NordVPN Review 2026: The Best VPN for Travel?

After testing over 40 VPNs during 18 months of continuous travel across Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America, NordVPN is our top pick for travelers and remote workers in 2026. With the fastest speeds we’ve measured, rock-solid security, and the ability to unblock virtually every streaming platform from abroad, it earned our 4.7/5 rating — the highest of any VPN we’ve reviewed.

Whether you’re protecting yourself on sketchy airport WiFi in Bangkok, accessing your US Netflix library from a coworking space in Lisbon, or logging into your bank account from a cafe in Mexico City, NordVPN handles it all with minimal fuss and minimal speed loss.

Quick Facts: NordVPN at a Glance

Feature	Details
Servers	6,400+ in 111 countries
Simultaneous connections	10 devices
Protocols	NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec
Logging policy	Strict no-logs (audited by Deloitte, 4 times)
Kill switch	Yes (app-level and system-level)
Split tunneling	Yes (Android, Windows)
Streaming	Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Prime Video
Torrenting	Yes (dedicated P2P servers)
Best price	$3.39/month (2-year plan + 3 free months)
Money-back guarantee	30 days
Headquarters	Panama (no data retention laws)
Platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Fire TV, browser extensions

What Is NordVPN?

NordVPN is a premium VPN (Virtual Private Network) service operated by Nord Security, a cybersecurity company headquartered in Panama — a jurisdiction with no mandatory data retention laws. Since launching in 2012, NordVPN has grown into one of the most trusted names in online privacy, currently serving over 14 million users worldwide.

For travelers specifically, NordVPN solves three critical problems:

1. Security on public WiFi — Encrypts your connection on untrusted networks (airports, hotels, cafes, coworking spaces)
2. Geo-restriction bypass — Lets you access streaming services, banking apps, and websites that are blocked or region-locked abroad
3. Privacy in censored countries — Obfuscated servers help you access the open internet in countries like China, Russia, Turkey, and the UAE

NordVPN also offers Threat Protection Pro, a built-in feature that blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts — essentially replacing a separate ad blocker and antivirus when traveling.

How We Tested NordVPN

We don’t write VPN reviews from a desk. Our testing methodology is built around real-world travel use cases, not lab conditions.

Testing Period & Locations

• Duration: 18 months of active testing (August 2024 – February 2026)
• Countries tested: Thailand, Japan, Indonesia (Bali), Vietnam, Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Turkey, Germany, UK, USA, South Korea, and the UAE
• Networks used: Airport WiFi, hotel networks, coworking spaces, cafe hotspots, mobile data (tethered), and residential connections

What We Measured

• Speed tests: 300+ individual tests using Speedtest by Ookla and Fast.com, measuring download, upload, and latency on both nearby and international servers
• Streaming access: Tested Netflix (US, UK, Japan, Australia), BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and local services from multiple countries
• Connection reliability: Tracked connection drops, reconnection times, and server switching behavior over multi-week periods
• Security audits: Verified kill switch function, DNS leak protection, and WebRTC leak prevention across devices
• App performance: Battery drain, RAM usage, and UI responsiveness on iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24, MacBook Pro M3, and Windows 11 laptops
• Customer support: 8 support interactions via live chat and email across different time zones

Testing Methodology

Every speed test follows the same protocol: connect to the VPN server, wait 30 seconds for connection stabilization, run 3 consecutive speed tests, and record the median result. We test at multiple times of day to account for network congestion and always run a baseline speed test without VPN for comparison.

Speed Tests: NordVPN Performance Around the World

Speed is where NordVPN truly separates itself from the competition. Thanks to the NordLynx protocol — their proprietary implementation built on WireGuard — NordVPN consistently delivered the fastest speeds of any VPN we tested in 2025-2026.

