Travel WIFI reviews: Cost, speed, pros & cons

Looking for the best way to stay connected during your trips? Staying connected during our travels has become a necessity. For remote workers or frequent travellers, it’s a must. To help travellers, many companies have developed services that offer data anywhere in the world. Today, we want to talk about one of the most popular ones. We’ve gathered Travel WiFi reviews to explain how it works and whether it’s a good alternative for your trips. 

We’ll also discuss its rates, coverage, and compare it to some competitors. Join us in this review to learn everything about this company, which promises to give you data in over 130 countries.

What’s TravelWiFi and how does it work?

Let’s start at the beginning—do you know what TravelWiFi is? It’s a company specializing in providing portable connectivity solutions for travellers. It’s part of DHI Telecom, a renowned internet service provider with a long history. 

Though originally focused on offering connectivity to the USA military and the Department of Defense, it later shifted towards commercial use. Thanks to this evolution, TravelWiFi has established a global presence with advanced technological infrastructure. 

How does TravelWiFi work? To simplify, the user purchases or rents a pocket WiFi device, turns it on, and it automatically connects to the best available mobile network. It uses CloudSIM technology, allowing it to be used in over 130 countries without the need to change SIM cards.

TravelWiFi Review: Plans and Prices

Before diving into TravelWiFi’s plans and pricing, it’s important to clarify that you need to buy a pocket WiFi device to use their data. They offer several options to choose from: 

• Sapphire 2: Connects up to 5 devices simultaneously. Available for $149.
• Sapphire T2: Same features as the Sapphire 2, but with improved speed and network stability. Priced at $179.
• Sapphire 3: Connects up to 10 devices at once with long battery life. Costs $249.
• Sapphire 5G: The most advanced model, offering 5G connection and up to 12 hours of battery life. Available for $399.

Choosing the right one depends entirely on your connectivity needs. These devices are also available for rent.

Now that we know a pocket WiFi device is required—whether rented or purchased—let’s explore the data plans the company offers. TravelWiFi provides flexible options with plans for days, weeks, or months. Travellers can easily pick one that suits their connectivity needs.

The available plans and their prices vary depending on the country or region where they’ll be used. To give you an idea of the rates, here are some of the options listed on their website:

• Global plans

• 3 GB for 30 days: €48.01 ($49.93)
• 5 GB for 30 days: €69.75 ($72.54)
• 8 GB for 30 days: €106.89 ($111.17)
• 10 GB for 30 days: €122.29 ($127.18)

• Europe plans

• 2 GB for 30 days: €32.61 ($33.91)
• 5 GB for 30 days: €37.14 ($38.63)
• 10 GB for 30 days: €52.54 ($54.64)
• 40 GB for 30 days: €82.43 ($85.73)

• France plans

• 2 GB for 1 day: €11.78 ($12.25)
• 3 GB for 7 days: €18.12 ($18.84)
• 4 GB for 15 days: €24.46 ($25.44)
• 6 GB for 30 days: € 32.61 ($33.91)
• 12 GB for 30 days: € 42.57 ($44.27)
• 40 GB for 30 days: € 72.47 ($75.37)
• 70 GB for 30 days: € 86.96 ($90.44)

• Thailand plans

• 2 GB for 7 days: € 4.53 ($4.71)
• 4 GB for 15 days: € 6.34 ($6.59)
• 8 GB for 30 days: € 8.15 ($8.48)
• 15 GB for 30 days: € 9.96 ($10.36)
• 20 GB for 30 days: € 13.59 ($14.13)

Is it a competitive option? If we compare these rates to other pocket WiFi services, they seem fairly average. However, the cost per GB is quite high. So, if you use a large amount of data, there may be better options for your needs.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

TravelWiFi review: Rental, delivery, and return times

As mentioned, you need a pocket WiFi to use the service this company offers. Unlike other similar providers, TravelWiFi stands out by allowing rentals. This eliminates the high initial cost you’d pay with other services. It’s a great advantage, especially for short trips.

The rental process is quick and easy. You can rent through their website. Choose the device, destination, and data plan before ordering. TravelWiFi offers delivery to homes, hotels, and stores worldwide. 

Rental prices vary depending on the duration and data volume. In Barcelona, rates start at €6.94 ($7.29) per day for 10 GB. They require a €140 ($149) deposit. The deposit is refunded once the device is returned, either at a designated drop-off point or by mail. 

