The idea of camping was to leave the modern and busy world behind and enjoy a couple of days of total disconnection from work and technology.
But since nowadays work follows most of us everywhere we go, I understand why camping without an internet connection would be anything but relaxing.
Therefore, if nobody can convince you not to bring your laptop on the camping trip, it’s worth going through the options you have to get wifi.
Here’s how you can easily get internet access while camping:
- Use your mobile phone for tethering
If you have enough data allowance, this is by far the easiest solution
- Use a USB data dongle
Very useful for a single device connection only. $30 will keep you going for a long time.
- Mobile modems for camping
Great for sharing an internet connection and a 4G device can offer quite impressive speeds.
- Make use of the campground Wi-fi
Most campgrounds will offer internet access that is included in the price you pay.
- Satellite internet
Perhaps this is the only option if you’re camping in remote areas. It can get very expensive though.
Now let’s explore all the options in detail and see which one suits your needs.
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Mobile tethering on a campsite
Having lots of data allowance on your mobile means that hotspots are the easiest solution to get wifi while camping.
You can connect up to 10 devices to one hotspot and your internet-addicted friends will love you for sharing the password.
You need to check first if your mobile carrier will charge you extra for using hotspots. Some may have these hidden fees that you may not be aware of.
Another thing to keep in mind whilst doing this is that hotspots will very quickly drain your phone’s battery. It does it so fast that you’ll only get 6-8 hours from a full charge.
Therefore make sure you switch it off when not using it and perhaps carry with you a power bank.
Although it works great, you are still relying that your carrier will have great coverage where you’re going to camp.
You should be able to go to their website and check their coverage map before leaving.
Recomended for:
- browsing
- checking social media
- low data usage internetwork
Not recommended for:
- Streaming movies (Netflix, Prime Video etc.)
- Watching Youtube on high resolution
- Uploading/Downloading large documents/videos
USB Dongles
You can usually get one for around $30 and this will get you at least 15GB of data allowance, but this amount will vary greatly from carrier to carrier.
It is recommended if possible to choose a carrier that can offer you a 4G device to make use of these much-improved connection speeds.
Although is relatively easy to use one, you only need to plug it and run their preinstalled software, there are some downsides to using one.
First, you can’t share your connection. Meaning that you’ll only have internet access for one device only.
Secondly, you can only connect it to a device that accepts USB. That means mobile phones and tablets can’t benefit from this.
It has been noticed that some old devices could overheat after prolonged usage and they can stop working or greatly reduce their performance.
Like mobile tethering, you need to know that you’ll have good coverage on your camping location. It’s important to check this especially if you’re planning a trip to a remote location or woodland.
Recomended for:
- browsing
- checking social media
- low data usage internetwork
- streaming videos and movies on medium quality
Not recommended for:
- Streaming movies (Netflix, Prime Video etc.) on high quality
- Watching Youtube on high resolution
- Uploading/Downloading large documents/videos
Mobile modems
You’ll need one of this if you want to share an internet connection.
Their working principle is the same as for a USB dongle stick, although some devices have to be plugged into 120V socket to power them.
This shouldn’t be an issue if you’re RV camping or your campsite has electricity hookup, but in the wilderness, this can be a problem.
You should expect to pay around $60 dollars for a 4G device only.
You can then look for an offer from different mobile operators and get a prepaid internet SIM card.
Like all other SIM card based devices, check the coverage before you buy your SIM.
Recomended for:
- browsing
- checking social media
- low data usage internetwork
- streaming videos and movies on medium quality
Not recommended for:
- Streaming movies (Netflix, Prime Video etc.) on high quality
- Watching Youtube on high resolution
- Uploading/Downloading large documents/videos
Use the campground wi-fi
I can guarantee that 8 out 10 camping grounds will offer wi-fi in their package.
And this is good news, as you don’t need to buy other devices and the connection is straightforward.
However, there could be some issues.
Depending on the size of the campground, signal strength can be one issue. The further away you are from the router, the weaker it will get and the more frustrated you’ll become.
This is where a wi-fi booster could help a lot.
They are very cheap nowadays, $25 will get you a decent device.
But even a wi-fi booster won’t be able to solve the other issue that can arise:
To many people are connecting to the access point.
There is no way around this. You’ll either connect and live with the misery of very poor internet speed, or, the router will decline your connection until a free spot is available.
Satellite internet for remote camping
This used to cost you a fortune back in the days to install.
And you had to rely on luck to have a clear line with a satellite to get good service.
Nowadays, satellite internet providers like HughesNet can get you up and running in no time and for as low as $60 a month.
It’s worth exploring this option if you know you’re heading out to “no man’s land” often.
You can easily get download speeds up to 25Mbps, meaning that since Netflix only requires a 1.5Mbps connection, you can enjoy watching your favorite series in the middle of nowhere.
Frequently asked questions:
The simple ways to boost a wi-fi signal on a campsite is to use a wi-fi booster or repeater.
The internet speed really depends on the service and coverage provided by your network carrier. You can get high speeds if you are in a 4G/5G coverage area.
The Alfa WiFi Camp Pro 2 Mini fits all the requirements of a quality wi-fi router and signal extender.