The best VPN for traveling abroad

Are you searching for the perfect VPN for your travels abroad? We have reviewed the top VPNs to ensure your security while abroad and enable you to access services back home.

Unless you’re willing to pay roaming charges, a trip away is likely going to involve the use of unsecured public WiFi networks. As these are easy targets for attackers, it’s wise to connect using a virtual private network (VPN).

The best VPN for traveling abroad protects your online activity by sending all your data through an encrypted tunnel. It will also allow you to access your favorite streaming services from your home country, as well as let you log on to banking apps without triggering location alarms.

We’ll get into more detail later, but in the meantime, here’s a quick rundown.

Best VPNs for traveling abroad:

1. NordVPN: Best VPN for traveling abroad. Automatic VPN connection when using unsecured WiFi networks and great for accessing streaming services, including in China. Affordable subscription plans and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best low-cost VPN for traveling abroad. Fast, secure, and lightweight VPN with good access to streaming services and an auto-connect feature when using public WiFi. Servers are entirely run on RAM.
3. ExpressVPN: Servers in 94+ countries and top-notch security while traveling abroad. Auto-connect feature for public WiFi networks available on Android. Also able to access a wide range of streaming services.
4. CyberGhost: One of the fastest VPNs available with an equally impressive server network. Has a reliable auto-connect feature for public WiFi and is great for streaming your favorite programs while traveling. 
5. ProtonVPN: Secure and private VPN. Has a dedicated tool for boosting connection speeds over long distances. Decent speeds and the ability to access a range of streaming services from abroad.
6. PrivateVPN: The smallest of the providers listed here but nonetheless great for streaming while abroad. Its Stealth VPN feature enables connections where VPN usage is restricted.

The VPN market is crowded with services clamoring for your attention. To narrow down the field and identify only the best VPN services, we only consider those that meet the criteria below. In addition, those making a bid for one of our top three spots must have had their technical security audited, their no-logs policy audited, and be running a network of diskless servers. You can read a full run-down of our testing methodology later in this article.

• A global network of fast servers
• Support for Android and iOS
• Generous money-back-guarantee period
• Ability to access streaming services
• Public WiFi protection
• Robust security and privacy
• Value for money
• Operate a 100% diskless server network (applicable to the top three providers)
• Infrastructure and no-logs policy audited by a reputable third party (applicable to the top three providers)

Summary table

Best VPNs for traveling abroad

The following information gives you a detailed overview of our six best VPNs for traveling abroad.

NordVPN is our recommended VPN for traveling abroad. It provides access to a huge number of servers around the world and delivers fast speeds and highly secure connections. The server network is run entirely on RAM rather than persistent storage, which is increasingly becoming the gold standard in ensuring no-logs policies are adhered to.

The auto-connect feature ensures that your device automatically connects to a VPN server whenever you access a WiFi network. It will encrypt your traffic while using unsecured networks in places like airports, restaurants, and hotels.

The provider also offers a kill switch. This ensures that if the VPN connection drops out, you will be disconnected from the internet. This prevents you from browsing while unprotected. You can also enable threat protection, which scans files for viruses, infected websites, and trackers.

NordVPN is one of the few providers that can reliably access a range of region-locked streaming services – which means you can watch all of your favorite shows while you’re away. It works with a wide variety of Netflix libraries as well as BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

Importantly, NordVPN is also able to navigate China’s sophisticated VPN blocking system, a claim that not many VPNs can match. In most cases, no manual configuration is required to connect in China thanks to an obfuscation option built into the app, although it is highly recommended you download the apps before you enter the country.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. NordVPN subscriptions allow up to six simultaneous device connections.

Security is tight, with your internet traffic protected using 256-bit AES encryption, together with SHA384 authentication and a 3072-bit DHE-RSA key exchange. However, it’s worth noting that NordVPN did suffer a major security breach back in 2018.

Using an insecure remote management tool deployed by a third-party Finnish data center, hackers were able to leak the private keys associated with certificates used to secure NordVPN web servers, as well as VPN configuration files.

NordVPN responded by hiring a cybersecurity consulting firm to test its infrastructure and then conducting a third-party security audit. It also stopped renting servers from third-party hosting companies and began upgrading its entire infrastructure to RAM-only servers.

