Caravan sites are usually set in beautiful locations, where you’re surrounded by rolling fields and lush green forests. And while this is great for relaxation, it’s not ideal for getting internet in your caravan.

Rural broadband is notoriously unreliable. So what can you do when you want to stream your favourite film or video call your family from your caravan? Here’s everything you need to know about caravan internet access, including:

• What your caravan internet options are
• The pros and cons of each option
• How to set up internet in your caravan.

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Caravan internet: what are the options?

There are four main methods of connecting to the internet in your caravan:

• On-site WiFi
• Phone tethering
• MiFi devices
• Caravan WiFi routers.

Let’s explore how each option works, and the pros and cons of using these methods.

How to get internet in your caravan

1. On-site WiFi

Many established caravan sites offer WiFi connectivity as an optional extra. Caravan Club sites offer year-long WiFi connectivity for £30 in addition to your membership fee.

This works in the same way as connecting to any public WiFi network. Simply select the network on your device, enter your login credentials, and start browsing.

Pros:

• No installation or setup necessary
• No extra devices needed

Cons:

• Additional charge to use WiFi
• Connections are notoriously slow and unreliable, especially if you’re in a rural area
• Your usage may be restricted at peak times
• You may need a signal booster to get reasonable speeds.

2. Tether to your phone

Tethering works by allowing other devices to use your mobile phone data. Connect to your phone via Bluetooth, and adjust your phone settings to allow your connected device to use your phone data for internet access.

Pros:

• Fast speeds in areas with good coverage
• No extra devices needed

Cons:

• You’ll quickly use up lots of data if you stream or video call
• Can be expensive if you don’t have a generous data plan
• Tethering to multiple devices will use up lots of data
• Not all networks support tethering.

3. MiFi

MiFi devices are mini portable routers that can be used on-the-go. They work by connecting to local 4G/5G networks. Each MiFi device has a unique login code you can use to access the network.

Pros:

• You can connect to multiple devices
• No upfront cost

Cons:

• Most MiFi devices are battery-operated, so they won’t work if they’re not charged
• You’ll only have access to one network
• You’ll need to set up an additional device.

4. Caravan WiFi router

Caravan WiFi routers work by connecting to local networks and amplifying the signal to your connected devices. So you’ll spend less and get a more reliable caravan internet connection than with any other method.

Pros:

• Fast and reliable
• You’ll only use data if no free WiFi is available
• Use it across multiple devices without incurring high charges
• Stream and video call without incurring high charges
• Installers can set up your router for you

Cons:

• Some setup needed
• Upfront costs are more expensive than other connection types.

How does the Maxview Roam WiFi router for caravans work?

The Maxview Roam 5G is the most advanced reliable caravan internet router on the market. It uses an omnidirectional antenna to locate and connect to local WiFi networks. It then amplifies the signal so you can connect your devices.

If no WiFi is available, the Roam 5G automatically connects you to a 4G or 5G network. This gives you uninterrupted, low-cost access to the internet in your caravan.

Omnidirectional vs directional caravan antennas: which work best?

Directional caravan antennas can pick up strong signals if you know exactly where the WiFi signal is coming from. But most of don’t — so adjusting a directional antenna every time you move in your caravan can be a big hassle.

Omnidirectional antennas are much more convenient. They have a 360-degree range, so they can pick up signals from all around you without needing manual adjustment. It gives you uninterrupted service without the hassle of directional antennas.

How to set up your caravan internet router

The Roam is an all-in-one solution that can be set up by an approved local installer, saving you hassle — so you can do nothing but relax while you’re on holiday. Find a Roam installer here.

If you’d rather set up your router yourself, this is certainly possible. See our caravan router setup guide to learn more.

How much does caravan internet cost?

The cost of getting internet for caravans depends on a few factors:

• Which method you choose
• Your data usage
• Your installation choices.

On-site WiFi is usually fairly affordable, or even free. But you’ll need to balance the lack of reliable connection and usage restrictions with the cost to determine if this is the best option for you.

All other caravan internet options have variable costs depending on your data usage. You’ll need to buy a generous monthly data plan if you want to stream or make video calls regularly.

Here’s a guide to how much monthly data you’ll need for streaming, video calling, and social media usage:

• Streaming video for 90 mins a day = 30GB
• Video chatting for 30 mins a day = 4GB
• Social media for 60 mins a day = 11GB

An online data calculator will help you estimate how much data you need per month. Find out how to choose a data SIM plan for your estimated usage.

That said, there are some cost differences between tethering, MiFi, and caravan routers:

• Tethering and MiFi — no upfront costs, but connecting to multiple devices, streaming, and video calling can increase monthly data costs
• Caravan router — some upfront costs, but monthly data usage is typically much lower, since you’ll automatically connect to local WiFi networks where possible.

Which caravan internet option is best for you?

For casual internet users who just want to browse, tethering, on-site WiFi, or MiFi devices may be sufficient.

But if you want high data usage functionality for the cheapest rate, it’s worth investing in an all-in-one caravan internet router.

Learn more about the Maxview Roam, the high-speed Maxview Roam X or the ultra high speed Maxview Roam 5G.

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