How to Get the Internet on a Laptop While Traveling

Having a laptop gives you enormous flexibility when traveling because you can take all of your documents, photos, music files, and anything else stored on your computer along with you. And with the growing number of Internet cafs and hotels with Internet access, its easy to stay online while traveling, especially if you have a laptop. Wireless Internet is available in most airports these days, and you can even access the Internet in the air on certain flights. Whether youre on a business trip, family vacation, or romantic getaway, its easy to stay connected if you have a laptop.

Instructions

Instructions

1

Research connectivity options before traveling. While the Internet is widely available in most urban and suburban areas these days, you should check availability--especially if you are going to a developing country or a rural area. Check with the place youre staying, whether its a hotel, hostel, or private home, to verify that there is Internet access. Consult a travel guidebook about the place you are going to see if cafs and restaurants with wireless connections are commonplace. Public libraries often provide free use of the Internet as well.

2

Make sure your laptop is Internet-ready. Verify that the wireless card and Ethernet jack are functioning properly. Check with your current Internet provider to see if there is any way to use your account while traveling, or if there are any partnerships or deals with other service providers that you can take advantage of. You can also purchase WLAN hardware, an external attachment that creates your own wireless signal.

3

Bring your laptop with you whenever you plan to use the Internet. Most laptops these days come with wireless cards that will detect a wireless signal wherever you are. You usually need a password to access the connection--but not always. If youre at a caf, ask the staff to give you the password. Many places, including airports, require a payment to use the wireless connection.

4

To get the Internet using a dial-up or Ethernet connection, plug the phone chord or Ethernet cable into your laptop. Youll need to configure your Internet protocol (TCP/IP) to the connection at that locale. Although many computers do this automatically, some do not. To configure your Internet protocol manually, go to Network Connections and right-clock "Local Area Connection." Click "Properties" and "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)." Match the IP and DNS addresses for that particular terminal.