How to Travel With Alexa (and Why You Should)

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You've got an Amazon Echo device with Alexa fully set up and working at home. Now you're going on a trip and want to take your device with you to use in a hotel room or other locale. Can your Echo work just as well outside of your home base? Sure, if you know the tricks.

You need to set up your Echo for the new Wi-Fi network, and there's an additional step needed to coax Alexa to help you in the new locations.

Before you lug your Echo device with you, though, check with your hotel. Some hotels, such as Wynn Las Vegas, have been equipping rooms with Echo speakers. Other chains planning to outfit rooms with Echos include Marriott Hotels, Westin Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Aloft Hotels, and Autograph Collection Hotels. Amazon even offers a special Alexa for Hospitality voice assistant designed to help guests order towels, control the room temperature, find local restaurants, and check out of the hotel.

If your hotel or vacation spot doesn't provide you with an Echo, no problem. You can take any Echo device with you on the road. A svelte Echo Dot ($29.99 at Amazon) is a good traveling companion as it can easily fit in your suitcase or backpack. If you want some visuals, an Echo Show will work fine, but the smaller Echo Spot ($129.99 at Amazon) is easier to carry with you. Otherwise, you can just pack up your regular Amazon Echo. Whichever device you choose, the process is the same for setting it up in a new location.

Oh, and if you simply want to chat with Alexa to listen to music or audiobooks, play games, communicate with other people, and get information, there's no need to lug your device with you. You can accomplish all of that and more through the Alexa app. Just open the app, tap on the blue circle at the bottom, and ask away.

However, if you still want an Echo as your traveling companion—maybe you want it for local information or are hoping to play some games—read on.

Set Up Alexa Device

First, plug in your Echo and let it power up. Open the Alexa app on your mobile phone or tablet and go to Settings. Your existing Echo should appear in the list of devices. Tap the name of your Echo.

Change Wi-Fi Network

In the entry for Wi-Fi Network, tap Change. At the next screen to begin your setup, tap the button Connect to Wi-Fi to continue.

Set Up Wi-Fi Connection

If the orange ring doesn't light up on your device, hold down the appropriate Action button to kick off the Wi-Fi setup.

Connect Devices

Go to the Wi-Fi settings on your phone or tablet and select the name of your Echo device. It should be the word Amazon followed by a dash and three letters.

Select Wi-Fi Network

Alexa will tell you that you've connected to the device. Tap Continue. At the next screen, select your local Wi-Fi network.

Finalize Wi-Fi Set Up

At the next screen, tap the Connect button. Enter the password if necessary. Wait a few minutes for your Echo to hop onto the Wi-Fi network. You should then see a message telling you that setup is complete and the Echo is connected. Tap Continue. You can now start talking to your Echo.

Change Device Location

Next, maybe you want to get Alexa's help with nearby restaurants, weather reports, and other local information. Your Echo doesn't know where it is, so you need to manually change its location setting. Return to Settings in the Alexa app and tap the name of the Echo. Swipe down the screen and tap the entry for Device Location.

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