It's happened to all of us: You're on your morning commute when you realize you forgot to submit that report to your boss before you left home, and there’s only five minutes until he wants it in his inbox. Before you start weighing turning in your resignation versus dealing with your boss’s wrath, you have a backup option: free public Wi-Fi. If you can’t simply send it via your smartphone but you have your laptop with you, you’ll need to find a Wi-Fi spot — stat. Luckily, you can visit the following places to get public Wi-Fi whenever an emergency hits.
Grab Coffee or Food at a Popular Franchise
An extra cup of joe never hurt anyone. Walk into any Starbucks or Panera Bread and you’ll be able to connect to the store's Wi-Fi, but you may have to order coffee or a sandwich to get the password. If you’re in a time crunch, politely ask the cashier for the password if it’s not already posted so you can send the email first, then treat yourself to something afterward — quid pro quo. Here’s a list of some national franchises that have free public Wi-Fi:
- Starbucks
- Subway
- Dunkin’
- Panera Bread
- Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble is the only one where you won’t have to worry about buying anything to access the Wi-Fi, but it has a café where you can grab a drink, sit at a table, and log in to your laptop.
Internet Insights: Public Wi-Fi isn’t always secure, but there are ways to keep your data safe, such as using a VPN. |
Support Local Businesses
Whether you prefer local businesses over popular franchises or you want to support small-business owners, most of them offer free Wi-Fi. They know people come into their businesses for work meetings or because their home Wi-Fi is spotty, so most provide Wi-Fi access for their patrons. You’ll likely need to be a paying customer to get the password, though, so make sure you buy food or a drink (and throw in a tip while you’re at it!).
Visit a Public Library
Local public libraries not only offer computers for residents to use, but they also offer free Wi-Fi access. They’re also quieter than franchises or local businesses, and they’re staffed by super-friendly librarians. If you run into any issues while using the internet, librarians can help you troubleshoot simple connectivity problems. Plus the librarian probably hasn’t seen you since you were 10 years old, so stop in and say hi!
Internet Insights: Some public libraries host coding classes for aspiring STEM students. |
Swing by Your Alma Mater
It’s doubtful that your local elementary school offers free Wi-Fi, but the university you attended definitely does. In today’s digital world, students and professors share lectures and notes via the internet on a daily basis, so Wi-Fi is a must-have in every college’s budget. You may need your old student ID, but step on campus, show some alumni pride, and log on to the college’s Wi-Fi. (And let’s be real: That tuition you’re still paying off should definitely cover it!).
Use Public Transportation Wi-Fi
Many city and charter buses are now equipped with Wi-Fi for passengers. New York City paved the way when its city buses and subways started offering Wi-Fi and USB charging ports for commuters. Now even smaller cities keep their commuters connected. If you need Wi-Fi during your daily commute, hop on a bus or take the subway. Plus you’ll make a greener choice for the environment.
Turn On and Search for Wi-Fi Hotspots
If you haven’t already done so, switch on the hotspot on your smartphone. Most major wireless providers include hotspots or Wi-Fi access points for their customers, including:
These providers offer millions of hotspots to their customers because they want to keep you connected no matter where your day may take you. Hotspots are offered in a variety of places, including coffee shops, hotels, airports, and even airplanes, and they come as portable devices too.