Free Wifi

 Free WiFi / Internet

On any backpacking journey the quest to find free Wifi will be right up there with food and beer! However finding free internet is not that easy.  You would think every hostel or hotel would offer it, but you are wrong.  Some places give you a intro offer of 100mb (I mean what century are we living in) or charge you a small fortune which soon adds up.

WiFi - New Zealand and Australia

1. All local libraries have free Wifi. They welcome everyone in and you will often find fellow backpackers in there.


2. Join the YHA International

Okay its not free.  However you will get all your money back and save a ton more with the discount you get in all the hostels you stay in all over the world.  Plus you get free unlimited internet.

WiFi - USA

You would be amazed, but the lack of free internet in the states beggars belief.

1. Mcdonalds and Starbucks -  This is the only place we found where it was free and unrestricted.

2. Get a  USA sim card. Not free I know.  If you are in the states for a month or more just sign up to a plan it will save you a ton of time and hassle.

 General  Free - WiFi Tips

1. Bluetooth Hotspot  

1. Some places you visit will charge for the internet and it will cost a fair few quid. However a good way of minimising the cost is to pay for one device.  Then link other people in the group to the one phone via bluetooth.  You can then use the initial device as a rooter for wifi. I know this works on android and is a great mone saving tip. That way a whole group can sponge the internet.

2. Bars and coffee shops have a password for their internet and they do not change it.  Go in once buy a coffee and get the password.  Then in the days after that sit in the street near by and sponge all you want.  This works very well if the bar/shop in question is in close proximity to where you are staying.

Free Illegal/Dodgy WiFi

1. You will find in most places (hotels,motels,anywhere) that it is the route/ computer that is encrypted.  So a simple solution is to pull out their router/phone line and plug in your travel router. This works very well in hotels and motels. A travel router will cost inder £20 quid and is very easy to carry.  Just search Amazon for one. Make sure it is one you plug into the wall.

A general tip - make sure you unplug your router after you have finished and replace it back to normal! On each and every day.

NOTE - If you get caught doing this you will get into trouble, guaranteed! I obviously do not condone this.

Other Tips

Credit Card

 If you are going to take credit cards with you make sure you have a MasterCard and Visa.  Certain cash  machines might only take one or the other.

You are going to need to take money out while abroad.  Well get signed up to a Halifax Clarity Card. It is free money withdrawals from cash machines anywhere abroad.  You don't get charged  on purchases as well.. This is a must have.

Always have a back up card, try and make it the opposite provider as your main one.  A good option is the Tesco Credit Card.This has 19 months interest free.  That way when you purchase you sky jump bungee or whatever just stick it on that card.