Best VPN for Travel 2026 — NordVPN vs Surfshark and Why You Need One

Updated April 2026 | 3 min read

Hotel WiFi is not secure. Airport WiFi is worse. And half the streaming services you pay for at home do not work when you cross a border. A VPN fixes all three problems for the cost of a single meal. Here is what you actually need to know, without the tech jargon.

Why You Need a VPN When Traveling

Three reasons, in order of importance. First, security: public WiFi networks (hotels, cafes, airports) let anyone on the same network potentially see your traffic. A VPN encrypts everything between your device and the internet, making it unreadable. Second, streaming: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and most streaming services change their libraries by country. A VPN lets you connect through a US server and watch your normal content. Third, censorship: some countries restrict access to certain websites and apps. A VPN bypasses these restrictions.

NordVPN: What I Use

I have been using NordVPN for years and it is the one I recommend without hesitation. Servers in 60+ countries, works reliably with Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, and the app is straightforward — open it, pick a country, connect. I have used it in Austria, Turkey, Japan, and across Europe without a single connection issue.

Pricing: around $3-4 per month on a 2-year plan (billed upfront at $80-100). Monthly plans are $12-13. The 2-year plan is the value play if you travel more than once or twice a year. Works on up to 6 devices simultaneously — phone, laptop, tablet all covered on one account.

Surfshark: The Budget Alternative

Surfshark costs roughly 30% less than NordVPN on annual plans and offers unlimited simultaneous connections — meaning your entire family can use one account. Server count is slightly lower but covers all the major travel destinations. It handles streaming services well, though some users report occasional issues with BBC iPlayer.

For a solo traveler on a budget, Surfshark is the better deal. For someone who wants the most reliable connection in the most countries with zero fiddling, NordVPN is worth the premium.

	NordVPN	Surfshark
Monthly Price (2-yr)	$3-4/mo	$2-3/mo
Server Countries	60+	100+
Simultaneous Devices	6	Unlimited
Netflix Unblocking	Reliable	Reliable
BBC iPlayer	Reliable	Occasional issues
China/UAE/Russia	Obfuscation built-in	NoBorders mode
Speed	Fastest tier	Fast
Best For	Reliability, all countries	Budget, families

When to Turn It On

Always on hotel WiFi and airport WiFi. Always when accessing banking or email on public networks. When you want to stream content from home. When you are in a country that restricts internet access. You can leave it off when using your own mobile data (already encrypted by your carrier) or trusted private WiFi.

Setup Before You Leave

Download and install the VPN app on all your devices before your trip. Test it once on your home WiFi to make sure it connects. Some countries (China, UAE, Russia) actively block VPN connections — if you are headed to one of these, configure the VPN’s obfuscation settings before arrival. It is much harder to set up a VPN from inside a country that blocks them.

Pair your VPN with a Holafly eSIM for unlimited data — a VPN without mobile data is useless when you are away from WiFi. A portable charger is also essential since VPN usage increases battery drain slightly.

My pick: NordVPN. I use it on every trip and it has never let me down. If budget is the priority, Surfshark is the next best thing.

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Links: SafetyWing travel insurance (10% off), Skyscanner for flights, Airalo eSIM for data, Booking.com for hotels, Viator for tours.