Why You Absolutely Need A VPN When Traveling

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You probably have heard the term VPN, but figured it was only for business purposes. It is, but it is just as important to have for personal use. A VPN adds security and anonymity to users when they connect to web-based services and sites. This is important while traveling since you will be on WI-FI often. It makes it hard for someone to ‘hack’ into your device.

VPN Travel

However, the big bonus is that it will allow you to stream your favorite subscription service like Netflix and Amazon while traveling overseas. Connect to a server in your home country, and you will be able to stream. This is a perfect travel resource to have. When at airports, and hanging out in Thailand, I connect automatically to a server in the U.S. and my streaming service thinks I am in my home country, allowing me to watch away.

Valley Coffee Lanna Resort Chiang Mai
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There are three main uses for a VPN when traveling: security, particularly when using public Wi-Fi, streaming to catch up with shows from your home country, and accessing home services that are inaccessible abroad, such as online banking.

Streaming Overseas

For the most part, streaming is amazing. Being able to access all the music, TV and movies you want without having to download or search for less-than-legal torrents has significantly improved the way we entertain ourselves. However, some streaming services are either not available or offer limited content in some parts of the world. If I try to watch Netflix or YouTube TV without my VPN, it will not let me, as I am out of the viewing area.

Since a VPN masks your IP address and exact location, essentially spoofing the location of your local server to make it appear elsewhere, you have the option to access streaming services that aren’t usually available in your country. Or if you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll benefit from using a VPN to keep your streaming experience the same no matter where you go. 

It’s worth noting here that not all VPNs are created equally. Some VPNs may not be able to bypass all geo-restrictions, so you may need to do a bit of research.

I have used Nord for years while traveling. While there are other good services, for the price, speed and features I have no reason to change.

  • NordVPN gives safe access to streams and other content from around the world.
  • By shielding their IP addresses, NordVPN protects users’ privacy and virtual location.
  • They offer secure online traffic through encryption, making it hard to spy on or hijack data.
Nord VPN

How does a VPN work?

Virtual private network services are essential for securing your daily online activities from malicious hackers, nosy ISPs, and other digital threats. VPNs work by rerouting your web traffic through a remote encrypted server, thus masking your location and internet traffic.

A VPN changes your real IP address by rerouting your traffic through one of its servers through an encrypted tunnel. Simply put, you need a remote server and a VPN tunneling protocol (or VPN client app) to establish a secure connection.

vpn-diagram

That’s how a VPN establish a secure connection between you and the Internet. It serves you well especially if you’re using a public wifi network. Also, a top-class VPN will ensure a no-logs policy, which means that none of you data can be tracked, recorded, or otherwise compromised.

VPN

Why Choose Nord VPN?

Overall, NordVPN is a well-performing, reliable, and secure VPN. Even when compared to other popular VPN providers, it stands out.

NordVPN is essential to online life.

  • NordVPN gives safe access to streams and other content from around the world.
  • By shielding their IP addresses, NordVPN protects users’ privacy and virtual location.
  • We secure online traffic through encryption, making it hard to spy on or hijack data.
  • Available on all major operating systems, including smart TVs and routers.
  • There Threat Protection feature blocks malware, ads, malicious sites, and trackers.

NordVPN is trusted by independent experts.

  • PCMag: “Excellent”, Editors’ Choice VPN for two years in a row.
  • Forbes: Best VPN Overall.
  • WIRED: Best VPN Product for general use, highlighting speed and streaming.
  • TechAdvisor: Best VPN overall of 2020, the only product to score a perfect 5/5.
  • Comparitech: #1 compared to others for speed, streaming, servers, and security.

NordVPN offers more than other VPNs.

  • It’s the fastest VPN, according to independent studies. Here’s the full AV-TEST report.
  • Our NordLynx protocol (based on WireGuard©) combines top speed with privacy.
  • No bandwidth or data limits for VPN traffic.
  • Connect up to 10 devices at once — protect your whole household with one account.
  • 6200+ servers in over 111 countries — more options to connect and less lag.
  • Specialty servers tailored to specific needs, such as P2P or extra security.
  • Threat Protection blocks malicious sites, ads, and trackers for extra peace of mind.
  • Meshnet connects devices remotely for secure file sharing, team work, or LAN parties.

NordVPN is completely safe to use.

  • Based in Panama, meaning we can legally protect our users’ privacy.
  • No-logs policy affirmed by three separate independent audits.
  • We use diskless servers, which store no data or configurations on-site.
  • Upgrading to collocated and 10Gbps servers.
  • Customizable Kill Switch to protect users when their connection is disrupted.

Best of all? There is no risk to buying NordVPN.

We offer a simple 30-day money-back guarantee — all first-time buyers can get a full refund within 30 days of purchase, no questions asked. We accept all major payment methods, including cryptocurrencies.

Nord VPN

For more travel information including the Best Way To Pay Abroad, read on.

About Author

Born in California, I found a passion for traveling at an early age. In 2010 I visit Thailand for the first time, which change my life. A year later I married my Thai wife, and we now have a house in Chom Thong Thailand. My goal for this website will be to bring our audience everything they could want to know about traveling to Thailand. "Southeast Asia has a real grip on me. From the very first time I went there, it was a fulfillment of my childhood fantasies of the way travel should be". -Anthony Bourdain