A reliable VPN is essential for secure, unrestricted internet access while traveling
Quick Answer: Top 3 Picks
Need a VPN fast? Here are our recommendations after testing 8 services across 5 countries:
- ExpressVPN — Best overall for speed, reliability, and ease of use
- NordVPN — Best for security features and value
- Surfshark — Best budget option with unlimited devices
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Why You Need a VPN for Travel
Using public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, and cafés without a VPN is like shouting your passwords in a crowded room. Here's why every digital nomad and traveler needs one:
Security on Public Wi-Fi
That "Free_Airport_WiFi" network? It could be a hacker's honeypot. A VPN encrypts your data, making it unreadable to anyone snooping on the network.
Access Blocked Content
Streaming services, news sites, and even Google are blocked in some countries. A VPN lets you bypass these restrictions and access the internet as if you were home.
Avoid Price Discrimination
Airlines and booking sites often show different prices based on your location. A VPN can help you find better deals by changing your virtual location.
Banking Access Abroad
Many banks block logins from foreign countries. A VPN with servers in your home country ensures you can access your accounts without triggering security alerts.
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How We Tested
We tested 8 popular VPNs over 30 days across multiple countries (Thailand, Portugal, Mexico, Japan, and Turkey). Our testing focused on what actually matters for travelers:
| Test Category | Methodology |
|---|---|
| Speed | Speedtest.net at 3x daily from different locations |
| Streaming | Attempted to unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+ |
| Reliability | 30-day uptime monitoring, connection stability tests |
| Ease of Use | App interface testing, setup time measurement |
| Security | DNS leak tests, kill switch verification |
| Support | Response time tests via live chat |
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Best Overall: ExpressVPN
Price: $6.67/month (15-month plan) | Servers: 3,000+ in 105 countries | Rating: 4.9/5
ExpressVPN has been the gold standard for years, and our testing confirms why. It consistently delivers the fastest speeds, most reliable connections, and easiest setup of any VPN we tested.
Why It Stands Out
Speed That Doesn't Slow You Down In our testing, ExpressVPN maintained 85-95% of our base internet speed — the best of any VPN tested. This matters when you're working from a café with already-slow Wi-Fi. We streamed 4K video and participated in Zoom calls without buffering.
Works Everywhere We Tested From the restrictive networks in Turkey to the Great Firewall of China (tested via reports from users), ExpressVPN's obfuscated servers bypass even aggressive blocking. In 30 days of travel, we never encountered a network where ExpressVPN didn't work.
30-Second Setup The app is intuitive enough for non-technical users. Download, enter your activation code, click connect. That's it. When you're exhausted from a 12-hour flight, simplicity matters.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Servers | 3,000+ in 105 countries |
| Devices | 8 simultaneous connections |
| Protocols | Lightway (proprietary), OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Kill Switch | Yes (Network Lock) |
| Split Tunneling | Yes |
| Streaming | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime |
| Headquarters | British Virgin Islands (privacy-friendly) |
| Audit | Independently audited by Cure53 and PwC |
Who Should Buy This
Get ExpressVPN if:
- You want the fastest, most reliable VPN
- You travel to countries with internet censorship
- You value ease of use over advanced features
- You need consistent streaming access
- You have the budget for a premium service
Drawbacks:
- More expensive than competitors
- Only 8 device connections (vs unlimited on some)
- No dedicated IP option
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Best for Security: NordVPN
Price: $3.79/month (2-year plan) | Servers: 6,400+ in 111 countries | Rating: 4.7/5
NordVPN packs the most security features of any major VPN, including double VPN encryption, built-in ad blocking, and dark web monitoring. It's the choice for the privacy-obsessed.
Why It Stands Out
Military-Grade Security Features NordVPN offers features others don't: Double VPN (routing through two servers), Onion Over VPN (Tor integration), and Threat Protection (ad/malware blocker). If Edward Snowden used a commercial VPN, he'd probably choose Nord.
Massive Server Network With 6,400+ servers in 111 countries, you're never far from a fast connection. We found servers in unusual locations like Vietnam, Egypt, and South Africa — useful for travelers off the beaten path.
