Today, travel doesn’t require visitors to leave behind all of their creaturecomforts. Even backpackers headed for the loneliest outposts in South America or Southeast Asia will still be able to find Wi-Fi here and there. So long as travelers have access to the right charging adapters, tech might be an important part of the journey.
 
Still, for remote and mainstream travellers alike,there’s one question that usually requires a bit of research: will your destination have Wi-Fi? And, if they do, is it functional enough for video streaming or video calls? While it might seem like an odd question for those heading to major cities, even the most rigorous Wi-Fi networks are subject to lag, especially if there are many guests sharing the same network.
 
Let’s take a closer look at whether or not you need a portable Wi-Fi device or a mobile hotspot for your travel needs. We’re covering the most importantpoints that you’ll need to consider before making a decision.

Length of Trip
 
The longer the trip, the more likely you are to rely on a strong Wi-Fisignal. This might fall back on work responsibilities; even remote workers might need to jump on a call and want to avoid lag. It might simply be about creature comforts, too, like being able to stream your favorite
TV shows when homesickness hits.
 
That might even be the case for games too. For example, a poker player couldbe looking forward to an upcoming online tournament… only to realize it’s scheduled during their trip. Rather than put all of their studying and hard work at the poker table to waste, travellers with a Wi-Fi device can easily compete at thevirtual tables. All they need is their Wi-Fi device, a smartphone, and a comfortable place to set up shop. No need to cut a trip short to enjoy the game.
 
Immersion
 
That being said, having a Wi-Fi device in your back pocket might change youroutlook on a trip. If you’re heading on a shorter trip, then consider leaving the Wi-Fi behind in order to immerse yourself more deeply in your surroundings. This is especially true if you’re heading to another continent to explore a culture you know little about. Wi-Fi, in this context, could be a distraction
from a truly immersive experience.


Ruggedness
 
Let’s follow up our point on immersion with another Wi-Fi-adjacent topic:the ruggedness of travel. If you’re planning to leave the beaten path behind and truly delve into the great outdoors, a Wi-Fi device might be more of a burden. Though most are small, they tend to be heavy, just like smartphones and cameras.
 
On top of that, you need to consider how you’ll charge your device. Theaverage camping site doesn’t offer any type of charging station, which means you might be lugging around a dead electronic device for days on end. Make sure that if you do plan on using your devices while out in nature, you have all the necessary tools to recharge your electronics and keep them safe from the elements.

Purpose
 
Immersion and ruggedness aside, a core part of your trip might be to focuson connecting with those you meet and even working on creative or humanitarian projects. In other words, if the purpose of your trip is to launch a new project, you’re probably going to need the internet to do research, share documents, get feedback, and upload media. Unsurprisingly, a Wi-Fi device is
the best way to ensure you stay connected.
 
Above, we outlined how a Wi-Fi device allows you to play your favorite games and TV shows—or even compete in a pokertournament. Let’s look at another example. If you’re traveling to West Africa, say, to learn more about traditional dances, then youprobably need to capture and upload dozens of videos. Rather than waiting to get home to do so or heading to a Wi-Fi café, a Wi-Fi device will let you do the exact same thing straight from the comfort of your lodging
 
 

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