A travel router with built-in VPN support can make hotel, Airbnb, airport, and other temporary internet connections much easier to manage. Instead of connecting each device individually to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks, you can connect the travel router once and then use your own private network for your laptop, phone, tablet, streaming device, or other equipment.

The VPN feature adds another layer of convenience. A compatible travel router can connect directly to a VPN service, allowing multiple devices to use the VPN without installing a separate VPN application on each one.

Travel routers are not all alike, though. Some prioritize portability, some offer faster VPN performance, and others add features such as cellular connectivity or Wi-Fi 7.

What Is a VPN Travel Router?

A VPN travel router is a small router designed to create a personal network while you’re away from home.

Instead of doing this:

Hotel Wi-Fi → Laptop

you can create:

Hotel Wi-Fi → Travel Router → Your Devices

If the router is configured as a VPN client, the connection can become:

Hotel Wi-Fi → Travel Router → VPN Server → Internet

This setup is particularly useful when traveling with several devices.

You only need to configure the VPN on the router instead of installing and signing into a VPN application on every device.

What to Look For in a Travel VPN Router

Portability is important, but it shouldn’t be the only consideration.

Look for:

Feature	Why It Matters
VPN client	Lets the router connect to your VPN provider
WireGuard	Useful for modern, high-performance VPN connections
OpenVPN	Broad compatibility with VPN services
Repeater mode	Lets the router connect to existing Wi-Fi
Ethernet WAN	Useful in hotels with wired internet
USB-C power	Convenient when traveling
Small size	Easier to pack
Device management	Helps control which devices use the VPN
Firmware updates	Important for security and compatibility

A router with excellent Wi-Fi specifications but poor VPN processing performance may not be a good travel VPN router.

1. GL.iNet Beryl 7

The Beryl 7 (GL-MT3600BE) is one of the newest travel routers in GL.iNet’s lineup and is specifically designed around high-speed portable networking.

It uses Wi-Fi 7 and has two 2.5GbE ports. More importantly for VPN users, GL.iNet lists maximum VPN performance of up to 1,100 Mbps with WireGuard and up to 1,000 Mbps with OpenVPN-DCO under its test conditions.

The router also supports USB 3.0, USB-C power delivery, multi-WAN functionality, and more than 120 connected devices according to the manufacturer.

That combination makes the Beryl 7 particularly interesting for travelers who don’t want to sacrifice VPN performance for portability.

Good for: Travelers who want high VPN performance in a compact router.

2. GL.iNet Slate 7

The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) takes a slightly different approach.

It is a Wi-Fi 7 travel router with dual 2.5GbE ports and a built-in touchscreen. The touchscreen can provide quick access to network information and VPN controls without constantly requiring you to open a browser-based administration page.

GL.iNet lists WireGuard speeds of up to 490 Mbps and OpenVPN-DCO speeds of up to 385 Mbps in client-mode testing.

The touchscreen is particularly convenient when traveling because you can quickly check the router’s status or switch VPN configurations.

Good for: Travelers who want a modern interface and easy on-device controls.

3. GL.iNet Slate AX

If you don’t specifically need Wi-Fi 7, the Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) remains an interesting travel option.

It uses Wi-Fi 6 and supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN. GL.iNet lists maximum client-mode VPN speeds of approximately 550 Mbps for WireGuard and 560 Mbps for OpenVPN with DCO under its testing conditions.

The Slate AX is also built around OpenWrt, giving advanced users more flexibility than a basic hotel travel router offers.

It can be useful for remote workers who need to connect several devices while traveling without carrying a full-size home router.

Good for: Remote workers who want strong VPN performance without moving to a larger router.

4. GL.iNet Opal

The Opal (GL-SFT1200) is an older, more basic travel router option.

Its biggest attraction is simplicity. It provides a compact form factor and can be used to create a personal network when traveling.

It doesn’t compete with newer Wi-Fi 7 models in raw performance, but travelers who mainly need a basic VPN-enabled network may not need the newest hardware.

Good for: Basic travel networking and users who don’t need the latest Wi-Fi generation.

5. GL.iNet Slate 7 Pro

For travelers who want substantially more performance, the Slate 7 Pro (GL-BE10000) is a high-end option.

It uses tri-band Wi-Fi 7 and includes a touchscreen. GL.iNet lists VPN performance of up to 1,100 Mbps using WireGuard and up to 1,000 Mbps with OpenVPN-DCO in client-mode testing. It also supports VPN obfuscation and more than 30 commercial VPN services.

