How to Choose a VPN – 7 Best VPNs for Travelers 2024

Everything you need to know about VPNs to bypass internet censorship in places such as China, be safe while using public WiFi, and access any website you want anywhere in the world (Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, HBO, Amazon Prime, etc.). VPNs aren’t as complicated as you think! Protect your privacy while surfing on the internet!

Okay, first of all…. what is a VPN?

A VPN, or a Virtual Private Network, is something that gives you an added layer of protection and security when you’re surfing on the net by hiding your “online address” and location.

If you use a VPN, all your info will be encrypted and you’ll be working on your own private network that essentially only you can access.

It’s something that corporations have been using for a long time to protect their info, but is becoming more and more popular for average users…. especially travelers!

 

Why should all travelers have a VPN?

Travelers often spend much of their time accessing public and semi-public sources of the internet (like the WiFi in your hostel, a café, or an airport).

Basically, anyone using the same public network you are can reach in and access your unencrypted data (including things that you’d probably rather not have accessed like usernames, passwords, and other personal info).

While many people may be using VPNs just to keep their info safe in general, they become extra useful when visiting a country with heavy censorship laws.

The most well-known of these is probably China…. where basically all forms of Western social media (yes, that includes Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) are banned alongside anything associated with Google (Gmail, Google Maps, and everything else that makes Google wonderful).

If you like more information, you can read this article from VyprVPN about 5 ways VPN improve travel experience.

(PS: Visiting China? Then don’t miss our article 25 Things to Know Before Visiting China) 

 

Countries that censor social media include:

• China

• Iran

• Turkey

• Bangladesh

• many of the countries in Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, etc…)

• Vietnam (sporadically)

 

Even in countries without censorship, a VPN can come in handy if you want to use websites like Netflix, Spotify, or even certain videos on BBC.

For example, without a VPN you won’t be able to watch Game of Thrones in South Korea. With one, however, you can block the IP address from the country you are actually in (which is South Korea, for the sake of this example), and replace your IP address with one from the country of your choice (so probably the United States if you want to watch Game of Thrones) provided per your VPN provider.

 

Back up. What’s an IP address?

Basically, it’s just a number used to identify your computer and location when you surf the net. So, as I am currently in the United States, my IP address will identify me as such. However, if I want to watch Brazilian soap operas to practice my Portuguese, I just set my VPN server as Brazil…..and I have access to all the content as if I really were in the country!

 

Quick! Tell me what a VPN does and why I should use one in 4 bullet points because I don’t feel like reading the paragraphs above.

 

1. It lets you watch TV shows/use websites that don’t yet have rights to operate in certain countries (such as watching Game of Thrones in South Korea on HBO).
2. It keeps your info safe if you are using public networks in places like airports, hotels, and cafes.
3. It bypasses websites that are blocked in countries with high censorship (such as Google and Facebook in China).
4. It can help you get cheaper deals on things like flights (yes, really). Often, if you are buying plane tickets directly through the airline’s own website, you’ll actually get a cheaper deal if you are buying them domestically as opposed to internationally.

 

Here’s an example: Let’s say you want to fly to, from, or within Colombia with Avianca (an airline from Colombia) but you are currently located in Miami. Just change your VPN server to Colombia, check Avianca’s website, and you may find cheaper deals as you’ll be seen as a domestic customer!

Read more about this country trick in item 14 on our page about 16 Tips to Save on Flights.

 

How do I use a VPN?

It’s easy. You just download it for the platform (Windows, Android, Mac, etc.) of your choice. Then, you choose which country you want your IP address to be shown as (so, as in the example I gave above, you can change the IP address so as the hide your actual location) to access the websites you need to access.

 

What are the best and cheapest VPN providers for travelers?

We use VyprVPN and have been very satisfied with it. It even worked well in China…. and if a VPN provider can break through China’s great firewall, it can handle anything! That’s why it is considered the best VPN provider with the best service. Here’s a bit more about VyprVPN as well as 6 other providers that we’ve heard good things about:

 

    1. VyprVPN

(this link gives a 50% off discount for the first month of service)

 

Cost per month: US$ 5.00 – US$ 12.95 per month, depending on your plan (US$ 60 per year if annual)

Number of devices that can connect at once: 3 simultaneous connections (5 for the Premium Plan)

Free trial/money back guarantee: 3-day free trial, no money back guarantee

Number of server locations you can connect through: 70+ across 6 continents

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, TV, and routers

Customer service: 24/7 live chat customer service

 

     2. ExpressVPN

 

