Last year, I took my I-Pod to send and access e-mails and to make hotel reservations as we traveled around Germany. It worked fine in friends homes, and B&B's that had free access, but I could not connect on trains or other areas with "hotspot" signs, or even McDonalds (no free internet) Do I need to purchase something like Clear Spot when I get to Germany? I called Clear spot and they do not have service in Germany. I am returning to Germany in Sept and would like to be able to solve this problem. Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
My experience at German McDonalds was that they were now charging for Internet access unlike every other McDonalds in the world. Boingo is another company that sells wifi access around the world. I tried them for a bit but they didn't have access in the places I traveled. You can check their site, though, and see if they might work for your situation. My solution was to use a cell network and connect over my phone (the phone can act as a wifi hotspot so I can connect other devices). Far more convenient, especially for light use. AT&T is now offering sort-of decent international data packages and T-Mobile is doing the same for its business customers. To me, using a U.S. carrier is tempting, but what I have done so far is use access through T-Mobile U.K. I described what I did here: Prepaid data in Germany.
Posted by
Genesee, ID
1840 posts
Every hotel where we have been a guest in Europe has had WiFi. It has been free with an exception or two. My wife uses her iPod Touch 1st generation for email. Email is part of our afternoon ritual along with the taking of stronger waters.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
I don't know what Clear Spot is, but you don't need anything special to connect to wifi. But a "hotspot" sign doesn't mean it is necessarily free or open access. Restaurants and hotels/hostals/hostels usually have to give you a password to access their system even if it is free. That was the case everywhere I stayed on a recent trip. At checkin, I was handed a little slip of paper with the password - if I asked for it. Just ask your server or reception desk person how to access the network.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
When free Wifi is offered at places like McDonalds or Starbucks, you usually have to agree to a legal disclaimer before proceeding. When yor devices connects to the WiFi signal, open your browser and the legal mumbo jumbo will appear, after you click "I agree", you will then be allowed to use internet functions like email, web, Skype etc.