A few months ago while looking for a vacation spot, I ran across what seemed to be a great deal. The price of the rental condo was several hundred dollars less than the others. Why were people passing on this one while all the similar units already reserved? It was in the fine print: “Does not include WiFi”.

So I picked up something called a “Travel router” and planned to use my phone’s hotspot rather than paying an extra fee. 

Staying connected while traveling isn’t always as simple as it should be. Hotels, rental properties, and airports may offer Wi-Fi, but it’s often unreliable, slow, or unsecure. That’s where a travel router can make a big difference. While you may never have considered bringing your own router on vacation, it’s a small and affordable device that can provide a safer and more stable internet connection wherever you go.

What Is a Travel Router?

A travel router works just like the one in your home, allowing multiple devices to connect to the internet. The difference is that it’s portable and designed to work with public or private networks, whether through Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable. Instead of connecting each of your devices separately to a hotel or rental Wi-Fi, you connect your travel router to the network, and then all your devices connect through it.

Why Use a Travel Router?

  1. Connect Multiple Devices
    • Some hotels limit the number of connected devices per room. With a travel router, you only need to connect it once, and then all your devices—laptops, tablets, and phones—can use the same network.
  2. More Secure Internet Access
    • Public Wi-Fi networks are often unencrypted, making them easy targets for hackers. A travel router allows you to set up your own password-protected, encrypted network, reducing security risks.
    • Many models also support VPN integration, which hides your IP address and secures your browsing activity.
  3. Reliable Streaming and Gaming
    • If you use Netflix, Hulu, or other streaming services, a travel router can help maintain a stable connection and prevent buffering. Plus, you can stay logged into your account without needing to re-enter credentials constantly.
  4. Wi-Fi for Rental Properties
    • If your Airbnb or vacation rental doesn’t include Wi-Fi, you can use a travel router to create a hotspot by tethering it to your phone’s data connection, allowing other devices to connect more easily.
  5. Extend Internet at Home
    • When you’re not traveling, a travel router can function as a Wi-Fi range extender, helping eliminate dead zones in your home.

How to Choose the Right Travel Router

Look for a model with WPA3 encryption and VPN support for security. Portability, ease of setup, and compatibility with different networks are also important. Many great options are available for under $40, making it an affordable investment in better connectivity.

With all these benefits, a travel router might just become an essential part of your travel gear.