The best travel VPNs of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

NordVPN

Best travel VPN overall

ExpressVPN

Best travel VPN for mobile

Surfshark VPN

Best budget-friendly travel VPN

Private Internet Access

Best travel VPN for ease of use

IPVanish

Best travel VPN for unlimited connections

A travel VPN service is a virtual private network best suited for travel. This means it will provide you with an expansive server network across many countries.  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.

Furthermore, a travel-ready VPN should be compatible with a variety of operating systems and devices and should implement strong encryption and other security measures to preserve your privacy. You should consider using a VPN when you travel to keep your data safe, especially if you are using unknown or public internet connections.

Choosing the best travel VPN involves hands-on testing. All the VPNs on this list have 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can test out the service for a month and get a full refund if the performance isn't up to par.

When you are deciding on the most suitable travel VPN, consider the following factors:

• Price: VPN prices vary, and although the most expensive services can cost you upwards of $10 to $20 per month, you can also find solid, reliable VPNs for as little as a few dollars per month. That said, you may be interested in paying top rates if you want additional features, such as a password manager or reliable connections in countries such as China.
• Trial length: You need to consider how long you think you will need a VPN. If you're in it for the long haul, consider a two-year subscription -- as you also tend to get the best monthly prices on the longest terms. Some VPNs will offer more extended options, but if you're only traveling for a month, you might be willing to pay a little extra so that you are not tied to a longer contract.
• Server countries: If you're going to another country, check that your VPN works there. Most VPNs work in many countries without a problem, but some areas -- such as China or Russia -- may require specific VPNs, and they typically cost more. 
• Security: Consider the VPN provider's security track record. Preferably, the VPN will be open to external audits, and the company hasn't suffered any significant recent data breaches. You also want a VPN provider that constantly improves its security posture. 
• Streaming: If you plan to use your VPN to access your streaming service home library, check to ensure your VPN can access your favorite platform. (If you're experiencing issues abroad, switching servers often resolves the problem.)
• Legality: Some countries frown upon the use of VPNs, whereas others ban them entirely. If you're going to a new country known for censorship, check the local laws first.

• Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.

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

Our team tested and analyzed the best VPNs for travel in 2024 using the following criteria to help 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.
• 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 the number of devices you can connect to a service simultaneously. If you want to connect a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and possibly even a smart TV to a VPN, you need a service that allows at least five simultaneous connections.
• Security: There's no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensure 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. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
• Geo-blocks and streaming: VPNs can be vital to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. Given these factors, we ensured that our top recommendations perform well and are unlikely to slow down your connection while you stream.
• Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide variety.
• Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee. 

• Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.

Check out our VPN testing methodology page for a more comprehensive breakdown.

A VPN is a virtual private network that allows you to browse the internet privately and securely, including when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. VPNs allow you to change your virtual location by redirecting the connection through servers around the world. A VPN can also encrypt your traffic, keeping your online activities hidden from prying eyes.

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

VPNs can also be 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 their security and privacy online.

If you experience traffic slowdowns, check the VPN and Wi-Fi connection between your device, 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.

Keep in mind that if you are on the road, and you are relying on a free hotspot or hotel connection, your base speed may be lower and might not meet the standards of your home connection.

A VPN might slow your internet speed if the data is encrypted and decrypted before transmission. A good travel VPN should have a minimal impact on your speed, and the added security is worth the slight speed loss.

If you use a public hotspot or hotel connection while you're away, your speed will likely be slow at the source and not as fast as you are used to at home.

There are several good sources. Reaching out to your VPN vendor is always a good idea. They often have a good feel for the countries in which their services operate and will frequently post guidance on their websites.

If you're a US citizen, consider using US State Department resources. The department lists travel advisories for US citizens and has foreign service officials who can provide general guidance. Check the travel advisories webpage. Your nation's foreign ministry may have a similar service if you're outside the US.

If you're trying to understand which countries 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. If your computer or phone is seized, however, it's possible law enforcement can access your data, even if it's encrypted. Some governments might hold your devices without giving you a reason.

Online services you access in another country might also have less protection than those in your host country.

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

As you can imagine, you don't want to use a travel VPN known for DNS leaks. Most reputable VPNs will prevent DNS leaks, but if you can, use an online service like DNS leak test to check your connection.

Many VPN services claim you can save hundreds of dollars on flights by changing your location. Plenty of blog posts with anecdotal evidence support the theory that a VPN can help cut the price of your plane ticket. The reality is less clear, and the most likely scenario is that no one knows 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 changing 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. Practically, it isn't easy to account for every possible variable. Also, given the amount of data available to consumers, the real advantage of using a VPN may be that it remains anonymous.

Another way to look at it is if a VPN 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.

If you're a paid subscriber to a streaming service, such as Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video, you can often access your streaming service while you're away from home. You can use a VPN to change your IP address to another point of origin -- and if this is set to your home location, you should have access to your library.

Using a VPN to access other libraries may go against your terms of service and the streaming platform's licensing agreements, so keep this in mind.