Travel Tips

Getting Connected To The Internet When Travelling

Getting connected when travelling

When we are at home the idea of a permanent connection to the internet is almost a given. We have broadband internet in the house. There is 3G or 4G access via our mobile phone. Combined with Free Wifi in some of our regular or favourite spots.

On the other hand when we travel the connection is not quite as permanent and at times all but non-existent. I have experienced the challenge of trying to find reliable internet or any internet at all in many cities I have visited.

My Travelling Internet Challenges

Throughout all but one of my trips getting access to the internet has been possibly one of my greatest challenges. Of course, the fact that I did not travel with a smartphone likely did not help. But in some countries, this still would have made little difference.

Canada

On my first ever overseas trip, I spent a little to much time trying to get myself connected. I found out at the time, back in 2010, it was nearly impossible to purchase a pre-paid sim card in Canada. I tried at least ten different stores, and no one quite seemed to understand what I wanted. Internet access in the hotel cost around $30 CAD per night. But thankfully Starbucks had free internet access, and they were on every second corner.

Europe

My fourth trip overseas did not fair much better than the first. My time was split between multiple different European countries and America, so the idea of sim card went out the window. Additionally, the ease of finding free wifi in much of Europe in 2012 seemed somewhat challenging. I thankfully had managed to book most hotels with wifi included, but this does not help when you are out and about for the day.

New Zealand

My last trip to New Zealand in 2015 was a much better experience. I now own a smartphone, and at least in New Zealand, a sim card is rather easy to purchase on a one-off basis. For $50 NZD from Vodafone, I got a sim card with 3G data some included local calls and text, as well as 200 minutes and text to Australia.

South Pacific Island

Finally, my most recent trip in February 2017 was a cruise to the South Pacific Island of New Caledonia & Vanuatu. I was a little surprised how much I missed the ease of access to the internet, especially for a favourite hobby of Geocaching. I had taken steps to prepare some things for off line access, which helped a little. However, some better research on where and how to access free services could have helped.

My primary source of access to the internet was onboard the cruise ship. However, this did come at a premium price for a rather limited amount of time. I spent $99.00 (AUD) to purchase 240 minutes of access to the internet. My choice to pay the price was the result of wanting to continue giving my updates view social media. Keeping Instagram, Facebook and Twitter up to date.

Sun Princess - Internet Cafe

Internet Cafe

Preparing Before Leaving Home

Today things are significantly different to six or seven years ago on some of my early overseas trips. I do not doubt that there are still many countries where internet access is a challenge. However, there are some ways that you can get around this challenge and make life a whole lot easier.

Research In Advance

There is not much use waiting until you arrive in a country to try and find out about potential free wifi. If you do just want to rely on free wifi take a little time and do some research before you leave home.

Some countries or cities have apps available that you can use to search for free wifi hot spots. While other areas you may be able to download a list of places.

The other thing to research in advance is the options for mobile phone services. Check with your provider at home they may offer some good international roaming options. You can likely also do a little research on the phone providers where you are travelling to as well.

You need to keep in mind if your handset works with overseas providers, though. Especially if you got your phone from the provider as part of your contract, it might be locked to their service. Which in some cases may restrict your use to other providers overseas.

Download Maps

If you are looking for internet access mainly to find your way around or discover places to visit or eat. A relatively new feature of Google maps might be useful. It is the ability to download the local maps for offline use to your mobile phone or tablet.

Downloadable Google Maps

When you have downloaded the area, the Google Maps will operate almost identical to when connected to the internet. The only exception is that it will only provide driving directions. Transit, bicycle and walking directions are not available.

If you are not sure how to download the maps, you can follow the directions provided by Google. Directions for Android, iPhone and iPad can be found at the Google Maps Help Page.

Enjoy The Holiday

In the end, though there is always one other option, and that is just to enjoy your holiday without the internet. Even though I found myself looking for access, I always managed to get by without if I had to. There is little point wasting time hunting down wifi when you could be hunting down some more exciting attractions.

