Using an eSim for international travel is a simple and practical solution to guarantee you have access to the internet on your smartphone as soon as you land in a different country. Nowadays, smartphones are used to store important trip information, tickets, booking details, and apps that help you find the best paths to visit the attractions you want, like Google Maps.
Your local telephone company may not have coverage in your destination, or you will have to pay high roaming fees. That's where the eSIM comes in; you can buy a package of data, according to your needs, and install the eSIM when you arrive at your destination.
What Is an eSIM for International Travel?
An eSIM for international travel is a digital SIM card that you can buy to use local data when you are in a foreign country. Different from physical SIMs. You don't need to change the chip on your cellphone to use an eSIM.
You can activate it online and change your current plan to a network data plan that will work in your destination, avoiding paying roaming charges. All you have to do is choose an eSIM provider that offers coverage on your trip destinations, select a prepaid plan, and install the eSIM on your cellphone.
How Does an eSIM for International Travel Work?
Companies from all over the world provide eSIM cards with prepaid plans that you can purchase and download to have access to local networks when you are travelling. The eSIM is a digital version of the SIM card, so you don't need to buy a physical one when you are abroad. It is possible to activate it virtually.
First, you must check if your cell phone is compatible with the eSIM technology. The most recent versions of mobile devices are. After that, you need to select a provider, check what companies offer plans to the region you are going to visit, and their prices. Analyze how much data you are going to need, considering your online behavior. If you are a heavy internet user, you may need more data.
Once you buy a plan, you will receive a QR code or a link to download and activate the eSIM. You can do that when you arrive at your destination. Then, the eSim will connect to partner networks to provide you with high-speed internet.
Benefits of Using an eSIM to Travel
Cost
One of the main benefits of using an eSIM for international travel is that you will save money by not having to pay roaming charges. You can find plans that are much cheaper than the daily roaming fees and that offer you the same service.
Flexibility
With the eSim, you don't need to change your cellphone number. It allows you to keep your primary SIM active, so you can receive calls and send texts to your contacts through it, and only use the eSIM to connect to the internet. Besides, you have the flexibility to choose a data plan based on the number of days you are going to stay at your destination.
Security
With an eSIM prepaid plan, you don't need to rely on public wi-fi networks to connect to the internet when you are travelling, which helps to keep your personal data safer.
What to Look For in an eSIM for International Travel
When searching for the eSIM and plan to use it on your trip, there are some key factors that are worth taking into account.
- Device Compatibility: Check if your cellphone is compatible with eSIMs.
- Coverage: Look for providers that have a partnership with mobile networks in the region you will be traveling to. They must be able to offer you a reliable connection to 4G and 5G networks.
- Data Amount and Travel Duration: select a plan that fits your expected data usage according to the duration of your trip, and your internet usage behavior.
- Plan Prices: research multiple providers to find the one that offers the best price and data amount according to your needs.
4 Best eSIMs for International Travel
1. Airalo
eSIM for international travel - Airalo
Airalo offers data packs for over 200 countries and regions. It has local eSIMs for countries like Brazil, Peru, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, South Africa, and China. If you are going to travel to more than one country, you can opt for regional eSIMs, for example, that cover European territory, or Middle East and North Africa, or Latin America.
They also have global eSIMs that cover 137 countries. The prices will vary depending on the region, amount of data, and duration of the plan. To install an eSIM from Airalo, you need to download the app, choose your destination and package, then install the eSIM and activate it.
Key features:
- Local eSIMs
- Regional eSIMs
- Global eSIMs
- Instant connectivity
- 24/7 customer support
2. eSIM Japan
eSIM for international travel - eSIM Japan
The eSIM Japan has nationwide plans with 5G unlimited data, unlimited data, fixed data, or daily data. If you are going to only one city in Japan, you can opt for the city plans, for example, to Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, or Okinawa.
But, if you are travelling to several countries in Asia, eSIM Japan also has options for you. They provide plans with coverage to Japan and Korea, Japan and China, Japan, Korea and China, and China. Another option is the eSIM Asia with coverage to 16 countries in the region.
Key features:
- Fast 4G LTE data
- Limitless hotspot data
- Completely prepaid
- 24/7 customer support
3.eSIM USA
eSIM for international travel - eSIM USA
With eSIM USA, you can choose from plans that cover the entire United States, specific cities like NewYork and Miami, or US territories such as Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands. They also offer multi-country plans for the USA and Canada, and the USA and Mexico, for instance.
You have plan options with unlimited data that include phone calls, only unlimited data, and with 5GB plan valid for 15 days.
Key features:
- Fast 4G LTE data
- Limitless hotspot data
- Completely prepaid
- 24/7 customer support
4. eSIM Europe
eSIM for international travel - eSIM Europe
If you are planning a trip to multiple countries in Europe, the eSIM Europe was developed to help you keep connected in all of them. They offer plans with coverage to more than 40 countries, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, France, the UK, and many more.
You can opt for plans with unlimited data, 20GB with calls, or 5GB calls. The validation varies for each type of plan.
Key features:
- Fast 4G LTE data
- Limitless hotspot data
- Completely prepaid
- 24/7 customer support
Choose the Best eSIM Plan for Your Trip.
Now that you have seen what an eSIM for international travel is and how it works, what about using this solution for the next time you are abroad? Research the plan options, choose the one that meets your needs, and enjoy.
