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The Best Wireless Travel Routers of 2024

Pocket routers for Wi-Fi networking on the road

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  • The Ultimate Router Buying Guide

Frequent travelers battling poor cell service, dubious security, and excessive hotel and airport Wi-Fi fees can benefit from a good travel router when working away from home.

The best wireless travel routers avoid these hassles by letting you set up a private bubble of Wi-Fi anywhere you happen to land, whether in a conference center, hotel room, or airport lounge. 

Most people should buy the TP-Link TL-WR902AC  - it's small enough to chuck in a backpack and can even double as a Wi-Fi range extender. If you also want a cellular connection as backup, the Netgear Nighthawk M1 is for you, as it doubles as a mobile hotspot for your hotel room or car.

What to Look For in a Travel Router

Best overall, tp-link tl-wr902ac travel router.

 Amazon

Compact size is ideal for frequent travelers

Doubles as a Wi-Fi extender

Included cables are short

TP-Link's TL-WR902AC is one of the fastest travel routers we've seen, which is especially impressive at this size and price. Measuring 2.64 x 2.91 x 0.9 inches and weighing in at only 8 ounces, it's small enough to carry in a pocket, briefcase, or backpack, so you'll be ready to set up your own Wi-Fi bubble anywhere.

For such a small device, the TL-WR902AC offers impressive dual-band Wi-Fi performance. It's also really versatile since it can be not only be used as a router or access point to create a wireless network but also as a range extender, private Wi-Fi hotspot, or even as a bridge to connect a wired device to a Wi-Fi network by using its built-in Ethernet port in the opposite direction. 

A built-in USB port lets you share files and media from a removable USB storage device, and it can also provide up to 2A of passthrough power to charge your smartphone or tablet. The only real downside is that the port layout can be awkward since the USB and micro USB power ports are on the opposite side of the Ethernet port. 

Wireless Spec: 802.11ac | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC750 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: No | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: 1

Best Splurge

Netgear nighthawk m1.

Great choice for heavy internet users

Supports up to 20 Wi-Fi devices at once

Long battery life

Doubles as a mobile hotspot

Very expensive

Can occasionally overheat

While it's not the most affordable option on our list, it's well worth the splurge if you need to get several devices onto the internet anywhere at blazing-fast speeds.

With support for up to 20 simultaneous devices, Netgear's Nighthawk MR1100 can quickly handle your whole family or project team, and unlike most travel routers on this list, the one works as a 4G LTE mobile hotspot too. This means you'll be able to connect to its Wi-Fi network and get online even when there's no other Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. It's also the first mobile hotspot to support Gigabit LTE , with 4X4 MIMO and four-band Carrier Aggregation. Hence, it can provide internet speeds rivaling your home broadband connection.

It's not just about LTE, though—the MR1100 also works as a traditional portable router. Just plug a standard internet connection into the Ethernet port to share access to your Wi-Fi devices. A large 2.4-inch color LCD screen also ensures that you can keep track of the router's status and how much data you're using. The rechargeable battery can keep you going for up to 24 hours before you need to charge it, and in a pinch, you can also use some of that capacity to charge your smartphone or other mobile devices. 

Wireless Spec: 802.11ac / 4G LTE | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC750 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: No | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: 1 

TP-Link TL-WR802N N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router

Fast single-band Wi-Fi performance

No USB port

Not the fastest internet speeds when connected to multiple devices

TP-Link’s TL-WR802N is an older single-band router that offers a surprisingly great range in its small package. While the single-band N300 rating won’t break any speed records, it still provides enough performance for lag-free 4K Netflix streaming and uninterrupted video conferences on Zoom. 

Like most travel routers, the TL-WR802N is designed for use by one or two users when you’re on the go, and the 300Mbps 802.11n speeds will likely be faster than the internet connection at most hotels and conference centers you find yourself in. This little pocket-sized router offers exceptional coverage, so you won’t need to worry about staying connected while roaming the boardroom. 

The N300 draws its power via a micro USB port that can connect directly to a wall charger or laptop, so you won’t have to worry about how to power it. It can also function as a repeater, Wi-Fi client, or extender for a public WISP hotspot. The only downside is that, unlike its dual-band sibling, the TL-WR902AC, it lacks a USB port, so you won’t be able to use it for sharing files. 

Wireless Spec: 802.11n | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: N300 | Bands: Single-band | MU-MIMO: No | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: 1

Best for Road Warriors

Gl.inet mudi gl-e750.

Works as a 4G LTE mobile hotspot

Open source

Excellent VPN support

No external antenna

The GL.iNet GL-E750 router is an excellent choice for road warriors who must stay connected securely and reliably anywhere they land.

With WireGuard encryption, support for multiple Open Source VPN protocols, and even Tor anonymous network routing, this router ensures that you can always have a secure and private connection to the internet if you're a relatively advanced user. Whether that's over your hotel's shared network or your carrier's LTE network, all your traffic will be encrypted, and you can even have an always-on tunnel back into your home or office network. 

It's not just for mobile LTE access, however; it's also a capable Wi-Fi access point, with dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz support with 733Mbps throughput across both bands, along with a built-in battery that offers up to eight hours of use and a USB port and microSD card slots that can be used for sharing files with your connected devices. Since it's designed to be used from anywhere, it also features a built-in rechargeable battery that promises up to eight hours of use on a single charge. 

Lifewire / Andy Zahn

Most of the routers on the market are big and bulky devices. If you're parking them in a corner at home, this is a manageable problem, but they're not suited for taking the road with you.

This has given rise to a whole new category of travel routers: devices that are specifically designed to be highly portable—often small enough to be carried in a pocket—and run from internal batteries or a simple USB-powered connection that lets you plug them into a laptop or portable battery pack to create your own personal Wi-Fi network. 

Most importantly, since public Wi-Fi hotspots are usually insecure, a good travel router can also offer additional peace of mind by providing a private, encrypted Wi-Fi network for your traffic, securing the connections not only between your devices and the router but also making sure the traffic leaving the router is also encrypted. 

This means that you can take them just about anywhere you happen to land, whether it's between your home and the office, to a coffee shop where you might want to have more secure Wi-Fi, or on the road with you to use in hotels, conference centers, and airport lounges.

Bandwidth and Performance

When shopping for a router for your home, you're looking for enough range to blanket your home with the strong Wi-Fi signal you need to support streaming and gaming from multiple devices. 

Travel routers are different. You may find that even an entry level router—one that offers 802.11n support at 150Mbps speeds—is more than enough.

Wireless Frequencies: Single-Band vs Dual-Band

Like other wireless routers, travel routers come in single or multi-band versions, which refers to their frequencies. A single-band router works only on the 2.4GHz frequency, while a dual-band router offers both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies on two separate bands. 

Security and Privacy

As a bare minimum, every modern wireless travel router should include support for the Wireless Protected Access 2 (WPA2) encryption standard. This is even more important in a travel router you'll use in more public spaces.

While this probably isn't such a big deal if all you want to do is stream movies from Netflix, if confidentiality is essential, we strongly recommend using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting through a travel router. While you can do this directly from your devices, you'll probably find it even simpler to pick up a travel router with built-in VPN support so that your connection is automatically encrypted as soon as you plug it in.

Connectivity

Almost all travel routers offer the same connectivity as your home router—turning a wired connection into a Wi-Fi network. However, as more hotels offer guest Wi-Fi networks instead of Ethernet jacks, you'll probably find getting a travel router that can also connect to a public Wi-Fi network is more beneficial.

There's also a category of travel routers that can act as mobile hotspots to offer internet access for your mobile devices over an LTE cellular network.

Even though most hotels already offer free Wi-Fi, it’s often struggling under the load of many people using it, so having a travel router can provide better performance, especially if you can plug it into a wired connection in your room. Plus, most public Wi-Fi hotspots are completely insecure, allowing your traffic to be easily intercepted by anybody else on the same Wi-Fi network. Using a router plugged into ethernet will also often save you money as you won't have to pay for the usable 'premium' internet package.

The best travel routers offer industry-standard WPA2 encryption—the same type of security used by your home router—which means that all of your wireless traffic is safe from prying eyes. Public Wi-Fi hotspots are open networks that use no encryption at all but keep in mind that if you’re using a travel router as a wireless extender for a public Wi-Fi hotspot, your traffic will still be unencrypted between your travel router and the hotspot. For the best security, use a wired connection or a VPN wherever possible.

Even if you use your travel router in your hotel room, internet traffic still travels over the hotel’s network. While most sensitive sites and services like email and online banking use SSL encryption, this won’t prevent the hotel or other public hotspot provider from seeing where you’re going; they just won’t be able to know what you’re doing. If you want to ensure your connection is as private and secure as possible, we recommend using a travel router with built-in VPN support.

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Home » Gear » The Best Travel Routers – Stay Connected in 2024

The Best Travel Routers – Stay Connected in 2024

I arrived in India a week ago, and immediately upon exiting Delhi airport, realized that my phone was having some serious trouble connecting to the internet. After trying and trying to get it to work, I gave up hope and stumbled up to the taxi booth.

I told the driver to take to me to “an area of the city where there are a lot of cheap guesthouses.” He told me we should go to “Paharganj,” so and to Paharganj we went.

Well, I quickly realized that there were a lot of cheap guesthouses in Paharganj, but they were a bit… too cheap, if you catch my drift. Rats tumbled through garbage, suspicious men stared at me, and the neon lights illuminated a neighborhood of overall chaos — and oh yeah, it was 1:00 am. I ended up staying the night, but it was far from ideal.

It goes without saying that if I only had an internet connection at the airport, I could have avoided this whole mess in the first place! Lesson learnt … the hard way!

That’s why in this article, I’m going to help you stay connected wherever you go, by giving you an in-depth look at the best travel Wi-Fi routers of 2024.

It’s my hope that, armed with this knowledge, you won’t end up confusedly wandering the back alleys of a shady neighborhood in Delhi in the middle of the night!

TP Link TL WR902AC Router

TP-Link TL-WR902AC Router

  • Internet Access > Ethernet and WISP
  • Wi-Fi Standard(s) > Wi-Fi 5: IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz and IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz
  • Wi-Fi Speed(s) > 5 GHz: 433 Mbps (802.11ac) and 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps (802.11n)
  • Wi-Fi Range > 2 Bedroom Houses: 2× Fixed Antennas (Internal)
  • Network Security > SPI Firewall, Access Control, IP & MAC Binding, Application Layer Gateway
  • Ethernet Port(s) > 1× 10/100 Mbps WAN/LAN Port
  • Power Source > 5V/2A

GLiNet Mango GL MT300N V2 Mini Travel Router

GL.iNet “Mango” GL-MT300N-V2 Mini Travel Router

  • Internet Access > Ethernet, Repeater, USB Modem, and Tethering
  • Wi-Fi Standard(s) > IEEE 802.11b/g/n
  • Wi-Fi Speed(s) > 300 Mbps (2.4GHz)
  • Network Security > Built-in firewall, OpenVPN and WireGuard capability, DNS server
  • Ethernet Port(s) > 1 x WAN Ethernet port, 1 x LAN Ethernet port
  • Power Source > Micro USB, 5V/2A

NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router

NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router

  • Internet Access > Ethernet cable
  • Wi-Fi Standard(s) > 5.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz
  • Wi-Fi Speed(s) > 1,300 Mbps
  • Ethernet Port(s) > 1 x Ethernet port
  • Power Source > Chargeable battery

RoamWiFi 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot Router

RoamWiFi 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot Router

  • Internet Access > Built-in 4G LTE data plans
  • Wi-Fi Standard(s) > 802.11n, 802.11b and 802.11ac
  • Wi-Fi Speed(s) > 150 Mbps
  • Ethernet Port(s) > None (because none needed!)
  • Power Source > High-capacity 5000mAh lithium battery

GLiNet Mudi GL E750 4G LTE Privacy Travel Router

GL.iNet Mudi GL-E750 4G LTE Privacy Travel Router

  • Internet Access > SIM Card
  • Wi-Fi Standard(s) > 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
  • Wi-Fi Speed(s) > 2.4GHz: 300 Mbps and 5GHz: 433Mbps
  • Network Security > OpenVPN and WireGuard capability, and Encrypted DNS with Cloudflare DNS over TLS, or DNS via HTTPS proxy
  • Ethernet Port(s) > 1 x FE Port
  • Power Source > 7000mAh battery

What is a Travel Router and What Does It Do?

