In most countries, yes — using a VPN is perfectly legal. A handful of countries restrict or ban them. Using a VPN doesn't make otherwise-illegal activity legal, though.

Will a VPN slow down my internet?

A little, always — encryption and routing add overhead. But with a fast modern protocol like WireGuard and a nearby server, the drop is usually small enough that you won't notice it for browsing or streaming.

Which VPN is best for streaming?

NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the most reliable all-rounders for unblocking streaming services in our testing, with Surfshark a great value option for households. See our Streaming category for the full ranking.

What does 'no-logs' mean, and can I trust it?

A no-logs policy means the provider doesn't record what you do online. Trust it most when it's been verified by an independent third-party audit — which the top providers on our list have completed.

How did you rank these VPNs?

We score every VPN against the same five criteria — speed, privacy & no-logs, streaming, servers & apps, and price — and no provider can pay for a higher ranking. See "How We Rank" above.

All research goalsUse Case · Travel

Best VPNs for Travel in 2026

VPNs with a wide server spread, reliable connections on hotel and airport Wi-Fi, and easy apps for keeping access to home services while you travel.

See the Top 5

A good travel VPN gives you servers close to wherever you land, dependable performance on untrusted networks, and simple apps across all your devices. These picks make it easy to secure public Wi-Fi and keep reaching the services you rely on at home.

Reviewed by Alex Carter, Lead VPN Analyst & EditorUpdated June 2026How we rank

Best All-Round

NordVPN

The best all-round VPN

4.9

18,400 reviews

A large, well-distributed network with fast speeds and a solid kill switch — a dependable all-round travel companion.

Blazing-fast NordLynx (WireGuard) speeds

Independently audited no-logs policy

Reliably unblocks Netflix & more

Threat Protection, double VPN, dedicated IP

Month-to-month plan is pricey

From $3.39/moGet 75% Off + 3 Months Extra Get NordVPN Read full review

Editor's Choice

ExpressVPN

Premium, reliable, effortless

4.7

14,200 reviews

Servers in a very wide range of countries with famously simple apps — great when you just want it to work abroad.

Extremely consistent speeds & reliability

Unblocks almost everything

Audited no-logs, RAM-only servers

Apps for every device, easy to use

The priciest on our list

From $4.99/moSave 80% + 2 Years with 4 Months Free Get ExpressVPN Read full review

Best Value

Surfshark

Unlimited devices, unbeatable value

4.6

11,800 reviews

Unlimited devices on one plan, so the whole family's gear is protected on the road for a single price.

Unlimited simultaneous devices

Very affordable long-term plans

Fast WireGuard speeds

CleanWeb ad/tracker blocking

Bigger server-count claims than rivals

From $2.19/moGet Surfshark Read full review

Best for Privacy

Proton VPN

Privacy-first, open-source, Swiss

4.5

8,600 reviews

Privacy-first and Swiss-based, a strong choice for travelers who prioritize security on unfamiliar networks.

Open-source apps, independently audited

Strong Swiss privacy jurisdiction

Genuinely usable free tier

Secure Core & Tor-over-VPN options

Free tier limits servers/speed

From $3.59/moGet Proton VPN Read full review

Best for Beginners

PureVPN

Affordable, audited, easy to use

4.2

7,100 reviews

A big country list at a budget price — good value for frequent, cost-conscious travelers.

Affordable long-term plans

Always-on independently audited no-logs

Large network across 70+ countries

Simple, beginner-friendly apps

Speeds trail the top picks

From $2.11/mo82% Off + 3 Extra Months Get PureVPN Read full review

25+

VPNs tested

Scoring criteria

1,000+

Speed tests run

Monthly

Rankings updated

Independently researched · Reviewed by Alex Carter, Lead VPN Analyst & Editor · Updated June 2026

What to look for in a Travel

What matters most when researching VPNs for travel.

Global server spread

Servers in enough countries to find a fast, nearby option wherever you go.

Public Wi-Fi security

Strong encryption and a kill switch for hotel, cafe, and airport networks.

Ease of use

One-tap connect and clean apps you can rely on from a phone abroad.

Multi-device support

Cover your phone, laptop, and tablet on the same subscription.

Best VPNs for Travel — Compared

How our top picks for travel stack up side by side.

	NordVPN#1	ExpressVPN#2	Surfshark#3	Proton VPN#4	PureVPN#5
Our Rating	4.9	4.7	4.6	4.5	4.2
Price	From $3.39/mo	From $4.99/mo	From $2.19/mo	From $3.59/mo	From $2.11/mo
Servers	6,400+ in 110+ countries	3,000+ in 105 countries	3,200+ in 100 countries	8,800+ in 110+ countries	6,000+ in 70+ countries
Devices	10 simultaneous	8 simultaneous	Unlimited	10 simultaneous	10 simultaneous
No-Logs Audit	Yes (independent)	Yes (independent)	Yes (independent)	Yes (open-source)	Yes (always-on)
Streaming	Excellent	Excellent	Very good	Good (paid)	Good
Money-Back	30 days	30 days	30 days	30 days	31 days
	Get NordVPN	Get ExpressVPN	Get Surfshark	Get Proton VPN	Get PureVPN

Frequently Asked Questions

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a location you choose. This hides your IP address and activity from your ISP and networks, and lets you appear to browse from another region.

Top Pick for Travel

NordVPN

4.9

The fastest VPN we tested thanks to its NordLynx protocol, with a huge server network, independently audited no-logs policy, and rock-solid streaming support.

Get NordVPN

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