How to Get Internet in Your Van Without Too Much Hassle

On-the-go internet is easier than you think

Brianne Sandorf
Jul 21, 2022
bullet3 min read

We may earn money when you click our links.

We haven’t tried digital nomadism (pretty sure that one time our coworker was stuck working from Spain with COVID doesn’t count). But we’ve chatted with enough digital nomads to know that when you live a rover’s life, internet is key for work and security.

There are multiple ways to get internet in your van without major technical know-how or backbreaking work. We’re sharing the solutions we think are the best.

Mooch off free Wi-Fi

Hassle rating: super easy

Plenty of libraries, churches, and retail stores offer free public Wi-Fi! When visiting civilization, just park as close as you can to any of these buildings and dip into the Wi-Fi supply.

The downsides to this one are pretty clear—you won’t have constant Wi-Fi access when you’re on the road or out in the wilderness. So you’ll need to plan your work schedule around your trips into town.

You’ll also want to be careful about what you do on public Wi-Fi. Going public makes you more vulnerable to having your devices hacked or your personal information stolen. For example, we don’t recommend banking or shopping on a public network, and we strongly suggest using a VPN.

Piggyback on your phone’s mobile hotspot

Hassle rating: super easy

If your phone has a hotspot, then you’re in luck. Use your devices in tandem with your phone for internet access anytime, anywhere.

Well … almost. Your hotspot won't have any juice when your phone doesn’t have reception. Also, this will drain your phone’s battery super quickly. Keep it plugged in!

Boosters and extenders
bullet

Cell signal boosters and Wi-Fi extenders come up a lot in van life internet discussions. If you’re not getting great cell reception, you can use a signal booster to help strengthen your signal. If you already have internet in your van, you can use an extender to create a bigger patch of internet service. But sadly, neither of these devices creates Wi-Fi signals out of nothing.

Buy a separate portable hotspot

Hassle rating: pretty easy

Don’t want to strain your phone? You can still get a hotspot from a portable hotspot device, like this one from NETGEAR that connects to up to 32 devices.

You can easily get a hotspot for less than $200, but you might have to pay a recurring monthly service fee depending on what SIM card it takes. That makes this approach much more costly than public Wi-Fi or a personal hotspot.

Install a router in your van

Hassle rating: not as easy

Get that van life internet by installing a Wi-Fi network yourself!

Yeah. There’s no Wi-Fi fairy to do it for you. But don’t worry; it’s not too hard.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

  1. Add an external antenna to your van.
  2. Put a router inside (any reliable router is great, whether it’s a Nest Wifi Mesh Router, a NETGEAR Nighthawk, or a TP-Link Archer).
  3. Buy a SIM card so that your router has LTE connectivity.

And hey presto! Once you’ve put all these things together, you’ll have your very own portable Wi-Fi network.

DIY van internet is called Mi-Fi (short for mobile Wi-Fi).

The main drawback? If you take your van to an area with no coverage for your SIM card, you’ll lose your Wi-Fi. Welp.

SIM card provider
bullet

Your internet SIM card doesn’t have to be from the same provider as your phone. In fact, you might want to go for a different provider, just so your internet reception and cell reception aren’t the same. (You have to have some way to call roadside assistance.) On the other hand, you might be able to get a good deal with your existing phone package. Talk to your phone provider before making a final decision.

Sign up for satellite internet

Hassle rating: not as easy

The best way to get constant, reliable internet for your van is to go the satellite route.

Setting this up is similar to setting up a router. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Get a portable satellite dish for your van (which dish you should get depends on which service you go with).
  2. Put a receiver inside (ditto).
  3. Purchase a satellite internet package from a provider.

Up until now, we’d say this approach is a major hassle. It’s hard to add a whole satellite dish to your van without it looking like it just drove out of Twister. And aesthetics aside, it’s an invitation for thieves, so you’d have to hardcore secure that puppy.

But Starlink recently came out with easy portable satellite dishes that you can store in your car and set out when you’re stopped. Or you can check out its newest technology, Starlink Roam, which allows you to get internet access on the road.

Recap

To get an internet connection in your van, try any of these suggestions:

  • Mooch off of free Wi-Fi: It’s free! It’s just not as reliable or safe as other options.
  • Piggyback off your phone’s mobile hotspot: It’s quick and easy, but it takes a toll on your phone.
  • Buy a separate portable hotspot: Give your phone hotspot a break— just know you may not always have data.
  • Install a router in your van: It works well, but it requires more effort.
  • Sign up for satellite internet: You’ll have internet access for daaaays (as long as you’re stationary).

None of them is a huge hassle, and all offer a way for you to stay connected as a van lifer.

For when you're not in the van read about how to get faster internet at your air bnb.

Now that you know how to get a van internet connection, look at one for your home.

Learn about internet speed

Van internet FAQ

That’s a tricky question. It really depends on where you travel, what type of work you do, how flexible your work is, and your boss and coworkers’ time zone.

If you can do your work whenever and have flexible deadlines, any of our solutions should be okay.

But if you have a stringent schedule, then a more reliable option (like Mi-Fi) is best.

Brianne Sandorf
Written by
Brianne Sandorf
Brianne has a degree in English and creative writing from Westminster College and has spent 6+ years writing professional, research-based content. Before joining Reviews.org, she wrote safety and security content for ASecureLife.com. Her pieces and quotes are published across the web, including on MSN.com, Social Catfish, and Parents.com. Hobbies include wearing a seatbelt, wearing a life jacket, and keeping her arms and legs inside the ride at all times. Contact her at brianne@reviews.org.

Related Articles

A man with dark hair and a beard pays bills on his laptop while lying on a couch
5 Best Internet Deals of December 2023
Save money with the best home internet deals this month, including Xfinity deals, AT&T deals,...
A young Asian woman sits at a wooden table with her laptop
6 Best Fiber Internet Providers 2023
Read our review to see the top fiber internet providers and gigabit plans based on...
Frontier Internet Review 2023
Is Frontier FiberOptic or DSL internet worth it? Read our Frontier review to learn more...
Compare Unlimited Internet Plans Without Data Caps
Compare Unlimited Internet Plans Without Data Caps
If you don’t let anyone slow you down, you’ll be pleased by our list of...