BEST VPN FOR TRAVEL: NordVPN is our top choice VPN for traveling abroad. It has a global network of servers and an auto-connect feature to protect you while using public WiFi. It’s great for streaming and highly secure. Plans come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark has a network of several thousand servers in more countries than nearly all other VPN providers. It’s great value for money and provides reliable access to most major streaming services. Surshark ranks so highly because it continues to push VPN technology forward.

The Surfshark auto-connect feature tells your device to connect to the VPN as soon as it finds a WiFi network. We particularly like that you can set which server it connects to, as this enables you to choose one in your home country or city (or make use of one of the available static IP addresses). This is handy when using banking apps or other services where exotic IP addresses might raise concerns.

Other features include DNS and leak protection, an ad-blocker, and CleanWeb, a service that prevents connections with malware-infected websites. Surfshark subscriptions also allow unlimited device connections.

Lightweight apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux (one of the few to offer a native GUI), and Amazon Fire TV. Data is protected using AES-256 encryption and the company adheres to a no-logs policy, meaning no personally identifiable information is ever recorded.

The Surfshark server network is RAM-only and there are obfuscated servers available. These enable you to connect to the internet while masking the fact that you’re using a VPN to do so. This is useful if you’re traveling in countries where VPN use is restricted.

Since 2022, Surfshark has been part of Nord Security – the parent company of NordVPN. The merger marked just one more consolidation in a VPN market that is already dominated by companies such as Ziff Davis, Kape Technologies, Tesonet, and Aura.

BEST BUDGET OPTION: Surfshark is a feature-rich provider and a solid choice for traveling abroad. It has a customizable auto-connect feature, a no-logs policy, and unlimited device connections. You can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

ExpressVPN is another solid choice for using abroad. It has a huge number of servers and can reliably access a range of streaming services from all corners of the world – including China.

The ExpressVPN auto-connect feature protects your internet traffic by automatically connecting to the VPN when you join a new network – including public WiFi. Note that this is currently only available on Android.

All apps come with a kill switch to prevent your data from being exposed if the VPN connection drops out. Other features include Threat Manager, which prevents your device from communicating with sites known to track activity or engage in malicious behavior. Subscriptions allow for up to five simultaneous device connections.

ExpressVPN is great at accessing streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO, and hulu. If you’re not able to access a particular service while abroad, the provider encourages you to contact their customer support team for help.

Easy-to-use apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Kindle Fire, and routers. ExpressVPN protects your data online using AES-256 encryption. Many VPN services protect only your internet traffic, leaving your DNS requests exposed and vulnerable. ExpressVPN solves this problem by running its own private, encrypted DNS on every VPN server. The servers themselves run entirely on volatile memory.

ExpressVPN has also undergone both an infrastructure and software audit, which isn’t the norm when it comes to VPN providers. This proves its credentials as a provider that is committed to transparency and resolving potential vulnerabilities before they become a problem.

Despite a near-perfect service, there is one element that may put potential users off. ExpressVPN – along with CyberGhost – is owned by British-Israeli software provider Kape Technologies. In its former incarnation as Crossrider, Kape Technologies specialized in AdTech software - something that may leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the privacy-conscious.

As far as we know, ExpressVPN continues to operate autonomously. Reassuringly, ExpressVPN continues to undergo independent audits of both its infrastructure and privacy policy. In 2022, we reported that ExpressVPN was offering a one-time $100,000 bug bounty to anyone able to compromise its systems.

SECURE SERVERS: ExpressVPN offers market-leading security and access to a great range of streaming services while traveling abroad. It has fast connection speeds and a large server network. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

CyberGhost provides very fast connections and has a huge server presence in more than 90 countries. It’s great for streaming and a good choice for use abroad.

The CyberGhost auto-connect feature allows you to specify what happens when it discovers an unsecured WiFi network. You can either choose to be notified or ask it to automatically connect to the VPN.

Other features include a kill switch, and protection against ads, trackers, and malware. If you’re traveling somewhere that makes you feel nervous privacy-wise, you can connect to one of CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers. Located in a CyberGhost-owned headquarters in Romania, these servers are managed end-to-end, which the provider claims should offer some extra peace of mind.

