Out of all the potential costs that come with traveling somewhere new, staying connected abroad can quickly become one of your biggest expenses. Between hefty roaming charges, limited data plans, and unreliable hotel Wi-Fi (which sometimes itself isn’t free), everything from keeping in touch with your family to accessing important travel information, and uploading that perfect Instagram photo can drain your budget faster than you can Google “What are roaming fees?”.
To make matters even more frustrating, lots of travelers out there get caught up in the confusion and, mistakenly, end up caving and paying their home carrier’s excessive fees (upwards of $200) for international plans that still limit data usage — and ultimately prove to be as useless as most hotel hairdryers.
Thankfully, there’s a simple solution that savvy travelers have been using for years to slash these costs dramatically: Swapping out your regular SIM card for a local one when you arrive at your destination. Contrary to what you might think, this small plastic chip can be easily removed and replaced in most unlocked devices, connecting you to a local carrier’s network at cheaper rates compared to what you’d pay at home for international coverage. Even for short trips, the savings can be substantial — often paying for themselves in just a day or two of use. This means you’ll be less likely to stress or budget-watch, while still enjoying the convenience of direct access to reliable internet basically anywhere you go on your trip.
Buying a local SIM card means access to more data for less
Other alternatives for modern travelers
For travelers with newer smartphones, purchasing an international travel eSIM offers an even more convenient option than physical SIM cards. Put simply, these “embedded” SIMs are basically built directly into your device and can be programmed remotely — eliminating the need to physically swap cards. Much like you would with a physical SIM card, with an eSIM, you can purchase and activate a local data plan (sometimes before you even leave home), and ensure that you’re connected the moment your plane lands. Nowadays, providers like Airalo and Holafly even offer multi-country packages that are perfect for travelers visiting several destinations in one trip.
The process of getting an eSIM for your phone is pretty simple. First, purchase an eSIM package online for your destination country. Then, scan a QR code provided by the seller. Finally, follow the setup instructions onscreen. Once the activation is complete, you should see the new carrier name appear in your status bar and settings (depending on the type of phone you’re using), which essentially indicates that the eSIM is working properly. Alternatively, turning off your WiFi and refreshing a browser window successfully is another sign you’re connected and ready to go.
At the end of the day, the biggest advantage of using an eSIM is that you can keep your home SIM card installed for receiving important calls or texts (only on WiFi, though) while using your eSIM primarily for data and local calls if you’re out and about. Better yet, an eSIM completely eliminates the risk of losing your home SIM card or dealing with the tiny tools needed to open SIM trays — making it an ideal solution for even the least tech-savvy travelers who still want to save money.