You Might Also Like

Pin It on Pinterest

Travel Explored
Getting connected when travelling
Sun Princess - Internet Cafe
Downloadable Google Maps
First Morning In Vancouver
Early Morning Foggy Roads near Stanthorpe
🇦🇺
🥇
🥈
🥉
🚢
📷
☕️
📸
🚁
📷
📱
Travel Explored
The last thing you expect to find in an industrial estate, some small purple flowers.
.
.
.
.
#instamas #flowers #purple #life #dailyinspiration #dailyphotos
This is how you start the weekend right. Peanut Butter & Jam Marz Bar by @rawlovelytwo and coffee from @oldfriendcoffee
.
.
.
.
#rawlovelytwo #rawtreats #oldfriendcoffee #vegan #coffee #peanutbutterlover #peanutbutter #pbj #saturdaymorning #weekendvibes #weekendcoffee
Best way to start a Sunday morning a coffee and cookie at Foster Black 🥳
.
.
.
.
#fosterblack #coffee #brisbanecafe #bnecafes #pausesiprepeat #milkbarcookieco #cookie #cookies #longblack #semipro #semiprocc #costaricacoffee
Have definitely saved the best for last from the cars that I saw at Westfield Cardinale as part of The Cars of Kitten D'Amour display Sunday a week ago. This is the 1967 Shelby GT500 in Candy Apple Red, which is an absolutely beautiful car and in such immaculate condition. You can see all the cars in the post on my blog, with the link in my bio.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#kittycars #kittendamour #westfield #carindale #cars #mustang #shelby #GT500 #candyapplered #1967mustang #mustangs #mustanglife #mustanglovers #classiccars #classics @kittendamour @westfieldcarindale
The second of three cars I saw last Sunday from 1967, this is the 1967 Shelby GT500. I saw the cars at Westfield Carindale as part of The Cars of Kitten D'Amour display. You can see all the cars in the post on my blog, with the link in my bio.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#kittycars #kittendamour #westfield #carindale #cars #mustang #shelby #GT500 #mustangs #mustanglife #mustanglovers #classiccars #classics @kittendamour @westfieldcarindale
The last sunset for winter in 2019 captured on the 31st August 2019. ⠀
.⠀
I know that I am running a few days late sharing this photo and to be honest I was not planning to share it either. It was only something that I captured on the spare of the moment and was not so impressed with the result. However, looking at it today I decided why not share. The thing is that you do not have to always have the perfect shot to share, sometimes you just have to share it anyway.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#cleveland #clevelandqld #queensland #thisisqueensland #visitqld #exploreqld #wintersunset #winter #redlandsanyday #redlandcity #redlandscoast #bluehour #sunset
The first of three cars I saw last Sunday from 1967, this is the 1967 Mustang Convertible. I saw the cars at Westfield Carindale as part of The Cars of Kitten D'Amour display. You can see all the cars in the post on my blog, with the link in my bio.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#kittycars #kittendamour #westfield #carindale #cars #mustang #convertible #1967mustang #mustangs #mustanglife #mustanglovers #classiccars #classics @kittendamour @westfieldcarindale
Although getting out and riding my bike is something that I take time for often, I do not always take my camera with me. So earlier this week on a nice sunny spring morning, I headed out on the bike with my camera for a change.⠀
.⠀
I took a route that headed south from Victoria Point along the main road, before heading to the coast part way along Redland Bay and following the water back towards Victoria Point. Unfortunately I do not think that this particular area has a name but it sits at the end of Bay Street in Redland Bay.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#redlandbay #redlandsanyday #redlands #redlandscoast #queensland #thisisqld #queenslandau #australia #visitqueensland #water #spring #travel #explore
