If you're wondering how to use a VPN when travelling abroad, the good news is that it's much simpler than it sounds – and it can be a useful extra layer of protection when you're using public Wi-Fi, working remotely or accessing sensitive accounts overseas.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by all of the information about VPNs and the scaremongering out there, this is the blog for you. Hi, I'm Lucy and I started backpacking with 60kg of luggage, a paper map and a paperback Lonely Planet. These days, my phone is arguably the most important thing I travel with.
Somewhere between navigating unfamiliar cities, running a travel blog, running a marketing consultancy, taking client calls and planning a destination wedding, my phone and laptop became the two things tying everything together. When you travel solo, your mobile phone becomes a lifeline – it isn't just for taking photos and finding the nearest coffee shop.
It's your map. Your boarding pass. Your banking app. Your emergency contact. Your work laptop's hotspot. Your way of calling home. Which is why protecting your internet connection when travelling has become something I take much more seriously than I did when I first started travelling. One of the simplest tools you can use is a VPN.
Find out how to use a VPN when travelling abroad: Here's where you'll find:
- What is a VPN and how does it work?
- Do you need a VPN when travelling abroad?
- Is public Wi-Fi safe when travelling?
- My rule for public Wi-Fi
- How to use a VPN when travelling abroad
- When should you use a VPN while travelling?
- Can you use a VPN in every country?
- Is a VPN worth using when you travel?
What is a VPN and how does it work?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted connection between your device and the internet. Normally, when you connect to the internet, your device connects through the network you're using – whether that's your home Wi-Fi, a hotel network or the free Wi-Fi at an airport. A VPN adds another layer between you and the websites or services you're accessing. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a VPN server, helping to prevent other people on the same network from easily seeing what you're doing online. It can also change the IP address that websites see, making it appear as though you're connecting from the location of the VPN server rather than your actual connection.
In simple terms:
- Without a VPN: Your device → Wi-Fi network → internet
- With a VPN: Your device → encrypted VPN connection → VPN server → internet
Luckily for the technophobes among us, you don't need to understand the technical details to use one. Once you've installed a VPN app, the process is usually as simple as opening the app, choosing a server and pressing connect. And that's important because a VPN is only useful if you actually use it. I had one for years and would always forget to turn it on because it was fiddly to set up, now I use one every time I open my laptop and phone while travelling.
If you're just starting to plan your trip, you may like to read: How to use a VPN to save money on travel (flights, hotels & more)
Do you need a VPN when travelling abroad?
You don't necessarily need a VPN for every trip, but there are situations where I'd strongly consider using one. I've travelled solo for more than a decade, lived abroad and worked from all sorts of places, from cafés, to trains to hotel rooms. The biggest change I've noticed is just how much sensitive information I now handle from my phone and laptop while travelling.
I'm not just checking Instagram anymore. I'm logging into bank accounts, accessing client documents and data, sending invoices, joining work calls, updating my tax records, managing my business and dealing with wedding admin. It makes the security of the network I'm using much more important when I know I have access to sensitive information and have to protect myself while making payments.
A VPN can be particularly useful when you're:
- Using public Wi-Fi
- Working remotely abroad
- Travelling solo
- Logging into online banking
- Accessing work accounts or sensitive documents
- Using hotel, hostel or airport Wi-Fi
- Connecting to networks you don't completely trust
- Travelling frequently between countries
- Trying to access your usual online services while abroad
A VPN isn't a magic shield that makes you completely anonymous or protects you from every online threat. But it can be a useful extra layer of protection, particularly when you're connecting to unfamiliar networks.
Is public Wi-Fi safe when travelling?
This is probably the biggest reason I'd recommend travellers understand how VPNs work. Free Wi-Fi is incredibly convenient. Airport lounges, hotels, hostels, cafés and restaurants all offer it, and when you've just landed somewhere with no mobile data, connecting to the first available network can feel like a necessity.
But free doesn't necessarily mean secure. The problem isn't simply that someone is sitting in the corner of the café watching everything you're doing. Modern internet security is more complicated than that. An unsecured or poorly configured network can potentially expose you to risks such as malicious activity, fake networks or attempts to intercept your traffic.
Another problem for solo travellers: you don't have anyone else to fall back on. If I'm travelling alone and my phone is my only way of accessing my bank account, booking accommodation, contacting family or finding my way around, I really don't want to take unnecessary risks with it.
If you travel a lot, you may also like to consider Holafly Plans: The Best eSIM for Digital Nomads?
