A VPN might not be the first thing you think of when you're packing your bags before a trip abroad, but it can be incredibly useful. From accessing your online banking and content that's censored in the country you're visiting to watching a TV show from back in your downtime, a travel VPN offers more than you might expect.
Don't just go for the first one you see, though. Making sure that your VPN for travel is safe to use, has access to servers in the right countries, and can unblock the sites you need is essential. That's why, in our rigorous VPN testing program, we dig into all the key points to give you honest, unbiased recommendations.
We rate NordVPN as the best travel VPN – and the best VPN overall. It's fast, has servers in 118 countries, and unblocked every site we tested it with. ExpressVPN is a quality alternative if you prefer simpler apps, while Surfshark is a good cheap option if you're traveling on a budget.
Pick from the three below, or read on for our detailed review of each.
The 3 best travel VPNs at a glance
The best travel VPNs in 2025
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
The best travel VPN
✅ You want the best provider on the market. It's close, but if you're just interested in having a class-leading VPN, NordVPN is it.
✅ Netflix access is a priority. As our #1 rated VPN for Netflix, NordVPN unblocks more locations than any other provider I've tested.
✅ You want more than just a VPN. NordVPN also offers malware detection and ad-blocking on a standard plan, with even more features available on higher tiers.
❌ You like simple apps. Compared to the likes of ExpressVPN, NordVPN's map interface can be quite busy.
❌ You want unlimited connections. NordVPN has recently increased the number of simultaneous connections to 10, but rivals Surfshark and PIA are unlimited in this regard.
NordVPN combines reasonable prices with class-leading privacy and unblocking tech. As our top-rated VPN overall, it's a great choice when heading abroad. Our tests have shown that it's able to unblock just about any site or streaming service around the world, making it perfect for streaming your favorite from back home, and making sure you don't get locked out of your bank account.
NordVPN is undoubtedly the biggest name in the VPN industry, and in our full NordVPN review we found that it has absolutely earned that reputation – it's quite simply the very best provider available right now.
We've tested it in countries all around Europe and Asia, including Italy, France, the UK, Switzerland, Lithuania, Singapore and Malaysia. In every country we visited, we were able to connect quickly, getting access to what we needed with a minimum of fuss while maintaining good speeds.
With over 7,400 servers in 118 countries, NordVPN has servers in the most countries of any VPN on this page. This is a big plus point if you're looking for a dedicated travel VPN – no matter where you go, you'll be able to connect to a local server and stay safer online.
Our testing saw NordVPN deliver speeds of over 950 Mbps on a 1 Gbps connection when using the NordLynx protocol, making it one of the fastest VPNs. Of course, you're unlikely to see speeds like this if you're using a 4G or 5G connection, but we've also found that it's very reliable on slower connections, and doesn't impact speeds in a noticeable way.
In terms of privacy, you'll get the essentials like a solid kill switch on all platforms, plus quality encryption from the aforementioned NordLynx protocol. Additional privacy tools include Double VPN and Onion over VPN, both of which layer extra protection on your base vPN connection. Overkill for most, essential for some.
If you're heading to a country that suffers from significant censorship, however, you may prefer to use OpenVPN. This is because it is easy to hide the fact you're a VPN at all when using OpenVPN – often called obfuscation – which makes you less likely to be blocked from accessing sites.
That said, we would generally recommend Proton VPN if you're heading to a severely censored country – it has more dedicated anti-censorship features than NordVPN.
NordVPN is better-suited to the casual traveler. This is thanks to its unmatched streaming performance in our testing. It was able to unblock everything we tried, including the UK's BBC iPlayer, All4 and ITVX, Italy's RaiPlay, Austria's Servus and ORF, as well as the standard selection of Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Plus. There's a reason it sits at the top of our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
Finally, the free-for-everyone Meshnet is a unique feature that can even allow you to access files from your desktop computer on your phone from anywhere in the world. Just set up a shared folder on your PC, connect it to Meshnet, and pair it with your other devices. Then you'll be able to access these files on any device, anywhere in the world.
Overall, NordVPN is the best travel VPN for most people. It's fast, has a huge number of servers, and its ability to stream anything from anywhere is a huge positive when it comes to choosing the perfect travel partner.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Design | Fun interface but might seem a little crowded for some users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | Though simple to use, the map-like design might not work for everyone | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | One of the fastest with a top speed of over 950 Mbps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Unblocking | Effortlessly unblocks most content streaming platforms | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Security and privacy | Strong encryption with additional features like Threat Protection for safe streaming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | Reliable 24/7 customer support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | Provides ample value for the price. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best travel VPN for beginners
✅ You want a super simple travel VPN: ExpressVPN takes all the fuss out of using a VPN – just select your location and go.
