Article updated: 9/19/2018 with the addition of the new GoData monthly plan!
If you’ve never heard of the Skyroam portable hotspot device before, you’re about to hear everything there is to know about this powerful little device. After one use, I questioned how I ever travelled before without it. I love mine and am absolutely obsessed with it, it never leaves my side! So for me, it is 110% worth it. But is it worth it for YOU? That’s the question. I’ll get to that later after I tell you all about this incredibly handy little device!
Skyroam Portable Hotspot Device
In a Nutshell
The Skyroam is a portable hotspot device that allows you to stay connected to wifi all around the world.
It works in 100+ countries (and counting) and gives you unlimited and secure wifi for 24-hour periods.
The NEW Skyroam SOLIS
Skyroam recently launched the new faster SOLIS which features 4G LTE wifi, as well as a 6000 mAh built-in power bank so you can simultaneously charge your device while you’re on the go.
The new SOLIS along with me in Croatia
Yet the biggest upgrade I noticed was the 16+ hour battery life, a HUGE upgrade from the previous Skyroam model. I have recently used the new Solis in Greece, Cyprus, and Croatia. I was out and about all day and by the end of the day, I still had at least 50% battery. I never had to worry about charging it.
Note: I noticed that using the charging bank to charge my phone really ate up the battery life of the Solis, so keep that in mind! It definitely will not last 16+ hours if you’re constantly charging your gear.
*Scroll to the bottom of this article for buying/rental options. And use “CRAZYTRAVELISTA” at checkout for 10% off!
What Countries Does the Skyroam Work in? I’m Glad You Asked!
The Americas
Argentina, Aruba,Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saipan, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Island, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela
Europe
Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican
South Pacific
Australia, Christmas Island, Fiji, Guam, New Zealand
Africa
Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia
Asia
Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan
Middle East
Israel, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates
So How the Heck Does the Skyroam Work?
Does it really matter, it’s awesome. Just kidding, I’ll explain. The Skyroam connects to the best local wifi signal. It basically allows you to access local date, internationally!
Exploring the Bay of Islands in New Zealand with my Skyroam. I was able to provide live updates to Snapchat while on the go!
It’s SO simple. All you do is turn on the device and hit “start” and BAM, wifi works. Plus, it’s so compact and light you can just slip it in your pocket and take it with you wherever you go.
The bottom line: the Skyroam portable hotspot device is the most convenient way to access wifi when abroad. Period. There is no monthly contract. You pay for what you use, whenever you want to use it.
Some Other Awesome Features of the Skyroam:
- Your phone doesn’t need to be unlocked to use it! For all those AT&T iPhone users, this is a Godsend.
- You will no longer have to deal with SIM cards, contracts, or roaming/overage charges.
- You can connect up to 5 devices: yep, you heard that right! You can hook up 5 devices to the Skyroam and enjoy unlimited international wifi. However, it’s important to note that once you hit the 500MB mark, the service slows down a little. So I wouldn’t connect more than 2-3 devices unless you want super slow service.
- Use your Skyroam on road trips to access Google Maps! You have no idea how convenient it was to use this device during my New Zealand road trip. It was a life saver!
- Always use a secure network! Skyroam uses an encrypted connection to keep your data safe and secure while using wifi. (In case you didn’t ever think about it…when you use local wifi in cafes, hotels, restaurants, these networks are not secure and you may be exposed to hackers).
- The Skyroam Portable Hotspot Device is especially useful and cost effective when traveling through many different countries in a short amount of time. When you cross borders, the pass does NOT reset and once it connects to the local service it’s good to go!
Using Google Maps through my Skyroam service saved my life during my New Zealand road trip!
I tested this traveling through the Baltics by bus. I thought maybe the day pass would reset and I would have to use another one once I crossed the border, but this was not the case at all! There was a short transition period of less than 20 minutes and then it picked up the local service of the new country after crossing the border. So easy!
Purchase Options:
Rent vs buy
Rent: you can rent the hotspot and pay $9.95 per day for shorter trips (or if you do not travel often).