It’s easy to access streaming services while away thanks to the app telling you which CyberGhost servers are best for each content provider. The VPN works with all the major Netflix libraries as well as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. They are all configured to prevent DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks by default. Your data is kept secure using a combination of 256-bit AES/ChaCha20 encryption, 2,048-bit RSA keys, and SHA256 authentication. CyberGhost subscriptions allow you to connect up to seven devices simultaneously.

CyberGhost was acquired by the Crossrider, in 2017. Crossrider's had quite a name for itself in the AdTech space but the company has since done a complete U-turn and evolved into Kape Technologies, which is now listed on the London Stock Exchange.

CyberGhost’s continues to undergo independent audits of its privacy policy, VPN server network, and management systems; as well as publishing transparency reports every quarter.

FAST CONNECTIONS: CyberGhost has a huge server network and market-leading connection speeds. You can try it risk-free while traveling abroad with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost VPN review.

Proton VPN offers a highly secure service and provides access to servers in an impressively diverse range of countries. It’s a great choice for accessing streaming services while abroad as it works with most of the major streaming services. This includes Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max.

A kill switch is available for all apps, which can provide peace of mind when using WiFi networks. The same can be said for the ad blocker and protection against malware. You can further boost your privacy if you’re traveling in countries where internet use is restricted by connecting via two VPN servers rather than one.

Proton VPN has a dedicated tool for connecting to long-distance servers. The VPN Accelerator gives a boost to speeds by optimizing several processes involved in routing traffic. This is particularly useful if the servers in your home country are far away.

Internet traffic is protected with 256-bit AES encryption on the OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols. This is in conjunction with a SHA384 hash and 4096-bit RSA keys. ProtonVPN uses its own private DNS servers to further ensure privacy.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Linux. These are protected from DNS and IPv6 leaks as standard. All subscription plans allow you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

In 2021, Proton VPN’s sister company – ProtonMail – handed over details of one of its customers to the Swiss authorities after being compelled to begin logging IP address and browser fingerprint information for a particular account. ProtonMail, which is owned by Proton Technologies AG, makes much of its no-logs policy – though it has since changed its wording to remove the section promising no IP logs.

Note, however, that the Proton VPN privacy policy is adamant that it “keeps no logs and never will”. This, it says, is because Swiss law prohibits the country's courts from compelling a VPN service to log IP addresses.

DEDICATED TO PRIVACY: Proton VPN is a privacy-focused provider with servers in a large number of countries. Offers good connections while traveling abroad and access to all of the major streaming services. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Ready our in-depth Proton VPN review.

PrivateVPN has a solid record with regard to privacy and is a great option if you plan on streaming your favorite shows while abroad. It has servers in a wide range of countries and can reliably access a range of Netflix libraries as well as Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.

If you are unable to access a particular service while away, PrivateVPN encourages you to contact its customer support team, who will try and help you get connected.

PrivateVPN is particularly useful in places like China thanks to its Stealth VPN feature. This disguises VPN traffic as normal web traffic, helping you bypass VPN blocks in countries where internet access is restricted.

Other features include a kill switch, which helps prevent data exposure if the VPN connection drops out while using public WiFi networks. Protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks is enabled by default, and you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV. PrivateVPN protects your data using a combination of 256-bit encryption, SHA256 authentication, and 2,048-bit RSA keys. It operates a strict no-logs policy and has never suffered any form of breach in its 10+ years of operation.

Although PrivateVPN is based in a country known for protecting citizens’ privacy, Sweden is nevertheless a member of the SIGINT Seniors, an international intelligence-sharing alliance. Thankfully, its solid no-logging policy – and lack of mandatory data retention directives in Sweden - mean that there is nothing the government could acquire from the VPN to share with its FIVE EYES partners.