This is more router than many casual travelers need. Still, it can make sense for people who travel frequently and regularly perform demanding tasks such as video conferencing, large file transfers, or high-resolution streaming.

Good for: Power users and frequent travelers who want maximum travel-router performance.

Why WireGuard Matters for Travel

A travel router has limited hardware compared with a full-size home router, so VPN efficiency matters.

WireGuard is particularly attractive because it is designed around a relatively lightweight architecture.

If your VPN provider supports WireGuard and your travel router does too, it is worth considering when performance matters.

OpenVPN remains useful because of its broad compatibility. Some routers also support OpenVPN-DCO, which can improve performance compared with older implementations.

Can a Travel Router Use Hotel Wi-Fi?

Yes. This is one of the main reasons to carry one.

Instead of connecting every device directly to the hotel’s wireless network, connect the travel router to the hotel’s Wi-Fi in repeater or similar mode.

Your devices then connect to the travel router’s private Wi-Fi network.

This can be especially convenient when the hotel limits the number of devices that can be connected.

However, hotel captive portals can sometimes complicate the initial connection. You may need to connect a phone or laptop through the travel router and complete the hotel’s sign-in page before other devices can access the internet.

Can You Use a Travel Router With Ethernet?

Yes.

Some hotels provide an Ethernet connection instead of, or in addition to, Wi-Fi.

A travel router with an Ethernet WAN port can connect directly to that connection and then provide Wi-Fi for your devices.

This can be preferable when the hotel provides a wired connection, and you want to avoid using the hotel’s wireless network.

What About a VPN Kill Switch?

A kill switch can be useful when traveling.

If the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, a properly configured kill switch can prevent traffic from automatically switching back to the regular internet connection.

This is especially relevant if you are using the router for work or other traffic where you don’t want an accidental VPN disconnect to expose your normal connection.

The exact kill-switch behavior depends on the router’s firmware and VPN configuration.

Do You Need a 5G Travel Router?

Not necessarily.

A normal travel router can use hotel Wi-Fi or an Ethernet connection as its internet connection.

A cellular travel router is different because it can use a SIM or eSIM connection.

For people who frequently travel to places with unreliable hotel Wi-Fi, cellular hardware can provide another connectivity option. For example, GL.iNet’s Mudi 7 combines 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 7, eSIM support, dual-SIM functionality, and a built-in battery.

The trade-off is increased size, cost, and cellular plan requirements.

Which Travel Router Features Matter Most?

As an occasional traveler, you probably don’t need the most expensive model.

A practical setup might prioritize:

• Reliable VPN client support
• WireGuard
• Compact size
• USB-C power
• Wi-Fi 6 or newer
• Ethernet
• Easy VPN configuration

Frequent travelers or remote workers may benefit from stronger hardware and faster VPN throughput.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use NordVPN or Surfshark with a travel router?

Many travel routers support popular VPN services through OpenVPN or WireGuard configurations. Compatibility depends on the specific router and VPN provider.

Does a travel router protect every connected device?

If the router is configured as a VPN client and the devices are routed through the VPN, multiple connected devices can use the VPN connection.

Can I use a travel router in a hotel?

Yes. Hotel Wi-Fi is one of the most common uses for travel routers.

Are travel routers worth carrying?

They can be particularly useful for frequent travelers, remote workers, and anyone carrying multiple devices.

Is Wi-Fi 7 necessary?

No. Wi-Fi 6 can be more than sufficient for many hotel and travel connections. Wi-Fi 7 is more useful when you want higher local network performance and have compatible devices.

Conclusion

The best travel router with VPN support depends on how you travel.

The GL.iNet Beryl 7 stands out for travelers who want a compact router with particularly high VPN performance, while the Slate 7 adds Wi-Fi 7 and a touchscreen in a portable design. The Slate AX remains a capable Wi-Fi 6 option, while the Opal is better suited to simpler travel setups. For users seeking maximum performance and advanced features, the Slate 7 Pro offers a more powerful option.

The most important features aren’t simply the advertised Wi-Fi numbers. Look for VPN client support, WireGuard or OpenVPN compatibility, easy hotel-network setup, USB-C power, Ethernet, and firmware support.

A good travel VPN router essentially gives you a small, reusable home network that fits in your luggage—letting you connect your devices once and manage the VPN from a single place.