The best travel routers
A pocket router turns one hotel login into a private network for all your devices, and can run a VPN for all of them.
A travel router connects to hotel or Airbnb Wi-Fi (or an Ethernet jack) once, then shares that connection on your own private network, so your devices connect automatically everywhere you go. The GL.iNet Beryl AX is the best for most people; the Slate 7 adds Wi-Fi 7 and a touchscreen; the Opal is the budget pick. Need the internet itself, not just Wi-Fi? See the best mobile hotspots.
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The picks
GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000)
Small, fast and powered by USB-C, so a laptop charger or power bank runs it. VPN speeds are good enough for streaming.
Worth knowing: No battery; it needs a power source.
Check price →GL.iNet Slate 7 (GL-BE3600)
Wi-Fi 7 and a small touchscreen that shows connection status and toggles the VPN without opening an app.
Worth knowing: Costs more, and you need Wi-Fi 7 devices to benefit from the faster Wi-Fi.
Check price →GL.iNet Opal (GL-SFT1200)
Does the basics for much less: hotel login once, private network for all your devices, simple VPN.
Worth knowing: Slower VPN speeds and older Wi-Fi.
Check price →Our picks compared
All three run GL.iNet's firmware, so setup and VPN options look the same across them. The Slate 7's touchscreen lets you check status and switch VPN on or off without opening the app.
| GL.iNet Beryl AX | GL.iNet Slate 7 | GL.iNet Opal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Ports | 2.5G WAN, 1G LAN | 2.5G WAN, 2.5G LAN | 1G WAN, 2 x 1G LAN |
| Power | USB-C | USB-C PD | USB-C |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes | No |
| Best for | Most travelers | Fast hotel and Airbnb connections | Lowest price |
What to look for
GL.iNet dominates this category because its routers run a friendly version of OpenWrt with built-in VPN clients, captive portal handling and tethering. TP-Link and Asus also sell travel routers, with fewer features.
- Wi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7. Older Wi-Fi 5 travel routers struggle with fast hotel and Airbnb connections.
- Ethernet ports: at least one WAN and one LAN port. Many hotels still have a wired jack at the desk, and it's often faster than their Wi-Fi.
- USB-C power: lets you run the router from a laptop charger or power bank.
- VPN support: WireGuard is faster than OpenVPN on small routers. Check the router's published VPN speed.
- USB port: for a phone tether or a 4G/5G USB modem when there's no Wi-Fi to use.
- Size: pocket-sized models run warmer and slower; slightly larger models handle more devices.
Travel router, hotspot or phone?
For RVs and vans, a travel router also pairs well with Starlink Mini: plug it in by Ethernet adapter to share one network inside the vehicle.
Many travelers carry both: a hotspot or phone plan for when there's no Wi-Fi, and a travel router to make hotel Wi-Fi faster and private. Our international travel eSIM guide covers data abroad.
| Travel router | Mobile hotspot | Phone hotspot | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needs existing Wi-Fi | Yes (or Ethernet) | No, uses cellular | No, uses cellular |
| Devices | Many | Many | A few |
| VPN for all devices | Yes | Some models | No |
| Best for | Hotels, Airbnbs, RV parks | Road trips, no Wi-Fi | Short trips |
Setting up a travel router at a hotel
The first connection takes about five minutes, and after that your devices join the travel router's network automatically wherever you go. You only repeat the hotel login on the router.
Streaming on the hotel TV? Bring a stick: see the best streaming devices. Worried about public Wi-Fi in general? See do you need a VPN.
- Plug the router in and connect your phone or laptop to its Wi-Fi.
- Open the router's admin page or app and choose "Repeater" to scan for the hotel network.
- Join the hotel network. If a login page appears, complete it in the router's app or a browser on your connected device.
- If the login page doesn't appear, turn on the router's MAC cloning option so the hotel sees your laptop's address, then try again.
- Turn on the VPN if you want it, and check speeds with a quick speed test.
Security on public Wi-Fi
Hotel and café networks are shared, so anyone on the same network can potentially see unencrypted traffic or probe your devices. A travel router adds a firewall between the public network and your devices, which blocks that kind of probing. Most websites and apps now use HTTPS, which protects the content of what you send.
A VPN on the travel router, from a service like NordVPN, adds another layer by encrypting all traffic before it leaves your private network. It also helps with streaming apps that check your location, though some services block known VPN servers. Our VPN router guide explains the speed cost.
Travel routers with Starlink Mini and RVs
In an RV or at a campsite, a travel router can take a connection from Starlink Mini's built-in Wi-Fi, a campground network or a phone hotspot, and share it on one network your devices already know. Starlink Mini already includes a Wi-Fi router, so you don't need a travel router for it on its own. One helps when you switch between sources or want a VPN on everything.
For a larger rig, a router with an external antenna or a dedicated RV mesh may cover more space. Our Starlink Mini review and best mobile hotspot guide cover the other parts of a travel setup.
Using a travel router abroad
Most travel routers run on USB-C power, so the only thing you need abroad is a plug adapter for your USB-C charger; nearly all chargers accept 100 to 240 volts. Check the router's Wi-Fi region setting after you arrive, since some channels differ between countries, and update its firmware before you leave.
In some countries, hotel and café networks block VPN connections or certain protocols. If the VPN won't connect, try a different protocol in the router app, or a different server. For mobile data abroad, a travel eSIM on your phone, tethered to the router by USB, often works better than roaming. Our travel eSIM guide compares options.
Cruise ships, planes and trains
Cruise ships usually limit Wi-Fi by device, so a travel router that clones one device's address can let a family share one paid login. Check the cruise line's terms first; some prohibit it. On planes, in-flight Wi-Fi is too slow for most travel router benefits, and most airlines also limit by device. Our Wi-Fi on a plane guide explains what to expect.
Trains in the US and Europe often have Wi-Fi with a login page. A travel router handles it the same way as a hotel. If the train Wi-Fi is slow, tethering the travel router to your phone usually works better.
Battery and power
Most travel routers run on USB-C power at 5 to 15 watts, so a phone charger or a 20,000mAh power bank can keep one running for a full day. The GL.iNet Slate 7 uses more power than the Beryl AX because of its Wi-Fi 7 radios, so check the charger rating before you pack a small one. On a plane or train, power from a seat USB-A port may be too weak; bring a USB-C charger.
How we picked
We chose current models with recent firmware, VPN client support, USB-C or low-voltage power and strong published reviews. More in how we research.
Questions
Do travel routers work with hotel login pages?
Yes. Most GL.iNet routers detect the login page; you sign in once from your phone and the router shares the connection.
Is a travel router worth it?
If you travel with more than two devices or stay in hotels often, yes. It also lets streaming sticks and game consoles work on hotel Wi-Fi.
Can a travel router use cellular data?
Not these models. Cellular models exist, but a mobile hotspot is usually better.
Do I need a travel router if I have a phone hotspot?
Not always. A phone hotspot works for one or two devices on short trips. A travel router is better for longer stays, for families with several devices, and for using hotel Wi-Fi instead of your mobile data.
Can I use a travel router at home?
Yes. GL.iNet's larger travel routers work as small home routers or as a VPN router behind your main one, but they cover less space than a full-size router.
- Maker product pages, specifications and support documents, checked Oct 29, 2026
- Published reviews and lab tests from independent outlets, noted in the text where used
Our picks are based on specs, maker documentation and published lab tests, noted where used.
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.