Whether you are traveling domestically or overseas, there will likely be times during your trip or vacation that you will want to access the Internet. In today’s culture, most of us simply don’t have the option nor the desire to be completely unplugged for very long. Depending on where you are, however, you might not know where you can go to get a wifi connection. The good news is that in many places, free wifi is actually quite easy to find. Here are some ways that you can go about looking for a free or cheap wifi connection while on your travels:
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Remember the tried and true. Some chain stores and restaurants offer free wifi. Two that just about everyone knows about are McDonalds and Starbucks. Some Dunkin’ Donuts offer the same, as do some Burger Kings, Chick-Fil-As and other fast food establishments. Some nicer eateries do as well, such as cafes and delis. If you’re hungry or ready for a drink anyway, you might as well bring along your laptop and log online at the same time.
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Don’t be afraid to ask at other places. There are many establishments that offer free wifi to customers, even it isn’t advertised. For example, if you need work done on your car while you’re traveling, the dealership or shop might have wifi in the lobby. Shopping malls also often have free Internet access, and you don’t even have to buy anything. Just call first to avoid lugging in your laptop for no reason. And don’t forget truck stops! Most offer wifi, and it’s usually free. City halls and community centers also often offer this complimentary service.
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Go to the library. Libraries offer Internet access to their patrons. You don’t need a library card; it’s just free for the taking. Even if you come upon a library and it’s closed, it doesn’t hurt to sit outside with your laptop to see if the wifi is on, if you really need to check something online.
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Stay somewhere cheap. While it might not make sense to many of us, oftentimes, lower-cost motels offer free wifi to their guests, while those of a higher caliber (and price) charge $10 to $20 or even more for the same access to their guests. Save money on lodging and on wifi by choosing a low-cost chain. Confirm when booking that wifi is freely available.
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Log in from the airport. Not all airports offer free Internet, but some do. If you need to catch up on some work before your flight or if you have a long layover, call ahead to see if the Internet access at the airport is free. If not, you might consider switching to a nearby airport that does offer the service. This can be a good way to not lose an entire day’s worth of work just because you’re flying. Once you’re on the plane, you might be able to take advantage of free wifi, or you might be able to access it for a fee.
More and more establishments and public places are offering free wifi. There may be a day when it’s freely available to everyone, no matter where they are. Until then, though, you can usually find a place fairly easily that will allow you to log on for no charge.
