fi is essential, you won't find free options everywhere. Fortunately, there are still some helpful ways to discover free Wi-Fi. Here are great ways to find free Wi-Fi travelling:

1. Connect with public places with Wi-Fi, like parks and airports.
2. Visit cafes, restaurants, or food chains that have Wi-Fi.
3. Use the Wi-Fi at nearby banks or shopping malls.
4. Use Wi-Fi finding apps to find free nearby Wi-Fi.
5. Share a mobile hotspot with friends.

1. Connect to Public WiFi

Public Wi-Fi is a great way to stay connected to the internet for free. 30% of internet users use free Wi-Fi at least once a day, so it’s very common. This has become more helpful for travellers.

Free Wi-Fi is available in public places such as airports, libraries, train stations, and other public spaces. Additionally, some government providers offer free Wi-Fi in many tourist areas to promote connectivity.

The steps for using free public Wi-Fi are simple. Go to the nearest public Wi-Fi and scan for networks. You will see open Wi-Fi networks named after public places. Now, connect to that free Wi-Fi without needing a passkey.

Note: When using free wifi, it is always recommended to use a VPN. Open networks are not always secure, so using a VPN keeps you safe.

2. Visit Cafes, Restaurants, and Food Chains

Cafes, restaurants, and fast food chains like Starbucks and McDonald's are perfect for getting internet access while travelling. They are known for offering their customers internet access.

Simply buy a drink or snack for yourself, and you will be provided with the passwords. If they don't provide you with one, you are free to ask for it.

These places provide you with more secure and faster internet than the free public options. Plus, you will also get comfortable seating to enjoy your experience on the internet.

3. Use Nearby Bank or Mall WiFi

If there are any malls or banks nearby, you can visit them to enjoy the internet while. It is one of the simplest ways to use the internet without paying a penny.

Generally, banks and malls provide both open and secure Wi-Fi options. This means you can enjoy Wi-Fi without asking for the internet. If you find the open one is slow, you can ask for the password from their staff.

4. Apps to Find Nearby Free WiFi

Use the free nearby Wi-Fi to access international internet for free. You can use mobile apps like Instabridge or Wi-Fi Finder to locate free Wi-Fi near you. Many of these apps also provide passwords for the secured option.

Simply go to the Play Store and download any app from the options mentioned above, like WiFi Map. Then, open their maps; a lot of free options will be shown there.

Next, head to that location using the in-app map or Google Maps and start using the Wi-Fi. These apps are gems for free international internet access.

5. Share a Mobile Hotspot

If you are traveling with local friends or family, you can ask them to share their hotspots. The data plans on the local SIM card are cheaper than the international roaming fees.

Your friends can share their data with you by turning on their phone's hotspot. Your steps involve similar methods, like connecting to any other Wi-Fi.

Alternatively, you can purchase a local SIM card and use your phone as a hotspot. This can be useful, especially when there is no free Wi-Fi in your location.

How to Get Internet While Traveling?

We previously discussed free ways to access the internet while travelling. Now, you might be interested in paid options for faster internet speeds.

Ways to get internet while travelling are:

1. Get a Local or Global SIM Card

One of the easiest ways to get internet while traveling is by getting a local or global SIM card. This way, you stay connected while getting a cheaper data plan.

To buy a local SIM card, go to the local stores or kiosks near your airport. Nowadays, you can find local SIM cards even in the airport, which means you can get connected with the world just after your plane arrives. These cards offer affordable plans tailored to the country you are visiting, which saves you from paying any roaming fees.

If you are used to traveling to different countries frequently, then a global SIM card can be the best option for you. Get one global SIM card with international coverage, and you can enjoy internet access across all countries in the world.

2. Use a VPN for Security

VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool that you can use to bypass regional restrictions while keeping yourself safe. You can use it to access restricted content in the country you visit. This way, you also often get cheaper internet options. VPNs have become quite common nowadays; in fact, 31% of internet users use VPNs.

You can download any freemium or premium VPN, like NordVPN. The premium VPN gives you more flexibility and provides an added layer of security, while the free version doesn't. So opt for the VPNs that will suit you perfectly and start surfing the internet safely and traveling.

3. Sign Up for an eSIM

eSIMs are one of the best and most modern ways to enjoy the internet while traveling. eSIM can be embedded in your SIM digitally and doesn't need to be swapped out like your physical card. With over 2 billion devices supporting eSIM, it has become very common today.

Find the best eSIM for traveling abroad and purchase it. You can get it from any local or international provider like Airalo or EasySim Global.

This is best for techies who love to travel a lot. Plus, you can purchase it even for local use.