NordLynx Speed Built on WireGuard technology, NordLynx delivered speeds nearly as fast as ExpressVPN in our tests (80-90% of base speed). The difference is negligible for most use cases.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Servers | 6,400+ in 111 countries |
| Devices | 10 simultaneous connections |
| Protocols | NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec |
| Special Features | Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Threat Protection |
| Streaming | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+ |
| Headquarters | Panama (privacy-friendly) |
| Audit | Independently audited by PwC |
Who Should Buy This
Get NordVPN if:
- Security and privacy are your top priorities
- You want the most features for your money
- You need more than 8 device connections
- You travel to diverse, less-common destinations
Drawbacks:
- Interface can feel cluttered with so many features
- Occasional CAPTCHA challenges on Google
- Slightly slower than ExpressVPN on distant servers
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Best Budget: Surfshark
Price: $2.49/month (2-year plan) | Servers: 3,200+ in 100 countries | Rating: 4.5/5
Surfshark proves you don't need to spend $10+/month for a quality VPN. At under $2.50/month, it offers unlimited device connections and solid performance that rivals more expensive options.
Why It Stands Out
Unlimited Devices Connect your laptop, phone, tablet, smart TV, and share with your travel partner — all on one account. Most VPNs limit you to 5-10 devices. Surfshark's unlimited policy is genuinely unique.
CleanWeb Ad Blocker The built-in ad and malware blocker actually works, speeding up page loads and saving bandwidth — crucial when you're on slow hotel Wi-Fi or expensive mobile data abroad.
NoBorders Mode Specifically designed for restrictive regions, NoBorders automatically detects network restrictions and activates countermeasures. It worked flawlessly in our Turkey testing.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Servers | 3,200+ in 100 countries |
| Devices | Unlimited simultaneous connections |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Special Features | CleanWeb (ad blocker), NoBorders, MultiHop |
| Streaming | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+ |
| Headquarters | Netherlands (9-eyes, but no-logs verified) |
Who Should Buy This
Get Surfshark if:
- You're budget-conscious
- You have many devices to protect
- You travel with a partner or family
- You want ad blocking built-in
Drawbacks:
- Slower speeds than ExpressVPN and NordVPN (70-80% of base)
- Smaller server network
- Relatively new company (founded 2018)
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Comparison Table
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $6.67 | $3.79 | $2.49 |
| Servers | 3,000+ | 6,400+ | 3,200+ |
| Countries | 105 | 111 | 100 |
| Devices | 8 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Speed | 95% | 90% | 75% |
| Streaming | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Security | Very Good | Excellent | Good |
| Best For | All-around | Privacy | Budget |
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Streaming Test Results
We tested each VPN's ability to unblock popular streaming services:
| Service | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix US | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Netflix UK | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BBC iPlayer | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Hulu | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Disney+ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Amazon Prime | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ (sometimes) |
All three reliably unblocked the major services. Surfshark occasionally struggled with Amazon Prime Video.
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Speed Test Results
Testing from Bangkok, Thailand (100 Mbps base connection):
| VPN | Local Server | US Server | UK Server |
|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 94 Mbps | 87 Mbps | 82 Mbps |
| NordVPN | 91 Mbps | 83 Mbps | 79 Mbps |
| Surfshark | 78 Mbps | 71 Mbps | 65 Mbps |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are VPNs legal?
Yes, in most countries. VPNs are legal in the US, UK, EU, Australia, Japan, and most democratic nations. They're illegal or restricted in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and a few others. Always check local laws before using a VPN.
Will a VPN slow down my internet?
Slightly, yes. Encryption adds overhead. However, premium VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN minimize this impact. You might lose 5-15% speed — usually unnoticeable for browsing and streaming.
Can I use a free VPN for travel?
Not recommended. Free VPNs often have data limits, slow speeds, and questionable privacy practices. Some have been caught selling user data. For travel, invest in a reputable paid service.
Do I need a VPN if I only use HTTPS websites?
Yes. HTTPS encrypts the content of your communication, but doesn't hide: which sites you visit, your location, or metadata. VPNs provide an additional layer of privacy and security.
Which VPN works best in China?
ExpressVPN and NordVPN both work reliably in China using obfuscated servers. Surfshark's NoBorders mode also works but is less consistent. Always download and set up your VPN before entering China.
Can I use a VPN on my phone and laptop simultaneously?
Yes. All three VPNs we recommend support multiple simultaneous connections. Surfshark offers unlimited connections, making it ideal for families or digital nomads with many devices.
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Final Recommendations
For Most Travelers: Get ExpressVPN. The speed, reliability, and ease of use justify the higher price. When you're working from a café in a foreign country, you want something that just works.
For Privacy-Focused Users: Get NordVPN. The advanced security features and massive server network offer the best privacy protection.
For Budget Travelers: Get Surfshark. At $2.49/month with unlimited devices, it's unbeatable value for solo travelers and couples.
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Last Updated: February 2026 | Testing conducted across 5 countries over 30 days The Signal Seeker is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
