# Using laptop to access Internet while on vacation. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 8, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970 "2009-02-08T22:57:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![robcaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970/1 "2009-02-08T22:57:01Z")
I am going on vacation to the US in April for 1 month with travel in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Arizona. I want to take my laptop, but do not know how I can access the internet in those states. Any suggestions will be helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970/2 "2009-02-08T23:02:44Z")
As in much of the rest of the world, all over the US vast numbers of restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, motels, hotels and other establishments offer wireless internet access. Often, it’s free; sometimes you must pay for this. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970/3 "2009-02-08T23:09:37Z")
Oddly, the cheaper motels often offer free access, while the luxury ones charge. We drove from Claifornia to St. Louis, stayed in the Comfort Inn chain every night, and never paid. I believe you can buy universal access from Sprint - my friends at Cisco have it for work - but that might be overkill. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970/4 "2009-02-08T23:20:58Z")
I second the suggestions others have made; it’s usually easy to find free WiFi access in hotels, restaurants, cafés, etc. In addition, many Internet cafés will let customers bring their own laptops in to connect via WiFi or ethernet cable, though they will probably charge for this service. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970/5 "2009-02-08T23:28:11Z")
May be of use: [http://www.wififreespot.com/](http://www.wififreespot.com/) Also, AFAIK, all Apple stores have unprotected WiFi, so you can just sit outside and check your mail. They will also allow you to use their machines to get on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970/6 "2009-02-08T23:30:32Z")
Libraries are another place which may have free WiFi–not all will. ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970/7 "2009-02-08T23:40:34Z")
On a recent drive from Texas to California (and back), I was surprised to discover that many of the roadside rest stops alaong the interstate (especially in Texas) had free WiFi access. I assume it’s there for the convenience of the long-haul truckers who often spend the night parked there. ETA: Also, every Hooter’s restaurant has free WiFi, just in case the food alone is not enough to bring you in ;). ---
**Author:** ![robcaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970/8 "2009-02-09T00:48:02Z")
Thanks for all your replies. I guess WiFi is the way to go.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bobotheoptimist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Bobotheoptimist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobotheoptimist)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970/9 "2009-02-09T01:09:16Z")
If you plan on being near Denver, Colorado and need anything while you’re here, IM me. Places of interest or emergency or whatever… There are some little places around here that have free WiFi that might not be easy to find. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-laptop-to-access-internet-while-on-vacation/484970/10 "2009-02-09T01:20:27Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Oddly, the cheaper motels often offer free access, while the luxury ones charge. It’s not so odd - luxury hotels charge for _everything_, and/or force you to use services that charge money. Breakfast only available by room service, valet parking only, no baggage carts for use by guests, etc. Moderately priced hotels tend to have free breakfast and free wireless internet; that’s the type of hotel I try to find when I travel within the US (and that’s how I get online while traveling). Also, at some hotels that charge for wireless access, there are a few computers in the lobby that you can use for free. That may be sufficient for accessing web-based e-mail services.