Wireless Tips & Tricks: Wi-Fi Travel Routers

Wireless Tips & Tricks: Wi-Fi Travel Routers


Most hotels with broadband access in the room supply Ethernet connections. I'd rather have Wi-Fi so I don't have to sit at the desk. Can I bring my own Wi-Fi router?

Most definitely! While you can bring along pretty much any standard Wi-Fi router, specialized "travel routers" are also available. These are basically pocket-size versions of regular network routers that let you unwire almost any wired Ethernet jack, such as those in hotels and conference rooms. You can use them to share your connection with colleagues or to simply surf from the comfort of your hotel bed.

Two of our favorite travel routers are Apple's AirPort Express, and Linksys' Travel Router. The palm-sized AirPort Express doubles as a full-fledged Wi-Fi router, with USB printer sharing and wireless iTunes music streaming to a stereo system. Despite the Apple name, the AirPort Express comes with full Windows configuration tools and support as well as Mac, making it great for Windows iPod users as well.

The Linksys Travel Router is another amazing product, the first consumer router of ANY kind that can simultaneously connect to a hotspot and act as an access point for other computers. This ability also makes it a great universal range extender for home Wi-Fi networks suffering from dead spots. Of course it also works with wired broadband connections as well. And it fits in the palm of your hand, with no power adapter to lose. It plugs right into the wall.

But what if you've only got a phone line in your hotel room? The Always On Wireless WiFlyer can unwire both broadband and dial-up connections, for true travel versatility. You can set up a Wi-Fi net anywhere, whether your hotel has broadband or not, for up to 14 users. The WiFlyer also has thousands of US telephone access numbers from major providers built-in, so you don't have to go searching for a number every time you arrive at a new place.

It's also worth noting that the Linksys and WiFlyer both have an extra Ethernet port, supporting a wired client or other device, such as a VoIP adapter. So you can take advantage of free or low-cost Internet-based phone calls too, for the price of a local call, and avoid high hotel long-distance charges.