The Digital Nomad’s Guide to the Top Airports in the World
One of the great things about being a digital nomad and living and working anywhere is that you get to travel. Of course, this
means spending time in various airports as you go from one glorious destination to the next. So, which ones are best when it
comes to keeping in touch with your business, family, and friends?
Here are some favorites for digital nomads from around the world, as well as what to expect when you are in them:
Budapest Airport – Budapest, Hungary
Budapest Airport offers free Wi-Fi for the first two hours you are there. And if you need to print something, you can do so by using
their passenger lounges. They even supply meeting rooms if you happen to be there at the same time as someone else on your
team and want to find a quiet place to chat about work.
O’Hare International Airport – Chicago, Illinois
Find yourself at O’Hare in Chicago and you will enjoy the first 20 minutes of Wi-Fi free, with the option to pay $6.95 for an
additional 24 hours of service through Boingo, which means that you can access Internet through any of their locations during
that time period. If you need to power up any of your devices, there are numerous charging stations located throughout terminals
1, 2, 3, and 5. Plus, download the FlySmart app and you can find all of their amenities and services rather easily.
Heathrow Airport – London, England
Heathrow offers four hours of Wi-Fi free, even offering an additional four hours at no extra charge if you join their Heathrow
Rewards loyalty program. They also have pay-as-you-go computer desks scattered throughout the airport, if that helps. If you
want to print anything, you’ll have to do so before going through security though as there aren’t any public printers available
after that point.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport – Austin, Texas
Austin-Bergstrom gives you 90 consecutive minutes of Wi-Fi free per day through Boingo. To purchase more time, the rate for
24 hours is $7.95, or you can get Boingo Unlimited for a couple bucks more, or $9.95 per month. You might even want to stop
at Knot Anymore Massage (by gate 13) while you are there and get out all of the kinks that travel can sometimes create.
Suvarnabhumi Airport – Bangkok, Thailand
This airport offers two hours of free Wi-Fi daily, which gives you some time to catch up on emails or send notes to various
members of your team. You may also want to visit their Internet Café if you want to use their computer systems and not take
the time to set up your own.
Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport – Seattle, Washington
If you’re lucky enough to spend time in the Seattle airport, you will have access to free Wi-Fi, as well as under-your-seat power
outlets available at most every gate. They also offer MP3 chargers at various kiosks in the concourses. And if you want an
Internet-enabled phone, you can rent one for $0.35 per minute (there is a $5 minimum for this service).
New Delhi Indira Ghandi Airport – New Delhi, India
New Delhi airport offers Wi-Fi a number of ways. For instance, if you have a Boingo account, you can simply log in through them.
You can also purchase a paid plan at 99 INR for one hour or 199 INR for three hours or obtain a scratch card from the
Lounge/Counter located inside the terminal. And if you have to switch airports while there, they offer a complimentary shuttle bus
that runs between domestic and international airports.
McCarran International Airport – Las Vegas, Nevada
McCarran allows you to check in for your flight right from your mobile phone. It also offers free Wi-Fi in all public areas of the
airport. Don’t forget to take a break from working while you are there and put a couple coins in their in-airport slot machines. Who
knows? You may just win enough to fund your next travel adventure!
Incheon International Airport – Seoul, South Korea
At Incheon, you can rent a mobile phone if you’d like, or send a package or letter via their in-terminal postal services. You get
free Wi-Fi as well, which makes this airport great for all types of business and communication purposes.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – San Franciso, California
Free Wi-Fi is also available at SFO, with work stations and power outlets located throughout the terminals (some near the food
court so you can replenish your energy physically as well as electronically). It’s almost like having your own office space, just
make sure you don’t leave anything behind.
Schönefeld Airport and Tegel Airport – Berlin, Germany
Stop at either Schönefeld Airport or Tegel Airport in Berlin and you can quickly know where all of their services and amenities are
through an app, which is available through ITunes or Google Play. As far as Wi-Fi is concerned, only your first hour is free, but
that may be enough time to catch up quickly before taking your next flight.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – New York, New York
At JFK, there are a number of ways you can get Internet access. For instance, you can pay hourly ($4.95 per hour) or daily
($7.95 per day). They also have a monthly subscription option for $9.95 if you want unlimited access to various spots around the
globe. Additionally, there are charging stations available pre- and post-security so you can power up your devices pretty much
anywhere in the airport.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur offers three hours of free Wi-Fi in most areas of the airport. They also have multimedia phone kiosks which give
you access to the web as well. They even have pay phones if you have any calls to make, or postal services if there is something
you need to send something out via regular mail.
Barcelona-El Prat Airport – Barcelona, Spain
Travel through Barceloa-El Prat Airport and you will only get 15 minutes free Wi-Fi, whether you are in terminal 1 or terminal 2.
So, while this particular location doesn’t exactly give you a lot of no-cost time to keep in touch, it does give you some if there is an
important message that needs to be sent out or if you quickly want to check your inbox.
Mexico City International Airport – Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City International Airport offers cell phone services and postal services, but it doesn’t seem to offer any type of Internet
service. In other words, don’t expect to get too much business done if you wind up here, that is, unless you have your own
Internet connection device.
Tallinn Airport – Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn Airport not only offers free Wi-Fi, they also have 14 different kiosks you can use if you prefer to keep your laptop in its
case. And if you want to conduct your business in a quieter location away from the normal hustle and bustle of the airport, you
can gain access to their business class Nordea Lounge for €30.
There you have it, your digital nomad guide to some of the top airports in the world. Now the only question you have to answer is
which one you’re going to go to first!
