Short-term internet with no contract
For a stay of a few months, pick a plan with no term agreement and no installer visit. Month-to-month and prepaid plans exist for most connection types.
- Ask for a month-to-month plan with no early cancellation fee.
- 5G home internet is the quickest to start and stop.
- Check the install fee and the equipment return rule before you order.
Your options
- Month-to-month plans. Many cable, fiber and wireless plans have no annual contract. You pay a little more than the contract price and can cancel any month.
- Prepaid internet. You pay for 30 days in advance. There is no bill and usually no credit check. When you stop paying, service stops.
- 5G home internet. A box arrives by mail, you plug it in, and you send it back when you leave. Usually no contract.
- Phone hotspot plan. Fine for one person and light use. Most plans slow down after a set amount of data.
Costs that matter on a short stay
On a three-month stay, one-time fees matter more than the monthly price.
- Installation or activation fee. Ask for self-install, which is often cheaper.
- Equipment. Rented gear must go back. Ask how, and keep the receipt.
- Early cancellation fee. There should be none on a month-to-month plan. Ask the agent to confirm it.
- Promo price rules. Some low prices need a 12-month term. Say at the start that you need service for only a few months.
Good questions for the call
- Is this plan month to month, with no cancellation fee?
- What do I pay today, in total?
- How do I return the equipment, and by when?
- Can I pause service instead of cancelling, if I come back each year?
Seasonal homes
If you return to the same address each year, ask about a seasonal hold. Some providers keep the account open for a small monthly fee, so you avoid a new install every season.
Common questions
Can I get home internet for just one month?
Yes. Prepaid internet and most 5G home internet plans can be used for a single month.
Is no-contract internet more expensive?
The monthly price is often a little higher than a contract price, but you avoid cancellation fees, which matters more on a short stay.
What is the fastest way to get internet in a temporary home?
5G home internet or a prepaid plan with self-install. Both avoid waiting for a technician.