My rule for public Wi-Fi
If I'm using an unfamiliar Wi-Fi network, particularly for anything sensitive, I'd rather have a VPN switched on than assume the network is safe. That doesn't mean you should suddenly start doing all your banking on the Wi-Fi at the airport. You should still use HTTPS websites, keep your devices updated, use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
How to use a VPN when travelling abroad
Using a VPN abroad is much easier than the terminology makes it sound, here's your beginner's guide for solo travellers who want to stay safe while travelling the world:
1. Choose a reputable VPN provider
Look for a provider with a clear privacy policy, strong security features, good server coverage and apps that work on your devices. Don't just choose one because it has the cheapest introductory price.
2. Download the VPN app before you travel
I'd recommend doing this at home, rather than waiting until you're sitting in an airport with 3% battery and questionable Wi-Fi. Install the app on the devices you're likely to use and make sure you understand how to connect and disconnect.
3. Log in and choose a server
Once you're abroad, open the VPN app and select a server. If your main concern is securing your connection, the exact server location may not matter hugely. If you're trying to access something that is restricted to a particular country, you'll need to choose a server in the appropriate location.
4. Press connect
That's it. Once connected, your internet traffic is routed through the VPN. You'll normally see a notification or VPN symbol on your phone or computer confirming that you're connected.
5. Turn on automatic protection if your VPN offers it
This is one of my favourite features for travellers because we're all human and it is easy to forget things. Some VPNs can automatically connect when your device joins an unfamiliar or unsecured Wi-Fi network. That's useful when you're moving constantly between airports, hotels, cafés and co-working spaces because you don't have to remember to manually switch your VPN on every time.
6. Don't forget about your other devices
If you're working remotely, you might have a phone, laptop and tablet all travelling with you. Check how many simultaneous connections your VPN subscription allows and make sure the devices you actually use are covered.
When should you use a VPN while travelling?
You don't necessarily need your VPN connected every second of your trip, but there are certain situations where I'd make it part of my routine. Airport Wi-Fi is an obvious one: it's convenient, but you're connecting to a large public network with plenty of unknown users, so if I'm checking emails, accessing work accounts or doing anything sensitive, I'd rather have my VPN switched on. The same goes for hotel and hostel Wi-Fi – just because you're sitting privately in your room doesn't mean the network itself isn't shared with hundreds of other guests.
If I'm working from a café or restaurant, particularly as a digital nomad, I don't automatically assume the Wi-Fi is secure just because the coffee is good. When I'm working remotely, I'm potentially accessing client emails, contracts, passwords, financial information and business documents, so I'd rather have that extra layer of protection than take an unnecessary risk. I'm also more cautious whenever I'm accessing sensitive accounts such as online banking or business services from an unfamiliar network. A VPN isn't a replacement for your bank's own security measures, but it can add another layer of protection to the connection you're using.
Can you use a VPN in every country?
No – and this is something you should check before travelling. While VPNs are legal in many countries, laws and restrictions vary around the world, so it's always best to check before you travel. Some countries restrict or regulate VPN use, while others have blocked or limited access to certain VPN services. If you're travelling somewhere where internet access is heavily restricted, don't assume that your VPN will automatically work just because it worked perfectly at home. Always check the current local laws and regulations before travelling. It's also worth remembering that using a VPN doesn't make illegal activity legal. A VPN changes how your internet connection is routed; it doesn't override the laws of the country you're visiting.
Is a VPN worth using when you travel?
For many travellers, yes. I wouldn't say that every person needs a VPN for every trip. But if you're regularly connecting to public Wi-Fi, working remotely, travelling solo or accessing sensitive accounts abroad, I think it's a worthwhile extra layer of protection. For me, the biggest benefit isn't being able to pretend I'm browsing from another country. It's not having to think quite so much about the network I'm connected to when I'm travelling. A VPN isn't a substitute for common sense online – but it's a pretty useful tool to have in your travel toolkit.
There are plenty of VPN providers on the market, but CyberGhost is one option worth considering if you're looking for something straightforward to use while travelling. What makes it particularly interesting for travellers isn't simply the number of servers it offers. It's some of the practical features designed around how people actually use a VPN.
For example, CyberGhost offers automatic Wi-Fi protection, which can automatically activate your VPN when you connect to an unsecured network. That's particularly handy when you're constantly moving between airports, hotels, cafés and other public networks. For digital nomads and remote workers, there's also the option of a Dedicated IP, which gives you a consistent IP address rather than sharing one with other VPN users. This can be useful for certain work systems and services that rely on IP allowlisting.
If you're not sure which provider to go with, I wouldn't commit to a paid plan before testing one properly on your own devices and your own dodgy hotel Wi-Fi first. CyberGhost offers a free trial you can try here, which is a decent way to check it actually holds up before you rely on it for something as important as logging into your bank from another country.
Just remember: a VPN provider isn't automatically the right choice for everyone. Compare features, pricing, privacy policies and device support before deciding which one works for you.