4. Check International Data Plans

Next are international data plans. Many providers offer these plans. While they can be more expensive than other methods, they are still the easiest option.

To get international data plans, contact your provider and ask for guidance. Then, choose the packages according to your data usage and the length of time you plan to stay in another country.

To calculate your data usage, simply look at the table below for the data usage of popular apps.

5. Explore Satellite Internet

Using satellite is one of the best options to enjoy the internet while traveling internationally. This is great as it will even work for remote areas where mobile networks are unavailable. While this is not that common nowadays, Elon Musk, founder of Starlink, said that it will cover 90% of the world by the end of 2025. So, just imagine how helpful this will be for international travelers.

Starlink is the only high-bandwidth Internet system that covers all of Earth.

It will probably deliver over 90% of all space-based Internet traffic next year. https://t.co/jOXlZfd2w9

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 1, 2024

Starlink connects users through satellites orbiting the Earth, which makes it easy to connect from anywhere in the world. Hope that it will be cheaper than regular internet as expected.

6. Buy a Wi-Fi USB Dongle

The next option is to buy a Wi-Fi USB dongle to access the internet internationally. A Wi-Fi dongle, also known as a mobile hotspot, allows you to connect your device anytime. Thus, a Wi-Fi dongle is a pocket Wi-Fi that you can take anywhere in the world.

You can easily find the Wi-Fi dongle on any online marketplace, such as Amazon, or at your local mobile shop. Consider buying a dongle that supports multiple devices at once so you can use the internet on your mobile phone and laptop while traveling.

How much data do I need for weekly travel?

If you use data or are planning to use data on your foreign travel, you may be wondering how many GB of data you need. On average, each app needs about 500 MB of mobile data. When you travel, you should expect to use around 2-3 GB of data weekly for everything you need.

Data needed for popular apps to travel are:

App	Daily Usage (approx.)	Weekly Usage (approx.)
Social Media (Facebook, Instagram)	100 MB	700 MB
WhatsApp (Messaging, Calls)	20 MB	140 MB
YouTube (Standard Video)	200 MB	1.4 GB
Google Maps	50 MB	350 MB
Netflix (SD Streaming)	300 MB	2.1 GB

While your usage plan can differ, on average, you can calculate your data usage and buy the right amount of data. This way, you can use Google Maps, Twitter, and WhatsApp while traveling abroad.

How to Stay Safe Online While Traveling?

Using free Wi-Fi while traveling can be risky sometimes. So, it is better to follow some precautions to stay safe while traveling. To stay safe online while traveling, follow these tips:

1. Use a Reputable VPN: A VPN encrypts your internet connection and keeps your data, such as your location and credentials, private.
2. Avoid Accessing Sensitive Information: Don't open your bank account or perform any transactions using free Wi-Fi. Always use your data or a trusted network for this task.
3. Turn Off Automatic Connection: Disable automatic connection to prevent it from connecting to unfamiliar websites without your consent.
4. Keep Your Software Updated: Use the updated operating system, as the latest updates are made to keep you safe from any new vulnerabilities.
5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security. It will send a code to your phone for verification login.

Conclusion

Having internet access while traveling is a necessity. Travelers can access international internet for free using the free public Wi-Fi at airports, gardens, and cafes. For a more reliable option, they can get local SIM cards, eSIMs, or their own portable Wi-Fi.

While free Wi-Fi costs you nothing to use, it can be a little risky for your privacy. On the other hand, paid options like SIM cards and eSIMS are best for both better performance and safety. These ways, you can stay online even in a foreign country.

People Also Ask

Q1. How much data are required to use for the whole week in general?

You might require around 2-3 GB of data weekly for all your basic tasks like sending emails, using maps, messaging, and exploring social media. However, your actual data usage can vary based on how much you use the internet and what types of apps you are using.

Q2. How do I get a portable wifi?

You can get portable wifi (also known as a Wi-Fi dongle) from any of your local electronics stores or from online marketplaces like Amazon and Alibaba.

Q4. Which app gives you free wifi?

No apps give you the free wifi. But apps like Instabridge and Wi-Fi Finder can definitely help you find free Wi-Fi near your location.

Q5. Can you get free Wi-Fi without paying?

Yes, the public Wi-Fi is free. This means you can use this without paying a penny.

Q6. How do I get international internet access?

Purchase the international roaming plan, buy a local SIM card, or use portable wifi to get international internet access. If you have eSIM-compatible phones, you can use eSIM, where you to find cheaper plans compared to traditional ones.

Q7. What is the most secure way to access the internet while traveling?

You can use free VPNs like PrivadoVPN and Proton VPN or try paid options like NordVPN and ExpressVPN for better security.