The best travel VPNs, tested and reviewed

The best VPN for travel is NordVPN, providing fast speeds, top-notch security features, and quick connections. 

At ZDNET, we have tested many VPN services over the years. I've personally been using ExpressVPN exclusively on my travel laptop for years. Recently, I also began using NordVPN, and found that it's provided more rapid connections and slightly better speeds. I've also found it reliable for streaming services, no matter where I am in the world.

Even when not traveling, NordVPN can secure your internet connection from just about any device.

The best travel VPN for you will strike a balance between security and speed. Some VPNs prioritize encryption and other security measures over performance, and while this won't affect your web browsing or streaming speeds too much, it's still a factor to consider. 

However, our top VPN, NordVPN, isn't the cheapest, and other functions, such as unlimited device connections, may influence your decision.

Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our ZDNET team. We've been talking about other VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.

Therefore, our team analyzed the best VPNs for travel in 2023 below using the following criteria that were most important in helping you make an informed decision:

• Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance, especially while you're in different countries. After all, there's no point in using a VPN while streaming if your connection continually drops or lags, making it intolerable.
• Testing: ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test from all locations. After all, every home, community, local ISP, and nation has a different infrastructure. 
• Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to a service at the same time. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and possibly even a smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you'd need a service that allows at least five simultaneous connections.
• Security: There's no point using a VPN unless their security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured that the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about improving security over time and patching reported bugs.
• Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection and is an essential feature for a VPN, as it protects by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
• Geoblocks and streaming: We know VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations perform well when it comes to these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while you are streaming. 
• Countries & servers: How many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers and whether or not there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide variety.
• Trial length & price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee. 

A VPN is a virtual private network that allows users to browse the internet privately and securely connect to public Wi-Fi networks with a layer of protection that masks data. VPNs allow users to change their virtual location by redirecting the connection through worldwide servers. A VPN will also encrypt your traffic, keeping your online activities hidden from prying eyes.

However, if your online activities are monitored at the ISP level -- say, by a government -- they may recognize a VPN's "signature." While they can't see the details of what you're doing, they will know that a VPN is in use. 

VPNs are useful in unblocking geo-restricted content and can be a vital tool for accessing information in countries with repressive governments. They are essential services for anyone who wants to maintain high safety and privacy online. 

A travel VPN is a virtual private network that provides a secure internet connection while you travel. It encrypts your online traffic and hides your IP address, protecting sensitive data from cybercriminals and government surveillance. It also allows you to bypass internet censorship and geo-restrictions.

A VPN is useful when relying on public internet hotspots, such as those available at hotels. While you should avoid using public internet hotspots as much as possible for security reasons, a VPN will help protect your privacy if you have no other option.

You may also want a travel-suitable VPN for accessing content geo-linked to your home rather than your new location.

If you experience traffic slowdowns, check your VPN and your Wi-Fi connection between your device and your router or access point. Sometimes, connectivity issues begin at the source, and in other cases, switching your selected VPN server may be enough to resolve speed problems or connectivity drops.

Using a VPN might slow down your internet speed to some extent because the data has to be encrypted and decrypted before being transmitted. However, a good travel VPN will have minimal impact on your speed, and the added security is worth the small loss in speed.

If you're using a public hotspot or hotel connection while you're away, it's more likely that your speed will be low at source and not as rapid as you are used to at home.

In most countries, using a VPN is legal, but there are some exceptions. Some countries, such as China, Russia, and Iran, have banned the use of VPNs, while others have restrictions on VPN usage. Therefore, it's important to research the local laws of the country you're traveling to before using a VPN.

There are several sources. Reaching out to your VPN vendor is always a good idea. They often have a good feel for the countries their services operate in and will often post guidance on their websites. If you're a US citizen, you may wish to consider contacting the US State Department. 

It lists travel advisories for US citizens, and they have foreign service officials who can provide general guidance. Check the travel advisories web page. Your nation's foreign ministry may have a similar service if you're outside the United States.

To understand which countries either ban or discourage VPN usage, NordVPN has a legal guide that lists countries with severe restrictions, bans, and possible penalties for breaking VPN laws. 

No. VPNs can generally protect your data while it's in motion. But if your computer or phone is seized (whether or not it's encrypted), it's possible law enforcement can access your data. Some governments might hold your devices for whatever reason they deem useful. 

Online services you access in-country might have less protection than those in your host country. Of course, there are also normal travel security issues, like being careful what you spend, how you handle cash, who you trust, and so on, that could carry risks during travel.

A DNS leak is the exposure of your information when you are using a VPN, with data -- such as DNS queries -- leaking outside of secure, encrypted tunnels. If your activity is exposed, this compromises the whole point of using a virtual private network in the first place. 

The majority of reputable VPNs will ensure that DNS leaks don't happen, but if you can use online services, such as DNS leak test, to check your connection.

Yes. Don't assume any network endpoint is safe when traveling. Always make sure your connections are encrypted when communicating from any network connection.

Many VPN services claim you can save hundreds of dollars on flights by using a VPN to change your location. And there are plenty of blog posts with anecdotal evidence supporting the theory that a VPN can help cut the price of your plane ticket. But the reality is less clear, and the most likely scenario is that no one knows for sure how much (if at all) a VPN can help you score cheap flights.  

Airfare prices are set by algorithms based on complicated factors, such as demand. You could notice a price difference using a VPN to spoof your location, but the change in cost may or may not be related to your location. From a practical standpoint, it's difficult to account for every possible variable. Also, given the amount of data available to consumers, maybe the real advantage of using a VPN is remaining anonymous.

Another way to look at it is if a VPN actually reduces the cost of airfare, it's most likely not going to have as big of an impact as other factors. There are different tactics for booking cheap flights that should be higher on your priority list. Booking early, keeping an eye out for price drops (check if there are change fees before booking) or traveling during days or times of day when there is less demand are great ways to secure the best possible flight prices.

To set up a travel VPN, subscribe to a VPN service and download the VPN software for your device. Then, open the software and sign in using your credentials. Choose a server location and connect to the VPN. Once connected, your internet traffic will be encrypted, and your IP address will be hidden.

Remember, you can use a VPN on different devices, including your laptop and smartphone.

If the services we've highlighted in our best travel VPNs list aren't a good fit for you, other reputable options are worth trying. We've listed the best alternatives below, and you can also check out ZDNET's guide on the top VPNs for more options.