Buy: you could buy the hotspot for $149.99 and then pay $9 for each day pass (which I highly recommend). On the days you don’t use it, you don’t pay!
Oh, and recently they have introduced Skyroam vending machines in San Francisco airport! How cool. You can also purchase the Skyroam in various airports throughout. Two popular airport stores selling the Skyroam include InMotion and Brookstone. To search for a resale stores near you, you can click here.
Daily passes: you pay for a daily pass and this gets you unlimited global data for a 24-hr period. So simple!
Monthly passes: you can now rent Skyroam monthly for $99 a month! It’s perfect for those longer trips, especially when going to multiple countries!
(NEW): GoData monthly plan, starting at $9 per month, including 1GB of global 4G LTE WIFI. When you need more, just add more for $9 per extra GB. No contract required! (tip: if you use a LOT of data, the $99 monthly pass may be a better option for you)
You can purchase the daily passes anytime at a.skyroam.com.
If you travel even occasionally I would highly recommend buying the device and taking it with you on all trips in case of emergencies. It will come in handy sooner or later and you will be happy to have a backup when necessary (more on that below).
Is the Skyroam Portable Hotspot Device worth it?
Ok, so let’s get down to it. Let me provide a few different scenarios, which will help you decide if it’s worth it for YOU.
Scenario 1: you’re going to Europe for one week and hitting up 3 different countries.
Is the Skyroam worth it? Hell yes.
Here’s why: getting a local SIM card for 3 different countries will not be very cost effective. It will also be a pain in the a** to waste time in each county finding a reliable SIM.
Example: I was just traveling through the Baltics and spend 2 days in 3 countries. I used the Skyroam with ease and even as I was crossing over the borders(as I just mentioned above).
Scenario 2-You’re going to Portugal for a month.
Is the Skyroam worth it? No
Here’s why: it would definitely be more cost effective to pick up a local SIM and use that for the duration of your trip. Unless your phone is not unlocked (see below).
Scenario 3: you’re going to Colombia for 5 days and your phone is NOT unlocked.
Is the Skyroam worth it? Yep
Here’s why: most carriers charge a sh*t ton for international data. Since you will only be there 5 days, use your Skyroam!
Scenario 4: You are traveling to Europe for one month, hitting up 4 different countries, and decide you will purchase a SIM card in each country.
Ok, that still sounds more cost efficient, so you don’t need a Skyroam, right?
Yes and no. My advice is to bring your Skyroam anyway, for emergencies.
Let me explain: let’s say for instance you land in a small airport in Croatia in the evening, all the kiosks are closed (or there is no place at the airport that sells SIM cards), there is no airport wifi, and you need to make it to your Airbnb. The easiest solution? Activate a day pass on your Skyroam to help navigate your way. Then the next day, go ahead and purchase that SIM. This scenario happened to me in New Zealand recently and it was a life saver to be able to cut on my Skyroam and use it to order an Uber. (The airport wifi wasn’t working..something that happens from time to time even if they have wifi!)
Scenario 5: you and a friend are traveling to Iceland for 4 days.
Is the Skyroam worth it? Yuppp.
Here’s why: remember that part above where you can connect up to 5 devices? Yep. So you and a friend could split the costs and both use the Skyroam! But, I honestly would not connect more than 2-3 devices on this because it tends to slow it down a lot. But using 2 phones is perfectly okay and would make it super convenient for your trip!
Scenario 6: You are traveling around Europe for 6 weeks and hitting up 10 countries.
Is the Skyroam worth it? Fo sho!
Now with the new monthly subscription, it makes it easier and way cheaper for those longer trips where you will be crossing through multiple countries. For $99 per month, you can have unlimited wifi in all countries without having to change a SIM card or anything. This is especially helpful when your phone in NOT unlocked.
→A quick note on Battery life: I read somewhere that the battery on the Skyroam lasts up to 9 hours, but it lasts me about 6 hours. I guess it depends on how much you use it (I use mine a lot). I always carry my awesome dual power bank by Jackery so it’s not a problem. I recharge several devices on this each day while travelling, and the power never runs out.
