11 Tips To Staying Connected While Abroad

If you’re planning a trip overseas, staying connected is probably at the top of your list of priorities. After all, you don’t want to miss a single minute of your vacation! But between international data roaming charges and spotty Wi-Fi, it can be tough to stay connected while you’re traveling.

Victoria Gerrard of La Crosse, WI is a seasoned traveler, and she’s sharing her top eleven tips for staying connected while abroad:

1. Get a travel SIM card

If you’re going to be using your phone while you’re abroad, getting a travel SIM card is a great way to avoid costly international data roaming charges. Travel SIM cards give you access to local data networks at a fraction of the price of using your home network. Just make sure to activate your travel SIM card before you leave so you don’t get hit with any activation fees.

2. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible

Most hotels and airports offer free Wi-Fi these days, so take advantage of it! When you’re out and about, see if your hotel has any partner restaurants or cafes where you can get free Wi-Fi access. And if all else fails, there’s always the good old-fashioned way of asking strangers for their Wi-Fi password.

3. Invest in a portable charger

There’s nothing worse than having your phone die right when you need it most. Avoid the dreaded “low battery” notification by investing in a portable charger. That way, you can charge your phone on the go without having to find an outlet. Just make sure to pack your charging cord too!

4. Download offline maps

One of the best ways to avoid getting lost (and racking up expensive data roaming charges) is to download offline maps of the places you’ll be visiting. Google Maps lets you do this easily—just search for the area you want to save and select “Download.” Once the map is downloaded, you’ll be able to access it even when you don’t have an internet connection.

5. Keep your social media posts public

This one’s important if you want your friends and family back home to be able to follow along with your trip. Make sure your privacy settings are set to public so that anyone can see your posts—that way, they won’t miss a thing!

6. Use a messaging app

Texting can be expensive when you’re abroad, so ditch your traditional SMS messages in favor of a free messaging app like WhatsApp or Viber. These apps use your data connection (or Wi-Fi, if you have it) to send messages, so you won’t have to worry about racking up international charges. Plus, you can use them to make calls too!

7. Stay in touch with home

There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned phone call to make you feel connected to your loved ones back home. But if you’re worried about the cost, plenty of apps offer free or low-cost international calling. Skype and FaceTime are two of the most popular options, but there are plenty of others to choose from as well.

8. Keep your travel plans updated

If you’re using a travel app like TripIt, make sure to keep your plans updated so that your friends and family always know where you are. That way, they can easily get in touch with you if needed.

9. Use social media to your advantage

Social media is a great way to stay connected while you’re abroad. Not only can you use it to keep in touch with your friends and family, but you can also use it to connect with other travelers. Join relevant Facebook groups and follow hashtags related to your destination to find helpful tips, advice, and recommendations from other travelers.

10. Enjoy the moment—but stay safe

The most important thing to remember is to enjoy the moment and not let your phone control your trip. Yes, staying connected while you’re traveling is important, but it’s also important to disconnect and live in the moment every once in a while. Remember to put your phone down and enjoy the experience, but also stay safe!

11. Use a VPN

If you’re worried about staying connected and safe while you’re abroad, consider using a VPN. A VPN  (a virtual private network) encrypts your internet connection and helps to keep your data safe from hackers. It’s a great way to stay connected and protect your information while traveling.

Final Thoughts

Staying connected while traveling doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult—just follow these simple tips from Victoria Gerrard of La Crosse, WI, and you’ll stay connected in no time!

Travelling can be an excellent opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with the world around you. But in today’s connected world, it can be hard to complete!