Whats the best solution for Internet access when travelling

[canam-phil]

I'm planning a car trip - Loire, Champagne and Brittany and need to be on the internet from time to time for emergency IT support. I have a laptop and iPhone and using these I can access the relevant web servers and routers.

But I'm concerned that iPhone will be expensive and would prefer to use laptop and wifi or 3G dongle. I know a lot of hotels etc have wifi available. How widespread are public access wifi hotspots. I'm thinking cafe, restaurants etc.

Is there any other solution?

I dont anticipate using much data download, its just for traffic reports etc on the networks.

[smifffymoto]

Nearley all McDonalds have WiFi as do most Maries(all free)

[mogv8]

WiFi hotspots will be cheapest option by far.

3G will be fairly expensive - if you use a UK provider anyway. I do this a fair bit and my work get billed £9.99 per day 3G and £4.99 for blackberry. Both vodafone. On top data limits are fairly low so dont go streaming video !!

[leyorkie]

Leclerc cafes have free wi-fi
Is there an app to pick up hot spots? at my local Leclerc my i-phone picks up 4 different connextions

[geordieexpat]

Suppose the best advice is what has been given. I used my Iphone at home in France (its UK number) due to internet off and I was charged over £100 for a few days - rip off

McD's, L'eclerc, and most malls have free wifi, so if you are travelling use that!

My internet in France is dirt cheap so I maybe converting my Iphone to a french number

[canam-phil]

Everyone, thanks for the info, which seems to confirm I can stay in contact most of the time using a combination of iphone and laptop in the free wifi zones.