Crazy Travelista’s Overall Impressions:
I have personally used it on 5 continents and 27 countries so far including: Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Croatia, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Italy, Jordan, Qatar, England, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Thailand, Colombia, USA, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
How did I live without you before?
I have been extremely impressed with the quality of service, speed, and convenience of always having the option to have wifi wherever I go. I have no idea how on earth I ever traveled without it before. It’s light, compact, reliable and the most convenient way to access wifi abroad!
So is it worth it? In some instances it is not, as I highlighted above. But overall, the Skyroam is definitely worth it and something every traveler should own! I have a feeling this is going to revolutionize the way we travel and always being able to share our travels is really awesome. Kudos, Skyroam. Kudos.
To rent/buy, you can check out the Skyroam website here.
*FOR 10% OFF YOUR PURCHASE, YOU CAN USE THE CODE “CRAZYTRAVELISTA” AT CHECKOUT! ♥
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a super small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no extra cost to you. I am a brand ambassador for Skyroam and absolutely love it! I wouldn’t recommend something I didn’t truly love!
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Thanks for the review and discount code. Just ordered mine. Can’t wait to try it out in Ireland!
Oh awesome!!! Just s little tip: if you take lots of Instagram videos or anything like that, it drains the data SO quickly! Once you get to 500MB it slows down..so what I usually do is turn it on airplane mode if I know I’m going to take lots of videos and then turn it back on after that! Then I usually upload the videos when i’m connected the hotel or cafe wifi. That way it will stay fast all day long! Have fun! Ireland is amazing!!!
Used in Ipoh Malaysia and it was very spotty and slow. (0.1 – 4 Mbps) on subscription plan.
In Singapore so far it has been slow on day pass (3 – 10 Mbps). Maybe it was throttled.
It slows down after you hit 500MG per 24 hours so maybe that was the case!
Did you use their 3G or 4G device? I have a friend able to loan me a 3G, but not sure if I should buy/rent the 4G.
All the Skyroam devices are 4G 🙂
I am travelling in France for 3 weeks. I will be working remotely with a laptop. What do I need for reliable internet service for the laptop.
Thanks!
All you need is the Skyroam and one of the data plans! As long as you don’t stream video on it, it should work great for working remotely.
Thanks! The data plans seem expensive — 7$ a day for 21 days . . . is there any cheaper way?
They have a few different data plans on their site, did you check those out? There is a monthly one that’s $9 for 1GB and then you can add GB as you go for another $9 i think. You can always connect to WIFI wherever you’re staying or a coffee shop also so you don’t use all the data. Is there not going to be WIFI where you’re staying?
The most frustrating and useless piece of kit I’ve ever bought. Three long trips in the last 2 years and it has taken 2-3 days and many emails and phone calls to support to get it to work. Currently on a cruise ship with limited internet and phone service close to the coast. Device stuck on “powering up” and step 2 of 6. Tried removing batteries and restart- no go.
Requested a replacement device last October in Japan. No joy.
Time to move on to another brand!!
Sorry to hear this! Sounds like you may have gotten a defective one. Also, the Skyroam does NOT work on cruise ships as it works with local cell service and cell service is not available on cruises as you know. The only way to get WIFI on ships is to buy their (expensive) packages. Eek!
I’m curious about making phone calls. Normally I’ve used Verizon’s $10/day TravelPass which allows me to make phone calls back to the States and in- country (not between countries). So if I discontinue that and just use the Solis, what are your recommendations for not getting severely dinged if I decide to make a phone call while out on the street somewhere?
Thanks!
Mark
The Solis is data only..so you could use an app to make calls like WhatsApp, etc. But you cant receive calls on your regular phone number or anything. If you need to receive calls on your phone, the Verizon phone plan would be a better option.
Skyroam worked great in Japan but not well in South Korea. We went to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka Japan and it worked great with 5 phones connected. As soon as we landed in Incheon South Korea it was terrible. We couldn’t even search on google maps the entire trip in SKorea. So we did the online chat with Skyroam tech and they reset things on their end but still no WiFi in South Korea.
