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☞ You’re travelling but you don’t have data? What are your alternatives?

Content

• What do you need wifi for?
• Paying
• Orientation
• Information
• Transportation
• Communication
• Free wifi locations

❓ What do you need wifi for?

Normally, you’ll need wifi to do the following

• money transfers → wallet apps
• orient yourself → map apps
• find out information about opening hours → web surfing
• look up recommended places to eat at → web surfing
• buying transportation tickets → local transportation apps
• checking transportation schedules → local transportation apps
• messaging your travel buddies → communication apps

💰 Wallet apps

• for paying, you normally don’t need a connection, just the tapping will do
• for money transfers, like to repay your friend who paid for the whole meal because the waiter wouldn’t split it, you should be able to wait until you have a chance to access wifi
• if you need to send yourself some money in the local currency, make sure you do it in advance so you have enough for your daily spendings

🧭 Maps

☞ To circumvent data usage with map apps:

• download the maps in advance on your phone, map apps like google maps allows you to do this for most regions, you can even create and save an itinerary in advance
• then your phone will tell you where you are on the map even without data or wifi.
• just plug into any wifi service at your arrival in a new location
  ☞ Alternatively, print out or buy a map of the area you’ll visit.
  ☞ If you get lost, asking a local person for help is also a good option

🧑‍💻 Web searching

• Do this in advance using the wifi in your accommodation.
• So wherever you decide to stay, make sure they provide wifi services. This shouldn’t be too hard, but do double check. Use your time in the morning or at night to plan ahead where you’ll
• If you don’t happen to have that service given to you, consider going to a coffee shop, an internet cafe (they might still be a thing in your location), a McDonalds or Starbucks (they tend to be eerily ubiquitous), or any of the free wifi locations listed below.
  ☞ Asking recommendations from people is also valid. Places to ask are hostel receptions, local bars, the host at your accommodation.

🚌 Transportation

• Download in advance
  • maps of the transportation system
  • schedules
  • you might want to print them
• If you didn’t download a map, bus stations, touristic streets and subways normally have a map and display schedules
• Verify in advance how you can pay for transport tickets
  • Some places like smaller cities might only accept cash
  • Some buses and subway systems, like in London, support credit card payment instead of making you buy a transportation ticket
  • Some places work with apps exclusively, like in ==Florence==?
    • This will require you download them and sometimes register in advance
    • They sometimes require you purchase the transportation titles in advance too, so make sure you can link your bank cards and buy the tickets you need prior to going out

📞 Messaging your travel buddies

☞ This one can be solved a couple different ways

• agree in advance of a reassembly point at a given time
• stay with someone who has data on their phone
• if you need to keep in touch, be mindful of locations that offer free wifi along your way, so that you can check your group chats for updates from time to time
• if you need to contact people back home, agree on times when you’ll contact them

📶 Common free wifi locations

☞ Don’t forget to use a VPN when to protect yourself (check this link for more info)

• train/bus stations or airports
• public transportations stations
• libraries (sometimes with a free subscription)
• museums
• malls or large stores
• sometimes parks, public areas, especially main avenues or touristic spots
• coffee shops (ask in advance to make sure you don’t use your coffee money for nothing)
• McDonalds (yup, even in smaller cities, there’s always one somewhere. They are also good for AC, toilets, and often have electricity outlets. Do consider buying a water bottle or a bag of apples out of curtesy)

Recap

☞ So wether you don’t have wifi, or the connection drops you, know that planning in advance, not panicking, looking around and asking locals are good ways to find a solution to your situation.

Questions & Comments 😄💬 Let’s Chat

☞ Have you ever been in a situation where you needed data?

☞ What are your tips for traveling without data?

☞ Do you travel analog or digital?

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