So, there has been a lot of talk about eSIMs. And now that you’re finally thinking about that vacation, these talks suddenly seem relevant. But you’re still sceptical. After all, you’re used to the traditional plastic SIM card. It’s been here for as long as you remember, and it’s the norm. Why would anyone move away from it?
Well, we’re here to tell you that plastic SIM cards are being phased out, and fast! More and more people are starting to prefer an eSIM, especially when it comes to travel. But may still have doubts that prevent them from taking the plunge. So, we’re here to rectify that.
Here are seven questions that travellers, like you, may have regarding travel eSIMs. Their answers might just help you make a decision when it comes to choosing the best eSIM for international travel. Head right in!
Is an eSIM for International Travel Worth It?
Absolutely! If there’s one group that benefits from eSIMs, it’s travellers. Thanks to eSIMs, travellers don’t have to stand in long queues at airport SIM stores or SIM kiosks.
Connect to the airport’s Wi-Fi, make a few taps, and voila! You now have an eSIM that will help you throughout your trip.
With travel eSIMs, you get sufficient high-speed data at super-affordable prices. Rather than overpaying for a local prepaid SIM card with benefits for 30 days, you can just opt for a travel eSIM at a lower price and just use the data that’s included.
| Plan Name | Data | Pricing Starts At | Benefits | Get this deal |
| UK Plan Smart | 5 GB | £5.00 | • 100 International Mins • Up to 5GB EU Roaming | Get this deal |
| National Plus | 30 GB | £5.00 | • 100 International Mins • Up to 12GB EU Roaming | Get this deal |
| UK Plan Unlimited | Unlimited | £12.50 | • 100 International Mins • Up to 35GB EU & India Roaming | Get this deal |
These eSIMs are also particularly handy for multi-country trips, as the best eSIMs for international travel usually include regional plans. This is not the case with local prepaid SIM cards that force you to purchase add-ons based on the countries you plan to visit.
eSIM profiles are also pretty disposable. Just picture this. You download an eSIM profile, have a fun trip, and delete it when you return to your home country. This is unlike a traditional SIM card, where you have to manually remove it and throw it away if you don’t plan to use it anymore.
And getting rid of plastic SIM cards contributes to the planet’s e-waste. So, if you consider yourself eco-conscious, then eSIMs are a must!
What Do eSIM Plans Include?
This depends on the type of eSIM you’re getting. Some providers only get you data. These are known as travel eSIMs and usually come with chunks of data allocation for specific periods, which range from 3 to 30 days. You don’t get a number with travel eSIMs.
Some providers get you data, text, and calling benefits. These eSIMs are akin to your traditional PAYG plans and usually come with a number.
And then there are providers, like Lyca Mobile, that offer both. You can either opt for a travel eSIM or a traditional PAYG eSIM based on the duration of your trip and your call, text, and data requirements.
Can You Keep Your Home Number with an International Travel eSIM While Travelling Overseas?
Yes, you can keep your home number when you use an international travel eSIM. As mentioned earlier, most travel eSIMs offer just data. This means that you can simply activate them and use the data for accounts related to your primary number, like WhatsApp, Gmail, YouTube, and others.
There’s another benefit to this. Since you’re opting for an eSIM, you don’t have to disable your primary line. This gives you the luxury of keeping your primary line available for important messages, like bank OTPs.
How to Get an eSIM for International Travel?
You can get an eSIM for international travel by visiting the network operator’s website. Yes, everything’s online. There’s no visiting the store, filling out forms, or fighting with the SIM ejector tool.
You just pick the best eSIM for international travel and pay for it online. The operator then either sends you an email with the activation instructions or requests you to download their app to install their eSIM. Regardless of the method, you only need a stable internet connection and an eSIM-compatible smartphone to get a travel eSIM. The entire process is quick and super straightforward.
Are eSIMs the Ideal Alternative to Physical SIMs?
Yes, of course! eSIMs are the ideal alternative to physical SIM cards because of the following reasons.
- Physical SIM cards can be stolen
- Physical SIM cards are vulnerable to damage
- Physical SIM cards need to be manually inserted/removed
- Physical SIM cards can be cloned easily
- Physical SIM cards contribute to e-waste (approximately 18,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year)
- Physical SIM cards are prone to logistical issues
- Physical SIM cards take up a SIM slot (this can be an issue if your device has only 1 SIM card slot)
An eSIM counters all these issues by simply being a digital product. Just download the eSIM profile from the internet and install it. That’s it.
How Does an eSIM Work for International Travel?
The workings of an eSIM aren’t all that different from a physical SIM card. They both work on the same concept.
When you enable data, your travel eSIM attempts to connect to a local network it’s operator has a partnership or roaming agreement with. After successful authentication, your device will be connected to the network and allowed to use the data associated with your plan.
A thing to note here is that you may have to enable data roaming for the eSIM to work properly. This option varies from one operator to another.
Can I Share My eSIM Data with Other Devices?
Yes and no. The answer to this question is a bit complicated because some operators allow your data allocation to be shared, while others don’t.So, it helps to check your plan’s terms and conditions to know whether you can use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot.
If you do plan to use your device as a mobile hotspot, don’t forget to keep an eye on your data usage. You may run out of your data allocation sooner than expected.
Conclusion
Hope you got the answers you came looking for. This is, by no means, an exhaustive list of questions that people may have about the best eSIMs for international travel. However, it does cover the more important ones. The questions and answers here would help someone who’s on the fence.
And if you still aren’t convinced, here’s our advice: get an eSIM if you have a compatible device. You’re missing out on a lot of convenience by deciding to stick with traditional plastic SIM cards. Another suggestion would be to embrace the upgrade. More modern devices are prioritising eSIMs, and the day when eSIMs become the norm isn’t far away.