Cost per month: US$ 8.32 – US$ 12.95 per month depending on your plan

Number of devices can connect at once: 3 simultaneous connections

Free trial/money back guarantee: no free trial but 30-day money back guarantee

Number of server locations you can connect through: 136 cities in 87 countries

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, routers, and Linux

Customer service: 24/7 live chat customer service

 

       3. Nord VPN

 

Cost per month: $ 4.92 – $ 11.95 per month, depending on your plan (or $ 89.00 for
2 years)

Number of devices that can be connected simultaneously: up to 6 devices at the
same time

Money-back guarantee / free trial guarantee: no free trial, 30-day money-back
guarantee

Number of locations you can connect through the server: 59 countries worldwide

Compatible with: Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, IOS and Android TV. In addition to having
extensions for Chrome and Firefox

Customer service: 24/7 chat customer service

 

      4. CyberGhost

 

Cost per month: US$ 5.83 – US$ 10.99 per month depending on your plan

Number of devices that can connect at once: 1-5 simultaneous connections depending on your plan

Free trial/money back guarantee: no free trial but 30-day money back guarantee

Number of server locations you can connect through: 29 countries

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux

Customer service: not easy to contact unless you have a paid account (in which case you can make a “ticket” and get an answer within 48 hours)

 

      5. PureVPN

 

Cost per month: USD$ 5.75 – US$10.95 per month depending on your plan

Number of devices can connect at once: 5 simultaneous connections

Free trial/money back guarantee: no free trial but 7-day money back guarantee
and a 7-day trial for $ 0.99

Number of server locations you can connect through: 180 locations in 141 countries

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android or any other internet-connected device

Customer service: 24/7 live chat customer service

Coupon code with discount: discount10

 

      6. HMA VPN

 

Cost per month: US$ 19.00 to US$ 5.00 per month depending on your plan

Number of devices can connect at once: 5 simultaneous connections

Free trial/money back guarantee: offers a free 7-day trial and there’s a 30-day money back guarantee

Number of server locations you can connect through: 290 locations in more than 190 countries

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, Linux or even routers

Customer service: 24/7 chat customer service

 

NEW OPTION!

The company Norton, which is famous for its popular antivirus programs, is joining the VPN market. Their new VPN product is called “WiFi Norton Privacy” and has competitive prices. 

Plus, you can buy their VPN in a bundle together with their anti virus and anti-malware product “Norton Security.” If you heard about the recent WannaCry ransomware attack, you’ll know why you’d want something like this! 

 

• Norton by Symantec

 

www.us.norton.com/wifi-privacy

Cost per month: USD$ 4.99 – US$9.99 per month depending on how many devices you use it for (computers, laptops or smartphones/mobile)

Number of devices can connect at once: from 1 to 10 simultaneous connections depending on your plan

Free trial/money back guarantee: no free trial but you can unsubscribe anytime you want

# of server locations you can connect through: more than 100 locations around the world

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android or any other internet-connected device

Customer service: 24/7 phone and live chat customer service

 

What about free VPN services?

There are a number of free VPN services that you can use, usually from companies that also offer paid plans.

These may be sufficient if you just want to have a bit of extra security, but they won’t be strong enough if you are trying to break through censorship or access websites that are only available in certain countries. I say this from my own experience as I had a free VPN installed on my computer during my trip through China and it did not work. So we had to get paid VPN. You can also try a cheap VPN but there is no guarantee it will work inside China either. 

 

Some extra tips about using VPNs:

• Use it for any public or semi-public network (even if you are in your home country!)
• Be aware that using a VPN will likely slow down your connection at least a little bit, although we didn’t notice it that much.
• On that note, if you want faster speeds, choose a location “close” to you. For example, if you are in New York but want to use a private VPN because you are using the public WiFi at a coffee shop, your connection will be faster if you connect to a server in Washington DC than one in Sydney, Australia. Of course, this isn’t necessarily an option if you are trying to access Facebook in China.
• Seriously, try out that flight tip!
• And perhaps the most important tip: if you are going to a country with heavy censorship, DOWNLOAD YOUR VPN BEFORE YOUR TRIP. For example, if you don’t download a VPN before going to China, it’ll be much more challenging to access any VPN website if you are already inside the country.
• If you want to go to other countries, I recommend looking for the best VPNs exclusively for Cuba, for example.

 

Do you use a VPN yourself? How has it helped you when you traveled? Do you have anything to add? Any questions? Let us know in the comment box below.

 

*This article was written by the website’s contributing editor and author, Nikki Elliott. Nikki is an American who has several big backpacking trips under her belt and is currently teaching English in South Korea. If you wish to contact her about her article, please comment below.