NordLynx vs OpenVPN: Head-to-Head

We ran identical speed tests on the same connection using both protocols. The difference was dramatic:

Location	Base Speed	NordLynx	OpenVPN	NordLynx Loss	OpenVPN Loss
Bangkok, Thailand	200 Mbps	185 Mbps	120 Mbps	7.5%	40%
Lisbon, Portugal	350 Mbps	320 Mbps	195 Mbps	8.6%	44%
Mexico City, Mexico	150 Mbps	138 Mbps	85 Mbps	8%	43%
Tokyo, Japan	400 Mbps	370 Mbps	210 Mbps	7.5%	47.5%
Bali, Indonesia	80 Mbps	72 Mbps	48 Mbps	10%	40%

Bottom line: NordLynx retains 85-95% of your base speed on nearby servers, while OpenVPN typically drops you to 55-65%. There’s no reason to use OpenVPN unless your network specifically blocks WireGuard traffic.

Speed Tests by Country (NordLynx Protocol)

Here are our real-world speed test results connecting to the nearest NordVPN server from each location:

Test Location	Nearest Server	Download	Upload	Latency
Bangkok, Thailand	Thailand #42	185 Mbps	95 Mbps	12 ms
Tokyo, Japan	Japan #128	370 Mbps	180 Mbps	8 ms
Lisbon, Portugal	Portugal #18	320 Mbps	160 Mbps	10 ms
Mexico City, Mexico	Mexico #7	138 Mbps	70 Mbps	15 ms
Bali, Indonesia	Indonesia #3	72 Mbps	35 Mbps	22 ms
Medellin, Colombia	Colombia #4	95 Mbps	48 Mbps	18 ms
Istanbul, Turkey	Turkey #12	110 Mbps	55 Mbps	14 ms
Berlin, Germany	Germany #210	340 Mbps	170 Mbps	9 ms
Seoul, South Korea	South Korea #15	410 Mbps	200 Mbps	7 ms
London, UK	UK #1800	350 Mbps	175 Mbps	11 ms

International Server Speeds

The real test for travelers is connecting to servers in other countries — for streaming, banking, or bypassing geo-restrictions. Here’s how NordVPN performed connecting from Thailand to international servers:

From Thailand To	Download	Upload	Latency
US (New York)	85 Mbps	40 Mbps	210 ms
US (Los Angeles)	110 Mbps	52 Mbps	175 ms
UK (London)	95 Mbps	45 Mbps	195 ms
Japan (Tokyo)	150 Mbps	75 Mbps	65 ms
Australia (Sydney)	120 Mbps	60 Mbps	130 ms
Germany (Frankfurt)	90 Mbps	42 Mbps	185 ms

Even on cross-continental connections, NordVPN maintained 85-150 Mbps downloads — more than enough for 4K streaming, video calls, and large file transfers.

Speed Verdict

NordVPN is the fastest VPN we’ve tested, period. NordLynx is a game-changer. For travelers who rely on VPNs daily for work (Zoom calls, uploading content, accessing cloud services), the speed advantage over competitors is tangible and meaningful.

Streaming: What Can NordVPN Unblock?

One of the main reasons travelers buy a VPN is to access streaming services from abroad. NordVPN’s SmartPlay technology (built into every server) makes this remarkably easy — no special servers to hunt for, no manual configuration.

Streaming Test Results (February 2026)

We tested from Thailand, Portugal, and Mexico, trying to access services restricted to other regions:

Service	Region Tested	Result	Notes
Netflix US	From Thailand, Portugal, Mexico	Works	Consistent, no blocks detected
Netflix UK	From Thailand, Mexico	Works	Full library access
Netflix Japan	From Thailand, Portugal	Works	Anime library accessible
Disney+ (US)	From Thailand, Portugal	Works	Including Star content
BBC iPlayer	From Thailand, Mexico	Works	UK servers only
Hulu	From Portugal, Mexico	Works	US servers, occasional buffering on first load
Amazon Prime Video (US)	From Thailand, Portugal	Works	Region-specific libraries accessible
HBO Max	From Thailand, Mexico	Works	US servers
ESPN+	From Portugal	Works	US servers
Peacock	From Thailand	Works	US servers
DAZN	From Thailand	Partial	Works for some regions, blocked for others
YouTube Premium (region pricing)	Multiple	Works	Access region-specific content

Streaming Quality

On fast connections (100+ Mbps base speed), we experienced zero buffering on any streaming platform through NordVPN. The initial connection sometimes took 3-5 seconds longer than without a VPN, but once streaming started, quality was indistinguishable from a direct connection.

