When I first started travelling, I never really considered using a VPN. Well, that was until I couldn’t access my Netflix account abroad. And my banking app locked me out when I tried making online payments in different countries.
And the big one, until my bank details were compromised after using a fair few public Wi-Fi networks on my travels.
Nowadays, I don’t travel without a VPN. It keeps my data safe on public Wi-Fi (airports, hotels, coffee shops), and lets me access my streaming accounts and banking apps as if I were back home.
I’ve tested all the major VPNs, looking at everything from speed and reliability to server coverage, pricing, and how well they actually work on the go.
Here’s how they all compare and why I’d recommend starting with ExpressVPN.
My top picks
ExpressVPN: My top VPN for travel
ExpressVPN is the VPN that I keep going back to for my travels. It gets the balance just right – fast speeds, reliable connections, solid coverage across 105 countries, and it works on all major streaming networks.
The Lightway protocol is a big part of this. It’s lightweight, connects quickly, and handles switching between WiFi and mobile data. This has really come into its own when I’ve been in the airport or hotels where the WiFi keeps dropping out.
It’s also one of the few VPNs that reliably works in countries with heavy internet restrictions, including China and the UAE.
I’ve found streaming abroad to be pretty seamless, too. ExpressVPN has helped me to unblock all major streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO, and BBC iPlayer.
Pricing starts from $2.79+/mo on a 2-year plan, with three tiers (Basic, Advanced, and Pro) depending on how many extras you want. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Features of ExpressVPN
- Servers in 105 countries with TrustedServer (RAM-only) technology
- Lightway protocol for fast, stable mobile connections
- 10-14 simultaneous devices, depending on your plan
- Tracker blocker on all plans
- Password manager, ad blocker, and identity monitoring on Advanced+
- eSIM travel data included on Advanced and Pro plans
- Works with 100+ streaming services on every server
ExpressVPN
The VPN I use on every trip. Fast, reliable, and it works pretty much everywhere, even in countries with heavy restrictions.
How the other travel VPNs compare
ExpressVPN is my top pick, but if you have a specific use case and need to browse some other travel VPNs, make sure to check these out.
NordVPN
NordVPN is probably the closest competitor to ExpressVPN overall. It has one of the largest server networks, with over 9,000 servers across 130+ countries, and its speeds are pretty decent thanks to the NordLynx protocol. It also works pretty well in China.
Their app is packed full of features, which is great if you want lots of control, but it can feel a bit cluttered when you just want to connect quickly from your laptop or phone.
Pricing starts from $3.09+/mo on a 2-year plan, which is a little more than ExpressVPN. You’re essentially paying for that bigger server network, but most travellers won’t need access to niche server locations. If you do have specific use cases where a wider range of countries matters, the extra cost is justified.
ProtonVPN
If you are obsessive about privacy, then check out ProtonVPN. It’s Swiss-based, fully open-source, and has a free plan with no data caps, which is hard to find elsewhere. The paid plan gives you access to over 20,000 servers across 145 countries – the widest country coverage on this list.
Secure Core routing is a nice extra too, sending your traffic through two servers for added protection. The trade-off is that it’s a bit slower than ExpressVPN or NordVPN in practice, and the free plan doesn’t support streaming or give you much server choice.
For everyday travel use, it’s not quite as well-rounded. Pricing starts from $2.99+/mo on a 2-year plan.
Surfshark
If budget is your priority but you still want a decent enough server count, Surfshark is a good shout. Starting from just $1.99+/mo, it’s the cheapest premium VPN on this list, and it comes with unlimited device connections, which is brilliant if you’re travelling as a couple or family and want to cover everyone on one subscription.
Speeds are solid, and it works with most major streaming platforms. Where it falls behind is reliability in restricted countries. It does work in China, but user reports are more mixed than with ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
It also has fewer server locations (100 countries) than some competitors.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is the overall budget pick. At $1.75/mo on a 2-year plan, it’s the cheapest VPN here, and it comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
It has dedicated streaming servers for platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer, and the apps are simple and easy to use. However, you only get 7 device connections, which is the lowest on this list, and it doesn’t work reliably in countries with heavy internet restrictions like China or the UAE.
If you’re heading somewhere with open internet access and just want affordable protection on public WiFi, it does the job. But for more demanding travel, it’s limited.
Travel VPN comparison table
Here’s a side-by-side look at how the five VPNs stack up on the things that matter most for travel.
← Scroll to see all columns →
| VPN | From | Countries | Devices | Security extras | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN My pick | $2.79+/mo 2-year plan | 105 | 10-14 | Tracker blocker, password manager, ad blocker, identity monitoring, eSIM data | Lightway protocol, works in restricted countries |
| NordVPN | $3.09+/mo 2-year plan | 130+ | 10 | DNS ad blocker, password manager, malware protection, dark web monitor | Fastest speeds, huge server network (9,000+) |
| Surfshark | $1.78+/mo 2-year plan | 100 | Unlimited | Ad blocker, Alternative ID, antivirus, breach alerts | Cheapest premium VPN, unlimited devices |
| ProtonVPN | Free+/mo 2-year plan | 145 | 10 | Ad/tracker blocker, Secure Core multi-hop | Free plan available, open-source, Swiss privacy |
| CyberGhost | $1.75/mo 2-year plan | 100 | 7 | Basic ad blocker, antivirus available as add-on | Budget pick, 45-day money-back guarantee |
Prices shown are the starting rate on each provider’s lowest-tier 2-year plan. Higher tiers with additional security features are available at increased prices. Prices correct as of May 2026 and may vary by region.
Why you need a VPN for travel
I never travel without a VPN; it is an absolute must for online privacy and for accessing content back home. Here is a summary of why I believe you need a VPN for travel:
- Public WiFi protection. Every time you connect to WiFi in an airport, hotel, or cafe, your data is potentially visible to anyone else on that network. A VPN encrypts your connection so nobody can see what you’re doing, even on an open network.
- Getting around geo-blocking. A VPN lets you connect through a server in your home country, so streaming services, banking apps, and social media all work as normal, even in countries where they’d otherwise be blocked.
- Finding cheaper flights. Airlines and booking sites often show different prices depending on where you’re browsing from. Switching your VPN location lets you compare prices and potentially save on flights, hotels, and car hire. (I’ve written a full guide on this here.)
Verdict: The best travel VPN
There’s no single VPN that wins every category. Surfshark has unlimited devices, NordVPN has more servers, CyberGhost is the cheapest, and ProtonVPN is the strongest on privacy. But when I’m travelling, I need a VPN that does everything well, not one thing brilliantly.
ExpressVPN is the one I keep coming back to. It’s fast, it connects reliably on mobile, it works in countries where most VPNs don’t, and it unblocks streaming without any fuss.
The pricing is competitive now too, starting from $2.79+/mo on a 2-year plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free before your next trip.
My go-to travel health insurance:
Leave a Reply