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About VPNs for travel
A virtual private network (VPN) masks your IP address, which, like a digital version of your home address, provides information about your physical location. VPNs fulfill various needs, including bolstering privacy, unblocking geographically protected content and circumventing bandwidth throttling. That suite of features makes them particularly useful services when traveling. Whether you want to stream region-restricted movies and shows while traveling, log into your online banking app from abroad without triggering a CAPTCHA or add an extra layer of protection on public Wi-Fi, a VPN is essential for travel.
Here at CNET, we’ve thoroughly assessed dozens of VPNs, running speed tests, checking for DNS leaks, streaming videos and comparing prices to analyze value. When rounding up the top travel VPNs, we primarily focused on each provider’s server locations by number of countries and total options. However, we also heavily considered privacy features, device compatibility and general performance. Let’s dive into the best VPNs for travel to keep you connected wherever you roam.
What is the best VPN for travel?
| ExpressVPN | Surfshark | PIA | NordVPN | IPVanish | ProtonVPN | |
| Number of servers | 3,000 | 3,200 | 35,000 | 5,000 | 2,200 | 2,700 |
| Number of countries | 105 | 100 | 91 | 60 | 52 | 69 |
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for travel overall, with over 3,000 servers in more than 105 countries. While some competitors include more connection locations, Express trounces its rivals with generous global options. Surfshark is an excellent value VPN provider, with a terrific feature set and 3,200 servers in over 100 countries. Private Internet Access (PIA) works well for security-minded users on a budget, with its whopping 35,000 servers peppered throughout 91 international spots.
Other VPNs we tested
CyberGhost
With 10,322 servers spanning 100 countries, CyberGhost offers loads of choices for international travel. It’s decent for streaming from Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other sites. However, you’ll need to use specific servers optimized for streaming — ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark don’t require specialized servers for geo-unblocking. CyberGhost remains wallet-friendly at $13 per month, $42 every six months or $57 total for 26 months of service (you’re billed annually after 24 months of service on its two-year plan).
But CyberGhost lacks advanced privacy features like obfuscation, which makes it more difficult to determine that you’re using a VPN. Obfuscated servers could be useful when running a VPN at school, work or in a country where virtual private networks are frowned upon. Moreover, its high internet speed loss isn’t ideal for demanding applications like 4K streaming or gaming. CyberGhost does provide some useful features, including a kill switch, which shuts off your internet if your VPN gets disconnected and split tunneling for selectively choosing some apps, but not all to route through your VPN. All told, CyberGhost is acceptable for casual use like streaming videos or web browsing, and its exhaustive server network is particularly well-suited to travel. However, its uneven speed loss and middle-of-the-road privacy features mean you’ve got better choices.
Read our CyberGhost review.
Hotspot Shield
Sporting over 3,200 servers in 80-plus countries, Hotspot Shield works well enough for globe-trotting. We like its reasonable 26% average speed loss and excellent streaming support. Still, its lackluster pricing of $13 per month or $96 annually runs you more than faster, more secure VPNs such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark. Because Hotspot Shield is based in the US — part of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance — it’s not great for privacy-concerned users. Likewise, its closed-source Hydra Catapult VPN protocol and unnecessary data collection give us pause in recommending it over other options, particularly when you can spend less money to get a faster VPN with better privacy.
Read our Hotspot Shield Review.
How we test VPNs for travel
While I couldn’t use this article as an excuse to travel extensively, I have country-hopped regularly — with notable stints in the UK, Peru and Sierra Leone. On a trip to Rome in 2019, I downloaded a VPN on my laptop and Android phone before leaving so I could stream Netflix from the hotel and access my Gmail without triggering a security alert (at the time, I was using VPN Unlimited, although I’ve since switched to ExpressVPN). To select the best VPNs for travel, we rigorously assessed dozens of providers by running speed tests, checking for DNS leaks, poring over terms of service, using apps and streaming videos. We researched VPN provider server networks, factoring in the overall number and country locations, which dictate whether a virtual private network is suitable for globe-trotting.
Why you should use a VPN for travel
A VPN makes a great travel companion thanks to its privacy features and geographic unblocking. Since a VPN encrypts your internet traffic, it protects your data to a degree from others on a public Wi-Fi network seeking unencrypted data. Websites you visit don’t see your actual IP address and instead view an IP given to you by your VPN software, making it harder to view personal information such as your physical location or online activity. But you’re still susceptible to malware, viruses and phishing attacks, so keep in mind that a VPN isn’t an antivirus software replacement.
VPNs can also spoof apps and internet-connected services like websites into thinking you’re located in a different region. For example, you might be on holiday in the UK but want to access your Gmail without triggering a security login. Or perhaps you’d like to stream a movie only available on US Netflix while in Canada. Using a VPN, you can make it appear like you’re in a different city or even country. Whether for entertainment purposes or bypassing CAPTCHAs, VPNs can circumvent location restrictions.
Factors to consider in a VPN for travel
There’s a lot to think about when selecting a VPN for travel. Leveraging our years of expertise in the VPN space coupled with what you’ll need when traveling, here’s what to look for:
Server network
Specifically for travel, you’ll want a large VPN server network. While more overall connectivity options are beneficial, you’ll also want plenty of countries if you plan on any international travel. Many servers in a smaller handful of countries might work if you only travel to one of those spots. But for regular international adventures, greater country choice comes in handy.
Privacy
VPNs add a layer of protection by encrypting your traffic and masking your IP address, making it harder for cyber attackers to access your browsing data. When traveling, you’ll likely use open wireless networks at an airport terminal, in the hotel lobby or at a coffee shop, but a VPN protects your data from eavesdropping, whether by cyber criminals or snooping ISPs.
Device compatibility
You’ll want a VPN that runs on the gadgets you’re bringing on your trip. Make a list of the devices you want to bring along with a VPN installed and ensure your provider has apps for those electronics. Luckily, most providers offer solid Windows, MacOS, Android and iPhone apps. While many offer Linux VPN apps, only a few feature a graphical user interface, which is more beginner-friendly than a command-line interface. If you want to tote your Linux laptop or a Steam Deck along, look for a VPN with a Linux GUI app. Although most folks don’t travel with streaming devices, you might tote along a Fire Stick, Android TV box or Apple TV for your hotel room.
Speed
All VPNs throttle your internet upload and download speeds somewhat, but the fastest options drop your connectivity by an average loss of only 10% to 20%. Especially if you’re performing internet-intensive tasks like streaming video in 4K, Zooming for work, gaming or uploading YouTube videos, you’ll want a fast VPN. Even if you aren’t, reliable internet speeds are great for a better experience checking your email and browsing the web.
Streaming support
Aside from privacy, many people use VPNs to unblock region-restricted content. For instance, you can use a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer — normally available only in the UK — from other countries, like the US. Similarly, a VPN is useful when traveling. If you’re on holiday in a foreign country but want to access Netflix libraries from your home country, a VPN makes that possible. Check which VPNs unblock the streaming services you want to watch from abroad.
Price
VPNs range from around $13 a month to about $90 annually. Generally, you’ll get a discount by paying for a year or more of service upfront. However, we don’t recommend shelling out for more than 12 months at a time. While the VPN you pick might initially be fast, secure and excellent for streaming, it could get acquired by a shady company, suffer a data breach or get slower during a year. Thus, we suggest sticking to an annual plan for the best value and the least risk.
