Traveling to weird and wonderful destinations is exciting (and sometimes necessary), but every adventure has its possible pitfalls in today’s technology driven world. Equipping all of your devices with a VPN for travel purposes is a wise investment in your safety, security, and bank balance. 

In fact, travel VPNs are specifically designed to protect you during your vacation or business trip, so that you can enjoy your travels without having to be concerned about data protection or communication breakdowns. So why get a VPN for your travels if you never needed one back home? Here are some of the disasters you’ll be averting if you get a VPN before climbing onto that plane. 

Home Communication Gaps 

Throughout your travels you want to keep your family and friends at home apprised of your situation. If something were to go wrong, you’d want them to be aware of it so that they can help if need be. Some countries may have internet bylaws that somehow block your communication, which can end up disastrous.

Having a VPN negates this problem by keeping your online channels open and secure. A VPN will also keep your IP anonymous, allowing you to freely communicate with whoever you want without restrictions. So no matter where you are or what time of the day it is, you’ll be able to email, chat, or call whoever you want back home. 

Website Censorships

There are several countries that don’t hide the fact that they censor certain websites. Without having to check a list of these websites before you embark on your travels, this is a fact that can seem disconcerting to many. Not having access to certain online resources can severely hinder your information pool while you travel to unknown places. 

VPNs are designed for travel pitfalls just like this one. Having a VPN installed on your mobile device will allow you to freely visit any website you want, as long as you have a decent wi-fi connection. Again, you’ll remain completely anonymous while doing so, averting any overbearing authorities that may be monitoring public browsing. 

Paying Too Much for Transport

Because some websites may be inaccessible in remote areas or countries that practice censorship, finding the most affordable means of transport will be a challenge. Plane tickets, bus routes, and train options could be obscured unless you have the freedom to access all of them that are available.

Once again, a good VPN will allow you to access every possible option at your disposal when it comes to traveling from one place to another. You’ll be able to see better deals for flights back home, scrutinize the best options for public transport, and access the best cab company services in your area. 

Paying Too Much for Accommodation

The same can be said for accommodation. BnBs, hotels, and resorts may become inaccessible within certain areas if restrictions are put in place by authorities. The reasons for these restrictions may vary, but that shouldn’t hinder your ability to find a good place to stay at the most reasonable price. 

In this instance, a VPN for traveling is a good investment to save you money. Keep your browsing free so that you can get the best accommodation deals at all times. No matter what restrictions you may face in a foreign country, a VPN will make you feel like you have the same freedom as you do back home. 

Identity Theft

With over one million cases of identity theft reported in 2023, it’s only a matter of time before this phenomenon hits you or someone you know. Devices are always at risk in public places, and this is pretty much where you’ll be during most of your vacation or during your business trip. 

Make sure to activate your VPN before you land anywhere, and keep it activated wherever you go. If you can’t avoid public Wi-Fi spots, at least you can know that your device is well protected at all times. Certain countries report higher cases of identity theft and scams than others, but VPNs protect you by averting these malicious attempts.

Public Wi-Fi Malware and Viruses

Having your device hacked or compromised while you’re overseas can only end in disaster. Your phone and computer have all of your important information on them, so you must keep this data safe at all times. To avoid the hassle of embassies and foreign authorities, avoid the corruption (or worse, the deletion) of your important travel and/or business information. 

VPNs keep your devices safe from malware and viruses, especially if you’re frequenting public Wi-Fi locations like coffee shops, restaurants, or tourist sites. Professional scammers are waiting all over the globe looking for compromised devices that they can infiltrate. Don’t let them get anywhere near yours.  

Running Out of Data

Finding that your data is depleted can cause all kinds of problems, especially if you’re somewhere where data isn’t easily accessible. Not every place you visit will have a free Wi-Fi hotspot where you can top up your subscription, so it’s always best to preserve this data as much as you can.

Split tunneling is a VPN feature that helps you manage apps that use data on your devices. You can switch off unused apps that drain your data without you being aware of it, and save tons of data while traveling. This speeds up your devices, saves your data for when you need it most, and lets you choose which apps are the most important at any given time. 

Losing Important Data

Whether you travel for work purposes, or choose an overseas destination as a getaway, keeping your data intact is crucial to getting back home.Work data that’s been lost due to viruses, hacking, or malware and trojans can be negated by activating a good VPN on your laptop and mobile devices. 

Remember, hackers often use personal applications like email and chat apps to remotely access data that’s work related, so be sure to keep your VPN on at all times–even when there’s no work in progress. You can prevent your data from getting deleted or compromised by simply being cautious at public Wi-Fi spots, but it’s good to know that you have backup if anything does attempt to enter your data.

Wrapping Up

Traveling with a VPN should be standard practice for all business travelers as well as those who go on vacation to remote destinations. You won’t have to bother researching internet restrictions in various countries if you know you have a VPN that provides you with all the freedom you need to browse at your leisure.