As a seasoned traveler, you understand the importance of securing both your digital footprint and your hard-earned savings while exploring the world. Whether you are embarking on a business trip or indulging in a well-deserved vacation, navigating the labyrinth of online booking platforms can be daunting, with price variations and geographical restrictions often standing in the way of snagging the best deals.
Luckily, there is a digital companion ready to accompany you on your journey: the Virtual Private Network (VPN). Much like a trusted travel partner, a VPN not only shields your online presence but also opens doors to exclusive hotel offers, regardless of your location.
In today's hyper-connected world, finding affordable accommodations is not just about scoring a great deal — it is about safeguarding your data and ensuring peace of mind throughout your travels. By harnessing the power of a VPN during the booking process, you not only outsmart price discrimination tactics but also fortify your defenses against potential cyber threats lurking on public Wi-Fi networks.
In this article, we'll explore how VPNs can transform the hotel booking experience for travelers like you, offering a blend of financial savvy and digital security. From unlocking hidden savings to preserving your privacy on the road, VPNs serve as invaluable tools for modern adventurers seeking seamless travel experiences.
So, before you embark on your next escapade, consider enlisting the help of a VPN to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and ease.
Quick Check: Here are the top VPN recommendations for international travel in 2024:
- Best security: ExpressVPN
- Best features: NordVPN
- Best for traveling: CyberGhost VPN
- Most value for money: Surfshark VPN
What is a VPN, and how does it work?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Going by the name, you can think of it as computer software designed to keep your online connections private and, most importantly, secure. When browsing through a VPN, your traffic is encrypted so no one can see what you do online, including sensitive personal information such as bank details, login credentials, etc.
As a frequent business traveler, you probably have services and subscriptions in your home country you want to use, which might only be available in some countries you visit. Using a VPN allows you to make your device appear in your home country. Sounds like fun, huh?
To use a VPN, you need to subscribe to a VPN Provider, download and install their software, and choose a server location. Only 3-steps and you are already good to go.
Hoaxes use weaknesses in human behavior to ensure they are replicated and distributed. In other words, hoaxes prey on the Human Operating System.
-Stewart Kirkpatrick
Why do You Need a VPN While Traveling?
When it comes to hotel bookings and staying in accommodations during your travels, ensuring your online security and privacy is paramount. Here is why a VPN is indispensable for hotel guests:
No More Price Discrimination
Imagine this scenario: You are browsing hotels on Booking.com, but did you know that the prices you see are not always the cheapest? Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com track your online behavior and adjust prices based on your current location and browsing history.
Also other websites may collect your data whenever you visit, using cookies to study your online habits and determine prices to maximize their profit.
According to NordVPN's research, consumers often encounter "wildly different" prices depending on where they log on. Their investigation identified significantly lower prices on websites operated by Tui, Center Parcs, Hertz, Sixt, and Hotels.com.
The good news is you can outsmart these tactics. By masking your location with a VPN, you will avoid overpaying for your hotel or flight and unlock hidden deals.
Secure Public Wi-Fi Usage
Did you know that free wireless networks come with a hidden cost — your data? While accessing a free public Wi-Fi network might seem convenient, it poses significant risks. Your sensitive information, including bank login credentials and credit card details, could be exposed to network administrators who monitor online activities.
Moreover, most public Wi-Fi networks in cafes, airports, and parks lack robust security protocols, making them vulnerable to internet spoofers.
Using a VPN enhances security when traveling and preserves your privacy, even on these public Wi-Fi networks, including the Wi-Fi in your hotel room. By encrypting your online connections, a VPN provides an added layer of protection, safeguarding your data from potential threats while using public Wi-Fi.
Access Geo-Restricted Content
Imagine arriving at your hotel, only to find that your favorite streaming services are inaccessible due to geo-restrictions (restricted by an IP address). Or worse, if you travel to China, you will be unable to open even the most popular wesites like Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and the like.
In addition, full-screen General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) banners could also block your favorite news and booking websites. For example, European people will likely hit the "Temporarily unavailable for users in Europe" banner when accessing the MakeMyTrip.com web page.