A beautiful example of the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette here in close up from last Sunday at Westfield Carindale as part of The Cars of Kitten D'Amour display. You can see all the cars in the post on my blog, with the link in my bio.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#kittycars #kittendamour #westfield #carindale #cars #teebird #chevrolet #corvette #classiccars #classics @kittendamour @westfieldcarindale
Here is the first of the close up's from Sunday. This is the 1956 Thunderbird which was on display at Westfield Carindale as part of The Cars of Kitten D'Amour display. You can see all the cars in the post on my blog, with the link in my bio.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#kittycars #kittendamour #westfield #carindale #cars #teebird #thunderbird #ford #classiccars #classics @kittendamour @westfieldcarindale
On Sunday I got the opportunity to see some amazing cars that were on display at Westfield Carindale. The cars were on display as part of The Cars of Kitten D'Amour event and they were five beautiful classics. If you want to see them up close check the link in my bio or I will be sharing them over the next couple of days.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
.⠀
#kittycars #kittendamour #westfield #carindale #cars #mustang #shelby #gt500 #chevrolet #corvette #thunderbird #ford #classiccars @kittendamour
Beautiful evening at Raby Bay Harbour. The water is so still just like a mirror.
.
.
.
.
#cleveland #queensland #thisisqld #rabybayharbour #redlandcity #redlandsanyday #redlandscoast #clevelandqld #australia #sunset #goldenhour #bluehour #reflections #reflective
The Park Social is a Perfect spot down at Redland Bay to get in for a coffee in the morning. The coffee is by @dhc_coffee and is roasted just next door to the cafe so you can grab some beans for home while you are there. They are located in the Redlands Business Park at 1a/5-11 Jardine Drive, Redland Bay, if you live local best get down for a coffee 😊
.
.
.
#coffee #cafe #theparksocial #dhccoffee #dhc_coffee #redlandbay #redlandbaycafe #redlands #redlandscafe #brisbanecafe #bnecafes #coffeebrisbane #coffeeroaster #bestcoffee
A calm and beautiful walk on the beach at Victoria Point this afternoon. Not a bad winters day really.
.
.
.
.
.
#victoriapoint #beach #beachdays #gobeach #beachlife #redlandscoast #redlandsanyday #queensland #australia #thisisqueensland #explorequeensland #travelphotography
When the sun sets with no colour and then the clouds turn orange. The eternal challenge of the photographer to wait a little longer or to call it quits when nature is not playing along. I have experienced both sides of the coin but recently caught this beauty at Cleveland Point, Queensland when I hang out just a little longer.
.
.
.
#cleveland #clevelandqld #qld #queensland #thisisqueensland #australia #sunset #bluehour #photographer #redlandscoast #redlandcity #redlandsanyday
After the escapades of eggs for breakfast at Easter I thought I should give you a look at the real thing. I do actually have Eggs for breakfast most every day but Wednesday has been #wafflewednesday for a while now. But I decided to give the month of May to working on having No Added Sugar and with the first of May landing on a Wednesday I swapped the waffles for scrambled Eggs on Sourdough and a long black.
.
.
.
.
.
#eggs #scrambledeggs #sourdough #breakfast #noaddedsugar #nosugar #sugarfree #coffee #tobysestate
Eggs for breakfast, perfect for the day after Easter 😍
.
.
.
#easter #eggs #chocolate #breakfast
Juice on a summers day. Pineapple, carrot, apple & ginger with some ice. .
.
.
.
.
.
#juice #juicediet #juicerecipes #juicecleanse #juicechallenge #fruit #pineapple #apple #ginger #carrot #foodie #eatright
Breakfast might have been waffles but lunch is something much different starting with a salad.
.
Starting with salad leaf blend and adding grated carrot and beetroot before topping with sesame seeds and roasted slivered almonds. Finished with a dressing of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil and coconut amino sauce.
.
#salad #saladbowl #saladmaster #lunch #eatrightnotless #eatright
Waffles
.
.
.
.
#waffle #waffles #wafflewednesday #theespressobar #delicious
Share This