Is Hotel Wi-Fi Safe? Here’s What Cybersecurity Experts Say You Need to Know Before You Log In Here’s what to know before logging on to the Wi-Fi at your next hotel. By Iona Brannon Iona Brannon Iona Brannon is a journalist with a love for food and travel. Her work has appeared in Afar, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider, among other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on July 25, 2026 Leave a Comment Close A traveler working on her computer in a hotel room. Credit: Thomas M Barwick/Getty Images Two cybersecurity experts say hotel Wi-Fi is generally low risk, but fake networks and poor security habits can still expose travelers.Travelers should verify the hotel’s official Wi-Fi network, keep devices updated, and enable multi-factor authentication before a trip.For banking, work accounts, and other sensitive activities, both experts recommend using a mobile hotspot instead of hotel Wi-Fi. What’s the first thing you do when you check into a hotel? For many travelers, it’s asking for the Wi-Fi password. And while some people log into their bank accounts without a second thought, others won’t even check their email unless they’re connected to a VPN. So, who’s right? Is hotel Wi-Fi actually safe, or should you avoid accessing sensitive information altogether? To find out, we interviewed two cybersecurity experts—and, it turns out, the answer falls somewhere in the middle. Hotel Wi-Fi does come with risks, but in many cases, the biggest vulnerability isn’t the network itself; it’s how travelers use it. Here’s what you need to know about hotel Wi-Fi before your next trip. The Network Isn’t the Main Problem Connecting to Wi-Fi in a hotel room. Luis Alvarez/Getty Images Security analyst Udaya Vemuri says hotel Wi-Fi is convenient but not something he fully trusts. One