How much does a travel router cost, the 5 best travel routers of 2024 – tried and tested, alternatives to using a travel router, final thoughts – best travel routers in 2024.

A travel router does the same thing as your Wi-Fi router at home: it sends out a wireless internet signal that your computer and phone can connect to. But if you’ve ever really looked at the big jumbled mess of antennas and cables that make up your home internet, you might be wondering how it could possibly be convenient to travel with one of these puppies.

This is where travel routers (keyword: travel ) really shine. They’re tiny, often very light, and instead of being connected to a big ol’ clunky modem, they get their internet connection the same way your phone does: via cell signal.

But if that’s true, you might now be wondering why you’d ever need a travel router when you have a phone. The reason? Travel routers come with a huge amount of connection benefits that your phone, even with a trusty personal hotspot, can’t touch.

Before we get to that though, it’s important to note that not all travel routers acquire their cell signals the same way. Some require a SIM card, others require a USB modem, and some actually need a standard Ethernet input (which can be hard to find while traveling).

Before you purchase a router on this list, check out the “Internet Access” line to see which method it uses before adding it to your digital nomad packing list .

Benefits of Travel Routers

  • Better connection: Most travel routers simply provide a much stronger and faster internet connection than mobile hotspots. I mean, these things are optimized to provide Wi-Fi connection on the go, whereas your phone’s hotspot feature is more of an afterthought — an added bonus. Some travel routers have antennas for signal-boosting, and all of the ones on our list use advanced Wi-Fi technology. This means a stronger connection and extended range.
  • Multiple devices: Travel routers allow you to connect more than one device at a time. Now, most hotspots also allow you to do this, but it’s often at the expense of internet speed. So if you’re traveling with a group, or if you’re just a Digital Nomad with more complex needs, a travel router will serve your purposes wonderfully.
  • Increased security: If you’re concerned about data theft, using a travel router is usually a much better choice than using a mobile hotspot. Travel routers typically support advanced encryption protocols like WPA/WPA2, ensuring a secure wireless connection between your devices and the router. They also make use of advanced safety technology like firewalls, MAC filtering, and blacklisting/whitelisting.
  • Longer battery life: Since travel routers are literally designed to provide a mobile internet connection, their batteries are built to last for a long time. Just try streaming a YouTube video via your hotspot and you’ll see your battery start to plummet (not to mention your phone will start to heat up like you’ve put it in the microwave). The difference in battery power between a travel router and your mobile hotspot becomes especially clear when you have multiple devices connected.

travel router mediamarkt

Drawbacks of Travel Routers

  • Constantly connecting: If you’re planning on skipping out on a SIM card for your phone, and connecting to the internet only with a travel router, you might want to rethink that. One huge benefit of a mobile phone is that it’s always connected (or at least, always trying to connect). If you’re relying solely on a travel router, you’ll definitely end up a bit frustrated at the hassle of constantly connecting, disconnecting, shutting the router off, turning it back on, etc.
  • Money: Travel routers tend to be a bit on the pricey side. We’ll get more into this below, but if you already spent hundreds on a mobile smartphone, you might think twice about throwing away still more cash for a device that’s incredibly convenient, but not strictly necessary.
  • Cumbersome: This is ironic, given that the major draw of travel routers is their compact size — but it bears mentioning that, when living the Broke Backpacker life, every extra pound and every extra potential pocket in your backpack really counts. Again, a travel router can be immensely helpful, but it’s not totally essential for your travel packing list — so think about whether the extra weight and the loss of pack space is really 100% worth it for you.

I’m going to be real with you here.

You should expect to pay anywhere between $20 and $130 for a travel router.

However …

You should expect to pay anywhere between $70 and $130 for a travel router that works !

Slightly kidding, but also not. Trust me when I say that a travel router is not an area where you want to save as much money as possible.

You wouldn’t book a helicopter tour after seeing a sign that said “Cheapest in Town!” would you? In the same way, when you’re traveling (and especially when you’re solo backpacking), an internet connection can be a lifesaver. My advice is to save up, spend the extra dough, and get yourself a reliable travel router with a long lifespan, otherwise it’s just a complete false economy !

travel router mediamarkt

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TP Link TL WR902AC Router

  • Internet Access: Ethernet and WISP
  • Wi-Fi Standard(s): Wi-Fi 5: IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5 GHz and IEEE 802.11n/b/g 2.4 GHz
  • Wi-Fi Speed(s): 5 GHz: 433 Mbps (802.11ac) and 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps (802.11n)
  • Wi-Fi Range: 2 Bedroom Houses: 2× Fixed Antennas (Internal)
  • Network Security: SPI Firewall, Access Control, IP & MAC Binding, Application Layer Gateway
  • Ethernet Port(s): 1× 10/100 Mbps WAN/LAN Port
  • Power Source: 5V/2A

As we go down this list, you’ll find that one common thread between all of these routers is their utterly unpronounceable names.

To start, the TL-WR902AC comes in a beautiful, minimalistic white design. This thing is so tiny it can easily fit in your pocket, and it comes with multiple modes: Router, Hotspot, Range Extender, Client, and Access Point.

If you’re a tech geek and you want lots of options, the TL-WR902AC is an excellent place to start. The main drawback with the TL-WR902AC is its lack of a battery; you can only use this router when it’s plugged into a power source… so blogging at the beach might be a stretch!

The setup for the TL-WR902AC is relatively straightforward. It basically involves switching your router on, setting it to your desired mode, connecting your device to the network, creating a TP-Link account, and then surfing the internet to your heart’s content!

The TL-WR902AC is shaped like a tiny square with rounded corners. It’s super small and lightweight, measuring only 2.91 × 2.64 × 0.87 inches and weighing a measly 57 grams. So perfect for packing light.

GL.iNet “Mango” GL-MT300N-V2 Mini Travel Router

GLiNet Mango GL MT300N V2 Mini Travel Router

  • Internet Access: Ethernet, Repeater, USB Modem, and Tethering
  • Wi-Fi Standard(s): IEEE 802.11b/g/n
  • Wi-Fi Speed(s): 300 Mbps (2.4GHz)
  • Network Security: Built-in firewall, OpenVPN and WireGuard capability, DNS server
  • Ethernet Port(s): 1 x WAN Ethernet port, 1 x LAN Ethernet port
  • Power Source: Micro USB, 5V/2A

The GL-MT300N-V2 is a new and improved version of GL.iNet’s original travel router. It’s a sexy little thing that comes in a striking yellow color scheme. V2 features doubled the RAM capacity (128 MB, up from 64), as well as adding an MTK driver for optimizing connection and lightning-fast OpenVPN encryption.

Like the TL-WR902AC, a main drawback for the GL-MT300N-V2 is that it doesn’t have a battery, which means you need an external power source to use it.

Setting up the GL-MT300N-V2 for the first time should take no more than 15-30 minutes. Simply turn on the router, connect your device via Wi-Fi, wait until you’re redirected to the web admin page, create an account, adjust your Wi-Fi settings, and bam! You’re good to go.

The GL-MT300N-V2 has a beautiful, opaque yellow finish. It’s really, really, really tiny, measuring only 2.28 x 2.28 x 0.98 inches and weighing only 40 grams. Minimalist travellers rejoice!

NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router

  • Internet Access: Ethernet cable
  • Wi-Fi Standard(s): 5.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz
  • Wi-Fi Speed(s): 1,300 Mbps
  • Ethernet Port(s): 1 x Ethernet port
  • Power Source: Chargeable battery

Generally speaking, when you see the little “Amazon’s Choice” badge underneath a product, you know it’s going to be quality. The NewQ Filehub AC750 is no exception. Compared to the first two routers on this list, this one is a bit more cumbersome and heavy, but it packs way more of a punch.

The Filehub feature makes this router an excellent choice for photographers: you can connect an external hard drive or SD card directly to the router, and then access the files on the hard drive from your phone or computer 100% remotely. The NewQ Filehub AC750 is a great buy if you don’t care so much about portability and you need a true powerhouse of a router.

The setup process for the Filehub AC750 is straightforward, but pretty dang detailed. Rather than half-heartedly going into it here, I recommend you check out the official user manual for setup information.

As I mentioned earlier, this router is a bit more on the hefty side, but for good reason: it also functions as a power bank for when your phone needs an emergency charge! It measures 5.08 x 3.23 x 1.93 inches and weighs 258 grams. It’s a great product for slower-travelling digital nomads that need the extra power.

travel router mediamarkt

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

RoamWiFi 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot Router

  • Internet Access: Built-in 4G LTE data plans
  • Wi-Fi Standard(s): 802.11n, 802.11b and 802.11ac
  • Wi-Fi Speed(s): 150 Mbps
  • Ethernet Port(s): None (because none needed!)
  • Power Source: High-capacity 5000mAh lithium battery

This is the router for the fast traveler. If you’re not planning on staying in the same spot for more than a few days at a time, go with this RoamWiFi router. Why? Unlike the other routers on this list, it actually comes with three different data package choices, without any SIM card, USB modem, or Ethernet cable necessary.

The packages offer data coverage on every continent (except Antarctica — what a bummer!) This thing is tiny and light, it looks super dope, and the battery lasts more than 18 hours — which means you’re unlikely to get caught in a tight spot with no internet.

If ultra-fast download speeds aren’t a necessity and you want to maximize convenience, this is the router for you.

The RoamWifi travel router is trivially easy to set up: make sure you’ve purchased a RoamWifi data plan for your router, then turn it on and connect! Yup, that’s literally it.

This travel router is a striking bright orange, and shaped kind of like a mini smartphone. It measures 4.96 x 2.68 x 0.57 inches and weighs about 175 grams.

GLiNet Mudi GL E750 4G LTE Privacy Travel Router

  • Internet Access: SIM Card
  • Wi-Fi Standard(s): 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
  • Wi-Fi Speed(s): 2.4GHz: 300 Mbps and 5GHz: 433Mbps
  • Network Security: OpenVPN and WireGuard capability, and Encrypted DNS with Cloudflare DNS over TLS, or DNS via HTTPS proxy
  • Ethernet Port(s): 1 x FE Port
  • Power Source: 7000mAh battery

The Mudi GL-E750 is a bit on the pricey side, but it’s absolutely packed full of features. This puppy makes connecting to the internet super easy: the router is powered by a SIM card, which means getting it up and running is just as easy as it is with a phone.

It’s heavier than the above RoamWifi router, but it’s got more than double the download speed and a more powerful battery. As long as you don’t mind using a SIM card like you would with a phone, this router is essentially a bigger, beefier version of the RoamWifi.

The Mudi GL-E750 also comes with a plethora of security features, making it a great choice for those dealing with confidential data.

