Why I always use a VPN whilst travelling (& you should too!)

I never board a flight without travel insurance. It pains me to pay for it, because I’ve rarely used it. But when I have ended up needing it, it’s been an absolute lifesaver, saving me tonnes of money.

I feel the same way about using a VPN when I travel. After a few close calls with data breaches on my travels, which nearly resulted in all my money getting stolen, I never travel without one.

To be honest, most of us are pretty good at protecting ourselves physically when we travel. We lock our luggage, we keep our valuables close, and we take out insurance.

But not so much when it comes to our online security. We happily connect to public Wi-Fi networks, log into our banking apps, and don’t even think twice about it. Thankfully, using a VPN whilst travelling is simple, and can save a lot of money and hassle if something were to go wrong.

I recommend trying out ExpressVPN for your travels. I’ve tried a few over the years, and this one has worked consistently well for me. I’ll explain why throughout this post, but first, I’ll go into more detail about VPNs and why I always use them whilst travelling.

Sign up to ExpressVPN here

What does a VPN actually do?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. So, when you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic gets routed through a server in a location of your choice.

This does two important things. First, it encrypts your data so nobody can intercept it. Second, it masks your real IP address, making it look like you’re browsing from wherever that server is based.

So, what does this really mean? Well, a hacker on the same Wi-Fi network as you won’t be able to intercept your data. Your internet provider in whatever country you’re visiting can’t monitor your browsing. And websites can’t pinpoint your exact location.

It all sounds rather techy, but the reality is that you just open the VPN app, connect to a server, and continue browsing as normal.

Why public Wi-Fi is so risky

When you travel, you’re almost always relying on new and unknown WiFi networks (unless you rely solely on your phone data). Be it in airport lounges, hotel lobbies, Airbnb apartments, co-working spaces, coffee shops, or train stations.

And every single one of these networks is a potential risk to your data, and most of us connect to them without even a second thought.

Public WiFi is, by nature, public. Hackers can get onto that network just as easily as you, and potentially intercept your data using freely available tools.

Hackers can also create fake hotspots, named something like “Hotel_Lobby_Free_WiFi”. Most people will readily connect to this without double-checking with the hotel, handing over their browsing data without realising.

With a VPN running, even if someone does intercept your connection, all they’ll see is encrypted gibberish. ExpressVPN‘s Lightway protocol connects you pretty much instantly, keeping you protected even on slower networks!

What do I use my VPN for when travelling?

To give you an idea of just how useful a VPN is when travelling, here are the situations where I always use mine.

Accessing my online banking abroad

Online banking on public Wi-Fi without a VPN is one of the riskiest things you can do as a traveller. Your login details, account information, and payment data are all being sent over a network that any potential thieves can easily access.

A VPN encrypts all of that, so even if someone is snooping on the network, they can’t see a thing.

But there’s another side to this. Because banks are so aware of these threats, they can make it difficult to access your accounts from abroad. And sometimes put blocks on your card when making online payments from a new country.

It is understandable, but quite frustrating when you’re just trying to check your balance or pay for accommodation. So, I use ExpressVPN to connect to a UK server before logging in. And as far as my bank is concerned, I’m sitting at home in London, enabling me to use my bank like normal.

Watching my favourite shows on the road

I know this might sound trivial when we have also been discussing more serious issues, like identity theft, but after a long day of exploring (or a delayed flight that’s left you stranded in an airport for six hours), sometimes you just want to watch your favourite TV show from back home.

The problem is that streaming libraries often change depending on where you are. The show you are watching back home might not appear when browsing from the country you are in. Or, you may not be able to access the platform at all due to geoblocking (like BBC iPlayer outside of the UK).

By connecting to a server back home, I can access the same content I’d normally watch. In my experience, ExpressVPN works reliably for streaming, which isn’t something I could say about every VPN I’ve tried. Some struggle with streaming platforms, but I haven’t had issues with ExpressVPN.

Locating cheaper flights

This is one of those things that can potentially save you a lot of money. But also, it may not save you anything at all. Still, though, it is worth giving it a try…

Airlines, hotels, and booking platforms can show you different prices based on your location. It’s called dynamic pricing, meaning the same flight can cost noticeably more if you’re searching from one country compared to another.

I’ve tested this myself (check out my guide to getting cheaper flights with a VPN here). On more than one occasion, I’ve compared prices whilst connected to servers in different locations and seen some sizeable differences. It’s not always dramatic, but on a big booking it can add up.

My travel VPN routine

If you aren’t used to using a VPN, you may find my routine a useful place to start:

1. Before I leave for a trip, I make sure ExpressVPN is installed on my devices, like my phone and laptop. You get up between 10 to 14 simultaneous connections on one account (depending on your plan), which covers all my devices comfortably.
2. The moment I connect to any Wi-Fi network that isn’t my home network, the VPN goes on. No exceptions. It doesn’t matter if I’m staying in a five-star hotel or a backpacker hostel; I treat every network the same.
3. For general browsing and social media, I usually connect to the nearest server for the best speeds. When I need to access UK services or banking, I switch to a London server. It takes seconds to do.
4. I also keep ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection features turned on, which block trackers, malicious sites, and ads.

How to choose a VPN for travel

If you’re convinced you need a VPN for your next trip (and I really think you do), here are the things I believe you should look for in a travel VPN:

• Speed: Slow VPNs are painful, especially on already patchy travel Wi-Fi. You want a provider with a fast, modern protocol. ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol is a big selling point, and the difference compared to older VPN protocols is noticeable.
• Server coverage: The more countries a VPN has servers in, the more useful it is for travel. ExpressVPN covers 105 countries, which means I’ve never been stuck without a nearby option.
• Ease of use: When you’re tired and jet-lagged and just want to check your emails, you don’t want to be fiddling with settings. A good travel VPN should work with one tap.
• No-logs policy: This means the VPN provider doesn’t store any record of your online activity. ExpressVPN has had its no-logs policy independently audited, which gives me confidence that my data isn’t being stored somewhere.
• Device compatibility: You’ll want it on your phone at minimum, but ideally your laptop and tablet too. Make sure whatever provider you choose has apps for everything you travel with.

I’ve been using ExpressVPN for many years now, and it’s been one of the most reliable VPN providers I’ve used on my travels. If you want to try it, you can sign up here.

Alternatively, if you want to find out more, you can read my full ExpressVPN review here.

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