PERFECT FOR STREAMING: PrivateVPN provides access to a range of streaming sites while traveling abroad. It also enables connections where internet access is restricted. Subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

Methodology for choosing the best VPN for traveling abroad

It pays to be careful when using the internet in a foreign country. Different privacy rules will likely apply, and the authorities’ attitudes towards internet use, in general, might also contrast with those in your home country. In addition, some of the services you normally use may not be available. Using a VPN can solve many of these problems, but only if you choose the right one. For this article, we evaluated all of the providers using our VPN testing methodology. This includes the following criteria:

• Global network of fast servers: Large server networks generally provide faster, more stable connections. If you’re traveling abroad, the fastest connections will normally be to the servers nearest you. Ideally, then, a provider should have servers in as many places as possible. With this in mind, we have only included VPNs with servers in at least 60 countries.
• Support for Android and iOS: For most people, their cell phone is their go-to device when they want to connect to the internet while traveling. This is why we ensure that our chosen providers offer easy-to-use apps for both Android and iOS.
• Generous money-back guarantee period: You might discover that the service you subscribed to before going away hasn’t lived up to your expectations. A money-back guarantee enables you to try a different provider without losing out financially. If you’re going away for less than 30 days, you can sign up and ask for a refund when you return without having paid anything.
• Ability to access streaming services: After a long day exploring a new place, it can be nice to relax by watching a familiar show from your home country. Our recommended VPN providers are all able to access streaming platforms and otherwise geo-restricted content while you're away from home. 
• Public WiFi protection: While traveling, it’s often tempting to save on roaming charges by connecting to a public WiFi network. The best VPNs can detect when you’re connected to an unsecured network and will immediately route your traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel.
• Robust security and privacy: There’s little point using a VPN if the service provider itself snoops on what you’re doing. None of our chosen VPNs store any personally identifiable information about subscribers. For security, they make use of effectively-uncrackable encryption for all internet traffic and offer features such as kill switches and leak protection.
• Value for money: There’s no getting around the fact that accessing a decent VPN is going to cost you money. While some providers can justify their charges, others offer a lackluster service at a premium price. We only include VPNs that are worth their subscription fees.

Bonus points

As well as the criteria above, we will only consider awarding a Top 3 position to VPN companies that provide all of the following:

• Proven track record in China: China is notably successful in its attempts to restrict VPN use in the country. It continues to improve its abilities, meaning that providers which have worked in the past – such as Mullvad and PrivateVPN – no longer do so. At the time of writing, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark continue to be accessible in China. When their services do become unavailable – which happens to the best of them – they let users know, and are normally back online within days.
• Diskless servers: By moving infrastructure to RAM-only servers. Because RAM requires power to store data, that data is wiped every time it is powered off, so any attempt to seize a server would be futile. It also means that servers can be quickly wiped as part of standard security processes. While there are a growing number of providers rolling out diskless servers, it is expensive and sadly remains the exception, rather than the rule.
• Based in countries not part of any known intelligence alliance: The importance of the jurisdiction of a VPN company is a hotly contested subject. From GDPR in the EU to the Patriot Act in the US and a host of other legal frameworks designed to govern data sovereignty around the world, one could argue that a VPN provider’s headquarter location isn’t the most important factor to consider. That said, it makes more sense to choose a VPN that falls outside the jurisdiction of intelligence-sharing alliances. The best known-such alliance is The 14 Eyes (officially called SIGINT Seniors Europe, or SSEUR) which includes the UK, USA, Germany, France, Spain, and nine others, though other alliances (such as Maximator and the Afghanistan SIGINT Coalition) also exist, and there are likely more partnerships that we are not aware of.
• Regular application or server audits from a respected third party: The former examines things like whether the VPN’s infrastructure inadvertently collects data that would disprove no-logging claims, whether the servers (and the software they rely on) have any major vulnerabilities, and whether security best practices are being followed. Meanwhile, an application audit examines the apps that a user runs on their device and looks for exploits that can be used to unmask your activity or otherwise compromise your hardware. Several major providers including Mullvad, CyberGhost, and IPVanish have undergone infrastructure audits in order to garner customer faith in their logging policies. However, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are the only providers currently to have had both types of audit performed (though Surfshark’s app audit only examined the browser extensions, rather than the desktop or mobile apps).

Can I use a free VPN while traveling abroad?

You can use a free VPN and, indeed, some of our recommended providers offer free plans. However, for the most part, we don’t recommend it. The free plans from the major providers tend to limit which servers you can use and offer reduced functionality. The standalone free VPNs, by contrast, may sell your data to third parties to bring in advertising revenue. Others pose an active threat to your online security, due to dangerous permission levels and dubious logging policies. Some just don't work at all.