With a VPN, geographical barriers are a thing of the past. By tunneling your connection through servers around the globe, you can access region-specific services and content, turning your hotel room into a personal entertainment hub. Whether you are unwinding in a beachfront resort or a bustling city hotel, you will never miss out on your favorite shows and websites with a VPN at your fingertips.
Choosing the Right VPN for Travel
As a business traveler, there are different measures you can take to protect your privacy. Using a reliable and trusted VPN gives you an edge in maintaining complete anonymity. Here are a few concrete requirements to consider when choosing a VPN.
- Multiple server locations: A VPN with an extensive network of servers globally will ensure you have plenty of options to unblock content from no matter where you are living.
- Connection Speed: A slow internet connection can be frustrating when consuming content from the internet. Therefore, you will need to review VPN services with fast connections to get things done online without interruptions or hiccups.
- Cross-platform compatibility: As a business individual, you need the flexibility you can get in a VPN, especially if you have more than one device, including your mobile phone.
- Ease of use: Unfortunately, quite a few VPNs out there are confusing or otherwise annoying to use. You want a VPN you just set and forget; leave it to run in the background as you go about your business online.
And the latest trend is the "Kill Switch." A VPN's kill switch feature is one of the newest technological additions designed to protect your privacy. Once it senses an internet connection loss, it shuts down all online activity or traffic. The automatic shutdown helps keep your activity anonymous and secure.
Best VPN providers for Business Travelers
We have analyzed the key features you should consider to choose the best VPN service for international travel. These are our top four picks for travel:
ExpressVPN - Best Security
We chose ExpressVPN because it ticks all the boxes for everything you need in a VPN. It is a top-notch platform that supports all modern gadgets, blazing connection speed, over 3'000 servers in 160 locations within 94 countries worldwide, smart security features, supremely easy-to-use platform with a 30-day money-back guarantee (refund policy).
ExpressVPN is more expensive than many of its main competitors in terms of pricing. For instance, you will get charged $12.95 per month when you use it only for a month or $99.99 for the entire year. With our promotion code, you will get an additional 3-months for free to lower the cost to $6.66 a month.
Facts overview for ExpressVPN:
- Adware Blocker: No
- Dedicated IP Address: No
- Encryption: AES-256
- # of Devices: 5
- Kill Switch: Yes
- Money-back guarantee: 30-days
Who should use it?
Those who are looking for a best-in-class VPN service and are okay to pay for it. ExpressVPN is known for their security features.
NordVPN - Best Features
Choosing between NordVPN and ExpressVPN is a tough choice. It's more like comparing an Audi to a BMW; both are great. Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN is a complete package, offering rapid server speeds, double encryption for an extra layer of security, and multi-platform compatibility. In addition, it is one of the most secure VPNs out there, combining AES-256 encryption with an ad and malware blocker and double VPN services, aka multi-hop connections. NordVPN, with its 5'400 servers located in over 60 countries, is one of the few VPNs that works with Netflix, an essential factor for many traveling for business.
The NordVPN's standard plan also comes with a $99 price tag for one year. After applying our discount of 40%, it will be only $4.99 per month. However, signing up for two years secures a considerable discount of 60% and brings down the cost to $3.29 per month.
And in case if you are looking for a business solution, NordVPN also offers a Team subscription for small businesses, though its pricing is unclear.
Facts overview for NordVPN:
- Adware Blocker: Yes
- Dedicated IP Address: Yes (extra monthly cost)
- Encryption: AES-256
- # of Devices: 6
- Bandwidth: Unlimited
- Kill Switch: Yes
- Money-back guarantee: 30-days
Who should use it?
Those with a flexible VPN budget but want value in return. NordVPN is known for their best set of features.
CyberGhost - Best for Traveling
If you are a business traveler looking to use a VPN for the first time, CyberGhost could be an ideal option. It has one of the most intuitive and easy-to-use apps and website interfaces with a minimal learning curve. This VPN solution strikes a perfect balance of a powerful feature set and an intuitive interface for users of all skill levels. Many travelers love CyberGhost, because it offers perhaps the largest and the most well-distributed VPN server networks we have seen, powered by the latest VPN technology available. You can choose from its over 8'000 server locations across 91 countries. Like other leading VPNs, CyberGhost uses AES-256 encryption to protect your data, and it is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and more.
