Finding WiFi on holiday can be tricky sometimes, however it’s much easier to find free WiFi overseas than it is here in Australia! If, like me, you don’t like forking out a heap of money on an international sim card, then it’s the difference between being connected to friends, family, maps and directions and not. Here are my tips to finding free WiFi.
Be smart about booking your hotel
If you have access to free WiFi at your hotel, you’ll be able to download maps to your phone and save them to use offline. You’ll also be able to message friends and family while you’re there. If David and I are meeting with friends, we sort out where to meet while we have WiFi and save the directions to wherever we’re going. Most hotels bookings include free WiFi but it’s important to double check!
McDonalds and Starbucks
Fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Starbucks are great if you need access to free WiFi (and public toilets). Starbucks will sometimes ask that you purchase something first but generally there are fast food restaurants close by that won’t.
Ask someone
We were stuck in Singapore looking for our friends with no access to WiFi so we asked an employee at Subway if they would help us and they did! We were given the code to their WiFi so we could contact our friends, no purchase needed. It helps to ask locals whenever you’re stuck. Most people are willing to lend a hand.
Transport hubs
Major train stations will usually have free WiFi, especially if they’re the main central stations of large cities. Some bus tours now feature on-board WiFi as well. Iceland and Japan were both really good with this. Some sleeper trains across Europe and Asia also have free WiFi.
Visitor’s Centres
Not only will staff at a local visitor or information centre be able to point you in the right direction if you’re lost, but they usually also have WiFi so you can connect while you’re there. Don’t forget to ask them where you’ll be able to connect to WiFi throughout the city too!
Bring it with you
Alternatively, you can buy and bring with you a pocket WiFi device. Pocket WiFi devices allow you to connect to the internet, no matter where you are! The prepaid devices are available from phone stores and online. Prices vary so do your research before you purchase one.
How to you find WiFi on holiday? Let me know your tips and tricks in the comments below!
Ash
xx
