Traveling opens up a world of adventure, but it also exposes you to digital risks like unsecured public Wi-Fi, government surveillance, and geo-blocked content. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is your digital Swiss Army knife, ensuring privacy, security, and access to your favorite streaming services no matter where you roam. This guide highlights the 10 best VPNs for travelers in 2025, carefully selected for their global server networks, speed, privacy features, and ease of use. Whether you’re streaming Netflix in a foreign hotel or protecting your data at an airport, these VPNs have you covered.
Why Travelers Need a VPN
A VPN encrypts your internet connection, masks your IP address, and routes your traffic through secure servers worldwide. For travelers, this means:
- Secure Public Wi-Fi: Public networks in airports, cafes, or hotels are often vulnerable to hackers. A VPN shields your data from prying eyes.
- Bypass Censorship: Access restricted websites in countries with heavy internet controls, like China or the UAE.
- Stream Geo-Locked Content: Watch your home country’s Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Hulu from anywhere.
- Protect Privacy: Prevent ISPs, governments, or trackers from monitoring your online activity.
With so many VPNs on the market, choosing the right one for travel can be daunting. Below, we’ve curated the top 10 VPNs based on server coverage, speed, privacy, and traveler-friendly features.
Top 10 VPNs for Travelers in 2025
NordVPN – Best Overall for Global Travel
NordVPN tops our list for its massive network of over 7,600 servers across 118 countries, ensuring you’ll find a fast server nearby, no matter your destination. Its blazing speeds—averaging just a 3% download speed loss—make it ideal for streaming and browsing. NordVPN’s obfuscated servers disguise VPN traffic, perfect for restrictive regions like China.
- Key Features: 10 simultaneous connections, NordLynx protocol, Double VPN, no-logs policy (independently audited).
- Best For: Streaming, privacy, and bypassing censorship.
- Price: Starts at $3.39/month (2-year plan).
Why Travelers Love It: NordVPN’s user-friendly apps and 24/7 support make it a go-to for beginners and power users alike. CNET ranks it as the best VPN for travel due to its consistent performance.
Surfshark – Best Budget VPN for Unlimited Devices
Surfshark offers unbeatable value with unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to protect all your devices under one subscription. Its 3,200+ servers span 100 countries, and features like NoBorders mode help bypass restrictive networks.
- Key Features: CleanWeb ad blocker, Camouflage Mode, fast speeds (21% speed loss), 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Best For: Budget travelers with multiple devices.
- Price: Starts at $2.19/month (2-year plan).
Why Travelers Love It: Surfshark’s affordability and streaming prowess make it a favorite for accessing Netflix and Disney+ abroad.
ExpressVPN – Best Premium VPN for Ease of Use
ExpressVPN is a traveler’s dream for its intuitive apps and reliable performance across 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. Its Lightway protocol ensures fast connections, and a no-logs policy guarantees privacy.
- Key Features: 8 simultaneous connections, kill switch, split tunneling, 24/7 live chat.
- Best For: VPN newbies and streaming enthusiasts.
- Price: Starts at $6.67/month (1-year plan).
Why Travelers Love It: ExpressVPN’s simplicity and consistent streaming performance shine, especially for unblocking global Netflix libraries.
Proton VPN – Best Free Option for Privacy
Proton VPN stands out with its free plan, offering unlimited data and strong privacy features. Its premium plan boasts 11,000+ servers in 117 countries, ideal for travelers needing robust geo-unblocking.
- Key Features: 10 simultaneous connections, Secure Core servers, no-logs policy (audited), NetShield ad blocker.
- Best For: Privacy-conscious travelers on a budget.
- Price: Free plan; premium starts at $4.99/month.
Why Travelers Love It: The free plan is perfect for short trips, while the premium plan excels at unblocking streaming platforms.
