Access Wireless Internet in a Hotel

Free wireless internet access is the most important amenity for many travelers. Even if your hotel doesn't provide free Wi-Fi, it will most likely offer wireless access for a daily fee.

Instructions in this article apply to all computers and mobile devices capable of connecting to a wireless network.

Person using Wi-Fi on a laptop in a hotel — Lifewire / Catherine Song

How to Connect to a Hotel's Wi-Fi

The name of the hotel's wireless network and any passwords needed to connect should be in the hotel's guidebook in your room, or you can call the front desk if you need help. Access your hotel's internet the same way you connect to any Wi-Fi network:

Make sure your wireless adapter is on.

If you don't have a built-in wireless device on your laptop, you can purchase a USB wireless adapter.
Open your Wi-Fi settings and view the available wireless networks.
Select your hotel's network, then select Connect.

On some devices, you will automatically connect to Wi-Fi when you click on a network. If this step takes more than a minute, you may need to restart the connection process.
Enter the required password if prompted.
Open your web browser (if it doesn't automatically open). You may have to provide your credit card information (if the Wi-Fi isn't free), enter an authorization code, or accept the terms and conditions for using the service.

Once you've submitted your authorization information, you should now have full access to the hotel's Wi-Fi network. You'll likely see a confirmation screen showing how much time you have to use the internet (if you're paying for the service). Keep an eye out for any time limitations so that you can schedule your work most productively and take full advantage of the Wi-Fi service.

How to Share the Hotel Wi-Fi Signal With Other Devices

If your hotel's wireless service isn't free, then you may only be able to access the internet from one device. A travel wireless router, such as the ZuniConnect Travel IV, can be used to extend the Wi-Fi signal to multiple devices.

If you have a weak signal, try moving your laptop to another location in the room to see if it improves.

How to Secure Your Information Over Hotel Wi-Fi

Most hotel wireless networks aren't password-protected or encrypted with strong WPA2. Using public Wi-Fi can open up your computer to outside attacks, so be aware of the security risks of using an unsecured network. It's recommended that you set up a firewall and make sure that you have installed the latest updates for your operating system and antivirus. For extra security, consider subscribing to a VPN service.