TL;DR 🔎
A VPN can make your internet connection appear to be coming from another location, which can be useful when you’re traveling abroad.
It can help you access websites, apps, and streaming content that may work differently depending on where you are.
You probably don’t need a VPN for every trip, but it can be useful for international travel, public Wi-Fi, and anyone who wants their internet to work more like it does at home.
You know that moment when you land somewhere new, connect to the Wi-Fi, and realize the internet doesn’t quite work the way it does at home?
Maybe the website you always use sends you to an international version, an app looks different, or the show you’ve been watching isn’t available on Netflix in the country you’re visiting.
This is where a VPN can come in handy.
And you don’t need to be particularly tech-savvy to use one. The easiest way to think about a VPN while traveling is pretty simple: It can make the internet think you’re somewhere else.
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Compare the best VPNs for travel
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for virtual private network. It’s an app that sends your internet connection through a server in another location.
Normally, websites can tell roughly where you’re connecting from. With a VPN, you can choose a different location, making it look like you’re browsing from there instead.
So if you’re sitting in Paris but connect through a U.S. server, it can look like you’re browsing from home.
That’s useful because some websites and streaming services show different content depending on where you’re located. A VPN can also encrypt your internet connection, adding another layer of privacy when you’re using public Wi-Fi at an airport, hotel, or cafe.
Open the VPN app, choose a location, tap connect, and go about your day.
Keep your usual websites and shows working abroad
You’re three episodes into a show, land in another country, open Netflix, and suddenly your show has disappeared.
That’s because streaming services don’t offer the same movies and shows in every country. Your account hasn’t stopped working. The shows and movies available to you can change depending on where you are.
A VPN can let you connect through a server in your home country, which may allow you to access content that’s available there. Just keep in mind that streaming services can have their own rules around VPN use, and a VPN doesn’t guarantee that every service or show will work.
The same idea applies to websites and other services that change based on your location. If you want the internet to behave a little more like it does at home while you’re traveling, a VPN can help.
China is one of the most obvious examples. Google, Gmail, Instagram, and plenty of other sites and apps are blocked there. A VPN can sometimes help you access them.
Public Wi-Fi is another reason to use one
You know the hotel login screen. Enter your last name and room number, click through a few terms you didn’t read, and you’re online.
Travel often means using Wi-Fi networks you don’t control, like those at hotels, airports, and cafes. A VPN encrypts your connection, adding another layer of privacy while you’re online.
That can be useful if you’re checking email, shopping, or logging into accounts while connected to a public network.
🤫 On the DL: Set up your VPN before you leave home. Depending on where you’re traveling, VPN services or their websites may be restricted, making it harder to download one after you arrive.
Can a VPN actually get you cheaper flights?
You might’ve seen this “hack” online: Change your VPN location, search for the same flight, and suddenly the fare is cheaper.
The idea is that airlines or travel sites may show different prices based on where you’re browsing. Prices can also vary by market, currency, or booking location.
But a VPN isn’t a reliable way to find cheaper flights.
Changing your virtual location doesn’t consistently mean lower airfares. Sometimes the price changes, sometimes it doesn’t, and sometimes the alternative location is actually more expensive.
If you already have a VPN, there’s nothing wrong with checking a couple of locations when you’re shopping for a trip. Just don’t buy one expecting secret airfare pricing.
Do you need a VPN for travel?
A VPN isn’t necessary for every trip. If you’re taking a quick domestic weekend getaway and mostly using cellular data, you may never notice a difference.
But whether you’re trying to keep your usual websites and services accessible abroad, connecting to public Wi-Fi, or working remotely from another country, a VPN can be a useful travel companion.
For beginners, Norton VPN, Total VPN, and Surfshark are all easy-to-use options for traveling with your phone, laptop, or other devices. Free VPNs are available, too, but they can limit your speed, data, available locations, or features.
You don’t need to become a tech expert to use one. Set it up before your trip, choose the location you want, and let the app handle the rest. 🤓