On slower connections (Bali, ~80 Mbps base), we occasionally saw brief quality drops on 4K content when connecting to distant servers (e.g., US from Indonesia), but 1080p streamed flawlessly.

Smart DNS vs Full VPN

NordVPN’s SmartPlay acts as a hybrid between Smart DNS and full VPN, meaning you don’t sacrifice encryption for streaming performance. Some competitors force you to choose between speed (Smart DNS) and security (full VPN) — NordVPN gives you both.

Streaming verdict: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for streaming we’ve tested. It unblocked every major platform we tried, and the SmartPlay technology eliminates the guesswork. If streaming access is a priority, NordVPN delivers.

Security & Privacy Features

Security is where NordVPN truly earns its reputation. For travelers connecting to untrusted networks daily, these features aren’t luxuries — they’re necessities.

Encryption & Protocols

NordVPN uses AES-256 encryption — the same standard used by governments and militaries. Your data is effectively uncrackable, even on compromised public WiFi.

Available protocols:

• NordLynx (default) — Built on WireGuard. Fastest option with strong security. Our recommended protocol for daily use.
• OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) — Battle-tested, widely compatible. Use TCP if NordLynx is blocked.
• IKEv2/IPsec — Best for mobile connections; handles network switching (WiFi ↔ cellular) smoothly.

No-Logs Policy (Independently Audited)

NordVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy: they don’t record your browsing activity, connection timestamps, bandwidth usage, IP addresses, or DNS queries.

This isn’t just marketing. NordVPN has been independently audited four times by Deloitte (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), each time confirming that their no-logs claims hold up. They also operate on RAM-only servers — if a server is seized or powered off, all data is wiped instantly since nothing is written to disk.

Being headquartered in Panama further strengthens their privacy stance: Panama has no mandatory data retention laws, isn’t part of the 5/9/14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances, and has no legal obligation to hand over user data to foreign governments.

Kill Switch

NordVPN’s kill switch is one of the most reliable we’ve tested. If the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, the kill switch immediately blocks all internet traffic until the VPN reconnects — preventing your real IP address from leaking.

NordVPN offers two kill switch modes:

• App Kill Switch — Only kills internet for specific apps you select (great for keeping a browser protected while letting other apps connect directly)
• System Kill Switch — Kills all internet traffic system-wide (maximum protection, recommended for travelers on public WiFi)

In our testing, the kill switch triggered correctly in every scenario: forced disconnects, server switches, network changes (WiFi to cellular), and even sleep/wake cycles.

Threat Protection Pro

Threat Protection Pro is NordVPN’s built-in security suite that works even when you’re not connected to a VPN server. It provides:

• Ad blocking — Removes intrusive ads and pop-ups (we measured a 35% reduction in page load times on ad-heavy sites)
• Malware protection — Scans files during download and blocks known malicious URLs
• Tracker blocking — Prevents cross-site trackers from following your browsing activity
• Phishing protection — Warns you before visiting known phishing domains

For travelers, this is particularly valuable. You’re constantly encountering unfamiliar websites — local restaurant menus, transportation booking sites, regional services — and Threat Protection Pro adds a meaningful safety layer without requiring a separate security app.

DNS Leak Protection & WebRTC Leak Prevention

We ran DNS leak tests on every server we connected to during our 18-month testing period. NordVPN passed every single test — zero DNS leaks, zero WebRTC leaks, zero IPv6 leaks. Your real IP address stays hidden.

Meshnet

Meshnet is a newer NordVPN feature that lets you create a private, encrypted network between your devices (or trusted friends’ devices). For travelers, this enables:

• Remote access to your home network — Access files on your home computer while abroad
• Route traffic through your home IP — Useful for accessing banking apps or services that flag foreign IP addresses
• Secure file sharing — Share files between devices without going through third-party servers

We used Meshnet to access a US-based NAS drive from Thailand — the connection was stable and transfer speeds were reasonable (limited by upload speed of the home connection rather than VPN overhead).

