There are various ways you can connect to the internet in an RV, caravan or motorhome, these include 4G / 5G broadband via a mobile network, connecting to campsite WiFi (if provided), or using a satellite broadband service.
In todays connected world it’s more important than ever to have reliable internet connectivity whilst travelling and that includes camping in a tent, campervan or caravan.
So what is the best way to get internet access while you are staying at a campsite or wild camping?
Many of the larger campsites, holiday parks and marinas have installed dedicated WiFi for guests, but not all locations will have WiFi; fear not there are other options you can consider if you need to connect to ‘the world wide web’.
How to connect to the internet in a caravan, motorhome, tent or boat
Check if the campsite, holiday park or marina has guest WiFi available
Check what average speeds can be expected and if there is a charge for access, most of the time connecting to a guest network is the best option, however speed can vary greatly from one campsite to the next. Most campsites & marinas have to charge for WiFi use due to the cost of maintaining guest internet services.
Use your mobile phones 4G/5G connection to connect to the internet if you have a good signal
Check 4G & 5G network coverage in the locations where you are staying or plan to visit. If you can pick up a 4G or 5G signal should be able to get pretty fast mobile broadband. (Remember any data used will come off your allocated data and you may be charged extra for any data you use above your monthly plan).
Buy a MiFi internet device or dongle to get your own portable internet hotspot
With a MiFi device, or MiFi dongle you can take your own personal wifi connection with your wherever you go. Again reliable 4G/5G local coverage is required. (Remember you will need a 4G/5G compatible data SIM card with a payg or pay monthly data plan).
Consider satellite internet if you do wild camping in remote locations where other internet connections are unavailable
Satellite internet services are now much more affordable (BRDY offer a Mbps service for under £30 per month). Initially you might need to buy some specialist kit including a satellite receiver & satellite router to get started. (In theory you could sign up for a home connection and buy extra kit to take with you when you go camping/caravanning if your provider allows this via a single account).
Campsites & marinas with WiFi guest networks
If the campsite, holiday park or marina has guest Wifi, it’s usually straight forward to get online – just connect to the ‘guest’, ‘campsite’ or ‘marina’ wifi network and follow the instructions. Most guest WiFi solutions use a shared internet connection and guest WiFi is often charged for to help cover the WiFi system costs.
The main draw back of guest wifi is that speeds can vary greatly from one place to another. At busy times buffering can be an issue as data and download speeds may be throttled to ease pressures on the network.
Mobile phone internet, how to make your mobile phone a hotspot
It can be viable to turn your mobile phone into a broadband access point. A 4G / 5G signal is essential and you would probably need an unlimited data plan if you plan to use it to provide your main internet connection for more than a few days a month.
Most mobile phones have a ‘make phone a hotspot’ feature in the settings. This allows you to turn your mobile phone into a router to share you phones mobile internet connection with other devices. When you make your phone a hotspot you can connect multiple devices including laptops & tablets just as easily as how you connect to your wireless router at home. Connecting to the internet this way is convenient but it will mean you will be using your mobile data allowance, if you only have a limited data plan it could run out quickly, especially if people are playing online games or streaming content like video & music.
What is MiFi internet and how do I get it?
MiFi is similar to mobile phone internet connectivity, you basically access the mobile data network via a MiFi router. A MiFi router is a small portable router that provides wireless connection to the mobile broadband network. MiFi boxes usually allow you to connect 10 or more devices.
A MiFi box requires its own data sim card as well as a good 4G or 5G signal. Check the 4G/5G coverage at the locations you will be staying to make sure there is reception.
Top Tip: Take your MiFi box with you when you travel (even abroad if you have free data roaming) and share your MiFi ‘mobile broadband’ connection with multiple devices including laptops, tablets and even smart TVs.
You can find a great selection of 4G & 5G MiFi routers and dongles on Amazon. We have selected some of our favourites below, all feature rechargeable batteries so they are fully portable.
Prices for a 4G MiFi router start at under £40 so they are affordable, even if you only buy one and use it as a backup plan.
Check out some of our favourite 4G MiFi routers available to buy on Amazon below.
TP Link M7000 4G+ – MiFi portable router, rechargeable, SIM card slot, connect up to 10 devices speeds up to 150Mbps
From £34.99
TP Link M7350 4G – MiFi portable router, rechargeable, SIM card slot, connect up to 10 devices speeds up to 50Mbps+
From £62.90
TP Link M7450 4G+ – MiFi portable router, rechargeable, SIM card slot, connect up 32 devices seeds up to 50Mbps.
From £99.00
4G MiFi routers available from Amazon UK – prices are provided as a guide and may vary. MiFi boxes will require a sim and data plan to connect to the 4G / 5G mobile network.
Prices for 5G MiFi routers are more expensive starting at around £150 for the cheapest solution, however as more manufacturers release new routers the prices are likely to become more affordable.
Check out some of our favourite 5G MiFi routers available to buy on Amazon below.
ZTE U50 5G MiFi Router – Portable, rechargeable, SIM card slot, connect up to 32 devices speeds over 1500Mbps
From £150.00
ZTE MU5120 5G MiFi Router – Portable, rechargeable, SIM card slot, connect up to 64 devices speeds over 1500Mbps.
From £239.95