✅ You want lots of bundled extras: Alongside the vPN, ExpressVPN bundles a password manager, a credit scanner, and even cyber insurance.
✅ Your top priority is privacy and security: With an audited no-logs policy and features like post-quantum encryption, ExpressVPN is one of the most secure VPNs.
❌ You're on a tight budget: If you don't need all the bundled extras, ExpressVPN is quite expensive. If you're looking for cheaper options, consider Surfshark or NordVPN.
❌ You travel with several devices: ExpressVPN allows just 8 simultaneous connections. While that's more than enough for solo travels, if your needs are more ambitious, services like Surfshark or PIA that have unlimited connections will suit you better.
ExpressVPN is a great choice if you've never used a VPN before, but still want to protect your privacy and access content abroad while you're traveling. The super-simple interface makes connecting very easy, and class-leading privacy tech makes sure you don't have to worry about connecting dodgy Wi-Fi hotspots.
In our ExpressVPN review, the first thing we noticed was just how simple the apps are to use. Whatever device you're using, it looks exactly the same – a big on/off button, with a couple of server suggestions below.
For privacy on the go, tap that button and forget about the whole process. If you need to select a particular server, just open the server list in another tap, and connect to the one you want. It's incredibly simple, and perfect for VPN newbies or people that aren't too comfortable with new tech.
Thankfully, the simplicity of ExpressVPN doesn't mean it's held back in terms of privacy. In fact, it's one of the most private VPNs, and regularly updates its apps with new, cutting-edge privacy features like quantum-resistant encryption.
ExpressVPN's main encryption protocol is Lightway, which has been developed in-house. This is what ExpressVPN uses to encrypt your data, and in our tests it's very fast and reliable.
In fact, when using lower-powered devices, Lightway appears to have a less significant impact on connection speeds than WireGuard.
In our test using an old Dell Inspiron and a base connection of about 120 Mbps, ExpressVPN only introduced a 16% decrease in speed – compared to NordVPN's hefty 47% decrease.
If you're traveling with a burner phone, or you're simply not interested in having the latest tech, ExpressVPN may be the best way to make the most of the power you have.
While ExpressVPN's overall server spread isn't quite as vast as NordVPN's – 105 countries compared to NordVPN's 118 – it has a much better selection of Asian servers. If you're backpacking around Asia or heading East for a work trip, ExpressVPN has a better chance of finding servers in the countries you really need.
Streaming support is good, and in our testing it was able to unblock every streaming site we tested it with. However, it's slightly less reliable than NordVPN – we found we had to disconnect and reconnect a couple of times before certain Netflix libraries would work.
Finally, we come to ExpressVPN's price. At $4.99 per month, on the face of it, it's pretty expensive. However, this is a flat fee and gets you a ton of extra features like a password manager, an ad, tracker and malware blocker, ID theft insurance, a personal data removal service, and data leak monitoring.
To get the same package from NordVPN, you're looking at $6.99 per month – making ExpressVPN a steal if you genuinely want everything it comes with.
An issue arises, however, if you don't want all of that, and just need a VPN for traveling. In that case, ExpressVPN is overpriced.
In short, for beginners and those looking for holistic privacy protection, ExpressVPN is perfect. For everyone else, NordVPN is a better-value option.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Design | Minimalistic and easy-to-navigate interface | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | Ideal for both beginners and experts as it's both simple and configurable | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | Not as fast as Surfshark or NordVPN, but still fast enough for just about everything | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Unblocking | Effective, but we had to a reconnect to access a couple of Netflix libraries | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Security and privacy | Loaded with security features plus free add-ons | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | 24/7 assistance by friendly professionals | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | Massive bundle of privacy tech, but expensive if you only need the VPN | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best cheap travel VPN
✅ You want a VPN for all your travel buddies: A single Surfshark subscription will cover the devices of all your family members and even friends, thanks to unlimited simultaneous connections.
✅ You want a fast VPN: Surfshark is the fastest VPN I’ve tested, peaking at a speed of 950 Mbps, ensuring a smooth and lag-free experience.
✅ You want a budget VPN: Surfshark offers excellent value for money, with prices starting at less than $2.50 a month.
❌ You like to customize your VPN: Surfshark is similar to ExpressVPN in that it focuses on ease of use rather than expert features. If you're a tinkerer, go for Proton VPN or Private Internet Access.
