Guides and tools
VPN and online safety abroad
Whether you need a VPN, what it does and does not protect, banking, streaming and the country rules.
- Do you need a VPN when travelling abroad?
Do you need a VPN abroad? What a VPN protects on holiday, what it does not, and when it is worth paying for, in plain English for UK travellers.
- Is hotel and airport Wi-Fi safe?
Is public Wi-Fi in hotels, airports and cafes safe? What the real risks are, what to avoid doing on it and how a VPN or mobile data helps.
- Using UK banking apps abroad
Why UK banking apps and cards sometimes fail abroad, how VPNs and roaming affect them, and a checklist to avoid being locked out.
- Watching BBC iPlayer and Netflix abroad
Can you watch BBC iPlayer, ITVX or Netflix abroad? How streaming location rules work, what a VPN can and cannot do, and the terms to know.
- Countries where VPNs are restricted
VPN rules differ by country. Which destinations restrict or regulate VPNs, what to check before travelling and how to find official advice.
- NordVPN vs Surfshark for travellers
NordVPN vs Surfshark for UK travellers: what to compare, devices, apps, guarantees and what we can and cannot say without testing them ourselves.
- Are free VPNs safe?
Free VPN apps are tempting, but how do they make money? The risks of free VPNs, what to check and safer alternatives for travellers.
- Travel phone security checklist: before you go abroad
A step-by-step phone and online security checklist for UK travellers: updates, backups, passwords, tracking, a VPN and data, with a printable tool.
- Password managers for travel
Why a password manager helps when you travel, how it protects against reused passwords and lost phones, and what to check before choosing one.
- What to do if your phone is stolen abroad
A calm step-by-step guide to what to do if your phone is lost or stolen abroad: lock it, tell your network, secure accounts, report it and claim.
eSIM, SIM and roaming
How eSIMs work, how to install one, roaming charges, how much data you need and which providers to compare.
- What is an eSIM, and does my phone support it?
What an eSIM is, how it differs from a physical SIM, how to check whether your phone supports it, and why travellers use them.
- eSIM vs roaming vs local SIM
eSIM vs roaming vs a local SIM for UK travellers: how each works, who it suits, and a simple way to compare the cost for your trip.
- How to install an eSIM step by step
How to install a travel eSIM step by step on iPhone and Android: when to install, QR code or app, turning on data roaming for the eSIM and avoiding roaming charges.
- How much mobile data do you need abroad?
How much mobile data you need abroad: what maps, social media, music, video and calls typically use, with a calculator to estimate your trip.
- UK network roaming charges explained
How UK mobile roaming charges work in Europe and beyond, why they differ by network and plan, and how to check yours before you travel.
- Keep your UK number abroad
How to keep your UK number working abroad for WhatsApp, bank security codes and calls when you use an eSIM or local SIM, and what to avoid.
- Best eSIM providers for travel, compared
A neutral comparison checklist for travel eSIM providers: Breeze, Sim Local, Airalo, Saily, Yesim and GigSky. What to check, with links to compare current plans.
Travel tech and gadgets
Power banks and the airline rules, adaptors and chargers, and the gadgets worth packing.
- Power banks for travel: airline rules and how to choose
Taking a power bank on a plane: the airline rules on lithium batteries, watt-hour limits, hand luggage, and how to choose the right size for travel.
- Travel adaptors and chargers for UK travellers
Which travel plug adaptor do UK travellers need? Plug types by region, voltage, GaN chargers and how to charge phones, laptops and a razor abroad.
- Gadgets worth packing for a trip
A practical travel tech checklist: chargers, power bank, cables, adaptor, tracker, offline maps, luggage and what to leave at home.
Free tools
- Travel data calculator
Free travel data calculator: enter your days away and how you use your phone to estimate how many GB of mobile data you need for an eSIM or SIM.
- Roaming vs eSIM cost comparer
Free comparer: enter your network's daily roaming charge and an eSIM plan price to see which is cheaper for your trip length, with your own real figures.
- Pre-trip phone and online security checklist
A tick-off checklist of phone and online security steps before you travel abroad: updates, backups, passwords, tracking and a VPN. Print it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a VPN when I travel abroad?
It is useful on public Wi-Fi and for some services, but it is not essential for every trip. It does not protect against phishing or weak passwords.
Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming?
It depends on your network, destination and data needs. Compare your own figures with our free cost comparer.
Are VPNs legal abroad?
In most countries yes, but a few restrict or ban them. Check GOV.UK foreign travel advice for your destination before you go.
Some links here are affiliate links: we may earn a small fee if you buy, at no extra cost to you. We have not tested the VPNs or eSIM providers we mention ourselves, and prices change, so check each provider's page.