Setup involves popping in a SIM, powering on the router, connecting with your phone, adjusting some settings on the admin page, and then sitting back and enjoying a lightning-fast internet connection!

The Mudi GL-E750 measures 5.71 x 3.05 x 0.93 inches, and weighs 285 grams. It’s sleek, black, and has a small LCD screen, which makes settings adjustments super easy.

travel router mediamarkt

As clever and nifty as all of these travel routers are, it’s just a fact that not everyone needs the kind of heavy-duty utility that they provide. Most of us just want to book a hostel online, check Google Maps, and maybe stream a little Netflix.

If you feel like a travel router is slightly overkill for the kinds of things you use the internet for, check out the below alternatives.

If you’re not a veteran traveler (yet!) you may be surprised to learn that Wi-Fi is usually provided at nearly every hostel or hotel you could dream of — even some of the really off-the-beaten-path ones! You can also usually find internet cafes with relative ease in most reasonably developed towns and cities.

Using a provided WiFi network has the disadvantage of inconvenience, but it’s got some serious benefits as well:

  • You won’t have to spend money on data plans or worry about your data running out;
  • Because most provided Wi-Fi connections get their internet from a wired source, you won’t have any trouble with random “spotty” connections;
  • Even the worst provided Wi-Fi networks are usually pretty fast, which is everything if you’re a Digital Nomad.

If you’re going to go this route, then for convenience’s sake I recommend booking your accommodation online as often as you can. This way you can verify beforehand whether or not Wi-Fi is provided. And again, you’d be surprised how many small unassuming cafes offer free internet too — so grab a coffee and take advantage of these places as much as possible!

To be honest with you, this is what most of us at the Broke Backpacker tend to do. Here’s why:

  • Mobile hotspots have made many improvements over the last few years, so if your phone has 4G or 5G coverage, you’ll be pretty speedy on the ol’ worldwide web.
  • There are tons of cheap, unlimited data plans these days, especially in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand or Sri Lanka. This means you’ll have complete peace of mind while streaming The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions from your hostel.
  • Finally, travel eSIMs are a thing now, which means you hardly ever need to go through the hassle of buying a physical SIM card.

Regarding that last point, we hear at the Broke Backpacker loves the HolaFly eSIM . They’ve got a huge range of packages at different price points, with coverage in pretty much any country you could imagine. Buy an unlimited data plan with HolaFly, plug in your phone, connect to the hotspot, and you’re good to go!

If you want to know a bit more then check out our rundown of the best eSims for travel and backpacking before making your mind up.

travel router mediamarkt

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To conclude, it bears repeating that an internet connection is really dang important when you’re traveling these days. Everyone relies on it now, which means that if you want to know where to go, when to be there, and how to get there, chances are you’ll need a solid internet connection.

How you get this connection is totally up to you. The 5 best travel routers that I covered in this article are all excellent choices, each with its own specific pros and cons. To be totally honest, it would be hard to go wrong with any of them.

It all depends on what you’re going to use the internet for. If you’re a serious Digital Nomad, a photographer, or a videographer, you’re likely going to be dealing with huge amounts of data, and you’ll need a very dependable connection to do what you do best. If this is you, buy yourself a good travel router and rest easy.

For the rest of us, however, a good ol’ personal hotspot connection will do the trick just fine, especially if you’ve pre-purchased an eSIM from our good friends over at HolaFly.

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And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Aiden Freeborn

Aiden Freeborn

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Digital Advisor

Best Travel Routers – 2023 Round-up

Austin

Digital Advisor is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you’ve ever found yourself using the free wifi at a coffee shop or logging into the connection at a hotel and wondered about how secure the connection is, you’re not alone.

These days, you can’t be too careful. That’s why having a travel router is essential for anyone who spends a lot of time online while away from home.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Travel Routers

  • OUR TOP PICK: TP-Link TL-WR802N
  • RUNNER-UP: GL.iNet GL-AR750
  • GL.iNet GL-AR300M16 Portable Router

Comparison of the Best Travel Routers

What to look for when buying a travel router.

There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a travel router. Here are a few things to consider.

When it comes to the internet, speed is important. When you’re traveling, there’s a good chance you want to be able to stream movies or music, so you need a fast connection. Look at the specs of the router you’re considering and make sure it’s capable of doing what you need it to do.

travel router mediamarkt

  • External power supply
  • Pocket-sized for portability
  • 300 Mbps wifi speed, 2.4GHz band
  • 2-year warranty, 24/7 tech support
  • JD Power Award for customer satisfaction
  • Difficult to configure
  • May not reach promised speeds

What Recent Buyers Report

Most users report that this router is effective and does what it promises. A lot of people mention they use this when traveling for work and that it works great in hotel rooms. That said, a few people - even those who claim to do IT for a living - had a difficult time configuring it.

Why it Stands Out to Us

We love how quickly you can use this router to set up a portable hotspot that you can share with family and friends. In addition to having multiple modes, it’s also fast enough to work with streaming video, including from a Chromecast or Amazon Fire Stick. The security encryption is great, too, so you can rest assured that your data is protected.

It’s a travel router, so it’s going to be small, but we still love how easily it slips into your backpack or purse. This router also comes with a lot of useful accessories, including a power adapter, nano router, Ethernet cable, USB cable, resource CD, and installation guide.

Bottom Line

This is a great choice if you’re looking for a travel router that’s convenient enough to fit in your pocket. It has multiple modes, advanced encryption security, and is covered by a two-year warranty.

Runner-up: GL.iNet GL-AR750

  • 1-year warranty
  • Compatible with 3G/4G USB modems
  • OpenVPN and WireGuard pre-installed
  • Dual-band router with wireless speeds up to 300 Mbps
  • 3 Ethernet ports, 128 MB RAM, USB port, and MicroSD slot
  • Setup can be tricky
  • Cannot handle too many devices at the same time

For the most part, people are pretty happy with this router. Setup can be a bit of a headache, but once it's up and running, users were satisfied. That said, there were a few complaints about service cutting out or slowing down when too many devices were connected.

This router converts either wired or wireless networks into a secure wifi signal that you can share with your friends and family. OpenVPN supports more than 20 service providers, and it has impressive data encryption so you can feel comfortable about your data and security.

We were impressed by this router’s external storage. It supports microSD up to 120GB and has 128MB of RAM and a 16MB Flash. There are three Ethernet ports, too, so you can attach multiple devices.

Another great thing about this router is that it can use a laptop or power bank as the power supply, a great feature to have when traveling.

This programmable router is a good choice for someone who wants something they can customize. With three Ethernet ports and a flexible power supply, this router is an ideal travel companion.

Best for the Money: GL.iNet GL-AR300M16 Portable Router

GL.iNet GL-AR300M16 Portable Router

  • Affordable choice
  • Has 4 modes
  • 300 Mbps data transfer speed
  • Larger storage capacity
  • Supports over 30 or more VPN providers
  • Has only 2 Ethernet ports
  • Compatibility issues at first setup
  • Lesser-known manufacturer

According to recent buyers, the GL.iNet GL-AR300M16 Portable Router is one of the best travel routers in the market, and it can handle anything you throw at it. With 4 modes – Router, Repeater, HotSpot, and AP plus two Ethernet ports, this little device will keep you connected no matter where you are.

Why It Stands Out to Us

The GL.iNet’s GL-AR300M16 Portable Router boasts whopping data transfer speeds of up to 300 Mbps, which is an incredible feat for a travel pocket router with such as compact size.

This tiny powerhouse unit comes with a larger storage capacity of 128 MB RAM, making it perfect for busy households, dynamic travel vloggers, researchers, or small businesses. 

In addition, it supports over 30 VPN providers so that you can keep your browsing and streaming habits totally private. Whether you’re at home or outside, this router delivers anywhere you go.

This portable router is for anyone who wants a combination of affordability and high-quality performance. While a lesser-known manufacturer makes the GL-AR300M16, it's still one of the best travel routers on the market today for users who want to stay connected all the time.

Upgrade to the GL-AR300M16 to enjoy faster speeds plus more extensive and more reliable storage capacity. This router is tailored for professionals, small businesses, and travel vloggers who are always moving around and require a stable internet connection anytime and anywhere.

Best Travel Router for Hotels: TP-Link TL-WR902AC

  • 2-year warranty
  • 750 Mbps data transfer rate
  • Unlimited 24/7 tech support
  • Uses a micro USB adapter to charge
  • Dual-band wifi for a reliable, fast connection
  • Tricky to set up
  • Poor instructions

For the most part, people are really happy with this product. The signal is great, and the speed is impressive. There were some mentions that the device didn’t work as a repeater as well as people had hoped. Some people also felt it was a little tricky to set up and that tech support wasn’t very helpful.

The small size and mini USB power supply are convenient and ideal for travel. It uses the fastest wifi technology which makes it a great choice for streaming and running multiple applications at the same time.

We also like that this router can work as a portable charger, splitting power so it’s easy to recharge multiple devices while on the go. It has multiple modes and functions as a range extender, access point hotspot, and, of course, a router.

It’s also covered by a two-year warranty, which is a good sign that the company is willing to stand behind its product.

Here’s another great option if you’re looking for something multifunctional, which is a safe bet when you’re traveling. It has multiple modes and works fast and reliably. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a two-year warranty.

Best Wireless Travel Router: GL.iNET GL-MT300N-V2

  • Works as a WiFi hotspot
  • Compatible with 3G/4G modems
  • Open source and programmable for versatility
  • Pre-installed OpenVPN client compatible with more than 30 VPN providers
  • Open VPN unreliable
  • Unreliable customer service

A lot of people were honestly surprised by how well this product worked, especially considering how affordable it is. Setup is easy and most people agreed that it performs reliably. Others mentioned that it worked great for a while but didn’t have the longevity they were hoping for.

The thing that stood out to us the most about this product is the price tag. It’s extremely affordable, and better yet, it works. Since it has OpenVPN and Wireguard, it supports more than 30 popular OpenVPN service providers, making set up pretty easy.

This product is small, lightweight, and easy to use. You can connect it to public Ethernet, an existing wireless network, or an access point. It’s open-source and programmable so you can tweak it if you have some IT skills. Plus, it’s covered by a one-year warranty.

If you’re looking for a device that’s affordable and has all the basic features you’re looking for, this is a great product to try. We love that it’s open-source and programmable but also easy to set up at the same time.

Best Travel Router for Chromecast: TP-Link N300 Portable Router

TP-Link N300 Portable Router

  • Budget-friendly option
  • Supports a wide range of OS
  • Chromecast-enabled unit
  • Swift data transmission speeds
  • Check device compatibility before buying
  • Has only 1 Ethernet port
  • Plenty of used items on sale

A consumer reported that this is a very versatile travel router. The device is so tiny that it can be packed away when not in use. It has an easy-to-use software program for switching between modes of operation, making this product perfect for traveling.

The TP-Link’s N300 Router is an excellent budget-friendly option for various users such as students, educators, professionals, and mobile gamers working within a target budget.

This device has incredible versatility as it can support a wide range of operating systems such as Linux, Windows, Mac, and UNIX, making it great for both personal and business use.

Additionally, it’s Chromecast-enabled, making it easy to stream from your smartphone to larger LED television screens for your favorite movies at home or professional presentations at work.

This tiny router is perfect for people on the go. It has a 2-year warranty and has only one Ethernet port, so you can be sure it will last. Whether you're using it at home or on the road, this router is an excellent option for anyone who needs internet access anytime and anywhere.

