How to Stay Connected While Travelling in a Campervan

Travelling in your campervan is a brilliant way to embark on adventures across the country without sacrificing your homely necessities. Internet access is a major necessity in the modern world and it’s essential for most people, either for their jobs or to stay connected with friends and family.

Modern technology however means you don’t have to sacrifice internet access whilst travelling in your campervan. In this blog, we’ll show you the best ways to access Wifi for campervan travels across the country so you can stay connected when it really matters.

Are you in need of your own campervan? At Auto Finance we offer campervan finance at the best rates on the market.

What internet options are available in a campervan?

You might think being on the road means sacrificing modern amenities, but thanks to the invention of modern technology, you’re able to access the internet from inside your campervan in a number of ways.

Mobile Data

Mobile data is the simplest and most practical way for many campervan travellers to stay connected.  Almost all smartphones have 4G mobile data that allows you to use the internet on your phone or use your mobile as a hotspot to provide internet to your laptop, tablet, and other devices. 

Make sure you have enough data allotted from your mobile data plan before you hit the road in your campervan. Many mobile providers offer data packages specifically for travellers, with ample data allowance and reduced roaming restrictions. If you want to use a significant amount of internet for purposes like streaming or video calls for your job, it’s best to opt for an unlimited data package with no restrictions.

Wifi for campervans

Portable Wifi routers are a brilliant way to get online and provide you with Wifi for campervan travels all over the country. These devices are known as MiFi or dongle devices and give you access to the internet via a SIM card. A MiFi router offers a more stable connection than your phone’s data, scanning for 3G, 4G, and 5G signals that create a hotspot to connect all your devices to for internet use.

Many mobile networks offer specially designed all-in-one portable Wifi routers, or you can purchase a universal device and use your already existing SIM data plan.

It’s important to remember that both mobile data and portable wifi are powered by cellular signals. If you’re travelling off-grid to somewhere with no service, you’ll be unable to access the internet. 

How much does WiFi for campervans cost?

When it comes to campervan Wifi there is no clear-cut cost and the price you’ll pay is determined by a number of factors.

Dongles or MiFi routers are fairly cheap and you can purchase a wireless router for under £20. If you purchase from a provider like Three, deals that include unlimited data and a router start from £22 a month. This is brilliant if you’re on the road a lot and want high-quality internet that powers all your devices. If however, you only go on occasional weekend trips away, a monthly router plan might not be the option for you as it can set you back a hefty amount of data you won’t be using. 

If you are an annual or bi-annual road tripper then using mobile data or mobile hotspots might be a better option. If you already have an unlimited data plan, this won’t cost you any extra money and you’ll be able to connect your devices via your phone’s hotspot. If you don’t have unlimited data you’ll be charged for the amount of data you use, with more gigs costing more. 

Whilst this may be something you have to budget for on each trip, it’s a more cost-effective option compared to monthly Mifi charges and allows occasional travellers to access wifi in their campervan.

If costs are something you’re concerned about during your campervan travels, check out our money-saving travel tips.

How can I save money on campervan Wifi? 

If you’re searching for efficient and cost-effective ways to access campervan internet you’ll be surprised at the solutions there are available.

Data Saving Tricks

To get the most out of your mobile data or wifi, download your content for offline use. For example, if you want to watch a film on a streaming platform, download for offline watching whilst you’re connected to home or free wifi to watch on the road without eating into your data allowance. Ensure any background apps that continue to use data when not in use like social media are also disabled when you’re not using them.

Campervan sites with Wifi Access

Many campervan campsites offer some great benefits including Wifi for free or at a small cost and this can be a brilliant option if you want to avoid the higher costs of portable Wifi. You’ll be able to be in a secure and safe area with access to amenities and a stable Wifi connection where you may have otherwise had no signal on mobile devices. Just be aware that with many travellers at one campsite all using the same Wifi you may experience slower connections. 

Public Wifi 

If you’re stopping off at a service or you’re out and about exploring there should be many places that offer free public Wifi. Shopping centres, coffee shops, and libraries are just a few of the places where you can get online for free. Use any shopping or stop-off opportunities to surf the net at no cost, but be aware public networks are not as secure so you should avoid using things like mobile banking. 

Connect with Auto Finance for campervan finance deals.

Now you know how to get online with camper van wifi, it’s time to learn how you can save on your campervan finance. At Auto Finance, each one of our customers receives a campervan loan with the right repayment rates for them. Even if you’ve been refused finance before, our handy finance calculator tells you how much you’d be expected to pay and at what rates.

If you’re still unsure about campervan finance, our experts are on hand to help answer any questions. If you’re thinking you might want a different vehicle, you’ll also be able to finance caravans and motorhomes through us.