Try these Wi-Fi tips while on vacation to reduce roaming costs!

Staying connected while abroad is great, especially when you need to use tools like Google Maps and Translate. But returning home to find yourself hit with expensive data roaming charges probably isn't what you want. Luckily, there are some handy ways to cut those roaming costs.

Table of Contents

• 7. Visit the hotel lobby
• 6. Check your city's public transport Wi-Fi
• 5. Ask for Wi-Fi passwords at cafes and restaurants
• 4. Wait until you get back to the hotel
• 3. Consider a Pocket Wi-Fi Router
• 2. Connect from your friend's phone if possible
• 1. Visit the local shopping mall

7. Visit the hotel lobby

Hotels almost always have Wi-Fi , and even if you're not staying there, many hotels have no problem letting you sit in the lobby for a while. Once you're there, you'll have access to the Wi-Fi; most of the time, you won't need the password either.

When you use the hotel lobby Wi-Fi, you can do whatever you need to do, whether it's looking for directions or making a reservation at a restaurant. If you're in doubt, politely explain why you need the Wi-Fi to the hotel staff; they'll usually be able to explain.

Staying safe when using hotel lobby Wi-Fi is a good idea; ideally, you should use a VPN. If you don't have a VPN, make sure you understand how to stay safe when using public Wi-Fi.

6. Check your city's public transport Wi-Fi

While not always the case, many cities have free Wi-Fi on their public transport networks. Seoul, London, and Tallinn are three examples. If you can't access Wi-Fi on buses, trains, and trams, you can usually get it while waiting at the station.

Many shuttle buses and trains from the airport to the city center also have free Wi-Fi. If you've just landed, use this to get your bearings and ideally download some maps.

Sometimes you'll need to register for an account before using public transport Wi-Fi, but not always.

5. Ask for Wi-Fi passwords at cafes and restaurants

Some cafes and restaurants clearly display their Wi-Fi login information; it's usually posted on the wall, on the menu, or somewhere near where you pay. However, you won't always be able to find it.

If you can't find the Wi-Fi password, ask the barista or server if they have one. They'll usually be happy to provide it to you if you buy something there. Some cafes and restaurants won't have Wi-Fi, but it's worth asking anyway.

Before you travel, consider making a list of cafes and restaurants with Wi-Fi in your destination. There are some helpful travel apps, such as Tripadvisor, that can help you do this.

4. Wait until you get back to the hotel

Aside from going to the hotel lobby of places you're not staying, you can always wait until you get back to your hotel to surf the Internet. While it's possible to access the Internet for useful tasks (like navigating with maps and buying transportation tickets), you don't need to scroll.

If your main reason for needing Wi-Fi is to catch up on the news or social media, it might be best to wait until you get to your accommodation. Almost every hotel now has free Wi-Fi, and you can also find it in hostels and Airbnb rentals.

Once you have Wi-Fi, plan your days ahead of time, download essential apps and utilities, and you'll feel more confident about going offline during the day.

3. Consider a Pocket Wi-Fi Router

If you really need to connect to the Internet on the go, you might consider buying a pocket Wi-Fi router. Buying a pocket Wi-Fi router is not too expensive and it means you will have constant access to the web whenever you need it.

In addition to using Pocket Wi-Fi yourself, you can buy a plan with enough data for everyone else traveling with you to use as needed. Buying an eSIM or a local SIM card is another potential option if no good Pocket Wi-Fi options are available.

2. Connect from your friend's phone if possible

Even if you don't have Internet access, your travel companion might. Connecting from your friend's phone is an easy way to get online if needed, especially if they have unlimited data or a roaming plan that works where you're going.

When connecting from your friend’s phone, you’ll need them to set up a hotspot and provide you with the password. If your friend doesn’t have internet access, look for a public hotspot; many cities have them. Again, using a VPN is a smart way to protect yourself in these situations.

1. Visit the local shopping mall

If all else fails, your local shopping mall is – in many cases – a surefire way to ensure you have access to Wi-Fi while on vacation. Many modern shopping malls offer access to such networks, and in many cases they are password-protected, so you don’t have to worry about the dangers of browsing on public Wi-Fi.

Some shopping malls include the Wi-Fi password in their name when searching in your phone settings. In other cases, you may need to scan a QR code . However, always make sure you're connecting to a legitimate network, as cybercriminals may try to lure you into joining misspelled and unsafe versions.

There are many ways to access Wi-Fi and the Internet when you travel, and these days it's easier than ever. Hotels and shopping malls are usually safe bets, while public transport sometimes has Wi-Fi. A SIM card can also help keep costs down if you really need it – but it's often not, especially if you're only visiting urban areas.