Security Verdict

NordVPN’s security stack is best-in-class. The combination of military-grade encryption, independently audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, a reliable kill switch, and Threat Protection Pro gives you comprehensive protection on every network you encounter. No other VPN we tested matches this breadth of security features.

NordVPN for Travelers: Real-World Experience

Lab tests tell part of the story. Here’s how NordVPN performed in the situations travelers actually face.

Airport WiFi

We tested NordVPN on airport WiFi in Bangkok (BKK), Tokyo (NRT), Lisbon (LIS), Mexico City (MEX), Istanbul (IST), and London (LHR). Airport WiFi is notoriously insecure — often unencrypted, heavily congested, and a prime target for man-in-the-middle attacks.

Results: NordVPN connected successfully on every airport network we tested. Connection times ranged from 3-8 seconds. Speed reductions were minimal (5-12% vs base airport WiFi speed). Kill switch correctly protected us during the 2-3 brief disconnections we experienced across 6 airports.

Pro tip: Enable NordVPN’s auto-connect feature. It detects when you join an unsecured WiFi network and automatically activates the VPN — no manual intervention needed. This is a lifesaver at airports where you’re rushing between gates.

Hotel & Hostel Networks

Hotel WiFi ranges from excellent (business hotels in Tokyo) to borderline unusable (budget hostels in Southeast Asia). We used NordVPN on hotel networks across 14 countries.

Common issue we solved: Several hotels in Thailand and Indonesia use captive portals (login pages) that can conflict with VPN connections. NordVPN handles this gracefully — you connect to the hotel WiFi, complete the portal login, then activate NordVPN. The auto-connect feature waits for portal authentication before engaging.

Banking access: One of the most frustrating travel experiences is having your bank block transactions because you’re connecting from an unfamiliar IP. We used NordVPN to route through a US server while in Thailand, successfully accessing Chase, Bank of America, and Fidelity without triggering security locks.

Coworking Spaces & Cafes

Coworking spaces in Bali, Chiang Mai, Lisbon, and Medellin are where remote workers live. The networks are shared with dozens (sometimes hundreds) of strangers.

We ran NordVPN continuously during 8-hour work sessions with Zoom calls, Slack, Google Workspace, and GitHub. Connection stability was excellent — we experienced only 2 brief drops over 60+ days of coworking, both resolved by the kill switch within seconds.

Speed was never a bottleneck for work tasks. Even on congested coworking WiFi (where base speeds dropped to 30-50 Mbps), NordVPN maintained 25-45 Mbps — enough for HD video calls and screen sharing.

Censored Countries

We tested NordVPN in Turkey and the UAE, both of which restrict VPN usage and block certain websites and services.

Turkey: NordVPN worked reliably using obfuscated servers. We accessed Wikipedia, social media platforms, and news sites that are periodically blocked. Connection times were slightly slower (8-15 seconds vs 3-8 seconds elsewhere), but once connected, performance was solid.

UAE: NordVPN worked for accessing VoIP services (WhatsApp calls, FaceTime) that are blocked in the UAE. We used obfuscated servers and the OpenVPN TCP protocol for the most reliable connections.

China note: We didn’t test in China during this review period, but NordVPN states that their obfuscated servers can work in China. Based on reports from our reader community, reliability is approximately 60-70% — better than most VPNs, but not guaranteed. If you’re heading to China, download and configure NordVPN before you arrive, and consider having ExpressVPN as a backup.

Mobile Data Tethering

When WiFi isn’t available, many travelers tether their laptop to their phone’s mobile data (or eSIM). We tested NordVPN while tethered to mobile data in Thailand, Japan, and Mexico.

Results: NordVPN’s IKEv2 protocol excels here — it handles the frequent network micro-drops that come with cellular connections, reconnecting seamlessly without user intervention. Battery impact was modest: roughly 5-8% additional drain over a full workday compared to no VPN.

