Best VPN for Travel in 2026: Stay Safe Anywhere

Updated: February 22, 2026 · 5 min read

Traveling without a VPN in 2026 is like leaving your hotel room unlocked. Public WiFi at airports, hotels, and cafés is a goldmine for hackers, and many countries block access to your favorite apps and websites. A good travel VPN keeps you safe and connected everywhere.

Top 5 VPNs for Travel

1. NordVPN — Best Overall Travel VPN

Get NordVPN → | $2.99/month

NordVPN is our top pick for travelers thanks to its massive 111-country server network, reliable connections in restrictive countries, and Meshnet feature for accessing your home network remotely.

Why It’s Great for Travel:

• 6,400+ servers in 111 countries — coverage everywhere
• Works in China, UAE, Turkey, and other restrictive countries
• Meshnet lets you access your home devices remotely
• Threat Protection blocks malicious WiFi attacks
• Auto-connect on untrusted networks
• Lightweight apps won’t drain your phone battery
• 10 simultaneous connections (phone, laptop, tablet)

2. ExpressVPN — Best for Restrictive Countries

Get ExpressVPN → | $6.67/month

ExpressVPN has the strongest track record of working in heavily censored countries like China and Iran. Its obfuscated servers disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS.

Why It’s Great for Travel:

• Works reliably in China, Russia, Iran, UAE
• Servers in 105 countries
• Automatic protocol selection adapts to network conditions
• MediaStreamer for hotel smart TVs
• 24/7 live chat support in multiple time zones

3. Surfshark — Best Budget Travel VPN

Get Surfshark → | $1.99/month

Surfshark’s unlimited connections and low price make it perfect for budget travelers who want to protect all their devices.

Why It’s Great for Travel:

• Unlimited devices — protect everything
• NoBorders mode for restrictive networks
• Camouflage mode hides VPN usage
• GPS spoofing on Android (great for location-based apps)
• CleanWeb blocks ads on slow hotel WiFi
• Cheapest premium VPN

4. ProtonVPN — Best Free Option for Travel

Get Proton VPN → | Free tier available

If you need a VPN for a short trip and don’t want to pay, ProtonVPN’s free tier offers unlimited data with servers in 3 countries.

Why It’s Great for Travel:

• Free tier with unlimited data (US, NL, JP servers)
• Swiss privacy — no data logging
• Secure Core servers route through privacy-friendly countries
• No ads in the free tier

5. Mullvad VPN — Best for Privacy-Conscious Travelers

Get Mullvad → | €5/month (flat rate)

Mullvad doesn’t even require an email to sign up — perfect for travelers who want maximum anonymity.

Why It’s Great for Travel:

• No account needed — just a number
• Accept cash and crypto payments
• WireGuard-first approach
• Consistent €5/month — no price games

Travel VPN Comparison

Essential Travel VPN Features

1. Auto-Connect on Public WiFi

Your VPN should automatically activate when you join an unknown WiFi network. This prevents the dangerous window between connecting and manually turning on your VPN.

2. Kill Switch

If your VPN connection drops (common on unstable hotel WiFi), a kill switch blocks all internet traffic to prevent data leaks.

3. Obfuscation / Stealth Mode

In countries like China, UAE, and Russia, standard VPN connections are detected and blocked. Obfuscation disguises your VPN traffic as normal web browsing.

4. Multiple Protocol Support

Different networks block different protocols. Having WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 options means you can switch if one is blocked.

5. Lightweight Apps

Travel VPN apps should be battery-efficient and work well on mobile data. Heavy apps that drain battery are useless during a long travel day.

Country-Specific Travel Tips

China

• Download and set up your VPN BEFORE arriving
• NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the most reliable in China
• Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube are all blocked
• Keep multiple VPN protocols configured as backup

UAE / Dubai

• VPN use is legal for legitimate purposes
• VoIP calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime) are blocked without a VPN
• NordVPN works consistently in the UAE

Russia

• Many VPNs are blocked
• ExpressVPN’s obfuscation works best
• Download before traveling

Japan / South Korea

• No censorship issues
• Great for accessing home streaming services
• Any VPN works well

Europe

• Generally VPN-friendly
• Useful for accessing home country content
• Public WiFi security is the main concern

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to use a VPN while traveling?

VPNs are legal in most countries. However, China, Russia, UAE, Iran, and a few others have restrictions. Using a VPN for legitimate purposes (security, privacy) is generally tolerated even in restrictive countries.

Should I get a VPN before or during my trip?

Always before. Some countries block VPN websites, making it impossible to download and set up a VPN after arrival. Install and test your VPN before you leave.

Can a VPN help with cheaper flights?

Potentially. Airlines and booking sites sometimes show different prices based on your location. Connecting to a VPN server in a different country might reveal lower prices, though results vary.

Do I need a VPN if my hotel has “secure” WiFi?

Yes. Hotel WiFi, even password-protected, is shared among all guests. Anyone on the network could potentially intercept your traffic. A VPN encrypts everything.

Will a VPN slow down already slow hotel WiFi?

Slightly, but modern VPNs with WireGuard add minimal overhead (5-10%). On very slow connections, the difference is barely noticeable. The security benefit far outweighs the minor speed cost.

Final Verdict

For most travelers, NordVPN is the best choice — it works in the most countries, auto-connects on public WiFi, and offers excellent security. Budget travelers should grab Surfshark for its unlimited connections and $1.99/month price tag.

Golden rule: Set up your VPN before you travel. Not after.