A portable WiFi makes connecting to the internet on several devices easy. It is the best option when we travel in groups or have smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other devices that need the internet. Having opportunities to purchase at the airport is more convenient than looking in the city. For this reason, we will show you how to rent a pocket WiFi at Sydney Airport, prices, plans, and how to use them, as well as what other alternatives you have to stay connected.

Finding solutions in online stores with delivery at the airport is more common than local options once you are in the terminal. It is also essential to recognize if you need a mobile hotspot or if some other alternative at the airport or city would also work for us.

How to rent a pocket WiFi at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport

In the case of Sydney Airport, when we talk about renting a pocket WiFi, we mean to make a previous booking with a provider and pick-up at a terminal. The local option at the airport is to pay for a WiFi zone from Optus Mobile, one of the operators in the country. This will only be for use at the airport; no physical stores offer mobile hotspots on the terminals. 

So, the process of renting a pocket WiFi starts before arriving at the airport, and once we are there, we just need to give our information and pick up the device. To better understand what to do, we will explain below a step-by-step guide to renting a pocket WiFi at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.

Step-by-step to rent a pocket WiFi

First, we should look for an online store with the option of pick-up at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Some of these providers are Wilh-ma and Klook, which offer pocket WiFi services for Australia and the option of delivery in terminals. 

Once we have chosen with whom we will rent, we proceed to make the booking. For this, we must indicate the days we will use the device and the data plan we are interested in. The plans include limited data at high speed and unlimited data at a reduced rate. Consider that having several devices connected will divide the speed between them, so if there are many, you may see the performance affected. 

Finally, once we have entered this information, we must indicate that we want to pick it up at the airport. There, you will also see the exact address where you got it. You must know that there is a schedule of attention so if you arrive out of that time you must wait. Finally, you can indicate if you want extra service and confirm the information you entered before paying. 

Now, you just have to wait to get to the airport and pick up your package. Depending on the supplier, you will have to pick it up somewhere. The places are usually the Australia Post Office in Sydney International Airport, with working hours between 7:00-19:00 daily. Or Baggage Storage by Smarte Carte, Terminal 1, Arrivals Level, Sydney International Airport, with working hours between 07:00-19:00 daily.

Options for pocket WiFi providers at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport

You might be surprised that few alternatives can deliver directly to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Most stores offer delivery to the city or hotel if you already know where you will be staying. The options are limited, but you can still rent and pick up at the airport with these stores.

• Wilh-Ma: It is an ideal solution for travelers with short stays. You can choose from five data plans and several days of use. Includes charger, instructions, and return shipping included.
• Klook: You can also choose from five data plans. A device with approximately ten hours of usage and speed up to 70 Mbps is included. The package will have a charger, user guide, and travel guide. You must book at least five days in advance.

You should be aware that these companies have a policy against damage or loss, so if you lose the device or it breaks down, you will have to pay an additional fee. It can be pretty expensive, so using the device with care is advisable.

Price and service comparison

In this comparison table, we will review the prices and features of each service, considering the most basic package for one week of rented usage. There are plans with more data, but they include a higher cost. Damage policy will be considered for the loss of the device.

Other options to have mobile internet at the airport and in the city 

Certainly, a mobile hotspot can be convenient for some travelers. Still, it is not our only option for maintaining internet abroad. There are other cheaper and easier-to-get alternatives for when we don’t need to connect to so many devices. We will tell you about these exciting options for communicating in Sydney

eSIM with unlimited data in Sydney

The virtual SIM card or eSIM is compatible with some phones and allows us to buy and install a data plan without a physical chip. For this reason, providers like Holafly offer unlimited data packages for Sidney. Once on their website, you will have it activated on your device in just minutes.

Their plans for Sydney include unlimited data, with options from $19 and up to $54. With five and up to 20 days of usage, any packages can be recharged through top-ups. You also have access to a website in over a dozen languages and live customer support in over five languages.

International roaming in Australia

If you are a frequent traveler, you should know about roaming services. These allow us to use our local data plan abroad and were one of the first ways to stay connected while traveling. Rates vary by carrier but are generally very expensive. 

If traveling from the US, carriers like Verizon have day passes for up to $10/day to surf in Sydney. On the other hand, European travelers could pay up to $6.2/day to use data in this destination if they use Three UK services. It should be noted that the speed and coverage depend on agreements with local operators and could be affected in some areas.

WiFi at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport

This is a relatively new alternative. In the airport, Optus Mobile, an Australian operator, offers WiFi services you can rent by the hour. In these Optus Wireless Connect Zones you can pay with international credit cards and they have rates from $12.10 per hour with their most basic package.

For more frequent travelers, there are plan options that you can pay monthly and guarantee you access to the zones as long as you are up to date. These range from $5.5 to $49.5 per month.

Use of pocket WiFi

Generally, WiFi portables do not require any additional configuration or application. Once turned on, they work the same way as the WiFi network you have at home. To get an idea, we can take the example of the Klook device, a relatively standard version of a mobile hotspot. 

The first step is to turn on the device by pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds. The device may take up to 60 seconds to search for a network. Once the device is connected, the data usage and country name will be displayed on the screen. To display the SSID and password, press the power button once.

Which is the best option to be connected at the airport and in the city

If you need to have an internet connection on multiple devices at the same time or if you are traveling to a remote area, then pocket WiFi is the best option for you. When you have a compatible device and only require internet on one device, an eSIM with unlimited data is a great choice. If you don’t mind paying a high amount of money and you don’t want to buy or rent an additional device for your trip, then you could consider using your local operator’s roaming.

As you can see, there is an alternative for every traveler; however, virtual SIM cards, in many cases, are a better fit. They offer the combination of unlimited data and excellent coverage, and you won’t have to pay as much as a roaming service. If you need a connection on multiple devices, you can always use several eSIMs.

FAQ about pocket WiFi at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport

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