If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Europe, you need to stay connected. While you can purchase mobile data bundles on your phone, portable WiFi hotspots tend to offer better speeds and improved connectivity.
There are many ways to access WiFi during your trip to Europe. You can buy a device with global coverage or rent a mobile internet device for the duration of your stay. You can also opt for satellite internet if you’re spending time in rural and remote areas on the continent. Alternatively, you can just use one of the best esim apps for internet access listed here.
How to Get Fast WiFi in Europe: Best Travel Hotspots Tested (2026)
The following five wifi options have been tried, tested, and approved by Local Insiders, and will keep you connected to fast, reliable internet during your European adventure. By the way, here we recommend Copenhagen and Paris this year.
1: NETGEAR Nighthawk: Number One Travel Hotspot for Europe
- From $499.99
NETGEAR’s Nighthawk is well worth considering if you’re a frequent traveler. Set it up and use it in over 140 countries (including most of Europe) and benefit from WiFi 7, which is 2.4x faster than WiFi 6.
You can operate the device with a NETGEAR eSIM, a physical SIM, or a third-party eSIM from a company such as Holafly or Airalo. This gives you the flexibility to purchase country-specific or European regional bundles at a price point that makes sense to you.
While NETGEAR promises up to ten hours of battery life, you’re likely to get slightly less than this, so be sure to keep your charger handy.
As a brand, NETGEAR is renowned for its excellent security, and this device comes with built-in firewall protection, WPA3 encryption, and automatic firmware updates to keep you safe while browsing.
Another big draw of the Nighthawk is that you can connect up to 32 devices at once, more than all the other travel hotspots we introduced here. While it’s certainly not the cheapest out there, NETGEAR’s Nighthawk is hard to beat.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.0/5.0 (5,020+ reviews) |
“As a travel device for the internet, this thing is really awesome. The battery life is about 4-8 hours, depending on what you use it for. It’s (also) easy to charge in the car.” Alex Foxe – Amazon Buyer.
2: Hippocketwifi: The Best WiFi Rental Service for Groups
- From $5.90 per day
Rather than buying an expensive device, Hippocketwifi lets you rent mobile WiFi for the duration of your stay in Europe, starting at just $5.90 per day. You pre-order it before leaving home, and the WiFi will be delivered to your hotel or place of work on arrival (three-day delivery is free, express one-day delivery costs $12).
You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, making it great for the whole family or for a digital nomad running a remote business.
You can choose between 4G and 5G pocket WiFi, or upgrade to 5G Pro for the fastest possible connection. The latter also lets you access 20 devices simultaneously, making it best suited to business owners.
As an example of costs, if you opt for 14 days or more of unlimited 4G pocket WiFi across Europe, you will pay $8.25 per day. Long-term rental plans are offered for 30 days or more, starting at $60 per month.
On your day of departure, place your WiFi in the prepaid envelope provided and drop it in the nearest post box. It’s really that simple.
| ⭐️Google Rating | 4.8/5.0 (1,265+ reviews) |
“We have used the Hippocket service three times now on various European journeys and cannot fault the process of delivery, return, and service. Signal strength was never an issue through Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Italy, and Austria.” Tony C – Google Reviews
3: Starlink Mini Kit: Best Satellite Internet Option
- From $249.00
Instead of dialling into WiFI during your European adventure, Starlink’s Mini Kit offers high-speed portable satellite internet across the continent.
It’s about the size of a laptop, so you can conveniently pack the kit into your day bag. In most parts of Europe, it provides downstream speeds of over 100 Mbps, which is suitable for most internet use cases.
Starlink is operational and available in most European countries with very few exceptions (Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Russia, & Belarus).
After purchasing and setting up the mini kit, you’ll need to subscribe to access the Starlink satellites. A Roam 50GB subscription starts at $67 per month, or you can upgrade to unlimited coverage for $130 per month.
One of the great things about Starlink is that you can use it when you return home, which could make it a decent long-term investment.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.2/5.0 (795+ reviews) |
“So nice to have WiFi access with HD TV streaming while camping in our RV. Very easy setup, the built-in router works very well and has a very good range.” Nancy Brennan – Amazon Buyer
4: Simo Solis Pro: Best for Battery Life
- From $299.99
The Simo Solis Pro caught our eye because of its exceptional battery life, up to 48 hours on a single charge. This makes it a great option if you’re camping on your upcoming trip through Europe and will be spending some time off-grid.
The device also features a built-in power bank (8,000mAh), so you can charge your phone or tablet as you travel.
As soon as you set up your Simo Solis Pro, you will receive 1GB for free for life, so even if you don’t buy a package, you can use the device for simple browsing or important communication when you’re away from home.
