Digital Life for Travelers 2026: eSIMs, VPNs, Online Banking & Working From Anywhere

The digital side of travel we cover in depth — eSIMs that work everywhere, VPNs that unblock streaming and protect public Wi-Fi, multi-currency banking that doesn't charge you abroad, and the tools that make working remotely actually possible.

10 Reviews published

4 VPNs tested

5 eSIMs compared

2026 Latest prices + promos

From our writers

The digital-side of travel — tested abroad

There are many online banks, but I signed up for the most popular Wise and Revolut. Yes, both of them. I wanted to test them side by side. Both do the job, but they feel very different.

— Locals Insider Team in Revolut and Wise Compared: Which Did I Choose and Why? · Banking

All Locals Insider writers use VPNs regularly as frequent international travelers. To write this article, I asked each of our writers which VPNs they use and why, and I requested feedback about the pros and cons of using a VPN on the road. Personally, I've been using NordVPN for the past three years and can't recommend it enough.

— Locals Insider Team in Best-Rated VPNs for International Travel 2026 · VPN

Editor’s quick picks

A handful of editor-chosen articles to start with — each tagged with why we picked it (new, unique, trending, local, or just one we like).

Privacy Proton VPN deals and promo codes Up to 70% off on the strongest privacy VPN Budget Surfshark VPN free discount codes Pricing, coupons and unlimited-devices feature reviewed Editor used NordVPN bonus: 3 months free Best discount overview + current promo codes Practical Best VPN services for secure browsing For free and open internet — secure browsing + streaming

From the 2026 lists

The one pick in each digital-life category

If you only install or sign up for a few things in 2026, make them these — the picks that actually pay back the time spent setting them up.

Best VPN overall NordVPN Speed + streaming + servers Fastest VPN ExpressVPN Best for streaming + 4K Best free VPN Proton VPN Genuinely usable free tier Best budget VPN Surfshark Unlimited devices, ~€2/mo Best for travel Top VPNs for travelers Tested on real public Wi-Fi Best VPN promo codes Free plans + 86% off Updated monthly NordVPN best deal 3 months free Plus full discount overview Best multi-currency card Revolut vs Wise Editor compared both Best travel eSIM Airalo The 200+ country standard Unlimited-data eSIM Holafly For heavy streamers Best secure browsing VPN + private DNS Our setup guide Most-Googled VPN NordVPN review Honest deep-review

Off the beaten path

Not-so-obvious picks

Two of our most-read editorial deep dives in this category.

Banking · 14 countries tested

Revolut vs Wise: a year side-by-side, here's which I chose

Our editor signed up for both Wise and Revolut and tested them side by side — for hotel deposits, in-restaurant card payments, money transfers, currency exchange. Both do the job, but they feel very different. Wise is a utility focused on moving money at low cost; Revolut feels like a fully fledged digital bank with trading, eSIM, lounge access, and tiered benefits. Which one wins depends entirely on how you actually use it.

Locals Insider review Read the full Revolut vs Wise comparison → VPN promos · updated monthly

The free VPN plans that work — and the 86%-off codes for the paid ones

VPN pricing is a moving target. The list price almost no one pays; the introductory deals are constant; the actual best value comes from the 2-year and 3-year promotional rates that drop to €2-3/month equivalent. We track current promo codes and free-tier limits across the major providers so the article is genuinely up-to-date.