The Best VPNs for Travellers in 2026

Today, travelling with a digital device has become unavoidable, whether it’s a laptop, a phone, or a tablet. We are constantly connected to the web, and the amount of personal information we store on these devices is immense, often without even realizing it. Think of all the passwords, bank accounts, and credit cards stored on your phone!

NordVPN - Avoid scam, phishing and malware - Get 75% off plus 3 months extra

For these reasons, a VPN (virtual private network) is strongly recommended for travellers. It allows you to connect securely to Wi-Fi anywhere in the world, while protecting your personal data from prying eyes.

The Best VPNs for Travellers in 2026 - Travellers VPN

How Do VPNs Work?

A VPN secures your online data by encrypting it using specialized protocols. These ensure fast, secure transmission of information.

The encrypted data is then routed through a secure server, protecting it against any interception. A VPN also masks your location and allows you to connect to servers in other countries.

Why Are VPNs Useful for Travellers?

While travelling, you often connect to public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in hotels, airports, or cafés. However, these networks are extremely vulnerable, as they are far less secure than private networks.

Avoid accessing your bank account on a public network, as your login credentials and passwords could be easily intercepted. Fortunately, a VPN allows you to encrypt your data and browse securely on these public networks.

A VPN also allows you to bypass geographic restrictions. For example, if you are working remotely from abroad, you may need to connect to servers as if you were in Canada.

In addition, streaming services such as Netflix or Prime Video offer different content depending on the country. With a VPN, you can make these sites think you are in Canada and enjoy your favourite series just like at home.

What Makes a Good VPN?

To choose a good VPN, here are the elements to consider:

Security and encryption: The VPN should use recognized encryption protocols (such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2) to protect your online data.
Device compatibility: Make sure the VPN is compatible with all your devices (computers, phones, tablets, etc.) and can be used on multiple devices at the same time, depending on your needs.
Servers and geolocation: A good VPN should offer a wide range of servers in different countries to bypass geographic restrictions.
Speed and performance: The VPN should not significantly slow down your internet connection.
Privacy policy: Check that the provider has a clear and transparent privacy policy. Choose a VPN that follows a no-logs policy.
Price: Free VPNs can pose risks in terms of security and privacy. A paid VPN is often more reliable and provides better data protection.
Trial period or money-back guarantee: A provider that offers a free trial or a money-back guarantee allows you to test its services before committing long term.

Comparison of the Most Popular VPNs

In the highly competitive VPN market, three providers stand out for their popularity:

Let’s analyze each of them and compare their features.

–	NordVPN	Surfshark	CyberGhost
Features
Number of servers	+7,100 servers in 111 countries	+3,200 servers in 100 countries	+9,400 servers in 100 countries
Simultaneous connections	10	Unlimited	7
Speed	Very fast	Fast	Fast
Protocol	NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Security	AES-256 encryption, double VPN	AES-256 encryption, double VPN	AES-256 encryption
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, routers
Regular annual price (basic plan)	$176 + taxes	$322.35 + taxes	$56.94 + taxes
Promotional annual price	$77 + taxes	$66 + taxes (for the first 15 months)	$56.94 + taxes (for 2 years)
Free trial	30 days	7 days	24 hours
Money-back guarantee	30 days	30 days	45 days

Compare

Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuation: $350Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card ^+* Card^MC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

NordVPN

NordVPN is the most popular VPN provider on the market. It uses its own encryption protocol, NordLynx, a faster and more efficient version of WireGuard.

With more than 7,100 servers across 111 countries, NordVPN offers maximum security, bypasses geographic restrictions, and delivers high speeds for streaming.

NordVPN offers monthly, annual, and two-year subscriptions, along with four subscription tiers: Basic, Plus, Premium, and Ultra.

Prices start at $6.39 CAD + taxes per month. Annual and two-year subscriptions offer better value. To read our review of the product and current promotions, see this link.

The Best VPNs for Travellers in 2026 - nord vpn

Surfshark

Surfshark, a popular VPN, offers enhanced security with military-grade encryption and advanced features for added protection. It also uses the WireGuard protocol to ensure a fast and secure connection.

With more than 3,200 servers across 100 countries, Surfshark allows you to bypass geographic restrictions. Unlike many competitors, Surfshark offers unlimited connections for all your devices.