Before leaving for your trip, purchase a data bundle directly from Simo. These work in over 140 countries and deliver high-speed data through your device.
We recommend the global unlimited data subscription, which auto-renews every 30 days for $99.00. It gives you 20GB of high-speed data, then slower connection speeds after that. You can connect up to 20 devices simultaneously to your Simo Solis Pro.
| ⭐️Amazon Rating | 4.0/5.0 (2,990+ reviews) |
“The connection remains stable even in areas where other devices tend to struggle. Apps run smoothly, web browsing feels snappy, and streaming is surprisingly seamless. Battery life is another major win.” James Alexander Lugtu – Amazon Buyer
5: Holafly: Share Data on Your eSIM
- From $49.99 per month
Instead of buying or renting a portable WiFI device for your upcoming trip, you can rely exclusively on an eSIM like Holafly.
Purchase and activate the eSIM before leaving home and subscribe to a plan. Then, when you get to Europe, turn on your personal hotspot to share your device with your traveling companion.
This saves you the cost of buying a WiFi device and means you don’t need to carry anything extra. Just be mindful that leaving your personal hotspot on can drain your battery, so it’s worth keeping a power bank in your daypack.
We recommend Holafly because of its good-value bundles. You can purchase an unlimited plan, which gives you unlimited data and the option to hotspot without restriction for $64.90 per month.
If you’re happy with just 25GB of data, Holafly’s light plan should do the trick, priced at $49.99.
| ⭐️Trustpilot Rating | 4.6/5.0 (78,540+ reviews) |
“It was easy to choose the right plan as it covered the three countries we visited. Unlimited data was really useful and helped us to stay connected.” Susan Ayre – Trustpilot
Which Are the Best Portable WiFi Hotspots for Europe?
There are many different ways to stay connected while traveling through Europe. You can buy or rent a device, purchase a bundle to fit your preferences, and dial in to unlimited WiFi throughout your travels. If you’ve still not made your mind up, use our comparison table to help you decide:
| Product | Price | USP | Best suited for? |
| NETGEAR Nighthawk | From $499.99 | Supports SIM & eSIM, connects 32 devices, boasts strong security features | Large groups needing the fastest speeds |
| Hippocketwifi | From $5.90 per day | Affordable rental hotspot delivered to you with unlimited data plans for Europe | Families wanting simple shared internet |
| Starlink Mini Kit | From $249.00 | Satellite internet that works almost everywhere – it’s portable with fast speeds and usable across Europe | People traveling to remote areas with limited mobile coverage |
| Simo Solis Pro | From $299.99 | Outstanding 48-hour battery life, built-in power bank, and reliable connectivity across Europe | Off-grid travelers looking for reliable internet with good battery life |
| Holafly eSIM | From $49.99 per month | Access unlimited data through hotspot sharing while in Europe | Solo travelers and couples looking to avoid extra hardware |
Do portable WiFi hotspots work across all European countries?
Most modern travel hotspots — including NETGEAR, Solis, and rental services like Hippocketwifi — work across the majority of EU countries and the UK. However, coverage can vary in parts of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Always check the provider’s country list before purchasing or renting.
Is a portable WiFi hotspot better than an eSIM in Europe?
It depends on your needs. Hotspots are usually better for families or groups because multiple devices can connect at once. eSIMs are often cheaper and more convenient for solo travelers. Many digital nomads use both: an eSIM for everyday use and a hotspot as backup.
Do I need to register my hotspot SIM in Europe?
In most cases, no additional registration is required if you buy a global data plan or rent a pocket WiFi device. The provider handles network access. However, if you purchase a local physical SIM in certain countries, ID registration rules may apply.
Will portable WiFi work on trains and in rural Europe?
Yes — but performance varies. In major cities and along high-speed rail routes, 4G/5G coverage is generally strong. In remote mountain regions, islands, or rural Eastern Europe, speeds may drop. Satellite options like Starlink are better for truly off-grid locations.
How much data do I need for a Europe trip?
For light use (maps, messaging, email), 5–10GB per month is usually enough. For streaming, video calls, or remote work, plan for 20GB+ or unlimited data. Families sharing one hotspot should strongly consider unlimited plans to avoid throttling.
Are portable WiFi hotspots allowed on airplanes?
Yes. Portable WiFi devices are allowed in carry-on bags on most airlines because they contain lithium batteries. Like power banks, they must not be packed in checked luggage. During the flight, the hotspot must remain turned off or in airplane mode until permitted by the crew.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a pocket WiFi for Europe?
Short trips (under 2 weeks) are often cheaper with rental services like Hippocketwifi. Frequent travelers or digital nomads usually save money by buying their own device and using flexible data plans.
