WiFi Internet Access In Caravans & Motorhomes

The BEST ways to get internet in a caravan, motorhome, tent or boat

1. Check if the campsite, holiday park or marina has guest WiFi

   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.

2. 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).

3. Buy a MiFi internet device or dongle for your own portable internet hotspot

   With a MiFi device, or MiFi dongle you can take your own personal wifi connection with you 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). 

4. 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.