Pricing & Plans

NordVPN offers three subscription tiers. All include the core VPN, but higher tiers add extra security features.

Current Plans (February 2026)

Plan	Monthly	1 Year	2 Years + 3 Months
Basic	$12.99/mo	$4.59/mo	$3.39/mo
Plus (+ Threat Protection Pro)	$13.99/mo	$5.49/mo	$4.39/mo
Ultimate (+ 1TB cloud storage, identity protection)	$15.99/mo	$7.49/mo	$6.39/mo

Which Plan Is Best for Travelers?

We recommend the Plus plan on the 2-year subscription ($4.39/month). Here’s why:

• Threat Protection Pro is genuinely useful for travelers. The ad blocking, malware scanning, and tracker prevention add meaningful security when you’re constantly encountering unfamiliar websites abroad.
• The 2-year plan offers the best per-month value, and the 30-day money-back guarantee eliminates risk.
• The Ultimate plan adds cloud storage and identity theft protection — nice for some, but not essential for most travelers.

Avoid the monthly plan ($12.99-15.99/month) unless you only need a VPN for a single short trip. The 2-year plan costs less over 3 months than one month on the monthly plan.

Price Comparison vs Competitors

VPN	Cheapest Plan	Devices	Servers
NordVPN	$3.39/mo (2yr)	10	6,400+ in 111 countries
Surfshark	$2.19/mo (2yr)	Unlimited	3,200+ in 100 countries
ExpressVPN	$6.67/mo (1yr)	8	3,000+ in 105 countries
ProtonVPN	$4.49/mo (2yr)	10	4,800+ in 100+ countries

NordVPN isn’t the cheapest — Surfshark undercuts it significantly on price. But NordVPN offers faster speeds, more servers, and stronger security auditing. You’re paying a modest premium for a meaningfully better product.

NordVPN App Experience

Desktop (macOS & Windows)

The NordVPN desktop app is clean and well-designed. The interface centers around an interactive world map showing server locations — click a country to connect, or use the sidebar to search for specific servers.

Standout features:

• Quick Connect — One-click connection to the fastest available server
• Specialty servers — Easy access to P2P, Double VPN, Obfuscated, and Onion Over VPN servers
• Server load indicators — See how busy each server is before connecting
• Favorites — Save frequently used servers (we kept Thailand, US, and UK servers pinned)

Minor gripes: The map interface, while visually appealing, can be clunky when zooming on smaller screens. The sidebar server list is more practical for daily use. Settings are well-organized but buried one menu level deeper than we’d like.

Mobile (iOS & Android)

The mobile app mirrors the desktop experience with a touch-optimized interface. Key differences:

• Auto-connect on untrusted networks — Automatically activates VPN when you join an unrecognized WiFi network. Essential for travelers.
• Dark Web Monitor — Alerts you if your email credentials appear in data breaches (Plus and Ultimate plans)
• Widget support — Quick-connect widget for both iOS and Android home screens

Battery impact: On iPhone 15 Pro with NordLynx, we measured approximately 3-5% additional battery drain per hour of active VPN use — comparable to other VPNs and well within acceptable limits for a full day of travel.

Android advantage: Split tunneling on Android lets you route specific apps through the VPN while others connect directly. This is useful for banking apps that block VPN connections or local services that need your real location.

Browser Extensions

NordVPN offers extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. These are lightweight proxy extensions (not full VPN clients) that protect browser traffic only. They’re useful as a supplement to the full app, not a replacement. We used the Chrome extension for quick access to geo-restricted websites without routing all device traffic through the VPN.

Customer Support

NordVPN’s customer support is above average for the VPN industry, though not flawless.

