What Is the Best VPN for Travel Abroad?

VPN is an encryption tool that can be installed on most digital devices. Its main function is to protect your online activities from third parties. However, it offers far beyond that. VPN can unblock geo-restricted content on various platforms. It is thus a vital tool in areas with tight government censorship. VPN hides your IP address. So, it masks location information, helping you avoid bandwidth throttling.

The tool can be used on an unencrypted network, such as public Wi-Fi. Using VPN in such a network prevents data theft. Considering all that it offers, VPNs are commonly used by travelers for multiple reasons. It has numerous benefits, from streaming geo-restricted content to escaping government censorship and conducting sensitive transactions.

There are many VPNs on the market. If you are embarking on a personal or professional trip and will require internet access, choosing a suitable VPN will help. Keep reading to learn about the best VPNs for travel so you can make an informed decision.

Why Do You Need a VPN When Traveling?

VPN protects your internet traffic from people with malicious intent. It also lets you access region-blocked content. Here are 4 major ways in which a VPN can help you.

Access Geo-Restricted Content

Many countries censor the internet for various reasons. If you are visiting China and want to access your social media, you cannot do so because of its powerful firewall. Similarly, other countries like Vietnam, Russia, and Iran have also placed such restrictions. A VPN changes your IP address. Thus, you appear to be from another location. This lets you use the internet freely, allowing you to access geo-restricted content with ease.

Enhance Security

VPN also enhances your security when you perform online activities while traveling. Reliable VPNs have advanced security features, such as strong encryption, a kill switch, and secure protocols. All of these increase your security while accessing the internet. The encryption process makes your data unreadable. So no one can steal it. This prevents the likelihood of crimes like identity theft. Travelers are common targets of this attack if they use the internet without VPN protection, So it’s very important to protect your devices and data while traveling.

Maintain Privacy

Your ISP and other third parties can track your online activities even if you are using a private network. However, when you use a VPN, everything gets hidden in its secure encrypted tunnel. VPNs with a no-logs policy ensure that your data isn’t accessible even to the provider of the service. Thus, it grants you greater anonymity in your online activities. 

How To Choose a VPN for Travel?

For travel, choosing a VPN that offers the right blend of security and unblocking abilities is a must. Here are the essential factors to consider.

Server Coverage

VPNs with extensive server networks allow you to connect to different countries. So, check the server coverage of your prospective service. However, simply checking the number of servers won’t do. You need to find out the number of countries where the servers are present and the number of servers in specific countries. Ideally, VPNs with servers in at least 50 locations are necessary. While checking the server coverage, it’s also best to check whether the VPN has servers in your travel location.

Security

At its core, VPN is a cybersecurity tool. While traveling, you will use it for various reasons, from streaming to accessing your online accounts and more. So, it is crucial to invest in a VPN with robust security protocols and encryption. Some security measures worth noting are AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy. VPNs with secure protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN ensure your online activities remain private.

A kill switch is another feature to look out for, especially while traveling to a location with unstable internet connectivity. It protects you from accessing the internet without protection by preventing the switch to a default Wi-Fi connection in case the internet connection servers. It is also good if the VPN has an auto-connect feature.

Often, while traveling, you have many things on your mind. It is easy to forget about enabling a VPN while using the internet. Auto-connect feature enables the VPN just seconds after you connect to a wireless network. Thus, it keeps you protected without much thinking and remembering on your part. Ideally, the VPN should be based in a privacy-friendly country.

Ease of Setup

A VPN wouldn’t be of much use to travelers if it isn’t easy to set up and use. So, look for one with a straightforward installation and configuration process. It should involve nothing more than downloading the app from the official app stores of your device and installing it.

We recommend reading reviews about your prospective VPN and paying special attention to what is said about the ease of use and setup. It will ensure that you invest in a service with a user-friendly interface. This, in turn, will motivate you to keep using it.

Device Compatibility and Simultaneous Connections

While traveling, you may choose to bring more than one gadget. This is especially true for those traveling for professional reasons. Your VPN should be able to run on all your devices. Ideally, it’s best to invest in one that is compatible with all operating systems. Good VPNs provide simultaneous support for multiple devices. So, you can connect your VPN to your smartphone, laptop, and any other gadget at the same time, securing your activities in all of them.

Speed

VPN will inevitably slow down your internet connection. This is because your data is going through another server instead of to its own destination. Speed loss depends on various factors. These include bandwidth restrictions, distance, and network congestion. One VPN endpoint at a certain place may drop your speed more than an endpoint in another place. So, it is best to run speed tests to check how fast your VPN is.

The best VPNs only cause speed loss of not more than 25% maximum. The speed factor is important for those who plan to engage in bandwidth-consuming tasks while traveling. These include using platforms like Zoom or Skype for communication, streaming videos in 4k, and downloading heavy files.

Unblocking Capabilities

VPNs are used to access local content on the go. Many of them that lack strong unlocking abilities can be easily blocked by other parties. For example, the Chinese government can block most VPNs. You certainly don’t want that to happen to you. Generally, VPNs with OpenVPN and WireGuard protocol are best at unblocking the strictest blocks. VPNs using these protocols also retain most of their original speed. So, it ensures that you do not experience latency. Obfuscation is another feature you must look for, especially for circumventing firewalls. This feature prevents governments with tight surveillance from determining if you have connected through a VPN.

Recommended VPNs for Traveling Abroad

The best VPNs for travel keep your connection safe and secure. Those mentioned here have been extensively tested and fulfill all the three parameters in the previous section.

NordVPN

NordVPN provides a fast and reliable connection across various situations. Regardless of your location, the VPN offers consistent speed and performance. Its Double VPN feature provides another encryption layer and the VPN is compatible with all devices. NordVPN is easy to use and quickly connects. You can even leave it running while traveling. It isn’t likely to cause any issue.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has an intensive server network in more than 100 countries. So, you can connect to a local server, regardless of your location. The VPN doesn’t log personally identifiable data and has one of the best overall speeds. It has advanced security features, such as an ad-blocker, a kill switch, and secure protocols like Lightway. It is effortless to set up ExpressVPN on your TV or any other device due to its dedicated VPN app. The app settings are easy to navigate. Locating a server is also pretty straightforward. The ExpressVPN app connects in a second, making it easy for you to perform your online activities quickly and safely.

Surf Shark VPN

Surf Shark is a budget-friendly VPN that does not log user activity. The NoBorders mode feature in this VPN lets you access websites irrespective of their strict border connections. Another great feature is the ability to either disconnect the VPN entirely or pause the VPN tunnel for five minutes. Surfshark also has various features for security. These include an adblocker, static and rotating IP addresses, and MultiHop. The VPN has thousands of servers in over 100 countries. So you can quickly access the content you desire from anywhere.

IPVanish

IPVanish provides the user with various server selection options. It also gives information related to server load and ping speed of every location. Thus, you can choose the right server while traveling according to your location. You can configure the VPN as you want. The user interface is extremely easy to navigate, and the VPN is compatible with various platforms. 

Summing up

The best VPN for travel abroad has an extensive server network in multiple countries. It also has strong geo-blocking abilities and security features, ensuring that your online activities are protected even if you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network. Use the tips in this article to invest in a VPN that offers most of these features so you can use the internet safely while traveling.