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Having reliable mobile data when you travel is a must these days. It\u2019s helpful not only for finding things to do or the right bus route, but communicating in an emergency and locating your accommodation if you get lost.<\/p>\n
While I think a lot of travelers spend too much time on their phone, the fact of the matter is that modern travel requires mobile data.<\/p>\n
In the past, that meant paying excessive roaming fees to your phone provider or finding and buying physical SIM cards at the airport. I used to spend fortune on mobile data whenever I went on a long trip. It sucked.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, today, there\u2019s a cheaper and more convenient solution: eSIMs.<\/p>\n
I started using eSIMs recently and they\u2019ve been a game changer.<\/p>\n
So, in this post, I\u2019ll break down what exactly an eSIM is and share my favorite eSIM companies so that you can stay connected on your next trip \u2014 without breaking the bank.
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A SIM card is a small memory card that you insert into your smartphone in order to make calls and use mobile data. It has unique identifiers that ensure that when people call you, the call comes to your device (and not someone else\u2019s). You generally get one from your phone provider when you sign your contract.<\/p>\n
An eSIM is a digital version of this.<\/p>\n
Instead of a physical<\/em> memory card, you instead install software on your smartphone that replicates the same functions as the physical card. Most smartphones only have a single port for a physical SIM card, so the benefit of using eSIMs is that you can have multiple eSIMs on a single device.<\/p>\n For example, if you\u2019re from Germany and are visiting the United States, you\u2019ll need to physically remove your German SIM card on arrival and install a physical US SIM card if you want to avoid paying excessive roaming fees. But once you swap SIM cards, you won\u2019t be able to receive calls or texts to your German phone number unless you physically remove the US SIM card and put the German SIM card back into your phone.<\/p>\n This is a tedious process if you need to access multiple numbers during your trip. Hence the convenience of eSIMs. They make it super easy to visit multiple countries each year without having to juggle SIM cards. And since they let you get set up before you arrive, you can get mobile data the minute you touch down.<\/p>\n Convenience<\/strong> \u2013 Not only can you set up your eSIM from the comfort of home, but you can do it before you leave so it\u2019s ready when you arrive. (If you forget to do so, you can purchase an eSIM and get connected in seconds.) Plus, you can also extend your plans or upgrade them on the fly, which is much easier (and faster) than having to extend the plan for a physical SIM card.<\/p>\n Price<\/strong> \u2013 eSIMs are super cheap now, with plans starting at just $4\u20135 USD. That\u2019s a fraction of what you\u2019ll pay for a roaming plan!<\/p>\n Extra Perks<\/strong> \u2013 Some companies (such as Jetpac<\/a>) offer extra perks beyond just the eSIM data package. These can include things like lounge access for delayed flights and free VPN trials.<\/p>\n Customer Service<\/strong> \u2013 If you buy a SIM card on arrival at the airport, you can\u2019t really go back to that airport kiosk if you have a problem since you\u2019ll likely have traveled onward. With an eSIM, you\u2019ll have 24\/7 access to online support for questions and troubleshooting.<\/p>\n Multiple Usage<\/strong> \u2013 While some eSIMs will expire, it\u2019s possible to get eSIMs that you can reuse again and again, saving you time and energy. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n What I especially love, though, is that it\u2019s just a one-time installation. Many other eSIMs require a new installation for each new eSIM that you buy. That\u2019s not the case with Jetpac, making this a great choice for travelers who want a hassle-free eSIM (especially travelers who are less tech savvy).<\/p>\n Jetpac doesn\u2019t just offer eSIMs though. They actually have some pretty solid travel perks, which, in my mind, is what makes them the best eSIM for travelers. This includes free lounge access at the airport if your flight is delayed, and a free trail of ExpressVPN (which can keep your mobile data safe and secure while abroad).<\/p>\n Jetpac at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n Saily at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n READERS CAN ALSO GET 5% OFF WITH THE CODE NOMADICMATT5! CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOURS!<\/a> Holafly at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n Airalo at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do eSIMs support phone calls and SMS messages or just data?<\/strong> How do I activate an eSIM?<\/strong> Which devices support eSIM?