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Emma Sky
19 Nov 2025
Want to travel the world while working remotely? The lifestyle of a digital nomad is certainly appealing, and the only real requirement is being able to connect to the internet for emails, conference calls, cloud storage, and other types of collaboration.
The good news is that nowadays there are lots of ways digital nomads can go online while they’re traveling. Here and now we’re going to run through the best options available, so you know what to expect.
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Lots of airports, hotels, and cafes provide free public WiFi, making it an easy, convenient, and cheap (i.e. free) option. However the downside is that public WiFi isn’t safe, and there’s a high risk that your data could be intercepted and stolen.
Overall, it is best to avoid this option. However if you do want to use it, make sure to download a VPN that will encrypt your traffic and provide some measure of protection.
Think of eSIMs as traditional SIM cards - just instead of a physical card, they’re a digital version that can be downloaded and activated remotely. Most phones manufactured after 2019 support them, and you can download a data plan before your trip and connect instantly once you arrive.
Nowadays there are eSIM providers with global plans covering hundreds of destinations. Be sure to check if the plan offers phone calls and SMS, or is data-only, and whether the internet connection is 4G or 5G. Some plans may have data limits and throttling too, and their coverage can vary.
Although buying physical local SIM cards isn’t as convenient as eSIMs,sometimes they may have better plans. The main downside of this option is you’ll need to replace your original SIM card for the duration of your trip, so your normal phone number will be unusable.
Apart from that, this option is similar to eSIMs, and some plans may have throttling or data limits. If you do opt to buy a local SIM card, be sure to purchase it from a legitimate source and not a ‘third-party reseller’ that could be looking to steal your personal information.
Portable hotspots are dedicated devices that connect to the internet via a cellular connection (typically 4G or 5G) and create a personal WiFi network for you to connect your mobile phone, laptop, tablet, or any other device. Digital nomads tend to prefer it to mobile phone tethering as it won’t drain their phone battery, and can be used to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
Because it uses cellular networks to connect to the internet, this option shares the same downsides as SIM cards and the speed, connectivity, data limits, and throttling can vary from one provider to the next. On top of that, it is an additional device that you’ll need to carry around and remember to keep charged - which can be inconvenient at times.
For remote areas that have limited or no cellular connectivity, your best bet is a satellite internet connection. The one with the best coverage and fastest speeds nowadays is probably Starlink, but you should compare the performance of the popular satellite internet providers in the region you’re traveling to.
Expect to pay more for satellite internet plans compared to other options. Additionally, their speeds may not be as fast as 5G networks, the connection latency is generally higher, and the quality of the connection may be affected by cloud cover and weather.
Some mobile plans such as Google Fi or T-Mobile Magenta offer built-in international passes that will cover hundreds of countries with no additional setup. The plans they offer can vary, with some offering a flat-rate for unlimited data, while others charge per gigabyte.
Generally this option is not great for heavy use, as it can get costly (but not as costly as normal roaming). Most of these plans also have terms that prohibit extensive usage, making them suitable as a backup option, at best.
Honestly the best way for digital nomads to connect to the internet while traveling overseas is going to depend on their individual requirements.
Depending on your travel plans, you may very well need a combination of these options. At the end of the day it is always best to be safe rather than sorry and make sure you have several ways you can reliably connect to the internet so you don’t have to worry about your work being interrupted as you travel.
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