Private Internet Access (PIA) – Best for U.S. Travelers
Private Internet Access offers over 10,000 servers, including coverage in all 50 U.S. states, making it ideal for domestic travelers. Its affordability and customizable settings appeal to tech-savvy users.
- Key Features: Unlimited connections, no-logs policy, split tunneling, strong encryption.
- Best For: U.S.-based travelers and advanced users.
- Price: Starts at $2.19/month (3-year plan).
Why Travelers Love It: PIA’s extensive U.S. server network ensures reliable connections for domestic trips.
CyberGhost – Best for Server Variety
CyberGhost’s 9,000+ servers across 120+ countries make it a top choice for travelers needing diverse server options. Its task-specific servers for streaming and torrenting simplify usage.
- Key Features: 7 simultaneous connections, no-logs policy, optimized streaming servers, 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Best For: Streaming and server variety.
- Price: Starts at $2.25/month (2-year plan).
Why Travelers Love It: CyberGhost’s user-friendly interface and streaming-optimized servers make it a breeze to use abroad.
IPVanish – Best for Device Flexibility
IPVanish offers unlimited simultaneous connections and 2,400+ servers in 90+ countries. Its apps are easy to use, and it supports double-hop connections for extra security.
- Key Features: Kill switch, split tunneling, no-logs policy, ad/tracker blocker.
- Best For: Travelers with many devices.
- Price: Starts at $3.33/month (2-year plan).
Why Travelers Love It: IPVanish’s unlimited device support is perfect for families or tech-heavy travelers.
PureVPN – Best for Affordability
PureVPN’s low cost and 6,500+ servers in 78+ countries make it a solid budget option. Its stealth mode helps bypass restrictive networks, and it supports streaming on major platforms.
- Key Features: 10 simultaneous connections, no-logs policy, kill switch, tracker blocker.
- Best For: Cost-conscious travelers.
- Price: Starts at $1.99/month (2-year plan).
Why Travelers Love It: PureVPN’s affordability doesn’t compromise on streaming or privacy features.
Mullvad – Best for Anonymous Payments
Mullvad prioritizes privacy with a unique account-number system and cash payment options. Its 900+ servers in 38 countries are fewer but reliable for privacy-focused travelers.
- Key Features: 5 simultaneous connections, no-logs policy, anonymous sign-up, kill switch.
- Best For: Privacy enthusiasts.
- Price: Fixed at $5.50/month.
Why Travelers Love It: Mullvad’s anonymity and transparency make it ideal for privacy-first travelers.
Hide.me – Best for IPv6 Support
Hide.me offers 2,600+ servers in 85+ countries and excels with both IPv4 and IPv6 connections. Its stealth mode and no-logs policy ensure privacy in restrictive regions.
- Key Features: 10 simultaneous connections, stealth mode, no-logs policy, fast speeds.
- Best For: Tech-savvy travelers in restrictive regions.
- Price: Starts at $3.00/month (2-year plan).
Why Travelers Love It: Hide.me’s modern protocol support and privacy features are great for advanced users.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Travel
When selecting a VPN for travel, consider these factors:
- Server Network: Look for 90+ countries for global coverage.
- Speed: Fast connections are crucial for streaming and browsing.
- Privacy Features: Ensure a no-logs policy and strong encryption.
- Device Support: Check compatibility with your devices and simultaneous connection limits.
- Ease of Use: User-friendly apps are essential for quick setup on the go.
Tom’s Guide emphasizes the importance of obfuscated servers for bypassing censorship, especially in high-risk countries.
A VPN is a must-have for travelers seeking security, privacy, and unrestricted internet access. NordVPN leads for its speed and server coverage, while Surfshark offers unbeatable value. ExpressVPN and Proton VPN cater to beginners and privacy buffs, respectively, and PIA shines for U.S. travelers. Choose a VPN based on your budget, device needs, and travel destinations. With any of these top 10 VPNs, you can explore the world confidently, knowing your data is secure and your favorite shows are just a click away.