The TP-Link N300 Router is Chromecast-enabled, making it easy to stream your favorite shows and movies without any frustrating buffering delays. On the other hand, it is vital to check the portable travel router’s compatibility with your current devices before you buy.

What is a Travel Router?

A travel router is just like the router you use at home, only it’s smaller and meant to be taken with you for convenience. Instead of using the internet coming into your home from your internet service provider, a travel router is meant to use public wifi, providing you with an extra layer of security.

There are a lot of options for travel routers out there. Some perform the basic functions of a router while others are multifunctional and can come in handy while you travel.

travel router mediamarkt

When the tech company I worked for restructured and I ended up jobless, I decided to put the wealth of knowledge and management skills to use somewhere new. I’d checked out a few buyer’s guides on the site in the past and reached out to the previous owner. A few months later, here we are. Now, I get to be behind the scenes, helping people find the best tech.

Best travel routers 2022

RavPower Filehub

Travel routers have a clear job. They need to link up to a hotel or mobile 4G or 5G connection and supply that signal to your devices. But the best travel routers let you do more than connect to the internet. Some routers allow you to add a VPN to your connection, store files via a MicroSD card or hard drive, and let you charge your devices up. Here are the best picks for portable routers that will do a little more and keep your trip fuss-free.

TP-Link TL-WR902AC Wireless Nano Travel Router

TP-Link TL-WR902AC Wireless Nano Travel Router

Compact and reliable

The TP-Link TL-WR902AC is a compact travel router that can handle a strong connection on the go with an assortment of options. Not only is it reliable for Wi-Fi, but it also has the ability to charge your devices. Its easy setup and small size make it the best choice for a travel router when you want to keep your bags light.

GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Beryl Gigabit Wireless Router

GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Beryl Gigabit Wireless Router

Powerful and secure

The GL.iNet GL-MT1300 travel router is a pricier option for people who want more LAN ports than the competition and a high-speed internet connection. It also supports a 512GB MicroSD card for local storage, which can be useful while traveling. It's not as tiny as the competition, but people looking to trade that for a more powerful router should consider this option.

GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Slate Travel Router

GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Slate Travel Router

Small and fast

A pricey but capable option for anyone looking for a travel router with a fair amount of LAN ports and the ability to maintain a fairly fast connection. This router also has support for VPNs and a 128GB MicroSD card for storage. It doesn't come in a small form factor, but it makes up for that in general throughput.

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Portable Travel Router

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Portable Travel Router

GL.iNet's GL-MT300N-V2 travel router is a cheaper alternative that maintains the features of the company's more expensive offerings. On top of that, it has a bit more RAM if you need to use several devices at once. The compact size and simplicity make it a great choice for a few people trying to get a solid connection while away from home.

RAVPower FileHub Travel Router

RAVPower FileHub Travel Router

The RAVPower FileHub Travel Router is a solid option for anyone looking for a portable router that can also charge your devices. It also offers competitive internet speeds and the ability to connect to a hard drive for local storage. It's a multi-use device that might not excel at any one thing, but it will satisfy many needs without having to pack more things on your trip.

The best travel router

Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

The best travel routers do more of the heavy lifting during a trip, so you don't have to. A fast connection on the go is hard to find, especially if you want to add things like a VPN or local storage. Anyone who has gone on trips with lots of photos and video will know the struggles of trying to deal with hotel Wi-Fi. Typically, you need a way to power the travel router via USB, but picking up a strong power brick could make the process easier.

That's why the TP-Link TL-WR902AC travel router is a stellar pick for something that's both compact and useful when you're away from home. It has a solid chipset and a good amount of RAM for most people with a few devices that need to do simple tasks. It can also charge your devices! This extremely affordable travel router is the best pick if you're on a budget and don't need anything beyond your average connection.

For those who want to spend a bit more and can handle dropping the charging benefits of our top pick, the GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Beryl is a fantastic choice. It not only has more LAN ports for wired devices, but it also supports OpenWRT for anyone looking to add things like a VPN to their connection. It may be pricey, but it comes with generally strong hardware to keep up with several devices putting stress on the connection.

The RAVPower FileHub travel router is a niche choice, but a unique one for people looking for a lot out of their router, but it runs behind in usability compared to the competition.

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Tyler Colp

Tyler Colp is a freelance writer for Windows Central. He's written about tech, games, and the culture around them across the internet. Ask him anything about Dark Souls or just follow him on Twitter .

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travel router mediamarkt

What Are Travel Routers? Everything You Need to Know

If you travel often, or if you're soon traveling as a group, then a travel router might be just the thing to make your trip easier and more pleasant.

Most of us don't travel these days without a full arsenal of gadgets. A phone, a tablet, a laptop, a Kindle, a Chromecast, the list goes on. If that's you, you'll also know that setting them all up on hotel Wi-Fi is a bit of a pain.

The solution is to throw another piece of kit into your bag: a travel router. But what exactly is this, and why do you need one? Let's take a look.

What Is a Travel Router?

Put simply, a travel router is a Wi-Fi router just like the one you've got set up at home, and it works the same way. It's just smaller and more portable, making it more suited for travel.

A travel router is designed to simplify the process of connecting and managing devices on public Wi-Fi networks, whether that means in a hotel, at the airport, or anywhere else.

Most major router manufacturers have travel versions in their product range, including Netgear, D-Link, and more. They can be pretty small, too. The TP-Link Nano routers are almost as small as a credit card, while many other models are comparable in size to a portable phone charger.

Benefits of Travel Routers

The most obvious benefit of a travel router is that it means you don't have to keep adding your devices to the new Wi-Fi networks that you want to use. You keep your devices connected to the travel router instead, and then you only have to connect the travel router to different networks.

This also has the effect of hiding all the devices you've connected to the network—technically, you've only connected one: the travel router. It brings potential security benefits, and it helps you to bypass any arbitrary limits the network owner might have placed on the number of devices you're allowed to connect.

But there are even more benefits.

If the router has an Ethernet port, it can turn a wired internet connection into a wireless one. Travel routers can create a shared network between your connected devices, and many have a USB port that you can use with a flash drive full of media content.

They can also work as wireless extenders that can remove any Wi-Fi dead spots wherever you are. You're unlikely to use this function on the road, but it's a good way to improve Wi-Fi coverage at home .

Drawbacks of Travel Routers

There aren't many downsides, but there are a few things to bear in mind.

First, many travel routers need an external power source, which will limit where you can use them. Second, most need an existing Wi-Fi internet connection to get you online, although some models are available with a built-in SIM card slot for mobile internet connections.

Most importantly, even though they offer some improved security to your devices, they won't protect any data you share over open public Wi-Fi networks. It's important to take the same precautions you would take if you'd connected your laptop to a public network directly.

Related: Dongles vs. Portable Hotspots: Mobile Internet Devices Explained  

What to Look for in a Travel Router

When you're shopping for a travel router, you should look out for the same kinds of features you'd look for in a standard wireless router. On top of that, you might also find a few extra features that will help when you're on the road.

Wi-Fi Standard and Band

As with any router, check what Wi-Fi standard it works on. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is the latest and fastest standard, but if not, then 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) is absolutely fine, and 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) is okay at a push. You should avoid anything older—they will be much slower, more prone to interference, and their age may also suggest they have less modern and less robust security protocols.

Whichever you choose, one that supports the 5 GHz band is preferable. 5 GHz has a smaller range than 2.4 GHz, but it's less susceptible to noise, so it gives you stronger and more reliable signals.

All Wi-Fi 6 routers support 5 GHz, as do those with 802.11ac. Some 802.11n routers are restricted to a single band and only offer 2.4 GHz.

Battery Power

If you want a truly portable solution, then get a travel router that runs off battery power. Unfortunately, many of them don't. If you can't find a suitable model that does, look out for one that can be powered via a USB port. That way, you can plug it into your laptop to use when you're on the road. It's far more convenient than having to search for a power outlet.

Ethernet and USB ports are essentials in a travel router. With Ethernet, you can turn a wired connection that can only be used with a single device (that has an Ethernet port of its own, like a laptop) into a wireless connection that you can use with multiple devices, including phones and tablets.

A USB port has several uses. The main use is for power: some travel routers can be used to charge other devices. Some routers enable you to insert flash drives or portable hard drives and share the media contents stored in them, just like a NAS system does.

Or you can insert a 4G dongle and share your 4G data plan across all your devices.

Some travel routers have a SIM card that you use for this as well. It's less essential, though, because you can use tethering on your smartphone  to do the same job. Just make sure your data plan allows for it.

Multiple Usage Modes

Travel routers have many usage modes that enable them to work in different ways. Not every model will have all of these modes, and they might not always have the same names, so just be aware of that. The five most common modes are:

  • AP mode:  Creates a wireless access point from a non-wireless internet connection via an Ethernet cable. For use in locations where there's only access to a wired connection.
  • Router mode:  The router connects to the network, and your devices connect to the router. They remain hidden on the network.
  • Repeater mode:  The router extends coverage of the existing wireless network. This is a good use for the router when you're at home.
  • Bridge mode:  Takes the existing network connection and broadcasts it with a separate network name and password, effectively splitting the network in two.
  • Client mode:  Gives wireless capability to any non-wireless device by way of a cabled connection.

You need to activate and configure each mode separately when you use them. Check out our guide on how to set up a travel router for more.

Is a Travel Router for You?

If you travel a lot and take many gadgets with you, it might be worth throwing a travel router in your bag.

Travel routers are great for getting lots of devices onto wireless networks without any hassle. They're ideal for hotel rooms that only offer wired internet. And if you pick the right model you can fill up a memory stick with your favorite movies and stream them to your devices as well.

You can also use your travel router at home. You can set one up as a wireless extender to remove any dead spots from the furthest corners of your house when you aren't at home. It's even possible to push Wi-Fi coverage out into your garden. Or you can use the router to turn your old printer into a rather more useful wireless version.

Now you just need to decide which travel router to buy.

Best Travel Router in 2023 (Portable WiFi On The Go)

Travel routers are designed to be light and portable and convert a Wifi or ethernet connection into your own Wifi. You’ll be able to connect all your devices and your friends and families too, to a private and secure connection no matter what is available in the airport or hotel.

In this review, we have chosen some of the best travel routers around, and there are a lot to choose from. We compared these portable wifi routers against each other and have highlighted their features, pros, and cons so you can make an informed decision and find the best travel router for you.

At A Glance: Our Top Travel Routers

  • The Best Overall NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 Jump To Review
  • Lightest GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) Portable Travel Router Jump To Review
  • Best Travel Router for Hotels TP Link AC750 Travel Wifi Router Jump To Review
  • Best On A Budget GL.iNET GL-AR150 Mini Travel Wireless Router Jump To Review

Top Product Overview

Best travel router, netgear nighthawk m1.

NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot (MR1100-100NAS) – Up to 1Gbps Speed, Works Best with AT&T and T-Mobile, Connects Up to 20 Devices, Secure Wireless Network Anywhere

If you’re into Wifi then you’ll have heard of Netgear. They make some of the best wireless travel routers on the market and have added a load of features to the NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 travel router. It is the largest and most expensive router in the review but it does do everything.

The M1 will turn an ethernet connection, modem, wireless network, and your SIM card into a super-fast personal Wifi network anywhere in the world. This is the first router in the review that can create a Wifi internet connection from a 3G or 4G SIM Card.

This means that no matter where in the world you are, you can slot in a local SIM card have Wifi where ever you are. From the beach to the jungle, if there is a 3/4G network available, you’ll be online.

The speed this travel router can deliver is also impressive and it will compete with your home broadband. They have put a four-band Carrier Aggregation and LTE in this router which is what helps it get speeds of up to 1Gbps.