If the device is damaged or lost, TravelWiFi will charge the deposit. In addition, you’ll be penalised if you return it later than the agreed date.

TravelWiFi coverage and connection speed

One of the most important factors when choosing an internet service for your travels is coverage. TravelWifi covers over 130 countries. It collaborates with top-tier network partners. This guarantees a stable signal in cities or populated areas.

However, if you’re planning to visit rural or remote regions, it’s best to check coverage before your trip. Coverage may be limited. It doesn’t work at sea, as cruise connectivity is satellite-based and not compatible with pocket WiFi.

Regarding connection speed, TravelWifi offers 4G LTE data networks. Performance can vary depending on the coverage quality in each area. In theory, speeds reach up to 100 Mbps in motion and up to 1 Gbps in stable conditions. In practice, typical download speeds are around 18.6 Mbps, and upload speeds are 9.0 Mbps. 

Remember that external factors, such as weather conditions or network congestion, can significantly affect performance. Moreover, user reviews suggest that the number of devices connected—up to five—can also influence the speed. 

Battery life review of TravelWiFi devices

Being able to rely on the battery of the device used to stay connected during travels is essential. Finding outlets isn’t always easy. For TravelWifi devices, battery life ranges from 6 to 28 hours. It depends on the model purchased or rented and the number of devices connected.

Is this a lot or a little? Six hours is quite limited. Other models from competitors offer longer durations, making it insufficient if you don’t want to rely on outlets. However, some of TravelWifi’s devices provide better battery life and are more suitable for trips.

A positive aspect of TravelWifi pocket WiFi devices is that they can be recharged via USB, allowing you to charge them in various environments. Additionally, extra external batteries are available, so you don’t have to rely on power sources.

Alternatives to TravelWifi

A fair review of TravelWifi wouldn’t be complete without comparing its service to other competitors. Is it better than other similar options? The truth is, TravelWifi faces strong competition, and some of these companies have solid reputations among travellers. To help you decide if it suits your needs best, let’s explore some similar solutions:

Holafly Plans

Let’s start with Holafly Connect, another great option for staying connected while travelling. However, it works differently from TravelWifi. Unlike TravelWifi, Holafly Connect does not require a pocket WiFi device. It works through an eSIM, making it perfect for avoiding the hassle of carrying an extra device. It offers coverage in over 170 countries and provides three plans: 

Its main advantage is that it offers unlimited data in more than 170 countries, with different plans depending on the user’s needs:

• Unlimited Plan: Ideal for digital nomads or long-term travellers. €64.90 ($67.90) per month.
• 25GB Plan: For those who want to avoid worrying about data usage but don’t require extensive connectivity. € 49.90 ($ 51.19) per month.
• 10GB Plan: Best for short trips or those who don’t need frequent connectivity. It costs €39.90 ($40.93).

All three plans can be activated and cancelled anytime, with no long-term commitment. Additionally, Holafly Connect offers 24/7 customer support in multiple languages.

Solis WiFi

Another alternative to TravelWifi is Solis WiFi. It offers coverage in over 135 countries and works with its own pocket WiFi devices. Unlike TravelWifi, it doesn’t allow rentals. Solis WiFi provides several data plans:

• Global Day Pass: Unlimited data for 24 hours. Price: €9 ($9.90) per day.
• Global Pay-Per-GB: Ideal for occasional data users. Price: €12 ($12.90) per GB.
• Unlimited Global Subscription: Non-stop internet access all round the world. Price: €99 ($109) per month.

TravelWifi vs. HippocketWiFi review

Are you mainly travelling around Europe? In that case, HippocketWiFi could be a great choice for you. It’s a French service offering pocket WiFi rentals with coverage in nearly all European countries. Its plans adapt to different travel profiles:

• €4.95/day ($5.50) for a 1 GB plan.
• €6.95/day ($7.70) for unlimited data.
• Monthly plans from €60 ($66) for 30GB of data.

TravelWifi reviews: Pros and cons

Here’s a quick comparison of TravelWiFi’s pros and cons. Seeing them laid out like this will help you make a better decision and help you decide if you consider it to be the best portable WiFi for travel:

Plans that may interest you

eSIM China

From

$6.90

USD

eSIM Germany

From

$6.90

USD

Belén Grima

Read full bio

Related reading