Its subscriptions are available for one month, one year, or two years, with three plans to choose from: Starter, One, and One+. The basic plan costs CAD 4.39 + taxes per month, with discounts available for longer-term plans.

To discover current prices and offers, click on the following link.

The Best VPNs for Travellers in 2026 - surfshark

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a VPN known for its ease of use and its extensive network of more than 9,400 servers across 100 countries, which is significantly more than other providers. It allows simultaneous connections on up to seven devices and offers 500 GB of free cloud storage.

Subscriptions are available in three options: monthly (USD 12.99 per month + taxes), six months, or two years. The pricing is attractive for long-term commitments. There is no plan available for a one-year term only.

For current rates and ongoing promotions, follow this link.

The Best VPNs for Travellers in 2026 - CyberGhost

What Is the Best VPN for Travellers?

The Milesopedia team has personally tested NordVPN and Surfshark. Marie-Ève uses Surfshark during her long stays abroad, while Jean-Maximilien works with NordVPN from Canada and France.

Ultimately, the main VPN providers offer similar products. If you want to connect more than 10 devices at once, Surfshark is your best option, as it allows unlimited connections. Additionally, it is the cheapest provider during promotional periods.

If you perform speed-intensive tasks such as video calls or downloading photos and videos, NordVPN is the provider that slows down your connection the least. It is also the most comprehensive in terms of features and customer support.

For streaming enthusiasts, CyberGhost stands out with its dedicated (streaming) options. In addition, it uses military-grade encryption for enhanced protection. Finally, access to 500 GB of cloud storage is included with the subscription, which is convenient for backing up large numbers of travel photos.

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Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $120
Our valuation: $500Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$500Total$500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.; Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$500Total$500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer: Up to 50,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers an excellent welcome bonus.

Until November 1, 2026, you can earn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points, broken down as follows:

30,000 Scene+ points by charging $2,000 in purchases to the card within the first 3 months
20,000 Scene+ points by making $7,500 in purchases on the card in the first year

This represents a value of up to $500 for travel (including Airbnb).

With the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, you earn 6 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà par IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! grocery stores. FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

Also, you earn 5 points per dollar for:

Grocery stores
Restaurants
Entertainment centers

And 3 points per dollar on gas, transit and streaming services purchases.

You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card also offers no foreign transaction fees, excellent insurance for your travel or purchases, concierge service, exclusive American Express benefits like the Front of the Line program.

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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year and the value of foreign transaction fee savings as of May 22, 2026:

$300 in travel rewards (30,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Gold American Express Cardholders who make purchases totaling $2,000 in the first 3 months

$200 in travel rewards (20,000 bonus Scene+ points) for making purchases totaling $7,500 in the first 12 months

$59 in foreign transaction fee savings based on the average annual amount of foreign currency purchases made per account over the last 24 months (saving on the 2.5% foreign transaction fee typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$398 corresponding to the potential value of points earned in the first year (38,500 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made, per account, over the last 24 months, assuming an average spend of 28% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 6X, 5X and 3X points.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $957 (rounded to $950)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and rewards earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer Description and Conditions: The 50,000 Scene+ points offer (the « Offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Gold American Express credit card accounts (the « Accounts ») opened between July 2, 2026, and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account), subject to the conditions below. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.

To qualify for the 30,000 bonus Scene+ points (the « 30,000 Bonus Points Offer »), you must make eligible purchases totaling at least $2,000 within three months of the account opening date. To qualify for the 20,000 additional bonus Scene+ points (the « 20,000 Additional Bonus Points Offer »), you must make $7,500 in eligible purchases on your new account during the first year (twelve months). Eligible purchases mean purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and exclude payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the Annual Bonus: Bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account within approximately eight weeks after you qualify for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 30,000 bonus points and the 20,000 additional bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000 or $7,500) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months or the first 12 months). If a supplementary cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 30,000 bonus points or the 20,000 additional bonus points, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. Points can be transferred between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, co-borrower or supplementary cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not delinquent, the credit limit is not exceeded, and the holder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement applicable to the account. All other program terms and conditions continue to apply during the Offer period. The Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.

Eligibility and exclusions: You are not eligible for the Offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or if you have been within the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are eligible for this Offer.

Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $120 for the primary card and $29 for each additional card (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates currently applicable to the account are: 21.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions).
Rates, fees, features and benefits, which are described in the application statement, are subject to change.