<\/strong> Can I use both an eSIM and a physical SIM on my device?<\/strong> Can I switch between eSIM profiles?<\/strong> How secure is an eSIM?<\/strong> Can I transfer an eSIM to a new device?<\/strong> From booking activities to using Google Maps to calling an Uber, having mobile data makes travel easier (and safer). Fortunately, it\u2019s never been easier to access mobile data. eSIMs are affordable, easy to use, and can even have awesome extra perks (like Jetpac’s<\/a> Jetpass).<\/p>\n I use an eSIM whenever I travel and I encourage you to do the same. They are the best way to stay connected and make the most of your travels \u2014 no matter where you are going!<\/p>\n Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Want to Travel for Free?<\/strong> Need a Rental Car?<\/strong> Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?<\/strong>Why use an eSIM?<\/h3>\n
The Best eSIMs for Travelers<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/bestesimtravelers2.jpg\")
\nJetpac<\/strong>
\nJetpac<\/a> is a travel eSIM company founded in Singapore. They offer affordable mobile data coverage to over 150 destinations around the world. I like that they offer regional bundles so that you can visit more than one country with the same eSIM and still have reliable coverage.<\/p>\n\n
\nSaily<\/strong>
\nWhat makes Saily<\/a> stand above the competition though is that they are more than just an eSIM company. Their plans include several awesome perks that make using them a no-brainer. These include a virtual location (ensures your data is private), ad blocker (improves your experience and saves your data), and web protection (reduces trackers and malicious websites harming you).<\/p>\n\n
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\nHolafly<\/strong>
\nHolafly<\/a> has a ton of plans, many with unlimited data, all connected to reliable networks so you\u2019re covered no matter where you travel. They offer plans to 160 destinations, and the ability to access unlimited data is a big plus in my book. As such, they\u2019re great for heavy data users. Plus, you can hot spot your friends up to 1 GB of data per day.<\/p>\n\n
\nAiralo<\/strong>
\nAiralo<\/a> is one of the biggest eSIM providers in the world, with plans covering over 200 countries\/regions. They make it super easy to setup your eSIM, with a sleek website and reliable customer service. In addition to country-specific eSIMs, they also have regional data packs as well as global packs that cover over 135 countries (perfect for long-term nomads).<\/p>\n\n
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about eSIMs:<\/h3>\n
\nSome eSIMs do, though most eSIMs currently offer data only. If you need to be able to make local or international calls on a data-only eSIM, there are a lot of ways to do this (like WiFi calling, Google Voice, or Skype). <\/p>\n
\nYou can activate an eSIM by scanning a QR code provided by your carrier or by entering activation details in your phone\u2019s settings. All eSIM providers will have detailed instructions on how to activate their eSIM, and all good carriers should have 24\/7 customer support to help you if needed.<\/p>\n
\nMost newer (post-2018) smartphones support eSIMs. Most providers have a list of phone models that support eSIMs, so make sure to check before purchasing one (especially if you have an older phone).<\/p>\n
\nMany (though not all) devices offer dual-SIM functionality, allowing you to use both an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time. Make sure to look into international roaming charges with your home provider before you keep your physical SIM active abroad. If you want to ensure that it doesn\u2019t automatically connect while abroad (usually incurring high roaming charges), make sure to turn off roaming for your physical SIM. <\/p>\n
\nYes, you can store multiple eSIM profiles on your device and switch between them. Some newer phone models allow two eSIMs to be active at once, while others only allow one to be active at a time.<\/p>\n
\neSIMs are considered more secure than physical SIM cards because they are embedded in the device and harder to tamper with.<\/p>\n
\nSome carriers allow you to transfer an eSIM to a new device, but you may need to request a new activation code from your carrier. Some carriers also only let you transfer eSIMs once, so make sure to check before doing so if you need to.<\/p>\n\nBook Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nFind a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. <\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nTravel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation \u2014 all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites<\/a> to get started and see the latest best deals.<\/p>\n
\nDiscover Cars<\/a> is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best \u2014 and cheapest \u2014 rental for your trip!<\/p>\n
\nGet Your Guide<\/a> is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. <\/p>\n