Built into this travel router is a battery that holds up to 20 devices for 24 hours before you need to charge it.

That’s some incredible battery life and it does make the M1 very portable. There is a handy LCD display that shows you the number of devices connected, and internet connection strength, and keeps you up to date with how much data you’re using.

It’s not just a router, however, and it shouldn’t be at $690. It’s also a power bank, provides data sharing and media streaming. It’s also highly configurable to give you exactly the Wifi set up you want where ever you are in the world.

Overall it’s an amazing portable router, it just very expensive and a little bigger than most, but well worth it if it’s in your budget.

  • Provides power
  • Fast connection
  • Data sharing
  • Media streaming
  • Dual-Band Wi-Fi
  • Highly configurable
  • Color display
  • Long battery life
  • Connect through a SIM card
  • Very expensive

Product Information

  • Size: 4.15 x 4.15 x 0.8"
  • Weight: 8.5 oz
  • Devices: Up to 20

GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Travel Router

The GlocalMe G4 is a different type of travel router. It’s an international 4G LTE mobile hotspot that works in 144 countries . You don’t even need a SIM card for this travel router. It does support SIM cards and you can insert one if you want, but the device doesn’t need one to work.

The best thing about this travel router is that the WiFi plans are flexible . You can choose from different international and local data plans, and pay as you go. Also, when you first start using the GlocalMe G4 mobile hotspot, you get 1GB of global data and 8GB of US data for free.

This travel router lets you share your wireless connection with up to 10 devices, so not only can you connect all your devices to the Internet, but you can also share it with your friends and family without needing to disconnect anything.

This mobile hotspot boasts a touchscreen that’s easy to use, as well as an intuitive user interface. It also doubles as a power bank (3,900 mAh), so you can use it to power other devices. The battery has enough power for some 12 hours of continuous use, but it won’t do much to charge your smartphone.

  • SIM card supported but not required
  • Works in 140+ countries
  • Free global and US data included
  • Touchscreen interface
  • Battery capacity is quite small
  • Customer support is not very helpful
  • Big and heavy
  • Size: 6.69“ x 4.37“ x 1.73“
  • Weight: 13.7 ounces
  • Devices: Up to 10

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) Portable Travel Router

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router - Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM

The GL.iNet GL-MT300N is one of the lightest devices you can get your hands on. At 1.41 ounces, this is the lightest travel router available at the moment, so it’s certainly the best option if you need something ultra-portable. Also, it’s so small that you can easily carry it in your pocket.

The Mango router supports both WiFi and Ethernet, with two dedicated ethernet ports. It also has a USB 2.0 port for tethering and compatible 3G and 4G modems, as well as a micro USB port for charging. You can use any adapter to charge the Mango, and you can charge it with your laptop for ultimate convenience.

Additionally, this travel router boasts download speeds of up to 300 Mbp s! It also allows for advanced security encryption, and it comes with a pre-installed OpenVPN client. Don’t worry if that’s not your preferred virtual private network service because this little router is compatible with 30+ other VPN services.

Finally, you can use this portable router in four different ways. It can work as a standard network router if you plug it into an existing Ethernet network, and it also functions as a WiFi repeater when you connect it to an existing WiFi network.

The other two modes are hotspot and AP – the former requires you to connect the Mango to an existing access point in order to create a private hotspot, and the AP mode transforms a wired into a wireless signal, which is perfect for devices that only support wireless connections.

  • Most compact device
  • Extremely affordable
  • Supports download speeds up to 300Mbps
  • Works as a WiFi repeater, router, and hotspot
  • Can transform the wired signal into a wireless one
  • Two Ethernet ports (WAN and LAN)
  • It does not detect 5Ghz networks
  • No internal battery
  • Size: 2.28” x 2.28” x 0.98”
  • Weight: 1.41 ounces
  • Devices: Not specified

TP Link AC750 Travel Wifi Router

TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR902AC) - Support Multiple Modes, WiFi Router/Hotspot/Bridge/Range Extender/Access Point/Client Modes, Dual Band WiFi, 1 USB 2.0 Port

The TP Link AC750 Wireless Travel Router gives you the highest speed for your money out of any of the travel routers in the review. It can give up to 733Mbps depending on the wired network and it does it for $40.

This TP-Link wireless router is not only fast but it’s also very versatile in terms of Wifi connectivity. It does everything you’d expect like creating a secure Wifi network from a direct ethernet connection, Wifi connection, modem connection, and a WISP hotspot.

The special bit is that it also works as a range extender and you can connect a device to the router using a wired connection. So if your TV, for example, needs a hardline ethernet cable to connect to the internet, you can run one from the Ac750 directly to it.

As well as being great at Wifi, you can also use it as a power bank and for file sharing. It’s pretty light and compact too making it a great all-rounder. The only downside is that the port layouts are quite annoying and the instructions aren’t clear and could get frustrating.

Overall, this is a fast, versatile travel router from TP Link that’s not going to break the bank. Plus it comes with a 2-year warranty. And given its versatility, it would make the perfect wifi travel router for hotels or cruiseships.

  • Fast, light & compact
  • File sharing
  • 2-year warranty
  • Bad instructions
  • Annoying port layout
  • Size: 2.64 x 2.91 x 0.87"
  • Weight: 8 oz
  • Devices: Quite a few (number not specified)

TP-Link N300 Wireless Travel Router

TP-Link N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR802N) - WiFi Bridge/Range Extender/Access Point/Client Modes, Mobile in Pocket

The TP-Link N300 Wireless Travel Router is the simplest travel router in the review. Simply put, it is just a travel router and doesn’t have any extra’s like file-sharing or being able to be used as a power bank.

Removing the extras makes it light, portable, and capable of getting a speed of up to 300Mbps .

The band connection also provides lag-free streaming. The travel router can be connected to a cable to create a wireless network, to a modem as an AP, used as a repeater, a booster, and as a hotspot.

It’s also compatible with Chromecast or Amazon FireStick so you can watch all your favorite movies on the go too. Being so light, it doesn’t have an inbuilt battery and you’ll need to connect it to a power source through the micro USB port.

This means you can charge it from the wall, your lightweight laptop , or a power bank, giving you Wifi internet connection where ever you are.

The setup for this travel router is incredibly easy and takes under a minute. Once set up it can be connected to by as many devices as you like but its performance does decrease noticeably with multiple devices.

Overall a simple, fast, portable, and easy-to-use router that also comes with 24/7 support and a 2-year warranty.

  • A few wireless modes
  • Simple to use
  • No USB ports
  • Struggles with multiple devices
  • Size: 2.2 x 2.2 x 0.7"
  • Weight: 7.2oz
  • Devices: As many as you like

GL.iNET GL-AR150 Mini Travel Wireless Router

GL.iNet GL-AR150 Mini Travel Router with 2dbi External Antenna, Wi-Fi Converter, OpenWrt Pre-Installed, Repeater Bridge, 150Mbps High Performance, OpenVPN, Programmable IoT Gateway

The GL.iNET GL-AR150 Travel Router is a great choice for anyone who wants a router that’s super-portable, simple, and just a router.

This little guy weighs just over 1 oz and is compact enough to slip into your pocket or purse with ease. It can create a Wifi network from just about anything except a SIM card. You can connect it to a modem, ethernet cable, or existing Wifi internet connection, or tether it to your phone or dongle via USB.

One of the best features of this travel router is its security. Traveling around the world means unsecured networks, but once you plug this baby in, you’re getting a Wifi network with a firewall, instantly.

It comes with Open VPN pre-installed and is compatible with over 20 providers, so where ever you connect, you’ll know you’re secure.

It comes without an internal battery but you can charge it from your laptop’s USB or from a wall socket. It comes with 2 ethernet ports, 64MB of RAM, and 16MB of flash. You can also increase this via USB. It’s also Open Source and programmable so you can have full control over everything.

This is an awesome travel router and for just $27, you can’t go wrong.

  • 2x Ethernet port
  • Tethers to your mobile phone
  • Programmable
  • Light & compact
  • Tricky to set up
  • Only supports 2.4GHz
  • Size: 2.28 x 2.28 x 0.98"
  • Weight: 1.59 oz

Huawei E5576-320 4G LTE Travel Router

Huawei E5576-320 Unlocked Mobile WiFi Hotspot | 4G LTE Router | Up to 150Mbps Download Speed | Up to 16 WiFi Connect Devices (For Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa)

The Huawei E5576-320 Travel Router is a good option if you need a compact but reliable device. It needs a SIM card to work, and then it turns into a mobile hotspot that can be used by up to 16 devices at the same time. With a battery of 1500 mAh, you can use this device for up to six hours at a time, before it needs to be recharged.

The battery life could certainly be improved, but at least you can use this device while it’s charging, so you can just keep it plugged into a power bank. Also, the Huawei router boasts a removable battery. Carrying an additional battery is always an option since it means you can just replace the original one when it runs out of juice, without needing to disconnect from the WiFi.

This travel router supports 3G and 4G mobile bands – it’s compatible with 4G LTE in Europe, Asia, and Africa, but only the 3G will work in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. You get download speeds up to 150Mbps on 4G, and up to 43.2Mbps on the 3G networks. Upload speeds are not that bad either – it’s up to 40Mbps on the 4G network, and up to 5.76Mbps on 3G.

In case you need something for travel in North and South America, you should check out Huawei E5576-508 mobile hotspot, which was made specifically for that market and has better compatibility with mobile phone carriers in the Americas.

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Great upload and download speeds on 4G LTE
  • Not expensive
  • Works while charging
  • Supports connections to up to 16 devices simultaneously
  • Small battery capacity
  • Only 3G LTE works in the USA, Mexico, and Canada
  • Does not double as a power bank
  • Size: 3.94“ x 0.28“ x 2.28“
  • Weight: 3.53 ounces
  • Devices: Up to 16

GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Gigabit Travel AC Router

GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext (Slate) Gigabit Travel AC VPN Router, 300Mbps(2.4GHz)+433Mbps(5GHz) Wi-Fi, 128MB RAM, MicroSD Support, Repeater Bridge, OpenWrt/LEDE pre-Installed, Cloudflare DNS

If you’re a technical wiz and looking for a travel router that’s versatile and offers you a lot of programmabilities, then the GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext Gigabit Travel AC Router is a great choice.

This wireless router will create a highly secure Wifi network from a modem, ethernet connection, wifi connection, dongle, and from your phone. It works over a dual-band and it’s pretty fast offering speeds up to 733Mbps.

It comes with 3 ethernet ports to give wired devices internet access. It has a USB port to open up local fire sharing. There is also an SD card slot to provide you with built-in storage space.

It’s programmable and comes pre-installed with OpenVPN and WireGuard to act as a VPN client and server out of the box.

This means your connection will be very secure no matter where you are. It also arrives configured to use Cloudflare’s encrypted DNS servers for additional security. You will have to update it to the latest firmware when you get it though.

Overall a fast, secure, and technical, wireless travel router that’s got a lot of bang for its buck.

  • 3 Gigabit Ethernet Ports
  • Great VPN support
  • Awesome security
  • Programable
  • SD card slot
  • Can be tricky to set up
  • Size: 3.90 x 2.70 x 0.90"
  • Weight: 3.03 oz

What To Look For In A Travel Router

Here are some key factors to consider when buying a great travel router.

Size & Weight

When it comes to portability both the size and weight of a router are important considerations. You’ll want it to slip easily into your carry-on luggage and not take any valuable weight or space. All the travel routers in this review are light and portable but some are much lighter and compact than others.