❌ You want to rely on your VPN's malware blocker: While it's serviceable, Surfshark's CleanWeb malware blocker proved less effective than NordVPN's Threat Protection and ExpressVPN's Threat Manager.
Surfshark offers almost everything that NordVPN does for a cheaper price. It's very fast, and similarly to ExpressVPN, focuses on simplicity to help beginners improve their privacy without fuss. While it doesn't cover as many countries as either of the providers above, it's a great cheap alternative for on-the-go protection – and its unlimited connection policy means you can cover every device you've taken with you on your trip.
We rate Surfshark as the best cheap VPN, and if you're traveling on a budget, it's a good choice. With a headline price of less than $2.50 per month and the ability to use one plan across unlimited devices, it's a great choice if you're traveling in a group, or on a budget.
Importantly, Surfshark has servers in 100 countries. While not as generous as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, there's still plenty of choice. Unless you're venturing to the most remote parts of the world, you're likely to have a local server available to you.
Speeds are great, and when we tested the default WireGuard protocol on our super-fast 1 Gbps connection for our full Surfshark review, Surfshark proved to be the fastest VPN we've tested at over 950 Mbps. On slower connections, it does have an impact – 39% in our test using an older device – but is better than NordVPN.
In terms of streaming global content, Surfshark is excellent. In our latest testing, it performed very similarly to NordVPN, unblocking everything we tried it with. This is unsurprising, because Surfshark is owned by Nord Security, the parent company of NordVPN. But, if you're just looking for a travel VPN to stream with, Surfshark is a bargain alternative to our top pick.
Much like ExpressVPN, Surfshark focuses on ease of use. Although slightly more complex, Surfshark's interface is very accessible, with big buttons to connect and change server, and a column of tabs on the left-hand side which tucks away extra features like Alternative ID and Surfshark Search.
Of course, there's a sacrifice to be made – there's not a lot of customization here – but it's worth it if you're a casual user just looking for extra privacy when you're abroad.
If you're heading to a country that is heavily censored, Surfshark's NoBorders feature will kick in. It's automatic, and detects VPN restrictions as it finds them.
This is Surfshark's version of obfuscation, and is intended to allow you to use the VPN in countries that attempt to block them.
Of course, though, Surfshark's price is the biggest draw. If you're looking for a bargain, it offers the best combination of power, privacy and value. However, be aware that if you let your plan auto-renew, you'll end up paying the equivalent of almost three times more per month. We recommend canceling and resubscribing at the introductory rate again.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Design | Beginner-friendly with its cool and intuitive design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | As simple as it gets, one of the best providers for beginners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | The fastest among all the VPNs I’ve tried | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Unblocking | Unblocks almost all streaming platforms with ease | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Security and privacy | The kill switch could’ve been better, but everything else pulls through nicely | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | 24/7 reliable customer support assistance in case it feels a little difficult to navigate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | Budget VPN with excellent value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best travel VPN for privacy
✅ You're traveling to a country with strong censorship: Proton VPN offers the most anti-censorship tools of any VPN, with its special Stealth protocol, and Secure Core servers.
✅ You like tinkering with your VPN: While not as comprehensive as PIA, Proton VPN offers more customizable features than most other VPNs.
✅ You use other Proton apps: It's no surprise that Proton VPN works well with other Proton apps, like Mail, Drive, and Pass.
❌ You're on a tight budget: Proton VPN isn't as expensive as ExpressVPN, but it's more costly than any other VPNs featured here.
❌ You need 24/7 support: Proton VPN's written articles are very good, but live chat agents aren't available around the clock.
Proton VPN is the perfect choice if you're worried about censorship in the country you're traveling to. The team constantly monitors worldwide censorship and restrictions, and ensuring free access to the internet is a priority. However, if you're heading to a freer country, other VPNs will do much the same thing for cheaper.
Proton VPN is one of many privacy apps developed by Proton AG, and it's widely regarded as one of the most secure VPNs available. It has recently undergone an app update which has streamlined the interface on Windows, iOS and Android, which has helped keep some of the complexities it previously suffered from at bay.
Under the hood, there's a lot to like. In our testing the kill switch was solid – meaning that no matter what happens, you won't unexpectedly end up browsing the web on a dodgy free Wi-Fi connection at a cafe without your VPN active.
Proton VPN is very good for streaming, too. When we tried it out in our Proton VPN review, it was able to unblock every site we visited. That includes the big guns like Netflix and Disney Plus, but also regional services like BBC iPlayer and RaiPlay. This is as good a performance as NordVPN and Surfshark, which is very impressive.