Hands down, CyberGhost is an affordable, feature-packed VPN product in the marketplace. On top of that, it offers a 45-days refund policy, which is one of the most prolonged available refund policies. The monthly cost of $12.99 is the highest in this comparison. However, when signing up for the 3-year plan, you can lower the monthly fee to $2.29.
Facts overview for CyberGhost:
- Adware Blocker: Yes
- Dedicated IP Address: Yes (extra monthly cost)
- Encryption: AES-256
- # of Devices: 7
- Bandwidth: Plan dependent
- Kill Switch: Yes
- Money-back guarantee: 45-days
Who should use it?
If your focus is on streaming and you might need a bit extra time to test the solution. CyberGhost is ideal for those traveling.
Surfshark VPN - Most for the Money
Surfshark is one of the newer VPN providers in the industry, but after its inception in 2018, it has made a real name for itself. Standing out with some unique features that include split tunneling and multi-hop connections, which bounce your tunnel across multiple servers for extra security. Despite being one of the cheapest you will find, it does not scrimp on features. Surfshark's excellent security structure would ensure you are protected anywhere you may be worldwide. In addition, its no-log policy guarantees you of having your digital freedom and privacy intact. Even this VPN solution is rather late in the market than the others; Surfshark already has 3'200 servers in 65 countries. In our test, Surfshark's performance was higher than NordVPN, but lower than ExpressVPN.
Surfshark's shortest subscription of $12.95 per month is very similar to most of its competitors. However, you get the best savings when you opt for the 24-months option. On top of that, the 1-year plan adds an extra two months free with a fully refundable policy for 30 days. It is hard to beat that.
Facts overview for Surfshark:
- Adware Blocker: Yes
- Dedicated IP Address: No
- Encryption: AES-256
- # of Devices: Unlimited
- Bandwidth: Unlimited
- Kill Switch: Yes
- Money-back guarantee: 30-days
Who should use it?
Those looking for a solid, feature-rich VPN primarily for personal use and secondarily for working from home. Surfshark VPN is the cheapest option of the VPN Services we evaluated.
Conclusion
Because you travel often, it is crucial to choose a VPN that meets your needs. Do not let a hacker ruin your holiday! Finding the right VPN that combines the features to make your travel abroad convenient and fulfilling is essential.
We have listed some of the best VPN companies. They all use AES 256-bit encryption, boast a global network of servers, and stand by an impressive privacy policy.
Secure VPNs are never free, so steer clear of them. Most free VPN apps make money by selling your data or worse. You also want to be careful with these lifetime offers.
Our recommendation is based on your most essential needs as a business traveler. But, unfortunately, there is nothing like a free lunch. So, in short, you are better off getting the paid version.
FAQ
Still not sure? You might want to check our FAQ for the most commonly asked questions.
Do I need a VPN?
What pushes people to use a VPN service? Of course, people turn to VPNs for different reasons, and whatever yours is, you should validate some aspects before choosing a provider. For example, how fast is the service? Will they keep my data safe? And will they respect my privacy?
You really want to test the performance. There is no point in having the best possible encryption if a website takes forever to load.
How do I get cheaper flights or hotels with a VPN?
Yes. Some travel websites increase prices if you are based in certain countries. Luckily, a VPN can help you outsmart these unfair price fluctuations. Change your virtual location by selecting a server in your country and choosing the best deal.
Do I need a separate VPN for each device?
No. A good VPN provider will enable you to use their service on several devices with one subscription. This configuration is known as simultaneous connections. If you want a VPN that offers unlimited simultaneous connections, we recommend Surfshark.
Can I share my VPN with my family?
Yes, provided you have a VPN that offers simultaneous connections, you and your family from the same household can use it simultaneously on your separate devices.
Can a single VPN subscription cover all of my devices?
Yes, a top VPN provider will let you connect with several devices so that you can cover your laptop, smartphone, tablet, and more. Some, like Surfshark, even offer unlimited connections! Alternatively, you can install a VPN on your router to connect every device that uses the network.