Another thing to consider is your travel router power source. Some travel routers come without an inbuilt battery making them very light but they will need to be plugged in to use them.

This means having a power bank ready or plugging them into your laptop’s USB port. Wifi travel routers with an inbuilt battery will be easy to carry around but you’ll need to make sure to pack the right charging cables and plug for your trip.

Travel Router Connection Options

Every router in the review will turn an ethernet, modem, or Wifi connection into your own Wifi connection but not all of them connect to a dongle, phone, or SIM card. There are a few in the review that do connect to all of these, like the ETGEAR Nighthawk M1 or the GL.iNET GL-AR150 Mini Travel Router , so if you’re wanting to use your phone or a Sim card to give you Wifi anywhere, be sure to pick s router that can do it.

Security and Encryption

In order to keep your connection secure, you want a wireless router that offers WPA2 encryption or has a built-in VPN. All the portable routers in the review provide some security but if you want the maximum, go for one of the ones with a built-in VPN.

Overall Speed & Range

Faster portable routers usually mean spending a little more. Think about the speed and the range you’re likely to need on your travels. If you’re going to need to stream HD across 5 devices or have multiple conference calls across multiple devices, you’ll need a wireless router with some solid bandwidth.

If it’s just for you to do some work on, watch a movie, and call home, then you’ll be fine with a lower speed.

Consider Extra’s

Some of the routers in the review are plain routers while others are more multi-tools. Some can also be used as a power source, for file sharing, can have in-built storage, and connect to media streaming. If you want these added benefits, be sure to choose one with them.

Our Favourite Wifi Travel Routers

Here are our top choices from the review.

The lightest travel router of them all is the GL.iNet Mango at just 1.4 ounces. It’s so small and compact that you can carry it in your pocket, but it still does everything a good router should. With download speeds of up to 300Mbps and a price of just some $30, it’s hard to find flaws in this travel router!

  • 【WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER】 Convert a public network (wired or wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Tethering. Powered by any laptop USB, power banks or 5V/2A DC adapters (sold separately). 39g (1.41 Oz) only, portable and pocket friendly. 2.4GHz ONLY
  • 【OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE】 OpenWrt pre-installed, USB disk extendable.

The best travel router is the NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 . This is one of the fastest and best multi-use travel routers on the market. It can turn anything into a fast, secure network, even a SIM card. It’s also a power bank, data sharer, and media streamer. You can have up to 20 devices all working from the same router, sharing data, anywhere, even at the beach.

  • Share WiFi internet access with up to 20 devices
  • Connect to your existing home router using the Gigabit Ethernet port for fast, reliable primary or backup Internet connection. Ideal for homes with poor internet service or coverage

The best travel router on a budget is the GL.iNET GL-AR150 Travel Router . This router is tiny, light, compact, and very secure. It can turn anything into a secured VPN, even your phone’s 4G signal and it’s just $27.

  • 【WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER】 Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Create a secure Wi-Fi hotspot quickly. Tethering, 3G/4G USB Modem Compatible. Powered by any laptop USB, power banks or 5V DC adapters (sold separately). 39g (1.41 Oz) only, portable and pocket friendly.
  • 【OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE】 OpenWrt/LEDE pre-installed, backed by software repository. DDWrt supported. USB disk extendable.
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The 3 best travel routers on Amazon

We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

A blue background with photos of two of the best travel routers on top.

If you travel frequently, a portable router is a worthwhile investment — and the best travel routers allow you to stay connected to reliable wireless internet wherever you are and without compromising on security. When shopping for a travel router, you’ll want to choose a model that’s small enough to pack in your bag. They will also come in a range of prices to suit your budget.

What criteria to consider when shopping for the best travel routers

Speed & connectivity.

When selecting a travel router, speed and ease of connecting to the internet are important, and there are several factors that will affect its performance.

  • First, choose one that supports current Wi-Fi standards , such as 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) or 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), that have been established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). If you’re shopping on Amazon, you’ll find that most travel routers that have been widely rated and reviewed support the latter.
  • You’ll also want to pay attention to the router’s data transfer rate , which is usually listed in megabits per second (Mbps) . A router that operates anywhere from 50 or 100 Mbps is sufficient for streaming videos in 4K or online gaming; however, if you’ll be using the internet heavily for work and leisure, you might want to opt for one with a Mbps of at least 100 Mbps.
  • You’ll also want to shop for a router that supports 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) and 5 GHz bands . This will offer a faster speed and increased bandwidth to support multiple devices while minimizing lag.
  • The option of being able to connect to the internet via an Ethernet cable can also come in handy when a wireless connection won’t cut it — you might want to look for a router that has at least one Ethernet port to plug directly into your devices.

When you’re traveling, you might use a public network to connect to the internet, and if you want to keep your sensitive information private, a router with WPA3 or WPA2 encryption is a good option . As an alternative, you can also opt for a router that supports VPN services. (Another option is to use a mobile hotspot device instead of a router so you can access the internet using your cell service instead of a public network.)

Portability and compatibility

Finally, you probably want to opt for a router that has small enough dimensions to comfortably stow in your luggage. These picks are also powered by a USB-A or USB-C port, so you can plug them into your device or a travel-friendly adapter to keep them running while you’re traveling, whether out of state or overseas.

Shop for the best travel routers

In a hurry? These are the best travel routers you can find on Amazon:

  • The overall best travel router: GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Wireless Router
  • The runner-up : GL.iNet GL-AR750 Travel AC VPN Router
  • The budget-friendly option : TP-Link Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router
  • Also great: A mobile hotspot for travel: NETGEAR Nighthawk 4G LTE WiFi Mobile Hotspot

With all this in mind, you’ll find four of the best routers for taking with you wherever you might head.

1. The overall best travel router

This is the overall best travel router.

With a 4.5-star overall rating after more than 1,700 reviews, this travel-friendly router is a well-tested option. It can support up to 40 wireless devices at once, plus runs at speeds of up to 400 Mbps on a 2.4 GHz connection and up to 867 Mbps on a 5 GHz connection. It comes with three Ethernet ports so you can directly connect multiple devices to the unit. It offers WPA3 encryption , plus it’s compatible with more than 30 VPN providers to help keep your information private. Just keep in mind that using a VPN service may come at an additional cost. The router comes with a USB-C-compatible power adapter and an Ethernet cable.

Positive Amazon review: “This product was purchased to serve as a travel router for my RV. I shopped around extensively, reading multiple reviews and specifications. In short, I am extremely pleased with the product, especially with the OpenWRT-based software. Easy plug ‘n’ play, but also highly configurable. The USB2.0 port is a bit weak for powering an external hard drive, but that is to be expected (no issues with flash or NAND drives). The compact size, configurability, and price point make this a great choice.”

Wi-Fi standard: 802.11ac | Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | Data transfer rate : Up to 867 Mbps | Ethernet connection: Yes (1 WAN and 2 LAN ports) | Security: WPA3 | Size: 4.6 x 3.3 x 1.2 inches (length x width x height)

Also available on: Walmart , $72

2. The runner-up

This is the best lightweight travel router.

Like the previous option, this travel router has three Ethernet ports to connect your devices, in addition to a USB-A port to keep it powered up. It supports WPA2 encryption and has pre-installed OpenVPN, and it supports over 30 other VPN service providers. The main contrast to the above option is that it has a lower data transfer rate, which maxes out at 300 Mbps at 2.5 GHz and 433 Mbps at 5 GHz. But on the plus side, the router comes with a USB cable and power adapter, plus an Ethernet cable, so you can use it straight out of the box.

Positive Amazon review: “I travel all over the world and at the majority of accommodations I’m forced to use the room computer cable for internet. I need Wi-Fi for my phone, tablet & laptop… and this travel router worked great. Easy setup and has yet to fail me. Great product.”

Wi-Fi standard: 802.11ac | Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | Data transfer rate: Up to 433 Mbps | Ethernet connection: Yes (1 WAN and 2 LAN) | Security: WPA2 | Size: 3.5 x 2.7 x 0.9 inches (length x width x height)

Also available on: Walmart , $45

3. The budget-friendly option

This is the best budget-friendly travel router.

Those looking for a budget-friendly but quality option might appreciate this wireless travel router . The dual-band unit supports speeds of up to 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 433 Mbps on 5 GHz bands. It is WPA2 encrypted, so you can securely surf the web on a public Wi-Fi network. Like the previous option, it is powered via a micro-USB source and includes a power adapter to plug into a power outlet — but it only has one Ethernet connection, so you can only connect one device at a time using the included Ethernet cable.

Positive Amazon review: “This worked perfectly for me while traveling and staying in hotels. I followed the very simple instructions they provide and I was connected within minutes. I used this to secure my connection to the public Wi-Fi within a hotel. It also extended my coverage for my phone which was needed because I could not connect to T-mobile within the hotel room.”

Wi-Fi standard: 802.11ac | Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | Data transfer rate: Up to 433 Mbps | Ethernet connection: Yes (1 WAN/LAN port) | Security: WPA2 | Size: 2.6 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches (length x width x height)

Also available on: Walmart , $42

Also great: A mobile hotspot for travel

This is the best mobile travel router with hotspot.

If you want a mobile hotspot , this is a prime choice. It’s compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and can provide up to 13 hours of use before it needs to be charged. The device has one Ethernet port, so you can connect your device directly to it, plus a USB-C port for charging it between uses (a USB-C cable and AC adapter are included) — as well as other compatible devices that might be in need of some juice. Whether operating on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, it runs at up to 150 Mbps, which is lower than other options on this list, but it should still be sufficient for surfing the internet and streaming videos in 4K. Keep in mind that it is a splurge, but several Amazon reviewers who travel frequently have reported that it’s well worth the cost.

Positive Amazon review: “I travel with the family from the US to our home in Croatia every other year. Instead of tethering my iPhone this time, I opted to get a dedicated hotspot. This thing is amazing. Works with both A1 and Hrvatski Telekom SIM cards without issue. (You do have to make a phone call to activate these cards from a secondary phone, then insert the sim into the hotspot, however this may be with only these providers). I can stream both from my FireTv in HD as well as Google Music while surfing the internet. This all on multiple devices at the same time. All this whilst in a stone home over 100 years old. Also took this thing on a sailboat while traveling from Split to Hvar and Brać. No issues. Must have for travelers who travel for extended periods AND do not want to set up year long internet service.”

Wi-Fi standard: 802.11ac | Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | Data transfer rate: Up to 150 Mbps | Ethernet connection: Yes (LAN port) | Security: N/A (uses cell network) | Size: ‎4.15 x 4.15 x 0.8 inches (length x width x height)

Also available on: Office Depot , $430, and Staples , $430

About the recommender

Danielle Calma is a commerce writer who researches and recommends products for shoppers, and she has covered topics related to tech and gadgets for publications including Inverse , Bustle , and Elite Daily .

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Best Travel WiFi Router (And 7 Tips for How To Use A Portable Router)

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As a digital nomad family, one of the most useful tools for staying connected is a travel WiFi router. In this guest post, my husband, Clint Bush (who works full time as a software engineer), shares his reasons why you need a portable router for travel.

We’ve been working remotely since 2018. As a remote worker, it’s important to have consistent internet connection. Nothing is worse than being on a Zoom call (or leading a meeting, for that matter) and dropping out because of an unstable connection.

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Even though we always get a local data SIM card, so we can use a WiFi mobile hotspot from our phone if the internet goes down, our travel WiFi router is by far one of the key tools in our digital nomad toolbox. Read this post to learn which travel WiFi router brands we prefer, and why you’ll want to travel with a portable WiFi router.