If you’re not willing to pay for a long-term subscription to one of our recommended VPNs, it might still be worth taking advantage of their money-back guarantees. The VPNs in this article all give you between 30 and 45 days to change your mind, which is more than enough time to cover the average trip abroad.

How to use a VPN in a foreign country

It’s easy to protect yourself online by using a VPN abroad. Just follow these steps:

1. Before you travel, choose a VPN that has servers in your home country and sign up. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the relevant apps onto any devices you’re planning on taking with you.
3. Restart all devices when the installation is complete.
4. Open the app on each device and try connecting to a server in your home country. Alternatively, let the VPN choose the fastest available server for you – most will do this automatically if you click the “connect” button.
5. The app will let you know when a connection has been established.
6. You can now use the internet as you normally would, safe in the knowledge that your connection is secure and your internet traffic is encrypted.

VPNs for traveling abroad: FAQs

Why use a VPN when traveling?

Whether you’re sitting around in an airport or waiting for an order to arrive in a cafe, you’ll likely make use of public WiFi networks more than once while you’re away. The problem is that data on these networks is often unencrypted. This makes it vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, where attackers position themselves between you and the websites you visit and capture data being transferred – this could be anything from account logins to card details.

Attackers can also set up rogue hotspots, which appear to be legitimate. For example, they could set up their own router in a bus station and give it a name like “Free bus WiFi”. When you connect, your data can be intercepted.

Can VPN providers be trusted?

All of the VPNs mentioned in this article can be trusted. We’ve looked in detail at their logging policies to ensure that they never store any personally identifiable information. Several operate servers which are RAM-only, meaning that no information passing through them can be permanently stored. Our top choice VPNs have also been independently audited to ensure that their privacy claims stand up to scrutiny.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are most certainly VPNs that you shouldn’t trust. Free VPNs are typically less scrupulous when it comes to protecting user privacy.

Should I get a VPN if traveling internationally?

We would recommend using a VPN at all times, particularly while traveling abroad. Most travelers find themselves using unsecured WiFi networks at some point while they’re away, which can pose security threats without a VPN. The authorities within particular countries may also restrict internet use, which can be sidestepped by using a VPN.

Which VPNs support all countries?

There is no VPN that has a presence in every single country. Some countries don’t have the infrastructure to host servers while others have government policies that make it problematic for VPNs to operate there. For example, India requires VPN operators to collect and store customer information – including names, IP addresses, and email addresses – for at least five years. The best VPN services provide access to servers in between 60 and 100 countries.

Are VPNs legal?

VPNs are legal in the majority of countries. Nevertheless, there are some countries where they are outlawed or blocked. These include the following:

• Belarus
• China
• Turkey
• Iraq
• United Arab Emirates
• Turkmenistan
• Belarus
• Oman

Can I access home services while traveling using a VPN?

Yes. One of the primary benefits of a VPN is that you can connect to a VPN server back home when you go on vacation. This allows you to get a valid IP address in your home country to enjoy watching home TV platforms, using your internet banking, or using other region-locked services that are only available back home.

 

Can I play a foreign game server using a VPN?

Yes! When you travel, you may find that the games you play connect you to a different regional server. This can be tricky if you are suddenly thrown into a pool of players that speak a foreign language. By connecting to a VPN server back home, you can regain access to your usual game server to play with friends, or just to find matches with people who speak your native tongue.

Is it dangerous to use public WiFi while traveling?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is yes. When you connect to public WiFi, you are putting yourself at risk of having your data intercepted by the WiFi provider and anybody else who is connected to that WiFi hotspot. This is why it is essential to protect your data with a VPN.

When you travel, the threat of accidentally connecting to a badly implemented WiFi hotspot increases. Older routers have outdated encryption, and it is possible that whoever set up the WiFi configured it incorrectly. In addition, there is always a risk that you might connect to an Evil Twin hotspot that was set up by a hacker.

If you connect to an insecure hotspot or a WiFi point that was deliberately set up by a hacker, you could have all of your data intercepted. The encryption provided by a VPN ensures that all of your data is protected, meaning that you don't need to worry when you use public WiFi in hotels, coffee shops, airports, or elsewhere.