Oh really? I was just in Seoul in April and my Skyroam worked great. Maybe it was something with the specific device? Oh, and Google maps doesn’t work in Seoul. Not for walking directions at least. (I learned that the hard way haha). So that issue may have not been the Skyroam. With 5 phones connected i’m sure you would hit the 500MB mark SUPER fast so it slows down to 3G after that. Also keep that in mind! I’m glad it worked well for you in Japan!
Will it work in South Sudan and Bangladesh?
Please confirm!!!
Hi.Did you read the article? I have listed all the countries it works in. I don’t believe it works in those countries yet unfortunately.
Does NOT work in Johannesburg !! I’ve got the solis and it’s very hit or miss. It doesn’t work any better than my Verizon iPhone hotspot.
It did’t work at all? Are you sure? Did you go over the 500MB? It gets slow after that. I haven’t tried it anywhere in Africa yet. But i haven’t been anywhere where it hasn’t worked (if it’s a listed country it works in). The only place is was really bad was in the Phillipines (Palawan island)..but then I got a local SIM and that was shit too haha. It basically runs off the local providers so if they are slow, the Solis will be slow also.
I’m a bit confused the 24 hour passes if you only use a couple hours do you bank the rest for another time or do they run out at the end of the day? Second if I will be in 3 different countries over in Europe in 1 months time what would the best option?
With the 24 hour passes ,you have access to WIFI for 24 hours. If you only use 3, they don’t roll over or anything. So if you activate the pass at 1pm on a Monday, you will have WIFI until 1pm Tuesday. Your options for the one month in Europe would be the Skyroam monthly pass…or just get 3 different SIM cards for the countries you’re visiting (If your phone is unlocked). Hope this helps!
Is the slowing down at 500mb per day or for the whole duration? I am going to France for 17 days and just want a reliable device I can text and make Facetime calls on, as well as check up on social media a few times throughout the day.
It resets every 24 hours (if you get the day pass option). just once you hit the 500MB mark, it slows down til it resets. I would wait til you’re on WIFI at wherever you’re staying to Facetime as that may take up a lot of data and slow it down.
Hi! I am going to Samoa and wondering if skyroam works there. I didn’t see Samoa on the list of countries covered by skyroam. If not is there a way to get it working in Samoa. I know that will be a money maker for your company because a lot of people would buy these for trips to Samoa. Thank you
If it’s not on the list then unfortunately it will not work there. They may however add it in the future as they are constantly adding more countries. I would just purchase a local SIM card when you are there. Good luck!
Hi! Great review of Sky Roam! I’m actually heading over to Thailand in January as my job has allowed me to work abroad and I am thinking of purchasing this device. Question… do you know how fast the internet speed is as wifi speed and quality is very important for me when I’m working. Any information helps! Thanks!
Hi! If you’re going for a long period of time, I would look into getting a local SIM card (you can always use it as a hotspot if needed). The Skyroam is 4G speed but gets slow after 500MB (then it goes to 3G and eventually to 2G if you use it excessively). It’s great for work and emails and stuff but NOT for streaming or any videos or anything. How long are you going for? Is your phone unlockeD? If so, I would just go with a local SIM if you’re going to be living in thailand. Hope that helps!
I have rented the older skyroam device while in Europe and it worked really well. It had a small screen that counted the hours used and resets after 24 hour use.
Does the new Solis works the same way on daily passes? If I only used 12 hours in one day, does it use up all 24 hours before it charges another day?
Thanks for any info.
Hi! With the new Solis you use an app on your phone so you can see all the info more clearly, including the hours left and data used. But to answer your question, yes it will reset after you use the 24 hour period and not before. Hope that helps!:)
Hi. i am going to the US end of June for 20 days. I bought on my last trip (few years back) the old Skyroam device but never used it. as i had international data roaming on my australian mobile.
Q1: will it still work if i say buy the 20 days pass?
Q2: I am going to use my australian mobile for Voice and SMS but need to cover my data usage. is this the best option?
