A Saily survey reveals a majority of travelers use public Wi-Fi despite the risks

How many travelers use public Wi-Fi?

Connecting to public Wi-Fi has become a near-automatic choice for many travelers, and a survey recently conducted by Saily reveals just how common this habit is.

Among travelers from the United States, 60% admit to using public Wi-Fi while abroad. The numbers are even higher for travelers from other countries — Canada leads at 69%, Australia follows with 64%, and both the UK and Germany top the list at 71%. France and Italy are close behind at 66%, while travelers from Spain match the US at 60%.

Even in countries with strong mobile coverage and growing eSIM adoption, the lure of “free internet” remains strong. For many, it’s seen as a quick fix to avoid roaming fees or data caps, but this convenience leaves millions of travelers exposed to risks they might not fully recognize.

Why public Wi-Fi can be risky

Public Wi-Fi may look harmless, but it often lacks the security features needed to keep your information safe. Many hotspots are unsecured, meaning the data you send — from emails to login details — may be visible to anyone with the right tools. This makes them a prime target for cybercriminals.

One of the most common dangers is the “man-in-the-middle” attack, where hackers slip between you and the Wi-Fi network to secretly intercept your activity. Even an action as routine as checking your bank balance or logging in to social media can give attackers access to personal accounts.

Then there are fake hotspots, sometimes called “evil twins.” These networks mimic the names of legitimate airport, café, or hotel Wi-Fi connections, tricking travelers into joining them. Once connected, cybercriminals can harvest passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information with ease.

Even official networks aren’t always safe. Poorly configured systems can allow attackers to inject malware or spyware directly onto your device, exposing not just your current session but your long-term digital security. In short, every time you connect, you’re potentially handing over a window into your personal data — and you may not realize it until it’s too late.

How to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi

Staying safe doesn’t mean you have to forget about having the internet in inconvenient spaces and go completely offline — it just takes a little extra care. A good first step is to avoid logging in to sensitive accounts, such as online banking, work email, or shopping platforms that store your payment details, while you’re on a public network.

For even stronger security, many travelers turn to VPNs (virtual private networks). A trusted VPN hides your online activity by encrypting your connection, making it far harder for anyone to snoop or intercept your data.

But perhaps the easiest way to sidestep the risks altogether is to skip public Wi-Fi entirely. With the Saily eSIM app, you can connect to secure mobile data networks wherever you travel — you can forget about hunting for hotspots. An eSIM service like Saily lets you activate affordable international data plans in just a few taps, ensuring you stay connected without exposing yourself to the dangers of open networks.

Some final thoughts about public Wi-Fi safety

At first glance, public Wi-Fi feels like a harmless, easy travel companion, but as the latest Saily survey highlights, it’s still a risky habit for millions of people on the move. The upside is that with a bit of awareness and the right tools, you don’t have to choose between staying connected and staying secure.

Whether you’re off on a quick city break or a long-haul adventure, paying attention to how you connect can make all the difference. And if you’d rather skip the risks altogether, an eSIM app like Saily offers the easiest way to protect your data.