In use, Proton VPN is pleasant. It's still not as simple as ExpressVPN, but in return you get a lot more features built in. For example, you use something called Secure Core servers. This is Proton VPN's version of multi-hop, which sends you through two servers instead of one.
However, unlike other VPNs' versions of this, Proton VPN first sends you through an ultra-secure server in either Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden. The servers are physically held in very secure buildings, and have been traced from factory to installation to ensure they haven't been compromised. Of course, this is overkill at the highest level, and most people won't use them. However, it's a good marker of Proton's commitment to privacy.
For travelers, Proton VPN's wide range of servers will be a big plus. Bested only by NordVPN in number of countries served, Proton VPN also has a much better selection of servers in Asia and Africa than almost any other VPN. If you're headed to Africa, we'd recommend Proton VPN as the provider to go for.
It's not all perfect, though. If you're a Mac user, you won't enjoy the same streamlined interface just yet. While it is reportedly coming, the macOS version still retains the slightly clunkier old app design.
It's also not the best choice for beginners, either. While it's not as complex as PIA, you are left to fend for yourself a little thanks to the lack of 24/7 live chat. When available, the agents are very helpful, but if you have an issue when they're not, you might be sat around twiddling your thumbs.
Overall, Proton VPN is great for privacy and evading censorship – but be prepared for a more advanced experience compared to ExpressVPN and Surfshark.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Design | Intuitive on mobile and Windows, but Mac app is lagging behind | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | Not too complex, but ExpressVPN and Surfshark are better for beginners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | Excellent speeds in our tests, matching NordVPN and Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Unblocking | Unblocked everything we tested it with | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Security and privacy | Tons of privacy features, and effective at avoiding censorship | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | Well-written articles, but live chat isn't 24/7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | Tom's Guide readers get an exclusive discount, but still more than NordVPN, Surfshark and PIA | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best travel VPN for experts
✅ You want a VPN with proven privacy credentials: PIA has proved its no-logs claims in court twice, so you can rest assured that your online activities remain private.
✅ You travel with multiple devices: PIA supports unlimited simultaneous connections, so you don’t have to worry about getting logged out while sharing it with your travel buddies.
✅ You want a huge server network: PIA has over 10,000 servers, ensuring that no matter where you are, there’s a server nearby.
❌ You want a beginner-friendly VPN: The highly configurable PIA has a lot to offer to the tech-savvy, but newbies might find it difficult to wrap their heads around all that it offers.
❌ You want a built-in password manager: PIA is no doubt trustworthy when it comes to privacy, but it lacks a password manager. If that’s a must for you, go with ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
Private Internet Access is great value, and considering how many advanced features come as standard, advanced users will be very tempted. However, this comes at the cost of simplicity and usability – PIA just isn't as pleasant to use as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark. If you're a casual user, go with one of the three above. But, if you plan on customizing your VPN, PIA is a good choice.
Private Internet Access (PIA) offers more than any of the other VPNs on this page in terms of expert features. While not specifically travel-based, port forwarding will be useful if you plan on using it as a torrenting vPN, while adjustable encryption allows you to prioritze privacy or speed.
Interestingly, PIA is the only VPN we know of that offers a server in every US state. If you're road-tripping Route 66 or touring the Pacific coast, PIA is the only provider that'll get you an IP address in your state at all times. It's a niche case, but this can be useful for accessing local government portals, or catching sports events that are blacked out in certain states.
However, if you're a casual user or a beginner in the world of VPNs, PIA may not appeal to you. There's a huge amount of customization, and as a result, the apps aren't as user-friendly as ExpressVPN's or NordVPN's.
Something we noted in our Private Internet Access review is that it has proven its no-logs policy in court, twice. This is even better than an audited no-logging policy, and a real stamp of quality.
A unique MACE feature is a culmination of various blocking functionalities – ads, trackers, and malware. If you've taken your laptop on your travels, there’s also a handy browser extension that comes with more blocks on intrusive internet elements like third-party cookies, location access permissions, website referrers, and more.
One area that could be improved is connection speed. When testing PIA on the same 1 Gbps connection as the VPNs higher up this list, it topped out at just 436 Mbps. Compared to NordVPN and Surfshark which maxed out the line, this isn't great.
However, when discussing VPN speeds, the base connection has to be taken into account. Considering you only need around 25 Mbps to stream 4K video, on a regular ~100 Mbps connection PIA is unlikely to deliver much worse speeds than any other VPN on this page.
