Best VPNs for Travel in 2026: Complete No-Nonsense Guide
Did you know that Google is blocked in 19 countries around the world? China, Russia, Iran, United Arab Emirates — and the list grows. Without a VPN, in some destinations you can't even open Gmail. But not all VPNs work the same, and some are pure advertising.
We've tested 15 VPNs in 8 different countries to give you the ones that REALLY work.
The 5 best VPNs for traveling (2026)
1. NordVPN — The most balanced
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | €3.50/month (2-year plan) |
| Servers | 6,200+ in 111 countries |
| Speed | Very fast (95% of the original) |
| Devices | 6 simultaneous |
| Guarantee | 30 days |
Why #1? It works in China (with obfuscated mode), has servers optimized for streaming, and the price is unbeatable.
Ideal for: Travelers who want a VPN that does everything right.
2. ExpressVPN — The most reliable
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | €8.33/month (1 year plan) |
| Servers | 3,000+ in 105 countries |
| Speed | The fastest on the market |
| Devices | 8 simultaneous |
| Guarantee | 30 days |
Why #2? The most reliable in countries with strong censorship. If you go to China, Russia or Iran, this is the one to buy.
Ideal for: Travelers to destinations with strong censorship.
3. Surfshark — The cheapest
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | €2.30/month (2-year plan) |
| Servers | 3,200+ in 100 countries |
| Speed | Quick |
| Devices | Unlimited |
| Guarantee | 30 days |
Why #3? Unlimited devices — use it on your mobile, laptop and tablet without worrying. And it is the cheapest.
Ideal for: Families or travelers with multiple devices.
4. CyberGhost — The easiest to use
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | €2.10/month (2-year plan) |
| Servers | 11,500+ in 100 countries |
| Speed | Good |
| Devices | 7 simultaneous |
| Guarantee | 45 days (longest) |
Why #4? Super simple interface, ideal if you are not tech savvy. And 45 days warranty.
Ideal for: VPN beginners.
5. Astrill VPN — The premium for China
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | €10/month |
| Servers | Optimized for China |
| Speed | Excellent |
| Devices | 5 simultaneous |
| Guarantee | 7 days |
Why #5? If you are going TO CHINA, this is the one you need. The only one that works consistently in the Great Firewall.
Ideal for: Travelers to China who need 100% guarantee.
Quick comparison
| VPN | Price/month | Speed | China | Guarantee | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | €3.50 | ★★★★★ | ✅ | 30 days | 6 |
| ExpressVPN | €8.33 | ★★★★★ | ✅✅ | 30 days | 8 |
| Surfshark | €2.30 | ★★★★☆ | ⚠️ | 30 days | ∞ |
| CyberGhost | €2.10 | ★★★★☆ | ❌ | 45 days | 7 |
| Astrill | €10 | ★★★★★ | ✅✅✅ | 7 days | 5 |
For which country do you need VPN
| Country | Do you need a VPN? | Recommended VPN |
|---|---|---|
| China | MANDATORY | Astrill or ExpressVPN |
| Russia | Yes | NordVPN or ExpressVPN |
| Iran | Yes | ExpressVPN |
| United Arab Emirates | Yes (for VoIP) | NordVPN |
| Türkiye | Recommended | NordVPN |
| Thailand | Not necessary | Any |
| Japan | Not necessary | Any |
| Europe | Not necessary | Any |
How to configure your VPN (step by step)
Step 1: Buy the VPN (2 minutes)
- Enter the VPN website
- Choose the longest (cheapest) plan
- Pay with card or PayPal
Step 2: Install the app (3 minutes)
- Download the app from the official website
- Log in
- Save your password in a manager
Step 3: Configure servers (2 minutes)
- Add to favorites: Japan, Singapore, USA
- Activate obfuscated mode (if you go to China)
- Test the connection
Step 4: Ready to fly!
- Sign in before opening Google/WhatsApp
- If it does not connect, change the server or protocol
- Keep the VPN active whenever you need Western internet
Mistakes that everyone makes
- Do not install it before arriving: In China you cannot download it
- Use free VPNs: They are slow, they sell your data and they don't work in China
- Do not try before: Some do not work in certain countries
- Use for streaming only: A VPN is security, not just Netflix
- Forgetting to activate it: Without VPN, Google does not load in China
Free VPNs that you should NOT use
- ❌ Hello VPN: Sell your bandwidth
- ❌ Betternay: Collect your data
- ❌ SuperVPN: Malware detected
- ❌ TunnelBear: 500MB/month limit
Golden rule: If it's free, YOU are the product.
VPN Checklist
- ☐ VPN purchased before flying
- ☐ App installed on all devices
- ☐ Saved favorite servers
- ☐ Obfuscated mode activated (if you go to China)
- ☐ Tested at home — works correctly
- ☐ Password saved in password manager