This post was written by Clint Bush and originally published on November 18, 2018.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase something. But don't worry, this will not result in any extra costs to you.

Table of Contents

Our top picks for a travel WiFi router

Want some quick tips for which travel WiFi router to choose? Here’s our top pick for a portable WiFi router, along with our pick for a mesh network and WiFi extender.

  • Travel wifi router: GL. iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)
  • Mesh network: Amazon eero 6+ mesh Wi-Fi system (up to 4,500 sq. ft.)
  • WiFi extender: TP-Link WiFi Extender (up to 1,200 sq. ft.)

What is a travel WiFi router?

For those who might not know the function of a travel WiFi router, here's a quick IT lesson. Internet connection gets sent in analog form through a cable from the cable company into your hotel or home. The cable connects to a modem that converts it from an analog signal to a digital signal.

Two white Apple smart phones on a brick floor that uses a travel WiFi router - the one on the left is smaller than the one on the right, and is leaning on the larger phone at an angle.

A router then connects to the modem (or is built into the modem) via a cable. That router turns the internet signal into radio frequencies that are broadcast out. This is WiFi (short for wireless fidelity) - the radio broadcasting of internet signals.

Since the WiFi signal is a radio frequency, it is subject to interference that can be caused by other radio signals in the air, microwaves, concrete walls, etc. The point is if you only have a single router outputting a signal on one end of the house or hotel, and you are on the other end, how strong is the signal going to be?

For travelers, and especially digital nomads who rely on reliable internet for work, one quick fix is to carry a portable wireless router.

Travel WiFi router brands to buy

In terms of a good travel WiFi router, as well as a WiFi extender or a mesh network, there are several major brands out there. If you’re planning on using a virtual private network (VPN) such as ExpressVPN , they have a list of routers (such as the Netgear Nighthawk ) they directly work with, but I find them too bulky and expensive especially for travel. 

A travel WiFi router for international travelers

I prefer a more compact travel router that can run OpenVPN directly. While this involves additional setup and requires some network knowledge (Express VPN has a good walkthrough ), the small size of the travel WiFi router makes it convenient for travel.

If you want to try out Express VPN, snag my referral code to get 30 days free !

One major advantage of the bulkier Express VPN-approved travel WiFi routers compared to a mini wireless router for travel is speed. This is especially important when using a VPN. Our small travel WiFi router does a great job, but if we need to stream video the travel router WiFi can’t always handle that. VPN speeds can throttle quite a bit. Getting one of the bigger approved routers can increase your connection speeds and handle larger bandwidth loads better.

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Ready for a change? Take the first step to living a life of full time travel.

However, if you’re traveling, you’ll want to focus on compactness, rather than bulk. Besides a travel WiFi router, you can also consider traveling with a mesh network (multiple travel routers that connect to the original router to act as a single network) or a WiFi range extender (that extends your WiFi signal). Here are the top brands of wireless travel routers that we recommend.

We like GL.iNet because their products perform consistently well. We traveled with the GL.iNet GL-AR750 (Creta) travel WiFi router in the past, as well as an older version of the GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl) wireless travel router. However, there are plenty of other travel WiFi routers from GL.iNet that you can bring for your travels.

The GL.iNet travel routers we recommend have a USB port and an ethernet port (or multiple ports) so you can plug into the device directly. Click the buttons below to look at these travel WiFi routers from GL.iNet.

Amazon eero

If you’re planning on staying somewhere that will give you direct access to the original router, then bringing along a mesh network might be more useful than a single travel WiFi router. Essentially, a mesh network is a set of routers that link to the main router to create a blanket network throughout the space, sending consistent wireless signals. This is ideal if you’re planning on housesitting or staying at someone’s house, as you’ll likely be able to directly connect with the main internet router.

One drawback of traveling with a mesh network is that you’re bringing multiple devices instead of just one item (the mesh network usually comes in sets of 3). Additionally, mesh networks tend to have a higher price point (because they’re multiple devices), so you’ll need to be careful when traveling with these expensive devices.

Check out these mesh networks from Amazon eero.

We have not personally used TP Link, but have read positive reviews of their devices. Like GL.iNet, they offer a travel WiFi router that travelers can use. And like the Amazon eero, they also have a mesh network option. 

TP Link also offers a dual band WiFi extender, which can help extend the range of WiFi signals from your Airbnb or hotel WiFi router, using both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. This extender requires a United States outlet for its power supply, but you can carry a power adapter if you’re traveling overseas. 

One thing to note about using a WiFi extender, the strength of the signal will be weak at its farthest point of the extender range. 

Learn more about the amazing family travel resources we use for worldschooling!

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Benefits and tips for how to use a portable router

There are many benefits to carrying a travel WiFi router with you whenever you travel. Primarily, a travel WiFi router helps repeat the WiFi signal and minimizes the instances of spotty WiFi. Additionally a travel WiFi router allows for multiple devices to connect to the WiFi network, and allows for use of a VPN.

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Once you know the benefits of having a travel WiFi router, it’s also helpful to know how to use a portable router. Here are some details of why a travel WiFi router is beneficial for travel, and how to use a portable router (and VPN) for travel.

1. WiFi repeating

This is the first benefit of your own travel wifi router: repeating the signal. Many routers these days have the ability to pick up an existing WiFi signal and extend or repeat that signal.

By placing an additional portable router closer to the WiFi signal, you can extend the distance of that WiFi signal. This increases your coverage across the house or hotel room. You will lose a bit of speed when you do this. Keep that in mind if you are trying to stream a video or play a game online.

2. Optional hard-wiring to skip spotty public WiFi

This tip will only help you if you are in a hotel that has an ethernet cable available to you. This is usually the case in business hotels, or if the home or AirBnB you are staying at has the router directly in the unit.

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If either of these are the case, and you have the option to plugin an ethernet cable, then having a portable router can allow you to create your own WiFi network off of that wired connection. That means all of your devices can connect to a single WiFi source. This is way more reliable than the public WiFi available to you.

3. Easy connecting for multiple devices

One of my favorite reasons to use a portable router is the ease of connection setup when I get to a new location for all of our devices. Between our family we have multiple laptops, tablets, phones, and a Roku. Setting up each of these with new WiFi would be a pain in the neck.

My solution is to connect them to the WiFi network I created on the portable router. That way, I just set up the portable router at the new connection. Voilà one device setup and all devices are connected.

We’ve done this while we were slow traveling in cities like Jakarta , Indonesia and Guanajuato , Mexico.

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4. Running VPN directly through a router

If you are using a VPN (and you absolutely should be using a VPN when you're connecting to WiFi outside your home!), you usually run it through each device through an application or VPN configuration. This works perfectly fine for my wife and me, since we remember to turn it on before using the public WiFi.

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My kids, on the other hand, they never remember. So if they jump on a device, they are accessing the internet without protection. Of course, they are not logging into bank accounts or sharing sensitive information so it’s not that big of a deal. However, for ease of mind, I still want to make sure they are keeping our information secure.

Read up on the other useful travel gear and tools we travel with around the world.

5. Using a VPN Connection with your travel WiFi router

When it comes to choosing between using VPN vs travel router, there actually isn’t a choice. You should be doing both to ensure that your personal and confidential information remains secure.

Having a travel WiFi router that allows for VPN connection directly through the router is the way to go. 

By running the VPN directly through the router, I now know that my kids are automatically connected to the VPN as soon as they start using their device.

6. Advantages of running a VPN through a router

There are several other advantages of running VPN this way too:

  • ExpressVPN and other VPN services usually limit your devices you can connect to the VPN at a single moment. ExpressVPN for example limits you to three devices at a time. Have two phone and two laptops between my wife and I alone, we already exceed that. By running the VPN through the router, it only counts as one device rather than four.
  • My work laptop can’t run a VPN application on it for a number of reasons, so using it through the router is the only option I have.
  • Roku and other similar devices usually don’t have a way to connect to VPN, so running them through the router that has VPN is the only way to go.

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7. Setting up your travel WiFi router

The actual steps on setting up a portable router will vary from router to router, but here are some tips that helped me:

  • Find a spot that is centrally located if possible and sit the router mid-level or higher for best broadcasting.
  • Plug the router directly into the modem or existing router if possible using an ethernet cable. This will give you the best signal strength.
  • When repeating the existing WiFi signal, do some speed tests on the existing network to find the fasted available network to connect to. Sometimes that is only 1 network, so you won’t have any options there. If there are 5GHz vs 2.4GHz options, experiment with both to see which of the connections your router works best with. There’s a whole side discussion about 5GHz and 2.4GHz that I am going to skip for now, but hit me up if you have any questions regarding that.
  • Plug the router into a surge protector if possible. Since it will always be plugged in, there is a high risk of power surge. Protect your investment by unplugging at night or plugging into a surge protector.
  • Use a WPA-2 password key when creating your WiFi network on the router. This will give you the best protection.
  • Remember when using your portable router, your data is not encrypted unless you are using a VPN. Sometimes there’s a false sense of security because you are using your own router and not the existing Public WiFi. Always use a VPN.

Learn about our digital nomad worldschooling lifestyle .

Travel WiFi router: a must have for digital nomads

For those of you living a nomadic lifestyle, and even if you aren't, having a reliable internet connection while you travel is important. There’s no need to be standing by a window all day hoping that your cell phone gets a strong enough signal to hotspot! Those days are over!

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With a travel WiFi router (or a mesh network or WiFi extender), you can ensure that you stay connected to the internet. And that’s an important tool to have to help you live the digital nomad travel life of your dreams!

Do you have recommendations for your favorite travel WiFi router? Send me a message and let me know which travel WiFi router you prefer.

Are you wondering what other tools you need to lead a full-time travel lifestyle with your kids? Get a copy of my ebook, Hey Kids, Let’s Go Travel! to get started on planning a family gap year.

Best travel WiFi router (and 7 tips for how to use a portable router) | The Wandering Daughter | Pinterest image of an open laptop on a blue table with a red mug next to it. Pin title and text is at the top of the image.

Need help thinking through how to budget for a family trip? My  Travel Budget Worksheet  is just the tool you need! Click  here  to receive your free copy by signing up for my newsletter.

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Want to connect with me on social media? Find me on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , and Twitter. And for those of you who are dedicated to traveling more responsibly, sustainably, and ethically, join over 200 like-minded families on my Facebook group, Responsible Family Travel .

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ASUS RT-AX57 Go - AX3000 Dual Band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) Travel Router, Support 4G/5G Mobile tethering&Public WiFi (WISP) Mode, Subscription-Free Network Security, VPN Features, AiMesh, Guest Portal

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ASUS RT-AX57 Go - AX3000 Dual Band WiFi 6 (802.11ax) Travel Router, Support 4G/5G Mobile tethering&Public WiFi (WISP) Mode, Subscription-Free Network Security, VPN Features, AiMesh, Guest Portal

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

  • Tri-mode connectivity for travel, work and home with 4G/5G mobile tethering, a private hotspot over public WiFi (WISP mode), and router mode.
  • Ultrafast WiFi 6 with 160 MHz channel significantly increases network capacity to support up to 70 devices, with speeds of up to 3,000 Mbps.
  • Comprehensive VPN features with one-touch activation, supporting multiple protocols, up to 30 service providers, and site-to-site VPN.
  • Subscription-free network security with commercial-grade AiProtection Classic powered by Trend Micro, plus a one-tap security scan and Safe Browsing.
  • 3-step easy setup and hassle-free management via the highly rated ASUS Router mobile app.

