VAN LIFE | internet for your campervan
We don’t always like to admit how much we depend on the internet, but the fact of the matter is, we all want it. Whether it is for remote work or just to send a message to a loved one, having internet has become part of our everyday lives. So how can you get internet in your van while you travel? Hopefully this list answers that question for you!
SATELLITE
Starlink has changed the game when it comes to getting internet for vanlifers. From clients of ours that have real-world-data, Starlink works great as long as there is a clear view of the sky. This means it performs great in the middle of nowhere, which is where it is typically the hardest to get a signal.
Starlink is reasonably priced and has a great pause feature so customers are not paying for the months they aren’t using Starlink. This is great for part-time travelers.
One downside we have heard, is that Starlink does not usually perform particularly well in big cities. This is probably due to tall buildings, etc blocking the satellite from a clear view of the sky. Luckily, there are many other options for getting internet in big cities, which we will discuss below.
CELL SIGNAL BOOSTER
Several years ago, while we were traveling in our van, signal boosters like the WeBoost were the hot new thing. The concept of these can be confusing to some people. A signal booster does not create a signal or provide internet like a satellite does. It takes a signal that you are already getting, and boosts it to make it a stronger signal. How the WeBoost works specifically is a signal is captured by a rooftop mounted antenna. That signal is then passed through to an interior antenna inside your van. These boosters can take a single bar and boost it to possibly two, making it easier and/or faster to send or receive text messages.
These can be good since they are a one time purchase with no recurring monthly costs. In our opinion, cell signal boosters can be better than nothing, but they don’t add a ton of value.
PUBLIC WIFI
While traveling, sometimes it can be nice to pop into a cafe or coffee shop to use the internet. It can be a great place to change your surroundings and see some of the local area that you are in. Libraries, internet cafes, coffee shop, and cafes are all great options for public Wifi.
There are a couple of negatives that can come with public Wifi. First, if you’re looking for peace and quiet to work on something, you won’t usually find it in these places. Second, public Wifi isn’t very secure, so if you’re worried about cyber security, this option is not for you.
CELL PHONE DATA
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but as long as your phone has a cell signal, you have internet in your hands. Your cell phone is certainly the easiest way to get internet in your van by turning on your hotspot capabilities and connecting to it.
However, depending on what you are trying to do on the internet, a cell phone hotspot can be slow. It also uses loads of data. Even if you have unlimited data, once you hit a certain threshold, the speed slows down even more, which can be frustrating.
MOBILE HOTSPOT
Mifi devices can be a great option if you are planning on working in urban areas. These devices provide wifi off of cell signal, much like a cell phone. However, the difference is the internet speed. Where cell phone hotspots are slow, these devices are made specifically to be a hotspot, making them much faster.
NO INTERNET
If you spend enough time in your van, you will eventually come to places where there is no internet connection or cell signal. A lot of times you may not know where these areas are until you are in them. If you’re traveling alone or have friends/family that check in on you, it can be good to carry a satellite communicator like the Garmin inReach. These can be great to get a message out to someone about where you are or if you need assistance.