Q3: when you say works on WiFi, does it mean it requires wifi access at the location i am in to use it? or can i just be on the road and still use it?
Hi Robert!
1: your passes don’t expire, so yes you can buy the 20 day pass for your old skyroam!
2: Yes, the skyroam would be the best for data usage!
3: You don’t need a WIFI connection to use it, as the Skyroam IS your WIFI connection. It works with the local cell signal. You can use the Skyroam anywhere! But just keep in mind, if you are in the mountains or far away from civilization you might not get the best service (just the same as a cell phone wouldn’t get good reception in these places).
Hope this helps!! Enjoy!
Can I use Skyroam just within country (Phils) when I’m not travelling? Am on the road a lot. Does this work like the portable Huawei I once had? And how do I load it? What service providers are available?
Hi!
The Skyroam works in the Philippines but on the islands doesnt have the best service (as wifi service is very bad in general on the islands). I have no idea about the portable Huawei, sorry. You dont need a service provider. The Skyroam is its own WIFI hotspot. You can buy passes on your phone or online! You can visit the Skyroam website for more details! Hope this helps.
Hi, I’m going to Philippines in 2 days and will stay for 3 weeks. I need to keep my US phone number while traveling because of work. In one of your answers about Philippines having bad wifi, is it worth buying it?
Thanks,
SeaSeed
Hi! This is a wifi hotspot only. You will not be able to use your US phone number with it unfortunately. The only way to do that is to get an international plan with your phone carrier. Hope that helps!
Hi, I am travelling to both Australia and Bali. I am a bit a skeptical if it would work in Bali mostly. In your experience was it a reliable service when you used it? Thanks
Hi! How long are you going to Bali for? IF you’re going for 5 days or more i would just get a local SIM there as they are pretty cheap! I only used the skyroam one day when i was there (when my SIM data ran out) and it worked pretty well. It can get spotty if you’re going for a hike to a waterfall or something in the woods..but same goes for the SIM card. The way it works is it connects to the local cell network. So if the SIM is getting good signal, the skyroam will. Like in the Philippines the cell signal was terrible (prob the worst wifi ive ever experienced) and the Skyroam was about the same. Hope that helps!
I live in Australia and plan to fly into LAX airport and depart from same location for 23 days, how do I go about renting a skyroam for that period
Hi Dion!! You can have it mailed to you in Australia before your trip! Check out this link: https://shop.skyroam.com/products/skyroam-hotspot-rental. Let me know if you have any more questions!
Used my Skyroam in HK and it is very slow or usually “no network” when using internet.
No problem with text, calls, whatsup, etc…but FB, Google, search engines, etc are all imposible.
It works off the local cell networks..so if the service is normally slow in that area, your device will be slow unfortunately. Are you in a remote place? Have you been using it a lot for movies/videos/snapchat/IG stories? (that uses a ton of data). Do you have several devices connected at once? Once you use a certain amount of data in a day, it drops down from 4G to 3G, etc. So if you’re using it a bunch in a day, it will get slower. That’s what it sounds like is happening since your WhatsApp, texts, etc are working perfectly. That’s what happened to me in Japan as I used Google maps/Snapchat/IG stories a TON in a day. I cut back on the videos a bit, and it worked a lot better. Hope that helps!
Great review. I love how you tell us in which scenarios the portable hotspot is worth getting. I have a huawei portable wifi and, although I don’t use it often, I love the freedom of not worrying about finding free wifi (at a cafe).
Exactly!!! Just having that option is worth it!
What a great review! I now feel thoroughly educated and I love the way you’ve used different scenarios to demonstrate its worth 🙂
Thanks so much! I thought real world scenarios would be way more useful than just reiterating what their website says 🙂
I had no idea you could buy these! My partner and I ‘rented’ one during our recent trip to Japan and it worked wonders! 😀
Super helpful post, great to keep in mind for my next trip!
Ya apparently mobile hotspots are a big thing in Japan..I’m going next week and noticed a lot of advertising for this when I was looking into my options. I think they are gonna be big worldwide soon!! 🙂