Finally, we get to the price. At $2.03 per month, Private Internet Access is very good value – especially when you consider the kind of unique customization features on offer. If you're looking for a cheap, simple VPN, go for Surfshark. But if you're looking for a more advanced experience, PIA is a great choice.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Design | While the interface is customizable, it’s flooded with too many options which makes it cumbersome | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | Best suited for tech enthusiasts, not so much for beginners | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | Fast for general day-to-day but doesn’t compare to NordVPN and Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Unblocking | Couldn’t get past 10Play but for smooth sailing for every other platform | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Security and privacy | Proven no-logs policy and class-leading configuration | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | Tons of helpful guides and 24/7 friendly support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | Seriously good value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The experts that tested these VPNs
The VPN experts below spend hours every day testing and reviewing all sorts of VPNs, and their findings inform our recommendations.
Mo is VPN Editor at Tom's Guide. He's covered VPNs since 2020, and in that time he has helped test and review over 100 providers. He handles the day-to-day testing of VPNs, making sure that they work for real people in real situations. Mo also undertakes ongoing streaming testing to make sure these services can unblock everything they claim, and produces video content to discuss and demonstrate the software.
Anthony Spadafora is the Senior Security and Networking Editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and malware to password managers. He also undertakes VPN testing for Tom's Guide and TechRadar, which includes running all of our US-based speed tests.
How we test VPNs
We have a dedicated page on how we test VPNs, but the short version is that we get our hands on every VPN we can find, and pull it apart to find where it excels, and where it fails.
First, we'll explore the website and see if there are any red flags – a dodgy privacy policy, any inconsistencies and errors – and then we'll sign up and download the service. It's at this stage where we note how many servers a provider claims to have, we'll try to verify this through other means when we install the app, too. This is especially important if you're looking for a travel VPN, as having fast and secure servers in a particular location is one of the most important factors.
We make notes on payment methods and how easy it is to install, and whether there are any hoops to jump through that we wouldn't expect. App setup comes next, and the simpler the better.
Then we start getting into the nitty-gritty, testing every feature and trying to break it. This is especially important for the kill switch, which we sometimes find can be tricked into not working. We'll also inspect the code if we can.
We test all the apps we can, including the Windows VPN, Mac VPN, iPhone VPN and Android VPN, and make sure they're all up to scratch.
Streaming is another priority, so we test each provider multiple times on various services, including lots of Netflix locations, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and more.
Finally, we check to see if support is available, and how comprehensive it is. This includes written troubleshooting and setup guides, as well as email and live chat support.
How to choose a travel VPN
The essentials of a good travel VPN include servers in a wide range of locations, 24/7 friendly & prompt support, and obfuscated servers for assured protection in privacy-unfriendly countries like China, Russia, and Iran, where Western websites like Google, YouTube, and Instagram are not accessible due to government restrictions.
You should look for a VPN provider with a wide network of servers around the world so that no matter where you go, there’s always a server nearby. It’s recommended you prioritize services with obfuscated servers as they provide more secure connectivity in regions like China, where the internet is heavily restricted.
Obfuscated servers make your VPN traffic look like regular internet traffic, and even your ISP wouldn't know that you are using a VPN. This will help you bypass tools that are meant to block VPNs.
A travel VPN will spoof your real IP address and make it look like you’re in a different region so that foreign governments can’t go snooping around your online activities or restrict your internet usage in the slightest.
You should also look at the streaming performance of a VPN before you make it your travel buddy. Ideally, you’d want your VPN to unlock all popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer, but there are several options that even unblock platforms like 9Now and 10Play.
Next up, your VPN should be fast enough to allow streaming in HD or 4K. A rapid VPN will also ensure stable connections, giving you peace of mind that your VPN protection won’t be sluggish or lapse unexpectedly.
It’s also important that your VPN has 24/7 friendly support because you’re going to want your issues to be resolved quickly when in a foreign country. Last but not least, a money-back guarantee gives you peace of mind in case you don't get along with a particular product.
Do I really need a travel VPN?
Unless you want to expose your personal information and what you do online to prying eyes like hackers, ISPs, and foreign governments, a travel VPN is an absolute must.
Also, if you want to keep in touch with your home country’s content even when you’re out and about, a travel VPN becomes indispensable. This is because not all countries allow every streaming service to operate freely, and sometimes, it’s the streaming platform itself that differentiates between regions.
Netflix, for example, has different libraries in the UK, US, India, Japan, and so on. For someone in the UK traveling to the US, a travel VPN will give him access to the UK Netflix library by deceiving the service to make it look like he’s in the UK.