Support Channels

• 24/7 live chat — Average response time in our testing: 2-4 minutes
• Email support — Average response time: 6-12 hours
• Knowledge base — Extensive, well-organized articles and tutorials
• No phone support — A notable gap for users who prefer voice communication

Our Support Experiences

We contacted support 8 times across different time zones and issues:

1. Server recommendation for Thailand streaming — Resolved in 3 minutes. Agent recommended specific Thai server numbers for best Netflix performance.
2. Kill switch configuration question — Resolved in 5 minutes. Clear, accurate instructions.
3. Obfuscated server setup for Turkey — Resolved in 7 minutes. Agent walked us through protocol switching.
4. Billing inquiry about plan changes — Resolved in 4 minutes. Straightforward.
5. Connection drops in Bali — Resolved in 12 minutes. Agent suggested protocol changes and specific servers, which fixed the issue.
6. Meshnet setup assistance — Resolved in 15 minutes. Agent was knowledgeable but the feature is complex enough that documentation would have been faster.
7. Refund process question — Resolved in 3 minutes. No pushback, clear explanation of the 30-day policy.
8. Smart DNS configuration — Resolved in 8 minutes. Required escalation to a specialist, but the final answer was accurate.

Overall assessment: Support agents are knowledgeable, polite, and generally efficient. Complex issues occasionally require escalation, which adds wait time. The knowledge base is comprehensive enough that most common questions can be self-resolved.

NordVPN vs Surfshark: Quick Comparison

Surfshark is NordVPN’s most direct competitor for budget-conscious travelers. Here’s how they stack up:

Category	NordVPN	Surfshark
Speed	Faster (NordLynx)	Fast (WireGuard)
Price	$3.39/mo (2yr)	$2.19/mo (2yr)
Servers	6,400+ in 111 countries	3,200+ in 100 countries
Devices	10	Unlimited
Security audits	4 independent audits	2 independent audits
Streaming	Excellent	Very good
Threat Protection	Built-in (Pro version)	CleanWeb (basic)
RAM-only servers	Yes	Yes

Choose NordVPN if: You prioritize speed, security depth, and the most reliable streaming access. The extra $1.20/month is worth it for the meaningfully better performance.

Choose Surfshark if: Budget is your primary concern, or you need unlimited simultaneous connections (families, small teams). Surfshark is an excellent VPN — just not quite as fast or feature-rich as NordVPN.

Read our full Surfshark review for a detailed breakdown.

Who Should Use NordVPN

NordVPN Is Perfect For

• Digital nomads and remote workers — The fastest speeds, reliable connections on coworking WiFi, and 10 device connections cover all your work gear
• Frequent travelers — Servers in 111 countries mean you’ll always find a nearby fast server, wherever you are
• Streamers abroad — SmartPlay makes unblocking Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more effortless
• Privacy-conscious travelers — Independently audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and Panama jurisdiction
• Anyone on public WiFi regularly — Kill switch, Threat Protection, and military-grade encryption protect you on every network
• Banking and financial access abroad — Connect through your home country’s server to avoid fraud alerts and account lockouts

Who Might Prefer Alternatives

• Ultra-budget travelers — Surfshark offers similar quality at 35% less cost
• Families or teams — Surfshark’s unlimited connections beat NordVPN’s 10-device limit for large households
• China-focused travelers — While NordVPN’s obfuscated servers can work in China, no VPN guarantees reliable access. Consider ExpressVPN as a backup
• Linux power users — NordVPN’s Linux client is command-line only, while some competitors offer GUI apps
• Free VPN seekers — NordVPN has no free tier. ProtonVPN offers a limited free plan if budget is a hard constraint

Final Verdict

After 18 months of testing across 14 countries, NordVPN has earned its place as our #1 VPN recommendation for travelers and remote workers. It’s not the cheapest option, but it delivers the fastest speeds, the strongest security, and the most reliable streaming access of any VPN we’ve reviewed.

The combination of NordLynx protocol speeds, independently audited no-logs policy, Threat Protection Pro, and seamless streaming unblocking makes NordVPN the most complete package for anyone who needs a VPN while traveling. At $3.39/month on the 2-year plan, it’s an easy recommendation.

Our rating: 4.7/5 — The best VPN for travel in 2026.

Get NordVPN — $3.39/month →

All NordVPN plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try it risk-free on your next trip.