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ASUS RT-AX57 Go

ASUS is one of Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies and is one of the top motherboard and gaming brands as well as a top-three consumer notebook vendor. ASUS is driven by passion and innovation and dedicated to creating quality products for a future smart life, designing and manufacturing products that perfectly meet the needs of today's digital home, office, and person. Our wide portfolio includes MG248Q, Chromebox, and a range of devices and components, along with AR and VR.

ASUS RT-AX57 Go Travel Router

ASUS RT-AX57 Go (AX3000) Dual Band WiFi 6 Travel Router, 4G & 5G Mobile Tethering, Public WiFi(WISP) Mode, Subscription-free Network Security, VPN, Easy Setup, AiMesh Support, Guest Portal, Wall Mount

  • Subscription-free network security with commercial-grade AiProtection Classic powered by Trend Micro, plus a one-tap security scan and Safe Browsing.
  • AiMesh extendable router enables whole home seamless roaming with rich, advanced features.
  • Easy and customizable guest portal for small businesses.

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Product description.

Stay connected on-the-road with our portable WiFi router, the ASUS RT-AX57 Go. With versatile connectivity options, including tri-mode connectivity, you and your friends can enjoy secure WiFi with included network security and built-in VPN protections wherever you journey takes you!

What's in the box

  • RT-AX57 Go ROUTER
  • Power Adapter, Quick Start Guide
  • 1m RJ-45 Cable
  • Stand, Warranty card
  • Flannel Bag

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How-To Geek

Get a travel router to upgrade your hotel wi-fi experience.

You can upgrade your hotel Wi-Fi experience easily.

Quick Links

What's a travel router, why use a travel router in a hotel, which travel router should you get.

You might not have "travel router" on your vacation packing list, but after reading this article, you just might. Here's why we always pack a router with us when we're headed to a hotel.

A travel router is a small network router designed with an emphasis on portability and use in-the-field. While you could, in theory, use a travel router as an internet router in your home, it's not intended for that.

Instead, travel routers are meant to link together a smaller number of devices all congregated fairly close together. Think, your laptop and phone, your kids' tablets, and maybe even a streaming stick in a hotel room---not all those things plus a pile of computers, smart devices, and such spread out across your whole home.

They typically have a very small form factor, the size of a portable battery pack or even smaller. Speaking of that, many of them are portable battery packs, so you can use them to charge your phone while you travel in addition to their router function.

Further, unlike the router you have at home, travel routers have UI elements and even physical toggles that make it easy to quickly switch them between functions like router mode, hotspot mode, repeater mode, and so on.

That last part is crucial. You want a travel router that can easily connect to the hotel's internet in different and reliable ways. In some hotels, you can plug the travel router directly into a courtesy Ethernet connection in your room, which is easy peasy.

In other hotels, there's no physical internet connection, and you have to connect the travel router to the hotel's Wi-Fi and use it in hotspot mode, where it captures the Wi-Fi connection, and then all your local devices connect to the travel router instead of the hotel's Wi-Fi system.

You might be thinking, "Well, that's all very fascinating, but I have no idea why I would go to the trouble?" And that's certainly a fair question to have on your mind if you've never considered packing a router (no matter how small it might be) along with your toiletries and phone charger .

Historically, one of the best reasons to pack a travel router was that many hotels didn't have Wi-Fi (they only had an Ethernet port in the room for business travelers to plug in their laptops).

Later, when hotels started to get Wi-Fi, they had frustrating policies like only one or two devices per guest/room were allowed on the network. Even today, some hotel Wi-Fi systems still have such rules.

When you use a travel router, you can "log in" just the travel router to the hotel's system so, as far as they are concerned, there is only one device in the room. All the traffic of the other devices passes through the travel router.

Speaking of device traffic, you can also leverage the travel router to increase your privacy. Most travel routers support basic VPN protocols like PPTP or L2TP, and the more advanced ones support OpenVPN and WireGuard .

That makes it simple to tunnel right from your room to a third-party VPN or right back to your corporate or home VPN server. It also makes it easy to transfer files securely between your devices as the file transfer is happening over the micro network you set up, and the files never pass through the hotel's infrastructure in any way.

It also makes it much easier to use your devices in the fashion you're accustomed to. You could set your travel router's Wi-Fi credentials to match your home network's Wi-Fi credentials, for example. Not only does that make it dead simple to log in when you get to your hotel (as your phone and laptop already know the way "home"), but you can even toss your Chromecast or favorite streaming stick into your bag and use it in your hotel room. Forget the stupid "smart" TV interface hotels have, enjoy your streaming services the way you want without the lag.

Above all else, when you're shopping for a travel router (whether you pick one of our suggestions or forge out on your own to do some research), you need this feature: captive portal connectivity.

You know how when you first connect to a hotel's Wi-Fi there is usually a pop-up page where you accept the terms and conditions and/or login with your name and room number? That's the portal. You need a router that "capture" that exchange and mimics your initial login device (like your iPhone).

All of our picks below support easy captive portal exchanges, which makes the setup when you first get to your hotel room a breeze. Without that feature, you're left manually cloning your original login device's MAC address which usually works but can be hit or miss.

One of the most popular options on the market is the TP-Link N300 Nano Router . It's a steal at around $30, but it's starting to show its age.

It only supports 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) on the 2.4 GHz band. But for only ten bucks more, you can jump from the N300 Nano Router to the TP-Link AC750 Nano Router .

TP-Link TL-WR902AC AC750

It's tiny, inexpensive, and our all-around top pick for best travel router. For most folks, it's the easiest solution.

The upgraded model features dual-band Wi-Fi, 802.11AC (Wi-Fi 5), and a really convenient switch on the side that makes it dead simple to change modes without logging into the router.

While we love the TP-Link Nano lineup, especially the newest models, and think they are the best fit for just about everyone, there are a few other options to consider.

If you want more advanced VPN solutions, you'll need to step beyond the TP-Link offerings and consider something like the GL.iNet GLMT300N ---it's roughly equivalent to the TP-Link N300 Nano Router but runs the popular OpenWRT router firmware and supports both OpenVPN and WireGuard.

And if you want a beefy upgrade over the TP-Link AC750 Nano Router consider the GL.iNet GL-A1300 .

GL-iNet GL-A1300

For power users that want passthrough connectivity for Ethernet devices and advanced VPN services like WireGuard, this travel router delivers.

It also runs OpenWRT firmware and robust VPN support like its smaller sibling, but includes two additional Ethernet ports, support for many more Wi-Fi devices, and more.

But whichever of our picks you go with, you'll become the master of your Wi-Fi destiny when you're on the road. Forget cruddy hotel Wi-Fi or frustrating Wi-Fi rules. Plug in your own router and go. And hey, if you're in the upgrade mood, here are some other travel gadget upgrades worth looking at.

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Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

  • Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
  • Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
  • How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
  • What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
  • What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
  • What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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  1. The Best Wireless Travel Routers of 2024

    The only real downside is that the port layout can be awkward since the USB and micro USB power ports are on the opposite side of the Ethernet port. Wireless Spec: 802.11ac | Security: WPA2 | Standard/Speed: AC750 | Bands: Dual-band | MU-MIMO: No | Beamforming: No | Wired Ports: 1. TP-Link TL-WR902AC AC750 Travel Router Review.

  2. Best travel routers 2024

    Equipped with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, as well as all the latest compatible WiFi 6 technologies, the GL iNet Slate tops our list of the best travel routers currently on the market. With MUMIMO, OFDMA, and BSS color, the GL iNet Slate can also connect up to 120 devices simultaneously, which makes it on par with some of the best routers for ...

  3. 7 Best Travel Routers for Digital Nomads

    If you can afford the price tag, this is one of the best portable routers that money can buy, and luckily, you can often find discounts on this product on Amazon. Click here to learn more about the NETGEAR Nighthawk M1. 5. GL.iNet (Beryl) VPN Wireless Little Travel Router. Photo Credit: GL.iNET.

  4. The Best Travel Routers

    The GL-MT300N-V2 is a new and improved version of GL.iNet's original travel router. It's a sexy little thing that comes in a striking yellow color scheme. V2 features doubled the RAM capacity (128 MB, up from 64), as well as adding an MTK driver for optimizing connection and lightning-fast OpenVPN encryption.

  5. Best Travel Routers

    View Latest Price →. TP-Link TL-WR902AC. Best Travel Router for Hotels. Makes use of dual frequency bands of 2.4 and 5Ghz. Can be used for a variety of connection options. View Latest Price →. GL.iNET GL-MT300N-V2. Best Wireless Travel Router. Made with a durable construction to last longer.

  6. Best travel routers 2022

    Here are the best picks for portable routers that will do a little more and keep your trip fuss-free. TP-Link TL-WR902AC Wireless Nano Travel Router. Compact and reliable. The TP-Link TL-WR902AC ...

  7. What Are Travel Routers? Everything You Need to Know

    Image Credit: TP-Link. A travel router is designed to simplify the process of connecting and managing devices on public Wi-Fi networks, whether that means in a hotel, at the airport, or anywhere else. Most major router manufacturers have travel versions in their product range, including Netgear, D-Link, and more.

  8. Best Travel Router in 2023 (Top Portable WiFi Options)

    The Best Overall. NETGEAR Nighthawk M1 Jump To Review. Lightest. GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) Portable Travel Router Jump To Review. Best Travel Router for Hotels. TP Link AC750 Travel Wifi Router Jump To Review. Best On A Budget. GL.iNET GL-AR150 Mini Travel Wireless Router Jump To Review.

  9. 6 Best Wireless Travel Routers in 2024

    Best Overall Travel Router. 1. GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Travel Router. Kicking off our list is a top-rated travel Wi-Fi router that we consider to be the best on the market today. Boasting Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, this high-tech dual-band router can connect to up to 120 devices simultaneously and offers a faster ...

  10. The 3 best travel routers

    These are the best travel routers you can find on Amazon: The overall best travel router: GL.iNet GL-MT1300 Wireless Router. The runner-up: GL.iNet GL-AR750 Travel AC VPN Router. The budget ...

  11. Best Travel WiFi Router (And 7 Tips for How To Use A Portable Router)

    Here are the top brands of wireless travel routers that we recommend. GL.iNet. We like GL.iNet because their products perform consistently well. We traveled with the GL.iNet GL-AR750 (Creta) travel WiFi router in the past, as well as an older version of the GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl) wireless travel router. However, there are plenty of other ...

  12. 15 Best Travel Routers of 2024

    1. Best Overall: TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router. 2. RAVPower FileHub (RP-WD009) AC750 Wireless Travel Router. Best Wireless Travel Routers. 3. Best Wireless Travel Router: HooToo Tripmate Titan. Best For Portable Wireless Access Point Use. 4.

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    Mit dem TP-LINK M7350 LTE-Router kannst du dein WLAN überall mitnehmen: Mit LTE bis zu 150 GB/s unterwegs surfen. Jetzt bei MediaMarkt kaufen!

  14. ASUS RT-AX57 Go

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  15. Get a Travel Router to Upgrade Your Hotel Wi-Fi Experience

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  17. Can I find a router in Moscow that can be set up in English?

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  18. Router

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  19. Tour & Travel Agency in Moscow

    In addition to our standard services, Grand Russia offers tours packages to Moscow and St Petersburg. You cannot resist our Two Hearts of Russia (7 Days &6 Nights), Golden Moscow (4 Days &3 Nights), Sochi (3 Days & 2 Nights), Golden Ring (1 Day & 2 Days), and many more. As a leading travel agency specializing in the tour to Russia and Former ...

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  21. Trans-Siberian Railway Prices Calculation

    When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.