My New Favorite Travel Companion

If you travel internationally, you know what a hassle it can be to get online without racking up huge roaming charges. Lots of people buy a local SIM card but they're not always available and many devices don't take them. Plus, a new SIM means a new phone number...more hassle!

Many of my travel-planning clients ask about connectivity for their upcoming trips to France...and I'd been wondering for a while about those mobile hotspots that you can rent for travel. They create a WiFi signal wherever you are, for when there's no WiFi and you don't want to use your own 3G or 4G. Such as? In a car, on a bus or train, in a rental house, on the street or in any shop or restaurant without WiFi. Or, where the WiFi is so slow it makes you nuts.

When my client Joyce Rothenberg--a tour operator who brings groups to France--used one on her recent trip and told me it was fantastic, I knew I wanted to give it a try. So I got myself one from Travel WiFi...and to get it back they'll have to pry it from my clenched little fists. I love this thing!

Prices depend on the length of your trip, starting at 6€ per day (for 30 days). A seven-day rental is 48€; a three-day rental is 30€.  Readers of Provence Post will get a 10% discount by using the link below. 

If you're thinking oh no, not another gadget with cords and adapters and complicated instructions...this isn't like that at all. In fact the company clearly set out to make the process as easy and pleasant as possible. Hey, your little hotspot arrives in a small flat box with a cookie in it. How many companies send you shortbread just for fun?

The device itself is tiny--smaller than a deck of cards--and the instructions are super easy. Basically, you use the little cord to charge it as needed...then input the password that appears conveniently on the back of the device...and off you go, browsing the web, downloading emails, sending photos and more, all at 4G speed. (If 4G is unavailable in your area, you'll get 3G or 3G+.) If you know where you're going in France, you can check the coverage map here.

Most clients order their hotspot once they know their travel dates...and have it sent to wherever they're staying in France: hotel, hostel, private home, rental. (For the time being, the company only ships to France.) Or, you can reserve one and pick it up at Travel Wifi's office in Paris....where, the website says, you'll be offered a cup of coffee and lots of Paris travel tips! If your rental starts on a weekend when the office is closed, they'll find a way for you to get it. 

When you're done, you pop it into the box and into the pre-paid envelope and send it back.

Travel WiFi's devices work with laptops, tablets and smartphones. They're totally wireless: toss it in your purse or backpack, leave it on the dashboard, keep it in your pocket. Use is totally unlimited: you can suck up as much data as your heart desires with no hidden fees or small print or exceptions. And you can share your connection with up to nine other devices at the same time. Yep, the whole family can be online at once. Two families!

Considering that data access while roaming can cost up to 10€ per MB depending on the country and plan, the daily rental price really seems like nothing. Think of the time we've all spent on the road, searching for a good WiFi signal...time that could be spent doing just about anything else. And given that you're not changing your SIM, your phone number stays the same...another big bonus, in my book.

It is possible to buy (rather than rent) personal hotspots, for roughly 100€ to 200€. But then you'll need a different SIM card and subscription for every country you visit. For most travelers, a short rental is a far better option. I assume these devices are now available for rental all over the world, but the Travel WiFi one works only in France; beyond that you're on your own.

There are quite a few companies that now offer the same type of device but I had a super positive experience with Travel WiFi...so I'm really happy to recommend it to anyone coming to France. And because I know how y'all love a deal, I asked company co-founder Jonathan Justman to give you a 10% discount and of course he said ''bien sur!'' So be sure to book by clicking here or you won't get the discount.  You're welcome!

Questions: contact@travel-wifi.com, tel +33 (0)1 76 44 00 30.